| Term | Definition |
|---|
| abase | v. ~ oneself/sb lower oneself/sb in dignity; degrade oneself/sb ; |
| abash | to destroy the self-possession or self-confidence of:disconcert |
| abate | v. make or become less |
| abbreviate | v. ~ sth shorten (a word, phrase, etc), esp by omitting letters |
| abdicate | v. resign from or formally renounce the throne |
| aberrant | adj. not following the normal or correct way |
| aberration | n. deviation from what is accepted as normal or right |
| abet | v. ~ sb (in sth) help or encourage sb to commit an offence or do sth wrong |
| abeyance | n. be in abeyance; fall/go into abeyance (of a right, rule, problem, etc) be suspended temporarily; not be in force or use for a time |
| abhor | v. feel hatred and disgust for (sb/sth); detest |
| abide | v. (esp with can/could, in negative sentences or questions can/could) tolerate (sb/sth); endure; bear |
| abject | adj. wretched; hopeless |
| abjure | v. promise or swear to give up (a claim, an opinion, a belief, etc); renounce formally |
| ablution | n. (fml or joc ) ceremonial washing of the body, hands, sacred vessels, etc |
| abnegation | n. denial or renunciation (of a doctrine) |
| abode | n. house; home |
| abolish | v. end the existence of |
| abominable | adj. ~(fml ) causing disgust; detestable |
| abominate | v. feel hatred or disgust for (sth/sb); detest; loathe |
| aboriginal | adj. inhabiting a land from a very early period, esp before the arrival of colonists |
| abortive | adj. coming to nothing; unsuccessful |
| abrasive | adj. that scrapes or rubs sth away; rough |
| abridge | v. make shorter, esp by using fewer words; condense |
| abrogate | v. cancel, repeal or annul (sth) |
| abscission | The act of cutting off, as in a surgical operation. |
| abscond | v. ~go away suddenly and secretly, esp in order to avoid arrest |
| absolute | adj. complete; total |
| absolve | v. ~ sb (fml esp law , ) clear sb (of guilt); declare sb free (from blame, a promise, a duty, etc) |
| abstain | v. ~ keep oneself from doing or enjoying sth, esp from taking alcoholic drinks; refrain ; |
| abstemious | adj. not taking much food or drink; not self-indulgent; moderate |
| abstinence | n. ~ abstaining, esp from food or alcoholic drinks |
| abstract | adj. existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or practical existence |
| abstruse | adj. difficult to understand |
| abusive | adj. criticizing harshly and rudely; insulting |
| abut | v. ~ on/against sth (of land or a building) have a common boundary or side with sth; adjoin sth |
| abysmal | adj. extremely bad |
| abyss | n. hole so deep that it seems to have no bottom |
| academic | adj. of schools, colleges, etc |
| accede | v. ~ (fml ) take office |
| accelerate | v. make move faster or happen earlier; increase the speed of |
| accessible | adj. ~ that can be reached, used, etc |
| accessory | n. thing that is a useful or decorative extra but that is not essential; minor fitting or attachment |
| acclaim | v. welcome (sb/sth) with shouts of approval; applaud loudly |
| acclimate | to adapt to a new temperature, altitude, climate, environment, or situation |
| acclivity | n. upward slope |
| accolade | n. praise; approval |
| accommodate | v. provide lodging or room for |
| accomplice | n. person who helps another to do sth wicked or illegal |
| accord | n. peace treaty; agreement |
| accost | v. approach and speak to (sb) boldly |
| accoutre | equip |
| accretion | n. growth or increase by means of gradual additions |
| accrue | v. ~ (from sth) come as a natural increase or advantage, esp financial; accumulate |
| acerbity | Sourness of taste, character, or tone. |
| acetic | adj. of, containing, producing, or derived from acetic acid or vinegar |
| acidulous | adj. rather sharp or bitter in taste or manner |
| acknowledge | v. accept the truth of admit (sth) |
| acme | n. highest stage of development; point of perfection |
| acne | n. inflammation of the oil-glands of the skin, producing red pimples on the face and neck |
| acoustics | n. qualities of a room, hall, etc that make it good or bad for carrying sound |
| acquiesce | v. ~ (fml ) accept sth without protest; offer no opposition (to a plan, conclusion, etc) |
| acquittal | n. judgement that a person is not guilty of the crime with which he has been charged |
| acrid | adj. having a strongly bitter smell or taste |
| acrimonious | adj. bitter |
| acrophobia | "acro'phobic adjectiv |
| actuarial | calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics |
| actuary | n. expert who calculates insurance risks and premiums |
| actuate | v. make (a machine, an electrical device, etc) move or work; make (a process) begin , ; |
| acuity | n. (esp of thought or the senses) sharpness; acuteness |
| acumen | n. ability to understand and judge things quickly and clearly; shrewdness |
| acute | adj. very great; severe |
| adage | n. traditional saying; proverb ; |
| adamant | adj. firmly or stubbornly determined; unwilling to be persuaded |
| adapt | v. ~ sth (for sth) make sth suitable for a new use, situation, etc; modify sth |
| addendum | n. thing that is to be added |
| addiction | n. ~ condition of taking drugs, etc habitually and being unable to stop doing so without suffering adverse effects |
| addle | v. confuse (sth/sb); muddle |
| address | n. details of where a person lives, works or can be found, and where letters, etc may be delivered |
| adept | adj. ~ ~ (at/in doing sth) expert or skilful in (doing) sth |
| adhere | v. ~ (to sth) remain attached (to sth); stick (as if) by means of glue or suction |
| adherent | n. supporter of a party or doctrine |
| adjacent | having a common endpoint or border also immediately preceding or following |
| adjoin | v. be next or nearest to and joined with |
| adjourn | v. stop (a meeting, etc) for a time; postpone |
| adjunct | n. ~ thing that is added or attached to sth else but is less important and not essential |
| adjuration | solemn urging |
| adjutant | n. army officer responsible for administrative work in a battalion |
| admonish | to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner |
| adore | v. love deeply and respect (sb) highly |
| adorn | v. ~ sth/sb/oneself add beauty or ornament to sth/sb/oneself |
| adroit | adj. ~ skilful; clever |
| adulation | n. excessive admiration or praise; flattery |
| adulterate | v. make poorer in quality by adding another substance |
| Advent | n. the ~ of sth/sb the approach or arrival of |
| adventitious | adj. not planned; accidental |
| adversary | n. opponent in a contest; enemy |
| adverse | adj. not favourable; contrary |
| adversity | n. unfavourable conditions; trouble |
| advert | n. = advertisement |
| advocacy | n. ~ giving of support (to a cause, etc) |
| advocate | v. speak publicly in favour of (sth); recommend; support |
| aegis | n. under the aegis of sb/sth with the protection or support of sb/sth, esp a public institution |
| aerie | = eyrie |
| aesthetic | adj. concerned with beauty and the appreciation of beauty |
| affable | adj. polite and friendly |
| affected | adj. not natural or genuine; pretended; artificial |
| affidavit | n. written statement that can be used as evidence in court, made by sb who swears that it is true |
| affiliation | n. affiliating or being affiliated |
| affinity | n. ~ ~ (between A and B) structural resemblance or similarity of character; relationship |
| affirmation | n. affirming |
| affix | v. ~ sth (fml ) stick, fasten or attach sth |
| affliction | n. pain; suffering; distress |
| affluence | n. abundance of money, goods or property; wealth |
| affront | n. ~ (to sb/sth) deliberately insulting or disrespectful remark, action, etc, esp in public |
| afterlife | n. existence that is thought by some to follow death |
| agape | adj. ~ (of the mouth) wide open, esp with wonder |
| agenda | n. matters of business to be discussed at a meeting, etc |
| agglomeration | n. action of agglomerating |
| aggrandize | to make appear great or greater:praise highly |
| aggregate | v. ~ sb (fml ) be formed or bring sb into an assembled group or amount |
| aghast | adj. ~ filled with horror or amazement |
| agility | nimbleness |
| agitate | v. cause anxiety to (a person, his feelings, etc); disturb; excite |
| agnostic | n. person who believes that nothing can be known about the existence of God or of anything except material things |
| agog | adj. eager; excited |
| agrarian | adj. of land |
| airy | adj. having plenty of fresh air moving about; well-ventilated |
| alacrity | n. prompt and eager readiness |
| alchemy | n. medieval form of chemistry, the chief aim of which was to discover how to turn ordinary metals into gold , |
| alcove | n. small space in a room, etc formed by part of the wall being set back; recess |
| alias | n. name by which a person is called at other times or in other places; false name |
| alienate | v. ~ sb cause sb to become unfriendly or indifferent; estrange sb |
| alimentary | adj. of food and digestion |
| alimony | n. allowance that a court may order a man to pay to his wife or former wife before or after a legal separation or divorce |
| allay | v. make (sth) less; relieve |
| allege | v. state (sth) as a fact but without proof; give as an argument or excuse |
| allegiance | n. ~ (to sb/sth) support of or loyalty to a government, ruler, cause, etc |
| allegory | n. story, painting or description in which the characters and events are meant as symbols of purity, truth, patience, etc , |
| alleviate | v. make less severe; ease |
| alliteration | n. occurrence of the same letter or sound at the beginning of two or more words in succession, as in sing a song of sixpence or as thick as thieves , sing a song of sixpence as thick as thieves |
| allocate | v. ~ sth allot or assign sth (to sb/sth) for a special purpose |
| alloy | n. metal formed of a mixture of metals or of metal and another substance |
| allude | v. ~ to sb/sth (fml ) mention sb/sth briefly or indirectly |
| allure | v. tempt or attract (sb) by the expectation of gaining sth |
| allusion | n. ~ indirect reference |
| alluvial | adj. made of sand, earth, etc left by rivers or floods, esp in a delta |
| alms | n. money, clothes, food, etc given to poor people |
| aloft | adv. up in the air; overhead |
| aloof | adj. ~ cool and remote in character; unconcerned |
| altercation | n. (act of) quarrelling or arguing noisily |
| altruistic | (adj.) unselfish |
| amalgam | n. alloy of mercury with another metal |
| amalgamate | v. ~ (with sb/sth) (cause people or things to) combine or unite |
| amass | v. gather together or collect (sth), esp in large quantities |
| amazon | n. tall strong athletic woman |
| ambidextrous | adj. able to use the left hand or the right hand equally well |
| ambience | n. environment; atmosphere of a place |
| ambiguous | adj. having more than one possible meaning |
| ambivalence | the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes |
| amble | v. ride or walk at a slow, leisurely pace |
| ambrosia | n. food of the gods |
| ambulatory | walking |
| ambush | n. waiting in a hidden position to make a surprise attack |
| ameliorate | v. (cause sth to) become better |
| amenable | adj. ~ (of people) willing to be influenced or controlled (by sth) |
| amend | v. correct an error in (sth); make minor improvements in; change slightly |
| amenities | [ amenity: ] [often pl] a useful or pleasant facility or service |
| amiable | adj. showing and inspiring friendliness; pleasant and good-tempered |
| amicable | adj. showing friendliness; without hostility |
| amiss | adj. , adv wrong(ly); inappropriate(ly) |
| amity | n. friendly relationship between people or countries |
| amnesia | n. partial or total loss of memory |
| amnesty | n. general pardon, esp for offences against the State |
| amok | adv. run amok rush about in a wild and angry frenzy |
| amoral | adj. not based on moral standards; not following any moral rules ; |
| amorous | adj. readily showing or feeling love; relating to love |
| amorphous | adj. having no definite shape or form; not organized |
| amphibian | n. animal able to live both on land and in water |
| amphitheater | oval building with tiers of seats |
| ample | adj. enough |
| amplify | v. increase (sth) in size or strength |
| amputate | v. cut off by surgical operation |
| amulet | n. piece of jewellery, etc worn as a charm1( |
| anachronism | n. mistake of placing sth in the wrong historical period |
| analgesia | n. loss of ability to feel pain while still conscious |
| analgesic | adj. n substance that relieves pain |
| analogous | adj. ~ partially similar or parallel; offering an analogy |
| analogy | n. ~ partial similarity between two things that are compared |
| anarchist | n. person who believes in anarchism |
| anarchy | n. absence of government or control in society; lawlessness |
| anathema | n. detested person or thing |
| anathematize | declare to be evil or anathema |
| ancestry | n. line of ancestors |
| anchor | n. heavy metal device attached to a rope, chain, etc and used to moor a ship or boat to the sea-bottom or a balloon to the ground |
| ancillary | adj. ~ helping in a subsidiary way |
