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Reader Digest
September 12, 2013 By Ehtesam R. (Bangladesh)

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450 WordsActivitiesAssignments

show: definitions & notes only words

1. intimate
 having mutual interests or affections

2. flinch
draw back, as with fear or pain

3. gripe
complain

4. disenfranchise
deprive of voting rights

5. zest
a tart spicy quality

6. vamoose
leave suddenly

7. cicerone
a guide who conducts and informs sightseers

8. honcho
a manager or person who is in charge

9. tenor
 the adult male singing voice above baritone

10. hearten
give encouragement to

11. tenderfoot
an inexperienced person

12. finesse
subtly skillful handling of a situation

13. effete
excessively self-indulgent, affected, or decadent

14. dreck
merchandise that is shoddy or inferior

15. ungainly
lacking grace in movement or posture

16. scald
burn with a hot liquid or steam

17. repose
 freedom from activity

18. plaintively
in a manner expressing sorrow

19. funk
a state of nervous depression

20. warren
a colony of rabbits

21. glean
gather, as of natural products

22. mysticism
a religion based on communion with an ultimate reality

23. inscrutability
the quality of being impossible to investigate

24. meretricious
tastelessly showy

25. piquant
 having an agreeably pungent taste

26. reign
royal authority; the dominion of a monarch

27. gait
an animal's manner of moving

28. wry
humorously sarcastic or mocking

29. imbroglio
an intricate and confusing interpersonal situation

30. gusto
vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment

31. bravado
a swaggering show of courage

32. fiasco
a complete failure or collapse

33. antipodean
 relating to the antipodes or situated at opposite sides of the earth

