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All 2856 Terms

Term Definition
pellucid transparent, clear; also, easily understandable.
moribund dying.
roseate cheerful; bright; also, rose-colored.
conspectus a sketch, survey, or outline of a subject.
missive a written message; a letter.
genial sympathetically cheerful and cheering; kindly.
idee fixe a fixed idea; an obsession.
Pyrrhic victory a victory achieved at great cost.
bucolic rustic; pastoral.
crux the essential point or feature.
satiety fullness to or beyond the point of satisfaction.
vivify to endue with life; to enliven.
slaver to slobber; to drool.
beau ideal a perfect or an idealized type or model.
raffish tawdry; also, rakish.
impregnable able to resist attack.
doyen the senior member of a body or group.
sonorous yielding sound; impressive in sound.
turbid muddy; not clear; also, confused; disordered.
apogee the highest point.
hoi polloi the common people; the masses.
malodorous having a bad odor.
lapidary of or pertaining to stone cutting; also, terse or refined in expression.
hardscrabble barren, marginal; also, marked by poverty.
enjoin to direct or impose with authority; also, to forbid.
nascent beginning to exist.
exegesis exposition; explanation.
favonian pertaining to the west wind; soft; mild; gentle.
punctilio a fine point of exactness in conduct, ceremony, or procedure.
interregnum the interval between two reigns; also, any breach of continuity in an order.
hinterland backcountry.
chimerical merely imaginary; fanciful.
sunder to break apart.
uxorious excessively fond of or submissive to a wife.
coxcomb a vain, showy fellow.
bowdlerize to remove or modify the parts considered offensive.
incarnadine pink or red; also, to redden.
tractable docile; manageable, governable.
bromide a commonplace or conventional saying.
eddy a current running contrary to a main current or in a circular direction.
imprecation a curse.
foofaraw excessive or flashy ornamentation; also, a fuss over a trivial matter.
cudgel a short heavy stick.
yeasty frothy; foamy; spumy, like yeast.
pettifogger a petty, unscrupulous lawyer; also, who quibbles over trivia.
extemporaneous composed, performed, or uttered on the spur of the moment.
censure to criticize severely; also, an expression of disapproval.
supine lying on the back; also, indolent; listless.
inscrutable difficult to fathom or understand.
dissimulate to hide under a false appearance; also, to feign or pretend.
overweening overbearing; also, excessive.
conflate to bring together; to meld.
maunder to talk or wander aimlessly.
gadabout one who roams about in search of amusement or social activity.
cohort a group; also, a companion or associate.
homily a sermon or lecture; also, an inspirational saying or a platitude.
debouch to emerge; to issue.
machination a crafty scheme intended to accomplish some usually evil end.
unguent an ointment.
skulk to hide in a sneaking manner.
dictum an authoritative statement.
risible exciting or provoking laughter.
sartorial of or relating to a tailor, tailoring, or clothing.
interstice a space between things or parts.
Argus-eyed extremely observant; watchful.
syncretic uniting and blending together different belief systems.
ossify to harden or to become bone.
approbation formal or official approval; also, praise.
inkhorn affectedly or ostentatiously learned.
olla podrida a kind of seasoned stew; also, a mixture, a hodgepodge.
neologism a new word or expression; the use or creation of new words or expressions.
pule to whimper; to whine.
reticent inclined to keep silent.
opportune suitable for a given purpose or occasion.
impassive devoid of emotion; also, showing no emotion.
derogate to deviate from expectation; also, to detract; also, to disparage.
malaise a condition of uneasiness or ill-being.
flibbertigibbet a silly, flighty, or excessively talkative person.
urbane polished and smooth in manner.
wassail an expression of good wishes on a festive occasion, especially in drinking to some one.
irenic promoting peace.
bricolage construction or something constructed by using whatever materials happen to be available.
efface to cause to disappear by rubbing out, striking out, etc.
equanimity calmness; composure.
acuity acuteness of perception or vision.
ignoramus an ignorant person; a dunce.
fait accompli an accomplished and presumably irreversible deed or fact.
prevaricate to depart from or evade the truth.
ostracize to banish or expel.
fillip a snap; also, a stimulus.
apocryphal of doubtful authority or authenticity.