| anecdote | n. short, interesting or amusing story about a real person or event , |
| anemia | condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles |
| anesthetic | = anaesthesia, anaesthetic |
| anguish | n. severe physical or mental pain |
| angular | adj. having angles or sharp corners |
| animadversion | n. criticism |
| animated | adj. lively |
| animosity | n. ~ ~ (between A and B) (instance of) strong dislike or of hostility |
| animus | n. animosity shown in speech or action |
| annals | n. story of events year by year; historical records |
| anneal | v. make tough by cooling slowly after heating |
| annex | v. take possession of |
| annihilate | v. destroy completely |
| annotate | v. add notes to giving explanation or comment |
| annuity | n. fixed sum of money paid to sb yearly, usu for the remaining part of his lifetime |
| annul | v. declare (sth) no longer valid; abolish; cancel |
| anodyne | n, adj that can relieve pain |
| anoint | v. ~ sb apply oil or ointment to sb (esp as a religious ceremony) |
| anomalous | adj. different from what is normal; irregular |
| anomaly | n. anomalous thing; irregularity |
| anonymity | n. state of being anonymous |
| antagonism | n~ ~ (between A and B) (instance of) active opposition or hostility, esp between two people |
| antagonistic | adj. ~ showing or feeling antagonism; hostile |
| antecede | be earlier in time; go back further |
| antecedents | ancestr |
| antediluvian | adj. of the time before Noah's Flood |
| anthem | n. short musical composition, usu for a choir and an organ, to be sung in religious services, often with words taken from the Bible , |
| anthology | n. collection of poems or pieces of prose on the same subject or by the same writer |
| anthropoid | adj. man-like in form |
| anthropologist | n. student of or expert in anthropology |
| anthropomorphic | adj. treating gods, animals, etc as human in form and personality , |
| anticlimax | n. disappointing end to a series of events which had seemed likely to become more interesting, exciting or impressive |
| antidote | n. ~ substance that acts against the effects of a poison or disease |
| antipathy | settled aversion or dislike:DISTASTE |
| antiquated | adj. (of things) out of date, obsolete , |
| antique | adj. belonging to the distant past |
| antiquity | n. ancient times, esp before the Middle Ages |
| antiseptic | n. substance that prevents a wound, etc from becoming septic, esp by destroying bacteria |
| antithesis | n. ~ (of/to sth/sb) direct opposite |
| antler | n. branched horn of a stag or of some other deer |
| anvil | n. iron block on which a smith shapes heated metal by hammering it |
| apathetic | adj. showing or feeling apathy |
| apathy | n. ~ lack of interest, enthusiasm or concern; indifference |
| ape | n. any of the four primates (gorilla, chimpanzee, orang-utan, gibbon) most closely related to man . |
| aperture | n. narrow opening |
| apex | n. top or highest point |
| aphasia | n. partial or total loss of ability to speak or understand spoken language, caused by damage to the brain |
| aphorism | n. short wise saying; maxim ; |
| apiarist | n. person who keeps bees |
| apiary | n. place with a number of hives where bees are kept |
| apiculture | the cultivation of bees on a commercial scale for the production of honey |
| aplomb | n. confidence and self-control; poise |
| apocalyptic | adj. prophesying great and dramatic events like those in the Apocalypse |
| apocryphal | adj. not likely to be genuine; untrue or invented |
| apogee | n. position in the orbit of the moon, a planet or a satellite when it is at its greatest distance from the earth , |
| apolitical | adj. not interested or involved in politics |
| apologist | n. person who defends a doctrine by logical argument |
| apoplexy | n. sudden inability to feel or move, caused by the blockage or rupture of an artery in the brain , |
| apostate | n. person who renounces his former beliefs, etc |
| apothecary | n. person who prepares and sells medicines and medical goods |
| apothegm | = apophthegm |
| apotheosis | n. (of a human being) making or becoming a god or a sain |
| appall | to overcome with consternation, shock, or dismay |
| apparent | adj. clearly seen or understood; obvious |
| apparition | n. appearance, esp of sth startling, strange or unexpected , |
| appease | v. make quiet or calm, usu by making concessions or by satisfying demands |
| appellation | n. name or title; system of naming ; |
| append | v. ~ sth (fml ) attach or add sth (esp in writing) |
| application | n. ~ (to sb) (for sth) formal request |
| apposite | adj. ~ (of a remark, etc) very appropriate (for a purpose or an occasion) |
| appraise | v. assess the value or quality of |
| appreciate | v. understand and enjoy (sth); value highly |
| apprehend | v. seize (sb); arrest |
| apprehensive | adj. ~ ~ (that.../for sb/sth) feeling anxiety; fearful; uneasy |
| apprise | v. ~ sb of sth inform sb of sth |
| approbation | n. approval; consent |
| appropriate | adj. ~ suitable; right and proper |
| appurtenances | [ appurtenance: ] a secondary or less significant thing or part |
| apropos | adv, adj appropriate or relevant to what is being said or done |
| aptitude | n. ~ natural ability or skill |
| aquiline | adj. of or like an eagle |
| arable | n. , adj suitable for ploughing and for growing crops |
| arbiter | n. ~ person who has power to decide what will be done, accepted, etc with regard to sth |
| arbitrary | adj. based on personal opinion or impulse, not on reason |
| arbitrate | v. ~ (between A and B) make a judgement about or settle (a dispute) between two parties (usu when asked by them to do so) |
| arboreal | adj. of or living in trees |
| arboretum | n. place where trees are grown for scientific study or for display |
| arcade | n. covered passage or area, esp one with an arched roof and shops along one or both sides |
| arcane | requiring secret or mysterious knowledge |
| arch- | comb form chief; most important |
| archaeology | n. study of ancient civilizations by scientific analysis of physical remains found in the ground |
| archaic | adj. of a much earlier or an ancient period in history |
| archetype | n. original or ideal model from which others are copied; prototype ; |
| archipelago | n. (sea surrounding a) group of many islands |
| archives | n. historical documents or records of a government, town, etc |
| ardor | extreme vigor or energy:INTENSITY |
| arduous | adj. needing much effort or energy; laborious |
| argot | n. words and phrases used by a particular group and not intended to be understood by others; cant ; |
| aria | n. song for one voice, esp in an opera or oratorio |
| arid | adj. having little or no rainfall; dry |
| aristocracy | n. highest social class; the nobility |
| armada | n. large fleet of ships |
| aromatic | adj. having a pleasant, distinctive smell; fragrant |
| arraign | v. ~ sb (law ) bring a criminal charge against sb; bring sb to court for trial |
| array | v. place (esp armed forces, troops, etc) in battle order |
| arrears | n. money that is owed and should have been paid earlier |
| arrhythmic | lacking rhythm or regularity |
| arrogance | a feeling or an impression of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or presumptuous claims |
| arroyo | a brook; a creek a water-carved gully or channel |
| arsenal | n. place where weapons and ammunition are made or stored |
| artery | n. any of the tubes carrying blood from the heart to all parts of the body |
| artful | adj. cunningly clever at getting what one wants; crafty |
| articulate | adj. able to express one's ideas clearly in words |
| artifacts | something created by humans usually for a practical purpose; especially :an object remaining from a particular period |
| artifice | n. clever trickery; deception |
| artisan | a manually skilled worker |
| artless | adj. simple and natural; without deceit |
| ascendancy | n. ~ (position of) having dominant power or control |
| ascertain | v. discover (sth) so that one is certain; get to know |
| ascetic | adj. not allowing oneself pleasures and comforts; having or involving a very austere life |
| ascribe | v. ~ sth to sb/sth consider sth to be caused by, written by or belonging to sb/sth |
| aseptic | adj. free from bacteria that cause a thing to become septic; surgically clean |
| ashen | adj. like ashes in colour; very pale |
| asinine | adj. stupid or stubborn |
| askance | adv. look |
| askew | adj. , adv not in a straight or level position; crooked |
| asperity | n. harshness or severity, esp of manner |
| aspersion | slanderous remark |
| aspirant | n. ~ (fml ) person who is ambitious (for fame, promotion, success, etc) |
| aspiration | n. ~ ~ (to do sth) strong desire or ambition |
| aspire | v. ~ after/to sth desire strongly to achieve sth; have ambition for sth |
| assail | v. ~ sb (fml ) attack sb violently or repeatedly |
| assay | n. testing of esp metals for quality |
| assent | n. ~ (fml ) agreement; approval |
| assert | v. make others recognize (sth) by behaving firmly and confidently |
| assessment | n. action of assessing |
| assiduous | adj. showing constant and careful attention |
| assimilate | v. (cause sth to) become absorbed into the body after digestion |
| assuage | v. make (sth) less severe; soothe |
| assumption | n. thing accepted as true or as sure to happen, but not proved |
| assurance | n. confident belief in one's own abilities and powers |
| asteroid | n. any of many small planets revolving round the sun, esp between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter |
| astigmatism | n. defect in an eye or a lens that prevents correct focusing |
| astral | adj. of or from the stars |
| astringent | n. substance, used medically or in cosmetics, that makes skin or body tissue contract and so stops bleeding |
| astronomical | adj. of astronomy |
| astute | adj. clever and quick at seeing how to gain an advantage; shrewd |
| asunder | adv. into pieces; apart |
| asylum | n. safety; refuge |
| asymmetric | adj. not having parts that correspond to each other in size, shape, etc; lacking symmetry |
| atavism | n. reappearance in a person of a characteristic or quality that has not been seen in his family for many generations |
| atheistic | adj. |
| atone | v. ~ (fml ) act in a way that compensates for a previous wrong, error, etc |
| atrocity | n. great wickedness or cruelty |
| atrophy | n. wasting away of the body or part of it through lack of nourishment or use |
| attentive | adj. ~ giving attention (to sb/sth); alert and watchful |
| attenuate | v. make (sth/sb) thin or slender |
| attest | v. ~ (to) sth be or give clear proof of sth |
| attire | n. clothes; dress |
| attribute | v. ~ sth to sb/sth regard sth as belonging to, caused by or produced by sb/sth |
| attrition | n. process of gradually weakening sb's strength and confidence by continuous harassment |
| atypical | adj. not representative or characteristic of its type; not typical |
| audacious | adj. showing a willingness to take risks; daring; fearless |
| audit | n. official examination of accounts to see that they are in order |
| augment | v. make (sth) larger in number or size; increase |
| augury | omen; prophecy |
| august | majestic, venerable |
| aureole | sun's corona; halo |
| auroral | [ aurora: ] an atmospheric phenomenon consisting of bands, curtains, or streamers of light, usually green, red, or yellow, that move across the sky in polar regions. |
| auspicious | adj. showing signs of future success; favourable; promising |
| austere | adj. severely and strictly moral; having no pleasures or comforts |
| austerity | n. quality of being austere |
| authenticate | Rractical experience of sth |
| authoritarian | adj. favouring complete obedience to authority before personal freedom |
| authoritative | adj. having authority; that can be trusted; reliable |
| autocrat | n. ruler of an autocracy |
| autocratic | adj. |
| automaton | n. = robot 1 |
| autonomous | adj. self-governing; acting independently |
| autopsy | n. examination of a dead body to learn the cause of death; post-mortem () |
| auxiliary | adj. giving help or support; additional |
| avalanche | n. mass of snow, ice and rock that slides rapidly down the side of a mountain |
| avarice | n. greed for wealth or gain |
| avenge | v. take or get revenge for |
| aver | v. (fml ) state (sth) firmly and positively; assert ; |
| averse | adj. ~ to sth not liking sth; opposed to sth |
| aversion | n. ~ strong dislike |
| avert | v. ~ sth turn sth away |
| aviary | n. large cage or building for keeping birds in, eg in a zoo , |
| avid | adj. ~ eager; greedy |
| avocation | secondary or minor occupation |
| avow | v. declare (sth) openly; admit |
| avuncular | adj. of or like an uncle, esp in manner |
| awe | n. feeling of respect combined with fear or wonder |
| awful | adj. extremely bad or unpleasant; terrible |
| awl | n. small pointed tool for making holes, esp in leather or wood |
| awry | adv. crookedly; out of position; askew ; |
| axiom | n. statement that is accepted as true without further proof or argument |
| azure | n. , adj bright blue, as of the sky |
| abacus | frame with balls for calculating |
