-
prescient
perceiving the significance of events before they occur
-
iniquity
absence of moral or spiritual values
-
disenfranchisement
the act of withdrawing certification or terminating a franchise
-
expropriation
taking out of an owner's hands (especially taking property by public authority)
-
triumvirate
a group of three men responsible for public administration or civil authority
-
parlance
a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language
-
demarcate
set, mark, or draw the boundaries of something
-
ancillary
furnishing added support
-
transgression
the act of transgressing; the violation of a law or a duty or moral principle
-
incantation
a ritual recitation of words or sounds believed to have a magical effect
-
prognostication
a sign of something about to happen
-
idempotent
unchanged in value following multiplication by itself
-
heuristic
a commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem
-
rhetoric
study of the technique and rules for using language effectively (especially in public speaking)
-
mnemonic
of or relating to or involved the practice of aiding the memory
-
orator
a person who delivers a speech or oration
-
resonance
having the character of a loud deep sound; the quality of being resonant
-
syllogism
deductive reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises
-
anergy
reduction or lack of an immune response to a specific antigen
-
indictment
an accusation of wrongdoing
-
incisive
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
-
epigrammatic
terse and witty and like a maxim
-
mutiny
open rebellion against constituted authority (especially by seamen or soldiers against their officers)
-
inquisitive
inquiring or appearing to inquire
-
venerable
profoundly honored
-
proponent
a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
-
confute
prove to be false
-
cohesion
the state of cohering or sticking together
-
vanguard
the leading units moving at the head of an army
-
avant-garde
radically new or original
-
gilded
made from or covered with gold
-
beleaguer
annoy persistently
-
candor
the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech
-
pantomime
a performance using gestures and body movements without words
-
egalitarian
favoring social equality
-
disposition
your usual mood
-
trawl
a long fishing line with many shorter lines and hooks attached to it (usually suspended between buoys)
-
levy
impose and collect
-
unabated
continuing at full strength or intensity
-
vernacular
the everyday speech of the people (as distinguished from literary language)
-
harbinger
something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
-
misanthropic
hating mankind in general
-
dreary
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
-
quip
a witty saying
-
interdict
an ecclesiastical censure by the Roman Catholic Church withdrawing certain sacraments and Christian burial from a person or all persons in a particular district
-
pilfer
make off with belongings of others
-
eclectic
selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas
-
ramification
a development that complicates a situation
-
nexus
the means of connection between things linked in series
-
chastise
censure severely
-
moxie
fortitude and determination
-
copious
large in number or quantity (especially of discourse)
-
expound
add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing
-
aloof
remote in manner
-
innocuous
not injurious to physical or mental health
-
virile
characterized by energy and vigor
-
enamor
attract; cause to be enamored
-
elide
leave or strike out
-
connive
form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner
-
impedance
a material's opposition to the flow of electric current; measured in ohms
-
hapless
deserving or inciting pity
-
majestic
having or displaying great dignity or nobility
-
jettison
throw away, of something encumbering
-
pundit
someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
-
accoutrement
clothing that is worn or carried, but not part of your main clothing
-
conflate
mix together different elements
-
auspicious
auguring favorable circumstances and good luck
-
Faustian
pertaining to or resembling or befitting Faust or Faustus especially in insatiably striving for worldly knowledge and power even at the price of spiritual values
-
denotation
the most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression; the class of objects that an expression refers to
-
exalt
praise, glorify, or honor
-
revel
take delight in
-
parry
impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
-
transfix
to render motionless, as with a fixed stare or by arousing terror or awe
-
demure
affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way
-
comely
according with custom or propriety
-
adorn
make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
-
machinate
arrange by systematic planning and united effort
-
dally
behave carelessly or indifferently
-
pine
a coniferous tree
-
discrete
constituting a separate entity or part
-
crux
the most important point
-
misnomer
an incorrect or unsuitable name
-
obviate
do away with
-
compunction
a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
-
inimitable
defying imitation; matchless
-
provocation
something that incites or provokes; a means of arousing or stirring to action
-
audit
examine carefully for accuracy with the intent of verification
-
covenant
(Bible) an agreement between God and his people in which God makes certain promises and requires certain behavior from them in return
-
dastardly
despicably cowardly
-
beguile
attract; cause to be enamored
-
infamy
a state of extreme dishonor
-
cardinalate
cardinals collectively
-
abstruse
difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
-
rationale
(law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature)
-
harrowing
extremely painful
-
interminable
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
-
attrition
the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction
-
rebuke
an act or expression of criticism and censure
-
lament
a cry of sorrow and grief
-
censure
harsh criticism or disapproval
-
reprehensible
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
-
canard
a deliberately misleading fabrication
-
impute
attribute or credit to
-
spate
a sudden forceful flow
-
reticence
the trait of being uncommunicative; not volunteering anything more than necessary
-
imbibe
take in liquids
-
symbiotic
used of organisms (especially of different species) living together but not necessarily in a relation beneficial to each
-
symbiosis
the relation between two different species of organisms that are interdependent; each gains benefits from the other
-
abrasive
causing abrasion
-
callow
young and inexperienced
-
menial
used of unskilled work (especially domestic work)
-
transitory
lasting a very short time
-
sectarianism
a narrow-minded adherence to a particular sect or party or denomination
-
repartee
adroitness and cleverness in reply
-
proselytism
the practice of proselytizing
-
astute
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
-
disparity
inequality or difference in some respect
-
incessant
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
-
dissonance
disagreeable sounds
-
abhor
find repugnant
-
unabated
continuing at full strength or intensity
-
seminal
pertaining to or containing or consisting of semen
-
demagogue
a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular passions and prejudices
-
demagogic
characteristic of or resembling a demagogue
-
resentment
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
-
pique
a sudden outburst of anger
-
platitude
a trite or obvious remark
-
jingoism
fanatical patriotism
-
surmise
infer from incomplete evidence
-
adjunct
something added to another thing but not an essential part of it
-
cavalier
a gallant or courtly gentleman
-
procure
get by special effort
-
canonize
declare (a dead person) to be a saint
-
quip
a witty saying
-
swatch
a sample piece of cloth
-
stupendous
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
-
stifle
impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of
-
exhort
spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts
-
resilient
recovering readily from adversity, depression, or the like
-
stringent
demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
-
comport
behave in a certain manner
-
antecedent
a preceding occurrence or cause or event
-
noumenon
the intellectual conception of a thing as it is in itself, not as it is known through perception
-
talisman
a trinket or piece of jewelry usually hung about the neck and thought to be a magical protection against evil or disease
-
mensch
a decent responsible person with admirable characteristics
-
swoon
pass out from weakness, physical or emotional distress due to a loss of blood supply to the brain
-
abject
of the most contemptible kind
-
abase
cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of
-
accost
speak to someone
-
apoptosis
a type of cell death in which the cell uses specialized cellular machinery to kill itself; a cell suicide mechanism that enables metazoans to control cell number and eliminate cells that threaten the animal's survival
-
prose
ordinary writing as distinguished from verse
-
metrical
the rhythmic arrangement of syllables
-
fiat
a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
-
bluster
blow hard; be gusty, as of wind
-
vacuous
devoid of matter
-
vapid
lacking significance or liveliness or spirit or zest
-
inexorable
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
-
federate
unite on a federal basis or band together as a league
-
pontificate
administer a pontifical office
-
diminutive
a word that is formed with a suffix (such as -let or -kin) to indicate smallness
-
lacuna
an ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling or dome
-
fervent
characterized by intense emotion
-
screed
a long monotonous harangue
-
vex
cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
-
garrote
an instrument of execution for execution by strangulation
-
conflate
mix together different elements
-
hegemony
the dominance or leadership of one social group or nation over others
-
folly
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
-
firmament
the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
-
divisive
dissenting (especially dissenting with the majority opinion)
-
hoopla
blatant or sensational promotion
-
vignette
a brief literary description
-
epistle
a specially long, formal letter
-
precedence
status established in order of importance or urgency
-
wanton
lewd or lascivious woman
-
lewd
suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
-
secular
someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person
-
dietetic
of or relating to the diet
-
dialectic
a contradiction of ideas that serves as the determining factor in their interaction
-
calisthenics
light exercises designed to promote general fitness
-
transude
release (a liquid) in drops or small quantities
-
amble
walk leisurely
-
cordial
politely warm and friendly
-
placenta
the vascular structure in the uterus of most mammals providing oxygen and nutrients for and transferring wastes from the developing fetus
-
astound
affect with wonder
-
nefariously
in a nefarious manner or to a nefarious degree
-
juncture
the shape or manner in which things come together and a connection is made
-
opine
express one's opinion openly and without fear or hesitation
-
masonic
of or relating to stonemasons or masonry
-
fraternity
a social club for male undergraduates
-
sorority
a social club for female undergraduates
-
monastery
the residence of a religious community
-
interrogate
pose a series of questions to
-
atomic
of or relating to or comprising atoms
-
discreet
marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
-
circumspect
heedful of potential consequences
-
moniker
a familiar name for a person (often a shortened version of a person's given name)
-
affliction
a cause of great suffering and distress
-
prodigious
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
-
capacious
large in capacity
-
tract
an extended area of land
-
forceps
an extractor consisting of a pair of pincers used in medical treatment (especially for the delivery of babies)
-
extricate
release from entanglement of difficulty
-
ventral
toward or on or near the belly (front of a primate or lower surface of a lower animal)
-
ectopic
exhibiting ectopia
-
chaste
abstaining from unlawful sexual intercourse
-
sequester
keep away from others
-
figuratively
in a figurative sense
-
fixation
the activity of fastening something firmly in position
-
acme
the highest point (of something)
-
literal
limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text
-
basify
turn basic and less acidic
-
confound
be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly
-
repudiate
refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid
-
peruse
examine or consider with attention and in detail
-
cleave
separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument
-
pedigree
the descendants of one individual
-
fray
wear away by rubbing
-
substantiated
-
medieval
relating to or belonging to the Middle Ages
-
infringe
advance beyond the usual limit
-
vigilante
member of a vigilance committee
-
faze
disturb the composure of
-
disconcert
cause to lose one's composure
-
travesty
a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way
-
inquest
an inquiry into the cause of an unexpected death
-
ascertain
learn or discover with certainty
-
noxious
injurious to physical or mental health
-
skittish
unpredictably excitable (especially of horses)
-
emphatic
spoken with emphasis
-
aficionado
a serious devotee of some particular music genre or musical performer
-
consecrated
made or declared or believed to be holy; devoted to a deity or some religious ceremony or use
-
excommunicate
exclude from a church or a religious community
-
twaddle
pretentious or silly talk or writing
-
padlock
a detachable lock; has a hinged shackle that can be passed through the staple of a hasp or the links in a chain and then snapped shut
-
unitary
having the indivisible character of a unit
-
fable
a short moral story (often with animal characters)
-
legalese
a style that uses the abstruse technical vocabulary of the law
-
vociferous
conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
-
vehement
marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently; fervid
-
clamorous
conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
-
tedium
the feeling of being bored by something tedious
-
amortize
liquidate gradually
-
aggrandize
add details to
-
induction
the act of bringing about something (especially at an early time)
-
filibuster
(law) a tactic for delaying or obstructing legislation by making long speeches
-
contravene
go against, as of rules and laws
-
prohibition
the action of prohibiting or inhibiting or forbidding (or an instance thereof)
-
obstructionism
deliberate interference
-
provision
the activity of supplying or providing something
-
stark
severely simple
-
lucid
(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
-
glean
gather, as of natural products
-
buffet
a piece of furniture that stands at the side of a dining room; has shelves and drawers
-
scraggly
lacking neatness or order
-
pigeonhole
a small compartment
-
foil
hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
-
refutation
the act of determining that something is false
-
gruesome
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
-
affix
attach to
-
empiricism
(philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge derives from experience
-
anticipate
regard something as probable or likely
-
precursor
something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
-
forerunner
something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
-
deference
courteous regard for people's feelings
-
impinge
impinge or infringe upon
-
countermove
an attack by a defending force against an attacking enemy force in order to regain lost ground or cut off enemy advance units etc.
