Print › Barrons GRE Wordlist 4,842 words

Occident: the West
abase: lower; degrade; humiliate; make humble; make (oneself) lose self-respect
abbreviate: shorten
abdicate: renounce; give up (position, right, or responsibility)
aberrant: abnormal or deviant
aberration: deviation from the normal; mental disorder
abhor: detest; hate
abject: (of a condition) wretched; as low as possible; lacking pride; very humble; showing lack of self-respect; Ex. abject apology
abjure: renounce upon oath
ablution: washing
abnegation: renunciation; self-sacrifice; self-abnegation
abolish: cancel; put an end to
abominable: detestable; extremely unpleasant
abominate: loathe; hate
aboriginal: being the first of its kind in a region; primitive; native; indigenous; N. aborigine
abortive: unsuccessful; fruitless
abrasive: rubbing away; tending to grind down
abridge: condense or shorten
abrogate: abolish
abscond: depart secretly and hide
absolute: complete; totally unlimited; having complete power; certain; not relative; Ex. absolute honesty/ruler; CF. absolutism
absolve: pardon (an offense)
abstain: refrain; withhold from participation; intentionally not use one's vote; ±â±ÇÇÏ´Ù
abstemious: sparing in eating and drinking; temperate
abstinence: restraint from pleasant things, esp. eating or drinking; CF. abstention: act of abstaining from vote
abstract: theoretical; not concrete; nonrepresentational
abstruse: obscure; profound; difficult to understand
abusive: coarsely insulting; physically harmful
abysmal: bottomless
abyss: enormous chasm; vast bottomless pit
academic: related to a school; not practical or directly useful
accede: agree
accelerate: move faster
accessible: easy to approach; obtainable
accessory: additional object; useful but not essential thing
acclaim: applaud; praise; greet with great approval; announce with great approval; Ex. The new drung has been acclaimed as the most important discoveries for years; N: strong expression of approval and praise
acclimate: adjust to climate or environment; adapt
accolade: award of merit; strong praise and approval
accommodate: oblige or help someone; adjust or bring into harmony; adapt; make enough space for; ADJ. accommodative; CF. accomodating: helpful and obliging
accomplice: partner in crime
accord: agreement
accost: approach and speak first to a person
accretion: growth or increase in size by gradual addition; growth; increase; increase by natural growth; Ex. towers and other accretions of the castle; V. accrete
accrue: come to one as a gain; accumulate over time; come about by addition; Ex. benefits that accrue from scientific research; Ex. interest accruing in a bank account; N. accrual
acknowledge: recognize; admit
acoustics: science of sound; quality that makes a room easy or hard to hear in
acquiesce: assent; agree passively; comply without protest
acquittal: deliverance from a charge; V. acquit: free from a charge or accusation; discharge from a duty; conduct (oneself) in a specified manner
acrophobia: fear of heights
actuarial: calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics
actuary: someone who advises insurance companies
acuity: sharpness (of mind or senses of sight or hearing)
acumen: mental keenness; sharpness of judgment; ability to judge quickly and well; Ex. business acumen
acute: (of the senses) sharp; quickly perceptive; keen; penetrating; brief and severe; Ex. acute sense of smell/analysis/pain
adamant: hard; inflexible
adapt: make or become suitable for a specific use; alter; modify; adjust; N. adaptation: act of adapting; composition recast into a new form; Ex. The play is an adaption of a short novel.
addiction: compulsive habitual need
address: direct a speech to; speak to; deal with or discuss; direct one's efforts or attention to; make with a destination; N: formal speech
adept: expert at; very skilled
adhere: stick fast; be a devotd follower; N. adhesion: adhering; devotion; loyality
adherent: supporter; follower
adjacent: adjoining; neighboring; close by
adjunct: something attached to but holding an inferior position
adjuration: solemn urging; V. adjure: entreat earnestly; enjoin solemnly
admonish: warn or speak to with gentle disapproval; reprove
adorn: decorate
adroit: skillful (in using mind or hand)
adulation: flattery; admiration that is more than is necessary or deserved
adulterate: make impure or of poorer quality by adding inferior or tainted(contaminated) substances
advent: arrival
adventitious: accidental; casual; happening by chance
adversary: opponent; enemy
adverse: going against; opposing; unfavorable; hostile
adversity: great hardship or affliction; misfortune; calamitous event
advocacy: support; active pleading on behalf of someone or something
advocate: speak in favor of; support (an idea or plan); urge; plead for
aesthetic: artistic; dealing with or capable of appreciating the beautiful (of a person or building); CF. aesthete; CF. aesthetics
affable: easily approachable; easy to talk to; warmly friendly
affected: artificial; pretended
affidavit: written statement made under oath (for use as proof in a court of law)
affiliation: joining; associating with
affinity: feeling of kinship; similarity; Ex. strong affinity for her; Ex. many affinities between two languages
affirmation: positive assertion; confirmation; solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath; V. affirm; ADJ. affirmative; CF. affirmative action: positive discrimination
affliction: state of distress; trial; cause of distress or suffering; V. afflict: inflict grievous suffering on
affluence: abundance; wealth
affront: insult; offense; intentional act of disrespect; V: insult or hurt the feelings of intentionally
aggrandize: make greater; increase in power, wealth, rank, or honor; N. aggrandizement
aggregate: sum; total; ADJ. V: gather into a mass or whole; accumulate; add up to; Ex. aggregate 100 dollars
aghast: filled with great surprise or fear; horrified
agility: nimbleness; ability to move quickly
agitate: stir up; disturb
agnostic: one who is skeptical of the existence or knowability of a god or any ultimate reality
agrarian: pertaining to land or its cultivation; Ex. agrarian reform
alacrity: cheerful promptness without reluctance
alchemy: medieval chemistry
alias: an assumed name esp. by a criminal (usually to mislead people); ADV. alias
alienate: make unfriendly or hostile; estrange; separate; change the ownership of
alimentary: supplying nourishment
allay: calm; pacify
allege: state without proof
allegiance: loyalty
alleviate: relieve (pain)
alliteration: repetition of beginning sound in poetry
allocate: assign; set apart for a particular purpose
alloy: mixture as of metals; something added that lowers in value or purity; V: mix; make less pure; lower in value or quality; spoil; CF. unalloyed: not in mixture with other maetals; pure; complete; unqualified; Ex. unalloyed happiness
allude: refer indirectly; N. allusion: indirect reference
allure: entice; attract; tempt
alluvial: pertaining to soil deposits left by running water
altercation: noisy quarrel
altruistic: unselfishly generous; concerned for others; N. altiruism: unselfish concern for the welfare of others; unselfishness; OP. egoism
amazon: female warrior
ambidextrous: capable of using either hand with equal ease
ambience: environment; atmosphere; Ex. restraurant with a pleasant ambience; ADJ. ambient: completely surrounding; Ex. ambient temperature
ambiguous: unclear or doubtful in meaning; having more than one possible interpretation
ambivalence: the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes or opinions
amble: walking at an easy unhurried pace; V: walk slowly and aimlessly
ambulatory: able to walk
ameliorate: improve
amenable: obedient; compliant; readily managed; responsive; willing to be led; answerable or accountable legally; responsible; able to be tested by; Ex. amenable to sensible suggestions; Ex. He is very amenable; Ex. amenable to the usual tests
amend: correct; change ; generally for the better
amenities: convenient features that helps to make life pleasant; social courtesies
amiable: agreeable; lovable; warmly friendly
amicable: peaceful; politely friendly; not quarrelsome; Ex. amicable settlement
amity: friendship; peaceful relationship as between nations
amnesia: loss of memory
amnesty: pardon (allowed by government to political criminals)
amoral: nonmoral; having no understanding of right and wrong
amorous: moved by sexual love; loving; of sexual love; Ex. amorous advances
amorphous: formless; lacking shape or definition
amphibian: able to live both on land and in water; N.
amphitheater: oval building with tiers of seats; CF. arena
amplify: increase in size or effect; expand; broaden or clarify by expanding; intensify; make stronger; Ex. amplify one's remarks with a graph
anachronism: an error involving time in a story; something or someone misplaced in time; ADJ. anachronistic
analogous: comparable; similar
analogy: similarity; parallelism; comparing two similar things
anarchist: person who seeks to overturn the established government; advocate of abolishing authority
anarchy: absence of governing body; state of disorder
ancestry: family descent; ADJ. ancestral
anchor: secure or fasten firmly; be fixed in place; N. anchorage
ancillary: serving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary; N.
anecdote: short story of an amusing or interesting event
anemia: condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles; ADJ. anemic
anesthetic: substance that removes sensation with or without loss of consciousness; N. anesthesia
anguish: acute pain; extreme suffering
angular: sharp-cornered; having an angle; not rounded (body); bony; lean; gaunt; stiff in manner
animadversion: critical remark; V. animadvert: comment critically with disapproval
animated: lively; spirited
animosity: active enmity
annals: records arranged in yearly parts; history
anneal: reduce brittleness and improve toughness by heating and cooling (metal or glass)
annex: attach; add to a large thing; take possession of; incorporate (territory) into a larger existing political unit (by force); N: building added to a large one
annihilate: destroy
annotate: comment; make explanatory notes
annuity: yearly allowance
annul: make void
anoint: consecrate; put oil on (in a religious ceremony)
anomalous: abnormal; irregular
anomaly: irregularity
anonymity: state of being nameless; anonymousness; ADJ. anonymous
antagonism: hostility; active opposition; V. antagonize: cause to become an enemy; N. antagonist: person who is opposed to another; opponent; adversary; principal character in oppostion to the protagonist
antecede: precede
antecedents: preceding events that influence what comes later; ancestors or early background
antediluvian: antiquated; extremely ancient
anthropoid: manlike; resembling a human being; N.
anthropologist: student of the history and science of humankind
anthropomorphic: having human form or characteristics
anticlimax: letdown in thought or emotion; something unexciting, ordinary, or disappointing coming after something important or exciting
antidote: remedy to counteract a poison or disease; Ex. antidote to the economic troubles
antipathy: aversion; dislike or opposition
antiseptic: substance that prevents infection in a wound; ADJ.
antithesis: contrast; direct opposite of or to; ADJ. antithetic or antithetical
apathy: lack of caring; indifference; lack of concern or interest in important matters; Ex. He was sunk in apathy after his failure; ADJ. apathetic
aphasia: loss of speech due to injury or illness
aphorism: pithy maxim or saying; ADJ. aphoristic
apocalyptic: prophetic; pertaining to revelations especially of disaster; N. apocalypse
apogee: highest point; the point farthest from the earth; OP. perigee
appall: dismay; shock deeply
apparition: ghost; phantom
appease: pacify or soothe; Ex. appease a crying baby; N. appeasement
append: attach
apposite: appropriate; fitting
appraise: estimate value of; N. appraisal
appreciate: be thankful for; increase in worth; be thoroughly conscious of; ADJ. appreciable: enough to be felt; Ex. appreciable difference
apprehend: arrest (a criminal); dread; perceive; N. apprehension
apprise: inform
approbation: approval
appropriate: acquire; take possession of for one's own use without permission; set aside for a particular purpose; allocate; CF. misappropriate
aptitude: fitness; talent
arbiter: person with power to decide a matter in dispute; judge who is in a position ot make influential judgments; Ex. supreme arbiter of fashion in beachware
arbitrary: unreasonable or capricious; random; tyrannical; Ex. arbitrary ruler
arbitrate: act as judge (at the request of both sides)
arcade: a covered passageway usually lined with shops
arcane: esoteric; secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated; Ex. arcane ritual; Ex. arcane process closed to the uninitiated listener
arch-: chief; first; Ex. archbishop
archaeology: study of artifacts and relics of early mankind
ardor: heat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent
aria: operatic solo; a song sung by one person in an opera or oratorio
aristocracy: hereditary nobility; privileged class; government by nobility; N. aristocrat
armada: fleet of warships
aromatic: fragrant; having a sweet smell; N. aroma: strong pleasant smell
arraign: charge in court; indict
arrears: being in debt; money that should have been paid; work that should have been done
arrogance: pride; haughtiness; ADJ. arrogant: unpleasantly self-important (with a strong confidence in one's own importance and a lack of respect for other people)
arsenal: storage place for military equipment
articulate: effective; distinct; expressing ideas clearly; having clear sounds; having joints; Ex. articulate speech; V: express thoughts and feeling clearly; pronounce clearly; unite by joints
artifacts: object made by human beings, either hand-made or mass-produced
artisan: a manually skilled worker
ascendancy: controlling influence; position of controlling influence; CF. in the ascendant
ascertain: find out for certain; make certain
ascetic: practicing self-denial; avoiding physical pleasures and comforts; austere; Ex. ascetic life of Buddhist monks; N. asceticism
ascribe: refer; attribute; assign
aseptic: preventing infection; having a cleansing effect
asperity: sharpness; roughness; severity (of temper or weather); Ex. asperities of a Russian winter
aspersion: slanderous remark; Ex. cast aspersions on
aspirant: seeker after position or status
aspire: seek to attain (position or status); long for; Ex. aspire to become president; Ex. aspire to/after the leadership
assail: assault
assent: agree; accept; N. assessment
assiduous: diligent
assimilate: absorb; take (food) into the body and digest it; understand (knowledge) completely and be able to use properly; cause to become homogeneous (the people of a country or race in the wasy of behaving or thinking)
assuage: mak less severe; ease or lessen (pain); satisfy (hunger); soothe (anger)
assumption: something taken for granted; the taking over or taking possession of; Ex. her assumption of power; V. assume
assurance: firm statement that something is certainly true; promise or pledge; certainty; confidence in one's own ability; self-confidence; Ex. In spite of all his assurances, he did not come back; Ex. assurance of his loyalty; Ex. The teacher lacked assurance in fron of his class; V. assure; tell firmly with confidence; ensure; make (something) certain to heappen; make (someone) feel sure; give confidence to; ADJ. assured: self-assured; confident in one's own ability; showing certainty
asteroid: small planet
astringent: binding; causing contraction (stopping bleeding); harsh or severe; stringent; Ex. astringent criticism
astronomical: enormously large or extensive
astute: wise; shrewd; keen; seeing quickly something that is to one's advantage
asylum: place of refuge or shelter; protection (religious or political)
asymmetric: not identical on both sides of a dividing central line
atheistic: denying the existence of God; N. atheism
atone: make amends for; pay for; Ex. atone for
atrocity: brutal deed; ADJ. atrocious
atrophy: wasting away; V: weaken and lose flesh and muscle (through lack of blood or lack of use)
attentive: alert and watchful; listening carefully; paying attention; considerate; thoughtful; politely helpful; Ex. attentive audience; Ex. He was attentive to the old lady; N. attentions: act of courtesy and consideration
attenuate: make thin; weaken
attest: testify; bear witness
attribute: essential quality; V: ascribe; explain
attrition: rubbing away by friction; gradual decrease in numbers or strength; reduction in the work force without firing employees; wearing away of opposition by means of harassment; Ex. a war of attrition
audacious: daring; bold; N. audacity
audit: examination of accounts of a business; official examination; V.
augment: increase; add to
august: impressive; majestic
auspicious: favoring success; giving signs of future success; Cf. auspices
austere: forbiddingly stern; ascetic; without comfort or enjoyment; severely simple and unornamented; Ex. a monk's austere life; Ex. austere grandeur of the cathedral; N. austerity
authenticate: prove genuine
authoritarian: subordinating the individual to the state; completely dominating another's will; Ex. authoritarian regime/father
authoritative: having the weight of authority; regarded as providing knowledge that can be trusted; reliable; peremptory and dictatorial; Ex. authoritative dictionary/manner; CF. definitive
autocratic: having absolute unchecked power; dictatorial; N. autocrat, autocracy
automaton: mechanism that imitates actions of humans; machine that works by itself
autonomous: self-governing; N. autonomy
autopsy: examination of a dead body; postmortem; V.
auxiliary: offering or providing help; additional or subsidiary; N: helper; assistant
avalanche: great mass of falling snow and ice
avarice: greediness for wealth
avenge: take vengence for something or on behalf of someone; Ex. They avenged his death by burning the village; Ex. He swore to avenge his brother; Ex. They avenged themselves on their enemy.
aver: state confidently; declare as true
averse: reluctant; disinclined; not liking or opposed; Ex. averse to cats/doing the house work
aversion: firm dislike
avert: prevent; avoid; turn away (eyes or thought); Ex. An accident was averted by his quick thinking; Ex. She averted her eyes from the terrible sight.
aviary: enclosure for birds; large cage
avocation: secondary or minor occupation
avow: declare openly; N. avowal
avuncular: of or like an uncle
awe: solemn wonder; feeling of respect mixed with wonder and fear; V: fill with awe; ADJ. awesome
axiom: self-evident truth requiring no proof
baffle: frustrate; perplex
banal: hackneyed; commonplace; trite; lacking originality; clich\'ed
bane: posion; cause of ruin; ADJ. baneful: harmful; poisonous
bantering: joking talk; good-naturedly ridiculing; N.V. banter
barb: sharp projection from fishhook, arrow, or other object; openly cutting remark
barrage: barrier laid down by artillery fire; overwhelming profusion; large number of questions or statements; Ex. a barrage of criticism
barrister: counselor-at-law or lawyer in the higher court of law; CF. bar
barterer: trader; V. barter: trade; exchange good for other goods rather than money
beget: father; become the father of; produce; give rise to
belittle: disparage; depreciate
bellicose: warlike
belligerent: quarrelsome
benediction: blessing
benefactor: gift giver; patron; person who does good or who gives money for a good purpose
beneficent: kindly; doing good
beneficial: helpful; useful; advantageous
beneficiary: person entitled to benefits or proceeds of an insurance policy or will
benevolent: generous; charitable; having a wish to do good
benign: kindly; favorable; not malignant (disease); Ex. benign tumor
benison: blessing
bent: determined; Ex. bent on advancing in the business; N: natural talent or inclination
bequeath: leave to someone by means of a will; hand down in his will; N. bequest
beseech: beg; plead with
besiege: surround with armed forces; harass (with requests); annoy continually
bestow: confer
bicameral: two-chambered as a legislative body
bicker: quarrel
biennial: every two years
bizarre: fantastic; violently contrasting; noticeably odd; strikingly unconventional
blunder: error; stupid mistake
bode: foreshadow; portend
bogus: counterfeit; not authentic; intentionally false; Ex. bogus interview
boisterous: violent; rough; noisy
bourgeois: middle class; selfishly materialistic; too interested in material possessions
bovine: cowlike; placid and dull; slow-thinking; calm
breadth: width; extent
brevity: conciseness; shortness of duration
brochure: pamphlet
buoyant: able to float; cheerful and optimistic; N. buoyancy; Ex. buoyancy of wood/water/American market
bureaucracy: overregulated administrative system marked by red tape; ADJ. bureaucratic
cache: hiding place; V.
cacophonous: discordant; inharmonious; N. cacophony: unpleasant mixture of loud sounds
cadaver: corpse; dead human body
cadaverous: like a corpse; pale
calamity: disaster; misery
calculated: deliberately planned; likely
calligraphy: beautiful writing; excellent penmanship
calumny: malicious misrepresentation; slander
cantankerous: ill-humored; irritable
capacious: spacious
caprice: whim; sudden change of mind without any real cause
capricious: unpredictable; fickle
caption: title; chapter heading; text under illustration
cardiologist: doctor specializing in ailments of the heart
caricature: distortion; burlesque
carillon: a set of bells (often in a tower) capable of being played
carnage: destruction of life; slaughter; killing of large numbers of people or animals
carnal: fleshly; sensual; concerning the desires of the body
carnivorous: meat-eating; N. carnivore; CF. herbivore
cascade: small waterfall
castigation: punishment; severe criticism or disapproval
casualty: serious or fatal accident; person killed or wounded in an accident or battle
catapult: slingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from catapult
catastrophe: calamity ; disaster
categorical: without exceptions; made without any doubt in mind; unqualified; absolute
catharsis: purging or cleansing of any passage of the body; purging and weakening of strong emotions as a result of experiencing a dramatic work of art
cathartic: purgative; medicine that causes the bowels to empty; ADJ.
causal: implying a cause-and-effect relationship; N. causality
caustic: burning; corrosive; able to burn by chemical action; sarcastically biting; (of remarks) intended to hurt; bitter; harmful; OP. harmless
celerity: speed; rapidity
celestial: heavenly
censor: (in ancient Rome) overseer of morals (also taking the census); person who eliminates inappropriate matter; V.
censure: blame; criticize; express strong disapproval; N: severe criticism; strong disapproval
centaur: mythical figure, half man and half horse
centigrade: denoting a widely used temperature scale (basically same as Celsius)
centrifugal: radiating; departing from the center
centrifuge: machine that separates substances by whirling them
centripetal: tending toward the center
centurion: Roman army officer (commanding a company of about 100 soldiers)
cerebral: pertaining to the brain or intellect; intellectual rather than emotional; CF. cerebrum
cerebration: thought; working of the brain
cessation: stoppage
chameleon: lizard that changes color in different situations
champion: support militantly; fight for; N: person who fights for or supports strongly (a principle, movement, person, etc.)
chaotic: in utter disorder
charisma: divine gift; great popular charm or appeal; magnetism
chasm: abyss; very deep crack
chaste: morally pure; virginal; abstaining from illicit sexual acts; modest; simple (of a style of writing); not highly decorated; austere
chauvinist: blindly devoted patriot; zealous adherent of a group, cause, or sex; ADJ. chauvinistic; CF. chauvinism; Nicolas Chauvin
check: stop motion; curb or restrain
chivalrous: courteous; faithful; brave; N. chivalry
chronic: long established as a disease
chronicle: report; record (in chronological order)
cipher: nonentity; worthless person or thing; zero; secret code; V.
circlet: small ring; band of gold, silver, jewel, etc. (worn on the head, arms, or neck as decoration)
circuitous: roundabout
circumlocution: indirect or roundabout expression (by using an uncecessarily large number of words esp. when trying to avoid answering a difficult question directly)
circumscribe: limit; confine; draw a line around
circumvent: outwit; defeat by behaving more cleverly; outsmart; baffle; avoid; get around
citadel: fortress
cite: quote; commend; Ex. cited for bravery in an official record
civil: having to do with citizens; not military or religious; courteous and polite; Ex. married in a civil ceremony; Ex. civil strife/disorder/law; N. civility; CF. civic
clairvoyant: having foresight; fortuneteller; N. clairvoyance
clamor: loud continous noise; continuous demand or complaint made by a large number of people; V: make a clamor; express (a demand) continually and loudly; ADJ. clamorous
clandestine: secret
claustrophobia: fear of being locked in
cleave: split or sever; cling to; remain faithful to; N. cleavage; ADJ. cloven
clich\'e: phrase dulled in meaning by repetition; platitude; ADJ. clich\'ed
climactic: relating to the highest point; N. climax; CF. climatic
cloister: monastery or convent
cloying: distasteful (because excessive); excessively sweet or sentimental; V. cloy: become unpleasant through too much sweetness or excess
coalesce: combine; fuse; N. coalescence
coalition: partnership; league; union of separate political parties
codify: arrange (laws or rules) as a code; classify; N. code: system of words used instead of ordinary writing; collection of laws, rules, established social customs
coercion: use of force to get someone to object; compelling; V. coerce
cogent: convincing
cogitate: think over; ponder
cognate: having a common origin; related linguistically; allied by blood; similar or akin in nature; Ex. cognate languages; N.
cognitive: having to do with knowing or perceiving related to the mental processes; N. cognition: the mental process of knowing
cognizance: knowledge; ADJ. cognizant; having knowledge; aware
cohere: stick together
cohesion: tendency to keep together
coin: make coins; invent or fabricate (a word or phrase); N. coinage: word or phrase recently invented
coincidence: the chance occurrence, at the same time, of two or more seemingly connected events; V. coincide: happen at the same time; be in agreement; CF. coincident; CF. coincidental
collaborate: work together; cooperate treasonably with the enemy
collate: examine and compare in order to verify authenticity; arrange in order (the sheets of a book before they are bound)
collateral: security given for loan; ADJ: secondary; descended from the same person but through different sons or daughters
colloquial: pertaining to conversational or common speech; informal; N. colloquialism: colloquial expression
colloquy: informal discussion; conversation
collusion: conspiring in a fraudulent scheme to cheat or deceive others; V. collude
colossal: huge
colossus: gigantic statue; person or thing of great size or importance
combustible: easily burned; N. CF. combustion
comely: attractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appearance
comestible: something fit to be eaten
commandeer: take (private property) for military use without needing permission or giving payment; draft for military purposes
commensurate: equal in extent; of the same size
commiserate: feel or express pity or sympathy for
commodious: spacious and comfortable
compact: agreement; contract; ADJ: tightly packed; firm; brief; concise; Ex. compact statement
compatible: harmonious; in harmony with; able to exist together
compelling: overpowering; irresistible in effect; holding one's attention; that compels one to do something; Ex. a compelling adventure story; V. compel
compendium: brief, comprehensive summary; ADJ. compendious
compensatory: making up for; repaying
compilation: listing of information in tabular or book form; compiling
compile: assemble; gather; accumulate; make (a report or a book) from facts and information found in various places; Ex. compile a dictionary
complacency: self-satisfaction; smugness; ADJ. complacent
complaisant: trying to please; obliging; willing to please others
complement: complete; consummate; make perfect; N.
complementary: serving to complete something
compliance: conformity in fulfilling requirements; readiness to yield; disposition to yield to others; V. comply
compliant: readily acting in accordance with a rule, order, or the wishes or others; yielding; comforming to requirements
complicity: participation; involvement (in a questionable act or a crime)
component: element; ingredient
composure: mental calmness
compound: combine; produce by combining; increase; make worse by adding to or increasing; exacerbate; Ex. compound an error; ADJ: consisting of two or more parts; N: combination of two or more parts; area enclosed by a wall containing a group of buildings; Ex. factory compound; CF. complex
comprehensive: broad; including a lot or everything; thorough; inclusive
compress: force into less space; squeeze; contract; put into fewer words; N: thick mass of cloth pressed to part of the body to stop bleeding or swelling, reduce fever, etc.
comprise: include; consist of
compunction: remorse; strong uneasiness caused by guilt
compute: reckon; calculate
concatenate: link as in a chain
concave: hollow; curved inwards; OP. convex
concede: admit; acknowledge as being true (often reluctantly); yield; grant; Ex. concede a goal
conceit: vanity or self-love; too high opinion of one's own value; extravagant metaphor (in poetry)
concentric: having a common center
conception: beginning; forming of an idea; fertilization; V. conceive: form an idea in the mind; devise; become pregnant; CF. inception
concession: an act of yielding; conceding; something conceded; point, right, etc. given unwillingly; privilege of maintaining a business in a certain place; Ex. oil concessions in the North sea; CF. concessionaire
conciliatory: reconciling; soothing; V. conciliate: reconcile; soothe; win the friendly feelings (by removing anger)
concise: brief and compact
conclusive: decisive; ending all debate
concoct: prepare by mixing or combining; make up in concert; devise (something false) so as to deceive; Ex. concoct an elaborate excuse for being late; N. concoction
concomitant: that which accompanies; Ex. Deafnes is a frequent concommitant of old age; ADJ: existing or happening together with something else
concord: harmony; accord
concur: agree; coincide; happen at the same time
concurrent: happening at the same time; in agreement
condescend: (derog.) bestow courtesies with a superior air; descend to the level of one considered inferior
condign: adequate; (of punishment) severe and well deserved
condiments: seasonings; spices
condole: express condolences; N. condolence: sympathy for someone who has experienced great sorrow
condone: overlook; forgive; give tacit approval; excuse
conducive: helpful; contributive; V. conduce; Ex. conduce to/towards
conduit: aqueduct; passageway for fluids
confine: shut in an enclosed space; restrict; keep within limits; N. confinement
confiscate: seize; take possession of (private property) by official order (usu. as a punishment); commandeer
conflagration: great fire
confluence: flowing together; the place where two rivers flow together; crowd; gathering together
conformity: harmony; agreement with established rules or customs; similarity; Ex. behave in conformity with; V. conform: be similar; act in agreement; comply; Ex. conform to the rule; CF. conformance
congeal: freeze; coagulate
congenial: pleasant; friendly; in agreement with one's tastes and nature; Ex. congenial weather
congenital: existing at birth
conglomeration: mass of material sticking together
congruence: correspondence of parts; harmonious relationship; CF. congruity
congruent: in agreement; harmonious; corresponding; coinciding exactly; CF. congruous
conjecture: surmise; guess; V.
conjugal: pertaining to marriage
conjure: cause to appear by magic; summon (a devil or a spirit) by magical power; practice magic (esp. by very quick movement of the hands); evoke; conjure up: bring into the mind; Ex. The magician conjured a rabbit out of his hat.
connivance: pretense of ignorance of something wrong; assistance; permission to offend; V. connive: feign ignorance (of a wrong); cooperate secretly in an illegal action; conspire
connoisseur: person competent to act as a judge of art, etc. (whose judgments are respected); a lover of an art
connotation: suggested or implied meaning of an expression; V. connote
connubial: pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state
consanguinity: kinship; relationship by birth
conscientious: scrupulous; through and careful; Ex. conscientious worker
conscript: draftee; person forced into military service; V.
consecrate: dedicate; sanctify; declare as sacred; Ex. consecrate one's life to helping the poor
consensus: general agreement; opinion reached by a group
consequential: self-important; significant; consequent; following as a result; Ex. consequential air; CF. subsequent
conservatory(conservatoire): school of the fine arts (especially music or drama); glass-enclosed area; CF. conservancy
consign: send to a person or place for sale; deliver officially; entrust; put into the care of another; set apart (for a special purpose); N. consignment; CF. consignor, consignee
consistency: absence of contradictions; uniformity; degree of thickness or firmness; Ex. consistency of thick cream; CF. viscous
console: lessen sadness or disappointment; give comfort; allay the sorrow of; N. consolation
consolidation: unification; process of becoming firmer or stronger; V. consolidate: merge; strengthen
consonance: harmony; agreement
consort: associate with; keep company; N: husband or wife (or a ruler)
conspiracy: treacherous plot; secret plan against the law (by two or more people)
constituent: supporter; voter; member of a constituency; component
constraint: restraint; compulsion; repression of feelings; reticence; V. constrain: hold back; restrain; compel; oblige; confine forcibly; imprison
construe: explain; interpret; Ex. construe her silence as meaning that she agreed; CF. misconstrue
consummate: complete; V.
contagion: infection (by contact); ADJ. contagious; CF. infectious: that can be passed by infection in the air
contaminate: pollute
contempt: scorn; disdain; ADJ. contemptuous; CF. contemptible
contend: struggle; compete; assert earnestly; state strongly
contention: assertion; claim; thesis; struggling; competition
contentious: quarrelsome; controversial; likely to cause arguments
contest: dispute; argue about the rightness of; compete for; try to win; Ex. contest the election results; Ex. contest a seat in Parliament; N.
context: writings preceding and following the passage quoted; circumstance in which an event occurs
contiguous: adjacent to; touching upon
contortions: twistings; distortions; V. contort: twist violently out of shape; CF. contortionist
contrite: penitent; repentant; N. contrition
controvert: oppose with arguments; attempt to refute; contradict; ADJ. controversial; N. controversy
contumacious: stubborn and disobedient; resisting authority (esp. disobedient to an order made by a court)
contusion: bruise
convene: come together; assemble; call to meet; Ex. convene the council
convention: social or moral custom; established practice; formal meeting; international agreement
conventional: ordinary; typical; not nuclear; Ex. conventional weapons
converge: approach; tend to meet; come together
conversant: familiar with; having knowledge of
converse: opposite; ADJ.
convert: one who has adopted a different religion or opinion; V: change into another form; (persuade to) adopt a particular religion or belief
convex: curving outward
conveyance: vehicle; transfer; act of conveying; Ex. public conveyance
conviction: judgment that someone is guilty of a crime; strongly held belief
convivial: pleasantly merry; festive; joyous; gay; characterized by joviality; jovial
convoke: call together; Ex. convoke Parliament; N. convocation
convoluted: coiled around; twisted; involved; complicated; intricate; complex; N. convolution: twist; one of the convex folds of the surface of the brain
cordial: warmly friendly; gracious; heartfelt; Ex. cordial welcome
corollary: natural consequence (which naturally follows from something else)
corpulent: very fat; N. corpulence
correlation: mutual relationship
corroborate: confirm; support; strengthen
corrode: destroy or wear away gradually by chemical action (over a long period)
corrosive: eating away by chemicals or disease; (of language) fierce
cosmic: pertaining to the universe; vast
countenance: approve; support; tolerate; Ex. countenance his rude behavior; N: face; appearance
counterpart: thing that completes another; things very much alike; thing that has the same purpose in a different system
couple: join; unite; OP. uncouple
covert: secret; hidden; implied; OP. overt
craven: cowardly
credence: belief
credulity: belief on slight evidence; gullibility; naivet\'e; ADJ. credulous
creed: system of religious or ethical belief
crescendo: increase in the volume or intensity as in a musical passage; climax; CF. crescent
cringe: shrink back as if in fear; cower
criteria: standards used in judging; CF. criterion
crypt: secret recess or vault usually used for burial; underground room (under a church)
cryptic: mysterious; hidden; secret
culmination: highest point; climax; V. culminate in: reach the highest point in; end in; Ex. a series of minor clashes culminating in war
culpable: deserving blame; blameworthy
cumbersome: heavy and awkward to carry or wear; burdensome; Ex. cumbersome parcel/uniform
cumulative: growing by addition; accumulative
cupidity: greed (for wealth); CF. cupid; CF. Cupid
curator: superintendent; manager (in charge of a museum or a library)
cursory: casual; hastily done with little attention to detail
curtail: shorten; reduce
cynical: skeptical or distrustful of human motives; N. cynicism; CF. cynic: person who believes all people are motivated by selfishness
d\'eb\^acle: sudden disastrous downfall or defeat; complete disaster
d\'ebris: rubble; wreckage; scattered remains of something broken or destroyed
daunt: intimidate; frighten; discourage; dishearten
dauntless: bold; fearless
dawdle: loiter; hang around; waste time doing nothing
deadlock: standstill resulting from the opposition of two unrelenting forces; stalemate
dearth: scarcity
debase: degrade; reduce in quality or value; degenerate; lower in esteem; disgrace; N. debasement
debilitate: weaken (esp. through heat, hunger, illness); enfeeble
decadence: decay; fall to a lower level (of morality, civilization, or art); ADJ. decadent
decant: pour off gently (wine or liquid)
decapitate: behead
decelerate: slow down
decimate: kill (usually one out of ten or every tenth man); destroy or kill a large part of
decipher: decode; CF. indecipherable
decorum: propriety; orderliness and good taste in manners; appropriateness of behavior or conduct
decoy: lure or bait; V.
decrepitude: state of collapse or weakness caused by illness or old age
deducible: derived by reasoning; V. deduce: infer; derive by reasoning
deface: mar; disfigure
defame: harm someone's reputation; malign; speak evil of; slander; N. defamation; ADJ. defamatory
default: failure to act; failure to perform a task or be present; V.
defection: desertion
defer: give in respectfully; submit; delay till later; exempt temporarily; N. deferment; CF. show respect, comply with, courteous
deference: courteous regard for another's wish; courteous yielding to another's wish or opinion (showing respect); ADJ. deferential; OP. effrontery
defiance: refusal to yield; resistance; V. defy; ADJ. defiant
defile: pollute; make filthy or dirty; corrupt morally; profane; desecrate; N: narrow passage or gorge through mountains
definitive: most reliable; authorative and complete; that cannot be improved; conclusive; decisive; definite; Ex. definitive decision by the supreme court
deflect: turn aside; turn away from a straight course
deft: neat; skillful
defunct: dead; no longer in use or existence
degenerate: become worse in quality; deteriorate; ADJ: having become worse; Ex. a degenerate species; N: depraved or corrupt person
degradation: humiliation; debasement; degeneration; V. degrade: debase; disgrace; degenerate; reduce (something) in worth; demote (someone); reduce in rank
deify: turn into a god; make a god of; idolize; Ex. Kings were deified; CF. deity
delete: erase; strike out
deliberate: consider; ponder; ADJ: done on purpose; slow
delineate: portray; depict; sketch; describe; N. delineation
delirium: mental disorder marked by confusion; uncontrolled excitement; ADJ. delirious
delta: flat plain of mud or sand between branches of a river
delude: deceive
deluge: flood; rush; V.
delusion: false belief; hallucination; deluding; Ex. delusions of grandeur; Ex. under the delusion that
delusive: deceptive; likely to delude; misleading; raising vain hopes; Ex. delusive promises
demagogue: person who appeals to people's prejudice; false leader of people; CF. demagoguery
demean: disgrace; humiliate; debase in dignity; behave
demeanor: behavior; bearing
demented: insane
demise: death
demolition: destruction; V. demolish
denigrate: blacken; defame
denizen: (animal, person, or plant) inhabitant or resident of a particular place; regular visitor
denotation: meaning; distinguishing by name; V. denote: indicate; refer to directly; mean; CF. connotation
denounce: condemn; criticize; N. denunciation
depict: portray
deplete: reduce; exhaust
deplore: regret; express sorrow and severe disapproval for something bad; Ex. deplore their violent behavior; ADJ. deplorable: very bad; deserving severe disapproval; Ex. deplorable living condition
deploy: spread out (troops) in an extended though shallow battle line; distribute (persons or forces) systematically or strategically
depose: dethrone; remove from office; give a deposition; testify
deposition: testimony under oath; deposing; dethroning
depravity: extreme corruption; wickedness; V. deprave
deprecate: express disapproval of; deplore; protest against; belittle; ADJ. deprecatory
depreciate: lessen in value; belittle; represent as of little value
depredation: plundering; destruction
deranged: insane
derelict: negligent; (of someone) neglectful of duty; (of something) deserted by an owner; abandoned; N: abandoned property; homeless or vagrant person
deride: ridicule; treat with contempt; make fun of; OP. respect
derision: ridicule; ADJ. derisive; CF. derisory
derivative: unoriginal; obtained from another source; Ex. derivative prose style; N.
dermatologist: one who studies the skin and its diseases
derogatory: expressing a low opinion; disparaging; V. derogate: detract; disparage
desecrate: profane; violate the sanctity of
desiccate: dry up
desolate: (of a place) deserted; unpopulated; (of a person) lonely; forlorn; joyless
desolate: make desolate; forsake; abandon and desert
despise: look on with scorn; regard as worthless or distasteful; ADJ. despicable: contemptible
despoil: plunder; sack; Ex. despoil the village
despondent: without hope and courage; depressed; gloomy; N. despondency: loss of hope with gloom; dejection
despot: tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; CF. despotism
destitute: extremely poor; lacking means of subsistence; utterly lacking; devoid; Ex. destitute of any experience
desultory: aimless; haphazard; digressing at random
deterrent: something that discourages or deters
detonation: explosion
detraction: slandering; aspersion; detracting; CF. detractor
detrimental: harmful; damaging; N. detriment
deviate: turn away from (a principle, norm); move away from an accepted standard; swerve; depart; diverge; N. deviation; Ex. deviation of the path of light by a prism
devise: think up; invent; plan; bequeath; N: bequest
devoid: empty; lacking
devotee: enthusiastic follower; enthusiast; Ex. devotee of Bach
devout: pious; deeply religious; sincere; earnest; Ex. my devout hope
dexterous: skillful; skill in using hands or mind; N. dexterity
diabolical: diabolic; devilish; fiendish
dialectical: relating to the art of debate; mutual or reciprocal; Ex. dialectical situation; N. dialectic: art of arriving at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments
diaphanous: sheer; transparent
dichotomy: division into two opposite parts; split; branching into two parts (especially contradictory ones)
diffidence: shyness; lack of self-confidence; timidity; ADJ. diffident
digression: wandering away from the subject; V. digress
dilapidated: falling to pieces; in a bad condition; ruined because of neglect; Ex. dilapidated old car/castle; N. dilapidation
dilate: expand; dilate on/upon: speak or write at length on (a subject)
dilatory: delaying; tending to delay
dilemma: situation that requires a choice between equally unfavorable options; problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives
diligence: steadiness of effort; persistent hard work
dilute: make (a liquid) less concentrated; reduce in strength; Ex. dilute the influence of the president
diminution: lessening; reduction in size; V. diminish
din: continued loud noise; V: make a din; instill by wearying repetition
disabuse: correct a false impression; undeceive; free from a wrong belief
disapprobation: disapproval; condemnation
discernible: distinguishable; perceivable; Ex. discernible improvement
discerning: mentally quick and observant; having insight; perceptive; able to make good judgments; V. discern: perceive
disclose: reveal; N. disclosure
discomfit: frustrate; put to rout; defeat; disconcert; embarrass; perturb
disconsolate: hopelessly sad (at the loss of something)
discord: conflict; lack of harmony; dissonance (when musical notes are played)
discordant: not harmonious; conflicting
discourse: serious speech, writing, or conversation; formal discussion (either written or spoken); conversation; V.
discredit: defame; disgrace; destroy confidence in; disbelieve; N. CF. discreditable: causing discredit; shameful
discrepancy: lack of consistency or agreement as between facts; difference; Ex. discrepancy between two descriptions
discrete: separate; unconnected
discretion: prudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances; freedom of action or judgment; ADJ. discreet; CF. discretionary
discriminating: able to see differences; discerning; prejudiced; N. discrimination
disdain: treat with scorn or contempt
disenfranchise: disfranchise; deprive of a civil right; OP. enfranchise
disfigure: mar the appearance of; spoil
dishearten: discourage
disinclination: unwillingness
disinterested: unprejudiced; free from bias and self-interest; objective
disjointed: disconnected; lacking coherence; V. disjoint: disconnect; disjoin
disjunction: act or state of separation; disunity; CF. disjunctive: expressing a choice between two ideas; CF. conjunction; CF. conjunctive
dismember: cut into small parts; cut (a body) apart limb from limb
disparage: belittle
disparate: basically different; impossible to compare; unrelated
disparity: difference; condition of inequality; OP. parity
dispassionate: calm; impartial; not influenced by personal feelings
dispatch: speediness; prompt execution; message sent with all due speed; V: send to a specified destination; finish promptly; kill
dispel: scatter; drive away; cause to vanish
disperse: scatter; Ex. disperse the cloud/crowd
disputatious: argumentative; fond of argument
disquietude: uneasiness; anxiety; V. disquiet: make anxious
dissection: analysis; cutting apart in order to examine
disseminate: distribute; spread; scatter (like seeds)
dissent: disagree
dissertation: formal essay; treatise
dissident: dissenting (with an opinion, a group, or a government); rebellious; N.
dissipate: squander; waste foolishly; scatter
dissuade: persuade not to do; discourage; N. dissuasion
distend: expand; swell out
distill: refine (a liquid by evaporating and subsequent condensation); concentrate; separate the most important parts from; Ex. distill fresh water from sea water; CF. brew
distort: twist out of shape; give a false account of; misrepresent; N. distortion
diurnal: daily; occurring during the daytime
diva: operatic singer; prima donna
diverge: vary; go in different directions from the same point; ADJ. divergent: differing; deviating
diverse: differing in some characteristics (from each other); various; N. diversity: variety; dissimilitude; lack of resemblance
diversion: act of turning aside; pastime; V. divert: turn aside from a course; distract; amuse
divest: strip (as of clothes); deprive (as of rights); dispossess; N. divestiture(divestment)
divine: perceive intuitively (by or as if by magic); foresee the future; foretell; dowse; ADJ. N. divination
divulge: reveal
docile: obedient; easily managed; submissive
doctrine: teachings in general; particular principle (religious, legal, etc.) taught; dogma; tenet; ADJ. doctrinal
dogmatic: opinionated; holding stubbornly to one's opinion; arbitrary; doctrinal
dolorous: sorrowful; N. dolor
dormant: sleeping; temporarily inactive; lethargic; latent
dorsal: relating to the back of an animal; Ex. dorsal fin
drudgery: hard unpleasant work; menial work
duration: length of time something lasts
dynamic: energetic; vigorously active
ebb: (of the tide) recede; lessen; diminish; N. OP. flow: rise of tide
ebullient: showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm; boiling; N. ebullience; N. ebullition: state of boiling
eccentric: irregular; odd; unconventional; whimsical; bizarre; not concentric
eccentricity: oddity; idiosyncrasy
ecclesiastic: ecclesiastical; pertaining to the church; N: minister; priest; cleric; clergyman
eclectic: selective; composed of elements drawn from disparate sources; selecting individual elements from a variety of sources; N. eclecticism
eclipse: darken; extinguish; outshine; surpass; cause an eclipse
ecologist: person concerned with the interrelationship between living organisms and their environment; person concerned with the detrimental effects of human civilization on the environment; CF. ecology
economy: efficiency or conciseness in using something; thrifty management of resources
ecstasy: rapture; very strong feeling of joy and happiness; any overpowering emotion; ADJ. ecstatic: causing or experiencing ecstasy
edict: decree (especially one issued by a sovereign); official command
eerie: weird; causing fear because strange
efface: rub out; remove the surface of
effectual: able to produce a desired effect; valid
effeminate: having womanly traits
effete: having lost one's original power; barren; worn out; exhausted
efficacy: power to produce desired effect; ADJ. efficacious: effectual
effigy: dummy; likeness of a person made of wood, paper, or stone; Ex. burn an effigy of the President
effrontery: rudeness without any sense of shame; shameless boldness; presumptousness; nerve; cheek
effusion: pouring forth; unrestrained outpouring of feeling; V. effuse: pour out; ADJ. effusive: pouring forth; gushing
egoism: excessive interest in one's self; belief that one should be interested in one's self rather than in others; selfishness; ADJ. egoistic, egoistical
egotistical: egotistic; excessively self-centered(egocentric); self-important; conceited
egregious: notorious; conspicuously bad or shocking
elated: filled with excited joy and pride; overjoyed; in high spirits; joyful and proud; Ex. elated crowd; V. elate; N. elation
elicit: draw out fact or information (by discussion or from someone)
ellipsis: omission of words from a text; mark used to indicate an omission (when the meaning can be understood without them); PL. ellipses
elliptical: elliptic; oval; of an ellipse; containing an ellipsis; ambiguous either purposely or because key words have been left out
eloquence: expressiveness; persuasive speech; ADJ. eloquent: movingly expressive; expressing ideas well so that the hearers can be influeneced
elucidate: explain; make clear; clarify; enlighten; CF. lucid
elusive: evasive; not frank; baffling; hard to grasp, catch, or understand; V. elude: escape from; escape the understanding or grasp of; Ex. elude the hunter; Ex. His name eludes me.
emaciated: thin and wasted (from hunger or illness)
emanate: issue forth; come out
emancipate: set free; liberate
embargo: ban on commerce or other activity
embark: commence; go on board a boat; begin a journey
embed(imbed): enclose; place in something; fix firmly in a surrounding mass
embellish: adorn; ornament; enhance as a story (by adding fictitious details)
embezzlement: taking for one's own use in violation of trust; stealing (of money placed in one's care)
embrace: hug; clasp with the arms; adopt or espouse; accept readily; encircle; include; Ex. embrace the cause/socialism; Ex. all-embracing; CF. brace; CF. bracelet
embroider: decorate with needlework; ornament (a story) with fancy or fictitious details; embellish
embroil: throw into confusion; involve in strife, dispute, or quarrel; entangle; CF. imbroglio
embryonic: undeveloped; rudimentary; N. embryo: organism in the early stage of development
emend: correct (usually a text); N. emendation: correction of errors; improvement
emissary: agent (sent on a mission to represent another); messenger
emollient: soothing or softening remedy (for the skin); ADJ.
emolument: salary; payment for an office; compensation
empirical: based on experience
encipher: encode; convert a message into code; put into cipher
enclave: territory enclosed within an alien land
encomiastic: praising; eulogistic; N. encomium: very high praise; eulogy
encompass: surround; include; Ex. His activities encompass publishing and computers.
encroachment: gradual intrusion; Ex. I resent all these encroachments on my valuable time; V. encroach: take another's possessions or right gradually or stealthily; intrude; Ex. encroach on/upon
encumber: burden; N. encumbrance
endemic: prevailing among a specific group of people or in a specific area or country; peculiar to a particular region or people; CF. pandemic
endorse: approve; support; write one's signature on the back of; N. endorsement; CF. dorsal
endue: provide with some quality; endow
enduring: lasting; surviving; V. endure: bear (pain or suffering) for a long time; remain alive (in spite of difficulties); last; survive
energize: invigorate; give energy to; make forceful and active
enervate: weaken; take away energy from
enfranchise: admit to the rights of citizenship (especially the right to vote); CF. franchise
engaging: charming; attractive
engender: cause; produce; give rise to
engross: occupy fully; absorb
enhance: increase; make greater (as in value, reputation, or usefulness); improve
enigma: puzzle; mystery; ADJ. enigmatic: obscure; puzzling
enjoin: command; order; forbid
enmity: ill will; hatred; hostility
enormity: hugeness (in a bad sense); excessive wickedness; Ex. enormity of the crime; ADJ. enormous
ensue: follow (as a result)
entail: make necessary; require; necessitate; involve; limit the inheritance of (property) to a specified succession of heirs; Ex. entail A on/upon B
enthrall: capture; enslave; captivate; hold the complete attention of (as if magic); hold spellbound
entice: lure; persuade to do (something wrong); attract; tempt
entity: real being
entomology: study of insects
entreat: plead; ask earnestly
entrepreneur: businessperson (who assumes the risk of a business venture); contractor; ADJ. entrepreneurial
enumerate: list; mention one by one
environ: enclose; surround; N. environs: surrounding area (as of a city)
ephemeral: short-lived; fleeting
epic: long heroic poem, novel, or similar work of art (celebrating the feats of a hero); ADJ: (of stories or events) resembling an epic; grand
epicure: connoisseur of food and drink; gourmet; ADJ. epicurean; CF. Epicurus
epilogue: short speech at conclusion of dramatic work
epitome: perfect example or embodiment; brief summary; Ex. epitome of good manners; V. epitomize: make an epitome of; be an epitome of; embody
epoch: period of time
equable: tranquil; of even calm temper; (of temperature) steady; uniform
equanimity: calmness of temperament; composure
equilibrium: balance of opposing forces; balance of the mind; equanimity
equinox: period of equal days and nights; the beginning of spring and autumn; Ex. vernal/autumnal equinox; ADJ. equinoctial
equitable: fair; impartial; OP. inequitable
equity: fairness; justice; OP. inequity
erode: eat away; wear away gradually by abrasion; Ex. The sea erodes the rocks.
erotic: pertaining to passionate love or sexual love
erroneous: mistaken; wrong; incorrect
erudite: (of a person or book) learned; full of learning; scholarly; N. erudition
escapade: prank; flighty conduct; reckless adventure that disobeys rules
espionage: spying
esteem: respect; value; judge; N.
estranged: separated; alienated; V. estrange: alienate (people in a family); N. estrangement
etymology: study of word parts; study of the origins of words
eugenic: pertaining to the improvement of race; N. eugenics: study of hereditary improvement of the human race
eulogistic: praising; full of eulogy
euphemism: mild expression in place of an unpleasant one; ADJ. euphemistic
euphony: sweet sound; ADJ. euphonious
euthanasia: mercy killing
evanescent: fleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V. evanesce
evince: show clearly
evocative: tending to call up (emotions, memories)
evoke: call forth (memory or feeling); Ex. That old film evoked memories of my childhood; N. evocation
exacerbate: worsen; aggravate; embitter
exacting: extremely demanding; Ex. exacting standard of safety
exalt: raise in rank or dignity; praise highly; inspire; Ex. exalt the imagination; ADJ. exalted; N. exaltation
excise: cut away; cut out; N: government tax on good produced and used inside a country; N. excision
exclaim: cry out suddenly; N. exclamation; ADJ. exclamatory
exculpate: clear from blame or guilt
execrate: curse; express abhorrence for; detest
execute: put into effect; carry out; kill as a lawful punishment; N. execution
exemplary: serving as a model; outstanding; Ex. exemplary punishment/behavior; N. exemplar: typical example; model
exemplify: show by example; furnish an example; serve as an example of; Ex. His pictures exemplify that sort of painting.
exempt: not subject to a duty or obligation; free from a duty; V.
exertion: effort; expenditure of much physical work; V. exert oneself: make a great effort
exhilarating: invigorating and refreshing; cheering; V. exhilarate: make cheerful and excited; Ex. exhilarated by the ride in the sports car
exhume: dig out of the ground; remove from a grave
exigency: urgent situation; ADJ. exigent
exiguous: small in amount; minute
exodus: departure (of a large number of people)
exonerate: acquit; exculpate; free from blame or guilt
exorbitant: (of costs or demands) excessive; exceeding reasonable bounds
exorcise: drive out evil spirits
exotic: not native; from another part of the world; strange; intriguingly unusual; Ex. exotic flower/dress
expatriate: exile; someone who has withdrawn from his native land; V: exile; banish; leave one's country
expedient: suitable (for a particular purpose although not necessarily morally correct); practical; politic(prudent); N: something expedient
expedite: hasten; make go faster
expenditure: payment or expense; expending; something expended; output; Ex. receipt for the expenditure; Ex. expenditure of all the energy
expertise: specialized knowledge (in a particular field); expert skill
expiate: make amends for (a sin)
explicate: explain in detail; interpret; clarify; CF. explicable
explicit: totally clear; definite; outspoken
exploit: brave and successful act; deed or action, particularly a brave deed; CF. crossing the Atlantic ocean
exploit: make use of, sometimes unjustly; N. exploitation
expository: explanatory; serving to explain; N. exposition: explaining; exhibition
exposure: risk, particularly of being exposed to disease or to the elements; unmasking; act of laying something open; Ex. exposure of governmental corruption
expound: explain
expurgate: clean; remove offensive parts of a book
extant: (of something written or painted) still in existence
extemporaneous: not planned; impromptu; extempore
extirpate: root up; uproot; destroy completely
extort: wring from; get money by threats, etc.; obtain by force or threats; CF. extortionate: exorbitant
extricate: free from an entanglement or difficulty; disentangle
extrinsic: external; not essential or inherent; extraneous; OP. intrinsic
extrovert: person interested mostly in external objects and actions
exult: rejoice
fabricate: build; lie; make up (a story) in order to deceive; Ex. fabricate the whole story; CF. fabric: underlying structure; Ex. fabric of society
facet: small plane surface (of a gem(precious stone)); a side
facilitate: help bring about; make less difficult
facsimile: copy
faculty: mental or bodily powers; teaching staff
fallacious: false; based on a fallacy; misleading; N. fallacy: false idea or notion; false reasoning; Ex. popular fallacy; Ex. fallacy of the argument
fallible: liable to err
fanaticism: excessive zeal; extreme devotion to a belief or cause; N. fanatic; ADJ. fanatic
fancied: imagined; unreal
fathom: comprehend; investigate; determine the depth of; N. unit of measurement for the depth of water
fauna: animals of a period or region; CF. flora
feasible: practical; able to be carried out; practicable
feign: pretend
felon: person convicted of a grave crime; CF. felony: serious crime
festive: joyous; celebratory; relating to a feast or festival
fickle: changeable (in affections or friendship); faithless
fidelity: loyalty; accuracy
figurative: not literal but metaphorical; using a figure(impression) of speech
finale: conclusion; concluding part
finite: limited
fissure: crevice; crack
flagrant: conspicuously wicked, bad, or offensive; blatant; outrageous
flora: plants of a region or era
flourish: grow well; prosper; make sweeping gestures; wave; brandish; Ex. The trees flourished in the sun. N: showy movement or gesture; embellishment or ornamentation (esp. in handwriting)
fluctuate: waver; shift; rise and fall as if in waves; change or vary irregularly
fluency: smoothness of speech; ADJ. fluent
foreboding: premonition of evil; feeling of coming evil; V. forebode: be a warning of (something unpleasant)
foreshadow: give an indication beforehand; be a sign of (what is coming); portend; prefigure
foresight: ability to foresee future happenings; prudence in providing for the future
forestall: prevent by taking action in advance
forgo(forego): give up; do without
forlorn: sad and lonely; wretched; desolate
formality: ceremonious quality; ceremonious adherence to rules; something done just for form's sake; Ex. mere formality
formidable: menacing; arousing fear; threatening; difficult to defeat; Ex. formidable foe/question
forte: strong point or special talent in a person's character
fortitude: bravery; courage; strength of mind
founder: person who establishes (an organization or business)
frail: weak; N. frailty
franchise: right or privilege granted by authority; right to vote; license to sell a product in a particular territory
fraudulent: cheating; deceitful; Ex. fraudulent means; N. fraud: deception; swindle
friction: clash or conflict in opinion; rubbing against
frigid: intensely cold; cold in manner; Ex. frigid zone
frivolous: lacking in seriousness; flippant; self-indulgently carefree; unworthy of serious attention; relatively unimportant; trivial
frugality: thrift; economy; ADJ. frugal: practicing economy; costing little; inexpensive
fruition: bearing of fruit; fulfillment; realization; Ex. come to/be brought to fruition
frustrate: thwart; defeat; prevent from accomplishing a purpose
fugitive: fleeting or transitory; lasting only a short time; roving(wandering); running away or fleeing as from the law; N: one who flees; Ex. fugitives at large
fumble: move the fingers and hands awkwardly (in search of something); mishandle or drop a ball that is in play; bungle; botch; spoil by mishandling; N.
fundamental: basic; primary; essential
fusion: union; coalition; V. fuse
futile: useless; hopeless; ineffectual
galaxy: large isolated system of stars, such as the Milky Way; collection of brilliant personalities
gale: windstorm; gust of wind; emotional outburst (laughters, tears); Ex. gale of laughter
galleon: large three-masted sailing ship
gargoyle: waterspout carved in grotesque figures on a building
gauche: clumsy (in social behavior); coarse and uncouth
genealogy: record of descent; lineage; ancestry; study of ancestry
generality: vague statement; general statement which is not detailed; quality of being general; greater part; most; Ex. generality of people
generate: cause; produce; create
generic: characteristic of an entire class or species; of a genus
genesis: beginning; origin
genre: particular variety of art or literature
germane: pertinent; bearing upon(having connection with) the case at hand; appropriate
germinate: cause to sprout; sprout
gerontocracy: government ruled by old people
glacial: like a glacier; of an ice age; extremely cold; Ex. glacial epoch; CF. iceberg
glib: fluent (with insincerity or superficiality); facile; slick
glossary: brief explanation of words used in the text
glutton: someone who eats too much; ADJ. gluttonous: given to gluttony; greedy; CF. gluttony: habit of eating too much
gnome: dwarf; underground spirit who guards treasure hoards
goad: urge on; drive with a goad; cause (someone) to do something by continued annoyance; Ex. They goaded him into doing it by saying he was a coward; N: sharp-pointed stick for driving cattle; stimulus; CF. annoy continually
graduated: arranged by degrees (of height, difficulty, etc.)
grandeur: impressiveness; stateliness; majesty
grandiloquent: (of a person or speech) using high sounding or important-sounding language; pompous; bombastic
grandiose: affectedly grand; pretentious; high-flown; ridiculously exaggerated; impressive; great in size or scope; grand; Ex. grandiose ideas
graphic: pertaining to the art of delineating; vividly described
gratify: please; satisfy; Ex. gratify a desire
gratuitous: given freely; unwarranted; uncalled for; done without good reason; Ex. gratuitous comment
gratuity: tip
gravity: seriousness; ADJ. grave
gregarious: sociable; (of an animal) tending to form a group
grievance: cause of complaint; complaint
grotesque: fantastic; comically hideous; strange and unnatural (causing fear or amusement)
grudging: unwilling; reluctant; stingy(giving reluctantly)
guile: deceit; duplicity; wiliness; cunning; Ex. persuade her by guile
guileless: without deceit
guise: outward appearance; costume; Ex. in a new guise
gullible: easily deceived
gusty: windy
gyroscope: apparatus used to maintain balance, ascertain direction, etc.
hackneyed: commonplace; trite
hallucination: delusion; false idea; false perception of objects with a compelling sense of their reality; objects so perceived; V. hallucinate; ADJ. hallucinatory
hamper: obstruct; prevent the free movement of; N: ½Ä·áÇ°ÀÌ³ª ÀÇº¹ µîÀ» ´ã´Â ¹Ù±¸´Ï
haphazard: random; by chance; happening in an unplanned manner; Ex. haphazard growth of the town
harass: annoy by repeated attacks
harbinger: forerunner (which foreshadows what is to come)
harbor: give protection (by giving food and shelter); provide a refuge for; hide; keep in mind (thoughts or feelings); Ex. harbor a grudge/criminal; N: place of shelter; refuge
harry: harass, annoy, torment (by repeated attacks); raid
hatch: deck opening; lid covering a deck opening; V: emerge from an egg; produce (young) from an egg
haughtiness: pride; arrogance; ADJ. haughty
hazardous: dangerous
hazy: slightly obscure; misty; unclear; N. haze: light mist or smoke; confused state of mind
hedonist: one who believes that pleasure is the sole aim in life; CF. hedonism: practice of living one's life purely for pleasure
heedless: not noticing; disregarding
herbivorous: grain-eating; CF. herbivore
heresy: opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary to accepted religion; ADJ. heretical; CF. heretic
heterogeneous: dissimilar; mixed; not homogeneous; consisting of dissimilar elements or plants
hibernate: sleep throughout the winter; N. hibernation
hierarchy: arrangement by rank or standing; authoritarian body divided into ranks; body of persons having authority
hieroglyphic: picture writing; ADJ.
hindrance: block; obstacle; V. hinder
homage: honor; tribute; great respect; Ex. pay/do homage to
homespun: domestic; made at home; spun or woven at home; simple and ordinary; Ex. homespun philosophy
homogeneous: of the same kind; uniform in composition throughout
hostility: unfriendliness; hatred; enmity; ADJ. hostile
humane: marked by kindness or consideration; kind and compassionate; humanitarian
humanitarian: one devoted to the promotion of human welfare; CF. humanism
humid: damp; N. humidity
hybrid: mongrel; mixed breed; V. hybridize
hypercritical: excessively exacting; too critical (without noticing good qualities)
hypocritical: pretending to be virtuous; deceiving; N. hypocrisy: profession of beliefs one does not possess; CF. hypocrite
hypothetical: based on assumptions or hypotheses; supposed; N. hypothesis
icon(ikon): religious image; idol; image or representation
ideology: system of ideas characteristic of a group or culture
idiosyncrasy: individual trait usually odd in nature; behavioral peculiarity; eccentricity; attitude, behavior, or opinion peculiar to a person; anything highly individual or eccentric; ADJ. idiosyncratic
ignite: kindle; light; catch fire or set fire to
illicit: illegal
illuminate: brighten; clear up or make understandable; enlighten; enable to understand; Ex. illuminating remarks
illusion: misleading vision or visual image; false idea or belief; CF. delusion
illusive: deceiving; based on illusion; causing illusion; deceptive
illusory: illusive; deceptive; not real
imbalance: lack of balance or symmetry; disproportion
imbibe: drink in
immaculate: spotless; flawless; absolutely clean
imminent: impending; near at hand
immobility: state of being immovable
immune: resistant to; free or exempt from; N. immunity
immutable: unchangeable
impair: injure; hurt; damage
impalpable: imperceptible(not easily understood); intangible; OP. palpable: tangible; easily perceptible
impartial: not biased; fair; N. impartiality
impassable: not able to be traveled or crossed
impasse: predicament(dangerous condition) from which there is no escape; situation allowing for no further progress
impassive: without feeling; expressionless; imperturbable; stoical; Ex. impassive face
impecunious: without money
impede: hide; retard or obstruct the progress of; block
impediment: hindrance; stumbling-block; speech defect preventing clear articulation; Ex. speech impediment
impel: drive or force onward; drive to take action; urge to action
impending: nearing; approaching; about to happen
impenetrable: not able to be pierced or entered; beyond understanding; impossible to understand; Ex. impenetrable mystery
impenitent: not repentant
imperative: absolutely necessary; that must be done; critically important; expressing command; Ex. It is imperative that; N: something that must be done
imperceptible: unnoticeable; impossible to perceive; undetectable
imperial: like an emperor; related to an empire; CF. imperialism
impermeable: impervious; not permitting passage through its substance; impossible to permeate
impertinent: insolent; rude; not pertinent; N. impertinence
imperturbable: unshakably calm; placid
impetuous: violent; hasty; rash; impulsive; without careful thought; Ex. impetuous decision
impetus: moving force; momentum; force of a moving body; incentive; stimulus; impulse
impiety: irreverence; lack of respect for God or piety
impious: irreverent
implacable: incapable of being pacified; impossible to appease; Ex. implacable enemy
implausible: unlikely (to be true); unbelievable; Ex. implausible alibi
implement: put into effect; enforce; carry out; supply with tools; Ex. implement the plan/suggestion; N: tool or instrument
implicate: incriminate; involve incriminatingly; show to be involved (in a crime); Ex. implicate someone in the crime
implication: something hinted at or suggested; implying; implicating
implicit: understood but not stated; implied; unquestioning and complete; Ex. implicit trust
implode: burst inward; CF. vaccum tube
implore: beg
imply: suggest a meaning not expressed; signify
imponderable: weightless; that cannot undergo precise evaluation; CF. pound
import: significance; importance; meaning
imposture: assuming a false identity; masquerade; CF. impostor
impotent: weak; ineffective; lacking in physical strength or power
impromptu: without previous preparation; off the cuff(end of a sleeve); on the spur of the moment
impropriety: improperness; unsuitableness
improvident: thriftless; not providing for the future
improvise: compose on the spur of the moment
imprudent: lacking caution; not prudent; injudicious
impudence: impertinence; insolence
impunity: freedom from punishment or harm; CF. punish
inadvertently: unintentionally; by oversight; carelessly
inalienable: not to be taken away; nontransferable; Ex. inalienable rights
inanimate: lifeless; not animate
inaugurate: begin formally; install in office; induct into office by a formal ceremony; N. inauguration; ADJ. inaugural
incarcerate: imprison
incarnate: endowed with flesh; invested with bodily form; personified; Ex. devil incarnate; V: give bodily form to; embody
incarnation: act of assuming a human body and human nature; one who personifies something; personification; Ex. previous incarnation/reincarnation
incendiary: arsonist; ADJ: causing fire; of arson; Ex. incendiary bomb
incense: enrage; infuriate(make furious); make extremely angry; outrage; N: aromatic substance burned to produce a pleasant odor
incentive: spur; motive; something which encourages one to greater activity
inception: start; beginning
incessant: uninterrupted; unceasing
incidence: rate of occurrence; particular occurrence; Ex. high incidence of infant mortality
incidental: not essential; minor; N: something incidental
incipient: beginning; in an early stage
incisive: (appreciatively) cutting; sharp; Ex. incisive remarks; V. incise: make a cut into
incite: arouse to action; goad; motivate; induce to exist; Ex. incite a riot/the crowd to rebellion
incline: slope; slant; Ex. steep incline
inclined: tending or leaning toward; bent; V. incline: slant; dispose; be disposed; tend
inclusive: tending to include all; all-inclusive; Ex. inclusive charge
incognito: with identity concealed; using an assumed name; ADJ.
incoherent: unintelligible; muddled; unable to express one's thoughts in an orderly manner; illogical; lacking cohesion; not coherent
incommodious: not spacious; inconvenient
incompatible: inharmonious; N. incompatibility
incongruity: lack of harmony; absurdity; ADJ. incongruous: lacking in harmony; inappropriate
inconsequential: insignificant; unimportant
inconsistency: state of being self-contradictory; lack of uniformity or steadiness; ADJ. inconsistent: displaying a lack of consistency; erratic; contradictory; incompatible
incontinent: lacking self-restraint; not continent; licentious
incontrovertible: indisputable; impossible to dispute; not open to question; unquestionable
incorporate: introduce something into a larger whole; include; embody; give material form to; ADJ.
incorrigible: uncorrectable
incredulity: tendency to disbelief
incredulous: withholding belief; skeptical; showing disbelief
increment: increase
incriminate: accuse of or implicate in a crime; serve as evidence against; cause to seem or make guilty of a crime; Ex. incriminating evidence
incubate: hatch; warm (eggs) with the body to promote hatching; maintain at optimal environment conditions for development; be holding in one's body an infection which is going to develop into a disease; N. incubation; CF. incubation:disease
incubus: burden; very worriying problem; mental care; nightmare; male devil; CF. succubus
inculcate: teach (ideas or principles); instill
incumbent: obligatory; imposed as an obligation; currently holding an office; N: person who holds an office
incur: bring upon oneself
incursion: temporary invasion; CF. excursion: short journey
indefatigable: tireless; untiring; showing no sign of getting tired
indelible: not able to be erased
indentation: notch; deep recess; V. indent; CF. tooth
indeterminate: uncertain; not clearly fixed; indefinite
indicative: suggestive; implying; serving to indicate
indices: signs; indications; Ex. indices of a student's potential; CF. index: something that reveals or indicates; sign; Ex. cost-of-living index
indict: charge; N. indictment
indifferent: unmoved or unconcerned by; having no interest in; mediocre; neither good nor bad
indigence: poverty
indigenous: native; Ex. plant indigenous to the New World
indigent: poor; destitute
indignation: anger at an injustice; Ex. righteous indignation; ADJ. indignant
indignity: treatment or situation that causes shame or loss of dignity, respect; offensive or insulting treatment; humiliating or degrading treatment; Ex. I suffered the indignity of having to say that in front of them.
indiscriminate: choosing at random; confused; not based on careful distinctions
indisputable: too certain to be disputed; beyond doubt
indissoluble: permanent; impossible to dissolve or disintegrate
indite: write; compose
indolent: lazy
indomitable: unconquerable; unyielding
induce: persuade; lead to do something; bring about; N. inducement
inductive: pertaining to induction or proceeding from the specific to the general
indulgent: humoring; yielding; lenient; showing indulgence
industrious: diligent; hard-working; N. industry
ineffectual: not effective; not having a desired effect; weak
inept: unsuited; inappropriate; lacking skill; incompetent; CF. inapt: (of statements or ideas) inappropriate
inequity: unfairness; ADJ. inequitable
inevitable: unavoidable
infallible: unerring; never making mistakes
infamous: notoriously bad; notorious; well known for being bad; Ex. infamous behavior; N: infamy: infamous act; evil fame or reputation
infantile: childish; infantlike
infer: deduce; conclude; N. inference
infiltrate: pass into or through; penetrate or enter (an organization) sneakily; Ex. infiltrate the troops into enemy territory; CF. infiltrator
infinitesimal: very small
infirmity: weakness
inflated: exaggerated; pompous; enlarged (with air or gas)
influx: flowing into
infraction: violation (of a rule or regulation); breach
infringe: violate (a law); encroach (the right of another person)
ingenious: marked by inventive skill; clever; resourceful; N. ingenuity
ingenuous: naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated; candid
ingrained: deeply established; firmly rooted; Ex. ingrained dirt/prejudice
ingrate: ungrateful person (not expressing thanks)
inherent: firmly established by nature or habit; intrinsic
inhibit: restrain; prohibit; retard or prevent; N. inhibition
inimitable: matchless; not able to be imitated
iniquitous: wicked; immoral; unrighteous; N. iniquity; Ex. den of iniquity
initiate: begin; originate; receive into a group; introduce to a new field or activity; Ex. initiate someone into the mysteries of a secret religion; N: one who has been initiated
injurious: harmful; causing injury
innate: inborn
innocuous: harmless
innovation: change; something newly introduced; introduction of something new; V. innovate: begin or introduce (something new); be creative; ADJ. innovative
inopportune: untimely; inappropriate or ill-timed; poorly chosen
inquisitor: questioner (especially harsh); investigator; person making an inquisition
insatiable: not easily satisfied; unquenchable; Ex. insatiable appetite
insightful: discerning; perceptive
insolence: impudent disrespect; haughtiness; ADJ. insolent; CF. haughty + rude
insolvent: bankrupt; lacking money to pay; N. insolvency
insomnia: wakefulness; inability to sleep
insubordination: disobedience; rebelliousness; ADJ. insubordinate
insubstantial: lacking substance; insignificant; frail; immaterial
insuperable: insurmountable; unbeatable; Ex. insuperable difficulties
insurgent: rebellious; N.
insurmountable: overwhelming; unbeatable; insuperable
insurrection: rebellion; uprising
intangible: not able to be perceived by touch; vague
integral: complete; necessary for completeness; Ex. integral part
integrate: make whole; combine; make into one unit
integrity: honesty; uprightness; wholeness; state of being whole and undivided; completeness
intellect: higher mental powers; person of great intellectual ability
intelligentsia: intellectuals; members of the educated elite (often used derogatorily)
inter: bury; N. interment
interdict: prohibit; forbid; N.
interim: meantime; Ex. in the interim; ADJ. taking place during an interim; Ex. interim paper
interminable: endless
intermittent: periodic; on and off; stopping and starting at intervals
internecine: mutually destructive
intervene: come between; interfere; Ex. intervened to prevent a fight; N. intervention
intimidate: frighten; N. intimidation
intractable: unruly; difficult to manage; Ex. intractable problem/child
intransigence: refusal of any compromise; stubbornness; ADJ. intransigent: uncompromising
intrepid: fearless
intrinsic: essential; inherent; built-in
introvert: one who is introspective or inclined to think more about oneself; ADJ. introverted
intuition: immediate insight; power of knowing without reasoning; ADJ. intuitive; V. intuit: know by intuition
inundate: flood; overflow; submerge; cover completely; Ex. inundated with work
invalidate: weaken; destroy; make invalid; nullify
invective: abuse
inverse: opposite
invert: turn upside down or inside out; reverse the position or condition of
inveterate: deep-rooted; habitual; CF. grow old
invincible: unconquerable
invulnerable: incapable of injury; impossible to damage or injure
iota: very small quantity
irksome: annoying; tedious; V. irk: annoy
ironic: expressing irony; occurring in an unexpected and contrary manner
irreconcilable: impossible to reconcile; incompatible; not able to be resolved
irrefutable: indisputable; incontrovertible; undeniable
irrelevant: not applicable; unrelated
irremediable: incurable; uncorrectable; impossible to remedy
irreparable: not able to be corrected or repaired; impossible to repair
irrepressible: unable to be restrained or held back; impossible to hold back
irreproachable: beyond reproach; blameless; impeccable; Ex. irreproachable conduct
irresolute: uncertain how to act; weak; lacking in resolution; indecisive; N. irresolution
irretrievable: impossible to recover or regain; CF. retrieve
irreverence: lack of proper respect or reverence; ADJ. irreverent
irrevocable: unalterable; irreversible; impossible to revoke
isotope: varying from of an element
jargon: language used by special group; technical terminology; gibberish; nonsensical or incoherent talk
jeopardize: endanger; imperil; put at risk; N. jeopardy: danger
jingoist: extremely aggressive and militant patriot; warlike chauvinist; N. jingoism: extreme nationalism
jubilation: rejoicing; great joy
judicious: sound on judgment; wise
kernel: central or vital part; core; whole seed (as of corn)
kindle: start a fire; ignite; inspire; arouse
kinetic: producing motion; of motion
laborious: demanding much work or care; tedious
labyrinth: maze
lament: grieve; express sorrow; N. lamentation
languid: lacking energy or vitality; weary; sluggish; listless
languish: lose animation or strength
languor: lack of physical or mental energy; lassitude; depression
lascivious: lustful
latent: present but not yet noticeable or active; dormant; hidden; N. latency; CF. potential
lateral: of or coming from the side
laud: praise; N. ADJ. laudable: praiseworthy; ADJ. laudatory: expressing praise
lechery: gross lewdness; lustfulness; ADJ. lecherous; N. lecher: lecherous man
legacy: gift made by a will; something handed down from an ancestor
legend: explanatory list of symbols on a map
leniency: mildness; permissiveness; ADJ. lenient: not severe in judgment or punishment
leonine: like a lion
lethal: deadly
lethargic: drowsy; dull; N. lethargy: state of sluggishness and inactivity
levity: lack of seriousness or steadiness; frivolity; lightness of manner
lewd: lustful
liaison: contact that keeps parties in communication; communication between groups; one that maintains communication; go-between; secret love affair; V. liaise: keep a connection
libel: defamatory written statement; act of writing something that smears a person's character; V. ADJ. libelous
libidinous: lustful
licentious: amoral; lewd and lascivious; unrestrained
lineage: descent; ancestry
linguistic: pertaining to language
listless: lacking in spirit or energy; languid
loathe: detest; ADJ. loathsome: arousing loathing; offensive; Ex. loathsome smell
lofty: very high
log: record of a voyage or flight; record of day-to-day activities; section of a trunk; V.
loiter: hang about/around; stand idly about; linger
longevity: long life; long duration
loquacious: talkative; N. loquacity
lucid: easily understood; clear; intelligible; N. lucidity
lucrative: profitable; producing wealth
lunar: pertaining to the moon
magnanimity: generosity; ADJ. magnanimous: generous
magniloquent: boastful; pompous
magnitude: greatness (in size or extent); extent
maladroit: clumsy; not skillful; awkward; bungling
malady: illness
malcontent: person dissatisfied with existing state of affairs; discontented person; ADJ: discontented
malediction: curse
malefactor: evildoer; criminal
malevolent: wishing evil; exhibiting ill will; N. malevolence
malicious: hateful; spiteful; expressing malice; N. malice: desire to harm others; spite
malign: speak evil of; bad-mouth(criticize spitefully); defame; ADJ: harmful; Ex. malign influence
malignant: tending to cause death; highly injurious; aggressively malevolent; Ex. malignant tumor
malingerer: one who feigns illness to escape duty; V. malinger: feign illness to avoid work
malodorous: foul-smelling
mammal: vertebrate animal whose female suckles its young
mammoth: gigantic; enormous
manacle: restrain; handcuff; N.
mandatory: obligatory; compulsory; of a mandate
maneuver(manoeuver): strategic military or naval movement (done for training purposes); carefully planned process; stratagem; V: carry out a military maneuver; use maneuvers in gaining an end
maniacal: raging mad; insane; N. maniac: insane person; CF. mania: disorder of the mind; intense enthusiasm
manifest: evident; visible; obvious; V: show plainly
manifesto: public declaration of principles; statement of policy
marital: pertaining to marriage
marked: noticeable; targeted for vengeance or attack; Ex. marked improvement/man
martial: warlike; of war; Ex. martial art/law
martyr: one who voluntarily suffers death for his or her religion or cause; great sufferer; Ex. martyr to his rheumatism
masochist: person who enjoys his own pain; CF. masochism
materialism: preoccupation with physical comforts and things; excessive regard for worldly concerns (rather than spiritual matters)
maternal: motherly; N. maternity: motherhood
matriarch: woman who rules a family or larger social group
maxim: proverb; truth pithily stated
meager: scanty; inadequate
mediate: settle a dispute through the services of an outsider; act as an intermediary; produce by mediating; Ex. mediate a cease-fire
mediocre: ordinary; commonplace; neither good nor bad
meditation: reflection; thought; V. meditate
medium: element that is a creature's natural environment; nutrient setting in which microorganisms are cultivated; appropriate occupation or means of expression; channel of communication; compromise; middle position between extremes; intervening substance through which something else is transmitted
melancholy: gloomy; morose; blue; N. ADJ. melancholic; CF. melancholia
melee: fight
memorialize: commemorate
mercenary: motivated solely by money or gain; N.
metamorphosis: change of form; Ex. metamorphosis of caterpillar to butterfly; V. metamorphose: change by metamorphosis
metaphor: implied comparison; CF. simile
metaphysical: pertaining to speculative philosophy; of metaphysics; N. metaphysics: branch of philosophy that examines the nature of reality
meteoric: like a meteor; swift; momentarily brilliant; Ex. meteoric rise to fame; N. meteor
methodical: systematic; N. method: systematic method of procedure
meticulous: excessively careful (with great attention to detail); painstaking; scrupulous
metropolis: large city
microcosm: small representative world; world in miniature; Ex. microcosm of English society
migrant: changing its habitat; wandering; Ex. migrant birds/workers; N: one that migrates
migratory: wandering; V. migrate: move from one region and settle in another; move periodically from one region to another
militant: combative; bellicose; N.
millennium: thousand-year period (as in the New Testament); hoped-for period of happiness and prosperity
mimicry: imitation
minute: extremely small; CF. minutes: official record of the proceedings at a meeting
mirage: unreal reflection; optical illusion
misanthrope: one who hates mankind; misanthropist
misapprehension: error; misunderstanding; V. misapprehend
miscellany: mixture of writings on various subjects; collection of various items
misconstrue: interpret incorrectly; misinterpret; misjudge
misdemeanor: minor crime; misdeed; wrongdoing
miserly: stingy; mean
misogamy: hatred of marriage
misogynist: hater of woman; CF. misogyny
missile: object to be thrown or projected
mitigate: appease; moderate; make or become less in force or intensity
mobile: movable; not fixed; N. mobility
mode: prevailing style; current fashion; manner; way of doing something; Ex. in the latest mode; Ex. simple mode of life
molecule: the smallest particle (one or more atoms) of a substance that has all the properties of that substance
momentous: very important; N. moment; CF. momentary
momentum: quantity of motion of a moving body; impetus; moving force
monarchy: government under a single ruler
monastic: related to monks or monasteries; removed from worldly concerns
monetary: pertaining to money
monochromatic: having only one color
monotheism: belief in one God
monotony: sameness leading to boredom; monotonousness; ADJ. monotonous; CF. monotone
mosaic: picture made of small colorful inlaid tiles; ADJ.
multiform: having many forms
multilingual: having many languages; fluent in several languages
multiplicity: state of being numerous or multiple; large number; Ex. multiplicity of details; ADJ. multiple: of more than one element
mutablility: ability to change in form; fickleness; ADJ. mutable: able to change; fickle; CF. mutate; CF. mutant
muted: silent; muffled; toned down; Ex. muted traffic noise
n Machiavellian: crafty; double-dealing; of the political doctrine of Machiavelli, which holds that craft and deceit are justified in pursuing political power
n abash: embarrass
n abate: subside or moderate
n abet: assist usually in doing something wrong; encourage
n abeyance: suspended action
n abscission: cutting off; separation
n abut: border upon; adjoin
n acclivity: sharp upslope of a hill; OP. declivity
n accoutre: equip; N. accoutrement
n acerbity: bitterness of speech and temper; ADJ. acerbic: bitter; acrid (in taste, manner, or tone)
n acetic: vinegary
n acidulous: slightly sour (in taste or manner); sharp; caustic
n acme: peak; pinnacle; highest point
n acrid: bitter (to the taste or smell); sharp; bitterly pungent
n acrimonious: stinging; caustic; bitter in words or manner; N. acrimony: bitter ill-natured animosity in speech or behavior
n actuate: motivate; activate; cause to act
n adage: wise saying; proverb
n addendum: addition; appendix to book; something that is added (as at the end of a speech or book)
n addle: make or become confused; muddle; drive crazy; become rotten (egg)
n adjutant: staff officer assisting the commander; assistant
n advert: refer
n aegis: shield; protection; defense
n aerie(aery,eyrie,eyry): nest of a large bird of prey
n agape: openmouthed
n agenda: items of business at a meeting
n agglomeration: collection; heap; V. agglomerate: gather into a rounded mass; N. aggolmeate: jumbled mass; heap
n agog: highly excited; intensely curious
n alcove: nook; recess
n alimony: payments made regularly to an ex-spouse after divorce
n allegory: story, play, or picture in which characters are used as symbols; fable
n aloft: upward; high up in the air
n aloof: apart; not open in one's relationship with other people; reserved; ADV.
n amalgam: combination of different things; mixture of metals (containing mercury) used for filling holes in teeth
n amalgamate: (of societies or groups) combine; unite in one body
n amass: collect (gradually, in a very large amount)
n ambrosia: food of the gods
n amiss: wrong; faulty; Ex. something amiss; ADV.
n amok(amuck): in a state of rage; Ex. run amok
n ample: enough; abundant; spacious; large in size; Ex. ample opportunity/garden; N. amplitude: quality of being ample; abundance; largeness of space
n amputate: cut off part of body; prune (a limb)
n amulet: charm; talisman; an object worn believed to protect against evil, bad luck
n analgesic: causing insensitivity to pain; N.
n anathema: solemn curse; someone or something regarded as a curse; V. anathematize
n animus: hostile feeling or intent; animosity; hostility; disposition
n anodyne: drug that relieves pain or trouble; ÁøÅëÁ¦; opiate; ADJ. Ex. anodyne statement
n anthem: song of praise or patriotism; Ex. national anthem
n anthology: book of literary selections by various authors; CF. omnibus
n antiquated: obsolete; old-fashioned; outdated
n anvil: iron block used in hammering out metals
n ape: imitate or mimic (a person's behavior or manner)
n aperture: opening; hole; adjustable opening in a camera that limits the amount of light
n apex: tip; summit; climax; highest point
n apiary: a place where bees are kept
n aplomb: poise; composure in difficult situations; assurance; self-confidence
n apocryphal: (of a story) widely believed but untrue
n apolitical: having an aversion or lack of concern for political affairs
n apologist: one who writes in defense of a cause or institution; N. apologia
n apoplexy: stroke; loss of consciousness caused by too much blood in the brain
n apostate: one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs; N. apostasy
n apothecary: druggist; pharmacist
n apothegm(apophthegm): pithy, compact saying
n apotheosis: elevation to godhood; an ideal example of something
n appellation: name; title
n application: diligent attention; diligence; V. apply oneself
n apprehensive: fearful; discerning
n appurtenances: subordinate possessions; something added to a more important thing
n apropos: with reference to; regarding; Ex. remarks apropos (of) the present situation; ADJ. ADV.
n aquiline: curved; hooked; of or like an eagle; Ex. aquiline nose
n arable: fit for growing crops; Ex. arable land
n arboretum: place where different trees and shrubs are studied and exhibited
n archaic: antiquated; no longer used; belonging to the past; N.
n archetype: prototype; primitive pattern
n archipelago: group of closely located islands
n archives: public records; place where public records are kept
n arduous: hard; strenuous; Ex. arduous work
n argot: slang; speech spoken by only a small group of people
n arid: (of land) dry; barren; unproductive
n array: marshal; draw up in order; arrange in order; clothe splendidly; adorn; N: fine clothes; ordered group; Ex. in battle array
n arrhythmic: lacking rhythm or regularity; N. arrhythmia
n arroyo: gully; narrow channel formed by rainwater
n artifice: deception; trickery
n artless: without guile; open and honest
n ashen: ash-colored; deadly pale
n asinine: stupid; Ex. asinine remarks
n askance: with a sideways or indirect look (with disapproval or distruct); Ex. look askance at
n askew: crookedly; slanted; at an angle
n assay: analyze (to discover what materials are present); evaluate (soil or ore)
n assert: state strongly or positively; demand recognition of (rights, claims, etc.); make a claim to (by forceful action); Ex. assert one's independence
n astigmatism: eye defect which prevents proper focus; OP. stigmatism
n astral: relating to the stars
n asunder: into parts; apart; V. sunder
n atavism: resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; reversion to an earlier type; throwback; ADJ. atavistic
n atypical: not normal; not typical
n augury: omen; prophecy; sign of coming events; V. augur: predict; foretell; be a sign of (something in future)
n aureole: sun's corona; halo; bright circle of light
n auroral: pertaining to the aurora borealis; CF. aurora australis
n avid: greedy; extremely eager for; Ex. avid learner; N. avidity
n awl: pointed tool used for piercing
n awry: distorted; crooked; bent; Ex. Our plans have gone awry.
n azure: sky blue
n babble: chatter idly or foolishly; make continuous sounds like water running gently over rounded stone; N.
n bacchanalian: drunken
n badger: pester; annoy continually with demands; persuade by asking again and again; Ex. The children badgered me into taking them into the cinema; N: a kind of mountain animal
n badinage: teasing conversation; banter; joking talk
n bait: harass; tease; torment; Ex. badger baiting; N: food or other lure used to catch fish or trap animals
n baleful: evil; malignant in intent or effect; deadly; having a malign influence; portending evil; ominous; threatening; Ex. baleful look
n balk: stop short, as if faced with an obstacle, and refuse to continue; foil; stop or get in the way of; frustrate
n ballast: heavy substance used to add stability or weight; V. supply with ballast
n balm: something that relieves pain; oily liquid with a pleasant smell from trees
n balmy: soft and mild (of air); fragrant
n bandy: discuss lightly or glibly; discuss in a frivolous manner; exchange (words) heatedly; quarrel; Ex. bandy words with
n bard: poet
n barefaced: shameless and noticeable; blatant; bold; unconcealed; having no covering on the face; Ex. barefaced lie
n baroque: highly ornate
n bask: luxuriate; take pleasure in warmth
n bastion: stronghold; something seen as a source of protection; Ex. the last bastion of male chauvinism
n bate: let down; lessen the force of; moderate; restrain; Ex. with bated breath; CF. abate
n bauble: trinket; cheap jewel; trifle
n bawdy: indecent; obscene; about sex in a rude funny way; CF. bawd
n beatific: giving or showing bliss; blissful
n beatitude: blessedness; state of great happiness
n bedizen: dress with vulgar finery
n bedraggle: wet thoroughly; ADJ. bedraggled: draggled
n beeline: direct quick route
n befuddle: confuse thoroughly
n begrudge: envy; give or allow unwillingly; grudge; Ex. We shouldn't begrudge him his success.
n beguile: deceive; mislead or delude; cheat; pass time pleasantly; charm or attract; Ex. beguiling smile
n behemoth: huge creature; something of monstrous size or power
n beholden: obligated; indebted; owing thanks; obliged or indebted from gratitude
n behoove(behove): be suited to; be incumbent upon; be right and necessary; Ex. It behooves one to do.
n belabor: harp on; dwell on tediously; explain or go over excessively or to a ridiculous degree; assail verbally; beat severely; attack physically
n belated: delayed
n beleaguer: besiege or attack (with an army); harass; beset
n belie: contradict; give a false impression; disguise; Ex. The poor sales belied our high hopes; Ex. Her smile belies her true feeling of displeasure.
n bemoan: lament; moan for; express sorrow or disapproval of
n bemused: confused; lost in thought; preoccupied
n benefit: advantage; anything that brings helpl, advantage, or profit; money provided by the government to the people; fund-raising public entertainment; Ex. unemployment benefit; V: receive benefits; be beneficial to; give benefits
n berate: scold strongly
n bereaved: deprived of (someone beloved through death)
n bereavement: state of being deprived of something valuable or beloved; state of being bereaved or bereft
n bereft: deprived of (something valuable); lacking
n berserk: mad with violent anger; frenzied; madly excited
n beset: harass or trouble from all directions; hem in
n besmirch: soil; defile; make dirty
n bestial: beastlike; brutal; inhuman; very cruel
n betoken: signify; indicate; be a sign of
n betray: be unfaithful; reveal (unconsciously or unwillingly); Ex. Her trembling hands betray her anxiety.
n betroth: become engaged to marry
n bevy: large group; Ex. a bevy of starlets
n bifurcated: divided into two branches; forked
n bigotry: stubborn intolerance
n bilious: suffering from indigestion; sick from having too much bile; irritable; easily irritated
n bilk: swindle; cheat
n billowing: swelling out in waves; surging
n bivouac: temporary encampment; camp without tents; V.
n blanch: bleach; whiten; make white or pale
n bland: soothing or mild (food); agreeable; causing no trouble or offence
n blandishment: flattery
n blare: loud or harsh roar or screech; dazzling blaze of light
n blas\'e: bored with pleasure or dissipation; uninterested or bored
n blasphemy: irreverence; sacrilege; cursing; bad language about God or holy things; V. blasphem; ADJ. blasphemous; CF. sacrilege
n blatant: extremely (offensively) obvious; loudly offensive; Ex. blatant lie; N. blatancy
n bleak: cold or cheerless; frigid; unlikely to be favorable; depressing
n blighted: suffering from a disease; destroyed
n blithe(blithesome): gay; joyous
n bloated: (unpleasantly) swollen or puffed as with water or air
n blowhard: talkative boaster; braggart
n bludgeon: club; heavy-headed weapon; V.
n bluff: pretense (of strength); deception; high cliff; ADJ: rough but good-natured
n blurt: utter impulsively from nervousness or excitement
n bluster: blow in heavy gusts; threaten emptily; bully; speak in a noisy or bullying manner; CF. breeze, gust, gale
n bohemian: unconventional (in an artistic way)
n bolster: support; reinforce
n bolt: door bar; fastening pin or screw; length of fabric; large roll of cloth; V: dash or dart off; fasten (a door); gobble down
n bombardment: attack (as with missiles or bombs); V. bombard
n bombastic: pompous; using inflated language
n boon: blessing; benefit; something very helpful
n boorish: rude; insensitive
n bouillon: clear beef (or meat) soup
n bountiful: generous; graciously generous; showing bounty
n bowdlerize: expurgate; CF. Thomas Bowdler
n brackish: somewhat saline
n braggadocio: boasting
n braggart: boaster; bragger
n brandish: wave around (a weapon); flourish
n bravado: swagger; assumed air of defiance; false show of bravery
n brawn: human muscle; muscular strength; sturdiness
n brazen: insolent; without shame; bold; Ex. brazen lie; V: face with bold self-assurance or with unshamed confidence
n breach: breaking of contract or duty; fissure or gap; opening; V.
n brindled: tawny or grayish with streaks or spots (of animals)
n bristling: rising like bristles; showing irritation
n brittle: hard but easily broken; difficult; unstable; Ex. brittle situation
n broach: introduce as a subject; moot; open up
n brocade: rich, figured(patterned) fabric
n brooch: ornamental clasp; pin
n brook: tolerate; endure; Ex. brook no interference; N: small stream
n browbeat: bully; intimidate
n browse: graze; feed on growing grass; skim or glance at casually
n brunt: main impact or shock (of an attack or blow); Ex. brunt of the argument
n brusque: blunt; abrupt; curt; not wanting to waste time being nice
n buccaneer: pirate
n bucolic: rustic; pastoral
n buffet: strike forcefully; slap; batter; knock out; N: table with food set out for people to server themselves; meal at which people help themselves to food that's been set
n buffoonery: clowning
n bugaboo: bugbear; object of baseless terror
n bullion: gold and silver in the form of bars
n bulwark: strong wall built for defense; earthwork or other strong defense; person who defends
n bungle: mismanage; blunder; botch; blow; spoil by clumsy behavior
n burgeon: grow rapidly; grow forth; send out buds; Ex. burgeoning computer industry; CF. bludgeon
n burlesque: give an imitation that ridicules; imitate mockingly
n burnish: make shiny by rubbing; polish
n buttress: support; prop up; N. stationary structure to support wall; Ex. flying buttress
n buxom: full-bosomed; plump; jolly
n cabal: small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests
n cadence: rhythmic rise and fall (of words or sounds); beat; regular beat of sound; rhythm
n cajole: persuade by praise or false promise; coax; wheedle
n caldron(cauldron): large kettle
n caliber: ability; quality; diameter of the inside of a round cylinder; Ex. work of very high caliber
n callous: hardened; unfeeling; without sympathy for the sufferings of others; unkind
n callow: youthful; immature; inexperienced
n calorific: heat-producing; N. calorie
n camaraderie: good-fellowship; CF. comrade
n cameo: shell or jewel carved in relief; star's special appearance in a minor role in a film
n canard: unfounded false rumor; exaggerated false report
n candor: frankness; open honesty; ADJ. candid
n canine: related to dogs; doglike
n canker: any ulcerous sore; ulcer; any evil; CF. cancer
n canny: shrewd in money matters; thrifty
n cant: insincere speech or expression of piety; jargon of thieves; special words used by a particular group of people
n cantata: story set to music to be sung by a chorus (shorter than an oratorio)
n canter: slow gallop; V. CF. trot
n canto: division of a long poem
n canvass: determine or seek opinions, votes, etc.; go through (a region) to solicit votes or orders; conduct a survey; N.
n capacity: mental or physical ability; role; position or duty; ability to accommodate; Ex. in my capacity as president
n capillary: having a very fine bore; resembling a hair; fine and slender; Ex. capillary attraction; N: very fine hairlike tube; CF. capillarity
n capitulate: surrender; give up all resistance
n captious: faultfinding; too critical
n carafe: glass water bottle; decanter
n carapace: shell covering the back (of a turtle, tortoise, crab, etc.)
n carat(karat): unit of weight for precious stones; measure of the purity of gold
n carcinogenic: causing cancer; N. carcinogen
n cardinal: chief; most important; N: priest; cardinal number: number that shows quantity rather thatn order
n careen: lurch; sway from side to side; move with irregular swinging movement; stagger
n carousal: drunken revel; V. carouse
n carping: petty criticism; fault-finding; fretful complaining; quibble
n carrion: rotting flesh of a dead body; CF. vulture
n cartographer: map-maker
n caste: one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; social stratification; prestige
n cataclysm: deluge; upheaval; earthquake; violent and sudden event or change
n catalyst: agent which brings about a chemical change while it remains unaffected and unchanged; CF. catalysis
n cataract: great waterfall; eye abnormality (causing a gradual loss of eyesight)
n catcall: shout of disapproval or displeasure (made at the theater or a sports match); boo; V.
n catechism: book for religious instruction in question-and-answer form; religious instruction by question and answer; V. catechize
n catholic: (of likings and interests) universal; general; broad; including many different parts; wide-ranging liberal; Ex. catholic opinions/tastes
n caucus: private meeting of a group of people in a political party to select officers or determine policy; CF. the Caucus club of Boston
n caulk(calk): make watertight (by blocking up cracks as in a ship)
n cauterize: burn (a wound or snakebite, etc.) with hot iron or caustic substance to stop bleeding and prevent infection
n cavalcade: procession of riders or horse-drawn carriages; parade; CF. cavalry
n cavalier: casual and offhand; arrogant; N: knight
n cavil: quibble; make frivolous objections; find fault unnecessarily
n cede: yield (title or territory) to (esp. after losing a war); surrender formally; N. cession
n celibate: abstaining from sexual intercourse; unmarried; N. celibacy
n censorious: severely critical
n ceremonious: marked by formality; extremely formal and polite; CF. ceremony: conventional social courtesy
n certitude: certainty
n cession: yielding to another; ceding
n chafe: warm by rubbing; make sore by rubbing; N.
n chaff: worthless products of an endeavor; husk(outer seed cover) separated from grain; Ex. separate the wheat from the chaff
n chaffing: bantering; joking
n chagrin: annoyance and disappointment; vexation (caused by humiliation or injured pride)
n chalice: goblet; consecrated cup
n charlatan: quack; pretender to knowledge (esp. in medicine)
n chary: cautious; unwilling to take risks; sparing or restrained about giving; OP. bold
n chase: ornament a metal surface by indenting; follow rapidly to catch
n chassis: framework and working parts of an automobile; framework to which components are attached
n chasten: discipline; punish in order to correct; CF. castigate
n chastise: punish as by beating; criticize severely
n checkered(chequered): marked by great changes in fortune; with many changes of fortuene; CF. checked: having a pattern of squares
n cherubic: angelic; innocent-looking; N. cherub; CF. seraph: winged angel of the highest order
n chicanery: trickery; deception
n chide: scold; rebuke (someone who has done wrong)
n chimerical: fantastically improbable; highly unrealistic; N. chimera: unreal fancy; fire-breathing female creature
n chisel: swindle or cheat; N: wedgelike tool for cutting
n choleric: hot-tempered; bad-tempered; irritable; easily angered; CF. cholera
n choreography: art of representing dances in written symbols; arrangement of dances
n chortle: chuckle with delight; N.
n churlish: boorish; rude; N. churl: boor; yahoo
n ciliated: having minute hairs; CF. cilium; CF. cilia: eyelash
n circumspect: prudent; cautious; acting after careful thought
n cistern: reservoir or water tank
n clamber: climb by crawling with difficulties; scramble
n clangor: loud resounding noise; sound of repeated clanging
n clapper: striker (tongue) of a bell
n clarion: shrill, trumpetlike sound; kind of trumpet used in former times
n clavicle: collarbone
n cleft: N: split
n clemency: disposition to be lenient in deciding punishments; mildness as of the weather; ADJ. clement
n clientele: body of customers
n clime: climate
n clique: small exclusive group of people
n clout: great influence (especially political or social); hard blow with fist
n coagulate: congeal; thicken; clot; N. coagulant
n coda: concluding section of a musical or literary composition
n coddle: treat gently; indulge excessively; pamper; mollycoddle; baby; cook in water just below boiling point; Ex. coddled eggs
n codicil: supplement to the body of a will; later addition to a will
n coeval: living at the same time as; existing during the same period of time; contemporary; of the same age
n cog: tooth projecting from a wheel
n cohabit: live together
n cohorts: group of people who share some common quality; armed band; a group of between 300 and 600 soldiers under one commander (in the ancient Rome)
n coiffure: hairstyle
n colander: utensil with perforated bottom used for straining
n collage: work of art put together from fragments
n collation: a light meal; collating
n comatose: in a coma; extremely sleepy
n comeuppance: deserts; well-deserved punishment or misfortune; rebuke
n comity: courtesy; civility; Ex. comity of nations
n commemorative: remembering; honoring the memory of; Ex. commemorative stamp
n communal: held in common; public; of a group of people; of a commune
n comport: bear one's self; behave; Ex. comport oneself; N. comportment
n compromise: adjust or settle by making mutual concessions; endanger the interests or reputation of; put into danger, disrepute, or a dishonorable position; Ex. compromise one's principle; N.
n concerted: mutually agreed on; done together by agreement; Ex. concerted effort; CF. in concert: working together
n conclave: private secret meeting
n confidant(confidante): trusted friend (to whom one tells one's secret)
n confound: confuse; puzzle
n conifer: pine tree (usu. evergreen); cone-bearing tree; ADJ. coniferous; CF. deciduous; CF. evergreen
n continence: self-restraint; sexual chastity; sexual abstinence; voluntary control over bladder and bowel functions; ADJ. continent
n contingent: dependent on something uncertain or in the future; conditional; happening by chance; accidental; N: a group of soldiers, ships to a larger force; CF. contingency: future event that may or may not occur; possibility; Ex. prepare for every contingency
n contraband: illegal trade; smuggling; smuggled goods; ADJ.
n contravene: contradict; oppose; violate (a rule, law, or custom); N. contravention
n contrived: unnatural and forced; artificial; not spontaneous; Ex. The ending was rather contrived.
n conundrum: riddle; difficult problem
n copious: plentiful
n coquette: flirt; flirtatious woman; woman who tries to attract the admiration of men without sincere feelings; V.
n cordon: extended line of men or fortifications to prevent access or egress; (¾î±ú¿¡¼ °Üµå¶û ¹ØÀ¸·Î °ÉÄ¡´Â) Àå½Ä ¸®º»; V.
n cornice: projecting molding on building (usually above columns or pillars); Ã³¸¶ Àå½Ä
n cornucopia: horn (or horn-shaped container) overflowing with fruit and grain; symbol of abundance; horn of plenty
n corporeal: bodily (rather than spiritual); of a bodily form; material; tangible
n corrugated: wrinkled; ridged
n coterie: group that meets socially; select circle; close group of people with shared interests
n countermand: cancel; revoke (an order)
n coup: highly successful action or sudden attack; coup(s) d'\'etat; CF. coup de gr\^ace: deathblow or shot which kills
n courier: messenger
n covenant: binding agreement between two groups or people; compact; V: enter into a covenant; promise
n covetous: avaricious; desirous of (someone else's possessions); V. covet: desire eagerly (someone else's possessions)
n cow: terrorize; intimidate
n cower: shrink quivering as from fear; cringe
n coy: shy (flirtatiously); showing a (pretended) lack of self-confidence; modest; coquettish; CF. job offer¸¦ ¹Þ¾ÒÀ» ¶§
n cozen: cheat; hoodwink; swindle
n crabbed: sour; bad-tempered; peevish; difficult to read as handwriting
n crass: very unrefined; grossly insensible; crude and undiscriminating; Ex. crass behavior
n credo: creed
n crestfallen: dejected; dispirited
n crevice: crack; fissure
n crone: hag; ugly old woman
n crotchety: (of someone old) eccentric; odd; whimsical; bad-tempered; N. crotchet: odd or whimsical notion
n crux: essential or main point; Ex. the crux of the problem; ADJ. crucial: of deciding importance
n cubicle: small chamber used for sleeping or work
n cuisine: style of cooking; Ex. French cuisine
n culinary: relating to cooking or kitchen
n cull: pick out from others (to kill the weakest members); reject; select; collect (information); N.
n culvert: artificial channel for water; drain crossing under a road
n curmudgeon: churlish, miserly individual; bad-tempered old person
n cursive: (of writing) flowing; running; having the successive letters joined
n cynosure: object of general attention; person or thing that is a center of attention; CF. Ursa Minor
n d\'ecollet\'e: (of a dress) having a low-cut neckline; CF. d\'ecolletage: low neckline (on a dress)
n d\'enouement: final outcome; final development of the plot of a play or other literary work; the end of a story when everything is explained
n dabble: work at in a nonserious fashion; splash around; move noisily in a liquid
n dais: raised platform for speakers or other important people
n dally: trifle with; toy with; treat without the necessary seriousness; procrastinate; waste time
n dank: damp; unpleasantly wet
n dapper: neat and trim (in appearance); (of small men) neat in appearance and quick in movements; neat; spry
n dappled: spotted
n daub: smear (as with paint); cover with something sticky; Ex. daub one's clothes with mud/paint; N: small bit of sticky substance; Ex. a daub of paint
n deadpan: wooden; impassive; with no show of feeling; with an expressionless face
n debauch: corrupt morally; seduce from virtue; N. debauchery: wild behavior (with sex and alcohol)
n debonair: (of men) friendly, charming, and fashionably dressed; aiming to please; CF. of good disposition
n debunk: expose as false, exaggerated, worthless, etc.; ridicule
n debutante: young woman making formal entrance into society
n deciduous: falling off at a specific season or stage of growth as of leaves; Ex. deciduous tree/teeth
n declivity: downward slope
n decomposition: decay; V. decompose: decay; break and separate into simple parts
n decry: express strong disapproval of; condemn openly (something dangerous to the public); disparage; Ex. decry the violence of modern films
n defeatist: resigned to defeat or failure; accepting defeat or failure as a natural outcome; N. CF. defeatism
n defoliate: destroy leaves; deprive of leaves (by the use of chemicals); N. defoliant
n defray: provide for the payment of; undertake the payment of; pay
n defrock: strip a priest or minister of church authority; unfrock
n dehydrate: remove water from; dry out
n deign: condescend; stoop
n deleterious: harmful
n delve: dig; search deeply; investigate
n demographic: related to population balance; N. demography: statistical study of human population
n demoniac(demoniacal): fiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil supernatural being; devil
n demotic: of or pertaining to the people
n demur: object (because of doubts, scruples); raise an objection (showing qualms); hesitate; Ex. demur at the idea of working on Sunday
n demure: (of a woman or child) grave; quiet and serious; coy; pretending to be demure
n descry: catch sight of (something distant)
n desperado: reckless, desperate outlaw
n detached: emotionally removed; free from emotional involvement; calm and objective; physically separate; N. detachment; CF. attachment
n determinate: having a fixed order of procedure; precisely defined; invariable; fixed; conclusive; final
n determination: resolve; firmness of purpose; measurement or calculation; decision
n devious: roundabout; erratic; deviating from the straight course; not straightforward; not completely honest; Ex. devious route
n devolve: deputize; pass or be passed to others (power, work, or property); Ex. devolve on/upon/to
n diadem: crown
n diatribe: bitter scolding or denunciation; invective; abuse
n dictum: authoritative and weighty statement (made by a judge in court); saying; maxim; CF. obiter dictum: incidental, nonbinding remark (something said in passing)
n didactic: (of speech or writing) intended to teach a moral lesson; teaching; instructional; N. didacticism
n die: metal block used for shaping metal or plastic; device for stamping or impressing; mold; CF. dice
n diffuse: wordy; verbose; rambling; spread out (like a gas); V: spread out in all directions; disperse; N. diffusion; CF. suffuse
n dilettante: aimless follower of an art or a field of knowledge (not taking it seriously); amateur; dabbler; CF. delight
n dinghy: small boat (often ship's boat)
n dingy: (of things and place) dirty and dull; Ex. dingy street/curtain
n dint: means; effort; Ex. by dint of hard work
n diorama: life-size, three-dimensional scene from nature or history; three-dimensional scene with modeled figures against a painted background
n dire: warning of disaster; disastrous; (of needs and dangers) very great; urgent; Ex. dire prediction/need of food
n dirge: funeral song; slow mournful piece of music (sung over a dead person)
n disaffected: disloyal; lacking loyality; V. disaffect: cause to lose affection or loyalty
n disarray: state of disorder; a disorderly or untidy state; Ex. with her clothes in disarray
n disavowal: denial; disclaiming; repudiating; disowning; V. disavow; CF. disclaim
n disband: dissolve; disperse; (of a group) break up and separate; Ex. The club has disbanded.
n disburse: pay out (as from a fund); N. disbursement; CF. purse
n disclaim: disown; renounce claim to; deny; CF. disclaimer
n discombobulated: discomposed; confused
n disconcert: confuse; upset; embarrass; perturb
n discount: disregard; regard (a story or news) as unimportant; deduct from a cost
n discursive: (of a person or writing) digressing; rambling (without any clear plan)
n disembark: debark; go ashore (from a ship); unload cargo from a ship; CF. embark
n disengage: uncouple; separate; disconnect; stop fighting; OP. engage
n disgorge: surrender something (stolen); eject; vomit; OP. gorge
n disgruntle: make discontented
n disheveled: untidy (of hair or clothing); V. dishevel
n disingenuous: not naive; not candid; sophisticated; worldly wise; OP. ingenuous
n disinter: dig up; unearth; OP. inter
n dislodge: remove (forcibly); force out of a position; Ex. dislodge the food caught in his throat; CF. lodge
n dismantle: take apart; disassemble
n dismiss: eliminate from consideration; no longer consider; put out of court without further hearing; reject; discharge from employment; direct to leave; ADJ. dismissive; N. dismissal
n dispirited: lacking in spirit
n disport: amuse; Ex. disport oneself; CF. divert
n disquisition: formal systematic inquiry; explanation of the results of a formal inquiry; long formal speech or written report
n dissemble: disguise; hide the real nature of; pretend
n dissimulate: pretend; conceal by feigning; dissemble
n dissolution: disintegration; reduction to a liquid form; looseness in morals; sensual indulgence; debauchery; ADJ. dissolute: lacking in moral restraint; leading an immoral life
n distant: reserved or aloof; cold in manner; Ex. distant greeting; ADV. distantly
n distinction: honor; excellence; difference; contrast; discrimination; Ex. graduated with distinction; Ex. a writer of real distinction
n distrait: absentminded; distracted
n distraught: upset; distracted by anxiety; very anxious and troubled almost to the point of madness; Ex. distraught with grief/worry
n docket: program as for trial; book where such entries are made; list of things to be done; agenda; label fixed to a package listing contents or directions; V: describe in a docket
n doctrinaire: unable to compromise about points of doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding; marked by inflexible attachment to a doctrine without regard to its practical difficulties
n document: provide written evidence (for a claim); record with documents; N.
n doddering: shaky; infirm from old age; V. dodder
n doff: take off; OP. don
n dogged: determined; stubborn; stubbornly persevering; tenacious; Ex. Inspector Javert's dogged pursuit of Jean Valjean
n doggerel: poor verse
n doldrums: blues; listlessness(lack of spirit or energy); slack(inactive) period; period of stagnation; ocean area near the equator where ships cannot move because there is no wind; Ex. in the doldrums
n dolt: slow-thinking stupid person; CF. dull
n domicile: home; V. ADJ. domiciled: having one's domicile; Ex. He is domiciled in Britain.
n domineer: rule over tyrannically
n don: put on; OP. doff
n dormer: window projecting upright from roof; CF. sleeping room
n dossier: file of documents on a subject or person; file; CF. bundle of papers labeled on the back
n dotage: senility; feeblemindedness of old age; Ex. In one's dotage
n dote: be excessively fond of; show signs of mental decline
n dour: sullen; gloomy; stubborn
n douse: plunge into water or liquid; dip; immerse; drench; wet throughly; extinguish; throw water over; dowse
n dowdy: untidy (of a woman or clothes); slovenly; dressed in an unattractive way; shabby; CF. unattractive woman
n downcast: disheartened; dejected; sad; directed downward
n drab: dull; lacking color; cheerless ; Ex. drab coat/life
n draconian: extremely severe; Ex. draconian punishment; CF. Draco: Athenian politician
n dregs: sediment in a liquid; lees; worthless residue
n drivel: nonsense; foolishness; V: talk nonsense
n droll: queer and amusing
n drone: talk dully; buzz or murmur like a bee; N.
n drone: idle person who lives on other people's work; male bee
n dross: waste matter; worthless impurities
n dubious: questionable; (of something) causing doubt; (of someone) filled with doubt; N. dubiety
n ductile: malleable; pliable; (of metals) easily pulled into shape; flexible; (of someone) easily influenced or controlled
n dulcet: sweet sounding; pleasing to the ear; melodious
n dumbfound(dumfound): astonish (making dumb); ADJ. dumbfounded, dumfounded, dumbstruck
n dupe: someone easily fooled or deceived; V: deceive
n duplicity: double-dealing; hypocrisy; being dishonest and deceitful; ADJ. duplicitous
n duress: forcible restraint, especially unlawfully; coercion by threat; illegal coercion; Ex. a promise made under duress
n dutiful(duteous): (of people or their behavior) respectful; obedient (filled with a sense of duty)
n dwindle: shrink; reduce gradually
n dyspeptic: suffering from indigestion; N. dyspepsia: indigestion; difficulty in digesting food
n earthy: unrefined; coarse; of earth; Ex. earthy remarks; OP. ethereal
n eddy: swirling current of water, air, etc.; V.
n edify: instruct; correct morally
n effervescence: inner excitement or exuberance; showing high spirits; emitting bubbles forming inside; bubbling from fermentation or carbonation; ADJ. effervescent; V. effervesce
n effluvium: noxious(harmful) smell
n egress: exit; opening for going out; act of going out; OP. ingress
n ejaculation: exclamation; abrupt ejection (to discharge sperm); V. ejaculate
n elaboration: addition of details; intricacy
n elegy: poem or song expressing lamentation (for the dead); ADJ. elegiacal, elegiac
n elixir: cure-all; panacea; something invigorating
n elysian: relating to paradise; blissful
n emboss: produce a design in raised relief; decorate with a raised design
n emetic: substance causing vomiting; ADJ.
n eminent: rising above others; high; lofty; distinguished; Ex. eminent position
n empathy: ability to identify with another's feelings, ideas, etc.; identification with and understanding of another's feelings; V. empathize; CF. sympathy
n emulate: imitate; rival; try to equal or excel (through imitation)
n enamored: in love; Ex. enamored of his own beauty; V. enamor: inspire with love
n endearment: fond word or act; expression of affection
n engage: attract; employ; hire; pledge oneself; confront; fight; enter into confliction; interlock; lock together; participate; N. engagement: agreement to marry; arrangement to meet someone or to do something; battle
n ennui: boredom; listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest; CF. annoy
n enrapture: please intensely; fill with rapture and delight
n ensconce: settle comfortably; place comfortably (in a secure place)
n enterprising: full of initiative; showing enterprise
n entrance: put under a spell(condition caused by magical power); carry away(fill with strong feeling) with emotion; put into a trance; fill with delight
n entree(entr\'ee): entrance; a way in; right to enter; main dish of a meal; Ex. entree into the exclusive circle
n enunciate: announce; proclaim; utter or speak, especially distinctly; pronounce clearly; articulate; Ex. This theory was first enunciated by him.
n eon(aeon): long period of time; an age; longest division of geologic time containing two or more eras
n epaulet(epaulette): ornament worn on the shoulder (of a uniform, etc.)
n epigram: witty thought or saying, usually short
n episodic: (of a story or play) loosely connected; made up of separate and loosely connected parts; N. episode: incident in the course of an experience
n epistemologist: philosopher who studies the nature of knowledge; N. epistemology
n epitaph: inscription in memory of a dead person (as on a tombstone)
n epithet: word or phrase characteristically used to describe a person or thing; descriptive phrase to characterize a person (often contemptous)
n equestrian: rider on horseback; ADJ.
n equine: resembling a horse; Ex. equine face
n equipoise: balance; balancing force; equilibrium
n equivocal: (of words or statements) ambiguous; intentionally misleading; (of behavior) questionable; OP. unequivocal
n equivocate: use equivocal language to deceive people; lie; mislead; attempt to conceal the truth; N. equivocation
n errant: wandering (esp. in search of adventure); straying from proper moral standards; Ex. knight-errant
n erratic: odd; irregular in movement or behavior; unpredictable
n eschew: avoid habitually; Ex. eschew alcoholic drinks
n esoteric: hard to understand; known only to the chosen few, esp. initiates; N. esoterica
n espouse: adopt; support (an idea or aim); marry; N. espousal
n ethereal: like a spirit or fairy; unearthly light; heavenly; unusually refined; Ex. She has an ethereal beauty; CF. ether: upper air
n ethnic: relating to races
n ethnology: study of humankind; study of the different races of human beings; CF. anthropology
n ethos: underlying character of a culture, group, etc.; character or ideas peculiar to a specific person, group, or culture; Ex. the company ethos
n eulogy: expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death; V. eulogize
n euphoria: feeling of exaggerated or unfounded(ungrounded; baseless) well-being; feeling of great happiness or well-being (when unreasonable); ADJ. euphoriaric
n evasive: not frank; trying to hide the truth; eluding; evading; V. evade: avoid (a duty or responsibility) or escape from by deceit
n evenhanded: impartial; fair
n ewe: female sheep
n exasperate: vex; annoy or make angry (by testing the patience)
n exceptionable: objectionable; likely to cause dislike; offensive; CF. unexceptionable: entirely acceptable
n excerpt: selected passage (written or musical) taken from a longer work; V.
n exchequer: treasury; Ex. Chancellor of the exchequer
n excoriate: scold with biting harshness; censure strongly; strip the skin off
n execrable: very bad; detestable
n exegesis: explanation, especially of biblical(of the bible) passages
n exhort: urge (by strong argument or advice); Ex. The general exhorted his men to fight bravely; N. exhortation
n existential: pertaining to existence; pertaining to the philosophy of existentialism
n expansive: (of a person) outgoing and sociable; broad and extensive; able to increase in size
n expatiate: talk at length; speak or write in detail
n expletive: meaningless word; interjection; profane oath; swear-word
n expostulation: protest; remonstrance; reasoning with someone to correct or dissuade; V. expostulate
n expropriate: take possession of (often for public use and without payment)
n expunge: cancel; remove a word or name (from a book or list); erase
n extenuate: weaken; mitigate; lessen the seriousness of (bad behavior)
n extol: praise very highly; glorify
n extradition: surrender of prisoner by one state to another; Ex. extradition treaty; V. extradite
n extraneous: not essential; irrelevant; superfluous; external; coming from the outside; Ex. extraneous details/noise/to the subject
n extrapolation: projection; conjecture; V. extrapolate: infer (unknown information) from known information
n extrude: force or push out; thrust out; shape (plastic or metal) by forcing through a die
n exuberance: overflowing abundance; joyful enthusiasm; flamboyance; lavishness; ADJ. exuberant: high-spirited and lively; growing abundantly and strongly
n exude: flow out slowly; discharge (gradually); give forth; N. exudation
n facade(fa\c{c}ade): front or face (of building); superficial or false appearance
n facetious: joking (often inappropriately); unserious; humorous
n facile: easily accomplished; ready or fluent; superficial; not deep; Ex. facile solution to a complex problem; Ex. facile speaker; N. facility: ability to do something easily and well; ease in doing resulting from skill or aptitude; something that facilitates an action; amenity; Ex. with great facility
n faction: party; clique (within a large group); dissension
n factious: inclined to form factions; causing dissension
n factitious: artificial; produced artificially; sham; false; Ex. factitious tears
n factotum: handyman; person who does all kinds of work; CF. do everything
n fallow: (of land) plowed but not sowed (to improve the quality); uncultivated
n falter: hesitate; weaken in purpose or action; walk or move unsteadily through weakness; N.
