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VOCABULARY LISTS > USER LISTS

Nouns 285 words

February 13, 2010 By Mark G. (Tokyo Japan)

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Definitions Notes & Examples Words Only
  1. Rubicon
    the boundary in ancient times between Italy and Gaul; Caesar's crossing it with his army in 49 BC was an act of war
  2. atmometer
    an instrument that measures rate of evaporation of water
  3. evaporometer
    an instrument that measures rate of evaporation of water
  4. bugaboo
    an imaginary monster used to frighten children
  5. vexation
    anger produced by some annoying irritation
  6. plenum
    a meeting of a legislative body at which all members are present
  7. postiche
    something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
  8. pseud
    a person who makes deceitful pretenses
  9. manacle
    shackle that consists of a metal loop that can be locked around the wrist; usually used in pairs
  10. Apocrypha
    14 books of the Old Testament included in the Vulgate (except for II Esdras) but omitted in Jewish and Protestant versions of the Bible; eastern Christian churches (except the Coptic Church) accept all these books as canonical; the Russian Orthodox Church accepts these texts as divinely inspired but does not grant them the same status
  11. brocade
    thick heavy expensive material with a raised pattern
  12. andiron
    metal supports for logs in a fireplace
  13. scriptorium
    a room in a monastery that is set aside for writing or copying manuscripts
  14. latchkey
    key for raising or drawing back a latch or opening an outside door
  15. latchkey child
    a school-age child who is home without adult supervision for part of the day (especially after school until a parent returns home from work)
  16. chelate
    a heterocyclic compound having a metal ion attached by coordinate bonds to at least two nonmetal ions
  17. debaser
    a person who lowers the quality or character or value (as by adding cheaper metal to coins)
  18. emetic
    a medicine that induces nausea and vomiting
  19. vomitive
    a medicine that induces nausea and vomiting
  20. nauseant
    a medicine that induces nausea and vomiting
  21. enmity
    a state of deep-seated ill-will
  22. insularity
    the state of being isolated or detached
  23. fatuity
    a ludicrous folly
  24. fatuousness
    a ludicrous folly
  25. absurdity
    a ludicrous folly
  26. whorl
    a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
  27. gyre
    a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
  28. volute
    ornament consisting of a curve on a plane that winds around a center with an increasing distance from the center
  29. desuetude
    a state of inactivity or disuse
  30. sagacity
    the mental ability to understand and discriminate between relations
  31. perspicacity
    the capacity to assess situations or circumstances shrewdly and to draw sound conclusions
  32. perspicaciousness
    intelligence manifested by being astute (as in business dealings)
  33. obverse
    the more conspicuous of two alternatives or cases or sides
  34. tirade
    a speech of violent denunciation
  35. philippic
    a speech of violent denunciation
  36. evanescence
    the event of fading and gradually vanishing from sight
  37. opprobrium
    a state of extreme dishonor
  38. obloquy
    a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions
  39. calumny
    a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions
  40. traducement
    a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions
  41. regalia
    paraphernalia indicative of royalty (or other high office)
  42. appurtenance
    equipment consisting of miscellaneous articles needed for a particular operation or sport etc.
  43. salubrity
    the quality of being salubrious and invigorating
  44. salubriousness
    the quality of being salubrious and invigorating
  45. hussar
    a member of a European light cavalry unit; renowned for elegant dress
  46. anthropolatry
    the worship of human beings
  47. wiseacre
    an upstart who makes conceited, sardonic, insolent comments
  48. wisenheimer
    an upstart who makes conceited, sardonic, insolent comments
  49. aureole
    the outermost region of the sun's atmosphere; visible as a white halo during a solar eclipse
  50. corona
    one or more circles of light seen around a luminous object
  51. canard
    a deliberately misleading fabrication
  52. poultice
    a medical dressing consisting of a soft heated mass of meal or clay that is spread on a cloth and applied to the skin to treat inflamed areas or improve circulation etc.
  53. cataplasm
    a medical dressing consisting of a soft heated mass of meal or clay that is spread on a cloth and applied to the skin to treat inflamed areas or improve circulation etc.
  54. epigone
    an inferior imitator of some distinguished writer or artist of musician
  55. disquisition
    an elaborate analytical or explanatory essay or discussion
  56. prerogative
    a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)
  57. perquisite
    an incidental benefit awarded for certain types of employment (especially if it is regarded as a right)
  58. antipathy
    a feeling of intense dislike
  59. wizardry
    exceptional creative ability
  60. pavlova
    a dessert consisting of a meringue base or cup filled with fruit and whipped cream
  61. biotype
    organisms sharing a specified genotype or the genotype (or peculiarities) so shared
  62. aplomb
    great coolness and composure under strain
  63. sang-froid
    great coolness and composure under strain
  64. polysemy
    the ambiguity of an individual word or phrase that can be used (in different contexts) to express two or more different meanings
  65. ides
    in the Roman calendar: the 15th of March or May or July or October or the 13th of any other month
  66. synecdoche
    substituting a more inclusive term for a less inclusive one or vice versa
  67. trope
    language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense
  68. pavane
    a stately court dance of the 16th and 17th centuries
  69. parvenu
    a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class
  70. arriviste
    a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class
  71. upstart
    a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class
  72. pariah
    a person who is rejected (from society or home)
  73. Ishmael
    (Old Testament) the son of Abraham who was cast out after the birth of Isaac; considered the forebear of 12 Arabian tribes
  74. cinnabar
    a heavy reddish mineral consisting of mercuric sulfide; the chief source of mercury
  75. plenitude
    a full supply
  76. aspersion
    a disparaging remark
  77. denigration
    an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
  78. mote
    (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
  79. chandler
    a maker (and seller) of candles and soap and oils and paints
  80. votary
    a priest or priestess (or consecrated worshipper) in a non-Christian religion or cult
  81. malefactor
    someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
  82. fortitude
    strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage
  83. fascia
    instrument panel on an automobile or airplane containing dials and controls
  84. arbiter
    someone chosen to judge and decide a disputed issue
  85. ablation
    the erosive process that reduces the size of glaciers
  86. catcall
    a cry expressing disapproval
  87. vociferation
    a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
  88. schmegegge
    (Yiddish) baloney; hot air; nonsense
  89. concatenation
    the act of linking together as in a series or chain
  90. hinterland
    a remote and undeveloped area
  91. boondocks
    a remote and undeveloped area
  92. elegy
    a mournful poem; a lament for the dead
  93. lamentation
    the passionate and demonstrative activity of expressing grief
  94. ululation
    a long loud emotional utterance
  95. barrage
    the heavy fire of artillery to saturate an area rather than hit a specific target
  96. preponderance
    exceeding in heaviness; having greater weight
  97. assiduity
    great and constant diligence and attention
  98. sedulity
    the quality of being constantly diligent and attentive
  99. miasma
    an unwholesome atmosphere
  100. miasm
    an unwholesome atmosphere
  101. largesse
    liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit
  102. munificence
    liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit
  103. magnanimity
    liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit
  104. demeanour
    (behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
  105. deportment
    (behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
  106. parity
    functional equality
  107. confutation
    evidence that refutes conclusively
  108. stipend
    a sum of money allotted on a regular basis; usually for some specific purpose
  109. harangue
    a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
  110. treatise
    a formal exposition
  111. pugnacity
    a natural disposition to be hostile
  112. reconnaissance
    the act of reconnoitring (especially to gain information about an enemy or potential enemy)
  113. papyrus
    tall sedge of the Nile valley yielding fiber that served many purposes in historic times
  114. repast
    the food served and eaten at one time
  115. turbulence
    instability in the atmosphere
  116. Sturm und Drang
    a state of violent disturbance and disorder (as in politics or social conditions generally)
  117. ectomorph
    a person with a thin body
  118. amphora
    an ancient jar with two handles and a narrow neck; used to hold oil or wine
  119. steward
    someone who manages property or other affairs for someone else
  120. fiduciary
    relating to or of the nature of a legal trust (i.e. the holding of something in trust for another)
  121. affray
    a noisy fight
  122. fracas
    noisy quarrel
  123. adherent
    someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another
  124. mastic
    an evergreen shrub of the Mediterranean region that is cultivated for its resin
  125. luminary
    a celebrity who is an inspiration to others
  126. decorum
    propriety in manners and conduct
  127. jollity
    feeling jolly and jovial and full of good humor
  128. dexterity
    adroitness in using the hands
  129. libretto
    the words of an opera or musical play
  130. clerestory
    part of an interior wall rising above the adjacent roof with windows admitting light
  131. millinery
    shop selling women's hats
  132. frontispiece
    front illustration facing the title page of a book
  133. quintessence
    the purest and most concentrated essence of something
  134. declivity
    a downward slope or bend
  135. palanquin
    a closed litter carried on the shoulders of four bearers
  136. angelus
    the sound of a bell rung in Roman Catholic churches to announce the time when the Angelus should be recited
  137. misnomer
    an incorrect or unsuitable name
  138. talisman
    a trinket or piece of jewelry usually hung about the neck and thought to be a magical protection against evil or disease
  139. nonagenarian
    being from 90 to 99 years old
  140. minion
    a servile or fawning dependant
  141. jingoist
    an extreme bellicose nationalist
  142. flag-waver
    an extreme bellicose nationalist
  143. hundred-percenter
    an extreme bellicose nationalist
  144. jingoism
    fanatical patriotism
  145. affront
    a deliberately offensive act or something producing the effect of deliberate disrespect
  146. pampas
    the vast grassy plains of northern Argentina
  147. taxonomy
    a classification of organisms into groups based on similarities of structure or origin etc
  148. requiem
    a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person
  149. dirge
    a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person
  150. threnody
    a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person
  151. coronach
    a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person
  152. pleura
    the thin serous membrane around the lungs and inner walls of the chest
  153. opus
    a musical work that has been created
  154. arpeggio
    a chord whose notes are played in rapid succession rather than simultaneously
  155. comeuppance
    an outcome (good or bad) that is well deserved
  156. depredation
    an act of plundering and pillaging and marauding
  157. cirrhosis
    a chronic disease interfering with the normal functioning of the liver; the major cause is chronic alcoholism
  158. rebuttal
    the speech act of refuting by offering a contrary contention or argument
  159. lama
    a Tibetan or Mongolian priest of Lamaism
  160. redress
    make reparations or amends for
  161. indemnity
    protection against future loss
  162. compote
    dessert of stewed or baked fruit
  163. glimmer
    a flash of light (especially reflected light)
  164. temerity
    fearless daring
  165. audacity
    aggressive boldness or unmitigated effrontery
  166. imprecation
    the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult)
  167. malediction
    the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult)
  168. clique
    an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose
  169. coterie
    an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose
  170. legation
    a permanent diplomatic mission headed by a minister
  171. mischance
    an unpredictable outcome that is unfortunate
  172. plethora
    extreme excess
  173. gavotte
    an old formal French dance in quadruple time
  174. bravado
    a swaggering show of courage
  175. confrere
    a person who is member of one's class or profession
  176. edification
    uplifting enlightenment
  177. gamut
    a complete extent or range: "a face that expressed a gamut of emotions"
  178. ambit
    an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
  179. vertex
    the highest point (of something)
  180. acme
    the highest point (of something)
  181. meridian
    an imaginary great circle on the surface of the earth passing through the north and south poles at right angles to the equator
  182. prefect
    a chief officer or chief magistrate
  183. nemesis
    something causing misery or death
  184. bane
    something causing misery or death
  185. scourge
    something causing misery or death
  186. paragon
    an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept
  187. beau ideal
    an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept
  188. nonpareil
    model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
  189. apotheosis
    model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
  190. confrere
    a person who is member of one's class or profession
  191. exegesis
    an explanation or critical interpretation (especially of the Bible)
  192. pundit
    someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
  193. savant
    someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
  194. yeoman
    in former times was free and cultivated his own land
  195. beefeater
    officer in the (ceremonial) bodyguard of the British monarch
  196. quandary
    state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
  197. conundrum
    a difficult problem
  198. motif
    a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work
  199. tricorn
    cocked hat with the brim turned up to form three points
  200. epitaph
    an inscription on a tombstone or monument in memory of the person buried there
  201. ethos
    (anthropology) the distinctive spirit of a culture or an era
  202. prate
    speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
  203. palaver
    loud and confused and empty talk
  204. minutia
    a small or minor detail
  205. paradigm
    a standard or typical example
  206. nihilist
    someone who rejects all theories of morality or religious belief
  207. syndicalist
    an advocate of anarchism
  208. buffoonery
    acting like a clown or buffoon
  209. splendor
    the quality of being magnificent or splendid or grand
  210. maven
    someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
  211. edict
    a formal or authoritative proclamation
  212. malaise
    physical discomfort (as mild sickness or depression)
  213. repose
    freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility)
  214. ataraxis
    the absence of mental stress or anxiety
  215. perquisite
    an incidental benefit awarded for certain types of employment (especially if it is regarded as a right)
  216. chiaroscuro
    a monochrome picture made by using several different shades of the same color
  217. contention
    the act of competing as for profit or a prize
  218. asseveration
    a declaration that is made emphatically (as if no supporting evidence were necessary)
  219. averment
    a declaration that is made emphatically (as if no supporting evidence were necessary)
  220. disceptation
    a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement
  221. apothecary
    a health professional trained in the art of preparing and dispensing drugs
  222. teetotalism
    abstaining from alcohol
  223. teetotalist
    a total abstainer
  224. teetotaler
    a total abstainer
  225. pannier
    a large basket (usually one of a pair) carried by a beast of burden or on by a person
  226. diminution
    change toward something smaller or lower
  227. nostalgia
    longing for something past
  228. elan
    enthusiastic and assured vigor and liveliness
  229. panache
    distinctive and stylish elegance
  230. complacency
    the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself
  231. chicanery
    the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)
  232. shenanigan
    the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)
  233. rascality
    reckless or malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others
  234. chicane
    the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)
  235. cavil
    raise trivial objections
  236. quiddity
    the essence that makes something the kind of thing it is and makes it different from any other
  237. haecceity
    the essence that makes something the kind of thing it is and makes it different from any other
  238. guile
    shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
  239. apologist
    a person who argues to defend or justify some policy or institution
  240. windfall
    a sudden happening that brings good fortune (as a sudden opportunity to make money)
  241. bunce
    a sudden happening that brings good fortune (as a sudden opportunity to make money)
  242. magnate
    a very wealthy or powerful businessman
  243. mogul
    a very wealthy or powerful businessman
  244. eon
    the longest division of geological time
  245. aeon
    the longest division of geological time
  246. gnostic
    possessing intellectual or esoteric knowledge of spiritual things
  247. gnosis
    intuitive knowledge of spiritual truths; said to have been possessed by ancient Gnostics
  248. efficacy
    capacity or power to produce a desired effect
  249. efficaciousness
    capacity or power to produce a desired effect
  250. agnostic
    a person who claims that they cannot have true knowledge about the existence of God (but does not deny that God might exist)
  251. agnosticism
    a religious orientation of doubt; a denial of ultimate knowledge of the existence of God
  252. paean
    (ancient Greece) a hymn of praise (especially one sung in ancient Greece to invoke or thank a deity)
  253. encomium
    a formal expression of praise
  254. panegyric
    formally expressing praise
  255. eulogy
    a formal expression of praise for someone who has died recently
  256. transgression
    the act of transgressing; the violation of a law or a duty or moral principle
  257. aegis
    armor plate that protects the chest; the front part of a cuirass
  258. auspices
    kindly endorsement and guidance
  259. cavalcade
    a procession of people traveling on horseback
  260. litigation
    a legal proceeding in a court; a judicial contest to determine and enforce legal rights
  261. renege
    fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
  262. triumvirate
    a group of three men responsible for public administration or civil authority
  263. isotope
    one of two or more atoms with the same atomic number but with different numbers of neutrons
  264. automaton
    a mechanism that can move automatically
  265. golem
    (Jewish folklore) an artificially created human being that is given life by supernatural means
  266. pestle
    a club-shaped hand tool for grinding and mixing substances in a mortar
  267. scenario
    an outline or synopsis of a play (or, by extension, of a literary work)
  268. premise
    a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn
  269. camaraderie
    the quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability
  270. flotilla
    a fleet of small craft
  271. heresy
    a belief that rejects the orthodox tenets of a religion
  272. heterodoxy
    the quality of being unorthodox
  273. heretic
    a person who holds religious beliefs in conflict with the dogma of the Roman Catholic Church
  274. recusant
    someone who refuses to conform to established standards of conduct
  275. dissident
    a person who dissents from some established policy
  276. dissenter
    a person who dissents from some established policy
  277. prelate
    a senior clergyman and dignitary
  278. jest
    activity characterized by good humor
  279. jape
    a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
  280. predilection
    a predisposition in favor of something
  281. penchant
    a strong liking
  282. braggart
    a very boastful and talkative person
  283. blowhard
    a very boastful and talkative person
  284. vaunter
    a very boastful and talkative person
  285. line-shooter
    a very boastful and talkative person