5000 GRE Words 1

22/04/2017 5000GREWords1VocabularyList:Vocabulary.
com
VOCABULARY LISTS
5000 GRE Words 1

December 11, 2011 By Rajinder S. (Hayward, CA)
abase
cause to feel shame
abash
cause to be embarrassed
abate
become less in amount or intensity
abbreviate
shorten
aberrant
markedly dierent from an accepted norm
aberration
a state or condition markedly dierent from the norm
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22/04/2017 5000GREWords1VocabularyList:Vocabulary.com
abet
assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing
abeyance
temporary cessation or suspension
abhor
nd repugnant
abide
dwell
abject
of the most contemptible kind
abjure
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief
ablution
the ritual washing of a priest's hands or of sacred vessels
abnegate
deny or renounce
abnegation
the denial and rejection of a doctrine or belief
abode
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
abolish
do away with
abominable
unequivocally detestable
abominate
nd repugnant
aboriginal
having existed from the beginning
abortive
failing to accomplish an intended result
abrade
rub hard or scrub
abridge
lessen, diminish, or curtail
abrogate
revoke formally
abscission
the act of cutting something o
abscond
run away, often taking something or somebody along
absolute
perfect or complete or pure
absolve
grant remission of a sin to
abstain
choose not to consume
abstemious
marked by temperance in indulgence
abstinence
the trait of refraining from something, especially alcohol
abstract
existing only in the mind
abstruse
dicult to penetrate
abusive
characterized by physical or psychological maltreatment
abut
lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
abysmal
resembling an abyss in depth; so deep as to be immeasurable
abyss
a bottomless gulf or pit
academic
associated with an educational institution
accede
yield to another's wish or opinion
accelerate
move faster
accessible
capable of being reached
accessory
a supplementary component that improves capability
acclaim
enthusiastic approval
acclimate
get used to a certain environment
acclivity
an upward slope or grade, as in a road
accolade
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
accommodate
have room for; hold without crowding
accomplice
a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan
accord
concurrence of opinion
accost
speak to someone
accoutre
provide with military equipment
accretion
an increase by natural growth or addition
accrue
grow by addition
acephalous
lacking a head or a clearly dened head
acerbic
sour or bitter in taste
acerbity
a sharp bitterness
acetic
relating to a clear organic acid with a pungent odor
acidulous
being sour to the taste
acknowledge
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality of
acme
the highest point of something
acne
an inammatory disease involving the sebaceous glands
acoustics
the study of the physical properties of sound
acquiesce
to agree or express agreement
acquiescence
agreement with a statement or proposal to do something
acquiescent
willing to carry out the orders or wishes of another
acquittal
a judgment of not guilty
acrid
strong and sharp, as a taste
acrimonious
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
acrophobia
a morbid fear of great heights
actuarial
relating to statistics to calculate insurance premiums
actuary
someone versed in the interpretation of numerical data
actuate
put in motion
acuity
sharpness of vision
acumen
shrewdness shown by keen insight
acute
ending in a sharp point
adage
a condensed but memorable saying embodying an important fact
adamant
very hard native crystalline carbon valued as a gem
adapt
make t for, or change to suit a new purpose
addendum
textual matter that is added onto a publication
addiction
being dependent on something habit-forming
addle
mix up or confuse
address
the place where a person or organization can be found
adduce
advance evidence for
adept
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
adhere
stick to rmly
adherent
someone who believes and helps to spread a doctrine
adipose
composed of animal fat
adjacent
having a common boundary or edge
adjoin
lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
adjourn
close at the end of a session
adjunct
something added to another thing but not essential to it
adjuration
a solemn and earnest appeal to someone to do something
adjure
command solemnly
adjutant
an ocer who acts as an assistant to a more senior ocer
admonish
scold or reprimand; take to task
admonition
a rm rebuke
adore
love intensely
adorn
make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color
adroit
quick or skillful or adept in action or thought
adulation
servile attery; exaggerated and hypocritical praise
adulterate
make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance
adulterated
mixed with impurities
adumbration
the act of providing vague advance indications
advent
arrival that has been awaited
adventitious
associated by chance and not an integral part
adversary
someone who oers opposition
adverse
in an opposing direction
adversity
a state of misfortune or aiction
advert
a public promotion of some product or service
advocacy
active support of an idea or cause
advocate
a person who pleads for a person, cause, or idea
aegis
armor plate that protects the chest
aeon
the longest division of geological time
aerie
the lofty nest of a bird of prey, such as a hawk or eagle
aery
characterized by lightness and insubstantiality
aesthetic
characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste
aable
diusing warmth and friendliness
aected
inuenced
aerent
of nerves and nerve impulses
adavit
written declaration made under oath
aliation
the act of becoming formally connected or joined
anity
a natural attraction or feeling of kinship
armation
the act of asserting or stating something
aatus
a strong creative impulse; divine inspiration
aiction
a cause of great suering and distress
auence
abundant wealth
aray
a noisy ght
aront
a deliberately oensive act
afterlife
life after death
agape
with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
agenda
a list of matters to be taken up, as at a meeting
agglomeration
the act of collecting in a mass
aggrandize
add details to
aggregate
a sum total of many heterogeneous things taken together
aghast
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
agility
the gracefulness of a quick and nimble person or animal
agitate
move or cause to move back and forth
agitation
a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance
agnostic
a person who claims the existence of God is unknowable
agog
highly excited
agrarian
relating to rural matters
agronomist
an expert in soil management and eld-crop production
airy
open to or abounding in fresh atmosphere
alacrity
liveliness and eagerness
albite
a widely distributed feldspar that forms rocks
alchemy
a pseudoscientic forerunner of chemistry in medieval times
alcove
a small recess opening o a larger room
alias
a name that has been assumed temporarily
alienate
arouse hostility or indierence in
alimentary
of or providing nourishment
alimony
support paid by one spouse to another after separation
allay
lessen the intensity of or calm
allege
report or maintain
allegiance
the act of binding yourself to a course of action
allegory
a short moral story
alleviate
provide physical relief, as from pain
alliteration
use of the same consonant at the beginning of each word
allocate
distribute according to a plan or set apart for a purpose
alloy
a mixture containing two or more metallic elements
allude
make an indirect reference to
allure
the power to entice or attract through personal charm
allusion
passing reference or indirect mention
alluvial
relating to deposits carried by rushing streams
alms
money or goods contributed to the poor
aloft
at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship
aloof
remote in manner
altercation
noisy quarrel
altruism
the quality of unselsh concern for the welfare of others
altruistic
showing unselsh concern for the welfare of others
amalgam
a combination or blend of diverse things
amalgamate
to bring or combine together or with something else
amass
collect or gather
amazon
a large, strong, and aggressive woman
ambidextrous
equally skillful with each hand
ambience
the atmosphere of an environment
ambiguous
having more than one possible meaning
ambivalence
mixed feelings or emotions
amble
walk leisurely
ambrosia
the food and drink of the gods
ambulatory
able to walk about
ambush
concealing yourself and lying in wait to attack by surprise
ameliorate
to make better
amenable
disposed or willing to comply
amend
make revisions to
amenities
things that make you comfortable and at ease
amiable
diusing warmth and friendliness
amicable
characterized by friendship and good will
amiss
in an improper or mistaken or unfortunate manner
amity
a state of friendship and cordiality
amnesia
partial or total loss of memory
amnesty
a warrant granting release from punishment for an oense
amok
wildly; without self-control
amorally
without regard for the distinction between right and wrong
amorous
inclined toward or displaying love
amorphous
having no denite form or distinct shape
amortization
reducing the value of an asset over a period of years
amphibian
cold-blooded vertebrate living on land but breeding in water
amphitheater
an oval large stadium with tiers of seats
ample
more than enough in size or scope or capacity
amplify
increase the volume of
amputate
remove surgically
amuck
wildly; without self-control
amulet
a trinket thought to be a magical protection against evil
anachronism
something located at a time when it could not have existed
analgesia
absence of the sense of pain without loss of consciousness
analgesic
capable of relieving pain
analogous
similar or equivalent in some respects
analogy
drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity
anarchist
an advocate of the abolition of governments
anarchy
a state of lawlessness and disorder
anathema
a formal ecclesiastical curse accompanied by excommunication
ancestry
the descendants of one individual
anchor
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
ancillary
furnishing added support
andiron
metal supports for logs in a replace
anecdote
short account of an incident
anemia
a deciency of red blood cells
anesthetic
a drug that causes temporary loss of bodily sensations
anguish
extreme distress of body or mind
angular
having the shape of intersecting lines or planes
animadversion
harsh criticism or disapproval
animated
having life or vigor or spirit
animosity
a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility
animus
a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility
annals
a chronological account of events in successive years
anneal
bring to a desired consistency by heating and cooling
annex
attach to
annihilate
kill in large numbers
annotate
add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments
annuity
income from capital investment paid regularly
annul
cancel ocially
anodyne
capable of relieving pain
anoint
administer an oil or ointment to
anointment
the act of applying oil or an oily liquid
anomalous
deviating from the general or common order or type
anomaly
deviation from the normal or common order or form or rule
anonymity
the state of being unknown
anonymous
having no known name or identity or known source
antagonism
an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility
antecede
be earlier in time; go back further
antecedent
a preceding occurrence or cause or event
antediluvian
of or relating to the period before the biblical ood
anthem
a song of devotion or loyalty
anthology
a collection of selected literary passages
anthropoid
resembling human beings
anthropologist
a social scientist specializing in the study of humanity
anthropomorphic
suggesting human features for animals or inanimate things
anticlimax
a disappointing decline after a previous rise
antidote
a remedy that stops or controls the eects of a poison
antipathy
a feeling of intense dislike
antiquated
so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
antique
made in or typical of earlier times and valued for its age
antiquity
the historic period preceding the Middle Ages in Europe
antiseptic
thoroughly clean and free of disease-causing organisms
antithesis
exact opposite
antler
deciduous horn of a member of the deer family
anvil
a heavy block on which hot metals are shaped by hammering
apathetic
showing little or no emotion or animation
apathy
an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
ape
any of various primates with short tails or no tail at all
aperture
a natural opening in something
apex
aphasia
inability to use language because of a brain lesion
aphorism
a short pithy instructive saying
apiarist
a farmer who keeps bees for their honey
apiary
a shed containing a number of beehives
apiculture
the cultivation of bees for the production of honey
aplomb
great coolness and composure under strain
apocalyptic
of or relating to a catastrophe
apocryphal
being of questionable authenticity
apogee
the farthest point in an orbit around the Earth
apolitical
neutral with regards to government policy
apologist
a person who argues to defend some policy or institution
apologue
a short moral story (often with animal characters)
apophthegm
apoplexy
a loss of consciousness from the lack of oxygen in the brain
apostate
not faithful to religion or party or cause
apothecary
a health professional trained in the art of preparing drugs
apothegm
apotheosis
model of excellence or perfection of a kind
appall
strike with disgust or revulsion
apparent
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
apparition
a ghostly appearing gure
appease
make peace with
appellation
identifying words by which someone or something is called
append
x to; attach
application
the action of putting something into operation
apposite
being of striking appropriateness and pertinence
appraise
consider in a comprehensive way
appreciate
be fully aware of; realize fully
apprehend
anticipate with dread or anxiety
apprehensive
in fear or dread of possible evil or harm
apprise
inform somebody of something
approbation
ocial approval
appropriate
suitable for a particular person, place, or situation
appurtenance
equipment consisting of miscellaneous articles
appurtenance
apropos
of an appropriate or pertinent nature
aptitude
inherent ability
aquiline
curved down like an eagle's beak
arable
capable of being farmed productively
arbiter
someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue
arbitrary
based on or subject to individual discretion or preference
arbitrate
act between parties with a view to reconciling dierences
arboreal
of or relating to or formed by trees
arboretum
a facility where trees and shrubs are cultivated
arcade
a structure composed of arches supported by columns
arcane
requiring secret or mysterious knowledge
arch
a curved masonry construction for spanning an opening
archaeology
the branch of anthropology that studies prehistoric people
archaic
so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
archetype
something that serves as a model
archipelago
a group of many islands in a large body of water
archives
collection of records especially about an institution
ardor
feelings of great warmth and intensity
arduous
characterized by eort to the point of exhaustion
argot
a characteristic language of a particular group
aria
an elaborate song for solo voice
arid
lacking sucient water or rainfall
aristocracy
a privileged class holding hereditary titles
armada
a large eet
aromatic
having a strong pleasant odor
arraign
accuse of a wrong or an inadequacy
arrant
without qualication; used informally as intensiers
array
an impressive display
arrears
the state of being behind in payments
arrhythmic
lacking a steady beat or accent
arrogance
overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner
arrogate
seize and take control without authority
arroyo
a stream or brook
arsenal
all the weapons and equipment that a country has
artery
a blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body
artful
not straightforward or candid
articulate
express or state clearly
artifact
a man-made object
artice
a deceptive maneuver, especially to avoid capture
artisan
a skilled worker who practices some trade or handicraft
artless
simple and natural; without cunning or deceit
ascendancy
the state when one person or group has power over another
ascertain
learn or discover with condence
ascetic
someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
asceticism
rigorous self-denial and active self-restraint
ascribe
attribute or credit to
aseptic
free of pathological microorganisms
ashen
anemic looking from illness or emotion
asinine
devoid of intelligence
askance
with suspicion or disapproval
askew
turned or twisted to one side
asperity
harshness of manner
aspersion
a disparaging remark
aspirant
an ambitious young person
aspiration
a cherished desire
aspire
have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal
assail
attack someone physically or emotionally
assay
a test of a substance to determine its components
assent
to agree or express agreement
assert
declare or arm solemnly and formally as true
asseverate
state categorically
assiduous
marked by care and persistent eort
assimilate
make alike
assuage
provide physical relief, as from pain
assumption
the act of taking something for granted
assurance
a binding commitment to do or give or refrain from something
asteroid
a small celestial body composed of rock and metal
astigmatism
impaired eyesight common in nearsighted people
astral
being or relating to or resembling or emanating from stars
astringent
tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue
astronomical
relating to the branch of physics studying celestial bodies
astute
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
asunder
into parts or pieces
asylum
a shelter from danger or hardship
asymmetric
characterized by lack of balance in the arrangement of parts
atavism
a reappearance of an earlier characteristic
atelier
a studio especially for an artist or designer
atheistic
related to a lack of belief in the existence of God
athwart
across the course, direction, or center line of a ship
atone
turn away from sin or do penitence
atrocity
an act of shocking cruelty
atrophy
a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse
attentive
taking heed
attenuate
become weaker, in strength, value, or magnitude
attest
provide evidence for
attire
clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion
attribute
a quality belonging to or characteristic of an entity
attrition
the act of rubbing together
atypical
not representative of a group, class, or type
audacious
disposed to venture or take risks
audacity
aggressive boldness or unmitigated erontery
audit
examine carefully for accuracy
augment
enlarge or increase
augury
an event indicating important things to come
august
profoundly honored
aureole
the outermost region of the sun's atmosphere
auroral
characteristic of the dawn
auscultation
listening to sounds within the body with a stethoscope
auspicious
auguring favorable circumstances and good luck
austere
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor
austerity
self-denial, especially refraining from worldly pleasures
authenticate
establish the undisputed credibility of something
authoritarian
characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule
authoritative
of recognized power or excellence
autocrat
a cruel and oppressive dictator
autocratic
characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule
automaton
a mechanism that can move independently of external control
autonomous
existing as an independent entity
autopsy
an examination and dissection of a dead body
auxiliary
furnishing added support
avalanche
a slide of large masses of snow, ice and mud down a mountain
avant-garde
radically new or original
avarice
reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth
avatar
the manifestation of a Hindu deity in human or animal form
avenge
take action in return for a perceived wrong
aver
to declare or arm solemnly and formally as true
averse
strongly opposed
aversion
a feeling of intense dislike
avert
turn away or aside
aviary
a building where birds are kept
avid
marked by active interest and enthusiasm
avocation
an auxiliary activity
avouch
admit openly and bluntly; make no bones about
avow
to declare or arm solemnly and formally as true
avuncular
being or relating to an uncle
awe
an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
awful
exceptionally bad or displeasing
awl
a pointed tool for marking surfaces or for punching holes
awry
turned or twisted to one side
axiom
a proposition that is not susceptible of proof or disproof
azure
of a deep somewhat purplish blue color
babble
utter meaningless sounds
bacchanal
wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity
Bacchanalia
an orgiastic festival in ancient Greece in honor of Dionysus
bacchanalian
used of riotously drunken merrymaking
backslide
drop to a lower level, as in one's morals or standards
badger
sturdy carnivorous burrowing mammal with strong claws
badinage
frivolous banter
bae
be a mystery or bewildering to
bait
something used to lure sh or other animals
baleful
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
balk
refuse to comply
ballast
any heavy material used to stabilize a ship or airship
balm
preparation applied externally as a remedy or for soothing
balmy
mild and pleasant
banal
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
bandanna
large and brightly colored handkerchief
bandy
discuss lightly
bane
something causing misery or death
baneful
deadly or sinister
bank
nancial institution that accepts deposits and lends money
bantering
cleverly amusing in tone
bar
a rigid piece of metal or wood
barb
a point facing the main point making an arrowhead or spear
bard
a lyric poet
barefaced
with no eort to conceal
bargain
an agreement between parties xing obligations of each
baroque
relating to an elaborately ornamented style of art and music
barrage
the heavy re of artillery to saturate an area
barrister
a British lawyer who speaks in the higher courts of law
barterer
a trader who exchanges goods and not money
base
lowest support of a structure
bask
expose oneself to warmth and light, as for relaxation
bassoon
a double-reed woodwind instrument that makes a low sound
bastard
the illegitimate ospring of unmarried parents
bastion
projecting part of a rampart or other fortication
bate
moderate or restrain; lessen the force of
battalion
an army unit consisting of a headquarters and companies
batten
a strip xed to something to hold it rm
bauble
cheap showy jewelry or ornament on clothing
bawdy
humorously vulgar
bearing
characteristic way of holding one's body
beatic
resembling or betting an angel or saint
beatitude
a state of supreme happiness
bedizen
decorate tastelessly
bedraggle
make wet and dirty, as from rain
beeline
the most direct route
befuddle
be confusing or perplexing to
beget
generate children
begrudge
be envious of
beguile
attract; cause to be enamored
behemoth
someone or something that is abnormally large and powerful
beholden
under a moral obligation to someone
behoove
be appropriate or necessary
behove
be appropriate or necessary
belabor
beat soundly
belated
after the expected or usual time
beleaguer
annoy persistently
belie
be in contradiction with
belittle
cause to seem less serious
bellicose
having or showing a ready disposition to ght
belligerent
characteristic of an enemy or one eager to ght
bemoan
regret strongly
bemused
perplexed by many conicting situations or statements
benediction
a ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection
benefactor
a person who helps people or institutions
benecent
doing or producing good
benecial
promoting or enhancing well-being
beneciary
the recipient of funds or other advantages
benet
something that aids or promotes well-being
benevolent
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding
benighted
overtaken by night or darkness
benign
kind in disposition or manner
benignity
the quality of being kind and gentle
benison
a spoken blessing
bent
stooped (used of the back and knees)
bequeath
leave or give by will after one's death
berate
censure severely or angrily
bereaved
sorrowful through loss or deprivation
bereavement
state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
bereft
sorrowful through loss or deprivation
berserk
ancient Norse warrior legendary for frenzy before a battle
beseech
ask for or request earnestly
beset
assail or attack on all sides
besiege
surround so as to force to give up
besmirch
smear so as to make dirty or stained
bestial
resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility
bestow
give as a gift
bete noire
a detested person
betoken
be a signal for or a symptom of
betray
deliver to an enemy by treachery
betroth
give to in marriage
bevy
a ock of birds
beware
be on one's guard; be cautious or wary about; be alert to
bewitch
cast a spell over someone or something
bicameral
consisting of two chambers
bicker
argue over petty things
bid
propose a payment
biennial
occurring every second year
bifurcated
divided into or made up of two parts
bigot
a prejudiced person who is intolerant of diering opinions
bigotry
the intolerance and prejudice of a bigot
bilious
relating to a digestive juice secreted by the liver
bilk
cheat somebody out of what is due, especially money
billingsgate
foul-mouthed or obscene abuse
billow
a large sea wave
billowing
characterized by great swelling waves or surges
bimester
a period of 2 months
bisque
a thick, creamy soup made from shellsh
biting
causing a sharply painful or stinging sensation
bitter
causing a sharp and acrid taste experience
bivouac
temporary living quarters built by the army for soldiers
bizarre
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
blackball
vote against; refuse to endorse; refuse to assent
blanch
turn pale, as if in fear
bland
lacking taste or avor or tang
blandishment
attery intended to persuade
blare
make a loud noise
blase
nonchalantly unconcerned
blasphemous
grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
blasphemy
profane language
blatant
without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
blazon
the ocial symbols of a family, state, etc.