n fancier: breeder or dealer of animals; one who has a special interest, as for raising specific plant or animal
n fanciful: whimsical; visionary; imaginary; produced by imagination; Ex. fanciful scheme
n fanfare: call by bugles or trumpets; showy display; spectacular public display
n farce: broad comedy; mockery; humorous play full of silly things happening; ADJ. farcical
n fastidious: difficult to please; squeamish; fussy; finicky
n fatalism: belief that events are determined by forces or fates beyond one's control; ADJ. fatalistic; CF. fatal: causing death
n fatuous: smugly and unconsciously foolish; inane; silly; N. fatuity, fatuousness
n fawning: courting favor by cringing and flattering; V. fawn: exhibit affection as a dog; seek favor or attention by obsequiousness
n faze: disconcert; dismay; embarrass
n febrile: feverish
n fecundity: fertility; fruitfulness; ADJ. fecund: very productive of crops or young
n feint: trick; shift; sham blow; feigned attack to draw away defensive action; V.
n felicitous: (of a word or remark) apt; suitably expressed; well chosen
n felicity: happiness; appropriateness (of a remark, choice, etc.); quality of being felicitous
n fell: cruel; (of a disease) deadly
n fell: cut or knock down (a tree or a person); bring down (with a missile)
n feral: (of an animal) not domestic; wild
n ferment: agitation; commotion(noisy and excited activity); unrest (of a political kind); V. produce by fermentation; undergo fermentation; cause (a state of trouble)
n ferret: drive or hunt out of hiding; hunt with ferrets; drive out (as from a hiding place); expel; uncover or discover by searching; Ex. ferret out the secret; N. small fierce animal which catches rats and rabbits by going into their holes
n fervent: ardent; zealous; hot
n fervid: ardent; zealous; hot
n fervor: glowing ardor; intensity of feeling; quality of being fervent or fervid; zeal; intense heat
n fester: rankle; produce irritation or resentment; (of a cut or wound) generate pus or rot; Ex. His insult festered in my mind for days.
n fete(f\^ete): honor at a festival; celebrate or honor with a feast; N. (outdoor) festival or feast; CF. feast
n fetid(foetid): malodorous; foul
n fetter: shackle; restrict the freedom of; N. chain or shackle for the foot of a prisoner; CF. foot
n fiasco: total failure; CF. bottle
n fiat: command; arbitrary order; Ex. presidential fiat; CF. let it be done
n fictitious: imaginary; non-existent; purposely invented to deceive; untrue; Ex. fictitious name/boyfriend; CF. fictional
n figment: invention; something invented; imaginary thing; Ex. figment of your imagination
n figurine: small ornamental statuette(very small statue)
n filch: steal (things of small value)
n filial: pertaining to or befitting a son or daughter; Ex. filial respect
n filibuster: block legislation or prevent action in a lawmaking body by making very slow long speeches; N; freebooter
n filigree: delicate ornamental lacelike metalwork
n filing: particle removed by a file
n finesse: delicate skill; V: handle with finesse
n finicky: too particular; fussy; difficult to please; too concerned with unimportant details or quality; Ex. finicky about her food
n firebrand: piece of burning wood; hothead; troublemaker; person who stirs up trouble
n fitful: spasmodic; intermittent; irregular
n flaccid: flabby; lacking firmness; weak; Ex. flaccid muscles
n flag: droop; grow feeble; decline in vigor or strength; ADJ. flagging; CF. unflagging
n flail: beat with or as if with a flail; move wildly; thresh grain by hand; strike or slap; toss about; N: threshing tool consisting of a stick swinging from the end of a long handle
n flair: talent
n flamboyant: ornate; highly elaborate; richly colored; ostentatious; showy; CF. flame
n flaunt: display ostentatiously; Ex. ``Honey, if you've got it, flaunt it !''
n flay: strip off skin; plunder; remove the skin from; criticize harshly
n fleck: spot; mark with flecks; N: small mark or spot
n fledgling(fledgeling): inexperienced; N: young bird that has acquired wing feathers and is learning to fly; inexperienced person
n fleece: wool coat of a sheep; V: shear the fleece from; rob by a trick; swindle; plunder
n flick: light stroke as with a whip; V: move with a light quick blow; strike with a light quick blow (as from a whip); Ex. flick the switch
n flinch: hesitate; shrink back (in fear of something unpleasant); Ex. She did not flinch in the face of danger.
n flippant: lacking proper seriousness; Ex. flippant remarks about death; N. flippancy
n flit: fly; fly or move lightly or quickly; dart lightly; pass swiftly by; Ex. a bee flitting from flower to flower
n floe: flat mass of floating ice
n florid: ruddy; (of a complexion) reddish; flowery; very ornate; CF. rose
n flotsam: drifting wreckage
n flounder: struggle and thrash about; proceed clumsily or falter (as in water, mud, snow, etc.); proceed in confusion
n flout: reject; mock; show contempt for; scorn; Ex. flout the rules
n fluke: unlikely occurrence; stroke of fortune; accidental stroke of good luck; ADJ. fluky
n fluster: confuse; make nervous and confused; N.
n fluted: having vertical parallel grooves (as in a pillar); V. flute: make long parallel inward curves in; N. flute: long rounded groove incised on the shaft of a column
n flux: flowing; series of changes; fluctuation; Ex. in a state of flux
n fodder: coarse food for cattle, horses, etc.; feed for livestock; CF. food
n foible: small weakness of character; slight fault; CF. feeble
n foil: contrast; one that by contrast enhances the distinctive characteristics of another
n foil: defeat; frustrate; prevent from being successful; thwart; CF. fail
n foist: insert improperly; impose upon another by coercion; palm off; pass off as genuine or worthy; CF. fist
n foliage: masses of leaves; CF. defoliate
n foment: stir up; incite; instigate; promote the growth of (something evil or unpleasant)
n foolhardy: rash; reckless; foolishly daring
n foppish: vain about dress and appearance; N. fop: man who takes too much interest in his clothes and appearance
n foray: raid; sudden raid or military advance; V.
n forbearance: patience; forgiveness; V. forbear: refrain from (in a generous and forgiving way); be patient; Ex. forbear to send him to prison
n ford: place where a river can be crossed on foot; V.
n forebears(forbears): ancestors
n forensic: suitable to debate or courts of law; of or used in legal proceedings and the tracking of criminals; Ex. forensic science/medicine
n forsake: desert; abandon; renounce
n forswear: renounce under oath; abandon; make a solemn promise to give up; CF. abjure
n forthright: straightforward; direct; frank
n fortuitous: accidental; by chance; N. fortuity
n foster: rear; bring up (for a certain period only); encourage; promote the development of (feelings or ideas); Ex. help foster friendly relations; ADJ: giving parental care although not related by blood; Ex. foster parents
n founder: fail completely; sink; CF. flounder
n fracas: brawl(noisy quarrel or fight) in which a number of people take part; melee
n fractious: unruly; peevish; cranky; bad-tempered; Ex. fractious horse
n frantic: wild; distraught as from fear or worry; Ex. frantic with fear
n fraught: filled (with something unpleasant); full; Ex. fraught with danger and difficulties; CF. freight
n fray: brawl; fight; V: wear away or unravel by rubbing; have loose threads developing; cause to become worn out (a person's temper or nerves); CF. rub
n frenetic(phrenetic): frenzied; frantic
n frenzied: madly excited; N. frenzy: violent wild excitement
n fresco: painting on wet plaster (usually fresh)
n fret: be annoyed or vexed; Ex. fret over your poor grades; N: irritation of mind; ADJ. fretful
n frieze: ornamental horizontal band on a wall
n fritter: waste (time or money on unimportant things)
n frolicsome: prankish; gay; playful; merry; frisky
n frond: fern leaf; palm or banana leaf
n fructify: bear fruit; produce fruit
n fulcrum: support on which a lever rests or pivots
n fulminate: thunder; explode; issue a severe denunciation
n fulsome: disgustingly excessive; offensively flattering; Ex. fulsome praise/expressions of admire
n functionary: official (who performs a particular function)
n funereal: sad; solemn; suitable for a funeral
n furor: frenzy; great anger and excitement; CF. fury
n furtive: stealthy; quiet and secret (trying to escape notice); sneaky; Ex. furtive glance
n fusillade: simultaneous firing or outburst (of missiles, questions, etc.)
n gadfly: animal-biting fly; irritating person
n gaffe: social blunder
n gainsay: deny
n gait: manner of walking or running; speed
n gall: annoy; exasperate; chafe; N: skin sore caused by rubbing (as on the skin of a horse); exasperation
n gall: bitterness of feeling; nerve; effrontery; ´ãÁó(bile); CF. gall bladder
n galvanize: stimulate or shock by an electric current; stimulate by shock; shock into action; stir up; coat with rust-resistant zinc by using electricity
n gambit: opening in chess in which a piece is sacrificed; action made to produce a future advantage
n gambol: romp; skip about; leap about playfully; frolic; N.
n gamely: in a spirited manner; with courage; Ex. fight gamely against a superior boxer; ADJ. game
n gamut: entire range
n gape: open widely; open the mouth wide; stare wonderingly with the mouth open; CF. agape
n garbled: mixed up; jumbled; distorted; V. garble: mix up or distort (a message) to such an extent as to make misleading or unintelligible
n gargantuan: huge; enormous; gigantic; CF. the hero of Gargantua and Pantagruel
n garish: overbright in color; unpleasantly bright; gaudy
n garner: gather; store up; amass
n garnish: decorate; add a garnish to; decorate (food or drink) with small items such as lemon slices; N.
n garrulous: loquacious; wordy; talkative; N. garrulity
n gastronomy: art and science of preparing and serving good food; CF. gastronome
n gaudy: flashy; showy
n gaunt: lean and angular; thin and bony; emaciated; barren
n gavel: hammerlike tool; mallet(wooden hammer) used by a presiding officer or an auctioneer; V.
n gawk: stare foolishly; look in open-mouthed awe
n gazette: official periodical publication; newspaper
n geniality: cheerfulness; kindliness; sympathy; ADJ. genial: cheerful and good-tempered
n genteel: well-bred; elegant; striving to convey an appearance of refinement; Ex. genteel poverty
n gentility: those of gentle birth; high social class; refinement; quality of being genteel
n gentry: people of standing(rank or position); people of good family or high social position; class of people just below nobility
n genuflect: bend the knee as in worship
n germinal: pertaining to a germ; creative; Ex. germinal idea
n gerrymander: change voting district lines in order to favor a political party; N. CF. Elbridge Gerry + (sala)mander
n gestate: evolve as in prenatal growth; N. gestation: period of development from conception until birth
n gesticulation: motion; gesture; V. gesticulate: make gestures (while speaking)
n ghastly: horrible; terrifying; resembling ghosts; CF. aghast
n gibberish: nonsense; nonsensical or unintelligible talk or writing; babbling
n gibe: mock; make jeering remarks; N: jeering remarks
n giddy: light-hearted; not serious; frivolous; dizzy; causing dizziness; Ex. giddy youth; Ex. giddy climb/height
n gingerly: very carefully; ADJ.
n girth: distance around something; circumference
n gist: essence; main point; substance
n glaring: (of something bad) highly conspicuous; harshly bright; shining intensely and blindingly
n glaze: cover with a thin and shiny surface; apply a glaze to; N: thin, smooth, shiny coating (as for pottery); Ex. unglazed pottery
n glean: gather leavings; gather grain left behind by reapers; gather bit by bit (facts or information) often with difficulty
n glimmer: shine erratically; twinkle; N: dim or unsteady light; faint indication; Ex. glimmer of hope
n gloat: express evil satisfaction; look at or think about with evil satisfaction; view malevolently; Ex. The thief gloated over the stolen jewels.
n gloss_over: explain away with the intention of deceiving or hiding faults
n glossy: smooth and shining; N. gloss: shiny brightness on a surface; superficially attractive appearance; Ex. gloss of good manners
n glower: scowl; glare; look or stare angrily
n glut: overstock; fill beyond capacity (with food); fill to excess; N: oversupply
n glutinous: sticky; viscous; gluey
n gnarled: twisted
n gorge: narrow canyon; steep rocky cleft; ravine (made by a stream which runs through it)
n gorge: stuff oneself (with food); glut; CF. gorgeous: dazzlingly beautiful
n gory: bloody; N. gore: blood (from a wound)
n gossamer: sheer; very light; like cobwebs; N: soft and sheer fabric; cobweb
n gouge: tear out; cut out (as if with a gouge); Ex. gouge his eyes out; N: chisel for cutting out hollow areas in wood
n gouge: overcharge (with high price); extort from; Ex. gouge the public; CF. usury
n gourmand: epicure; person who takes excessive pleasure in food and drink
n gourmet: connoisseur of food and drink; epicure
n granary: storehouse for grain
n granulate: form into grains or granules; N. granule: grain or particle
n grapple: wrestle; come to grips with; take hold of and struggle with; Ex. grapple with the burglar
n grate: make a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect; shred by rubbing against a rough surface; Ex. grated cheese N: framework of metal bars to hold fuel in a fireplace
n gratis: free; without charge; ADJ.
n grill: question severely; cook on a grill; broil; N: cooking surface of parallel metal bars
n grimace: facial distortion to show feeling such as pain, disgust, etc; V.
n grisly: ghastly; horrifying; Ex. grisly remains of the bodies
n grotto: small cavern
n grouse: complain; fuss; grumble; grouch; N: plump chickenlike game bird
n grovel: crawl or creep on ground; remain prostrate; behave in a servile manner
n gruel: thin liquid porridge
n grueling: exhausting; Ex. grueling marathon race
n gruesome: grisly; horrible
n gruff: rough-mannered; (of a voice) rough; hoarse
n guffaw: boisterous laughter; V.
n gull: trick; deceive; hoodwink; N: person who is easily tricked; dupe
n gustatory: affecting or relating to the sense of taste
n gusto: eager enjoyment; zest; enthusiasm
n guy: cable or chain attached to something that needs to be braced or steadied; CF. guide
n habituate: accustom or familiarize; addict
n hackles: hairs on back and neck, especially of a dog; Ex. make someone's hackles rise
n haggard: wasted away; gaunt; Ex. haggard faces of the rescued miners
n haggle: argue about prices (in an attempt to bargain)
n halcyon: calm; peaceful; Ex. halcyon days
n hale: healthy
n hallowed: blessed; consecrated; Ex. hallowed ground; V. hallow: set apart as holy
n halting: hesitant; faltering; not fluent; Ex. halting steps/voice; V. halt: proceed or act with uncertainty; falter; hesitate; waver; stop
n hap: chance; luck
n hapless: unfortunate; luckless
n harangue: long, passionate, and vehement speech; V.
n hardy: (of people or animals) sturdy; robust; (of plants) able to stand inclement(stormy) weather
n harping: tiresome dwelling on a subject; V. harp: dwell on(think or speak a lot about) tediously
n harrowing: agonizing; distressing; traumatic; V. harrow: break up and level (soil) with a harrow; inflict great distress on; agonize; N: farming machine to break up the earth
n haven: place of safety; refuge; harbor; Ex. tax haven
n headlong: hasty; rash; headfirst; ADV.
n headstrong: willful; stubborn; unyielding; determined to have one's own way; CF. no 'excessive'
n heckler: person who verbally harasses others; V. heckle: verbally harass as with gibes (by interrupting a speaker or speech)
n hegemony: dominance especially of one nation over others
n heinous: atrocious; wicked; hatefully bad; Ex. heinous crime
n hermetic: sealed by fusion so as to be airtight; airtight
n hermetic: concerning alchemy or magic; obscure and mysterious; occult
n hermitage: home of a hermit
n herpetologist: one who studies reptiles; CF. herpetology: branch of zoology that deals with reptiles and amphibians
n heterodox: (of beliefs) against accepted opinion; unorthodox; unconventional
n hew: cut to pieces with ax or sword; chop; N.
n heyday: time of greatest success or power; prime
n hiatus: gap; pause; gap or interruption in space or time; break
n hibernal: wintry; wintery; of or like winter
n hilarity: boisterous mirth(merriment; laughter); ADJ. hilarious: full of laughter
n hindmost: furthest behind; farthest to the rear
n hinterlands: back country; inner part of a country; OP. foreland
n hireling: one who serves for hire (usually used contemptuously); one who works solely for compensation; Ex. hireling politician
n hirsute: hairy; having a lot of hair
n histrionic: theatrical; excessively dramatic or emotional; affected; of actors or acting; N. histrionics: histrionic behavior
n hoard: stockpile; accumulate for future use; N: supply stored for future use
n hoary: white with age
n hoax: trick which makes someone take action; practical joke; Ex. hoax mail; V.
n holocaust: destruction by fire; CF. burnt whole; CF. Holocaust
n holster: leather pistol case (that hangs on a belt around the waist)
n homeostasis: tendency of a system or organism to maintain relative stability or internal equilibrium; CF. homeo-: constant; Ex. homeotherm
n homily: sermon; tedious moralizing lecture; serious warning; ADJ. homiletic
n hone: sharpen (a tool); N: whetstone for sharpening a tool
n hoodwink: deceive; delude
n horde: crowd; swarm
n hortatory: encouraging; exhortive; marked by exhortation; CF. exhort
n horticultural: pertaining to cultivation of gardens; N. horticulture: science or art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, or ornamental plants; CF. agriculture: science or art of farming or growing crops
n hovel: shack; small wretched house
n hover: hang about; (of birds or aircraft) stay in the air in one place; (of people) wait nearby; stay around one place; waver; be in an uncertain state
n hubbub: confused uproar; loud noise; din
n hubris: arrogance; excessive self-conceit
n hue: color; aspect; Ex. opinions of every hue
n hue_and_cry: outcry; loud cry or clamor; strong protest; Ex. hue and cry against the new rule
n humdrum: dull; monotonous
n humility: humbleness of spirit
n hummock: small hill; hillock
n humus: substance or rich soil formed by decaying vegetable matter; CF. soil
n hurtle: crash; rush; move with great speed; Ex. hurtling runaway train
n husband: use sparingly; conserve; save; Ex. husband one's energy; CF. house holder
n husbandry: frugality; thrift; economy; agriculture; farming; Ex. animal husbandry; CF. husbandman
n hydrophobia: fear of water; rabies
n hyperbole: exaggeration; overstatement; ADJ. hyperbolic: of hyperbole; of a hyperbola
n hypochondriac: person unduly worried about his health; worrier without cause about illness; ADJ. CF. hypochondria: neurosis that one is or is becoming ill; CF. abdomen
n ichthyology: study of fish; CF. ichthyo-: fish
n iconoclastic: attacking cherished traditions; N. iconoclast: one who attacks traditional ideas; one who destroys sacred images
n idiom: expression whose meaning as a whole differs from the meanings of its individual words; distinctive style (of expression); Ex. idiom of the modern popular music; ADJ. idiomatic
n idolatry: worship of idols; excessive admiration or devotion; ADJ. idolatrous
n idyllic: charmingly carefree; simple and happy; Ex. idyllic scene
n igneous: produced by fire; of fire; volcanic; (of rocks) formed from lava; Ex. igneous meteorite
n ignoble: unworthy; not noble; dishonorable; Ex. ignoble deed
n ignominy: deep disgrace; shame or dishonor; ADJ. ignominious; Ex. ignominous defeat
n illimitable: infinite; limitless
n imbecility: weakness of mind; state of being an imbecile; N. imbecile: stupid person; fool
n imbroglio: complicated situation (as in a play); painful or complex misunderstanding (as in a play); entanglement; confused mass (as of papers); V. embroil
n imbue: saturate(soak thoroughly); fill; Ex. imbue someone with feelings
n immolate: offer or kill as a sacrifice (by fire)
n immure: imprison; shut up in confinement; CF. wall
n impale: pierce (with a sharp point); Ex. impaled by the spear
n impeach: charge (a public official) with crime in office; raise doubts about; indict; Ex. impeach a witness's credibility
n impeccable: faultless
n imperious: domineering; too commanding; haughty; CF. imperial/emperor
n impervious: impenetrable; incapable of being damaged or distressed; incapable of being affected (in one's opinions); Ex. impervious to water/criticism
n impinge: infringe; encroach; influence; touch; collide with; Ex. The effects are impinging on every aspect of our lives.
n impolitic: not wise; not expedient; not politic
n importunate: urging; always demanding; troublesomely urgent or persistent
n importune: beg persistently; make repeated requests (in an annoying way)
n imprecation: curse; swearword
n impregnable: invulnerable; impossible to capture or enter by force; Ex. impregnable fort/argument; CF. take
n impugn: dispute or contradict (often in an insulting way); attack as false or questionable; challenge; gainsay; CF. fight
n impuissance: powerlessness; feebleness
n impute: attribute; ascribe; charge; N. imputation
n inane: silly; senseless; Ex. inane remarks; N. inanity
n inarticulate: speechless; producing indistinct speech; not articulate; not expressing oneself clearly
n incandescent: strikingly bright; shining with intense heat; emitting visible light when heated; Ex. incandescent light bulb; CF. candle
n incantation: singing or chanting of magic spells; magical formula; (the saying of) words used in magic; CF. enchant
n incapacitate: disable; N. incapacity: lack of capacity
n inchoate: (of desire, wish, plan) recently begun; not explicit; at the beginning of development; rudimentary; elementary; Ex. inchoate mass
n inclement: stormy; unkind; unmerciful; CF. clement
n incorporeal: without a material body; insubstantial
n incrustation: hard coating or crust; V. incrust: encrust; cover with a crust
n indemnify: make secure against damage or loss; compensate for damage or loss; CF. make uninjured
n indenture: bind as servant or apprentice to master; bind by indenture; N: contract binding one party into the service of another for a specified time (as between an apprentice and his master)
n indubitable: unable to be doubted; which cannot be doubted; unquestionable
n inebriated: habitually intoxicated; drunk; N. inebriety
n ineffable: unutterable; not to be uttered; taboo; that cannot be expressed in speech; indescribable; unspeakable; inexpressible; Ex. ineffable name/joy
n ineluctable: irresistible; not to be escaped; unavoidable
n inerrancy: infallibility
n inert: inactive; lacking power to move; unable to move or act; Ex. chemically inert; N. inertia: state of being inert; force which keeps a thing in the position or state
n inexorable: relentless; unyielding; implacable; not capable of being changed by entreaty or efforts; Ex. inexorable price rises
n infernal: pertaining to hell; devilish; N. inferno: place of fiery heat or destruction
n infidel: unbeliever (with respect to a particular religion)
n ingratiate: become popular with; bring (oneself) in favor of another; Ex. ingratiate himself with the boss
n inimical: (of someone) unfriendly; hostile; (of something) harmful; detrimental; CF. enemy
n inkling: hint; slight indication
n innuendo: indirect or subtle (derogatory) hint; insinuation; Ex. sexual innuendo
n inordinate: beyond reasonable limits; unrestrained; excessive; Ex. inordinate demands
n insalubrious: unwholesome; not healthful; Ex. insalubrious place
n inscrutable: difficult to understand; impenetrable; not readily understood; mysterious
n insensate: without feeling; lacking sense; foolish
n insensible: unconscious; unresponsive; insensitive; unaware; imperceptible; Ex. insensible of his danger/to pain; Ex. insensible change; CF. not the opposite of sensible
n insidious: treacherous; stealthy; sly; working or spreading harmfully in a stealthy manner; Ex. insidious spreading of dry rot
n insinuate: hint; imply; suggest indirectly; creep in; introduce or insert (oneself) by artful means; Ex. insinuate himself into the boss's favor; CF. ingratiate
n insipid: lacking in flavor; lacking interest; dull; Ex. insipid food/character
n insouciant: without concern or care; unconcerned; indifferent
n instigate: start; urge; provoke; incite; Ex. instigate a search/quarrel
n insularity: narrow-mindedness; isolation; ADJ. insular: of an island; isolated; narrow-minded; CF. peninsula
n interloper: intruder; one who interferes
n interpolate: insert between
n interregnum: period between two successive reigns or governments
n interrogate: question closely; cross-examine; cross-question
n intimate: hint; suggest; imply; ADJ: marked by close relationship; familiar; private; personal; Ex. intimate knowledge/thoughts in the diary; N: close friend or confidant; CF. intimacy
n introspective: looking within oneself; N. introspection: self-examination
n intrude: put or force in without being asked; trespass; enter as an uninvited person; Ex. intrude one's own opinion into the report; CF. thrust in
n inured: accustomed; hardened; Ex. inured to the Alaskan cold; V. inure: make used to something undesirable; harden; CF. unfeeling
n inveigh: denounce; utter censure or invective; Ex. inveigh against the evils of drink
n inveigle: deceive; lead astray by deception; wheedle(cajole); Ex. inveigle her into joining the club; CF. interest dishonestly
n invidious: designed to create ill will or envy; tending to rouse ill will or envy; Ex. invidious comparison
n inviolable: secure from corruption, attack, or violation(or profanation); unassailable; Ex. inviolable oath/rights; N. inviolability
n invocation: prayer for help (used in invoking); calling upon as a reference or support; act of invoking
n invoke: call and bring into use (a right or law); call on/upon (a higher power or god) for help; ask for; beg for; conjure (a spirit); Ex. invoke the veto power; Ex. invoke one's advisor/God
n irascible: irritable; easily angered
n irate: angry; CF. ire: anger; wrath
n iridescent: exhibiting rainbowlike colors; Ex. iridescent oil slick; N. iridescence
n irony: hidden sarcasm or satire; use of words that seem to mean the opposite of what they actually mean; use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning
n isthmus: narrow neck of land connecting two larger bodies of land
n itinerant: wandering; traveling from place to place (to perform work); Ex. itinerant preacher
n itinerary: plan of a trip; record of a trip
n jabber: chatter rapidly or unintelligibly
n jaded: tired or uninterested by surfeit; fatigued; surfeited; worn out; wearied; Ex. jaded appetite
n jaundiced: yellowed; prejudiced (envious, hostile, or resentful) from long and disappointing experience of human affairs; Ex. with a jaundiced eye
n jaunt: trip; short journey
n jaunty: cheerful and pleased with life; lighthearted; animated; easy and carefree; dapper in appearance; Ex. jaunty person/hat
n jettison: throw overboard (from a ship or plane)
n jibe: agree; be in harmony with; gibe
n jocose: given to(having a tendency of) joking
n jocular: said or done in jest or playfully; marked by joking
n jocund: merry
n jollity: gaiety; cheerfulness; ADJ. jolly: merry; gay
n jostle: shove; bump; push against (someone) rather roughly; Ex. jostled by the crowds
n jovial: good-natured; merry; cheerful
n juggernaut: irresistible crushing force; overwhelming advancing force that crushes everything in its path
n juncture: crisis; point in time; joining point; joint; act of joining
n junket: trip especially one taken for pleasure by an official at public expense
n junta: group of persons joined in political intrigue; cabal; group of military officers ruling a country after seizing power (by force)
n jurisprudence: science of law
n juxtapose: place side by side; CF. next
n kaleidoscope: tube in which patterns made by the reflection in mirrors of colored pieces of glass, etc. produce interesting symmetrical effects; series of changing events; Ex. kaleidoscope of European history; CF. beautiful
n ken: range of knowledge; Ex. beyond one's ken
n killjoy: grouch; spoilsport; one who intentionally spoils the pleasure of others
n kindred: related; belonging to the same group; similar in nature or character; Ex. kindred languages; N: relative; kin; kinship
n kismet: fate; destiny; Ex. Kismet is the Arabic word for fate.
n kleptomaniac: person who has a compulsive desire to steal
n knave: untrustworthy person; rogue; scoundrel; jack; N. knavery
n knead: mix; work dough; mix and work into a uniform mass (with the hands); Ex. knead dough
n knell: tolling of a bell especially to indicate a funeral, disaster, etc.; sound of the funeral bell; V.
n knit: contract into wrinkles; grow together; join together closely; make (a fabric or garment) by interwining yarn or thread; Ex. knit the brow; Ex. The bones should knit together in a few weeks.
n knoll: little round hill; hillock
n knotty: intricate; difficult; tangled; CF. knot
n kudos: honor; glory; acclaim or praise for exceptional achievement
n labile: likely to change; unstable; Ex. emotionally labile; N. lability
n laceration: torn ragged wound; V. lacerate: tear (the skin as with broken glass); wound
n lachrymose: producing tears; tearful
n lackadaisical: lacking interest or effort; lacking purpose or zest; lazy; halfhearted; languid
n lackluster: lacking luster(shine; gloss); dull
n laconic: brief and to the point; using few words; terse
n laggard: slow; sluggish; N: one who lags; straggler
n lagoon: shallow body of water or lake near a sea; lake separated from a sea by sandbars or coral reefs
n laity: laypersons; laymen; persons not connected with the clergy
n lampoon: ridicule; N: written attack ridiculing or satirizing a person, group, or institution
n lancet: small surgical tool for making incisions
n lank: long and thin; Ex. Lank, gaunt, Abraham Lincoln
n lap: take in food or drink with one's tongue; splash gently; Ex. waves lapping the shore; N: front area from the waist to the knees of a seated person
n larceny: theft; Ex. petit larceny
n larder: pantry; place where food is kept
n largess: generous gift (given to people who do not have enough)
n lassitude: languor; weariness; listlessness
n latitude: freedom from narrow limitations
n lavish: liberal; wasteful; generous or wasteful in giving or using; abundant; profuse; great; Ex. decorated lavishly; V. give in abundance
n lax: careless; negligent; not paying enough attention; Ex. lax service
n leaven: add leaven to; cause to rise or grow lighter; enliven; N: agent, such as yeast, that causes dough to rise (by fermentation); element that lightens or enlivens
n lectern: reading desk or stand for a public speaker
n leery: (of someone) suspicious; wary; cautious
n leeway: room to move; margin; latitude; Ex. leeway for the deadline
n legerdemain: sleight(dexterity) of hand; CF. light of hand
n levee: earthen or stone embankment to prevent flooding; CF. raise
n levitate: rise and float in the air (especially by magical means); CF. light
n levy: impose (a fine); collect (a payment); impose or collect (a tax); Ex. levy a tax on tobacco
n lexicographer: compiler of a dictionary; CF. lexicography: work of compiling a dictionary
n lexicon: dictionary
n liability: drawback; handicap; debts; obligation; responsibility; condition of being liable; ADJ. liable: likely; responsible (for paying)
n libertine: debauched person; dissolute or licentious person; rou\'e; CF. free
n libido: psychic and emotional energy or urges behind human activity; sexual desire
n libretto: text of an opera or oratorio; CF. book
n lien: legal claim or right on a property
n ligneous: like wood
n lilliputian: extremely small; CF. Lilliput in Gulliver's Travels
n limber: flexible; supple; pliable; V.
n limbo: region near heaven or hell where certain souls are kept; prison (slang); Ex. Purgatory and Limbo
n limn: draw; outline; describe; CF. line ?
n limpid: crystal clear
n lineaments: features especially of the face; distinctive shape or contour of the face; CF. line
n litany: supplicatory prayer; prayer in which the priest calls out and the people replies in the same words
n lithe: flexible; supple; CF. limber
n litigation: lawsuit; N. litigant: one party in a lawsuit; V. litigate
n litotes: understatement for emphasis; Ex. ``not bad(=pretty good)''
n livid: lead-colored; black and blue (as from a bruise); ashen; enraged; extremely angry
n loath: reluctant; unwilling; disinclined; Ex. Romeo and Juliet were both loath for him to go.
n lode: metal-bearing vein(long deposit of an ore)
n loll: lounge about
n loom: appear or take shape (usually in an enlarged, indistinct, or distorted form); Ex. The shadow of the gallows loomed threateningly. N: apparatus for making thread into cloth
n lope: gallop slowly
n lout: clumsy person; ADJ. loutish; CF. from countrysides ?
n low: moo; make the sound of a cow
n lucre: money; profit; Ex. filthy lucre
n ludicrous: laughable; ridiculous; trifling
n lugubrious: mournful; sorrowful
n lull: moment of calm; period of reduced activity; Ex. a lull in the rain; V: cause to become less active; cause to sleep or rest; Ex. lull the opponents into a false sense of security; CF. lullaby
n lumber: move heavily or clumsily; Ex. The bear lumbered through the woods; N: timber
n lumen: unit of light energy (one candle's worth)
n luminary: celebrity (in a specific field); dignitary; object that gives light (as a celestial body)
n luminous: shining (esp. in the dark); issuing light; Ex. luminous paint/road signs
n lurid: wild; sensational; graphic; gruesome; horrible; Ex. lurid details of the murder
n lurk: stealthily lie in waiting; slink; exist unperceived
n luscious: pleasing to taste or smell; delicious
n luster: shine; gloss (of a polished surface)
n lustrous: shining; brilliant; Ex. lustrous hair
n luxuriant: abundant; growing healthily and in large amounts; excessively ornate; rich and splendid; fertile; Ex. luxuriant forests/prose; CF. luxurious, luxuriate
n macabre: gruesome; grisly; ghastly; CF. of death
n mace: ceremonial staff used as a symbol of authority; clublike medieval weapon
n macerate: soften by soaking in liquid; waste away; Ex. macerate powdered wood to make paper
n machinations: evil schemes or plots; schemes or plots to achieve an evil end; V. machinate
n maculated: spotted; stained; CF. immaculate
n madrigal: pastoral song; song for several singers without instruments
n maelstrom: violent whirlpool; violent or tublent situation; CF. stream
n magisterial: authoritative; imperious; commanding; of a magistrate; Ex. magisterial study of Roman law; Ex. magisterial manner
n magnate: person of prominence or influence; powerful or influential person (in business or industry); Ex. oil magnate
n maim: mutilate; injure lastingly; disable; cripple; Ex. maimed for life
n malaise: uneasiness; vague feeling of ill health (without any particular pain or appearance of disease)
n malapropism: comic misuse of a word; CF. Mrs. Malaprop
n malfeasance: wrongdoing; misconduct (by a public official)
n malleable: (of a metal) capable of being shaped by pounding(beating); pliable; (of someone) impressionable(easily influenced); easily controlled; tractable
n mandate: order; charge; authoritative command; power to govern another country; power to given to a government; region under administration; V: give a mandate to; place under a mandate; Ex. mandated territory
n mangy: shabby; wretched; suffering from mange; of bad appearance
n manifestation: outward demonstration; manifesting; indication of the presence of something; Ex. manifestation of his pronounced musical bent
n manifold: many in number or kind; numerous; varied
n manipulate: operate with one's hands; control or play upon (people, forces, etc.) artfully; maneuver; Ex. how to manipulate publicity and men; ADJ. manipulative
n mannered: affected; not natural; Ex. mannered way of speech
n manumit: emancipate; free from slavery or bondage
n maritime: bordering on(adjacent to) the sea; nautical; of the ships or the sea; Ex. Maritime Provinces
n marred: damaged; disfigured; V. mar: spoil; disfigure
n marshal: put in order; guide ceremoniously to the correct place; Ex. marshal the children into the museum; N: military officer; official
n marsupial: one of a family of mammals that nurse their offspring in a pouch(pocket of skin or leather); CF. kangaroo, opossum, wombat
n martinet: strict disciplinarian; person who demands total obedience to rules and orders; CF. Jean Martinet
n masticate: chew
n matriculate: enroll (in college or graduate school); CF. matrix
n matrix: point of origin; array of numbers or algebraic symbols; mold or die; Ex. the matrix of Western civilization
n maudlin: effusively sentimental
n maul: handle roughly; batter; injure by beating; Ex. mauled by his overexcited fans; N: heavy long-handled hammer
n mausoleum: monumental tomb; large stately tomb; CF. Mausolos
n mauve: pale purple
n maverick: rebel; nonconformist (in a group)
n mawkish: mushy(sentimental) and gushy; icky-sticky sentimental; excessively and objectionably sentimental
n mayhem: injury to body; crime of willfully maiming or crippling a person; violent disorder; Ex. mayhem in the zoo; CF. maim
n mealymouthed: indirect in speech (when something unpleasant must be said); hypocritical; evasive
n meander: wind or turn in its course; follow a winding or turning course; move aimlessly and idly
n meddlesome: interfering; V. meddle: interfere
n medley: mixture
n meek: submissive; patient and long-suffering
n megalomania: mania for doing grandiose things; mental disorder characterized by delusions of wealth, power, or importance
n mellifluous: (of words or a voice) sweetly or smoothly flowing; melodious; having a pleasant tune
n memento: token; reminder of the past; keepsake; Ex. memento of your visit
n menagerie: collection of wild animals on exhibition; zoo
n mendacious: lying; habitually dishonest; N. mendacity
n mendicant: beggar; ADJ: living as a beggar
n menial: suitable for servants; lowly; mean; N: someone who does menial work (esp. servant in a house)
n mentor: counselor; teacher
n mercantile: concerning trade or merchants
n mercurial: capricious; quick and changing; fickle; containing the element mercury; Ex. mercurial temper; CF. mood
n meretricious: flashy; tawdry; attractive on the surface but of no real value; Ex. metericious argument/jewel; CF. prostitute
n merger: combination (of two business corporations); act of merging
n mesmerize: hypnotize; N. mesmerism; CF. Franz Mesmer
n metallurgical: pertaining to the art of removing metals from ores; N. metallurgy: science that deals with extracting metals from ores
n mete: measure; distribute; administer; Ex. mete out justice/punishment
n mettle: courage (to continue bravely in spite of difficulties); spirit; ADJ. mettlesome
n miasma: swamp gas; heavy vaporous atmosphere often emanating from decaying matter; pervasive corrupting influence; noxious atmosphere or influence
n milieu: social environment; means of expression; Ex. feel out of one's milieu; Ex. His proper milieu is watercolor.
n militate: work against; Ex. militate against the chances of promotion; CF. serve as a soldier
n minatory: menacing; threatening
n mincing: affectedly dainty(delicate); V. mince: cut (esp. meat) into very small pieces; walk with exaggerated primness; walk in an unnatural way, taking little short steps; Ex. The actor minced across the stage; CF. mincemeat; CF. mincer
n minion: servile dependent; obsequious follower
n minuscule(miniscule): extremely small
n minutiae: petty or trivial details; CF. minutia
n mire: entangle; stick in swampy ground; stick or sink in mire; N: bog; deep mud; Ex. sucked deeper into the mire
n mirth: merriment; laughter
n misadventure: mischance; ill luck; Ex. death by misadventure
n mischance: ill luck
n miscreant: wretch; wrongdoer; villain; Ex. kindness to the miscreant; CF. believe
n misgivings: doubts
n mishap: unfortunate accident
n misnomer: wrong or improper name; incorrect designation
n missive: letter; written statement; CF. sent
n mite: very small object or insect-like creature; small coin
n mnemonic: pertaining to memory; assisting the memory; N: device, such as as formula or rhyme, used as a mnemonic aid
n mock: ridicule; deride; imitate often in derision
n modicum: limited quantity; small amount; Ex. He does not have a modicum of sense; CF. moderate
n modish: fashionable; conforming to the current fashion
n modulate: tone down in intensity; change the intensity or tone of; regulate; change from one musical key to another; Ex. modulate from E to G
n mogul: powerful person; Ex. oil moguls; CF. Mogol, Moghul; CF. Mongolian
n mollify: soothe an angry person
n mollycoddle: pamper; coddle; baby; indulge excessively
n molt(moult): periodically shed or cast off hairs or feathers (for replacement by a new growth)
n molten: melted; Ex. molten lava
n monolithic: solidly uniform; unchangeable; unyielding; N. monolith: large block of stone
n monumental: massive; impressively large; built as a monument
n moodiness: fits of depression or gloom; ADJ. moody: given to changeable moods; subject to periods of depression; gloomy CF. mood: state of mind or emotion
n moratorium: legal delay of payment or action; Ex. declare moratorium on the building of new houses
n morbid: given to unwholesome or unhealthy thought; moody; characteristic of disease; Ex. morbid curiosity; N. morbidity; CF. disease
n mordant: biting; sarcastic; stinging; (apprec.) incisive; cutting; Ex. mordant pen/wit
n mores: conventions; moral standards; moral customs
n moribund: dying; at the point of death; CF. death
n morose: ill-humored; sullen; sullenly melancholy
n mortician: undertaker; CF. death
n mortify: humiliate by embarassing excessively; shame; punish the flesh; discipline (one's body) by self-denial; Ex. mortified by her blunder; Ex. mortify the flesh; CF. cause to die
n mote: small speck (esp. of dust)
n motif: theme; recurrent thematic element in a musical or literary work; single or repeated pattern; figure
n motility: ability to move spontaneously; ADJ. motile: moving spontaneously
n motley: multi-colored (as of a garment worn by a jester); mixed; heterogeneous; CF. jester: one who jests (as a paid fool at medieval courts)
n mottled: blotched in coloring; spotted; Ex. mottled face; V. mottle: mark with blotches of different colors
n mountebank: charlatan; boastful pretender
n muddle: confuse; mix up confusedly; N: state of confusion
n muggy: (of weather) warm and damp
n mulct: defraud a person of something; swindle; Ex. mulct the boy of his legacy
n multifarious: varied; greatly diversified; Ex. multifarious activities
n mundane: worldly as opposed to spiritual; everyday; of the ordinary; Ex. mundane existence; CF. world
n munificent: very generous in giving; Ex. munificent benefactor; N. munificience
n mural: wall painting
n murky: dark and gloomy; thick with fog; vague; Ex. murky night/fog; N. murk: partial or complete darkness; gloom
n muse: ponder at length; N: source of inspiration (esp. of a poet)
n musky: having the odor of musk; N. musk: odorous substance secreted by an Asian deer
n muster: gather; assemble (troops); Ex. muster up one's strength for the ordeal; N.
n musty: stale (in odor or taste); spoiled by age; CF. moist
n mutilate: maim; injure lastingly; deprive of a limb or an essential part
n mutinous: unruly; rebellious; Ex. mutinous teenagers; N. mutiny: open rebellion; CF. mutineer
n myopic: nearsighted; lacking foresight; N. myopia
n myriad: very large number; ADJ. CF. ten thousand
n nadir: lowest point; point on the celestial sphere diametrically opposite the zenith
n nascent: incipient; coming into being or existence; Ex. nascent ability in music
n natty: neatly or smartly dressed; dapper; smart; Ex. natty dresser
n navigable: (of a body of water) wide and deep enough to allow ships to pass through; (of a ship or aircraft) able to be steered
n nebulous: vague; hazy; cloudy; of a nebula; Ex. nebulous proposal
n necromancy: black magic; sorcery; dealings with the dead; art that professes to communicate with the spirits of the dead so as to predict the future; CF. necromancer; CF. necro+divination; CF. necro-: death; Ex. necropolis
n nefarious: very wicked
n neologism: new or newly coined word or phrase
n neophyte: recent convert; new member of a religious group; beginner; CF. plant
n nepotism: favoritism (to a relative); CF. nephew
n nether: lower; Ex. nether garments/regions
n nettle: irritate; annoy; vex; ADJ. nettlesome
n nexus: connection
n nib: beak(bill); pen point
n nicety: precision; accuracy; minute distinction or difference; Ex. to a nicety: exactly; precisely; Ex. distinguish between niceties
n niggardly: meanly stingy; parsimonious; N. niggard: stingy person
n niggle: spend too much time on minor points (esp. when finding fault); find fault; Ex. niggle over details; ADJ. niggling
n nihilist: one who considers traditional beliefs to be groundless and existence meaningless; absolute skeptic; revolutionary terrorist; CF. nihilism: belief that nothing has meaning or value; belief that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement
n nip: snip off; stop something's growth or development; bite; make numb with cold; Ex. nip the plan; Ex. A guard dog nipped the postman; Ex. fingers nipped by the extreme chill
n nirvana: in Buddhist teachings, the ideal state in which the individual loses himself in the attainment of an impersonal beatitude
n noisome: foul smelling; very unpleasant; unwholesome
n nonchalance: indifference; lack of concern; composure; ADJ. nonchalant: unconcerned; cool; indifferent; Ex. nonchalant attitude to his debts
n nondescript: undistinctive; ordinary; ordinary-looking; Ex. nondescript fellow in a crowd
n nonplus: put at a loss; bring to a halt by confusion; perplex; CF. no more
n nostrum: questionable medicine; quack medicine; CF. our (remedy)
n novelty: something new; newness; ADJ. novel: new; original
n nuance: shade of slight difference in meaning or color; subtle distinction
n nubile: marriageable; of marriageable age; CF. connubial
n nugatory: worthless; futile
n numismatist: person who collects coins; N. numismatics: study or collection of money, coins, and medals
n nuptial: related to marriage or the wedding ceremony; N. nuptials: wedding ceremony
n nurture: nourish; feed; educate; rear; care for while it is growing or developing; foster; cultivate; N: something that nourishes; rearing
n nutrient: nourishing substance; ADJ: providing nourishment
n oaf: stupid awkward person; CF. elf
n obfuscate: confuse; muddle; cause confusion; make needlessly complex; make so confused as to be difficult to understand
n obituary: death notice (esp. in a newspaper); ADJ.
n oblivious: inattentive or unmindful; unaware; wholly absorbed; forgetful(having the habit of forgetting)
n obnoxious: offensive; disagreeable; Ex. obnoxious smell
n obtrude: push (oneself or one's ideas) forward or intrude; impose (oneself or one's ideas) on others; butt in; stick out or extrude; thrust out; Ex. obtrude A on B; ADJ. obtrusive; N. obtrusion; CF. unobtrusive
n occlude: shut; close; obstruct; Ex. A blood clot occluded an artery.
n odious: arousing strong dislike; hateful(causing hatred); vile
n odium: detestation; quality of being odious; hatefulness; disrepute (resulting from hateful conduct)
n odoriferous: giving off an odor
n odyssey: long, eventful, adventurous journey
n officious: meddlesome; excessively pushy in offering one's services; overly eager in offering unwanted services or advices; Ex. officious bellboy
n ogle: look at amorously; make eyes at; Ex. old men ogling young girls
n olfactory: concerning the sense of smell
n onerous: burdensome
n onomatopoeia: words formed in imitation of natural sounds
n onus: burden; responsibility
n opalescent: iridescent; lustrous; like an opal; N. opalescence
n opprobrium: infamy; disgrace arising from shameful conduct; vilification(slander); scorn; contempt; Ex. opprobrium hurled against him; ADJ. opprobrious: expressing contempt; shameful or infamous
n opus: work (esp. musical composition); Ex. magnum opus: masterpiece; CF. opera
n oracular: of an oracle; prophetic; uttered as if with divine authority; mysterious or ambiguous; hard to understand; N. oracle: wiser person; prophecy made by an oracle
n ordain: decree or command; grant holy orders; predestine; install as a minister, priest, or rabbi; N. ordainment; CF. ordination
n ordination: ceremony conferring holy orders; ceremony of ordaining a priest
n orgy: wild drunken revelry; unrestrained indulgence in an activity; Ex. orgy of shopping
n orifice: mouthlike opening; small opening (esp. to a cavern or passage of the body); CF. mouth
n ornithologist: scientific student of birds; N. ornithology: scientific study of birds
n orthography: correct spelling; CF. ortho-: straight; correct; Ex. orthodontics
n osseous: made of bone; bony
n ossify: change or harden into bone; become hard and unchanging in one's ideas
n ostentatious: showy; trying to attract attention; pretentious; N. ostentation: showy display
n ostracize: banish from a group; exclude from public favor; ban; Ex. His friends ostracized him. N. ostracism
n oust: expel; drive out; force out; N. ouster: ousting
n outskirts: fringes; outer borders (as of a city); Ex. outskirts of Boston
n outstrip: outrun; surpass; outdo
n ovation: enthusiastic applause
n overblown: inflated; exaggerated
n overweening: arrogant; presumptuous
n overwrought: nervous or excited; extremely agitated; hysterical; wrought-up; CF. wrought: made or done
n paean: song of praise or joy; Ex. paeans celebrating the victory
n painstaking: taking pains; showing hard work; taking great care; very careful and through
n palatable: agreeable; pleasing to the taste
n palate: roof of the mouth; sense of the taste
n palatial: of or suitable for a palace; magnificent
n paleontology: study of prehistoric life or fossils; CF. paleo-: ancient or prehistoric; Ex. paleography: study of ancient written documents
n palimpsest: parchment or piece of writing material used for second time after original writing has been erased
n pall: become boring; grow tiresome
n pallet: small poor bed; Ex. straw pallet
n palliate: ease pain (without curing); make less severe or offensive (a crime or illness)
n pallid: pale; wan; Ex. pallid complexion
n palpitate: throb; beat rapidly; flutter; tremble; Ex. Her heart began to palpitate.
n paltry: insignificant; petty; trifling; contemptible; Ex. paltry sum; CF. trash
n pan: criticize harshly
n panache: flair; manner of doing things without any difficulty (causing admiration); flamboyance; bunch of feathers (on a helmet); Ex. with great panache; CF. ÀÜ ¾Æ·¡·Î ÃµÀ» »©³»´Â ¼Ø¾¾
n pander: cater to (the low desires of others)
n panegyric: formal praise; encomium; Ex. I don't deserve such panegyrics.
n parable: short simple story teaching a moral
n parameter: limit; independent variable; Ex. parameters of the problem; Ex. within the parameters of the budget
n parched: extremely dry; very thirsty; V. parch: make or become extremely dry (by exposure to heat)
n pariah: social outcast; Ex. Mariah the pariah
n parlance: language; manner of speaking; idiom; Ex. in legal/common parlance
n parley: conference (between opponents); CF. speak
n parochial: narrow in scope or outlook; provincial; related to parishes
n parquet: floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic like matter; CF. strip: long narrow piece
n partisan: one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party (with dislike of any others); N: strong supporter of a party; guerrilla
n pass\'e: old-fashioned; past the prime
n pastiche: imitation of another's style in musical composition or in writing; work of art openly imitating the works of other artists
n pathos: tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings; Ex. pathos that runs through the novel
n patina: green crust on old bronze works or copper; tone slowly taken by varnished painting
n patois: local or provincial dialect
n patrician: noble; aristocratic; N: person of high rank; aristocrat; CF. member of the governing classes in ancient Rome; CF. plebian
n peccadillo: slight offense or fault; CF. sin
n pedant: scholar who overemphasizes book learning, trivial details of learning, or technicalities
n pedantic: bookish; showing off learning; marked by an excessive ostentatious concern for book learning; N. pedantry
n pedestrian: ordinary; dull; unimaginative(lacking in imagination); going on foot; Ex. pedestrian prose; N.
n pejorative: (of a word or phrase) suggesting that someone is of little value; negative in connotation; having a belittling effect; Ex. Many women now considers ``housewife'' a pejorative expression, because it patronized them.
n pell-mell: in confusion; disorderly; Ex. dash pell-mell
n pellucid: transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in meaning; easy to understand
n penance: self-imposed punishment for sin; Ex. do penance for one's sins; CF. penitent
n penchant: strong inclination; strong liking (esp. for something that is disapproved of by other people); Ex. penchant for fast cars
n pendulous: hanging; suspended
n pensive: dreamily or deeply thoughtful; sadly thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative; CF. think over
n penumbra: partial shadow (in an eclipse); CF. almost shadow
n peon: landless agricultural worker; bond servant; menial worker; N. peonage
n percussion: striking one object against another sharply; Ex. percussion instrument; N: striking together of two bodies; sound caused by percussion
n perdition: damnation; complete ruin; hell
n peremptory: demanding and leaving no choice; imperative; Ex. peremptory decree/knock
n peripatetic: walking about from place to place (to work); moving; Ex. peripatetic school of philosophy
n peripheral: of a periphery; marginal; outer; of minor importance; not central; Ex. peripheral nerve/interest
n periphery: outside edge especially of a round surface; perimeter; Ex. periphery of the town
n pernicious: very harmful; deadly; very destructive; Ex. pernicious effect/anemia
n peroration: conclusion of an oration; perorating; V. perorate: conclude a speech; speak at great length
n perpetrate: commit an offense; do (something wrong)
n perquisite(perk): any gain above stipulated salary; Ex. perquisites such as free meals and a car
n personable: attractive (in personality or appearance)
n pert: (esp. of a girl or young woman) impertinent; forward; trim; jaunty; Ex. pert young miss/hat
n peruse: read through with care; N. perusal
n perverse: purposely continuing to do something wrong; stubbornly wrongheaded; perverted; directed away from what is right; wicked and unacceptable; Ex. perverse satisfaction; Ex. Hannibal Lecter in a perverse mood; N. perversity
n pestilential(pestilent): causing plague; tending to cause death; baneful; N. pestilence: fatal epidemic disease (esp. bubonic plague)
n pestle: tool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard bowl or mortar
n petrify: turn to stone; cause to become stonelike; stun or paralyze
n petulant: touchy; peevish; ill-tempered
n pharisaical: pertaining to the Pharisees, who paid scrupulous attention to tradition; self-righteous; hypocritical
n phenomena: observable facts; subjects of scientific investigation; SG. phenomenon: observable fact; very unusual person, thing, or event; marvel; wonder; CF. phenomenons; ADJ. phenomenal: very unusual; extraordinary; of a phenomenon; Ex. phenomenal strength
n philatelist: stamp-collector; N. philately: stamp collecting
n philistine: narrow-minded person, uncultured and exclusively interested in material gain; uncultured person who is indifferent to artistic and cultural values; member of an ancient people in Palestine; OP. aesthete
n philology: study of language or words
n phlegmatic: calm and unexcitable; not easily disturbed; CF. phlegm: sticky mucus produced in the respiratory tract
n phylum: major classification, second to kingdom, of plants and animals; category ranking below a kingdom and above a class; division
n physiognomy: face (as showing the character and the mind); art of judging human character from facial features
n physiological: pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms; N. physiology
n piebald: of different colors; mottled; spotted in different colors (esp. in black and white); Ex. piebald horse; CF. pie+bald
n piecemeal: one part at a time; gradually; in stages; Ex. read a novel piecemeal
n pied: piebald; variegated(many-colored); multicolored
n pigment: coloring matter (usually powder to be mixed with water or oil)
n pine: long for; yearn; languish from longing or grief; decline
n pinion: restrain or immobilize by binding the wings or legs; N: bird's wing
n piquant: pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating; Ex. piquant situation when my old enemy asked for my help
n piscatorial: pertaining to fishing; CF. Pisces
n pith: core or marrow; spongelike substance in the center of stems; essence; substance
n pittance: small amount (of money); small allowance or wage
n placebo: harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill
n plagiarize: steal another's ideas or writings and pass them off as one's own; Ex. ideas plagiarized from my article; N. plagiarism; CF. kidnap
n plaintive: expressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive song
n plait: braid; interwine; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; Ex. plaited hair; N: braided length as of hair o fabric; CF. pigtail, ponytail
n plasticity: ability to be molded; ADJ. plastic: capable of being shaped or molded; Ex. plastic material such as clay
n plaudit: praise; enthusiastic approval; round(succession or series) of applause; ADJ. plauditory; CF. applaud
n plebeian: common; vulgar; pertaining to the common people; N: common people in ancient Rome; CF. patrician
n plenary: (of power) complete; full; fully attended by all qualified members; Ex. plenary power
n plenitude: abundance; plenty; great amount; completeness; fullness; CF. plenary, plenty
n plethora: excess; overabundance; Ex. a plethora of excuses
n pluck: courage; V: pull off or out; pull out the hair or feathers of; ADJ. plucky: courageous; brave
n plumage: feathers of a bird;
n plumb: exactly vertical; N: weight on the end of a line; V: examine very carefully or critically in order to understand; measure depth (by sounding); Ex. plumb the depth of
n plummet: fall sharply; fall straight down; Ex. Stock prices plummeted.
n poignancy: quality of being deeply moving; keenness of emotion; ADJ. poignant: touching; deeply moving; (of sorrow, grief, etc.) painful; keenly distressing to the mind; Ex. poignant memory/anxiety; CF. prick
n polarize: split into opposite extremes or camps
n polemic: attack or defense of an opinion; controversy or refutation; argument in support of point of view; N. polemics: art of debate or controversy
n polemical(polemic): aggressive in verbal attack; disputatious (rather than simply expressing opinions)
n ponderous: having great weight; weighty; unwieldy; lacking lightness; dull; Ex. ponderous body/style of writing
n pontifical: pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious; CF. pontiff: pope; bishop
n pore: study industriously; ponder; scrutinize; Ex. pore over the book; N.
n portly: stout; corpulent
n poseur: person who pretends to be sophisticated, elegant, etc., to impress others; person who poses; CF. pose
n posterity: descendants; future generations; Ex. go down to posterity; CF. posterior, anterior
n posthumous: after death (as of child born after father's death or book published after author's death); coming or occurring after one's death; Ex. posthumous fame/novel
n postulate: self-evident truth; something assumed without proof; V: assume the truth of (as a basis of an argument)
n posture: assume an affected pose; act artificially; N: pose; attitude
n potable: suitable for drinking; drinkable
n potentate: monarch; sovereign
n potpourri: heterogeneous mixture; medley; mixture of dried flower petals a pot (to give a pleasant smell to a room)
n poultice: soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of the body
n pr\'ecis: abstract; concise summing up of main points; concise summary of a text
n prate: talk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly
n prattle: talk idly; babble; N. CF. prate
n precarious: unsafe; lacking in stability; uncertain; risky; Ex. precarious living
n predilection: preference; partiality
n predispose: give an inclination toward (in advance); make susceptible to; Ex. predispose people to certain cancer; N. predisposition
n preempt: prevent in advance; head off(forestall); forestall by acting first; appropriate for oneself before others; supplant; take the place of; displace; Ex. preempt any attempts; ADJ. preemptive
n preen: make oneself tidy in appearance; feel self-satisfaction or pride; (of a bird) smooth or clean (feathers) with the beak; Ex. preen oneself on; CF. prune
n prehensile: capable of grasping or holding (esp. by wrapping around); Ex. prehensile tails
n prelate: church dignitary; priest of high position in the church (esp. bishop)
n prescience: ability to foretell the future; knowledge of actions before they occur; ADJ. prescient
n presumptuous: going beyond what is right; excessively forward; arrogant; taking liberties
n pretentious: ostentatious; showy; pompous; making unjustified claims; overambitious; Ex. pretentious films that claim to be art
n preternatural: beyond what is normal in nature; supernatural; Ex. preternatural strength/forces
n prevail: be widespread; triumph over; gain victory; prevail on: persuade; induce; Ex. Justice has prevailed; Ex. prevail on someone to do something
n prevaricate: lie; hide the truth (by equivocating)
n prim: proper to the point of affectation; very precise and formal; exceedingly proper
n primogeniture: seniority by birth; state of being the first-born child; right of the eldest child (to inherit the entire property of one or both parents)
n primp: groom oneself with care; adorn oneself
n pristine: unspoiled; remaining in a pure state; characteristic of earlier times; primitive; Ex. an old book in pristine condition
n privation: lack of the basic necessities or comforts of life; hardship; want; CF. deprive
n privy: secret; hidden; not public; made a participant in something secret; Ex. privy chamber government; Ex. be privy to a discussion; CF. private
n problematic: causing a problem; open to doubt; doubtful; unsettled; questionable; Ex. Whether the arena will ever be completed is problematic.
n prod: poke (with a pointed object); stir up; urge; goad to action; N: pointed object used to prod; prodding
n profligate: wasteful (of money); dissipated; wildly immoral; dissolute; N: profligate person; N. profligacy
n progeny: children; offspring; descendants
n prolixity: tedious wordiness; verbosity; ADJ. prolix: wordy; verbose; diffuse
n promiscuous: mixed indiscriminately; indiscriminate; not choosing carefully; indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners; irregular, particularly sexually; Ex. promiscuous life/girl; N. promiscuity
n promote: advance in rank; advance; help to flourish; advocate; help actively in forming; publicize or popularize; Ex. Milk promotes health; Ex. promote a match/bill; Ex. promote a new product
n prompt: cause; urge; provoke; provide a cue (for an actor); ADJ: done without delay; done at the right time; punctual; on time; N: reminder or cue
n promulgate: announce; proclaim a doctrine or law; make known by official publication
n propinquity: nearness (in space or relationship); proximity; kinship
n propitiate: appease; conciliate; make peaceful; ADJ. propitiatory
n propitious: favorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortunate; Ex. propitious day/sign
n prosaic: lacking in imagination; dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact(concerned with facts, not imagination or feelings); factual; CF. prose
n proscenium: part of stage in front of curtain; front arch of a stage
n proselytize: (induce someone to) convert to a religion or belief; N. proselyte: new convert to a doctrine or religion
n prosody: art of versification; study of the metrical structure of verse
n protean: able to take on many forms; versatile; CF. Proteus: sea god to change his shape at will
n protocol: diplomatic etiquette; ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats; first copy of a treaty before its ratification; Ex. Protocol demands that the queen meet him at the airport.
n protuberance: protrusion; swelling; bulge
n provenance: place of origin; origin or source of something; Ex. Gunpowder is of Chinese provenance; CF. come
n provender: dry food for livestock; fodder
n prowess: extraordinary ability; military bravery; Ex. prowess in battle
n prude: excessively modest or proper person (who is easily shocked by improper things, esp. of a sexual nature); N. prudery; ADJ. prudish: excessively concerned with propriety
n prurient: having or causing lustful desires and thoughts; arousing immoderate sexual desire
n pry: inquire impertinently (someone else's private affairs); use leverage to raise or open something; prize; N. pries: tool for prying
n pterodactyl: extinct flying reptile; CF. wing+finger
n puerile: childish; immature; CF. puer: boy
n pugnacity: combativeness; disposition to fight; ADJ. pugnacious: (of people) belligerent; combative in nature
n puissant: powerful; strong; potent; N. puissance: power
n pulchritude: beauty; comeliness; ADJ. pulchritudinous
n pulmonary: pertaining to the lungs
n pulsate: throb; beat regularly; vibrate regularly
n pummel: pommel; beat or pound with fists
n pundit: authority on a subject; expert; learned person
n punitive: punishing; Ex. punitive measures
n puny: tiny; weak; insignificant
n purchase: secure grasp or hold; firm grasp or footing
n purse: pucker; contract (lips) into wrinkles; N: wallet
n purveyor: furnisher of foodstuffs; caterer; V. purvey: supply (eg. food); furnish; CF. provide
n pusillanimous: cowardly; lacking courage; fainthearted
n putative: supposed; reputed; generally regarded as such; Ex. putative father of the child
n putrid: decayed and foul-smelling; foul; rotten; decayed; N. putridity
n quadruped: four-footed animal; ADJ. CF. biped
n quaff: drink with zest; drink with relish(zest; hearty enjoyment); ²Ü²©²Ü²© ¸¶½Ã´Ù; CF. sip
n quagmire: bog; marsh; soft, wet, boggy land; predicament; complex or dangerous situation from which it is difficult to free oneself
n quail: cower; shrink back in fear; lose heart
n qualms: uneasy feelings; misgivings; uneasy fears especially about matters of conscience; Ex. I have no qualms about giving this assignment to Helen.
n quandary: dilemma; state of uncertainty; Ex. She is in a quandary about whether to go.
n quarantine: isolation of a person, place, or ship to prevent spread of infection; V: isolate in quarantine
n quarry: person or animal of pursuit; victim; object of a hunt; prey
n quarry: dig into (to get stone); N: mine; Ã¤¼®Àå
n quash: crush; suppress; squash; subdue; annul; Ex. quash a rebellion/the decision of the low court
n queasy: experiencing nausea; nauseated; easily nauseated; squeamish; Ex. feel a little queasy
n quell: suppress; put an end to; put down forcibly; extinguish; quiet; Ex. ``Army Quells Rebellion'' in newspaper; CF. kill
n quench: assuage or satisfy (thrust); slake; douse or extinguish; put out; suppress
n querulous: given to complaining; complaining; fretful; whining
n quibble: minor objection or complaint; V: raise minor objections; carp; cavil
n quiescent: dormant; temporarily inactive; at rest; N. quiescence
n quintessence: purest and highest embodiment; perfect example; apotheosis; most essential element; Ex. quintessence of wit; ADJ. quintessential; CF. fifth essence
n quip: taunt; clever sarcastic remark; V.
n quirk: sudden sharp turn or twist; startling twist; caprice; idiosyncrasy; peculiarity of behavior; Ex. by a quirk of fate
n quisling: traitor who aids invaders; CF. Vidkun Quisling
n quiver: tremble; shake; N.
n quiver: case for arrows
n quixotic: idealistic but impractical; CF. Don Quixote
n quizzical: curious; suggesting puzzlement (without saying); questioning; teasing; mocking; bantering; Ex. quizzical glance
n quorum: minimal number of members necessary to conduct a meeting
n quotidian: daily; commonplace; customary; Ex. quotidian routine
n rabid: of or suffering rabies; like a fanatic; extremely zealous; furious; CF. rabies: hydrophobia
n raconteur: story-teller; one who tells stories with wit and skill
n ragamuffin: dirty child in torn clothes; person wearing tattered clothes
n rail: complain bitterly; scold; rant; Ex. the weaker railing against injustices
n raiment: clothing; garments; Ex. I have no raiment fit to wear.
n rakish: jaunty; stylish; sporty; morally corrupt; dissolute; Ex. He wore his hat at a rakish and jaunty angle.
n ramp: slope; inclined plane or roadway (connecting two levels)
n rampant: growing or spreading uncontrollably; growing in profusion; unrestrained; Ex. rampant lawlessness/weed
n ramshackle: (of a building or vehicle) poorly constructed; rickety; falling apart
n rancid: having the odor of stale or decomposing fat; rank
n rancor: long-lasting hatred; bitterness; Ex. negotiation without rancor; ADJ. rancorous
n rankle: irritate; fester; annoy
n rant: speak violently or excitedly; rave; talk excitedly showing anger; scold; make a grandiloquent speech; Ex. The priest ranted about the devil.
n rapacious: voracious; ravenous; taking everything one can; excessively grasping; plundering; subsisting on live prey; Ex. rapacious birds
n rapt: engrossed; absorbed; enchanted; Ex. rapt listener
n rarefied: made less dense (of a gas); V. rarefy: make less dense; N. rarefaction
n raspy: making a harsh noise; grating; harsh
n ratiocination: reasoning; act of drawing conclusions from premises; V. ratiocinate: reason logically
n raucous: (of voice) harsh and unpleasant; (of people) disorderly and boisterous; Ex. raucous shouts
n rave: overwhelmingly favorable review; V: talk wildly as if mad; Ex. raving lunatic
n ravenous: extremely hungry; voracious
n ravine: narrow valley with steep sides; gorge; CF. gully, canyon
n rebuff: reject bluntly; snub; beat back; Ex. She rebuffed his invitation; N.
n rebus: representation of words in the form of pictures or symbols; puzzle in which pictures or letters stand for words; Ex. ``R U 18'' is a rebus for ``Are you 18''.
n rebuttal: refutation; response with contrary evidence; V. rebut: refute; disprove
n recalcitrant: disobedient or resisting authority even after being punished; obstinately stubborn; determined to resist authority; unruly; Ex. recalcitrant child
n recast: reconstruct (a sentence, story, statue, etc.); fashion again
n reciprocate: do or give something in return; repay in kind; give or take mutually; interchange; move backwards and forwards; Ex. reciprocate his invitation by inviting him; N. reciprocity: reciprocal relationship; mutual interchange of advantages between two groups; Ex. reciprocity in trading rights
n recount: narrate or tell (a story); count over again
n rectitude: moral correctness; moral uprightness; moral virtue; correctness of judgment
n redoubtable: formidable; causing fear
n redress: remedy; compensation; Ex. seek redress for the damage to your car; V: put right; remedy or rectify (a wrong); make amends for
n reek: emit (an unpleasant odor or smoke); give off an unpleasant odor; give out smoke; Ex. reeking chimney; N: unpleasant odor; stench
n refectory: dining hall; room where meals are served (in a school)
n refractory: unmanageable; disobedient and stubborn; Ex. refractory horse
n refrain: abstain from; resist; forbear; N: chorus
n refurbish: renovate; make clean, bright, or fresh (make new) again; make bright by polishing; Ex. refurbish an old theater; CF. furbish: polish
n regale: entertain
n regatta: boat or yacht race
n regimen: prescribed course of diet or exercise; prescribed diet and habits; Ex. daily regimen of a dancer
n regiment: military unit; V: subject to strict order; Ex. regimented society
n rejoinder: reply; retort; comeback; V. rejoin: say in reply
n relegate: put into a lower or worse place; banish to an inferior position; delegate; assign; Ex. relegate the old furniture to the children's room; Ex. relegated to the second division
n relic: surviving remnant (from an extinct culture); memento; keepsake; relics: corpse; Ex. ancient relics; Ex. relics of his travel; Ex. His relics are buried at X.
n relish: enjoy; savor; N: enjoyment; zest
n renegade: deserter; traitor; ADJ.
n renege: break a promise; deny; go back on; Ex. renege on the contract/paying off the debt
n rent: tear made by rending; rip; split
n reparation: compensation (for loss or wrong); amends; Ex. make reparation for the damage; CF. repair
n repast: meal; feast; banquet
n repine: fret; complain; be annoyed; Ex. repine over the undone work
n reprise: musical repetition; repeating of a piece of music; repeat performance; recurrent action; Ex. reprise in the finale; Ex. constant reprises
n reprobate: morally disapproved person; person hardened in sin, devoid of a sense of decency; CF. disapproved by God ?
n requite: make return for; repay; reciprocate; revenge; N. requittal
n respite: time for rest; interval of relief; delay in punishment; reprieve
n restitution: returning something (lost or stolen) to the rightful owner; reparation; indemnification; compensation for loss, damage, or injury
n restive: impatiently restless (induced by external coercion or restriction); restlessly impatient; obstinately resisting control; Ex. restive horses because of wolves; CF. not a general synonym for `restless'
n resurge: rise again; flow to and fro; N. resurgence; ADJ. resurgent: (of ideas or beliefs) experiencing revival; surging again
n retentive: holding; able to retain things (esp. facts in the mind); having a good memory
n reticent: inclined to silence; uncommunicative; reserved; Ex. He was reticent about the reasons; N. reticence
n retiring: shy and reserved (of a person); modest; Ex. her retiring personality
n retrench: cut down; cut down expenses; economize
n retribution: deserved punishment for wrongdoing; punishment for offenses; compensation; vengeance; CF. pay back
n retroactive: taking effect before its enactment (as a law) or imposition (as a tax); (of a law) having effect on the past as well as the future
n retrograde: go backwards; recede; degenerate; deteriorate; ADJ.
n revelry: boisterous merrymaking; V. revel: engage boisterous festivities; enjoy greatly; N: boisterous festivity or celebration
n reverberate: echo repeatedly; resound; Ex. The thunder reverberated across the valley.
n reverie: daydream; abstracted musing
n revile: attack with abusive language; vilify(slander)
n revulsion: sudden strong feeling of disgust; sudden violent change of feeling; negative reaction; Ex. revulsion from the scenes of torture
n rhapsodize: speak or write in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic manner; Ex. rhapsodize over the beauty of the scenery
n rhetoric: art of effective communication; art of using language effectively and persuasively; style of speaking or writing; grandiloquent language; Ex. political rhetoric; ADJ. rhetorical; CF. rhetorical question: question to which no answer is expected as ``Who knows it ?''
n ribald: marked by vulgar lewd humor; wanton; profane; N. ribaldry: ribald language or joke
n riddle: pierce with holes; permeate or spread throughout; Ex. The gunman riddled the car with bullets; Ex. The whole report is riddled with errors; N. large sieve (separating earth from stone)
n rider: amendment or clause added to a legislative bill
n rife: (of something bad) widespread; abundant; current
n rift: narrow opening in a large mass; break in a friendly relation; Ex. through a rift in the clouds; OP. reconcilation
n rig: fix or manipulate; manipulate dishonestly for personal gain; Ex. rig the election
n rile: irritate; vex; muddy
n riveting: holding one's attention; absorbing; engrossing
n rivulet: small stream; CF. rill < rivulet < river
n roil: make liquids murky by stirring up sediment; disturb
n roseate: rosy; optimistic; Ex. roseate views
n roster: list (of names)
n rostrum: raised platform for speech-making; pulpit
n rote: repetition; memorization through repetition without understanding; Ex. learn poetry by rote
n rotunda: circular building or hall covered with a dome
n rotundity: roundness; sonorousness of speech
n rousing: lively; inducing excitement; stirring; V. rouse: waken; arouse from sleep or depression; excite; stir up
n rubric: title or heading (in red print); directions for religious ceremony; protocol
n ruddy: reddish; (of the face) reddish and healthy-looking
n rue: regret; lament; mourn; Ex. He will rue the day; N. ADJ. rueful
n ruffian: violent scoundrel; bully
n ruminate: chew over and over (mentally or, like cows, physically); mull over(ponder)
n runic: mysterious; set down in an ancient alphabet; N. rune: one of the letters of an alphabet used by ancient Germanic peoples (cut on stone or wood); magic charm
n ruse: trick to deceive; stratagem
n sacrosanct: invioably sacred; most sacred; inviolable
n sadistic: inclined to cruelty; N. sadism: delight in cruelty
n sagacious: wise; perceptive; shrewd; having insight; N. sagacity
n sage: person celebrated for wisdom; wise person; ADJ: wise
n salacious: lascivious; lustful; Ex. salacious monk
n salient: prominent; projecting beyond a line; conspicuous; Ex. salient features
n sallow: (of the skin) yellowish and unhealthy-looking; sickly in color; Ex. sallow complexion due to jaundice
n salubrious: healthful; conducive to health or well-being; socially desirable; Ex. salubrious area; CF. health
n salutary: tending to improve; beneficial; wholesome; Ex. The punishment had a salutary effect on the boy; CF. health
n sanctimonious: displaying ostentatious or hypocritical devoutness; N. sanctimony: hypocritical piety
n sap: diminish; weaken; undermine the foundations of (a fortification); Ex. The element kryptonite sapped his strength.
n sardonic: scornfully mocking; disdainful; sarcastic; cynical; Ex. sardonic smile
n sartorial: pertaining to tailors or tailoring; Ex. a man of great sartorial elegance; CF. sartor: tailor
n sate: satisfy to the full; satisfy to excess; cloy
n saturnine: morose; gloomy; Ex. Do not be misled by his saturnine countenance.
n satyr: half-human, half-bestial being in the court of Dionysus (resembling a goat), portrayed as wanton(unrestrained) and cunning; lecher; CF. faun; CF. goat: lecherous man
n saunter: stroll(go for a leisurely walk) slowly; N.
n savant: scholar; learned person; CF. savoir: know
n savor: enjoy; have a distinctive flavor, smell, or quality; N: taste or smell; distinctive quality
n savory: pleasant in taste; tasty; pleasing, attractive, or agreeable; Ex. savory reputation
n scabbard: case for a sword blade; sheath
n scad: a great quantity; Ex. scads of clothes
n scaffold: temporary platform for workers (to work at heights above the ground); bracing framework; platform for execution
n scapegoat: someone who bears the blame for others; whipping boy; CF. escape+goat
n scavenge: hunt through discarded materials for usable items or food; search, especially for food; N. scavenger: one who scavenges; animal that feeds on refuse and carrion
n schism: division into factions (esp. within a religious body); split
n scintilla: trace; minute amount; shred; least bit; Ex. There is not a scintilla of truth; CF. spark
n scintillate: sparkle; flash; be animated; be full of life; Ex. scintillating conversation
n scoff: laugh (at); mock; ridicule; Ex. scoff at their threats
n scotch: stamp out(put an end to); thwart; hinder; Ex. scotch the rumor; CF. cut; CF. È°µ¿À» ÁÙÀÌ´Â ÀÇ¹Ì
n scourge: lash; whip (formerly used for punishment); source of severe punishment; V: whip; afflict
n scruple: hesitate for ethical reasons; fret about; Ex. She did not scruple to read his diary; N: uneasy feeling arising from conscience; conscience
n scuffle: struggle confusedly; move off in a confused hurry; N. CF. scuffling twins ?
n scurrilous: abusive; obscene; indecent; Ex. scurrilous remark
n scurry: move hastily; hurry; move briskly
n scurvy: contemptible; despicable; N: disease caused by deficiency of Vitamin C
n scuttle: sink (a ship) by cutting holes in the hull; scrap; discard; N: small hatch in a ship's deck or hull
n seamy: sordid; base; filthy; unwholesome; Ex. seamy side of city life
n sear: burn the surface of; char or burn; brand; parch; cause (a plant) to wither
n secrete: conceal; hide away or cache; produce and release a substance into an organism; CF. secretive
n sedate: composed (with no excitement); grave; V: administer a sedative to; CF. sedative
n sedulous: diligent; assiduous; paying attention; N. sedulity
n seedy: run-down; decrepit; disreputable; having many seeds; Ex. seedy downtown hotel
n seemly: (of behavior) proper; appropriate
n seep: pass slowly through small openings; ooze; trickle; N. seepage
n seethe: be violently disturbed; boil; (of a liquid) move about wildly as if boiling; Ex. The nation was seething with discontent.
n seine: seine net; net for catching fish
n semblance: outward appearance; guise; Ex. We called in the troops to bring a/some semblance of order to the city.
n seminary: school for training future ministers; secondary school, especially for young women
n sensitization: process of being made sensitive or acutely responsive to an external agent or substance; V. sensitize: make or become sensitive
n sententious: pithy; terse; concise; aphoristic
n sentient: capable of sensation and conscious; aware; sensitive; Ex. sentient creature; N. sentience
n septic: of or causing sepsis; putrid; producing putrefaction; N. sepsis: poisoning of part of the body (producing pus)
n sepulcher: tomb; V: place in a sepulcher; ADJ. sepulchral
n sequester: isolate; segregate; seclude; retire from public life
n sere: sear; parched; dry
n serendipity: gift for finding valuable things by accident; accidental good fortune or luck; CF. The Three Princes of Serendip
n serpentine: winding; twisting; of or like a serpent; Ex. serpentine course of the river; N. serpent: snake
n serrated: having a sawtoothed edge; Ex. serrated leaf
n sever: separate; cut off (a part) from a whole; break up (a relationship); N. severance; CF. severance pay: extra pay given an employee upon leaving a position
n sextant: navigation tool used to determine a ship's latitude and longitude (by measuring the altitudes of stars)
n shackle: chain; fetter; confine with shackles; N.
n sham: pretend; feign; ADJ: not genuine; fake; Ex. sham jewelry; N: something that is not what it appears; impostor; pretense; Ex. The agreement was a sham.
n shambles: (place or scene of) complete disorder or ruin; wreck; mess; Ex. After the hurricane, the coast was a shambles.
n shard: fragment generally of broken pottery (glass, clay bowl, or cup)
n shaving: very thin piece, usually of wood (cut from a surface with a sharp blade)
n sheaf: bundle of stalks of grain; any bundle of things tied together
n sheathe: place into a case; insert into or provide with a sheath; Ex. He sheathed his dagger; N. sheath: case for a blade
n sherbet: flavored dessert ice
n shimmer: shine with a flickering light; glimmer intermittently; Ex. The moonlight shimmered on the water; N.
n shirk: avoid (responsibility, work, etc.); malinger
n shoddy: made of inferior material; sham; not genuine; inferior; dishonest; Ex. shoddy goods/trick
n shrew: scolding woman; very small mouselike animal
n shun: keep away from; avoid deliberately; Ex. She has been shunned by her neighbors.
n shunt: move (a railway train) from one track to another; turn aside; divert; sidetrack; Ex. shunt traffic around an accident; N.
n shyster: lawyer using questionable methods; unscrupulous practioner
n sibylline: prophetic; oracular; N. sibyl: woman prophet (in the ancient world)
n sidereal: relating to stars; Ex. sidereal day
n silt: sediment deposited by running water (at the entrance to a harbor or by a bend in a river)
n simian: monkeylike; N: ape or monkey
n simper: smirk; smile in a silly way; smile affectedly
n sinecure: well-paid position with little responsibility; CF. sine cure: without care; CF. San Serif
n sinewy: (of meat) tough; strong and firm; muscular; N. sinew: tendon; strong cord connecting a muscle to a bone
n sinuous: twisting; winding; bending in and out; not morally honest
n skiff: small light sailboat or rowboat
n skimp: provide or use scantily; live very economically; Ex. skimp on necessities; ADJ. skimpy: inadequate in amount; scanty; stingy; niggardly
n skinflint: miser; stingy person
n skittish: inconstant; capricious; frivolous; not serious; Ex. charming but skittish young woman; CF. skit
n skulduggery(skullduggery): dishonest behavior or action; Ex. skulduggery in the election
n skulk: move furtively and secretly; Ex. He skulked through the less fashionable sections of the city.