harangue a speech addressed to a public assembly; also, a noisy or pompous speech.
copse a thicket of small trees.
obfuscate to darken or obscure.
agrestic pertaining to fields or the country.
congeries a collection; an aggregation.
peripatetic walking about or traveling from place to place.
turgid swollen, bloated; also, bombastic, pompous.
idyll a poem or prose work depicting rural or pastoral life; also, a carefree episode or experience.
ab ovo from the beginning.
gauche lacking social polish; tactless.
inexorable unyielding; relentless.
putative commonly thought or deemed; supposed.
dotage feebleness of mind due to old age.
bootless unavailing; useless.
proclivity a natural inclination.
exacerbate to aggravate; to make worse.
subaltern subordinate.
mollify to reduce in intensity; to soothe; to soften.
trencherman a hearty eater.
avoirdupois weight; heaviness.
inclement harsh; severe -- especially said of the weather.
travail painful, arduous work; also, agony, anguish.
equivocate to be deliberately ambiguous or unclear.
redact to edit.
vapid flat; dull; spiritless.
galvanic pertaining to a direct current of electricity; also, having the effect of an electric shock.
swan song a final or farewell appearance, action, or pronouncement.
recalcitrant stubbornly resistant to and defiant of authority or restraint.
indomitable incapable of being subdued or overcome.
bloviate to speak or write in a pompous manner.
tutelary guardian; protecting.
privation the state of being deprived of something.
gambol to dance and skip about in play.
deprecate to disapprove of; also, to belittle.
braggadocio empty boasting.
perorate to conclude or sum up a long discourse; also, to speak at length.
hypnagogic leading to sleep; hypnotic.
concinnity elegance -- used chiefly of literary style.
extraneous coming from the outside; also, not essential; also, irrelevant.
lascivious lewd; lustful.
facile easily done or performed.
tchotchke a trinket; a knickknack.
exemplar an ideal model or type.
obstreperous noisily and stubbornly defiant; also, boisterous.
qua in the capacity or character of; as.
ken perception, view; especially, reach of sight or knowledge.
ancillary subordinate, subsidiary; auxiliary.
perfidy faithlessness; treachery.
felicitous apt or appropriate; also, delightful.
solicitous manifesting, expressing, or full of care or concern.
crabwise sideways; also, in a cautiously indirect manner.
rapport relation characterized by sympathetic understanding.
inveterate deep-rooted; of long standing.
virtu love of or taste for fine objects of art; also, productions of art.
contemporaneous originating, existing, or occurring at the same time.
febrile feverish.
wan pale; also, lacking vitality or intensity.
acquiesce to accept or consent passively or without objection.
confute to refute conclusively.
insouciant Marked by blithe unconcern; nonchalant.
surcease cessation; stop; end.
arcane understood or known by only a few.
verisimilitude the quality of seeming to be true.
pervicacious stubborn; obstinate.
small beer weak beer; also, matters of little importance.
vade mecum a book or other thing that one regularly carries about.
suasion the act of persuading.
pejorative disparaging; belittling.
tetchy peevish; testy; irritable.
erudite characterized by extensive reading or knowledge.
fanfaronade empty boasting; bluster.
riparian of or pertaining to the bank of a river.
inhere to be inherent.
staid steady or sedate in character.
commodious comfortably spacious; roomy.
improvident lacking foresight; negligent; thoughtless.
cataract a large waterfall; also, a downpour, a flood.
solace comfort in grief.
opprobrium reproach mingled with contempt.
stanch to stop the flowing of; to check.
vertiginous causing dizziness; also, giddy; dizzy.
militate to have force or influence.
ostensible appearing to be true, but not necessarily so.
fulsome offensive from excess of praise.
aesthete one who cultivates great sensitivity to beauty.
monomania obsession with a single subject.
prescient knowing or anticipating the outcome of events before they happen.
prima facie at first view.
supercilious disdainfully arrogant.
concatenation a chain; a succession.
inveigh to rail (against some person or thing).
sough to make a soft, low sighing or rustling sound.
avuncular resembling an uncle, as in kindness or indulgence.
peremptory precluding or putting an end to all debate or action.
ascribe to attribute.
compunction anxiety or unease from guilt; also, a scruple.
