My Reading Vocub
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Created by:
waitingadi on August 18, 2012
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189 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 cosmogony | The branch of astrophysics that studies the origin and evolution and structure of the universe Muthu is interested in cosmogony and it all started with a cheap telescope |
| zoology | the branch of biology that studies animals She showed such keen interest in animals from such a young age that when she decided to major in zoology it did not surprised her parents at all. |
| demeanor | the way person behaves towards other people Your demeanor says a lot about your character |
| sloth | any of several slow-moving arboreal mammals of South America and Central America Her Mother shouted "You Sloth, clean your room right now !!" |
| intrigue | cause to be interested or curious The description of the movie made it sound ver intriguing. |
| indolence | laziness His indolence cannot be described in words |
| bough | any of the larger branches of a tree this bough is perfect for hanging the swing |
| acuity | a quick and penetrating intelligence He argued with great acuity |
| repose | lean in a comfortable resting position he reposed on the couch and started mad men |
| agnostic | a person who doubts truth of religion |
| thrall | the state of being under the control of another person slave |
| atheistic | rejecting any belief in gods he is an atheistic while she prays 5 times day and still their relationship works like a charm. |
| trifling | not worth considering Amir Khan found the film fare award trifling and refused to accept it |
| memento | a reminder of past events |
| oblivion | total forgetfulness he sought the great oblivion of sleep |
| tinged | being colored slightly the tinged glasses of the car made it real hard to look inside. |
| anemic | lacking vigor or energy He made an anemic effort to dodge the bowl of curd thrown at him by his daughter. |
| incoherent | unable to express yourself clearly or fluently the incoherent explanation was not well received by the jury |
| blanched | ash-colored or anemic looking from illness or emotion He blanched at his boss's remark. |
| vivid | evoking lifelike images within the mind The painting brought back some vivid memories |
| beckoned | to signal or summon as by nodding or waving |
| lassos | a rope with a movable noose at the end. |
| lore | traditional knowledge or teachings |
| barge | a flatbottom boat for carrying heavy loads (especially on canals) The barge was bigger than their small hut in Mumbai's slum |
| moor | secure with cables or ropes He moored the boat just to make sure they can escape back from island |
| artesian | (of water) rising to the surface under internal hydrostatic pressure The artesian wells was the main source of water supply in small village |
| incessant | occurring so frequently as to seem ceaseless or uninterrupted the incessant blows from his sword finally broke through the door |
| profusion | the property of being extremely abundant The profusion of materialism in America is marveled by everyone |
| flutter | the act of moving back and forth The hands of paralyzed man started to flutter moment he was dropped in water. |
| turnstile | a gate consisting of a post that acts as a pivot for rotating arms |
| abide | put up with something or somebody unpleasant |
| saunter | a leisurely walk (usually in some public place) The couple loved to saunter on Venice beach after their dinner |
| deviant | a person whose behavior deviates from what is acceptable especially in sexual behavior |
| frenzied | excessively agitated |
| lasciviousness | Lewd, lustful |
| menagerie | a collection of live animals for study or display |
| benevolent | having or showing or arising from a desire to promote the welfare or happiness of others Her benevolent smile was her best feature. |
| corral | enclosure for animals |
| guffawing | laughing in a loud, coarse manner |
| waft | 1. Something, such as an odor, that is carried through the air. 2. A light breeze; a rush of air. 3. The act of fluttering or waving. |
| emblazon | decorate with colors |
| crescendo | (music) a gradual increase in loudness |
| lackeys | male servant of low rank; follower carrying out another's orders |
| apothecary | a health professional trained in the art of preparing and dispensing drugs |
| zesty | having an agreeably pungent taste |
| subtle | be difficult to detect or grasp by the mind |
| siege | the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack |
| jowls | loose flesh on the cheeks, lower jaw, or throat — usually plural ▪ a man with heavy jowls ▪ a dog with big, floppy jowls |
| wart | 1 a small, hard lump on the skin caused by a virus 2 a defect or fault ▪ He was often selfish and thoughtless, but she loved him, warts and all. [=she loved him even though he had many faults] |
| avowed | openly declared ▪ Their avowed aim/goal is to win the trophy. |
| platypus | a small animal from Australia that has a bill like the bill of a duck, webbed feet, and a wide flat tail —called also duck-billed platypus |
| bosh | foolish words or ideas : nonsense Don't believe a word she says—it's all bosh. — often used like an interjection ▪ Bosh! That's absurd! |