n slacken: slow up; loosen; make or become slack
n slag: glassy residue from smelting metal; dross; waste matter
n slapdash: hasty and careless; haphazard; sloppy(carelessly done)
n sleazy: shabby and dirty; flimsy; insubstantial; Ex. sleazy back-street hotel/fabric
n sleeper: one that achieves unexpected success; something originally of little value or importance that in time becomes very valuable
n slew: large quantity or number; Ex. slew of errands left
n slight: insult to one's dignity; snub; V: treat as if of small importance; insult; snub; ADJ. small in size; of small importance
n slipshod: slovenly; careless; sloppy; untidy; shabby; Ex. slipshod work
n slither: slip or slide
n slough: (of a snake) shed or cast off (dead outer skin); N: outer layer that is shed
n slovenly: untidy; careless in work habits; slipshod; N. sloven: one who is habitually untidy or careless
n sluggard: lazy person
n sluice: artificial channel for directing or controlling the flow of water (with a gate to regulate the flow)
n slur: pronounce indistinctly; speak indistinctly; mumble
n slur: slander; insult to one's character or reputation; V.
n smattering: slight knowledge; small scattered number or amount; Ex. smattering of German
n smelt: melt (ore) for separating and removing the metal; melt or blend ores changing their chemical composition
n smirk: conceited smile; offensively self-satisfied smile (often at someone else's misfortune); V.
n smolder: smoulder; burn slowly without flame; be liable to break out at any moment; exist in a suppressed state; Ex. smoldering anger
n snicker: half-stifled(suppressed) laugh; V.
n snivel: complain or whine tearfully; run at the nose; snuffle; Ex. Don't come back sniveling to me.
n sodden: thoroughly soaked; dull or stupid as if from drink
n sojourn: temporary stay; V: stay for a time
n solace: comfort in sorrow or trouble; consolation; V: comfort or console in time of sorrow or trouble
n solder: repair or make whole by using a metal alloy; N: metal alloy (usually tin and lead) used in the molten state to join metallic parts
n solecism: nonstandard grammatical construction; construction that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically; violation of social etiquette
n solicitous: anxious; worried; concerned; eager; Ex. solicitous to do something; N. solicitude
n somber: dark; gloomy; melancholy; depressing; CF. shadow
n somnolent: half asleep; drowsy; N. somnolence
n sonorous: resonant; producing a full deep sound; producing sound
n sophomoric: immature; half-baked; like a sophomore
n soporific: sleep-causing; marked by sleepiness; drowsy
n sordid: filthy; foul; base; vile; Ex. sordid bed/story
n spangle: small shiny metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation
n spartan: without attention to comfort; lacking luxury and comfort; sternly disciplined; Ex. spartan living condition/life
n spasmodic: fitful; periodic; of or like a spasm; N. spasm: sudden involuntary muscular contraction; sudden burst of energy or emotion
n spat: squabble; minor dispute; minor quarrel
n spate: sudden flood or rush; Ex. spate of accidents
n spatula: broad-bladed instrument used for spreading or mixing
n spendthrift: someone who wastes money; CF. thrift: accumulated wealth
n sphinx-like: enigmatic; mysterious
n splice: join together end to end to make one continuous length; fasten together; unite; Ex. splice two strips of tape; N.
n spoonerism: accidental transposition of sounds in successive words; Ex. ``Let me sew you to your sheet'' for ``Let me show you to your seat''; CF. William Spooner
n sportive: playful; frolicsome; merry; CF. sport: play or frolic; CF. sportsmanlike
n spruce: neat and trim in appearance; smart; Ex. Be spruce for your job interview; V.
n spry: (esp. of older people) vigorously active; nimble
n spurious: false; counterfeit; forged; illogical; Ex. spurious arguments
n spurn: reject disdainfully; scorn; Ex. She spurned all offers of help.
n squabble: minor quarrel; bickering; V: engage in a minor quarrel; Ex. squabbling children
n squalor: condition of being squalid; filth; degradation; dirty neglected state; ADJ. squalid: dirty; sordid; morally repulsive; Ex. squalid story
n squat: short and thick; stocky; Ex. ugly squat tower; V. N.
n staccato: played in an abrupt manner; marked by abrupt sharp sound; Ex. staccato applause
n staid: serious and sedate; sober; Ex. staid during the funeral ceremony
n stalwart: physically strong; brawny; steadfast; strong in mind or determination; Ex. stalwart supporter; N: stalwart follower
n stanch: stop or check flow of blood; Ex. stanch the gushing wound
n stanza: division of a poem (composed of two or more lines)
n steadfast: steadily loyal; unswerving; steady
n steep: soak; saturate; Ex. steep the fabric in the dye bath; ADJ: precipitous
n stem: stop or check (the flow of); Ex. stem the bleeding from the slashed artery; N: main axis of a plant; stalk
n stentorian: (of the voice) extremely loud; CF. Stentor: a loud herald in the Iliad
n stickler: perfectionist; person who insists things be exactly right
n stifle: suppress; extinguish; inhibit; smother or suffocate
n stigma: token of disgrace; brand; V. stigmatize: mark with a stigma; characterize as disgraceful
n stilted: bombastic; stiffly pompous; Ex. stilted rhetoric; CF. stiff: formal
n stint: set limits in amount or number; be thrifty; ADJ. stinting, unstinting; CF. stint:savings
n stint: supply; allotted amount of work; assigned portion of work; limitation; Ex. two-year stint in the army; Ex. without stint
n stipend: pay for services
n stipple: paint or draw with dots or short strokes
n stock: standard; kept regularly in stock or supply; typical; routine; common; Ex. stock sizes of paper; Ex. stock excuse/character; N: goods for sale in a shop; OP. unique
n stockade: wooden enclosure or pen; fixed line of posts used as defensive barrier
n stodgy: dull; stuffy; boringly conservative; Ex. stodgy book
n stoke: stir up a fire or furnace; feed plentifully
n stolid: dull; impassive; showing little emotion when strong feelings are expected
n strew: spread randomly; sprinkle; scatter; Ex. flower girl strewing rose petals
n striated: marked with parallel bands; striped; grooved; Ex. striated rocks; V. striate; N. stria: thin groove or line
n stricture: severe and adverse criticism; critical comments; limit or restriction
n strident: loud and harsh; insistent; N. stridency
n strut: supporting bar; CF. airplane wingÀÌ³ª building µîÀ» support
n strut: pompous walk; V: walk in a self-important manner
n studied: carefully contrived; calculated; unspontaneous; deliberate; thoughtful; Ex. studied remark
n stultify: make stupid in mind; cause to appear or become stupid or inconsistent; suppress; frustrate or hinder; Ex. stultifying effect of uninteresting work; Ex. stultify free expression
n stupefy: stun; make numb (as with a drug); amaze
n stupor: state of being stupefied; state of apathy; daze; lack of awareness
n stygian: unpleasantly dark; gloomy; hellish; deathly; CF. Styx: the chief river in the subterranean land of the dead
n stymie: thwart; present an obstacle; stump
n suavity: urbanity; polish; ADJ. suave: smooth and courteous
n subaltern: subordinate
n suborn: persuade to act unlawfully (especially to commit perjury); N. subornation
n subpoena: writ(written command issued by a court) summoning a witness to appear in court; V: summon with a subpoena
n substantive: substantial; essential; pertaining to the substance; substantial; considerable; Ex. substantive issues
n subsume: include (as a member of a group); encompass
n subterfuge: stratagem(deceptive scheme); pretense; evasion; Ex. resort to a harmless subterfuge
n subversive: tending to overthrow or ruin; V. subvert: overthrow completely (an established system); destroy completely; CF. undermine ?
n succulent: juicy; full of juice or sap; full of richness; N: succulent plant such as a cactus
n suffragist: advocate of the extension of voting rights (for women); CF. suffrage
n suffuse: spread through or over (with a color or liquid); charge; Ex. A blush suffused her cheeks.
n sully: defile; soil; tarnish; Ex. sully one's hands in menial labor
n sumptuous: grand suggesting great expense; lavish; rich; Ex. sumptuous feast
n sunder: separate; part; CF. asunder
n sundry: miscellaneous; various; several; N. sundries: small miscellaneous items
n superannuated: retired or disqualified because of age; outmoded; obsolete
n supererogatory: superfluous; more than needed or demanded
n supernumerary: person or thing excess of what is necessary; extra; ADJ: additional to the usual or necessary number
n supine: lying on back; passive; inactive; Ex. The defeated pugilist lay supine; Ex. supine acceptance of the decision
n supposititious: assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical
n surfeit: satiate; feed or supply to excess; stuff; indulge to excess in anything; N: surfeiting; excessive amount; Ex. surfeit of food
n surly: bad-tempered; rude; cross
n surrogate: substitute; person or thing used in place of another; Ex. surrogate mother; ADJ.
n susceptible: impressionable; easily influenced; sensitive; having little resistance as to a disease; likely to suffer; receptive to; capable of accepting; Ex. susceptible to persuasion/colds; Ex. The agreement is not susceptible of alteration; N. susceptibility
n suture: stitches sewn to hold the cut edges of a wound or incision; material used in sewing; V: sew together a wound
n swarthy: (of a skin or complexion) dark; dusky; Ex. swarthy Italian ?
n swathe: swath; wrap around; bandage; Ex. one's head swathed in bandages
n swelter: (of a person) suffer from oppressive heat; be oppressed by heat
n swerve: deviate; turn aside sharply from a straight course; Ex. swerve from the principle; Ex. The car swerved to the right.
n swill: drink greedily
n sybarite: lover of luxury; person devoted to pleasure and luxury; CF. Sybaris: an ancient Greek city in Italy
n sylvan: pertaining to the woods or the country
n symbiosis: interdependent relationship (between groups, species) often mutually beneficial; ADJ. symbiotic; CF. together + life
n taciturn: habitually silent; talking little
n taint: contaminate; cause to lose purity; modify with a trace of something bad; Ex. tainted reputation; N: stain; touch of decay or bad influence; CF. touch
n talisman: charm; object believed to give supernatural powers to or protect its bearer
n talon: claw of bird
n tangential: only slightly connected; not central; peripheral; digressing; showing divergence; CF. tangent
n tanner: person who turns animal hides into leather
n tantalize: tease; excite by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach; torture with disappointment; CF. Tantalus: Greek mythological figure
n tantamount: equivalent in effect or value; Ex. This invasion is tantamount to a declaration of war; CF. amount
n tantrum: fit of bad temper; fit of petulance; caprice; Ex. The child went into tantrums.
n taper: very thin candle; gradual decrease in the width of a long object; V. make or become gradually narrower toward one end
n tarantula: venomous spider
n tarry: linger; delay in starting or going; dawdle
n taut: tight; strained; tense; ready; OP. slack
n tautological: needlessly repetitious; Ex. ``It was visible to the eye''; N. tautology: needless repetition of the same sense; statement that is always true
n tawdry: cheap and gaudy; Ex. tawdry jewelry
n teetotalism: practice of abstaining totally from alcoholic drinks; N. teetotaler;; ADJ. teetotal; CF. T + total
n tempestuous: stormy; violent; impassioned; N. tempest: violent storm
n temporal: of time; not lasting forever; limited by time; temporary; secular; worldly
n temporize: gain time as by postponing an action; avoid committing oneself
n tendentious: promoting a particular point of view; biased; having an aim; designed to further a cause; Ex. tendentious rather than truth-seeking; CF. tend: move in a certain direction
n tensile: capable of being stretched; of tension; Ex. tensile rubber
n tentative: not fully worked out or developed; provisional; experimental; uncertain; hesitant; not definite or positive; Ex. tentative agreement/reply
n tenuous: thin; slim; rare
n tepid: lukewarm; slightly warm; ¹ÌÁö±ÙÇÑ; half-hearted; not eager; Ex. tepid reaction to the new film; Ex. tepid supporter
n terminus: last stop of railroad; end
n tertiary: third in order or rank
n tessellated: mosaic; inlaid; Ex. tessellated pattern
n testator: maker of a will; CF. testatrix
n testy: irritable; impatient and bad-tempered; short-tempered; N. testiness
n tether: tie (an animal) with a rope or tether; N: rope or chain to which an animal is tied; limit of one's endurance; Ex. the end of one's tether
n thermal: pertaining to heat; producing heat; warm; Ex. thermal bath; N: rising current of warm air
n thespian: pertaining to drama; N: actor or actress
n thrall: slave; bondage; slavery; Ex. Her beauty held him in thrall; CF. enthrall
n threadbare: worn through till the threads show; shabby and poor; hackneyed; Ex. threadbare excuses
n throng: crowd (of people or things); V.
n throttle: strangle; regulate the speed of with a throttle; N: valve that regulates the flow; CF. throat ?
n tightwad: miser; excessively frugal person
n tiller: handle used to move boat's rudder (to steer)
n timbre: quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument (which distinguishes it from others of the same pitch)
n tipple: drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently; N: alcoholic drink
n tirade: long angry denunciatory speech; diatribe; harangue; extended scolding; denunciation
n tithe: tax of one-tenth (contributed to a church); V: pay a tithe
n titillate: tickle; excite pleasantly; Ex. not to titillate the audience but to enlighten it
n titter: nervous giggle; nervous laugh; V.
n titular: of a title; in name only; nominal; having the title of an office without the obligations; Ex. titular head of the company
n toady: servile flatterer; yes man; sycophant; V: be a toady to; fawn
n toga: Roman outer robe
n tonsure: shaving of the head especially by person entering religious orders; V.
n topography: physical features of a region (such as the shape and height); CF. topo-: place
n torque: twisting force; force producing rotation
n torrent: rushing stream; flood; Ex. The rain fell in torrents.
n torrid: (of weather) hot or scorching; passionate; Ex. torrid love affairs
n torso: trunk of statue with head and limbs missing; human trunk
n tortuous: winding; full of curves; Ex. tortuous mountain road
n totter: shake or move unsteadily; sway as if about to fall
n touchy: oversensitive; easily offended; irasible; delicate; needing delicate handling; Ex. touchy situation
n tout: promote or publicize (one's goods or service); praise excessively (as a form of advertisement); CF. advertise
n tract: propaganda pamphlet (esp. by a religious or political group); expanse of land; region of indefinite size; system of related organs; Ex. digestive tract
n transpire: (of a fact) become known; be revealed; happen; give off (watery waste matter) through pores
n transport: strong emotion; rapture; Ex. in a transport/transports of; V: move to strong emotion; enrapture
n trappings: outward decorations; ornaments (as an outward sign of rank)
n traumatic: (of an experience) deeply shocking; pertaining to an injury caused by violence; N. trauma: serious wound; emotional shock that causes lasting psychological damage
n travail: strenuous work; toil; painful labor; labor of childbirth
n travesty: copy or example of something that completely misrepresents the true nature of the real thing; comical parody or imitation; treatment aimed at making something appear ridiculous; Ex. travesty of justice; OP. paragon
n trek: travel; journey; V: make a long difficult journey
n tribulation: suffering; ordeal; distress; trial
n tribunal: court of justice
n trident: three-pronged spear
n trilogy: group of three related works (connected by a shared subject but each complete in itself)
n trinket: knickknack; bauble; cheap jewelry
n troth: pledge of good faith especially in betrothal; betrothal; Ex. by my troth
n trough: long narrow container for feeding farm animals; lowest point (of a wave, business cycle, etc.); long narrow depression as between waves
n truculence: aggressiveness; ferocity; ADJ. truculent: aggressive; pugnacious; fierce
n truism: self-evident truth
n tryst: meeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between lovers to meet
n tumid: (of a part of the body) swollen; distended; bombastic; pompous
n tumult: commotion of a great crowd; riot; noise; uproar; ADJ. tumultuous: noisy and disorderly
n turbid: (of a liquid) having the sediment disturbed; muddy; thick
n tureen: deep dish for serving soup
n turgid: swollen; distended (as from liquid)
n turmoil: extreme confusion; great commotion and confusion; Ex. throw the country into turmoil
n turncoat: traitor
n turpitude: depravity; baseness; Ex. moral turpitude
n tutelage: guardianship; training; function of a tutor; instruction
n tutelary: protective; pertaining to a guardianship; Ex. tutelary deities
n tycoon: wealthy and powerful businessperson; wealthy leader; magnate; Ex. business tycoon
n ulterior: intentionally hidden; beyond what is evident; situated beyond; unstated and often questionable; Ex. ulterior motive
n ultimatum: last demand; last warning; last statement of conditions that must be met; Ex. They have ignored our ultimatum.
n umbrage: resentment; anger; sense of injury or insult; Ex. take umbrage at his rudeness
n unassuming: modest; Ex. the champion's unassuming manner
n unbridled: violent; uncontrolled; Ex. unbridled rage/greed
n uncanny: strange; mysterious; Ex. uncanny knack
n unconscionable: unscrupulous; not guided by conscience; excessive; beyond reason; Ex. unconscionable demand
n uncouth: boorish; clumsy in speech or behavior; outlandish
n unction: the act of anointing with oil; Ex. extreme unction
n unctuous: oily; bland; insincerely suave
n unearth: dig up; discover (facts) by careful searching; Ex. He unearthed some secrets about her; OP. conceal
n unearthly: not earthly; supernatural; weird; ghostly
n unexceptionable: entirely acceptable; not offering any basis for criticism
n unfledged: immature; not having the feathers necessary to fly; CF. fledgling
n ungainly: (of someone) awkward in movement; clumsy; (of something) unwieldy; Ex. ungainly dancer/instrument
n unguent: ointment
n unilateral: one-sided; involving or affecting only one side; Ex. unilateral declaration
n unimpeachable: that cannot be impeached; beyond doubt or question; blameless and exemplary
n unison: unity of pitch (in musical performance); complete accord; Ex. The choir sang in unison.
n unkempt: disheveled; uncared for in appearance; not combed; CF. comb
n unmitigated: (of something bad) not moderated; unrelieved or immoderate; without qualification; absolute; Ex. unmitigated disaster
n unobtrusive: inconspicuous; not blatant
n unprepossessing: unattractive
n unscathed: unharmed; Ex. escape the accident unscathed
n unseemly: unbecoming; not proper in behavior; indecent; Ex. leave with unseemly haste
n unsightly: ugly; unpleasant to look at
n unsullied: untarnished; CF. sully
n untenable: (of a position, esp. in an argument) indefensible; not able to be maintained
n untoward: unexpected and adverse; unfortunate or unlucky; Ex. untoward encounter
n unwitting: not knowing; unaware; unintentional; Ex. She was their unwitting accomplice; Ex. unwitting insult; CF. wit: know
n unwonted: unaccustomed; unusual; Ex. He arrived with unwonted punctuality.
n upbraid: reprimand; severely scold
n uproarious: marked by commotion or uproar; very noisy (esp. with laughter); hilarious; causing loud laughter; extremely funny
n upshot: outcome; final result
n urbane: suave; refined in manner; elegant
n urchin: mischievous child (usually a boy); CF. urchin: hedgehog; CF. porcupine: pig with spikes ?; CF. sea urchin
n usurp: seize another's power or rank (without legal authority); supplant; appropriate; N. usurpation; CF. take for one's own use
n usury: lending money at illegal high rates of interest
n uxorious: excessively submissive or devoted to one's wife; CF. uxor: wife
n vacillate: waver (in opinion); fluctuate; sway to and fro; N. vacillation
n vacuous: empty; lacking in ideas; inane; stupid; Ex. vacuous expression; N. vacuity
n vagary: capricious happening; caprice; whim; CF. wander
n vainglorious: boastful; excessively conceited; N. vainglory: great vanity
n vanguard: forerunners; foremost position of an army; advance forces; foremost position in a trend or movement; CF. rearguard
n vapid: lacking liveliness; dull and unimaginative; insipid and flavorless; Ex. vapid lecture
n variegated: (esp. of a flower or leaf) many-colored
n vassal: in feudalism, one who held land of a superior lord; subordinate or dependent
n vaunted: boasted; bragged; highly publicized; V. vaunt: boast; brag
n veer: change in direction; swerve
n vegetate: live in a monotonous way (without interests or activity); CF. vegetation: plants of an area; CF. vegetarian; CF. vegan
n venal: capable of being bribed; corrupt; CF. vernal
n vendetta: blood feud (esp. between two families); CF. Nina Williams
n veneer: thin surface layer (of good quality wood, glued to a base of inferior material); cover; surface show; fa\c{c}ade; V.
n venerable: deserving high respect; commanding respect; CF. command: deserve and get
n venerate: revere; treat with great respect
n venial: (of a fault or sin) forgivable; trivial
n venison: meat of a deer; CF. cow: beef; CF. pig: pork, ham, bacon; CF. calf: veal; CF. sheep: mutton; CF. lamb: lamb
n venom: poison (of an animal); hatred; Ex. remarks full of venom; ADJ. venomous
n vent: small opening; outlet (as of fumes or a gas); Ex. He gave vent to his anger by kicking the chair.
n vent: release or discharge through a vent; express (esp. unfairly); utter; Ex. He vented his wrath on his family.
n ventral: abdominal
n venue: location; place (of a crime, trial, gathering, etc.); CF. come
n veracious: (of a person) truthful
n veracity: truthfulness; adherence to the truth
n verdant: green; covered with green plants or grass; lush in vegetation; Ex. verdant meadows
n verdigris: green coating or patina on copper which has been exposed to the weather
n verisimilar: having the appearance of truth or reality; probable or likely to be true; plausible
n verisimilitude: appearance of truth; quality of appearing to be true or real; likelihood; Ex. verisimilitude of her performance as Lady Macbeth
n veritable: being truly so; real or genuine; actual; not false or imaginary
n vernacular: living language (as compared to the official language); language spoken in a country or region; natural style; Ex. lapse into the vernacular
n vernal: pertaining to spring
n verve: enthusiasm (as in artistic performance or composition); liveliness; vigor
n viand: food; CF. live
n vicarious: experienced as if one were taking part in the experience of another; done by a deputy for other people; acting as a substitute; Ex. vicarious thrill at the movies; Ex. the vicarious sufferings of Christ
n vicissitude: change (esp. from good to bad); change of fortune; CF. the last emperor of China
n victuals: food; provisions; V. victual: provide with food
n vignette: small drawing placed at the beginning or end of a chapter; picture; short literary sketch; short written description of a character or scene
n vilify: slander; speak evil of; N. vilification
n vindicate: clear from blame; free from blame or accusation (with supporting proof); exonerate; substantiate; justify or support; avenge; Ex. vindicate one's client; Ex. vindicate one's claim; CF. vindicator
n vindictive: disposed to revenge; vengeful; out for revenge; spiteful; intended to cause harm; malicious; Ex. vindictive streak
n vintner: wine merchant; winemaker; seller of wine
n virtuoso: highly skilled artist (esp. in music); Ex. piano virtuoso
n virulent: (of a disease or poison) extremely harmful or poisonous; (of a feeling) hostile; bitter; N. virulence; CF. virus; CF. venom
n visage: face; appearance
n visceral: felt in one's inner organs; N. viscera: internal body organs; CF. eviscerate
n viscid: adhesive; gluey
n vise: vice; tool for holding work in place; clamping device
n visionary: produced by imagination; fanciful; mystical; showing foresight; N: one having foresight; one given to speculative impractical ideas
n vitiate: spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally
n vitreous: of glass; pertaining to or resembling glass; V. vitrify: change into glass; CF. petrify
n vitriolic: causing sharp pain to the mind; caustic; corrosive; sarcastic; of vitriol; N. vitriol: sulphuric acid (which burns flesh deeply); bitterly abusive expression; caustic expression; CF. glass
n vituperative: abusive; scolding; V. vituperate: berate; scold; rail against abusively
n vivacious: lively or animated; sprightly
n vixen: female fox; ill-tempered woman; CF. shrew
n vogue: popular fashion; Ex. Jeans became the vogue.
n volatile: changeable; of a quickly changing nature (as of temper); mercurial; tending to violence; evaporating rapidly; Ex. volatile character/situation in the street
n vouchsafe: grant condescendingly; guarantee; Ex. vouchsafe your fair return on your investment
n voyeur: Peeping Tom; person who derives sexual gratification from observing the sexual acts of others
n vulpine: like a fox; crafty
n waffle: speak equivocally about an issue; N.
n waft: move gently (in air or in seas) by wind or waves; Ex. leaves wafting past the window
n waggish: humorous; mischievous; tricky
n waif: homeless child or animal; Ex. waifs and strays
n wake: trail of ship or other object through water; path of something that has gone before; Ex. hunger followed in the wake of the war
n wallow: roll in mud; indulge in; (of a ship) roll in a rough sea; become helpless; Ex. wallow in the mud/luxury
n wan: having a pale or sickly color; pallid
n wanderlust: strong longing to travel
n wane: decrease in size or strength (after being full); grow gradually to an end; Ex. The moon waxes and wanes every month; N.
n wangle: achieve by cleverness or trick; wiggle out; fake; Ex. She tried to wangle an invitation to the party.
n wanton: unrestrained; gratuitously cruel; willfully malicious; unchaste; sexually improper; promiscuous; Ex. wanton spending/killing; CF. having no just cause
n warble: (of a bird) sing; babble; N.
n warren: tunnels in which rabbits live; overcrowded living area; crowded conditions in which people live
n wastrel: waster; profligate
n wax: increase gradually (as the moon); grow
n waylay: ambush; lie in wait for and attack
n wean: accustom a baby not to nurse; accustom (the young of a mammal) to take nourishment other than by suckling; give up a cherished activity; cause to gradually leave (an interest or habit); Ex. wean oneself from cigarettes
n weather: pass safely through (a storm or difficult period); endure the effects of weather or other forces
n welt: raised mark from a beating or whipping
n welter: confusion; turmoil; confused mass; bewildering jumble; Ex. welter of data
n welter: wallow (as in mud or high seas); lie soaked (as in blood); Ex. The victims weltered in their blood.
n wheedle: deceive, persuade, or obtain by flattery; cajole; coax; Ex. wheedle a promise out of her
n whelp: young animal (esp. of the dog or cat family
naivet\'e(naivety): quality of being unsophisticated; simplicity; artlessness; gullibility; ADJ. naive(na\"ive): ingenuous; lacking worldliness; simple; credulous
narcissist: conceited person; N. narcissism; CF. narcissus
narrative: related to telling a story; N: narrated account; story; V. narrate: tell (a story); CF. narration
natation: swimming
nauseate: cause to become sick; fill with disgust; fill nausea
nautical: pertaining to ships or navigation
negate: cancel out; nullify; cause to have no effect; deny; N. negation
negligence: neglect; failure to take reasonable care; ADJ. negligent: neglectful; lax; not taking enough care
negligible: so small, trifling, or unimportant as to be easily disregarded
nemesis: someone seeking revenge; source of downfall or ruin; CF. Nemesis
nocturnal: done or active at night; Ex. nocturnal animals/raids; CF. nocturne
nomadic: wandering; N. nomad: tribe who migrates from place to place
nomenclature: terminology(system of specialized words); system of names or naming things
nominal: in name only; of a name; trifling; (of a sum of money) very small; CF. nominate: propose as a candidate; appoint
noncommittal: neutral; refusing commitment to a particular opinion; unpledged; undecided
nonentity: person of no importance; nonexistence
nostalgia: homesickness; longing for the past; Ex. nostalgia for the clothes of 1920s; ADJ. nostalgic
notable: conspicuous; worthy of note; remarkable; important; distinguished; noted
notoriety: disrepute; ill fame
novice: beginner
noxious: harmful; CF. obnoxious
nullify: make invalid; make null; invalidate
obdurate: stubborn; refusing to change one's belief
obeisance: bow (to show respect and obedience)
obelisk: tall column tapering(becoming gradually narrower toward the end) and ending in a pyramid
obese: excessively fat; N. obesity
objective: not influenced by emotions; fair; N: goal; aim
obligatory: binding; required; compulsory; V. oblige: constrain; make grateful; do a favor; accommodate
oblique: indirect; slanting (deviating from the perpendicular or from a straight line); Ex. oblique reference
obliterate: destroy completely; wipe out; Ex. obliterate the village
oblivion: obscurity; condition of being completely forgotten; forgetfulness
obloquy: slander; disgrace; infamy
obscure: dark; vague; unclear; not well known; Ex. obscure meaning/village; V: darken; cover; make unclear; Ex. obscure the moon/meaning
obsequious: slavishly attentive; servile; full of servile compliance; sycophantic
obsequy: funeral ceremony
obsessive: related to thinking about something constantly; of an obsession; preoccupying; N. obsession: compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea; compulsive idea; V. obsess: preoccupy the mind of excessively
obsidian: black volcanic rock
obsolete: outmoded; no longer used
obstetrician: physician specializing in delivery(assisting in giving birth) of babies; N. obstetrics; CF. midwife
obstinate: stubborn; hard to control or treat; Ex. obstinate cough; N. obstinacy
obstreperous: boisterous; noisy and uncontrollable
obtuse: blunt; not sharp; stupid; slow in understanding
obviate: make unnecessary; get rid of; Ex. obviate the need
occult: mysterious; secret; supernatural; beyond human comprehension; CF. mysterious to human ?; OP. bare
oculist: physician who specializes in treatment of the eyes
odorous: having an odor
offensive: attacking; insulting; distasteful; V. offend: violate; hurt the feelings of; N. offense: offending; violating of a moral or social code; crime; attack; Ex. first offense
offhand: casual; done without prior thought or preparation
oligarchy: government by a privileged few
ominous: threatening; of an evil omen
omnipotent: all-powerful; having unlimited power
omnipresent: universally present; ubiquitous
omniscient: all-knowing
omnivorous: eating both plant and animal food; devouring everything
onslaught: vicious assault; fierce attack; Ex. unexpected onslaught of the enemy
opaque: dark; not transparent; N. opacity
opiate: medicine to induce sleep or deaden pain; something that relieves emotions or causes inaction; sleep-producing drug containing opium
opportune: timely; well-chosen
opportunist: individual who sacrifices principles for expediency by taking advantage of circumstances; N. opportunism
optician: maker and seller of eyeglasses
optimist: person who looks on the bright side; N. optimism
optimum: most favorable; optimal; N: most favorable condition
optional: not compulsory; left to one's choice; N. option: act of choosing; choice; freedom or power to choose; something available as a choice; Ex. have no option; Ex. two options
optometrist: one who fits glasses to remedy visual defects
opulence: extreme wealth; luxuriousness; abundance; ADJ. opulent: possessing great wealth; abundant
orator: public speaker
oratorio: dramatic poem set to music; long musical work with singing but without acting; CF. cantata
ordeal: severe trial or affliction; difficult experience; trial(test of patience or endurance); affliction
ordinance: decree; authoritative order
orient: get one's bearings; adjust; make familiar with a situation; orientate
orientation: act of finding oneself in society; orienting
ornate: excessively or elaborately decorated
orthodox: traditional; (of someone) conservative in belief; adhering to an established doctrine
oscillate: vibrate pendulumlike; waver
ostensible: apparent; appearing as such; professed(pretended); pretended; Ex. ostensible purpose of the expedition
outlandish: bizzare; peculiar; unconventional
outmoded: no longer in fashion or use; no longer stylish; old-fashioned
outrage: act of extreme violence or viciousness; resentful anger; V: commit an outrage on; produce anger in; ADJ. outrageous: offensive
outspoken: candid; blunt
outwit: outsmart; defeat by behaving more cleverly
overbearing: bossy; domineering and arrogant; decisively important; Ex. overbearing manner/importance; V. overbear: dominate
overt: open to view; public; not secret; CF. covert
ovoid: egg-shaped; CF. ovum; CF. ovulate
pachyderm: thick-skinned animal
pacifist: one opposed to force; antimilitarist; ADJ. N. pacifism: opposition to war as a means of resolving disputes
pacify: soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace to
palette: board on which painter mixes pigments(coloring matters)
palpable: tangible; (of something bad) easily perceptible; obvious; Ex. palpable blunder
panacea: cure-all; remedy for all diseases
pandemic: widespread; affecting the majority of people; N: pandemic disease; CF. all people
pandemonium: wild tumult(commotion); wild noisy disorder; CF. Paradise Lost
panoramic: denoting an unobstructed and comprehensive view; N. panorama: unbroken view of a wide area
pantomime: acting without dialogue; V.
papyrus: ancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant
paradigm: model; example that serves as a model; pattern; list of all the inflectional forms of a word
paradox: something apparently contradictory in nature (that may nonetheless be true); statement that looks false but is actually correct
paragon: model of perfection; Ex. paragon of virtue
parallelism: state of being parallel; similarity; analogy
paramount: foremost in importance; supreme; CF. para-: beyond; above; Ex. paranormal
paramour: illicit lover
paranoia: psychosis marked by delusions of grandeur or persecution; N: ADJ: paranoid, paranoiac
paraphernalia: equipment; odds and ends used in a particular activity; personal belongings; Ex. photographic paraphernalia; CF. married woman's property exclusive of her dowry
paraphrase: restate a passage in one's own words while retaining thought of author; N: restatement of a text in other words
parasite: animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant; CF. para-: beside
parity: equality; close resemblance; CF. disparate
parody: humorous imitation; spoof; takeoff; travesty; V.
paroxysm: fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage; sudden outburst
parry: ward off a blow; deflect; Ex. He parried the unwelcome question very skillfully; N. CF. ¸·´Â´Ù´Â °³³äÀÌ ¾Æ´Ô
parsimony: stinginess; excessive frugality; ADJ. parsimonious
partial: incomplete; favoring one side over another; having a liking for something
partiality: state of being partial; inclination; favorable bias; special fondness; preference
partition: divide into parts
passive: not active; acted upon; receiving an action without acting in return; accepting without resistance
pastoral: rural; of rural life; idyllic; of a pastor
patent: obvious; easily seen; open for the public to read; of or protected by a patent; Ex. patent to everyone; N.
pathetic: causing sadness, compassion, pity; touching
pathological: pertaining to disease; N. pathology: study of disease
patriarch: father and ruler of a family or tribe
patronize: support; act superior toward; treat in a condescending manner; be a customer of; N. patron: one that supports; regular customer; N. patronage; CF. boycott
paucity: scarcity; dearth
pauper: very poor person
pecuniary: pertaining to money
pedagogue: teacher; CF. child leader
pedagogy: teaching; art of education
pediatrician: physician specializing in children's diseases; N. pediatrics
peerless: having no equal; incomparable
pendant(pendent): hanging down from something; pending; N: ornament (hanging from a necklace etc.)
penitent: repentant; N.
penury: extreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious: very poor; stingy
perceptive: insightful; showing a good ability at perceiving and understanding; aware; wise; of perception
peregrination: journey; V. peregrinate
perennial: something long-lasting; perennial plant; ADJ: lasting through the year or many years; lasting for a long time; enduring
perfidious: treacherous; disloyal; N. perfidy: treachery
perforate: pierce; put a hole through
perfunctory: done routinely and with little care; superficial; not thorough; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; Ex. perfunctory kiss
perigee: point of moon's orbit when it is nearest the earth; CF. apogee
perimeter: outer boundary; length of the outer boundary; circumference
perjury: false testimony while under oath; V. perjure oneself: testify falsely under oath
permeable: that can be permeated; penetrable; porous; allowing liquids or gas to pass through; V. permeate: spread or flow throughout; charge
perpetual: everlasting
perpetuate: make perpetual; make something last for a long time; preserve from extinction; N. perpetuity
perspicacious: (of someone) having insight; penetrating; astute
perspicuity: clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity
perspicuous: (of something) plainly expressed; easy to understand; Ex. perspicuous comments
pertinacious: holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent
pertinent: suitable; to the point; relevant
perturb: disturb greatly
pervasive: spread throughout; V. pervade: (of smells, ideas, feelings) spread throughout; charge; permeate
perversion: corruption; turning from right to wrong
pessimism: belief that life is basically bad or evil; gloominess; tendency to take the gloomiest possible view of a situation; ADJ. pessimistic
petty: trivial; unimportant; very small; small-minded; petty-minded
philanderer: faithless lover; flirt
philanthropist: lover of mankind; doer of good; N. philanthropy
phobia: morbid fear
phoenix: symbol of immortality or rebirth; Ex. phoenix rising from its ashes
piety: devoutness; reverence for God; ADJ. pious
pillage: plunder
pillory: punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject or expose to criticism and ridicule; N.
pinnacle: peak; highest point; acme; Ex. pinnacle of fame
pious: devout; religious; N. piety
pique: irritation; resentment from wounded pride (eg. loss in a contest); V: provoke; arouse; annoy; cause to feel resentment; Ex. pique her curiosity
pitfall: hidden danger; concealed trap
pithy: concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty
pivotal: of a pivot; central; critical; crucial
placate: pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease
placid: peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake
platitude: trite remark; commonplace statement; ADJ. platitudinous
platonic: purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire
plausible: conceivably true; having a show of truth but open to doubt; specious
pliable: flexible; easily influenced; yielding; adaptable
pliant: flexible; easily influenced
plight: difficult condition; condition or state (esp. a bad state or condition); predicament
plutocracy: society ruled by the wealthy
podiatrist: doctor who treats ailments of the feet; chiropodist; N. podiatrics
podium: pedestal; raised platform
politic: prudent; judicious; well judged; expedient; well devised
polity: (particular form of) political organization; form of government of nation or state; Ex. student polity
polygamist: one who has more than one spouse at a time; CF. bigamy; CF. polyandry
polyglot: speaking several languages; multilingual; Ex. polyglot person/society; N.
pomposity: self-important behavior; acting like a stuffed shirt(pompous person); ADJ. pompous: self-important
porous: full of pores; like a sieve
portend: foretell; presage; be a sign or warning of; N. portent: sign; omen; forewarning
potent: powerful; convincing; persuasive; greatly influential
potential: expressing possibility; latent; N: capacity for growth
potion: dose (of liquids); liquid dose
practicable: feasible
practical: based on experience; of or acquired through practice (rather than theory); useful; Ex. practical man
pragmatic: practical (as opposed to idealistic); concerned with practical worth or impact of something; Ex. pragmatic test of the skill
pragmatist: practical person; N. pragmatism: pragmatic way of dealing with things
preamble: introductory statement
precedent: something preceding in time which may be used as an authority or guide for future action; V. precede; CF. unprecedented
precedent: preceding (in time, rank, etc.)
precept: practical rule guiding conduct; Ex. mother's precept
precipice: cliff; dangerous position; Ex. on the edge of the precipice
precipitant: something that causes a substance in a chemical solution to separate out in solid form; Ä§ÀüÁ¦; OP. solvent
precipitate: hurl downward; throw headlong; hasten; cause to happen sooner; condense and fall as rain or snow; cause (a solid substance) to be separated from a solution; ADJ. hasty; rash; premature; sudden
precipitous: steep; overhasty; precipitate
precise: exact
preclude: make impossible; prevent; exclude; eliminate
precocious: advanced in development; N. precocity
precursor: forerunner; predecessor
predator: predatory animal or bird; predatory person; creature that seizes and devours another animal; person who robs or exploits others; ADJ. predatory: living by preying on other organisms; plundering; N. predation
predecessor: former occupant of a post
predetermine: determine in advance; predestine; settle or decide beforehand; influence markedly
predicament: difficult situation; tricky or dangerous situation; dilemma
preeminent: outstanding; superior
prefatory: introductory; of a preface
prelude: introduction; introductory performance or event; forerunner
premeditate: plan in advance; Ex. premeditated murder
premise: assumption; postulate; proposition upon which an argument is based
premonition: forewarning; presentiment; foreboding
premonitory: serving to warn
preponderance: superiority of power, quantity, etc.; V. preponderate: be greater in power, weight, or importance; ADJ. preponderant
preposterous: absurd; completely unreasonable; ridiculous
prerogative: privilege; unquestionable right; CF. ask before
presage: foretell; be a warning or sign of; N: presentiment; foreboding; omen
presentiment: premonition; foreboding; feeling something will happen; anticipatory fear
prestige: respect or admiration; impression produced by achievements or reputation; ADJ: causing admiration; ADJ. prestigious: having prestige
pretext: excuse
prevalent: widespread; generally accepted
prey: target of a hunt; victim; V: hunt and eat as prey; victimize; Ex. Cats prey on mice.