-
propriety
correct or appropriate behavior
-
enshrine
enclose in a shrine
-
receptacle
a container that is used to put or keep things in
-
overmuch
very great in quantity; overabundant
-
subsume
contain or include
-
adherent
someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another
-
faculty
one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
-
agonize
suffer agony or anguish
-
excruciating
extremely painful
-
testament
strong evidence for something
-
dispensation
the act of dispensing (giving out in portions)
-
parley
a negotiation between enemies
-
impresario
a sponsor who books and stages public entertainments
-
Lothario
a successful womanizer; a man who behaves selfishly in his sexual relationships with women
-
decimate
kill one in every ten, as of mutineers in Roman armies
-
apace
with rapid movements
-
pestering
causing irritation or annoyance
-
intrepid
invulnerable to fear or intimidation
-
tepid
moderately warm
-
tenure
the term during which some position is held
-
interdisciplinary
drawing from or characterized by participation of two or more fields of study
-
acrimony
a rough and bitter manner
-
fractious
easily irritated or annoyed
-
propagation
the act of producing offspring or multiplying by such production
-
formative
minimal language unit that has a syntactic (or morphological) function
-
victuals
a source of materials to nourish the body
-
perennial
lasting three seasons or more
-
decry
express strong disapproval of
-
trope
language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense
-
rendition
a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role etc.
-
transliterate
rewrite in a different script
-
amnesty
a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense
-
dicey
of uncertain outcome; especially fraught with risk
-
mediate
act between parties with a view to reconciling differences
-
fortnight
a period of fourteen consecutive days
-
spearhead
the head and sharpened point of a spear
-
unfurl
unroll, unfold, or spread out or be unrolled, unfolded, or spread out from a furled state
-
status quo
the existing state of affairs
-
defalcate
appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
-
contingent
determined by conditions or circumstances that follow
-
contingency
the state of being contingent on something
-
condone
excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with
-
glib
artfully persuasive in speech
-
voluble
marked by a ready flow of speech
-
piety
righteousness by virtue of being pious
-
prevail
be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
-
climate
the weather in some location averaged over some long period of time
-
immersion
the act of wetting something by submerging it
-
Episcopalian
a member of the Episcopal church
-
absolve
grant remission of a sin to
-
incarcerate
lock up or confine, in or as in a jail
-
contrive
make or work out a plan for; devise
-
nefarious
extremely wicked
-
blotter
absorbent paper used to dry ink
-
languish
become feeble
-
expatriate
a person who is voluntarily absent from home or country
-
usury
the act of lending money at an exorbitant rate of interest
-
conjecture
to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
-
dissertation
a treatise advancing a new point of view resulting from research; usually a requirement for an advanced academic degree
-
basin
a bowl-shaped vessel; usually used for holding food or liquids
-
unison
corresponding exactly
-
meek
humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness
-
denigrate
charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
-
haughty
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
-
high-handed
given to haughty disregard of others
-
corollary
(logic) an inference that follows directly from the proof of another proposition
-
amend
make amendments to
-
asinine
devoid of intelligence
-
facet
a distinct feature or element in a problem
-
pallor
unnatural lack of color in the skin (as from bruising or sickness or emotional distress)
-
salutary
tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health
-
allay
lessen the intensity of or calm
-
trounce
beat severely with a whip or rod
-
tizzy
an excited state of agitation
-
confer
present
-
discourse
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
-
libel
a false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person
-
replete
filled to satisfaction with food or drink
-
wholly
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (`whole' is often used informally for `wholly')
-
posit
take as a given; assume as a postulate or axiom
-
assailant
someone who attacks
-
sown
sprinkled with seed
-
nary
(used with singular count nouns) colloquial for `not a' or `not one' or `never a'
-
nubile
of girls or women who are eligible to marry
-
stickler
someone who insists on something
-
carnal
of or relating to the body or flesh
-
vaunt
show off
-
megalomaniac
a pathological egotist
-
homogeneous
all of the same or similar kind or nature
-
apoplectic
pertaining to or characteristic of apoplexy
-
quadrant
any of the four areas into which a plane is divided by two orthogonal coordinate axes
-
magistrate
a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law (especially one who conducts a court dealing with minor offenses)
-
bloodletting
formerly used as a treatment to reduce excess blood (one of the four humors of medieval medicine)
-
tribunal
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
-
bilious
relating to or containing bile
-
malefactor
someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
-
palaver
loud and confused and empty talk
-
artifice
a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)
-
assuage
provide physical relief, as from pain
-
corpulent
excessively fat
-
tome
a (usually) large and scholarly book
-
emblazon
decorate with heraldic arms
-
simulcast
a broadcast that is carried simultaneously by radio and television (or by FM and AM radio)
-
machination
a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends
-
dissolution
separation into component parts
-
sinew
a cord or band of inelastic tissue connecting a muscle with its bony attachment
-
vitriolic
harsh or corrosive in tone
-
gestation
the period during which an embryo develops (about 266 days in humans)
-
blastocyst
the blastula of a placental mammal in which some differentiation of cells has occurred
-
blastula
early stage of an embryo produced by cleavage of an ovum; a liquid-filled sphere whose wall is composed of a single layer of cells; during this stage (about eight days after fertilization) implantation in the wall of the uterus occurs
-
Albert
prince consort of Queen Victoria of England (1819-1861)
-
aplomb
great coolness and composure under strain
-
ennui
the feeling of being bored by something tedious
-
prosaic
lacking wit or imagination
-
celluloid
highly flammable substance made from cellulose nitrate and camphor; used in e.g. motion-picture and X-ray film; its use has decreased with the development of nonflammable thermoplastics
-
major key
a key whose harmony is based on the major scale
-
interlocutor
a person who takes part in a conversation
-
dalliance
the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working
-
extant
still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost
-
unrequited
not returned in kind
-
insidiously
in a harmfully insidious manner
-
vermilion
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
-
terrarium
a vivarium in which selected living plants are kept and observed
-
coalescence
the union of diverse things into one body or form or group; the growing together of parts
-
resonate
sound with resonance
-
carpet loom
a loom for weaving carpeting
-
refractory
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
-
foible
a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
-
feral
wild and menacing
-
acrimonious
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
-
swathe
wrap in swaddling clothes
-
arraign
accuse of a wrong or an inadequacy
-
Luddite
any opponent of technological progress
-
entomology
the branch of zoology that studies insects
-
prevalent
most frequent or common
-
banal
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
-
emulsifier
a surface-active agent that promotes the formation of an emulsion
-
brouhaha
a confused disturbance far greater than its cause merits
-
ellipsis
omission or suppression of parts of words or sentences
-
cutlass
a short heavy curved sword with one edge; formerly used by sailors
-
doubloon
a former Spanish gold coin
-
marooned
cut off or left behind
-
scuttle
an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship
-
harbinger
something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
-
acrylamide
a white crystalline amide of propenoic acid can damage the nervous system and is carcinogenic in laboratory animals
-
inebriated
stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
-
bionic
of or relating to bionics
-
languish
become feeble
-
neophyte
any new participant in some activity
-
momentous
of very great significance
-
puerile
displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity
-
miscarriage
a natural loss of the products of conception
-
Zionist
a Jewish supporter of Zionism
-
contusion
an injury that doesn't break the skin but results in some discoloration
-
capillary
any of the minute blood vessels connecting arterioles with venules
-
altercation
noisy quarrel
-
unabashed
not embarrassed
-
anaphylactic
related to the hypersensitivity known as anaphylaxis
-
colloquial
characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation
-
stiletto
a small dagger with a tapered blade
-
authorized
sanctioned by established authority
-
perturbed
thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (`rattled' is an informal term)
-
colostomy
a surgical operation that creates an opening from the colon to the surface of the body to function as an anus
-
auteur
a filmmaker who has a personal style and keeps creative control over his or her works
-
eugenics
the study of methods of improving genetic qualities by selective breeding (especially as applied to human mating)
-
coddle
cook in nearly boiling water
-
cosset
treat with excessive indulgence
-
consummate
having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
-
amorous
inclined toward or displaying love
-
extol
praise, glorify, or honor
-
commensurate
corresponding in size or degree or extent
-
pervasive
spreading or spread throughout
-
antithetical
sharply contrasted in character or purpose
-
pretext
something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
-
acclimate
get used to a certain climate
-
sophisticate
make less natural or innocent
-
snide
expressive of contempt
-
dross
worthless or dangerous material that should be removed
-
marginalise
relegate to a lower or outer edge, as of specific groups of people
-
permeate
spread or diffuse through
-
warren
a colony of rabbits
-
diatribe
thunderous verbal attack
-
subsist
support oneself
-
cumbersome
difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight
-
dissuade
turn away from by persuasion
-
ruminate
reflect deeply on a subject
-
aberration
a state or condition markedly different from the norm
-
ephemeral
anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day in its winged form
-
contemporaneous
occurring in the same period of time
-
symbiosis
the relation between two different species of organisms that are interdependent; each gains benefits from the other
-
antibiosis
an association between organisms that is harmful to one of them or between organisms and a metabolic product of another
-
polemic
a controversy (especially over a belief or dogma)
-
consortium
an association of companies for some definite purpose
-
profusion
the property of being extremely abundant
-
heterogeneous
consisting of elements that are not of the same kind or nature
-
clout
(boxing) a blow with the fist
-
bedevil
be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly
-
elucidate
make clear and (more) comprehensible
-
burgeon
grow and flourish
-
ambient
completely enveloping
-
tout
advertize in strongly positive terms
-
labyrinth
complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
-
orthogonal
having a set of mutually perpendicular axes; meeting at right angles
-
arbitrage
a kind of hedged investment meant to capture slight differences in price; when there is a difference in the price of something on two different markets the arbitrageur simultaneously buys at the lower price and sells at the higher price
-
espouse
choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
-
adherent
someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another
-
forgoing
the act of renouncing; sacrificing or giving up or surrendering (a possession or right or title or privilege etc.)
-
procession
the act of moving forward (as toward a goal)
-
corral
a pen for cattle
-
didactic
instructive (especially excessively)
-
metronome
clicking pendulum indicates the exact tempo of a piece of music
-
intractable
not tractable; difficult to manage or mold
-
solder
join or fuse with solder
-
parable
a short moral story (often with animal characters)
-
oligopoly
(economics) a market in which control over the supply of a commodity is in the hands of a small number of producers and each one can influence prices and affect competitors
-
dimorphic
occurring or existing in two different forms
-
en masse
all together
-
idyllic
suggestive of an idyll; charmingly simple and serene
-
picturesque
suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture
-
palliation
easing the severity of a pain or a disease without removing the cause
-
espouse
choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
-
egregious
conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
-
reconcile
come to terms
-
burnish
polish and make shiny
-
subversive
in opposition to a civil authority or government
-
extraneous
not belonging to that in which it is contained; introduced from an outside source
-
stringently
in a stringent manner
-
columnar
having the form of a column
-
gnomic
relating to or containing gnomes
-
patriarch
the male head of family or tribe
-
parsimony
extreme stinginess
-
raster
the rectangular formation of parallel scanning lines that guide the electron beam on a television screen or a computer monitor
-
composite
consisting of separate interconnected parts
-
machismo
exaggerated masculinity
-
vie
compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
-
oxymoron
conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence')
-
fussy
exacting especially about details
-
gentrification
the restoration of run-down urban areas by the middle class (resulting in the displacement of low-income residents)
-
misanthropy
hatred of mankind
-
cantankerous
stubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate
-
titular
existing in name only
-
resolute
firm in purpose or belief; characterized by firmness and determination
-
terse
brief and to the point; effectively cut short
-
heed
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
-
adjure
command solemnly
-
implication
something that is inferred (deduced or entailed or implied)
-
homonym
two words are homonyms if they are pronounced or spelled the same way but have different meanings
-
dynamo
generator consisting of a coil (the armature) that rotates between the poles of an electromagnet (the field magnet) causing a current to flow in the armature
-
lamentation
the passionate and demonstrative activity of expressing grief
-
rabble
a disorderly crowd of people
-
adorned
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
-
consternation
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
-
disputant
a person who disputes; who is good at or enjoys controversy
-
articulate
express or state clearly
-
hospitable
disposed to treat guests and strangers with cordiality and generosity
-
thenceforth
from that time on
-
codify
organize into a code or system, such as a body of law
-
monopsony
(economics) a market in which goods or services are offered by several sellers but there is only one buyer
-
paragon
an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept
-
anathema
a formal ecclesiastical curse accompanied by excommunication
-
penance
voluntary self-punishment in order to atone for some wrongdoing
-
posit
take as a given; assume as a postulate or axiom
-
suffusion
the process of permeating or infusing something with a substance
-
wrought
shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)
-
muster
gather or bring together
-
dictum
an authoritative declaration
-
pronounce
speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way
-
folklore
the unwritten lore (stories and proverbs and riddles and songs) of a culture
-
genesis
a coming into being
-
test bed
a place equipped with instruments for testing (e.g. engines or machinery or computer programs etc.) under working conditions
-
shepherd
a herder of sheep (on an open range); someone who keeps the sheep together in a flock
-
adage
a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people
-
fellowship
the state of being with someone
-
quandary
state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
-
fervor
feelings of great warmth and intensity
-
capricious
determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
-
malleable
capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
-
preponderant
having superior power and influence
-
pertinent
being of striking appropriateness and pertinence
-
encumber
hold back
-
flux
a flow or discharge
-
latent
potentially existing but not presently evident or realized
-
elixir
a substance believed to cure all ills
-
credo
any system of principles or beliefs
-
innate
present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development
-
acclimate
get used to a certain climate
-
decree
a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
-
sentient
endowed with feeling and unstructured consciousness
-
posterity
all future generations
-
quintessence
the purest and most concentrated essence of something
-
prod
to push against gently
-
prune
cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of
-
compartmentalize
separate into isolated compartments or categories
-
atrophy
a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse
-
propagate
multiply sexually or asexually
-
zenith
the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected
-
abstain
choose not to consume
-
Helix
type genus of the family Helicidae
-
phoneme
(linguistics) one of a small set of speech sounds that are distinguished by the speakers of a particular language
-
amorphous
having no definite form or distinct shape
-
aptitude
inherent ability
-
progenitor
an ancestor in the direct line
-
delineate
represented accurately or precisely
-
acrid
strong and sharp;"the pungent taste of radishes"
-
livelihood
the financial means whereby one lives
-
Borneo
3rd largest island in the world; in the western Pacific to the north of Java; largely covered by dense jungle and rain forest; part of the Malay Archipelago
-
edict
a formal or authoritative proclamation
-
obsequious
attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
-
determinism
(philosophy) a philosophical theory holding that all events are inevitable consequences of antecedent sufficient causes; often understood as denying the possibility of free will
-
shrewd
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
-
fidelity
the quality of being faithful
-
flophouse
a cheap lodging house
-
malevolence
wishing evil to others
-
literati
the literary intelligentsia
-
incredulous
not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
-
foliage
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
-
petulant
easily irritated or annoyed
-
adulation
servile flattery; exaggerated and hypocritical praise
-
pallid
abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress
-
precept
rule of personal conduct
-
implacable
incapable of being placated
-
sordid
foul and run-down and repulsive
-
emancipate
free from slavery or servitude
-
mercenary
a person hired to fight for another country than their own
-
civil engineer
an engineer trained to design and construct and maintain public works (roads or bridges or harbors etc.)
-
discern
detect with the senses
-
cordial
politely warm and friendly
-
Maxim
English inventor (born in the United States) who invented the Maxim gun that was used in World War I (1840-1916)
-
aphoristic
terse and witty and like a maxim
-
ignoble
completely lacking nobility in character or quality or purpose
-
squalid
foul and run-down and repulsive
-
apprehensive
in fear or dread of possible evil or harm
-
premise
a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn
-
palaver
loud and confused and empty talk
-
jibe
shift from one side of the ship to the other
-
moratorium
suspension of an ongoing activity
-
brunt
main force of a blow etc
-
mirth
great merriment
-
concede
give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
-
crass
(of persons) so unrefined as to be lacking in discrimination and sensibility
-
inane
devoid of intelligence
-
syllogism
deductive reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises
-
precarious
not secure; beset with difficulties
-
rancorous
showing deep-seated resentment
-
abject
of the most contemptible kind
-
explicable
capable of being explicated or accounted for
-
pander
arrange for sexual partners for others
-
demarcation
the boundary of a specific area
-
deference
courteous regard for people's feelings
-
insolent
marked by casual disrespect
-
imperious
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
-
nascent
being born or beginning
-
equivocal
open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead
-
pithy
concise and full of meaning
-
impunity
exemption from punishment or loss
-
arduous
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
-
fragility
quality of being easily damaged or destroyed
-
convulsive
affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm
-
indignation
a feeling of righteous anger
-
concourse
a coming together of people
-
imposition
the act of imposing something (as a tax or an embargo)
-
drawl
a slow speech pattern with prolonged vowels
-
semblance
an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
-
brusque
marked by rude or peremptory shortness
-
equanimity
steadiness of mind under stress
-
Jesuit
having qualities characteristic of Jesuits or Jesuitism
-
coefficient
a constant number that serves as a measure of some property or characteristic
-
tribulation
an annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event
-
reprimand
an act or expression of criticism and censure
-
refract
subject to refraction
-
exasperate
make furious
-
automation
the act of implementing the control of equipment with advanced technology; usually involving electronic hardware
-
inkling
a slight suggestion or vague understanding
-
infallible
incapable of failure or error
-
expedient
appropriate to a purpose; practical
-
exult
feel extreme happiness or elation
-
pervasive
spreading or spread throughout
-
cognizance
having knowledge of
-
ingot
metal that is cast in the shape of a block for convenient handling
-
stillborn
(of newborn infant) showing no signs of life at birth; not liveborn
-
superlative
highest in quality
-
luminous
softly bright or radiant
-
splendor
the quality of being magnificent or splendid or grand
-
dismal
causing dejection
-
extraneous
not belonging to that in which it is contained; introduced from an outside source
-
sanction
official permission or approval
-
depravity
moral perversion; impairment of virtue and moral principles
-
reprisal
a retaliatory action against an enemy in wartime
-
reprobate
a person without moral scruples
-
reprieve
postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution
-
propitious
presenting favorable circumstances; likely to result in or show signs of success
-
extricate
release from entanglement of difficulty
-
scrupulous
characterized by extreme care and great effort
-
disparate
fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind
-
undulate
move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
-
cogent
powerfully persuasive
-
remiss
failing in what duty requires
-
sinew
a cord or band of inelastic tissue connecting a muscle with its bony attachment
-
furtively
in a furtive manner
-
tenement
a run-down apartment house barely meeting minimal standards
-
forlorn
marked by or showing hopelessness
-
bromide
a trite or obvious remark
-
meager
deficient in amount or quality or extent
-
shellac
lac purified by heating and filtering; usually in thin orange or yellow flakes but sometimes bleached white
-
abhor
find repugnant
-
axiom
(logic) a proposition that is not susceptible of proof or disproof; its truth is assumed to be self-evident
-
arbiter
someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue
-
exalt
praise, glorify, or honor
-
derision
the act of deriding or treating with contempt
-
toil
work hard
-
ostentation
pretentious or showy or vulgar display
-
bodice
part of a dress above the waist
-
earnest
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
-
stout
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
-
austere
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
-
conquest
the act of conquering
-
expurgate
edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
-
expatriate
a person who is voluntarily absent from home or country
-
causality
the relation between causes and effects
-
reverent
feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
-
simper
smile affectedly or derisively
-
hallmark
a mark on an article of trade to indicate its origin and authenticity
-
countenance
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
-
ascetic
someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
-
steadfast
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
-
knavery
lack of honesty; acts of lying or cheating or stealing
-
prodigious
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
-
intonation
the act of singing in a monotonous tone
-
impregnable
immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with
-
taut
pulled or drawn tight
-
rouse
cause to become awake or conscious
-
iridescent
varying in color when seen in different lights or from different angles
-
ignominiously
in a dishonorable manner or to a dishonorable degree
-
conscientious
characterized by extreme care and great effort
-
impropriety
the condition of being improper
-
vaunt
show off
-
wrest
obtain by seizing forcibly or violently, also metaphorically
-
idyll
a short poem descriptive of rural or pastoral life
-
benevolent
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
-
discourse
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
-
buttress
a support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building
-
rectitude
righteousness as a consequence of being honorable and honest
-
impertinence
the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties
-
dreary
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
-
aptly
with competence; in a competent capable manner
-
serfdom
the state of a serf
-
quaint
attractively old-fashioned (but not necessarily authentic)
-
concession
the act of conceding or yielding
-
inexorable
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
-
perceptible
capable of being perceived by the mind or senses
-
pious
having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity
-
impassive
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
-
pretense
the act of giving a false appearance
-
folly
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
-
tribunal
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
-
curtail
terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end or its full extent
-
precedent
an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
-
volition
the act of making a choice
-
suave
having a sophisticated charm
-
immolate
offer as a sacrifice by killing or by giving up to destruction
-
mink
slender-bodied semiaquatic mammal having partially webbed feet; valued for its fur
-
affable
diffusing warmth and friendliness
-
reproach
express criticism towards
-
elation
a feeling of joy and pride
-
shawl
cloak consisting of an oblong piece of cloth used to cover the head and shoulders
-
benefactor
a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)
-
inordinate
beyond normal limits
-
diversion
a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern)
-
abasement
depriving one of self-esteem
-
tenet
a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof
-
inviolate
(of a woman) having the hymen unbroken
-
extol
praise, glorify, or honor
-
Stoic
pertaining to Stoicism or its followers
-
postulate
maintain or assert
-
vanquish
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
-
peculiar
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
-
vehement
marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently; fervid
-
inquisitive
inquiring or appearing to inquire
-
squalor
sordid dirtiness
-
listless
lacking zest or vivacity
-
lull
make calm or still
-
edifice
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
-
fissure
a long narrow depression in a surface
-
culvert
a transverse and totally enclosed drain under a road or railway
-
primness
excessive or affected modesty
-
deplore
express strong disapproval of
-
quaver
give off unsteady sounds, alternating in amplitude or frequency
-
placid
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
-
patrician
a person of refined upbringing and manners
-
pestilence
any epidemic disease with a high death rate
-
avid
marked by active interest and enthusiasm
-
rein
one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse
-
slovenly
negligent of neatness especially in dress and person; habitually dirty and unkempt
-
dilapidation
the process of becoming dilapidated
-
vapid
lacking significance or liveliness or spirit or zest
-
disheveled
in disarray; extremely disorderly
-
emaciated
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
-
pliable
capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
-
stringent
demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
-
intransigent
impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, reason
-
doting
extravagantly or foolishly loving and indulgent
-
ceaseless
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
-
amiss
in an improper or mistaken or unfortunate manner
-
flout
treat with contemptuous disregard
-
treble
three times as great or many
-
sullenly
in a sullen manner
-
plight
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
-
affront
a deliberately offensive act or something producing the effect of deliberate disrespect
-
meek
humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness
-
decorous
characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct
-
sardonic
disdainfully or ironically humorous; scornful and mocking
-
retrenchment
the reduction of expenditures in order to become financially stable
-
recalcitrant
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
-
haughtily
in a haughty manner
-
amiable
diffusing warmth and friendliness
-
racketeer
someone who commits crimes for profit (especially one who obtains money by fraud or extortion)
-
oratory
addressing an audience formally (usually a long and rhetorical address and often pompous)
-
dialectically
in a dialectic manner
-
blight
any plant disease resulting in withering without rotting
-
treatise
a formal exposition
-
somnambulist
someone who walks about in their sleep
-
repose
freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility)
-
Judas
(New Testament) the Apostle who betrayed Jesus to his enemies for 30 pieces of silver
-
emissary
someone sent on a mission to represent the interests of someone else
-
superfluous
more than is needed, desired, or required
-
liberty
freedom of choice
-
pendulous
having branches or flower heads that bend downward
-
picker
someone who gathers crops or fruits etc.
-
picaresque
involving clever rogues or adventurers especially as in a type of fiction
-
burlap
coarse jute fabric
-
restitution
the act of restoring something to its original state
-
despoiler
someone who takes spoils or plunder (as in war)
-
compulsion
using force to cause something to occur
-
louse
wingless usually flattened bloodsucking insect parasitic on warm-blooded animals
-
magnitude
the property of relative size or extent (whether large or small)
-
altruist
someone who makes charitable donations intended to increase human well-being
-
exultant
joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
-
reverence
a feeling of profound respect for someone or something
-
dragnet
a conical fishnet dragged through the water at great depths
-
aster
any of various chiefly fall-blooming herbs of the genus Aster with showy daisylike flowers
-
disgorge
eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth
-
porthole
a window in a ship or airplane
-
plank
a stout length of sawn timber; made in a wide variety of sizes and used for many purposes
-
ominous
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
-
constituent
an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system
-
tyranny
a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)
-
perjury
criminal offense of making false statements under oath
-
alibi
(law) a defense by an accused person purporting to show that he or she could not have committed the crime in question
-
basting
a loose temporary sewing stitch to hold layers of fabric together
-
lurch
walk as if unable to control one's movements
-
anachronism
something located at a time when it could not have existed or occurred
-
surly
inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace
-
impel
urge or force (a person) to an action; constrain or motivate
-
inextricable
not permitting extrication; incapable of being disentangled or untied
-
ratify
approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation
-
epistemology
the philosophical theory of knowledge
-
vestibule
a large entrance or reception room or area
-
raucous
unpleasantly loud and harsh
-
transient
lasting a very short time
-
serf
(Middle Ages) a person who is bound to the land and owned by the feudal lord
-
congenital
present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development
-
unrequited
not returned in kind
-
tacit
implied by or inferred from actions or statements
-
innocuous
not injurious to physical or mental health
-
amoral
-
furtive
secret and sly or sordid
-
ceremony
a formal event performed on a special occasion
-
betting
preoccupied with the pursuit of pleasure and especially games of chance
-
reproof
an act or expression of criticism and censure
-
censure
harsh criticism or disapproval
-
ancillary
furnishing added support
-
counterculture
a culture with lifestyles and values opposed to those of the established culture
-
iconoclast
someone who attacks cherished ideas or traditional institutions
-
subvert
destroy completely
-
samizdat
a system of clandestine printing and distribution of dissident or banned literature
-
clandestine
conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
-
coalesce
fuse or cause to grow together
-
impetus
a force that moves something along
-
sabbatical
a leave usually taken every seventh year
-
backwater
a body of water that was created by a flood or tide or by being held or forced back by a dam
-
divestiture
the sale by a company of a product line or a subsidiary or a division
-
differentiation
a discrimination between things as different and distinct
-
tautological
repetition of same sense in different words
-
armature
coil in which voltage is induced by motion through a magnetic field
-
colossal
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
-
quixotic
not sensible about practical matters; idealistic and unrealistic
-
snake oil
(medicine) any of various liquids sold as medicine (as by a travelling medicine show) but medically worthless
-
internecine
(of conflict) within a group or organization
-
stipulation
(law) an agreement or concession made by parties in a judicial proceeding (or by their attorneys) relating to the business before the court; must be in writing unless they are part of the court record
-
bricklayer
a craftsman skilled in building with bricks
-
divest
take away possessions from someone
-
succumb
consent reluctantly
-
temperamental
subject to sharply varying moods
-
umbilical
relating to or resembling the umbilicus
-
modicum
a small or moderate or token amount
-
levity
a manner lacking seriousness
-
confection
a food rich in sugar
-
semblance
an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
-
relegate
assign to a lower position; reduce in rank
-
novel
an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
-
Luddite
any opponent of technological progress
-
staunch
firm and dependable especially in loyalty
-
civility
the act of showing regard for others
-
irreverent
showing lack of due respect or veneration
-
innocuous
not injurious to physical or mental health
-
mens rea
(law) criminal intent; the thoughts and intentions behind a wrongful act (including knowledge that the act is illegal); often at issue in murder trials
-
transistor
a semiconductor device capable of amplification
-
ergonomic
of or relating to ergonomics
-
Mytilidae
marine mussels
-
quagmire
a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
-
poltergeist
a ghost that announces its presence with rapping and the creation of disorder
-
collocate
have a strong tendency to occur side by side
-
juxtapose
place side by side
-
fossilize
convert to a fossil
-
infidel
a person who does not acknowledge your god
-
Godspeed
a successful journey
-
garnishment
a court order to an employer to withhold all or part of an employee's wages and to send the money to the court or to the person who won a lawsuit against the employee
-
canny
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
-
offhand
with little or no preparation or forethought
-
peremptory
putting an end to all debate or action
-
preemptive
designed or having the power to deter or prevent an anticipated situation or occurrence
-
auspices
kindly endorsement and guidance
-
magneto
a small dynamo with a secondary winding that produces a high voltage enabling a spark to jump between the poles of a spark plug in a gasoline engine
-
panacea
hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases; once sought by the alchemists
-
ergo
(used as a sentence connector) therefore or consequently
-
supersede
take the place or move into the position of
-
intersperse
introduce one's writing or speech with certain expressions
-
bodacious
unrestrained by convention or propriety
-
ternary
having three units or components or elements
-
tabula rasa
a young mind not yet affected by experience (according to John Locke)
-
pedestrian
a person who travels by foot
-
steadfast
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
-
enema
an injection of a liquid through the anus to stimulate evacuation; sometimes used for diagnostic purposes
-
declaim
recite in elocution
-
anthropomorphism
the representation of objects (especially a god) as having human form or traits
-
hidebound
stubbornly conservative and narrow-minded
-
paucity
an insufficient quantity or number
-
abominable
unequivocally detestable
-
litany
any long and tedious address or recital
-
rivet
heavy pin having a head at one end and the other end being hammered flat after being passed through holes in the pieces that are fastened together
-
whence
from what place, source, or cause
-
trireme
ancient Greek or Roman galley or warship having three tiers of oars on each side
-
autodidact
a person who has taught himself
-
rift
a narrow fissure in rock
-
desultory
marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
-
Mephistopheles
evil spirit to whom Faust sold his soul
-
neonatology
that branch of pediatric medicine concerned with the newborn; the diagnosis and treatment of neonates
-
teleological
of or relating to teleology
-
bilk
cheat somebody out of what is due, especially money
-
compartmentalize
separate into isolated compartments or categories
-
mandate
a document giving an official instruction or command
-
notion
a general inclusive concept
-
vindicate
show to be right by providing justification or proof
-
cadre
a nucleus of military personnel capable of expansion
-
anachronism
something located at a time when it could not have existed or occurred
-
ethos
(anthropology) the distinctive spirit of a culture or an era
-
decant
pour out
-
proletariat
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
-
polarize
cause to concentrate about two conflicting or contrasting positions
-
disparate
fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind
-
concerted
involving the joint activity of two or more
-
primacy
the state of being first in importance
-
preeminent
greatest in importance or degree or significance or achievement
-
mettle
the courage to carry on
-
strident
unpleasantly loud and harsh
-
sibilant
of speech sounds produced by forcing air through a constricted passage (as `f', `s', `z', or `th' in both `thin' and `then')
-
convene
meet formally
-
retrospectively
in a manner contemplative of past events
-
galvanize
stimulate (muscles) by administering a shock
-
nascent
being born or beginning
-
fissure
a long narrow depression in a surface
-
percolate
cause (a solvent) to pass through a permeable substance in order to extract a soluble constituent
-
equine
resembling a horse
-
magnanimous
noble and generous in spirit
-
stipulate
specify as a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement
-
contrived
showing effects of planning or manipulation
-
ontology
the metaphysical study of the nature of being and existence
-
euphemize
refer to something with a euphemism
-
arrant
without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers
-
cloak-and-dagger
conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
-
proclivity
a natural inclination
-
precocious
characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)
-
irascible
quickly aroused to anger
-
bask
be exposed
-
forage
collect or look around for (food)
-
psychosomatic
used of illness or symptoms resulting from neurosis
-
evocative
serving to bring to mind
-
antithesis
exact opposite
-
tangential
of superficial relevance if any
-
hemorrhage
the flow of blood from a ruptured blood vessel
-
facility
a building or place that provides a particular service or is used for a particular industry
-
faculty
one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
-
hematology
the branch of medicine that deals with diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs
-
a fortiori
with greater reason; for a still stronger, more certain reason
-
solid-state
consisting of semiconductor materials and components and related devices
-
caveat
a warning against certain acts
-
plasticity
the property of being physically malleable; the property of something that can be worked or hammered or shaped without breaking
-
serial
pertaining to or occurring in or producing a series
-
meander
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
-
plume
the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
-
annals
a chronological account of events in successive years
-
credo
any system of principles or beliefs
-
building code
set of standards established and enforced by local government for the structural safety of buildings
-
moribund
being on the point of death; breathing your last
-
velleity
a mere wish, unaccompanied by effort to obtain
-
ad hominem
appealing to personal considerations (rather than to fact or reason)
-
vilify
spread negative information about
-
ulterior
lying beyond what is openly revealed or avowed (especially being kept in the background or deliberately concealed)
-
contentious
inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits
-
memorandum
a written proposal or reminder
-
osculation
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
-
meddle
intrude in other people's affairs or business; interfere unwantedly
-
providence
the prudence and care exercised by someone in the management of resources
-
cessation
a stopping
-
maladaptive
showing faulty adaptation
-
charlatan
a flamboyant deceiver; one who attracts customers with tricks or jokes
-
quackery
medical practice and advice based on observation and experience in ignorance of scientific findings
-
onus
an onerous or difficult concern
-
secularist
an advocate of secularism; someone who believes that religion should be excluded from government and education
-
consonance
the property of sounding harmonious
-
antipathy
a feeling of intense dislike
-
somatic
affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
-
stultify
deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless
-
succour
assistance in time of difficulty
-
bereaved
sorrowful through loss or deprivation
-
dissemble
behave unnaturally or affectedly
-
quasi
having some resemblance
-
balk
refuse to comply
-
onerous
not easily borne; wearing
-
subjugation
forced submission to control by others
-
hubris
overbearing pride or presumption
-
prescient
perceiving the significance of events before they occur
-
iniquity
absence of moral or spiritual values
-
disenfranchisement
the act of withdrawing certification or terminating a franchise
-
expropriation
taking out of an owner's hands (especially taking property by public authority)
-
triumvirate
a group of three men responsible for public administration or civil authority
-
parlance
a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language
-
demarcate
set, mark, or draw the boundaries of something
-
ancillary
furnishing added support
-
transgression
the act of transgressing; the violation of a law or a duty or moral principle
-
incantation
a ritual recitation of words or sounds believed to have a magical effect
-
prognostication
a sign of something about to happen
-
idempotent
unchanged in value following multiplication by itself
-
heuristic
a commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem
-
rhetoric
study of the technique and rules for using language effectively (especially in public speaking)
-
mnemonic
of or relating to or involved the practice of aiding the memory
-
orator
a person who delivers a speech or oration
-
resonance
having the character of a loud deep sound; the quality of being resonant
-
syllogism
deductive reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises
-
anergy
reduction or lack of an immune response to a specific antigen
-
indictment
an accusation of wrongdoing
-
incisive
