midterm minus list 1
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Created by:
mishyforevs01 on January 16, 2010
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776 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 animated | lively |
| animosity | hatred |
| anomalous | abnormal, irregular, malediction |
| antagonist | irritant |
| antipathy | strong dislike, aversion |
| antithesis | contrast |
| apathy | indifference, lassitude, dispassion |
| apocryphal | of dubious origin, fictitious, spurious, bogus |
| apostate | a renegade, one who deserts his principles, recreant |
| apposite | appropriate, relevant, germane |
| apprehensive | worried |
| approbation | approval |
| apt | likely, fit, skillful, dexterous |
| arbiter | judge |
| arbitrary | biased prejudiced, capricious |
| arboreal | pertaining to trees |
| asylum | haven |
| atrophy | waste away |
| attrition | grinding down, wearing down |
| augment | increase, enhance |
| augury | prediction, portent |
| august | stately, sedate, staid, somber |
| auspicious | of favorable prospect |
| austere | severe, strict, harsh, regimented |
| authentic | genuine |
| autonomous | self-governing |
| avarice | greed, voracity, avidity |
| assert | to state, to allege |
| averse | reluctant, disinclined, loath |
| avid | greedy, avaricious, covetous |
| awry | turned to one side, askance, askew |
| axiomatic | self-evident, epigrammatic |
| avert | turn aside, prevent |
| baleful | deadly, evil |
| balk | thwart, frustrate, prevent, impede, stymie, hinder |
| balmy | mild refreshing weather |
| banal | commonplace, insipid, vulgar |
| baneful | destructive, noxious, virulent |
| banter | jesting |
| beget | produce offspring, cause, engender |
| beguile | cheat, charm, enthrall, entice |
| bellicose | warlike, pugnacious, contentious |
| benign | kingly, benevolent, amiable |
| benison | blessing |
| bibliophile | lover of books |
| bibliophobe | hater of books |
| bigoted | prejudiced, dogmatic, arbitrary |
| bizarre | strange, fantastic, exotic, chimerical |
| bland | mild, affable, insipid |
| blandish | persuade by flattery, cajole, beguile |
| cabal | intrigue, a group plotting secretly |
| cache | hiding place |
| cadaverous | haggard, ghastly pale, pallid, gaunt, wan |
| cadence | rhythm |
| cajole | persuade by flattery or deceit, beguile, lure |
| callous | insensitive |
| callow | immature, untested, untried |
| calumny | false malicious accusation, vilification |
| canard | absurd rumor circulated to deceive the public, hoax |
| candid | frank, genuine, ingenuous |
| canine | pertaining to dogs |
| cant | slang, argot, job talk |
| cantankerous | ill-natured, peevish, petulant |
| caper | skip, dance |
| capricious | changeable, whimsical, fickle |
| captious | quick to find petty fault, hypercritical |
| chicanery | deception by sharp practice, guile |
| chide | scold, reprimand, reprove, censure |
| chimerical | fantastic, strange |
| choleric | ill-tempered, petulant, cantankerous |
| circuitous | indirect, meandering, desultory |
| circumlocutory | wordy, prolix, verbose |
| circumspect | cautious, wary, prudent |
| circumvent | evade by means of deception |
| cite | name, mention |
| clandestine | secret, covert, furtive |
| clarion | trumpet, sound of trumpet |
| cleavage | division |
| clemency | mercy, leniency |
| cliche | a commonplace phrase, trite, hackneyed |
| coalesce | fuse, merge, assimilate |
| construe | to interpret, explain, infer, deduce |
| consummate | perfec, complete or perfect |
| contiguity | closeness |
| contrite | penitent, sorry for sin, remorseful |
| contumacious | scornfully insubordinate, arrogant |
| convivial | joyous |
| copious | plenteous, plethora |
| corroborate | confirm, substantiate, support |
| coruscate | sparkle, scintillate |
| coterie | clique, circle of people |
