| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Condone | (verb) accept and allow certain behavior |
| Champion | (verb) to support or defend the cause of |
| Substantiate | (verb) provide enough evidence to prove the truth of |
| Duplicitous | (adjective) treacherous behavior |
| Muted | (adjective) muffled |
| Enveloped | (noun) covering |
| Mellow | (adjective) good-humored and relaxed |
| Notoriety | (noun) bad reputation |
| Paucity | (noun) presence of something in small quantities |
| Probity | (noun) quality of strong moral principles |
| Exacerbated | (verb) made the situation worse |
| Ingratiated | (verb) gained favor from someone by flattery |
| Shrewd | (adjective) a sharp power of judgement |
| Taciturn | (adjective) untalkative |
| Vigilant | (adjective) keeping a careful watch |
| Lenient | (adj) merciful |
| Eccentric | (adj) unconventional |
| Emulate | (verb) copying by imitation |
| Adoration | (noun) admiration |
| Misers | (noun) people who are unhappy |
| Disdain | (noun) lack of respect |
| Insurgents | (noun) members of a guerilla group |
| Malevolence | (noun) the wishing of evil to others |
| Humane | (adj) having the worthy qualities of human beings, such as kindness or compassion. |
| Humanism | (noun) a philosophy in which interests and values of human beings are of primary importance. |
| Humanities | (noun) branches of knowledge concerned with human beings and their culture. |
| Anthropology | (noun) the scientific stufy of the origins, cultural development, and customs of human beings. |
| Misanthrope | (noun) a person who hates all people |
| Homicide | (noun) the killing of one person by another. |
| Virile | (adj) having certain characteristics traditionally associated with masculinity. |
| Gynecology | (noun) the branch of medicine dealing with disorders and treatment of the reproductive system in women. |
| Feminism | (noun) the belief that women should posses the same political and economic rights as men. |
| Autocrat | (noun) a ruler who has absolute control or unlimited power. |
| Automaton | (noun) a person who behaves in a mechanical, routine matter. |
| Autonomy | (noun) independence |
| Autopsy | (noun) the examination of a corpse to determine the cause of death. |
| Genealogy | (noun) a record of descent from one's ancestors |
| Genocide | (noun) the planned annihilation of a racial, political, or cultural group. |
| Genre | (noun) a type, class, or category, especially of fine arts or literature. |
| Genteel | (adj) well-mannered and polite. |
| Gentile | (noun) anyone not of Jewish faith. |
| Gentry | (noun) aristocratic or well-bred people. |
| Heterogeneous | (adj) having parts that are unrelated or completely different. |
| Homogeneous | (adj) of the same kind or sort. |
| Congenital | (adj) existing at birth but not hereditary. |
| Engender | (tr.verb) to give rise to or to bring to exsistence. |
| Genesis | (noun) a beginning or origin. |
| Indigenous | (adj) occuring in or characterizing an area. |
| Progenitor | (noun) a direct ancestor. |
| Progeny | (noun) offspring |
| Matrix | (noun) the surroundings within which something begins or develops. |
| Matriarchy | (noun) a society ruled by women |
| Matriculate | (tr.verb) to register as a student at a college or university. |
| Patriarch | (noun) the male head of a family or tribe. |
| Patrimony | (noun) a family inheritance. |
| Patronage | (noun) support or encouragement. |
| Patronize | (tr.v) to go regularly or to treat someone as an inferior. |
| Patronymic | (noun) name derived from a paternal ancestor. |
| Fraternal | (adj) pertaining to brothers. |
| Fraternize | (intr.verb) to be friendly with. |
| Avunvular | (adj) like an uncle. |
| Familial | (adj) having to do with the family. |
| Uxorious | (adj) Dominated by one's wife. |
| Bigamy | (noun) marriage to two mates. |
| Monogamy | (noun) marriage to a single mate. |
| Puerile | (adj) childish and immature |
| Orthopedics | (noun) branch of medicine treating disorders of the skeletal system and tissues related to movement. |
| Pedagogue | (noun) a teacher. |
| Pedant | (noun) a person who pays excessive attention to learning rules raher than to understand or a scholarly show-off. |
| Entity | (noun) something that has a real or independent existence. |
| Nonentity | (noun) a person or thing of no importance. |
| Essence | (noun) the basic element; the identifying characteristic. |
| Moribund | (adj) about to die or end. |
| Mortify | (tr.v) to shame. |
| Postmortem | (noun) an examination to determine the cause of death. or and autopsy. |
| Euthanasia | (noun) the act of painlessly killing a suffering person or animal; mercy killing. |
| Innate | (adj) possessed at birth; inborn. |
| Naive | (adj) childlike; unsophisticated. |
| Nascent | (adj) emerging; coming into existence. |
| Renaissance | (noun) a rebirth; a renewal. |
| Amicable | (adj) friendly; peacable. |
| Amity | (noun) friendship; friendly relations. |
| Enamored | (adj) in love with; charmed by. |
| Inimical | (adj) harmful |
| Odious | (adj) hatefull; distasteful. |
| Bibliophile | (noun) a lover of books. |
| Philantropy | (noun) goodwill to fellow human beings. |
| Phobia | (noun) strong, irrational fear. |
| Acrophobia | (noun) fear of heights. |
| Hydrophobia | (noun) fear of water. |
| Xenophobia | (noun) fear or hatred of what is strange or foreign. |
| Appease | (tr.v) to calm; to satisfy or relieve. |
| Pacific | (adj) peaceful; serene. |
| Pacify | (tr. v) to calm; to make quiet. |
| Antipathy | (noun) a hatred or dislike. |
| Apathy | (noun) lack of feeling, energy, or interest. |
| Empathy | (noun) the ability to indentify with someone else and understand that person's situation of feelings. |
| Pathological | (adj) referring to pathology, the study of disease. |
| Pathos | (noun) a feeling of sympathy; a quality that arouses pity or tenderness. |
| Misogamy | (noun) hatred of marriage. |
| Misogyny | (noun) hatred of women. |