| abate | to lessen to subside |
| abdication | giving up control authority |
| aberration | straying away from what is normal |
| abet | help/encourage smb (in doing wrong) |
| abeyance | suspended action |
| abhor | to hate to detest |
| abide | be faithful to endure |
| abjure | promise or swear to give up |
| abraded | rubbed off worn away by friction |
| abrogate | repeal or annul by authority |
| abscond | to go away suddenly (to avoid arrest) |
| abstruse | difficult to comprehend obscure |
| abut | border on |
| abysmal | bottomless extreme |
| acarpous | effete no longer fertile worn out |
| acclaimed | welcomed with shouts and approval |
| accolade | praise approval |
| accretion | the growing of separate things into one |
| accrue | accumulate |
| adamant | kind of stone inflexible |
| admonitory | containing warning |
| adorn | add beauty decorate |
| adulteration | making unpure poorer in quality |
| affable | polite and friendly |
| affinity | close connection relationship |
| aggravate | make worse irritate |
| agile | active quick-moving |
| agog | eager/excited |
| ail | trouble be ill |
| alacrity | eager and cheerful readiness |
| alcove | recess/partially enclosed place |
| ale | fermented alcoholic beverage similar to but heavier than beer |
| aleck | one who considers himself smarter than others |
| allegiance | duty support loyalty |
| alleviate | make (pain) easier to bear |
| alloy | to debase by mixing with something inferior |
| aloof | reserved indifferent |
| amalgamate | mix combine unite societies |
| ambidextrous | able to use the left hand or the right equally well |
| ambiguous | doubtful uncertain |
| ambivalent | having both of two contrary meanings |
| ambrosial | extremely pleasing to taste |
| ameliorate | improve make better |
| amortize | end (a debt) by setting aside money |
| anguish | severe suffering |
| animosity | strong dislike |
| antidote | medicine used against a poison or a disease |
| antithetical | direct opposing |
| apartheid | brutal racial discrimination |
| aplomb | self-confidence |
| apostate | one who abandons long-held religious or political convictions |
| apotheosis | deification glorification to godliness |
| appease | make quiet or calm |
| apprehensive | grasping understanding fear unhappy feeling about future |
| apprise | give notice to inform |
| approbation | approval |
| apropos | appropriate to the situation apt |
| apt | well-suited quick-witted |
| arabesque | a complex ornate design |
| arboreal | of connected with trees |
| ardor | enthusiasm |
| arduous | steep difficult ascent laborious |
| argot | jargon slang |
| arrant | in the highest degree |
| arrogance | proud superior manner of behaviour |
| articulate | speak distinctly connect by joints |
| ascend | go or come up |
| ascertain | get to know |
| ascetic | practicing self-denial austere stark |
| ascribe | consider to be the origin of or belonging to |
| aseptic | surgically clean |
| asperity | roughness harshness ill temper irritability |
| aspersion | slander |
| assail | with attack violently |
| assiduous | diligent hard-working sedulous |
| assuage | make something (pain desire) less |
| asterisk | the mark * (e.g.. omitted letters) |
| astringent | substance that shrinks |
| astute | clever quick at seeing to get an advantage |
| atonement | repayment death of Jesus |
| attenuate | make thin. weaken enervate |
| attune | bring into harmony |
| audacious | daring foolishly bold impudent |
| augury | omen sign |
| august | majestic venerable |
| auspicious | favorable successful prosperous |
| austere | severely moral and strict simple and plain |
| auxiliary | helping supporting |
| aver | affirm assert prove justify |
| aversion | strong dislike |
| avid | eager greedy |
| avow | admit. Declare openly |
| baleful | harmful ominous causing evil |
| balk | obstacle purposely to get on the way of |
| baneful | causing harm or ruin pernicious destructive |
| barrage | artificial obstacle built across a river |
| barren | not good enough unable to have young ones without value |
| bask | in enjoy warmth and light |
| beatify | to bless make happy or ascribe a virtue to |
| bedizen | to adorn especially in a cheap showy manner |
| belabor | beat hard |
| bellicose | belligerent pugnacious warlike |
| belligerent | (person nation) waging war |
| benefactor | person who has given help |
| benevolence | wish or activity in doing good |
| benign | kind and gentle mild (climate) |
| bequest | arrangement to give something at death |
| berate | scold sharply |
| bereft | rob or dispossess of something (material) |
| bewilder | puzzle confuse |
| bigot | stubborn narrow-minded person |
| bilge | bulge the protuberance of a cask |
| blandishment | flattery coaxing |
| blandness | polite manner comforting uninteresting |
| blatant | noisy and rough |
| blithe | cheerful casual carefree |
| bogus | sham counterfeit not genuine |
| boisterous | loud noisy rough lacking restraint |
| bolster | give greatly needed support |
| boorish | crude offensive rude |
| brash | hasty rush cheeky saucy |
| brass | yellow metal (mixing copper and zinc) |
| brazen | made of brass |
| breach | opening broken place breaking |
| brittle | easily broken |
| broach | bring up announce begin to talk about |
| brook | to tolerate endure |
| buoyant | able to float light-hearted |
| burgeon | grow forth send out buds |
| burnish | to polish rub to a shine |
| cabal | a scheme or plot a group of plotters |
| cadge | to beg to get by begging |
| cajole | use flattery or deceit to persuade |
| calipers | metal supports attached to the legs measuring instrument |
| calumny | slander aspersion |
| candid | frank straight-forward |
| cant | insincere talk/jargon |
| cantankerous | bad-tempered/quarrelsome |
| canvass | discuss thoroughly sort of touting |
| castigate | to chastise correct by punishing |
| castigation | severe punishment |
| catalyst | substance that causes speeding up |
| caustic | biting sarcastic |
| censure | expression of blame or disapproval a rebuke |
| centurion | leader of a unit of 100 soldiers |
| chary | cautious wary |
| chastened | corrected punished |
| chastisement | punishment |
| chauvinist | a blindly devoted patriot |
| chicanery | legal trickery/false argument |
| chisel | steel tool for shaping materials |
| churl | bad-tempered person |
| clamor | shout complain with a lot of noise |
| clientele | customers |
| clinch | come to grips/settle conclusively |
| cling | to resist separation |
| clot | half-solid lump formed from liquid |
| cloture | closing device (in Parliament) to end a debate by voting |
| coagulation | change to a thick and solid state |
| coalescing | coming together and uniting into one substance |
| coax | get smb to do something by kindness |
| coda | passage that completes a piece of music |
| coddle | treat with care and tenderness |
| coerce | compel to force to make obedient |
| coeval | of the same period coexisting |
| cogent | strong convincing |
| cogitate | think deeply mediate |
| cognizant | being fully aware of |
| cohort | a group or band of people |
| colander | bowl-shaped vessel with many holes used to drain off water |
| collusion | secret agreement for a deceitful purpose |
| combustion | process of burning |
| commemorate | keep the memory of |
| commodious | having plenty of space for what is needed |
| commuter | person who travels regularly |
| complaisance | tending to comply obliging willingness to please |
| compunction | feeling of regret for one's action |
| conceal | hide keep secret |
| conceit | over-high opinion of too much pride |
| conciliatory | reconciling soothing comforting mollifying |
| concord | agreement or harmony |
| concur | agree in opinion happen together |
| condense | increase in density strength make laconic |
| Conduce | To bring about |
| condone | forgive |
| congeal | make or become stiff and solid |
| conjoin | to join together |
| connoisseur | a person with good judgement (e.g.. in art) |
| connotation | suggestion in addition to |
| consequential | pompous self important |
| console | give comfort or sympathy to |
| conspicuous | easily seen remarkable |
| consternation | surprise and fear dismay |
| constrain | compel |
| constrict | make tight or smaller |
| consume | get to the end of |
| consummate | perfect/make perfect/complete |
| contemn | to scorn or despise |
| contentious | argumentative pugnacious combative quarrelsome |
| contiguous | touching neighboring near |
| contrite | filled with deep sorrow for wrongdoing |
| contumacious | insubordinate rebellious |
| conundrum | a riddle dilemma enigma |
| conviction | convincing firm belief |
| convoke | call together summon |
| convoluted | complicated coiled twisted |
| cordial | warm and sincere |
| cordon | line (of police acting as a guard) |
| cornucopia | abundant supply |
| corporeal | physical of or for the body |
| correlate | have a mutual relation |
| corroboration | additional strengthening evidence |
| countenance | to favor or approve of |
| counterfeit | forgery |
| countervail | counterbalance |
| covert | disguised |
| covetous | eagerly desirous |
| cower | crouch shrink back |
| coy | shy/modest (esp of a girl) |
| crass | very great (es. stupidity) |
| cravat | piece of linen worn as a necktie |
| craven | cowardly |
| crease | line made by crushing white line on the ground in cricket |
| credulity | too great a readiness to believe things |
| credulous | ready to believe things |
| crush | press lose shape subdue overwhelm |
| cryptic | secret with a hidden meaning |
| cumbersome | burdensome heavy and awkward to carry |
| curmudgeon | bad-tempered person |
| curriculum | course of study |
| cursory | quick hurried |
| curtail | make shorter then was planned |
| dainty | pretty/delicate(food)/difficult to please |
| daunt | intimidate make fearful |
| dawdler | person who is slow waste of time |
| dearth | shortage |
| debacle | a breakup overthrow sudden disaster |
| decorum | propriety properness |
| decree | order given by authority |
| decry | disapprove of |
| defer | postpone give way (to show respect) |
| deferential | showing respect |
| defiance | open disobedience or resistance |
| delineate | to portray depict sketch out |
| deluge | great flood heavy rush of water |
| demagogue | person appealing not to reasons |
| demur | to hesitate raise objections |
| denigrate | blacken belittle sully defame |
| denouement | an outcome or solution the unraveling of a plot |
| deplete | use until none remains |
| deposition | dethronement depositing |
| deprave | make morally bad corrupt |
| deprecate | protest against express disapproval of |
| dereliction | deserting and leaving to fall into ruins |
| derision | ridicule mockery deriding |
| derivative | unoriginal obtained from another source |
| derogatory | insulting tending to damage |
| descry | catch sight of see something in the distance |
| desiccant | substance used to absorb moisture |
| desuetude | cessation of use disuse |
| desultory | aimless haphazard digressing at random |
| deter | discourage hinder |
| detraction | slandering verbal attack aspersion |
| detumescence | diminishing or lessening of swelling |
| deviance | being different in moral standards (from normal) |
| dexterity | skill (esp. in handling) |
| diaphanous | transparent gauzy |
| diatribe | bitter and violent attack in words |
| didactic | intended to instruct |
| diffidence | shyness |
| dilate | speak comprehensively become wider large |
| disallow | refuse to allow or accept as a correct |
| discern | see with an effort but clearly |
| discomfit | confuse embarrass |
| disconcert | upset the self-possession of |
| discountenance | refuse to approve of |
| discourse | speech lecture |
| discredit | refuse to believe |
| discreet | careful/prudent |
| discrete | individually distinct |
| disdain | look on with contempt |
| disencumber | free from encumbrance |
| disheveled | untidy |
| disingenuous | sophisticated artful trying to deceive cunning |
| disinter | dig up from the earth |
| dislodge | move force from the place occupied |
| dismal | sad gloomy miserable |
| disparate | essentially different |
| disproof | proof to the contrary |
| dissemble | speak or behave so as to hide something (in mind) |
| disseminate | distribute (esp. ideas) |
| dissent | have a different opinion refuse to assent |
| dissolution | disintegration looseness in morals |
| distraught | distracted violently upset in mind |
| divergence | getting farther apart from a point |
| divestiture | taking off getting rid of giving up |
| divulge | make known something secret |
| doggerel | trivial poorly constructed verse |
| dogmatic | positive certain arbitrary without room for discussion |
| dolt | stupid fellow |
| dormant | in a state of inactivity but awaiting development |
| dote | show much fondness center one's attention |
| drawl | slow way of speaking |
| droll | jesting |
| drone | male bee person who isn't self-employed |
| drowsiness | feeling sleepy half asleep |
| dubious | feeling doubt |
| dud | no use person something that fails |
| dulcet | melodious harmonious |