bleak
unpleasantly cold and damp
blemish
a mark or aw that spoils the appearance of something
blight
any plant disease resulting in withering without rotting
blighted
aected by something that prevents growth or prosperity
bliss
a state of extreme happiness
blithe
carefree and happy and lighthearted
blithesome
carefree and happy and lighthearted
bloat
swelling of the intestinal tract of animals caused by gas
bloat
swelling of the intestinal tract of animals caused by gas
blotch
an irregularly shaped spot
blowhard
a very boastful and talkative person
bludgeon
a club used as a weapon
blue
of the color intermediate between green and violet
blues
a state of depression
blu
a high steep bank
blunder
an embarrassing mistake
blunt
not sharp (used of a knife or other blade)
blurt
utter impulsively
blush
become rosy or reddish
bluster
be gusty, as of wind
bode
indicate by signs
bog
wet spongy ground of decomposing vegetation
bogus
fraudulent; having a misleading appearance
bohemian
a nonconformist who lives an unconventional life
boisterous
full of rough and exuberant animal spirits
bolster
support and strengthen
bolt
a screw that screws into a nut to form a fastener
bombardment
an attack by dropping explosive devices
bombast
pompous or pretentious talk or writing
bombastic
ostentatiously lofty in style
bookish
characterized by diligent study and fondness for reading
boon
a desirable state
boor
a crude uncouth ill-bred person lacking renement
boorish
ill-mannered and coarse in behavior or appearance
boost
increase
bootless
unproductive of success
bore
make a hole, especially with a pointed power or hand tool
botch
make a mess of, destroy, or ruin
bouillon
a clear seasoned broth
bound
conned by bonds
bountiful
producing in abundance
bourgeois
being of the property-owning class
bout
a contest or ght
bovine
any of various wild or domestic cattle
bowdlerize
edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
brackish
slightly salty
brag
show o
braggadocio
vain and empty boasting
braggart
a very boastful and talkative person
braid
make by interlacing
brand
a name given to a product or service
brandish
move or swing back and forth
bravado
a swaggering show of courage
brave
possessing or displaying courage
brawl
to quarrel noisily, angrily or disruptively
brawn
possessing muscular strength
brawny
possessing physical strength and weight; rugged and powerful
brazen
unrestrained by convention or propriety
brazier
large metal container in which coal or charcoal is burned
breach
an opening, especially a gap in a dike or fortication
breadth
the extent of something from side to side
breed
cause to procreate (animals)
breviary
(Roman Catholic Church) a book of prayers to be recited daily certain priests and
members of religious orders
brevity
the attribute of being short or eeting
bridle
headgear for a horse
brim
the top edge of a vessel or other container
brindled
having a gray or brown streak or a patchy coloring
brink
the edge of a steep place
brisk
quick and energetic
bristle
a sti hair
brittle
having little elasticity
broach
bring up a topic for discussion
brocade
thick heavy expensive material with a raised pattern
brochure
a small book usually having a paper cover
broil
cook by exposing to strong heat in a part of an oven
bromide
a trite or obvious remark
brooch
a decorative pin
brood
hang over, as of something threatening, dark, or menacing
brook
a natural stream of water smaller than a river
browbeat
discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner
browse
feed as in a meadow or pasture
bruise
a small injury that results in discoloration
brunt
the main part, especially of a force or shock
brusque
marked by rude or peremptory shortness
buccaneer
someone who robs at sea or plunders the land from the sea
bucolic
devoted to raising sheep or cattle
buet
piece of furniture that stands at the side of a dining room
buoon
a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior
buoonery
acting like a clown
bugaboo
an imaginary monster used to frighten children
bulge
swell or protrude outwards
bulk
the property possessed by a large mass
bullion
a mass of precious metal
bully
discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner
bulwark
an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
bump
an impact (as from a collision)
bumptious
oensively self-assertive
bungle
make a mess of, destroy, or ruin
buoyant
tending to oat on a liquid or rise in air or gas
bureaucracy
a government administered primarily by nonelective ocials
burgeon
grow and ourish
burlesque
a theatrical entertainment of broad and earthy humor
burnish
polish and make shiny
buskin
a boot reaching halfway up to the knee
bust
a sculpture of the head and shoulders of a person
buttress
a support usually of stone or brick
buxom
healthily plump and vigorous
cabal
a clique that seeks power usually through intrigue
cache
a hidden storage space
cacophonous
having an unpleasant sound
cacophony
loud confusing disagreeable sounds
cadaver
the dead body of a human being
cadaverous
of or relating to a corpse
cadence
the accent in a metrical foot of verse
cadet
a military trainee (as at a military academy)
cajole
inuence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or attering
calamity
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
calculated
carefully thought out in advance
caldron
a very large pot that is used for boiling
caliber
diameter of a tube or gun barrel
calk
a metal cleat on the bottom front of a horseshoe to prevent slipping
calligraphy
beautiful handwriting
callous
emotionally hardened
callow
young and inexperienced
callus
a skin area that is thick or hard from continual pressure
caloric
heat-generating
calumniate
charge falsely or with malicious intent
calumny
a false accusation of an oense
camaraderie
the quality of aording easy familiarity and sociability
cameo
engraving or carving in low relief on a stone
camp
temporary lodgings in the country for travelers
canard
a deliberately misleading fabrication
candor
the quality of being honest and straightforward
canine
a dog or related mammal
canker
an ulcerlike sore
canny
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
canon
a collection of books accepted as holy scripture
canonical
conforming to orthodox or recognized rules
cant
a slope in the turn of a road or track
cantankerous
stubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate
cantata
a musical composition for voices and orchestra
canter
a smooth three-beat gait
canto
a major division of a long poem
canvass
get opinions by asking specic questions
capacious
large in the amount that can be contained
capacity
capability to perform or produce
caparison
stable gear consisting of a decorated covering for a horse, especially (formerly) for a
warhorse
capillary
a minute blood vessel connecting arterioles with venules
capitulate
surrender under agreed conditions
caprice
a sudden desire
capricious
determined by chance or impulse rather than by necessity
capsize
overturn accidentally
caption
brief description accompanying an illustration
captious
tending to nd and call attention to faults
carafe
a bottle with a stopper, for serving wine or water
carapace
hard outer covering or case of certain organisms
carat
a unit of measurement for the proportion of gold in an alloy
carcinogenic
causing or tending to cause cancer
cardinal
a vivid red color
cardiologist
a specialist in the structure and function of the heart
careen
pitching dangerously to one side
career
the particular occupation for which you are trained
carefree
free of trouble and worry and care
caricature
a representation of a person exaggerated for comic eect
carillon
set of bells hung in a bell tower
carmine
of a color at the end of the color spectrum
carnage
the savage and excessive killing of many people
carnal
of or relating to the body or esh
carnivorous
relating to esh-eating animals
carousal
revelry in drinking; a merry drinking party
carouse
engage in boisterous, drunken merrymaking
carping
persistent petty and unjustied criticism
carrion
the dead and rotting body of an animal; unt for human food
carte blanche
complete freedom or authority to act
cartographer
a person who makes maps
caryatid
a supporting column carved in the shape of a person
cascade
a small waterfall or series of small waterfalls
caste
a hereditary social class among Hindus
castigate
inict severe punishment on
castigation
verbal punishment
castrate
remove the testicles of a male animal
casual
without or seeming to be without plan or method; ohand
casualty
someone injured or killed in an accident
casuistry
argumentation that is specious or excessively subtle
cataclysm
a sudden violent change in the earth's surface
catalyst
substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction
catapult
an engine providing medieval artillery used during sieges
cataract
disease that involves the clouding of the lens of the eye
catastrophe
a sudden violent change in the earth's surface
catcall
a cry expressing disapproval
catechism
an elementary book summarizing the principles of a religion
categorical
relating to or included in a class or classes
cater
give what is desired or needed
catharsis
purging the body to stimulate evacuation of the bowels
cathartic
emotionally purging
catholic
free from provincial prejudices or attachments
caucus
meet to select a candidate or promote a policy
cauldron
a very large pot that is used for boiling
caulk
a waterproof ller and sealant used in building and repair
causal
involving an entity that produces an eect
caustic
capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
cauterize
burn, sear, or freeze using a hot iron or electric current
cavalcade
a procession of people traveling on horseback
cavalier
given to haughty disregard of others
cavil
raise trivial objections
cavil
raise trivial objections
cede
give over
celerity
a rate that is rapid
celestial
relating to or inhabiting a divine heaven
celibate
abstaining from sexual intercourse
cemetery
a tract of land used for burials
censor
a person authorized to suppress unacceptable material
censorious
harshly critical or expressing censure
censure
harsh criticism or disapproval
centaur
a mythical being that is half man and half horse
centigrade
temperature scale on which water freezes at 0 degrees
centrifugal
tending to move away from a center
centrifuge
an apparatus that separates particles from a suspension
centripetal
tending to move toward a center
centurion
leader of soldiers in ancient Rome
cerebral
of or relating to the brain
cerebration
the process of using one's mind to consider something
ceremonious
characterized by pomp and stately display
certitude
complete assurance or condence
cessation
a stopping
cession
the act of surrendering possession or control
chafe
become or make sore by or as if by rubbing
cha
material consisting of seed coverings and pieces of stem
chang
soreness or irritation of the skin caused by friction
chagrin
strong feelings of embarrassment
chalice
a bowl-shaped drinking vessel
chameleon
lizard of Africa and Madagascar able to change skin color
champ
someone who has won rst place in a competition
champion
someone who has won rst place in a competition
championship
a competition at which a winner is chosen
chancellor
the person who is head of state (in several countries)
chant
a repetitive song in which syllables are assigned to a tone
chaotic
completely unordered and unpredictable and confusing
chapel
a place of worship that has its own altar
chaperon
one who accompanies and supervises a young woman or gatherings of young people
chaplain
a member of the clergy ministering to some institution
char
burn to charcoal
charisma
personal attractiveness that enables you to inuence others
charlatan
a amboyant deceiver
charm
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
chary
characterized by great caution
chase
go after with the intent to catch
chasm
a deep opening in the earth's surface
chassis
the skeleton of a motor vehicle
chaste
abstaining from unlawful sexual intercourse
chasten
censure severely
chastise
censure severely
chattel
personal as opposed to real property
chauvinist
a person with a prejudiced belief in his own superiority
check
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
checkered
patterned with alternating squares of color
chequered
patterned with alternating squares of color
cherubic
having a sweet nature betting an angel
chicanery
the use of tricks to deceive someone
chide
censure severely or angrily
chimerical
like a grotesque product of the imagination
chip
a small fragment of something broken o from the whole
chiromancy
telling fortunes by lines on the palm of the hand
chiropodist
a specialist in care for the feet
chisel
an edge tool with a at steel blade with a cutting edge
chivalrous
being attentive to women like an ideal knight
choice
the act of selecting
choir
a chorus that sings as part of a religious ceremony
choleric
characterized by anger
chore
a specic piece of work required to be done
choreography
a show involving artistic dancing
chortle
a soft partly suppressed laugh
chorus
actors who comment on the action in a classical Greek play
chronic
long-lasting or characterized by long suering
chronicle
a record or narrative description of past events
chuckle
a soft partly suppressed laugh
churlish
having a bad disposition; surly
ciliated
having a margin or fringe of hairlike projections
cipher
a secret method of writing
circlet
a small ring-shaped object
circuit
a journey or route all the way around a place or area
circuitous
deviating from a straight course
circumlocution
an indirect way of expressing something
circumscribe
draw a geometric gure around another gure
circumspect
heedful of potential consequences
circumvent
surround so as to force to give up
cistern
a sac or cavity containing uid
citadel
a stronghold for shelter during a battle
cite
make reference to
civil
of or occurring between or among citizens of the state
clairvoyant
someone who can perceive things not present to the senses
clamber
climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
clamor
utter or proclaim insistently and noisily
clandestine
conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
clangor
a loud resonant repeating noise
clap
strike one's hands together
clapper
metal striker that hangs inside a bell and makes a sound
clarion
loud and clear
clasp
hold rmly and tightly
claustrophobia
a morbid fear of being closed in a conned space
clavicle
bone linking the scapula and sternum
cleave
separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument
cleft
a long narrow opening
clemency
leniency and compassion shown toward oenders
cliche
clientele
customers collectively
climactic
consisting of or causing a decisive moment
clime
the weather in some location averaged over a period of time
clip
a small fastener used to hold loose articles together
clipper
scissors for cutting hair or nger nails
clique
an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose
cloister
residence that is a place of religious seclusion
clot
a lump of material formed from the content of a liquid
clout
(boxing) a blow with the st
clown
a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior
cloying
overly sweet
coadjutor
an assistant to a bishop
coagulate
change from a liquid to a thickened or solid state
coalesce
fuse or cause to come together
coalition
the union of diverse things into one body or form or group
coax
cockade
an ornament usually worn on the hat
coda
the closing section of a musical composition
coddle
cook in nearly boiling water
codicil
a supplement to a will
codify
organize into a system, such as a body of law
coerce
to cause to do through pressure or necessity
coercion
using force to cause something to occur
coeval
of the same period
cog
tooth on the rim of gear wheel
cogent
powerfully persuasive
cogitate
consider carefully and deeply
cognate
related by blood
cognitive
relating to or involving the mental process of knowing
cognizance
having knowledge of
cognomen
the name used to identify the members of a family
cohabit
share living quarters
cohere
cause to form a united, orderly, and consistent whole
cohesion
the state of sticking together
cohort
a band of warriors
coiure
the arrangement of the hair
coin
a at metal piece (usually a disc) used as money
coincidence
the property of two things happening at the same time
coincident
occurring or operating at the same time
colander
bowl-shaped strainer used to wash or drain foods
collaborate
work together on a common enterprise or project
collage
a paste-up of pieces to form an artistic image
collate
to assemble in proper sequence
collateral
accompanying; following as a consequence
collation
assembling in proper numerical or logical sequence
collected
brought together in one place
collier
someone who works in a coal mine
colloquial
characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation
colloquy
formal conversation
collusion
secret agreement
colossal
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
colossus
someone or something that is abnormally large and powerful
coma
a state of deep and often prolonged unconsciousness
comatose
in a state of deep and usually prolonged unconsciousness
combustible
capable of igniting and burning
comeback
a quick reply to a question or remark
comely
according with custom or propriety
comestible
suitable for use as food
comeuppance
a usually negative outcome or fate that is well deserved
comity
a state or atmosphere of harmony or mutual civility
commandeer
take arbitrarily or by force
commemorate
call to remembrance
commemorative
intended to honor the memory of someone or something
commensurate
corresponding in size or degree or extent
commiserate
to feel or express sympathy or compassion
commodious
large and roomy
commonplace
completely ordinary and unremarkable
commonwealth
a political system in which power lies in a body of citizens
communal
for or by a group rather than individuals
commune
communicate intimately with
compact
closely and rmly united or packed together
compartment
a partitioned section within a larger enclosed area
compassion
a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suering
compatible
able to exist and perform in harmonious combination
compelling
driving or forcing
compendium
a publication containing a variety of works
compensated
receiving or eligible for compensation
compilation
the act of putting together
compile
get or gather together
complacency
the feeling you have when you are satised with yourself
complacent
contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions
complaisance
a disposition or tendency to yield to the will of others
complaisant
showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
complement
something added to embellish or make perfect
complementary
acting as a part that completes another part
compliance
the act of submitting, usually surrendering power to another
compliant
disposed to act in accordance with someone's wishes
complicity
guilt as a confederate in a crime or oense
component
one of the individual parts making up a larger entity
comport
behave in a certain manner
compost
a mixture of decaying vegetation and manure
composure
steadiness of mind under stress
compound
a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts
comprehend
get the meaning of something
comprehensive
including all or everything
compress
squeeze or press together
comprise
be composed of
compromise
an accommodation in which both sides make concessions
compulsion
using force to cause something to occur
compulsive
caused by an irrational motive for repetitive actions
compulsory
required by rule
compunction
a feeling of deep regret, usually for some misdeed
compute
make a mathematical calculation
concatenate
add by linking or joining so as to form a chain or series
concave
curving inward
concede
give over
conceit
the trait of being unduly vain
concentric
having a common center
conception
the creation of something in the mind
concerted
involving the joint activity of two or more
concession
the act of yielding
conch
any of various edible tropical marine gastropods of the genus Strombus having a
brightly-colored spiral shell with large outer lip
conciliate
gain the good will of or cause to be more favorably inclined
conciliatory
making or willing to make concessions
concise
expressing much in few words
conclave
a condential or secret meeting
conclusive
forming an end or termination
concoct
make something by mixing
concomitant
following or accompanying as a consequence
concord
a harmonious state of things and of their properties
concordat
a signed written agreement between two or more parties
concur
happen simultaneously
concurrent
occurring or operating at the same time
condescend
behave in a patronizing manner
condign
tting or appropriate and deserved
condiment
a preparation to enhance avor or enjoyment
condole
express one's sympathy on the occasion of someone's death
condone
excuse, overlook, or make allowances for
conducive
tending to bring about; being partly responsible for
conduit
a passage through which water or electric wires can pass
condant
someone to whom private matters are told
condante
a female condant
conde
reveal in private; tell condentially
condence
belief in yourself and your abilities
condential
given in secret
conne
place limits on
conscate
take temporary possession of a security by legal authority
conagration
a very intense and uncontrolled re
conuence
a place where things merge or ow together
conformist
someone who follows established standards of conduct
conformity
correspondence in form, type, or appearance
confound
be confusing or perplexing to
congeal
become gelatinous
congenial
suitable to your needs
congenital
present at birth but not necessarily hereditary
conglomerate
collect or gather
conglomeration
a sum total of many heterogeneous things taken together
congruence
the quality of agreeing; being suitable and appropriate
congruent
corresponding in character or kind
conifer
a type of tree or shrub bearing cones
conjecture
to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
conjugal
relating to the relationship between a wife and husband
conjure
summon into action or bring into existence
connivance
agreement on a secret plot
connoisseur
an expert able to appreciate a eld
connotation
an idea that is implied or suggested
connubial
relating to marriage or the relationship between spouses
consanguine
related by blood
consanguineous
related by blood
consanguinity
relation by blood
conscientious
characterized by extreme care and great eort
conscript
enroll into service compulsorily
consecrate
give entirely to a specic person, activity, or cause
consensus
agreement in the judgment reached by a group as a whole
consequential
having important issues or results
conservatoire
a schoolhouse with special facilities for ne arts
conservatory
a schoolhouse with special facilities for ne arts
consign
give over to another for care or safekeeping
consistency
a harmonious uniformity or agreement among things or parts
console
give moral or emotional strength to
consolidation
combining into a solid mass
consonance
the property of sounding harmonious
consonant
a speech sound that is not a vowel
consort
keep company with; hang out with
conspiracy
a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act
conspire
act in agreement and in secret towards a deceitful purpose
consternation
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
constituency
the body of voters who elect a representative for their area
constituent
one of the individual parts making up a composite entity
constitution
the act of forming or establishing something
constraint
the state of being physically limited
construe
make sense of; assign a meaning to
consummate
having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
contagion
an incident in which an infectious disease is transmitted
contaminate
make impure
contemn
look down on with disdain
contempt
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
contend
compete for something
contention
the act of competing as for prot or a prize
contentious
showing an inclination to disagree
contest
a struggle between rivals
context
the set of facts or circumstances that surround a situation
contiguous
having a common boundary or edge
continence
voluntary control over urinary and fecal discharge
contingent
determined by conditions or circumstances that follow
contortion
a tortuous and twisted shape or position
contraband
distributed or sold illicitly
contravene
go against, as of rules and laws
contrite
feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or oenses
contrivance
the faculty of inventive skill
contrive
make or work out a plan for; devise
contrived
showing eects of planning or manipulation
controvert
be resistant to
contumacious
willfully obstinate; stubbornly disobedient
contumely
a rude expression intended to oend or hurt
contusion
an injury in which the skin is not broken
conundrum
a dicult problem
convene
meet formally
convention
the act of meeting formally
conventional
following accepted customs and proprieties
converge
be adjacent or come together
conversant
well informed about or knowing thoroughly
converse
carry on a discussion
convert
change the nature, purpose, or function of something
convex
curving or bulging outward
conveyance
something that serves as a means of transportation
conviction
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof
convivial
occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company
convoke
call together
convoluted
highly complex or intricate
convulsion
violent uncontrollable contractions of muscles
copious
large in number or quantity
coquette
talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
cordial
politely warm and friendly
cordon
a series of sentinels or posts enclosing some place or thing
cormorant
large, dark-colored, long-necked seabird
cornice
the topmost projecting part of an entablature
cornucopia
a horn lled with fruit and grain symbolizing prosperity
corollary
an inference following from the proof of another proposition
coroner
an ocial who investigates death not due to natural causes
corporeal
having material or physical form or substance
corpulent
excessively fat
corpus
a collection of writings
corpuscle
an unattached cell such as a red or white blood cell
correlate
to bear a reciprocal or mutual relation
correlation
a reciprocal connection between two or more things
corroborate
give evidence for
corrode
cause to deteriorate due to water, air, or an acid
corrosive
capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
corrugated
shaped into alternating parallel grooves and ridges
corsair
a swift pirate ship (often operating with ocial sanction)
cortege
the group following and attending to some important person
coruscate
reect brightly
cosmic
pertaining to or characteristic of the universe
coterie
an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose
countenance
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
countermand
cancel ocially
counterpart
a person or thing having the same function as another
coup
a sudden and decisive change of government by force
couple
two items of the same kind
courier
a person who carries a message
court
an assembly to conduct judicial business
covenant
an agreement between God and his people
covert
secret or hidden
covetous
immoderately desirous of acquiring something
cow
female of domestic cattle
cower
crouch or curl up
coy
aectedly shy especially in a playful or provocative way
cozen
be dishonest with
crabbed
annoyed and irritable
craft
the skilled practice of a practical occupation
crass
so unrened as to be lacking in discrimination
crave
have an appetite or great desire for
craven
lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful
credence
the mental attitude that something is believable
credential
a document attesting to the truth of certain stated facts
credo
any system of principles or beliefs
credulity
tendency to believe readily
credulous
showing a lack of judgment or experience
creed
any system of principles or beliefs
creep
move slowly
cremate
reduce to ashes
crepuscular
like or relating to twilight; dim
crescendo
a gradual increase in loudness, in music
crest
the top or extreme point of something
crestfallen
brought low in spirit
crevice
a long narrow opening
cringe
draw back, as with fear, pain, or embarrassment
crinkle
make wrinkles or creases on a smooth surface
criterion
the ideal in terms of which something can be judged
crochet
needlework by interlocking stitches with a hooked needle
crone
an ugly, evil-looking old woman
cross
a marking that consists of lines that intersect each other
crossbreed
the ospring of genetically dissimilar parents or stock
crotchety
having a dicult and contrary disposition
cruet
bottle that holds wine or oil or vinegar for the table
crust
a hard outer layer that covers something
crux
the most important point
crypt
a cellar or vault or underground burial chamber
cryptic
having a secret or hidden meaning
cubicle
small area set o by walls for special use
cue
a reminder for some action or speech
cuisine
the manner of preparing food or the food so prepared
cul de sac
a street with only one way in or out
culinary
of or relating to or used in cooking
cull
remove something that has been rejected
culmination
a concluding action
culpable
deserving blame or censure as being wrong or injurious
culprit
someone or something responsible for harm or wrongdoing
culvert
a transverse and enclosed drain under a road or railway
cumbersome
dicult to handle or use because of size or weight
cumulative
increasing by successive addition
cunning
showing inventiveness and skill
cupidity
extreme greed for material wealth
curator
the custodian of a collection, as a museum or library
curb
the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess
curfew
an order that after a certain time activities are prohibited
curmudgeon
an irascible, cantankerous person full of stubborn ideas
curry
(East Indian cookery) a pungent dish of vegetables or meats avored with curry
powder and usually eaten with rice
cursive
handwriting in which letters are connected within words
cursory
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
curtail
terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end
cynic
someone who is critical of the motives of others
cynical
believing the worst of human nature and motives
cynicism
a cynical feeling of distrust
cynosure
something that provides guidance
dabble
bob under so as to feed o the bottom of a body of water
dainty
something considered choice to eat
dais
a platform raised above the surrounding level
dally
behave carelessly or indierently
damn
something of little value
dank
unpleasantly cool and humid
dapper
marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners
dappled
having spots or patches of color
dart
a sudden quick movement
dastard
a despicable coward
daub
an unskillful painting
daunt
cause to lose courage
dauntless
invulnerable to fear or intimidation
dawdle
hang or fall in movement, progress, development, etc.