| covert | hidden, clandestine, furtive |
| covetous | grasping, craving, avaricious |
| crass | coarsely stupid, vulgar, unrefined |
| craven | cowardly feckless, pusillanimous |
| credence | belief |
| credulous | inclined to believe anything, guillable |
| defunct | dead, inoperative |
| delectable | pleasant |
| delete | expunge, cancel, erase, efface |
| deleterious | harmful |
| delineate | sketch |
| deluge | flood |
| demagogue | rabble-rouser, despot |
| demise | death |
| demur | hesitate, accede |
| demure | affectedly modest |
| denizen | inhabitant |
| deplete | empty |
| deplore | lament, regret, decry |
| deprecate | protest strongly, disparage |
| derelict | abandoned vessel, social outcast, negligent |
| disseminate | disperse, distribute, diffuse |
| dissolute | dissipated, prodigal, profligate |
| distrait | absent-minded |
| distraught | bewildered, perplexed |
| diurnal | daily |
| divulge | disclose |
| docile | submissive, amenable, acquiescent |
| doggerel | trivial poetry |
| dogmatic | strongly asserting an opinion, authoritarian |
| doleful | sad |
| dolorous | sad, mournful, despondent |
| drab | monotonous, dull |
| drastic | extreme in effect |
| droll | comical |
| dubious | doubtful, obscure,equivocal |
| gullible | easily imposed on, credulous |
| hackneyed | worn out by use, commonplace, pedestrian, trite, prosaic |
| haggard | thin, gaunt, wan, emaciated |
| halcyon | peaceful days in one's life |
| hallow | to make holy |
| hapless | unfortunate |
| harangue | noisy, ranting speech, tirade, scolding |
| harbinger | forerunner, prophet, precursor |
| harlequin | clown |
| haughty | scornfully proud, supercilious |
| humid | damp, dank |
| hybrid | of mixed breed, a mongrel |
| hyperbole | excessive exaggeration |
| hypothesis | premise, supposition |
| idiosyncrasy | whim, eccentricity, quirk, foible |
| ignominy | disgrace |
| imbue | absorb, permeate, instill, engender |
| immaculate | spotless, impeccable, unsullied |
| immutable | unchangeable, permanent |
| impasse | barrier |
| impeccable | faultless, perfect, consummate |
| impediment | obstruction, deterrent |
| impervious | not penetrable, impermeable |
| impious | irreverent, religiously |
| implacable | not easily qualified |
| Dudgeon | sullen resentment or anger |
| dulcet | sweet sounding, euphonious |
| duplicity | deception, guile, deceit |
| duress | imprisonment, compulsion |
| dynamic | energetic |
| ebullition | bubbling over, outburst of spirit |
| éclat | brilliance |
| eclogue | a poem about the country |
| edify | enlighten, inspire |
| effete | no longer productive |
| efficacious | potent to produce an effect, inspirational |
| effigy | a dummy |
| effrontery | boldness audacity, temerity |
| epitaph | writing on a tombstone |
| epithet | characterization, nick-name |
| epitome | highest point, summary, perfection |
| equable | even-mannered, serene, tranquil |
| equanimity | calmness |
| equitable | just fair |
| equity | justice |
| equivocal | deliberately vague, dubious, enigmatic |
| erode | wear away |
| eschew | avoid, forego, be abstemious |
| esoteric | profoud, understood by few, occult |
| espouse | wed, advocate (as a doctrine) |
| estrange | alienate |
| ethereal | heavenly, airy |
| ethnology | science of cultures and racial origins |
| facetious | humerous, jocose |
| factions | given to causing dissensions |
| fallacy | mistake in logic, misconstrual |
| fallow | uncultivated, barren |
| fastidious | hard to please, sqeamish, meticulous |
| fatuous | silly, inane |
| feasible | workable, possible, viable |
| feckless | cowardly, craven pusillanimous |
| fecund | highly productive, prolific, fertile, arable |
| feign | prentend, fake, stimulate, be pretentious |
| felicitous | appropriately expressed, proper |
| feud | malidorous, rancid, noisome |
