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WORDS AND RELATIONSHIPS

(PART I)

ABSCOND: To leave secretly Syn: Flee, Decamp, Escape Ex: Before the police could arrive, the thief ABSCONDED from the site. Roots: Ab means away; Sconc means hide Related Words: Abstain, Abjure, Abstemious, Ensconce, Conceal

ABATE: To reduce in amount, degree, or severity. Syn: Lapse, Let up, Moderate, Relent, Slacken, Subside, Wane Ex: As the storm ABATED, the sea became calm.

ABSTAIN: to choose not to do something Syn: Refrain, Withhold Ex: The doctor advised him to ABSTAIN from alcohol.

ABYSS: an extremely deep hole Syn: Chasm, Void Ex: The mountain trail ran along the edge of an ABYSS (n). Related words: Abyssal: pertaining to great depth; Abysmal: extremely bad

ADULTERATE: to make impure Syn: Doctor. Ex: The milkman ADULTERATED the milk with water. Roots: Ad means to; Alter means other Related words: Adultery: an illicit relationship

ADVOCATE: to speak in favor of Syn: Back, Champion, Support Ex: A vegetarian will always ADVOCATE a diet without meat. Roots: Ad means to; Voc means call or speak to speak for another Related Words: Convocation, Revocation, Advocacy

AESTHETIC: concerning the appreciation of beauty. Syn: Artistic, Tasteful Ex: Followers of the AESTHETIC Movement regarded the pursuit of beauty as the only purpose of art. Roots: Aesth means sense or perception Related Words: Anesthesia, Aesthete: someone unusually sensitive to beauty.

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AGGRANDIZE: to increase in power, influence, and reputation Syn: Amplify, Augment, Dignify, Elevate, Enlarge, Exalt, Glorify, Magnify Ex: The supervisor sought to AGGRANDIZE himself by claiming that the achievements of his staff were actually his own. Roots: Grand means great

ALLEVIATE: to make less hard to bear, to reduce or decrease Syn: Allay, Assuage, Comfort, Ease, Lessen, Lighten, Mitigate, Palliate, Relieve. Ex: Taking aspirin helps ALLEVIATE a headache Roots: Lev means light Related Words: Levitation, Leaven

AMALGAMATE: to combine; to mix together Syn: Admix, Blend, Combine, Commingle, Compound, Fuse, Merge Ex: You need to AMALGAMATE the disparate elements into a coherent hole. Related words -: Amalgam: a mixture, especially of two metals

AMBIGUOUS: doubtful or uncertain; able to be interpreted several ways. Syn: Cloudy, Doubtful, Dubious, Equivocal, Nebulous, Indeterminate, Obscure, Unclear, Vague Ex: The directions he gave were so AMBIGUOUS that we disagreed on which road to take. Roots: Ambi means two Related Words: Ambidextrous, Ambivalent

AMELIORATE: to make better; to improve. Syn: Better, Improve Ex: The Free Market Mechanism hardly strains specifically to AMELIORATE the lot of the poor. Roots: Mel means sweeten Related Words: Mellifluous

AMIABLE: Affable, charming, friendly, genial, pleasant, sociable Ex: His AMIABLE demeanour attracts one and all. Roots: Ama Ami - Amo means love Related Words: Amicable, Amorous, Amateur

ANACHRONISM: anything that is or seems to be out of its proper time in history. Syn: Archaism, Incongruity Ex: To use a telephone, in a play set in the 17th century, would be an ANACHRONISM. Roots: Chron means time so the word anachronism means unsuitable for time Related Words: Synchronous, Chronic, Chronology

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ANALOGOUS: Similar or alike in some way; equivalent to Syn: Alike, Comparable, Corresponding, Equivalent, Parallel, Similar Ex: The term depression is ANALOGOUS to sadness and dejection. Roots: Log means speak Related Words: Analogy: a similarity between things otherwise dissimilar; Analogue: something similar in some way to something else; Dialogue

ANOMALY: deviation from what is normal Syn: Aberration, Abnormality, Deviation, Irregularity, Preternaturalness Ex: It is an ANOMALY to have six fingers, instead of five, among humans. Related words -: Anomalous: deviating from what is normal

ANTAGONIZE: to annoy or provoke to anger Syn: Clash, Conflict, Incite, Irritate, Oppose, Pester, Provoke, Vex Ex: The union leader ANTAGONIZED the labour against the companys officials. Roots: Anti means opposed; Agony means suffering Related words - Antagonistic: tending to provoke conflict.

ANTIPATHY: extreme dislike Syn: Animosity, Animus, Antagonism, Aversion, Hostility, Repellence Ex: The ANTIPATHY between the French and the English led to recurrent eruptions of violence. Roots: Anti means against; Pathos means suffering Related Words: Empathy, Sympathy, Apathy, Pathology

APATHY: lack of interest or emotion Syn: Coolness, Disinterest, Disregard, Impassivity, Indifference, Insensibility, Unconcern, Unresponsiveness. Ex: The APATHY among voters is so great that fewer than half the eligible ones actually bother to do so. Roots: A means not; Pathos means suffering

ARBITRATE: to judge a dispute between two opposing parties. Syn: Adjudge, Adjudicate, Decide, Determine, Judge, Moderate, Referee Ex: Since the couple could not arrive at a mutual agreement, they sought assistance of law to ARBITRATE their divorce proceedings. Related words -: Arbitration: a process by which a conflict is resolved

ARCHAIC: ancient, old-fashioned Syn: Ancient, Antique, Bygone, Dowdy, Fusty, Obsolete, Old-fashioned, Outdated, Outmoded, Pass, Prehistoric, Stale, Superseded, Vintage. Ex: Her ARCHAIC computer was not compatible with the latest software. Roots: Archae means old Related word: Archaism: an outdated word or phrase, Archaeology _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page : 3 www.TCYonline.com

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ARDOR: intense and passionate feeling. Syn: Devotion, Enthusiasm, Fire, Passion, Zeal, Ex: His ARDOR for beauty was evident in his passionate description of the Taj Mahal. Related words: Ardent: expressing ardor; passionate.

ARTICULATE: able to speak clearly and expressively Syn: Expressive, Fluent, Lucid, Silver-Tongued, Smooth-Spoken Ex: It is essential that you ARTICULATE your ideas well if you want the committee to consider them.

ASSUAGE: to lessen, to calm Syn: Alleviate, Appease, Comfort, Conciliate, Mollify, Pacify, Relieve, Soothe. Ex: The teacher ASSUAGED the students fears with her motivating words.

ATTENUATE: to lessen in severity; to weaken Syn: Dilute, Rarefy, Sap, Undermine, Undo, Unnerve, Weaken. Ex: The Bill of Rights ATTENUATED the traditional power of the government to change laws at will. Roots: Ten means stretch Related Words: Tension, Tenacious

AUDACIOUS: fearless and daring Syn: Adventuresome, Assertive, Bold, Brave, Courageous, Daring, Doughty, Fearless, Gallant Ex: An AUDACIOUS person will always stand up against the evil practices of society.

AUSTERE: severe or stern in appearance; undecorated Syn: Bleak, Dour, Grim, Hard, Harsh, Severe Ex: The plain architecture of the Zen temples seems AUSTERE to the layman. Related words: Austerity: severity, especially poverty

BANAL: dull or stale because of overuse, boring Syn: Hackneyed, Insipid, Stereotypic, Worn-out Ex: The repetitive exhortations of the septuagenarian leader have become BANAL indeed. Related words: BANALITY: the quality of being banal

BOLSTER: to support; to prop up Syn: Brace, Buttress, Sustain, Underpin, Uphold. Ex: The presence of pugmarks BOLSTERED the argument that the beast was hiding nearby.

BOMBASTIC: pompous in speech and manner Syn: Declamatory, Rhetorical, Self-important Ex: His speeches were mostly BOMBASTIC; his boasting and outrageous claims seemed baseless. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page : 4

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CACOPHONY: harsh, jarring noise Syn: Discord, Chaos, Disharmony, Noise, Ex: Members of the junior high orchestra created an almost unbearable CACOPHONY as they tried to tune their instruments. Roots: Caco means bad; Phone means sound

CANDID: impartial, free from prejudice or bias Syn: Forthright, Frank, Honest, Open, Sincere, Straightforward, Undisguised, Ex: Professional journalists are expected to be CANDID. Roots: Cand means light or bright Related Words: Candle, Incandescent

CAPRICIOUS: changing ones mind quickly and often Syn: Arbitrary, Chance, Changeable, Erratic, Fickle, Inconstant, Random, Whimsical, Willful Ex: The king was quite CAPRICIOUS; passing a law on one day, and replacing it with another, the next. Roots: Cap means head Related words: Per capita; Capital; Decapitate

CASTIGATE: to punish or criticize harshly Syn: Admonish, Chide, Rebuke, Reproach, Scold Ex: Americans are amazed at how harshly the authorities in Singapore CASTIGATE perpetrators of what would be considered minor crimes in the United States.

CATALYST: a person or a thing that acts as the stimulus in bringing about or hastening the result. Ex: The Jallianwala Bagh massacre served as a CATALYST for young minds to fight for the freedom of the nation.

CAUSTIC: biting Ex: Dorothy Parker gained reputation for CAUSTIC wit from her cutting, yet clever, insinuations. Roots: Caus or Caut means burn Related Words: Cauterize, Holocaust

CHAOS: great disorder or confusion Syn: Confusion, Disarrangement, Disarray, Disorder, Disorganization, Mess, Muddle, Turmoil Ex: The children created a CHAOS when they learned that their trip had been postponed indefinitely. Related Words: Chasm

CHAUVINIST: someone prejudiced in favour of a group he or she belongs to Syn: Partisan Ex: The attitude that men are inherently superior to women is common among male CHAUVINISTS. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page : 5

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CHICANERY: deception by means of craft or guile Ex: Dishonest salesmen indulge in CHICANERY to sell beat-up old cars.

COGENT: convincing and well reasoned Syn: Convincing, Persuasive, Sound, Valid Ex: Swayed by the COGENT argumentation of the defense, the jury had no choice but to acquit the defendant. Roots: Co means together; ag means act Related Words: Agent, Cooperate, Common

CONDONE: to overlook, pardon, or disregard Syn: Exculpate, Excuse, Remit. Ex: The teacher CONDONED the unruly behaviour of the students. Roots: Con means together; Don means give Related Words: Convocation, Donation

CONVOLUTED: rolled up, intricate and complicated Syn: complex, knotty, tangled, intricate Ex: It is very difficult to interpret the CONVOLUTED theories propounded in this book. Roots: Con means together; vol means roll Related Words: Revolution, Involve

CORROBORATE. To confirm, bolster, support Syn: Authenticate, Back, Bear out, Buttress, Confirm, Substantiate, Validate Ex: The forensic evidence CORROBORATED the witnesss testimony that he had seen the accused in the victims apartment. Roots: Co means together; Rob means strengthen Related Words: Robust

CREDULOUS: tending to believe too readily, gullible Syn: Naive, Susceptible, Trusting, Ex: Only the most CREDULOUS person could believe in the existence of fairies. Roots: Cred means faith or trust Related Words: Incredible, Discredit, Credence

CRESCENDO: steadily increasing volume or force Ex: It became difficult for me to concentrate on my studies because of the CRESCENDO of voices emanating from the neighbourhood festivities. Roots: Cre means make; Scend means going towards Related Words: Adolescent, Crescent _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page : 6

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DEBONAIR Affable, charming, urbane, well-bred Ex: The DEBONAIR young man is always elegantly dressed and displays easy mannerism. Roots: From French De, Bon, and Air Of good birth Related Words: Bonjour, Bonanza

DECORUM: appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety Syn: Correctness, Decency, Etiquette, Manners Ex: Students are expected to maintain DECORUM in the classroom. Roots: Decor means elegance Related Words: Decorate

DEFERENCE: respect, courtesy Syn: Honor, Homage, Respect, Reverence, Ex: The young law clerk treated the well known juror with DEFERENCE.

DERIDE: to speak of or treat with contempt; to make Syn: gibe, jeer, mock, scoff, sneer Ex: The awkward child was often DERIDED by his peers. Roots: De means down or out; Ride Related Words: Derision, Decrease

DESICCATE: to dry out thoroughly Syn: Dry, Parch, Dehydrate Ex: You will have to DESICCATE these fruits in order to preserve them.

DIATRIBE: to scold, condemnatory speech Ex: The trucker bellowed a DIATRIBE at the driver who had overtaken him. Roots: Dia means across; Trib means difficulty Related Words: Diagram, Diagnose, Tribulations

DESULTORY: jumping from on thing to another; disconnected Syn: Aimless, Erratic, Haphazard, Purposeless, Random, Stray Ex: The discussion was dull and DESULTORY. Roots: De means down or out; Sult means jump Related Words: Result, Insult

DIFFIDENT: shy, timid Syn: Backward, Bashful, Coy, Demure, Modest, Retiring Shy, Timid Ex: You cannot afford to be DIFFIDENT in such a competitive workplace. Roots: Fid means faith Related Words: Confidence, Hi Fidelity, Infidel _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page : 7 www.TCYonline.com

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DILATE: to make larger; to expand Syn: Amplify, Develop, Elaborate, Enlarge, Expand, Expatiate Ex: When you enter a dark room, the pupils of your eyes DILATE to let in more light. Roots: Latus means side to stretch to sides Related Words: Multilateral, Relate

DILATORY: intended to delay. Syn: Dragging, Laggard, Lagging, Slow, Slow-Going, Slow-Paced, Tardy Ex: The opposition used DILATORY measures to delay the passing of the bill.

DILETTANTE: someone with an amateurish and superficial interest in a topic. Syn: Amateur, Dabbler, Superficial, Tyro Ex: I consider myself but a DILETTANTE in the exalted company of veterans.

DIRGE: a natural hymn or mournful speech. Syn: Elegy, Lament Ex: The DIRGE at the funeral service was highly emotive.

DISABUSE: clarify Syn: Correct, Undeceive, Ex: Galileos observations DISABUSED the notion that the Sun revolved around the Earth. Roots: Dis, Ab and Use

DISCERN: to perceive; to recognize Syn: Catch, Detect, Differentiate, Discriminate, Distinguish, Ex: It is easy to DISCERN the difference between butter and margarine.

DISPARATE: fundamentally different; entirely unlike Syn: Different, Dissimilar, Divergent, Diverse, Variant, Various Ex: Although the twins appear to be identical, they have DISPARATE personalities. Roots: Dis means apart; Par means equal Related Words: Apartheid, parity, Compare

DISSEMBLE: to present a false appearance; to disguise ones real intentions or character Syn: Act, Counterfeit, Cover up, Disguise, Dissimulate, Fake, Feign, Mask, Pose, Pretend Ex: Not being able to DISSEMBLE his naivety, he blurted out the truth. Roots: Dis means apart; Sim means copy Related Words: Simulate

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DISSONANCE: disharmony, conflict Syn: Clash, Contention, Discord, Dissension, Dissent, Friction, and Variance DISSONANCE occurs when long-standing beliefs are controverted by new evidence. Roots: Dis means apart; Son means sound Related Words: Consonance, Resonance, Sonorous

DOGMA: a firmly held opinion, often a religious belief Syn: Creed, Doctrine, Teaching, Tenet Ex: Religious DOGMA held Sati in high esteem in 16th and the 17th century India. Roots: Dox means opinion Related Words: Paradox, Orthodox, Dogmatic

DOGMATIC: dictatorial in ones opinions Syn: Authoritarian, Bossy, Dictatorial, Domineering, Masterful, Overbearing, Ex: DOGMATIC beliefs preclude logical argumentation. DUPE: to deceive Ex: The thief was able to DUPE the police by disguising himself as a woman.

ECLECTIC: selecting from or made up from a variety of sources Syn: Selective, Broad Ex: He has an ECLECTIC taste in art, ranging from Picasso to M. F. Hussein. Roots: Lect means choose Related Words: Elect, Select

EFFICACY: effectiveness Syn: Dynamism, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Proficiency Ex: A drug, if overused, loses its EFFICACY. Related words: EFFICACIOUS: effective; productive

ELEGY: a sorrowful poem or speech Syn: Dirge, Lament Ex: Upon conclusion of the ELEGY, the coffin was closed

ELOQUENT: persuasive and moving, especially in speech Syn: Articulate, Expressive, Fluent, Meaningful, Significant, Smooth-Spoken. Ex: The defense lawyer made an ELOQUENT plea for his clients acquittal. Roots: Loq means speak Related Words: Loquacious, Breviloquent

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EMULATE: to copy; to try to equal or excel Syn: Ape, Imitate, Simulate Ex: Let us EMULATE his noble deeds, not his quirks.

ENERVATE: to reduce in strength, devitalize Syn: Debilitate, Enfeeble, Sap, Weaken Ex: Mary was ENERVATED by the cat calls from the audience. Related words: Unnerve: to deprive of strength of courage

ENGENDER: induce, incite, cause. Syn: Beget, Generate, Procreate, Proliferate, Reproduce, Spawn Ex: Dogma ENGENDERS mistrust. Roots: En means away; Gen means birth Related Words: Enter, Engrave, Progeny, Genesis

ENIGMA: a puzzle; a mystery Syn: Conundrum, Perplexity Ex: Ive known her since childhood, but she remains an ENIGMA to me.

ENUMERATE: to count, list or itemize Syn: Catalog, Index, Tabulate Ex: The teacher ENUMERATED the benefits of consistent study. Roots: Num means count Related Words: Number

EPHEMERAL: lasting a short time Syn: Evanescent, Fleeting, Momentary, Transient Ex: A mayfly has an EPHEMERAL lifespan.

EQUIVOCAL: having two or more meanings, purposefully vague, misleading, and ambiguous. Syn: Ambiguous, Evasive, Waffling Ex: His EQUIVOACAL remarks have created a lot of misunderstanding among us. Roots: Equi and Voc (call) Related words: Equivocate: undecided; trying to deceive

ERRATIC: irregular, random, wandering Syn: Capricious, Inconstant, Irresolute, Whimsical Ex: He does not have many friends and this is mainly due to his ERRATIC behaviour. Roots: Err means wander Related words: Errant: straying, mistaken, roving; Error _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page : 10

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ERUDITE: learned, scholarly, bookish Syn: Scholastic, Learned, Wise The symposium on philosophy professors was a gathering of the most ERUDITE individuals in the field.

ESOTERIC: known or understood by only a few Syn: Abstruse, Arcane, Obscure Ex: The ESOTERIC concept of existentialism is not easily understood. Roots: Eso means within Related Words: Exoteric

ESTIMABLE: something that can be estimated or evaluated, worthy of esteem Syn: Admirable, Respected, Appreciable, Meritorious, Praiseworthy, Respectable, Venerable Ex: Most people consider it ESTIMABLE that Mother Teresa spent her life serving the poor. Related words: Esteem: regard

EULOGY: speech in praise of someone Ex: Shakespeares EULOGY for his beloved is expressed in his sonnets. Roots: Eu means good; Log means speak or learn Related Words: Eugenics, Euphemism, Biology, Psychology

EUPHEMISM: a mild inoffensive word or phrase used instead of one thought to be harsh or embarrassing (good word) Syn: Circumlocution, Whitewash Ex: Remains is a EUPHEMISM for corpse.

EXACERBATE: to make worse Syn: Annoy, Aggravate, Intensify, Irritate, Provoke Ex: It is unwise to take aspirin to relieve heartburn. Instead of providing relief, it may EXACERBATE the problem. Roots: Ex means out or beyond; Acer means bitter Related Words: Acrimonious, Acrid

EXCULPATE: to clear from blame; prove innocent Syn: Absolve, acquit, Clear, Exonerate, Vindicate Ex: The adversarial legal system is intended to convict those who are guilty and to EXCULPATE those who are innocent. Roots: Ex means out; Culp means fault Related Words: Culprit, Inculpate, Culpable

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EXIGENT: calling for immediate action or attention Syn: Critical, Imperative, Needed, Urgent. Ex: The patient was losing blood so rapidly that it was EXIGENT to stop the source of the bleeding. Related Words: Urge, Urgent, Emergent, Exigency

EXONERATE: to clear of blame Syn: Absolve, Acquit, Clear, Exculpate, Vindicate The accused was EXONERATED when no charges could be proven against him. Roots: Ex means out; Oner means burden Related Words: Exculpate, Onerous, Onus

EXPLICIT: clearly stated or shown; forthright in expression Syn: Candid, Frank, Straightforward, Unequivocal Ex: Linda left a list of EXPLICIT instructions for the baby-sitter. Roots: Ex means out; Plic means fold free from folds Related Words: Implicit, Implicate, Complicity

EXTEMPORE: Offhand, spontaneously, unprepared Ex: He appears to have perfected the art of EXTEMPORE speech. Roots: Ex means out; Tempor means time Related Words: Temporary, Temporaneous

FANATICA: filled with extreme, unquestioned devotion Syn: Extremist, Fiery, Frenzied, Zealous Ex: Your FANATICAL attitude could pose many problems to the resolution of this issue.

FAWN: to act servile, cringe and flatter Syn: Bootlick, Grovel, Toady, Pander Ex: Mohan was disliked by his staff as he always FAWNED upon the seniors to gain favours.

FERVID: intensely emotional; feverish Syn: Burning, Impassioned, Passionate, Vehement, Zealous. Ex: Lucy is a FERVID Michael Jackson fan. Roots: Ferv means bubble Related Words: Fervour, Effervescent

FLORID: excessively decorated or embellished, decorated with flowers Syn: Elaborate, Ornate Ex: The FLORID decorations were ruined by the rain. Related Words: Flower _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page : 12

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FOMENT: to arouse or incite Syn: Agitate, Impassion, Inflame, Instigate, Kindle Ex: Politicians often FOMENT trouble for their own vested interests. Related Words: Fomentation

FRUGALITY: a tendency to be thrifty, calculating Syn: Economical, Parsimony, Prudence, Sparing Ex: FRUGALITY is not a matter of choice, but a necessity for the poor.

GARRULOUS: tending to talk a lot Syn: Effusive, Loquacious The GARRULOUS parakeet bothered its owner with its continuous talking.

GREGARIOS: outgoing, sociable Syn: Affable, Congenial, Communicative, Sociable Ex: She is GREGARIOUS by nature. Roots: Greg means herd or group Related Words: Segregate, Aggregate, Congregation

GUILE: deceit or trickery Syn: Artifice, Chicanery, Conniver, Duplicity Ex: A child does not possess any GUILE.

GULLIBLE: easily cheated or tricked. Syn: Nave Ex: He is GULLIBLE enough to be fooled by just about anybody.

HOMOGENOUS: of a similar kind Syn: Consistent, Standardized, Uniform, Unvarying Ex: Since all the students in the class were science graduates, the class was fairly HOMOGENOUS. Roots: Homo means same; Gen means birth Related Words: Genus, Heterogeneous

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