4,759 terms

Barrons GRE Wordlist 4,759 words

abase

lower; degrade; humiliate; make humble; make (oneself) lose self-respect

abash

embarrass

abate

subside or moderate

abbreviate

shorten

abdicate

renounce; give up (position, right, or responsibility)

aberrant

abnormal or deviant

aberration

deviation from the normal; mental disorder

abet

assist usually in doing something wrong; encourage

abeyance

suspended action

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

abominate

loathe; hate

abominable

detestable; extremely unpleasant

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

abscission

cutting off; separation

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

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

abut

border upon; adjoin

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

acclivity

sharp upslope of a hill; OP. declivity

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

accoutre

equip; N. accoutrement

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

acerbity

bitterness of speech and temper; ADJ. acerbic: bitter; acrid (in taste, manner, or tone)

acetic

vinegary

acidulous

slightly sour (in taste or manner); sharp; caustic

acknowledge

recognize; admit

acme

peak; pinnacle; highest point

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

acrid

bitter (to the taste or smell); sharp; bitterly pungent

acrimonious

stinging; caustic; bitter in words or manner; N. acrimony: bitter ill-natured animosity in speech or behavior

acrophobia

fear of heights

actuarial

calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics

actuary

someone who advises insurance companies

actuate

motivate; activate; cause to act

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

adage

wise saying; proverb

proverb

adage; someone or something well known for notoriety; ADJ. proverbial: of a proverb; widely known; ADV. proverbially

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.

addendum

addition; appendix to book; something that is added (as at the end of a speech or book)

addiction

compulsive habitual need

addle

make or become confused; muddle; drive crazy; become rotten (egg)

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

adjutant

staff officer assisting the commander; assistant

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

advert

refer

advocacy

support; active pleading on behalf of someone or something

advocate

speak in favor of; support (an idea or plan); urge; plead for

aegis

shield; protection; defense

aerie(aery,eyrie,eyry)

nest of a large bird of prey

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

agape

openmouthed

agenda

items of business at a meeting

agglomeration

collection; heap; V. agglomerate: gather into a rounded mass; N. aggolmeate: jumbled mass; heap

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

agog

highly excited; intensely curious

agrarian

pertaining to land or its cultivation; Ex. agrarian reform

alacrity

cheerful promptness without reluctance

alchemy

medieval chemistry

alcove

nook; recess

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

alimony

payments made regularly to an ex-spouse after divorce

allay

calm; pacify

allege

state without proof

allegiance

loyalty

allegory

story, play, or picture in which characters are used as symbols; fable

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

siren

apparatus for making sounds; womanlike creature

alluvial

pertaining to soil deposits left by running water

aloof

apart; not open in one's relationship with other people; reserved; ADV.

aloft

upward; high up in the air

altercation

noisy quarrel

altruistic

unselfishly generous; concerned for others; N. altiruism: unselfish concern for the welfare of others; unselfishness; OP. egoism

amalgamate

(of societies or groups) combine; unite in one body

amalgam

combination of different things; mixture of metals (containing mercury) used for filling holes in teeth

amass

collect (gradually, in a very large amount)

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

ambrosia

food of the gods

nectar

drink of the gods; sweet liquid collected by bees

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

amiss

wrong; faulty; Ex. something amiss; ADV.

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

ample

enough; abundant; spacious; large in size; Ex. ample opportunity/garden; N. amplitude: quality of being ample; abundance; largeness of space

amplify

increase in size or effect; expand; broaden or clarify by expanding; intensify; make stronger; Ex. amplify one's remarks with a graph

amputate

cut off part of body; prune (a limb)

amok(amuck)

in a state of rage; Ex. run amok

amulet

charm; talisman; an object worn believed to protect against evil, bad luck

anachronism

an error involving time in a story; something or someone misplaced in time; ADJ. anachronistic

analgesic

causing insensitivity to pain; N.

analgesia

condition of being unable to feel pain

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

anathema

solemn curse; someone or something regarded as a curse; V. anathematize

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

animus

hostile feeling or intent; animosity; hostility; disposition

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

elope

run away secretly with the intention of getting married

anodyne

drug that relieves pain or trouble; opiate; ADJ. Ex. anodyne statement

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

anthem

song of praise or patriotism; Ex. national anthem

anthology

book of literary selections by various authors; CF. omnibus

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

antiquated

obsolete; old-fashioned; outdated

antiseptic

substance that prevents infection in a wound; ADJ.

antithesis

contrast; direct opposite of or to; ADJ. antithetic or antithetical

anvil

iron block used in hammering out metals

apathy

lack of caring; indifference; lack of concern or interest in important matters; Ex. He was sunk in apathy after his failure; ADJ. apathetic

ape

imitate or mimic (a person's behavior or manner)

aperture

opening; hole; adjustable opening in a camera that limits the amount of light

apex

tip; summit; climax; highest point

aphasia

loss of speech due to injury or illness

aphorism

pithy maxim or saying; ADJ. aphoristic

apiary

a place where bees are kept

hive

box for bees; V: cause to go in a hive

apiculture

bee-keeping

apiarist

person who keeps bees

aplomb

poise; composure in difficult situations; assurance; self-confidence

poise

good judgment with composure; balance; V: place in a carefully balanced position

apocalyptic

prophetic; pertaining to revelations especially of disaster; N. apocalypse

apocryphal

(of a story) widely believed but untrue

apogee

highest point; the point farthest from the earth; OP. perigee

apolitical

having an aversion or lack of concern for political affairs

apologist

one who writes in defense of a cause or institution; N. apologia

apoplexy

stroke; loss of consciousness caused by too much blood in the brain

apostate

one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs; N. apostasy

apothecary

druggist; pharmacist

apothegm(apophthegm)

pithy, compact saying

apotheosis

elevation to godhood; an ideal example of something

appall

dismay; shock deeply

apparition

ghost; phantom

appease

pacify or soothe; Ex. appease a crying baby; N. appeasement

appellation

name; title

append

attach

application

diligent attention; diligence; V. apply oneself

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

apprehensive

fearful; discerning

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

appurtenances

subordinate possessions; something added to a more important thing

apropos

with reference to; regarding; Ex. remarks apropos (of) the present situation; ADJ. ADV.

aptitude

fitness; talent

aquiline

curved; hooked; of or like an eagle; Ex. aquiline nose

arable

fit for growing crops; Ex. arable land

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)

arboretum

place where different trees and shrubs are studied and exhibited

arboreal

of or living in trees

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

archaeology

study of artifacts and relics of early mankind

archaic

antiquated; no longer used; belonging to the past; N.

archetype

prototype; primitive pattern

arch-

chief; first; Ex. archbishop

archipelago

group of closely located islands

archives

public records; place where public records are kept

ardor

heat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent

arduous

hard; strenuous; Ex. arduous work

argot

slang; speech spoken by only a small group of people

aria

operatic solo; a song sung by one person in an opera or oratorio

arid

(of land) dry; barren; unproductive

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

array

marshal; draw up in order; arrange in order; clothe splendidly; adorn; N: fine clothes; ordered group; Ex. in battle array

arrears

being in debt; money that should have been paid; work that should have been done

arrhythmic

lacking rhythm or regularity; N. arrhythmia

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)

arroyo

gully; narrow channel formed by rainwater

artery

blood-vessel; CF. vein

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

arsenal

storage place for military equipment

artifacts

object made by human beings, either hand-made or mass-produced

artifice

deception; trickery

artisan

a manually skilled worker

artless

without guile; open and honest

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

ashen

ash-colored; deadly pale

asinine

stupid; Ex. asinine remarks

askance

with a sideways or indirect look (with disapproval or distruct); Ex. look askance at

askew

crookedly; slanted; at an angle

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

assay

analyze (to discover what materials are present); evaluate (soil or ore)

assent

agree; accept; N. assessment

assert

state strongly or positively; demand recognition of (rights, claims, etc.); make a claim to (by forceful action); Ex. assert one's independence

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

regent

a person who governs in place of a ruler who is ill, absent, or still a child; ADJ. Ex. the Prince regent

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

astigmatism

eye defect which prevents proper focus; OP. stigmatism

astral

relating to the stars

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

asunder

into parts; apart; V. sunder

asylum

place of refuge or shelter; protection (religious or political)

asymmetric

not identical on both sides of a dividing central line

atavism

resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; reversion to an earlier type; throwback; ADJ. atavistic

