vocab1

Elton L. (China (Hong Kong S.A.R.))
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. devour
    eat immoderately
  2. down
    in a lower place or position
  3. relish
    vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
  4. outrage
    a disgraceful event
  5. sight
    the ability to see; the visual faculty
  6. unanimous
    in complete agreement
  7. brash
    offensively bold
  8. defiant
    boldly resisting authority or an opposing force
  9. ordained
    fixed or established especially by command
  10. unravel
    become or cause to become undone by separating the fibers of
  11. prop up
    support by placing against something solid or rigid
  12. pardon
    accept an excuse for
  13. stagger
    walk with great difficulty
  14. break down
    stop operating or functioning
  15. earnest
    characterized by a firm, sincere belief in one's opinions
  16. thug
    an aggressive and violent young criminal
  17. sound
    mechanical vibrations transmitted by an elastic medium
  18. slit
    a long narrow opening
  19. subservient
    compliant and obedient to authority
  20. abject
    of the most contemptible kind
  21. plight
    a situation from which extrication is difficult
  22. trying
    hard to endure
  23. extricate
    release from entanglement or difficulty
  24. patch up
    come to terms
  25. double cross
    an act of betrayal
  26. decry
    express strong disapproval of
  27. wind up
    coil the spring of a device by turning a stem
  28. hammer
    a hand tool with a heavy rigid head and a handle
  29. sever
    set or keep apart
  30. compelling
    capable of arousing and holding the attention
  31. head
    the upper part of the human body or the body in animals
  32. vindicate
    show to be right by providing justification or proof
  33. far cry
    a disappointing disparity
  34. imperil
    pose a threat to; present a danger to
  35. militia
    civilians trained as soldiers, not part of the regular army
  36. trump
    get the better of
  37. budding
    beginning to develop
  38. mutilate
    destroy or injure severely
  39. patron
    someone who supports or champions something
  40. heartrending
    causing or marked by grief or anguish
  41. vilify
    spread negative information about
  42. principle
    a basic generalization that is accepted as true
  43. linger
    remain present although waning or gradually dying
  44. stockpile
    something kept back or saved for future use
  45. flip-flop
    a decision to reverse an earlier decision
  46. gross
    lacking fine distinctions or detail
  47. shell
    the outer covering of an animal
  48. honor
    a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
  49. outright
    without reservation or concealment
  50. abrupt
    exceedingly sudden and unexpected
  51. erupt
    start suddenly
  52. perish
    pass from physical life
  53. stand up
    rise to one's feet
  54. back down
    move backwards from a certain position
  55. bigotry
    intolerance and prejudice
  56. antecedent
    a preceding occurrence or cause or event
  57. mob
    a disorderly crowd of people
  58. vermin
    any of various small animals or insects that are pests
  59. demonise
    make into a demon
  60. echo
    the repetition of a sound from reflection of the sound waves
  61. chorus
    actors who comment on the action in a classical Greek play
  62. unison
    the state of corresponding exactly
  63. correspond
    take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to
  64. stretched
    (of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
  65. stiff
    incapable of or resistant to bending
  66. impunity
    exemption from punishment or loss
  67. insubordinate
    not submissive to authority
  68. carnage
    the savage and excessive killing of many people
  69. commit
    engage in or perform
  70. express
    communicate beliefs or opinions
  71. revolve around
    center upon
  72. circle around
    move around in a circular motion
  73. center on
    have as a center
  74. streak
    a narrow marking of a different color from the background
  75. eponymous
    relating to a name derived from a person
  76. austere
    of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor
  77. stern
    serious and harsh in manner or behavior
  78. interplay
    the way in which two things mutually affect one another
  79. raunchy
    earthy and sexually explicit
  80. flat out
    at top speed
  81. compulsive
    having obsessive habits or irresistible urges
  82. uproar
    a state of commotion and noise and confusion
  83. boisterous
    marked by exuberance and high spirits
  84. whip up
    prepare or cook quickly or hastily
  85. short order
    an order for food that can be prepared quickly
  86. synopsis
    a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument
  87. sketchy
    giving only major points; lacking completeness
  88. coin
    a flat metal piece (usually a disc) used as money
  89. corollary
    an inference following from the proof of another proposition
  90. perky
    characterized by liveliness and lightheartedness
  91. kinky
    (of hair) in small tight curls