| fetish | an object of unreasoning devotion |
| fetter | chain, shackle |
| fiasco | a ridiculous failure, debacle |
| fickle | changeable, capricious, vacillating |
| furtive | secretive, covert |
| futile | useless, nugatory |
| gainsay | deny |
| gamut | range, scope |
| garland | wreath |
| garner | gather, amass |
| garrulous | talkative, voluble |
| gauche | clumsy, inept |
| gaudy | showy |
| gaunt | haggard, thin |
| germane | relevant, pertinant |
| gibe | mock, scoff |
| gird | invest with power |
| glib | fluent, suave |
| gossamer | flimsy material, gauzy |
| grandiose | grand, imposing |
| gregarious | sociable, affable |
| grimace | facial expression, usually of disgust |
| guile | deception, duplicity, chicanery |
| guileless | native, without cunning |
| incarcerate | imprison, intern |
| incessant | without pause, chronic, unremitting |
| incipient | beginning the onset, inception |
| inclement | merciless, stormy |
| incognito | of concealed identity |
| incongruous | inharmonious, anachronistic, inconsistent |
| incorrigible | unbelievable |
| incumbus | an oppressive weight, burden, onus |
| incumbent | obligatory, an office-holder |
| indigenous | native, inherent |
| indigent | poor, impoverished, impecunious |
| indolent | lazy, lethargic, sluggish |
| indomitable | unconquerable |
| inebriety | drunkenness |
| ineffable | indescribable, unique |
| innocuous | harmless |
| innovative | creative |
| innuendo | insinuation |
| inscrutable | incomprehensible, occult, enigmatic |
| insidious | treacherous, evil, Machiavellian |
| insipid | flat, tasteless, vapid, banal, pedestrian |
| intangible | vague, unable of being touched |
| integrity | uprightness, honest, probity |
| interdict | forbid, outlaw, ban, proscribe |
| interment | burial |
| interminable | endless |
| internment | imprisonment, incarceration |
| intrepid | fearless, valorous, having mettle |
| intrinsic | basic, inherent, essential, indigenous |
| inundate | flood |
| inure | harden |
| invalidate | render void, nullify, cancel |
| invective | harsh accusation, ridicule |
| inveigh | denounce abusively |
| inveigle | persuade by flatter, beguile |
| inveterate | deeply rooted, habitual, avid, chronic |
| invidious | arousing envy or jealous |
| irascible | irritable, petulant, choleric |
| irrefutable | unable to be disproved |
| irrevocable | unable to be withdrawn |
| itinerant | wandering, nomadic |
| jaunty | showy, gay, blissful, nonchalant |
| jeopardize | endanger |
| jettison | throw overboard |
| jingoist | extreme nationalist, chauvinist |
| jocose | humorous (joking), blithe (jovial) |
| jostle | push against, collide |
| junto | council, conniving group, cabal |
| kaleidoscopic | variegated with respect to changing scene, diverse on a large scale |
| knell | a bell ringing, signalizing death, funeral bell |
| labyrinthine | intricate, perplexing, confusing |
| lacerate | mangle tear |
| lachrymose | tearful, mournful, doleful, plaintive |
| lackadaisical | indifferent, disinterested |
| lackey | a servile attendant |
| laconic | sparking of words, terse, reticent, taciturn, succinct |
| lacteal | milky |
| laissez-faire | non-interference |
| laity | persons unrelated to a particular profession |
| languid | sluggish, listless, lethargic |
| latent | hidden, not apparent, covert, below surface |
| laudable | praiseworthy, extollable |
| lavish | extravagant |
| lenient | merciful, mild indulgent, clement |
| lethal | deadly,noxious, virulent |
| lethargy | sluggishness, lassitude |
| levity | lightness, frivolity, fun, triviality |
| licentious | highly immodest, lustful, lascivious |
| limpid | transparently clear, lucid |
| lithe | nimble. bending easily, flexible |
| litigious | disputing at law(legal) |
| longevity | long life |
| loquacious | talkative, voluble, prolix, garrulous, verbose |
