-
anomaly
deviation from the normal or common order or form or rule
-
equivocal
open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead
-
lucid
(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
-
precipitate
hurl or throw violently
-
abstain
choose not to consume
-
audacious
disposed to venture or take risks
-
desiccate
lacking vitality or spirit; lifeless
-
gullible
naive and easily deceived or tricked
-
laudable
worthy of high praise
-
pedant
a person who pays more attention to formal rules and book learning than they merit
-
vacillate
be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
-
assuage
provide physical relief, as from pain
-
erudite
having or showing profound knowledge
-
opaque
not transmitting or reflecting light or radiant energy; impenetrable to sight
-
prodigal
recklessly wasteful
-
adulterate
corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones
-
capricious
determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
-
engender
make children
-
homogenous
all of the same or similar kind or nature
-
loquacious
full of trivial conversation
-
pragmatic
concerned with practical matters
-
volatile
a volatile substance; a substance that changes readily from solid or liquid to a vapor
-
advocate
a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
-
antipathy
a feeling of intense dislike
-
cacophony
loud confusing disagreeable sounds
-
deride
treat or speak of with contempt
-
enervate
weaken mentally or morally
-
eulogy
a formal expression of praise for someone who has died recently
-
ingenuous
lacking in sophistication or worldliness
-
lethargic
deficient in alertness or activity
-
misanthrope
someone who dislikes people in general
-
obdurate
stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing
-
paradox
(logic) a statement that contradicts itself
-
philanthropic
of or relating to or characterized by philanthropy
-
venerate
regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
-
waver
pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
-
enigma
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
-
fervid
characterized by intense emotion
-
placate
cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
-
zeal
a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
-
apathy
an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
-
corroborate
give evidence for
-
ephemeral
anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day in its winged form
-
laconic
brief and to the point; effectively cut short
-
mitigate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
-
propriety
correct or appropriate behavior
-
bolster
support and strengthen
-
dissonance
disagreeable sounds
-
garrulous
full of trivial conversation
-
malleable
capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
-
ostentation
pretentious or showy or vulgar display
-
prevaricate
be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
-
adumbrate
describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of
-
adverse
in an opposing direction
-
advert
give heed (to)
-
advisory
an announcement that usually advises or warns the public of some threat
-
aeronaut
someone who operates an aircraft
-
exacting
severe and unremitting in making demands
-
afoot
on foot; walking
-
agglomerate
form into one cluster
-
aggrandize
add details to
-
aggregate
a sum total of many heterogenous things taken together
-
aggress
take the initiative and go on the offensive
-
aide-de-camp
an officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer
-
alabaster
a compact fine-textured, usually white gypsum used for carving
-
alacrity
liveliness and eagerness
-
alcove
a small recess opening off a larger room
-
alder
north temperate shrubs or trees having toothed leaves and conelike fruit; bark is used in tanning and dyeing and the wood is rot-resistant
-
alderman
a member of a municipal legislative body (as a city council)
-
allay
lessen the intensity of or calm
-
allotment
the act of distributing by allotting or apportioning; distribution according to a plan
-
altercate
have a disagreement over something
-
implacable
incapable of being placated
-
alto
the lowest female singing voice
-
amatory
expressive of or exciting sexual love or romance
-
amour
a usually secretive or illicit sexual relationship
-
ampere
the basic unit of electric current adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
-
amphitheatre
an oval large stadium with tiers of seats; an arena in which contests and spectacles are held
-
amplitude
greatness of magnitude
-
anagram
a word or phrase spelled by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase
-
apothegm
a short pithy instructive saying
-
meliorism
the belief that the world can be made better by human effort
-
apotheosis
model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
-
appellate
of or relating to or taking account of appeals (usually legal appeals)
-
anathema
a formal ecclesiastical curse accompanied by excommunication
-
anemia
a deficiency of red blood cells
-
anemometer
a gauge for recording the speed and direction of wind
-
anew
again but in a new or different way
-
anhydrous
without water; especially without water of crystallization
-
animadvert
express blame or censure or make a harshly critical remark
-
animalcule
microscopic organism such as an amoeba or paramecium
-
annalist
a historian who writes annals
-
annex
attach to
-
annotate
add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments
-
annotate
add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments
-
annuity
income from capital investment paid in a series of regular payments
-
anode
a positively charged electrode by which electrons leave an electrical device
-
node
any thickened enlargement
-
ante
(poker) the initial contribution that each player makes to the pot
-
antecedent
a preceding occurrence or cause or event
-
antechamber
a large entrance or reception room or area
-
antedate
be earlier in time; go back further
-
sylvan
relating to or characteristic of wooded regions
-
appertain
be a part or attribute of
-
antemeridian
before noon
-
anterior
of or near the head end or toward the front plane of a body
-
anteroom
a large entrance or reception room or area
-
anthracite
a hard natural coal that burns slowly and gives intense heat
-
antic
ludicrously odd
-
anticyclone
(meteorology) winds spiraling outward from a high pressure center; circling clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern
-
antiphon
a verse or song to be chanted or sung in response
-
antiphony
a verse or song to be chanted or sung in response
-
antipode
direct opposite
-
antiquary
an expert or collector of antiquities
-
antispasmodic
a drug used to relieve or prevent spasms (especially of the smooth muscles)
-
antistrophe
the section of a choral ode answering a previous strophe in classical Greek drama; the second of two metrically corresponding sections in a poem
-
apathy
an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
-
apathy
an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
-
apiary
a shed containing a number of beehives
-
apostate
not faithful to religion or party or cause
-
apposition
the act of positioning close together (or side by side)
-
approbation
official approval
-
aqueous
similar to or containing or dissolved in water
-
arbitrary
based on or subject to individual discretion or preference or sometimes impulse or caprice
-
arborescent
resembling a tree in form and branching structure
-
arboriculture
the cultivation of tree for the production of timber
-
arcade
a structure composed of a series of arches supported by columns
-
archaism
the use of an archaic expression
-
archdeacon
(Anglican Church) an ecclesiastical dignitary usually ranking just below a bishop
-
archetype
something that serves as a model or a basis for making copies
-
ardent
characterized by intense emotion
-
ardor
feelings of great warmth and intensity
-
appellation
identifying word or words by which someone or something is called and classified or distinguished from others
-
abbess
the superior of a group of nuns
-
abbey
a monastery ruled by an abbot
-
abdicate
give up, such as power, as of monarchs and emperors, or duties and obligations
-
abed
in bed
-
abeyance
temporary cessation or suspension
-
abject
of the most contemptible kind
-
abjure
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
-
ablution
the ritual washing of a priest's hands or of sacred vessels
-
abnegate
deny or renounce
-
abominate
find repugnant
-
abrade
rub hard or scrub
-
abrasion
erosion by friction
-
abrogate
revoke formally
-
abscess
symptom consisting of a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue
-
abstemious
marked by temperance in indulgence
-
accede
yield to another's wish or opinion
-
accession
the act of attaining or gaining access to a new office or right or position (especially the throne)
-
accessory
a supplementary component that improves capability
-
accompaniment
a musical part (vocal or instrumental) that supports or provides background for other musical parts
-
accompanist
a person who provides musical accompaniment (usually on a piano)
-
accouter
provide with military equipment
-
acerbity
a sharp bitterness
-
acetate
a fabric made from fibers of cellulose acetate
-
acetic
relating to or containing acetic acid
-
acme
the highest point (of something)
-
acreage
an area of ground used for some particular purpose (such as building or farming)
-
actionable
affording grounds for legal action
-
actuate
put in motion or move to act
-
adamant
very hard native crystalline carbon valued as a gem
-
addendum
textual matter that is added onto a publication; usually at the end
-
addle
mix up or confuse
-
adduce
advance evidence for
-
adjacent
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
-
adjudge
declare to be
-
adjunct
something added to another thing but not an essential part of it
-
adjuration
a solemn and earnest appeal to someone to do something
-
adjutant
an officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer
-
admonish
take to task
-
admonition
a firm rebuke
-
ado
a rapid active commotion
-
armada
a large fleet
-
armful
the quantity that can be contained in the arms
-
armory
a military structure where arms and ammunition and other military equipment are stored and training is given in the use of arms
-
arraign
accuse of a wrong or an inadequacy
-
arrant
without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers
-
arrogate
seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
-
artless
simple and natural; without cunning or deceit
-
ascendant
tending or directed upward
-
ascetic
someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
-
ashen
anemic looking from illness or emotion
-
askance
with suspicion or disapproval
-
asperity
harshness of manner
-
aspirant
an ambitious and aspiring young person
-
assailant
someone who attacks
-
unassailable
impossible to assail
-
assail
attack someone physically or emotionally
-
assay
a quantitative or qualitative test of a substance (especially an ore or a drug) to determine its components; frequently used to test for the presence or concentration of infectious agents or antibodies etc.
-
assess
evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance of
-
assessor
an official who evaluates property for the purpose of taxing it
-
assiduous
marked by care and persistent effort
-
assignee
(law) the party to whom something is assigned (e.g., someone to whom a right or property is legally transferred)
-
assonance
the repetition of similar vowels in the stressed syllables of successive words
-
assuage
provide physical relief, as from pain
-
astringent
tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue
-
astute
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
-
athwart
at right angles to the center line of a ship
-
atrocity
an act of atrocious cruelty
-
attest
provide evidence for; stand as proof of; show by one's behavior, attitude, or external attributes
-
auburn
(of hair) colored a moderate reddish-brown
-
auger
hand tool for boring holes
-
awl
a pointed tool for marking surfaces or for punching small holes
-
auricle
a small conical pouch projecting from the upper anterior part of each atrium of the heart
-
auricular
of or relating to near the ear
-
auriferous
containing gold
-
auspice
a favorable omen
-
austere
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
-
autarchy
a political system governed by a single individual
-
autocrat
a cruel and oppressive dictator
-
autonomous
existing as an independent entity
-
autumnal
of or characteristic of or occurring in autumn
-
avarice
reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth (personified as one of the deadly sins)
-
aver
to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
-
averse
(usually followed by `to') strongly opposed
-
aversion
the act of turning yourself (or your gaze) away
-
avert
turn away or aside
-
aviary
a building where birds are kept
-
avidity
a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something
-
avocation
an auxiliary activity
-
avow
to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
-
astride
with one leg on each side
-
awry
turned or twisted to one side
-
azalea
any of numerous ornamental shrubs grown for their showy flowers of various colors
-
badger
sturdy carnivorous burrowing mammal with strong claws; widely distributed in the northern hemisphere
-
bailiff
an officer of the court who is employed to execute writs and processes and make arrests etc.
-
baize
a bright green fabric napped to resemble felt; used to cover gaming tables
-
bale
a large bundle bound for storage or transport
-
ballad
a narrative poem of popular origin
-
balsam
any of various fragrant oleoresins used in medicines and perfumes
-
borecole
a hardy cabbage with coarse curly leaves that do not form a head
-
barograph
a recording barometer; automatically records on paper the variations in atmospheric pressure
-
caracole
make a half turn on a horse, in dressage
-
barometer
an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure
-
barring
the act of excluding someone by a negative vote or veto
-
baritone
the second lowest adult male singing voice
-
battalion
an army unit usually consisting of a headquarters and three or more companies
-
batten
a strip fixed to something to hold it firm
-
bauble
cheap showy jewelry or ornament on clothing
-
beatify
make blessedly happy
-
beatitude
a state of supreme happiness
-
beau
a man who is the lover of a girl or young woman
-
beck
a beckoning gesture
-
bedaub
spread or daub (a surface)
-
befog
make less visible or unclear
-
beget
make children
-
begrudge
be envious of; set one's heart on
-
belay
turn a rope round an object or person in order to secure it or him
-
belie
be in contradiction with
-
belle
a young woman who is the most charming and beautiful of several rivals
-
benediction
a ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection
-
benefice
an endowed church office giving income to its holder
-
benignant
pleasant and beneficial in nature or influence
-
benignity
the quality of being kind and gentle
-
benison
a spoken blessing
-
bequeath
leave or give by will after one's death
-
bequest
(law) a gift of personal property by will
-
bereave
deprive through death
-
berth
a place where a craft can be made fast
-
beseech
ask for or request earnestly
-
beset
assail or attack on all sides: "The zebra was beset by leopards"
-
bestrew
cover by strewing
-
bestride
get up on the back of
-
bethink
cause oneself to consider something
-
betide
become of; happen to
-
betimes
in good time
-
betroth
give to in marriage
-
bevel
two surfaces meeting at an angle different from 90 degrees
-
bilious
relating to or containing bile
-
bide
dwell
-
biennial
occurring every second year
-
bier
a stand to support a corpse or a coffin prior to burial
-
bigamist
someone who marries one person while already legally married to another
-
bigamy
the offense of marrying someone while you have a living spouse from whom no valid divorce has occurred
-
bight
a bend or curve (especially in a coastline)
-
bilateral
having two sides or parts
-
biped
an animal with two feet
-
blatant
without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
-
blazon
the official symbols of a family, state, etc.