| Dysentery | (noun) severe diarrhea. |
| Dyslexia | (noun) a serious difficulty learning to read in the usual way. |
| Covet | (tr. v) to crave or desire, especially something belonging to someone else. |
| Cupidity | (noun) greed; avarice. |
| Complacent | (adj) self-satisfied; smug. |
| Implacable | (adj) impossible to calm or appease. |
| Placate | (tr.v) to calm; to pacify; to appease. |
| Placid | (adj showing calmness, peacefulness, or composure. |
| Domicile | (noun) a home; residence. |
| Domestic | (adj) related to the family or household. |
| Domain | (noun) range of one's control; territory. |
| Domineer | (tr. v) To dominate; to be bossy. |
| Dominion | (noun) control; rule; area of influence. |
| Dormant | (adj) asleep; not in an active state. |
| Somnambulate | (intr. v) to walk while sleeping. |
| Somnolent | (adj) drowsy; sleepy. |
| Ablution | (noun) washing of the body, especially as a ritual purification. |
| Deluge | (noun) a downpour; a great flood. |
| Divest | (tr. v) to take away something belonging to someone, especially a right, title, or property; to dispossess. |
| Investiture | (noun) a ceremony in which a person formally recieves the authority and symbols of an office. |
| Travesty | (noun) an absurd or inferior imitation. |
| Vestment | (noun) a garment that indicates position or authority, especially the robes worn by clergy. |
| Vested | (adj) a concern for something from which a person expects to get personal benefit. |
| Amiable | (adj) having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner. |
| Churn | (verb) to move about vigorously. |
| aback | surprised, startled |
| abate | to lessen, to decrease |
| abdicate | to give up |
| aberration | abnormality |
| abet | to aid, to encourage |
| abeyance | a postponement |
| abhor | to hate |
| abide | to remain; to put up with |
| abject | miserable |
| abjure | to give up (rights); to deny |
| ablution | cleansing |
| abolition | doing away with |
| abominate | to dislike strongly, v. feel hatred or disgust for (sth/sb); detest; loathe |
| aborigine | an original inhabitant |
| abortive | unsuccessful |
| abrade | to wear or scrape away |
| abridge | to shorten or diminish |
| abrogate | to abolish |
| abscond | to leave secretly |
| absolve | to free from responsibility |
| abstemious | to show moderation in eating or drinking |
| abstract | lacking substance; theoretical |
| abut | to border on; adjoin, lie adjacent to another or share a boundary |
| abysmal | extremely bad |
| abyss | a bottomless pit; cast |
| academic | theoretical or pretaining to school |
| accede | to agree to; accept |
| accessible | easy to approach |
| acclaim | to greet with approval; praise |
| acclimate | to get used to |
| acclivity | an upward slope |
| accolade | honor; award |
| accommodate | to make fit; to help |
| accord | agreement |
| accost | to approach or speak to aggressively |
| accourtrement | equipment or accessories |
| accredit | to certify or endorse |
| accretion | an addition or increase |
| accrue | to accumulate |
| acoustic | dealing with sound |
| acquiesce | to agree; accept |
| acquit | to find not guilty |
| acrid | bitter; irritating |
| acrimonious | harsh speech or action |
| acronym | word formed from initials of other words |
| actuate | to put into action |
| acuity | sharp perception |
| acumen | mental insight, mental keenness; sharpness of judgment; ability to judge quickly and well; Ex. business acumen |
| acute | sharp; intense |
| adage | a familiar saying |
| adamant | unyielding |
| addend | something added to another |
| addled | confused; muddled |
| adduce | something offered as proof |
| adept | highly skilled |
| adhere | to stick, to support |
| adjudicate | to judge |
| adjunct | an assistant or in addition to |
| admonish | to warn |
| adroit | skillful; shrewd |
| adulation | praise or flattery |
| adulterate | to make impure |
| advent | a coming or arrival |
| adventitious | accidental; incidental |
| adversary | enemy; an opponent |
| advocate | to support; to defend another |
| aegis | protection |
| aesthetic | pertaining to beauty |
| affable | aggreeable |
| affectation | phony attitude or behavior |
| affiliation | to associate with |
| affinity | any attraction to |
| affirmative | positive |
| affix | to attach or add |
| affluence | wealth |
| agape | open-mouthed; sign of surprise |
| agenda | list of things to be done |
| aggrandize | to make greater |
| aggregate | to collect or gather together |
| aghast | shocked |
| agile | to move quickly |
| agnostic | one who doubts the existence of God |
| agrarian | pretaining to farmers and agriculture |
| alacrity | willingness |
| alias | an assumed name |
| alienate | to make others unfriendly to you |
| allay | to calm |
| allege | to charfe without proof |
| alleviate | to lessen, lighten, or relieve |
| allocate | to assign for a specific purpose |
| allude | to hint at |
| aloft | high in the air |
| aloof | cool; indifferent |
| altercation | an argument |
| altruism | concern for others |
| amalgamate | to combine or unite |
| amass | to accumulate |
| amazon | strong, masculine woman |
| ambient | surrounding, completely enveloping |
| ambiguous | unclear; vague |
| ambivalence | conflicting feelings toward something |
| ambulatory | able to walk |
| ameliorate | to improve; make better |
| amenable | agreeable |
| amend | to change |
| amenity | courtesy or afreeableness |
| amiable | friendly |
| amicable | agreeable |
| amiss | wrong; improper |
| amity | friendship |
| amnesty | an official pardon for an offense |
| amoral | no sense of right and wrong |
| amorous | loving |
| amorphous | shapeless |
| amphibious | able to live on both land and water |
| ample | abundant |
| amplify | to make greater |
| amulet | a charm worn to keep evil away |
| anachronism | something out of place or time, something located at a time when it could not have existed or occurred |
