 | Term | Definition |
| |
idyll |
a written piece of work describing a peaceful rural scene |
| |
igneous |
having the nature of fire; volcanic |
| |
ignoble |
not noble; of ordinary/low character, aims |
| |
immaculate |
perfectly clean, pure |
| |
impasse |
a situation that has no solution or escape |
| |
imperturbable |
calm, not easily exited |
| |
impiety |
irreverence toward God |
| |
imprecate |
to pray for evil, to invoke a curse |
| |
impromptu |
w/o preparation |
| |
imputation |
to charge |
| |
indelible |
that which cannot be erased |
| |
indemnify |
to compensate for damage or loss sustained |
| |
ineluctable |
inevitable |
| |
intercede |
to plead on behalf of another, mediate |
| |
jaded |
worn-out |
| |
jester |
a person employed to amuse |
| |
jettison |
to throw overboard goods to reduce weight |
| |
jocund |
happy, cheerful, gay |
| |
ken |
understanding, knowledge; to recognize |
| |
kith |
relatives and acquaintances |
| |
knavery |
a dishonest act |
| |
lambaste |
to scold or beat harshly |
| |
lambent |
flickering |
| |
lascivious |
indecent, immoral, involes lust |
| |
lecherous |
impure in thought and act |
| |
lewd |
lustful, wicked |
| |
liaison |
connection, link |
| |
libertine |
one who indulges in his desires w/o restraint |
| |
ligneous |
having the composition of wood |
| |
livid |
having a discolored, bluish appearance caused by a bruise |
| |
lustrous |
bright, radiant, shining |
| |
luxuriant |
to grow with energy and in great abundance |
| |
macerate |
to soften by steeping in liquid |
| |
maculate |
impure, spotted |
| |
mar |
damage |
| |
menagerie |
a collection of wild or unusual animals |
| |
meretricious |
deceptive beauty |
| |
mesmerize |
hypnotize |
| |
mimicry |
imitation |
| |
minatory |
threatening |
| |
mire |
to get stuck in wet soggy ground |
| |
miscreant |
evil person, villain |
| |
mite |
very small amount of money |
| |
moot |
subject to change; open for discussion/debate |
| |
mordant |
cutting, sarcastic |
| |
motility |
spontaneous motion |
| |
muse |
to think or speak meditatively |
| |
nautical |
relating to the sea |
| |
nexus |
a connection |
| |
nostrum |
a questionable remedy for difficulties |
| |
nugatory |
trifling, futile |
| |
oaf |
a clumsy, dumb person |
| |
obeisance |
a gesture of respect or reverence |
| |
objurgate |
to scold vehemently |
| |
obloquy |
censure, blame, or abusive language aimed at a person or thing, esp. by numerous persons or by the general public |
| |
obtrude |
to force one's idea upon another |
| |
odium |
a hate |
| |
oligarchy |
form of government in which a samll exclusive group holds power |
| |
opalescent |
iridescent |
| |
opprobrious |
abusive |
| |
ossify |
to turn to bone, to harden |
| |
oust |
drive out, eject |
| |
paean |
a song of praise or triumph |
| |
pagan |
polytheistic |
| |
palatial |
large and ornate, like a palace |
| |
palindrome |
a word or phrase which reads the same backwards and forwards |
| |
parapet |
a wall for protection |
| |
paraphernalia |
equipment; accessories |
| |
parse |
to separate into parts and describe the function of each |
| |
pavilion |
a light, usually open building used for shelter, concerts, exhibits |
| |
peremptory |
leaving no opportunity for denial or refusal |
| |
perjury |
the practice of lying |
| |
perquisite |
extra payment, tip |
| |
pied |
colored, blotched together |
| |
pinioned |
bound fast |
| |
pique |
resentment at being slighted, to provoke |
| |
plaintive |
being mournful or sad |
| |
platonic |
idealistic or impractical; not amorous |
| |
pommel |
a knob, as on the hilt of a sword; infront of saddle |
| |
prate |
to talk foolishly, chatter |
| |
prefatory |
coming before |