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

atypical

not normal; not typical

audacious

daring; bold; N. audacity

audit

examination of accounts of a business; official examination; V.

augment

increase; add to

augury

omen; prophecy; sign of coming events; V. augur: predict; foretell; be a sign of (something in future)

august

impressive; majestic

aureole

sun's corona; halo; bright circle of light

auroral

pertaining to the aurora borealis; CF. aurora australis

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

avid

greedy; extremely eager for; Ex. avid learner; N. avidity

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

awful

terrible; very bad

awl

pointed tool used for piercing

awry

distorted; crooked; bent; Ex. Our plans have gone awry.

axiom

self-evident truth requiring no proof

azure

sky blue

babble

chatter idly or foolishly; make continuous sounds like water running gently over rounded stone; N.

bacchanalian

drunken

bacchanal

noisy party with a lot of drinking

Bacchanalia

the ancient Roman festival in honor of Bacchus

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

badinage

teasing conversation; banter; joking talk

baffle

frustrate; perplex

bait

harass; tease; torment; Ex. badger baiting; N: food or other lure used to catch fish or trap animals

baleful

evil; malignant in intent or effect; deadly; having a malign influence; portending evil; ominous; threatening; Ex. baleful look

balk

stop short, as if faced with an obstacle, and refuse to continue; foil; stop or get in the way of; frustrate

ballast

heavy substance used to add stability or weight; V. supply with ballast

balm

something that relieves pain; oily liquid with a pleasant smell from trees

pang

sudden sharp feeling of pain

balmy

soft and mild (of air); fragrant

banal

hackneyed; commonplace; trite; lacking originality; clich\'ed

bandy

discuss lightly or glibly; discuss in a frivolous manner; exchange (words) heatedly; quarrel; Ex. bandy words with

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

bard

poet

barefaced

shameless and noticeable; blatant; bold; unconcealed; having no covering on the face; Ex. barefaced lie

unregenerate

making no attempt to change one's bad practices

baroque

highly ornate

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

solicitor

lawyer in the lower court of law

barterer

trader; V. barter: trade; exchange good for other goods rather than money

bask

luxuriate; take pleasure in warmth

luxuriate

take pleasure in great comfort

bastion

stronghold; something seen as a source of protection; Ex. the last bastion of male chauvinism

bate

let down; lessen the force of; moderate; restrain; Ex. with bated breath; CF. abate

bauble

trinket; cheap jewel; trifle

bawdy

indecent; obscene; about sex in a rude funny way; CF. bawd

beatific

giving or showing bliss; blissful

bliss

complete happiness; ADJ. blissful

beatitude

blessedness; state of great happiness

mystic

of hidden meaning and spiritual power; Ex. mystic ceremonies; N. CF. mysticism

bedizen

dress with vulgar finery

finery

beautiful clothes for a special occasion

bedraggle

wet thoroughly; ADJ. bedraggled: draggled

beeline

direct quick route

befuddle

confuse thoroughly

fuddle

make stupid or confused as with alcholic drink; N. in a fuddle: confused

beget

father; become the father of; produce; give rise to

begrudge

envy; give or allow unwillingly; grudge; Ex. We shouldn't begrudge him his success.

grudge

deep feeling of dislike; Ex. grudge fight; V.

beguile

deceive; mislead or delude; cheat; pass time pleasantly; charm or attract; Ex. beguiling smile

behemoth

huge creature; something of monstrous size or power

beholden

obligated; indebted; owing thanks; obliged or indebted from gratitude

behoove(behove)

be suited to; be incumbent upon; be right and necessary; Ex. It behooves one to do.

belabor

harp on; dwell on tediously; explain or go over excessively or to a ridiculous degree; assail verbally; beat severely; attack physically

belated

delayed

beleaguer

besiege or attack (with an army); harass; beset

belie

contradict; give a false impression; disguise; Ex. The poor sales belied our high hopes; Ex. Her smile belies her true feeling of displeasure.

belittle

disparage; depreciate

bellicose

warlike

belligerent

quarrelsome

bemoan

lament; moan for; express sorrow or disapproval of

bemused

confused; lost in thought; preoccupied

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

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

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

berate

scold strongly

bereavement

state of being deprived of something valuable or beloved; state of being bereaved or bereft

bereaved

deprived of (someone beloved through death)

bereft

deprived of (something valuable); lacking

berserk

mad with violent anger; frenzied; madly excited

beseech

beg; plead with

beset

harass or trouble from all directions; hem in

hem

surround tightly so that movement is impossible; Ex. hem in; N.

besiege

surround with armed forces; harass (with requests); annoy continually

besmirch

soil; defile; make dirty

bestial

beastlike; brutal; inhuman; very cruel

bestow

confer

betoken

signify; indicate; be a sign of

token

outward sign; Ex. a token of our gratitude

betray

be unfaithful; reveal (unconsciously or unwillingly); Ex. Her trembling hands betray her anxiety.

betroth

become engaged to marry

bevy

large group; Ex. a bevy of starlets

bicameral

two-chambered as a legislative body

bicker

quarrel

biennial

every two years

bifurcated

divided into two branches; forked

bigotry

stubborn intolerance

bigot

one who is intolerant (in matters of religion or politics)

intolerant

not willing to accept ways of thinking different from one's own; CF. tolerant; CF. tolerate

bilious

suffering from indigestion; sick from having too much bile; irritable; easily irritated

bilk

swindle; cheat

billowing

swelling out in waves; surging

billow

large wave of water; a great swell or surge (of smoke); V: surge, swell, roll in billows

swell

long wave of water that moves continuously without breaking; V.

surge

powerful movement of or like a wave; V.

bivouac

temporary encampment; camp without tents; V.

bizarre

fantastic; violently contrasting; noticeably odd; strikingly unconventional

blanch

bleach; whiten; make white or pale

bland

soothing or mild (food); agreeable; causing no trouble or offence

blandishment

flattery

blare

loud or harsh roar or screech; dazzling blaze of light

screech

unpleasant high sharp sound; shriek; V.

dazzle

make blind with a sudden intense light; amaze; fill with wonder

blasé

bored with pleasure or dissipation; uninterested or bored

blasphemy

irreverence; sacrilege; cursing; bad language about God or holy things; V. blasphem; ADJ. blasphemous; CF. sacrilege

blatant

extremely (offensively) obvious; loudly offensive; Ex. blatant lie; N. blatancy

bleak

cold or cheerless; frigid; unlikely to be favorable; depressing

blighted

suffering from a disease; destroyed

blight

plant disease; V: infect with blight; ruin; destroy

blithe(blithesome)

gay; joyous

bloated

(unpleasantly) swollen or puffed as with water or air

blowhard

talkative boaster; braggart

bludgeon

club; heavy-headed weapon; V.

bluff

pretense (of strength); deception; high cliff; ADJ: rough but good-natured

blunder

error; stupid mistake

blurt

utter impulsively from nervousness or excitement

bluster

blow in heavy gusts; threaten emptily; bully; speak in a noisy or bullying manner; CF. breeze, gust, gale

bully

one who is habitually cruel to weaker people; V.

bode

foreshadow; portend

bogus

counterfeit; not authentic; intentionally false; Ex. bogus interview

bohemian

unconventional (in an artistic way)

boisterous

violent; rough; noisy

bolster

support; reinforce

bolt

door bar; fastening pin or screw; length of fabric; large roll of cloth; V: dash or dart off; fasten (a door); gobble down

dart

move or throw suddenly and quickly

gobble

eat very quickly

bombardment

attack (as with missiles or bombs); V. bombard

bombastic

pompous; using inflated language

bombast

grandiloquent, pompous speech

boon

blessing; benefit; something very helpful

boorish

rude; insensitive

boor

rude, insensitive person

bouillon

clear beef (or meat) soup

bountiful

generous; graciously generous; showing bounty

gracious

kind in a generous way (to someone less important)

bourgeois

middle class; selfishly materialistic; too interested in material possessions

bovine

cowlike; placid and dull; slow-thinking; calm

bowdlerize

expurgate; CF. Thomas Bowdler

brackish

somewhat saline

braggadocio

boasting

brag

boast

braggart

boaster; bragger

brandish

wave around (a weapon); flourish

bravado

swagger; assumed air of defiance; false show of bravery

swagger

walk or behave with an over-confident manner

brawn

human muscle; muscular strength; sturdiness

brawny

muscular; having well-developed muscles

sturdy

strong and firm (in the body)

brazen

insolent; without shame; bold; Ex. brazen lie; V: face with bold self-assurance or with unshamed confidence

brawl

noisy quarrel

breach

breaking of contract or duty; fissure or gap; opening; V.