| reverent | showing a lot of respect : very respectful ▪ a reverent crowd of worshippers ▪ a reverent tone of voice — opposite irreverent — rev·er·ent·ly adverb ▪ They all spoke of her reverently. |
| runt | a very small or weak person a skinny little runt |
| slouch | to walk, sit, or stand lazily with your head and shoulders bent forward ▪ Sit up straight. Please don't slouch. ▪ She slouched into the room. ▪ The boy was slouching over his school books. |
| lament | to express sorrow, regret, or unhappiness about something [no obj] ▪ She lamented over the loss of her best friend. ▪ (chiefly US) He was lamenting about rising gasoline prices. |
| indignation | [noncount] : anger caused by something that is unfair or wrong ▪ The decision to close the factory has aroused the indignation of the townspeople. |
| petulant | isapproving : having or showing the attitude of people who become angry and annoyed when they do not get what they want ▪ a petulant child ▪ Her tone was petulant and angry. — pet·u·lance / noun [noncount] — pet·u·lant·ly adverb |
| peeved | [more peeved; most peeved] informal : angry or annoyed ▪ He's peeved at me because I borrowed his car without asking. ▪ Her boss was peeved by/about the mistakes she made with the customer's order. ▪ I'm feeling pretty peeved. |
| bustle | 1 : to move or go in a busy or hurried way ▪ She bustled around the kitchen getting ready for dinner guests. 2 : to have a lot of busy activity — often + with ▪ The pier is always bustling with people. — bustling adjective ▪ a bustling town/pier |
| thump | thumps; thumped; thump·ing 1 : to hit or beat something or someone and make a loud, deep sound [no obj] ▪ Someone was thumping [=pounding] loudly on the door. ▪ The boat thumped against the side of the pier. [+ obj] ▪ gorillas thumping their chests ▪ I thumped [=pounded] him on the back. ▪ I was so angry I wanted to thump him (one). 2 [no obj] : to beat forcefully ▪ I could feel my heart thumping [=pounding] inside my chest. 3 always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] : to walk or run with loud, heavy steps ▪ She thumped [=clumped] up the stairs. |
| facade | plural fa·cades or fa·çades [count] 1 : the front of a building ▪ the facade of the bank ▪ the windowless façade of the skyscraper ▪ a brick facade 2 : a way of behaving or appearing that gives other people a false idea of your true feelings or situation ▪ They were trying to preserve the facade of a happy marriage. ▪ I could sense the hostility lurking behind her polite facade. |
| hovel | a small, poorly built and often dirty house |
| incongruous | [more incongruous; most incongruous] : strange because of not agreeing with what is usual or expected ▪ His outburst seemed incongruous to those who know him well. ▪ The style of the porch is incongruous with [=does not match] the style of the house overall. ▪ The modern sculpture seems incongruous [=out of place] among all the antiques. |
| bout | plural bouts [count] 1 : a period of time during which someone suffers from something (such as an illness or disease) — often + of ▪ a bout of fever ▪ She struggles with frequent bouts of depression. — often + with in U.S. English ▪ She survived a 5-year bout with cancer. ▪ a bout with the flu 2 : a short period of time during which something is done or happening ▪ a drinking bout — often + of ▪ a 4-hour bout of reading ▪ a bout of unemployment 3 : a wrestling or boxing contest ▪ He lost his bout [=fight] with the boxing champion. |
| pious | 1 [more pious; most pious] : deeply religious : devoted to a particular religion ▪ pious [=devout] churchgoing people ▪ They lived a quiet, pious life. 2 disapproving : falsely appearing to be good or moral ▪ I'm tired of hearing politicians making pious pronouncements about their devotion to the people. pious hope/wish : something that is hoped for but will probably not happen ▪ His speech contained no practical solutions, just the pious hope that the war would end soon. |
| guttural | formed or pronounced in the throat ▪ guttural sounds ▪ a guttural grunt |
| profound | 1 a : having or showing great knowledge or understanding ▪ a profound thinker ▪ His knowledge of history is profound. ▪ Her books offer profound insights into the true nature of courage. b : difficult to understand : requiring deep thought or wisdom ▪ the profound mysteries of outer space ▪ profound questions 2 a : very strongly felt ▪ profound sorrow ▪ a profound sense of loss b : very great ▪ Computer technology has made profound [=major, significant] changes in our lives. ▪ His paintings have had a profound effect/impact/influence on her own work. 3 somewhat formal : absolute or complete ▪ a profound silence/sleep/deafness |
| glum | : sad or depressed ▪ There's no need to look so glum—things will get better soon. ▪ There was a glum silence in the room. |
| exalt | [+ obj] 1 formal : to raise (someone or something) to a higher level ▪ His behavior has exalted the power and prestige of his office. 2 a formal : to praise (someone or something) highly ▪ The essay exalts the simple beauty of the country. ▪ We exalt thee, O Lord. b : to present (something) in a way that is very favorable or too favorable ▪ His new film exalts [=glorifies] military power. ▪ He shamelessly exalts his own role in the peace process. |
| bemused | [+ obj] : to cause (someone) to be confused and often also somewhat amused — usually used as (be) bemused ▪ He thought of himself as an ordinary man, and he was bemused by all the attention that he was receiving. — bemused adjective [more bemused; most bemused] ▪ She had a bemused expression/smile on her face. |
| esplanade | plural es·pla·nades [count] : a level, open area ; especially : an area for walking or driving along a shore ▪ a tree-lined esplanade by the river |
| pastoral | 1 : of or relating to the countryside or to the lives of people who live in the country ▪ The house is situated in a charming pastoral setting. ▪ Her favorite painting in the collection is a pastoral landscape. ▪ pastoral scenes ▪ a pastoral poem 2 : of or relating to the spiritual care or guidance of people who are members of a religious group ▪ The bishop outlined the church's views in a pastoral letter. ▪ pastoral counseling 3 : of or relating to the pastor of a church ▪ pastoral duties/responsibilities |
| slumbered | [no obj] literary : sleep ▪ The children quietly slumbered. |
| incredulous | [more incredulous; most incredulous] : not able or willing to believe something : feeling or showing a lack of belief ▪ She listened to his explanation with an incredulous smile. ▪ He was incredulous at the news. ▪ Many people were incredulous that such a small fire could have caused so much damage. |
| astound | to cause a feeling of great surprise or wonder in (someone) : amaze, astonish ▪ The magician will astound you with his latest tricks. ▪ What astounds me is that they never apologized. |
| drool | to let saliva flow out from the mouth ▪ a drooling baby 2 : to show admiration or desire for something in an exaggerated way — usually + over ▪ Everyone was drooling over his new car. |
| apoplectic | 1 [more apoplectic; most apoplectic] informal : very angry and excited ▪ an apoplectic basketball coach ▪ She was positively apoplectic with anger/rage when she realized she had been cheated. 2 medical, old-fashioned : relating to or caused by apoplexy ▪ The patient suffered an apoplectic fit. |
| piety | devotion to God : the quality or state of being pious ▪ He was admired for his extreme piety. ▪ an act of piety |
| impish | [more impish; most impish] : having or showing a playful desire to cause trouble : playful and mischievous ▪ an impish grin/smile ▪ an impish face/look |
| reprimand | + obj] : to speak in an angry and critical way to (someone who has done something wrong, disobeyed an order, etc.) ▪ The soldiers were severely reprimanded. — often + for ▪ She was reprimanded for being late. ▪ The boss reprimanded us for talking too much. |
| lampoon | [+ obj] : to publicly criticize (someone or something) in a way that causes laughter : to mock or make fun of (someone or something) ▪ The politician was lampooned in cartoons. |
| oaf | a stupid or awkward person — usually used for a man ▪ Get out of the way, you big oaf! |
| depravity | [noncount] : a very evil quality or way of behaving ▪ He was sinking into a life of utter depravity. ▪ moral/sexual depravity ▪ People were shocked by the depravity of her actions. 2 [count] : an evil or immoral act ▪ the depravities of war |
| brethren | plural of brother — used especially to begin to talk in a formal way to a group of people or to refer to the members of a particular group ▪ Welcome, brethren. ▪ our church brethren |
| cusp | plural cusps [count] technical : a pointed end or part where two curves meet ▪ the cusp of a tooth on the cusp : at the point when something is about to change to something else ▪ She is on the cusp [=on the verge] of being a star. ▪ on the cusp between childhood and adolescence ▪ I was born on the cusp between Leo and Virgo. |
| curlicue | [count] : a decoratively curved line or shape ▪ round loops and curlicues ▪ Curlicues were carved into the wood. |
| tassel | [count] 1 : a decoration made of a bunch of strings fastened at one end ▪ shoes with tassels |
| aviary | plural avi·ar·ies [count] : a place (such as a large cage or a building) where many birds are kept ▪ The zoo has a new outdoor aviary. |
| mottled | [more mottled; most mottled] : marked with colored spots or areas ▪ a tree with mottled leaves ▪ mottled skin ▪ a fabric mottled with green and yellow |
| gay | 2 old-fashioned : happy and excited ▪ gay and carefree children : cheerful and lively ▪ The band was playing a gay tune. ▪ a gay festival/reception 3 old-fashioned : very bright in color : colorful ▪ the gayest of the spring flowers — see also gaily |
| chagrin | [noncount] : a feeling of being frustrated or annoyed because of failure or disappointment ▪ The fact that he'd been unable to attend the funeral was a source of chagrin for Ted. ▪ She had gained five pounds over the winter, much to her chagrin. ▪ He decided to get a tattoo, to the chagrin of his parents. |
| precarious | [more precarious; most precarious] : not safe, strong, or steady ▪ He earned a precarious livelihood/living by gambling. ▪ She was in a state of precarious [=delicate] health. ▪ The government is in a precarious position. [=a dangerous position that must be dealt with carefully] ▪ The strong wind almost knocked him off of his precarious perch on the edge of the cliff. |