  92. deviant
    a person whose behavior does not conform to social norms
  93. aberrant
    markedly different from an accepted norm
  94. offbeat
    strikingly unconventional
  95. flaunt
    display proudly
  96. swank
    imposingly fashionable and elegant
  97. imposing
    befitting an important, distinguished, or powerful person
  98. extol
    praise, glorify, or honor
  99. tenacious
    stubbornly unyielding
  100. yield
    give or supply
  101. dogged
    stubbornly unyielding
  102. vie
    compete for something
  103. champion
    someone who has won first place in a competition
  104. peter out
    end weakly
  105. run out
    use up all one's strength and energy and stop working
  106. converge
    be adjacent or come together
  107. turn to
    direct one's interest or attention towards; go into
  108. patch
    a small contrasting part of something
  109. bolster
    support and strengthen
  110. shore up
    support by placing against something solid or rigid
  111. uproot
    move forcibly from a homeland into a new foreign environment
  112. outpost
    a military post stationed at a distance from the main body of troops
  113. prophetic
    foretelling events as if by supernatural intervention
  114. escalate
    increase in extent or intensity
  115. cleanse
    clean one's body or parts thereof, as by washing
  116. antagonise
    provoke the hostility of
  117. self-made
    having achieved success or recognition by your own efforts
  118. sobering
    tending to make someone serious and thoughtful
  119. sober
    not affected by a chemical substance, especially alcohol
  120. abstain
    refrain from doing, consuming, or partaking in something
  121. appetite
    a feeling of craving something
  122. sober up
    become sober after excessive alcohol consumption
  123. ultimatum
    a final peremptory demand
  124. peremptory
    putting an end to all debate or action
  125. ambush
    the act of hiding and waiting to make a surprise attack
  126. recurring
    coming back
  127. salient
    conspicuous, prominent, or important
  128. lock in
    close with or as if with a tight seal
  129. anamorphosis
    a distorted projection or perspective
  130. petrify
    change into stone
  131. concoct
    make something by mixing
  132. slipknot
    a knot at the end of a cord or rope that can slip along the cord or rope around which it is made
  133. lasso
    a long noosed rope used to catch animals
  134. euphemism
    an inoffensive expression substituted for an offensive one
  135. euphemize
    refer to something with an indirect expression
  136. dysphemism
    an offensive or disparaging expression that is substituted for an inoffensive one
  137. utensil
    an implement for practical use
  138. effect
    a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon
  139. taper off
    become smaller or less active
  140. deport
    expel from a country
  141. extradite
    hand over to the authorities of another country
  142. come by
    obtain, especially accidentally
  143. embossed
    embellished with a raised pattern created by pressure or embroidery
  144. embroider
    decorate with needlework
  145. embellish
    make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color
  146. blow up
    fill with gas or air
  147. press stud
    a fastener used on clothing
  148. piping
    a long tube made of metal or plastic that is used to carry water or oil or gas etc.
  149. edge
    a line determining the limits of an area
  150. hem
    the edge of a piece of cloth
  151. velcro
    fasten with Velcro
  152. teeter
    move unsteadily, with a rocking motion
  153. crossroads
    a crisis situation when a critical decision must be made
  154. superimposed
    placed on or over something else
  155. sheath
    a protective covering, as for a knife or sword
  156. fill in
    supply with information on a specific topic
  157. seep
    pass gradually or leak or as if through small openings
  158. invigorate
    give life or energy to
  159. infuse
    fill, as with a certain quality
  160. school
    an educational institution
  161. exotic
    characteristic of another place or part of the world
  162. incongruous
    lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
  163. touch off
    put in motion or move to act
  164. spark off
    put in motion or move to act
  165. trigger off
    put in motion or move to act
  166. anecdote
    short account of an incident
  167. intersperse
    introduce into one's writing or speech (certain expressions)
  168. drizzle
    very light rain
  169. sumptuous
    rich and superior in quality
  170. opulent
    rich and superior in quality
  171. meretricious
    tastelessly showy
  172. meretricious
    tastelessly showy
  173. specious
    plausible but false
  174. wrangle
    quarrel noisily, angrily, or disruptively
  175. deliberate
    carefully thought out in advance
  176. measured
    having notes of fixed rhythmic value
  177. calculated
    carefully thought out in advance
  178. prerogative
    a right reserved exclusively by a person or group
  179. fickle
    liable to sudden unpredictable change