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
-
epigrammatic
terse and witty and like a maxim
-
mutiny
open rebellion against constituted authority (especially by seamen or soldiers against their officers)
-
inquisitive
inquiring or appearing to inquire
-
venerable
profoundly honored
-
proponent
a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
-
confute
prove to be false
-
cohesion
the state of cohering or sticking together
-
vanguard
the leading units moving at the head of an army
-
avant-garde
radically new or original
-
gilded
made from or covered with gold
-
beleaguer
annoy persistently
-
candor
the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech
-
pantomime
a performance using gestures and body movements without words
-
egalitarian
favoring social equality
-
disposition
your usual mood
-
trawl
a long fishing line with many shorter lines and hooks attached to it (usually suspended between buoys)
-
levy
impose and collect
-
unabated
continuing at full strength or intensity
-
vernacular
the everyday speech of the people (as distinguished from literary language)
-
harbinger
something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
-
misanthropic
hating mankind in general
-
dreary
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
-
quip
a witty saying
-
interdict
an ecclesiastical censure by the Roman Catholic Church withdrawing certain sacraments and Christian burial from a person or all persons in a particular district
-
pilfer
make off with belongings of others
-
eclectic
selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas
-
ramification
a development that complicates a situation
-
nexus
the means of connection between things linked in series
-
chastise
censure severely
-
moxie
fortitude and determination
-
copious
large in number or quantity (especially of discourse)
-
expound
add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing
-
aloof
remote in manner
-
innocuous
not injurious to physical or mental health
-
virile
characterized by energy and vigor
-
enamor
attract; cause to be enamored
-
elide
leave or strike out
-
connive
form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner
-
impedance
a material's opposition to the flow of electric current; measured in ohms
-
hapless
deserving or inciting pity
-
majestic
having or displaying great dignity or nobility
-
jettison
throw away, of something encumbering
-
pundit
someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
-
accoutrement
clothing that is worn or carried, but not part of your main clothing
-
conflate
mix together different elements
-
auspicious
auguring favorable circumstances and good luck
-
Faustian
pertaining to or resembling or befitting Faust or Faustus especially in insatiably striving for worldly knowledge and power even at the price of spiritual values
-
denotation
the most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression; the class of objects that an expression refers to
-
exalt
praise, glorify, or honor
-
revel
take delight in
-
parry
impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball)
-
transfix
to render motionless, as with a fixed stare or by arousing terror or awe
-
demure
affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way
-
comely
according with custom or propriety
-
adorn
make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
-
machinate
arrange by systematic planning and united effort
-
dally
behave carelessly or indifferently
-
pine
a coniferous tree
-
discrete
constituting a separate entity or part
-
crux
the most important point
-
misnomer
an incorrect or unsuitable name
-
obviate
do away with
-
compunction
a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
-
inimitable
defying imitation; matchless
-
provocation
something that incites or provokes; a means of arousing or stirring to action
-
audit
examine carefully for accuracy with the intent of verification
-
covenant
(Bible) an agreement between God and his people in which God makes certain promises and requires certain behavior from them in return
-
dastardly
despicably cowardly
-
beguile
attract; cause to be enamored
-
infamy
a state of extreme dishonor
-
cardinalate
cardinals collectively
-
abstruse
difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
-
rationale
(law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature)
-
harrowing
extremely painful
-
interminable
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
-
attrition
the act of rubbing together; wearing something down by friction
-
rebuke
an act or expression of criticism and censure
-
lament
a cry of sorrow and grief
-
censure
harsh criticism or disapproval
-
reprehensible
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
-
canard
a deliberately misleading fabrication
-
impute
attribute or credit to
-
spate
a sudden forceful flow
-
reticence
the trait of being uncommunicative; not volunteering anything more than necessary
-
imbibe
take in liquids
-
symbiotic
used of organisms (especially of different species) living together but not necessarily in a relation beneficial to each
-
symbiosis
the relation between two different species of organisms that are interdependent; each gains benefits from the other
-
abrasive
causing abrasion
-
callow
young and inexperienced
-
menial
used of unskilled work (especially domestic work)
-
transitory
lasting a very short time
-
sectarianism
a narrow-minded adherence to a particular sect or party or denomination
-
repartee
adroitness and cleverness in reply
-
proselytism
the practice of proselytizing
-
astute
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
-
disparity
inequality or difference in some respect
-
incessant
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
-
dissonance
disagreeable sounds
-
abhor
find repugnant
-
unabated
continuing at full strength or intensity
-
seminal
pertaining to or containing or consisting of semen
-
demagogue
a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular passions and prejudices
-
demagogic
characteristic of or resembling a demagogue
-
resentment
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
-
pique
a sudden outburst of anger
-
platitude
a trite or obvious remark
-
jingoism
fanatical patriotism
-
surmise
infer from incomplete evidence
-
adjunct
something added to another thing but not an essential part of it
-
cavalier
a gallant or courtly gentleman
-
procure
get by special effort
-
canonize
declare (a dead person) to be a saint
-
quip
a witty saying
-
swatch
a sample piece of cloth
-
stupendous
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
-
stifle
impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of
-
exhort
spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts
-
resilient
recovering readily from adversity, depression, or the like
-
stringent
demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
-
comport
behave in a certain manner
-
antecedent
a preceding occurrence or cause or event
-
noumenon
the intellectual conception of a thing as it is in itself, not as it is known through perception
-
talisman
a trinket or piece of jewelry usually hung about the neck and thought to be a magical protection against evil or disease
-
mensch
a decent responsible person with admirable characteristics
-
swoon
pass out from weakness, physical or emotional distress due to a loss of blood supply to the brain
-
abject
of the most contemptible kind
-
abase
cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of
-
accost
speak to someone
-
apoptosis
a type of cell death in which the cell uses specialized cellular machinery to kill itself; a cell suicide mechanism that enables metazoans to control cell number and eliminate cells that threaten the animal's survival
-
prose
ordinary writing as distinguished from verse
-
metrical
the rhythmic arrangement of syllables
-
fiat
a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
-
bluster
blow hard; be gusty, as of wind
-
vacuous
devoid of matter
-
vapid
lacking significance or liveliness or spirit or zest
-
inexorable
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
-
federate
unite on a federal basis or band together as a league
-
pontificate
administer a pontifical office
-
diminutive
a word that is formed with a suffix (such as -let or -kin) to indicate smallness
-
lacuna
an ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling or dome
-
fervent
characterized by intense emotion
-
screed
a long monotonous harangue
-
vex
cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
-
garrote
an instrument of execution for execution by strangulation
-
conflate
mix together different elements
-
hegemony
the dominance or leadership of one social group or nation over others
-
folly
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
-
firmament
the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
-
divisive
dissenting (especially dissenting with the majority opinion)
-
hoopla
blatant or sensational promotion
-
vignette
a brief literary description
-
epistle
a specially long, formal letter
-
precedence
status established in order of importance or urgency
-
wanton
lewd or lascivious woman
-
lewd
suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
-
secular
someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person
-
dietetic
of or relating to the diet
-
dialectic
a contradiction of ideas that serves as the determining factor in their interaction
-
calisthenics
light exercises designed to promote general fitness
-
transude
release (a liquid) in drops or small quantities
-
amble
walk leisurely
-
cordial
politely warm and friendly
-
placenta
the vascular structure in the uterus of most mammals providing oxygen and nutrients for and transferring wastes from the developing fetus
-
astound
affect with wonder
-
nefariously
in a nefarious manner or to a nefarious degree
-
juncture
the shape or manner in which things come together and a connection is made
-
opine
express one's opinion openly and without fear or hesitation
-
masonic
of or relating to stonemasons or masonry
-
fraternity
a social club for male undergraduates
-
sorority
a social club for female undergraduates
-
monastery
the residence of a religious community
-
interrogate
pose a series of questions to
-
atomic
of or relating to or comprising atoms
-
discreet
marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
-
circumspect
heedful of potential consequences
-
moniker
a familiar name for a person (often a shortened version of a person's given name)
-
affliction
a cause of great suffering and distress
-
prodigious
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
-
capacious
large in capacity
-
tract
an extended area of land
-
forceps
an extractor consisting of a pair of pincers used in medical treatment (especially for the delivery of babies)
-
extricate
release from entanglement of difficulty
-
ventral
toward or on or near the belly (front of a primate or lower surface of a lower animal)
-
ectopic
exhibiting ectopia
-
chaste
abstaining from unlawful sexual intercourse
-
sequester
keep away from others
-
figuratively
in a figurative sense
-
fixation
the activity of fastening something firmly in position
-
acme
the highest point (of something)
-
literal
limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text
-
basify
turn basic and less acidic
-
confound
be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly
-
repudiate
refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid
-
peruse
examine or consider with attention and in detail
-
cleave
separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument
-
pedigree
the descendants of one individual
-
fray
wear away by rubbing
-
substantiated
-
medieval
relating to or belonging to the Middle Ages
-
infringe
advance beyond the usual limit
-
vigilante
member of a vigilance committee
-
faze
disturb the composure of
-
disconcert
cause to lose one's composure
-
travesty
a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way
-
inquest
an inquiry into the cause of an unexpected death
-
ascertain
learn or discover with certainty
-
noxious
injurious to physical or mental health
-
skittish
unpredictably excitable (especially of horses)
-
emphatic
spoken with emphasis
-
aficionado
a serious devotee of some particular music genre or musical performer
-
consecrated
made or declared or believed to be holy; devoted to a deity or some religious ceremony or use
-
excommunicate
exclude from a church or a religious community
-
twaddle
pretentious or silly talk or writing
-
padlock
a detachable lock; has a hinged shackle that can be passed through the staple of a hasp or the links in a chain and then snapped shut
-
unitary
having the indivisible character of a unit
-
fable
a short moral story (often with animal characters)
-
legalese
a style that uses the abstruse technical vocabulary of the law
-
vociferous
conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
-
vehement
marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently; fervid
-
clamorous
conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
-
tedium
the feeling of being bored by something tedious
-
amortize
liquidate gradually
-
aggrandize
add details to
-
induction
the act of bringing about something (especially at an early time)
-
filibuster
(law) a tactic for delaying or obstructing legislation by making long speeches
-
contravene
go against, as of rules and laws
-
prohibition
the action of prohibiting or inhibiting or forbidding (or an instance thereof)
-
obstructionism
deliberate interference
-
provision
the activity of supplying or providing something
-
stark
severely simple
-
lucid
(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
-
glean
gather, as of natural products
-
buffet
a piece of furniture that stands at the side of a dining room; has shelves and drawers
-
scraggly
lacking neatness or order
-
pigeonhole
a small compartment
-
foil
hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of
-
refutation
the act of determining that something is false
-
gruesome
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
-
affix
attach to
-
empiricism
(philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge derives from experience
-
anticipate
regard something as probable or likely
-
precursor
something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
-
forerunner
something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
-
deference
courteous regard for people's feelings
-
impinge
impinge or infringe upon
-
countermove
an attack by a defending force against an attacking enemy force in order to regain lost ground or cut off enemy advance units etc.