| analgesic | drug that reduces pain |
| anarchy | absense of government or order |
| anathema | a curse; a person strongly disliked |
| ancillary | subordinate, relating to something that is added but is not essential |
| anecdote | a short, entertaining story |
| anent | concerning |
| animosity | hostility |
| annals | historical records |
| annihilate | to totally destroy |
| annuity | An annual allowance, payment, or income. |
| annul | to cancel |
| anomalous | abnormal; irregular |
| anoxia | lack of oxygen |
| antagonistic | hostile |
| antecedent | that which goes before something else in time |
| anthology | a collection of literary works |
| aanthropoid | resembling man |
| antic | playful or silly act |
| anticipate | to prepare for in advance |
| anticlimax | something unimportant coming after something special |
| antidote | a remedy |
| antipathy | strongly dislike |
| antiquated | extremely old |
| antithesis | an exact opposite |
| apathy | indifference; lack of interest or emotion |
| aperture | an opening |
| apex | the highest point |
| aphasia | loss of the ability to speak; noun |
| aphorism | brief saying; a short proverb |
| aplomb | self-confidence |
| apocryphal | mythical; doubtful in origin |
| apoplexy | sudden loss of sonsciousness; paralysis |
| apostate | one who gives up his beliefs |
| appall | to frighten; dismay |
| apparition | a ghost |
| appease | to satisfy |
| appellation | a name |
| append | to add to |
| apprehend | to catch; to understand |
| apprehensive | fearful; anxious |
| apprise | to inform |
| approbation | approval |
| appropriate | to take possession of; satisfactory |
| apropos | appropriate; fitting |
| arbiter | a judge; a referee |
| arbitrary | biased or at random |
| arbor | a shaded area |
| arcane | mysterious or secret |
| archaic | out-dated |
| archetype | original |
| archipelago | group of islands |
| archives | public records and documents |
| ardent | strongly enthusiastic |
| arduous | difficult |
| arid | dry |
| array | an orderly arrangement |
| arrears | in debt |
| artful | cunning; crafty |
| articulate | to speak clearly |
| artifact | a simple, handmade object |
| artifice | deception |
| artisan | a skilled craftsman |
| ascendant | rising; dominant |
| ascertain | to find out |
| ascetic | self-denial |
| ascribe | to attribute |
| aseptic | without bacteria |
| asinine | stupid or silly |
| askance | to look at suspiciously |
| askew | crooked; out of position |
| aspersion | a damaging remark |
| aspire | to have an ambition |
| assail | to attack |
| assay | to test |
| assent | to agree |
| assess | to estimate the value of; measure |
| assertive | confident |
| assiduous | diligence, care |
| assimilate | to absorb |
| assuage | to calm; to soothe |
| astray | in the wrong direction |
| astringent | substance that contracts blood vessels |
| astute | very smart; clever |
| asunder | into parts or pieces ex: torn asunder |
| asylum | a refuge |
| atone | to make up for |
| atrocious | cruel; awful |
| atrophy | to become useless; waste away |
| attenuated | weakened |
| attest | to confirm |
| attribute | to assign to; a characteristic |
| attrition | a wearing down |
| atypical | not usual |
| audacity | boldness |
| audible | capable of being heard |
| audit | to examine accounts or records |
| augment | to increase or enlarge |
| augur | to predict |
| august | majestic; worthy of respect |
| aura | a glow |
| aural | pretaining to the sense of hearing |
| auroral | rosy |
| auspicious | favorable; fortunate |
| austere | severe; self-disciplined |
| authenticate | to confirm |
| authoritarian | bossy; like a dictator |
| authoritative | trustworthy; having power |
| autocratic | unlimited authority |
| autonomy | self-rule |
| avarice | greed; money hungry |
| avenge | to get revenge |
| aversion | intense dislike |
| avert | to prevent; to turn away |
| avid | enthusiastic |
| avocation | a hobby |
| avow | to declare openly |
| awry | in the wrong direction |
| ample | abundant |
| aristocracy | hereditary nobility; priveleged class |
| circumspect | prudent; cautious |
| cliché | phrase dulled in meaning by repetition |
| condone | overlook voluntarily; forgive |
| consolidation | unification; process of becoming firmer or stronger |
| convention | social or moral custom; established practice |
| curtail | shorten; reduce |
| cynical | skeptical or distrustful of human motives |
| dawdle | loiter; waste time |
| demean | degrade; humiliate |
| denounce | condemn; criticize |
| detached | emotionally removed; calm and objective; indifferent |
| didactic | teaching; instructional |
| discernible | distinguishable; perceivable |
| disinterested | unprejudiced |
| disparage | belittle |
| disparate | basically different; unrelated |
| dispel | scatter; cause to vanish |
| divulge | reveal |
| docile | obedient; easily managed |
| doctrine | teachings, in general; particular principle (religious, legal, etc.) taught |
| eclipse | darken; extinguish; surpass |
| enigma | puzzle; mystery |
| enumerate | list; mention one by one |
| erratic | odd; unpredictable |
| esoteric | hard to understand; known only to the chosen few |
| espouse | adopt; support |
| esteem | respect; value |
| expedite | hasten |
| exploit | deed or action, particularly a brave deed |
| fallacious | efalse; misleading |
| farce | broad comedy; mockery |
| fastidious | difficult to please; squeamish |
| flippant | lacking proper seriousness |
| forthright | outspoken; frank |
| futile | useless; hopeless; ineffectual |
| garrulous | loquacious; wordy; talkative |
| gluttonous | greedy for food |
| gratify | please |
| gregarious | sociable |
| hamper | obstruct |
| heed | pay attention to; consider |
| iconoclastic | attacking cherished traditions |
| impede | hinder; block; delay |
| imperceptible | unnoticeable; undetectable |
| implacable | incapable of being pacified |
| inconsequential | insignificant; unimportant |
| indict | charge |