  180. erratic
    liable to sudden unpredictable change
  181. liable
    subject to legal action
  182. jockey
    someone employed to ride horses in horse races
  183. imperative
    requiring attention or action
  184. bumptious
    offensively self-assertive
  185. self-assured
    showing poise and confidence in your own worth
  186. brace
    a support that steadies or strengthens something else
  187. poise
    hold or carry in equilibrium
  188. stagger
    walk with great difficulty
  189. junction
    an act of joining or adjoining things
  190. excursion
    a journey taken for pleasure
  191. wander
    move or cause to move in a sinuous or circular course
  192. scuffle
    fight or struggle in a confused way at close quarters
  193. condemn
    express strong disapproval of
  194. bawl
    cry loudly
  195. blubber
    an insulating layer of fat under the skin of some animals
  196. stick out
    extend out or project in space
  197. noticeable
    capable of being detected
  198. flop
    fall loosely
  199. rite
    any customary observance or practice
  200. transfusion
    the introduction of blood or plasma into a vein or artery
  201. abound
    exist in large quantities
  202. gull
    a mostly white aquatic bird found along beaches
  203. patsy
    a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of
  204. gullible
    naive and easily deceived or tricked
  205. trusting
    inclined to believe or confide readily
  206. confide
    reveal in private
  207. canned
    sealed in a can or jar
  208. hotshot
    someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
  209. rant
    talk at length in a noisy, excited, or angry manner
  210. bereavement
    state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
  211. first-rate
    of the highest quality
  212. straighten out
    make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear
  213. inadequate
    lacking the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
  214. predominant
    having superior power or influence
  215. preponderating
    having superior power or influence
  216. endorsement
    the act of approving
  217. blurb
    a promotional statement, as on the dust jacket of a book
  218. second
    coming next after the first in position in space or time
  219. tenet
    a basic principle or belief that is accepted as true
  220. scrap
    a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
  221. inaction
    the state of being inactive
  222. punch line
    the point of a joke or humorous story
  223. collected
    brought together in one place
  224. close down
    cease to operate or cause to cease operating
  225. whip up
    prepare or cook quickly or hastily
  226. foot soldier
    fights on foot with small arms
  227. toehold
    a relatively insignificant position from which future progress might be made
  228. mob
    a disorderly crowd of people
  229. dredge
    a power shovel to remove material from a channel or riverbed
  230. rogue
    a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
  231. scoundrel
    someone who does evil deliberately
  232. rascal
    one who is playfully mischievous
  233. hook up
    connect or link
  234. veracity
    unwillingness to tell lies
  235. mendacity
    the tendency to be untruthful
  236. hold
    have in one's hands or grip
  237. walk out
    leave suddenly, often as an expression of disapproval
  238. incapacitate
    make unable to perform a certain action
  239. originate in
    come from
  240. pose
    assume a bearing as for artistic purposes
  241. endure
    undergo or be subjected to
  242. cordial
    politely warm and friendly
  243. affable
    diffusing warmth and friendliness
  244. affidavit
    written declaration made under oath
  245. force
    influence that results in motion, stress, etc. when applied
  246. pristine
    immaculately clean and unused
  247. immaculate
    completely neat and clean
  248. scalp
    the skin that covers the top of the head
  249. dissect
    cut open or cut apart
  250. epileptic seizure
    convulsions accompanied by impaired consciousness
  251. calibrate
    make fine adjustments for optimal measuring
  252. ring out
    sound loudly
  253. credential
    a document attesting to the truth of certain stated facts
  254. hobo
    a disreputable vagrant
  255. tramp
    travel on foot, especially on a walking expedition
  256. impersonate
    pretend to be someone you are not
  257. pose
    assume a bearing as for artistic purposes
  258. holler
    call out loudly
  259. slip
    move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner
  260. stealth
    the act of moving in a quiet or secretive way to avoid being noticed
  261. premiere
    the first public performance of a play or movie
  262. congenial
    suitable to your needs
  263. indomitable
    impossible to subdue
  264. erratic
    liable to sudden unpredictable change
  265. stilted
    artificially formal or stiff
  266. ad lib
    without advance preparation
  267. pay off
    eliminate by paying off (debts)
  268. buy off
    pay someone with influence in order to receive a favor