animus a feeling of ill will; also, animating spirit; disposition.
piebald mottled; also, mixed.
eremite a hermit.
corroborate to strengthen or make more certain with other evidence.
fatuous inanely foolish; stupid; also, llusory.
arrogate to claim or seize without right or justification.
chary wary; cautious.
fortuitous happening by chance.
adumbrate to outline; also, to foreshadow; also, to suggest; also, to shade.
supposititious fraudulently substituted; also, hypothetical.
renege to go back on a promise or commitment.
vagary an extravagant, erratic, or unpredictable notion, action, or occurrence.
tete-a-tete a private conversation.
expiate to make amends for; to atone for.
denizen an inhabitant.
robustious boisterous; vigorous.
provender food or provisions.
habitue one who habitually frequents a place.
aegis a shield; protection.
sui generis unique.
requisite required; indispensable.
explicate to explain.
plaudit enthusiastic approval.
depredation an act of plundering or ravaging.
complaisant exhibiting a desire to please.
emblazon to display pompously; to decorate.
apotheosis a model of excellence or perfection of a kind.
hubris overbearing pride or presumption.
genuflect to bend the knee, as in worship; also, to grovel.
histrionic theatrical.
quisling a collaborator; a traitor.
cap-a-pie from head to foot.
mountebank a quack; also, a charlatan.
connubial of or pertaining to marriage.
florid flushed with red; also, excessively ornate.
arrant outright; thoroughgoing.
quandary a state of difficulty or perplexity.
imbroglio a complicated and embarrassing state of things.
innocuous harmless; also, unlikely to offend or provoke.
scuttlebutt gossip; rumor.
bon ton the height of the fashion; fashionable society.
nescience lack of knowledge or awareness.
exculpate to clear from alleged fault or guilt.
cursory hastily or superficially performed.
mordant biting; caustic; sarcastic.
limn to draw or paint; also, to describe.
plebeian common; vulgar.
grandiloquent lofty in style.
apologia a formal defense or justification.
germane appropriate or fitting; relevant.
eschew to shun; to avoid.
heterogeneous consisting of dissimilar elements.
contretemps something inopportune or embarrassing.
stormy petrel a type of seabird; also, one fond of or bringing strife.
neoteric recent in origin; new.
glabrous without hairs or projections; smooth.
extricate to free or release from a difficulty or entanglement.
contumely rudeness compounded of haughtiness and contempt.
bravura a showy display.
paucity fewness; insufficiency.
arbiter one having the power of judging and determining.
discrete constituting a separate thing; also, consisting of distinct or unconnected parts.
gainsay to contradict; to deny.
emolument the wages or perquisites arising from office, employment, or labor.
billingsgate foul language.
practicable feasible; also, usable.
choleric easily angered; also, indicating or expressing anger.
juxtaposition the act or an instance of placing in nearness.
salad days a time of youthful inexperience, innocence, or indiscretion.
gravid pregnant.
transmogrify to transform.
ephemeron something short-lived.
clemency disposition to show mercy; also, an act of mercy.
languor lack of energy or vitality.
sobriquet a nickname.
littoral on a coastal or shore region.
Brobdingnagian gigantic; enormous.
sedulous diligent in application or pursuit.
autocrat a ruler with unlimited authority.
copious large in quantity; also, affording an abundant supply.
venal capable of being bought; also, corruptible.
timorous full of apprehensiveness; fearful.
aficionado an enthusiastic admirer; a fan.
luminary any body that gives light; also, a person of eminence or brilliant achievement.
daedal skillful; artistic; ingenious.
temerity unreasonable or foolhardy contempt of danger.
wag a humorous person; a wit.
execrable detestable; extremely bad.
rapine the act of plundering.
pablum something (as writing or speech) that is trite, insipid, or simplistic.
aspersion a damaging or derogatory remark.
otiose ineffective; also, being at leisure; also, of no use.
turgid swollen, bloated; also, bombastic, pompous.
derogate to deviate from expectation; also, to detract; also, to disparage.
virtu love of or taste for fine objects of art; also, productions of art.
appurtenance an adjunct or accessory.
cupidity eager or excessive desire, especially for wealth.
multifarious having great diversity or variety.
fulsome offensive from excess of praise.