| dupe | cheat make a fool of |
| duplicity | deliberate deception |
| duress | threats to compel smb |
| dwarf | person or smb much below the usual size |
| dynamo | a generator something that produces electric current |
| earthenware | dishes made of baked clay |
| ebullience | exuberance outburst of feeling |
| ebullient | overflowing with enthusiasm showing excitement |
| ecumenical | representing the whole Christian world |
| edacious | voracious devouring |
| eddy | circular or spiral movement (e.g.. of wind) |
| edible | fit to be eaten/not poisonous |
| effete | infertile worn out weak |
| efficacy | production of a desired result |
| effluvia | outflow in a stream of particles a noxious odor or vapor |
| effrontery | boldness impudence arrogance |
| egress | way out exit |
| elaborate | worked out with much care in great detail |
| elegy | a lament a melancholy composition |
| elicit | draw out |
| eloquence | fluent speaking skillful use of language |
| emaciate | make thin and weak |
| embellish | make beautiful |
| embezzle | use in a wrong way for one's own benefit |
| emote | stir up excite |
| empirical | relying on experiment |
| encapsulate | enclose in capsule |
| encomium | warm or glowing praise eulogy panegyric |
| encumbrance | burden things that get on the way of |
| endearing | making dear or liked |
| endemic | epidemic |
| endorse | write one's name on the back of |
| enduring | lasting |
| enervate | weaken deprive of strength attenuate |
| engender | cause produce give rise to |
| engrave | impress deeply |
| engrossing | taken up all the time or attention writing in large or formal |
| engulf | swallow up |
| enigma | something that is puzzling |
| enmity | hatred being an enemy |
| ensign | flag/badge |
| entangle | put into difficulties |
| enthral | please greatly/enslave (fig) |
| entice | tempt or persuade |
| entreat | ask earnestly |
| enunciate | pronounce (words)/express a theory |
| enzyme | catalyst |
| epicurean | devoted to pleasure (sensuous enjoyment) |
| epistle | letter |
| epithet | adjective |
| epitome | brief summary representative example a typical model |
| equable | steady regular |
| equanimity | calmness of temperament |
| equilibrium | state of being balanced |
| equipoise | equal distribution of weight equilibrium |
| equivocal | having a double or doubtful meaning suspicious |
| equivocate | try to deceive by equivocal language |
| eradicate | get rid of pull up by the roots |
| erratic | irregular in behaviour or opinion |
| erudite | learned scholarly |
| eschew | avoid |
| esoteric | abstruse intended only for a small circle of |
| espouse | marry give one's support to |
| eulogy | formal praise panegyric |
| euphoria | elation state of pleasant excitement |
| euthanasia | easy and painless death |
| evasive | tending to evade |
| evince | to show clearly to indicate |
| evoke | call up bring out |
| excoriation | severe criticism |
| exculpate | to clear from a charge of guilt |
| exhaustive | complete thorough |
| exigency | emergency an urgent situation |
| exoneration | set smb clear free (e.g.. from blame) |
| exorbitant | much too high or great |
| expatiate | to roam wander freely |
| expedient | likely to be useful for a purpose |
| expiation | ending expiring |
| exploit | brilliant achievement develop use selfishly |
| expostulate | argue earnestly to dissuade correct or protest |
| expurgate | to remove obscenity purify censor |
| exscind | to cut out cut away |
| extant | still in existence |
| extempore | without previous thought or preparation |
| extenuate | reduce the strength of lessen seriousness partially excuse |
| extinct | no longer active |
| extinguish | end the existence of/wipe or put out |
| extirpate | to destroy exterminate cut out exscind |
| extol | praise highly |
| extort | obtain by threats violence |
| extralegal | outside the law |
| extricable | that can be freed |
| extrovert | cheerful person |
| exuberance | state of growing vigorously being full of life |
| facetious | humorous funny jocular |
| facile | easily done |
| fagged | too tired, exhausted |
| fallacious | based on error |
| falter | waver/move in an uncertain manner |
| fatuous | without sense foolish self-satisfaction |
| fawn | young deer try to win smb's favor |
| feckless | lacking purpose or vitality ineffective careless |
| fecund | fertile |
| feint | pretend |
| felicitous | apt suitably expressed well chosen apropos |
| felon | person guilty of murder |
| ferment | substance become excited |
| ferocity | savage cruelty |
| ferret | discover by searching search |
| fervid | showing earnest feeling |
| fervor | warmth of feelings earnestness |
| fetid | stinking |
| fetter | to shackle put in chains |
| feud | bitter quarrel over a long period of time |
| fidelity | loyalty accuracy |
| fidget | move restlessly make nervous |
| figurehead | carved image on the prow of a ship |
| finesse | delicate way of dealing with a situation |
| finical | too fussy about food clothing etc. |
| finicky | finical |
| fission | splitting or division (esp. of cells) |
| fixate | stare at |
| flak | criticism/anti-aircraft guns |
| flamboyant | brightly colored florid |
| flaunting | show off complacently |
| flax | pale yellow (hair) a plant |
| fledged | able to fly trained experienced |
| fleet | number of ships quick-moving |
| flinch | draw move back wince |
| flop | fail/move/fall clumsily |
| florid | very much ornamented naturally red (e.g.. of face) |
| flout | reject mock to go against (as in going against tradition) |
| fluke | lucky stroke |
| fluster | make nervous or confused |
| foible | defect of character (a person is wrongly proud) |
| foil | prevent from carrying out contrast |
| foment | put something warm (to lessen the pain) |
| foolproof | incapable of failure or error |
| foppish | like a man who pays too much attention to his clothes |
| forage | food for horses and cattle |
| forbear | refrain from be patient ancestor |
| forbearance | patience willingness to wait |
| ford | shallow place in a river (to cross) |
| forestall | prevent by taking action in advance preempt |
| forfeit | suffer the loss of something |
| forge | workshop for the shaping of metal to shape metal lead |
| forgery | counterfeit |
| forswear | renounce disallow repudiate |
| foster | nurture care for |
| fracas | noisy quarrel |
| fragile | easily injured broken or destroyed |
| fragrant | sweet-smelling |
| frantic | wildly excited with joy pain anxiety |
| frenetic | frantic frenzied |
| fret | worry irritation wear away |
| fringe | edge ornamental border part of hair over the forehead |
| froward | intractable not willing to yield or comply stubborn |
| frugal | careful economical |
| fulmination | bitter protest |
| fulsome | disgusting offensive due to excessiveness |
| gainsay | to deny to oppose |
| garble | make unfair selection from facts |
| garner | to gather and save to store up |
| garrulity | talkativeness |
| garrulous | too talkative |
| gaucherie | socially awkward tactless behavior |
| germane | relevant pertinent to |
| gist | the point general sense |
| glean | gather facts in small quantities |
| glib | ready and smooth but not sincere |
| glimmer | weak/unsteady light |
| gloat | over look at with selfish delight |
| glut | supply to much fill to excess |
| gnaw | waste away bite steadily |
| goad | something urging a person to action |
| gorge | eat greedily/narrow opening with a stream |
| gossamer | soft light delicate material |
| gouge | tool for cutting grooves in wood |
| gourmand | a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess |
| grandiloquent | using pompous words |
| grave | serious requiring consideration |
| graze | touch or scrape lightly in passing |
| gregarious | living in societies liking the company |
| grievous | causing grief or pain serious dire grave |
| grovel | crawl humble oneself |
| guile | deceit cunning |
| gullible | easily gulled |
| gush | burst out suddenly/talk ardently |
| gust | outburst of feeling sudden rain wind fire etc. |
| hack | cut roughly hired horse |
| halcyon | calm and peaceful |
| hallow | to make holy consecrate |
| harangue | a long passionate speech |
| harbinger | something or smb that foretells the coming of |
| harrow | to distress create stress or torment |
| haughty | arrogant conceited |
| heed | attention/give notice to |
| heinous | odious (of crime) |
| heresy | belief contrary to what is generally accepted |
| hermetic | sealed by fusion |
| heterogeneous | made up of different kinds |
| hew | make by hard work cut (by striking) |
| highbrow | (person) with superior tastes |
| hirsute | hairy shaggy |
| hoax | mischievous trick played on smb for a joke |
| hoi | polloi the masses the rabble |
| hollow | not soled with hole |
| holster | leather case for a pistol |
| homiletics | act of preaching |
| hone | stone used for sharpening tools |
| hoodwink | trick mislead |
| hospitable | liking to give hospitality |
| hubris | arrogant pride |
| hush | make or become silent |
| husk | worthless outside part of anything |
| hypocrisy | falsely making oneself appear to be good |
| iconoclast | person who attacks popular beliefs |
| idiosyncrasy | personal mannerism |
| idolatry | excessive admiration of |
| idyll | a carefree episode or experience |
| ignoble | dishonorable common undignified |
| ignominious | shameful dishonorable undignified disgraceful |
| illicit | unlawful forbidden |
| imbroglio | complicated and embarrassing situation |
| immaculate | pure faultless |
| imminent | likely to come or happen soon |
| immutable | that cannot be changed |
| impair | worsen diminish in value |
| impassive | unmoved feeling no sign of passion |
| impecunious | having little or no money |
| impede | hinder get in the way of |
| impediment | something that hinders (e.g. stammer) |
| impending | imminent being about to happen expected |
| imperative | urgent essential |
| imperious | commanding haughty arrogant |
| impermeable | that cannot be permeated |
| imperturbable | calm not capable of being excited |
| impervious | not allowing to pass through (of materials) |
| imperviousness | haughty arrogant commanding |
| impetuous | having sudden energy impulsive thrusting ahead forceful |
| impiety | lack of reverence or dutifulness |
| implacable | incapable of being placated unpleasable |
| implicate | show that smb has a share |
| implicit | implied though not plainly expressed |
| implosion | collapse bursting inward |
| importune | beg urgently solicit (of a prostitute) |
| imprecation | an invocation of evil a curse |
| impromptu | without preparation |
| impudent | rash indiscreet |
| impugned | challenged to be doubted |
| impute | to attribute to a cause or source ascribe |
| inadvertent | not paying proper attention |
| inane | silly senseless |
| inasmuch | since because |
| incense | make angry |
| incessant | often repeated continual |
| inchoate | not yet fully formed rudimentary elementary |
| incipient | beginning |
| incise | engrave make a cut in |
| incite | stir up rouse |
| inclined | directing the mind in a certain direction |
| incongruous | out of place not in harmony or agreement |
| incorrigibility | cannot be cured or corrected |
| incredulous | skeptical unwilling to believe |
| inculcate | fix firmly by repetition |
| incumbents | official duties |
| incursion | a raid a sudden attack |
| indefatigability | not easily exhaustible tirelessness |
| indelible | that cannot be rubbed out |
| indigence | poverty |
| indigenous | native |
| indistinct | not easily heard seen clearly marked |
| indolence | laziness |
| indomitable | not easily discouraged or subdued |
| indulge | gratify give way to satisfy allow oneself |
| indulgent | inclined to indulge |
| ineffable | to great to be described in words |
| ineluctable | certain inevitable |
| inept | unskillful said or done at the wrong time |
| ineptitude | quality of being unskillful |
| inferno | hell |
| infuriate | fill with fury or rage |
| infuse | put pour fill |
| ingenuous | naive young artless frank honest sincere |
| ingest | take in by swallowing |
| inimical | harmful or friendly |
| inimitable | defying imitation unmatchable |
| innocuous | causing no harm |
| inscrutable | incapable of being discovered or understood |
| insensible | unconscious unresponsive unaffected |
| insinuate | suggest unpleasantly make a way for something gently |
| insipid | without taste or flavor |
| insouciant | unconcerned carefree |
| insularity | narrow-mindedness isolated |
| insurrection | rising of people to open resistance to |
| interdict | prohibit forbid |
| interim | as an installment |
| intersperse | place here and there |
| intransigence | unwillingness to compromise stubbornness intractability |
| intransigent | uncompromising |
| intrepid | fearless brave undaunted |
| introspection | examining one's own thoughts and feelings |
| inundate | flood cover by overflowing |
| inured | accustomed to adapted |
| invective | abusive language curses |
| inveigh | to attack verbally denounce deprecate |
| inveterate | deep-rooted. long-established |
| invincible | too strong to be defeated |
| involute | complex |
| irascible | irritable easily angered |
| irate | angry |
| ire | anger |
| irksome | tiresome |
| irresolute | hesitating undecided |
| irrevocable | final and unalterable |
| itinerate | to travel from place to place to peregrinate |
| jabber | talk excitedly utter rapidly |
| jagged | notched, rough |
| jibe | gibe make fun of |
| jocular | meant as a joke |
| judicious | sound in judgment wise |
| knit | draw together unite firmly |
| labyrinthine | to entangle the state of affairs |
| lachrymose | causing tears tearful |
| lackluster | (of eyes) dull |
| lament | show feel great sorrow |
| lassitude | weariness tiredness |
| latent | present but not yet active developed or visible |
| laudatory | expressing or giving praise |
| lavish | giving or producing freely liberally or generously |
| legacy | something handed down from ancestors |
| levee | formal reception/embankment |
| levity | lack of seriousness |
| libel | statement that damages reputation |
| liberality | free giving generosity |
| libertine | immoral person |
| lien | legal claim until a debt on it is repaid |
| limn | paint portray |
| limp | lacking strength walking unevenly |
| lionize | treat as a famous person |
| lithe | bending twisting |
| loll | rest to sit or stand in a lazy way hang (dog's tongue) |
| lope | move along with long strides |
| loquacious | talkative garrulous |
| lucubrate | write in scholarly fashion |
| luculent | easily understood lucid clear |
| lugubrious | mournful excessively sad |
| lull | become quiet or less active |
| lumber | move in a clumsy/noisy way |
| luminary | star light-giving body |
| lurk | be out of view ready to attack |
| lustrous | being bright polished |
| macabre | gruesome suggesting death |
| macerate | make or become soft by soaking in water |
| machination | plot scheme (esp. evil) |
| maladroit | tactless clumsy |
| malapropism | misuse of a word (for one that resembles it) |
| malevolence | wishing to do evil |
| malign | injurious speak ill of smb tell lie |
| malinger | to fake illness or injury in order to shirk a duty |
| malleable | yielding easily shaped moldable adapting |
| manacle | chains for the hands or feet |
| massacre | cruel killing of a large number of people |
| matriculation | be admitted enter a university as a student |
| maudlin | sentimental in a silly or tearful way |
| maul | hurt by rough handling |
| maverick | rebel nonconformist |
| mellifluous | sweetly flowing |
| mendacity | dishonesty |
| mendicant | a beggar |
| mercurial | quick changeable in character fleeting |
| meretricious | attractive on the surface but of little value |
| mesmerize | hypnotize |
| meticulous | giving great attention to details |
| mettle | quality of endurance or courage |
| mettlesome | courageous high-spirited |
| middling | fairly good but not very good |
| minatory | menacing threatening |
| mince | pronounce or speak affectedly euphemize |
| misanthrope | person who hates mankind |
| mischievous | harmful causing mischief |
| miser | person who loves wealth and spends little |
| misogynist | one who hates women/females |
| mite | Avery small amount, portion, or particle |
| moderation | quality of being limited not extreme |
| mollify | make calmer or quieter |
| molt | moult lose hair feathers before new growing |
| morbid | diseased unhealthy (e.g.. about ideas) |
| morose | ill-tempered unsocial |
| muffler | cloth worn round the neck/silencer |
| multifarious | varied motley greatly diversified |
| mundane | worldly as opposed to spiritual commonplace everyday |
| myriad | very great number |
| nadir | lowest weakest point |
| nascent | coming into existence emerging |
| nebulous | cloud-like hazy vague indistinct |
| negligent | taking too little care |
| neophyte | person who has been converted to a belief |
| nexus | a connection tie or link |
| nibble | show some inclination to accept (an offer) |
| noisome | offensive disgusting (smell) |
| nonchalant | not having interest |
| nonplused | greatly surprised |
| nostrum | a quack remedy an untested cure |
| noxious | harmful |
| nugatory | trifling/worthless |
| obdurate | hardened and unrepenting stubborn inflexible |
| obfuscate | to darken make obscure muddle |
| oblivious | unaware having no memory |
| obloquy | abusively detractive language sharp criticism vituperation |
| obsequious | too eager to obey or serve |
| obstreperous | noisy loud |
| obtain | to be established accepted or customary |
| obtrusive | projecting prominent undesirably noticeable |
| obtuse | blunt/stupid |
| obviate | to make unnecessary get rid of |
| occluded | blocked up |
| odious | repulsive hateful |
| odium | contempt dislike aversion |
| odor | smell favor reputation |
| officious | too eager or ready to help offer advice |
| ominous | threatening |
| onerous | needing effort burdensome |
| opaqueness | dullness/not allowing light to pass through |
| opprobrious | showing scorn or reproach |
| ossify | to turn to bone to settle rigidly into an idea |
| ostensible | seeming appearing as such professed |
| ostentation | display to obtain admiration or envy |
| ostracism | shut out from society refuse to meet talk |
| overhaul | examine thoroughly to learn about the condition |
| overweening | presumptuously arrogant overbearing immoderate being a jerk |
| paean | song of praise or triumph |
| palate | roof of the mouth sense of taste |
| palatial | magnificent |
| palliate | lessen the severity of |
| palpability | can be felt touched understood |
| palpitate | tremble beat rapidly and irregularly |
| panegyric | formal praise eulogy |
| paradigm | a model example or pattern |
| parenthesis | sentence within another one something separated |
| pariah | an outcast a rejected and despised person |
| parley | negotiation, discussion between enemies |
| parsimonious | too economical miserly |
| partisan | one-sided committed to a party biased or prejudiced |
| patron | regular customer person who gives support |
| paucity | scarcity a lacking of |
| peccadillo | small sin small weakness in one's character |
| pedantic | bookish showing off learning |
| pedestrian | commonplace trite unremarkable |
| pellucid | transparent easy to understand |
| penchant | strong inclination a liking |
| penitent | feeling or showing regret |
| penurious | poor/stingy |
| penury | extreme poverty |
| peregrination | traveling about wandering |
| peremptory | urgent imperative unchallengeable ending debate |
| perfidious | treacherous faithless |
| perfidy | treachery breaking of faith |
| perfunctory | done as a duty without care |
| perilous | dangerous |
| peripatetic | wandering |
| perish | be destroyed decay |
| perjury | willful FALSE statement unlawful act |
| permeate | spread into every part of |
| pernicious | harmful injurious |
| perpetrate | be guilty commit (a crime) |
| personable | pleasing in appearance attractive |
| perspicacity | quick judging and understanding |
| pertain | belong as a part have reference |
| pest | destructive thing or a person who is nuisance |
| petrified | taken away power (to think feel act) |
| petrify | to make hard rocklike |
| petrous | like a rock hard stony |
| petulant | unreasonably impatient |
| philistine | a smug ignorant person one who lacks knowledge |
| phlegmatic | calm sluggish temperament unemotional |
| picaresque | involving clever rogues or adventurers |
| pied | of mixed colors |
| pinch | be too tight take between the thumb and finger |
| pine | waste away through sorrow or illness |
| pious | dutiful to parents devoted to religion |
| piquant | agreeably pungent stimulating |
| pique | hurt the pride or self-respect stir (curiosity) |
| pitfall | covered hole as a trap unsuspected danger |
| pith | essential part force soft liquid substance |
| pivotal | of great importance (others depend on it) |
| placate | soothe pacify calm |
| plaintive | mournful melancholy sorrowful |
| plaque | flat metal on a wall as a memorial |
| platitude | a trite or banal statement unoriginality |
| plea | request |
| plead | address a court of law as an advocate |
| plethora | glut |
| pliant | pliable easily bent shaped or twisted |
| plod | continue doing something without resting |
| pluck | pull the feathers off pick (e.g.. flowers) |
| plumb | get to the root of |
| plummet | fall plunge steeply |
| plunge | move quickly suddenly and with force |
| poignant | deeply moving keen |
| poncho | large piece of cloth |
| ponderous | heavy bulky dull |
| portent | omen marvelous threatening |
| precarious | uncertain risky dangerous |
| precepts | rules establishing standards of conduct |
| preclude | prevent make impossible |
| precursory | preliminary anticipating |
| predilection | special liking mental preference |
| predominate | have more power than others |
| preen | tidy/show self-satisfaction |
| premature | doing or happening something before the right time |
| preponderance | greatness in number strength weight |
| presage | warning sign |
| presumption | arrogance |
| preternatural | not normal or usual |
| prevalent | common |
| prevaricate | to equivocate to stray from the truth |
| prim | neat formal |
| pristine | primitive unspoiled pure as in earlier times unadulterated |
| probity | uprightness incorruptibility principle |
| proclivity | inclination |
| procrastination | keeping on putting off |
| prodigal | wasteful reckless with money |
| prodigious | enormous wonderful |
| profane | worldly having contempt for God |
| profligacy | shameless immorality |
| profligate | wasteful prodigal licentious extravagant |
| profundity | depth |
| profuse | abundant/lavish |
| proliferate | grow reproduce by rapid multification |
| prolix | tiring because too long |
| prone | prostrate inclined to (undesirable things) |
| propagation | increasing the number spreading extending |
| propinquity | nearness in time or place affinity of nature |
| propitiatory | conciliatory appeasing mitigating |
| propitious | auspicious presenting favorable circumstances |
| prosaic | everyday mundane commonplace trite pedestrian |
| proscribe | denounce as dangerous |
| protracted | prolonged |
| provident | frugal looking to the future |
| provisional | of the present time only |
| provoke | make angry vax |
| prudence | careful forethought |
| prudish | easily shocked excessively modest |
| prune | dried plum silly person |
| pry | get something inquire too curiously |
| pucker | wrinkle |
| pugnacious | fond of in the habit of fighting |
| puissance | strength |
| punctilious | precise paying attention to trivialities |
| pundit | pedant authority on a subject |
| pungency | sharpness stinging quality |
| purvey | provide supply |
| pusillanimous | cowardly craven |
| putrefaction | becoming rotten |
| pyre | large pile of wood for burning |
| quack | person dishonestly claiming to something |
| quaff | drink deeply |
| quail | lose courage turn frightened |
| qualm | feeling of doubt temporary feeling of sickness |
| quandary | state of doubt or perplexity |
| quell | suppress subdue |
| quibble | try to avoid by sophistication |
| quiescence | state of being passive/motionless |
| quiescent | at rest dormant torpid |
| quirk | habit or action peculiar to smb or something |
| quixotic | generous unselfish |
| quotidian | banal everyday |
| rabble | mob crowd the lower classes of populace |
| raconteur | person who tells anecdotes |
| raffish | low vulgar base tawdry |
| ramify | to be divided or subdivided to branch out |
| rancorous | feeling bitterness spitefulness |
| rant | use extravagant language |
| rapacious | greedy (esp for money) |
| rarefy | to make thin to make less dense to purify or refine |
| rave | act with excessive enthusiasm |
| reactionary | opposing progress |
| rebuff | snub |
| recalcitrant | disobedient |
| recant | take back as being FALSE give up |
| recast | cast or fashion anew |
| recidivism | relapse into antisocial or criminal behavior |
| reciprocity | granting of privileges in return for similar |
| recitals | a number of performance of music |
| recluse | person who lives alone and avoids people |
| recompense | make payment to reward punish |
| reconcile | settle a quarrel restore peace |
| recondite | little known abstruse |
| recreancy | cowardice a cowardly giving up |
| recuperate | become strong after illness loss exhaustion |
| redeem | get back by payment compensate |
| redoubtable | formidable causing fear |
| refine | make or become pure cultural |
| refractory | stubborn unmanageable untractable |
| refulgent | shining brilliant |
| regale | to delight or entertain to feast |
| regicide | crime of killing a king |
| reiterate | say or do again several times |
| rejuvenation | becoming young in nature or appearance |
| relapse | fall back again |
| reminiscent | viewing the past |
| remonstrate | to protest object |
| render | deliver provide represent |
| renovate | restore something to better condition |
| renowned | celebrated famous |
| repast | meal |
| repel | refuse to accept/cause dislike |
| repine | at be discontented with |
| reproach | scold upbraid |
| reprobate | person hardened in sin one devoid of decency |
| repudiate | disown refuse to accept or pay |
| repulsive | causing a feeling of disgust |
| requite | repay give in return |
| rescind | repeal/annul/cancel |
| resigned | unresisting submissive |
| resilience | quality of quickly recovering the original shape |
| resort | to frequently visit |
| restive | refusing to move reluctant to be controlled |
| resuscitation | coming back to consciousness |
| retard | check hinder |
| reticent | reserved untalkative silent taciturn |
| retrospective | Looking back on past |
| revere | have deep respect for |
| reverent | feeling or showing deep respect |
| riddle | puzzling person or thing |
| rift | split crack dissension |
| rivet | fix take up secure metal pin |
| roll | call calling of names |
| rotund | rich and deep plump and round |
| ruffian | violent cruel man |
| rumple | make rough |
| sagacious | having sound judgment perceptive wise like a sage |
| salacious | obscene |
| salubrious | healthful |
| salutary | remedial wholesome causing improvement |
| sanctimony | self-righteousness hypocritical with FALSE piety |
| sanction | approval (by authority) penalty |
| sanguine | cheerful confident optimistic |
| sanity | health of mind soundness of judgment |
| sash | long strip worn round the waist |
| satiate | satisfy fully |
| saturnine | gloomy dark sullen morose |
| savant | person of great learning |
| savor | taste flavor something |
| sawdust | tiny bits of wood |
| scabbard | sheath for the blade |
| scent | smell (especially pleasant) |
| scorch | become discolored/dry up/go at high speed |
| scribble | write hastily |
| scurvy | mean contemptible |
| secular | material (not spiritual) living outside monasteries |
| sedulous | persevering |
| seminal | like a seed constituting a source originative |
| sententious | short and pithy full of maxims/proverbs |
| sequence | succession connected line of |
| sere | make hard and without feeling |
| sermon | reproving a person for his faults |
| serrated | having a toothed edge |
| serration | having a toothed edge |
| servile | like a slave lacking independence |
| sever | break off |
| severance | severing |
| shallow | little depth not earnest |
| shard | piece of broken earthenware |
| sheath | cover for the blade of a weapon or a tool |
| shrewd | astute showing sound judgement |
| shrill | sharp piercing |
| shun | keep away from avoid |
| shunt | send from one track to another lay aside evade discussion |
| sidestep | step to one side |
| simper | (give a) silly/self-conscious smile |
| sinuous | winding undulating serpentine |
| skiff | small boat |
| skit | short piece of humorous writing |
| slack | sluggish dull not tight |
| slake | to assuage to satisfy allay |
| slate | king of blue-grey stone propose criticize |
| sluggard | lazy slow-moving person |
| slur | join sounds/words (indistinct) |
| smolder | burn slowly without flame |
| snare | trap |
| snub | treat with contempt |
| soar | rise fly high |
| sober | self-controlled |
| sobriety | quality or condition of being sober |
| sodden | soaked saturated |
| soggy | heavy with water |
| solvent | of the power of forming a solution |
| somatic | of the body |
| soot | black powder in smoke |
| sophisticated | complex subtle refined |
| sophistry | fallacious reasoning faulty logic |
| sophomoric | self-assured though immature affected bombastic overblown |
| soporific | producing sleep |
| sordid | wretched comfortless contemptible |
| spear | weapon with a metal point on a long shaft |
| specious | illogical of questionable truth or merit |
| splenetic | bad-tempered irritable |
| splice | join (two ends) |
| sponge | porous rubber for washing live at once expense |
| spurious | FALSE counterfeit |
| spurn | have nothing to do reject or refuse |
| squalid | foul filthy |
| squander | spend wastefully |
| squat | crouch/settle without permission |
| stanch | to stop the flow of a fluid |
| steeply | rising or falling sharply |
| stentorian | extremely loud and powerful |
| stickler | person who insists on importance of something |
| stigma | mark of shame or disgrace |
| stigmatize | describe smb scornfully |
| sting | something sharp |
| stingy | spending using unwillingly |
| stint | to be thrifty to set limits |
| stipple | paint with dots |
| stipulate | state or put forward as a necessary condition |
| stolid | showing no emotion impassive |
| stray | wander lose one's way |
| streak | long thin move very fast |
| striated | striped grooved or banded |
| stride | walk with long steps |
| strut | a supporting bar |
| stygian | hence dark gloomy |
| stymie | to hinder obstruct or block |
| subdue | overcome bring under control |
| sublime | extreme astounding |
| submerge | put under water liquid sink out of sight |
| suborn | induce by bribery or something to commit perjury |
| subpoena | written order requiring a person to appear in a low court |
| substantiation | giving facts to support (statement) |
| subsume | include under a rule |
| succor | assistance relief in time of distress |
| suffice | be enough |
| suffocate | cause or have difficulty in breathing |
| sullied | to be stained or discredited |
| summarily | briefly without delay |
| sumptuous | magnificent |
| sundry | various miscellaneous separate |
| supercilious | disdainful characterized by haughty scorn |
| superfluous | more then is needed or wanted |
| superimpose | put something on the top |
| supersede | take the place of |
| supine | lying on the back slow to act passive |
| suppliant | asking humbly beseeching |
| supplicate | make a humble petition to |
| suppress | prevent from being known put an end to |
| surcharge | additional load/charge |
| surfeit | satiate feed to fulness or to excess |
| susceptibility | sensitiveness |
| swerve | change direction suddenly |
| sycophant | person who flatter to the rich and powerful |
| synopsis | summary or outline |
| taciturn | untalkative silent |
| tadpole | form of a frog when it leaves the egg |
| talon | claw of a bird of prey |
| tamp | tap or drive down by repeated light blows |
| tamper | interfere with |
| tangential | suddenly changeable |
| tarnished | lost brightness |
| tassel | bunch of threads |
| taunt | contemptuous reproach hurtful remark |
| taut | tightly stretched |
| tautology | a repetition a redundancy |
| tawdry | cheap gaudy showy tacky |
| teetotal | oppose to alcohol |
| telltale | That gives warning or information |
| temerity | boldness brashness intrepidness |
| temperance | abstinence from alcohol self-control moderation |
| temperate | showing self-control |
| tenacity | firmness persistency adhesiveness tending to hang on |
| tenuous | insubstantial flimsy weak |
| tepid | lukewarm |
| terse | brief and to the point |
| testiness | witness/evidence |
| thrift | care economy thriving prosperous |
| thwart | obstruct/frustrate |
| timid | shy easily frightened |
| timorous | fearful timid afraid |
| toady | obsequious flatterer |
| tonic | something giving strength or energy |
| topple | be unsteady and overturn |
| torment | severe pain or suffering |
| torpid | sleeping sluggish lethargic dormant |
| torque | twisting force causing rotation |
| tortuous | devious/not straightforward |
| tout | person who worries others to buy something to use his service |
| tractable | easily controlled or guided |
| transgress | break go beyond (a limit) |
| transient | temporary fleeting |
| transitory | brief |
| travesty | parody/imitation |
| trenchant | forceful effective vigorous extremely perceptive incisive |
| trepidation | alarm excited state of mind |
| trickle | flow in drops |
| trifling | unimportant |
| trite | not new |
| truce | (agreement) stop of fighting for a time |
| truculence | aggressiveness ferocity |
| trudge | walk heavily |
| turbid | muddy having the sediment stirred up |
| turbulence | being uncontrolled violent |
| turgid | excessively ornate swollen or bloated |
| turmoil | trouble disturbance |
| turpitude | wickedness shamefulness |
| turquoise | greenish-blue precious stone |
| tyro | tiro beginner |
| ubiquitous | present everywhere |
| ulterior | situated beyond |
| umbrage | offense resentment |
| uncouth | rough awkward |
| underbid | make a lower bid then smb else |
| undermine | weaken gradually at the base make something under |
| undulate | to move in wavelike fashion fluctuate |
| unearth | discover and bring to light |
| unencumbered | easy-going trifle |
| unfeigned | not pretended sincere |
| abase | v. To lower in position, estimation, or the like; degrade. |
| abbess | n. The lady superior of a nunnery. |
| abbey | n. The group of buildings which collectively form the dwelling-place of a society of monks or nuns. |
| abbot | n. The superior of a community of monks. |
| abdicate | v. To give up (royal power or the like). |
| abdomen | n. In mammals, the visceral cavity between the diaphragm and the pelvic floor; the belly. |
| abdominal | n. Of, pertaining to, or situated on the abdomen. |
| abduction | n. A carrying away of a person against his will, or illegally. |
| abed | adv. In bed; on a bed. |
| aberration | n. Deviation from a right, customary, or prescribed course. |
| abet | v. To aid, promote, or encourage the commission of (an offense). |
| abeyance | n. A state of suspension or temporary inaction. |
| abhorrence | n. The act of detesting extremely. |
| abhorrent | adj. Very repugnant; hateful. |
| abidance | n. An abiding. |
| abject | adj. Sunk to a low condition. |
| abjure | v. To recant, renounce, repudiate under oath. |
| able-bodied | adj. Competent for physical service. |
| ablution | n. A washing or cleansing, especially of the body. |
| abnegate | v. To renounce (a right or privilege). |
| abnormal | adj. Not conformed to the ordinary rule or standard. |
| abominable | adj. Very hateful. |
| abominate | v. To hate violently. |
| abomination | n. A very detestable act or practice. |
| aboriginal | adj. Primitive; unsophisticated. |
| aborigines | n. The original of earliest known inhabitants of a country. |
| aboveboard | adv. & adj. Without concealment, fraud, or trickery. |
| abrade | v. To wear away the surface or some part of by friction. |
| abrasion | n. That which is rubbed off. |
| abridge | v. To make shorter in words, keeping the essential features, leaning out minor particles. |
| abridgment | n. A condensed form as of a book or play. |
| abrogate | v. To abolish, repeal. |
| abrupt | adj. Beginning, ending, or changing suddenly or with a break. |
| abscess | n. A Collection of pus in a cavity formed within some tissue of the body. |
| abscission | n. The act of cutting off, as in a surgical operation. |
| abscond | v. To depart suddenly and secretly, as for the purpose of escaping arrest. |
| absence | n. The fact of not being present or available. |
| absent-minded | adj. Lacking in attention to immediate surroundings or business. |
| absolution | n. Forgiveness, or passing over of offenses. |
| absolve | v. To free from sin or its penalties. |
| absorb | v. To drink in or suck up, as a sponge absorbs water. |
| absorption | n. The act or process of absorbing. |
| abstain | v. To keep oneself back (from doing or using something). |
| abstemious | adj. Characterized by self denial or abstinence, as in the use of drink, food. |
| abstinence | n. Self denial. |
| abstruse | adj. Dealing with matters difficult to be understood. |
| absurd | adj. Inconsistent with reason or common sense. |
| abundant | adj. Plentiful. |
| abusive | adj. Employing harsh words or ill treatment. |
| abut | v. To touch at the end or boundary line. |
| abyss | n. Bottomless gulf. |
| academic | adj. Of or pertaining to an academy, college, or university. |
| academician | n. A member of an academy of literature, art, or science. |
| academy | n. Any institution where the higher branches of learning are taught. |
| accede | v. To agree. |
| accelerate | v. To move faster. |
| accept | v. To take when offered. |
| access | n. A way of approach or entrance; passage. |
| accessible | adj. Approachable. |
| accession | n. Induction or elevation, as to dignity, office, or government. |
| accessory | n. A person or thing that aids the principal agent. |
| acclaim | v. To utter with a shout. |
| accommodate | v. To furnish something as a kindness or favor. |
| accompaniment | n. A subordinate part or parts, enriching or supporting the leading part. |
| accompanist | n. One who or that which accompanies. |
| accompany | v. To go with, or be associated with, as a companion. |
| accomplice | n. An associate in wrong-doing. |
| accomplish | v. To bring to pass. |
| accordion | n. A portable free-reed musical instrument. |
| accost | v. To speak to. |
| account | n. A record or statement of receipts and expenditures, or of business transactions. |
| accouter | v. To dress. |
| accredit | v. To give credit or authority to. |
| accumulate | v. To become greater in quantity or number. |
| accuracy | n. Exactness. |
| accurate | adj. Conforming exactly to truth or to a standard. |
| accursed | adj. Doomed to evil, misery, or misfortune. |
| accusation | n. A charge of crime, misdemeanor, or error. |
| accusatory | adj. Of, pertaining to, or involving an accusation. |