-
blithe
carefree and happy and lighthearted
-
boatswain
a petty officer on a merchant ship who controls the work of other seamen
-
bodice
part of a dress above the waist
-
bolero
a Spanish dance in triple time accompanied by guitar and castanets
-
boll
the rounded seed-bearing capsule of a cotton or flax plant
-
bombardier
the member of a bomber crew responsible for using the bombsight and releasing the bombs on the target
-
botanical
of or relating to plants or botany
-
bowler
a felt hat that is round and hard with a narrow brim
-
brae
a slope or hillside
-
brandish
move or swing back and forth
-
bravado
a swaggering show of courage
-
braze
solder together by using hard solder with a high melting point
-
brazier
large metal container in which coal or charcoal is burned; warms people who must stay outside for long times
-
breech
opening in the rear of the barrel of a gun where bullets can be loaded
-
bric-a-brac
miscellaneous curios
-
brigade
army unit smaller than a division
-
brigadier
a general officer ranking below a major general
-
brine
a strong solution of salt and water used for pickling
-
brimstone
an old name for sulfur
-
bristle
a stiff hair
-
broach
bring up a topic for discussion
-
brogue
a thick and heavy shoe
-
brokerage
the business of a broker; charges a fee to arrange a contract between two parties
-
bromine
a nonmetallic heavy volatile corrosive dark brown liquid element belonging to the halogens; found in sea water
-
bronchus
either of the two main branches of the trachea
-
brooch
a decorative pin worn by women
-
browbeat
discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner; intimidate
-
brusque
marked by rude or peremptory shortness
-
buffoonery
acting like a clown or buffoon
-
bullock
young bull
-
bulrush
tall marsh plant with cylindrical seed heads that explode when mature shedding large quantities of down; its long flat leaves are used for making mats and chair seats; of North America, Europe, Asia and North Africa
-
bulwark
an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
-
bumper
a mechanical device consisting of bars at either end of a vehicle to absorb shock and prevent serious damage
-
bumptious
offensively self-assertive
-
bureau
an administrative unit of government
-
burgess
a citizen of an English borough
-
burnish
polish and make shiny
-
bursar
the treasurer at a college or university
-
bustle
move or cause to move energetically or busily
-
butte
a hill that rises abruptly from the surrounding region; has a flat top and sloping sides
-
cabal
a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue
-
burgher
a citizen of an English borough
-
butt
the small unused part of something (especially the end of a cigarette that is left after smoking)
-
cabalism
adherence to some extreme traditional theological concept or interpretation
-
cadaverous
of or relating to a cadaver or corpse
-
cadence
(prosody) the accent in a metrical foot of verse
-
cadenza
a brilliant solo passage occurring near the end of a piece of music
-
caitiff
a cowardly and despicable person
-
cajolery
flattery intended to persuade
-
callosity
an area of skin that is thick or hard from continual pressure or friction (as the sole of the foot)
-
calumny
a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions
-
canary
any of several small Old World finches
-
cant
a slope in the turn of a road or track; the outside is higher than the inside in order to reduce the effects of centrifugal force
-
cantata
a musical composition for voices and orchestra based on a religious text
-
cantonment
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
-
capitulate
surrender under agreed conditions
-
captious
tending to find and call attention to faults
-
cardinal
a variable color averaging a vivid red
-
caret
a mark used by an author or editor to indicate where something is to be inserted into a text
-
carouse
engage in boisterous, drunken merrymaking
-
carrion
the dead and rotting body of an animal; unfit for human food
-
caste
(Hinduism) a hereditary social class among Hindus; stratified according to ritual purity
-
cataclysm
a sudden violent change in the earth's surface
-
cataract
a large waterfall; violent rush of water over a precipice
-
cathode
a negatively charged electrode that is the source of electrons entering an electrical device
-
cede
give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
-
censorious
harshly critical or expressing censure
-
centenary
the 100th anniversary (or the celebration of it)
-
ceremonious
characterized by pomp and ceremony and stately display
-
chancery
an office of archives for public or ecclesiastic records; a court of public records
-
chasten
censure severely
-
chastise
censure severely
-
chateau
an impressive country house (or castle) in France
-
chattel
personal as opposed to real property; any tangible movable property (furniture or domestic animals or a car etc)
-
check
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
-
chiffon
a sheer fabric of silk or rayon
-
check
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
-
cholera
an acute intestinal infection caused by ingestion of contaminated water or food
-
choleric
characterized by anger
-
disseminate
cause to become widely known
-
circumscribe
to draw a geometric figure around another figure so that the two are in contact but do not intersect
-
circumspect
heedful of potential consequences
-
clairvoyant
someone who has the power of clairvoyance
-
clangor
make a loud resonant noise
-
close-hauled
having the sails trimmed for sailing as close to the wind as possible
-
codicil
a supplement to a will; a testamentary instrument intended to alter an already executed will
-
coerce
to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means :"She forced him to take a job in the city"
-
cogent
powerfully persuasive
-
traduce
speak unfavorably about
-
cognizant
(sometimes followed by `of') having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
-
collegian
a student (or former student) at a college or university
-
collier
someone who works in a coal mine
-
colloquial
characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation
-
colloquialism
a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech
-
colloquy
formal conversation
-
comely
according with custom or propriety
-
comestible
suitable for use as food
-
commissariat
a stock or supply of foods
-
commodity
articles of commerce
-
commute
a regular journey of some distance to and from your place of work
-
complacence
the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself
-
complaisance
a disposition or tendency to yield to the will of others
-
complement
something added to complete or embellish or make perfect
-
complicity
guilt as an accomplice in a crime or offense
-
compliment
a remark (or act) expressing praise and admiration
-
comport
behave in a certain manner
-
compulsion
using force to cause something to occur
-
compulsory
required by rule
-
compunction
a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
-
concede
give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
-
concerto
a composition for orchestra and a soloist
-
concession
the act of conceding or yielding
-
conciliate
cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
-
conciliatory
making or willing to make concessions
-
condolence
an expression of sympathy with another's grief
-
conduce
be conducive to
-
conduit
a passage (a pipe or tunnel) through which water or electric wires can pass
-
confectionary
a confectioner's shop
-
confer
present
-
conferee
a person on whom something is bestowed
-
confluent
flowing together
-
congeal
become gelatinous
-
congenial
suitable to your needs
-
coniferous
of or relating to or part of trees or shrubs bearing cones and evergreen leaves
-
conjecture
to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
-
coign
the keystone of an arch
-
conjugal
of or relating to marriage or to the relationship between a wife and husband
-
conjugate
undergo conjugation
-
conjunction
the state of being joined together
-
connive
form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner
-
connoisseur
an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts
-
connote
express or state indirectly
-
connubial
of or relating to marriage or to the relationship between a wife and husband
-
consanguineous
related by blood
-
conscript
enroll into service compulsorily
-
conservatory
a schoolhouse with special facilities for fine arts
-
deign
do something that one considers to be below one's dignity
-
condign
fitting or appropriate and deserved; used especially of punishment
-
consign
give over to another for care or safekeeping
-
consignee
the person to whom merchandise is delivered over
-
consort
keep company with; hang out with
-
constable
a police officer of the lowest rank
-
consternation
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
-
consul
a diplomat appointed by a government to protect its commercial interests and help its citizens in a foreign country
-
consummate
having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
-
consumptive
tending to consume or use often wastefully
-
contemporaneous
occurring in the same period of time
-
continuity
uninterrupted connection or union
-
contiguous
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
-
continence
voluntary control over urinary and fecal discharge
-
contingency
the state of being contingent on something
-
contingent
determined by conditions or circumstances that follow
-
continuance
the property of enduring or continuing in time
-
contravene
go against, as of rules and laws
-
contrivance
the faculty of contriving; inventive skill
-
contumacious
wilfully obstinate; stubbornly disobedient
-
contumacy
obstinate rebelliousness and insubordination; resistance to authority
-
contuse
injure the underlying soft tissue or bone of
-
contusion
an injury that doesn't break the skin but results in some discoloration
-
convalesce
get over an illness or shock
-
convalescence
gradual healing (through rest) after sickness or injury
-
convene
meet formally
-
convertible
designed to be changed from one use or form to another
-
incontrovertible
impossible to deny or disprove
-
conveyance
something that serves as a means of transportation
-
fusillade
rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
-
convivial
occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company
-
convolution
the action of coiling or twisting or winding together
-
convolve
curl, wind, or twist together
-
convoy
the act of escorting while in transit
-
coquette
talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
-
corollary
(logic) an inference that follows directly from the proof of another proposition
-
coronation
the ceremony of installing a new monarch
-
coronet
a small crown; usually indicates a high rank but below that of sovereign
-
corporal
affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
-
corps
an army unit usually consisting of two or more divisions and their support
-
corpulent
excessively fat
-
corpuscle
either of two types of cells (erythrocytes and leukocytes) and sometimes including platelets
-
cosmogony
the branch of astrophysics that studies the origin and evolution and structure of the universe
-
countervail
compensate for or counterbalance
-
rustic
characteristic of rural life
-
courser
a huntsman who hunts small animals with fast dogs that use sight rather than scent to follow their prey
-
coxswain
the helmsman of a ship's boat or a racing crew
-
creamery
a workplace where dairy products (butter and cheese etc.) are produced or sold
-
credulous
showing a lack of judgment or experience
-
crevasse
a deep fissure
-
crockery
tableware (eating and serving dishes) collectively
-
cryptogram
a piece of writing in code or cipher
-
cudgel
a club that is used as a weapon
-
cull
remove something that has been rejected
-
cupidity
extreme greed for material wealth
-
curt
brief and to the point; effectively cut short
-
cycloid
resembling a circle
-
cygnet
a young swan
-
cynosure
something that provides guidance (as Polaris guides mariners)
-
dastard
a despicable coward
-
debase
corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones
-
debonair
having a sophisticated charm
-
debut
the act of beginning something new
-
decagon
a polygon with 10 sides and 10 angles
-
decagram
10 grams
-
deciliter
a metric unit of volume equal to one tenth of a liter
-
decamp
leave suddenly
-
deciduous
(of plants and shrubs) shedding foliage at the end of the growing season
-
declamation
recitation of a speech from memory with studied gestures and intonation as an exercise in elocution or rhetoric
-
declamatory
ostentatiously lofty in style
-
declension
the inflection of nouns and pronouns and adjectives in Indo-European languages
-
decorous
characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct
-
deduce
reason by deduction; establish by deduction
-
defalcate
appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
-
default
an option that is selected automatically unless an alternative is specified
-
defray
bear the expenses of
-
diminution
change toward something smaller or lower
-
deign
do something that one considers to be below one's dignity
-
dejection
a state of melancholy depression
-
delectation
a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction
-
delineate
represented accurately or precisely
-
deliquesce
melt or become liquid by absorbing moisture from the air
-
demagogue
a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular passions and prejudices
-
demerit
the quality of being inadequate or falling short of perfection
-
demulcent
a medication (in the form of an oil or salve etc.) that soothes inflamed or injured skin
-
demurrage
detention of a ship or freight car or other cargo beyond its scheduled time of departure
-
dendroid
resembling a tree in form and branching structure
-
denominate
assign a name or title to
-
denouement
the outcome of a complex sequence of events
-
denude
lay bare
-
deponent
a person who testifies or gives a deposition
-
deportment
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
-
deposition
the act of putting something somewhere
-
referendum
a legislative act is referred for final approval to a popular vote by the electorate
-
deprave
corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
-
derelict
a person without a home, job, or property
-
derivation
the source or origin from which something derives (i.e. comes or issues)
-
derrick
a simple crane having lifting tackle slung from a boom
-
descendent
a person considered as descended from some ancestor or race
-
descry
catch sight of
-
descant
a decorative musical accompaniment (often improvised) added above a basic melody
-
desist
choose not to consume
-
desperado
a bold outlaw (especially on the American frontier)
-
despond
lose confidence or hope; become dejected
-
despot
a cruel and oppressive dictator
-
desultory
marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
-
detract
take away a part from; diminish
-
detriment
a damage or loss
-
dexterity
adroitness in using the hands
-
diacritical
capable of distinguishing
-
dialectician
a logician skilled in dialectic
-
diaphanous
so thin as to transmit light
-
diatomic
of or relating to a molecule made up of two atoms
-
diatribe
thunderous verbal attack
-
differentia
distinguishing characteristics (especially in different species of a genus)
-
differential
a quality that differentiates between similar things
-
diffident
showing modest reserve
-
diffusion
the act of dispersing or diffusing something
-
dignitary
an important or influential (and often overbearing) person
-
dilatory
wasting time
-
dilettante
an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge
-
diligence
conscientiousness in paying proper attention to a task; giving the degree of care required in a given situation
-
diphthong
a vowel sound that starts near the articulatory position for one vowel and moves toward the position for another
-
diplomatist
an official engaged in international negotiations
-
disarrange
disturb the arrangement of
-
disavow
refuse to acknowledge; disclaim knowledge of; responsibility for, or association with
-
disavowal
denial of any connection with or knowledge of
-
discernable
perceptible by the senses or intellect
-
discomfit
cause to lose one's composure
-
discountenance
look with disfavor on
-
discreet
marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
-
discrepant
not in agreement
-
discursive
proceeding to a conclusion by reason or argument rather than intuition
-
disenfranchise
deprive of voting rights
-
disable
injure permanently
-
disinherit
prevent deliberately (as by making a will) from inheriting
-
disjunctive
serving or tending to divide or separate
-
dismount
the act of dismounting (a horse or bike etc.)
-
disparity
inequality or difference in some respect
-
dispel
to cause to separate and go in different directions
-
disputation
the formal presentation of a stated proposition and the opposition to it (usually followed by a vote)
-
disquiet
a feeling of mild anxiety about possible developments
-
depute
transfer power to someone
-
dissemble
behave unnaturally or affectedly
-
disseminate
cause to become widely known
-
dissension
disagreement among those expected to cooperate
-
dissentient
(of Catholics) refusing to attend services of the Church of England
-
dissentious
dissenting (especially dissenting with the majority opinion)
-
dissever
separate into parts or portions
-
dissolute
unrestrained by convention or morality
-
dissolution
separation into component parts
-
disyllable
a word having two syllables
-
distensible
capable of being distended; able to stretch and expand
-
distention
the state of being stretched beyond normal dimensions
-
divagation
a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern)
-
divergent
tending to move apart in different directions
-
diversion
a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern)
-
divest
take away possessions from someone
-
divisor
one of two or more integers that can be exactly divided into another integer
-
docket
a temporally organized plan for matters to be attended to
-
doleful
filled with or evoking sadness
-
dolor
(poetry) painful grief
-
dolorous
showing sorrow
-
domesticity
the quality of being domestic or domesticated
-
domicile
housing that someone is living in
-
domineer
rule or exercise power over (somebody) in a cruel and autocratic manner
-
donee
the recipient of funds or other benefits
-
doublet
a man's close-fitting jacket; worn during the Renaissance
-
doubly
to double the degree
-
dowry
money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage
-
drachma
a unit of apothecary weight equal to an eighth of an ounce or to 60 grains
-
dragoon
a member of a European military unit formerly composed of heavily armed cavalrymen
-
drainage
emptying something accomplished by allowing liquid to run out of it
-
dun
a color or pigment varying around a light grey-brown color
-
duteous
willingly obedient out of a sense of duty and respect
-
dubitable
open to doubt or suspicion
-
dyne
a unit of force equal to the force that imparts an acceleration of 1 cm/sec/sec to a mass of 1 gram
-
ebullient
joyously unrestrained
-
economize
spend sparingly, avoid the waste of
-
edict
a formal or authoritative proclamation
-
edify
make understand
-
educe
deduce (a principle) or construe (a meaning)
-
efface
remove by or as if by rubbing or erasing
-
effectual
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
-
effeminacy
the trait of being effeminate (derogatory of a man)
-
effete
marked by excessive self-indulgence and moral decay
-
efficacious
marked by qualities giving the power to produce an intended effect
-
efflorescent
bursting into flower
-
effluvium
a foul-smelling outflow or vapor (especially a gaseous waste)
-
effrontery
audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to
-
effulgence
the quality of being bright and sending out rays of light
-
effuse
pour out
-
effusion
an unrestrained expression of emotion
-
egoism
concern for your own interests and welfare
-
egregious
conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
-
egress
the act of coming (or going) out; becoming apparent
-
elapse
pass by
-
elegy
a mournful poem; a lament for the dead
-
elicit
call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
-
elucidate
make clear and (more) comprehensible
-
elusion
the act of avoiding capture (especially by cunning)
-
embargo
a government order imposing a trade barrier
-
embezzle
appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
-
emblazon
decorate with heraldic arms
-
embolism
occlusion of a blood vessel by an embolus (a loose clot or air bubble or other particle)
-
embroil
force into some kind of situation, condition, or course of action
-
emeritus
a professor or minister who is retired from assigned duties
-
emporium
a large retail store organized into departments offering a variety of merchandise; commonly part of a retail chain
-
encamp
live in or as if in a tent
-
encomium
a formal expression of praise
-
encore
an extra or repeated performance; usually given in response to audience demand
-
encumber
hold back
-
encyclical
a letter from the pope sent to all Roman Catholic bishops throughout the world
-
endemic
native to or confined to a certain region
-
endue
give qualities or abilities to
-
enfranchise
grant freedom to; as from slavery or servitude
-
engender
make children
-
ennoble
give a title to someone; make someone a member of the nobility
-
entomology
the branch of zoology that studies insects
-
entreat
ask for or request earnestly
-
entrench
fix firmly or securely
-
epicure
a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment (especially good food and drink)
-
epicycle
a circle that rolls around (inside or outside) another circle; generates an epicycloid or hypocycloid
-
epicycloid
a line generated by a point on a circle rolling around another circle
-
epizootic
(of animals) epidemic among animals of a single kind within a particular region
-
equanimity
steadiness of mind under stress
-
equity
conformity with rules or standards
-
errant
straying from the right course or from accepted standards
-
erudition
profound scholarly knowledge
-
esquire
(Middle Ages) an attendant and shield bearer to a knight; a candidate for knighthood
-
esthetic
concerning or characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste
-
estuary
the wide part of a river where it nears the sea; fresh and salt water mix
-
euphemism
an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harsh
-
evanesce
disappear gradually
-
evanescent
tending to vanish like vapor
-
avert
turn away or aside
-
evert
turn inside out; turn the inner surface of outward
-
evidential
serving as or based on evidence
-
evince
give expression to
-
excrescence
something that bulges out or is protuberant or projects from its surroundings
-
execration
hate coupled with disgust
-
excretion
the bodily process of discharging waste matter
-
exegesis
an explanation or critical interpretation (especially of the Bible)
-
exhaustible
capable of being used up; capable of being exhausted
-
exigency
a pressing or urgent situation
-
exigent
demanding attention
-
expatriate
a person who is voluntarily absent from home or country
-
expectorate
clear out the chest and lungs
-
expedite
process fast and efficiently
-
expeditious
marked by speed and efficiency
-
expiate
make amends for
-
explicate
elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses
-
expostulate
reason with (somebody) for the purpose of dissuasion
-
extant
still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost
-
extemporize
perform without preparation
-
extensor
a skeletal muscle whose contraction extends or stretches a body part
-
extenuate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
-
extol
praise, glorify, or honor
-
extort
obtain by coercion or intimidation
-
exhort
spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts
-
extradite
hand over to the authorities of another country
-
extrajudicial
beyond the usual course of legal proceedings; legally unwarranted
-
extricate
release from entanglement of difficulty
-
extrude
form or shape by forcing through an opening
-
facetious
cleverly amusing in tone
-
factious
dissenting (especially dissenting with the majority opinion)
-
fallow
left unplowed and unseeded during a growing season
-
fancier
a person having a strong liking for something
-
fastidious
giving careful attention to detail; hard to please; excessively concerned with cleanliness
-
extensor
a skeletal muscle whose contraction extends or stretches a body part
-
extenuate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
-
extol
praise, glorify, or honor
-
extort
obtain by coercion or intimidation
-
extradite
hand over to the authorities of another country
-
extrajudicial
beyond the usual course of legal proceedings; legally unwarranted
-
extricate
release from entanglement of difficulty
-
extrude
form or shape by forcing through an opening
-
facet
a distinct feature or element in a problem
-
facetious
cleverly amusing in tone
-
factious
dissenting (especially dissenting with the majority opinion)
-
fallow
left unplowed and unseeded during a growing season
-
fancier
a person having a strong liking for something
-
fastidious
giving careful attention to detail; hard to please; excessively concerned with cleanliness
-
faun
ancient Italian deity in human shape, with horns, pointed ears and a goat's tail; equivalent to Greek satyr
-
fealty
the loyalty that citizens owe to their country (or subjects to their sovereign)
-
feint
any distracting or deceptive maneuver (as a mock attack)
-
falcate
curved like a sickle
-
foliate
grow leaves
-
festal
offering fun and gaiety
-
fete
an elaborate party (often outdoors)
-
fez
a felt cap (usually red) for a man; shaped like a flat-topped cone with a tassel that hangs from the crown
-
finical
exacting especially about details
-
fief
a piece of land held under the feudal system
-
finery
elaborate or showy attire and accessories
-
fishmonger
someone who sells fish
-
flexion
the state of being flexed (as of a joint)
-
flection
the state of being flexed (as of a joint)
-
fledgling
young bird that has just fledged or become capable of flying
-
floe
a flat mass of ice (smaller than an ice field) floating at sea
-
flue
a conduit to carry off smoke
-
foible
a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
-
foist
to force onto another
-
folio
a book (or manuscript) consisting of large sheets of paper folded in the middle to make two leaves or four pages
-
foolery
foolish or senseless behavior
-
foppish
affecting extreme elegance in dress and manner
-
foray
a sudden short attack
-
foreshore
the part of the seashore between the highwater mark and the low-water mark
-
forebode
make a prediction about; tell in advance
-
forecastle
living quarters consisting of a superstructure in the bow of a merchant ship where the crew is housed
-
forgo
do without or cease to hold or adhere to
-
foreground
the part of a scene that is near the viewer
-
foreordain
foreordain or determine beforehand
-
foreordination
(theology) being determined in advance; especially the doctrine (usually associated with Calvin) that God has foreordained every event throughout eternity (including the final salvation of mankind)
-
forefend
prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
-
forte
an asset of special worth or utility
-
fortitude
strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage
-
frailty
the state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age)
-
frankincense
an aromatic gum resin obtained from various Arabian or East African trees; formerly valued for worship and for embalming and fumigation
-
fraudulent
intended to deceive
-
fray
wear away by rubbing
-
frizz
curl tightly
-
frolicsome
given to merry frolicking
-
fugacious
lasting a very short time
-
fulcrum
the pivot about which a lever turns
-
functionary
a worker who holds or is invested with an office
-
fungible
of goods or commodities; freely exchangeable for or replaceable by another of like nature or kind in the satisfaction of an obligation
-
fungous
of or relating to fungi
-
furlong
a unit of length equal to 220 yards
-
furlough
a temporary leave of absence from military duty
-
furrier
someone whose occupation is making or repairing fur garments
-
furtherance
encouragement of the progress or growth or acceptance of something
-
fusil
a light flintlock musket
-
fissile
capable of being split or cleft or divided in the direction of the grain
-
galvanic
pertaining to or producing electric current by chemical action
-
gambol
play boisterously
-
garrison
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
-
garrote
an instrument of execution for execution by strangulation
-
gastritis
inflammation of the lining of the stomach; nausea and loss of appetite and discomfort after eating
-
gastronomy
the art and practice of choosing and preparing and eating good food
-
gendarme
a French policeman
-
genealogist
an expert in genealogy
-
geniality
a disposition to be friendly and approachable (easy to talk to)
-
genitive
serving to express or indicate possession
-
genteel
marked by refinement in taste and manners
-
germane
relevant and appropriate
-
gestation
the period during which an embryo develops (about 266 days in humans)
-
gesticulate
show, express or direct through movement
-
gibe
laugh at with contempt and derision
-
glazier
someone who cuts flat glass to size
-
glutinous
having the sticky properties of an adhesive
-
gourmand
a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
-
gosling
young goose
-
gradient
a graded change in the magnitude of some physical quantity or dimension
-
grapple
come to terms with
-
gratuitous
unnecessary and unwarranted
-
grenadier
an infantryman equipped with grenades
-
grimace
contort the face to indicate a certain mental or emotional state
-
guileless
free of deceit
-
gumption
fortitude and determination
-
gyrate
revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
-
habitude
habitual mode of behavior
-
hanger-on
someone who persistently (and annoyingly) follows along
-
harangue
a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
-
hardihood
the trait of being willing to undertake things that involve risk or danger
-
hawthorn
a spring-flowering shrub or small tree of the genus Crataegus
-
hazard
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
-
heathenish
not acknowledging the God of Christianity and Judaism and Islam
-
heptagon
a seven-sided polygon
-
herbarium
a collection of dried plants that are mounted and systematically classified for study
-
heterodox
characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards
-
heterotrophic
requiring organic compounds of carbon and nitrogen for nourishment
-
hex
an evil spell
-
six
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
-
hibernal
characteristic of or relating to winter
-
hillock
a small natural hill
-
hoarse
deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion
-
homologous
corresponding or similar in position or structure or function or characteristics; especially derived from an organism of the same species
-
honorarium
a fee paid for a nominally free service
-
horde
a vast multitude
-
huckster
a seller of shoddy goods
-
hussar
a member of a European light cavalry unit; renowned for elegant dress
-
trooper
a state police officer
-
hydrodynamics
study of fluids in motion
-
hydrometer
a measuring instrument for determining the specific gravity of a liquid or solid
-
hydrostatics
study of the mechanical properties of fluids that are not in motion
-
hydrous
containing combined water (especially water of crystallization as in a hydrate)
-
cumbrous
difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight
-
pirouette
(ballet) a rapid spin of the body (especially on the toes as in ballet)
-
inerrant
not liable to error
-
dissolute
unrestrained by convention or morality
-
dispatch
the act of sending off something
-
picayune
(informal) small and of little importance
-
purulent
containing pus
-
suppurate
cause to ripen and discharge pus
-
inefficacious
lacking the power to produce a desired effect
-
mettlesome
having a proud and unbroken spirit
-
dispatch
the act of sending off something
-
pronate
turn the forearm or the hand so that the palm is directed downwards
-
limpid
clear and bright
-
refract
subject to refraction
-
steadfast
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
-
consternation
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
-
perennial
lasting three seasons or more
-
derive
come from
-
puckish
naughtily or annoyingly playful
-
meretricious
tastelessly showy
-
concatenate
add by linking or joining so as to form a chain or series
-
carping
persistent petty and unjustified criticism
-
propitious
presenting favorable circumstances; likely to result in or show signs of success
-
colloquial
characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation
-
curt
brief and to the point; effectively cut short
-
collogue
confer secretly
-
gratuitous
unnecessary and unwarranted
-
ruse
a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)
-
mould
the distinctive form in which a thing is made
-
countenance
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
-
apostate
not faithful to religion or party or cause
-
forbearance
a delay in enforcing rights or claims or privileges; refraining from acting
-
delineation
a drawing of the outlines of forms or objects
-
dote
shower with love; show excessive affection for
-
hypocritical
professing feelings or virtues one does not have
-
filial
designating the generation or the sequence of generations following the parental generation
-
feckless
generally incompetent and ineffectual
-
concerted
involving the joint activity of two or more
-
sectarian
of or relating to or characteristic of a sect or sects
-
embarkation
the act of passengers and crew getting aboard a ship or aircraft
-
treacle
a pale cane syrup
-
embroil
force into some kind of situation, condition, or course of action
-
bequeath
leave or give by will after one's death
-
plumb
exactly vertical
-
inveterate
habitual
-
camaraderie
the quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability
-
animadversion
harsh criticism or disapproval
-
apposite
being of striking appropriateness and pertinence
-
prefatory
serving as an introduction or preface
-
nave
the central area of a church
-
cynosure
something that provides guidance (as Polaris guides mariners)
-
hovel
small crude shelter used as a dwelling
-
grove
a small growth of trees without underbrush
-
turret
a small tower extending above a building
-
foyer
a large entrance or reception room or area
-
freighter
a cargo ship
-
terpsichorean
of or relating to dancing
-
sartorial
of or relating to a tailor or to tailoring
-
attar
essential oil or perfume obtained from flowers
-
forbearance
a delay in enforcing rights or claims or privileges; refraining from acting
-
probity
complete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles
-
eschew
avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of
-
controvert
be resistant to
-
abrade
rub hard or scrub
-
apposite
being of striking appropriateness and pertinence
-
prefatory
serving as an introduction or preface
-
nave
the central area of a church
-
blighted
affected by blight; anything that mars or prevents growth or prosperity
-
impecunious
not having enough money to pay for necessities
-
consternation
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
-
hypodermic
a piston syringe that is fitted with a hypodermic needle for giving injections
-
hypotenuse
the side of a right triangle opposite the right angle
-
ignoble
completely lacking nobility in character or quality or purpose
-
ignominious
(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
-
illiberal
narrow-minded about cherished opinions
-
illicit
contrary to accepted morality (especially sexual morality) or convention
-
illumine
make lighter or brighter
-
illusive
based on or having the nature of an illusion
-
imbrue
permeate or impregnate
-
imitator
someone who copies the words or behavior of another
-
immigrant
a person who comes to a country where they were not born in order to settle there
-
imminence
the state of being imminent and liable to happen soon
-
immiscible
(chemistry, physics) incapable of mixing
-
impecunious
not having enough money to pay for necessities
-
impede
be a hindrance or obstacle to
-
impend
be imminent or about to happen
-
imperative
requiring attention or action
-
imperil
pose a threat to; present a danger to
-
embroil
force into some kind of situation, condition, or course of action
-
imperious
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
-
impertinent
improperly forward or bold
-
impetuous
characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation
-
impolitic
not politic
-
importation
the commercial activity of buying and bringing in goods from a foreign country
-
importunate
expressing earnest entreaty
-
importune
beg persistently and urgently
-
improvident
not provident; not providing for the future
-
provident
providing carefully for the future
-
providence
the prudence and care exercised by someone in the management of resources
-
impugn
attack as false or wrong
-
impugn
attack as false or wrong
-
impulsion
the act of applying force suddenly
-
inadvertent
happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
-
inadvisable
not advisable
-
inane
devoid of intelligence
-
inapt
not elegant or graceful in expression
-
incipience
beginning to exist or to be apparent
-
incombustible
not capable of igniting and burning
-
incongruous
lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
-
indelible
cannot be removed or erased
-
indicant
something that serves to indicate or suggest
-
indict
accuse formally of a crime
-
indict
accuse formally of a crime
-
indigence
a state of extreme poverty or destitution
-
indigent
poor enough to need help from others
-
indignant
angered at something unjust or wrong
-
indiscernible
difficult or impossible to perceive or discern
-
descry
catch sight of
-
decry
express strong disapproval of
-
descry
catch sight of
-
decry
express strong disapproval of
-
indiscreet
lacking discretion; injudicious
-
indolence
inactivity resulting from a dislike of work
-
insolent
marked by casual disrespect
-
indomitable
impossible to subdue
-
induct
place ceremoniously or formally in an office or position
-
traduce
speak unfavorably about
-
indelible
cannot be removed or erased
-
inestimable
beyond calculation or measure
-
inexorable
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
-
inextensible
not extensile
-
infuse
fill, as with a certain quality
-
infusion
the act of infusing or introducing a certain modifying element or quality
-
ingenuity
the power of creative imagination
-
ingenuous
lacking in sophistication or worldliness
-
inglorious
(used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
-
engraft
fix or set securely or deeply
-
ingrate
a person who shows no gratitude
-
ingratiate
gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts
-
ingratitude
a lack of gratitude
-
inhume
place in a grave or tomb
-
inimical
not friendly
-
iniquity
absence of moral or spiritual values
-
injunction
(law) a judicial remedy issued in order to prohibit a party from doing or continuing to do a certain activity
-
inkling
a slight suggestion or vague understanding
-
inlet
an arm off of a larger body of water (often between rocky headlands)
-
innuendo
an indirect (and usually malicious) implication
-
innuendo
an indirect (and usually malicious) implication
-
inroad
an encroachment or intrusion
-
inscrutable
of an obscure nature
-
insensible
barely able to be perceived
-
insidious
working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way
-
impudent
improperly forward or bold
-
insolent
marked by casual disrespect
-
insular
relating to or characteristic of or situated on an island
-
insuperable
incapable of being surmounted or excelled
-
insurgent
in opposition to a civil authority or government
-
insurrection
organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one faction tries to wrest control from another
-
intemperance
excess in action and immoderate indulgence of bodily appetites, especially in passion or indulgence
-
intercession
the act of intervening (as to mediate a dispute, etc.)
-
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
-
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
-
interlude
an intervening period or episode
-
intermit
cease an action temporarily
-
intermittent
stopping and starting at irregular intervals
-
interpolation
the action of interjecting or interposing an action or remark that interrupts
-
interpolate
insert words into texts, often falsifying it thereby
-
interpose
introduce
-
interposition
the act or fact of interposing one thing between or among others
-
interval
the distance between things
-
intestacy
the situation of being or dying without a legally valid will
-
interstate
involving and relating to the mutual relations of states especially of the United States
-
intramural
carried on within the bounds of an institution or community
-
introit
a composition of vocal music that is appropriate for opening church services
-
intromit
allow to enter; grant entry to
-
inundation
an overwhelming number or amount
-
inure
cause to accept or become hardened to; habituate
-
inure
cause to accept or become hardened to; habituate
-
invective
abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will
-
inveigh
complain bitterly
-
inveigh
complain bitterly
-
inverse
reversed (turned backward) in order or nature or effect
-
inveigle
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
-
inveterate
habitual
-
invidious
containing or implying a slight or showing prejudice
-
involution
the act of sharing in the activities of a group
-
irradiate
expose to radiation
-
irrigate
supply with water, as with channels or ditches or streams
-
islet
a small island
-
isobar
(meteorology)an isogram connecting points having equal barometric pressure at a given time
-
isochronous
equal in duration or interval
-
isothermal
of a process or change taking place at constant temperature
-
itinerant
traveling from place to place to work
-
jingo
an extreme bellicose nationalist
-
joggle
fasten or join with a joggle
-
judicature
the act of meting out justice according to the law
-
judiciary
the system of law courts that administer justice and constitute the judicial branch of government
-
judicious
marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters
-
jugglery
the performance of a juggler
-
junction
an act of joining or adjoining things
-
juncture
the shape or manner in which things come together and a connection is made
-
junta
a group of military officers who rule a country after seizing power
-
juridical
of or relating to the law or jurisprudence
-
jurisdiction
in law; the territory within which power can be exercised
-
jurisprudence
the branch of philosophy concerned with the law and the principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do
-
joust
joust against somebody in a tournament by fighting on horseback
-
lout
an awkward stupid person
-
gout
a painful inflammation of the big toe and foot caused by defects in uric acid metabolism resulting in deposits of the acid and its salts in the blood and joints
-
kerchief
a square scarf that is folded into a triangle and worn over the head or about the neck
-
kiloliter
a metric unit of volume or capacity equal to 1000 liters
-
kimono
a loose robe; imitated from robes originally worn by Japanese
-
kindling
material for starting a fire
-
knighthood
aristocrats holding the rank of knight
-
lackadaisical
idle or indolent especially in a dreamy way
-
levity
a manner lacking seriousness
-
lacteal
relating to or consisting of or producing or resembling milk
-
laddie
a male child (a familiar term of address to a boy)
-
laggard
someone who takes more time than necessary; someone who lags behind
-
lassitude
a feeling of lack of interest or energy
-
languor
inactivity; showing an unusual lack of energy
-
languid
lacking spirit or liveliness
-
lascivious
driven by lust; preoccupied with or exhibiting lustful desires
-
lassie
a girl or young woman who is unmarried
-
latish
somewhat late
-
laundress
a working woman who takes in washing
-
lave
wash or flow against
-
lea
a field covered with grass or herbage and suitable for grazing by livestock
-
leeward
on the side away from the wind
-
levee
a pier that provides a landing place on a river
-
levity
a manner lacking seriousness
-
levy
impose and collect
-
lexicographer
a compiler or writer of a dictionary; a student of the lexical component of language
-
licentious
lacking moral discipline; especially sexually unrestrained
-
wanton
lewd or lascivious woman
-
cant
a slope in the turn of a road or track; the outside is higher than the inside in order to reduce the effects of centrifugal force
-
cantor
the official of a synagogue who conducts the liturgical part of the service and sings or chants the prayers intended to be performed as solos
-
licit
authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law
-
liege
a feudal lord entitled to allegiance and service
-
lien
the right to take another's property if an obligation is not discharged
-
lieu
the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another
-
stead
the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another
-
ligament
a sheet or band of tough fibrous tissue connecting bones or cartilages or supporting muscles or organs
-
ligature
the act of tying or binding things together
-
ligneous
consisting of or containing lignin or xylem
-
liner
a protective covering that protects an inside surface
-
lingo
a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
-
lingua
a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
-
lingual
pertaining to or resembling or lying near the tongue
-
liniment
a medicinal liquid that is rubbed into the skin to relieve muscular stiffness and pain
-
liquefaction
the conversion of a solid or a gas into a liquid
-
lacquer
a black resinous substance obtained from certain trees and used as a natural varnish
-
listless
lacking zest or vivacity
-
lithe
moving and bending with ease
-
lithesome
moving and bending with ease
-
lithograph
a print produced by lithography
-
litigant
(law) a party to a lawsuit; someone involved in litigation
-
litigate
engage in legal proceedings
-
litigious
of or relating to litigation
-
littoral
of or relating to a coastal or shore region
-
liturgy
a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship
-
loam
a rich soil consisting of a mixture of sand and clay and decaying organic materials
-
loathe
find repugnant
-
locative
the semantic role of the noun phrase that designates the place of the state or action denoted by the verb
-
lodgment
the state or quality of being lodged or fixed even temporarily
-
loquacious
full of trivial conversation
-
lough
Irish word for a lake
-
lucid
(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
-
lurid
horrible in fierceness or savagery
-
luxuriate
become extravagant; indulge (oneself) luxuriously
-
luxuriant
produced or growing in extreme abundance
-
macadamize
surface with macadam
-
magisterial
of or relating to a magistrate
-
maharaja
a great raja; a Hindu prince or king in India ranking above a raja
-
malcontent
discontented as toward authority
-
hutch
a cage (usually made of wood and wire mesh) for small animals
-
culvert
a transverse and totally enclosed drain under a road or railway
-
malefactor
someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
-
maleficent
harmful or evil in intent or effect
-
mantel
shelf that projects from wall above fireplace
-
manumit
free from slavery or servitude
-
masonry
the craft of a mason
-
masquerade
a party of guests wearing costumes and masks
-
maudlin
effusively or insincerely emotional
-
marline
a small usually tarred line of 2 strands
-
mawkish
effusively or insincerely emotional
-
rakish
marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners
-
mealy-mouthed
hesitant to state facts or opinions simply and directly as from e.g. timidity or hypocrisy
-
decal
either a design that is fixed to some surface or a paper bearing the design which is to be transferred to the surface
-
medley
a musical composition consisting of a series of songs or other musical pieces from various sources
-
meliorate
to make better
-
menagerie
a collection of live animals for study or display
-
mendacious
given to lying
-
mercantile
relating to or characteristic of trade or traders
-
sextant
a measuring instrument for measuring the angular distance between celestial objects; resembles an octant
-
meretricious
tastelessly showy
-
mete
a line that indicates a boundary
-
mercenary
a person hired to fight for another country than their own
-
mercenary
a person hired to fight for another country than their own
-
greedy
immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth
-
metempsychosis
after death the soul begins a new cycle of existence in another human body
-
micrometer
a metric unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter
-
mien
dignified manner or conduct
-
migrant
traveler who moves from one region or country to another
-
militate
have force or influence; bring about an effect or change
-
millet
any of various small-grained annual cereal and forage grasses of the genera Panicum, Echinochloa, Setaria, Sorghum, and Eleusine
-
gullet
the passage between the pharynx and the stomach
-
sully
make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
-
skulk
avoid responsibilities and duties, e.g., by pretending to be ill
-
skullduggery
verbal misrepresentation intended to take advantage of you in some way
-
minutia
a small or minor detail
-
misapprehend
interpret in the wrong way
-
miscreant
a person without moral scruples
-
mislay
place (something) where one cannot find it again
-
misogamy
hatred of marriage
-
misrule
government that is inefficient or dishonest
-
missal
(Roman Catholic Church) a book containing all the prayers and responses needed to celebrate Mass throughout the year
-
missive
a written message addressed to a person or organization
-
mite
any of numerous very small to minute arachnids often infesting animals or plants or stored foods
-
miter
joint that forms a corner; usually both sides are bevelled at a 45-degree angle to form a 90-degree corner
-
mitigate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
-
monocracy
a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)
-
modish
in the current fashion or style
-
modulate
fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of
-
molt
cast off hair, skin, horn, or feathers
-
monition
cautionary advice about something imminent (especially imminent danger or other unpleasantness)
-
monition
cautionary advice about something imminent (especially imminent danger or other unpleasantness)
-
monocracy
a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)
-
monomania
a mania restricted to one thing or idea
-
moralist
a philosopher who specializes in morals and moral problems
-
mordacious
biting or given to biting
-
moratorium
suspension of an ongoing activity
-
morphology
the branch of biology that deals with the structure of animals and plants
-
muleteer
a worker who drives mules
-
municipal
relating or belonging to or characteristic of a municipality
-
municipality
an urban district having corporate status and powers of self-government
-
naphtha
any of various volatile flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixtures; used chiefly as solvents
-
natal
relating to or accompanying birth
-
marshal
(in some countries) a military officer of highest rank
-
nuptial
of or relating to a wedding
-
necrology
a list of people who died recently
-
necropolis
a tract of land used for burials
-
nectarine
a variety or mutation of the peach that has a smooth skin
-
needlework
work (such as sewing or embroidery) that is done with a needle
-
nefarious
extremely wicked
-
negate
make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of
-
negligee
a loose dressing gown for women
-
neolithic
of or relating to the most recent period of the Stone Age (following the mesolithic)
-
neology
a newly invented word or phrase
-
neophyte
any new participant in some activity
-
nettle
any of numerous plants having stinging hairs that cause skin irritation on contact (especially of the genus Urtica or family Urticaceae)
-
neuter
having no or imperfectly developed or nonfunctional sex organs
-
niggardly
petty or reluctant in giving or spending
-
nimble
moving quickly and lightly
-
nit
egg or young of an insect parasitic on mammals especially a sucking louse; often attached to a hair or item of clothing
-
gnomic
relating to or containing gnomes
-
nominal
relating to or constituting or bearing or giving a name
-
nonpareil
model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
-
nostrum
patent medicine whose efficacy is questionable
-
novice
someone new to a field or activity
-
nuance
a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
-
numeration
the act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order
-
nuptial
of or relating to a wedding
-
oakum
loose hemp or jute fiber obtained by unravelling old ropes; when impregnated with tar it was used to caulk seams and pack joints in wooden ships
-
oblique
slanting or inclined in direction or course or position--neither parallel nor perpendicular nor right-angled
-
oblong
deviating from a square or circle or sphere by being elongated in one direction
-
obsequious
attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
-
obsolescence
the process of becoming obsolete; falling into disuse or becoming out of date
-
obstetrician
a physician specializing in obstetrics
-
obstetrics
the branch of medicine dealing with childbirth and care of the mother
-
obtrude
push to thrust outward
-
obviate
do away with
-
occlude
block passage through
-
octave
a musical interval of eight tones
-
octavo
the size of a book whose pages are made by folding a sheet of paper three times to form eight leaves
-
tonal
having tonality; i.e. tones and chords organized in relation to one tone such as a keynote or tonic
-
odious
unequivocally detestable
-
odium
hate coupled with disgust
-
officiate
act in an official capacity in a ceremony or religious ritual, such as a wedding
-
officious
intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
-
officious
intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
-
ogre
(folklore) a giant who likes to eat human beings
-
ominous
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
-
onrush
a forceful forward rush or flow
-
opalescence
the visual property of something having a milky brightness and a play of colors from the surface
-
operetta
a short amusing opera
-
opprobrium
a state of extreme dishonor
-
orthogonal
having a set of mutually perpendicular axes; meeting at right angles
-
oratorio
a musical composition for voices and orchestra based on a religious text
-
ordinal
being or denoting a numerical order in a series
-
ordination
the act of ordaining; the act of conferring (or receiving) holy orders
-
ordnance
military supplies
-
ornate
marked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative details
-
orthopedic
of or relating to orthopedics
-
osculate
touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
-
ostentation
pretentious or showy or vulgar display
-
oust
remove from a position or office
-
outlandish
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
-
outrigger
a stabilizer for a canoe; spars attach to a shaped log or float parallel to the hull
-
overleap
jump across or leap over (an obstacle)
-
strident
unpleasantly loud and harsh
-
overture
orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio
-
aria
an elaborate song for solo voice
-
soliloquy
speech you make to yourself
-
colloquy
formal conversation
-
palate
the upper surface of the mouth that separates the oral and nasal cavities
-
palette
board that provides a flat surface on which artists mix paints and the range of colors used
-
pall
burial garment in which a corpse is wrapped
-
palliate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
-
palsy
loss of the ability to move a body part
-
panegyric
formally expressing praise
-
panoply
a complete and impressive array
-
panorama
the visual percept of a region
-
prosaic
lacking wit or imagination
-
pantomime
a performance using gestures and body movements without words
-
papacy
the government of the Roman Catholic Church
-
parallelism
similarity by virtue of corresponding
-
paramount
having superior power and influence
-
perfumery
perfumes in general
-
parity
functional equality
-
parley
a negotiation between enemies
-
parlor
a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax
-
paroxysm
a sudden uncontrollable attack
-
parse
analyze syntactically by assigning a constituent structure to (a sentence)
-
partition
the act of dividing or partitioning; separation by the creation of a boundary that divides or keeps apart
-
perforate
make a hole into or between, as for ease of separation
-
partisan
a fervent and even militant proponent of something
-
ukase
an edict of the Russian tsar
-
passable
able to be passed or traversed or crossed
-
perfidy
an act of deliberate betrayal
-
patrimony
an inheritance coming by right of birth (especially by primogeniture)
-
patronymic
of or derived from a personal or family name
-
patter
make light, rapid and repeated sounds
-
pavilion
large and often sumptuous tent
-
payee
a person to whom money is paid
-
peaceable
inclined or disposed to peace
-
peccant
liable to sin
-
pedal
a lever that is operated with the foot
-
peddle
sell or offer for sale from place to place
-
peerage
the peers of a kingdom considered as a group
-
pellucid
transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity
-
peninsular
of or forming or resembling a peninsula
-
pennant
a flag longer than it is wide (and often tapering)
-
pentad
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
-
pentahedron
any polyhedron having five plane faces
-
penultimate
next to the last
-
penurious
excessively unwilling to spend
-
spendthrift
someone who spends money prodigally
-
perambulate
make an official inspection on foot of (the bounds of a property)
-
percolator
a coffeepot in which boiling water ascends through a central tube and filters back down through a basket of ground coffee beans
-
perfunctory
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
-
perigee
periapsis in Earth orbit; the point in its orbit where a satellite is nearest to the Earth
-
permutation
complete change in character or condition
-
perpendicular
intersecting at or forming right angles
-
poise
hold or carry in equilibrium
-
persiflage
light teasing
-
personage
a person whose actions and opinions strongly influence the course of events
-
perspicacious
mentally acute or penetratingly discerning
-
perspicuous
(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
-
perusal
reading carefully with intent to remember
-
pervasive
spreading or spread throughout
-
pervious
admitting of passage or entrance
-
peter
obscene terms for penis
-
petulant
easily irritated or annoyed
-
pharmacopeia
(pharmacology) a book containing a compilation of pharmaceutical products with their formulas and methods of preparation
-
philander
talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
-
philately
the collection and study of postage stamps
-
philharmonic
devoted to or appreciative of music
-
philology
the humanistic study of language and literature
-
phlegmatic
showing little emotion
-
phonogram
any written symbol standing for a sound or syllable or morpheme or word
-
phonology
the study of the sound system of a given language and the analysis and classification of its phonemes
-
phosphorescence
a fluorescence that persists after the bombarding radiation has ceased
-
photoelectric
of or pertaining to photoelectricity
-
photometer
photographic equipment that measures the intensity of light
-
photometry
measurement of the properties of light (especially luminous intensity)
-
physiognomy
the human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are informal terms for `face' and `phiz' is British)
-
picayune
(informal) small and of little importance
-
piccolo
a small flute; pitched an octave above the standard flute
-
piecemeal
one thing at a time
-
pillory
a wooden instrument of punishment on a post with holes for the wrists and neck; offenders were locked in and so exposed to public scorn
-
pique
a sudden outburst of anger
-
piteous
deserving or inciting pity
-
pitiable
deserving or inciting pity
-
plaudit
enthusiastic approval
-
plenary
full in all respects
-
poignant
keenly distressing to the mind or feelings
-
plenipotentiary
a diplomat who is fully authorized to represent his or her government
-
plumb
exactly vertical
-
plumb
exactly vertical
-
plurality
the state of being plural
-
pneumatic
of or relating to or using air (or a similar gas)
-
poesy
literature in metrical form
-
poignancy
a quality that arouses emotions (especially pity or sorrow)
-
preamble
a preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution (usually explaining its purpose)
-
precarious
not secure; beset with difficulties
-
precedence
status established in order of importance or urgency
-
precedential
having precedence (especially because of longer service)
-
precession
the act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony)
-
precipice
a very steep cliff
-
precipitant
done with very great haste and without due deliberation
-
preclude
make impossible, especially beforehand
-
precocious
characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)
-
predicate
involve as a necessary condition of consequence; as in logic
-
preeminence
high status importance owing to marked superiority
-
prefatory
serving as an introduction or preface
-
preferment
the act of preferring
-
prehensile
adapted for grasping especially by wrapping around an object
-
pretension
the advancing of a claim
-
prehension
the act of gripping something firmly with the hands (or the tentacles)
-
prelacy
the office or station of a prelate
-
prelate
a senior clergyman and dignitary
-
prelature
the office or station of a prelate
-
prelude
something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows
-
premonition
an early warning about a future event
-
premonition
an early warning about a future event
-
preordain
foreordain or determine beforehand
-
preponderate
weigh more heavily
-
prepossession
an opinion formed beforehand without adequate evidence
-
presage
a foreboding about what is about to happen
-
prescript
prescribed guide for conduct or action
-
presentiment
a feeling of evil to come
-
foreboding
a feeling of evil to come
-
semblance
an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
-
preternatural
existing outside of or not in accordance with nature
-
pretext
something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
-
prevaricate
be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
-
prickle
a small sharp-pointed tip resembling a spike on a stem or leaf
-
priggish
exaggeratedly proper
-
prim
affectedly dainty or refined
-
primp
dress or groom with elaborate care
-
pusillanimous
lacking in courage and manly strength and resolution; contemptibly fearful
-
putrescent
becoming putrid
-
purveyor
someone who supplies provisions (especially food)
-
probity
complete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles
-
proctor
someone who supervises (an examination)
-
prodigious
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
-
proffer
present for acceptance or rejection
-
proficiency
the quality of having great facility and competence
-
purloin
make off with belongings of others
-
prima
indicating the most important performer or role
-
principality
territory ruled by a prince
-
priory
religious residence in a monastery governed by a prior or a convent governed by a prioress
-
privateer
a privately owned warship commissioned to prey on the commercial shipping or warships of an enemy nation
-
privet
any of various Old World shrubs having smooth entire leaves and terminal panicles of small white flowers followed by small black berries; many used for hedges
-
privy
hidden from general view or use
-
probate
the act of proving that an instrument purporting to be a will was signed and executed in accord with legal requirements
-
reprobate
a person without moral scruples
-
profile
an outline of something (especially a human face as seen from one side)
-
profligacy
the trait of spending extravagantly
-
profligate
unrestrained by convention or morality
-
proletarian
belonging to or characteristic of the proletariat
-
projection
the act of expelling or projecting or ejecting
-
promenade
a leisurely walk (usually in some public place)
-
promissory
relating to or having the character of a promise
-
promontory
a natural elevation (especially a rocky one that juts out into the sea)
-
promulgate
state or announce
-
propagate
multiply sexually or asexually
-
propitious
presenting favorable circumstances; likely to result in or show signs of success
-
prosaic
lacking wit or imagination
-
proscenium
the part of a modern theater stage between the curtain and the orchestra (i.e., in front of the curtain)
-
proscribe
command against
-
proscription
rejection by means of an act of banishing or proscribing someone
-
proselyte
a new convert; especially a gentile converted to Judaism
-
prosody
the study of poetic meter and the art of versification
-
prospectus
a formal written offer to sell securities (filed with the SEC) that sets forth a plan for a (proposed) business enterprise
-
prostrate
stretched out and lying at full length along the ground
-
protract
lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer
-
protrusion
something that bulges out or is protuberant or projects from its surroundings
-
protuberance
something that bulges out or is protuberant or projects from its surroundings
-
provident
providing carefully for the future
-
providential
peculiarly fortunate or appropriate; as if by divine intervention
-
provincial
of or associated with a province
-
prowess
a superior skill that you can learn by study and practice and observation
-
proximity
the property of being close together
-
prudential
arising from or characterized by prudence especially in business matters
-
prudery
excessive or affected modesty
-
prurient
characterized by lust
-
apostate
not faithful to religion or party or cause
-
puissant
powerful
-
punctilious
marked by precise accordance with details
-
purl
flow in a circular current, of liquids
-
pyx
any receptacle in which wafers for the Eucharist are kept
-
quadrate
a cubelike object
-
qualify
describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of
-
qualm
uneasiness about the fitness of an action
-
qualm
uneasiness about the fitness of an action
-
quandary
state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
-
quartet
a musical composition for four performers
-
quarto
the size of a book whose pages are made by folding a sheet of paper twice to form four leaves
-
quay
wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline
-
quay
wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline
-
querulous
habitually complaining
-
quietus
euphemisms for death (based on an analogy between lying in a bed and in a tomb)
-
quintessence
the purest and most concentrated essence of something
-
quintet
a musical composition for five performers
-
radix
(numeration system) the positive integer that is equivalent to one in the next higher counting place
-
raillery
light teasing repartee
-
ramify
have or develop complicating consequences
-
ramose
having branches
-
rampart
an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
-
rapacious
living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey
-
rapine
the act of despoiling a country in warfare
-
rapt
feeling great rapture or delight
-
raucous
unpleasantly loud and harsh
-
readjust
adjust anew
-
rebuff
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
-
rebut
overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof
-
rebuke
an act or expression of criticism and censure
-
retort
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
-
recant
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
-
recapitulate
summarize briefly
-
recapture
the act of taking something back
-
recessive
of or pertaining to a recession
-
recidivist
someone who lapses into previous undesirable patterns of behavior
-
divest
take away possessions from someone
-
reciprocal
concerning each of two or more persons or things; especially given or done in return
-
reciprocity
a relation of mutual dependence or action or influence
-
wreck
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
-
reek
give off smoke, fumes, warm vapour, steam, etc.
-
reconnoiter
explore, often with the goal of finding something or somebody
-
recourse
act of turning to for assistance
-
recover
regain or make up for
-
recreant
having deserted a cause or principle
-
recreate
create anew
-
recrudescent
the revival of an unfortunate situation after a period of abatement
-
rectify
make right or correct
-
rectitude
righteousness as a consequence of being honorable and honest
-
redolent
having a strong pleasant odor
-
redound
have an effect for good or ill
-
referable
capable of being assigned or credited to
-
refract
subject to refraction
-
refractory
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
-
referable
capable of being assigned or credited to
-
regalia
paraphernalia indicative of royalty (or other high office)
-
reality
the state of being actual or real
-
regent
someone who rules during the absence or incapacity or minority of the country's monarch
-
regiment
army unit smaller than a division
-
regnant
exercising power or authority
-
regress
go back to a previous state
-
digress
wander from a direct or straight course
-
transgress
act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
-
egress
the act of coming (or going) out; becoming apparent
-
rein
one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse
-
coign
the keystone of an arch
-
relegate
assign to a lower position; reduce in rank
-
relegate
assign to a lower position; reduce in rank
-
relent
give in, as to influence or pressure
-
reliquary
a container where religious relics are stored or displayed (especially relics of saints)
-
relish
vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
-
remiss
failing in what duty requires
-
remonstrance
the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
-
reproof
an act or expression of criticism and censure
-
rendezvous
a meeting planned at a certain time and place
-
rendition
a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role etc.
-
repartee
adroitness and cleverness in reply
-
repeal
cancel officially
-
repine
express discontent
-
cavil
raise trivial objections
-
reprehend
express strong disapproval of
-
reprehension
an act or expression of criticism and censure
-
repress
conceal or hide
-
reprieve
postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution
-
reprisal
a retaliatory action against an enemy in wartime
-
reprobate
a person without moral scruples
-
reproof
an act or expression of criticism and censure
-
repudiate
refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid
-
repute
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
-
requiem
a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person
-
requisite
necessary for relief or supply
-
requital
an act of requiting; returning in kind
-
requite
make repayment for or return something
-
rescind
cancel officially
-
reseat
provide with a new seat
-
resemblance
similarity in appearance or external or superficial details
-
resilience
the physical property of a material that can return to its original shape or position after deformation that does not exceed its elastic limit
-
resistless
impossible to resist; overpowering
-
resplendent
having great beauty and splendor
-
splenetic
of or relating to the spleen
-
lambent
softly bright or radiant
-
remuneration
the act of paying for goods or services or to recompense for losses
-
resumption
beginning again
-
resurgent
rising again as to new life and vigor
-
retch
make an unsuccessful effort to vomit; strain to vomit
-
verb
a content word that denotes an action, occurrence, or state of existence
-
reticent
reluctant to draw attention to yourself
-
retinue
the group following and attending to some important person
-
retort
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
-
retrench
tighten one's belt; use resources carefully
-
reverent
feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
-
revisal
the act of rewriting something
-
revert
go back to a previous state
-
revocation
the act (by someone having the authority) of annulling something previously done
-
rhapsody
an epic poem adapted for recitation
-
rhetoric
study of the technique and rules for using language effectively (especially in public speaking)
-
riddance
the act of removing or getting rid of something
-
rife
excessively abundant
-
teem
be teeming, be abuzz
-
risible
arousing or provoking laughter
-
rivulet
a small stream
-
rondo
a musical form that is often the last movement of a sonata
-
rookery
a breeding ground for gregarious birds (such as rooks)
-
ruminate
reflect deeply on a subject
-
salacious
suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
-
salient
having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
-
salutation
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
-
salutary
tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health
-
salutatory
an opening or welcoming statement (especially one delivered at graduation exercises)
-
salvo
rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
-
sanctimonious
excessively or hypocritically pious
-
sanction
official permission or approval
-
sanguinary
accompanied by bloodshed
-
sanguineous
accompanied by bloodshed
-
sapid
full of flavor
-
vapid
lacking significance or liveliness or spirit or zest
-
sapid
full of flavor
-
sapience
ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight
-
sapient
acutely insightful and wise
-
sapiential
characterized by wisdom, especially the wisdom of God
-
saponaceous
resembling or having the qualities of soap
-
satyr
one of a class of woodland deities; attendant on Bacchus; identified with Roman fauns
-
scholastic
of or relating to schools
-
scintilla
a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
-
scruple
an ethical or moral principle that inhibits action
-
scuttle
an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship
-
sear
become superficially burned
-
secant
a straight line that intersects a curve at two or more points
-
sedate
characterized by dignity and propriety
-
sediment
matter that has been deposited by some natural process
-
sedition
an illegal action inciting resistance to lawful authority and tending to cause the disruption or overthrow of the government
-
seditious
arousing to action or rebellion
-
sedulous
marked by care and persistent effort
-
seer
an observer who perceives visually
-
seignior
a man of rank in the ancient regime
-
semblance
an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
-
senile
mentally or physically infirm with age
-
sentient
endowed with feeling and unstructured consciousness
-
sentinel
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
-
separatist
an advocate of secession or separation from a larger group (such as an established church or a national union)
-
secede
withdraw from an organization or communion
-
sentinel
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
-
sepulcher
a chamber that is used as a grave
-
sequent
in regular succession without gaps
-
sequestrate
keep away from others
-
sextet
six performers or singers who perform together
-
shiftless
lacking or characterized by lack of ambition or initiative; lazy
-
shrewd
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
-
shrew
small mouselike mammal with a long snout; related to moles
-
rarify
make more complex, intricate, or richer
-
rarified
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
-
sibilate
make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
-
siege
the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack
-
sinecure
an office that involves minimal duties
-
sinus
an abnormal passage leading from a suppurating cavity to the body surface
-
sirocco
a windstorm that lifts up clouds of dust or sand
-
skiff
any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
-
sleight
adroitness in using the hands
-
solder
join or fuse with solder
-
solecism
a socially awkward or tactless act
-
solicitor
a British lawyer who gives legal advice and prepares legal documents
-
solvent
capable of meeting financial obligations
-
dissolution
separation into component parts
-
insolvent
unable to meet or discharge financial obligations
-
somniferous
sleep inducing
-
somnolence
a very sleepy state
-
somnolent
inclined to or marked by drowsiness
-
sonata
a musical composition of 3 or 4 movements of contrasting forms
-
sonorous
full and loud and deep
-
soothsayer
someone who makes predictions of the future (usually on the basis of special knowledge)
-
sophism
a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone
-
sophistical
plausible but misleading
-
sophistry
a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone
-
soprano
the highest female voice; the voice of a boy before puberty
-
baritone
the second lowest adult male singing voice
-
alto
the lowest female singing voice
-
spartan
unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment
-
specie
coins collectively
-
specter
a ghostly appearing figure
-
spherometer
a measuring instrument for measuring the curvature of a surface
-
spinster
an elderly unmarried woman
-
spurious
plausible but false
-
sinuous
curved or curving in and out
-
spinster
an elderly unmarried woman
-
spurious
plausible but false
-
stagy
having characteristics of the stage especially an artificial and mannered quality
-
staid
characterized by dignity and propriety
-
stanchion
any vertical post or rod used as a support
-
statuesque
suggestive of a statue
-
statute
an act passed by a legislative body
-
steppe
extensive plain without trees (associated with eastern Russia and Siberia)
-
sterling
highest in quality
-
stiletto
a small dagger with a tapered blade
-
stimulus
any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action
-
incentive
a positive motivational influence
-
stolid
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
-
strait
a narrow channel of the sea joining two larger bodies of water
-
stratagem
an elaborate or deceitful scheme contrived to deceive or evade
-
stringent
demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
-
astringent
tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue
-
stripling
a juvenile between the onset of puberty and maturity
-
stultify
deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless
-
suasion
the act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief or action
-
subacid
slightly sour to the taste
-
subjacent
lying nearby but lower
-
sublingual
beneath the tongue
-
subsequent
following in time or order
-
subsist
support oneself
-
subtend
be opposite to; of angles and sides, in geometry
-
subtrahend
the number to be subtracted from the minuend
-
subvert
destroy completely
-
sufferance
patient endurance especially of pain or distress
-
suffuse
cause to spread or flush or flood through, over, or across
-
sumptuous
rich and superior in quality
-
superannuate
retire and pension (someone) because of age or physical inability
-
superintend
watch and direct
-
supersede
take the place or move into the position of
-
supine
lying face upward
-
supple
moving and bending with ease
-
supplicate
ask for humbly or earnestly, as in prayer
-
supplicant
someone who prays to God
-
surety
something clearly established
-
surfeit
indulge (one's appetite) to satiety
-
surmount
get on top of; deal with successfully
-
surrogate
someone who takes the place of another person
-
swarthy
naturally having skin of a dark color
-
sybarite
a person addicted to luxury and pleasures of the senses
-
syllabic
of or relating to syllables
-
sublimation
(chemistry) a change directly from the solid to the gaseous state without becoming liquid
-
sylph
a slender graceful young woman
-
synchronism
the relation that exists when things occur at the same time
-
syneresis
the contraction of two vowels into a diphthong
-
syncretism
the union (or attempted fusion) of different systems of thought or belief (especially in religion or philosophy)
-
synod
a council convened to discuss ecclesiastical business
-
tacit
implied by or inferred from actions or statements
-
taciturn
habitually reserved and uncommunicative
-
tack
a short nail with a sharp point and a large head
-
tact
consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
-
tangency
the state of being tangent; having contact at a single point or along a line without crossing
-
tannery
workplace where skins and hides are tanned
-
ethnography
the branch of anthropology that provides scientific description of individual human societies
-
telepathy
apparent communication from one mind to another without using sensory perceptions
-
telephony
transmitting speech at a distance
-
temerity
fearless daring
-
temporize
draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time
-
tenacious
stubbornly unyielding
-
tenant
someone who pays rent to use land or a building or a car that is owned by someone else
-
tenet
a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof
-
tenor
the adult male singing voice above baritone
-
tentative
unsettled in mind or opinion
-
tercentenary
the 300th anniversary (or the celebration of it)
-
termagant
a scolding nagging bad-tempered woman
-
terminal
occurring at or forming an end or termination
-
terminus
a place where something ends or is complete
-
testator
a person who makes a will
-
tilt
heel over
-
tilth
the state of aggregation of soil and its condition for supporting plant growth
-
timbre
(music) the distinctive property of a complex sound (a voice or noise or musical sound)
-
timorous
timid by nature or revealing timidity
-
diffident
showing modest reserve
-
tincture
a substances that colors metals
-
tirade
a speech of violent denunciation
-
toilsome
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
-
torpor
a state of motor and mental inactivity with a partial suspension of sensibility
-
torrid
characterized by intense emotion
-
tortuous
marked by repeated turns and bends
-
tortious
of or pertaining to the nature of a tort
-
tractable
easily managed (controlled or taught or molded)
-
trammel
a restraint that is used to teach a horse to amble
-
impediment
something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
-
transalpine
on or relating to or characteristic of the region or peoples beyond the Alps from Italy (or north of the Alps)
-
transcendent
exceeding or surpassing usual limits especially in excellence
-
transcribe
write out from speech, notes, etc.
-
transferee
someone who transfers or is transferred from one position to another
-
transference
the act of transfering something from one form to another
-
transfigure
change completely the nature or appearance of
-
transfuse
give a transfusion (e.g., of blood) to
-
transgress
act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
-
transience
the attribute of being brief or fleeting
-
transmute
change or alter in form, appearance, or nature
-
transpire
come about, happen, or occur
-
transposition
the act of reversing the order or place of
-
transverse
extending or lying across; in a crosswise direction; at right angles to the long axis
-
travail
use of physical or mental energy; hard work
-
travesty
a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way
-
treble
three times as great or many
-
trenchant
having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought, expression, or intellect
-
trestle
a supporting tower used to support a bridge
-
tribune
(ancient Rome) an official elected by the plebeians to protect their interests
-
tricolor
having or involving three colors
-
triennial
occurring every third year or lasting 3 years
-
triumvir
one of a group of three sharing public administration or civil authority especially in ancient Rome
-
triumvirate
a group of three men responsible for public administration or civil authority
-
turgid
ostentatiously lofty in style
-
turpitude
a corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice
-
tutelage
attention and management implying responsibility for safety
-
tutelary
providing protective supervision; watching over or safeguarding
-
typify
embody the essential characteristics of or be a typical example of
-
typification
the act of representing by a type or symbol; the action of typifying
-
typography
the craft of composing type and printing from it
-
tyro
someone new to a field or activity
-
green
of the color between blue and yellow in the color spectrum; similar to the color of fresh grass
-
ultramontane
on or relating to or characteristic of the region or peoples beyond the Alps from Italy (or north of the Alps)
-
umbrage
a feeling of anger caused by being offended
-
untoward
not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
-
unaffected
undergoing no change when acted upon
-
unction
anointing as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual
-
undersell
sell cheaper than one's competition
-
emulous
characterized by or arising from emulation or imitation
-
ungainly
lacking grace in movement or posture
-
cumulous
thrown together in a pile
-
unguent
semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation
-
covalence
valence characterized by the sharing of electrons in a chemical compound; the number of pairs of electrons an atom can share
-
valence
(chemistry) a property of atoms or radicals; their combining power given in terms of the number of hydrogen atoms (or the equivalent)
-
jabot
a ruffle on the front of a woman's blouse or a man's shirt
-
utilitarian
having a useful function
-
unyoke
remove the yoke from
-
yoke
support consisting of a wooden frame across the shoulders that enables a person to carry buckets hanging from each end
-
stoke
stir up or tend; of a fire
-
bloke
a boy or man
-
uproot
move (people) forcibly from their homeland into a new and foreign environment
-
urchin
poor and often mischievous city child
-
upturn
an upward movement or trend as in business activity
-
confuse
mistake one thing for another
-
usurious
greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
-
usurp
seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
-
utmost
highest in extent or degree
-
vacate
leave behind empty; move out of
-
vacuous
devoid of matter
-
vagrant
a wanderer who has no established residence or visible means of support
-
vale
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
-
valediction
a farewell oration (especially one delivered during graduation exercises by an outstanding member of a graduating class)
-
valedictory
a farewell oration (especially one delivered during graduation exercises by an outstanding member of a graduating class)
-
valorous
having or showing valor
-
variegated
having a variety of colors
-
vaudeville
a variety show with songs and comic acts etc.
-
vegetal
composed of vegetation or plants
-
velvety
resembling velvet in having a smooth soft surface
-
vendible
fit to be offered for sale
-
veneer
coating consisting of a thin layer of superior wood glued to a base of inferior wood
-
venereal
of or relating to the external sex organs
-
venial
warranting only temporal punishment
-
venous
of or contained in or performing the function of the veins
-
verbiage
overabundance of words
-
vicarious
experienced at secondhand
-
viceroy
governor of a country or province who rules as the representative of his or her king or sovereign
-
vicissitude
a variation in circumstances or fortune at different times in your life or in the development of something
-
vigilance
the process of paying close and continuous attention
-
vignette
a brief literary description
-
vindicate
show to be right by providing justification or proof
-
vincible
susceptible to being defeated
-
vindicatory
of or relating to or having the nature of retribution
-
vindictive
disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge
-
vinery
a farm of grapevines where wine grapes are produced
-
viol
any of a family of bowed stringed instruments that preceded the violin family
-
viola
any of the numerous plants of the genus Viola
-
virago
a noisy or scolding or domineering woman
-
virile
characterized by energy and vigor
-
virtu
objet d'art collectively (especially fine antiques)
-
visage
the human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are informal terms for `face' and `phiz' is British)
-
viscount
a British peer who ranks below an earl and above a baron
-
vista
the visual percept of a region
-
vitiate
make imperfect
-
vituperate
spread negative information about
-
vivify
give new life or energy to
-
vocative
relating to a case used in some languages
-
vociferous
conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
-
vocative
relating to a case used in some languages
-
waif
a homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned
-
wane
a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
-
weal
a raised mark on the skin (as produced by the blow of a whip); characteristic of many allergic reactions
-
wholly
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (`whole' is often used informally for `wholly')
-
wile
the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)
-
winsome
charming in a childlike or naive way
-
wiry
of or relating to wire
-
witless
(of especially persons) lacking sense or understanding or judgment
-
wizen
lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness
-
wrangle
an instance of intense argument (as in bargaining)
-
wrest
obtain by seizing forcibly or violently, also metaphorically
-
wry
humorously sarcastic or mocking
-
zephyr
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
-
zodiac
(astrology) a circular diagram representing the 12 zodiacal constellations and showing their signs
-
marline
a small usually tarred line of 2 strands
-
mawkish
effusively or insincerely emotional
-
rakish
marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners
-
mealy-mouthed
hesitant to state facts or opinions simply and directly as from e.g. timidity or hypocrisy
-
decal
either a design that is fixed to some surface or a paper bearing the design which is to be transferred to the surface
-
medley
a musical composition consisting of a series of songs or other musical pieces from various sources
-
meliorate
to make better
-
menagerie
a collection of live animals for study or display
-
mendacious
given to lying
-
mercantile
relating to or characteristic of trade or traders
-
sextant
a measuring instrument for measuring the angular distance between celestial objects; resembles an octant
-
meretricious
tastelessly showy
-
mete
a line that indicates a boundary
-
mercenary
a person hired to fight for another country than their own
-
mercenary
a person hired to fight for another country than their own
-
greedy
immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth
-
metempsychosis
after death the soul begins a new cycle of existence in another human body
-
micrometer
a metric unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter
-
mien
dignified manner or conduct
-
migrant
traveler who moves from one region or country to another
-
militate
have force or influence; bring about an effect or change
-
millet
any of various small-grained annual cereal and forage grasses of the genera Panicum, Echinochloa, Setaria, Sorghum, and Eleusine
-
gullet
the passage between the pharynx and the stomach
-
sully
make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
-
skulk
avoid responsibilities and duties, e.g., by pretending to be ill
-
skullduggery
verbal misrepresentation intended to take advantage of you in some way
-
minutia
a small or minor detail
-
misapprehend
interpret in the wrong way
-
miscreant
a person without moral scruples
-
mislay
place (something) where one cannot find it again
-
misogamy
hatred of marriage
-
misrule
government that is inefficient or dishonest
-
missal
(Roman Catholic Church) a book containing all the prayers and responses needed to celebrate Mass throughout the year
-
missive
a written message addressed to a person or organization
-
mite
any of numerous very small to minute arachnids often infesting animals or plants or stored foods
-
miter
joint that forms a corner; usually both sides are bevelled at a 45-degree angle to form a 90-degree corner
-
mitigate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
-
monocracy
a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)
-
modish
in the current fashion or style
-
modulate
fix or adjust the time, amount, degree, or rate of
-
molt
cast off hair, skin, horn, or feathers
-
monition
cautionary advice about something imminent (especially imminent danger or other unpleasantness)
-
monition
cautionary advice about something imminent (especially imminent danger or other unpleasantness)
-
monocracy
a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)
-
monomania
a mania restricted to one thing or idea
-
moralist
a philosopher who specializes in morals and moral problems
-
mordacious
biting or given to biting
-
moratorium
suspension of an ongoing activity
-
morphology
the branch of biology that deals with the structure of animals and plants
-
muleteer
a worker who drives mules
-
municipal
relating or belonging to or characteristic of a municipality
-
municipality
an urban district having corporate status and powers of self-government
-
naphtha
any of various volatile flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixtures; used chiefly as solvents
-
natal
relating to or accompanying birth
-
marshal
(in some countries) a military officer of highest rank
-
nuptial
of or relating to a wedding
-
necrology
a list of people who died recently
-
necropolis
a tract of land used for burials
-
nectarine
a variety or mutation of the peach that has a smooth skin
-
needlework
work (such as sewing or embroidery) that is done with a needle
-
nefarious
extremely wicked
-
negate
make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of
-
negligee
a loose dressing gown for women
-
neolithic
of or relating to the most recent period of the Stone Age (following the mesolithic)
-
neology
a newly invented word or phrase
-
neophyte
any new participant in some activity
-
nettle
any of numerous plants having stinging hairs that cause skin irritation on contact (especially of the genus Urtica or family Urticaceae)
-
neuter
having no or imperfectly developed or nonfunctional sex organs
-
niggardly
petty or reluctant in giving or spending
-
nimble
moving quickly and lightly
-
nit
egg or young of an insect parasitic on mammals especially a sucking louse; often attached to a hair or item of clothing
-
gnomic
relating to or containing gnomes
-
nominal
relating to or constituting or bearing or giving a name
-
nonpareil
model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
-
nostrum
patent medicine whose efficacy is questionable
-
novice
someone new to a field or activity
-
nuance
a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
-
numeration
the act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order
-
nuptial
of or relating to a wedding
-
oakum
loose hemp or jute fiber obtained by unravelling old ropes; when impregnated with tar it was used to caulk seams and pack joints in wooden ships
-
oblique
slanting or inclined in direction or course or position--neither parallel nor perpendicular nor right-angled
-
oblong
deviating from a square or circle or sphere by being elongated in one direction
-
obsequious
attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
-
obsolescence
the process of becoming obsolete; falling into disuse or becoming out of date
-
obstetrician
a physician specializing in obstetrics
-
obstetrics
the branch of medicine dealing with childbirth and care of the mother
-
obtrude
push to thrust outward
-
obviate
do away with
-
occlude
block passage through
-
octave
a musical interval of eight tones
-
octavo
the size of a book whose pages are made by folding a sheet of paper three times to form eight leaves
-
tonal
having tonality; i.e. tones and chords organized in relation to one tone such as a keynote or tonic
-
odious
unequivocally detestable
-
odium
hate coupled with disgust
-
officiate
act in an official capacity in a ceremony or religious ritual, such as a wedding
-
officious
intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
-
officious
intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
-
ogre
(folklore) a giant who likes to eat human beings
-
ominous
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
-
onrush
a forceful forward rush or flow
-
opalescence
the visual property of something having a milky brightness and a play of colors from the surface
-
operetta
a short amusing opera
-
opprobrium
a state of extreme dishonor
-
orthogonal
having a set of mutually perpendicular axes; meeting at right angles
-
oratorio
a musical composition for voices and orchestra based on a religious text
-
ordinal
being or denoting a numerical order in a series
-
ordination
the act of ordaining; the act of conferring (or receiving) holy orders
-
ordnance
military supplies
-
ornate
marked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative details
-
orthopedic
of or relating to orthopedics
-
osculate
touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
-
ostentation
pretentious or showy or vulgar display
-
oust
remove from a position or office
-
outlandish
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
-
outrigger
a stabilizer for a canoe; spars attach to a shaped log or float parallel to the hull
-
overleap
jump across or leap over (an obstacle)
-
strident
unpleasantly loud and harsh
-
overture
orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio
-
aria
an elaborate song for solo voice
-
soliloquy
speech you make to yourself
-
colloquy
formal conversation
-
palate
the upper surface of the mouth that separates the oral and nasal cavities
-
palette
board that provides a flat surface on which artists mix paints and the range of colors used
-
pall
burial garment in which a corpse is wrapped
-
palliate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
-
palsy
loss of the ability to move a body part
-
panegyric
formally expressing praise
-
panoply
a complete and impressive array
-
panorama
the visual percept of a region
-
prosaic
lacking wit or imagination
-
pantomime
a performance using gestures and body movements without words
-
papacy
the government of the Roman Catholic Church
-
parallelism
similarity by virtue of corresponding
-
paramount
having superior power and influence
-
perfumery
perfumes in general
-
parity
functional equality
-
parley
a negotiation between enemies
-
parlor
a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax
-
paroxysm
a sudden uncontrollable attack
-
parse
analyze syntactically by assigning a constituent structure to (a sentence)
-
partition
the act of dividing or partitioning; separation by the creation of a boundary that divides or keeps apart
-
perforate
make a hole into or between, as for ease of separation
-
partisan
a fervent and even militant proponent of something
-
ukase
an edict of the Russian tsar
-
passable
able to be passed or traversed or crossed
-
perfidy
an act of deliberate betrayal
-
patrimony
an inheritance coming by right of birth (especially by primogeniture)
-
patronymic
of or derived from a personal or family name
-
patter
make light, rapid and repeated sounds
-
pavilion
large and often sumptuous tent
-
payee
a person to whom money is paid
-
peaceable
inclined or disposed to peace
-
peccant
liable to sin
-
pedal
a lever that is operated with the foot
-
peddle
sell or offer for sale from place to place
-
peerage
the peers of a kingdom considered as a group
-
pellucid
transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity
-
peninsular
of or forming or resembling a peninsula
-
pennant
a flag longer than it is wide (and often tapering)
-
pentad
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
-
pentahedron
any polyhedron having five plane faces
-
penultimate
next to the last
-
penurious
excessively unwilling to spend
-
spendthrift
someone who spends money prodigally
-
perambulate
make an official inspection on foot of (the bounds of a property)
-
percolator
a coffeepot in which boiling water ascends through a central tube and filters back down through a basket of ground coffee beans
-
perfunctory
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
-
perigee
periapsis in Earth orbit; the point in its orbit where a satellite is nearest to the Earth
-
permutation
complete change in character or condition
-
perpendicular
intersecting at or forming right angles
-
poise
hold or carry in equilibrium
-
persiflage
light teasing
-
personage
a person whose actions and opinions strongly influence the course of events
-
perspicacious
mentally acute or penetratingly discerning
-
perspicuous
(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
-
perusal
reading carefully with intent to remember
-
pervasive
spreading or spread throughout
-
pervious
admitting of passage or entrance
-
peter
obscene terms for penis
-
petulant
easily irritated or annoyed
-
pharmacopeia
(pharmacology) a book containing a compilation of pharmaceutical products with their formulas and methods of preparation
-
philander
talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
-
philately
the collection and study of postage stamps
-
philharmonic
devoted to or appreciative of music
-
philology
the humanistic study of language and literature
-
phlegmatic
showing little emotion
-
phonogram
any written symbol standing for a sound or syllable or morpheme or word
-
phonology
the study of the sound system of a given language and the analysis and classification of its phonemes
-
phosphorescence
a fluorescence that persists after the bombarding radiation has ceased
-
photoelectric
of or pertaining to photoelectricity
-
photometer
photographic equipment that measures the intensity of light
-
photometry
measurement of the properties of light (especially luminous intensity)
-
physiognomy
the human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are informal terms for `face' and `phiz' is British)
-
picayune
(informal) small and of little importance
-
piccolo
a small flute; pitched an octave above the standard flute
-
piecemeal
one thing at a time
-
pillory
a wooden instrument of punishment on a post with holes for the wrists and neck; offenders were locked in and so exposed to public scorn
-
pique
a sudden outburst of anger
-
piteous
deserving or inciting pity
-
pitiable
deserving or inciting pity
-
plaudit
enthusiastic approval
-
plenary
full in all respects
-
poignant
keenly distressing to the mind or feelings
-
plenipotentiary
a diplomat who is fully authorized to represent his or her government
-
plumb
exactly vertical
-
plumb
exactly vertical
-
plurality
the state of being plural
-
pneumatic
of or relating to or using air (or a similar gas)
-
poesy
literature in metrical form
-
poignancy
a quality that arouses emotions (especially pity or sorrow)
-
preamble
a preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution (usually explaining its purpose)
-
precarious
not secure; beset with difficulties
-
precedence
status established in order of importance or urgency
-
precedential
having precedence (especially because of longer service)
-
precession
the act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony)
-
precipice
a very steep cliff
-
precipitant
done with very great haste and without due deliberation
-
preclude
make impossible, especially beforehand
-
precocious
characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)
-
predicate
involve as a necessary condition of consequence; as in logic
-
preeminence
high status importance owing to marked superiority
-
prefatory
serving as an introduction or preface
-
preferment
the act of preferring
-
prehensile
adapted for grasping especially by wrapping around an object
-
pretension
the advancing of a claim
-
prehension
the act of gripping something firmly with the hands (or the tentacles)
-
prelacy
the office or station of a prelate
-
prelate
a senior clergyman and dignitary
-
prelature
the office or station of a prelate
-
prelude
something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows
-
premonition
an early warning about a future event
-
premonition
an early warning about a future event
-
preordain
foreordain or determine beforehand
-
preponderate
weigh more heavily
-
prepossession
an opinion formed beforehand without adequate evidence
-
presage
a foreboding about what is about to happen
-
prescript
prescribed guide for conduct or action
-
presentiment
a feeling of evil to come
-
foreboding
a feeling of evil to come
-
semblance
an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
-
preternatural
existing outside of or not in accordance with nature
-
pretext
something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason
-
prevaricate
be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
-
prickle
a small sharp-pointed tip resembling a spike on a stem or leaf
-
priggish
exaggeratedly proper
-
prim
affectedly dainty or refined
-
primp
dress or groom with elaborate care
-
pusillanimous
lacking in courage and manly strength and resolution; contemptibly fearful
-
putrescent
becoming putrid
-
purveyor
someone who supplies provisions (especially food)
-
probity
complete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles
-
proctor
someone who supervises (an examination)
-
prodigious
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
-
proffer
present for acceptance or rejection
-
proficiency
the quality of having great facility and competence
-
purloin
make off with belongings of others
-
prima
indicating the most important performer or role
-
principality
territory ruled by a prince
-
priory
religious residence in a monastery governed by a prior or a convent governed by a prioress
-
privateer
a privately owned warship commissioned to prey on the commercial shipping or warships of an enemy nation
-
privet
any of various Old World shrubs having smooth entire leaves and terminal panicles of small white flowers followed by small black berries; many used for hedges
-
privy
hidden from general view or use
-
probate
the act of proving that an instrument purporting to be a will was signed and executed in accord with legal requirements
-
reprobate
a person without moral scruples
-
profile
an outline of something (especially a human face as seen from one side)
-
profligacy
the trait of spending extravagantly
-
profligate
unrestrained by convention or morality
-
proletarian
belonging to or characteristic of the proletariat
-
projection
the act of expelling or projecting or ejecting
-
promenade
a leisurely walk (usually in some public place)
-
promissory
relating to or having the character of a promise
-
promontory
a natural elevation (especially a rocky one that juts out into the sea)
-
promulgate
state or announce
-
propagate
multiply sexually or asexually
-
propitious
presenting favorable circumstances; likely to result in or show signs of success
-
prosaic
lacking wit or imagination
-
proscenium
the part of a modern theater stage between the curtain and the orchestra (i.e., in front of the curtain)
-
proscribe
command against
-
proscription
rejection by means of an act of banishing or proscribing someone
-
proselyte
a new convert; especially a gentile converted to Judaism
-
prosody
the study of poetic meter and the art of versification
-
prospectus
a formal written offer to sell securities (filed with the SEC) that sets forth a plan for a (proposed) business enterprise
-
prostrate
stretched out and lying at full length along the ground
-
protract
lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer
-
protrusion
something that bulges out or is protuberant or projects from its surroundings
-
protuberance
something that bulges out or is protuberant or projects from its surroundings
-
provident
providing carefully for the future
-
providential
peculiarly fortunate or appropriate; as if by divine intervention
-
provincial
of or associated with a province
-
prowess
a superior skill that you can learn by study and practice and observation
-
proximity
the property of being close together
-
prudential
arising from or characterized by prudence especially in business matters
-
prudery
excessive or affected modesty
-
prurient
characterized by lust
-
apostate
not faithful to religion or party or cause
-
puissant
powerful
-
punctilious
marked by precise accordance with details
-
purl
flow in a circular current, of liquids
-
pyx
any receptacle in which wafers for the Eucharist are kept
-
quadrate
a cubelike object
-
qualify
describe or portray the character or the qualities or peculiarities of
-
qualm
uneasiness about the fitness of an action
-
qualm
uneasiness about the fitness of an action
-
quandary
state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
-
quartet
a musical composition for four performers
-
quarto
the size of a book whose pages are made by folding a sheet of paper twice to form four leaves
-
quay
wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline
-
quay
wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline
-
querulous
habitually complaining
-
quietus
euphemisms for death (based on an analogy between lying in a bed and in a tomb)
-
quintessence
the purest and most concentrated essence of something
-
quintet
a musical composition for five performers
-
radix
(numeration system) the positive integer that is equivalent to one in the next higher counting place
-
raillery
light teasing repartee
-
ramify
have or develop complicating consequences
-
ramose
having branches
-
rampart
an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
-
rapacious
living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey
-
rapine
the act of despoiling a country in warfare
-
rapt
feeling great rapture or delight
-
raucous
unpleasantly loud and harsh
-
readjust
adjust anew
-
rebuff
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
-
rebut
overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof
-
rebuke
an act or expression of criticism and censure
-
retort
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
-
recant
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
-
recapitulate
summarize briefly
-
recapture
the act of taking something back
-
recessive
of or pertaining to a recession
-
recidivist
someone who lapses into previous undesirable patterns of behavior
-
divest
take away possessions from someone
-
reciprocal
concerning each of two or more persons or things; especially given or done in return
-
reciprocity
a relation of mutual dependence or action or influence
-
wreck
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
-
reek
give off smoke, fumes, warm vapour, steam, etc.
-
reconnoiter
explore, often with the goal of finding something or somebody
-
recourse
act of turning to for assistance
-
recover
regain or make up for
-
recreant
having deserted a cause or principle
-
recreate
create anew
-
recrudescent
the revival of an unfortunate situation after a period of abatement
-
rectify
make right or correct
-
rectitude
righteousness as a consequence of being honorable and honest
-
redolent
having a strong pleasant odor
-
redound
have an effect for good or ill
-
referable
capable of being assigned or credited to
-
refract
subject to refraction
-
refractory
stubbornly resistant to authority or control
-
referable
capable of being assigned or credited to
-
regalia
paraphernalia indicative of royalty (or other high office)
-
reality
the state of being actual or real
-
regent
someone who rules during the absence or incapacity or minority of the country's monarch
-
regiment
army unit smaller than a division
-
regnant
exercising power or authority
-
regress
go back to a previous state
-
digress
wander from a direct or straight course
-
transgress
act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
-
egress
the act of coming (or going) out; becoming apparent
-
rein
one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse
-
coign
the keystone of an arch
-
relegate
assign to a lower position; reduce in rank
-
relegate
assign to a lower position; reduce in rank
-
relent
give in, as to influence or pressure
-
reliquary
a container where religious relics are stored or displayed (especially relics of saints)
-
relish
vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
-
remiss
failing in what duty requires
-
remonstrance
the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
-
reproof
an act or expression of criticism and censure
-
rendezvous
a meeting planned at a certain time and place
-
rendition
a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role etc.
-
repartee
adroitness and cleverness in reply
-
repeal
cancel officially
-
repine
express discontent
-
cavil
raise trivial objections
-
reprehend
express strong disapproval of
-
reprehension
an act or expression of criticism and censure
-
repress
conceal or hide
-
reprieve
postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution
-
reprisal
a retaliatory action against an enemy in wartime
-
reprobate
a person without moral scruples
-
reproof
an act or expression of criticism and censure
-
repudiate
refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid
-
repute
the state of being held in high esteem and honor
-
requiem
a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person
-
requisite
necessary for relief or supply
-
requital
an act of requiting; returning in kind
-
requite
make repayment for or return something
-
rescind
cancel officially
-
reseat
provide with a new seat
-
resemblance
similarity in appearance or external or superficial details
-
resilience
the physical property of a material that can return to its original shape or position after deformation that does not exceed its elastic limit
-
resistless
impossible to resist; overpowering
-
resplendent
having great beauty and splendor
-
splenetic
of or relating to the spleen
-
lambent
softly bright or radiant
-
remuneration
the act of paying for goods or services or to recompense for losses
-
resumption
beginning again
-
resurgent
rising again as to new life and vigor
-
retch
make an unsuccessful effort to vomit; strain to vomit
-
verb
a content word that denotes an action, occurrence, or state of existence
-
reticent
reluctant to draw attention to yourself
-
retinue
the group following and attending to some important person
-
retort
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
-
retrench
tighten one's belt; use resources carefully
-
reverent
feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
-
revisal
the act of rewriting something
-
revert
go back to a previous state
-
revocation
the act (by someone having the authority) of annulling something previously done
-
rhapsody
an epic poem adapted for recitation
-
rhetoric
study of the technique and rules for using language effectively (especially in public speaking)
-
riddance
the act of removing or getting rid of something
-
rife
excessively abundant
-
teem
be teeming, be abuzz
-
risible
arousing or provoking laughter
-
rivulet
a small stream
-
rondo
a musical form that is often the last movement of a sonata
-
rookery
a breeding ground for gregarious birds (such as rooks)
-
ruminate
reflect deeply on a subject
-
salacious
suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
-
salient
having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
-
salutation
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
-
salutary
tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health
-
salutatory
an opening or welcoming statement (especially one delivered at graduation exercises)
-
salvo
rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
-
sanctimonious
excessively or hypocritically pious
-
sanction
official permission or approval
-
sanguinary
accompanied by bloodshed
-
sanguineous
accompanied by bloodshed
-
sapid
full of flavor
-
vapid
lacking significance or liveliness or spirit or zest
-
sapid
full of flavor
-
sapience
ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight
-
sapient
acutely insightful and wise
-
sapiential
characterized by wisdom, especially the wisdom of God
-
saponaceous
resembling or having the qualities of soap
-
satyr
one of a class of woodland deities; attendant on Bacchus; identified with Roman fauns
-
scholastic
of or relating to schools
-
scintilla
a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
-
scruple
an ethical or moral principle that inhibits action
-
scuttle
an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship
-
sear
become superficially burned
-
secant
a straight line that intersects a curve at two or more points
-
sedate
characterized by dignity and propriety
-
sediment
matter that has been deposited by some natural process
-
sedition
an illegal action inciting resistance to lawful authority and tending to cause the disruption or overthrow of the government
-
seditious
arousing to action or rebellion
-
sedulous
marked by care and persistent effort
-
seer
an observer who perceives visually
-
seignior
a man of rank in the ancient regime
-
semblance
an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
-
senile
mentally or physically infirm with age
-
sentient
endowed with feeling and unstructured consciousness
-
sentinel
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
-
separatist
an advocate of secession or separation from a larger group (such as an established church or a national union)
-
secede
withdraw from an organization or communion
-
sentinel
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
-
sepulcher
a chamber that is used as a grave
-
sequent
in regular succession without gaps
-
sequestrate
keep away from others
-
sextet
six performers or singers who perform together
-
shiftless
lacking or characterized by lack of ambition or initiative; lazy
-
shrewd
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
-
shrew
small mouselike mammal with a long snout; related to moles
-
rarify
make more complex, intricate, or richer
-
rarified
of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style
-
sibilate
make a sharp hissing sound, as if to show disapproval
-
siege
the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack
-
sinecure
an office that involves minimal duties
-
sinus
an abnormal passage leading from a suppurating cavity to the body surface
-
sirocco
a windstorm that lifts up clouds of dust or sand
-
skiff
any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
-
sleight
adroitness in using the hands
-
solder
join or fuse with solder
-
solecism
a socially awkward or tactless act
-
solicitor
a British lawyer who gives legal advice and prepares legal documents
-
solvent
capable of meeting financial obligations
-
dissolution
separation into component parts
-
insolvent
unable to meet or discharge financial obligations
-
somniferous
sleep inducing
-
somnolence
a very sleepy state
-
somnolent
inclined to or marked by drowsiness
-
sonata
a musical composition of 3 or 4 movements of contrasting forms
-
sonorous
full and loud and deep
-
soothsayer
someone who makes predictions of the future (usually on the basis of special knowledge)
-
sophism
a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone
-
sophistical
plausible but misleading
-
sophistry
a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone
-
soprano
the highest female voice; the voice of a boy before puberty
-
baritone
the second lowest adult male singing voice
-
alto
the lowest female singing voice
-
spartan
unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment
-
specie
coins collectively
-
specter
a ghostly appearing figure
-
spherometer
a measuring instrument for measuring the curvature of a surface
-
spinster
an elderly unmarried woman
-
spurious
plausible but false
-
sinuous
curved or curving in and out
-
spinster
an elderly unmarried woman
-
spurious
plausible but false
-
stagy
having characteristics of the stage especially an artificial and mannered quality
-
staid
characterized by dignity and propriety
-
stanchion
any vertical post or rod used as a support
-
statuesque
suggestive of a statue
-
statute
an act passed by a legislative body
-
steppe
extensive plain without trees (associated with eastern Russia and Siberia)
-
sterling
highest in quality
-
stiletto
a small dagger with a tapered blade
-
stimulus
any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action
-
incentive
a positive motivational influence
-
stolid
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
-
strait
a narrow channel of the sea joining two larger bodies of water
-
stratagem
an elaborate or deceitful scheme contrived to deceive or evade
-
stringent
demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
-
astringent
tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue
-
stripling
a juvenile between the onset of puberty and maturity
-
stultify
deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless
-
suasion
the act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief or action
-
subacid
slightly sour to the taste
-
subjacent
lying nearby but lower
-
sublingual
beneath the tongue
-
subsequent
following in time or order
-
subsist
support oneself
-
subtend
be opposite to; of angles and sides, in geometry
-
subtrahend
the number to be subtracted from the minuend
-
subvert
destroy completely
-
sufferance
patient endurance especially of pain or distress
-
suffuse
cause to spread or flush or flood through, over, or across
-
sumptuous
rich and superior in quality
-
superannuate
retire and pension (someone) because of age or physical inability
-
superintend
watch and direct
-
supersede
take the place or move into the position of
-
supine
lying face upward
-
supple
moving and bending with ease
-
supplicate
ask for humbly or earnestly, as in prayer
-
supplicant
someone who prays to God
-
surety
something clearly established
-
surfeit
indulge (one's appetite) to satiety
-
surmount
get on top of; deal with successfully
-
surrogate
someone who takes the place of another person
-
swarthy
naturally having skin of a dark color
-
sybarite
a person addicted to luxury and pleasures of the senses
-
syllabic
of or relating to syllables
-
sublimation
(chemistry) a change directly from the solid to the gaseous state without becoming liquid
-
sylph
a slender graceful young woman
-
synchronism
the relation that exists when things occur at the same time
-
syneresis
the contraction of two vowels into a diphthong
-
syncretism
the union (or attempted fusion) of different systems of thought or belief (especially in religion or philosophy)
-
synod
a council convened to discuss ecclesiastical business
-
tacit
implied by or inferred from actions or statements
-
taciturn
habitually reserved and uncommunicative
-
tack
a short nail with a sharp point and a large head
-
tact
consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
-
tangency
the state of being tangent; having contact at a single point or along a line without crossing
-
tannery
workplace where skins and hides are tanned
-
ethnography
the branch of anthropology that provides scientific description of individual human societies
-
telepathy
apparent communication from one mind to another without using sensory perceptions
-
telephony
transmitting speech at a distance
-
temerity
fearless daring
-
temporize
draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time
-
tenacious
stubbornly unyielding
-
tenant
someone who pays rent to use land or a building or a car that is owned by someone else
-
tenet
a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof
-
tenor
the adult male singing voice above baritone
-
tentative
unsettled in mind or opinion
-
tercentenary
the 300th anniversary (or the celebration of it)
-
termagant
a scolding nagging bad-tempered woman
-
terminal
occurring at or forming an end or termination
-
terminus
a place where something ends or is complete
-
testator
a person who makes a will
-
tilt
heel over
-
tilth
the state of aggregation of soil and its condition for supporting plant growth
-
timbre
(music) the distinctive property of a complex sound (a voice or noise or musical sound)
-
timorous
timid by nature or revealing timidity
-
diffident
showing modest reserve
-
tincture
a substances that colors metals
-
tirade
a speech of violent denunciation
-
toilsome
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
-
torpor
a state of motor and mental inactivity with a partial suspension of sensibility
-
torrid
characterized by intense emotion
-
tortuous
marked by repeated turns and bends
-
tortious
of or pertaining to the nature of a tort
-
tractable
easily managed (controlled or taught or molded)
-
trammel
a restraint that is used to teach a horse to amble
-
impediment
something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
-
transalpine
on or relating to or characteristic of the region or peoples beyond the Alps from Italy (or north of the Alps)
-
transcendent
exceeding or surpassing usual limits especially in excellence
-
transcribe
write out from speech, notes, etc.
-
transferee
someone who transfers or is transferred from one position to another
-
transference
the act of transfering something from one form to another
-
transfigure
change completely the nature or appearance of
-
transfuse
give a transfusion (e.g., of blood) to
-
transgress
act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
-
transience
the attribute of being brief or fleeting
-
transmute
change or alter in form, appearance, or nature
-
transpire
come about, happen, or occur
-
transposition
the act of reversing the order or place of
-
transverse
extending or lying across; in a crosswise direction; at right angles to the long axis
-
travail
use of physical or mental energy; hard work
-
travesty
a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way
-
treble
three times as great or many
-
trenchant
having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought, expression, or intellect
-
trestle
a supporting tower used to support a bridge
-
tribune
(ancient Rome) an official elected by the plebeians to protect their interests
-
tricolor
having or involving three colors
-
triennial
occurring every third year or lasting 3 years
-
triumvir
one of a group of three sharing public administration or civil authority especially in ancient Rome
-
triumvirate
a group of three men responsible for public administration or civil authority
-
turgid
ostentatiously lofty in style
-
turpitude
a corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice
-
tutelage
attention and management implying responsibility for safety
-
tutelary
providing protective supervision; watching over or safeguarding
-
typify
embody the essential characteristics of or be a typical example of
-
typification
the act of representing by a type or symbol; the action of typifying
-
typography
the craft of composing type and printing from it
-
tyro
someone new to a field or activity
-
green
of the color between blue and yellow in the color spectrum; similar to the color of fresh grass
-
ultramontane
on or relating to or characteristic of the region or peoples beyond the Alps from Italy (or north of the Alps)
-
umbrage
a feeling of anger caused by being offended
-
untoward
not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
-
unaffected
undergoing no change when acted upon
-
unction
anointing as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual
-
undersell
sell cheaper than one's competition
-
emulous
characterized by or arising from emulation or imitation
-
ungainly
lacking grace in movement or posture
-
cumulous
thrown together in a pile
-
unguent
semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation
-
covalence
valence characterized by the sharing of electrons in a chemical compound; the number of pairs of electrons an atom can share
-
valence
(chemistry) a property of atoms or radicals; their combining power given in terms of the number of hydrogen atoms (or the equivalent)
-
jabot
a ruffle on the front of a woman's blouse or a man's shirt
-
utilitarian
having a useful function
-
unyoke
remove the yoke from
-
yoke
support consisting of a wooden frame across the shoulders that enables a person to carry buckets hanging from each end
-
stoke
stir up or tend; of a fire
-
bloke
a boy or man
-
uproot
move (people) forcibly from their homeland into a new and foreign environment
-
urchin
poor and often mischievous city child
-
upturn
an upward movement or trend as in business activity
-
confuse
mistake one thing for another
-
usurious
greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
-
usurp
seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
-
utmost
highest in extent or degree
-
vacate
leave behind empty; move out of
-
vacuous
devoid of matter
-
vagrant
a wanderer who has no established residence or visible means of support
-
vale
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
-
valediction
a farewell oration (especially one delivered during graduation exercises by an outstanding member of a graduating class)
-
valedictory
a farewell oration (especially one delivered during graduation exercises by an outstanding member of a graduating class)
-
valorous
having or showing valor
-
variegated
having a variety of colors
-
vaudeville
a variety show with songs and comic acts etc.
-
vegetal
composed of vegetation or plants
-
velvety
resembling velvet in having a smooth soft surface
-
vendible
fit to be offered for sale
-
veneer
coating consisting of a thin layer of superior wood glued to a base of inferior wood
-
venereal
of or relating to the external sex organs
-
venial
warranting only temporal punishment
-
venous
of or contained in or performing the function of the veins
-
verbiage
overabundance of words
-
vicarious
experienced at secondhand
-
viceroy
governor of a country or province who rules as the representative of his or her king or sovereign
-
vicissitude
a variation in circumstances or fortune at different times in your life or in the development of something
-
vigilance
the process of paying close and continuous attention
-
vignette
a brief literary description
-
vindicate
show to be right by providing justification or proof
-
vincible
susceptible to being defeated
-
vindicatory
of or relating to or having the nature of retribution
-
vindictive
disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge
-
vinery
a farm of grapevines where wine grapes are produced
-
viol
any of a family of bowed stringed instruments that preceded the violin family
-
viola
any of the numerous plants of the genus Viola
-
virago
a noisy or scolding or domineering woman
-
virile
characterized by energy and vigor
-
virtu
objet d'art collectively (especially fine antiques)
-
visage
the human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are informal terms for `face' and `phiz' is British)
-
viscount
a British peer who ranks below an earl and above a baron
-
vista
the visual percept of a region
-
vitiate
make imperfect
-
vituperate
spread negative information about
-
vivify
give new life or energy to
-
vocative
relating to a case used in some languages
-
vociferous
conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
-
vocative
relating to a case used in some languages
-
waif
a homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned
-
wane
a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
-
weal
a raised mark on the skin (as produced by the blow of a whip); characteristic of many allergic reactions
-
wholly
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (`whole' is often used informally for `wholly')
-
wile
the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)
-
winsome
charming in a childlike or naive way
-
wiry
of or relating to wire
-
witless
(of especially persons) lacking sense or understanding or judgment
-
wizen
lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness
-
wrangle
an instance of intense argument (as in bargaining)
-
wrest
obtain by seizing forcibly or violently, also metaphorically
-
wry
humorously sarcastic or mocking
-
zephyr
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
-
zodiac
(astrology) a circular diagram representing the 12 zodiacal constellations and showing their signs
-
declamatory
ostentatiously lofty in style
-
intumescent
abnormally distended especially by fluids or gas
-
invidious
containing or implying a slight or showing prejudice
-
typify
embody the essential characteristics of or be a typical example of
-
unction
anointing as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual
-
emulous
characterized by or arising from emulation or imitation
-
cumulous
thrown together in a pile
-
deracinate
pull up by or as if by the roots
-
vale
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
-
usurious
greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
-
countenance
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
-
forbear
a person from whom you are descended
-
apostate
not faithful to religion or party or cause
-
prognostication
a sign of something about to happen
-
presage
a foreboding about what is about to happen
-
boding
a feeling of evil to come
-
improvident
not provident; not providing for the future
-
vociferous
conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
-
clamant
conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
-
strident
unpleasantly loud and harsh
-
vituperate
spread negative information about
-
revile
spread negative information about
-
vilify
spread negative information about
-
scurrilous
expressing offensive reproach
-
viscount
a British peer who ranks below an earl and above a baron
-
baronage
the peers of a kingdom considered as a group
-
peerage
the peers of a kingdom considered as a group
-
patrician
a person of refined upbringing and manners
-
solecism
a socially awkward or tactless act
-
gaffe
a socially awkward or tactless act
-
visage
the human face (`kisser' and `smiler' and `mug' are informal terms for `face' and `phiz' is British)
-
equivocal
open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead
-
equivocate
be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
-
tergiversate
be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
-
fustigate
strike with a cudgel
-
philippic
a speech of violent denunciation
-
mealy-mouthed
hesitant to state facts or opinions simply and directly as from e.g. timidity or hypocrisy
-
opine
express one's opinion openly and without fear or hesitation
-
animadversion
harsh criticism or disapproval
-
animadvert
express blame or censure or make a harshly critical remark
-
cynosure
something that provides guidance (as Polaris guides mariners)
-
turret
a small tower extending above a building
-
terpsichorean
of or relating to dancing
-
misrule
government that is inefficient or dishonest
-
cloy
supply or feed to surfeit
-
inveigh
complain bitterly
-
bumptious
offensively self-assertive
-
passel
(often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
-
muckle
(often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
-
mickle
(often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent
-
spate
a sudden forceful flow
-
spendthrift
someone who spends money prodigally
-
mitigate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
-
elan
enthusiastic and assured vigor and liveliness
-
pedant
a person who pays more attention to formal rules and book learning than they merit
-
penchant
a strong liking
-
cygnet
a young swan
-
precipitate
hurl or throw violently
-
precipitant
done with very great haste and without due deliberation
-
synod
a council convened to discuss ecclesiastical business
-
breach
an opening (especially a gap in a dike or fortification)
-
breech
opening in the rear of the barrel of a gun where bullets can be loaded
-
council
a body serving in an administrative capacity
-
counsel
something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action
-
syncretism
the union (or attempted fusion) of different systems of thought or belief (especially in religion or philosophy)
-
primogeniture
right of inheritance belongs exclusively to the eldest son
-
malapropism
the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar
-
rake
a long-handled tool with a row of teeth at its head; used to move leaves or loosen soil
-
rakish
marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners
-
effete
marked by excessive self-indulgence and moral decay
-
complacence
the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself
-
self-satisfied
contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions
-
plaintive
expressing sorrow
-
tarry
leave slowly and hesitantly
-
ensconce
fix firmly
-
studious
characterized by diligent study and fondness for reading
-
legato
connecting the notes; in music
-
resumption
beginning again
-
plait
a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair
-
lateral
situated at or extending to the side
-
renege
fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
-
illusion
an erroneous mental representation
-
vassal
a person holding a fief; a person who owes allegiance and service to a feudal lord
-
insouciant
marked by blithe unconcern
-
bolster
support and strengthen
-
pillow
a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
-
sundry
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
-
carat
the unit of measurement for the proportion of gold in an alloy; 18-karat gold is 75% gold; 24-karat gold is pure gold
-
concordat
a signed written agreement between two or more parties (nations) to perform some action
-
complaisant
showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
-
decant
pour out
-
affect
have an effect upon
-
effect
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
-
decry
express strong disapproval of
-
descry
catch sight of
-
insular
relating to or characteristic of or situated on an island
-
precipitate
hurl or throw violently
-
propitiate
make peace with
-
dexterity
adroitness in using the hands
-
currency
the metal or paper medium of exchange that is presently used
-
labile
liable to change
-
rabble
a disorderly crowd of people
-
avocation
an auxiliary activity
-
mutable
capable of or tending to change in form or quality or nature
-
effluvium
a foul-smelling outflow or vapor (especially a gaseous waste)
-
melange
a motley assortment of things
-
tautology
useless repetition
-
covey
a small flock of grouse or partridge
-
epithet
descriptive word or phrase
-
epitaph
an inscription on a tombstone or monument in memory of the person buried there
-
treacle
a pale cane syrup
-
grate
reduce to small shreds or pulverize by rubbing against a rough or sharp perforated surface
-
verb
a content word that denotes an action, occurrence, or state of existence
-
upshot
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
-
mulct
money extracted as a penalty
-
viand
a choice or delicious dish
-
exhort
spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts
-
extort
obtain by coercion or intimidation
-
millinery
shop selling women's hats
-
peremptory
putting an end to all debate or action
-
imperious
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
-
dawdle
hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, etc.
-
dissident
a person who dissents from some established policy
-
viscera
internal organs collectively (especially those in the abdominal cavity)
-
humble
marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful
-
mumble
talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
-
umbel
flat-topped or rounded inflorescence characteristic of the family Umbelliferae in which the individual flower stalks arise from about the same point; youngest flowers are at the center
-
viscose
a cellulose ester obtained by treating cellulose with caustic soda
-
perforate
make a hole into or between, as for ease of separation
-
sieve
a strainer for separating lumps from powdered material or grading particles
-
winnow
the act of separating grain from chaff
-
pare
strip the skin off
-
parse
analyze syntactically by assigning a constituent structure to (a sentence)
-
syllogistic
of or relating to or consisting of syllogism
-
contiguous
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
-
pedantic
marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects
-
mendacious
given to lying
-
edacious
devouring or craving food in great quantities
-
glib
artfully persuasive in speech
-
garrulous
full of trivial conversation
-
flout
treat with contemptuous disregard
-
urbane
showing a high degree of refinement and the assurance that comes from wide social experience
-
germane
relevant and appropriate
-
inveigle
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
-
inure
cause to accept or become hardened to; habituate
-
demure
affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way
-
demur
take exception to
-
incipience
beginning to exist or to be apparent
-
inchoate
only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
-
impecunious
not having enough money to pay for necessities
-
peculation
the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted to your care but actually owned by someone else
-
peculation
the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted to your care but actually owned by someone else
-
cogent
powerfully persuasive
-
transient
lasting a very short time
-
tenuous
very thin in gauge or diameter
-
transeunt
of a mental act; causing effects outside the mind
-
fugacious
lasting a very short time
-
fugacity
the tendency of a gas to expand or escape
-
defalcation
the sum of money that is misappropriated
-
in straitened circumstances
not having enough money to pay for necessities
-
demurral
(law) a formal objection to an opponent's pleadings
-
demurrer
(law) a formal objection to an opponent's pleadings
-
vapourisable
(used of substances) capable of being volatilized
-
volatilisable
(used of substances) capable of being volatilized
-
volatilizable
(used of substances) capable of being volatilized
-
swart
naturally having skin of a dark color
-
outstrip
go far ahead of
-
repletion
the state of being satisfactorily full and unable to take on more
-
surety
something clearly established
-
superannuate
retire and pension (someone) because of age or physical inability
-
sumptuous
rich and superior in quality
-
suffuse
cause to spread or flush or flood through, over, or across
-
tack
a short nail with a sharp point and a large head
-
tilt
heel over
-
ethnography
the branch of anthropology that provides scientific description of individual human societies
-
tilth
the state of aggregation of soil and its condition for supporting plant growth
-
sublimation
(chemistry) a change directly from the solid to the gaseous state without becoming liquid
-
emulous
characterized by or arising from emulation or imitation
-
cumulous
thrown together in a pile
-
unguent
semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation
-
jabot
a ruffle on the front of a woman's blouse or a man's shirt
-
vaudeville
a variety show with songs and comic acts etc.
-
venous
of or contained in or performing the function of the veins
-
saporous
full of flavor
-
vaporous
resembling or characteristic of vapor
-
captious
tending to find and call attention to faults
-
capitulate
surrender under agreed conditions
-
flounce
walk emphatically
-
frill
ornamental objects of no great value
-
furbelow
a strip of pleated material used as a decoration or a trim
-
ruffle
stir up (water) so as to form ripples
-
salve
semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation
-
unction
anointing as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual
-
tillage
the cultivation of soil for raising crops
-
saddlery
gear for a horse
-
warrantor
one who provides a warrant or guarantee to another
-
warranter
one who provides a warrant or guarantee to another
-
guarantor
one who provides a warrant or guarantee to another
-
fungible
of goods or commodities; freely exchangeable for or replaceable by another of like nature or kind in the satisfaction of an obligation
-
immanent
of qualities that are spread throughout something
-
ensuant
following or accompanying as a consequence
-
enceinte
in an advanced stage of pregnancy
-
gravid
in an advanced stage of pregnancy
-
andante
at a moderately slow tempo
-
untanned
not converted to leather by a tanning agent
-
spasmolytic
a drug used to relieve or prevent spasms (especially of the smooth muscles)
-
malaprop
the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar
-
gaucherie
the quality of being rustic or gauche
-
faux pas
a socially awkward or tactless act
-
staid
characterized by dignity and propriety
-
deliquesce
melt or become liquid by absorbing moisture from the air
-
truckle
a low bed to be slid under a higher bed
-
imprimatur
formal and explicit approval
-
reticent
reluctant to draw attention to yourself
-
genial
diffusing warmth and friendliness
-
wallah
usually in combination: person in charge of or employed at a particular thing
-
consanguineous
related by blood
-
savvy
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
-
ad
a public promotion of some product or service
-
ablative
the case indicating the agent in passive sentences or the instrument or manner or place of the action described by the verb
-
panoply
a complete and impressive array
-
repartee
adroitness and cleverness in reply
-
artless
simple and natural; without cunning or deceit
-
enclave
an enclosed territory that is culturally distinct from the foreign territory that surrounds it
-
antipode
direct opposite
-
puissant
powerful
-
sophistry
a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone
-
yen
the basic unit of money in Japan; equal to 100 sen
-
noun
a content word that can be used to refer to a person, place, thing, quality, or action
-
esurient
extremely hungry
-
claque
a group of followers hired to applaud at a performance
-
ingenuous
lacking in sophistication or worldliness
-
mantic
resembling or characteristic of a prophet or prophecy
-
picaresque
involving clever rogues or adventurers especially as in a type of fiction
-
huck
toweling consisting of coarse absorbent cotton or linen fabric
-
catachresis
strained or paradoxical use of words either in error (as `blatant' to mean `flagrant') or deliberately (as in a mixed metaphor: `blind mouths')
-
belated
after the expected or usual time; delayed
-
emancipation
freeing someone from the control of another; especially a parent's relinquishing authority and control over a minor child
-
sciolism
pretentious superficiality of knowledge
-
peroration
(rhetoric) the concluding section of an oration
-
rebarbative
serving or tending to repel
-
hew
make or shape as with an axe
-
scarify
puncture and scar (the skin), as for purposes or tribal identification or rituals
-
fountainhead
the source of water from which a stream arises
-
avatar
the manifestation of a Hindu deity (especially Vishnu) in human or superhuman or animal form
-
Ishtar
Babylonian and Assyrian goddess of love and fertility and war; counterpart to the Phoenician Astarte
-
Parthian
pertaining to Parthia or its people or language or culture
-
Scaramouch
a stock character in commedia dell'arte depicted as a boastful coward
-
anosmatic
relating to an impairment or loss of the sense of smell
-
ambuscade
the act of concealing yourself and lying in wait to attack by surprise
-
Nimrod
(Old Testament) a famous hunter
-
postlude
a voluntary played at the end of a religious service
-
esthete
one who professes great sensitivity to the beauty of art and nature
-
August
the month following July and preceding September
-
Fletcher
prolific English dramatist who collaborated with Francis Beaumont and many other dramatists (1579-1625)
-
deliquesce
melt or become liquid by absorbing moisture from the air
-
truckle
a low bed to be slid under a higher bed
-
imprimatur
formal and explicit approval
-
reticent
reluctant to draw attention to yourself
-
genial
diffusing warmth and friendliness
-
wallah
usually in combination: person in charge of or employed at a particular thing
-
consanguineous
related by blood
-
savvy
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
-
ad
a public promotion of some product or service
-
ablative
the case indicating the agent in passive sentences or the instrument or manner or place of the action described by the verb
-
panoply
a complete and impressive array
-
repartee
adroitness and cleverness in reply
-
artless
simple and natural; without cunning or deceit
-
enclave
an enclosed territory that is culturally distinct from the foreign territory that surrounds it
-
antipode
direct opposite
-
puissant
powerful
-
sophistry
a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone
-
yen
the basic unit of money in Japan; equal to 100 sen
-
noun
a content word that can be used to refer to a person, place, thing, quality, or action
-
esurient
extremely hungry
-
claque
a group of followers hired to applaud at a performance
-
ingenuous
lacking in sophistication or worldliness
-
mantic
resembling or characteristic of a prophet or prophecy
-
picaresque
involving clever rogues or adventurers especially as in a type of fiction
-
huck
toweling consisting of coarse absorbent cotton or linen fabric
-
catachresis
strained or paradoxical use of words either in error (as `blatant' to mean `flagrant') or deliberately (as in a mixed metaphor: `blind mouths')
-
belated
after the expected or usual time; delayed
-
emancipation
freeing someone from the control of another; especially a parent's relinquishing authority and control over a minor child
-
sciolism
pretentious superficiality of knowledge
-
peroration
(rhetoric) the concluding section of an oration
-
rebarbative
serving or tending to repel
-
hew
make or shape as with an axe
-
scarify
puncture and scar (the skin), as for purposes or tribal identification or rituals
-
fountainhead
the source of water from which a stream arises
-
avatar
the manifestation of a Hindu deity (especially Vishnu) in human or superhuman or animal form
-
tractable
easily managed (controlled or taught or molded)
-
intractable
not tractable; difficult to manage or mold
-
askance
with suspicion or disapproval
-
eponymous
being or relating to or bearing the name of an eponym
-
utmost
highest in extent or degree
-
dreadnought
battleship that has big guns all of the same caliber
-
onomastic
of or related to onomastics
-
anosmatic
relating to an impairment or loss of the sense of smell
-
ambiance
the atmosphere of an environment
-
ambuscade
the act of concealing yourself and lying in wait to attack by surprise
-
clarion
loud and clear
-
jaundiced
affected by jaundice which causes yellowing of skin etc
-
temporize
draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time
-
leviathan
the largest or most massive thing of its kind
-
inveigle
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
-
mimesis
the imitative representation of nature and human behavior in art and literature
-
conscientious
characterized by extreme care and great effort
-
postlude
a voluntary played at the end of a religious service
-
sinuous
curved or curving in and out
-
circuitous
deviating from a straight course
-
rove
move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
-
esthete
one who professes great sensitivity to the beauty of art and nature
-
effete
marked by excessive self-indulgence and moral decay
-
officious
intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
-
meddlesome
intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
-
mettlesome
having a proud and unbroken spirit
-
inveigh
complain bitterly
-
anfractuous
full of twists and turns
-
confrere
a person who is member of one's class or profession
-
grubstake
funds advanced to a prospector or to someone starting a business in return for a share of the profits
-
loam
a rich soil consisting of a mixture of sand and clay and decaying organic materials
-
elucidate
make clear and (more) comprehensible
-
deem
keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view
-
fungible
of goods or commodities; freely exchangeable for or replaceable by another of like nature or kind in the satisfaction of an obligation
-
callow
young and inexperienced
-
usance
the period of time permitted by commercial usage for the payment of a bill of exchange (especially a foreign bill of exchange)
-
hackneyed
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
-
novel
an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
-
scrutinize
examine carefully for accuracy with the intent of verification
-
licit
authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law
-
belvedere
densely branched Eurasian plant; foliage turns purple-red in autumn
-
acicular
narrow and long and pointed; as pine leaves
-
canicular
relating to or especially immediately preceding or following the heliacal rising of Canicula (the Dog Star)
-
atrabilious
irritable as if suffering from indigestion
-
bilious
relating to or containing bile
-
phlegmatic
showing little emotion
-
torpid
in a condition of biological rest or suspended animation
-
exculpatory
clearing of guilt or blame
-
nictitate
briefly shut the eyes
-
stanch
stop the flow of a liquid
-
stanch
stop the flow of a liquid
-
abstain
choose not to consume
-
parable
a short moral story (often with animal characters)
-
boycott
a group's refusal to have commercial dealings with some organization in protest against its policies
-
supersede
take the place or move into the position of
-
induce
cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner
-
inductive
inducing or influencing; leading on
-
deductive
relating to logical deduction
-
devolve
pass on or delegate to another
-
cowcatcher
an inclined metal frame at the front of a locomotive to clear the track
-
spiel
plausible glib talk (especially useful to a salesperson)
-
peregrine
migratory
-
foist
to force onto another
-
condign
fitting or appropriate and deserved; used especially of punishment
-
propaedeutic
preceding and preparing for something
-
august
profoundly honored
-
pelagic
relating to or occurring or living in or frequenting the open ocean
-
somnolent
inclined to or marked by drowsiness
-
berate
censure severely or angrily
-
beget
make children
-
engender
make children
-
assume
take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
-
precocious
characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)
-
provincial
of or associated with a province
-
qualm
uneasiness about the fitness of an action
-
qualm
uneasiness about the fitness of an action
-
nausea
the state that precedes vomiting
-
avoirdupois
a system of weights based on the 16-ounce pound (or 7,000 grains)
-
slapstick
a boisterous comedy with chases and collisions and practical jokes
-
exponent
a mathematical notation indicating the number of times a quantity is multiplied by itself
-
orotund
ostentatiously lofty in style
-
heathenism
any of various religions other than Christianity or Judaism or Islamism
-
trundle
small wheel or roller
-
misgiving
uneasiness about the fitness of an action
-
functionary
a worker who holds or is invested with an office
-
parochial
relating to or supported by or located in a parish
-
hasten
move fast
-
staunch
firm and dependable especially in loyalty
-
kibosh
stop from happening or developing
-
contralto
the lowest female singing voice
-
ambit
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
-
bent
used of the back and knees; stooped
-
damp
a slight wetness
-
star
(astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
-
essay
an analytic or interpretive literary composition
-
exact
marked by strict and particular and complete accordance with fact
-
impertinent
improperly forward or bold
-
grouse
popular game bird having a plump body and feathered legs and feet
-
guy
an informal term for a youth or man
-
intimate
imply as a possibility
-
alcove
a small recess opening off a larger room
-
advert
give heed (to)
-
wade
walk (through relatively shallow water)
-
ford
cross a river where it's shallow
-
alacrity
liveliness and eagerness
-
adverse
in an opposing direction
-
flip
turn upside down, or throw so as to reverse
-
flippant
showing inappropriate levity
-
umbilicate
depressed like a navel
-
ostentatious
intended to attract notice and impress others
-
impetuous
characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation
-
fawn
a young deer
-
dote
shower with love; show excessive affection for
-
dotage
mental infirmity as a consequence of old age; sometimes shown by foolish infatuations
-
artlessness
the quality of innocent naivete
-
harangue
a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
-
specious
plausible but false
-
profuse
produced or growing in extreme abundance
-
impunity
exemption from punishment or loss
-
tautology
useless repetition
-
cataract
a large waterfall; violent rush of water over a precipice
-
inexpedient
not suitable or advisable
-
recondite
difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
-
hidden
not accessible to view
-
untenable
(of theories etc) incapable of being defended or justified
-
impassive
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
-
tacit
implied by or inferred from actions or statements
-
neophyte
any new participant in some activity
-
impugn
attack as false or wrong
-
importunate
expressing earnest entreaty
-
orthogonal
having a set of mutually perpendicular axes; meeting at right angles
-
assay
a quantitative or qualitative test of a substance (especially an ore or a drug) to determine its components; frequently used to test for the presence or concentration of infectious agents or antibodies etc.
-
dampish
slightly wet
-
remonstrate
argue in protest or opposition
-
excommunication
the act of banishing a member of a church from the communion of believers and the privileges of the church; cutting a person off from a religious society
-
arrogate
seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
-
acerate
narrow and long and pointed; as pine leaves
-
acerose
narrow and long and pointed; as pine leaves
-
bowdlerize
edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
-
prate
speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
-
vanquish
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
-
aphasia
inability to use or understand language (spoken or written) because of a brain lesion
-
braggadocio
vain and empty boasting
-
acarpous
producing no fruit
-
carious
(of teeth) affected with cavities or decay
-
cuprous
of or containing divalent copper
-
letch
man with strong sexual desires
-
blandishment
flattery intended to persuade
-
lecher
man with strong sexual desires
-
licentious
lacking moral discipline; especially sexually unrestrained
-
rapacious
living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey
-
whorl
a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
-
wharf
a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
-
travesty
a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way
-
disconsolate
sad beyond comforting; incapable of being consoled
-
unilateral
involving only one part or side
-
lateral
situated at or extending to the side
-
peculate
appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
-
animus
a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility
-
logy
stunned or confused and slow to react (as from blows or drunkenness or exhaustion)
-
inveterate
habitual
-
prepossessing
creating a favorable impression
-
tonsure
shaving the crown of the head by priests or members of a monastic order
-
suffuse
cause to spread or flush or flood through, over, or across
-
foment
try to stir up public opinion
-
implausible
highly imaginative but unlikely
-
fracas
noisy quarrel
-
traipse
walk or tramp about
-
countermand
cancel officially
-
dereliction
willful negligence
-
dais
a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it
-
citadel
a stronghold into which people could go for shelter during a battle
-
magistrate
a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law (especially one who conducts a court dealing with minor offenses)
-
regent
someone who rules during the absence or incapacity or minority of the country's monarch
-
trifling
not worth considering
-
regent
someone who rules during the absence or incapacity or minority of the country's monarch
-
cue
an actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action or speech
-
obtrude
push to thrust outward
-
gratuitous
unnecessary and unwarranted
-
entreat
ask for or request earnestly
-
entreaty
earnest or urgent request
-
cupric
of or containing divalent copper
-
bastion
projecting part of a rampart or other fortification
-
munition
weapons considered collectively
-
conjure
summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic
-
clew
a ball of yarn or cord or thread
-
swayer
a person who rules or commands
-
malversate
appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
-
complot
engage in plotting or enter into a conspiracy, swear together
-
imperative
requiring attention or action
-
abbess
the superior of a group of nuns
-
agendum
a list of matters to be taken up (as at a meeting)
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amentia
extreme mental retardation
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raiment
especially fine or decorative clothing
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raiment
especially fine or decorative clothing
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reproof
an act or expression of criticism and censure
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rebuke
an act or expression of criticism and censure
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retort
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
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exhort
spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts
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admonish
take to task
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anastrophe
the reversal of the normal order of words
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fallow
left unplowed and unseeded during a growing season
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allotment
the act of distributing by allotting or apportioning; distribution according to a plan
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ingenuous
lacking in sophistication or worldliness
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inured
made tough by habitual exposure
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perfunctory
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
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fastidious
giving careful attention to detail; hard to please; excessively concerned with cleanliness
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fatalism
a philosophical doctrine holding that all events are predetermined in advance for all time and human beings are powerless to change them
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faze
disturb the composure of
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ado
a rapid active commotion
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august
profoundly honored
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feckless
generally incompetent and ineffectual
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adit
a nearly horizontal passage from the surface into a mine
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bedaub
spread or daub (a surface)
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bedaub
spread or daub (a surface)
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abbey
a monastery ruled by an abbot
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abdicate
give up, such as power, as of monarchs and emperors, or duties and obligations
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indiscriminate
failing to make or recognize distinctions
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indiscernible
difficult or impossible to perceive or discern
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indict
accuse formally of a crime
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indicant
something that serves to indicate or suggest
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incongruous
lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
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incipience
beginning to exist or to be apparent
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incidentally
introducing a different topic; in point of fact
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inadvisable
not advisable
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inadvertent
happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
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impunity
exemption from punishment or loss
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impulsion
the act of applying force suddenly
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improvident
not provident; not providing for the future
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impudence
the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties
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impracticable
not capable of being carried out or put into practice
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importune
beg persistently and urgently
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importation
the commercial activity of buying and bringing in goods from a foreign country
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wangle
an instance of accomplishing something by scheming or trickery
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executor
a person appointed by a testator to carry out the terms of the will
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outstrip
go far ahead of
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fluster
cause to be nervous or upset
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sledge
a vehicle mounted on runners and pulled by horses or dogs; for transportation over snow
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freebooter
someone who takes spoils or plunder (as in war)
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askance
with suspicion or disapproval
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abase
cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of
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abjure
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
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abnegation
the denial and rejection of a doctrine or belief
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abject
of the most contemptible kind
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abdicate
give up, such as power, as of monarchs and emperors, or duties and obligations
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abate
become less in amount or intensity
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abortive
failing to accomplish an intended result
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abrogate
revoke formally
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abscond
run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
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abeyance
temporary cessation or suspension
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abrade
rub hard or scrub
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abrasion
erosion by friction
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pustule
a small inflamed elevation of skin containing pus; a blister filled with pus
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accession
the act of attaining or gaining access to a new office or right or position (especially the throne)
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accessory
a supplementary component that improves capability
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accompaniment
a musical part (vocal or instrumental) that supports or provides background for other musical parts
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complaisance
a disposition or tendency to yield to the will of others
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accompanist
a person who provides musical accompaniment (usually on a piano)
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acerbity
a sharp bitterness
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acetate
a fabric made from fibers of cellulose acetate
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achromatic
having no hue
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acreage
an area of ground used for some particular purpose (such as building or farming)
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adjacent
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
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adjudge
declare to be
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adjuration
a solemn and earnest appeal to someone to do something
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admonish
take to task
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admonition
a firm rebuke
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impertinence
the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties
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imperious
having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
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impend
be imminent or about to happen
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impede
be a hindrance or obstacle to
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impecunious
not having enough money to pay for necessities
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immiscible
(chemistry, physics) incapable of mixing
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inapt
not elegant or graceful in expression
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inept
generally incompetent and ineffectual
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indignant
angered at something unjust or wrong
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improvident
not provident; not providing for the future
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myopic
unable to see distant objects clearly
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probity
complete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles
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farinaceous
resembling starch
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ascetic
someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
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acetic
relating to or containing acetic acid
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noun
a content word that can be used to refer to a person, place, thing, quality, or action
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connoisseur
an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts
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astute
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
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disparate
fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind
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hackneyed
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
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unfeigned
not pretended; sincerely felt or expressed
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inimical
not friendly
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disparage
express a negative opinion of
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dilettante
an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge
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magnanimity
liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit
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forgiveness
the act of excusing a mistake or offense
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solvent
capable of meeting financial obligations
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sedulous
marked by care and persistent effort
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fancied
formed or conceived by the imagination
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fanfare
(music) a short lively tune played on brass instruments
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farce
a comedy characterized by broad satire and improbable situations
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fancier
a person having a strong liking for something
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falter
move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
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perfidy
an act of deliberate betrayal
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intentional
done or made or performed with purpose and intent
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bent
used of the back and knees; stooped
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nicety
conformity with some esthetic standard of correctness or propriety
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bicameral
consisting of two chambers
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inveigh
complain bitterly
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rarefy
lessen the density or solidity of
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demur
take exception to
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impecunious
not having enough money to pay for necessities
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cogent
powerfully persuasive
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transient
lasting a very short time
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incipient
only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
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inveigle
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
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urbane
showing a high degree of refinement and the assurance that comes from wide social experience
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cosmopolitan
of worldwide scope or applicability
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flout
treat with contemptuous disregard
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garrulous
full of trivial conversation
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glib
artfully persuasive in speech
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mendacious
given to lying
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pedantic
marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects
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contiguous
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
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syllogistic
of or relating to or consisting of syllogism
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winnow
the act of separating grain from chaff
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sieve
a strainer for separating lumps from powdered material or grading particles
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perforate
make a hole into or between, as for ease of separation
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die
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
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fudge
soft creamy candy
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sciolist
an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge
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cognoscente
an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts
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parody
a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way
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pasquinade
a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way
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persnickety
characterized by excessive precision and attention to trivial details
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pernickety
characterized by excessive precision and attention to trivial details
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extrinsic
not forming an essential part of a thing or arising or originating from the outside
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adventitious
associated by chance and not an integral part
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palaver
loud and confused and empty talk
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blarney
flattery designed to gain favor