| gnaw | 1 : to bite or chew (something) repeatedly [+ obj] ▪ The dog was gnawing a bone. [no obj] ▪ He nervously gnawed on his fingernails. ▪ Rabbits have gnawed at the hedge. 2 [+ obj] : to make (a hole in something) by chewing ▪ Rabbits had gnawed a hole in the hedge. ▪ Squirrels had gnawed their way into the attic. [=they had entered the attic by chewing a hole] gnaw at [phrasal verb] gnaw at (someone) : to be a source of worry or concern to (someone) ▪ This problem has been gnawing at me day and night. ▪ She says she's fine, but I can see that something is gnawing at her. |
| assent | [no obj] formal : to agree to or approve of something (such as an idea or suggestion) especially after carefully thinking about it ▪ The general proposed a detailed plan and the President assented. — often + to ▪ She refused to assent to [=agree to] the new rules. — assent noun [noncount] ▪ A contract requires the assent [=agreement, approval] of both parties. ▪ The leaders gave their assent [=approval] to the peace proposal. |
| strait | 1 [count] : a narrow passage of water that connects two large bodies of water ▪ the Bering Strait — often plural ▪ the Straits of Gibraltar 2 straits [plural] : a very difficult situation ▪ Her campaign is in desperate straits. ▪ The company is in desperate financial straits. ▪ The economy is in dire straits. |
| conjugal | [more conjugal; most conjugal] formal : relating to marriage or to a married couple ▪ conjugal bliss/happiness ◊Conjugal is often used to refer to the sexual relationship between a married couple. ▪ conjugal relations ▪ The prisoner is allowed conjugal visits from his wife. [=visits in which he is able to have sexual relations with his wife] |
| gait | plural gaits [count] : a particular way of walking ▪ He has an awkward gait. ▪ an easy/unsteady gait |
| amorous | [more amorous; most amorous] : having or showing strong feelings of sexual attraction or love ▪ an amorous woman ▪ He has an amorous nature. ▪ She was feeling amorous. ▪ an amorous glance |
| terrarium | plural ter·rar·i·ums [count] : a glass or plastic box that is used for growing plants or keeping small animals indoors |
| devour | [+ obj] 1 : to quickly eat all of (something) especially in a way that shows that you are very hungry ▪ He devoured everything on his plate. ▪ The lions devoured their prey. synonyms eat 2 : to enjoy (something) in a way that shows you are excited about it: such as a : to read (something) quickly and with much enthusiasm ▪ She devoured every golf magazine she could find. b : to look at (something) with much enjoyment or enthusiasm ▪ He watched intently, devouring the scene before him with his eyes. 3 : to destroy (something) completely ▪ The forest was devoured [=consumed] by fire. 4 of an emotion : to greatly affect or control (someone) ▪ Jealousy devoured [=consumed] him. — usually used as (be) devoured ▪ She was devoured by guilt/remorse. |
| gullet | plural gul·lets [count] : the tube that leads from the mouth through the throat to the stomach : esophagus ▪ the fish's gullet |
| crude | [also more crude; most crude] 1 : very simple and basic : made or done in a way that does not show a lot of skill ▪ crude tools ▪ a crude instrument/drawing ▪ They built a crude shelter out of branches. 2 : rude in a way that makes people uncomfortable ; especially : talking about sexual matters in a rude way ▪ They tell a lot of crude [=vulgar] jokes. 3 : very simple and basic in a way that is true but not complete ▪ a crude summary of the country's history ▪ a crude theory ▪ a crude [=rough] estimate ▪ She first described the procedure in crude terms, and then went into more detail. |
| somber | [more somber; most somber] formal 1 : very sad and serious ▪ Her death put us in a somber mood. ▪ The movie is a somber portrait of life on the streets. 2 : having a dull or dark color ▪ He wore a somber suit. |
| colossal | : very large or great ▪ a colossal [=gigantic] statue ▪ Their business partnership turned out to be a colossal [=massive] failure. ▪ The meeting was a colossal [=huge, enormous] waste of time. |
| incredulous | [more incredulous; most incredulous] : not able or willing to believe something : feeling or showing a lack of belief ▪ She listened to his explanation with an incredulous smile. ▪ He was incredulous at the news. ▪ Many people were incredulous that such a small fire could have caused so much damage. — in·cred·u·lous·ly adverb ▪ She listened incredulously as he explained his decision. |
| bashful | [more bashful; most bashful] : nervous or uncomfortable in social situations : afraid to talk to people because of a lack of confidence ▪ She was very bashful [=shy] as a child. ▪ bashful boys asking girls to dance ▪ He looked at her with a bashful smile. [=a smile that showed he was feeling bashful] ▪ Take another cookie if you like. Don't be bashful. [=shy] — bash·ful·ly adverb ▪ He smiled bashfully. |
| crook | plural crooks [count] 1 informal a : a dishonest person ▪ He thinks politicians are just a bunch of crooks. b : a criminal ▪ a small-time crook 2 a : the place where part of the body (such as an arm, leg, or finger) bends ▪ the crook of his arm b : a curved or hooked part of something ▪ The squirrel sat in the crook of the tree. ▪ the crook of the cane 3 : a long stick with one end curved into a hook that is used by a shepherd |
