 | Term | Definition |
| |
inkling |
hint; slight indication; Middle English yngkiling whisper, mention, probably from inclen to hint at; akin to Old English inca suspicion |
| |
corrode |
destroy or wear away gradually by chemical action (over a long period) |
| |
nirvana |
in Buddhist teachings, the ideal state in which the individual loses himself in the attainment of an impersonal beatitude; a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and samsara. It represents the final goal of Buddhism. |
| |
ribald |
marked by vulgar lewd humor; wanton; profane; N. -dry: ~ language or joke |
| |
biennial |
every two years |
| |
pugilist |
FIGHTER; especially : a professional boxer; boxer; CF. -lism: boxing |
| |
eulogy |
expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death; V. -gize |
| |
limp |
walk lamely; ADJ: lacking firmness; weak |
| |
coy |
shy (flirtatiously); showing a (pretended) lack of self-confidence; modest; coquettish; CF. job offer |
| |
noisome |
foul smelling; very unpleasant; unwholesome; from Anglo-French anui, from anuier to harass, annoy |
| |
semblance |
outward appearance; guise; Ex. We called in the troops to bring a/some ~ of order to the city.; Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from sembler to be like, seem |
| |
assert |
state strongly or positively; demand recognition of (rights, claims, etc.); make a claim to (by forceful action); Ex. ~ one's independence |
| |
invocation |
prayer for help (used in invoking); calling upon as a reference or support; act of invoking |
| |
retaliate |
repay in kind (usually for bad treatment); V. ~ |
| |
complicity |
participation; involvement (in a questionable act or a crime) |
| |
numismatist |
person who collects coins; N. -tics: study or collection of money, coins, and medals |
| |
progeny |
children; offspring; descendants |
| |
list |
tilt (as of a ship); lean over (to one side) |
| |
slither |
slip or slide |
| |
precedent |
something preceding in time which may be used as an authority or guide for future action; V. precede; CF. unprecedented |
| |
gaunt |
lean and angular; thin and bony; emaciated; barren |
| |
beatitude |
blessedness; state of great happiness |
| |
emaciated |
thin and wasted (from hunger or illness) |
| |
usurp |
seize another's power or rank (without legal authority); supplant; appropriate; N. -pation; CF. take for one's own use |
| |
attainment |
n 1: the act of achieving an aim; "the ~ of independence" 2: arrival at a new stage; "his ~ of puberty was delayed by malnutrition" 3: an ability that has been acquired by training [syn: {skill}, {accomplishment}, {acquirement}, {acquisition}] |
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace