 | Term | Definition |
| |
defray |
to pay, provide money for, cover the cost or expenses of |
| |
taciturn |
silent, not talkative, holding one's tongue, reserved |
| |
terse |
brief and to the point, free of superfluous words |
| |
boon |
a blessing, timely and welcome benefit |
| |
proletariat |
the working class, especially the industrial wage earning class |
| |
heterogeneous |
varied, composed of parts of different kinds |
| |
pittance |
a small amount, portion, or share |
| |
glib |
smooth-spoken, speaking in a ready, fluent manner |
| |
penchant |
a liking, leaning, strong inclination, decided taste |
| |
solicitous |
concerned, showing care and attention |
| |
circumscribe |
to limit, restrict, confine, fix the boundaries of |
| |
dearth |
a lack, scarcity, insufficiency |
| |
ingratiating |
flattering, attempting to win approval or curry favor |
| |
mercenary |
greedy, done for payment only |
| |
extemporize |
to improvise, to speak or compose with little or no praparation |
| |
erudite |
learned, scholarly |
| |
austere |
severe, somber, stern, serious, grim, grave |
| |
laconic |
using few words, briefly and often pluntly expressed |
| |
ameliorate |
to make or become better, improve, amend |
| |
expunge |
to erase, delete, cancel |
| |
circumspect |
careful, cautious, wary, watchful |
| |
quiescent |
still, quiet, tranquil, inactive |
| |
foible |
a weak point, slight fault or flaw |
| |
fervent |
passionate, fiery, earnest, impassioned |
| |
protract |
to draw out, drag out, extend in time, lengthen |
| |
ostentatious |
showy, extremely conspicuous, extravagant |
| |
quandary |
a state of uncertainty, perplexity, or doubt |
| |
censure |
to blame, condemn, find fault with, criticize harshly |
| |
cavil |
to criticize or complain unnecessarily, point out petty flaws |
| |
assimilate |
to absorb, take in, incorporate |
| |
rescind |
to cancel, take back, take away, remove |
| |
discernible |
recognizable, detectable, perceptible |
| |
cataclysm |
a disaster, great mishap, catastrophe |
| |
narcissism |
self-love, excessive admiration of oneself |
| |
incriminate |
to charge with a crime, accuse of wrongdoing |
| |
stigma |
a mark of shame or disgrace, a moral blemish |
| |
brevity |
shortness, briefness |
| |
perquisite |
a benefit, incidental gain or reward |
| |
indigent |
poor, needy, penniless, impoverished, down-and-out |
| |
clairvoyant |
having exceptional powers of perception |
| |
adroit |
skillful, clever, dexterous |
| |
platitude |
a flat, dull, ordinary remark, a trite statement |
| |
fastidious |
extremely delicate, sensitive; hard to please, extremely picky |
| |
vendetta |
a bitter, protracted feud or rivalry |
| |
lucid |
clear, easy to see or understand |
| |
salient |
conspicuous, noticeable, prominent |
| |
categorical |
absolute, unqualified, explicit; without exceptions |
| |
inscrutable |
incomprehensible, unfathomable |
| |
construe |
to interprete, explain the meaning or intention of |
| |
allude |
to refer to something indirectly, make a casual reference |