| melancholy | [noncount] old-fashioned + literary : a sad mood or feeling ▪ suffering from melancholy ▪ a time of melancholy |
| dyspeptic | 1 : suffering from pain caused by digestive problems ▪ dyspeptic patients 2 formal + old-fashioned : having a bad temper ▪ a dyspeptic old man |
| beckon | 1 : to signal (someone) with your arm or hand in order to tell that person to come closer or follow [+ obj] ▪ She was beckoning them in to shore. ▪ He beckoned them over (to where he was). ▪ She beckoned the waiter to come over. [no obj] ▪ She beckoned to the waiter to come over. 2 a [no obj] : to appear attractive or inviting ▪ From the time he was a child, the wilderness beckoned to him. ▪ New adventures were beckoning. ▪ a beckoning smile b [+ obj] : to attract (someone or something) ▪ The nature preserve beckons bird-watchers, who visit from around the world. |
| prowl | 1 of an animal : to move quietly through an area while hunting [no obj] ▪ a tiger prowling in the jungle ▪ wolves prowling in packs [+ obj] ▪ He moved like a tiger prowling the jungle. 2 : to move through a place or area especially while searching for something often in a quiet or secret way [+ obj] ▪ The police were prowling the streets in their patrol cars. ▪ He liked to prowl the streets late at night. ▪ I prowled the store looking for sales. [no obj] ▪ I prowled through the store looking for sales. |
| landlubber | plural land·lub·bers [count] old-fashioned + humorous : a person who knows very little or nothing about the sea or ships : a person who is not a sailor |
| ensconce | [+ obj] : to firmly place or hide (someone or something) ▪ The sculpture is safely ensconced behind glass. ▪ He ensconced himself in front of the television. ▪ She's already ensconced in her new job. [=she is comfortably settled into her new job] |
| berserk | : crazy and violent especially because of anger ▪ berserk behavior go berserk 1 : to become very angry, crazy, and violent ▪ A worker went berserk and killed his boss. 2 : to become very excited ▪ The crowd was going berserk. [=going wild] |
| seethe | seethes; seethed; seeth·ing [no obj] 1 : to feel or show strong emotion (such as anger) even though you try to control it ▪ He seethed at his brother's success. — often + with ▪ He seethed with anger/jealousy. ▪ The letter seethes with resentment. ▪ a seething letter 2 : to be in a state of constant activity ▪ We found ourselves in the middle of a seething crowd. — often used as (be) seething with ▪ The island is seething with tourists. [=there are very many tourists moving around on the island] ▪ The field was seething with crickets. ▪ His brain was seething with ideas. |
| tarpaulin | [count] : a large piece of waterproof material (such as plastic or canvas) that is used to cover things and keep them dry |
| marauding | always used before a noun : traveling from place to place to attack others ▪ Marauding soldiers wandered from town to town. ▪ a marauding band/gang of thieves ▪ marauding lions |
| flotsam | [noncount] : floating pieces, parts, etc., from a ship that has been wrecked ▪ flotsam washed up on the shore — often used figuratively ▪ bits of flotsam gathered from yard sales ▪ human flotsam [=people who have no home or who have been forced to leave their homes] — often used in the phrase flotsam and jetsam ▪ He spends a lot of time sorting through the flotsam and jetsam that come(s) across his desk each day. — compare jetsam |
| stealth | [noncount] : a secret, quiet, and clever way of moving or behaving ▪ The fox uses stealth and cunning to hunt its prey. |
| oblivion | [noncount] 1 : the state of something that is not remembered, used, or thought about any more ▪ The technology is destined/headed for oblivion. ▪ The names of the people who lived here long ago have faded/drifted into oblivion. ▪ His theories have faded into scientific oblivion. ▪ Her work was rescued from oblivion when it was rediscovered in the early 1900s. 2 : the state of being unconscious or unaware : the state of not knowing what is going on around you ▪ After being awake for three days straight, he longed for the oblivion of sleep. ▪ She drank herself into oblivion. 3 : the state of being destroyed ▪ The little village was bulldozed into oblivion to make way for the airport. |
| stupor | [count] : a condition in which someone is not able to think normally because of being drunk, drugged, tired, etc. ▪ He fell into a drunken stupor. ▪ drug-induced stupors ▪ in a stupor of fatigue |
| bask | [no obj] 1 : to lie or relax happily in a bright and warm place ▪ We sat basking in the sun. ▪ Tourists were basking on the beaches. 2 : to enjoy the attention and good feelings expressed by others ▪ He stood before the audience, basking in their applause. ▪ parents who bask in the reflected glory of their children [=parents who enjoy the attention people give them because of the success of their children] |
| zenith | [singular] 1 formal : the strongest or most successful period of time ▪ At its zenith [=peak] in the 1980s, the company employed more than 300 people. ▪ That was the zenith [=the highest point] of her career. — opposite nadir 2 technical : the highest point reached in the sky by the sun, moon, etc. |
| contour | [count] : the outline or outer edge of something ▪ He loved the sleek/smooth/flowing contours of the car. ▪ The map showed the contour of the coastline. |
| remonstrate | [no obj] formal : to disagree and argue or complain about something ▪ He got angry when I politely remonstrated with him about littering. |
| callous | [more callous; most callous] disapproving : not feeling or showing any concern about the problems or suffering of other people ▪ a selfish and callous young man ▪ a callous refusal to help the poor ▪ a very callous remark |
| queasy | [also more queasy; most queasy] 1 : having a sick feeling in the stomach : suffering from nausea ▪ The boat ride made me a little queasy. ▪ She complained of a queasy stomach. ▪ a queasy sensation 2 : having an unpleasantly nervous or doubtful feeling ▪ He feels queasy about taking the test. ▪ She had the queasy feeling that she was being watched. |
| treacherous | [more treacherous; most treacherous] 1 : not able to be trusted ▪ a treacherous ally/enemy : showing that someone cannot be trusted ▪ a treacherous act of betrayal ▪ treacherous misdeeds 2 : very dangerous and difficult to deal with ▪ sailing through treacherous waters ▪ They were not prepared to hike over such treacherous terrain. ▪ The snow made their hike all the more treacherous. ▪ Discussions about money can lead couples into treacherous territory. |
| garb | [noncount] : a particular style or type of clothing ▪ traditional academic garb ▪ dressed in ceremonial garb ▪ prison garb |
| gangrene | medical : the decay of flesh that occurs in a part of the body that no longer has blood flowing to it ▪ When gangrene set in, the soldier's leg had to be amputated. |
| witless | [more witless; most witless] 1 : very foolish or stupid ▪ He committed a witless blunder. ▪ a witless fool 2 not used before a noun, informal : very much : very badly — used for emphasis ▪ We were bored witless. [=we were extremely bored] ▪ The ghost story had me scared witless. [=I was very scared] — wit·less·ly adverb — wit·less·ness noun [noncount] |
| tabby | plural tab·bies [count] : a cat that has dark and light stripes or spots on its fur |
| inflection | 1 : a rise or fall in the sound of a person's voice : a change in the pitch or tone of a person's voice [noncount] ▪ She spoke with no inflection. [count] ▪ She read the lines with an upward/rising inflection. ▪ vocal inflections |
| edify | [+ obj] : to teach (someone) in a way that improves the mind or character ▪ These books will both entertain and edify readers. — ed·i·fi·ca·tion Listen to audio /ˌɛdəfəˈkeɪʃən/ noun [noncount] ▪ books that provide both entertainment and edification — edifying adjective [more edifying; most edifying] ▪ an edifying sermon/experience ▪ The books are both entertaining and edifying. |
| ado | [noncount] : foolish or unnecessary talk, trouble, or activity — often used with much ▪ There has been much ado about the need for campaign reform. ▪ The controversy turned out to be much ado about nothing. without further ado : without waiting any longer : right away ▪ Without further ado, I'd like to introduce our speaker. |
| injunction | [count] law : an order from a court of law that says something must be done or must not be done ▪ The group has obtained an injunction to prevent the demolition of the building. — often + against ▪ The court has issued/granted an injunction against the strike. |
| brine | [noncount] 1 : a mixture of salty water used especially to preserve or add flavor to food ▪ The chicken was soaked in brine before it was roasted. 2 : the salty water of the ocean ▪ ocean brine — see also briny |
| tremulous | formal + literary 1 : shaking slightly especially because of nervousness, weakness, or illness ▪ She opened the letter with tremulous hands. ▪ He spoke with a tremulous voice. 2 [more tremulous; most tremulous] : feeling or showing a lack of confidence or courage ▪ He is a shy, tremulous [=timid] person. ▪ a tremulous smile |
| dregs | [plural] 1 : solid materials that fall to the bottom of a container full of a liquid ▪ the dregs in a bottle of wine ▪ He discarded the dregs of his coffee. 2 : the worst or most useless part of something ▪ people who were regarded as the dregs of society |
| galleon | plural gal·le·ons [count] : a large sailing ship used especially by the Spanish in the 1500s and 1600s |
| torpedo | [count] : a bomb that is shaped like a tube and that is fired underwater ▪ The battleship was sunk by a torpedo fired by a submarine. |
| carrion | [noncount] : the flesh of dead animals ▪ Vultures live chiefly on carrion. |
| fervor | [noncount] : a strong feeling of excitement and enthusiasm ▪ The fervor surrounding her campaign continued right through election day. ▪ The novel captures the revolutionary fervor of the period. ▪ religious fervor |
| taut | [also more taut; most taut] 1 : very tight from being pulled or stretched : not loose or slack ▪ The rope was drawn/pulled/stretched taut. 2 : firm and strong : not loose or flabby ▪ taut muscles 3 : very tense ▪ taut nerves ▪ The book is a taut thriller. |
| cow | [+ obj] : to make (someone) too afraid to do something : intimidate ▪ I refuse to be cowed by their threats. ▪ They were cowed into silence by threats. [=they did not complain, publicly say anything, etc., because they had been threatened] |
| writhe | writhes; writhed; writh·ing [no obj] : to twist your body from side to side ▪ She lay on the floor, writhing in pain. ▪ a nest of writhing snakes |
| exult | 1 [no obj] : to feel or show great happiness — often + at, in, or over ▪ The team exulted in their victory. ▪ She exulted over her students' test scores. 2 [+ obj] : to say (something) in a very excited and happy way ▪ "That was the best meal I've ever had!" he exulted. |
| feverish | [more feverish; most feverish] 1 a : having a fever : suffering from a higher than normal body temperature caused by illness ▪ She was feeling tired and feverish. b : of or relating to a fever ▪ a feverish nightmare ▪ He had a feverish appearance. 2 : involving intense emotion or activity : feeling or showing great or extreme excitement ▪ We waited for the announcement with feverish [=eager] anticipation. ▪ feverish [=hectic] activity — fe·ver·ish·ly adverb ▪ We worked feverishly to prepare for the party. |
| ambit | [count] formal : the range or limit that is covered by something (such as a law) : scope — usually singular ▪ I'm afraid your case doesn't fall within the ambit of our jurisdiction. |
| intrepid | feeling no fear : very bold or brave ▪ an intrepid explorer |
| flit | to move or fly quickly from one place or thing to another ▪ butterflies flitting around the garden ▪ The hummingbird flitted from flower to flower. ▪ She was always flitting around the kitchen. |
| exult | 1 [no obj] : to feel or show great happiness — often + at, in, or over ▪ The team exulted in their victory. ▪ She exulted over her students' test scores. 2 [+ obj] : to say (something) in a very excited and happy way ▪ "That was the best meal I've ever had!" he exulted. |
| clamor | 1 : a loud continuous noise (such as the noise made when many people are talking or shouting) [singular] ▪ A clamor outside woke them in the night. ▪ a clamor of voices ▪ a clamor of bells [noncount] ▪ city streets filled with clamor 2 : a loud or strong demand for something by many people [singular] ▪ a public clamor for an arrest in the case [noncount] ▪ There is growing clamor for reform. |
| mutiny | [count] : a situation in which a group of people (such as sailors or soldiers) refuse to obey orders and try to take control away from the person who commands them ▪ The mutiny was led by the ship's cook. ▪ The sailors staged a mutiny and took control of the ship. |
| ascetic | [more ascetic; most ascetic] formal : relating to or having a strict and simple way of living that avoids physical pleasure ▪ an ascetic monk ▪ an ascetic scholar ▪ the ascetic [=severe, austere] life of monks ▪ an ascetic diet of rice and beans — ascetic noun, plural ascetics [count] ▪ She left the comforts of home to live the life of an ascetic. |
| triumphant | 1: resulting in victory or success ▪ The boxer made a triumphant return to the ring. [=the boxer won when he returned to the ring to fight again] 2 : celebrating victory or success ▪ a triumphant shout |
| jocular | [more jocular; most jocular] formal 1 : liking to tell jokes ▪ a jocular man who could make the most serious people smile 2 : said or done as a joke ▪ a jocular comment |
| dignitaries | a person who has a high rank or an important position ▪ The dinner was attended by many foreign dignitaries. ▪ dignitaries of the church |
| rivulet | [count] : a small stream of water or liquid ▪ rivulets of water/sweat |
| piranha | a small South American fish that has sharp teeth and that eats the flesh of animals |
| conundrum | [count] : a confusing or difficult problem ▪ He is faced with the conundrum [=dilemma] of trying to find a job without experience. ▪ an ethical conundrum |
| enigma | [count] : someone or something that is difficult to understand or explain ▪ To his friends, he was always something of an enigma. ▪ one of the great enigmas of our time |
| indigenous | produced, living, or existing naturally in a particular region or environment ▪ He grows a wide variety of both indigenous [=native] and exotic plants. ▪ an indigenous culture/language ▪ There are several indigenous groups that still live in the area. |
| macaw | a bird of South and Central America that has a long tail and bright colorful feathers |
| thicket | a group of bushes or small trees that grow close together ▪ a dense thicket of rosebushes — often used figuratively ▪ A thicket of reporters blocked the entrance to city hall. ▪ a tangled thicket of laws |
| chagrin | a feeling of being frustrated or annoyed because of failure or disappointment ▪ The fact that he'd been unable to attend the funeral was a source of chagrin for Ted. ▪ She had gained five pounds over the winter, much to her chagrin. ▪ He decided to get a tattoo, to the chagrin of his parents. |
| inimical | more inimical; most inimical] formal 1 : likely to cause damage or have a bad effect : harmful — usually + to ▪ habits inimical to health ▪ Dry conditions can be inimical to plant life. |
| piquant | 1 : having a pleasant, spicy taste ▪ piquant vegetables seasoned with pepper ▪ He served the fish with a piquant sauce. 2 : interesting and exciting ▪ a piquant bit of gossip |
| apostle | [count] 1 : any one of the 12 men chosen by Jesus Christ to spread the Christian religion ▪ Christ's apostles 2 : someone who believes in or supports an idea, cause, etc. — often + of ▪ apostles [=adherents, advocates] of peace and nonviolence ▪ an apostle of democracy |
| verdant | [more verdant; most verdant] literary : green with growing plants ▪ The fields were verdant. ▪ a verdant forest |
| rancid | [more rancid; most rancid] 1 of food : having a strong and unpleasant smell or taste from no longer being fresh ▪ rancid butter ▪ Some foods become/go/turn rancid quickly. 2 chiefly US : full of anger and bitterness ▪ The argument turned rancid. |
| cravat | [count] : a short, wide piece of cloth that is worn around the neck by men with its ends tucked inside the collar of a shirt or sweater |
| lunatic | [count] informal 1 old-fashioned + sometimes offensive : an insane person ▪ a murderous lunatic ▪ He was raving like a lunatic. 2 informal : a person who behaves in a very foolish way ▪ I almost got into an accident with some lunatic on the highway. ▪ My boss is a complete lunatic. ▪ He was a lunatic out on the ski slopes. [=he was an extremely daring, reckless, or aggressive skier] |
| conduit | count] 1 technical : a pipe or tube through which something (such as water or wire) passes 2 formal : someone or something that is used as a way of sending something (such as information or money) from one place or person to another ▪ The council serves as a conduit [=channel] of information between the school and the children's parents. — often + for ▪ a port that has been a conduit for the trade of illegal weapons |
| replete | formal 1 : having much or plenty of something : filled with something ▪ The book is replete with photographs. ▪ The country's history is replete with stories of people who became successful by working hard. 2 : having had plenty to eat : pleasantly full ▪ feeling replete |
| ethos | [singular] formal : the guiding beliefs of a person, group, or organization ▪ The company made environmental awareness part of its business ethos. ▪ They are working to keep a democratic ethos alive in the community. ▪ an ethos of arrogance |
| heresy | : a belief or opinion that does not agree with the official belief or opinion of a particular religion [noncount] ▪ They were accused of heresy. [count] ▪ He was preaching dangerous heresies. — often used figuratively ▪ To disagree with the party leadership was heresy. |
| monocle | a single round lens for one eye that helps people see and that is held in place by the muscles around the eye |
| prodigy | [count] : a young person who is unusually talented in some way ▪ child prodigies ▪ a chess/tennis/math prodigy |
| sedition | [noncount] formal : the crime of saying, writing, or doing something that encourages people to disobey their government ▪ The leaders of the group have been arrested and charged with sedition. |
| benign | 1 medical a : not causing death or serious injury ▪ a benign infection/disease b : without cancer : not cancerous ▪ benign brain tumors ▪ We were happy to hear that the tumor was benign. — opposite malignant 2 : not causing harm or damage ▪ This chemical is environmentally benign. [=it does not hurt the environment] ▪ He has a benign [=harmless] habit of biting his fingernails. 3 [more benign; most benign] : mild and pleasant ▪ benign [=favorable] weather conditions ▪ a benign climate 4 [more benign; most benign] : gentle and kind ▪ a friendly, benign teacher |
| conjure | [+ obj] 1 : to make (something) appear or seem to appear by using magic ▪ a magician who conjures live doves from silk scarves — usually + up ▪ In the movie she has the power to conjure up storms, fires, and earthquakes. 2 a : to make you think of (something) ▪ The title of the book conjures [=evokes] images of politics, protest, and war. — usually + up ▪ The photos conjure up memories of a simpler time. ▪ For many, the word "Greenland" conjures up images of vast, icy plains. |
| amateur | [count] 1 : a person who does something (such as a sport or hobby) for pleasure and not as a job ▪ She played soccer as an amateur before turning professional. ▪ These photos were taken by both amateurs and professionals. 2 : a person who does something poorly : a person who is not skillful at a job or other activity ▪ The people running that company are a bunch of amateurs. ▪ Only amateurs make this kind of mistake. ▪ He's a mere amateur when it comes to cooking. [=he doesn't know how to cook well] |
| cartographer | [count] : a person who makes maps |
| quaint | [or more quaint; most quaint] : having an old-fashioned or unusual quality or appearance that is usually attractive or appealing ▪ The fishing village was very quaint. ▪ The writer talks about the quaint customs of the natives. ▪ They have some quaint [=outdated] notions about how women should behave. |
| perilous | [more perilous; most perilous] somewhat formal + literary : full of danger : dangerous ▪ a perilous journey across the mountains ▪ The climb was perilous. |
| morass | [count] : an area of soft, wet ground : a marsh or swamp — usually singular ▪ a morass of muck — usually used figuratively to refer to a complicated or unpleasant situation that is difficult to get out of or to move through ▪ a legal morass ▪ trying to find our way through a morass of city traffic |
| endeavor | [+ obj] formal : to seriously or continually try to do (something) ▪ The school endeavors to teach students to be good citizens. ▪ They endeavored to create a government that truly serves its people. synonyms 1attempt |
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