-
propriety
correct or appropriate behavior
-
enshrine
enclose in a shrine
-
receptacle
a container that is used to put or keep things in
-
overmuch
very great in quantity; overabundant
-
subsume
contain or include
-
adherent
someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another
-
faculty
one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
-
agonize
suffer agony or anguish
-
excruciating
extremely painful
-
testament
strong evidence for something
-
dispensation
the act of dispensing (giving out in portions)
-
parley
a negotiation between enemies
-
impresario
a sponsor who books and stages public entertainments
-
Lothario
a successful womanizer; a man who behaves selfishly in his sexual relationships with women
-
decimate
kill one in every ten, as of mutineers in Roman armies
-
apace
with rapid movements
-
pestering
causing irritation or annoyance
-
intrepid
invulnerable to fear or intimidation
-
tepid
moderately warm
-
tenure
the term during which some position is held
-
interdisciplinary
drawing from or characterized by participation of two or more fields of study
-
acrimony
a rough and bitter manner
-
fractious
easily irritated or annoyed
-
propagation
the act of producing offspring or multiplying by such production
-
formative
minimal language unit that has a syntactic (or morphological) function
-
victuals
a source of materials to nourish the body
-
perennial
lasting three seasons or more
-
decry
express strong disapproval of
-
trope
language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense
-
rendition
a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role etc.
-
transliterate
rewrite in a different script
-
amnesty
a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense
-
dicey
of uncertain outcome; especially fraught with risk
-
mediate
act between parties with a view to reconciling differences
-
fortnight
a period of fourteen consecutive days
-
spearhead
the head and sharpened point of a spear
-
unfurl
unroll, unfold, or spread out or be unrolled, unfolded, or spread out from a furled state
-
status quo
the existing state of affairs
-
defalcate
appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
-
contingent
determined by conditions or circumstances that follow
-
contingency
the state of being contingent on something
-
condone
excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with
-
glib
artfully persuasive in speech
-
voluble
marked by a ready flow of speech
-
piety
righteousness by virtue of being pious
-
prevail
be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
-
climate
the weather in some location averaged over some long period of time
-
immersion
the act of wetting something by submerging it
-
Episcopalian
a member of the Episcopal church
-
absolve
grant remission of a sin to
-
incarcerate
lock up or confine, in or as in a jail
-
contrive
make or work out a plan for; devise
-
nefarious
extremely wicked
-
blotter
absorbent paper used to dry ink
-
languish
become feeble
-
expatriate
a person who is voluntarily absent from home or country
-
usury
the act of lending money at an exorbitant rate of interest
-
conjecture
to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
-
dissertation
a treatise advancing a new point of view resulting from research; usually a requirement for an advanced academic degree
-
basin
a bowl-shaped vessel; usually used for holding food or liquids
-
unison
corresponding exactly
-
meek
humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness
-
denigrate
charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
-
haughty
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
-
high-handed
given to haughty disregard of others
-
corollary
(logic) an inference that follows directly from the proof of another proposition
-
amend
make amendments to
-
asinine
devoid of intelligence
-
facet
a distinct feature or element in a problem
-
pallor
unnatural lack of color in the skin (as from bruising or sickness or emotional distress)
-
salutary
tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health
-
allay
lessen the intensity of or calm
-
trounce
beat severely with a whip or rod
-
tizzy
an excited state of agitation
-
confer
present
-
discourse
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
-
libel
a false and malicious publication printed for the purpose of defaming a living person
-
replete
filled to satisfaction with food or drink
-
wholly
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (`whole' is often used informally for `wholly')
-
posit
take as a given; assume as a postulate or axiom
-
assailant
someone who attacks
-
sown
sprinkled with seed
-
nary
(used with singular count nouns) colloquial for `not a' or `not one' or `never a'
-
nubile
of girls or women who are eligible to marry
-
stickler
someone who insists on something
-
carnal
of or relating to the body or flesh
-
vaunt
show off
-
megalomaniac
a pathological egotist
-
homogeneous
all of the same or similar kind or nature
-
apoplectic
pertaining to or characteristic of apoplexy
-
quadrant
any of the four areas into which a plane is divided by two orthogonal coordinate axes
-
magistrate
a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law (especially one who conducts a court dealing with minor offenses)
-
bloodletting
formerly used as a treatment to reduce excess blood (one of the four humors of medieval medicine)
-
tribunal
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
-
bilious
relating to or containing bile
-
malefactor
someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
-
palaver
loud and confused and empty talk
-
artifice
a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)
-
assuage
provide physical relief, as from pain
-
corpulent
excessively fat
-
tome
a (usually) large and scholarly book
-
emblazon
decorate with heraldic arms
-
simulcast
a broadcast that is carried simultaneously by radio and television (or by FM and AM radio)
-
machination
a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends
-
dissolution
separation into component parts
-
sinew
a cord or band of inelastic tissue connecting a muscle with its bony attachment
-
vitriolic
harsh or corrosive in tone
-
gestation
the period during which an embryo develops (about 266 days in humans)
-
blastocyst
the blastula of a placental mammal in which some differentiation of cells has occurred
-
blastula
early stage of an embryo produced by cleavage of an ovum; a liquid-filled sphere whose wall is composed of a single layer of cells; during this stage (about eight days after fertilization) implantation in the wall of the uterus occurs
-
Albert
prince consort of Queen Victoria of England (1819-1861)
-
aplomb
great coolness and composure under strain
-
ennui
the feeling of being bored by something tedious
-
prosaic
lacking wit or imagination
-
celluloid
highly flammable substance made from cellulose nitrate and camphor; used in e.g. motion-picture and X-ray film; its use has decreased with the development of nonflammable thermoplastics
-
major key
a key whose harmony is based on the major scale
-
interlocutor
a person who takes part in a conversation
-
dalliance
the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working
-
extant
still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost
-
unrequited
not returned in kind
-
insidiously
in a harmfully insidious manner
-
vermilion
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
-
terrarium
a vivarium in which selected living plants are kept and observed
-
coalescence
the union of diverse things into one body or form or group; the growing together of parts
-
resonate
sound with resonance
-
carpet loom
a loom for weaving carpeting
-
refractory
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
-
foible
a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
-
feral
wild and menacing
-
acrimonious
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
-
swathe
wrap in swaddling clothes
-
arraign
accuse of a wrong or an inadequacy
-
Luddite
any opponent of technological progress
-
entomology
the branch of zoology that studies insects
-
prevalent
most frequent or common
-
banal
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
-
emulsifier
a surface-active agent that promotes the formation of an emulsion
-
brouhaha
a confused disturbance far greater than its cause merits
-
ellipsis
omission or suppression of parts of words or sentences
-
cutlass
a short heavy curved sword with one edge; formerly used by sailors
-
doubloon
a former Spanish gold coin
-
marooned
cut off or left behind
-
scuttle
an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship
-
harbinger
something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
-
acrylamide
a white crystalline amide of propenoic acid can damage the nervous system and is carcinogenic in laboratory animals
-
inebriated
stupefied or excited by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
-
bionic
of or relating to bionics
-
languish
become feeble
-
neophyte
any new participant in some activity
-
momentous
of very great significance
-
puerile
displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity
-
miscarriage
a natural loss of the products of conception
-
Zionist
a Jewish supporter of Zionism
-
contusion
an injury that doesn't break the skin but results in some discoloration
-
capillary
any of the minute blood vessels connecting arterioles with venules
-
altercation
noisy quarrel
-
unabashed
not embarrassed
-
anaphylactic
related to the hypersensitivity known as anaphylaxis
-
colloquial
characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation
-
stiletto
a small dagger with a tapered blade
-
authorized
sanctioned by established authority
-
perturbed
thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (`rattled' is an informal term)
-
colostomy
a surgical operation that creates an opening from the colon to the surface of the body to function as an anus
-
auteur
a filmmaker who has a personal style and keeps creative control over his or her works
-
eugenics
the study of methods of improving genetic qualities by selective breeding (especially as applied to human mating)
-
coddle
cook in nearly boiling water
-
cosset
treat with excessive indulgence
-
consummate
having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
-
amorous
inclined toward or displaying love
-
extol
praise, glorify, or honor
-
commensurate
corresponding in size or degree or extent
-
pervasive
spreading or spread throughout
-
antithetical
sharply contrasted in character or purpose
-
pretext
something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
-
acclimate
get used to a certain climate
-
sophisticate
make less natural or innocent
-
snide
expressive of contempt
-
dross
worthless or dangerous material that should be removed
-
marginalise
relegate to a lower or outer edge, as of specific groups of people
-
permeate
spread or diffuse through
-
warren
a colony of rabbits
-
diatribe
thunderous verbal attack
-
subsist
support oneself
-
cumbersome
difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight
-
dissuade
turn away from by persuasion
-
ruminate
reflect deeply on a subject
-
aberration
a state or condition markedly different from the norm
-
ephemeral
anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day in its winged form
-
contemporaneous
occurring in the same period of time
-
symbiosis
the relation between two different species of organisms that are interdependent; each gains benefits from the other
-
antibiosis
an association between organisms that is harmful to one of them or between organisms and a metabolic product of another
-
polemic
a controversy (especially over a belief or dogma)
-
consortium
an association of companies for some definite purpose
-
profusion
the property of being extremely abundant
-
heterogeneous
consisting of elements that are not of the same kind or nature
-
clout
(boxing) a blow with the fist
-
bedevil
be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly
-
elucidate
make clear and (more) comprehensible
-
burgeon
grow and flourish
-
ambient
completely enveloping
-
tout
advertize in strongly positive terms
-
labyrinth
complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost
-
orthogonal
having a set of mutually perpendicular axes; meeting at right angles
-
arbitrage
a kind of hedged investment meant to capture slight differences in price; when there is a difference in the price of something on two different markets the arbitrageur simultaneously buys at the lower price and sells at the higher price
-
espouse
choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
-
adherent
someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another
-
forgoing
the act of renouncing; sacrificing or giving up or surrendering (a possession or right or title or privilege etc.)