| accuse | v. To charge with wrong doing, misconduct, or error. |
| accustom | v. To make familiar by use. |
| acerbity | n. Sourness, with bitterness and astringency. |
| acetate | n. A salt of acetic acid. |
| acetic | adj. Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of vinegar. |
| ache | v. To be in pain or distress. |
| Achillean | adj. Invulnerable. |
| achromatic | adj. Colorless, |
| acid | n. A sour substance. |
| acidify | v. To change into acid. |
| acknowledge | v. To recognize; to admit the genuineness or validity of. |
| acknowledgment | n. Recognition. |
| acme | n. The highest point, or summit. |
| acoustic | adj. Pertaining to the act or sense of hearing. |
| acquaint | v. To make familiar or conversant. |
| acquiesce | v. To comply; submit. |
| acquiescence | n. Passive consent. |
| acquire | v. To get as one's own. |
| acquisition | n. Anything gained, or made one's own, usually by effort or labor. |
| acquit | v. To free or clear, as from accusation. |
| acquittal | n. A discharge from accusation by judicial action. |
| acquittance | n. Release or discharge from indebtedness, obligation, or responsibility. |
| acreage | n. Quantity or extent of land, especially of cultivated land. |
| acrid | adj. Harshly pungent or bitter. |
| acrimonious | adj. Full of bitterness. |
| acrimony | n. Sharpness or bitterness of speech or temper. |
| actionable | adj. Affording cause for instituting an action, as trespass, slanderous words. |
| actuality | n. Any reality. |
| actuary | n. An officer, as of an insurance company, who calculates and states the risks and premiums. |
| actuate | v. To move or incite to action. |
| acumen | n. Quickness of intellectual insight, or discernment; keenness of discrimination. |
| acute | adj. Having fine and penetrating discernment. |
| adamant | n. Any substance of exceeding hardness or impenetrability. |
| addendum | n. Something added, or to be added. |
| addle | v. To make inefficient or worthless; muddle. |
| adduce | v. To bring forward or name for consideration. |
| adhere | v. To stick fast or together. |
| adherence | n. Attachment. |
| adherent | adj. Clinging or sticking fast. |
| adhesion | n. The state of being attached or joined. |
| adieu | inter. Good-by; farewell. |
| adjacency | n. The state of being adjacent. |
| adjacent | n. That which is near or bordering upon. |
| adjudge | v. To award or bestow by formal decision. |
| adjunct | n. Something joined to or connected with another thing, but holding a subordinate place. |
| adjuration | n. A vehement appeal. |
| adjutant | adj. Auxiliary. |
| administrator | n. One who manages affairs of any kind. |
| admissible | adj. Having the right or privilege of entry. |
| admittance | n. Entrance, or the right or permission to enter. |
| admonish | v. To warn of a fault. |
| admonition | n. Gentle reproof. |
| ado | n. unnecessary activity or ceremony. |
| adoration | n. Profound devotion. |
| adroit | adj. Having skill in the use of the bodily or mental powers. |
| adulterant | n. An adulterating substance. |
| adulterate | v. To make impure by the admixture of other or baser ingredients. |
| adumbrate | v. To represent beforehand in outline or by emblem. |
| advent | n. The coming or arrival, as of any important change, event, state, or personage. |
| adverse | adj. Opposing or opposed. |
| adversity | n. Misfortune. |
| advert | v. To refer incidentally. |
| advertiser | n. One who advertises, especially in newspapers. |
| advisory | adj. Not mandatory. |
| advocacy | n. The act of pleading a cause. |
| advocate | n. One who pleads the cause of another, as in a legal or ecclesiastical court. |
| aerial | adj. Of, pertaining to, or like the air. |
| aeronaut | n. One who navigates the air, a balloonist. |
| aeronautics | n. the art or practice of flying aircraft |
| aerostat | n. A balloon or other apparatus floating in or sustained by the air. |
| aerostatics | n. The branch of pneumatics that treats of the equilibrium, pressure, and mechanical properties. |
| affable | adj. Easy to approach. |
| affect | v. To act upon |
| affectation | n. A studied or ostentatious pretense or attempt. |
| affiliate | n. Some auxiliary person or thing. |
| affirmative | adj. Answering yes; to a question at issue. |
| affix | v. To fasten. |
| affluence | n. A profuse or abundant supply of riches. |
| affront | n. An open insult or indignity. |
| afire | adv. & adj. On fire, literally or figuratively. |
| afoot | adv. In progress. |
| aforesaid | adj. Said in a preceding part or before. |
| afresh | adv. Once more, after rest or interval. |
| afterthought | n. A thought that comes later than its appropriate or expected time. |
| agglomerate | v. To pile or heap together. |
| aggrandize | v. To cause to appear greatly. |
| aggravate | v. To make heavier, worse, or more burdensome. |
| aggravation | n. The fact of being made heavier or more heinous, as a crime , offense, misfortune, etc. |
| aggregate | n. The entire number, sum, mass, or quantity of something. |
| aggress | v. To make the first attack. |
| aggression | n. An unprovoked attack. |
| aggrieve | v. To give grief or sorrow to. |
| aghast | adj. Struck with terror and amazement. |
| agile | adj. Able to move or act quickly, physically, or mentally. |
| agitate | v. To move or excite (the feelings or thoughts). |
| agrarian | adj. Pertaining to land, especially agricultural land. |
| aide-de-camp | n. An officer who receives and transmits the orders of the general. |
| ailment | n. Slight sickness. |
| airy | adj. Delicate, ethereal. |
| akin | adj. Of similar nature or qualities. |
| alabaster | n. A white or delicately tinted fine-grained gypsum. |
| alacrity | n. Cheerful willingness. |
| albeit | conj. Even though. |
| albino | n. A person with milky white skin and hair, and eyes with bright red pupil and usually pink iris. |
| album | n. A book whose leaves are so made to form paper frames for holding photographs or the like. |
| alchemy | n. Chemistry of the middle ages, characterized by the pursuit of changing base metals to gold. |
| alcohol | n. A volatile, inflammable, colorless liquid of a penetrating odor and burning taste. |
| alcoholism | n. A condition resulting from the inordinate or persistent use of alcoholic beverages. |
| alcove | n. A covered recess connected with or at the side of a larger room. |
| alder | n. Any shrub or small tree of the genus Alumnus, of the oak family. |
| alderman | n. A member of a municipal legislative body, who usually exercises also certain judicial functions. |
| aldermanship | n. The dignity, condition, office, or term of office of an alderman. |
| alias | n. An assumed name. |
| alien | n. One who owes allegiance to a foreign government. |
| alienable | adj. Capable of being aliened or alienated, as lands. |
| alienate | v. To cause to turn away. |
| alienation | n. Estrangement. |
| aliment | n. That which nourishes. |
| alkali | n. Anything that will neutralize an acid, as lime, magnesia, etc. |
| allay | v. To calm the violence or reduce the intensity of; mitigate. |
| allege | v. To assert to be true, especially in a formal manner, as in court. |
| allegory | n. The setting forth of a subject under the guise of another subject of aptly suggestive likeness. |
| alleviate | v. To make less burdensome or less hard to bear. |
| alley | n. A narrow street, garden path, walk, or the like. |
| alliance | n. Any combination or union for some common purpose. |
| allot | v. To assign a definite thing or part to a certain person. |
| allotment | n. Portion. |
| allude | v. To refer incidentally, or by suggestion. |
| allusion | n. An indirect and incidental reference to something without definite mention of it. |
| alluvion | n. Flood. |
| ally | n. A person or thing connected with another, usually in some relation of helpfulness. |
| almanac | n. A series of tables giving the days of the week together with certain astronomical information. |
| aloof | adv. Not in sympathy with or desiring to associate with others. |
| altar | n. Any raised place or structure on which sacrifices may be offered or incense burned. |
| alter | v. To make change in. |
| alteration | n. Change or modification. |
| altercate | v. To contend angrily or zealously in words. |
| alternate | n. One chosen to act in place of another, in case of the absence or incapacity of that other. |
| alternative | n. Something that may or must exist, be taken or chosen, or done instead of something else. |
| altitude | n. Vertical distance or elevation above any point or base-level, as the sea. |
| alto | n. The lowest or deepest female voice or part. |
| altruism | n. Benevolence to others on subordination to self-interest. |
| altruist | n. One who advocates or practices altruism. |
| amalgam | n. An alloy or union of mercury with another metal. |
| amalgamate | v. To mix or blend together in a homogeneous body. |
| amateur | adj. Practicing an art or occupation for the love of it, but not as a profession. |
| amatory | adj. Designed to excite love. |
| ambidextrous | adj. Having the ability of using both hands with equal skill or ease. |
| ambiguous | adj. Having a double meaning. |
| ambitious | adj. Eagerly desirous and aspiring. |
| ambrosial | adj. Divinely sweet, fragrant, or delicious. |
| ambulance | n. A vehicle fitted for conveying the sick and wounded. |
| ambulate | v. To walk about |
| ambush | n. The act or state of lying concealed for the purpose of surprising or attacking the enemy. |
| ameliorate | v. To relieve, as from pain or hardship |
| amenable | adj. Willing and ready to submit. |
| Americanism | n. A peculiar sense in which an English word or phrase is used in the United States. |
| amicable | adj. Done in a friendly spirit. |
| amity | n. Friendship. |
| amorous | adj. Having a propensity for falling in love. |
| amorphous | adj. Without determinate shape. |
| amour | n. A love-affair, especially one of an illicit nature. |
| ampere | n. The practical unit of electric-current strength. |
| ampersand | n. The character &; and. |
| amphibious | adj. Living both on land and in water. |
| amphitheater | n. An edifice of elliptical shape, constructed about a central open space or arena. |
| amplitude | n. Largeness. |
| amply | adv. Sufficiently. |
| amputate | v. To remove by cutting, as a limb or some portion of the body. |
| amusement | n. Diversion. |
| anachronism | n. Anything occurring or existing out of its proper time. |
| anagram | n. The letters of a word or phrase so transposed as to make a different word or phrase. |
| analogous | adj. Corresponding (to some other) in certain respects, as in form, proportion, relations. |
| analogy | n. Reasoning in which from certain and known relations or resemblance others are formed. |
| analyst | n. One who analyzes or makes use of the analytical method. |
| analyze | v. To examine minutely or critically. |
| anarchy | n. Absence or utter disregard of government. |
| anathema | n. Anything forbidden, as by social usage. |
| anatomy | n. That branch of morphology which treats of the structure of organisms. |
| ancestry | n. One's ancestors collectively. |
| anecdote | n. A brief account of some interesting event or incident. |
| anemia | n. Deficiency of blood or red corpuscles. |
| anemic | adj. Affected with anemia. |
| anemometer | n. An instrument for measuring the force or velocity of wind. |
| anesthetic | adj. Pertaining to or producing loss of sensation. |
| anew | adv. Once more. |
| angelic | adj. Saintly. |
| Anglophobia | n. Hatred or dread of England or of what is English. |
| Anglo-Saxon | n. The entire English race wherever found, as in Europe, the United States, or India. |
| angular | adj. Sharp-cornered. |
| anhydrous | adj. Withered. |
| animadversion | n. The utterance of criticism or censure. |
| animadvert | v. To pass criticism or censure. |
| animalcule | n. An animal of microscopic smallness. |
| animate | v. To make alive. |
| animosity | n. Hatred. |
| annalist | n. Historian. |
| annals | n. A record of events in their chronological order, year by year. |
| annex | v. To add or affix at the end. |
| annihilate | v. To destroy absolutely. |
| annotate | v. To make explanatory or critical notes on or upon. |
| annual | adj. Occurring every year. |
| annuity | n. An annual allowance, payment, or income. |
| annunciation | n. Proclamation. |
| anode | n. The point where or path by which a voltaic current enters an electrolyte or the like. |
| anonymous | adj. Of unknown authorship. |
| antagonism | n. Mutual opposition or resistance of counteracting forces, principles, or persons. |
| Antarctic | adj. Pertaining to the south pole or the regions near it. |
| ante | v. In the game of poker, to put up a stake before the cards are dealt. |
| antecede | v. To precede. |
| antecedent | n. One who or that which precedes or goes before, as in time, place, rank, order, or causality. |
| antechamber | n. A waiting room for those who seek audience. |
| antedate | v. To assign or affix a date to earlier than the actual one. |
| antediluvian | adj. Of or pertaining to the times, things, events before the great flood in the days of Noah. |
| antemeridian | adj. Before noon. |
| antemundane | adj. Pertaining to time before the world's creation. |
| antenatal | adj. Occurring or existing before birth. |
| anterior | adj. Prior. |
| anteroom | n. A room situated before and opening into another, usually larger. |
| anthology | n. A collection of extracts from the writings of various authors. |
| anthracite | n. Hard coal. |
| anthropology | n. The science of man in general. |
| anthropomorphous | adj. Having or resembling human form. |
| antic | n. A grotesque, ludicrous, or fantastic action. |
| Antichrist | n. Any opponent or enemy of Christ, whether a person or a power. |
| anticlimax | n. A gradual or sudden decrease in the importance or impressiveness of what is said. |
| anticyclone | n. An atmospheric condition of high central pressure, with currents flowing outward. |
| antidote | n. Anything that will counteract or remove the effects of poison, disease, or the like. |
| antilogy | n. Inconsistency or contradiction in terms or ideas. |
| antipathize | v. To show or feel a feeling of antagonism, aversion, or dislike. |
| antiphon | n. A response or alteration of responses, generally musical. |
| antiphony | n. An anthem or other composition sung responsively. |
| antipodes | n. A place or region on the opposite side of the earth. |
| antiquary | n. One who collects and examines old things, as coins, books, medals, weapons, etc. |
| antiquate | v. To make old or out of date. |
| antique | adj. Pertaining to ancient times. |
| antiseptic | n. Anything that destroys or restrains the growth of putrefactive micro-organisms. |
| antislavery | adj. Opposed to human slavery. |
| antispasmodic | adj. Tending to prevent or relieve non-inflammatory spasmodic affections. |
| antistrophe | n. The inversion of terms in successive classes, as in "the home of joy and the joy of home". |
| antitoxin | n. A substance which neutralizes the poisonous products of micro-organisms. |
| antonym | n. A word directly opposed to another in meaning. |
| anxious | adj. Distressed in mind respecting some uncertain matter. |
| apathy | n. Insensibility to emotion or passionate feeling. |
| aperture | n. Hole. |
| apex | n. The highest point, as of a mountain. |
| aphorism | n. Proverb. |
| apiary | n. A place where bees are kept. |
| apogee | n. The climax. |
| apology | n. A disclaimer of intentional error or offense. |
| apostasy | n. A total departure from one's faith or religion. |
| apostate | adj. False. |
| apostle | n. Any messenger commissioned by or as by divine authority. |
| apothecary | n. One who keeps drugs for sale and puts up prescriptions. |
| apotheosis | n. Deification. |
| appall | v. To fill with dismay or horror. |
| apparent | adj. Easily understood. |
| apparition | n. Ghost. |
| appease | v. To soothe by quieting anger or indignation. |
| appellate | adj. Capable of being appealed to. |
| appellation | n. The name or title by which a particular person, class, or thing is called. |
| append | v. To add or attach, as something accessory, subordinate, or supplementary. |
| appertain | v. To belong, as by right, fitness, association, classification, possession, or natural relation. |
| apposite | adj. Appropriate. |
| apposition | n. The act of placing side by side, together, or in contact. |
| appraise | v. To estimate the money value of. |
| appreciable | adj. Capable of being discerned by the senses or intellect. |
| apprehend | v. To make a prisoner of (a person) in the name of the law. |
| apprehensible | adj. Capable of being conceived. |
| approbation | n. Sanction. |
| appropriate | adj. Suitable for the purpose and circumstances. |
| aqueduct | n. A water-conduit, particularly one for supplying a community from a distance. |
| aqueous | adj. Of, pertaining to, or containing water. |
| arbiter | n. One chosen or appointed, by mutual consent of parties in dispute, to decide matters. |
| arbitrary | adj. Fixed or done capriciously. |
| arbitrate | v. To act or give judgment as umpire. |
| arbor | n. A tree. |
| arboreal | adj. Of or pertaining to a tree or trees. |
| arborescent | adj. Having the nature of a tree. |
| arboretum | n. A botanical garden or place devoted to the cultivation of trees or shrubs. |
| arboriculture | n. The cultivation of trees or shrubs. |
| arcade | n. A vaulted passageway or street; a roofed passageway having shops, etc., opening from it. |
| archaic | adj. Antiquated |
| archaism | n. Obsolescence. |
| archangel | n. An angel of high rank. |
| archbishop | n. The chief of the bishops of an ecclesiastical province in the Greek, Roman, and Anglican church. |
| archdeacon | n. A high official administrator of the affairs of a diocese. |
| archaeology | n. The branch of anthropology concerned with the systematic investigation of the relics of man. |
| archetype | n. A prototype. |
| archipelago | n. Any large body of water studded with islands, or the islands collectively themselves. |
| ardent | adj. Burning with passion. |
| ardor | n. Intensity of passion or affection. |
| arid | adj. Very dry. |
| aristocracy | n. A hereditary nobility |
| aristocrat | n. A hereditary noble or one nearly connected with nobility. |
| armada | n. A fleet of war-vessels. |
| armful | n. As much as can be held in the arm or arms. |
| armory | n. An arsenal. |
| aroma | n. An agreeable odor. |
| arraign | v. To call into court, as a person indicted for crime, and demand whether he pleads guilty or not. |
| arrange | v. To put in definite or proper order. |
| arrangement | n. The act of putting in proper order, or the state of being put in order. |
| arrant | adj. Notoriously bad. |
| arrear | n. Something overdue and unpaid. |
| arrival | n. A coming to stopping-place or destination. |
| arrogant | adj. Unduly or excessively proud, as of wealth, station, learning, etc. |
| arrogate | v. To take, demand, or claim, especially presumptuously or without reasons or grounds. |
| Artesian | well n. A very deep bored well. water rises due to underground pressure |
| artful | adj. Characterized by craft or cunning. |
| Arthurian | adj. Pertaining to King Arthur, the real or legendary hero of British poetic story. |
| artifice | n. Trickery. |
| artless | adj. Ingenuous. |
| ascendant | adj. Dominant. |
| ascension | n. The act of rising. |
| ascent | n. A rising, soaring, or climbing. |
| ascetic | adj. Given to severe self-denial and practicing excessive abstinence and devotion. |
| ascribe | v. To assign as a quality or attribute. |
| asexual | adj. Having no distinct sexual organs. |
| ashen | adj. Pale. |
| askance | adv. With a side or indirect glance or meaning. |
| asperity | n. Harshness or roughness of temper. |
| aspirant | n. One who seeks earnestly, as for advancement, honors, place. |
| aspiration | n. An earnest wish for that which is above one's present reach. |
| aspire | v. To have an earnest desire, wish, or longing, as for something high and good, not yet attained. |
| assailant | n. One who attacks. |
| assassin | n. One who kills, or tries to kill, treacherously or secretly. |
| assassinate | v. To kill, as by surprise or secret assault, especially the killing of some eminent person. |
| assassination | n. Murderer, as by secret assault or treachery. |
| assay | n. The chemical analysis or testing of an alloy ore. |
| assent | v. To express agreement with a statement or matter of opinion. |
| assess | v. To determine the amount of (a tax or other sum to be paid). |
| assessor | n. An officer whose duty it is to assess taxes. |
| assets | n. pl. Property in general, regarded as applicable to the payment of debts. |
| assiduous | adj. Diligent. |
| assignee | n. One who is appointed to act for another in the management of certain property and interests. |
| assimilate | v. To adapt. |
| assonance | n. Resemblance or correspondence in sound. |
| assonant | adj. Having resemblance of sound. |
| assonate | v. To accord in sound, especially vowel sound. |
| assuage | v. To cause to be less harsh, violent, or severe, as excitement, appetite, pain, or disease. |
| astringent | adj. Harsh in disposition or character. |
| astute | adj. Keen in discernment. |
| atheism | n. The denial of the existence of God. |
| athirst | adj. Wanting water. |
| athwart | adv. From side to side. |
| atomizer | n. An apparatus for reducing a liquid to a fine spray, as for disinfection, inhalation, etc. |
| atone | v. To make amends for. |
| atonement | n. Amends, reparation, or expiation made from wrong or injury. |
| atrocious | adj. Outrageously or wantonly wicked, criminal, vile, or cruel. |
| atrocity | n. Great cruelty or reckless wickedness. |
| attache | n. A subordinate member of a diplomatic embassy. |
| attest | v. To certify as accurate, genuine, or true. |
| attorney-general | n. The chief law-officer of a government. |
| auburn | adj. Reddish-brown, said usually of the hair. |
| audacious | adj. Fearless. |
| audible | adj. Loud enough to be heard. |
| audition | n. The act or sensation of hearing. |
| auditory | adj. Of or pertaining to hearing or the organs or sense of hearing. |
| augment | v. To make bigger. |
| augur | v. To predict. |
| Augustinian | adj. Pertaining to St. Augustine, his doctrines, or the religious orders called after him. |
| aura | n. Pervasive psychic influence supposed to emanate from persons |
| aural | adj. Of or pertaining to the ear. |
| auricle | n. One of the two chambers of the heart which receives the blood from the veins. |
| auricular | adj. Of or pertaining to the ear, its auricle, or the sense of hearing. |
| auriferous | adj. Containing gold. |
| aurora | n. A luminous phenomenon in the upper regions of the atmosphere. |
| auspice | n. favoring, protecting, or propitious influence or guidance. |
| austere | adj. Severely simple; unadorned. |
| autarchy | n. Unrestricted power. |
| authentic | adj. Of undisputed origin. |
| authenticity | n. The state or quality of being genuine, or of the origin and authorship claimed. |
| autobiography | n. The story of one's life written by himself. |
| autocracy | n. Absolute government. |
| autocrat | n. Any one who claims or wields unrestricted or undisputed authority or influence. |
| automaton | n. Any living being whose actions are or appear to be involuntary or mechanical. |
| autonomous | adj. Self-governing. |
| autonomy | n. Self-government. |
| autopsy | n. The examination of a dead body by dissection to ascertain the cause of death. |
| autumnal | adj. Of or pertaining to autumn. |
| auxiliary | n. One who or that which aids or helps, especially when regarded as subsidiary or accessory. |
| avalanche | n. The fall or sliding of a mass of snow or ice down a mountain-slope, often bearing with it rock. |
| avarice | n. Passion for getting and keeping riches. |
| aver | v. To assert as a fact. |
| averse | adj. Reluctant. |
| aversion | n. A mental condition of fixed opposition to or dislike of some particular thing. |
| avert | v. To turn away or aside. |
| aviary | n. A spacious cage or enclosure in which live birds are kept. |
| avidity | n. Greediness. |
| avocation | n. Diversion. |
| avow | v. To declare openly. |
| awaken | v. To arouse, as emotion, interest, or the like. |
| awry | adv. & adj. Out of the proper form, direction, or position. |
| aye | adv. An expression of assent. |
| azalea | n. A flowering shrub. |
| azure | n. The color of the sky. |
| Baconian | adj. Of or pertaining to Lord Bacon or his system of philosophy. |
| bacterium | n. A microbe. |
| badger | v. To pester. |
| baffle | v. To foil or frustrate. |
| bailiff | n. An officer of court having custody of prisoners under arraignment. |
| baize | n. A single-colored napped woolen fabric used for table-covers, curtains, etc. |
| bale | n. A large package prepared for transportation or storage. |
| baleful | adj. Malignant. |
| ballad | n. Any popular narrative poem, often with epic subject and usually in lyric form. |
| balsam | n. A medical preparation, aromatic and oily, used for healing. |
| banal | adj. Commonplace. |
| barcarole | n. A boat-song of Venetian gondoliers. |
| barograph | n. An instrument that registers graphically and continuously the atmospheric pressure. |
| barometer | n. An instrument for indicating the atmospheric pressure per unit of surface. |
| barring | prep. Apart from. |
| baritone | adj. Having a register higher than bass and lower than tenor. |
| bask | v. To make warm by genial heat. |
| bass | adj. Low in tone or compass. |
| baste | v. To cover with melted fat, gravy, while cooking. |
| baton | n. An official staff borne either as a weapon or as an emblem of authority or privilege. |
| battalion | n. A body of infantry composed of two or more companies, forming a part of a regiment. |
| batten | n. A narrow strip of wood. |
| batter | n. A thick liquid mixture of two or more materials beaten together, to be used in cookery. |
| bauble | n. A trinket. |
| bawl | v. To proclaim by outcry. |
| beatify | v. To make supremely happy. |
| beatitude | n. Any state of great happiness. |
| beau | n. An escort or lover. |
| becalm | v. To make quiet. |
Combine with other sets
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace
!