  269. dart
    a sudden quick movement
  270. measure
    determine the dimensions of something or somebody
  271. despair
    a state in which all hope is lost or absent
  272. serendipity
    good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries
  273. stroke
    a single complete movement
  274. moral
    concerned with principles of right and wrong
  275. flyover
    a flight at a low altitude over spectators on the ground
  276. impetus
    a force that makes something happen
  277. recede
    pull back or move away or backward
  278. back-to-back
    one after the other
  279. plaudit
    enthusiastic approval
  280. acclaim
    enthusiastic approval
  281. merit
    the quality of being deserving
  282. maxim
    a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
  283. spin-off
    a product made during the manufacture of something else
  284. soft-spoken
    having a speaking manner that is not loud or harsh
  285. braise
    slowly cook in fat and some liquid
  286. mutton
    meat from a mature domestic sheep
  287. stewed
    cooked in hot water
  288. poached
    cooked in hot water
  289. dystopia
    state in which the conditions of life are extremely bad
  290. heyday
    the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
  291. zest
    a tart spicy quality
  292. perpetrate
    perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
  293. connotation
    an idea that is implied or suggested
  294. ark
    a boat built by Noah to save his family and animals from the flood
  295. tablet
    a small, flat, compressed cake of some substance
  296. inscription
    the activity of carving or engraving letters or words
  297. slab
    block consisting of a thick piece of something
  298. chest
    the part of the human torso between the neck and the diaphragm or the corresponding part in other vertebrates
  299. stymie
    hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
  300. pass up
    refuse to accept
  301. joint
    junction by which parts or objects are linked together
  302. grub
    a soft thick wormlike larva of certain insects
  303. strain
    exert much effort or energy
  304. unleash
    turn loose or free from restraint
  305. trace
    an indication that something has been present
  306. shutter
    a hinged blind for a window
  307. stretch
    extend one's limbs or muscles, or the entire body
  308. trip
    miss a step and fall or nearly fall
  309. errant
    straying from the right course or from accepted standards
  310. frontier
    a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country
  311. veined
    having or showing markings that resemble veins
  312. saboteur
    someone who deliberately destroys or disrupts something
  313. clandestine
    conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
  314. quash
    declare invalid
  315. diaspora
    the dispersion of something that was originally localized
  316. scupper
    drain that allows water on the deck of a vessel to flow overboard
  317. boon
    something that is desirable, favorable, or beneficial
  318. bad blood
    a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility
  319. impale
    pierce with a sharp stake or point
  320. hermit
    one retired from society for religious reasons
  321. recluse
    one who lives in solitude
  322. deplete
    use up, as resources or materials
  323. voracious
    devouring or craving food in great quantities
  324. avid
    marked by active interest and enthusiasm
  325. ardent
    characterized by intense emotion
  326. rankle
    make resentful or angry
  327. pol
    a person active in party politics
  328. rack
    a framework for holding objects
  329. ouster
    a person who supplants someone else
  330. advisory
    an announcement that usually warns the public of some threat
  331. heighten
    make more extreme; raise in quantity, degree, or intensity
  332. acute
    ending in a sharp point
  333. penetrating
    tending to penetrate
  334. incisive
    demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
  335. jabber
    talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
  336. perceptive
    of or relating to awareness via the senses
  337. compound
    a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts
  338. gust
    a strong current of air
  339. rancid
    having an offensive smell or taste
  340. infest
    occupy in large numbers or live on a host
  341. tractor
    a wheeled vehicle with large wheels
  342. thoroughfare
    a public road from one place to another
  343. clog
    any object that acts as a hindrance or obstruction
  344. impede
    be a hindrance or obstacle to
  345. obstruct
    block passage through
  346. permeate
    spread or diffuse through
  347. permeant
    spreading or spread throughout
  348. conundrum
    a difficult problem
  349. erudite
    having or showing profound knowledge
  350. prognosticate
    make a prediction about; tell in advance
  351. tentative
    hesitant or lacking confidence; unsettled in mind or opinion
  352. inquisitive
    given to questioning
  353. humility
    a lack of arrogance or false pride
  354. scrupulous
    characterized by extreme care and great effort
  355. unwind
    reverse the twisting of
  356. snippet
    a small piece of anything
  357. lemon
    yellow oval fruit with juicy acidic flesh
  358. irate
    feeling or showing extreme anger
  359. tie
    fasten or secure with a rope, string, or cord
  360. keen
    intense or sharp
  361. paramount
    most important or impactful
  362. allude
    make an indirect reference to
  363. advert
    a public promotion of some product or service
  364. statutorily
    according to statute
  365. bail
    money forfeited if the accused fails to appear in court
  366. bail out
    remove water from a boat by throwing it over the side
  367. predicament
    an unpleasant or difficult situation
  368. crack up
    laugh unrestrainedly
  369. ramp up
    bolster or strengthen
  370. round the clock
    without stopping
  371. overhaul
    make repairs, renovations, revisions or adjustments to
  372. straddle
    sit or stand astride of
  373. eclectic
    selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas
  374. flyer
    an advertisement intended for wide distribution
  375. eulogy
    a formal expression of praise for someone who has died
  376. rage
    a feeling of intense anger
  377. sweeping
    taking in or moving over a wide area
  378. resignation
    the act of giving up, as a claim or office or possession
  379. shrewd
    marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
  380. belated
    after the expected or usual time
  381. pillage
    steal goods; take as spoils
  382. plunder
    steal goods; take as spoils
  383. filibuster
    a tactic for delaying legislation by making long speeches
  384. contravene
    go against, as of rules and laws
  385. wary
    marked by keen caution and watchful prudence
  386. meld
    mix or become mixed together
  387. elusive
    skillful at evading capture
  388. rocky
    abounding in rocks or stones
  389. means test
    an inquiry into the financial position of someone applying for financial aid
  390. harness
    an arrangement of leather straps fitted to a draft animal
  391. contentious
    showing an inclination to disagree
  392. deliberation
    careful consideration
  393. coy
    affectedly shy especially in a playful or provocative way
  394. fail
    be unable
  395. hammer out
    discuss vehemently in order to reach a solution or an agreement
  396. novice
    someone new to a field or activity
  397. tenacious
    stubbornly unyielding
  398. wobble
    move sideways or in an unsteady way
  399. parody
    a composition that imitates or misrepresents a style
  400. mimicry
    imitative behavior
  401. satire
    witty language used to convey insults or scorn
  402. perverse
    deviating from what is considered moral or right or proper
  403. wayward
    resistant to guidance or discipline
  404. emblematic
    serving as a visible symbol for something abstract
  405. archetype
    something that serves as a model
  406. fiduciary
    relating to or of the nature of a legal trust
  407. scathe
    the act of damaging something or someone
  408. demonize
    characterize as dangerous or wicked
  409. abortive
    failing to accomplish an intended result
  410. vain
    having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
  411. derail
    run off or leave the tracks
  412. underpin
    confirm or support with evidence or authority
  413. quip
    a witty saying
  414. sharp
    having a point or thin edge suitable for cutting or piercing
  415. hardheaded
    guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory
  416. noncommittal
    refusing to bind oneself to a particular course of action
  417. dent
    an impression in a surface (as made by a blow)
  418. hoax
    something intended to deceive
  419. revamp
    patch up or renovate; repair or restore
  420. jut
    extend out or project in space
  421. blush
    become rosy or reddish
  422. chip in
    contribute to some cause
  423. lash
    a quick blow delivered with a whip or whiplike object
  424. shock wave
    a region of high pressure travelling through a gas at a high velocity
  425. dud
    an explosion that fails to occur
  426. stash
    save up as for future use
  427. sloppy
    lacking neatness or order
  428. pitfall
    an unforeseen or unexpected or surprising difficulty
  429. lock in
    close with or as if with a tight seal
  430. altruism
    the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others
  431. crimp
    make ridges into by pinching together
  432. buckle
    fastener that fastens together two ends of a belt or strap
  433. stiffen
    make rigid or more rigid
  434. burnish
    polish and make shiny
  435. battered
    damaged by blows or hard usage
  436. stranglehold
    a wrestling move that compresses the opponent's windpipe
  437. stellar
    being or relating to or resembling or emanating from stars
  438. inadvertently
    without knowledge or intention
  439. unrivalled
    eminent beyond or above comparison
Created on Fri Aug 21 12:52:38 EDT 2009 (updated Thu Oct 29 14:31:13 EDT 2009)

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