breadth

width; extent

brevity

conciseness; shortness of duration

brindled

tawny or grayish with streaks or spots (of animals)

tawny

brownish yellow

bristling

rising like bristles; showing irritation

bristle

short stiff hair; V: (hair or fur) stand up stiffly

brittle

hard but easily broken; difficult; unstable; Ex. brittle situation

broach

introduce as a subject; moot; open up

brocade

rich, figured(patterned) fabric

brochure

pamphlet

brooch

ornamental clasp; pin

clasp

hold firmly within arms

brook

tolerate; endure; Ex. brook no interference; N: small stream

browbeat

bully; intimidate

browse

graze; feed on growing grass; skim or glance at casually

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

skim

read or glance through quickly; touch lightly in passing; brush; remove from the surface of a liquid

brunt

main impact or shock (of an attack or blow); Ex. brunt of the argument

brusque

blunt; abrupt; curt; not wanting to waste time being nice

buccaneer

pirate

bucolic

rustic; pastoral

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

slap

hit quickly with the flat part of the hand; N. CF. smack

buffoonery

clowning

buffoon

stupid person; clown

clown

act stupidly; play the fool; N.

bugaboo

bugbear; object of baseless terror

bullion

gold and silver in the form of bars

bulwark

strong wall built for defense; earthwork or other strong defense; person who defends

bungle

mismanage; blunder; botch; blow; spoil by clumsy behavior

botch

mismanage; blow

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

burgeon

grow rapidly; grow forth; send out buds; Ex. burgeoning computer industry; CF. bludgeon

burlesque

give an imitation that ridicules; imitate mockingly

burnish

make shiny by rubbing; polish

buttress

support; prop up; N. stationary structure to support wall; Ex. flying buttress

prop

support placed under or against something; V.

buxom

full-bosomed; plump; jolly

plump

pleasantly fat; nicely rounded

cabal

small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests

cache

hiding place; V.

cacophonous

discordant; inharmonious; N. cacophony: unpleasant mixture of loud sounds

cadaver

corpse; dead human body

cadaverous

like a corpse; pale

cadence

rhythmic rise and fall (of words or sounds); beat; regular beat of sound; rhythm

cajole

persuade by praise or false promise; coax; wheedle

coax

persuade by flattery

calamity

disaster; misery

calculated

deliberately planned; likely

caldron(cauldron)

large kettle

caliber

ability; quality; diameter of the inside of a round cylinder; Ex. work of very high caliber

calligraphy

beautiful writing; excellent penmanship

callous

hardened; unfeeling; without sympathy for the sufferings of others; unkind

callus

area of thick hard skin

callow

youthful; immature; inexperienced

calorific

heat-producing; N. calorie

calumny

malicious misrepresentation; slander

camaraderie

good-fellowship; CF. comrade

cameo

shell or jewel carved in relief; star's special appearance in a minor role in a film

canard

unfounded false rumor; exaggerated false report

candor

frankness; open honesty; ADJ. candid

canine

related to dogs; doglike

canker

any ulcerous sore; ulcer; any evil; CF. cancer

ulcer

sore place appearing on the skin inside or outside the body; Ex. stomach ulcer; ADJ. ulcerous; V. ulcerate

canny

shrewd in money matters; thrifty

cant

insincere speech or expression of piety; jargon of thieves; special words used by a particular group of people

cantankerous

ill-humored; irritable

cantata

story set to music to be sung by a chorus (shorter than an oratorio)

canter

slow gallop; V. CF. trot

canto

division of a long poem

canvass

determine or seek opinions, votes, etc.; go through (a region) to solicit votes or orders; conduct a survey; N.

capacious

spacious

capacity

mental or physical ability; role; position or duty; ability to accommodate; Ex. in my capacity as president

capillary

having a very fine bore; resembling a hair; fine and slender; Ex. capillary attraction; N: very fine hairlike tube; CF. capillarity

capitulate

surrender; give up all resistance

caprice

whim; sudden change of mind without any real cause

capricious

unpredictable; fickle

caption

title; chapter heading; text under illustration

captious

faultfinding; too critical

carafe

glass water bottle; decanter

carapace

shell covering the back (of a turtle, tortoise, crab, etc.)

carat(karat)

unit of weight for precious stones; measure of the purity of gold

carcinogenic

causing cancer; N. carcinogen

cardinal

chief; most important; N: priest; cardinal number: number that shows quantity rather thatn order

cardiologist

doctor specializing in ailments of the heart

careen

lurch; sway from side to side; move with irregular swinging movement; stagger

career

rush wildly; go at full speed

sway

swing from side to side; influence (someone) to change one's opinion; N.

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

carousal

drunken revel; V. carouse

carping

petty criticism; fault-finding; fretful complaining; quibble

carrion

rotting flesh of a dead body; CF. vulture

cartographer

map-maker

cascade

small waterfall

caste

one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; social stratification; prestige

castigation

punishment; severe criticism or disapproval

casualty

serious or fatal accident; person killed or wounded in an accident or battle

casual

happening by chance; irregular; occasional; informal; showing or feeling little interest; Ex. casual reader/labor/remark

cataclysm

deluge; upheaval; earthquake; violent and sudden event or change

catalyst

agent which brings about a chemical change while it remains unaffected and unchanged; CF. catalysis

catapult

slingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from catapult

hurl

throw forcefully; shout out violently

cataract

great waterfall; eye abnormality (causing a gradual loss of eyesight)

catastrophe

calamity ; disaster

catcall

shout of disapproval or displeasure (made at the theater or a sports match); boo; V.

catechism

book for religious instruction in question-and-answer form; religious instruction by question and answer; V. catechize

categorical

without exceptions; made without any doubt in mind; unqualified; absolute

qualify

reach a necessary standard; limit the meaning of something stated

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.

catholic

(of likings and interests) universal; general; broad; including many different parts; wide-ranging liberal; Ex. catholic opinions/tastes

caucus

private meeting of a group of people in a political party to select officers or determine policy; CF. the Caucus club of Boston

caulk(calk)

make watertight (by blocking up cracks as in a ship)

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

cauterize

burn (a wound or snakebite, etc.) with hot iron or caustic substance to stop bleeding and prevent infection

cavalcade

procession of riders or horse-drawn carriages; parade; CF. cavalry

cavalier

casual and offhand; arrogant; N: knight

cavil

quibble; make frivolous objections; find fault unnecessarily

cede

yield (title or territory) to (esp. after losing a war); surrender formally; N. cession

celerity

speed; rapidity

celestial

heavenly

hereafter

life after death

afterlife

life after death; later part of one's life

celibate

abstaining from sexual intercourse; unmarried; N. celibacy

censor

(in ancient Rome) overseer of morals (also taking the census); person who eliminates inappropriate matter; V.

censorious

severely critical

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

ceremonious

marked by formality; extremely formal and polite; CF. ceremony: conventional social courtesy

unceremonious

not done politely without due formalities

certitude

certainty

cessation

stoppage

cession

yielding to another; ceding

chafe

warm by rubbing; make sore by rubbing; N.

chaff

worthless products of an endeavor; husk(outer seed cover) separated from grain; Ex. separate the wheat from the chaff

chaffing

bantering; joking

chagrin

annoyance and disappointment; vexation (caused by humiliation or injured pride)

chalice

goblet; consecrated cup

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.)

championship

position of champion; defense or support; competition held to determine a champion

chaotic

in utter disorder

charisma

divine gift; great popular charm or appeal; magnetism

charlatan

quack; pretender to knowledge (esp. in medicine)

chary

cautious; unwilling to take risks; sparing or restrained about giving; OP. bold

chase

ornament a metal surface by indenting; follow rapidly to catch

chasm

abyss; very deep crack

chassis

framework and working parts of an automobile; framework to which components are attached

chaste

morally pure; virginal; abstaining from illicit sexual acts; modest; simple (of a style of writing); not highly decorated; austere

chasten

discipline; punish in order to correct; CF. castigate

chastise

punish as by beating; criticize severely

chauvinist

blindly devoted patriot; zealous adherent of a group, cause, or sex; ADJ. chauvinistic; CF. chauvinism; Nicolas Chauvin

check

stop motion; curb or restrain

checkered (chequered)

marked by great changes in fortune; with many changes of fortuene; CF. checked: having a pattern of squares

cherubic

angelic; innocent-looking; N. cherub; CF. seraph: winged angel of the highest order

chicanery

trickery; deception

chide

scold; rebuke (someone who has done wrong)

chimerical

fantastically improbable; highly unrealistic; N. chimera: unreal fancy; fire-breathing female creature

chisel

swindle or cheat; N: wedgelike tool for cutting

chip

lose a small piece from the surface or edge; N: small piece broken off something; CF. French fry; Potato chip/crisp

chivalrous

courteous; faithful; brave; N. chivalry

choleric

hot-tempered; bad-tempered; irritable; easily angered; CF. cholera

choreography

art of representing dances in written symbols; arrangement of dances

chore

daily domestic task (such as cleaning, cooking, and shopping); unpleasant task

chortle

chuckle with delight; N.

chuckle

laugh quietly

chronic

long established as a disease

chronicle

report; record (in chronological order)

churlish

boorish; rude; N. churl: boor; yahoo

ciliated

having minute hairs; CF. cilium; CF. cilia: eyelash

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

circuit

closed circular line around an area; circumference; regularly repeated journey from place to place

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

circumspect

prudent; cautious; acting after careful thought

circumvent

outwit; defeat by behaving more cleverly; outsmart; baffle; avoid; get around

cistern

reservoir or water tank

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

hindsight

understanding the nature of an event after it has actually happened

clamber

climb by crawling with difficulties; scramble

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

chaperon

older person who accompanies and supervises a young unmarried woman

clangor

loud resounding noise; sound of repeated clanging

clapper

striker (tongue) of a bell

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

clarion

shrill, trumpetlike sound; kind of trumpet used in former times

claustrophobia

fear of being locked in

clavicle

collarbone

scrimmage

disorderly fight between two or more people

cleave

split or sever; cling to; remain faithful to; N. cleavage; ADJ. cloven

cleft

N: split

clemency

disposition to be lenient in deciding punishments; mildness as of the weather; ADJ. clement

cliché

phrase dulled in meaning by repetition; platitude; ADJ. clichéd

bromide

platitude; chemical compound used to calm excitement

clientele

body of customers

climactic

relating to the highest point; N. climax; CF. climatic

clime

climate

clique

small exclusive group of people

cloister

monastery or convent

clout

great influence (especially political or social); hard blow with fist

cloying

distasteful (because excessive); excessively sweet or sentimental; V. cloy: become unpleasant through too much sweetness or excess

coagulate

congeal; thicken; clot; N. coagulant

clot

half-solid lump formed from a liquid (or blood); V.

pudding

hot sweet dish

coalesce

combine; fuse; N. coalescence

coalition

partnership; league; union of separate political parties

coda

concluding section of a musical or literary composition

coddle

treat gently; indulge excessively; pamper; mollycoddle; baby; cook in water just below boiling point; Ex. coddled eggs

codicil

supplement to the body of a will; later addition to a will

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

coeval

living at the same time as; existing during the same period of time; contemporary; of the same age

cog

tooth projecting from a wheel

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

cohabit

live together

cohere

stick together

cohesion

tendency to keep together

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)

coiffure

hairstyle

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

colander

utensil with perforated bottom used for straining

collaborate

work together; cooperate treasonably with the enemy

collage

work of art put together from fragments

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

scraps

leftover food

scrappy

quarrelsome

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

collation

a light meal; collating

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

comatose

in a coma; extremely sleepy

coma

deep prolonged unconsciousness caused by disease, poison, or a severe blow

combustible

easily burned; N. CF. combustion

comely

attractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appearance

homely

not good-looking; unattractive

comestible

something fit to be eaten

comeuppance

deserts; well-deserved punishment or misfortune; rebuke

deserts

what someone deserves

comity

courtesy; civility; Ex. comity of nations

commandeer

take (private property) for military use without needing permission or giving payment; draft for military purposes

draft

first rough form; conscription; draught; V: make a draft of; conscript

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

commemorative

remembering; honoring the memory of; Ex. commemorative stamp

commemorate

honor the memory of; serve as a memorial to; Ex. commemorate the 100th anniversary/those who died in the war

commensurate

equal in extent; of the same size

commiserate

feel or express pity or sympathy for

commodious

spacious and comfortable

communal

held in common; public; of a group of people; of a commune

commune

small (often rural) community whose members share work and income; V: exchange thoughts or feelings; Ex. commune with nature

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

compulsion

compelling; strong desire that is difficult to control; irresistible impulse

compulsory

obligatory; that must be done

compulsive

resulting from compulsion

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

smug

self-satisfied; 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

comport

bear one's self; behave; Ex. comport oneself; N. comportment

deport

send out of the country; behave; N. deportation, deportment

bearing

deportment; connection

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

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.

compunction

remorse; strong uneasiness caused by guilt

compute

reckon; calculate

reckon

count; calculate; regard as; think; suppose

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)

vain

full of self-admiration; conceited; without result; unsuccessful; N. vanity

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

concerted

mutually agreed on; done together by agreement; Ex. concerted effort; CF. in concert: working together

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

conclave

private secret meeting

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

concordat

formal agreement

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

confidant(confidante)

trusted friend (to whom one tells one's secret)

confide

tell in confidence (to a person one trusts); be confident about

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

confidential

spoken or written in secret; trusted with private matters; Ex. confidential secretary

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

confound

confuse; puzzle

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

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.

congruence

correspondence of parts; harmonious relationship; CF. congruity

congruent

in agreement; harmonious; corresponding; coinciding exactly; CF. congruous

conifer

pine tree (usu. evergreen); cone-bearing tree; ADJ. coniferous; CF. deciduous; CF. evergreen

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

matrimony

state of being married

patrimony

property inherited from a father

consanguinity

kinship; relationship by birth

consanguineous(consanguine)

having a common ancestor

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

consonant

harmonious; in agreement; N.

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)

conspire

take part in a conspiracy; (of events) work together; combine; Ex. Events conspired to produce great difficulties.

consternation

great shock; dismay

constituent

supporter; voter; member of a constituency; component

constituency

voters represented by an elected official; district so represented; group of supporters (or constituents)

constitution

constituting; system of laws; composition of something; physical makeup or structure of a person; Ex. men with strong constitutions

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

drastic

strong; violent and severe; Ex. drastic changes/measures

contaminate

pollute

contempt

scorn; disdain; ADJ. contemptuous; CF. contemptible

contend

struggle; compete; assert earnestly; state strongly

contention

assertion; claim; thesis; struggling; competition

thesis

opinion put forward and supported by reasoned arguments

boost

lift by pushing up from below; increase; raise; N: push upward; increase

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

continence

self-restraint; sexual chastity; sexual abstinence; voluntary control over bladder and bowel functions; ADJ. continent

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

contortions

twistings; distortions; V. contort: twist violently out of shape; CF. contortionist

contraband

illegal trade; smuggling; smuggled goods; ADJ.

contravene

contradict; oppose; violate (a rule, law, or custom); N. contravention

contrite

penitent; repentant; N. contrition

contrived

unnatural and forced; artificial; not spontaneous; Ex. The ending was rather contrived.

contrive

invent or fabricate in a clever way (by improvisation); manage; Ex. contrive to attract his attention

contrivance

something contrived; machine or apparatus; clever deceitful plan; scheme

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

injure without breaking the skin; N.

conundrum

riddle; difficult problem

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

convulsion

violent uncontrollable shaking movement (caused by illness); V. convulse; ADJ. convulsive

copious

plentiful

coquette

flirt; flirtatious woman; woman who tries to attract the admiration of men without sincere feelings; V.

flirt

behave in a way that attracts (sexual) attention; deal triflingly with; N: one (or woman) given to flirting; ADJ. flirtatious

cordial

warmly friendly; gracious; heartfelt; Ex. cordial welcome

cordon

extended line of men or fortifications to prevent access or egress;

cornice

projecting molding on building (usually above columns or pillars)

cornucopia

horn (or horn-shaped container) overflowing with fruit and grain; symbol of abundance; horn of plenty

corollary

natural consequence (which naturally follows from something else)

corporeal

bodily (rather than spiritual); of a bodily form; material; tangible

corpulent

very fat; N. corpulence

corpus

collection (of writings or information); Ex. the corpus of Shakespear's works; Cf. corpse

corpuscle

red or white cell in the blood

correlation

mutual relationship

correlate

either of the correlated things; V.

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

corrugated

wrinkled; ridged

wrinkle

small ridge on a smooth surface (face or cloth); V.

crinkle

wrinkle

cosmic

pertaining to the universe; vast

coterie

group that meets socially; select circle; close group of people with shared interests

countenance

approve; support; tolerate; Ex. countenance his rude behavior; N: face; appearance

countermand

cancel; revoke (an order)

counterpart

thing that completes another; things very much alike; thing that has the same purpose in a different system

coup

highly successful action or sudden attack; coup(s) d'\'etat; CF. coup de gr\^ace: deathblow or shot which kills

couple

join; unite; OP. uncouple

courier

messenger

covenant

binding agreement between two groups or people; compact; V: enter into a covenant; promise

bargain

agreement between two groups or people; something for sale at a price advantageous to the buyer; V: negotiate; trade; Ex. bargaining power

covert

secret; hidden; implied; OP. overt

covetous

avaricious; desirous of (someone else's possessions); V. covet: desire eagerly (someone else's possessions)

cow

terrorize; intimidate

cower

shrink quivering as from fear; cringe

coy

shy (flirtatiously); showing a (pretended) lack of self-confidence; modest; coquettish; CF. job offer

cozen

cheat; hoodwink; swindle

crabbed

sour; bad-tempered; peevish; difficult to read as handwriting

peevish

bad-tempered; irritable; V. peeve: make angry

crass

very unrefined; grossly insensible; crude and undiscriminating; Ex. crass behavior

craven

cowardly

credence

belief

credo

creed

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

far-fetched

too improbable to be believed; implausible; Ex. far-fetched story

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

crestfallen

dejected; dispirited

crest

top (as of a hill or wave); showy feathers on the head of a bird

crevice

crack; fissure

cringe

shrink back as if in fear; cower

criteria

standards used in judging; CF. criterion

crone

hag; ugly old woman

crotchety

(of someone old) eccentric; odd; whimsical; bad-tempered; N. crotchet: odd or whimsical notion

crux

essential or main point; Ex. the crux of the problem; ADJ. crucial: of deciding importance

crypt

secret recess or vault usually used for burial; underground room (under a church)

cryptic

mysterious; hidden; secret

cubicle

small chamber used for sleeping or work

compartment

one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided

cuisine

style of cooking; Ex. French cuisine

culinary

relating to cooking or kitchen

cull

pick out from others (to kill the weakest members); reject; select; collect (information); N.

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

culprit

one guilty of a crime

culvert

artificial channel for water; drain crossing under a road

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)

curmudgeon

churlish, miserly individual; bad-tempered old person

cursive

(of writing) flowing; running; having the successive letters joined

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

cynosure

object of general attention; person or thing that is a center of attention; CF. Ursa Minor

dabble

work at in a nonserious fashion; splash around; move noisily in a liquid

dais

raised platform for speakers or other important people

dally

trifle with; toy with; treat without the necessary seriousness; procrastinate; waste time

dank

damp; unpleasantly wet

dapper

neat and trim (in appearance); (of small men) neat in appearance and quick in movements; neat; spry

dappled

spotted

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

smear

spread or cover with a sticky substance; N: mark made by smearing

smudge

dirty mark with unclear edges made by rubbing; V.

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

standstill

condition of no movement or activity; stop

deadpan

wooden; impassive; with no show of feeling; with an expressionless face

dearth

scarcity

d\'eb\^acle

sudden disastrous downfall or defeat; complete disaster

debase

degrade; reduce in quality or value; degenerate; lower in esteem; disgrace; N. debasement

kneel

go down on one's knee(s)

debauch

corrupt morally; seduce from virtue; N. debauchery: wild behavior (with sex and alcohol)

seduce

lead away from proper conduct; entice; ADJ. seductive

debilitate

weaken (esp. through heat, hunger, illness); enfeeble

bout

match; short period of great activity; Ex. wrestling bout; bout of drinking/flu

debonair

(of men) friendly, charming, and fashionably dressed; aiming to please; CF. of good disposition

d\'ebris

rubble; wreckage; scattered remains of something broken or destroyed

debunk

expose as false, exaggerated, worthless, etc.; ridicule

debutante

young woman making formal entrance into society

debut

d\'ebut; first public appearance; formal presentation of a young woman to society

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

deciduous

falling off at a specific season or stage of growth as of leaves; Ex. deciduous tree/teeth

decimate

kill (usually one out of ten or every tenth man); destroy or kill a large part of

decipher

decode; CF. indecipherable

declivity

downward slope

d\'ecollet\'e

(of a dress) having a low-cut neckline; CF. d\'ecolletage: low neckline (on a dress)

decree

authoritative order; edict; judgment of a court of law; V: order or judge by decree

decomposition

decay; V. decompose: decay; break and separate into simple parts

decorum

propriety; orderliness and good taste in manners; appropriateness of behavior or conduct

decorous

proper (in behavior, conduct, or appearance)

decoy

lure or bait; V.

decrepitude

state of collapse or weakness caused by illness or old age

decrepit

weak and in bad condition from old age or hard use; Ex. decrepit old chair/man

decry

express strong disapproval of; condemn openly (something dangerous to the public); disparage; Ex. decry the violence of modern films

deducible

derived by reasoning; V. deduce: infer; derive by reasoning

deface

mar; disfigure

mar

spoil the appearance of

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.

defeatist

resigned to defeat or failure; accepting defeat or failure as a natural outcome; N. CF. defeatism

defection

desertion

defect

shortcoming; V: desert (in order to join the opposite one)

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

defoliate

destroy leaves; deprive of leaves (by the use of chemicals); N. defoliant

defray

provide for the payment of; undertake the payment of; pay

defrock

strip a priest or minister of church authority; unfrock

frock

long loose garment (worn by monks)

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

dishonor

disgrace; N. ADJ. dishonorable

dehydrate

remove water from; dry out

deify

turn into a god; make a god of; idolize; Ex. Kings were deified; CF. deity

deign

condescend; stoop

stoop

bend forward and down; lower or debase oneself; fall to a lower standard of behavior by doing something; condescend; Ex. stoop to lying

delete

erase; strike out

deleterious

harmful

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

delve

dig; search deeply; investigate

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

demographic

related to population balance; N. demography: statistical study of human population

demolition

destruction; V. demolish

demoniac(demoniacal)

fiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil supernatural being; devil

fiend

evil spirit; devil

demotic

of or pertaining to the people

demur

object (because of doubts, scruples); raise an objection (showing qualms); hesitate; Ex. demur at the idea of working on Sunday

demure

(of a woman or child) grave; quiet and serious; coy; pretending to be demure

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

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

denounce

condemn; criticize; N. denunciation

depict

portray

expos\'e

public revelation of something discreditable

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

battalion

army unit made up of four or more companies

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

institute

organization for a special purpose; V: establish

institution

instituting; (building for the) organization; established custom, practice, or relationship in a society; mental hospital; Ex. institution of marriage

institutionalize

make into an institution; put or confine in an institution

derelict

negligent; (of someone) neglectful of duty; (of something) deserted by an owner; abandoned; N: abandoned property; homeless or vagrant person

dereliction

neglect of duty; abandonment

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.

derivation

deriving; origin or source of something; Ex. the derivation of the word

dermatologist

one who studies the skin and its diseases

acne

skin disease (on the face)

derogatory

expressing a low opinion; disparaging; V. derogate: detract; disparage

descry

catch sight of (something distant)

desecrate

profane; violate the sanctity of

violate

break (a law); defile; desecrate; assault sexually; Ex. violate graves

desiccate

dry up

desolate

(of a place) deserted; unpopulated; (of a person) lonely; forlorn; joyless

desolate

make desolate; forsake; abandon and desert

desperado

reckless, desperate outlaw

desperate

having lost all hope; despairing; reckless and violent because of loss of hope or despair; undertaken as a last resort

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

impoverish

make poor; deprive of natural strength or something important; Ex. impoverished soil

desultory

aimless; haphazard; digressing at random

detached

emotionally removed; free from emotional involvement; calm and objective; physically separate; N. detachment; CF. attachment

detain

keep waiting; prevent from leaving or going; N. detention

determinate

having a fixed order of procedure; precisely defined; invariable; fixed; conclusive; final

determination

resolve; firmness of purpose; measurement or calculation; decision

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

devious

roundabout; erratic; deviating from the straight course; not straightforward; not completely honest; Ex. devious route

devise

think up; invent; plan; bequeath; N: bequest

devoid

empty; lacking

devolve

deputize; pass or be passed to others (power, work, or property); Ex. devolve on/upon/to

deputize

work or appoint as a deputy; N. deputy: person who has the power to take charge when the leading person is away

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

diadem

crown

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

diatribe

bitter scolding or denunciation; invective; abuse

dichotomy

division into two opposite parts; split; branching into two parts (especially contradictory ones)

dictum

authoritative and weighty statement (made by a judge in court); saying; maxim; CF. obiter dictum: incidental, nonbinding remark (something said in passing)

didactic

(of speech or writing) intended to teach a moral lesson; teaching; instructional; N. didacticism

die

metal block used for shaping metal or plastic; device for stamping or impressing; mold; CF. dice

diffidence

shyness; lack of self-confidence; timidity; ADJ. diffident

diffuse

wordy; verbose; rambling; spread out (like a gas); V: spread out in all directions; disperse; N. diffusion; CF. suffuse

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

dilettante

aimless follower of an art or a field of knowledge (not taking it seriously); amateur; dabbler; CF. delight

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

weary

tired after long work; V.

dinghy

small boat (often ship's boat)

maroon

leave helpless on a deserted island or coast; ADJ. red brown

dingy

(of things and place) dirty and dull; Ex. dingy street/curtain

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.

dint

means; effort; Ex. by dint of hard work

diorama

life-size, three-dimensional scene from nature or history; three-dimensional scene with modeled figures against a painted background

dire

warning of disaster; disastrous; (of needs and dangers) very great; urgent; Ex. dire prediction/need of food

dirge

funeral song; slow mournful piece of music (sung over a dead person)

disabuse

correct a false impression; undeceive; free from a wrong belief

disaffected

disloyal; lacking loyality; V. disaffect: cause to lose affection or loyalty

disapprobation

disapproval; condemnation

disarray

state of disorder; a disorderly or untidy state; Ex. with her clothes in disarray

disavowal

denial; disclaiming; repudiating; disowning; V. disavow; CF. disclaim

disband

dissolve; disperse; (of a group) break up and separate; Ex. The club has disbanded.

disburse

pay out (as from a fund); N. disbursement; CF. purse

discernible

distinguishable; perceivable; Ex. discernible improvement

discerning

mentally quick and observant; having insight; perceptive; able to make good judgments; V. discern: perceive

disclaim

disown; renounce claim to; deny; CF. disclaimer

disclose

reveal; N. disclosure

discombobulated

discomposed; confused

discompose

disturb the composure of; confuse

discomfit

frustrate; put to rout; defeat; disconcert; embarrass; perturb

disconcert

confuse; upset; 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

discount

disregard; regard (a story or news) as unimportant; deduct from a cost

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

discriminate

distinguish; make distinctions on the basis of preference

brisk

quick and active; marked by liveliness and vigor

discursive

(of a person or writing) digressing; rambling (without any clear plan)

disdain

treat with scorn or contempt

disembark

debark; go ashore (from a ship); unload cargo from a ship; CF. embark

disenfranchise

disfranchise; deprive of a civil right; OP. enfranchise

disengage

uncouple; separate; disconnect; stop fighting; OP. engage

disfigure

mar the appearance of; spoil

disgorge

surrender something (stolen); eject; vomit; OP. gorge

disgruntle

make discontented

dishearten

discourage

disheveled

untidy (of hair or clothing); V. dishevel

disinclination

unwillingness

disingenuous

not naive; not candid; sophisticated; worldly wise; OP. ingenuous

disinter

dig up; unearth; OP. inter

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

dislodge

remove (forcibly); force out of a position; Ex. dislodge the food caught in his throat; CF. lodge

dismantle

take apart; disassemble

mantle

loose sleeveless outer garment; cloak; something that covers or envelops; the layer of the earth between the crust and the core

crust

hard outer covering (as of earth or snow)

dismember

cut into small parts; cut (a body) apart limb from limb

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

disparage

belittle

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

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

dispense

distribute; prepare and give out (medicines); N. dispensation: dispensing; religious system; official exemption from an obligation or a rule

disperse

scatter; Ex. disperse the cloud/crowd

dispirited

lacking in spirit

disport

amuse; Ex. disport oneself; CF. divert

disputatious

argumentative; fond of argument

disquietude

uneasiness; anxiety; V. disquiet: make anxious

disquisition

formal systematic inquiry; explanation of the results of a formal inquiry; long formal speech or written report

dissection

analysis; cutting apart in order to examine

dissemble

disguise; hide the real nature of; pretend

disseminate

distribute; spread; scatter (like seeds)

dissent

disagree

dissertation

formal essay; treatise

dissident

dissenting (with an opinion, a group, or a government); rebellious; N.

dissimulate

pretend; conceal by feigning; dissemble

dissipate

squander; waste foolishly; scatter

dissolution

disintegration; reduction to a liquid form; looseness in morals; sensual indulgence; debauchery; ADJ. dissolute: lacking in moral restraint; leading an immoral life

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

dissuade

persuade not to do; discourage; N. dissuasion

dissonance

discord

distant

reserved or aloof; cold in manner; Ex. distant greeting; ADV. distantly

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

distinction

honor; excellence; difference; contrast; discrimination; Ex. graduated with distinction; Ex. a writer of real distinction

distinct

clearly different; clearly noticed

distinctive

clearly different from others of the same kind

distort

twist out of shape; give a false account of; misrepresent; N. distortion

distrait

absentminded; distracted

distraught

upset; distracted by anxiety; very anxious and troubled almost to the point of madness; Ex. distraught with grief/worry

distract

take (one's attention) off something; upset emotionally; make anxious; ADJ. distracted

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

dowse

use a divining rod to search for underground water or minerals

divulge

reveal

docile

obedient; easily managed; submissive

ferocious

fierce; violent; N. ferocity

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

doctrinaire

unable to compromise about points of doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding; marked by inflexible attachment to a doctrine without regard to its practical difficulties

doctrine

teachings in general; particular principle (religious, legal, etc.) taught; dogma; tenet; ADJ. doctrinal

indoctrinate

cause to accept a doctrine without questioning it; Ex. indoctrinated with mindless anti-communism

document

provide written evidence (for a claim); record with documents; N.

doddering

shaky; infirm from old age; V. dodder

merit

deserve; ADJ. meritorious: deserving reward or praise

doff

take off; OP. don

dogged

determined; stubborn; stubbornly persevering; tenacious; Ex. Inspector Javert's dogged pursuit of Jean Valjean

persevere

continue steadily in spite of difficulties

doggerel

poor verse

dogmatic

opinionated; holding stubbornly to one's opinion; arbitrary; doctrinal

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

blues

state of depression or melancholy; style of slow, mournful music (evolved from southern Black American songs)

dolorous

sorrowful; N. dolor

dolt

slow-thinking stupid person; CF. dull

domicile

home; V. ADJ. domiciled: having one's domicile; Ex. He is domiciled in Britain.

domineer

rule over tyrannically

dominate

control; rule; enjoy a commanding position in; overlook from a height

dominant

exercising the most influence; high and easily seen; stronger than the other part of a system; not recessive

don

put on; OP. doff

outfit

clothing or equipment for a special purpose; Ex. cowboy outfit

dormant

sleeping; temporarily inactive; lethargic; latent

dormer

window projecting upright from roof; CF. sleeping room

dorsal

relating to the back of an animal; Ex. dorsal fin

dossier

file of documents on a subject or person; file; CF. bundle of papers labeled on the back

dotage

senility; feeblemindedness of old age; Ex. In one's dotage

dote

be excessively fond of; show signs of mental decline

dour

sullen; gloomy; stubborn

sullen

silently showing ill humor or resentment; dark; gloomy

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

douse

plunge into water or liquid; dip; immerse; drench; wet throughly; extinguish; throw water over; dowse

dowdy

untidy (of a woman or clothes); slovenly; dressed in an unattractive way; shabby; CF. unattractive woman

downcast

disheartened; dejected; sad; directed downward

drab

dull; lacking color; cheerless ; Ex. drab coat/life

draconian

extremely severe; Ex. draconian punishment; CF. Draco: Athenian politician

dregs

sediment in a liquid; lees; worthless residue

drivel

nonsense; foolishness; V: talk nonsense

nonsense

speech or writing with no meaning; foolish behavior or language; Ex. make (a) nonsense of: spoil; cause to fail

dribble

flow or fall in drops; let saliva flow out slowly from the mouth; move a ball; N.

drip

fall or let fall in drops; shed drops; N: action or sound of falling in drops; liquid that falls in drops

trickle

flow in drops or in a thin stream; N.

droll

queer and amusing

queer

strange; eccentric; deviating from the normal

drone

idle person who lives on other people's work; male bee

drone

talk dully; buzz or murmur like a bee; N.

murmur

low, indistinct, continuous sound; V. CF. mumble

dross

waste matter; worthless impurities

drudgery

hard unpleasant work; menial work

drudge

do drudgery; N: person who drudges

dubious

questionable; (of something) causing doubt; (of someone) filled with doubt; N. dubiety

ductile

malleable; pliable; (of metals) easily pulled into shape; flexible; (of someone) easily influenced or controlled

dulcet

sweet sounding; pleasing to the ear; melodious

dumbfound(dumfound)

astonish (making dumb); ADJ. dumbfounded, dumfounded, dumbstruck

dupe

someone easily fooled or deceived; V: deceive

duplicity

double-dealing; hypocrisy; being dishonest and deceitful; ADJ. duplicitous

duration

length of time something lasts

duress

forcible restraint, especially unlawfully; coercion by threat; illegal coercion; Ex. a promise made under duress

dutiful(duteous)

(of people or their behavior) respectful; obedient (filled with a sense of duty)

dwindle

shrink; reduce gradually

dynamic

energetic; vigorously active

dynamo

generator for producing electricity; energetic person

dyspeptic

suffering from indigestion; N. dyspepsia: indigestion; difficulty in digesting food

dys-

abnormal; impaired

dyslexia

word blindness; learning disorder marked by impairment of the ability to read

dysentery

inflammatory disorder of the lower intestinal tract

earthy

unrefined; coarse; of earth; Ex. earthy remarks; OP. ethereal

earthly

of this earth; terrestrial; worldly; not divine; possible; Ex. no earthly reason

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

chapel

small church (in a prison, college, or hospital)

chaplain

clergyman attached to a chapel

padre

chaplain (in the armed forces)

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

ecliptic

path of the sun and the planets

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

ecosystem

ecological community together with its environment

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

rapture

great joy and delight; ecstasy; ADJ. rapturous

eddy

swirling current of water, air, etc.; V.

edict

decree (especially one issued by a sovereign); official command

sovereign

ruler in a monarchy; ADJ: (of a country) independent and self-governing; having supreme power; supreme; excellent

sovereignty

complete independence and self-government (of a country); supremacy of authority; power to govern

edify

instruct; correct morally

edifice

building (of imposing size)

eerie

weird; causing fear because strange

efface

rub out; remove the surface of

effectual

able to produce a desired effect; valid

effective

effectual; producing a strong response; striking; in operation; in effect; Ex. effective speech/photograph

effectuate

effect; produce; achieve; Ex. effectuate a reconciliation

effeminate

having womanly traits

emasculate

weaken; castrate

castrate

remove the sex organs (of a male animal or person)

effervescence

inner excitement or exuberance; showing high spirits; emitting bubbles forming inside; bubbling from fermentation or carbonation; ADJ. effervescent; V. effervesce

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

dummy

imitation of a real object used as a substitute; effigy

effluvium

noxious(harmful) smell

effrontery

rudeness without any sense of shame; shameless boldness; presumptousness; nerve; cheek

effulgent

shining brightly; brilliant

effusion

pouring forth; unrestrained outpouring of feeling; V. effuse: pour out; ADJ. effusive: pouring forth; gushing

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.

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

ego

one's opinion of oneself; self-esteem

egotistical

egotistic; excessively self-centered(egocentric); self-important; conceited

egotism

tendency to speak or write of oneself excessively; conceit; self-importance

egregious

notorious; conspicuously bad or shocking

egress

exit; opening for going out; act of going out; OP. ingress

ejaculation

exclamation; abrupt ejection (to discharge sperm); V. ejaculate

elaboration

addition of details; intricacy

elaborate

work out carefully; add more detail or information; ADJ.

elated

filled with excited joy and pride; overjoyed; in high spirits; joyful and proud; Ex. elated crowd; V. elate; N. elation

elegy

poem or song expressing lamentation (for the dead); ADJ. elegiacal, elegiac

elicit

draw out fact or information (by discussion or from someone)

elixir

cure-all; panacea; something invigorating

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.

elysian

relating to paradise; blissful

Elysium

place or condition of bliss

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)

emblazon

ornament richly (a shield or flag); N. emblazonment

embody

give a bodily form to; incorporate; include

emboss

produce a design in raised relief; decorate with a raised design

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

encircle

surround

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

emetic

substance causing vomiting; ADJ.

eminent

rising above others; high; lofty; distinguished; Ex. eminent position

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

empathy

ability to identify with another's feelings, ideas, etc.; identification with and understanding of another's feelings; V. empathize; CF. sympathy

compassion

sympathy for the suffering of others; ADJ. compassionate

empirical

based on experience

emulate

imitate; rival; try to equal or excel (through imitation)

enamored

in love; Ex. enamored of his own beauty; V. enamor: inspire with love

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

endearment

fond word or act; expression of affection

endear

make beloved; Ex. endear her to everyone; ADJ. dear: loved; cherished; high-priced

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

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

engaging

charming; attractive

engaged

employed; busy; betrothed; involved in conflict

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

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.

enjoin

command; order; forbid

enmity

ill will; hatred; hostility

ennui

boredom; listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest; CF. annoy

enormity

hugeness (in a bad sense); excessive wickedness; Ex. enormity of the crime; ADJ. enormous

enrapture

please intensely; fill with rapture and delight

ensconce

settle comfortably; place comfortably (in a secure place)

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

enterprising

full of initiative; showing enterprise

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

enthrall

capture; enslave; captivate; hold the complete attention of (as if magic); hold spellbound

entice

lure; persuade to do (something wrong); attract; tempt

mischief

behavior (of children) causing trouble with no serious harm; damage; harm; Ex. mischief to the crops; ADJ. mischievous: causing mischief; playfully troublesome

entity

real being

entomology

study of insects

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

trance

hypnotic state; ecstatic state; detachment from one's physical surrounding (as in contemplation or daydreaming); CF. transition

hypnosis

induced sleeping state; ADJ. hypnotic; V. hypnotize

entreat

plead; ask earnestly

entree(entr\'ee)

entrance; a way in; right to enter; main dish of a meal; Ex. entree into the exclusive circle

entrepreneur

businessperson (who assumes the risk of a business venture); contractor; ADJ. entrepreneurial

enumerate

list; mention one by one

enunciate

announce; proclaim; utter or speak, especially distinctly; pronounce clearly; articulate; Ex. This theory was first enunciated by him.

environ

enclose; surround; N. environs: surrounding area (as of a city)

eon(aeon)

long period of time; an age; longest division of geologic time containing two or more eras

epaulet(epaulette)

ornament worn on the shoulder (of a uniform, etc.)

fringe

decorative edge of hanging threads; edge

ephemeral

short-lived; fleeting

fleet

fast; rapid; N. ADJ. fleeting: passing quickly; ephemeral

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

Epicurean

believing that pleasure is good and suffering is bad and should be avoided; N.

epigram

witty thought or saying, usually short

epilogue

short speech at conclusion of dramatic work

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

epistemologist

philosopher who studies the nature of knowledge; N. epistemology

epitaph

inscription in memory of a dead person (as on a tombstone)

epithet

word or phrase characteristically used to describe a person or thing; descriptive phrase to characterize a person (often contemptous)

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

equestrian

rider on horseback; ADJ.

equilibrium

balance of opposing forces; balance of the mind; equanimity

equine

resembling a horse; Ex. equine face

equinox

period of equal days and nights; the beginning of spring and autumn; Ex. vernal/autumnal equinox; ADJ. equinoctial

equipoise

balance; balancing force; equilibrium

equitable

fair; impartial; OP. inequitable

equity

fairness; justice; OP. inequity

equivocal

(of words or statements) ambiguous; intentionally misleading; (of behavior) questionable; OP. unequivocal

equivocate

use equivocal language to deceive people; lie; mislead; attempt to conceal the truth; N. equivocation

erode

eat away; wear away gradually by abrasion; Ex. The sea erodes the rocks.

erotic

pertaining to passionate love or sexual love

errant

wandering (esp. in search of adventure); straying from proper moral standards; Ex. knight-errant

erratic

odd; irregular in movement or behavior; unpredictable

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

prank

mischievous trick

flighty

(esp. of a woman's behavior) capricious; often changing, esp. from one lover to another; impulsive

eschew

avoid habitually; Ex. eschew alcoholic drinks

esoteric

hard to understand; known only to the chosen few, esp. initiates; N. esoterica

espionage

spying

espouse

adopt; support (an idea or aim); marry; N. espousal

esteem

respect; value; judge; N.

estranged

separated; alienated; V. estrange: alienate (people in a family); N. estrangement

ethereal

like a spirit or fairy; unearthly light; heavenly; unusually refined; Ex. She has an ethereal beauty; CF. ether: upper air

airy

of air; high in the air; lofty; immaterial; unreal

ethnic

relating to races

ethnology

study of humankind; study of the different races of human beings; CF. anthropology

ethos

underlying character of a culture, group, etc.; character or ideas peculiar to a specific person, group, or culture; Ex. the company ethos

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

eulogy

expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death; V. eulogize

euphemism

mild expression in place of an unpleasant one; ADJ. euphemistic

euphony

sweet sound; ADJ. euphonious

euphoria

feeling of exaggerated or unfounded(ungrounded; baseless) well-being; feeling of great happiness or well-being (when unreasonable); ADJ. euphoriaric

euthanasia

mercy killing

evanescent

fleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V. evanesce

evasive

not frank; trying to hide the truth; eluding; evading; V. evade: avoid (a duty or responsibility) or escape from by deceit

evince

show clearly

evenhanded

impartial; fair

evocative

tending to call up (emotions, memories)

evoke

call forth (memory or feeling); Ex. That old film evoked memories of my childhood; N. evocation

ewe

female sheep

ram

male sheep; V. strike or drive against with a heavy impact

exacerbate

worsen; aggravate; embitter

embitter

make bitter; fill with painful or bitter feelings; make sad and angry; Ex. He was embittered by many disappointments.

exacting

extremely demanding; Ex. exacting standard of safety

exact

demand and obtain by force; Ex. exact a promise from him; N. exaction

exalt

raise in rank or dignity; praise highly; inspire; Ex. exalt the imagination; ADJ. exalted; N. exaltation

exasperate

vex; annoy or make angry (by testing the patience)

exceptionable

objectionable; likely to cause dislike; offensive; CF. unexceptionable: entirely acceptable

except

exclude; N. exception: objection; exclusion; ADJ. exceptional: unusual; of unusually high quality

excerpt

selected passage (written or musical) taken from a longer work; V.

exchequer

treasury; Ex. Chancellor of the exchequer

chancellor

legal official of high rank; CF. chancellery(chancellory): position of a chancellor

treasure

keep as precious; cherish

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

excoriate

scold with biting harshness; censure strongly; strip the skin off

exculpate

clear from blame or guilt

execrable

very bad; detestable

execrate

curse; express abhorrence for; detest

execute

put into effect; carry out; kill as a lawful punishment; N. execution

executor

person designated to execute the terms of a will

executioner

person administering capital punishment

executive

person having administrative authority; one branch of government executing laws; ADJ: relating to executing

legislature

legislating branch of government; CF. legislate: make laws

judiciary

judicial branch of government

exegesis

explanation, especially of biblical(of the bible) passages

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

exhale

breathe out; OP. inhale

exhilarating

invigorating and refreshing; cheering; V. exhilarate: make cheerful and excited; Ex. exhilarated by the ride in the sports car

exhort

urge (by strong argument or advice); Ex. The general exhorted his men to fight bravely; N. exhortation

urge

drive or force forward (by causing impulses); drive to take action; impel; entreat earnestly; Ex. urge horses; N: impulse that prompts action

urgent

compelling immediate action; pressing; persistent; importunate; Ex. urgent in his demands

exhume

dig out of the ground; remove from a grave

exigency

urgent situation; ADJ. exigent

exiguous

small in amount; minute

existential

pertaining to existence; pertaining to the philosophy of existentialism

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

intrigue

make secret plans; plot; arouse the curiosity of; N: secret scheme; plot; secret love affair

expansive

(of a person) outgoing and sociable; broad and extensive; able to increase in size

outgoing

sociable; eager to mix socially with others

expatiate

talk at length; speak or write in detail

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

expeditious

done with speed; quick; N. expedition

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)

expletive

meaningless word; interjection; profane oath; swear-word

interjection

exclamation; Ex. "Ouch''

swear

vow; promise; use profane oaths; use offensive words

swear-word

word considered offensive; Ex. "bloody''

oath

solemn promise; blasphemous use of sacred words to express strong feelings; swear-word; Ex. "For Christ's sake''

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

expostulation

protest; remonstrance; reasoning with someone to correct or dissuade; V. expostulate

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

expropriate

take possession of (often for public use and without payment)

expunge

cancel; remove a word or name (from a book or list); erase

expurgate

clean; remove offensive parts of a book

extant

(of something written or painted) still in existence

extemporaneous

not planned; impromptu; extempore

extenuate

weaken; mitigate; lessen the seriousness of (bad behavior)

extirpate

root up; uproot; destroy completely

extol

praise very highly; glorify

extort

wring from; get money by threats, etc.; obtain by force or threats; CF. extortionate: exorbitant

wring

twist (to extract liquid); extract by twisting; wrench painfully (necks or hands)

extradition

surrender of prisoner by one state to another; Ex. extradition treaty; V. extradite

extraneous

not essential; irrelevant; superfluous; external; coming from the outside; Ex. extraneous details/noise/to the subject

extrapolation

projection; conjecture; V. extrapolate: infer (unknown information) from known information

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

mingle

mix together in close association

extrude

force or push out; thrust out; shape (plastic or metal) by forcing through a die

exuberance

overflowing abundance; joyful enthusiasm; flamboyance; lavishness; ADJ. exuberant: high-spirited and lively; growing abundantly and strongly

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

exude

flow out slowly; discharge (gradually); give forth; N. exudation

ooze

(of a thick liquid) pass or flow slowly; N: mud or thick liquid as at the bottom of a river

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

facade(fa\c{c}ade)

front or face (of building); superficial or false appearance

facet

small plane surface (of a gem(precious stone)); a side

facetious

joking (often inappropriately); unserious; humorous

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

facilitate

help bring about; make less difficult

facsimile

copy

faction

party; clique (within a large group); dissension

dissension

disagreement of opinions causing strife within a group

factious

inclined to form factions; causing dissension

factitious

artificial; produced artificially; sham; false; Ex. factitious tears

factotum

handyman; person who does all kinds of work; CF. do everything

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

falsify

make (something written) false by changing

fallow

(of land) plowed but not sowed (to improve the quality); uncultivated

sow

plant or scatter seed

falter

hesitate; weaken in purpose or action; walk or move unsteadily through weakness; N.

stumble

trip and almost fall; proceed unsteadily; act falteringly; N.

fanaticism

excessive zeal; extreme devotion to a belief or cause; N. fanatic; ADJ. fanatic

fancied

imagined; unreal

fancier

breeder or dealer of animals; one who has a special interest, as for raising specific plant or animal

fanciful

whimsical; visionary; imaginary; produced by imagination; Ex. fanciful scheme

fancy

imagination (of a whimsical or fantastic nature); capricious liking; V: imagine; be fond of; ADJ. decorative; elaborate

fanfare

call by bugles or trumpets; showy display; spectacular public display

farce

broad comedy; mockery; humorous play full of silly things happening; ADJ. farcical

fastidious

difficult to please; squeamish; fussy; finicky

squeamish

easily shocked or sickened by unpleasant things; fastidious; Ex. A nurse should not be squeamish.

fatalism

belief that events are determined by forces or fates beyond one's control; ADJ. fatalistic; CF. fatal: causing death

fathom

comprehend; investigate; determine the depth of; N. unit of measurement for the depth of water

fathomless

too deep to be measured or understood; unfathomable

fatuous

smugly and unconsciously foolish; inane; silly; N. fatuity, fatuousness

fauna

animals of a period or region; CF. flora

fawning

courting favor by cringing and flattering; V. fawn: exhibit affection as a dog; seek favor or attention by obsequiousness

court

attempt to gain; seek; woo; risk; behave so as to invite; attempt to gain the favor of by attention; Ex. court disaster

faze

disconcert; dismay; embarrass

feasible

practical; able to be carried out; practicable

febrile

Barrons GRE Wordlist 4,759 words

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