34. traipse
walk or tramp about

35. brood
hang over, as of something threatening, dark, or menacing

36. badger
sturdy carnivorous burrowing mammal with strong claws

37. lupine
of or relating to or characteristic of wolves

38. ogre
(folklore) a giant who likes to eat human beings

39. daft
foolish or mentally irregular

40. bequeath
leave or give, especially by will after one's death

41. sophistry
 a deliberately invalid argument in the hope of deceiving

42. transmute
change or alter in form, appearance, or nature

43. lodestar
guiding star

44. exhortation
an earnest attempt at persuasion

45. august
profoundly honored

46. peremptory
putting an end to all debate or action

47. lambaste
censure severely or angrily

48. divulge
make known to the public information previously kept secret

49. immolate
 kill as a sacrifice, especially by fire

50. brazen
unrestrained by convention or propriety

51. lurid
glaringly vivid and graphic; marked by sensationalism

52. exegesis
an explanation or critical interpretation

53. quirk
a strange attitude or habit

54. dour
showing a brooding ill humor

55. veto
a vote that blocks a decision

56. cull
remove something that has been rejected

57. gauge
 an instrument for measuring and indicating a quantity

58. straits
a difficult juncture

59. rogue
a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel

60. skew
turn or place at an angle

61. convivial
occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company

62. pretence
the act of giving a false appearance

63. inroad
an encroachment or intrusion

64. impute
attribute or credit to

65. effusion
 an unrestrained expression of emotion

66. contrive
make or work out a plan for; devise

67. crotchet
a strange attitude or habit

68. cognizant
having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization

69. decrepitude
a state of deterioration due to old age or long use

70. infernal
characteristic of or resembling Hell

71. prodigious
great in size, force, extent, or degree

72. credence
the mental attitude that something is believable

73. redux
 brought back

74. lingo
a characteristic language of a particular group

75. delve
turn up, loosen, or remove earth

76. strident
unpleasantly loud and harsh

77. dissension
disagreement among those expected to cooperate

78. stoicism
an indifference to pleasure or pain

79. coquetry
playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest

80. appeasement
the act of acceding to demands

81. onus
 a burdensome or difficult concern

82. despotic
having the characteristics of a tyrannical ruler

83. quail
small gallinaceous game birds

84. quiescent
being quiet or still or inactive

85. quizzical
perplexed

86. quiddity
an evasion of an argument by raising irrelevant distinctions

87. quisling
someone who collaborates with an enemy occupying force

88. colloquium
an address to an academic meeting or seminar

89. debauch
 corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality

90. fallow
undeveloped but potentially useful

91. scour
examine minutely

92. sphinx
an inscrutable person who keeps his thoughts and intentions secret

93. catty
deliberately and often slyly spiteful or cruel

94. onslaught
an offensive against an enemy

95. decry
express strong disapproval of

96. forswear
formally reject or disavow

97. tussle
 disorderly fighting

98. regnant
exercising power or authority

99. lurk
lie in wait or behave in a sneaky and secretive manner

100. laurel
a small aromatic tree with shiny dark green leaves

101. relativism
the doctrine that judgment is based on situational context

102. chauvinist
a person with a prejudiced belief in his own superiority

103. rebuff
a deliberate discourteous act

104. defrock
remove from one's position in the church

105. eponymous
 relating to a name derived from a person

106. pilfer
make off with belongings of others

107. steward
someone who manages property or affairs for someone else

108. anguish
extreme distress of body or mind

109. gore
coagulated blood from a wound

110. lobbyist
someone who is employed to persuade how legislators vote

111. idealistic
of high moral or intellectual value

112. philippic
a speech of violent denunciation

113. crescendo
 a gradual increase in loudness

114. hale
exhibiting or restored to vigorous good health

115. pilfer
make off with belongings of others

116. melange
a motley assortment of things

117. priggish
exaggeratedly or self-righteously proper

118. somber
grave or even gloomy in character

119. pontificate
administer a pontifical office

120. triage
sorting and allocating aid on the basis of need

121. gauche
 lacking social polish

122. uncouth
lacking refinement or cultivation or taste

123. explanation
making something plain or intelligible

124. purview
the range of interest or activity that can be anticipated

125. naive
marked by or showing unaffected simplicity

126. pedagogy
the profession of a teacher

127. sophist
someone whose reasoning is subtle and often specious

128. circumspect
careful to consider potential consequences and avoid risk

129. delude
 be dishonest with

130. puckish
naughtily or annoyingly playful

131. uninhibited
not restrained

132. bootless
unproductive of success