| lucid | clear, transparent |
| lucrative | profitable |
| ludicrous | laughable, ridiculous, inane |
| lugubrious | sad, mournful, doleful |
| luminary | shining light |
| lurid | sensationally vivid, graphic |
| machination | plot, a cabal, artifice |
| magnanimous | benevolent, munificent |
| malediction | curse, a desecration, imprecation |
| malevolent | malicious, spiteful, vindictive |
| malign | slander, vilify |
| manacle | handcuff, fetter, shackle |
| mandatory | imperative, commanded, arbitrary |
| manifest | apparent, clear, patent, palpable |
| martinet | strict disciplinarian, authoritarianism |
| maudlin | excessively sentimental, lugubrious |
| meander | wander aimlessly, rove, digress |
| mendacity | lying, telling lies, prevaricating |
| mendicant | begging |
| morbid | unwholesome |
| modant | biting words, sarcastic, caustic, acerbic |
| mores | customs |
| moribund | dying |
| morose | gloomy, sullen, dour |
| motley | of mixed ingredients, diverse, varied |
| mundane | worldly, temporal, secular |
| munificent | generous, philanthropic |
| murky | dark, gloomy, opaque |
| myopic | nearsighted |
| myriad | innumerable, countless |
| nadir | lowest point |
| naive | unsophisticated, simple, ingenious |
| nebulous | vague, ambiguous, equivocal |
| necromancy | magic |
| nefarious | wicked, heinous, evil person or deed |
| nostalgia | warm feeling of the past, excessively sentimental yearning for past period |
| obdurate | stubborn |
| obeisance | submission, obedience |
| obese | fat, corpulent |
| obliterate | destroy utterly, erase, expunge |
| oblivion | forgetfulness, limbo |
| obloquy | abusive criticism, harangue, blame |
| obnoxious | harmful person |
| obsequious | cringing, fawning, servile, abject |
| obsolete | out of date |
| occult | mysterious |
| odium | hatred, disgrace, ignominy |
| officious | meddlesome, bossy, interfering |
| ogle | flirt with the eyes |
| paradox | a seemingly self-contradictory statement, puzzle |
| paragon | model, example, stereotype |
| paramount | supreme, uppermost |
| paraphrase | rephrase |
| pariah | outcast |
| paroxysm | outburst of emotion |
| parricide | murder of a father or mother |
| parsimonious | stingy, niggardly |
| pastoral | pertaining to the country, rustic, bucolic |
| patent | clear, obvious, manifest |
| patriarch | head of a tribe or family |
| patronize | support |
| paucity | lack, dearth |
| pedantic | making a display of learning |
| pellucid | very clear, very transparent |
| perverse | contrary-minded, willful, refractory |
| petulant | highly irritable, crabby |
| philatelist | stamp collector |
| philistine | barbarian, uncouth |
| philology | study of languages |
| phlegmatic | sluggish, lethargic, torpid |
| piebald | of various colors, motley |
| pilfer | steal |
| piquant | seasoned, racy, lively, vivid, savory |
| pique | wounded pride, vexation |
| pithy | meaningful, terse, concise, succinct |
| placate | appease, conciliate, mollify, mitigate |
| placid | peaceful |
| plagiarism | stealing another's ideas |
| platitude | a hackneyed remark |
| plausible | seemingly trustworthy or reasonable |
| plebian | common, relating to common people |
| plebiscite | vote by the people |
| plethora | superabundance |
| poignant | keen, touching |
| ponderous | weighty, cumbersome |
| portentous | prophetic of evil, omen, augur |
| posthumous | occurring after death |
| postulate | hypothesis |
| potent | powerful |
| pragmatic | practical |
| precarious | dangerously uncertain |
| precedence | going before, predecessor, antecedent |
| precedent | tradition established by time |
| preclude | render ineffectual or impossible |
| precocious | prematurely bright |
| precursor | forerunner, predecessor, harbinger |
| predatory | plundering |
| predilection | strong inclination, partiality |
| prehensile | grasping |
| prelude | introduction |
| premise | a statement from which a conclusion is drawn, hypothesis |
| proboscis | nose |
| proclivity | inclination, predilection, penchant |
| procrastinate | to put off, stall, temporize |
| prodigal | extravagant, lavish, wasteful |
| prodigious | vast, enormous |
| profligate | dissipated, "burned out", prodigal |
| profuse | lavishly overabundant, copious |
| progeny | offspring, one's children |
| prognosis | forecast, augury, prediction |
| prolific | highly productive or inventive, proliferate |
| prolix | wordy, verbose |
| promiscuous | undiscriminating |
| promulgate | make known, distribute, disseminate |
| propensity | inclination, preference |
| punctilious | very exacting, meticulous, scrupulous |
| pungent | biting, keen, acerbic, mordant |
| purge | cleanse |
| pusillanimous | cowardly, craven, feckless |
| putrid | rotting |
| qualm | scruple, misgiving, conscience, pang |
| quandary | predicament, dilemma |
| quash | suppress, quell, nullify, abrogate |
| quay | pier |
| quell | subdue, quash |
| querulous | constantly complaining, quarrelsome, captious |
| quiescence | quiet, tranquility, serenity |
| quintessence | the most perfect state of an essence |
| quixotic | impractical, fanciful, chimerical |
| raconteur | storyteller of anecdotes |
| redolent | aromatic, balmy, reminiscent |
| redoubtable | arousing fear, formidable |
| redress | remedy, rectify |
| redundant | superfluous, extraneous |
| refractory | stubborn, perverse, adamant |
| refute | disprove, rebut, repudiate |
| regale | entertain, charm, beguile |
| regimen | administration, rule, strict, discipline |
| relegate | assign to an inferior position, demote |
| relevant | on the subject, germane, apropos |
| remiss | neglectful, derelict |
| remonstrate | reason earnestly with, plead |
| remorse | sorrow for sin, contrition |
| remuneration | payment for services |
| renegade | traitor, turncoat, apostate |
| replete | filled abundantly, satiated, glutted |
| reticent | secretive, hesitant to speak |
| retort | sharp reply |
| retribution | compensation, pay back |
| retrogress | return to a former condition |
| ribald | low in language, vulgar, pornographic |
| rill | a small brook |
| rococo | extravagantly, ornamented, garish |
| roster | list of names |
| rostrum | public platform or pulpit dais |
| rotund | round |
| rubicund | rosy |
| rudimentary | basic, fundamental, A.B.C.'s |
| ruthless | pitiless, remorseless |
| saccharine | artificial |
| sacerdotal | priestly |
| sacrilegious | irreverent, blasphemous, profane |
| sagacity | wisdom, acumen |
| salacious | highly indecent, ribald |
| salient | jutting out, prominent |
| sanctimonious | outwardly religious, fake holiness |
| sanction | approval |
| sangfroid | composure, keeping "cool" |
| sanguinary | bloody, gory |
| sanguine | cheerful, hopeful, red, optimistic |
| sardonic | sneering, cynical |
| sartorial | pertaining to clothes and styling |
| satiate | satisfy fully |
| saturnine | habitually solemn, morose, somber |
| savor | relish, taste, enjoy |
| saw | a saying, adage, cliché |
| scintilla | sparkle, radiate |
| senile | aged |
| sententious | meaningful |
| serried | packed close |
| sever | disunite, disconnect |
| shibboleth | watchword, password, slogan |
| sidle | move sideways |
| simulate | pretend, feign |
| sinecure | a position not requiring much work |
| sinister | evil |
| sinuous | winding, s-shaped, serpentine |
| sleazy | flimsy, tawdry, cheap, "glitzy" |
| slovenly | untidy |
| solicitous | anxious, concerned, interested in |
| somatic | physical |
| somber | melancholy |
| somnolent | sleepy |
| splenetic | melancholy, morose, saturnine |
| sporadic | scattered, intermittent |
| spurious | not genuine, bogus, counterfeit, apocryphal |
| squalid | filthy |
| stagnant | static, not moving |
| staid | very grave, serious, somber, stately |
| stalwart | brave, intrepid |
| stentorian | loud voice tone |
| stigma | blemish |
| stigmatize | brand, characterize badly |
| stoic | indifferent to pain or pleasure |
| strident | harsh-sounding noise, blatant, "sever" |
| stringent | strict, austere, regimented |
| stultify | render foolish |
| suave | polished in manner, sophisticated, "urbane" |
| subterfuge | deceitful evasion, ruse, artifice |
| sully | dirty, mar, stigmatize |
| superannuated | very old, archaic, antediluvian |
| supercilious | arrogantly proud, haughty, pompous |
| supine | on one's back |
| supple | flexible in body, mind |
| suppress | repress |
| surfeit | fill to excess, glut, satiate |
| surmise | guess, suppose, supposal |
| surreptitious | stealthy, secret, furtive, covert |
| syllogism | three sentences in logical sequence |
| synchronize | agree in time |
| synthesis | combination of parts into a whole |
| sycophant | service flatterer |
| taciturn | habitually silent, reticent, laconic |
| talisman | a charm |
| tangible | actual, touchable |
| temper | moderate |
| temporal | pertaining to earthly matters |
| temporize | avoid committing oneself |
| tenacious | unyielding |
| tentative | experimental, provisional |
| tenuous | slender margin, nebulous |
| tepid | lukewarm |
| terrestrial | earthly, mundane |
| terse | to the point, laconic, pithy, succinct, concise |
| testy | easily angered |
| tether | fasten by rope |
| therapeutic | curative |
| timorous | fearful, wary, circumspect |
| tirade | a long speech of abuse, harangue |
| torpid | listless, phlegmatic, sluggish, lethargic |
| toxic | poisonous, noxious |
| transient | temporary, intransigent |
| transitory | passing quickly, ephemeral |
| transmute | change form |
| travesty | ludicrous or burlesque treatment of a subject |
| trenchant | keen-edged, mordant, incisive |
| trepidation | agitation from fear |
| trite | stale, commonplace, hackneyed, banal |
| turgid | swollen, prolix |
| turpitude | baseness, depravity |
| tyro | beginner, novice, neophyte |
| ubiquitous | existing everywhere, omnipresent |
| umbrage | hurt pride |
| unconscionable | unreasonable, uninfluenced by conscience |
| uncouth | coarse person |
| unremitting | without stopping, incessant |
| unwonted | unaccustomed |
| vacillate | waver, hesitate |
| vacuous | vacant, inane |
| vagary | whim, caprice |
| vapid | tasteless, trite, pedestrian, insipid |
| vassal | slave |
| veracity | truthfulness |
| verbose | wordy, voluble, prolix, redundant |
| vernacular | common speech, argot, cant, sland |
| versatile | able to do many things |
| vestige | a trace, shred, scintillate |
| vicarious | sharing another's experiences |
| vicissitudes | changes in fortune |
| vigilant | watchful |
| vilify | debase, besmirch, make a "villain" |
| vindicate | clear of blame, exonerate |
| vindictive | revengeful, implacable, remorseless |
| viscous | sticky |
| vitiate | destroy effectiveness, nullify |
| vituperation | scolding language |
| vociferous | clamorous, blatant |
| volatile | changeable, fickle, mercurial |
| volition | voluntary |
| voluable | talkative, loquacious, garrulous |
| voracious | greedy, avaricious, covetous |
| vulnerable | conquerable |
| wan | pale |
| wane | decrease, abate, mitigate |
| wanton | unchecked, uncontrolled |
| wary | cautious, circumspect |
| wastrel | spendthrift, prodigal, profligate |
| waylay | to lie in wait for |
| wheedle | cajole, entice, beguile, lure |
| abrasive | harsh, rough in manner |
| absolve | to forgive, free from blame |
| acrimony | bitterness, animosity |
| aesthete | cultivator of beauty, art, and nature |
| affectation | pretension, false display |
| alacrity | cheerful willingness, eagerness |
| amalgamation | consolidation of smaller parts |
| anachronistic | from incorrect time period |
| anthropocentrism | interpreting reality entirely based on human values |
| arable | suitable for cultivation |
| archaic | antiquated, outdated |
| archetypal | representing an ideal example of a type |
| avant-garde | radically new or original |
| berate | to scold harshly |
| bilk | to defraud, swindle |
| disputant | someone in an argument |
| ebb | to fade away, to recede |
| elocutionist | trained public speaker |
| emend | to correct a text |
| enervate | to weaken, to sap strength |
| epistolary | associated with letter writing |
| ethos | beliefs or character of a group |
| exalt | to glorify or honor |
| expedite | to speed up the progress of |
| extol | to praise |
| feral | wild, brutish |
| filibustering | use dilatory tactics in an attempt to delay or prevent legislation |
| firebrand | one who stirs up trouble |
| flippancy | casualness, inappropriate, pertness |
| garish | gaudy, glaring |
| gerrymandering | to divide into special groups for political advantage |
| gourmand | glutton; lover of fine food |
| hodgepodge | jumble; mixture of assorted objects |
| impenitent | lacking appropriate remorse |
| indecorous | improper, lacking good taste |
| indeterminate | vague, unknown, imprecise |
| ineffable | indescribable, inexpressible |
| inexorable | inflexible, unyielding |
| insular | isolated, provincial |
| intemperate | immoderate, extreme |
| interlocutor | someone taking part in a dialogue |
| intransigent | uncompromising, refusing to reconcile |
| iridescent | showing lustrous colors |
| irresolute | undecided, indecisive, fickle |
| jaded | tired by excess of overuse |
| pantomime | communication through gestures |
| pathos | poignancy |
| penitent | repentant, remorse |
| potentate | monarch or powerful ruler |
| precept | principle; law |
| prepossessing | attractive, engaging, appealing |
| proliferate | propagate, reproduce, enlarge |
| quaint | charmingly strange |
| quip | clever, witty joke |
| reactionary | extreme conservatism |
| reprieve | postponement of punishment, relief from danger |
| revelry | boisterous |
| rhapsody | emotional literary or musical work |
| sacrosanct | sacred |
| scrupulous | restrained; honest; careful and precise |
| serendipity | habit of making fortunate discoveries by chance |
| subsist | stay alive, survive |
| sully | soil, strain, tarnish, taint |
| surrogate | a substitute |
| tangential | digressing, diverting |
| thicket | dense bushes |
| toady | flatterer, hanger on, yes-man |
| touchstone | standard for excellence |
| tremulous | trembling, quivering, fearful |
| trove | collection of valuable items |
| truculent | fierce scathing, disposed to fight |
| unfetter | to free from restrictions |
| unscrupulous | devoid of honor, unethical |
| urbane | courteous, refined, suave |
| utilitarian | efficient, functional, useful |
| acrimonious | biting, sharp, pungent |
| acumen | insight, astuteness, discernment |
| adamant | persistent, stubborn, obdurate |
| admonition | gentle rebuke, chide, scold, reprimand |
| adulation | excessive praise, encomiums |
| adventuous | happening by chance, fortuitous |
| adversary | opponent |
| adeon | age |
| aesthetic | pertaining to the beautiful, artistic |
| affable | sociable, gregarious, complaisant |
| affinity | liking, preference |
| affluent | prosperous, opulent |
| aggravate | make worse, intensity, exacerbate |
| aggregate | total, to form into a mass or whole |
| agnostic | one who says that humans cannot understand the nature of humanity and the world |
| arduous | difficult |
| argot | slang, cant, vernacular, jargon |
| aroma | scent, smell, redolent, fragrant |
| arrogance | proud and offensive self-esteem, haughtiness |
| articulate | eloquent |
| artless | frank, without cunning |
| ascetic | self-denying, abstemious, austere |
| ascribe | attitude |
| askance | distrustfully |
| askew | turned to one side |
| asperity | harshness, severity in temper, acerbity |
| assiduous | attentive, diligent, meticulous, zealous |
| assuage | soften, alleviate |
| astral | pertaining to the stars |
| astute | shrewd, wily, discerning |
| egregious | outstanding, flagrant |
| ejaculate | exclaim |
| elicit | draw forth, elucidate a response |
| emaciated | haggard, gaunt, wan |
| emanate | issue forth, arise frm |
| embezzle | steal |
| emollient | softener, water conditioner |
| emolument | payment, tip, salary, fee |
| empirical | experimental, research results |
| emulate | try to excel or equal |
| encomium | praise, accolade, compliment |
| engender | cause, instill, beget |
| enhance | increase, augment, supplant |
| enigma | puzzle, anomaly, obscurity |
| enjoin | prohibit, ban |
| ephemeral | short-lived, temporary, evanescent |
| epicure | lover of luxurious living |
| blasphemy | irreverence, sacrilege |
| blatant | noisy, raucous, vociferous |
| blithe | cheerful, blissful, jocose |
| bogus | not genuine, spurious, specious |
| bombastic | pompous in language, pretentious |
| bounty | generosity, munificence |
| bowdlerize | remove offensive portions in a book, censor |
| braggadocio | unjustified boasting, bragging |
| brusque | abrupt, curt |
| bucolic | pertaining to the country, pastoral, rustic |
| buffoon | clown |
| bumptious | boldly conceited, arrogant, boorish |
| buttress | support or prop up |
| coerce | compel, force |
| cogent | strongly persuasive or compelling |
| cogitate | ponder or consider deeply, think |
| cognizant | aware |
| collaborate | work together |
| comely | pleasant to look at |
| commodious | roomy |
| compatible | agreeable, consistent, congruent |
| compendium | summary, book |
| complacent | self-satisfied, smug |
| complaisant | complying, courteous, acquiescent |
| compunction | complying, courteous, acquiescent |
| con | read carefully |
| concatenation | series, linking |
| conclave | a secret conference |
| careen | tip over |
| carouse | revel |
| castigate | punish orally, scold, chide, reprove |
| cataclysm | upheaval |
| catholic | tolerant, universal |
| caustic | biting, bitter, sarcastic, acerbic |
| cavil | find petty fault, carp |
| celerity | speed, accelerate |
| celibate | one who is not married |
| chaos | confusion |
| charlatan | pretender of knowledge, quack, impostor |
| cherubic | angelic |
| chafe | irritate |
| chalice | cup |
| chastise | punish, castigate, admonish |
| chauvinist | extreme nationalist, jingoist |
| culinary | pertaining to the kitchen |
| culmination | highest point, acme, zenith, apex |
| culpable | guilty |
| cumbrous | burdensome, ponderous |
| cupidity | greed |
| cursory | hasty, superficial |
| curtail | shorten, abbreviate |
| cynical | sneering, sarcastic, untrusting |
| cynosure | center of attention |
| dearth | scarcity, paucity |
| debacle | collapse |
| decorum | propriety, proper conduct |
| decrepit | dilapidated, infirm |
| defection | desertion |
| deference | submission to another's will or opinion |
| detergent | cleansing agent |
| deviate | wander from the usual course, digress |
| devious | indirect, crooked, artful, guildeful |
| dexterous | skillful, adroit, adept |
| diabolic | fiendish, devilish, heinous |
| diagnosis | explanation resulting from a careful study of facts |
| diatribe | an abusive speech, tirade, harangue |
| dichotomy | division of two parts |
| dictum | authoritative statement |
| didactic | instructive |
| diffident | shy, unpretentious, lax |
| dilatory | delaying |
| dilemma | a perplexing situation |
| dilettante | amateur, dabbler |
| dirge | funeral song |
| discerning | having keen insight, astute |
| discomfiture | disappointment, embarrasment |
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