primordial: existing at the beginning (of time); rudimentary
probe: explore with a probe or tools; investigate; N: slender instrument used to explore a wound or body cavity; device designed to investigate an unknown region; thorough investigation; Ex. space probe
probity: uprightness; honesty; incorruptibility
proclivity: inclination; natural tendency (esp. towards something bad)
procrastinate: postpone; delay or put off
procurement: obtaining; V. procure: obtain by effort; obtain (a prostitute) for another
prodigal: wasteful; reckless with money; profuse; Ex. a mind prodigal of ideas; N. prodigality
prodigious: enormous; marvelous; extraordinary; Ex. prodigious amount/memory
prodigy: highly gifted child; person with exceptional talents; marvel; wonder
profane: violate; desecrate (something holy); treat unworthily; be profane for; ADJ: secular; nonreligious; irreverent for holy things
profound: deep; not superficial; complete; Ex. profound thinker/remark/silence/deafness; N. profundity
profusion: great amount; plenty; overabundance; excess; lavish expenditure; Ex. profusion of choices; ADJ. profuse: plentiful; copious; giving or given abundantly; extravagant
progenitor: ancestor
prognosis: forecasted course of a disease; prediction; CF. prognostic
prognosticate: predict (according to present indications)
prohibitive: so high as to prohibit purchase or use; tending to prevent the purchase or use of something; prohibiting; inclined to prevent or forbid; Ex. prohibitive tax
projectile: missile; fired or thrown object (such as stone or bullet)
proletarian: member of the working class; blue collar guy; N. proletariat: working class (who have to work for wages)
proliferate: grow rapidly (in numbers); spread; multiply; N. proliferation
prolific: producing offspring or fruit in abundance; fertile; fecund; abundantly fruitful; producing abundant works; Ex. prolific writer
prologue: introduction (to a poem or play)
prolong: lengthen; extend; draw out
prominent: protruding(sticking out); conspicuous; notable; eminent
promontory: headland
prone: inclined to; likely to (suffer); prostrate; lying with the front downward; Ex. prone to disease/make mistakes; Ex. accident-prone
propagate: increase in number by producing young; multiply; spread; Ex. Most plants propagate by seed; Ex. newspaper propagating their ideas
propellant(propellent): substance which propels or drives forward (such as an explosive charge or a rocket fuel)
propensity: natural inclination
prophetic: of a prophet or prophecy; having to do with predicting the future; N. prophecy; V. prophesy; N. prophet
prophylactic: used to prevent disease; N: something prophylactic; condom; N. prophylaxis: prevention of disease
proponent: supporter; backer; opposite of opponent
propound: put forth for consideration or analysis; set forth; Ex. propound a problem/theory
propriety: fitness; quality of being proper; correct conduct; conformity to prevailing customs and usages; CF. proprietor, proprietary
propulsive: driving forward; N. propulsion
proscribe: prohibit; ostracize; banish; outlaw
prosperity: good fortune and financial success; physical well-being
prostrate: stretch out full on ground; make prostrate; enervate; Ex. prostrating illness; ADJ: lying face down; having lost all strength
prot\'eg\'e: person receiving protection and support from a patron
prototype: original work used as a model by others
protract: prolong; lengthen in time; draw out
protrude: stick out; jut; project; Ex. protruding teeth
provident: providing for future needs; displaying foresight; thrifty; preparing for emergencies; OP. improvident
provincial: pertaining to a province; limited in outlook; narrow; unsophisticated
provisional: tentative; temporary
proviso: stipulation; condition in an agreement; provision
provocative: arousing anger or sexual interest; annoying; Ex. provocative in tight jeans; V. provoke: incite to anger; cause (an unpleasant action or feeling); N. provocation
proximity: nearness; ADJ. proximate
proxy: authorized agent; authority to act for another
prudent: cautious; careful; prudential
prune: cut away; trim
pseudonym: pen name; fictitious name assumed by an author; ADJ. pseudonymous
psyche: soul; mind
psychiatrist: doctor who treats mental diseases
psychopathic: pertaining to mental dearrangement; N. psychopath: person with an antisocial personality disorder
psychosis: mental disorder; ADJ. N. psychotic
pugilist: boxer; CF. pugilism: boxing
pulverize: crush or grind into very small particles
punctilious: minutely attentive (perhaps too much so) to fine points; stressing niceties of conduct or form; N. punctilio, punctiliousness: careful attention payed to every small exact detail
pungent: stinging; acrid; sharp in taste or smell; (of speech or writing) caustic; N. pungency
purgatory: place of spiritual expiation; temporary state or place in which the souls must expiate their sins
purge: remove or get rid of something or someone unwanted; eliminate; free from blame or guilt; cleanse or purify (esp. of sin, guilt, or defilement); N.
purport: intention; purpose; meaning; V: claim; profess; Ex. order which purports to be signed by the general
purported: alleged; claimed; reputed or rumored; Ex. purported Satanists
pyromaniac: person with an insane desire to set things on fire
quack: charlatan; impostor
quaint: odd in an old-fashioned way; odd; old-fashioned; picturesque
qualified: limited; restricted; V. qualify: limit the meaning of; modify
quay: dock; wharf; pier; landing place (for boats)
query: inquiry; question; V.
queue: line (of waiting people or vehicles)
quietude: tranquillity; calmness
rally: come or bring together; call up or summon (forces, vital powers, etc.); revive or recuperate (after illness or difficulty); N: act of rallying; mass gathering
ramble: wander aimlessly (physically or mentally); digress
ramification: branching out; subdivision; one branch of a system; one of the results following from an action or decision; Ex. ramifications of a business/the decision
ramify: branch out; divide into branches or subdivisions
rampart: defensive mound of earth
random: without definite purpose, plan, or aim; haphazard; Ex. random shots; Ex. chosen at random
rapport: close relationship; emotional closeness; harmony
ratify: approve formally; confirm; verify
rationale: fundamental reason or principle (on which a system or principle is based); fundamental reason or justification; grounds for an action
rationalize: make rational; devise false reasons for (one's behavior); offer an excuse; give a plausible reason for an action in place of a true, less admirable ones; N. rationalization
ravage: devastate; plunder; despoil; Ex. crops ravaged by storms
ravel: fall apart into tangles; entangle; unravel or untwist
raze: destroy completely; Ex. raze the city to the ground
reactionary: strongly opposed to social or political change; opposing progress; politically ultraconservative; N. OP. radical
realm: kingdom; field or sphere; Ex. not within the realms of possibility
reaper: one who harvests grain; Ex. the Grim Reaper; V. reap: cut and gather (crop); harvest a crop
rebate: return of part of a payment; discount; V.
rebuke: scold harshly; criticize severely
recant: disclaim or disavow; retract a previous statement; openly confess error; Ex. recant one's faith/a statement
recapitulate: summarize
receptive: quick or willing to receive (ideas, suggestions, etc.); Ex. receptive to the proposal
recession: withdrawal; retreat; time of low economic activity
recidivism: habitual return to crime (even after being punished); N. recidivist
recipient: receiver
reciprocal: mutual; given and received in return; exchangeable; interacting; Ex. reciprocal trade agreement
recluse: hermit; loner; ADJ. reclusive
reconcile: make friendly again (after quarrel); make consistent (two ideas in opposition); correct inconsistencies; Ex. reconcile one's political principles with one's religious beliefs
recondite: abstruse; not easily understood; profound; secret
reconnaissance: survey of enemy by soldiers; reconnoitering; V. reconnoiter: make a preliminary inspection of (esp. to gather military information)
recourse: resorting to help when in trouble; Ex. without recourse to
recrimination: countercharges; V. recriminate
rectify: set right; correct; CF. rect-: right
recumbent: reclining; lying down completely or in part
recuperate: recover; return to health; regain; Ex. recuperate losses
recurrent: occurring again and again
redolent: odorous; fragrant; suggestive (of an odor); Ex. redolent of onions/mystery
redundant: superfluous; more than is necessary; verbose; excessively wordy; repetitious
refraction: bending of a ray of light
refulgent: effulgent; brilliant; brightly shining; gleaming; Ex. refulgent moon
refute: disprove; prove to be false; N. refutation
regal: royal; of a monarch; Ex. regal manner
regeneration: spiritual rebirth; Ex. regeneration of the prisoners; V. regenerate: give or obtain new life; reform spiritually
regicide: murder of a king or queen
regime: method of system or government
rehabilitate: restore to proper condition (health or useful life); restore the former rank of
reimburse: repay; pay back
reiterate: repeat
rejuvenate: make young again
relent: become less severe; give in(surrender); ADJ. relentless: unyielding; continuously severe
relevant: having importance; pertinent; referring to the case in hand; N. relevance, relevancy
relinquish: give up something (with reluctance); yield; release; Ex. relinquish power/the claim to the land/his hold on my arm
remediable: reparable
reminiscence: recollection; V. reminisce: recollect the past
remiss: negligent; careless about a duty
remission: temporary moderation (of disease symptoms); remitting of a debt or punishment; cancelation of a debt; pardon; Ex. The disease went into remission; Ex. Christians pray for the remission of sins.
remnant: remainder
remonstrate: protest; objection; V. remonstrate: say in protest
remorse: deep regret for wrongdoing; guilt; self-reproach
remunerative: (of work) compensating; rewarding; profitable; well-paid; V. remunerate: reward; pay (someone) for work or trouble
rend: split; tear apart; N. rent; CF. heartrending: causing deep sorrow
render: give; deliver; provide; represent in verbal or artistic form; depict; perform; make; translate; Ex. render the song beautifully
rendezvous: meeting place; meeting at a set time or place; V.
rendition: rendering; translation; artistic interpretation of a song, etc
renounce: abandon; give up (by formal announcement); disown; repudiate; Ex. renounce one's claim to the property/one's religion; N. renunciation
renovate: restore to good condition; renew
renown: fame; ADJ. renowned
reparable: capable of being repaired
repartee: quick clever reply
repeal: revoke; annul
repel: drive away; disgust; Ex. repel the attack/moisture; Ex. repelled by the dirty room; CF. repulsion
repellent: driving away; disgusting; offensive; repulsive; unattractive; N.
repercussion: rebound; reaction; reverberation; Ex. serious repercussion
repertoire: list of works of music, drama, etc., a performer is prepared to present; CF. repertory
replenish: fill up again
replete: fully filled; filled to the brim or to the point of being stuffed; abundantly supplied; Ex. report replete with errors
replica: copy
replicate: reproduce; duplicate
repository: storehouse
reprehensible: deserving blame; blameworthy; V. reprehend: blame
repress: hold back (the natural expression of); restrain; crush; oppress; Ex. repressed child; Ex. repress a laugh/rebellion
reprieve: postponement or cancelation of a punishment; temporary stay; V: postpone or cancel the punishment of
reprimand: reprove severely; rebuke; N.
reprisal: retaliation
reproach: blame (not angrily but sadly); express disapproval or disappointment; N. ADJ. reproachful
reprobation: severe disapproval; CF. approbation
reprove: censure; rebuke; N. reproof
repudiate: disown; disavow; deny
repugnance: disgust; strong dislike; loathing; ADJ. repugnant: arousing disgust; repulsive
repulsion: distaste; disgust; act of driving back; ADJ. repulsive: causing disgust; tending to drive away; V. repel (not `repulse')
reputable: respectable; having a good reputation
reputed: supposed; Ex. reputed father of the child; V. repute: consider; N. repute: reputation; esteem
requiem: mass for the dead; dirge
requisite: necessary requirement; something required; ADJ: required; necessary
rescind: repeal; annul; cancel (a law, decision, or agreement)
resentment: indignation; bitterness; displeasure; V. resent: feel anger about
reserve: self-control; self-restraint; formal but distant manner; reticence; Ex. without reserve: freely and openly; ADJ. reserved: shy and uncommunicative
residue: remainder; balance
resignation: patiently submissiveness; statement that one is quitting a job; ADJ. resigned: acquiescent
resilient: elastic; having the power of springing back; able to recover quickly (as from misfortune)
resolution: determination; resoluteness; ADJ. resolute: firm or determined in purpose
resolve: determination; resolution; firmness of purpose
resolve: decide; settle; solve; separate; make a determined decision; N. resolution
resonant: (of a sound) echoing; resounding(sounding loudly); deep and full in sound; producing resonance; Ex. resonant voice; N. resonance
respiration: breathing; exhalation; ADJ. respiratory
resplendent: brilliant; splendid in appearance; dazzling; glorious
responsiveness: state of reacting readily to appeals, orders, etc.; ADJ. responsive: readily reacting; Ex. responsive to treatment
restraint: moderation or self-control; controlling force; restriction
resumption: taking up again; recommencement; V. resume: begin or take up again; take or occupy again; Ex. Kindly resume your seats.
resuscitate: revive; bring back to life or consciousness; Ex. resuscitate the drowned child
retain: keep; maintain possession of; employ (esp. a lawyer or advisor); N. retainer: servant; fee paid to retain an advisor
retaliate: repay in kind (usually for bad treatment); V. retaliate
retinue: following; attendants
retort: quick sharp reply; V.
retract: withdraw; take back; draw back; Ex. retract a statement/an offer/claws; N. retraction; CF. retractile
retrieve: recover; put right; find and bring in; regain; Ex. retrieve the situation
retrospective: looking back on the past; N. retrospection; V. retrospect
reverent: respectful; worshipful; V. revere: regard with reverence; N. reverence: profound respect
revert: relapse; backslide; turn back to; return to the former owner; N. reversion
revoke: cancel; retract; CF. irrevocable
rigid: hard and unbending; stiff and unyielding; fixed in behavior or views; strict; rigorous; Ex. rigid rule
rigor: severity; Ex. rigors of the Russian winter
robust: strong; vigorous
rococo: ornate; highly decorated; N. CF. 18th century
rout: put to rout; stampede; drive out; N: complete defeat and disorderly retreat
rubble: fragments (esp. from a destroyed building)
rudimentary: elementary; not developed; crude; N. rudiment: fundamental element or principle; Ex. rudiments of the language
rummage: ransack; thoroughly search
rustic: pertaining to country people; unsophisticated; simple; crude; uncouth; (of furniture) rough with the bark left on; N. rural person; rustic person
rusticate: banish to the country; dwell in the country
ruthless: pitiless; merciless; cruel
s Bacchanalia: the ancient Roman festival in honor of Bacchus
s Elysium: place or condition of bliss
s Epicurean: believing that pleasure is good and suffering is bad and should be avoided; N.
s Shangri-la: imaginary remote paradise on earth; CF. Lost Horizon
s abide: dwell; abide by: comply with; put up with; tolerate; Ex. abide by the rules; Ex. I can't abide rude people.
s abode: dwelling place; home
s acne: skin disease (on the face)
s afterlife: life after death; later part of one's life
s airy: of air; high in the air; lofty; immaterial; unreal
s alms: money or goods given to the poor
s ambush: act of lying in wait to attack by surprise; sudden attack made from a concealed position; Ex. lie in ambush; V.
s analgesia: condition of being unable to feel pain
s apiarist: person who keeps bees
s apiculture: bee-keeping
s apparent: evident; easily seen or understood; appearing as such; Ex. apparent improvement
s arboreal: of or living in trees
s artery: blood-vessel; CF. vein
s artful: exhibiting art or skill; deceitful; cunning; CF. artifice
s attire: clothe; N: clothing; array; apparel
s avantgarde: group of artists whose work is based on the newest ideas and methods; CF. vanguard
s awful: terrible; very bad
s bacchanal: noisy party with a lot of drinking
s backslide: revert (to bad habits); N. reverter
s bank: heap; piled-up mass; embankment; lateral tilting (as of an aircraft in turning); V: pile up; protect with a bank; tilt in turning
s bar: railing in a courtroom; legal profession; vertical line dividing a staff into equal measures; Ex. prisoner at the bar; V: shut in or out with bars; forbid; exclude; CF. barrister
s bargain: agreement between two groups or people; something for sale at a price advantageous to the buyer; V: negotiate; trade; Ex. bargaining power
s base: contemptible; morally bad; inferior in value or quality; Ex. base motives/conduct; Ex. base metal such as iron
s bastard: illegitimate child
s battalion: army unit made up of four or more companies
s bearing: deportment; connection
s beware: be cautious (of)
s bewitch: cast a spell over; captivate completely
s bid: command; utter (a greeting); offer as a price; N: offer of a price; amount offered; earnest effort to gain something; Ex. bid for freedom
s bigot: one who is intolerant (in matters of religion or politics)
s billow: large wave of water; a great swell or surge (of smoke); V: surge, swell, roll in billows
s blackball: vote against (an applicant); ostracize; N: negative vote
s blemish: mar; spoil the beauty or perfection of; N: flaw or defect (that spoils perfection); Ex. blemishes in the crystal; CF. unblemished
s blight: plant disease; V: infect with blight; ruin; destroy
s bliss: complete happiness; ADJ. blissful
s blotch: spot; blot; CF. blot+botch
s blue: gloomy; depressed
s blues: state of depression or melancholy; style of slow, mournful music (evolved from southern Black American songs)
s blunt: having a dull edge; abrupt and frank in speech or manner; brusque; V: make or become blunt
s blush: become red in the face (from embarrassment or shame); become red or rosy; N.
s bog: soft wet land; V: hinder or be hindered; Ex. bogged down in the mud
s bombast: grandiloquent, pompous speech
s bookish: fond of books and reading
s boor: rude, insensitive person
s boost: lift by pushing up from below; increase; raise; N: push upward; increase
s botch: mismanage; blow
s bound: leap or spring; limit or confine; constitute the limit of; Ex. bounded by Canada; N: leap or jumping; boundary; ADJ: certain; having a duty to do something (legally or morally); confined by bonds; Ex. We are bound to be late; Ex. I am bound to say my opinion; CF. bounce, rebound
s bout: match; short period of great activity; Ex. wrestling bout; bout of drinking/flu
s brag: boast
s braid: plait; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; N: braided segment (as of hair)
s brand: trademark; mark burned on the hide of an animal; mark burned into the flesh of criminals; mark of disgrace; V: mark with a brand; give a lasting bad name; stigmatize; Ex. The press branded him a liar.
s brave: face courageously; Ex. brave the storm
s brawl: noisy quarrel
s brawny: muscular; having well-developed muscles
s breed: produce young; rear; bring up; produce (an undesirable condition); N: kind or sort of animal or plant
s bridle: harness fitted about a horse's head (used to restrain); curb; check; V: put a bridle on; control or restrain; show anger
s brim: uppermost edge of a cup; projecting rim (as on a hat); Ex. The glass was full to the brim; V: be full to the brim
s brink: edge (at the top of a cliff); Ex. on the brink of the Grand Canyon
s brisk: quick and active; marked by liveliness and vigor
s bristle: short stiff hair; V: (hair or fur) stand up stiffly
s broil: cook by direct heat; N.
s bromide: platitude; chemical compound used to calm excitement
s brood: sit on in order to hatch; think deeply or worry anxiously; N: the young of certain animals; group of young birds hatched at one time
s bruise: injure without breaking the skin; N.
s buffoon: stupid person; clown
s bulge: protruding part; swelling of a surface; Ex. The apple made a bulge in his pocket; V: swell outward; protrude
s bulk: size or volume (esp. when very large); main part; Ex. The bulk of the work has already been done; ADJ. bulky: having great size
s bully: one who is habitually cruel to weaker people; V.
s bump: hit or knock against with force; N.
s bust: piece of sculpture showing a person's head, shoulders, and upper chest; V: break up; arrest; Ex. crimebuster
s cadet: student at a military school
s callus: area of thick hard skin
s camp: group sharing a common cause or opinion
s capsize: (of a boat) turn over
s career: rush wildly; go at full speed
s carefree: free from worries; having no problems
s castrate: remove the sex organs (of a male animal or person)
s casual: happening by chance; irregular; occasional; informal; showing or feeling little interest; Ex. casual reader/labor/remark
s cater: provide food and drink (for); cater to: try to satisfy (desires of a bad kind)
s cemetery: place for burying the dead
s championship: position of champion; defense or support; competition held to determine a champion
s chancellor: legal official of high rank; CF. chancellery(chancellory): position of a chancellor
s chant: tune(melody) in which a number of words are sung on the same note; V: sing (a chant); utter (a slogan) in the manner of a chant
s chapel: small church (in a prison, college, or hospital)
s chaperon: older person who accompanies and supervises a young unmarried woman
s chaplain: clergyman attached to a chapel
s char: make or become black by burning; reduce or be reduced to carbon or charcoal(black substance made by burning wood) by incomplete combustion
s charm: quality of pleasing; amulet; action or formula thought to have magical power; spell; V: attract; cast a spell on; bewitch
s chip: lose a small piece from the surface or edge; N: small piece broken off something; CF. French fry; Potato chip/crisp
s choice: delicate; of very fine quality
s choir: group of people who sing together (esp. during religious services); place for choir
s chore: daily domestic task (such as cleaning, cooking, and shopping); unpleasant task
s chorus: phrase repeated throughout a song or poem
s chuckle: laugh quietly
s circuit: closed circular line around an area; circumference; regularly repeated journey from place to place
s clap: strike the palms of the hands together with a sudden explosive sound; come together suddenly with a sharp sound; put or send promptly; Ex. clap the thief in jail; N: clapping; loud or explosive sound; CF. applause
s clasp: hold firmly within arms
s clip: cut off with shears; fasten; N: something clipped off (as a short extract from film); clasp or fastener
s clipper: sailing vessel built for great speed
s clot: half-solid lump formed from a liquid (or blood); V.
s clown: act stupidly; play the fool; N.
s coax: persuade by flattery
s collected: composed; calm; self-possessed
s coma: deep prolonged unconsciousness caused by disease, poison, or a severe blow
s comeback: retort; quick clever reply; return to former status
s commemorate: honor the memory of; serve as a memorial to; Ex. commemorate the 100th anniversary/those who died in the war
s commonplace: ordinary; N: something ordinary or common; trite remark
s commonwealth: nation governed by the people; republic; people of a nation
s commune: small (often rural) community whose members share work and income; V: exchange thoughts or feelings; Ex. commune with nature
s compartment: one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided
s compassion: sympathy for the suffering of others; ADJ. compassionate
s compost: mixture of decaying organic matter used as fertilizer; V: put or make compost
s compulsion: compelling; strong desire that is difficult to control; irresistible impulse
s compulsive: resulting from compulsion
s compulsory: obligatory; that must be done
s concordat: formal agreement
s confide: tell in confidence (to a person one trusts); be confident about
s confidence: self-assurance; calm unworried feeling based on a strong belief in one's abilities; strong belief in the ability of a person or plan; trust or faith in a person or thing; something confided; secret; Ex. confidence in your ability; Ex. I'm telling you this in confidence; Ex. exchange confidences about their boyfriends; ADJ. confident
s confidential: spoken or written in secret; trusted with private matters; Ex. confidential secretary
s conglomerate: corporation made up of several different companies in diversified fields; mass of various material gathered together; rock consisting of small stones held together by clay; V.
s consanguineous(consanguine): having a common ancestor
s consonant: harmonious; in agreement; N.
s conspire: take part in a conspiracy; (of events) work together; combine; Ex. Events conspired to produce great difficulties.
s consternation: great shock; dismay
s constituency: voters represented by an elected official; district so represented; group of supporters (or constituents)
s constitution: constituting; system of laws; composition of something; physical makeup or structure of a person; Ex. men with strong constitutions
s contrivance: something contrived; machine or apparatus; clever deceitful plan; scheme
s contrive: invent or fabricate in a clever way (by improvisation); manage; Ex. contrive to attract his attention
s convulsion: violent uncontrollable shaking movement (caused by illness); V. convulse; ADJ. convulsive
s corpus: collection (of writings or information); Ex. the corpus of Shakespear's works; Cf. corpse
s corpuscle: red or white cell in the blood
s correlate: either of the correlated things; V.
s court: attempt to gain; seek; woo; risk; behave so as to invite; attempt to gain the favor of by attention; Ex. court disaster
s craft: skill (esp. with one's hands); skill in deceiving people; guile; ADJ. crafty: cleverly deceitful; cunning
s crave: desire; want intensely
s credential: evidence concerning one's authority; written proof of a person's position; Ex. The new ambassador presented his credentials to the court.
s creep: move with body close to the ground; move stealthily or slowly; N.
s cremate: incinerate (a corpse); N. crematory, crematorium
s crest: top (as of a hill or wave); showy feathers on the head of a bird
s crinkle: wrinkle
s crochet: make (a piece of needlework) by looping thread with a hooked needle; N. CF. crotchet
s cross: bad-tempered; showing ill-humor; angry
s crossbreed: hybridize; N: hybrid; CF. interbreed; CF. inbreed
s crust: hard outer covering (as of earth or snow)
s cue: word or signal (as in a play to prompt another actor's speech or entrance); reminder or hint; V: give a cue to
s culprit: one guilty of a crime
s cunning: clever in deceiving; sly; N: cleverness in deceiving; deceit
s curb: chain or strap used with a bit to restrain a horse; something that checks; V: check; restrain
s curfew: regulation requiring all people to leave the streets at stated times; signal (as a bell) announcing the hour of a curfew
s dainty: delicate; delicately beautiful; fastidious; not easy to please; Ex. dainty movement/dress
s damn: condemn; criticize severely; condemn to everlasting punishment; doom; bring to ruin; N. damnation
s dart: move or throw suddenly and quickly
s daze: stun as with a blow or shock; bemuse; benumb; N.
s dazzle: make blind with a sudden intense light; amaze; fill with wonder
s debar: bar; forbid; exclude; Ex. debarred from jury services
s debut: d\'ebut; first public appearance; formal presentation of a young woman to society
s decorous: proper (in behavior, conduct, or appearance)
s decree: authoritative order; edict; judgment of a court of law; V: order or judge by decree
s decrepit: weak and in bad condition from old age or hard use; Ex. decrepit old chair/man
s defalcate: embezzle
s defect: shortcoming; V: desert (in order to join the opposite one)
s denomination: religious group; unit in a system; name or designation; CF. denominator: common trait or characteristic
s deport: send out of the country; behave; N. deportation, deportment
s deputize: work or appoint as a deputy; N. deputy: person who has the power to take charge when the leading person is away
s dereliction: neglect of duty; abandonment
s derivation: deriving; origin or source of something; Ex. the derivation of the word
s deserts: what someone deserves
s desperate: having lost all hope; despairing; reckless and violent because of loss of hope or despair; undertaken as a last resort
s detain: keep waiting; prevent from leaving or going; N. detention
s dignitary: person of high rank or position
s disbar: make (a lawyer) leave the bar or the legal profession
s discompose: disturb the composure of; confuse
s discriminate: distinguish; make distinctions on the basis of preference
s dishonor: disgrace; N. ADJ. dishonorable
s dispense: distribute; prepare and give out (medicines); N. dispensation: dispensing; religious system; official exemption from an obligation or a rule
s disproportion: lack of proportion (between the parts); ADJ. disproportionate
s dissension: disagreement of opinions causing strife within a group
s dissonance: discord
s distinct: clearly different; clearly noticed
s distinctive: clearly different from others of the same kind
s distract: take (one's attention) off something; upset emotionally; make anxious; ADJ. distracted
s dominant: exercising the most influence; high and easily seen; stronger than the other part of a system; not recessive
s dominate: control; rule; enjoy a commanding position in; overlook from a height; ³»·Á´Ùº¸´Ù
s doom: condemnation to a severe penalty; ruin; fate (esp. a tragic or ruinous one); V.
s dowry: money or property brought by a bride to her husband at marriage
s dowse: use a divining rod to search for underground water or minerals
s doze: sleep lightly; nap
s draft: first rough form; conscription; draught; V: make a draft of; conscript
s drama: prose or verse composition to be performed by actors; play; exciting and unusual situation
s drastic: strong; violent and severe; Ex. drastic changes/measures
s draught: current of air (through a room or to a fire); act of pulling roads; act of swallowing liquid or amount of liquid swallowed at a time
s draw: choosing of a lot or card
s dribble: flow or fall in drops; let saliva flow out slowly from the mouth; move a ball; N.
s drip: fall or let fall in drops; shed drops; N: action or sound of falling in drops; liquid that falls in drops
s droop: bend or hang downward; become weakened; Ex. His shoulders drooped with tiredness; N.
s drudge: do drudgery; N: person who drudges
s dull: (of colors or surfaces) not bright; cloudy; overcast; boring; (of edge or sound) not sharp; not rapid; sluggish; slow in thinking and understanding; stupid; V.
s dummy: imitation of a real object used as a substitute; effigy
s dynamo: generator for producing electricity; energetic person
s dys-: abnormal; impaired
s dysentery: inflammatory disorder of the lower intestinal tract
s dyslexia: word blindness; learning disorder marked by impairment of the ability to read
s earthly: of this earth; terrestrial; worldly; not divine; possible; Ex. no earthly reason
s ecliptic: path of the sun and the planets
s ecosystem: ecological community together with its environment
s edifice: building (of imposing size)
s effective: effectual; producing a strong response; striking; in operation; in effect; Ex. effective speech/photograph
s effectuate: effect; produce; achieve; Ex. effectuate a reconciliation
s effulgent: shining brightly; brilliant
s ego: one's opinion of oneself; self-esteem
s egotism: tendency to speak or write of oneself excessively; conceit; self-importance
s elaborate: work out carefully; add more detail or information; ADJ.
s elastic: able to spring back into shape; quick to recover (as from disappointment); able to adapt to change; Ex. elastic plans; N: elastic material
s elevation: elevated position; altitude; height; flat upright side of a building; angle made by pointing a gun; Ex. The elevation of her style is much admired; Ex. front elevation of the house
s elope: run away secretly with the intention of getting married
s emasculate: weaken; castrate
s embitter: make bitter; fill with painful or bitter feelings; make sad and angry; Ex. He was embittered by many disappointments.
s emblazon: ornament richly (a shield or flag); N. emblazonment
s embody: give a bodily form to; incorporate; include
s enact: make (a bill) into law
s encircle: surround
s endear: make beloved; Ex. endear her to everyone; ADJ. dear: loved; cherished; high-priced
s engaged: employed; busy; betrothed; involved in conflict
s engulf: surround and swallow up
s enlist: (cause to) join the armed forces; obtain (help, sympathy, or support)
s enliven: make lively or spirited; animate
s enterprise: willingness to take new ventures; initiative; business organization; plan (that is difficult or daring); Ex. their latest enterprise to sail round the world in a small boat
s entourage: group of attendants; retinue; CF. surround
s eventual: happening at last as a result; Ex. eventual victory
s exact: demand and obtain by force; Ex. exact a promise from him; N. exaction
s except: exclude; N. exception: objection; exclusion; ADJ. exceptional: unusual; of unusually high quality
s executioner: person administering capital punishment
s executive: person having administrative authority; one branch of government executing laws; ADJ: relating to executing
s executor: person designated to execute the terms of a will; ¿¹¼ú ÀÛÇ°ÀÇ Á¦ÀÛÀÚ
s exhale: breathe out; OP. inhale
s expeditious: done with speed; quick; N. expedition
s expos\'e: public revelation of something discreditable
s exquisite: delicate; very finely made; extremely beautiful; Ex. exquisite piece of jewelry
s fake: not genuine; N: one that is not genuine; impostor; sham; V: counterfeit; Ex. fake the results of the experiment/the signature
s falsify: make (something written) false by changing
s fancy: imagination (of a whimsical or fantastic nature); capricious liking; V: imagine; be fond of; ADJ. decorative; elaborate
s far-fetched: too improbable to be believed; implausible; Ex. far-fetched story
s fashion: give shape to; make; Ex. fashion the pot out of clay
s fathomless: too deep to be measured or understood; unfathomable
s favoritism: display of partiality toward a favored person
s feature: distinctive part of the faces (as the eyes or mouth); features: overall appearance of the face; prominent or distinctive quality; prominent article; film; V: make prominent
s feebleminded: deficient in intelligence; very stupid
s feline: of a member of the cat family; N.
s fermentation: chemical reaction that splits complex organic compounds; unrest; agitation
s ferocious: fierce; violent; N. ferocity
s fertile: producing many young, fruits, or seeds; (of land) producing good crops; V. fertilize
s fetish(fetich): object believed to have spiritual powers; object of excessive attention or reverence; CF. fetishism
s feud: bitter prolonged quarrel (usually between two peoples or families); V. CF. Romeo and Juliet; CF. feudal, feudalism
s fiend: evil spirit; devil
s figure: written symbols; number; amount represented in numbers; outline or silhouette of a thing or human body; person (well-known); impression; diagram; pattern; group in a dance; Ex. figure of speech; V. calculate with numbers; adorn with figures; appear; consider; Ex. My name did not figure in the list.
s filth: dirty matter; ADJ. filthy
s finery: beautiful clothes for a special occasion
s finish: surface texture; completeness of execution
s finished: properly made and complete; Ex. finished product/performance
s fit: sudden outburst of an illness or feeling; convulsion caused by epilepsy
s flashy: showy; gaudy; giving a momentary brilliance
s fleet: fast; rapid; N. ADJ. fleeting: passing quickly; ephemeral
s flicker: burn unsteadily or fitfully; move waveringly; N: flickering movement or light; brief sensation; Ex. flicker of excitement
s flighty: (esp. of a woman's behavior) capricious; often changing, esp. from one lover to another; impulsive
s flip: send (something) spinning, often into the air, by striking with a light quick blow; turn over; Ex. flip over
s flirt: behave in a way that attracts (sexual) attention; deal triflingly with; N: one (or woman) given to flirting; ADJ. flirtatious
s florescence: condition or period of flowering
s flowery: full of flowers; full of ornate expressions
s flush: redden; blush; flow suddenly and abundantly; wash out by a rapid brief flow of water; N: reddish tinge; blush; brief rush; rush of strong feeling; Ex. flush of pride; ADJ: having surfaces in the same plane; even; blushing
s flutter: (of a bird with large wings) wave (the wings) lightly, rapidly, and irregularly; vibrate rapidly or erratically; fly by waving quickly; flitter; N.
s forerunner: predecessor; one that comes before and indicates the approach of another
s forfeit: something surrendered as punishment for a crime or breach of contract; V: lose as a forfeit; N. forfeiture
s forge: counterfeit; reproduce fraudulently; form by heating in a forge and hammering into shape; move with a sudden increase of speed or power; Ex. forged ahead in the last two years; N: furnace where metals are heated
s forthcoming: happening in the near future; ready; willing to help; Ex. No answer was forthcoming.
s forum: public square of an ancient Roman city; public place for open discussion; court of law
s forward: presumptuous or bold
s foul: very bad or disagreeable; very dirty; Ex. foul smell/flavor/temper/language/air/deed/weather/means; N. act against the rules; V. make or become foul; commit a foul
s freebooter: pirate or plunderer who makes war in order to grow rich
s fringe: decorative edge of hanging threads; edge
s frisk: move about playfully; froric; ADJ. frisky: playful
s frock: long loose garment (worn by monks)
s frolic: play and jump about happily; frisk; Ex. frolicking young lambs
s fruitful: producing results; profitable; prolific; producing in abundance
s fuddle: make stupid or confused as with alcholic drink; N. in a fuddle: confused
s functional: made for practical use only (without decoration); functioning; Ex. functional modern furniture; CF. functionalism
s furrow: long shallow trench made by a plow; deep wrinkle in the skin; V.
s fuss:: trouble or worry over trifles; make nervous; pay too much attention to; N: needless concern or worry (about a trivial thing); anxious nervous condition; display of attention; Ex. make a fuss over the baby
s fussy: fastidious; finicky; easily upset
s galley: low ship with sails (rowed along by slaves)
s gallows: framework from which a noose is suspended (used for execution by hanging)
s galvanic: of the production of electricity by the action of an acid on a metal; having the effect of an electric shock; Ex. galvanic cell; galvanic effect; CF. Luigi Galvani
s gangrene: decay of body tissue caused by insufficient blood supply (usually following injury); ADJ. gangrenous
s gentle: kindly; soft; mild; of good family
s genus: division of animals or plants, below a family and above a species
s geriatrics: medical treatment and care of old age
s germ: earliest form of an organism; seed or bud; something that may develop into something larger or more important; microbe
s gerontology: study of the sociological phenomena associated with old age
s gild: cover with a thin layer of gold
s glamor: compelling charm; ADJ. glamorous
s glare: shine intensely and blindingly; stare fixedly and angrily; N.
s gleam: brief flash of light; glow; V.
s glitter: shine brightly with flashing points of light; Ex. glittering diamond ring; N: sparkling light; attractiveness; glamor; Ex. glitter of the sun on the waves
s gloss: brief explanation note or translation of a difficult expression; V.
s glow: shine brightly without a flame (as of eyes or metals); show redness and heat (in the face) after hard work or because of strong feelings; N: light produced by a heated body; brilliance of a color
s gnarl: protruding knot on a tree; V.
s gobble: eat very quickly
s gracious: kind in a generous way (to someone less important)
s gradation: series of gradual stages; degree in such a progression
s graduate: arrange into categories or grades; divide into marked intervals (for use in measurement); Ex. graduated ruler
s graphite: black form of carbon used in lead pencils
s graze: (of an animal) feed on growing grass; cause (an animal) to feed on grass; scrape (esp. the skin) or touch lightly in passing; brush; Ex. We can't graze the cattle till summer; N: surface wound
s grim: causing great fear; unrelenting; determined in spite of fear; Ex. grim smile
s groom: man employed to take care of horses; V: make neat and trim; clean and brush (an animal)
s groove: long narrow channel made in a surface to guide the movement of something; Ex. groove of the record
s gross: total; fragrant; clearly wrong; (of people's behavior) coarse; corpulent; Ex. gross insolence/behavior; V: earn as a total amount; N: 12 dozens
s grouch: bad-tempered complaint; person who keeps complaining; V: complain; grumble
s growl: low, guttural, menacing sound (as of a dog)
s grudge: deep feeling of dislike; Ex. grudge fight; V.
s grumble: complain; mutter discontentedly; grouch; N.
s grunt: utter a deep guttural sound (as a pig does); N.
s gush: (of liquid) pour out in large quantities from a hole; make an excessive display of feeling (without true feeling); Ex. Blood gushed from the wound.
s gust: strong abrupt rush of wind; V. CF. bluster
s habitat: natural home of a plant or animal; CF. habitation
s hail: frozen rain drop; V: salute or greet; precipitate hail
s halfhearted: exhibiting little interest or enthusiasm
s handsome: large in quantity; generous; Ex. handsome reward
s haunt: (of a spirit) visit (a place); come to mind continually; visit (a place) regularly; frequent; Ex. haunted house; Ex. haunted by his last words; N: place much frequented
s havoc: widespread damage; disorder; chaos
s hazard: venture; put in danger; risk; Ex. hazard a guess; N: possible source of danger
s headfirst: moving with the head leading; headlong
s healthful: conducive to good health; Ex. healthful mountain air
s healthy: possessing good health; healthful
s heed: pay attention to; N: close attention
s helm: steering wheel of a ship; position of control
s hem: surround tightly so that movement is impossible; Ex. hem in; N.
s herald: messenger; sign of something to come; V: announce; proclaim; Ex. unheralded researcher
s hereafter: life after death
s hide: skin of an animal
s hideous: repulsive to the sight; ugly; repugnant; Ex. hideous face/scream
s high-flown: highly pretentious or inflated
s hindsight: understanding the nature of an event after it has actually happened
s historic: important in history; Ex. historic battle
s historical: connected with history; based on events in history (whether regarded as important or not)
s hive: box for bees; V: cause to go in a hive
s homely: not good-looking; unattractive
s horoscope: diagram of the positions of stars at a given moment (eg. of a person's birth) used by astrologers
s hostage: person who is kept as a prisoner by an enemy so that the other side will do what the enemy demands
s hothead: person who does things too quickly without thinking; ADJ. hotheaded
s hull: husk; dry outer covering of a seed; frame or body of a ship
s humble: of low rank or position; modest; having a low opinion of oneself and a high opinion of others; unassuming; not proud; V. humiliate: make humble; cause to feel ashamed or to lose the respect of others
s humor: indulge; comply with the wishes of; N. quality that makes something amusing; state of mind; mood; Ex. in a bad humor; Ex. out of humor
s hurl: throw forcefully; shout out violently
s hut: crude dwelling; shack
s hygiene: science and practice of the promotion and preservation of health; ADJ. hygienic: showing careful attention to cleanness (to prevent disease); Ex. hygienic condition
s hypnosis: induced sleeping state; ADJ. hypnotic; V. hypnotize
s hysteria: excessive or uncontrollable excitement; N. hysteric: person suffering from hysteria; CF. hysterics: attack of hysteria
s idle: not working; not employed or busy; lazy; without purpose; useless; lacking substance; baseless; not based on truth; Ex. idle worker; Ex. talk idly; V.
s idyll(idyl): short poem idealizing rural life; simple happy period of life (in the country); scene from such a time; Ex. idyll of two young lovers
s impart: grant a share of; make known; Ex. news to impart
s impassioned: (of speech) filled with passion; fervent
s imperil: put in danger
s impersonal: not being a person; not showing personal feelings; Ex. impersonal force/manner/organization
s impoverish: make poor; deprive of natural strength or something important; Ex. impoverished soil
s impregnate: make pregnant; fill thoroughly; saturate
s inamorata: woman whom a man loves
s inasmuch_as: since; owing to the fact that
s incident: event; event that causes a crisis
s incinerate: burn to ashes
s indecision: irresolution; inability to make up one's mind
s indecisive: marked by indecision; inconclusive; Ex. indecisive battle
s indoctrinate: cause to accept a doctrine without questioning it; Ex. indoctrinated with mindless anti-communism
s induct: place formally in office; install; admit as a member; initiate; N. induction: inducting; process of deriving general principles from particular facts
s indulge: yield to; gratify; allow oneself a special pleasure; Ex. indulge one's every whim/a child/in a big cigarette; N. indulgence
s inebriate: make drunk; intoxicate; N. intoxicated person
s infest: inhabit in numbers large enough to be harmful; Ex. Mice infested the house; Ex. shark-infested waters
s ingenue: ing\'enue; young innocent girl
s inhibited: (of a person) unable to express what one really feels
s inquisitive: eager for knowledge; unduly curious
s institute: organization for a special purpose; V: establish
s institution: instituting; (building for the) organization; established custom, practice, or relationship in a society; mental hospital; Ex. institution of marriage
s institutionalize: make into an institution; put or confine in an institution
s interjection: exclamation; Ex. ``Ouch''
s intermediary: intermediate; acting as a mediator; N: mediator; go-between
s interstice: narrow space between things
s intolerant: not willing to accept ways of thinking different from one's own; CF. tolerant; CF. tolerate
s intoxicate: make drunk; stimulate or excite; Ex. intoxicated by all the money he might win
s intrigue: make secret plans; plot; arouse the curiosity of; N: secret scheme; plot; secret love affair
s invalid: one incapacitated(disabled) by a chronic illness; ADJ: incapacitated by illness; not valid; null; V: allow to leave (a military force) because of ill-health
s jab: poke abruptly with something sharp; punch with short blows
s jaundice: medical condition in which the skin, the white part of the eyes, etc. turn yellow; V: affect with jaundice; affect with prejudice, envy, or hostility; bias
s jest: playful remark or act; V. act or speak playfully
s jetsam: things thrown from a ship (to lighten the ship)
s judiciary: judicial branch of government
s jug: pitcher; container for holding liquids
s jumble: mix in a confused way
s juridical: of the law and its administration; CF. judicial: of courts of law; CF. judiciary
s jurisdiction: right and power to apply the law; authority
s knack: special talent; art
s kneel: go down on one's knee(s)
s lace: cord used to draw and tie together two opposite edges (as of a shoe); delicate fabric made of fine threads; V: draw together by tying a lace
s lag: move or develop more slowly; straggle; Ex. lag behind the rest; N.
s lance: pierce with a lance; cut into; N: spearlike weapon
s latch: fastening or lock consisting of a movable bar that fits into a notch; V: close with a latch
s layman: man who is not a cleric; man who is nonprofessional
s leash: restraining rope fastened to the collar of an animal (to control it); Ex. a dog on a leash
s leave-taking: farewell or departure
s legato: (of music) played smoothly
s legislature: legislating branch of government; CF. legislate: make laws
s license: official or legal permission; latitude of action or speech; excessive freedom that causes harm or damage; V.
s limp: walk lamely; ADJ: lacking firmness; weak
s linger: loiter or dawdle; be slow in leaving; delay going; continue or persist; be slow to disappear; Ex. The smell lingered for days.
s lionize: treat (a person) as a celebrity
s liquidate: settle accounts; pay off (a debt); clear up; eliminate; kill or abolish
s list: tilt (as of a ship); lean over (to one side)
s litter: waste material thrown away (as bits of paper scattered untidily); V: cover untidily with scattered litter
s loft: room or space under the roof; attic
s lookout: act of keeping watch; high place commanding a wide view; person who keeps watch
s lopsided: heavier or larger on one side than the other; Ex. lopsided way of walking
s lot: object used in making a determination at random; fate; piece of land
s lottery: contest in which winners are selected in a drawing of lots
s lounge: stand, sit, or lie in a lazy, relaxed way
s lubricate: apply a lubricant to; N. lubricant: substance that reduces friction
s lunatic: insane; Ex. lunatic asylum
s lush: (of a plant or grass) growing very well
s lust: intense sexual desire; intense eagerness; V.
s luxuriate: take pleasure in great comfort
s magistrate: official with power to administer the law
s makeshift: temporary expedient or substitute (in the case of urgent need); Ex. makeshift shelter
s malapropos: inappropriate; ADV.
s maleficient: doing evil; N. maleficience
s mange: skin disease (esp. of domestic animals) marked by loss of hair
s mangle: tear or cut to pieces; mutilate or disfigure; Ex. badly mangled bodies
s mannerism: distinctive behavioral trait; affected style in art (according to a set of styles)
s mantle: loose sleeveless outer garment; cloak; something that covers or envelops; the layer of the earth between the crust and the core
s mar: spoil the appearance of
s maraud: move in search of plunder; Ex. marauding army
s margin: border; room; allowance beyond what is needed; Ex. margin of safety
s marginal: of a margin; barely within a limit; Ex. marginal effect/writing ability
s maroon: leave helpless on a deserted island or coast; ADJ. red brown
s marrow: soft fatty tissue that fills most bone cavities and is the source of blood cells
s mash: crush into mash; convert into mash; N: mixture of ground grain and nutrients fed to livestock and fowl
s mason: one who builds or works with stone or brick; N. masonry: work of a mason; stonework or brickwork
s masquerade: wear a mask or disguise; pretend; N: costume party or ball at which masks are worn; pretense; disguise
s mass: Christian religious ceremony; CF. Mass: ceremony of the Eucharist
s mat: not shiny; matte; having a dull finish; N: flat piece of material used as a floor covering; V.
s matin\'ee(matinee): dramatic or musical performance given in the afternoon
s matrimony: state of being married
s memoir: memoirs; autobiography; biography
s memorial: something, such as a monument or holiday, intended to honor the memory of a person or event; ADJ: commemorative
s menace: threat; V: threaten
s merit: deserve; ADJ. meritorious: deserving reward or praise
s meter: arrangement of words in the form of poetry (by accentual rhythm)
s metrical: metric; written in the form of poetry; Ex. metrical translation of Homer
s militia: army composed of ordinary citizens rather than professional soldiers
s mime: pantomime(act without dialogue); mimicry; mimer; V: mimic; pantomime
s mingle: mix together in close association
s miniature: small model; small painting; ADJ: small
s miscellaneous: made up of a variety of parts
s mischief: behavior (of children) causing trouble with no serious harm; damage; harm; Ex. mischief to the crops; ADJ. mischievous: causing mischief; playfully troublesome
s misconduct: immoral behavior; bad management; V.
s mongrel: plant or animal (esp. a dog) of mixed breed; ADJ.
s monochrome: painting in only one color; ADJ.
s monogram: design composed of one or more initials of a name; V.
s monograph: scholarly article
s morgue: mortuary; place where bodies are kept before burial or cremation
s mortar: vessel in which substances are crushed with a pestle
s motto: brief statement used to express a principle
s murmur: low, indistinct, continuous sound; V. CF. mumble
s mute: silent; without speech; not pronounced; unable to speak; N: one who is incapable of speech; V: soften the sound, color, shade of
s mutter: utter (complaining words) indistinctly in low tones
s mystic: of hidden meaning and spiritual power; Ex. mystic ceremonies; N. CF. mysticism
s natal: connected with birth; CF. prenatal; CF. postnatal
s nausea: feeling of sickness and desire to vomit; disgust; CF. seasickness
s nauseous: causing nausea; feeling nausea
s nebula: diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas; galaxy
s nectar: drink of the gods; sweet liquid collected by bees
s nimble: quick in movement; agile; quick in understanding; Ex. nimble climber/mind
s nonsense: speech or writing with no meaning; foolish behavior or language; Ex. make (a) nonsense of: spoil; cause to fail
s noose: loop formed in a rope
s notch: V-shaped cut in a surface; V.
s nourish: provide with food necessary for life and growth
s nourishment: something that nourishes; food
s nova: star that suddenly becomes much brighter and then returns to its original brightness
s nuptial: of marriage or the wedding ceremony; N; nuptials; wedding ceremony
s nurse: suckle; take care of (as a nurse); bear in mind; Ex. nursing mother; Ex. nurse a hope/grudge against someone
s nutrition: process of nourishing or being nourished; CF. malnutrition
s nutritious: providing nourishment
s oath: solemn promise; blasphemous use of sacred words to express strong feelings; swear-word; Ex. ``For Christ's sake''
s oatmeal: crushed oats used for making porridge
s odds: chances; probability; disagreement; Ex. The odds are that it will rain. Ex. at odds with
s ooze: (of a thick liquid) pass or flow slowly; N: mud or thick liquid as at the bottom of a river
s outcast: one that has been excluded from a society; ADJ.
s outfit: clothing or equipment for a special purpose; Ex. cowboy outfit
s outgoing: sociable; eager to mix socially with others
s outlaw: fugitive from the law (excluded from legal protection); V: declare (someone) to be an outlaw; deprive of the protection of the law; declare illegal; Ex. Drinking has been outlawed.
s outlook: point of view; view from a particular place; expectation for the future; prospect; Ex. outlook on life; Ex. pleasing outlook; Ex. weather outlook
s oversee: watch over and direct; supervise; N. oversight: unintentional failure to notice or do something; supervision
s overthrow: topple; N.
s overture: musical introduction to a long musical piece; first offer or proposal (to begin talks in the hope of reaching an agreement); Ex. overtures for peace
s overturn: turn over; capsize; topple
s overwhelm: (of water) cover completely; defeat completely by much greater force; Ex. overwhelmed by grief
s padre: chaplain (in the armed forces)
s palm: conceal in the palm of the hand; palm off: pass off; Ex. palm off some bad oranges onto the lady/the painting as a real Renoir
s pang: sudden sharp feeling of pain
s parallel: similar; analogous; corresponding; N: parallel line; person or thing that is parallel (to another); similarity; Ex. know of no parallel to the case; Ex. without parallel; V: be similar to; make parallel; Ex. Your experience parallels mine; CF. unparalleled
s parchment: writing material made from the skin of a sheep or goat
s parish: area in the care of a single priest and served by one main church
s parvenu: upstart; newly rich person
s pass_off: present falsely; represent falsely to be
s paste: smooth viscous mixture as of flour(powder made by crushing grain) and water (used as an adhesive); V: cause to adhere by applying paste
s pastry: paste of flour and water (eaten when baked)
s patrimony: property inherited from a father
s peddle: travel about selling (wares); CF. foot
s pedestal: support or base as for a pillar or statue
s pedigree: ancestry; lineage
s pedigree: line of ancestors; ancestry; lineage; ADJ. (of an animal) descended from of a chosen family; Ex. pedigree dog; CF. crane's foot
s peer: one who has equal standing with another; nobleman; V: look intently; N. peerage; CF. peeress
s peevish: bad-tempered; irritable; V. peeve: make angry
s pen: fenced enclosure for animals; confining space; Ex. sheep pen; V: confine in a pen; enclose
s pending: not yet decided or settled; impending; Ex. pending decision; PREP. while awaiting; until; Ex. delay the decision pending his return
s penetrate: enter into; pierce; permeate; see through; grasp the inner significance of; understand
s penology: study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation
s permissive: allowing much freedom; lenient; Ex. permissive society
s persevere: continue steadily in spite of difficulties
s persist: continue in existence; last; continue in a course of action in spite of opposition; Ex. persist in/with something; ADJ. persistent
s personify: represent (an inanimate object) as a person; be the embodiment or perfect example of; Ex. She is evil/patience personified; N. personification
s pervert: corrupt; turn from right to wrong; misuse; Ex. perverted sexual desire/scientific knowledge; N: person whose sexual behavior is not natural
s phalanx: formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears; group of men packed together (for attack or defense)
s pharisee: Pharisee: member of an ancient Jewish group that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic law (considering themselves very holy); hypocritical self-righteous person
s pilfer: steal things of small value; filch; snitch
s pinch: squeeze between the thumb and a finger, or other edges; Ex. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. N: amount that can be held between the thumb and a finger
s pinnace: small boat
s plane: carpenter's tool for smoothing and leveling wood; V. CF. flat
s plaster: paste that hardens to a smooth solid and is used for coating walls; V.
s plebiscite: direct vote by the entire electorate (on an important issue)
s ploy: strategem to gain an advantage; tactic; Ex. management ploy
s plumber: one who installs and repairs pipes and plumbing(pipes)
s plump: pleasantly fat; nicely rounded
s poise: good judgment with composure; balance; V: place in a carefully balanced position
s polar: of a pole; characterized by opposite extremes; Ex. polar opposites
s polarity: state of having two opposite qualities
s porridge: soft food made by boiling oatmeal
s pose: assume a particular posture; put forward; present; affect a particular attitude (to impress others); Ex. pose a threat; N.
s postmortem: autopsy; ADJ: occurring after death; of a postmortem
s prance: move about in a spirited manner (proudly and confidently)
s prank: mischievous trick
s precinct: division of a city for election or police purposes; precincts: space that surrounds a building; Ex. precincts of the college
s prefigure: be a sign of; foreshadow
s prepossessing: attractive; CF. preoccupying ?
s presume: take for granted; assume; act overconfidently; take liberties; presume on/upon: take unfair advantage of (someone's kindness or connection); N. presumption
s pretend: feign; pretend to: claim to possess; make pretensions to; Ex. I don't pretend to much expertise; N. pretense
s pretension: pretentiousness; claim (without foundation); Ex. I make no pretensions to skill as an artist.
s primal: first in rank or importance; being first in time; original; Ex. man's primal innocence
s primary: first in rank or importance; principal; earliest in time; Ex. primary stages; N. CF. first
s primate: group of mammals including humans
s prime: period of ideal or peak condition; earliest or beginning stage; Ex. in the prime of life; Ex. prime of the year(spring); ADJ: first in importance or rank; first; V: make ready; prepare
s prize: pry; move with a lever; value highly; esteem; Ex. his most prized possession; N: something captured during war-time (esp. an enemy ship)
s prong: pointed projecting part
s pronounced: distinct; very noticeable; Ex. pronounced limp
s prop: support placed under or against something; V.
s prosper: become successful (esp. financially); thrive; grow well; Ex. children prospering under his care
s prosperous: successful; rich; affluent; well-to-do; well-off
s proverb: adage; someone or something well known for notoriety; ADJ. proverbial: of a proverb; widely known; ADV. proverbially
s providence: quality of being provident; divine care; god's care; Providence: god; Ex. It seemed like providence that the doctor happened to be there; ADJ. providential: of divine providence; fortunate
s provision: act of providing; something provided; preparatory measure; provisions: necessary supplies (esp. food); stipulation; condition in an agreement; Ex. According to the provisions of the agreement
s psychic: of psyche; mental; of or possessing extraordinary mental powers
s psychosomatic: of the influence of the mind on the body (esp. with respect to disease)
s pucker: gather into wrinkles or folds; N: wrinkle or fold
s pudding: hot sweet dish
s pulpit: raised platform used in preaching (in a church)
s pulse: rhythmical throbbing of arteries; brief sudden change in a normally constant quantity; V: pulsate
s pushy: disagreeably aggressive
s putrefy: make or become putrid; N. putrefaction
s putrescent: becoming putrid; putrefying
s puzzle: baffle or confuse by a difficult problem; ponder over a problem in an effort to solve; clarify or solve by reasoning; Ex. puzzle out the answer; N.
s qualify: reach a necessary standard; limit the meaning of something stated
s queer: strange; eccentric; deviating from the normal
s quicksilver: mercury
s rabble: mob; noisy crowd
s rabies: disease passed on by the bite of an infected animal (causing madness and death)
s raffle: lottery; V: award as a prize in a raffle; Ex. raffle off a new car
s rag: scrap of cloth; ADJ. ragged: old and torn; seeming unfinished and imperfect; Ex. ragged debut/performance
s rake: immoral or dissolute person
s rake: angle of a slope; V: slant from the perpendicular
s ram: male sheep; V. strike or drive against with a heavy impact
s rank: offensive in odor or flavor
s ransack: search thoroughly; pillage (going through a place); Ex. Enemy soldiers ransacked the town.
s rapture: great joy and delight; ecstasy; ADJ. rapturous
s rare: (of air) thin in density; rarefied; Ex. rare air of the mountains
s rasp: (of a sound) grate on (eg. nerves); make a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect; rub with something rough; Ex. The cat's tongue rasped my hand.
s ration: fixed portion; V: distribute as rations
s rational: (of a person) having reason; (of ideas) based on reason; logical
s recess: pause; temporary cessation; alcove; secret inner place; Ex. parliament in recess; V. CF. recessive
s recital: act of reciting publicly; detailed account; performance of music or dance (by a solo performer)
s recite: repeat aloud (something learned); describe; Ex. recite his complaints; N. recitation
s reckon: count; calculate; regard as; think; suppose
s recline: lie down
s recreant: disloyal; cowardly; N: disloyal and cowardly person
s reduce: diminish; bring to a weaker or more difficult condition; demote; lower in rank; separate into components by analysis; Ex. reduced to the ranks; Ex. reduce the house to rubble; N. reduction
s referendum: direct vote by all the people
s refuse: anything discarded or rejected as worthless; trash
s regent: a person who governs in place of a ruler who is ill, absent, or still a child; ADJ. Ex. the Prince regent
s reinstate: restore to a previous condition or position
s relapse: return to a former state (esp. after improvement); N.
s reminiscent: suggestive of something (in the past); of reminiscence
s remit: transmit (money) in payment; free someone from a debt or punishment
s remittance: remitting of money; amount of money remitted
s repose: resting; state of being at rest; calmness; V: lie at rest; relax; put or place; Ex. repose our hopes in a single man
s repulse: reject with rudeness or coldness (an offer or friendship); drive back (an enemy attack); CF. repulse $\neq$ cause repulsion
s requisition: formal demand or request; Ex. requisition for more computing equipment; V.
s residual: remaining; left over; of a residue; N: residue
s resign: give up (a position, right, or claim); submit (oneself) passively
s resort: turn to for help; Ex. resort to violence; N.
s resound: (of a place) be filled with sound; (of a sound) sound loudly; sound back; echo; Ex. hall resounded with laughter
s resourceful: clever and imaginative (in dealing with difficult situations); N. resource, resourcefulness
s resurrect: revive
s retard: delay (in development); ADJ. retarded: (as of a child) slower in development
s reverend: deserving reverence; N: priest
s rhapsody: excessively enthusiastic expression of feeling; musical composition of irregular form (as if made up as one plays it)
s rickety: (of buildings) likely to break or fall apart; of rickets; CF. rickets; CF. vitamin D
s rig: arrangement of masts and sails; V: equip (a ship) with rigging; ADJ. rigging: ropes that hold up a ship's sails
s righteous: morally upright; just
s rightful: legally correct; Ex. rightful owner
s rip: tear or be torn quickly and violently; Ex. The sail ripped under the force of the wind; N.
s rivet: metal pin used for fastening metal plates together; V: fasten with a rivet; engross
s rolling: (of land) rising and falling in long gentle slopes; happening continuously by stages; Ex. rolling devolution of power to local governments
s romp: play or frolic boisterously; gambol; N.
s rooster: cock; adult male chicken
s rotund: (of a person) fat and round
s rou\'e: lecherous man
s rumble: make or move with a deep rolling sound (as thunder or stomach)
s ruminant: animal that ruminates; ADJ.
s run-down: (of a place) dilapidated; in a bad condition; (of a person) weak or exhausted
s rustle: make slight sounds like silk moving or being rubbed together
s scheme: systematic plan; plot; clever dishonest plan; orderly arrangement of elements; Ex. health insurance scheme; Ex. a scheme to escape taxes; Ex. a color scheme; Ex. a story with no scheme; V: contrive a scheme
s scion: detached plant shoot used in grafting; descendant
s scorch: sear; N.
s score: number of points; written form of a musical composition; reason; group of 20; notch or incision; Ex. full/vocal score; Ex. Don't worry on that score; V: mark with lines or notches; Ex. score the paper to make it easy to fold
s scowl: frown angrily; N: angry frown
s scrap: small bit or fragment; discarded waste material; fight; Ex. a scrap of paper/cloth; V: break into parts for disposal; discard as worthless; fight; quarrel
s scrappy: quarrelsome
s scraps: leftover food
s screech: unpleasant high sharp sound; shriek; V.
s scrimmage: disorderly fight between two or more people
s season: enhance the flavor of by adding a spice, etc.; inure; harden; N. seasoning: something used in seasoning
s seasonable: occurring at the proper time or season; opportune; Ex. seasonable intervention in the dispute
s seasonal: of a particular season; Ex. seasonal rise in employment
s sectarian: of a sect; narrow-minded; parochial; N: member of a sect; narrow-minded person
s seduce: lead away from proper conduct; entice; ADJ. seductive
s self-indulgence: excessive indulgence of one's own desire
s self-righteous: sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic
s sentimental: swayed by sentiment; appealing to the sentiments
s shack: crude cabin
s shade: slight difference in degree; nuance; degree of color; Ex. shades of meaning/grey
s shear: remove (fleece or hair) by cutting; remove the hair or fleece from; cut with or as if with shears; N: shears; pair of scissors
s shed: small roofed structure for storage and shelter; V: pour forth; lose by natural process; repel without allowing penetration; radiate; cast; Ex. shed tears/light/water/skin/leaves
s sheer: pure; thin and transparent; very steep
s shift: change position or place; exchange (one thing) for another; change in direction or position; Ex. shift the stolen goods; N. group of workers which takes turns with other groups; working period of such a group
s shoot: new growth from a plant
s shove: push forward; push roughly; Ex. pushing and shoving to get on the bus; N.
s shudder: shake uncontrollably; tremble; V.
s shuffle: mix together; jumble; move (something) from one place to another; slide (the feet) along the ground while walking; Ex. shuffle papers from one pile to another; N.
s sidetrack: switch (a railroad car) to a siding; divert from a main issue; N. CF. siding: short section of railroad track connected by switches with a main track
s significant: expressing a meaning; important; Ex. significant smile; N. significance: importance; meaning; V. signify: denote; mean; signal; make known; matter; be significant
s siren: apparatus for making sounds; womanlike creature
s skim: read or glance through quickly; touch lightly in passing; brush; remove from the surface of a liquid
s slack: moving slowly; sluggish; inactive; (of a rope) loose; negligent; lax; Ex. slack season; Ex. slack in one's work; N. V.
s slap: hit quickly with the flat part of the hand; N. CF. smack
s slaughter: killing of animals for food; massacre; V: butcher (animals) for food; kill in large numbers
s slavish: of or like a slave; servile; showing no originality; copied very closely; Ex. slavish devotion/copy of the original
s sledge: large sled drawn by work animals
s sleek: smooth and shining (as from good health); V.
s sleigh: large vehicle drawn by a horse over snow or ice
s slick: make smooth or glossy; N: smooth surface; Ex. oil slick; ADJ: smooth; glossy; deftly executed; adroit; glib
s slink: move furtively; ADJ. slinky: stealthy; furtive; sneaky (as in ambush)
s sly: clever in deceiving; secretive; not telling one's intentions
s smart: intelligent; quick and energetic; fashionable; Ex. smart pace/restaurant; V: cause or feel a sharp pain; N: smarting pain
s smear: spread or cover with a sticky substance; N: mark made by smearing
s smother: kill from lack of air; suppress; cover thickly; Ex. smothered in little stickers
s smudge: dirty mark with unclear edges made by rubbing; V.
s smug: self-satisfied; complacent
s sneak: move, give, or take in a quiet, stealthy way; N: one who sneaks; ADJ. sneaky
s snip: short quick cut with scissors; V: cut with scissors
s snub: ignore or behave coldly toward; Ex. I made a suggestion but she snubbed me; N.
s snuffle: sniffle; sniff repeatedly (in order to keep liquid from running out of the nose)
s soar: rise or fly high in the air; Ex. The rocket soared into the sky.
s sober: serious; solemn; not drunken; abstemious or temperate; V: make or become sober
s solicitor: lawyer in the lower court of law
s sonic: of sound or its speed in air; CF. subsonic, supersonic
s sonnet: 14-line poetic verse form with a fixed rhyme pattern
s soothsayer: one who foretells the future
s sound: in good condition; showing good judgment or good sense; thorough; complete; Ex. sound mind/investment/training
s sour: having a sharp or acid taste; acid; tart; bad-tempered; V.
s sovereign: ruler in a monarchy; ADJ: (of a country) independent and self-governing; having supreme power; supreme; excellent
s sovereignty: complete independence and self-government (of a country); supremacy of authority; power to govern
s sow: plant or scatter seed
s spare: give; use; refrain from harming; save from experiencing; exempt; Ex. spare me 5 minutes; Ex. Take this money and spare my life; Ex. The emperor was spared the onus; ADJ: kept in reserve; free for other use; unoccupied; Ex. spare time
s speck: small piece or mark; Ex. speck of dust in the eye
s speechless: unable for the moment to speak (because of strong feeling); Ex. speechless with anger
s spin: rotate swiftly; make (thread) by twisting (cotton, wool, etc.); N.
s spoilsport: one who spoils the pleasure of others
s spoof: parody
s sprightly: lively
s sprout: begin to grow; give off shoots or buds; N: new growth on a plant; shoot
s squash: crush; quash; suppress
s squeamish: easily shocked or sickened by unpleasant things; fastidious; Ex. A nurse should not be squeamish.
s squelch: produce a splashing sound (when stepping through mud); crush; squash; CF. ÁøÈëÀ» À§¿¡¼ ¹âÀ» ¶§
s stammer: speak with involuntarily pauses or repetitions
s stamp: step on heavily (so as to crush or extinguish); put an end to; imprint or impress with a mark, design, or seal; shape with a die; characterize; Ex. machine stamping out car bodies; Ex. newspaper stamping him as a liar; N. stamping; implement used to stamp; impression stamped; mark; Ex. Her remarks bear the stamp of truth.
s stampede: sudden frenzied rush (of panic-stricken animals or people); V: participate in or cause stampede; Ex. stampede before the price rises
s standstill: condition of no movement or activity; stop
s stately: formal; ceremonious; grand in style or size; majestic
s stench: strong foul odor; reek; stink
s sterile: incapable of producing young; free from microorganism; V. sterilize
s stink: stench; V: emit a strong foul odor
s stoop: bend forward and down; lower or debase oneself; fall to a lower standard of behavior by doing something; condescend; Ex. stoop to lying
s stout: rather fat; strong in body; sturdy; resolute; determined; strong in determination; Ex. stout stick/supporter
s straggle: stray or fall behind (a main group); spread out in a scattered group; Ex. straggling marathon racer; Ex. straggling branch
s strangle: kill by choking or suffocating; suppress
s studious: given to diligent study
s stumble: trip and almost fall; proceed unsteadily; act falteringly; N.
s stump: base of a tree trunk left after the rest has been cut down; V: walk in a heavy manner; baffle; puzzle
s stun: make unconscious or numb as by a blow; amaze; astound
s sturdy: strong and firm (in the body)
s submerge: place under water; dip; go under water; cover completely (as with water); Ex. submerged in work
s suckle: give or take milk at the breast or udder
s suffocate: die or kill from lack of air; suppress
s suitor: man who is courting a woman
s sullen: silently showing ill humor or resentment; dark; gloomy
s supplicant: one who supplicates; ADJ.
s surge: powerful movement of or like a wave; V.
s suspend: cause to stop for a period; interrupt; hold in abeyance; defer; hang from above; exclude for a period from a position; Ex. suspended state; Ex. suspend judgment; Ex. suspended from the team; N. suspension
s suspense: state of being undecided; anxiety or apprehension resulting from uncertainty
s swagger: walk or behave with an over-confident manner
s swamp: wetland; marsh; V: flood; overwhelm; drench in with liquid
s swarm: large group of insects moving in a mass; crowd of people or animals; V: move in a crowd or mass
s sway: swing from side to side; influence (someone) to change one's opinion; N.
s swear: vow; promise; use profane oaths; use offensive words
s swear-word: word considered offensive; Ex. ``bloody''
s swell: long wave of water that moves continuously without breaking; V.
s swipe: hit with a sweeping motion; N.
s tablet: small round piece of medicine; flat piece of stone or metal bearing an inscription; Ex. stone tablet on the wall
s tact: skill or sensitivity in dealing with people without causing offence
s takeoff: burlesque; act of leaving the ground
s tan: convert (hide) into leather; make brown by exposure to the sun
s tardy: slow; sluggish; not on time; late; Ex. tardy arrival
s tarnish: make or become dull or discolored; N.
s tart: sharp to the taste; acid-tasting; caustic; sarcastic; Ex. tart apple/reply
s tatter: torn piece of cloth; ADJ. tattered: (of clothes) old and torn; (of a person) dressed in old torn clothes
s taunt: deride or provoke; challenge in derision; N.
s tawny: brownish yellow
s tenancy: possession of land or building by rent; period of a tenant's occupancy
s tenant: one that pays rent to use property owned by another
s tend: have a tendency; take care of; minister; serve at; apply one's attention; attend
s tension: stretching; condition of being stretched; mental strain; strained relationship between groups or people
s terminal: part that forms the end; railroad or bus station; ADJ. forming an end; ending in death; fatal; Ex. terminal cancer
s thesis: opinion put forward and supported by reasoned arguments
s thrash: beat with a whip or flail; defeat utterly; talk about thoroughly in order to find the answer; move wildly or violently; Ex. The fishes thrashed about in the net.
s threat: sign or warning (of coming danger); Ex. threat of rain; V: express a threat; give warning of (something bad); Ex. The cloud threatens rain.
s thresh: beat (cereal plants) with a machine or flail to separate the grains from the straw
s throb: (of a heart or machine) beat rapidly or violently; N. Ex. hearthrob: heartbeat; sweetheart
s tickle: touch (the body) lightly so as to cause laughter; please
s tinge: give a slight degree of a color or quality to; N: slight degree of a color or quality; Ex. tinged with grey/jealousy
s tint: slight degree of color; V: give a tint to
s token: outward sign; Ex. a token of our gratitude
s toll: sound (a large bell) slowly at regular intervals; N: sound of a bell; fixed tax or charge
s topple: become unsteady and fall down
s torpedo: underwater explosive apparatus; V.
s toss: throw lightly; move or lift (the head) with a sudden motion; flip (a coin) to decide something
s totem: animal, plant, or natural object serving as a symbol of a clan or family; representation of this; Ex. totem pole
s touching: causing a feeling of pity or sympathy; pathetic; V. touch: cause to feel pity or sympathy; ADJ. touched
s tramp: walk with a heavy step; travel on foot; N: vagrant; one who travels aimlessly about; long walk; sound of heavy walking
s trample: step heavily with the feet; crush under the feet
s trance: hypnotic state; ecstatic state; detachment from one's physical surrounding (as in contemplation or daydreaming); CF. transition
s transcendental: going beyond common thought or ideas; impossible to understand by practical experiences or practices; known only by studying thoughts or intuition; OP. empirical; CF. transcendentalism
s transpose: reverse the order or position of
s tread: walk; trample; N: grooved face of a tire; horizontal part of a step
s treasure: keep as precious; cherish
s tribune: official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians to protect their rights; protector of the people
s trickle: flow in drops or in a thin stream; N.
s trickster: person who cheats people
s trifle: something of little importance or value; small amount; Ex. a trifle; V: treat without seriousness; flirt
s trim: make neat or tidy by clipping; reduce by removing what is unnecessary; ornament; decorate (round the edges); Ex. trim the cost; Ex. jacket trimmed with fur; N. ADJ: tidy; in good order
s trunk: main wooden stem of a tree; human body excluding the head and limbs; torso; prehensile nose of an elephant
s ulcer: sore place appearing on the skin inside or outside the body; Ex. stomach ulcer; ADJ. ulcerous; V. ulcerate
s unceremonious: not done politely without due formalities
s underhand(underhanded): done slyly and secretly (being dishonest)
s understate: state with less truth than seems warranted by the facts; Ex. He understated the seriousness of the crime; N. understatement; OP. overstate
s undertaker: funeral director; one whose business is to arrange burials
s uninhibited: having no inhibitions; free in behavior and feelings
s unregenerate: making no attempt to change one's bad practices
s upright: (sitting or standing) straight up; honest; moral
s uproar: noisy confusion
s urge: drive or force forward (by causing impulses); drive to take action; impel; entreat earnestly; Ex. urge horses; N: impulse that prompts action
s urgent: compelling immediate action; pressing; persistent; importunate; Ex. urgent in his demands
s usage: act or manner of using; accepted practice; way in which words are actually used
s vain: full of self-admiration; conceited; without result; unsuccessful; N. vanity
s valediction: saying farewell; expression of leave-taking
s variegate: change the appearance of (by marking with different colors)
s varnish: paint used to coat a surface with a glossy film; glossy coating produced by using this substance; Ex. nail varnish; V.
s ventilate: admit fresh air into to replace stale air
s vertebrate: having a backbone or spinal column; N: group of animals having a segmented spinal column
s veto: vested power to reject a bill; exercise of this right; V: prevent or forbid by exercising the power of veto
s vibrant: full of vigor or energy; vibrating
s vicar: parish priest; representative
s vigil: keeping watch (during normal sleeping hours); Ex. all-night vigil
s vigilante: one who without authority assumes law enforcement powers
s vile: despicable; unpleasant; disgusting; Ex. vile slander
s violate: break (a law); defile; desecrate; assault sexually; Ex. violate graves
s vision: eyesight; foresight; mental image produced by the imagination; experience of seeing the supernatural
s vivid: (of light or color) bright and distinct; evoking lifelike mental images; Ex. vivid red hair/description
s volley: simultaneous discharge of a number of shots; V.
s voluptuous: sensual; of or giving sensual pleasure; indulging in sensual pleasures; Ex. voluptuous lines; Ex. voluptuous life of the Romans; N. voluptuary: voluptuous person
s voodoo: religion practiced chiefly in Haiti
s vouch: give a personal guarantee; Ex. I can vouch for his integrity; N. voucher
s vulgar: of the common people; deficient in refinement; not refined; coarse; Ex. vulgar display of wealth; N. vulgarism: vulgarity; crudely indecent word; CF. vulgarian: vulgar person; boor; lout
s vulture: carrion-eating birds
s vying: contending; CF. vie
s wade: walk through a substance, such as water, that impedes movement
s wag: shake repeatedly from side to side; Ex. The dog wagged its tail; N: humorous person; wit
s wage: begin and continue (a war)
s ward: administrative division of a city; division in a hospital or prison; incompetent person placed under the protection of a guardian; V: guard; ward off: avert
s warp: twist out of shape; N.
s warrant: justification; written order that serves as authorization (esp. a judicial writ); Ex. search/death warrant; V: justify; guarantee
s waver: move or swing back and forth; be uncertain or unsteady in decision or movement; Ex. wavering between accepting and refusing
s weary: tired after long work; V.
s weird: eerie; strange; unnatural
s well-bred: of good upbringing; well-mannered and refined
s whine: complain (in a sad voice); make a high sad sound (as in pain or supplication)
s wholesome: conducive to mental or physical health; healthful
s wiggle: wriggle; move from side to side with irregular twisting motions
s willowy: flexible; pliant; slender; CF. willow
s wretch: miserable person; bad or despicable person; ADJ. wretched: miserable; bad; contemptible; vile
s wring: twist (to extract liquid); extract by twisting; wrench painfully (necks or hands)
s wrinkle: small ridge on a smooth surface (face or cloth); V.
s wrongheaded: stubbornly wrong
s zest: outer skin of an orange used for giving a special taste to food; spice; interest; flavor; spirited enjoyment; Ex. add a certain zest to the affair; Ex. zest for life
saboteur: one who commits sabotage; destroyer of property; N. sabotage: destruction of property (usually carried out secretly)
saccharine: cloying sweet; characteristic of sugar or saccharin
sacrilegious: desecrating; profane; N. sacrilege: desecration, misuse, or theft of something sacred
saga: Scandinavian myth; any legend; long heroic narrative
saline: salty
salvage: rescue (goods or property) from loss; N: saving; property saved
sanction: approve; ratify; N: permission; penalty intended to enforce compliance
sanctuary: place of refuge; shelter; shrine; holy place; Ex. The outlaw was granted sanctuary in the church.
sanguinary: bloody; with much bloodshed
sanguine: optimistic; cheerful; hopeful; of the color of blood; red
sarcasm: cutting ironic remark; scornful remarks; stinging rebuke; ADJ. sarcastic
satellite: small body revolving around a larger one
satiate: satisfy fully (physical needs such as hunger); sate; N. satiety: condition of being satiated
satire: form of literature in which irony, sarcasm, and ridicule are employed to attack human vice and folly
satirical: using satire; mocking
saturate: soak thoroughly; imbue; impregnate; charge; fill to capacity
scale: climb up; ascend; remove or come off in scales; N: flake of epidermis; ascending or descending series of musical tones
scanty: meager; insufficient
scenario: plot outline; screenplay(script for a movie); opera libretto; outline of possible future events
schematic: of a schema or scheme; relating to an outline or diagram; using a system of symbols; N. schema: diagrammatic representation; outline
scrupulous: conscientious; extremely thorough; Ex. scrupulous worker
scrutinize: examine closely and critically; N. scrutiny
seasoned: experienced
secession: withdrawal; V. secede: withdraw formally from membership
seclusion: isolation; solitude; V. seclude: set apart from others; isolate
sect: separate religious body; faction; group of people with common beliefs within a larger group
secular: worldly; not pertaining to church matters or religion; temporal
sedentary: requiring sitting; done while sitting; not moving from one place to another; settled; Ex. sedentary job/population
sedition: conduct or language inciting rebellion; rebellion; resistance to authority; insubordination; ADJ. seditious
seismic: pertaining to earthquakes
seminal: related to seed or semen; germinal; creative; providing a basis for further development; influencing future developments; Ex. seminal research in a new field
senility: old age; feeblemindedness of old age; ADJ. senile: resulting from old age; showing the weakness of body or mind from old age; Ex. senile dementia
sensual: devoted to the pleasures of the sense; carnal; voluptuous; Ex. sensual woman/curves/lips
sensuous: giving pleasure to the senses; pertaining to the physical senses; operating through the senses; sensuous feeling of soft velvet on the skin
sentinel: sentry; lookout
serenity: calmness; placidity; ADJ. serene
servile: slavish; cringing; N. servility
servitude: slavery; compulsory labor imposed as a punishment
severity: harshness; intensity; sternness; austerity; ADJ. severe: harsh; strict; extremely violent or intense
shrewd: clever; astute
sibling: brother or sister
simile: comparison of one thing with another, using the word like or as
simplistic: oversimplified
simulate: feign; imitate
singular: being only one; individual; unique; extraordinary; odd; Ex. singular beauty/behavior
sinister: evil; ominous
skeptic: sceptic; doubter; person who suspends judgment until he has examined the evidence supporting a point of view; ADJ. skeptical; N. skepticism; scepticism
skirmish: minor fight; minor battle in war; V.
slake: satisfy (thirst); quench; sate
slander: defamation; utterance of false and malicious statements; V. AD