133. pyrrhic
relating to a victory that is offset by staggering losses

134. triage
sorting and allocating aid on the basis of need

135. uncouth
lacking refinement or cultivation or taste

136. debauchery
a wild gathering involving drinking and promiscuity

137. putative
 purported

138. conjecture
believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds

139. myrmidon
a follower who carries out orders without question

140. gallivant
wander aimlessly in search of pleasure

141. traipse
walk or tramp about

142. tergiversate
be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead

143. sere
having lost all moisture

144. passe
out of fashion

145. garland
 flower arrangement consisting of a circular band of foliage

146. contraband
distributed or sold illicitly

147. smattering
a slight or superficial understanding of a subject

148. dilapidated
in a state of decay, ruin, or deterioration

149. sacrilegious
grossly irreverent toward what is considered holy

150. retrograde
moving or directed or tending in a backward direction

151. unrequited
not returned in kind

152. connive
form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner

153. arraignment
 a document calling someone to court to answer an indictment

154. lurch
move suddenly or as if unable to control one's movements

155. riddled
spread throughout

156. glower
look angry or sullen as if to signal disapproval

157. valorous
having or showing the qualities of a hero or heroine

158. sibilant
of speech sounds forcing air through a constricted passage

159. gelid
extremely cold

160. wreak
cause to happen or to occur as a consequence

161. awry
 turned or twisted to one side

162. quip
a witty saying

163. skint
lacking funds

164. convulsion
violent uncontrollable contractions of muscles

165. reconnaissance
the act of scouting

166. pith
spongelike central cylinder of the stems of flowering plants

167. cataclysmic
severely destructive

168. discountenance
look with disfavor on

169. vagary
 an unexpected and inexplicable change in something

170. dissident
a person who objects to some established policy

171. psychosis
severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost

172. taunt
harass with persistent criticism or carping

173. tarnish
make or become dirty or spotty

174. plodding
(of movement) slow and laborious

175. curate
a person authorized to conduct religious worship

176. figurehead
a person used as a cover for some questionable activity

177. fracas
 noisy quarrel

178. epithet
descriptive word or phrase

179. nexus
the means of connection between things linked in series

180. liturgy
a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship

181. macerate
soften and cause to disintegrate as a result

182. lope
run easily

183. incubus
an evil spirit thought to visit people while they sleep

184. waffle
pancake batter baked in an iron

185. quisling
 someone who collaborates with an enemy occupying force

186. apposite
being of striking appropriateness and pertinence

187. pyre
wood heaped for burning a dead body as a funeral rite

188. pretension
the advancing of a claim

189. lint
fine ravellings of cotton or linen fibers

190. ironclad
inflexibly entrenched and unchangeable

191. synapse
the junction between two neurons

192. dissemble
behave unnaturally or affectedly

193. dally
 behave carelessly or indifferently

194. stickler
someone who insists on something

195. jibe
shift from one side of the ship to the other

196. qualm
uneasiness about the fitness of an action

197. fallow
left unplowed and unseeded during a growing season

198. caulk
a waterproof filler and sealant used in building and repair

199. meander
move or cause to move in a sinuous or circular course

200. incommunicado
without means, right, or desire to be in contact with others

201. seethe
 foam as if boiling

202. dissuade
turn away from by persuasion

203. grim
harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance

204. dwindle
become smaller or lose substance

205. prerogative
a right reserved exclusively by a person or group

206. decimate
kill in large numbers

207. truce
a state of peace agreed to between opponents

208. countermand
cancel officially

209. regale
 provide with choice or abundant food or drink

210. miff
a state of irritation or annoyance

211. misdemeanor
a crime less serious than a felony

212. jettison
throw away, of something encumbering

213. obituary
a notice of someone's death

214. callous
emotionally hardened

215. glib
artfully persuasive in speech

216. chide
censure severely or angrily

217. upbraid
 express criticism towards

218. whip
an instrument with a handle and a flexible lash

219. referendum
a legislative act referred for approval to a popular vote

220. swath
a path or strip

221. hindsight
understanding the nature of an event after it has happened

222. excoriate
express strong disapproval of

223. recession
the act of returning control

224. apportioned
given out in portions

225. contortion
 a tortuous and twisted shape or position

226. leniency
a disposition to yield to the wishes of someone

227. swindle
deprive of by deceit

228. unconscionable
greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation

229. probity
complete and confirmed integrity

230. preposterous
inviting ridicule

231. pithy
concise and full of meaning

232. slack
not tense or taut

233. vicissitude
 a variation in circumstances or fortune

234. akimbo
with hands on hips and elbows extending outward

235. emblem
special design representing a quality, type, or group

236. utilitarian
having a useful function

237. mendacious
given to lying

238. vanquish
defeat in a competition, race, or conflict

239. berate
censure severely or angrily

240. coda
the closing section of a musical composition

241. syncopated
 stressing a normally weak beat

242. platitude
a trite or obvious remark

243. unbeknownst
occurring or existing without the knowledge of

244. debauchery
a wild gathering involving drinking and promiscuity

245. desuetude
a state of inactivity or disuse

246. risible
arousing or provoking laughter

247. verdant
characterized by abundance of vegetation and green foliage

248. jejune
lacking interest or significance or impact

249. convivial
 occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company

250. sanguinary
accompanied by bloodshed

251. modish
in the current fashion or style

252. motley
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds

253. obloquy
state of disgrace resulting from public abuse

254. minutia
a small or minor detail

255. dissipation
breaking up and scattering by dispersion

256. demeanor
the way a person behaves toward other people

257. shyster
 a person who uses unscrupulous or unethical methods

258. puritanical
of or relating to Puritans or Puritanism

259. sinister
wicked, evil, or dishonorable

260. lenient
tolerant

261. feckless
generally incompetent and ineffectual

262. covet
wish, long, or crave for

263. incensed
angered at something unjust or wrong

264. effusive
uttered with unrestrained enthusiasm

265. apposite
 being of striking appropriateness and pertinence

266. nigh
near in time or place or relationship

267. squander
spend thoughtlessly; throw away

268. reap
get or derive

269. tenure
the term during which some position is held

270. rapacious
living by preying on other animals

271. appraisal
the classification of something with respect to its worth

272. cogency
the quality of being valid and rigorous

273. abnegation
 the denial and rejection of a doctrine or belief

274. castigation
verbal punishment

275. iniquitous
characterized by injustice or wickedness

276. fatuous
devoid of intelligence

277. precarious
not secure; beset with difficulties

278. fallacious
containing or based on incorrect reasoning

279. apt
mentally quick and resourceful

280. menial
relating to unskilled work, especially domestic work

281. fallow
 left unplowed and unseeded during a growing season

282. minimalist
a conservative advocating only minor reforms in government

283. repudiate
refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid

284. innervate
stimulate to action

285. castrate
remove the testicles of a male animal

286. substantiate
establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts

287. gnarled
old and twisted and covered in lines

288. gallivant
wander aimlessly in search of pleasure

289. browbeat
 discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner

290. slight
small in quantity or degree

291. jeremiad
a long and mournful complaint

292. render
give or supply

293. foray
a sudden short attack

294. canny
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others

295. canon
a body of rules established as valid and fundamental

296. sinewy
possessing physical strength and weight; rugged and powerful

297. trundle
 move heavily

298. trudge
a long difficult walk

299. swivet
a panic or extreme discomposure

300. windfall
a sudden happening that brings good fortune

301. pollyannaish
pleasantly (even unrealistically) optimistic

302. hackles
a feeling of anger and animosity

303. corroborate
support with evidence or authority or make more certain

304. lacerate
deeply hurt the feelings of; distress

heart rendering
305. stagflation
a period of slow economic growth and high unemployment (stagnation)
while prices rise (inflation)

306. envoy
someone on a mission to represent another's interests

307. importune
beg persistently and urgently

308. devious
characterized by insincerity or deceit

309. countenance
the appearance conveyed by a person's face

310. cocooning
retreating to the seclusion of your home

311. gauche
lacking social polish

312. ensemble
 a coordinated outfit (set of clothing)

313. loco
informal or slang terms for mentally irregular

314. ersatz
an artificial or inferior substitute or imitation

315. red herring

diversion intended to distract attention from the main issue

316. uppity
arrogant or self-important

317. adumbrate
describe roughly or give the main points or summary of

318. yen
a desire for something or to do something

319. amok
in a murderous frenzy

320. gorge
 overeat or eat immodestly

321. bland
lacking taste or flavor or tang

322. vicarious
experienced at secondhand

323. expeditiously
with efficiency; in an efficient manner

324. nub
the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or
experience

325. divest
deprive of status or authority

326. semblance
an outward appearance that is deliberately misleading

327. slur
a disparaging remark
328. apt
being of striking pertinence

329. contingency
a possible event or occurrence or result

330. appertain
be a part or attribute of

331. inducement
a positive motivational influence

332. palladium
a silver-white metallic element of the platinum group that resembles
platinum; occurs in some copper and nickel ores; does not tarnish at
ordinary temperatures and is used (alloyed with gold) in jewelry

333. concede
acknowledge defeat

334. keepsake
something of sentimental value
335. riant
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

336. forbearance
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence

337. encumber
hold back, impede, or weigh down

338. augury
an event indicating important things to come

339. plight
a situation from which extrication is difficult

340. implicate
bring into intimate and incriminating connection

341. rue
feel sorry for; be contrite about

342. minatory
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
343. broach
bring up a topic for discussion

344. lithe
moving and bending with ease

345. libation
the act of pouring a liquid offering as a religious ceremony

346. pastiche
a work of art that imitates the style of some previous work

347. rankle
make resentful or angry

348. bowdlerize
edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate

349. peculation
the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted to your care
but actually owned by someone else

350. truckle
 try to gain favor by cringing or flattering

351. sleight
adroitness in using the hands

352. patois
a regional dialect of a language

353. syllogism
reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises

354. vibrant
vigorous and animated

355. jostle
make one's way by pushing or shoving

356. fusty
old-fashioned and out of date

357. cloister
seclude from the world

358. cognoscente
 an expert able to appreciate a field

359. renunciation
the state of having rejected your beliefs or a cause

360. albatross
something that hinders or handicaps

361. harbor
maintain, as a theory, thought, or feeling

362. reparation
something done or paid in expiation of a wrong

363. emblazon
decorate with colors

364. scam
deprive of by deceit

365. pugilistic
of or relating to boxing

366. seer
 a person with unusual powers of foresight

367. fungible
a commodity that is freely interchangeable with another

368. arrears
an unpaid overdue debt

369. proviso
a stipulated condition

370. panache
distinctive and stylish elegance

371. peremptory
not allowing contradiction or refusal

372. pejorative
expressing disapproval

373. premise
a statement that is held to be true

374. extricate
 release from entanglement or difficulty

375. picayune
small and of little importance

376. behest
an authoritative command or request

377. cobble
repair or mend

378. emblematic
serving as a visible symbol for something abstract

379. roil
be agitated

380. gestation
the conception and development of an idea or plan

381. ensemble
an assemblage of parts considered as forming a whole

382. aficionado
 a serious devotee of some activity, genre, or performer

383. impresario
a sponsor who books and stages public entertainments

384. slough
cast off hair, skin, horn, or feathers

385. debauch
a wild gathering involving excessive drinking

386. reprimand
rebuke formally

387. choreograph
plan and oversee the development and details of

388. posit
take as a given; assume as a postulate or axiom

389. deracinate
pull up by or as if by the roots

390. epiphany
 a divine manifestation

391. vigil
a purposeful surveillance to guard or observe

392. niggling
(informal) small and of little importance

393. sedition
an illegal action inciting resistance to lawful authority

394. purveyor
someone who supplies provisions, especially food

395. summarily
without delay; in a summary manner

396. secede
withdraw from an organization or polity

397. reconnoiter
explore, often with the goal of finding something

398. temporize
 draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time

399. bruit
tell or spread rumors

400. cozen
cheat or trick

401. factoid
unverified information given credibility through repetition

402. tremulous
quivering as from weakness or fear

403. crass
so unrefined as to be lacking in discrimination

404. treacly
overly sweet

405. nary
colloquial for 'not a' or 'not one' or 'never a'

406. bravura
 brilliant and showy technical skill

407. leery
openly distrustful and unwilling to confide

408. odyssey
a long wandering and eventful journey

409. orotund
full and rich, of sounds

410. obloquy
state of disgrace resulting from public abuse

411. pensive
deeply or seriously thoughtful

412. exhort
force or impel in an indicated direction

413. equipoise
equality of distribution

414. gamut
 a complete extent or range

415. wherewithal
the necessary means (especially financial means)

416. evangelist
a preacher of the Christian gospel

417. petty
small and of little importance

418. grimace
contort the face to indicate a certain mental state

419. gibe
an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile

420. rapt
feeling great delight and interest

421. incredulity
doubt about the truth of something

422. menial
 relating to unskilled work, especially domestic work

423. unwonted
out of the ordinary

424. fudge
avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing

425. snipe
attack in speech or writing

426. fey
slightly insane

427. quash
put down by force or intimidation

428. marque
a name given to a product or service

429. carp
raise trivial objections

430. waif
 a homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned

431. bode
indicate by signs

432. deem
judge or regard in a particular way

433. demigod
a person with great powers and abilities

434. exiguous
extremely scanty

435. devolve
pass on or delegate to another

436. codicil
a supplement to a will

437. allegation
a formal accusation against somebody

438. injection
 the forceful insertion of a substance under pressure

439. indemnify
make amends for; pay compensation for

440. escrow
an agreement delivering property or money to a third party

441. revelation
the act of making something evident

442. reprisal
a retaliatory action against an enemy in wartime

443. besmirch
charge falsely or with malicious intent

444. conformity
correspondence in form, type, or appearance

445. smoldering
showing scarcely suppressed anger

446. reconcile
 come to terms

447. trove
a valuable collection or treasure found hidden

448. ornery
having a difficult and contrary disposition

449. vainglorious
feeling self-importance

450. squeamish
excessively fastidious and easily disgusted

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