arrant outright; thoroughgoing.
palimpsest an object or place whose older layers or aspects are apparent.
spurious not genuine; false; illegitimate.
cognoscente a person with special knowledge.
bombinate to buzz, hum, or drone.
incontrovertible indisputable; unquestionable.
protean readily assuming different shapes or forms.
torpid dull; sluggish; apathetic.
junta a governmental council or committee, esp. one that rules after a revolution.
variegated having marks or patches of different colors; also, varied.
malcontent one who is discontented or dissatisfied.
cerebration the act or product of thinking.
forfend to avert; also, to protect or preserve.
equable equal and uniform; also, not easily disturbed.
pleonasm the use of more words than are necessary to express an idea.
chicanery the use of trickery to deceive.
defenestrate to throw out of a window.
martinet a strict disciplinarian.
brummagem cheap and showy; also, spurious.
cum with; along with; combined with.
hobbledehoy an awkward, gawky young fellow.
fustian pompous or pretentious language.
bonhomie pleasant and easy manner.
rusticate to go or send to the country.
stripling an adolescent youth.
panoply a splendid or impressive array.
coeval existing during the same period of time; also, a contemporary.
salmagundi a mixture or assortment; also, a kind of mixed dish or salad.
desuetude disuse.
land of Nod sleep.
hortatory serving to encourage or incite.
choler anger.
expeditious characterized by speed and efficiency.
implacable incapable of being pacified.
patina a superficial layer.
caveat a warning or caution.
itinerant traveling from place to place.
agog in eager desire.
rebarbative repellent; irritating.
sporadic occuring singly, or occasionally, or in scattered instances.
equipoise equilibrium; also, counterbalance.
harridan a scolding, vicious woman.
provenance origin; source.
microcosm a smaller, representative system having analogies to a larger system.
gloaming twilight; dusk.
doula a woman who assists in childbirth.
largess generous giving; also, gifts of money or other valuables.
dilettante an amateur; also, an admirer or lover of the fine arts.
simulacrum a representation; an insubstantial or vague semblance.
toothsome delicious; attractive; luscious.
countermand to revoke (a former command) or recall by a contrary order.
expropriate to deprive of possession; also, to transfer (property) to oneself.
perambulate to stroll; to walk through or over.
contradistinction distinction by contrast.
ululate to howl; to wail.
crapulous sick from, or marked by, excessive drinking.
parvenu an upstart; one newly risen in class or economic status.
manse a large and imposing residence.
uxorious excessively fond of or submissive to a wife.
Ides the fifteenth day of March, May, July, and October, and the thirteenth day of the other months.
megalomania a mental disorder characterized by delusions of grandeur.
verdant green.
amalgam an alloy of mercury with other metals; also, a mixture.
dudgeon a state or fit of intense indignation.
paragon a model of excellence or perfection.
aubade a song greeting the dawn.
succor aid; help; also, to help or relieve.
paterfamilias the male head of a household; the father of a family.
stolid unexcitable; unemotional.
metier an occupation, especially in which one excels.
bellwether a leader or leading indicator.
confluence a flowing or coming together.
superfluous more than is wanted or is sufficient.
invidious tending to provoke envy or ill will.
benignant kind; gracious; favorable.
edacious given to eating.
malleable capable of being shaped; also, adaptable.
parlous fraught with danger; hazardous.
disparate fundamentally different; also, composed of dissimilar elements.
sapient wise; sage; discerning.
visage the face; also, appearance; aspect.
excoriate to express strong disapproval of; also, to flay.
tendentious marked by a strong tendency in favor of a particular point of view.
milieu environment; setting.
deus ex machina an agent who appears unexpectedly to solve an apparently insoluble difficulty.
autodidact one who is self-taught.
stertorous characterized by a heavy snoring or gasping sound.
eleemosynary relating to charity; charitable.
concupiscence lust.
spoony foolishly or sentimentally in love.
desideratum something desired.
malaise a condition of uneasiness or ill-being.
imbue to dye; to instill profoundly.
canard an unfounded or false report.
probity complete and confirmed integrity.
titivate to smarten up; to spruce.
jovial merry; joyous; jolly.
salutary beneficial; also, healthful.
alacrity a cheerful readiness, willingness, or promptness.