-
procession
the act of moving forward (as toward a goal)
-
corral
a pen for cattle
-
didactic
instructive (especially excessively)
-
metronome
clicking pendulum indicates the exact tempo of a piece of music
-
intractable
not tractable; difficult to manage or mold
-
solder
join or fuse with solder
-
parable
a short moral story (often with animal characters)
-
oligopoly
(economics) a market in which control over the supply of a commodity is in the hands of a small number of producers and each one can influence prices and affect competitors
-
dimorphic
occurring or existing in two different forms
-
en masse
all together
-
idyllic
suggestive of an idyll; charmingly simple and serene
-
picturesque
suggesting or suitable for a picture; pretty as a picture
-
palliation
easing the severity of a pain or a disease without removing the cause
-
espouse
choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
-
egregious
conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
-
reconcile
come to terms
-
burnish
polish and make shiny
-
subversive
in opposition to a civil authority or government
-
extraneous
not belonging to that in which it is contained; introduced from an outside source
-
stringently
in a stringent manner
-
columnar
having the form of a column
-
gnomic
relating to or containing gnomes
-
patriarch
the male head of family or tribe
-
parsimony
extreme stinginess
-
raster
the rectangular formation of parallel scanning lines that guide the electron beam on a television screen or a computer monitor
-
composite
consisting of separate interconnected parts
-
machismo
exaggerated masculinity
-
vie
compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
-
oxymoron
conjoining contradictory terms (as in `deafening silence')
-
fussy
exacting especially about details
-
gentrification
the restoration of run-down urban areas by the middle class (resulting in the displacement of low-income residents)
-
misanthropy
hatred of mankind
-
cantankerous
stubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate
-
titular
existing in name only
-
resolute
firm in purpose or belief; characterized by firmness and determination
-
terse
brief and to the point; effectively cut short
-
heed
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
-
adjure
command solemnly
-
implication
something that is inferred (deduced or entailed or implied)
-
homonym
two words are homonyms if they are pronounced or spelled the same way but have different meanings
-
dynamo
generator consisting of a coil (the armature) that rotates between the poles of an electromagnet (the field magnet) causing a current to flow in the armature
-
lamentation
the passionate and demonstrative activity of expressing grief
-
rabble
a disorderly crowd of people
-
adorned
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
-
consternation
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
-
disputant
a person who disputes; who is good at or enjoys controversy
-
articulate
express or state clearly
-
hospitable
disposed to treat guests and strangers with cordiality and generosity
-
thenceforth
from that time on
-
codify
organize into a code or system, such as a body of law
-
monopsony
(economics) a market in which goods or services are offered by several sellers but there is only one buyer
-
paragon
an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept
-
anathema
a formal ecclesiastical curse accompanied by excommunication
-
penance
voluntary self-punishment in order to atone for some wrongdoing
-
posit
take as a given; assume as a postulate or axiom
-
suffusion
the process of permeating or infusing something with a substance
-
wrought
shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)
-
muster
gather or bring together
-
dictum
an authoritative declaration
-
pronounce
speak, pronounce, or utter in a certain way
-
folklore
the unwritten lore (stories and proverbs and riddles and songs) of a culture
-
genesis
a coming into being
-
test bed
a place equipped with instruments for testing (e.g. engines or machinery or computer programs etc.) under working conditions
-
shepherd
a herder of sheep (on an open range); someone who keeps the sheep together in a flock
-
adage
a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people
-
fellowship
the state of being with someone
-
quandary
state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
-
fervor
feelings of great warmth and intensity
-
capricious
determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
-
malleable
capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
-
preponderant
having superior power and influence
-
pertinent
being of striking appropriateness and pertinence
-
encumber
hold back
-
flux
a flow or discharge
-
latent
potentially existing but not presently evident or realized
-
elixir
a substance believed to cure all ills
-
credo
any system of principles or beliefs
-
innate
present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development
-
acclimate
get used to a certain climate
-
decree
a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
-
sentient
endowed with feeling and unstructured consciousness
-
posterity
all future generations
-
quintessence
the purest and most concentrated essence of something
-
prod
to push against gently
-
prune
cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of
-
compartmentalize
separate into isolated compartments or categories
-
atrophy
a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse
-
propagate
multiply sexually or asexually
-
zenith
the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected
-
abstain
choose not to consume
-
Helix
type genus of the family Helicidae
-
phoneme
(linguistics) one of a small set of speech sounds that are distinguished by the speakers of a particular language
-
amorphous
having no definite form or distinct shape
-
aptitude
inherent ability
-
progenitor
an ancestor in the direct line
-
delineate
represented accurately or precisely
-
acrid
strong and sharp;"the pungent taste of radishes"
-
livelihood
the financial means whereby one lives
-
Borneo
3rd largest island in the world; in the western Pacific to the north of Java; largely covered by dense jungle and rain forest; part of the Malay Archipelago
-
edict
a formal or authoritative proclamation
-
obsequious
attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
-
determinism
(philosophy) a philosophical theory holding that all events are inevitable consequences of antecedent sufficient causes; often understood as denying the possibility of free will
-
shrewd
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
-
fidelity
the quality of being faithful
-
flophouse
a cheap lodging house
-
malevolence
wishing evil to others
-
literati
the literary intelligentsia
-
incredulous
not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
-
foliage
the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
-
petulant
easily irritated or annoyed
-
adulation
servile flattery; exaggerated and hypocritical praise
-
pallid
abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress
-
precept
rule of personal conduct
-
implacable
incapable of being placated
-
sordid
foul and run-down and repulsive
-
emancipate
free from slavery or servitude
-
mercenary
a person hired to fight for another country than their own
-
civil engineer
an engineer trained to design and construct and maintain public works (roads or bridges or harbors etc.)
-
discern
detect with the senses
-
cordial
politely warm and friendly
-
Maxim
English inventor (born in the United States) who invented the Maxim gun that was used in World War I (1840-1916)
-
aphoristic
terse and witty and like a maxim
-
ignoble
completely lacking nobility in character or quality or purpose
-
squalid
foul and run-down and repulsive
-
apprehensive
in fear or dread of possible evil or harm
-
premise
a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn
-
palaver
loud and confused and empty talk
-
jibe
shift from one side of the ship to the other
-
moratorium
suspension of an ongoing activity
-
brunt
main force of a blow etc
-
mirth
great merriment
-
concede
give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
-
crass
(of persons) so unrefined as to be lacking in discrimination and sensibility
-
inane
devoid of intelligence
-
syllogism
deductive reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises
-
precarious
not secure; beset with difficulties
-
rancorous
showing deep-seated resentment
-
abject
of the most contemptible kind
-
explicable
capable of being explicated or accounted for
-
pander
arrange for sexual partners for others
-
demarcation
the boundary of a specific area
-
deference
courteous regard for people's feelings
-
insolent
marked by casual disrespect
-
imperious
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
-
nascent
being born or beginning
-
equivocal
open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead
-
pithy
concise and full of meaning
-
impunity
exemption from punishment or loss
-
arduous
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
-
fragility
quality of being easily damaged or destroyed
-
convulsive
affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm
-
indignation
a feeling of righteous anger
-
concourse
a coming together of people
-
imposition
the act of imposing something (as a tax or an embargo)
-
drawl
a slow speech pattern with prolonged vowels
-
semblance
an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
-
brusque
marked by rude or peremptory shortness
-
equanimity
steadiness of mind under stress
-
Jesuit
having qualities characteristic of Jesuits or Jesuitism
-
coefficient
a constant number that serves as a measure of some property or characteristic
-
tribulation
an annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event
-
reprimand
an act or expression of criticism and censure
-
refract
subject to refraction
-
exasperate
make furious
-
automation
the act of implementing the control of equipment with advanced technology; usually involving electronic hardware
-
inkling
a slight suggestion or vague understanding
-
infallible
incapable of failure or error
-
expedient
appropriate to a purpose; practical
-
exult
feel extreme happiness or elation
-
pervasive
spreading or spread throughout
-
cognizance
having knowledge of
-
ingot
metal that is cast in the shape of a block for convenient handling
-
stillborn
(of newborn infant) showing no signs of life at birth; not liveborn
-
superlative
highest in quality
-
luminous
softly bright or radiant
-
splendor
the quality of being magnificent or splendid or grand
-
dismal
causing dejection
-
extraneous
not belonging to that in which it is contained; introduced from an outside source
-
sanction
official permission or approval
-
depravity
moral perversion; impairment of virtue and moral principles
-
reprisal
a retaliatory action against an enemy in wartime
-
reprobate
a person without moral scruples
-
reprieve
postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution
-
propitious
presenting favorable circumstances; likely to result in or show signs of success
-
extricate
release from entanglement of difficulty
-
scrupulous
characterized by extreme care and great effort
-
disparate
fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind
-
undulate
move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
-
cogent
powerfully persuasive
-
remiss
failing in what duty requires
-
sinew
a cord or band of inelastic tissue connecting a muscle with its bony attachment
-
furtively
in a furtive manner
-
tenement
a run-down apartment house barely meeting minimal standards
-
forlorn
marked by or showing hopelessness
-
bromide
a trite or obvious remark
-
meager
deficient in amount or quality or extent
-
shellac
lac purified by heating and filtering; usually in thin orange or yellow flakes but sometimes bleached white
-
abhor
find repugnant
-
axiom
(logic) a proposition that is not susceptible of proof or disproof; its truth is assumed to be self-evident
-
arbiter
someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue
-
exalt
praise, glorify, or honor
-
derision
the act of deriding or treating with contempt
-
toil
work hard
-
ostentation
pretentious or showy or vulgar display
-
bodice
part of a dress above the waist
-
earnest
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
-
stout
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
-
austere
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
-
conquest
the act of conquering
-
expurgate
edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
-
expatriate
a person who is voluntarily absent from home or country
-
causality
the relation between causes and effects
-
reverent
feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
-
simper
smile affectedly or derisively
-
hallmark
a mark on an article of trade to indicate its origin and authenticity
-
countenance
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
-
ascetic
someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
-
steadfast
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
-
knavery
lack of honesty; acts of lying or cheating or stealing
-
prodigious
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
-
intonation
the act of singing in a monotonous tone
-
impregnable
immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with
-
taut
pulled or drawn tight
-
rouse
cause to become awake or conscious
-
iridescent
varying in color when seen in different lights or from different angles
-
ignominiously
in a dishonorable manner or to a dishonorable degree
-
conscientious
characterized by extreme care and great effort
-
impropriety
the condition of being improper
-
vaunt
show off
-
wrest
obtain by seizing forcibly or violently, also metaphorically
-
idyll
a short poem descriptive of rural or pastoral life
-
benevolent
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
-
discourse
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
-
buttress
a support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building
-
rectitude
righteousness as a consequence of being honorable and honest
-
impertinence
the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties
-
dreary
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
-
aptly
with competence; in a competent capable manner
-
serfdom
the state of a serf
-
quaint
attractively old-fashioned (but not necessarily authentic)
-
concession
the act of conceding or yielding
-
inexorable
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
-
perceptible
capable of being perceived by the mind or senses
-
pious
having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity
-
impassive
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
-
pretense
the act of giving a false appearance
-
folly
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
-
tribunal
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
-
curtail
terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end or its full extent
-
precedent
an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
-
volition
the act of making a choice
-
suave
having a sophisticated charm
-
immolate
offer as a sacrifice by killing or by giving up to destruction
-
mink
slender-bodied semiaquatic mammal having partially webbed feet; valued for its fur
-
affable
diffusing warmth and friendliness
-
reproach
express criticism towards
-
elation
a feeling of joy and pride
-
shawl
cloak consisting of an oblong piece of cloth used to cover the head and shoulders
-
benefactor
a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)
-
inordinate
beyond normal limits
-
diversion
a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern)
-
abasement
depriving one of self-esteem
-
tenet
a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof
-
inviolate
(of a woman) having the hymen unbroken
-
extol
praise, glorify, or honor
-
Stoic
pertaining to Stoicism or its followers
-
postulate
maintain or assert
-
vanquish
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
-
peculiar
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
-
vehement
marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions; inclined to react violently; fervid
-
inquisitive
inquiring or appearing to inquire
-
squalor
sordid dirtiness
-
listless
lacking zest or vivacity
-
lull
make calm or still
-
edifice
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
-
fissure
a long narrow depression in a surface
-
culvert
a transverse and totally enclosed drain under a road or railway
-
primness
excessive or affected modesty
-
deplore
express strong disapproval of
-
quaver
give off unsteady sounds, alternating in amplitude or frequency
-
placid
(of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
-
patrician
a person of refined upbringing and manners
-
pestilence
any epidemic disease with a high death rate
-
avid
marked by active interest and enthusiasm
-
rein
one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse
-
slovenly
negligent of neatness especially in dress and person; habitually dirty and unkempt
-
dilapidation
the process of becoming dilapidated
-
vapid
lacking significance or liveliness or spirit or zest
-
disheveled
in disarray; extremely disorderly
-
emaciated
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold
-
pliable
capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
-
stringent
demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
-
intransigent
impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, reason
-
doting
extravagantly or foolishly loving and indulgent
-
ceaseless
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
-
amiss
in an improper or mistaken or unfortunate manner
-
flout
treat with contemptuous disregard
-
treble
three times as great or many
-
sullenly
in a sullen manner
-
plight
a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
-
affront
a deliberately offensive act or something producing the effect of deliberate disrespect
-
meek
humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness
-
decorous
characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct
-
sardonic
disdainfully or ironically humorous; scornful and mocking
-
retrenchment
the reduction of expenditures in order to become financially stable
-
recalcitrant
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
-
haughtily
in a haughty manner
-
amiable
diffusing warmth and friendliness
-
racketeer
someone who commits crimes for profit (especially one who obtains money by fraud or extortion)
-
oratory
addressing an audience formally (usually a long and rhetorical address and often pompous)
-
dialectically
in a dialectic manner
-
blight
any plant disease resulting in withering without rotting
-
treatise
a formal exposition
-
somnambulist
someone who walks about in their sleep
-
repose
freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility)
-
Judas
(New Testament) the Apostle who betrayed Jesus to his enemies for 30 pieces of silver
-
emissary
someone sent on a mission to represent the interests of someone else
-
superfluous
more than is needed, desired, or required
-
liberty
freedom of choice
-
pendulous
having branches or flower heads that bend downward
-
picker
someone who gathers crops or fruits etc.