days
the time during which someone's life continues
daze
confusion characterized by lack of clarity
dazzle
cause to lose clear vision, especially from intense light
deadlock
a situation in which no progress can be made
deadpan
deliberately impassive in manner
dearth
an insucient quantity or number
debacle
a sudden and violent collapse
debar
prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
debase
make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance
debauch
a wild gathering involving excessive drinking
debenture
the ability of a customer to obtain goods before payment
debilitate
make weak
debonair
having a sophisticated charm
debris
the remains of something that has been destroyed
debunk
expose while ridiculing
debut
the act of beginning something new
debutante
a young woman making her debut into society
decadence
the state of being degenerate in mental or moral qualities
decant
pour out
decapitate
cut the head o of
decelerate
lose velocity; move more slowly
deciduous
shedding foliage at the end of the growing season
decimate
kill one in every ten, as of mutineers in Roman armies
decipher
convert code into ordinary language
declivity
a downward slope or bend
decollete
(of a garment) having a low-cut neckline
decomposition
the organic phenomenon of rotting
decorous
characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste
decorum
propriety in manners and conduct
decoy
something used to lure sh or other animals
decree
a legally binding command or decision
decrepit
worn and broken down by hard use
decrepitude
a state of deterioration due to old age or long use
decry
express strong disapproval of
deducible
capable of being gured out by what is known
deface
mar or spoil the appearance of
defalcate
appropriate fraudulently to one's own use
defamation
an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
defame
default
an option that is selected automatically
defeatist
someone who is resigned to an unsuccessful ending
defect
a failing or deciency
defection
withdrawing support or help despite allegiance
defer
yield to another's wish or opinion
deference
courteous regard for people's feelings
deance
a hostile challenge
dele
make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air
denitive
clearly formulated
deect
turn from a straight course or xed direction
defoliate
deprived of leaves
defray
bear the expenses of
defrock
remove from one's position in the church
deft
skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands
defunct
no longer in force or use; inactive
degenerate
a person whose behavior deviates from what is acceptable
degradation
changing to a lower, less respected state
degraded
lowered in value
dehydrate
remove water from
deify
exalt to the position of a God
deign
do something that one considers to be below one's dignity
delete
cut or eliminate
deleterious
harmful to living things
deliberate
carefully thought out in advance
delineate
represented accurately or precisely
delineation
a drawing of the outlines of forms or objects
deliquescent
becoming liquid by absorbing moisture from the air
delirium
a usually brief state of excitement and mental confusion
delta
the 4th letter of the Greek alphabet
delude
be dishonest with
deluge
a heavy rain
delusion
a mistaken or unfounded opinion or idea
delusive
inappropriate to reality or facts
delusory
causing one to believe what is not true or fail to believe what is true
delve
turn up, loosen, or remove earth
demagogue
a leader who seeks support by appealing to popular passions
demean
reduce in worth or character, usually verbally
demeanor
the way a person behaves toward other people
demented
aected with madness or insanity
demerit
a quality or feature deserving censure
demesne
territory over which rule or control is exercised
demise
the time when something ends
demographic
a statistic characterizing human populations
demolition
the act of destroying completely
demoniac
someone who acts as if possessed by a demon
demoniacal
frenzied as if possessed by a demon
demotic
of or for the common people
demur
politely refuse or take exception to
demure
aectedly shy especially in a playful or provocative way
denigrate
denizen
a plant or animal naturalized in a region
denomination
identifying word by which someone or something is called
denotation
the most direct or specic meaning of a word or expression
denouement
the outcome of a complex sequence of events
denounce
speak out against
depict
give a description of
depilate
remove body hair
deplete
use up, as resources or materials
deplore
deploy
place troops or weapons in battle formation
deport
expel from a country
depose
force to leave an oce
deposition
the act of putting something somewhere
depravity
moral perversion; impairment of virtue and moral principles
deprecate
express strong disapproval of; deplore
deprecatory
tending to diminish or disparage
depreciate
decline in value
depredation
an act of plundering and pillaging and marauding
deputize
appoint as a substitute
deranged
driven insane
derelict
a person without a home, job, or property
dereliction
willful negligence
deride
treat or speak of with contempt
derision
the act of treating with contempt
derivation
the source or origin from which something comes
derivative
a compound obtained from another compound
dermatologist
a doctor who specializes in the physiology of the skin
derogatory
expressive of low opinion
descant
a decorative musical accompaniment (often improvised) added above a basic melody
descry
catch sight of
desecrate
violate the sacred character of a place or language
deserts
an outcome (good or bad) that is well deserved
desiccate
lacking vitality or spirit; lifeless
desideratum
something desired as a necessity
desolate
providing no shelter or sustenance
desperado
a bold outlaw
desperate
a person who is frightened and in need of help
despicable
morally reprehensible
despise
look down on with disdain
despoil
steal goods; take as spoils
despondent
without or almost without hope
despot
a cruel and oppressive dictator
despotism
dominance through threat of punishment and violence
destitute
poor enough to need help from others
desuetude
a state of inactivity or disuse
desultory
marked by lack of denite plan or regularity or purpose
detached
no longer connected or joined
detain
cause to be slowed down or delayed
detergent
a cleansing agent that diers from soap but can also emulsify oils and hold dirt in
suspension
determinate
supplying or being a nal or conclusive settlement
determination
the act of nding out the properties of something
deterrent
something immaterial that interferes with action or progress
detonation
the act of setting o an explosive
detraction
a petty disparagement
detriment
a damage or loss
detrimental
causing harm or injury
deviate
turn aside; turn away from
devious
deviating from a straight course
devise
arrange by systematic planning and united eort
devoid
completely wanting or lacking
devolve
pass on or delegate to another
devotee
an ardent follower and admirer
devout
deeply religious
dexterous
skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands
diabolical
showing cunning or ingenuity or wickedness
diadem
an ornamental jeweled headdress signifying sovereignty
dialectic
a contradiction of ideas that determines their interaction
dialectical
relating to reasoning by the exchange of logical arguments
diaphanous
so thin as to transmit light
diatribe
thunderous verbal attack
dichotomy
being twofold
dictum
an authoritative declaration
didactic
instructive, especially excessively
die
lose all bodily functions necessary to sustain life
didence
lack of self-assurance
diuse
spread out; not concentrated in one place
diusion
the act of dispersing something
dignitary
an important or inuential person
digression
a message that departs from the main subject
digressive
(of e.g. speech and writing) tending to depart from the main point or cover a wide
range of subjects
dilapidated
in deplorable condition
dilapidation
the process of becoming dilapidated
dilate
become wider
dilatory
wasting time
dilemma
state of uncertainty in a choice between unfavorable options
dilettante
an amateur engaging in an activity without serious intention
diligence
conscientiousness in paying proper attention to a task
dilute
lessen the strength or avor of a solution or mixture
diminution
change toward something smaller or lower
din
a loud harsh or strident noise
dinghy
a small boat of shallow draft
dingy
thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
dint
force or eort
diorama
a picture representing a continuous scene
dipsomaniac
a person who drinks alcohol to excess habitually
dire
fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless
dirge
a song or hymn of mourning as a memorial to a dead person
disabuse
free somebody from an erroneous belief
disaected
discontented as toward authority
disapprobation
pronouncing as wrong or morally culpable
disarray
untidiness, especially of clothing and appearance
disavowal
denial of any connection with or knowledge of
disband
cause to break up or cease to function
disbar
remove from the bar
disburse
expend, as from a fund
discernible
perceptible by the senses or intellect
discerning
having or revealing keen insight and good judgment
disclaim
make a disavowal about
disclose
expose to view as by removing a cover
discombobulated
having self-possession upset; thrown into confusion
discomt
cause to lose one's composure
discompose
disconcert
disconsolate
sad beyond comforting; incapable of being consoled
discord
lack of agreement or harmony
discordant
not in agreement or harmony
discount
an amount or percentage deducted
discourse
an extended communication dealing with some particular topic
discredit
the state of being held in low esteem
discrepancy
a dierence between conicting facts or claims or opinions
discrete
constituting a separate entity or part
discretion
power of making choices unconstrained by external agencies
discriminate
marked by the ability to see or make ne distinctions
discriminating
showing or indicating careful judgment and discernment
discursive
tending to cover a wide range of subjects
disdain
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
disembark
go ashore
disenfranchise
deprive of voting rights
disengage
release from something that holds fast or entangles
disgure
mar or spoil the appearance of
disgorge
eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth
disgruntle
put into a bad mood or into bad humour
dishabille
the state of being carelessly or partially dressed
dishearten
take away the enthusiasm of
disheveled
in disarray; extremely disorderly
dishonor
a state of shame or disgrace
disinclination
a certain degree of unwillingness
disingenuous
not straightforward or candid
disinter
dig up for reburial or for medical investigation
disinterested
unaected by concern for one's own welfare
disjointed
taken apart at the points of connection
disjunction
state of being disconnected
dislodge
remove or force from a position previously occupied
dismantle
take o or remove
dismember
separate the limbs from the body
dismiss
stop associating with
disparage
express a negative opinion of
disparate
fundamentally dierent or distinct in quality or kind
disparity
inequality or dierence in some respect
dispassionate
unaected by strong emotion or prejudice
dispatch
the act of sending o something
dispel
to cause to separate and go in dierent directions
dispense
administer or bestow, as in small portions
disperse
move away from each other
dispersion
spreading widely or driving o
dispirited
showing no enthusiasm
disport
occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
disproportion
imbalance among the parts of something
disputatious
showing an inclination to disagree
disquietude
feelings of anxiety that make you tense and irritable
disquisition
an elaborate analytical or explanatory essay or discussion
dissection
cutting so as to separate into pieces
dissemble
behave unnaturally or aectedly
disseminate
cause to become widely known
dissension
disagreement among those expected to cooperate
dissent
a dierence of opinion
dissertation
a treatise advancing a point of view resulting from research
dissident
a person who objects to some established policy
dissimulate
hide feelings from other people
dissipate
cause to separate and go in dierent directions
dissolute
unrestrained by convention or morality
dissolution
separation into component parts
dissonance
disagreeable sounds
dissuade
turn away from by persuasion
dissuasion
a communication that dissuades you
dista
the sta on which wool or ax is wound before spinning
distant
separated in space or coming from far away
distend
cause to expand as it by internal pressure
distill
undergo condensation
distinct
constituting a separate entity or part
distinction
a discrimination between things as dierent
distinctive
of a feature that helps to identify a person or thing
distort
twist and press out of shape
distortion
a shape resulting from being deformed
distract
draw someone's attention away from something
distrait
having the attention diverted especially because of anxiety
distraught
deeply agitated especially from emotion
diurnal
having a daily cycle or occurring every day
diva
a distinguished female operatic singer
diverge
move or draw apart
diverse
distinctly dissimilar or unlike
diversion
a turning aside
diversity
noticeable heterogeneity
divest
take away possessions from someone
divination
the art or gift of prophecy by supernatural means
divine
a clergyman or other person in religious orders
divulge
make known to the public information previously kept secret
docile
easily handled or managed
docket
a temporally organized plan for matters to be attended to
doctrinaire
a stubborn person of arbitrary or arrogant opinions
doctrine
a belief accepted as authoritative by some group or school
document
a representation of a person's thinking with symbolic marks
doddering
mentally or physically inrm with age
do
remove
dogged
stubbornly unyielding
doggerel
a comic verse of irregular measure
dogmatic
pertaining to a code of beliefs accepted as authoritative
doldrums
a belt of calms between the Atlantic and Pacic trade winds
dolorous
showing sorrow
dolt
a person who is not very bright
domicile
housing that someone is living in
dominant
most frequent or common
dominate
be in control
domineer
rule or exercise power over in a cruel and autocratic manner
don
teacher at a university or college
doom
an unpleasant or disastrous destiny
dormant
inactive but capable of becoming active
dormer
a gabled extension built out from a sloping roof
dorsal
on or near the back of an animal or organ
dossier
papers containing detailed information about a person
dotage
mental inrmity as a consequence of old age
dote
shower with love; show excessive aection for
dour
showing a brooding ill humor
douse
wet thoroughly
dowdy
lacking in smartness or taste
downcast
lled with melancholy and despondency
dowry
money brought by a woman to her husband at marriage
dowse
use a divining rod in search of underground water or metal
doze
a light tful sleep
drab
a dull greyish to yellowish or light olive brown
Draconian
imposing a harsh code of laws
draft
a current of air
drama
a work intended for performance by actors on a stage
drastic
forceful and extreme and rigorous
draught
a serving of drink (usually alcoholic) drawn from a keg
draw
cause to move by pulling
dregs
sediment that has settled at the bottom of a liquid
dribble
owing in drops
drip
owing in drops
drivel
saliva spilling from the mouth
droll
comical in an odd or whimsical manner
drone
make a monotonous low dull sound
droop
sink or settle from pressure or loss of tautness
dross
worthless or dangerous material that should be removed
drudge
a laborer who is obliged to do menial work
drudgery
hard monotonous routine work
dubious
fraught with uncertainty or doubt
ductile
capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
duenna
a woman chaperon
dulcet
pleasing to the ear
dull
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
dumbfound
dummy
a gure representing the human form
dupe
fool or hoax
duplicity
acting in bad faith
durance
imprisonment (especially for a long time)
duration
the period of time during which something continues
duress
compulsory force or threat
duteous
willingly obedient out of a sense of respect
dutiful
willingly obedient out of a sense of respect
dwindle
become smaller or lose substance
dynamic
characterized by action or forcefulness of personality
dynamo
a coil that rotates between the poles of an electromagnet
dysentery
an infection of the intestines marked by severe diarrhea
dyslexia
impaired ability to learn to read
dyspeptic
suering from indigestion
earmark
give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
earn
acquire or deserve by one's eorts or actions
earthly
of or belonging to or characteristic of this world
earthy
of or consisting of or resembling the soil
ebb
the outward ow of the tide
ebullience
eager enjoyment or approval
ebullient
joyously unrestrained
eccentric
eccentricity
strange and unconventional behavior
ecclesiastic
of or associated with a church
eclat
brilliant or conspicuous success or eect
eclectic
selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas
eclecticism
making decisions on the basis of what seems best instead of following some single
doctrine or style
eclipse
one celestial body obscures another
ecliptic
the great circle representing the annual path of the sun
ecologist
a biologist who studies organisms and their environment
economy
the system of production and distribution and consumption
ecosystem
organisms interacting with their physical environment
ecstasy
a state of elated bliss
eddy
a miniature whirlpool or whirlwind
edict
a formal or authoritative proclamation
edice
a structure that has a roof and walls
edify
make understand
educe
construe
eerie
suggestive of the supernatural; mysterious
eace
remove by or as if by rubbing or erasing
eective
producing or capable of producing an intended result
eectual
producing or capable of producing an intended result
eectuate
bring about or cause to happen
eeminate
having unsuitable feminine qualities
eervesce
become bubbly or frothy or foaming
eervescence
the process of bubbling as gas escapes
eete
excessively self-indulgent, aected, or decadent
ecacy
capacity or power to produce a desired eect
egy
a representation of a person
eorescent
bursting into ower
euvium
a foul-smelling outow or vapor
erontery
audacious behavior that you have no right to
eulgent
radiating or as if radiating light
eusion
an unrestrained expression of emotion
eusive
uttered with unrestrained enthusiasm
ego
an inated feeling of pride in your superiority to others
egoism
concern for your own interests and welfare
egotism
an exaggerated opinion of your own importance
egotistical
having an inated idea of one's own importance
egregious
conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
egress
the act or means of going out
ejaculation
the discharge of semen in males
elaborate
marked by complexity and richness of detail
elaboration
developing in intricate and painstaking detail
elastic
capable of resuming shape after stretching or compression
elated
exultantly proud and joyful; in high spirits
elation
a feeling of joy and pride
elegy
a mournful poem; a lament for the dead
elevation
distance of something above a reference point
elicit
call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
elixir
a substance believed to cure all ills
ellipsis
omission or suppression of parts of words or sentences
elliptical
rounded like an egg
elope
run away secretly with one's beloved
eloquence
powerful and eective language
eloquent
expressing yourself readily, clearly, eectively
elucidate
make clear and comprehensible
elusive
skillful at evading capture
elysian
relating to the abode of the blessed after death
Elysium
a place or condition of ideal happiness
emaciated
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
emanate
give out, as breath or an odor
emancipate
free from slavery or servitude
emasculate
deprive of strength or vigor
embargo
a government order imposing a trade barrier
embark
go on board
embed
x or set securely or deeply
embellish
make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color
embezzlement
the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property
embitter
cause to be bitter or resentful
emblazon
decorate with heraldic arms
embody
represent in bodily form
emboss
raise in a relief
embrace
squeeze tightly in your arms, usually with fondness
embroider
decorate with needlework
embroil
force into some kind of situation or course of action
embryonic
of an organism prior to birth or hatching
emend
make corrections to
emendation
a correction by emending
emeritus
a professor or minister who is retired from assigned duties
emetic
a medicine that induces nausea and vomiting
eminent
standing above others in quality or position
emissary
someone sent on a mission to represent another's interests
emollient
a substance with a soothing eect when applied to the skin
emolument
compensation received by virtue of holding an oce
empathy
understanding and entering into another's feelings
empirical
derived from experiment and observation rather than theory
empyreal
of or relating to the sky or heavens
emulate
strive to equal or match, especially by imitating
enact
order by virtue of superior authority; decree
enamored
marked by foolish or unreasoning fondness
encipher
convert ordinary language into code
encircle
surround or form a ring around
enclave
an enclosed territory that is culturally distinct
encomiastic
formally expressing praise
encomium
a formal expression of praise
encompass
include in scope
encroachment
any entry into an area not previously occupied
encumber
hold back
endear
make attractive or lovable
endearment
the act of showing aection
endemic
native to or conned to a certain region
endive
widely cultivated herb with leaves valued as salad green
endorse
approve of
endue
give qualities or abilities to
enduring
unceasing
energize
cause to be alert and active
enervate
weaken mentally or morally
enfranchise
grant freedom to, as from slavery or servitude
engage
consume all of one's attention or time
engaged
having one's attention or mind or energy consumed
engaging
attracting or delighting
engender
make children
engross
devote fully to
engulf
ow over or cover completely
enhance
increase
enigma
something that baes understanding and cannot be explained
enigmatic
not clear to the understanding
enjoin
give instructions to or direct somebody to do something
enlist
join the military
enliven
make lively
enmity
a state of deep-seated ill-will
ennui
the feeling of being bored by something tedious
enormity
the quality of extreme wickedness
enrapture
hold spellbound
ensconce
x rmly
ensue
issue or terminate in a specied way
entail
have as a logical consequence
enterprise
a purposeful or industrious undertaking
enterprising
marked by initiative and readiness to undertake new projects
enthrall
hold spellbound
entice
provoke someone to do something through persuasion
entity
that which is perceived to have its own distinct existence
entomology
the branch of zoology that studies insects
entourage
entrance
something that provides access to get in
entreat
ask for or request earnestly
entree
the principal dish of a meal
entrepreneur
someone who organizes a business venture
enumerate
determine the number or amount of
enunciate
express or state clearly
environ
extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle
eon
the longest unit of geological time
epaulet
an ornamental cloth pad worn on the shoulder
epaulette
an ornamental cloth pad worn on the shoulder
ephemeral
anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day
epic
a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds
epicure
a person devoted to rened sensuous enjoyment
Epicurean
of Epicurus or epicureanism
epicurean
devoted to pleasure
epigram
a witty saying
epilogue
a short speech by an actor at the end of a play
episodic
divided into or composed of distinct scenes or events
epistemologist
a specialist in the philosophical theory of knowledge
epitaph
an inscription in memory of a buried person
epithet
descriptive word or phrase
epitome
a standard or typical example
epoch
a period marked by distinctive character
equable
not varying
equanimity
steadiness of mind under stress
equestrian
of or relating to or featuring horseback riding
equilibrium
a stable situation in which forces cancel one another
equine
resembling a horse
equinox
when the sun crosses the plane of the earth's equator
equipage
equipment and supplies of a military force
equipoise
equality of distribution
equitable
fair to all parties as dictated by reason and conscience
equity
conformity with rules or standards
equivocal
open to two or more interpretations
equivocate
be deliberately ambiguous or unclear
erode
remove soil or rock
erotic
giving sexual pleasure; sexually arousing
errant
straying from the right course or from accepted standards
erratic
liable to sudden unpredictable change
erroneous
containing or characterized by error
erudite
having or showing profound knowledge
erudition
profound scholarly knowledge
escapade
any carefree episode
eschew
avoid and stay away from deliberately
escutcheon
a shield; especially one displaying a coat of arms
esoteric
understandable only by an enlightened inner circle
espionage
the systematic use of spies to obtain secrets
espouse
choose and follow a theory, idea, policy, etc.
esprit de corps
the spirit that makes the members of a group want to succeed
esteem
the condition of being honored
estimable
deserving of respect or high regard
estranged
caused to be unloved
ethereal
characterized by lightness and insubstantiality
ethnic
distinctive of the ways of living of a group of people
ethnology
branch of anthropology dealing with divisions of humankind
ethos
the distinctive spirit of a culture or an era
etymology
a history of a word
eugenic
causing improvement in the ospring produced
eulogistic
eulogy
a formal expression of praise for someone who has died
euphemism
an inoensive expression substituted for an oensive one
euphonious
having a pleasant sound
euphony
any pleasing and harmonious sounds
euphoria
a feeling of great elation
euthanasia
the act of killing someone painlessly
evanescent
tending to vanish like vapor
evasive
avoiding or escaping from diculty or danger
evenhanded
without partiality
eventual
expected to follow in the indenite future
evince
give expression to
eviscerate
remove the entrails of
evocative
serving to bring to mind
evoke
call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
ewe
female sheep
ewer
an open vessel with a handle and a spout for pouring
exacerbate
make worse
exact
marked by strict and complete accordance with fact
exacting
severe and unremitting in making demands
exaction
act of demanding or levying by force or authority
exalt
praise, glorify, or honor
exasperate
make furious
except
prevent from being included or considered or accepted
exceptionable
likely to cause objection or disapproval
excerpt
a passage selected from a larger work
exchequer
the funds of a government or institution or individual
excise
remove by cutting
excision
surgical removal of a body part or tissue
exclaim
utter aloud, often with surprise, horror, or joy
excoriate
exculpate
pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
execrable
execrate
curse or declare to be evil or anathema
execute
put in eect
executioner
an ocial who inicts capital punishment
executive
a person responsible for the administration of a business
executor
a person appointed to carry out the terms of the will
exegesis
an explanation or critical interpretation
exemplary
worthy of imitation
exemplify
be characteristic of
exempt
freed from or not subject to an obligation or liability
exertion
use of physical or mental energy; hard work
exhale
expel air
exhilarating
making lively and joyful
exhort
spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts
exhume
dig up for reburial or for medical investigation
exigency
a pressing or urgent situation
exigent
demanding immediate attention
exiguous
extremely scanty
existential
relating to or dealing with the state of being
exodus
a journey by a group to escape from a hostile environment
exonerate
pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
exorbitant
greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
exorcise
expel through adjuration or prayers
exotic
characteristic of another place or part of the world
expansive
able or tending to extend in one or more directions
expatiate
add details, as to an account or idea
expatriate
a person who is voluntarily absent from home or country
expediency
the quality of being suited to the end in view
expedient
appropriate to a purpose
expedite
process fast and eciently
expeditious
marked by speed and eciency
expeditiously
with eciency; in an ecient manner
expenditure
the act of spending money for goods or services
expertise
skillfulness by virtue of possessing special knowledge
expiate
make amends for
expletive
profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
explicate
elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses
explicit
precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable
exploit
use or manipulate to one's advantage
expose
show; make visible or apparent
expository
serving to expound or set forth
expostulation
an exclamation of protest or remonstrance or reproof
exposure
the state of being vulnerable to something
expound
add details, as to an account or idea
expropriate
deprive of possessions
expunge
remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line
expurgate
edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
exquisite
delicately beautiful
extant
still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost
extemporaneous
with little or no preparation or forethought
extenuate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
extirpate
destroy completely, as if down to the roots
extol
extort
obtain by coercion or intimidation
extradition
surrender of an accused by one state or country to another
extraneous
not belonging to that in which it is contained
extrapolation
an inference about the future based on known facts
extricate
release from entanglement of diculty
extrinsic
not forming an essential part of a thing
extrovert
a person directed toward others as opposed to the self
extrude
form or shape by forcing through an opening
exuberance
joyful enthusiasm
exuberant
joyously unrestrained
exude
release in drops or small quantities
exult
feel extreme happiness or elation
eyrie
the lofty nest of a bird of prey (such as a hawk or eagle)
eyry
the lofty nest of a bird of prey (such as a hawk or eagle)
fabricate
put together out of articial or natural components
facade
the front of a building
facet
a distinct feature or element in a problem
facetious
cleverly amusing in tone
facile
arrived at without due care or eort; lacking depth
facilitate
make easier
facsimile
an exact copy or reproduction
faction
a dissenting clique
factious
dissenting with the majority opinion
factitious
not produced by natural forces
factotum
a servant employed to do a variety of jobs
faculty
an inherent cognitive or perceptual power of the mind
fain
having made preparations
fake
something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
fallacious
containing or based on incorrect reasoning
fallacy
a misconception resulting from incorrect reasoning
fallible
wanting in moral strength, courage, or will
fallow
left unplowed and unseeded during a growing season
falsify
make false by mutilation or addition
falter
move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
fanaticism
excessive intolerance of opposing views
fancied
formed or conceived by the imagination
fancier
a person having a strong liking for something
fanciful
indulging in or inuenced by the imagination
fancy
not plain; decorative or ornamented
fanfare
a short lively tune played on brass instruments
fantastic
extravagantly fanciful in design, construction, appearance
farce
a comedy characterized by broad satire
farfetched
highly imaginative but unlikely
fashion
the latest and most admired style in clothes or behavior
fastidious
giving careful attention to detail
fatalism
a doctrine that all events are predetermined in advance
fatherless
having no living male parent
fathom
a linear unit of measurement for water depth
fatuous
fauna
all the animal life in a particular region or period
faux pas
a socially awkward or tactless act
favoritism
an inclination to privilege some person or group
fawn
a young deer
fawning
attempting to win favor by attery
faze
disturb the composure of
fealty
the loyalty that citizens owe to their country
feasible
capable of being done with means at hand
feature
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
febrile
of or relating to or characterized by fever
fecundity
the state of being fertile or capable of producing ospring
feebleminded
decient in intellectual development
feign
make believe with the intent to deceive
feint
any distracting or deceptive maneuver
felicitous
exhibiting an agreeably appropriate manner or style
felicity
pleasing and appropriate manner or style
feline
of or relating to cats
fell
cause to go down by or as if by delivering a blow
felon
someone who has been legally convicted of a crime
feral
wild and menacing
ferment
cause to undergo the breakdown of sugar into alcohol
fermentation
breaking down an organic substance, as sugar into alcohol
ferocious
marked by extreme and violent energy
ferret
a small domesticated mammal with a exible, elongated body
fertile
capable of reproducing
fervent
characterized by intense emotion
fervid
fervor
feelings of great warmth and intensity
fester
ripen and generate pus
festive
oering fun and gaiety
fete
an elaborate party, often outdoors
fetich
excessive or irrational devotion to some activity
fetid
oensively malodorous
fetish
sexual desire in which gratication depends on some object
fetter
a shackle for the ankles or feet
feud
a bitter quarrel between two parties
asco
a complete failure or collapse
at
a legally binding command or decision
ckle
ctitious
formed or conceived by the imagination
delity
the quality of being faithful
duciary
relating to or of the nature of a legal trust
end
an evil supernatural being
gment
a contrived or fantastic idea
gurative
not literal
gure
the form or shape of a person's body
gurine
a small carved or molded gure
lch
make o with belongings of others
lial
designating the generation following the parental generation
libuster
a tactic for delaying legislation by making long speeches
ligree
delicate and intricate ornamentation
ling
the entering of a legal document into the public record
lth
any substance considered disgustingly foul or unpleasant
nale
the closing section of a musical composition
nery
elaborate or showy attire and accessories
nesse
subtly skillful handling of a situation
nicky
exacting especially about details
nish
come or bring to an end
nished
ended or brought to an end
nite
bounded in magnitude or spatial or temporal extent
rebrand
a piece of wood that has been burned or is burning
ssure
a long narrow depression in a surface
t
meeting adequate standards for a purpose
tful
occurring in spells and often abruptly
accid
drooping without elasticity
ag
a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
agellate
whip or scourge; punish as if by whipping
agging
weak from exhaustion
agrant
conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
ail
an implement with a handle and a free swinging stick
air
a natural talent
amboyant
tending to attract attention; marked by ostentatious display
ashy
tastelessly showy
aunt
display proudly
ay
strip the skin o
eck
a small contrasting part of something
edgeling
young bird that has just edged or become capable of ying
edgling
young bird that has just edged or become capable of ying
eece
outer coat of especially sheep and yaks
eet
group of aircraft operating under the same ownership
ick
throw or toss with a quick motion
icker
ash intermittently
ighty
guided by whim and fancy
inch
draw back, as with fear or pain
ip
turn upside down, or throw so as to reverse
ippancy
inappropriate levity
ippant
showing inappropriate levity
irt
it
move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
oe
a at mass of ice drifting at sea
ora
all the plant life in a particular region or period
orescence
the time and process of budding and unfolding of blossoms
orid
elaborately or excessively ornamented
otilla
a eet of small craft
otsam
the oating wreckage of a ship
ounder
walk with great diculty
ourish
grow vigorously
out
treat with contemptuous disregard
owery
of or relating to or suggestive of blossoms
uctuate
move or sway in a rising and falling or wavelike pattern
uctuation
an instance of change
uency
powerful and eective language
uke
a stroke of luck
ush
rinse, clean, or empty with a liquid
uster
cause to be nervous or upset
ute
a high-pitched woodwind instrument
utter
ap the wings rapidly or y with apping movements
ux
a state of constant change
fodder
coarse food composed of plants or leaves and stalks
foetid
oensively malodorous
foible
a minor weakness or peculiarity in someone's character
foil
hinder or prevent, as an eort, plan, or desire
foist
to force onto another
foliage
the aggregate of leaves of one or more plants
foment
try to stir up
foolhardy
marked by deant disregard for danger or consequences
foppish
aecting extreme elegance in dress and manner
foray
a sudden short attack
forbear
refrain from doing
forbearance
a delay in enforcing rights or claims or privileges
ford
cross a river where it's shallow
forebear
a person from whom you are descended
foreboding
a feeling of evil to come
forego
do without or cease to hold or adhere to
forensic
used in the investigation of facts or evidence in court
forerunner
something that precedes something or someone
foreshadow
indicate by signs
foresight
seeing ahead; knowing in advance; foreseeing
forestall
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
forfeit
lose the right to or lose by some error, oense, or crime
forge
create by hammering
forgo
forlorn
marked by or showing hopelessness
formality
a requirement of etiquette or custom
formidable
extremely impressive in strength or excellence
forsake
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
forswear
forte
an asset of special worth or utility
forthcoming
at ease in talking to others
forthright
directly and without evasion; not roundabout
fortitude
strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity
fortuitous
occurring by happy chance
forum
a public facility to meet for open discussion
forward
at or to or toward the front
foster
providing nurture though not related by blood or legal ties
foul
highly oensive; arousing aversion or disgust
founder
a person who establishes some institution
fracas
noisy quarrel
fractious
easily irritated or annoyed
frail
physically weak
frailty
the state of being weak in health or body
franchise
a statutory right or privilege granted by a government
frantic
marked by uncontrolled excitement or emotion
fraudulent
intended to deceive
fraught
lled with or attended with
fray
wear away by rubbing
freebooter
someone who takes spoils or plunder (as in war)
frenetic
excessively agitated
frenzied
aected with or marked by mania uncontrolled by reason
fresco
a mural done with watercolors on wet plaster
freshet
the occurrence of a water ow resulting from sudden rain or melting snow
fret
be agitated or irritated
friction
the resistance when a body is moved in contact with another
frieze
an ornament consisting of a horizontal sculptured band
frigid
extremely cold
fringe
an ornamental border of short lengths of hanging threads
frisk
search by running the hands rapidly over the clothing
fritter
fried batter containing fruit or meat or vegetables
frivolous
not serious in content or attitude or behavior
frock
a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
frolic
play boisterously
frolicsome
given to merry play
frond
compound leaf of a fern or palm or cycad
froward
habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition
frowzy
negligent of neatness especially in dress and person
fructify
make productive or fruitful
frugality
prudence in avoiding waste
fruitful
productive or conducive to producing in abundance
fruition
the condition of bearing fruit
frustrate
fuddle
a confused multitude of things
fugitive
someone who is sought by law ocers
fulcrum
the pivot about which a lever turns
fulgent
shining intensely
fulminate
cause to explode violently and with loud noise
fulsome
unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating
fumble
feel about uncertainly or blindly
functional
designed for or capable of a particular use
functionary
a worker who holds or is invested with an oce
fundamental
serving as an essential component
funereal
suited to or suggestive of a grave or burial
furor
an interest followed with exaggerated zeal
furrow
a long shallow trench in the ground
furtive
secret and sly or sordid
fusillade
rapid simultaneous discharge of rearms
fusion
the act of melding or melting together
fuss
an excited state of agitation
fussy
exacting especially about details
fustian
a strong cotton and linen fabric with a slight nap
futile
producing no result or eect
gady
any of various large ies that annoy livestock
ga
an iron hook with a handle; used for landing large sh
gae
gainsay
take exception to
gait
a horse's manner of moving
galaxy
a collection of star systems
gale
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots
gall
a digestive juice secreted by the liver
galleon
a large square-rigged sailing ship with three or more masts
galley
a large medieval vessel with guns at stern and prow
gallows
an instrument from which a person is executed by hanging
galvanic
pertaining to electric current by chemical action
galvanize
stimulate (muscles) by administering a shock
gambit
a chess move in which the player sacrices minor pieces
gambol
play boisterously
gamely
in a plucky or sporting manner
gamut
a complete extent or range
gangrene
the localized death of living cells
gape
look with amazement
garbled
lacking orderly continuity
gargantuan
of great mass; huge and bulky
gargoyle
an ornament consisting of a grotesquely carved gure
garish
tastelessly showy
garner
assemble or get together
garnish
decorate, as with parsley or other ornamental foods
garrulity
the quality of being wordy and talkative
garrulous
full of trivial conversation
gasconade
an instance of boastful talk
gastronomy
the art and practice of preparing and eating good food
gauche
lacking social polish
gaudy
tastelessly showy
gaunt
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
gauntlet
a glove of armored leather that protects the hand
gavel
a small mallet used by a presiding ocer or a judge
gawk
look with amazement
gazette
a newspaper or ocial journal
genealogy
the study or investigation of ancestry and family history
generality
the quality of being widespread or having wide applicability
generate
bring into existence
generic
applicable to an entire class or group
genesis
a coming into being
geniality
a disposition to be friendly and approachable
genre
a kind of literary or artistic work
genteel
marked by renement in taste and manners
gentility
elegance by virtue of neness of manner and expression
gentle
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
gentry
the most powerful members of a society
genuect
bend the knees and bow in a servile manner
genus
taxonomic group containing one or more species
geriatrics
the branch of medical science that deals with old people
germ
a structure from which tissue can develop into an organism
germane
relevant and appropriate
germinal
containing seeds of later development
germinate
produce bud or branches
gerontology
the scientic study of aging and the elderly
gerrymander
divide voting districts unfairly and to one's advantage
gestate
be pregnant with
gesticulation
a deliberate and vigorous motion of the hands or body
ghastly
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
gibber
speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
gibberish
unintelligible talking
gibbet
an instrument of public execution
gibe
laugh at with contempt and derision
giddy
lacking seriousness; given to frivolity
gig
a booking for musicians
gild
a formal association of people with similar interests
gingerly
in a manner marked by extreme care or delicacy
girth
the distance around a person's body
gist
the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
glacial
relating to or derived from a slowly moving mass of ice
glamor
alluring beauty or charm (often with sex-appeal)
glare
be sharply reected
glaring
shining intensely
glaze
a coating, as for ceramics or metal
gleam
a ash of light
glean
gather, as of natural products
glib
artfully persuasive in speech
glimmer
a ash of light
glitter
the quality of shining with a bright reected light
gloaming
the time of day immediately following sunset
gloat
dwell on with satisfaction
gloss
the property of being smooth and shiny
gloss over
treat hurriedly or avoid dealing with properly
glossary
an alphabetical list of technical terms in a eld
glossy
reecting light
glow
emit a steady even light without ames
glower
look angry or sullen as if to signal disapproval
glut
supply with an excess of
glutinous
having the sticky properties of an adhesive
glutton
a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
gluttonous
given to excess in consumption of especially food or drink
gnarl
make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath
gnarled
old and twisted and covered in lines
gnome
a legendary creature resembling a tiny old man
goad
stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
gobble
eat hastily without proper chewing
gorge
a deep ravine, usually with a river running through it
gory
covered with blood
gossamer
a gauze fabric with an extremely ne texture
gouge
an impression in a surface, as made by a blow
gourmand
gourmet
a person devoted to and knowledgeable about ne food
gracious
characterized by kindness and warm courtesy
gradation
relative position in a graded series
graduate
receive an academic degree upon completion of one's studies
graduated
marked with or divided into degrees
granary
a storehouse for threshed grain or animal feed
grandeur
the quality of being magnicent or splendid
grandiloquence
high-own style; excessive use of verbal ornamentation
grandiloquent
lofty in style
grandiose
impressive because of unnecessary largeness or magnicence
granulate
form into grains
graphic
written or drawn or engraved
graphite
used as a lubricant and as a moderator in nuclear reactors
grapple
come to terms with
grate
reduce to shreds by rubbing against a perforated surface
gratify
make happy or satised
gratis
costing nothing
gratuitous
unnecessary and unwarranted
gratuity
a relatively small amount of money for services rendered
gravity
the force of attraction between all masses in the universe
graze
feed as in a meadow or pasture
gregarious
temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others
grievance
a complaint about a wrong that causes resentment
grill
a framework of metal bars used as a partition or a grate
grim
harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance
grimace
contort the face to indicate a certain mental state
grisly
groom
someone employed in a stable to take care of the horses
groove
a long narrow furrow cut by a natural process or a tool
gross
lacking ne distinctions or detail
grotesque
distorted and unnatural in shape or size
grotto
a small cave, usually with attractive features
grouch
show one's unhappiness or critical attitude
ground crew
the crew of technicians and mechanics who service aircraft on the ground
grouse
popular game bird having a plump body and feathered legs
grovel
show submission or fear
growl
to utter or emit low dull rumbling sounds
grudge
a resentment strong enough to justify retaliation
grudging
petty or reluctant in giving or spending
gruel
a thin porridge
grueling
gruesome
gru
brusque and surly and forbidding
grumble
make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath
grunt
issue a low, animal-like noise
guaw
a burst of deep loud hearty laughter
guile
shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
guileless
free of deceit
guise
an artful or simulated semblance
gull
aquatic bird having long pointed wings and short legs
gullible
naive and easily deceived or tricked
gush
ow forth in a sudden stream or jet
gust
a strong current of air
gustatory
of or relating to the sense of taste
gusto
vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
gusty
blowing in pus or short intermittent blasts
guy
an informal term for a youth or man
gyroscope
rotating mechanism in the form of a mounted spinning wheel
habitat
the type of environment in which an organism normally lives
habituate
familiarize psychologically or physically
hackles
a feeling of anger and animosity
hackneyed
haggard
showing the wearing eects of overwork or care or suering
haggle
an instance of intense argument (as in bargaining)
hail
precipitation of ice pellets
halcyon
a mythical bird said to breed at the winter solstice
hale
exhibiting or restored to vigorous good health
halfhearted
feeling or showing little interest or enthusiasm
hallowed
worthy of religious veneration
hallucination
illusory perception
halting
limping; disabled in the feet or legs
hamper
prevent the progress or free movement of
handsome
pleasing in appearance
hap
come to pass
haphazard
dependent upon or characterized by chance
hapless
unfortunate and deserving pity
harangue
a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
harass
annoy continually or chronically
harbinger
something indicating the approach of something or someone
harbor
a sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo
hardy
having rugged physical strength
harp
a chordophone with strings between the neck and the soundbox
harrow
a cultivator that pulverizes or smooths the soil
harrowing
causing extreme distress
harry
make a pillaging or destructive raid on, as in wartimes
hatch
a movable barrier covering an entrance
haughtiness
overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner
haughty
having or showing arrogant superiority to
haunt
follow stealthily or pursue like a ghost
hauteur
overbearing pride with a superior manner toward inferiors
haven
a sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo
havoc
violent and needless disturbance
hawser
large heavy rope for nautical use
hazard
an unpredictable phenomenon that causes a certain result
hazardous
involving risk or danger
hazy
lled or abounding with fog or mist
headrst
with the head foremost
headlong
with the upper or anterior part of the body foremost
headstrong
habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition
healthful
conducive to good functioning of body or mind
healthy
free from inrmity or disease
heckler
someone who tries to embarrass you with gibes and objections
hedonist
someone motivated by desires for sensual pleasures
heed
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
heedless
marked by or paying little attention
hegemony
the dominance or leadership of one social group over others
hegira
a journey by a large group to escape from a hostile environment
heinous
extremely wicked, deeply criminal
helm
steering mechanism for a vessel
hem
the edge of a piece of cloth
herald
(formal) a person who announces important news
herbivorous
feeding only on plants
herd
a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals
hereafter
following this in time or order or place; after this
heresy
a belief that rejects the orthodox tenets of a religion
heretic
a person whose religious beliefs conict with church dogma
heretical
departing from accepted beliefs or standards
hermetic
completely sealed or airtight
hermetically
in an airtight manner
hermitage
the abode of a recluse
herpetologist
a scientist who studies reptiles and amphibians
heterodox
characterized by departure from accepted standards
heterogeneous
consisting of elements not of the same kind or nature
hew
make or shape as with an axe
heyday
the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
hiatus
an interruption in the intensity or amount of something
hibernal
characteristic of or relating to winter
hibernate
be in an inactive or dormant state
hide
prevent from being seen or discovered
hideous
grossly oensive to decency or morality; causing horror
hierarchy
a series of ordered groupings within a system
hieroglyphic
a writing system using picture symbols
high-own
pretentious (especially with regard to language or ideals)
hilarity
great merriment
hindmost
located farthest to the rear
hindrance
any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome
hindsight
understanding the nature of an event after it has happened
hinterland
a remote and undeveloped area
hireling
a person who works only for money
hirsute
having or covered with hair
historic
belonging to the past
historical
of or relating to the study of recorded time
histrionic
characteristic of acting or a stage performance
hive
a structure that provides a natural habitation for bees
hoard
a secret store of valuables or money
hoary
having gray or white hair as with age
hoax
something intended to deceive
hogshead
a British unit of capacity for alcoholic beverages
holocaust
an act of mass destruction and loss of life
holster
a sheath for carrying a handgun
homage
respectful deference
homely
lacking in physical beauty or proportion
homeostasis
metabolic equilibrium maintained by biological mechanisms
homespun
made of cloth spun or woven in the home
homily
a sermon on a moral or religious topic
homogeneous
all of the same or similar kind or nature
hone
sharpen with a whetstone
hoodwink
conceal one's true motives from
horde
a vast multitude
horoscope
an astrological prediction of someone's future
hortatory
giving strong encouragement
horticultural
of or relating to the cultivation of plants
hostage
a prisoner held to insure that another party will meet terms
hostelry
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
hostility
a state of deep-seated ill-will
hothead
a reckless, impetuous, irresponsible person
hovel
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
hover
hang in the air; y or be suspended above
hoyden
a girl who behaves in a boyish manner
hubbub
loud confused noise from many sources
hubris
overbearing pride or presumption
hue
the quality of a color determined by its dominant wavelength
hue and cry

loud and persistent clamor or protest from many people
hull
dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut
humane
marked by concern with the alleviation of suering
humanitarian
marked by devotion to popular welfare
humble
marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful
humdrum
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
humid
containing or characterized by a great deal of water vapor
humility
a disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride
hummock
a small natural hill
humor
a message that has the power to evoke laughter
humus
partially decomposed organic matter
hurl
throw forcefully
hurtle
move with or as if with a rushing sound
husband
a male partner in a marriage
husbandry
the practice of cultivating the land or raising stock
hustings
the activities involved in political campaigning
hut
hybrid
a composite of mixed origin
hydrophobia
a morbid fear of water
hygiene
a condition promoting sanitary practices
hyperbole
extravagant exaggeration
Hyperborean
(Greek mythology) one of a people that the ancient Greeks believed lived in a warm
and sunny land north of the source of the north wind
hypercritical
inclined to judge too severely
hypnosis
a state that resembles sleep induced by suggestion
hypochondriac
a patient with imaginary symptoms and ailments
hypocritical
professing feelings or virtues one does not have
hypothecate
pledge without delivery or title of possession
hypothetical
a conjectural possibility or circumstance
hysteria
state of violent mental agitation
ichthyology
the branch of zoology that studies shes
icon
a visual representation produced on a surface
iconoclast
someone who attacks cherished ideas or institutions
iconoclastic
characterized by attack on established beliefs
ideology
an orientation that characterizes the thinking of a group
idiom
expression whose meaning cannot be inferred from its words
idiosyncrasy
a behavioral attribute peculiar to an individual
idiosyncratic
peculiar to the individual
idle
not in action or at work
idolatrous
relating to or practicing idolatry
idolatry
the worship of idols or images that are not God
idyll
a short poem descriptive of rural or pastoral life
idyllic
charmingly simple and serene
igneous
produced by the action of re or intense heat
ignite
cause to start burning
ignoble
completely lacking nobility in character or purpose
ignominious
deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
ignominy
a state of dishonor
ikon
a visual representation produced on a surface
illicit
contrary to accepted morality or convention
illimitable
without limits in extent or size or quantity
illuminate
make lighter or brighter
illusion
an erroneous mental representation
illusive
based on or having the nature of a fantasy
illusory
having the nature of a deceptive trick
imbalance
a lack of harmony or evenness
imbecility
mental retardation
imbed
x or set securely or deeply
imbibe
take in liquids
imbroglio
an intricate and confusing interpersonal situation
imbrue
permeate or impregnate
imbue
spread or diuse through
immaculate
completely neat and clean
imminent
close in time; about to occur
immobility
the quality of not moving
immolate
oer as a sacrice by giving up to destruction
immune
of the condition in which an organism can resist disease
immure
lock up or conne, in or as in a jail
immutable
not subject or susceptible to change or variation
impair
make worse or less eective
impale
pierce with a sharp stake or point
impalpable
not perceptible to the touch
impart
bestow a quality on
impartial
free from undue bias or preconceived opinions
impassable
incapable of being gone across or through
impasse
impassioned
impassive
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility
impeach
bring an accusation against
impeccable
without fault or error
impecunious
not having enough money to pay for necessities
impede
be a hindrance or obstacle to
impediment
something immaterial that interferes with action or progress
impel
urge or force to an action; constrain or motivate
impending
close in time; about to occur
impenetrable
not admitting of passage into or through
impenitent
not remorseful
imperative
requiring attention or action
imperceptible
impossible or dicult to sense
imperial
relating to or associated with an empire
imperil
pose a threat to; present a danger to
imperious
impermeable
preventing especially liquids to pass or diuse through
impersonal
not relating to or responsive to individuals
impertinent
improperly forward or bold
imperturbability
calm and unrued self-assurance
imperturbable
marked by extreme calm and composure
impervious
not admitting of passage or capable of being aected
impetuous
characterized by undue haste and lack of thought
impetus
a force that makes something happen
impiety
unrighteousness by virtue of lacking respect for a god
impinge
infringe upon
impious
lacking piety or reverence for a god
implacable
incapable of being appeased or pacied
implausible
highly imaginative but unlikely
implement
a piece of equipment or a tool used for a specic purpose
implicate
bring into intimate and incriminating connection
implication
something that is inferred
implicit
suggested though not directly expressed
implode
burst inward
implore
call upon in supplication
imply
express or state indirectly
impolitic
not marked by artful prudence
imponderable
dicult or impossible to evaluate with precision
import
bring in from abroad
importunate
making persistent or urgent requests
importune
beg persistently and urgently
imposture
pretending to be another person
impotent
(of a male) unable to copulate
impoverish
make poor
imprecate
wish harm upon; invoke evil
imprecation
the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil
impregnable
incapable of being attacked or tampered with
impregnate
make pregnant
imprimatur
formal and explicit approval
impromptu
with little or no preparation or forethought
impropriety
the condition of being unsuitable
improvident
not supplying something useful for the future
improvise
manage in a makeshift way; do with whatever is at hand
imprudent
not wise
impudence
the trait of being rude and impertinent
impugn
attack as false or wrong
impuissance
powerlessness revealed by an inability to act
impunity
exemption from punishment or loss
imputation
the attribution to a source or cause
impute
attribute or credit to
inadvertence
the trait of forgetting or ignoring your responsibilities
inadvertently
without knowledge or intention
inalienable
incapable of being repudiated or transferred to another
inamorata
a woman with whom you are in love
inane
inanimate
not endowed with life
inarticulate
without or deprived of the use of speech or words
inaugurate
commence ocially
incandescent
emitting light as a result of being heated
incantation
a ritual reciting of words believed to have a magical eect
incapacitate
make unable to perform a certain action
incarcerate
lock up or conne, in or as in a jail
incarnadine
redden or make esh-colored
incarnate
possessing or existing in bodily form
incarnation
attributing human characteristics to abstract ideas
incendiary
capable of causing res or catching re spontaneously
incense
make furious
incentive
a positive motivational inuence
inception
an event that is a beginning
incessant
uninterrupted in time and indenitely long continuing
inchoate
only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
incidence
the relative frequency of occurrence of something
incident
a single distinct event
incidental
minor or casual or subordinate in signicance or nature
incinerate
become reduced to ashes
incipient
only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
incisive
demonstrating ability to recognize or draw ne distinctions
incite
provoke or stir up
inclement
severe, of weather
incline
lower or bend, as in a nod or bow
inclined
at an angle to the horizontal or vertical position
inclusive
encompassing much or everything
incognito
without revealing one's identity
incoherent
without logical or meaningful connection
incommodious
uncomfortably or inconveniently small
incompatible
not in harmonious or agreeable combination
incongruity
the quality of disagreeing
incongruous
lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
inconsequential
lacking worth or importance
inconsistency
the quality of lacking a harmonious uniformity among parts
incontinent
not having control over urination and defecation
incontrovertible
impossible to deny or disprove
incorporate
make into a whole or make part of a whole
incorporeal
without material form or substance
incorrigible
impervious to correction by punishment
incredulity
doubt about the truth of something
incredulous
not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
increment
the amount by which something increases
incriminate
suggest that someone is guilty
incrustation
the formation of a crust
incubate
grow under conditions that promote development
incubus
an evil spirit thought to visit people while they sleep
inculcate
teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions
incumbent
necessary as a duty or responsibility; morally binding
incur
make oneself subject to
incursion
the act of entering some territory or domain
indecision
the trait of irresolution
indecisive
characterized by lack of resoluteness
indefatigable
showing sustained enthusiasm with unagging vitality
indelible
cannot be removed or erased
indemnify
secure against future loss, damage, or liability
indentation
the space left between the margin and a line set in
indenture
formal agreement as to terms of a debt
indeterminate
not xed or known in advance
index
alphabetical listing of names and topics with page numbers
indicative
pointing out or revealing clearly
indict
accuse formally of a crime
indierent
marked by a lack of interest
indigence
a state of extreme poverty or destitution
indigenous
originating where it is found
indigent
poor enough to need help from others
indignation
a feeling of righteous anger
indignity
an aront to one's self-esteem
indiscriminate
failing to make or recognize distinctions
indisputable
not open to question; obviously true
indissoluble
incapable of being broken up
indite
produce a literary work
indoctrinate
teach uncritically
indolence
inactivity resulting from a dislike of work
indolent
disinclined to work or exertion
indomitable
impossible to subdue
indubitable
too obvious to be doubted
indubitably
in a manner or to a degree that could not be doubted
induce
cause to act in a specied manner
induct
place ceremoniously or formally in an oce or position
inductive
inducing or inuencing; leading on
indulge
yield to; give satisfaction to
indulgent
given to yielding to the wishes of someone
industrious
characterized by hard work and perseverance
inebriate
make drunk (with alcoholic drinks)
inebriated
stupeed or excited by a chemical substance
inebriety
a temporary state resulting from excessive consumption of alcohol
ineable
defying expression or description
ineectual
not producing an intended consequence
ineluctable
impossible to avoid or evade
inept
generally incompetent and ineectual
inequity
injustice by virtue of not conforming with standards
inerrancy
exemption from mistakes
inert
unable to move or resist motion
inertia
the tendency of something to stay in rest or motion
inestimable
beyond calculation or measure
inevitability
the quality of being unavoidable
inevitable
incapable of being avoided or prevented
inexorable
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
inextricable
incapable of being disentangled or untied
infallible
incapable of failure or error
infamous
known widely and usually unfavorably
infantile
of or relating to babies
infelicitous
not appropriate in application; defective
infer
conclude by reasoning
inference
drawing a conclusion on the basis of circumstantial evidence
infernal
characteristic of or resembling Hell
infest
occupy in large numbers or live on a host
indel
a person who does not acknowledge your god
inltrate
pass through an enemy line in a military conict
innitesimal
immeasurably small
inrmity
the state of being weak in health or body
inated
enlarged beyond truth or reasonableness
inux
the process of owing in
infraction
a crime less serious than a felony
infringe
advance beyond the usual limit
ingenious
showing inventiveness and skill
ingenue
an artless innocent young girl
ingenuous
lacking in sophistication or worldliness
ingrained
deeply rooted; rmly xed or held
ingrate
a person who shows no gratitude
ingratiate
gain favor with somebody by deliberate eorts
inherent
existing as an essential constituent or characteristic
inhibit
limit the range or extent of
inhibited
held back or restrained or prevented
inimical
not friendly
inimitable
matchless
iniquitous
characterized by injustice or wickedness
initiate
set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for
injurious
harmful to living things
inkling
a slight suggestion or vague understanding
innate
present at birth but not necessarily hereditary
innocuous
not injurious to physical or mental health
innovation
the act of starting something for the rst time
innuendo
an indirect and usually malicious implication
inopportune
not suitable for a purpose
inordinate
beyond normal limits
inquisitive
given to questioning
inquisitor
a questioner who is excessively harsh
inroad
an encroachment or intrusion
insalubrious
detrimental to health
insatiable
impossible to satisfy
inscrutable
of an obscure nature
insensate
devoid of feeling and consciousness and animation
insensible
barely able to be perceived
insidious
working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way
insightful
exhibiting clear and deep perception
insinuate
suggest in an indirect or covert way; give to understand
insipid
lacking interest or signicance or impact
insolence
the trait of being rude and impertinent
insolent
marked by casual disrespect
insolvency
the lack of nancial resources
insolvent
unable to meet or discharge nancial obligations
insomnia
an inability to sleep
insomuch
to such an extent or degree; so
insouciant
marked by unconcern
instigate
provoke or stir up
institute
set up or lay the groundwork for
institution
a custom that has been an important feature of some group
institutionalize
cause to be admitted, as a person to a hospital
insubordination
deance of authority
insubstantial
lacking material form
insular
relating to or characteristic of or situated on an island
insularity
the state of being isolated or detached
insuperable
incapable of being surmounted or excelled
insurgent
in opposition to a civil authority or government
insurmountable
not capable of being overcome
insurrection
organized opposition to authority
intangible
incapable of being perceived by the senses, especially touch
integral
existing as an essential constituent or characteristic
integrate
make into a whole or make part of a whole
integrity
an undivided or unbroken completeness with nothing wanting
integument
an outer protective covering such as the skin of an animal
intellect
knowledge and mental ability
intelligentsia
an educated elite
inter
place in a grave or tomb
interdict
command against
interim
the time between one event, process, or period and another
interjection
an abrupt emphatic exclamation expressing emotion
interlocutory
consisting of dialogue
interloper
someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another
intermediary
a negotiator who acts as a link between parties
interment
the ritual placing of a corpse in a grave
interminable
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
intermittent
stopping and starting at irregular intervals
internecine
within a group or organization
interpolate
insert words into texts, often falsifying it thereby
interregnum
the time between two reigns or governments
interrogate
pose a series of questions to
interstice
small opening between things
intervene
be placed or located between other things
intimate
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
intimidate
to compel or deter by or as if by threats
intimidation
the act of scaring a weaker person to make them do something
intolerant
unwilling to tolerate dierence of opinion
intoxicate
make drunk (with alcoholic drinks)
intractable
dicult to manage or mold
intransigence
stubborn refusal to compromise or change
intransigent
impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, reason
intrepid
invulnerable to fear or intimidation
intrigue
a crafty and involved plot to achieve your ends
intrinsic
belonging to a thing by its very nature
introspective
given to examining own sensory and perceptual experiences
introvert
a person who tends to shrink from social contacts
intrude
enter uninvited
intuition
instinctive knowing, without the use of rational processes
inundate
ll or cover completely, usually with water
inured
made tough by habitual exposure
invalid
no longer legally acceptable
invalidate
make no longer acceptable for use
invective
abusive language used to express blame or censure
inveigh
complain bitterly
inveigle
inverse
turned backward in order or nature or eect
invert
turn inside out or upside down
inveterate
habitual
invidious
containing or implying a slight or showing prejudice
invincible
incapable of being overcome or subdued
inviolable
incapable of being transgressed or dishonored
invocation
the act of appealing for help
invoke
request earnestly; ask for aid or protection
invulnerable
immune to attack; impregnable
iota
a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
irascible
quickly aroused to anger
irate
feeling or showing extreme anger
iridescent
varying in color when seen in dierent lights
irksome
tedious or irritating
ironic
displaying incongruity between what is expected and what is
ironical
marked by incongruity between what is expected and what is
irony
incongruity between what might be expected and what occurs
irreconcilable
impossible to bring into accord
irrefutable
impossible to deny or disprove
irrelevant
having no bearing on or connection with the subject at issue
irremediable
impossible to correct or redress
irreparable
impossible to rectify or amend
irrepressible
impossible to control
irreproachable
free of guilt; not subject to blame
irresolute
uncertain how to act or proceed
irretrievable
impossible to recover or recoup or overcome
irreverence
a mental attitude showing lack of due respect
irreverent
showing lack of due respect or veneration
irrevocable
incapable of being retracted
isotope
atom with same atomic number, dierent number of neutrons
isthmus
a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas
iterate
to say, state, or perform again
itinerant
traveling from place to place to work
itinerary
an established line of travel or access
jab
poke or thrust abruptly
jabber
talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
jaded
exhausted
jargon
technical terminology characteristic of a particular subject
jaundice
yellowing of the skin from an accumulation of bile pigment
jaundiced
aected by yellowing of the skin
jaunt
a journey taken for pleasure
jaunty
having a cheerful, lively, and self-condent air
jejune
lacking interest or signicance or impact
jeopardize
pose a threat to; present a danger to
jeopardy
a source of danger
jeremiad
a long and mournful complaint
jest
activity characterized by good humor
jetsam
part of a ship's cargo thrown overboard to lighten the load
jettison
throw away, of something encumbering
jibe
shift from one side of the ship to the other
jingoism
fanatical patriotism
jingoist
an extreme bellicose nationalist
jocose
characterized by jokes and good humor
jocular
characterized by jokes and good humor
jocund
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
jollity
feeling jovial and full of good humor
jostle
make one's way by pushing or shoving
jovial
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
jubilation
a feeling of extreme joy
judiciary
the system of law courts that administer justice
judicious
marked by the exercise of good judgment in practical matters
jug
a large bottle with a narrow mouth
juggernaut
a massive inexorable force
jumble
assemble without order or sense
juncture
the shape or manner in which things come together
junket
dessert made of sweetened milk coagulated with rennet
junta
a group of ocers who rule a country after seizing power
juridical
of or relating to the law or jurisprudence
jurisdiction
the territory within which power can be exercised
jurisprudence
the branch of philosophy concerned with the law
juxtapose
place side by side
kaleidoscope
an optical toy in a tube
karat
the unit of measurement for the proportion of gold in an alloy; 18-karat gold is 75%
gold; 24-karat gold is pure gold
ken
range of what one can know or understand
kernel
a single whole grain of a cereal
killjoy
someone who spoils the pleasure of others
kindle
catch re
kindred
group of people related by blood or marriage
kinetic
relating to the motion of material bodies and their forces
kiosk
small area set o by walls for special use
kismet
fate or fortune
kith
your friends and acquaintances
kleptomaniac
someone with an irrational urge to steal
knack
a special way of doing something
knave
a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
knavery
lack of honesty; acts of lying or cheating or stealing
knead
make uniform
kneel
rest one's weight on one's knees
knell
the sound of a bell rung slowly to announce a death
knit
make by needlework with interlacing yarn
knoll
a small natural hill
knotty
tangled in snarls
kudos
an expression of approval and commendation
labile
liable to change
laborious
labyrinth
complex system of paths in which it is easy to get lost
lace
a cord that is drawn through eyelets or around hooks
lacerate
cut or tear irregularly
laceration
the act of tearing irregularly
lachrymose
showing sorrow
lackadaisical
idle or indolent especially in a dreamy way
lackey
a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage
lackluster
lacking brilliance or vitality
laconic
brief and to the point
lag
hang or fall in movement, progress, development, etc.
laggard
someone who takes more time than necessary
lagniappe
a small gift given by a merchant to a customer
lagoon
a body of water cut o from a larger body by a reef
laity
members of a religious community who are not clergy
lambent
softly bright or radiant
lament
a cry of sorrow and grief
laminate
cover with a thin sheet of plastic or other material
lampoon
ridicule with satire
lance
a long pointed rod used as a weapon
lancet
a surgical knife with a pointed double-edged blade
languid
lacking spirit or liveliness
languish
become feeble
languor
inactivity; showing an unusual lack of energy
lank
long and thin and often limp
lap
the upper side of the thighs of a seated person
lapidary
relating to precious stones or the art of working with them
larceny
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
larder
a small storeroom for storing foods or wines
largess
liberality in bestowing gifts
lascivious
driven by lust
lassitude
a feeling of lack of interest or energy
latch
catch for fastening a door or gate
latent
potentially existing but not presently evident or realized
lateral
situated at or extending to the side
latitude
an imaginary line around the Earth parallel to the equator
laud
laudable
worthy of high praise
laudatory
full of or giving praise
lave
wash or ow against
lavish
very generous
lax
without rigor or strictness
layman
someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person
leash
restraint consisting of a rope used to restrain an animal
leave-taking
the act of departing politely
leaven
a substance used to produce fermentation in dough
lecherous
given to excessive indulgence in sexual activity
lechery
unrestrained indulgence in sexual activity
lectern
desk or stand with a slanted top used to hold a text
leery
openly distrustful and unwilling to conde
leeway
a permissible dierence
legacy
a gift of personal property by will
legato
connecting the notes; in music
legend
a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
legerdemain
an illusory feat
legislature
persons who make or amend or repeal laws
leniency
a disposition to yield to the wishes of someone
leonine
of or characteristic of or resembling a lion
lesion
any localized abnormal structural change in a bodily part
lethal
of an instrument of certain death
lethargic
decient in alertness or activity
levee
an embankment built to prevent a river from overowing
levitate
cause to rise in the air and oat
levity
a manner lacking seriousness
levy
impose and collect
lewd
suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
lexicographer
a compiler or writer of a dictionary
lexicon
a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words
liability
the state of being legally obliged and responsible
liaison
a means of communication between groups
libel
a false and malicious publication
libelous
harmful and often untrue; tending to discredit or malign
libertine
libidinous
driven by lust
libido
(psychoanalysis) a Freudian term for sexual urge or desire
libretto
the words of an opera or musical play
license
a legal document giving ocial permission to do something
licentious
lacking moral discipline
lien
the right to take and hold the property of a debtor
lieu
the post or function properly occupied or served by another
ligneous
consisting of or containing xylem
lilliputian
very small
limber
easily bent
limbo
in Catholicism, the place of unbaptized but innocent souls
limn
make a portrait of
limp
walk impeded by some physical injury
limpid
clear and bright
lineage
the kinship relation between an individual and progenitors
lineament
the characteristic parts of a person's face
linger
remain present although waning or gradually dying
linguistic
consisting of or related to language
lionize
assign great social importance to
liquidate
eliminate a debt by paying it o
lissome
moving and bending with ease
list
a database containing an ordered array of items
listless
lacking zest or vivacity
litany
any long and tedious address or recital
lithe
litigation
a legal proceeding in a court
litotes
understatement for rhetorical eect
litter
rubbish carelessly dropped or left about
livid
furiously angry
loath
strongly opposed
loathe
nd repugnant
lode
a deposit of valuable ore
loft
a large unpartitioned space over a commercial space
lofty
of imposing height; especially standing out above others
log
a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
logical
based on known statements or events or conditions
loiter
linger, remain, or wait around for no apparent reason
loll
be lazy or idle
longevity
the property of being long-lived
lookout
the act of looking out
loom
a textile machine for weaving yarn into a textile
lope
run easily
lopsided
having one side lower or smaller or lighter than the other
loquacious
loquacious
lot
anything (straws or pebbles etc.) taken or chosen at random
lottery
a game in which players buy chances to win
lounge
sit or recline comfortably
lout
an awkward stupid person
low
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
lubricate
make slippery or smooth
lubricity
feeling morbid sexual desire or a propensity to lewdness
lucent
lucid
transparently clear; easily understandable
lucrative
producing a sizeable prot
lucre
informal terms for money
ludicrous
inviting ridicule
lugubrious
excessively mournful
lull
make calm or still
lumber
the wood of trees prepared for use as building material
lumen
a cavity or passage in a tubular organ
luminary
a celebrity who is an inspiration to others
luminous
lunar
of or relating to or associated with the moon
lunatic
an insane person
lurid
glaringly vivid and graphic; marked by sensationalism
lurk
lie in wait or behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
luscious
having strong sexual appeal
lush
produced or growing in extreme abundance
lust
a strong sexual desire
luster
the property of something that shines with reected light
lustrous
reecting light
luxuriant
luxuriate
enjoy to excess
macabre
mace
a ceremonial sta carried as a symbol of oce
macerate
soften and cause to disintegrate as a result
Machiavellian
of or relating to amoral or conniving political principles
machination
a crafty and involved plot to achieve your ends
maculate
morally blemished; stained or impure
madrigal
an unaccompanied partsong for several voices
maelstrom
a powerful circular current of water
magisterial
of or relating to a civil ocer who administers the law
magistrate
a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law
magnanimity
liberality in bestowing gifts
magnanimous
noble and generous in spirit
magnate
a very wealthy or powerful businessperson
magniloquent
lofty in style
magnitude
the property of relative size or extent
maim
injure or wound seriously and leave permanent disguration
makeshift
done or made using whatever is available
maladroit
not quick or skillful in action or thought
malady
impairment of normal physiological function
malaise
a general feeling of discomfort, uneasiness, or depression
malapropism
misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar
malapropos
at an inconvenient time
malcontent
dissatised as toward authority
malediction
the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil
malefactor
someone who has been legally convicted of a crime
malecent
harmful or evil in intent or eect
malevolent
wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
malfeasance
wrongful conduct by a public ocial
malicious
having the nature of threatening evil
malign
speak unfavorably about
malignant
dangerous to health
malingerer
someone shirking duty by feigning illness or incapacity
mall
mercantile establishment consisting of a carefully landscaped complex of shops
representing leading merchandisers; usually includes restaurants and a convenient
parking area; a modern version of the traditional marketplace
malleable
capable of being shaped or bent
malodorous
having an unpleasant smell
mammal
a warm-blooded vertebrate having the skin covered with hair
mammoth
extinct elephant widely distributed in the Pleistocene
manacle
shackle that can be locked around the wrist
mandate
a document giving an ocial instruction or command
mandatory
required by rule
maneuver
a military training exercise
mange
a persistent and contagious disease of the skin causing inammation and itching and
loss of hair; aects domestic animals (and sometimes people)
mangle
destroy or injure severely
mangy
having many worn or threadbare spots in the nap
maniacal
wildly disordered
manifest
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
manifestation
a clear appearance
manifesto
a public declaration of intentions
manifold
many and varied; having many features or forms
manipulate
inuence or control shrewdly or deviously
mannered
having unnatural behavioral attributes
mannerism
a behavioral attribute that is distinctive to an individual
manoeuver
act in order to achieve a certain goal
mantle
a sleeveless garment like a cloak but shorter
manumit
free from slavery or servitude
mar
render imperfect
maraud
raid and rove in search of booty
marauder
someone who attacks in search of booty
margin
the boundary line or area immediately inside the boundary
marginal
at or constituting a border or edge
marital
of or relating to the state of marriage
maritime
relating to ships or navigation
marked
easily noticeable
maroon
a dark purplish-red to dark brownish-red color
marred
blemished by injury or rough wear
marrow
network of connective tissue lling the cavities of bones
marshal
a military ocer of highest rank
marsupial
a mammal the female of which has a pouch carrying the young
martial
suggesting war or military life
martinet
someone who demands exact conformity to rules and forms
martyr
one who voluntarily suers death
marvelous
extraordinarily good or great
mash
to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition
masochist
someone who obtains pleasure from receiving punishment
mason
a craftsman who works with stone or brick
masquerade
a party of guests wearing costumes and masks
mass
the property of a body that causes it to have weight
masticate
bite and grind with the teeth
mat
a small pad of material that is used to protect a surface
materialism
a desire for wealth and possessions
maternal
characteristic of a mother
matinee
a theatrical performance held during the daytime
matriarch
a female head of a family or tribe
matricide
the murder of one's own mother
matriculate
enroll as a student
matrimony
state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life
matrix
an enclosure within which something originates or develops
maudlin
eusively or insincerely emotional
maul
injure badly
maunder
speak in a rambling or incoherent way
mausoleum
a large burial chamber, usually above ground
mauve
a moderate purple
maverick
someone who exhibits independence in thought and action
mawkish
eusively or insincerely emotional
maxim
a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
mayhem
violent and needless disturbance
meager
decient in amount or quality or extent
mealymouthed
hesitant to state facts or opinions simply and directly
meander
move or cause to move in a sinuous or circular course
meddlesome
intrusive in an oensive manner
mediate
act between parties with a view to reconciling dierences
mediocre
moderate to inferior in quality
meditation
continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject
medium
the surrounding environment
medley
a musical composition consisting of a series of songs
meek
humble in spirit or manner
megalomania
a psychological state characterized by delusions of grandeur
melancholy
a constitutional tendency to be gloomy and depressed
melange
a motley assortment of things
melee
a noisy riotous ght
melliuous
pleasing to the ear
memento
a reminder of past events
memoir
an account of the author's personal experiences
memorial
a recognition of meritorious service
memorialize
be or provide a monument to a person or an event
menace
something that is a source of danger
menagerie
a collection of live animals for study or display
mendacious
given to lying
mendacity
the tendency to be untruthful
mendicant
a pauper who lives by begging
menial
used of unskilled work, especially domestic work
mentor
a wise and trusted guide and advisor
mercantile
relating to or characteristic of trade or traders
mercenary
a person hired to ght for another country than their own
mercurial
meretricious
tastelessly showy
merger
an occurrence that involves the production of a union
meringue
sweet dessert or topping made of beaten egg whites and sugar
merit
the quality of being deserving
mesa
at tableland with steep edges
mesmerize
attract strongly, as if with a magnet
metallurgical
of or relating to the science and technology of metals
metamorphosis
striking change in appearance or character or circumstances
metaphor
a gure of speech that suggests a non-literal similarity
metaphysical
pertaining to the philosophical study of being and knowing
mete
a line that indicates a boundary
meteoric
of extraterrestrial bodies that hit the earth's atmosphere
meter
a basic unit of length (approximately 1.094 yards)
methodical
characterized by orderliness
meticulous
marked by precise accordance with details
metrical
relating to the rhythmic arrangement of syllables
metropolis
a large and densely populated urban area
mettle
the courage to carry on
mews
street lined with buildings that were originally private stables but have been
remodeled as dwellings
miasma
an unwholesome atmosphere
microcosm
a miniature model of something
mien
a person's appearance, manner, or demeanor
migrant
traveler who moves from one region or country to another
migratory
used of animals that move seasonally
milieu
the environmental condition
militant
engaged in war
militate
have force or inuence; bring about an eect or change
militia
civilians trained as soldiers, not part of the regular army
millennium
a span of 1000 years
mime
an actor who communicates entirely by gesture
mimicry
imitative behavior
minaret
a slender tower with balconies, especially on a mosque
minatory
mincing
aectedly dainty or rened
mingle
to bring or combine together or with something else
miniature
being on a very small scale
minion
a servile or fawning dependant
miniscule
very small
minuscule
very small
minute
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
minutia
a small or minor detail
mirage
when hot air distorts reections of distant objects
mire
a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
mirth
great merriment
misadventure
an instance of misfortune
misanthrope
someone who dislikes people in general
misapprehension
an understanding of something that is not correct
miscegenation
marriage or reproduction by people of dierent races
miscellaneous
having many aspects
miscellany
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
mischance
an unpredictable outcome that is unfortunate
mischief
reckless or malicious behavior causing annoyance in others
misconduct
activity that transgresses moral or civil law
misconstrue
interpret in the wrong way
miscreant
a person without moral scruples
misdemeanor
a crime less serious than a felony
miserly
characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity
misgiving
uneasiness about the tness of an action
mishap
an unpredictable outcome that is unfortunate
misnomer
an incorrect or unsuitable name
misogamy
hatred of marriage
misogynist
a misanthrope who dislikes women in particular
missile
a weapon that is forcibly thrown or projected at a target
missive
a written message addressed to a person or organization
mite
small arachnid infesting animals or plants or stored foods
mitigate
mnemonic
of or relating to the practice of aiding the memory
mobile
moving or capable of moving readily
mock
treat with contempt
mode
how something is done or how it happens
modicum
a small or moderate or token amount
modish
in the current fashion or style
modulate
x or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of
modulation
the act of adjusting according to due measure and proportion
mogul
a very wealthy or powerful businessperson
moiety
one of two approximately equal parts
molecule
the simplest structural unit of an element or compound
mollify
cause to be more favorably inclined
mollycoddle
treat with excessive indulgence
molt
cast o hair, skin, horn, or feathers
molten
reduced to liquid form by heating
momentous
of very great signicance
momentum
the product of a body's mass and its velocity
monarchy
autocracy governed by a ruler who usually inherits authority
monastic
of communal life sequestered under religious vows
monetary
relating to or involving money
mongrel
derogatory term for a variation that is not genuine
monochromatic
having or appearing to have only one color
monochrome
having or appearing to have only one color
monogram
a graphic symbol consisting of 2 or more letters combined
monograph
a detailed and documented treatise on a particular subject
monolithic
imposing in size or bulk or solidity
monotheism
belief in a single God
monotony
constancy of tone or pitch or inection
monumental
of outstanding signicance
moodiness
a sullen gloomy feeling
moor
come into or dock at a wharf
moot
of no legal signicance, as having been previously decided
moral
concerned with principles of right and wrong
moratorium
suspension of an ongoing activity
morbid
suggesting the horror of death and decay
mordant
harshly ironic or sinister
mores
the conventions embodying the fundamental values of a group
morganatic
(of marriages) of a marriage between one of royal or noble birth and one of lower
rank; valid but with the understanding that the rank of the inferior remains
unchanged and ospring do not succeed to titles or property of the superior
morgue
a building or room where dead bodies are kept before burial
moribund
being on the point of death
morose
showing a brooding ill humor
mortar
a vessel in which substances can be ground with a pestle
mortician
one whose business is the management of funerals
mortify
cause to feel shame
mosaic
design made of small pieces of colored stone or glass
mote
a tiny piece of anything
motif
a recurrent element in a literary or artistic work
motility
ability to move spontaneously and independently
motley
consisting of a haphazard assortment of dierent kinds
mottled
having spots or patches of color
motto
a favorite saying of a sect or political group
mountebank
a amboyant deceiver
muddle
make clouded as with sediment
muggy
hot or warm and humid
mugwump
a neutral or uncommitted person, especially in politics
mulct
money extracted as a penalty
multifarious
having many aspects
multiform
occurring in or having many shapes or appearances
multilingual
using or knowing more than one language
multiplicity
the property of having more than one part or entity
mundane
found in the ordinary course of events
municent
very generous
mural
a painting that is applied to a wall surface
murkiness
an atmosphere in which visibility is reduced because of a cloud of some substance
murky
clouded as with sediment
murmur
a low continuous indistinct sound
murrain
any disease of domestic animals that resembles a plague
muse
reect deeply on a subject
musky
resembling the smell of an odorous perfume
muster
gather or bring together
musty
covered with or smelling of mold
mutability
the quality of being capable of mutation
mutable
capable of or tending to change in form or quality or nature
mutilate
destroy or injure severely
mutinous
characterized by a rebellion against authority
mutter
talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
myopic
unable to see distant objects clearly
myriad
a large indenite number
mystic
beyond ordinary understanding
nadir
the lowest point of anything
naivete
lack of sophistication or worldliness
naivety
lack of sophistication or worldliness
narcissist
someone who is excessively self-centered
nascent
being born or beginning
natal
relating to or accompanying birth
natation
the act of someone who swims or oats in the water
natty
nausea
the state that precedes vomiting
nauseate
upset and make ill
nauseous
causing a sick feeling
nautical
relating to ships or navigation
nave
the central area of a church
navigable
able to be sailed on or through safely
neap
a less than average tide occurring at the rst and third quarters of the moon
nebula
an immense cloud of gas and dust in interstellar space
nebulous
lacking denite form or limits
necrology
a list of people who died recently
necromancy
conjuring up the dead, especially for prophesying
nefarious
extremely wicked
negate
make ineective by counterbalancing the eect of
negation
the speech act of denying or refusing
negligence
failure to act with the prudence of a reasonable person
negligible
so small as to be meaningless; insignicant
nemesis
neologism
a newly invented word or phrase
neophyte
any new participant in some activity
nepotism
favoritism shown to relatives or friends by those in power
nether
lower
nettle
plant having stinging hairs that cause skin irritation
nexus
the means of connection between things linked in series
nib
the writing point of a pen
nicety
conformity with some aesthetic standard of correctness
niggardly
petty or reluctant in giving or spending
niggle
worry unnecessarily or excessively
nihilist
someone who rejects all theories of morality
nimble
moving quickly and lightly
nirvana
the beatitude that transcends the cycle of reincarnation
nocturnal
belonging to or active during the night
noisome
causing or able to cause nausea
nomadic
migratory
nomenclature
a system of words used to name things in a discipline
nominal
relating to or constituting or bearing or giving a name
non sequitur
a reply that has no relevance to what preceded it
nonchalance
the trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care
noncommittal
refusing to bind oneself to a particular course of action
nondescript
lacking distinct or individual characteristics
nonentity
a person of no inuence
nonplus
nonsense
a message that seems to convey no meaning
noose
a loop formed in a cord or rope by means of a slipknot
nosegay
an arrangement of owers that is usually given as a present
nostalgia
longing for something past
nostrum
patent medicine whose ecacy is questionable
notable
worthy of notice
notation
a comment or instruction (usually added)
notch
a small cut
notoriety
the state of being known for some unfavorable act or quality
notorious
known widely and usually unfavorably
nourish
provide with sustenance
nourishment
the act of nourishing
nova
a star that ejects some of its material in the form of a cloud and become more
luminous in the process
novelty
originality by virtue of being refreshingly new
novice
someone new to a eld or activity
noxious
injurious to physical or mental health
nuance
a subtle dierence in meaning or opinion or attitude
nubile
(of young women) attractive and eligible to marry
nugatory
of no real value
nullify
declare invalid
numismatist
a collector and student of money, especially coins
nuptial
of or relating to a wedding
nurse
one skilled in caring for young children or the sick
nurture
provide with nourishment
nutrient
any substance that can be metabolized to give energy
nutrition
the organic process of nourishing or being nourished
nutritious
of or providing nourishment
oaf
an awkward stupid person
oath
a solemn promise regarding your future acts or behavior
oatmeal
porridge made of rolled oats
obdurate
stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing
obeisance
bending the head or body in reverence or submission
obelisk
a stone pillar tapering towards a pyramidal top
obese
excessively fat
obfuscate
make obscure or unclear
obituary
a notice of someone's death
objective
the goal intended to be attained
objurgate
censure severely
objurgation
rebuking a person harshly
oblation
the act of contributing to the funds of a church or charity
obligatory
required by compulsion or convention
oblique
slanting or inclined in direction or course or position
obliquity
the quality of being deceptive
obliterate
remove completely from recognition or memory
oblivion
the state of being disregarded or forgotten
oblivious
lacking conscious awareness of
obloquy
a false accusation of an oense
obnoxious
causing disapproval or protest
obscure
not clearly understood or expressed
obsequious
attempting to win favor from inuential people by attery
obsession
an unhealthy and compulsive preoccupation with something
obsessive
characterized by an unhealthy and compulsive preoccupation
obsidian
glass formed by the cooling of lava without crystallization
obsolete
no longer in use
obstetrician
a physician specializing in childbirth
obstinate
marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield
obstreperous
noisily and stubbornly deant
obtrude
push to thrust outward
obtrusive
sticking out; protruding
obtuse
of an angle, between 90 and 180 degrees
obviate
do away with
Occident
the countries of Europe and North America and South America
occlude
block passage through
occult
supernatural forces and events and beings collectively
oculist
a person skilled in testing for defects of vision
odds
the likelihood of a thing occurring
odious
odium
hate coupled with disgust
odoriferous
emitting a smell, especially an unpleasant smell
odorous
having a characteristic aroma
odyssey
a long wandering and eventful journey
oal
viscera and trimmings of a butchered animal
oensive
unpleasant or disgusting especially to the senses
oertory
the oerings of the congregation at a religious service
ocious
intrusive in a meddling or oensive manner
ogle
look at with amorous intentions
olfactory
of or relating to the sense of smell
oligarchy
a political system governed by a few people
ominous
omnipotent
having unlimited power
omnipresent
existing everywhere at once
omniscient
innitely wise
omnivorous
feeding on both plants and animals
onerous
not easily borne; wearing
onomatopoeia
using words that imitate the sound they denote
onslaught
an oensive against an enemy
onus
an onerous or dicult concern
ooze
pass gradually or leak or as if through small openings
opalescent
having a play of lustrous rainbow colors
opaque
not transmitting or reecting light or radiant energy
opiate
a narcotic drug
opportune
suitable or advantageous especially for a particular purpose
opportunist
a person who places expediency above principle
opprobrious
expressing oensive reproach
opprobrium
a state of extreme dishonor
optician
a worker who makes glasses for remedying defects of vision
optimist
a person disposed to take a favorable view of things
optimum
most desirable possible under a restriction
optional
possible but not necessary; left to personal choice
optometrist
a person skilled in testing for defects of vision
opulence
wealth as evidenced by sumptuous living
opus
a musical work that has been created
oracular
of or relating to a prophet
orator
a person who delivers a speech
oratorio
a musical composition for voices and orchestra
ordain
invest with ministerial or priestly authority
ordeal
a severe or trying experience
ordinance
an authoritative rule
ordination
the act of conferring holy orders
orgy
a wild gathering involving excessive drinking
orient
the eastern hemisphere
orientation
the act of determining one's position
orice
an opening, especially one that opens into a bodily cavity
orison
reverent petition to a deity
ornate
marked by complexity and richness of detail
ornery
having a dicult and contrary disposition
ornithologist
a scientist who studies birds
ornithology
the branch of zoology that studies birds
orotund
orthodox
adhering to what is commonly accepted
orthography
representing the sounds of a language by written symbols
oscillate
move or swing from side to side regularly
oscillation
a complete execution of a periodically repeated phenomenon
osseous
composed of or containing bone
ossify
become bony
ostensible
appearing as such but not necessarily so
ostentatious
intended to attract notice and impress others
ostracize
expel from a community or group
oust
remove from a position or oce
outcast
a person who is rejected (from society or home)
outt
a set of clothing
outgoing
at ease in talking to others
outlandish
outlaw
someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
outlook
an attitude that determines how you respond to situations
outmoded
out of fashion
outrage
a disgraceful event
outskirts
outlying areas, as of a city or town
outspoken
given to expressing yourself freely or insistently
outstrip
go far ahead of
outwit
beat through cleverness and wit
ovation
enthusiastic recognition
overbearing
overblown
pued up with vanity
oversee
watch and direct
overt
open and observable; not secret or hidden
overthrow
rule against
overture
orchestral music at the beginning of an opera or musical
overturn
cause to overturn from an upright or normal position
overweening
presumptuously arrogant
overwhelm
overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli
overwrought
deeply agitated especially from emotion
pachyderm
a large mammal with thick skin, such as an elephant or hippo
pacist
someone opposed to violence as a means of settling disputes
pacify
ease the anger, agitation, or strong emotion of
paddock
pen where racehorses are saddled and paraded before a race
padre
a chaplain in one of the military services
paean
a hymn of praise
painstaking
palatable
acceptable to the taste or mind
palate
the surface of the mouth separating oral and nasal cavities
palatial
relating to a large and stately mansion
palaver
loud and confused and empty talk
paleontology
the earth science that studies fossil organisms
palette
a board on which an artist mixes paints
palimpsest
a manuscript on which more than one text has been written
pall
burial garment in which a corpse is wrapped
pallet
a hand tool with a at blade for mixing and shaping clay
palliate
palliation
easing the severity of a pain without removing the cause
pallid
decient in color suggesting physical or emotional distress
palpable
capable of being perceived
palpitate
beat rapidly
paltry
contemptibly small in amount
panacea
hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases
panache
distinctive and stylish elegance
pandemic
existing everywhere
pandemonium
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
pander
yield to; give satisfaction to
panegyric
pang
a sudden sharp feeling
panoply
a complete and impressive array
panorama
the visual perception of a region
panoramic
as from an altitude or distance
pantomime
a performance using gestures and movements without words
papyrus
tall sedge of the Nile valley yielding ber
parable
a short moral story
paradigm
paradox
a statement that contradicts itself
paragon
a perfect embodiment of a concept
parallel
being everywhere equidistant and not intersecting
parallelism
similarity by virtue of corresponding
parameter
a constant in the equation of a curve that can be varied
paramount
having superior power and inuence
paramour
a lover, especially a secret or illicit one
paranoia
a mental disorder characterized by delusions of persecution
paranoiac
a person aicted with paranoia
parapet
a low wall along the edge of a roof or balcony
paraphernalia
paraphrase
express the same message in dierent words
parasite
an animal or plant that lives in or on a host
parched
dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight
parchment
a superior paper resembling sheepskin
pare
strip the skin o
paregoric
medicine used to treat diarrhea
pariah
a person who is rejected from society or home
parish
a local church community
parity
functional equality
parlance
a manner of speaking natural to a language's native speakers
parley
a negotiation between enemies
parlous
fraught with danger
parochial
relating to or supported by or located in a parish
parody
a composition that imitates or misrepresents a style
paroxysm
a sudden uncontrollable attack
parquet
a oor made of a patterned wood inlay
parricide
the murder of your own father or mother
parry
impede the movement of
parsimonious
excessively unwilling to spend
parsimony
extreme stinginess
partial
being or aecting only a segment
partiality
an inclination to favor one group or view over alternatives
partisan
a fervent and even militant proponent of something
partition
separation by the creation of a boundary that divides
parturition
the process of giving birth
parvenu
a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status
pass o
cause to be circulated and accepted in a false character or identity
passe
out of fashion
passive
lacking in energy or will
paste
an adhesive made from water and our or starch
pastiche
a work of art that imitates the style of some previous work
pastoral
devoted to raising sheep or cattle
pastry
any of various baked foods made of dough or batter
patent
a document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention
pathetic
deserving or inciting pity
pathological
relating to the study of diseases
pathos
a quality that arouses emotions, especially pity or sorrow
patina
a ne coating of oxide on the surface of a metal
patois
a regional dialect of a language
patriarch
the male head of family or tribe
patrician
a person of rened upbringing and manners
patricide
the murder of your father
patrimony
an inheritance coming by right of birth
patronize
assume sponsorship of
paucity
an insucient quantity or number
pauper
a person who is very poor
peccadillo
a petty misdeed
peculate
appropriate fraudulently for one's own use
peculation
the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted to your care but actually
owned by someone else
pecuniary
relating to or involving money
pedagogue
someone who educates young people
pedagogy
the profession of a teacher
pedant
a person who pays too much attention to formal rules
pedantic
marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning
peddle
sell or oer for sale from place to place
pedestal
an architectural support or base
pedestrian
a person who travels by foot
pediatrician
a specialist in the care of babies
pedigree
the ancestry or lineage of an individual
pediment
a triangular gable between a horizontal entablature and a sloping roof
peer
look searchingly
peerless
eminent beyond or above comparison
peevish
pejorative
expressing disapproval
pelf
informal terms for money
pell-mell
in a wild or reckless manner
pellucid
transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity
pen
a writing implement with a point from which ink ows
penance
voluntary self-punishment in order to atone for something
penchant
a strong liking
pendant
an adornment that hangs from a piece of jewelry
pendent
an adornment that hangs from a piece of jewelry
pending
awaiting conclusion or conrmation
pendulous
hanging loosely or bending downward
penetrate
pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
penitent
feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds
pennate
having feathered wings
penology
the branch of criminology concerned with prison management
pensive
deeply or seriously thoughtful
penumbra
a fringe region of partial shadow around an umbra
penurious
excessively unwilling to spend
penury
a state of extreme poverty or destitution
peon
a laborer who is obliged to do menial work
perceptive
of or relating to awareness via the senses
percussion
the act of exploding a detonator that explodes when struck
perdition
the place or state in which one suers eternal punishment
peregrination
traveling or wandering around
peremptory
putting an end to all debate or action
perennial
lasting an indenitely long time
perdious
tending to betray
perdy
an act of deliberate betrayal
perforate
make a hole into or between, as for ease of separation
perforce
by necessity; by force of circumstance
perfunctory
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
perigee
the nearest point in an orbit around the Earth
perimeter
a line enclosing a plane area
peripatetic
traveling especially on foot
peripheral
on or near an edge or constituting an outer boundary
periphery
the outside boundary or surface of something
peristyle
a colonnade surrounding a building or enclosing a court
perjury
criminal oense of making false statements under oath
perk
an incidental benet awarded for certain types of employment (especially if it is
regarded as a right)
permeable
allowing uids or gases to pass or diuse through
permeate
permissive
not strict in discipline
pernicious
exceedingly harmful
peroration
the concluding section of a rhetorical address
perpetrate
perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
perpetual
continuing forever or indenitely
perpetuate
cause to continue or prevail
perquisite
an incidental benet for certain types of employment
persevere
be persistent, refuse to stop
persiage
light teasing
persist
refuse to stop
personable
pleasant in manner and appearance
personify
attribute human qualities to something
perspicacious
mentally acute or penetratingly discerning
perspicuity
clarity as a consequence of being easily understandable
perspicuous
transparently clear; easily understandable
pert
characterized by a lightly exuberant quality
pertinacious
pertinent
being of striking appropriateness
perturb
disturb in mind or make uneasy or cause to be worried
perturbation
the act of causing disorder
perusal
reading carefully with intent to remember
peruse
examine or consider with attention and in detail
pervade
pervasive
spreading or spread throughout
perverse
deviating from what is considered moral or right or proper
perversion
the action of corrupting something
perversity
deliberately deviating from what is good
pervert
corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
pervious
admitting of passage or entrance
pessimism
a general disposition to expect the worst in all things
pestilent
likely to spread and cause an epidemic disease
pestilential
likely to spread and cause an epidemic disease
pestle
a hand tool for grinding and mixing substances in a mortar
petrify
change into stone
pettifog
argue over petty things
petty
small and of little importance
petulant
phalanx
any closely ranked crowd of people
pharisaical
excessively or hypocritically pious
pharisee
a self-righteous or sanctimonious person
phenomenon
any state or process known through the senses
phial
a small bottle that contains a drug
philander
philanderer
a man who likes many women
philanthropist
someone who makes charitable donations
philatelist
a collector and student of postage stamps
philistine
a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits
philology
the humanistic study of language and literature
phlegmatic
showing little emotion
phobia
an anxiety disorder characterized by irrational fear
phylum
the major taxonomic group of animals and plants
physiognomy
the human face
physiological
relating to the study of the functioning of organisms
picaresque
(of ction) involving clever rogues or adventurers
piebald
having sections or patches colored dierently and brightly
piecemeal
one thing at a time
pied
having sections or patches colored dierently and brightly
piety
righteousness by virtue of being pious
pigment
dry coloring material
pilfer
pillage
steal goods; take as spoils
pillory
a wooden instrument of punishment on a post
pinch
squeeze tightly between the ngers
pine
a coniferous tree
pinion
wing of a bird
pinnace
a boat for communication between ship and shore
pinnacle
a slender upright spire at the top of a buttress of tower
pious
having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity
piquant
having an agreeably pungent taste
pique
a sudden outburst of anger
pirate
someone who robs at sea or plunders the land from the sea without having a
commission from any sovereign nation
piscatorial
relating to or characteristic of the activity of shing
pitfall
an unforeseen or unexpected or surprising diculty
pith
spongelike central cylinder of the stems of owering plants
pithy
concise and full of meaning
pittance
an inadequate payment
pivotal
being of crucial importance
placate
cause to be more favorably inclined
placebo
an innocuous or inert medication
placid
free from disturbance by heavy waves
plagiarism
taking someone's words or ideas as if they were your own
plagiarize
take without referencing from someone's writing or speech
plaintive
expressing sorrow
plait
a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair
plangent
loud and resounding
plaster
a mixture of lime or gypsum with sand and water
plasticity
the property of being physically malleable
platitude
platonic
free from physical desire
plaudit
plaudits
plausible
apparently reasonable and valid, and truthful
plebeian
of or associated with the great masses of people
plebiscite
a vote determining public opinion on a question
plenary
full in all respects
plenipotentiary
a diplomat who is fully authorized to represent his or her government
plenitude
a full supply
plethora
extreme excess
pliable
pliant
plight
a situation from which extrication is dicult
plumage
the covering of feathers on a bird
plumb
exactly vertical
plumber
a craftsman who installs and repairs pipes and xtures and appliances
plume
the feather of a bird
plummet
drop sharply
plutocracy
a political system governed by the wealthy people
podiatrist
a specialist in care for the feet
podium
poignancy
a quality that arouses emotions, especially pity or sorrow
poignant
keenly distressing to the mind or feelings
poise
hold or carry in equilibrium
polar
of or existing within the Arctic or Antarctic Circles
polarity
a relation between two opposite attributes or tendencies
polarize
cause to concentrate about two conicting positions
polemic
a verbal or written attack, especially of a belief or dogma
polemical
of or involving dispute or controversy
politic
marked by artful prudence, expedience, and shrewdness
polity
the form of government of a social organization
poltroon
an abject coward
polygamist
someone married to two or more people at the same time
polyglot
a person who speaks more than one language
pommel
strike, usually with the st
pomposity
lack of elegance from being pued up with vanity
ponderous
having great mass and weight and unwieldiness
pontical
proceeding from or ordered by or subject to a pope
pore
any tiny hole admitting passage of a liquid
porous
full of vessels or holes
porphyry
any igneous rock with crystals embedded in a ner groundmass of minerals
porridge
soft food made by boiling meal or legumes in water or milk
portend
indicate by signs
portent
a sign of something about to happen
portentous
of momentous or ominous signicance
portly
fairly fat
pose
assume a bearing as for artistic purposes
poseur
a person who habitually pretends to be something he is not
posterity
all future generations
posthumous
occurring or coming into existence after a person's death
postmortem
occurring or done after death
postprandial
following a meal (especially dinner)
postulate
maintain or assert
posture
the arrangement of the body and its limbs
potable
suitable for drinking
potent
having or wielding force or authority
potentate
a ruler who is unconstrained by law
potential
existing in possibility
potion
a medicinal or magical or poisonous beverage
potpourri
a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
poultice
a medical dressing spread on a cloth and applied to the skin
practicable
capable of being done with means at hand
practical
guided by experience and observation rather than theory
pragmatic
concerned with practical matters
pragmatist
an adherent of a theory of observable practical consequences
prance
to walk with a lofty proud gait, often to impress others
prank
a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement
prate
speak about unimportant matters rapidly and incessantly
prattle
speak about unimportant matters rapidly and incessantly
preamble
a preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution
precarious
not secure; beset with diculties
precedent
an example that is used to justify similar occurrences
precept
rule of personal conduct
precinct
an administrative district of a city or town
preciosity
the quality of being fastidious or excessively rened
precipice
a very steep cli
precipitant
done with very great haste and without due deliberation
precipitate
bring about abruptly
precipitous
extremely steep
precis
a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument
precise
sharply exact or accurate or delimited
preclude
make impossible, especially beforehand
precocious
characterized by exceptionally early development
precursor
something indicating the approach of something or someone
predator
any animal that lives by preying on other animals
predatory
living by preying on other animals
predecessor
one who precedes you in time
predetermine
establish beforehand
predicament
an unpleasant or dicult situation
predilection
a predisposition in favor of something
predispose
make susceptible
preeminent
greatest in importance or degree or signicance
preempt
acquire for oneself before others can do so
preen
clean with one's bill
prefatory
serving as an introduction or preface
pregure
imagine or consider beforehand
prehensile
adapted for grasping especially by wrapping around an object
prelate
a senior clergyman and dignitary
prelude
something that introduces what follows
premeditate
consider, ponder, or plan beforehand
premise
a statement that is held to be true
premonition
an early warning about a future event
premonitory
warning of future misfortune
preponderance
exceeding in heaviness; having greater weight
preponderate
weigh more heavily
prepossessing
creating a favorable impression
preposterous
inviting ridicule
prerogative
a right reserved exclusively by a person or group
presage
a foreboding about what is about to happen
prescience
the power to foresee the future
presentiment
a feeling of evil to come
prestige
a high standing achieved through success or inuence
presume
take to be the case or to be true
presumption
a premise that is taken for granted
presumptuous
excessively forward
pretend
make believe with the intent to deceive
pretension
the advancing of a claim
pretentious
creating an appearance of importance or distinction
preternatural
existing outside of or not in accordance with nature
pretext
something serving to conceal plans
prevail
be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
prevalent
most frequent or common
prevaricate
be deliberately ambiguous or unclear
prey
animal hunted or caught for food
prim
aectedly dainty or rened
primal
primary
of rst rank or importance or value
primate
any placental mammal of the order Primates
prime
of or relating to the rst or originating agent
primogeniture
right of inheritance belonging exclusively to the eldest son
primordial
primp
dress or groom with elaborate care
pristine
immaculately clean and unused
privation
act of depriving someone of food or money or rights
privy
informed about something secret or not generally known
prize
something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a
lottery
probe
an exploratory action or expedition
probity
complete and conrmed integrity
problematic
making great mental demands
proboscis
a long exible snout as of an elephant
proclivity
a natural inclination
procrastinate
postpone doing what one should be doing
procurement
the act of getting possession of something
prod
to push against gently
prodigal
recklessly wasteful
prodigious
great in size, force, extent, or degree
prodigy
an unusually gifted or intelligent person
profane
proigate
profound
situated at or extending to great depth
profuse
profusion
the property of being extremely abundant
progenitor
an ancestor in the direct line
progeny
the immediate descendants of a person
prognathous
having a projecting lower jaw
prognosis
a prediction of the course of a disease
prognosticate
make a prediction about; tell in advance
prohibitive
tending to discourage, especially of prices
projectile
a weapon that is forcibly thrown or projected at a target
proletarian
belonging to or characteristic of the working class
proliferate
grow rapidly
prolic
intellectually productive
prolix
tediously prolonged or tending to speak or write at length
prolixity
boring verbosity
prologue
an introduction to a play
prolong
lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer
prominent
conspicuous in position or importance
promiscuous
casual and unrestrained in sexual behavior
promontory
a natural elevation
promote
assign to a higher position
prompt
according to schedule or without delay
promulgate
state or announce
prone
having a tendency
prong
a pointed projection
pronounced
strongly marked; easily noticeable
propagate
multiply through reproduction
propellant
any substance that moves forward with force
propensity
a natural inclination
prophetic
foretelling events as if by supernatural intervention
prophylactic
preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease
propinquity
the property of being close together
propitiate
make peace with
propitious
presenting favorable circumstances
proponent
a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
propound
put forward, as of an idea
propriety
correct behavior
propulsive
having the power to move forward with force
prorogue
adjourn by royal prerogative
prosaic
lacking wit or imagination
proscenium
the part of a stage between the curtain and the orchestra
proscribe
command against
proselytize
convert or try to convert someone to another religion
prosody
the study of poetic meter and the art of versication
prosper
make steady progress
prosperity
the condition of having good fortune
prosperous
in fortunate circumstances nancially
prostrate
stretched out and lying at full length along the ground
protagonist
the principal character in a work of ction
protean
taking on dierent forms
protege
a person who receives support from an inuential patron
protocol
forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by ocials
prototype
protract
lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer
protrude
extend out or project in space
protuberance
something that bulges out or projects from its surroundings
provenance
where something originated or was nurtured
provender
food for domestic livestock
proverb
a condensed but memorable saying embodying an important fact
providence
prudence and care exercised in the management of resources
provident
giving something useful for the future
provincial
associated with an administrative district of a nation
provision
the activity of supplying something
provisional
under terms not nal or fully worked out or agreed upon
proviso
a stipulated condition
provocation
a means of arousing or stirring to action
provocative
serving or tending to excite or stimulate
prowess
a superior skill learned by study and practice
proximity
the property of being close together
proxy
a person authorized to act for another
prude
a person excessively concerned about propriety and decorum
prudent
marked by sound judgment
prune
cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of
prurient
characterized by lust
pry
be nosey
pseudonym
a ctitious name used when performing a particular role
psyche
that which is responsible for one's thoughts and feelings
psychiatrist
a specialist in the treatment of mental disorders
psychic
a person sensitive to things beyond natural perception
psychopathic
suering from an undiagnosed mental disorder
psychosis
severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost
psychosomatic
used of illness or symptoms resulting from neurosis
pterodactyl
extinct ying reptile
pucker
gather something into small wrinkles or folds
pudding
any of various soft sweet desserts thickened usually with our and baked or boiled or
steamed
puerile
displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity
pugilist
someone who ghts with his sts for sport
pugnacious
tough and callous by virtue of experience
pugnacity
a natural disposition to be hostile
puissant
powerful
pulchritude
physical beauty, especially of a woman
pulmonary
relating to or aecting the lungs
pulpit
a platform raised to give prominence to the person on it
pulsate
expand and contract rhythmically
pulse
the rhythmic contraction and expansion of arteries
pulverize
make into a powder by breaking up or cause to become dust
pummel
strike, usually with the st
punctilious
marked by precise accordance with details
pundit
a person with special knowledge who performs skillfully
pungent
strong and sharp to the sense of taste
punitive
inicting punishment
puny
of inferior size
purblind
having greatly reduced vision
purchase
acquire by means of a nancial transaction
purgatory
a temporary state of the dead in Roman Catholic theology
purge
rid of impurities
purloin
purport
have the often specious appearance of being or intending
purport
have the often specious appearance of being or intending
purse
a container used for carrying money and small personal items
purveyor
someone who supplies provisions, especially food
purview
the range of interest or activity that can be anticipated
pushy
marked by aggressive ambition and energy and initiative
pusillanimous
lacking in courage and manly strength and resolution
putative
purported
putrefy
decay with an oensive smell
putrescent
becoming putrid
putrid
of or relating to the process of decay
puzzle
be uncertain about
pyromaniac
a person with a mania for setting things on re
quack
the harsh sound of a duck
quadruped
an animal especially a mammal having four limbs
qua
to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught
quagmire
a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
quail
small gallinaceous game birds
quaint
attractively old-fashioned
qualied
meeting the proper standards and requirements for a task
qualify
prove capable or t; meet requirements
qualm
qualm
quandary
state of uncertainty in a choice between unfavorable options
quarantine
isolation to prevent the spread of infectious disease
quarry
animal hunted or caught for food
quash
declare invalid
quay
wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline
queasy
causing or able to cause nausea
queer
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
quell
suppress or crush completely
quench
satisfy, as thirst
querulous
habitually complaining
query
an instance of questioning
queue
a line of people or vehicles waiting for something
qui vive
condition of heightened watchfulness or preparation for action
quibble
evade the truth of a point by raising irrelevant objections
quicksilver
heavy silvery toxic univalent and bivalent metallic element
quiescence
a state of quiet (but possibly temporary) inaction
quiescent
being quiet or still or inactive
quietude
a state of peace and quiet
quintessence
the most typical example or representative of a type
quip
a witty saying
quirk
a strange attitude or habit
quisling
someone who collaborates with an enemy occupying force
quiver
shake with fast, tremulous movements
quixotic
not sensible about practical matters
quizzical
perplexed
quorum
a gathering of the minimal number of members of a group
quotidian
found in the ordinary course of events
rabble
a disorderly crowd of people
rabid
marked by excessive enthusiasm for a cause or idea
rabies
an acute viral disease of the nervous system of warm-blooded animals (usually
transmitted by the bite of a rabid animal); rabies is fatal if the virus reaches the brain
raconteur
a person skilled in telling anecdotes
rae
a lottery in which the prizes are goods rather than money
rag
a small piece of cloth or paper
ragamun
a dirty shabbily clothed urchin
rail
a horizontal bar (usually of wood or metal)
raiment
especially ne or decorative clothing
rake
a long-handled tool with a row of teeth at its head
rakish
rally
gather or bring together
ram
uncastrated adult male sheep
ramble
move about aimlessly or without any destination
ramication
a development that complicates a situation
ramify
have or develop complicating consequences
ramp
an inclined surface connecting two levels
rampant
unrestrained and violent
rampart
an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
ramshackle
in deplorable condition
rancid
having a rank smell or taste
rancor
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
rancorous
showing deep-seated resentment
random
lacking any denite plan or order or purpose
rank
relative status
rankle
gnaw into; make resentful or angry
ransack
search thoroughly
rant
talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
rapacious
living by preying on other animals
rapport
a relationship of mutual understanding between people
rapprochement
the reestablishing of cordial relations
rapt
feeling great delight
rapture
a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion
rare
marked by an uncommon quality
rareed
of high moral or intellectual value
rarefy
lessen the density or solidity of
rasp
scrape with a coarse le
raspy
unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound
ratify
approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation
ratiocination
the proposition arrived at by logical reasoning
ration
a xed portion that is allotted
rational
consistent with or based on or using reason
rationale
an explanation of the fundamental reasons
rationalization
the process of making something consistent with reason
rationalize
employ logic or reason
raucous
unpleasantly loud and harsh
ravage
cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly
ravel
disentangle
ravening
excessively greedy and grasping
ravenous
extremely hungry
ravine
a deep narrow steep-sided valley
raze
tear down so as to make at with the ground
reactionary
extremely conservative
realm
a domain in which something is dominant
reaper
someone who helps to gather the harvest
rebate
a refund of some fraction of the amount paid
rebu
a deliberate discourteous act
rebuke
an act or expression of criticism and censure
rebus
a puzzle consisting of pictures representing words
rebuttal
the speech act of refuting by oering a contrary argument
recalcitrant
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
recant
recapitulate
summarize briey
recast
mold again
receptive
able to absorb liquid (not repellent)
recess
a state of abeyance or suspended business
recession
the act of returning control
recherche
lavishly elegant and rened
recidivism
habitual relapse into crime
recipient
a person who is sent something
reciprocal
concerning each of two or more persons or things
reciprocate
act, feel, or give mutually or in return
recital
a public instance of repeating something prepared in advance
recite
repeat aloud from memory
reckon
expect, believe, or suppose
recline
move the upper body backwards and down
recluse
one who lives in solitude
reconcile
come to terms
recondite
dicult to penetrate
reconnaissance
the act of scouting
recount
narrate or give a detailed account of
recourse
act of turning to for assistance
recreant
having deserted a cause or principle
recrimination
mutual accusations
recrudescence
a return of something after a period of abatement
rectify
make right or correct
rectitude
righteousness as a consequence of being honorable and honest
recumbent
lying down; in a position of comfort or rest
recuperate
restore to good health or strength
recurrent
happening again and again
recusant
someone who refuses to conform to established standards of conduct
redolent
having a strong pleasant odor
redoubtable
inspiring fear
redress
make reparations or amends for
reduce
make smaller
redundant
more than is needed, desired, or required
reek
give o smoke, fumes, warm vapour, steam, etc.
refection
a light meal or repast
refectory
a communal dining-hall, usually in a monastery
referendum
a legislative act referred for approval to a popular vote
refraction
the change in direction of a propagating wave
refractory
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
refrain
resist doing something
refulgent
radiating or as if radiating light
refurbish
make brighter and prettier
refuse
show unwillingness towards
refutation
the act of determining that something is false
refute
overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof
regal
belonging to or betting a supreme ruler
regale
provide with choice or abundant food or drink
regatta
a series of boat races
regeneration
forming again; renewing and reconstituting
regent
someone who rules during the absence of the monarch
regicide
the act of killing a king
regime
the governing authority of a political unit
regimen
a systematic plan for therapy
regiment
army unit smaller than a division
rehabilitate
help to readapt, as to a former state of health or repute
reimburse
pay back for some expense incurred
reinstate
bring back into original existence, function, or position
reintegrate
integrate again
reiterate
to say, state, or perform again
rejoinder
rejuvenate
make younger or more youthful
relapse
deteriorate in health
relegate
assign to a lower position
relent
give in, as to inuence or pressure
relevancy
the relation of something to the matter at hand
relevant
having a bearing on or connection with the subject at issue
relic
an antiquity that has survived from the distant past
religious
having or showing belief in and reverence for a deity
relinquish
turn away from; give up
relish
vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
remediable
capable of being redressed
remedial
tending or intended to rectify or improve
reminiscence
a mental impression retained and recalled from the past
reminiscent
serving to bring to mind
remiss
failing in what duty requires
remission
the act of referring a law case to another court
remit
send in payment
remittance
a payment of money sent to a person in another place
remnant
a small part remaining after the main part no longer exists
remonstrate
argue in protest or opposition
remorse
a feeling of deep regret, usually for some misdeed
remote
located far away spatially
remunerative
for which money is paid
rend
tear or be torn violently
render
give or supply
rendezvous
a meeting planned at a certain time and place
rendition
a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role
renegade
someone who rebels and becomes an outlaw
renege
fail to fulll a promise or obligation
renounce
turn away from; give up
renovate
restore to a previous or better condition
renown
the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed
rent
a payment or series of payments made by a lessee to an owner
renunciation
the act of sacricing or giving up or surrendering
reparable
capable of being rectied
reparation
something done or paid in expiation of a wrong
repartee
adroitness and cleverness in reply
repast
the food served and eaten at one time
repeal
cancel ocially
repel
force or drive back
repellent
serving or tending to cause aversion
repercussion
a remote or indirect consequence of some action
repertoire
the range of skills in a particular eld or occupation
repine
express discontent
replenish
ll something that had previously been emptied
replete
lled to satisfaction with food or drink
replica
copy that is not the original
replicate
reproduce or make an exact copy of
repose
freedom from activity
repository
a facility where things can be deposited for safekeeping
reprehensible
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
representational
depicting objects, gures,or scenes as seen
repress
conceal or hide
reprieve
postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal
reprimand
an act or expression of criticism and censure
reprisal
a retaliatory action against an enemy in wartime
reprise
repeat an earlier theme of a composition
reproach
express criticism towards
reprobate
a person without moral scruples
reprobation
severe disapproval
reprove
take to task
repudiate
refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid
repugnance
intense aversion
repulse
force or drive back
repulsion
the act of repelling an attack; a successful defensive stand
reputable
held in high esteem and honor
repute
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
requiem
a song or hymn of mourning as a memorial to a dead person
requisite
necessary for relief or supply
requisition
an authoritative request or demand
requite
make repayment for or return something
rescind
cancel ocially
rescission
the cancellation of a contract
resentment
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
reserve
hold back or set aside, especially for future use
residual
relating to or indicating a remainder
residue
matter that remains after something has been removed
resign
accept as inevitable
resignation
the act of giving up, as a claim or oce or possession
resilient
recovering readily from adversity, depression, or the like
resolution
a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner
resolve
nd a solution or answer
resonant
characterized by a loud deep sound
resort
have recourse to
resound
emit a noise
resourceful
adroit or imaginative
respiration
a single complete act of breathing in and out
respite
a pause from doing something
resplendent
having great beauty
responsiveness
the quality of reacting quickly
restitution
the act of restoring something to its original state
restive
being in a tense state
restraint
the act of controlling by holding someone or something back
resumption
beginning again
resurgent
rising again as to new life and vigor
resurrect
cause to become alive again
resuscitate
cause to regain consciousness
retain
secure and keep for possible future use or application
retaliate
make a counterattack and return like for like
retard
cause to move more slowly or operate at a slower rate
retentive
having the capacity to hold something
reticence
the trait of being uncommunicative
reticent
reluctant to draw attention to yourself
reticulate
resembling or forming a network
retinue
retiring
of a person who has held and relinquished a position
retort
retract
formally reject or disavow
retraction
a disavowal or taking back of a previous assertion
retrench
tighten one's belt; use resources carefully
retribution
a justly deserved penalty
retrieve
get or nd back; recover the use of
retroactive
aecting things past
retrograde
moving or directed or tending in a backward direction
retrospective
concerned with or related to the past
revelry
unrestrained merrymaking
reverberate
ring or echo with sound
reverend
worthy of adoration or reverence
reverent
feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
reverie
an abstracted state of absorption
revert
go back to a previous state
revile
spread negative information about
revoke
cancel ocially
revulsion
intense aversion
rhapsodize
say with great enthusiasm
rhapsody
an epic poem adapted for recitation
rhetoric
study of the technique for using language eectively
rheumy
of or pertaining to arthritis
ribald
humorously vulgar
rickety
inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
riddle
pierce with many holes
rider
a traveler who actively sits and travels on an animal
rife
excessively abundant
rift
a narrow ssure in rock
rig
equip with sails or masts
righteous
morally justied
rightful
legally valid
rigid
incapable of or resistant to bending
rigor
excessive sternness
rile
disturb, especially by minor irritations
rime
ice crystals forming a white deposit
rip
tear or be torn violently
risible
arousing or provoking laughter
rivet
a heavy metal pin used to fasten two pieces of metal
riveting
capable of arousing and holding the attention
rivulet
a small stream
roan
having a brownish coat thickly sprinkled with white or grey
robust
sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction
rococo
having excessive asymmetrical ornamentation
roil
make turbid by stirring up the sediments of
roister
engage in boisterous, drunken merrymaking
rolling
propelling something on wheels
romp
play boisterously
rood
representation of the cross on which Jesus died
rooster
adult male chicken
roseate
of something having a dusty purplish pink color
roster
a list of names
rostrum
rote
memorization by repetition
rotund
spherical in shape
rotunda
a building having a circular plan and a dome
rotundity
the roundness of a 3-dimensional object
roue
a dissolute man in fashionable society
rousing
capable of stirring enthusiasm or excitement
rout
an overwhelming defeat
rubble
the remains of something that has been destroyed
rubicund
having a healthy reddish color
rubric
category name
ruddy
inclined to a healthy reddish color
rudimentary
being in the earliest stages of development
rue
feel sorry for; be contrite about
rueful
feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or oenses
ruan
a cruel and brutal fellow
rumble
utter or emit low, dull, resonant sounds
ruminant
cud-chewing hoofed mammal with a stomach with compartments
ruminate
reect deeply on a subject
rummage
search haphazardly
runic
relating to characters from an ancient alphabet
ruse
a deceptive maneuver, especially to avoid capture
rustic
characteristic of rural life
rusticate
live in the country and lead a pastoral life
rustle
make a dry crackling sound
ruthless
without mercy or pity
saboteur
someone who commits sabotage or deliberately causes wrecks
saccharine
overly sweet
sacerdotal
associated with the priesthood or priests
sacrilegious
sacrosanct
must be kept sacred
sadistic
deriving pleasure from inicting pain on another
saron
crocus with pungent orange stigmas used in avoring food
saga
a narrative telling the adventures of a hero or a family
sagacious
acutely insightful and wise
sage
a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics
salacious
suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
salient
having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
saline
containing salt
sallow
unhealthy looking
salubrious
promoting health
salutary
tending to promote physical well-being; benecial to health
salutatory
an opening or welcoming statement
salvage
rescuing a ship or its crew from a shipwreck or a re
salver
a tray for serving food or drinks; usually made of silver
sanctimonious
sanction
ocial permission or approval
sanctuary
a consecrated place where sacred objects are kept
sang-froid
great coolness and composure under strain
sanguinary
accompanied by bloodshed
sanguine
condently optimistic and cheerful
sapid
full of avor
sapient
acutely insightful and wise
sarcasm
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
sarcophagus
a stone con, usually bearing sculpture or inscriptions
sardonic
disdainfully or ironically humorous
sartorial
of or relating to a tailor or to tailoring
sate
ll to contentment
satellite
any celestial body orbiting around a planet or star
satiate
ll to satisfaction
satiety
being satisfactorily full and unable to take on more
satire
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
satirical
exposing human folly to ridicule
satrap
a governor of a province in ancient Persia
saturate
infuse or ll completely
saturnine
bitter or scornful
satyr
one of a class of woodland deities
saunter
walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
savant
a learned person
savoir-faire
social skill
savor
the taste experience when a savoury condiment is tasted
savory
pleasing to the sense of taste
scabbard
a sheath for a sword or dagger or bayonet
scad
any of a number of shes of the family Carangidae
scaold
a temporary arrangement erected around a building
scale
an ordered reference standard
scanty
lacking in amplitude or quantity
scapegoat
someone who is punished for the errors of others
scarify
puncture and scar (the skin), as for purposes or tribal identication or rituals
scavenge
clean refuse from
scavenger
someone who collects things discarded by others
scenario
a postulated sequence of possible events
schematic
represented in simplied or symbolic form
scheme
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
schism
division of a group into opposing factions
scholarly
characteristic of a learned person
scintilla
scintillate
emit or reect light in a ickering manner
sciolism
pretentious superciality of knowledge
scion
a descendent or heir
sco
laugh at with contempt and derision
scorch
burn slightly and supercially so as to aect color
score
a number that expresses accomplishment in a game or contest
scotch
scourge
scowl
frown with displeasure
scrap
a small fragment of something broken o from the whole
scrappy
full of ghting spirit
scraps
food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)
screech
sharp piercing cry
screed
a long, tedious rant
scrimmage
practice play between a football team's squads
scruple
an ethical or moral principle that inhibits action
scrupulous
scrutinize
examine carefully for accuracy
scue
ght or struggle in a confused way at close quarters
scullion
a kitchen servant employed to do menial tasks
scurrilous
expressing oensive reproach
scurry
to move about or proceed hurriedly
scurvy
a condition caused by deciency of ascorbic acid
scuttle
an entrance equipped with a hatch
seamy
morally degraded
sear
become supercially burned
season
one of the natural periods into which the year is divided by the equinoxes and
solstices or atmospheric conditions
seasonable
in keeping with the season
seasonal
occurring at or dependent on a particular season
seasoned
aged or processed
sebaceous
containing an unusual amount of grease or oil
secession
formal separation from an alliance or federation
seclusion
the act of shutting oneself o from others
secrete
generate and separate from cells or bodily uids
sect
a subdivision of a larger religious group
sectarian
of or relating to a subdivision of a larger religious group
secular
someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person
sedate
characterized by dignity and propriety
sedentary
requiring sitting or little activity
sedition
an illegal action inciting resistance to lawful authority
seduce
lure or entice away from duty, principles, or proper conduct
sedulous
marked by care and persistent eort
seedy
shabby and untidy
seemly
according with custom or propriety
seep
pass gradually or leak or as if through small openings
seethe
foam as if boiling
seine
a large shnet that hangs vertically
seismic
subject to or caused by an earthquake or earth vibration
selective
characterized by very careful or fastidious choice
self-indulgence
an inability to resist the gratication of whims and desires
self-righteous
semblance
an outward appearance that is deliberately misleading
seminal
containing seeds of later development
seminary
a school for training ministers or priests or rabbis
senescence
the property characteristic of old age
senility
the state of being inrm with age
sensitization
the process of becoming highly responsive to situations
sensual
marked by the appetites and passions of the body
sensuous
taking delight in beauty
sententious
concise and full of meaning
sentient
endowed with feeling and unstructured consciousness
sentimental
marked by tender, romantic, or nostalgic emotion
sentinel
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
septic
of or relating to or caused by putrefaction
sepulcher
a chamber that is used as a grave
sequester
keep away from others
seraph
an angel of the rst order
sere
having lost all moisture
serendipity
good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries
serenity
the absence of mental stress or anxiety
serpentine
resembling a snake in form
serrated
notched like a saw with teeth pointing toward the apex
serried
pressed together
servile
submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior
servitude
state of subjection to an owner or master
sever
set or keep apart
severance
the act of cutting
severity
excessive sternness
sextant
an instrument for measuring angular distance
shack
shackle
a restraint that connes or restricts freedom
shade
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
sham
something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
shambles
a condition of great disorder
shard
a broken piece of a brittle artifact
shaving
a thin fragment or slice that has been shaved from something
sheaf
a package of several things tied together
shear
cut or cut through with scissors
sheathe
enclose with a protective covering
shed
cause or allow to ow or run out or over
sheer
so thin as to transmit light
sherbet
a frozen dessert made primarily of fruit juice and sugar
shibboleth
a favorite saying of a sect or political group
shift
move very slightly
shimmer
shine with a weak or tful light
shirk
avoid one's assigned duties
shoal
a stretch of shallow water
shoddy
of inferior workmanship and materials
shoot
re a shot
shove
come into rough contact with while moving
shrew
small mouselike mammal with a long snout; related to moles
shrewd
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
shrivel
wither, as with a loss of moisture
shudder
tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
shue
walk by dragging one's feet
shun
avoid and stay away from deliberately
shunt
a conductor diverting a fraction of current from a device
shyster
a person who uses unscrupulous or unethical methods
sibling
a person's brother or sister
sibylline
resembling or characteristic of a prophet or prophecy
sidereal
of or relating to the stars or constellations
sidetrack
wander from a direct or straight course
sift
move as if through a sieve
signicant
rich in implication
silt
mud or clay or small rocks deposited by a river or lake
simian
relating to or resembling an ape
simile
a gure of speech expressing a resemblance between things
similitude
similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things
simper
smile aectedly or derisively
simplistic
characterized by extreme and misleading lack of complexity
simulate
reproduce someone's behavior or looks
sinecure
a job that involves minimal duties
sinewy
consisting of tendons or resembling a tendon
singular
being a single and separate person or thing
sinister
wicked, evil, or dishonorable
sinuous
curved or curving in and out
siren
a warning signal that is a loud wailing sound
sirocco
a windstorm that lifts up clouds of dust or sand
skeptic
someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs
ski
a small boat propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
skim
remove from the surface
skimp
work hastily or carelessly
skinint
a selsh person who is unwilling to give or spend
skirmish
a minor short-term ght
skittish
unpredictably excitable, especially of horses
skulk
avoid responsibilities and duties
slack
not tense or taut
slacken
become slow or slower
slag
the scum formed by oxidation at the surface of molten metals
slake
satisfy, as thirst
slander
words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another
slapdash
marked by great carelessness
slattern
a dirty untidy woman
slaughter
the killing of animals, as for food
slavish
abjectly submissive; characteristic of a slave or servant
sleazy
morally degraded
sledge
a vehicle mounted on runners and pulled by horses or dogs
sleek
having a smooth, gleaming surface reecting light
sleeper
a rester who is in slumber
sleigh
a vehicle mounted on runners and pulled by horses or dogs
sleight
adroitness in using the hands
slew
a large number or amount or extent
slick
made smooth by e.g. ice or grease
slight
small in quantity or degree
slink
walk stealthily
slipshod
marked by great carelessness
slither
to pass or move unobtrusively or smoothly
sloth
a disinclination to work or exert yourself
slough
a hollow lled with mud
slovenly
negligent of neatness especially in dress and person
sluggard
an idle slothful person
sluggish
moving slowly
sluice
conduit that carries a rapid ow of water
smattering
a slight or supercial understanding of a subject
smelt
extract by heating, as a metal
smirk
smile aectedly or derisively
smolder
burn slowly and without a ame
smother
deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing
smudge
make a smudge on; soil by smudging
smug
marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
sneak
to go stealthily or furtively
snicker
laugh quietly
snip
sever or remove by pinching or snipping
snivel
cry or whine with snuing
snub
refuse to acknowledge
sober
not aected by a chemical substance, especially alcohol
sobriety
the state of being sober and not intoxicated by alcohol
sobriquet
a familiar name for a person
sojourn
a temporary stay
solace
comfort in disappointment or misery
solder
join or fuse with an alloy
solecism
solemnity
a trait of dignied seriousness
solicitor
a British lawyer who gives legal advice
solicitous
full of anxiety and concern
soliloquy
speech you make to yourself
solitude
a state of social isolation
solstice
when the sun is at its greatest distance from the equator
soluble
capable of being dissolved in some solvent
solvent
capable of meeting nancial obligations
somatic
characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
somber
grave or even gloomy in character
somnambulist
someone who walks about in their sleep
somnolent
inclined to or marked by drowsiness
sonic
(of speed) having or caused by speed approximately equal to that of sound in air at
sea level
sonnet
a verse form of 14 lines with a xed rhyme scheme
sonorous
full and loud and deep
soothsayer
someone who makes predictions of the future
sophist
someone whose reasoning is subtle and often specious
sophisticated
having worldly knowledge and renement
sophistication
the quality or character of being intellectually worldly
sophistry
a deliberately invalid argument in the hope of deceiving
soporic
inducing sleep
sordid
foul and run-down and repulsive
sound
mechanical vibrations transmitted by an elastic medium
soupcon
a slight but appreciable amount
sour
one of the four basic taste sensations
South America
a continent in the western hemisphere connected to North America by the Isthmus of
Panama
sovereign
a nation's ruler usually by hereditary right
sovereignty
the authority of a state to govern another state
sow
place seeds in or on the ground for future growth
spangle
adornment consisting of a small piece of shiny material
spare
sparse
not dense
spartan
unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment
spasmodic
occurring in spells and often abruptly
spat
a quarrel about petty points
spate
a sudden forceful ow
spatial
pertaining to the expanse in which things are located
spatula
a hand tool with a thin exible blade
spawn
the mass of eggs deposited by sh or amphibians or mollusks
specious
plausible but false
spectral
resembling or characteristic of a phantom
spectrum
a broad range of related objects or values or qualities
speechless
temporarily incapable of speaking
spendthrift
someone who spends money prodigally
spin
revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
splenetic
of or relating to the spleen
splice
join the ends of
spoilsport
someone who ruins the pleasure of others
spoliation
the act of stripping and taking by force
spontaneity
the quality of coming from feelings without constraint
spoof
a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous
way
spoonerism
transposition of initial consonants in a pair of words
sporadic
recurring in scattered or unpredictable instances
sportive
given to merry frolicking
sprightly
full of spirit and vitality
sprout
produce buds, branches, or germinate
spruce
any coniferous tree of the genus Picea
spry
moving quickly and lightly
spume
foam or froth on the sea
spurious
plausible but false
spurn
reject with contempt
squabble
a quarrel about petty points
squalid
foul and run-down and repulsive
squalor
sordid dirtiness
squander
spend thoughtlessly; throw away
squash
any of numerous annual trailing plants of the genus Cucurbita grown for their eshy
edible fruits
squat
sit on one's heels
squeamish
excessively fastidious and easily disgusted
squelch
suppress or crush completely
staccato
separating the notes; in music
stagnant
not growing or changing; without force or vitality
staid
characterized by dignity and propriety
stalemate
stalwart
stamina
enduring strength and energy
stammer
speak haltingly
stamp
walk heavily
stampede
a wild headlong rush of frightened animals
stanch
stop the ow of a liquid
standstill
stanza
a xed number of lines of verse forming a unit of a poem
start
take the rst step or steps in carrying out an action
stately
impressive in appearance
static
not in physical motion
statute
an act passed by a legislative body
statutory
relating to or created by regulations
steadfast
marked by rm determination or resolution; not shakable
stealth
avoiding detection by moving carefully
steep
having a sharp inclination
stein
a mug intended for serving beer
stellar
being or relating to or resembling or emanating from stars
stem
cylinder forming a long narrow part of something
stench
a distinctive odor that is oensively unpleasant
stentorian
very loud or booming
stereotype
a conventional or formulaic conception or image
stereotyped
lacking spontaneity or originality or individuality
sterile
incapable of reproducing
stertorous
of breathing having a heavy snoring sound
stickler
someone who insists on something
stie
impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of
stigma
a symbol of disgrace or infamy
stigmatize
to condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful
stilted
articially formal
stink
smell badly and oensively
stint
supply sparingly and with restricted quantities
stipend
a sum of money allotted on a regular basis
stipple
engrave by means of dots and icks
stipulate
make an express demand or provision in an agreement
stock
a supply of something available for future use
stockade
fortication consisting of a fence set rmly for defense
stodgy
excessively conventional and unimaginative and hence dull
stoic
seeming unaected by pleasure or pain; impassive
stoke
stir up
stolid
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility
stoop
bend one's back forward from the waist on down
stout
straggle
wander from a direct or straight course
strangle
kill by squeezing the throat of so as to cut o the air
stratagem
an elaborate or deceitful scheme to deceive or evade
stratum
one of several parallel layers of material
striate
marked with stripes
stricture
severe criticism
strident
unpleasantly loud and harsh
stringent
demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
stultify
deprive of strength or eciency; make useless or worthless
stupefy
make dull or muddle with drunkenness or infatuation
stupor
marginal consciousness
stymie
hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
suave
having a sophisticated charm
suavity
the quality of being charming and gracious in manner
sub rosa
in secret or covertly
subaltern
British commissioned army ocer below the rank of captain
subjective
taking place within the mind and modied by individual bias
subjugate
make subservient; force to submit or subdue
sublimate
change directly from a solid into a vapor without melting
sublime
of high moral or intellectual value
subliminal
below the threshold of conscious perception
subpoena
a writ issued to compel the attendance of a witness
subsequent
following in time or order
subservient
compliant and obedient to authority
subsidiary
functioning in a supporting capacity
subsidy
a grant paid by a government to an enterprise
subsistence
a means of surviving
substantiate
establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
substantive
having a rm basis in reality and therefore important
subterfuge
something intended to misrepresent the nature of an activity
subtle
dicult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze
subtlety
the quality of being dicult to detect or analyze
subversive
in opposition to an established system or government
succinct
briey giving the gist of something
succor
assistance in time of diculty
succulent
full of juice
sudoric
inducing perspiration
suuse
cause to spread or ush or ood through, over, or across
sully
make dirty or spotty
sultry
sexually exciting or gratifying
summation
calculating the total of two or more numbers
sumptuary
regulating or controlling expenditure or personal behavior
sumptuous
rich and superior in quality
sunder
break apart or in two, using violence
sundry
consisting of a haphazard assortment of dierent kinds
superannuated
too old to be useful
supercilious
supercial
of, aecting, or being on or near the surface
superuity
extreme excess
superuous
superimpose
place on top of
supernal
of heaven or the spirit
supernumerary
supersede
take the place or move into the position of
supine
lying face upward
supplant
take the place or move into the position of
supple
suppliant
humbly entreating
supplicate
ask for humbly or earnestly, as in prayer
supposititious
based primarily on surmise rather than adequate evidence
suppurate
cause to ripen and discharge pus
surcease
a stopping
surfeit
indulge (one's appetite) to satiety
surly
unfriendly and inclined toward anger or irritation
surmise
infer from incomplete evidence
surreptitious
marked by quiet and caution and secrecy
surveillance
close observation of a person or group
sustenance
the act of providing a means of subsistence or survival
suture
a seam used in surgery
swathe
wrap in swaddling clothes
swelter
be uncomfortably hot
sycophantic
attempting to win favor by attery
syllogism
reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises
sylvan
relating to or characteristic of wooded regions
symmetry
balance among the parts of something
synchronous
occurring or existing at the same time
synthesis
the combination of ideas into a complex whole
synthetic
a compound made articially by chemical reactions
tacit
implied by or inferred from actions or statements
taciturn
habitually reserved and uncommunicative
tactile
of or relating to or proceeding from the sense of touch
tainted
touched by rot or decay
talisman
a trinket thought to be a magical protection against evil
talon
a sharp hooked claw especially on a bird of prey
tantalize
harass with persistent teasing or baiting
tantamount
being essentially equal to something
tantrum
a display of bad temper
tarantula
large southern European spider
tarn
a mountain lake (especially one formed by glaciers)
tatterdemalion
a dirty shabbily clothed urchin
taut
pulled or drawn tight
tautological
characterized by unnecessary repetition
tautology
useless repetition
tawdry
tastelessly showy
tedium
the feeling of being bored by something
teleology
a doctrine explaining phenomena by their ends or purposes
temerarious
presumptuously daring
temerity
fearless daring
tempo
the speed at which a composition is to be played
temporal
of or relating to or limited by time
temporize
draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time
tenacious
tenacity
persistent determination
tendentious
having a strong bias, especially a controversial one
tenebrous
dark and gloomy
tenet
a religious doctrine proclaimed as true without proof
tentative
hesitant or lacking condence; unsettled in mind or opinion
tenuous
very thin in gauge or diameter
tenure
the term during which some position is held
tepid
moderately warm
tergiversation
falsication by means of vague or ambiguous language
termagant
a scolding, nagging, bad-tempered woman
terminology
a system of words used to name things in a discipline
terminus
a place where something ends or is complete
terrapin
any of various edible North American web-footed turtles living in fresh or brackish
water
terrestrial
of or relating to or characteristic of the planet Earth
terse
brief and to the point
tertiary
coming third in position
tessellated
decorated with small pieces of colored glass or stone
testator
a person who makes a will
testy
tether
restraint consisting of a rope used to restrain an animal
thaumaturgist
one who practices magic or sorcery
theocracy
a political unit governed by a deity
theosophy
a system of belief based on mystical insight into the nature of God and the soul
therapeutic
tending to cure or restore to health
thermal
relating to or associated with heat
thrall
the state of being under the control of another person
threnody
a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead
person
throes
violent pangs of suering
throttle
a valve that regulates the supply of fuel to the engine
thwart
thyme
any of various mints of the genus Thymus
timbre
the distinctive property of a complex sound
timidity
fear of the unknown or fear of making decisions
timorous
timid by nature or revealing timidity
tipple
drink moderately but regularly
tirade
a speech of violent denunciation
titanic
of great force or power
tithe
a levy of one tenth of something
titillate
excite pleasurably or erotically
titular
existing in name only
toady
a person who tries to please someone to gain an advantage
tocsin
the sound of an alarm (usually a bell)
toga
a one-piece cloak worn by men in ancient Rome
tome
a large and scholarly book
tonsure
shaving the crown of the head by priests or monks
topography
the conguration of a surface and its features
torpid
in a condition of biological rest or suspended animation
torque
a twisting force
torso
the body excluding the head and neck and limbs
tortilla
thin unleavened pancake made from cornmeal or wheat our
tortuous
marked by repeated turns and bends
touchstone
a basis for comparison
touchy
dicult to handle; requiring great tact
tout
advertise in strongly positive terms
toxic
of or relating to or caused by a poison
tract
an extended area of land
tractable
easily managed
traduce
speak unfavorably about
trajectory
the path followed by an object moving through space
tranquillity
an untroubled state, free from disturbances
transcend
go beyond the scope or limits of
transcribe
write out, as from speech or notes
transgression
the violation of a law or a duty or moral principle
transient
lasting a very short time
transition
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
translucent
allowing light to pass through diusely
transmute
change or alter in form, appearance, or nature
transparent
transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity
transpire
come about, happen, or occur
traumatic
psychologically painful
travail
use of physical or mental energy; hard work
traverse
travel across or pass over
travesty
a composition that imitates or misrepresents a style
treacle
a pale cane syrup
treatise
a formal exposition
trek
any long and dicult trip
tremor
an involuntary vibration, as if from illness or fear
tremulous
quivering as from weakness or fear
trenchant
having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought
trencherman
trepidation
a feeling of alarm or dread
tribulation
an annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event
tribunal
an assembly to conduct judicial business
tribute
something given or done as an expression of esteem
trident
a spear with three prongs
trilogy
a set of three literary or dramatic works related in subject
triplet
one of three ospring born at the same time from the same pregnancy
trite
troglodyte
one who lives in solitude
trope
language used in a gurative or nonliteral sense
troth
a solemn pledge of delity
truckle
a low bed to be slid under a higher bed
truculent
deantly aggressive
truism
an obvious statement of fact
trumpery
ornamental objects of no great value
truncate
make shorter as if by cutting o
tryst
a secret rendezvous, especially between lovers
tumbrel
a farm dumpcart for carrying dung
tumid
abnormally distended especially by uids or gas
tundra
a vast treeless plain where subsoil is permanently frozen
turbid
clouded as with sediment
turbulence
instability in the atmosphere
tureen
large deep serving dish with a cover
turgid
turnkey
someone who guards prisoners
turpitude
a corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice
tutelage
attention and management implying responsibility for safety
tutelary
providing protective supervision
tyro
someone new to a eld or activity
ubiquitous
being present everywhere at once
ukase
an edict of the Russian tsar
ulterior
lying beyond what is openly revealed or avowed
ultimate
furthest or highest in degree or order; utmost or extreme
ultimatum
a nal peremptory demand
umbrage
a feeling of anger caused by being oended
unanimity
everyone being of one mind
unassuming
not arrogant
unassured
lacking boldness or condence
unbridled
not restrained or controlled
uncanny
surpassing the ordinary or normal
unconscionable
greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
uncouth
lacking renement or cultivation or taste
unction
anointing as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual
unctuous
unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating
undulate
move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
unearth
recover through digging
unearthly
suggesting the operation of supernatural inuences
unequivocal
admitting of no doubt or misunderstanding
unfaltering
marked by rm determination or resolution; not shakable
unfeigned
not pretended; sincerely felt or expressed
ungainly
lacking grace in movement or posture
unguent
preparation applied externally as a remedy or for soothing
unilateral
involving only one part or side
unimpeachable
beyond doubt or reproach
unique
the single one of its kind
unison
corresponding exactly
unkempt
not properly maintained or cared for
unmitigated
not diminished or moderated in intensity or severity
unruly
unable to be governed or controlled
unseemly
not in keeping with accepted standards of what is proper
unsullied
free from blemishes
untenable
incapable of being defended or justied
untoward
not in keeping with accepted standards of what is proper
unwitting
not aware or knowing
unwonted
out of the ordinary
upbraid
express criticism towards
urbane
showing a high degree of renement
ursine
of or relating to or similar to bears
usufruct
a legal right to use and prot from someone else's property
usurpation
wrongfully seizing and holding by force
usury
the act of lending money at an exorbitant rate of interest
utopia
ideally perfect state
uxorious
foolishly fond of or submissive to your wife
vacillate
be undecided about something
vacillation
indecision in speech or action
vacuous
devoid of matter
vagary
an unexpected and inexplicable change in something
vainglorious
feeling self-importance
valance
a decorative framework to conceal curtain xtures at the top of a window casing
valedictory
a farewell oration
valetudinarian
weak or sickly person especially one morbidly concerned with his or her health
validate
conrm the legal force of
vampire
a corpse rising at night to drink the blood of the living
vanguard
the leading units moving at the head of an army
vantage
place or situation aording some benet
vapid
lacking signicance or liveliness or spirit or zest
variegated
having a variety of colors
vassal
a person holding a ef
vaunt
show o
veer
turn sharply; change direction abruptly
vegetate
produce plant life
vehement
marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions
vellum
ne parchment prepared from the skin of a young animal e.g. a calf or lamb
venal
capable of being corrupted
vendetta
a blood feud between members of opposing parties
veneer
coating consisting of a thin layer of wood
venerable
profoundly honored
venerate
regard with feelings of respect and reverence
venial
warranting only temporal punishment
vent
a hole for the escape of gas, air, or liquid
ventral
toward or on or near the belly
venturous
disposed to take risks
veracious
habitually speaking the truth
veracity
unwillingness to tell lies
verbatim
using exactly the same words
verbiage
overabundance of words
verbose
using or containing too many words
verdant
characterized by abundance of verdure
verdigris
a green patina that forms on copper or brass or bronze
verity
conformity to reality or actuality
vermicular
decorated with wormlike tracery or markings
vernal
suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh
versatile
having great diversity or variety
vertex
vertiginous
having or causing a whirling sensation; liable to falling
vertigo
a reeling sensation; a feeling that you are about to fall
vestige
an indication that something has been present
vexation
anger produced by some annoying irritation
viable
capable of life or normal growth and development
viand
a choice or delicious dish
vicarious
experienced at secondhand
vicissitude
a variation in circumstances or fortune
victuals
a source of materials to nourish the body
vie
vie
vigilance
the process of paying close and continuous attention
vigilant
carefully observant or attentive
vilify
vindicate
show to be right by providing justication or proof
vindictive
disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge
viper
a venomous Old World snake
virago
a noisy or scolding or domineering woman
virile
characteristic of a man
virtuoso
someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any eld
virulent
extremely poisonous or injurious; producing venom
virus
infectious agent that replicates itself within living hosts
visage
the human face
viscid
having the sticky properties of an adhesive
viscous
having a relatively high resistance to ow
visionary
a person with unusual powers of foresight
vitiate
make imperfect
vitreous
relating to or resembling or derived from glass
vitriolic
harsh, bitter, or malicious in tone
vituperate
vituperative
marked by harshly abusive criticism
vivacious
vigorous and animated
vivisection
the act of operating on living animals
vociferous
conspicuously and oensively loud
vogue
a current state of general acceptance and use
volatile
liable to lead to sudden change or violence
volition
the act of making a choice
voluble
marked by a ready ow of speech
voracious
devouring or craving food in great quantities
votary
a priest or priestess in a non-Christian religion or cult
vouchsafe
grant in a condescending manner
waggish
witty or joking
waive
wan
decient in color suggesting physical or emotional distress
wane
a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
wanton
a lewd or lascivious person
warranty
written assurance that a product or service will be provided
wary
marked by keen caution and watchful prudence
wastrel
someone who dissipates resources self-indulgently
waver
pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
welkin
the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be
projected
welter
a confused multitude of things
wheedle
whet
sharpen by rubbing
whimsical
determined by chance or impulse rather than by necessity
whit
whorl
a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles
wily
marked by skill in deception
winsome
charming in a childlike or naive way
witless
lacking sense or understanding or judgment
witticism
a message whose ingenuity has the power to evoke laughter
wizardry
exceptional creative ability
wizened
lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness
wont
an established custom
worldly
characteristic of secularity rather than spirituality
wraith
a mental representation of some haunting experience
wreak
cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
wrest
obtain by seizing forcibly or violently, also metaphorically
xenophobia
a fear of foreigners or strangers
yeoman
a free man who cultivates his own land
yield
give or supply
yoke
a wooden frame across the shoulders for carrying buckets
yokel
a person who is not intelligent or interested in culture
yore
time long past
zany
ludicrous or foolish
zeal
a feeling of strong eagerness
zealot
a fervent and even militant proponent of something
zealous
marked by active interest and enthusiasm
zenith
the point above the observer directly opposite the nadir
zephyr
a slight wind
zest
a tart spicy quality
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5000 GRE Words 1 - Vocabulary List - Mandatory - Vocabulary PDF

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22/04/2017 5000GREWords1VocabularyList:Vocabulary.

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