| industrious | diligent; hard-working |
| inept | lacking skill; unsuited; incompetent |
| ingenuous | naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated |
| ingrate | ungrateful person |
| inherent | firmly established by nature or habit |
| innate | inborn |
| innocuous | harmless |
| inscrutable | impenetrable; not readily understood; mysterious |
| intricacy | complexity; knottiness |
| larceny | theft |
| meek | quiet and obedient; spiritless |
| misrepresent | give a false or incorrect impression, usually intentionally |
| outmoded | no longer stylish; old-fashioned |
| pacifist | one opposed to force; antimilitarist |
| paradox | something apparently contradictory in nature; statement that looks false but is actually correct |
| patronize | support; act superior toward; be a customer of |
| pedantic | showing off learning; bookish |
| perjury | false testimony while under oath |
| perpetual | everlasting |
| pervasive | pervading; spread throughout every part |
| petulant | touchy; peevish |
| phenomena | observable facts or events |
| philanthropist | lover of mankind; doer of good |
| potency | power; effectiveness; influence |
| pragmatic | practical (as opposed to idealistic); concerned with the practical worth or impact of something |
| premise | assumption; postulate |
| prevail | triumph; predominate; prove superior in strength, power, or influence; be current |
| proliferation | rapid growth; spread; multiplication |
| prolific | abundantly fruitful |
| provocative | arousing anger or interest; annoying |
| prudent | cautious; careful |
| recluse | hermit; loner |
| relinquish | give up something with reluctance; yield |
| repudiate | disown; disavow |
| resolution | determination |
| reticent | reserved; uncommunicative; inclined to be silent |
| reverent | respectful; worshipful |
| strategem | deceptive scheme |
| subdued | less intense; quieter |
| subversive | tending to overthrow or destroy |
| superfluous | excessive; unnecessary |
| synthesis | combining parts into a whole |
| taciturn | habitually silent; talking little |
| temperament | characteristic frame of mind; disposition; emotional excess |
| thwart | baffle; frustrate |
| trepidation | fear; nervous apprehension |
| urbane | suave; refined; elegant |
| utopia | ideal place, state, or society |
| vacillate | waver; fluctuate |
| vigor | active strength |
| volatile | changeable; explosive; evaporating rapidly |
| Acrid | Sharp, pungent (smells and tastes) |
| Boorish | ill-mannered |
| Cynical | Believing that people act only our of selfish motives |
| Epistle | a letter |
| Heresy | against orthodox opinion |
| Lance | spear, spike, javelin |
| Obscure | difficult to understand, partially hidden |
| Poignant | deeply moving, strongly affecting the emotions |
| Respite | a break, intermission |
| Terse | concise, to the point |
| Acrophobia | fear of heights |
| Bourgeois | middle class |
| Debility | weakness, incapacity |
| Epistolary | concerned with letters, through correspondence |
| Hiatus | Interruption, pause |
| Languid | tired, slow |
| Obscured | hidden, covered, burried |
| poised | calm, collected, self-possessed |
| Resplendent | shining, glowing |
| Therapeutic | medicinal, curative |
| acuity | sharpness (mental/visual) |
| Braggart | someone who boasts |
| Debunking | exposing false claims or myths |
| Epitomized | typified, characterized, personified |
| Hidebound | rigid in opinions |
| Languish | decay, fade away, get weaker |
| Obsequious | servile, submissive |
| Polemical | causing debate or argument |
| Restorative | a tonic |
| Thwart | prevent, frustrate |
| Adamant | forceful, inflexible |
| Brawny | Muscular |
| Decathlon | ten event competition |
| Equivocate | speak ambiguously |
| Hieroglyphics | picture-writing |
| Larceny | theft robbery stealing |
| Obsession | a domination concern |
| Ponderous | weighty, slow and heavy |
| Retention | preservation, withholding |
| Timorous | cowardly, fearful |
| Adroit | skillful |
| Brevity | briefness |
| Decorum | dignified, decent, correct behavior |
| Err | make a mistake |
| Hinder | obstruct |
| Largess | generosity |
| Obsolete | no longer valid |
| Pontificate | speak pompously, dogmatically |
| Reticent | restrained, holding something back, uncommunicative |
| Tirade | stream of verbal abuse |
| Adulation | strong admiration, worship |
| Bristle | to show irritation |
| Decoy | lure, trap, trick |
| Erratic | wandering, irregular |
| Histrionic | theatrical, exaggerated |
| Laud | praise |
| Obstreperous | noisy and boisterous |
| Portend | foretell |
| Retraction | withdrawal, cancellation of a statement |
| Titter | giggle quietly |
| Adversity | hardship |
| Broach | start to discuss, approach |
| Deference | Respect |
| Esoteric | obscure and difficult to understand |
| Hoary | old |
| Lavish | on a grand scale, wasteful, luxurious |
| Obtuse | mentally dull |
| Portent | foretell |
| Revere | worship |
| Tome | large book |
| Advocate | support |
| Brusque | blunt, abrupt |
| Defoliate | cause leaves to fall off |
| Espouse | promote, take up, support |
| Hone | sharpen, increase, perfect |
| Lax | careless, not strict |
| Obviate | avoid, make unnecessary |
| Poseur | someone who puts on an act |
| Riddled | full of (holes) |
| Torpid | inactive, lazy, stagnant |
| Aesthetic | concerning art or beauty |
| Bulwark | fortification, barricade, wall |
| Defunct | no longer in existence |
| Etymology | study of word origins |
| Hyperbole | grossly exaggerated expression |
| Legend | Key to a map/Myth or story |
| Odious | hateful |
| Posterity | future generations |
| Rife | common, widespread |
| Torpor | dormancy, sluggishness |
| Affable | friendly, social, easygoing |
| Bureaucracy | administration marked by hierarchical authority |
| Degradation | deprivation, poverty, debasement |
| Eulogy | praise |
| Hypochondriac | a person obsessed with health;having imaginary illnesses |
| Legion | in large numbers |
| Officious | domineering;intrusive; meddlesome |
| Posthumous | after death |
| Rigor | thoroughness |
| Totter | walk unsteadily |
| abandon | total lack of inhibition |
| abase | to humble; disgrace |
| abdicate | to give up a position, right, or power |
| aberration | something different from the usual |
| abet | to aid; act as accomplice |
| abhor | to loathe, detest |
| abject | miserable, pitiful |
| abolitionist | one who opposes the practice of slavery |
| abortive | interrupted while incomplete |
| abridge | to condense, shorten |
| abrogate | to put an end to, abolish by authority |
| abscond | to depart secretly |
| absolve | to forgive, free from blame |
| abstain | to choose not to do something |
| accolade | parise, distinction |
| accrue | to accumulate, grow by additions |
| acerbic | bitter,sharp in taste or temper |
| acme | highest point; summit |
| acquiesce | to agree; comply quietly |
| acrid | harsh, bitter |
| acrimony | bitterness, animosity |
| acuity | sharpness |
| acumen | sharpness of insight |
| adage | old saying or proverb |
| adamant | uncompromising, unyielding |
| adapt | to accommodate; adjust |
| adhere | to cling or follow without deviation |
| adjacent | next to |
| admonish | to caution or reprimand |
| adroit | skillful, accomplished, highly competent |
| adulation | high praise |
| adumbrate | to sketch, outline in a shadowy way |
| adversarial | antagonistic, competitive |
| aerie | nook or nest built high in the air |
| aesthetic | pertaining to beauty or art |
| affable | friendly, easy to approach |
| affected (adj.) | pretentious, phony |
| affluent | rich, abundant |
| affront(n.) | peronal offense, insult |
| agenda | plan, schedule |
| agile | well coordinated, nimble |
| agitation | commotion, excitement, uneasiness |
| agrarian | relating to farming or rural matters |
| alacrity | cheerrul willingness, eagerness; speed |
| alias | assumed name |
| alienated | distance, estranged |
| allegory | symbolic representation |
| alleviate | to relieve, improve partially |
| allure (v.) | to entice by charm; attract |
| allusion | indirect reference |
| aloof | detached, indifferent |
| altruism | unselfish concern for other's welfare |
| ambiguous | uncertain; subject to multiple interpretations |
| ambivalence | attitude of uncertainty, conflicting emotions |
| ameliorate | to make better, improve |
| amenable | agreeable, cooperative |
| amend | to imrove or correct flaws in |
| amenity | pleasantness; something increasing comfort |
| amiable | friendly, pleasant, likable |
| amicable | friendly, agreeable |
| amoral | unprinciple, unethical |
| amorphous | having no definite form |
| amphibian | creature equally at home on land or in water |
| ample | abundant, plentiful |
| amulet | ornament worn as a charm against evil spirits |
| anachronistic | outdated |
| anarchy | absence of government or law; chaos |
| animation | enthusiasm, excitement |
| animosity | hatred, hostility |
| annul | to cancel, nullify, declare void, or make legally invalid |
| anomaly | irregularity or deviation from the norm |
| anonymity | condition of having no name or an unknown name |
| antagonist | foe, opponent, adversary |
| antecedent (adj.) | coming before in place or time |
| anthology | collection of literary works |
| antipathy | dislike, hostility; extreme opposition or aversion |
| antiquated | outdated, obsolete |
| antiquity | ancient times, the quality of being old |
| antithesis | exact opposite or direct contrast |
| apathy | lack of feeling or emotion |
| aphorism | old saying or short, pithy statement |
| apocryphal | not genuine; fictional |
| appease | to satisfy, placate, calm, pacify |
| approbation | praise, official approval |
| appropriate (v.) | to take possession of |
| arable | suitable for cultivation |
| arbitrary | depending solely on individual will; inconsistent |
| arboreal | relating to trees; living in trees |
| arcane | secret, obscure, known only to a few |
| archaic | antiquated, from an earlier time; outdated |
| archipelago | large group of islands |
| ardent | passionate, enthusiastic, fervent |
| arduous | extremely difficult, laborious |
| arid | extremely dry or deathly boring |
| arsenal | ammunition storehouse |
| articulate (adj.) | well spoken, expressing oneself clearly |
| artisan | craftsperson; expert |
| ascend | to rise or climb |
| ascetic | self denying, abstinent, austere |
| ashen | resembling ashes; pale |
| askew | crooked, tilted |
| asperson | false rumor, damaging report, slander |
| aspire | to have great hopes; to aim at a goal |
| assail | to atack, assault |
| assiduous | diligent, persistent, hard-working |
| assuage | to make less severe, ease, relieve |
| astrigent | harsh, severe, stern |
| astute | having good judgement |
| atone | to make amends for a wrong |
| atrocious | monstrous, shockingly bad |
| attain | to accomplish, gain |
| attenuate | to make thin or slender; weaken |
| audacious | bold daring, fearless |
| audible | capable of being heard |
| augment | to expand, extend |
| august | dignified, awe inspiring, venerable |
| auspicious | having favorable prospects, promising |
| austere | stern, strict, unadorned |
| authoritarian | extemely strict, bossy |
| autocrat | dictator |
| avarice | greed |
| avenge | to retaliate, take revenge for an injury or crime |
| aver | to declare to be true, affirm |
| aversion | intense dislike |
| avert | to turn (something) away; prevent, hinder |
| aviary | large enclosure housing birds |
| awry | crooked, askew, amiss |
| baleful | harmful |
| ballad | folk song, narrative poem |
| balm | soothing, healing influence |
| banal | trite, overly common |
| bane | something causing death, destruction, or ruin |
| banter | playful conversation |
| bastion | fortification, stronghold |
| bay (v.) | to bark, especially in a deep, prolonged way |
| beguile | to deceive, mislead; charm |
| behemoth | huge creature |
| belabor | to insist repeatedly or harp on |
| belie | to mispresent; expose as false |
| belligerent | hostile, tending to fight |
| benefactor | someone giving aid or money |
| beneficient | kindly, charitable; doing good deeds; producing good effects |
| benighted | unenlightened |
| benign | kindly, gentle, or harmless |
| bequeth | to give or leave through a will; to hand down |
| berate | to scold harshly |
| beseech | to beg, plead, implore |
| bestial | beastly, animal-like |
| bias | prejudice, slant |
| bibliography | list of books |
| bisect | to cut into two (usually equal) parts |
| blanch | to pale; take the color out of |
| blandish | to coax with flattery |
| blasphemous | cursing, profane, irreverent |
| blatant | glaring, obvious, showy |
| blight (v.) | to afflict, destroy |
| boisterous | rowdy, loud, unrestrained |
| bombastic | using high-sounding but meaningless language |
| boor | crude person, one lacking manners or taste |
| botanist | scientist who studies plants |
| bovine | cowlike; relating to cows |
| brazen | bold, shameless, impudent; of or like barss |
| broach (v.) | to mention or suggest for the first time |
| burgeon | to sprout or flourish |
| burnish | to polish, make smooth and bright |
| buttress (v.) | to reinforce or support |
| cacophony | jarring, unpleasant noise |
| cajole | to flatter, coax, persuade |
| callous | thick-skinned, insensitive |
| callow | immature, lacking sophistication |
| candor | honesty of expression |
| canny | smart; founded on common sense |
| capitulate | to submit completely, surrender |
| capricious | impulsive, whimisical, without much thought |
| caricature | exagerrated portrait, cartoon |
| cartography | science or art of making maps |
| castigate | to punish, chastise, criticize severly |
| catalyst | something causing change without being changed |
| catholic | universal; broad and comprehensive |
| caucus | smaller group within an organization; a meeting of such a group |
| caustic | biting, sarcastic; able to burn |
| cede | to surrender possession of something |
| censorious | severly critical |
| cessation | temporary or complete halt |
| chagrin | shame, embarrassment, humiliation |
| champion (v.) | to defend or support |
| chaotic | extremely disorderly |
| charlatan | quack, fake |
| chary | watchful, cautious, extremely shy |
| chastise | to punish, discipline, scold |
| chide | to scold, express disapproval |
| chromatic | relating to color |
| circuitous | roundabout |
| circumference | boundary or distance around a circle or sphere |
| circumscribe | to encircle; set limits on, confine |
| circumspect | cautious, wary |
| citadel | fortress or stronghold |
| civil | polite; relating to citizens |
| clairvoyant (adj.) | having ESP, psychic |
| clamor | to make a noisy outcry; a noisy outcry |
| clandestine | secretive |
| clemency | merciful leniency |
| cloister (v.) | to confine, seclude |
| coalesce | to grow together or cause to unite as one |
| coddle | to baby, treat indulgently |
| coerce | to compel by force or intimidation |
| cogent | logically forceful, compelling, convincing |
| coherent | intelligible, lucid, understandable |
| collateral | accompanying |
| colloquial | characteristic of informal speech |
| collusion | collaboration, complicity, conspiracy |
| commensurate | proportional |
| commodious | roomy, spacious |
| communicable | transmittable |
| commute | to change a penalty to a less severe one |
| compensate | to repay or reimburse |
| complacent | self-satisfied, smug |
| complement | to complete, perfect |
| compliant | submissive and yielding |
| complicity | knowing partnership in wrongdoing |
| compunction | feeling of uneasiness caused by guilt or regret |
| concave | curving inward |
| concede | to yield, admit |
| conciliatory | overcoming distrust or hostility |
| concur | to agree |
| condone | to pardon or forgive; overlook, justify or excuse a fault |
| conduit | tube, pipe, or similar passage |
| conflagration | big, destructive fire |
| confound | to baffle, perplex |
| congeal | to become thick or solid, as a liquid freezing |
| congenial | similar in tastes and habits |
| conglomerate | collected group of varied things |
| conjecture | speculation, prediction |
| conscientious | governed by conscience; careful and thorough |
| consecrate | to declare sacred; dedicate to a goal |
| consensus | unanimity, agreement of opinion or attitude |
| consolation | something providing comfort or solace for a loss or hardship |
| consolidate | to combine, incorporate |
| constrained | forced, compelled; confined, restrained |
| construe | to explain or interpret |
| contentious | quarrrelsome, disagreeable, belligerent |
| continence | self-control, self-restraint |
| contravene | to contradict, deny, act contrary to |
| contrite | deeply sorrowful and repentant for a wrong |
| conundrum | riddle, puzzle or problem with no solution |
| convalescence | gradual recovery after an illness |
| convene | to meet, come together, assemble |
| conventional | typical, customary, commonplace |
| convex | curved outward |
| convoluted | twisted, complicated, involved |
| copious | abundant, plentiful |
| corroborate | to confirm, verify |
| cosmetic (adj.) | relating to beauty; affecting the surface of something |
| cosmopolitan | sophisticated, free from local prejudices |
| coterie | small group of persons with a similar purpose |
| covert | hidden; secret |
| covet | to desire strongly something possessed by another |
| crass | crude, unrefined |
| craven | cowardly |
| credence | acceptance of something as true or real |
| credulous | gullible,trusting |
| creed | statement of belief or principle |
| cryptic | puzzling |
| cuisine | characteristic style of cooking |
| culmination | climax, final stage |
| culpable | guilty, greed |
| curmudgeon | cranky person |
| cursory | hastily done, superficial |
| curt | abrupt, blunt |
| curtail | to shorten |
| cnyic | person who distrusts the motives of others |
| daunt | to discourage, intimidate |
| dearth | lack, scarcity, insufficiency |
| debase | to degrade or lower in quality or stature |
| debilitate | to weaken, enfeeble |
| debunk | to discredit, disprove |
| deciduous | falling off or shed seasonally; short-lived, temporary |
| decorum | proper behavior, etiquette |
| decry | to belittle, openly condemn |
| deface | to mar the appearance of, vandalize |
| defamatory | slanderous, injurious to the reputation |
| deferential | respectful and polite in a submissive way |
| deflation | decrease, depreciation |
| defunct | no longer existing, extinct |
| delectable | appetizing, delicious |
| delegate (v.) | to give powers to another |
| deleterious | harmful, destructive, detrimental |
| deluge | flood |
| demagogue | leader, rabble-rouser, usually using appeals to emotion or prejudice |
| demean | to degrade, humiliate, humble |
| demographics | data relating to study of human population |
| demote | to reduce to a lower grade or rank |
| demur | to express doubts or objections |
| denigrate | to slur someone's reputation |
| deplete | to use up, exhaust |
| deplore | to express or feel disapproval of; regret strongly |
| deploy | to spread out strategically over an area |
| depravity | sinfulness, moral corruption |
| deprecate | to belittle, disparage |
| depreciate | to lose value gradually |
| deride | to mock, ridicule, make fun of |
| derivative | copied or adapted; not original |
| dessicate | to dry completely, dehydrate |
| desist | to stop doing something |
| despondent | feeling discouraged and dejected |
| despot | tyrannical ruler |
| desultory | at random, rambling, unmethodical |
| deter | to discourage; prevent from happening |
| deviate | to stray, wander |
| dexterous | skilled physically or mentally |
| dialect | regional style of speaking |
| deaphanous | allowing light to show through, delicate |
| diatribe | bitter verbal attack |
| dictum | authoritative statement; popular saying |
| didactic | excessively instructive |
| diffidence | shyness, lack of confidence |
| diffuse | widely spread out |
| digress | to turn aside; to stray from the main point |
| dilapidated | in disrepair, rundown, neglected |
| dilate | to enlarge, swell, extend |
| dilatory | slow, tending to delay |
| diplomacy | discretion, tact |
| dirge | funeral hymn |
| disarray | clutter, disorder |
| disburse | to pay out |
| discern | to perceive something obscure |
| disconcerting | bewildering, perplexing, slightly disturbing |
| discordant | harsh-sounding, badly out of tune |
| discredit | to dishonor or disgrace |
| discrepancy | difference between |
| disdain | to regard with scorn and contempt |
| disgorge | to vomit, discharge violently |
| disheveled | untidy, disarranged, unkempt |
| disparge | to belittle, speak disrespectfully about |
| disparate | dissimilar, different in kind |
| dispassionate | free from emotion; impartial, unbiased |
| dispel | to drive out or scatter |
| dispense | to distribute, administer |
| disperse | to break up, scatter |
| dispirit | to dishearten, make dejected |
| disrepute | disgrace, dishonor |
| dissemble | to pretend, disguise one's motives |
| disseminate | to spread far and wide |
| dissipate | to scatter; to pursue pleasure to excess |
| dissuade | to persuade someone to alter original intentions |
| distraught | very worried and distressed |
| dither | to move or act confusedly or without clear purpose |
| diurnal | daily |
| divine(v.) | to foretell or know by inspiration |
| divisive | creating disunity or conflict |
| docile | tame, willing to be taught |
| doctrinaire | rigidly devoted to theories |
| dogmatic | rigidly fixed in opinion, opinionated |
| doleful | sad, mournful |
| dormant | at rest, inactive, in suspended animation |
| doting | excessively fond, loving to excess |
| dour | sullen and gloomy; stern and severe |
| drivel | stupid talk; slobber |
| droll | amusing in a wry, subtle way |
| dulcet | pleasant sounding, soothing to the ear |
| dupe | to deceive, trick; a fool or pawn |
| duplicity | deception, dishonesty, double-dealing |
| dyspeptic | suffering from indigestion; gloomy and irritable |
| ebb | to fade away, recede |
| ebullient | exhilarated, full of enthusiasm and high spirits |
| eclectic | selecting from various sources |
| estatic | joyful |
| edict | law, command, official public order |
| edifice | building |
| edify | to instruct morally and spiritually |
| efface | to erase or make illegible |
| effervescent | bubbly, lively |
| effigy | stuffed doll; likeness of a person |
| effrontery | impudent boldness; audacity |
| effulgent | brilliantly shining |
| effusive | expressing emotion without restraint |
| egocentric | acting as if things are centered around oneself |
| egregious | conspicuously bad |
| elation | exhilaration, joy |
| elegy | mournful person |
| elicit | to draw out, provoke |
| eloquence | fluent and effective speech |
| emaciated | skinny, scrawny, gaunt, especially from hunger |
| emancipate | to set free, liberate |
| embellish | to ornament; make attractive with decoration or details; add details to a statement |
| embezzle | to steal money in violation of a trust |
| eminent | celebrated, distinguished; outstanding, towering |
| emollient | having soothing qualitites, especially for skin |
| empathy | identification with another's feelings |
| emulate | to copy, imitate |
| endemic | belonging to a particular area, inherent |
| enervate | to weaken, sap strength from |
| engender | to produce, cause, bring about |
| enigmatic | puzzling, inexplicable |
| enjoin | to urge, order, command; forbid or prohibit, as by judicial order |
| enmity | hostility, antagonism, ill-will |
| ennui | boredom, lack of interest and energy |
| enormity | state of being gigantic or terrible |
| ensconce | to settle comfortable into a place |
| enthrall | to captivate, enchant, enslave |
| entreat | to plead, beg |
| enunciate | to pronounce clearly |
| ephemeral | momentary, transient, fleeting |
| epicure | person with refined taste in food and wine |
| epigram | short, witty saying or poem |
| epilogue | concluding section of a literay work |
| epitome | representative of an entire group; summary |
| equanimity | calmness, composure |
| equine | relating to horses |
| equivocal | ambiguous, open to more than one interpretation |
| equivocate | to use vague or ambiguous language intentionally |
| eradicate | to erase or wipe out |
| errant | straying, mistaken, roving |
| erudite | learned, scholarly |
| eschew | to abstain from, avoid |
| esoteric | understood by only a learned few |
| espouse | to support or advocate; to marry |
| estrange | to alienate, keep at a distance |
| ethereal | not earthly, spiritual, delicate |
| eulogy | high praise, often in a public speech |
| euphemism | use of an inoffensive word or phrase in place of a more distastful one |
| euphony | pleasant, harmonious sound |
| euphoria | feeling of well-being or happiness |
| evade | to avoid, dodge |
| evanescent | momentary, transitory, short-lived |
| evict | to put out or force out |
| exacerbate | to aggravate, intensify the bad qualities of |
| exasperation | irritation |
| excerpt (n.) | selection from a book or play |
| excruciating | agonizing, intensely painful |
| exculpate | to clear of blame or fault, vindicate |
| execrable | utterly detestable, abhorrent |
| exhilaration | state of being energetic or filled with happiness |
| exhort | to urge or incite by strong appeals |
| exonerate | to clear or blame, absolve |
| exorbitant | extravagant, greater than reasonable |
| expedient (adj.) | convenient, efficient, practical |
| expiate | to atone for, make amends for |
| explicit | clearly defined, specific; forthright in expression |
| exponent | one who champions or advocates |
| expound | to elaborate; to expand or increase |
| expunge | to erase, eliminate completely |
| expurgate | to censor |
| extemporaneous | unrehearsed, on the spur of the moment |
| extenuate | to lessen the seriousness, strength, or effect of |
| extol | to praise |
| extricate | to free from, disentangle |
| extrinsic | not inherent or essential, coming from without |
| exuberant | lively, happy, and full of good spirits |
| exude | to give off, ooze |
| exult | to rejoice |
| fabricate | to make or devise; constuct |
| facade | face, front; mask, superficial appearance |
| facile | very easy |
| fallacious | wrong, unsound, illogical |
| fallow | uncultivated, unused |
| fanaticism | extreme devotion to a cause |
| farcical | absurd, ludicrous |
| fastidious | careful with details |
| fathom (v.) | to measure the depth of, gauge |
| fatuous | stupid, foolishly self-satisfied |
| fawn (v.) | to flatter excessively, seek the favor of |
| faze | to bother, upset or disconcert |
| feckless | ineffective, careless, irresponsible |
| feign | to pretend, give a false impression; to invent falsely |
| felicitous | suitable, appropriate; well-spoken |
| fell (v.) | to chop, cut down |
| fervid | passionate, intense, zealous |
| fetid | foul-smelling, putrid |
| fiasco | disaster, utter failure |
| fidelity | loyalty |
| finicky | fussy, difficult to please |
| flaccid | limp, flabby, weak |
| flagrant | outrageous, shameless |
| flamboyant | flashy, garish; exciting, dazzling |
| flaunt | to show off |
| flora | plants |
| florid | gaudy, extremely ornate; ruddy, flushed |
| flounder | to falter, waver; to muddle, struggle |
| flout | to treat contemptuously; scorn |
| fluctuate | to alternate, waver |
| foible | minor weakness or character flaw |
| foil (v.) | to defeat, frustrate |
| foment | to arouse or incite |
| ford (v.) | to cross a body of water at a shallow place |
| foreboding | dark sense of evil to come |
| forestall | to prevent, delay; anticipate |
| forethought | anticipation, foresight |
| forgo | to go without, refrain from |
| forlorn | dreary, deserted; unhappy; hopeless, despairing |
| forswear | to repudiate, renounce, disclaim, reject |
| forte | strong point, something a person does well |
| fortuitous | happening by luck, fortunate |
| foster | to nourish, cultivate, promote |
| founder (v.) | to fall helplessly; sink; fail |
| fracas | noisy dispute |
| fractious | unruly, rebellious |
| fraudulent | deceitful, dishonest, unethical |
| fraught | full of, accompanied by |
| frenetic | wildly frantic, frenzied, hectic |
| fulsome | sickeningly excessive; repulsive |
| funereal | mournful, appropriate to a funeral |
| furtive | secret, stealthy |
| gargantuan | giant, tremendous |
| garner | to gather and store |
| garrulous | very talkative |
| gaunt | thin and bony |
| genre | type, class, category |
| germinate | to begin to grow (as with a seed or idea) |
| gestation | growth process from conception to birth |
| gibe | to make heckling, taunting remarks |
| girth | distance around something |
| glib | fluent in an insincer manner; offhand, casual |
| gluttony | eating and drinking to excess |
| goad | to prod or urge |
| grandiloquence | pompous talk, fancy but meaningless language |
| grandiose | magnificent and imposing; exaggerated and pretentious |
| gratis | free, costing nothing |
| gratuitous | free, voluntary; unnecessary and unjustified |
| gregarious | outgoing, sociable |
| grievous | causing grief or sorrow; serious and distressing |
| grimace | facial expression showing pain or disgust |
| grovel | to humble oneself in a demeaning way |
| guile | trickery, deception |
| gullible | easily deceived |
| gustatory | relating to sense of taste |
| habitat | dwelling place |
| hackneyed | worn out by overuse |
| hapless | unfortunate, having bad luck |
| harbinger | precursor, sign of something to come |
| hardy | robust, vigorous |
| haughty | arrogant and condescending |
| hedonism | pursuit of pleasure as a goal |
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