-
picaresque
involving clever rogues or adventurers especially as in a type of fiction
-
burlap
coarse jute fabric
-
restitution
the act of restoring something to its original state
-
despoiler
someone who takes spoils or plunder (as in war)
-
compulsion
using force to cause something to occur
-
louse
wingless usually flattened bloodsucking insect parasitic on warm-blooded animals
-
magnitude
the property of relative size or extent (whether large or small)
-
altruist
someone who makes charitable donations intended to increase human well-being
-
exultant
joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
-
reverence
a feeling of profound respect for someone or something
-
dragnet
a conical fishnet dragged through the water at great depths
-
aster
any of various chiefly fall-blooming herbs of the genus Aster with showy daisylike flowers
-
disgorge
eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth
-
porthole
a window in a ship or airplane
-
plank
a stout length of sawn timber; made in a wide variety of sizes and used for many purposes
-
ominous
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
-
constituent
an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system
-
tyranny
a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)
-
perjury
criminal offense of making false statements under oath
-
alibi
(law) a defense by an accused person purporting to show that he or she could not have committed the crime in question
-
basting
a loose temporary sewing stitch to hold layers of fabric together
-
lurch
walk as if unable to control one's movements
-
anachronism
something located at a time when it could not have existed or occurred
-
surly
inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace
-
impel
urge or force (a person) to an action; constrain or motivate
-
inextricable
not permitting extrication; incapable of being disentangled or untied
-
ratify
approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation
-
epistemology
the philosophical theory of knowledge
-
vestibule
a large entrance or reception room or area
-
raucous
unpleasantly loud and harsh
-
transient
lasting a very short time
-
serf
(Middle Ages) a person who is bound to the land and owned by the feudal lord
-
congenital
present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development
-
unrequited
not returned in kind
-
tacit
implied by or inferred from actions or statements
-
innocuous
not injurious to physical or mental health
-
amoral
-
furtive
secret and sly or sordid
-
ceremony
a formal event performed on a special occasion
-
betting
preoccupied with the pursuit of pleasure and especially games of chance
-
reproof
an act or expression of criticism and censure
-
censure
harsh criticism or disapproval
-
ancillary
furnishing added support
-
counterculture
a culture with lifestyles and values opposed to those of the established culture
-
iconoclast
someone who attacks cherished ideas or traditional institutions
-
subvert
destroy completely
-
samizdat
a system of clandestine printing and distribution of dissident or banned literature
-
clandestine
conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
-
coalesce
fuse or cause to grow together
-
impetus
a force that moves something along
-
sabbatical
a leave usually taken every seventh year
-
backwater
a body of water that was created by a flood or tide or by being held or forced back by a dam
-
divestiture
the sale by a company of a product line or a subsidiary or a division
-
differentiation
a discrimination between things as different and distinct
-
tautological
repetition of same sense in different words
-
armature
coil in which voltage is induced by motion through a magnetic field
-
colossal
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
-
quixotic
not sensible about practical matters; idealistic and unrealistic
-
snake oil
(medicine) any of various liquids sold as medicine (as by a travelling medicine show) but medically worthless
-
internecine
(of conflict) within a group or organization
-
stipulation
(law) an agreement or concession made by parties in a judicial proceeding (or by their attorneys) relating to the business before the court; must be in writing unless they are part of the court record
-
bricklayer
a craftsman skilled in building with bricks
-
divest
take away possessions from someone
-
succumb
consent reluctantly
-
temperamental
subject to sharply varying moods
-
umbilical
relating to or resembling the umbilicus
-
modicum
a small or moderate or token amount
-
levity
a manner lacking seriousness
-
confection
a food rich in sugar
-
semblance
an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
-
relegate
assign to a lower position; reduce in rank
-
novel
an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
-
Luddite
any opponent of technological progress
-
staunch
firm and dependable especially in loyalty
-
civility
the act of showing regard for others
-
irreverent
showing lack of due respect or veneration
-
innocuous
not injurious to physical or mental health
-
mens rea
(law) criminal intent; the thoughts and intentions behind a wrongful act (including knowledge that the act is illegal); often at issue in murder trials
-
transistor
a semiconductor device capable of amplification
-
ergonomic
of or relating to ergonomics
-
Mytilidae
marine mussels
-
quagmire
a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
-
poltergeist
a ghost that announces its presence with rapping and the creation of disorder
-
collocate
have a strong tendency to occur side by side
-
juxtapose
place side by side
-
fossilize
convert to a fossil
-
infidel
a person who does not acknowledge your god
-
Godspeed
a successful journey
-
garnishment
a court order to an employer to withhold all or part of an employee's wages and to send the money to the court or to the person who won a lawsuit against the employee
-
canny
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
-
offhand
with little or no preparation or forethought
-
peremptory
putting an end to all debate or action
-
preemptive
designed or having the power to deter or prevent an anticipated situation or occurrence
-
auspices
kindly endorsement and guidance
-
magneto
a small dynamo with a secondary winding that produces a high voltage enabling a spark to jump between the poles of a spark plug in a gasoline engine
-
panacea
hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases; once sought by the alchemists
-
ergo
(used as a sentence connector) therefore or consequently
-
supersede
take the place or move into the position of
-
intersperse
introduce one's writing or speech with certain expressions
-
bodacious
unrestrained by convention or propriety
-
ternary
having three units or components or elements
-
tabula rasa
a young mind not yet affected by experience (according to John Locke)
-
pedestrian
a person who travels by foot
-
steadfast
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
-
enema
an injection of a liquid through the anus to stimulate evacuation; sometimes used for diagnostic purposes
-
declaim
recite in elocution
-
anthropomorphism
the representation of objects (especially a god) as having human form or traits
-
hidebound
stubbornly conservative and narrow-minded
-
paucity
an insufficient quantity or number
-
abominable
unequivocally detestable
-
litany
any long and tedious address or recital
-
rivet
heavy pin having a head at one end and the other end being hammered flat after being passed through holes in the pieces that are fastened together
-
whence
from what place, source, or cause
-
trireme
ancient Greek or Roman galley or warship having three tiers of oars on each side
-
autodidact
a person who has taught himself
-
rift
a narrow fissure in rock
-
desultory
marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
-
Mephistopheles
evil spirit to whom Faust sold his soul
-
neonatology
that branch of pediatric medicine concerned with the newborn; the diagnosis and treatment of neonates
-
teleological
of or relating to teleology
-
bilk
cheat somebody out of what is due, especially money
-
compartmentalize
separate into isolated compartments or categories
-
mandate
a document giving an official instruction or command
-
notion
a general inclusive concept
-
vindicate
show to be right by providing justification or proof
-
cadre
a nucleus of military personnel capable of expansion
-
anachronism
something located at a time when it could not have existed or occurred
-
ethos
(anthropology) the distinctive spirit of a culture or an era
-
decant
pour out
-
proletariat
a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
-
polarize
cause to concentrate about two conflicting or contrasting positions
-
disparate
fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind
-
concerted
involving the joint activity of two or more
-
primacy
the state of being first in importance
-
preeminent
greatest in importance or degree or significance or achievement
-
mettle
the courage to carry on
-
strident
unpleasantly loud and harsh
-
sibilant
of speech sounds produced by forcing air through a constricted passage (as `f', `s', `z', or `th' in both `thin' and `then')
-
convene
meet formally
-
retrospectively
in a manner contemplative of past events
-
galvanize
stimulate (muscles) by administering a shock
-
nascent
being born or beginning
-
fissure
a long narrow depression in a surface
-
percolate
cause (a solvent) to pass through a permeable substance in order to extract a soluble constituent
-
equine
resembling a horse
-
magnanimous
noble and generous in spirit
-
stipulate
specify as a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement
-
contrived
showing effects of planning or manipulation
-
ontology
the metaphysical study of the nature of being and existence
-
euphemize
refer to something with a euphemism
-
arrant
without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers
-
cloak-and-dagger
conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
-
proclivity
a natural inclination
-
precocious
characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)
-
irascible
quickly aroused to anger
-
bask
be exposed
-
forage
collect or look around for (food)
-
psychosomatic
used of illness or symptoms resulting from neurosis
-
evocative
serving to bring to mind
-
antithesis
exact opposite
-
tangential
of superficial relevance if any
-
hemorrhage
the flow of blood from a ruptured blood vessel
-
facility
a building or place that provides a particular service or is used for a particular industry
-
faculty
one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
-
hematology
the branch of medicine that deals with diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs
-
a fortiori
with greater reason; for a still stronger, more certain reason
-
solid-state
consisting of semiconductor materials and components and related devices
-
caveat
a warning against certain acts
-
plasticity
the property of being physically malleable; the property of something that can be worked or hammered or shaped without breaking
-
serial
pertaining to or occurring in or producing a series
-
meander
to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course
-
plume
the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
-
annals
a chronological account of events in successive years
-
credo
any system of principles or beliefs
-
building code
set of standards established and enforced by local government for the structural safety of buildings
-
moribund
being on the point of death; breathing your last
-
velleity
a mere wish, unaccompanied by effort to obtain
-
ad hominem
appealing to personal considerations (rather than to fact or reason)
-
vilify
spread negative information about
-
ulterior
lying beyond what is openly revealed or avowed (especially being kept in the background or deliberately concealed)
-
contentious
inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits
-
memorandum
a written proposal or reminder
-
osculation
the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)
-
meddle
intrude in other people's affairs or business; interfere unwantedly
-
providence
the prudence and care exercised by someone in the management of resources
-
cessation
a stopping
-
maladaptive
showing faulty adaptation
-
charlatan
a flamboyant deceiver; one who attracts customers with tricks or jokes
-
quackery
medical practice and advice based on observation and experience in ignorance of scientific findings
-
onus
an onerous or difficult concern
-
secularist
an advocate of secularism; someone who believes that religion should be excluded from government and education
-
consonance
the property of sounding harmonious
-
antipathy
a feeling of intense dislike
-
somatic
affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
-
stultify
deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless
-
succour
assistance in time of difficulty
-
bereaved
sorrowful through loss or deprivation
-
dissemble
behave unnaturally or affectedly
-
quasi
having some resemblance
-
balk
refuse to comply
-
onerous
not easily borne; wearing
-
subjugation
forced submission to control by others
-
hubris
overbearing pride or presumption
-
espouse
choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans