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subsidy
a grant of financial assistance, especially by a government
subtlety
the quality of being difficult to detect or analyze
sudorific
inducing perspiration
sumptuary
regulating or controlling expenditure or personal behavior
supercilious
having or showing arrogant superiority
supernumerary
more than is needed, desired, or required
supplicate
ask for humbly or earnestly, as in prayer
surly
unfriendly and inclined toward anger or irritation
suture
a seam used in surgery
sylvan
relating to or characteristic of wooded regions
tacit
implied by or inferred from actions or statements
talon
a sharp hooked claw especially on a bird of prey
tarn
a mountain lake, especially one formed by glaciers
tawdry
tastelessly showy
tempo
the speed at which a composition is to be played
tendentious
having a strong bias, especially a controversial one
tenure
the term during which some position is held
terminus
a place where something ends or is complete
tessellated
decorated with small pieces of colored glass or stone
theocracy
a political unit governed by a deity
threnody
a song or hymn of mourning
timbre
the distinctive property of a complex sound
titanic
of great force or power
tocsin
the sound of an alarm (usually a bell)
torpid
in a condition of biological rest or suspended animation
touchy
difficult to handle; requiring great tact
trajectory
the path followed by an object moving through space
transient
lasting a very short time
transpire
come about, happen, or occur
treacle
a syrup made of sugar cane
trenchant
having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought
tribute
something given or done as an expression of esteem
troglodyte
one who lives in solitude
truism
an obvious statement of fact
tumid
abnormally distended especially by fluids or gas
turgid
ostentatiously lofty in style
tyro
someone new to a field or activity
ultimatum
a final peremptory demand
unbridled
not restrained or controlled
unctuous
unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating
unfaltering
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
unimpeachable
beyond doubt or reproach
unruly
unable to be governed or controlled
unwitting
not aware or knowing
usufruct
a legal right to use and profit from someone else's property
vacillation
indecision in speech or action
valedictory
a farewell oration
vantage
place or situation affording some benefit
veer
turn sharply; change direction abruptly
vendetta
a blood feud between members of opposing parties
vent
a hole for the escape of gas, air, or liquid
verbiage
overabundance of words
vermicular
decorated with wormlike tracery or markings
vertigo
a reeling sensation; a feeling that you are about to fall
vicissitude
a variation in circumstances or fortune
vindicate
show to be right by providing justification or proof
virtuoso
someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
viscous
having a relatively high resistance to flow
vituperative
marked by harshly abusive criticism
volatile
liable to lead to sudden change or violence
votary
a priest or priestess in a non-Christian religion or cult
wan
pale, as of a person's complexion
wastrel
someone who squanders resources or time
whimsical
determined by chance or impulse rather than by necessity
witless
lacking sense or understanding or judgment
worldly
characteristic of secularity rather than spirituality
yokel
a person who is not intelligent or interested in culture
abash
cause to be embarrassed
abhor
feel hatred or disgust toward
aboriginal
having existed from the beginning
absolve
grant remission of a sin to
abysmal
exceptionally bad or displeasing
acclivity
an upward slope or grade, as in a road
accoutre
provide with military equipment
acetic
relating to a clear organic acid with a pungent odor
acquiescence
agreement with a statement or proposal to do something
actuarial
relating to statistics to calculate insurance premiums
adapt
make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose
adhere
stick to firmly
admonish
scold or reprimand; take to task
adulterated
mixed with impurities
adversity
a state of misfortune or affliction
aesthetic
characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste
affiliation
the act of becoming formally connected or joined
affray
a noisy fight
aggregate
a sum total of many heterogeneous things taken together
agnostic
a person who claims the existence of God is unknowable
alchemy
a pseudoscientific forerunner of chemistry in medieval times
allay
lessen the intensity of or calm
allocate
distribute according to a plan or set apart for a purpose
aloof
distant, cold, or detached in manner
amazon
a large, strong, and aggressive woman
ameliorate
make better
amnesia
partial or total loss of memory
amphibian
cold-blooded vertebrate living on land but breeding in water
amuck
wildly; without self-control
analogy
drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity
anemia
a deficiency of red blood cells
animus
a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility
annuity
income from capital investment paid regularly
antagonism
an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility
anticlimax
a disappointing decline after a previous rise
aperture
a natural opening in something
aplomb
great coolness and composure under strain
apostate
not faithful to religion or party or cause
appease
make peace with
apprehend
anticipate with dread or anxiety
aptitude
inherent ability
arcade
a structure composed of arches supported by columns
archives
collection of records especially about an institution
arraign
accuse of a wrong or an inadequacy
artifact
a man-made object
asceticism
rigorous self-denial and active self-restraint
askance
with suspicion or disapproval
aspiration
a cherished desire
assimilate
make alike
astringent
tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue
athwart
across the course, direction, or center line of a ship
attribute
a quality belonging to or characteristic of an entity
augment
enlarge or increase
auspicious
indicating favorable circumstances and good luck
automaton
a mechanism that can move independently of external control
avatar
the manifestation of a Hindu deity in human or animal form
avouch
admit openly and bluntly
axiom
a proposition that is not susceptible of proof or disproof
baffle
be a mystery or bewildering to
bandanna
large and brightly colored handkerchief
barrage
the heavy fire of artillery to saturate an area
batten
a strip fixed to something to hold it firm
beguile
attract; cause to be enamored
beleaguer
annoy persistently
beneficiary
the recipient of funds or other advantages
benison
a spoken blessing
besmirch
smear so as to make dirty or stained
bicameral
consisting of two chambers
billingsgate
foul-mouthed or abusive language
blandishment
flattery intended to persuade
bleak
unpleasantly cold and damp
bode
indicate by signs
boorish
ill-mannered and coarse in behavior or appearance
bowdlerize
edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
brazier
large metal container in which coal or charcoal is burned
bristle
a stiff hair
brusque
rudely abrupt or blunt in speech or manner
bulwark
an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
burlesque
a theatrical entertainment of broad and earthy humor
cabal
a clique that seeks power usually through intrigue
cajole
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
calorific
of or relating to the energy in food
candor
the quality of being honest and straightforward
canter
a smooth three-beat gait
capillary
a minute blood vessel connecting arterioles with venules
captious
tending to find and call attention to faults
carmine
of the color between orange and purple in the color spectrum
carping
persistent petty and unjustified criticism
cascade
a small waterfall or series of small waterfalls
cataclysm
a sudden violent change in the earth's surface
cathartic
emotionally purging
cavalcade
a procession of people traveling by foot, horse, or vehicles
celibate
abstaining from sexual intercourse
centrifugal
tending to move away from the middle
cessation
a stopping
chalice
a bowl-shaped drinking vessel
charlatan
a flamboyant deceiver
chastise
scold or criticize severely
chide
scold or reprimand severely or angrily
choreography
a series of dance steps and movements for stage performances
circuitous
deviating from a straight course
citadel
a stronghold for shelter during a battle
clarion
loud and clear
clemency
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders
coadjutor
an assistant to a bishop
cog
tooth on the rim of gear wheel
cognomen
the name used to identify the members of a family
colander
bowl-shaped strainer used to wash or drain foods
collier
someone who works in a coal mine
comatose
in a state of deep and usually prolonged unconsciousness
commandeer
take arbitrarily or by force
compatible
able to exist and perform in harmonious combination
complement
something added to embellish or make perfect
compunction
a feeling of deep regret, usually for some misdeed
conch
an edible tropical marine mollusk or its large spiral shell
concomitant
following or accompanying as a consequence
condiment
a preparation to enhance flavor or enjoyment
conformity
correspondence in form, type, or appearance
conifer
a type of tree or shrub bearing cones
connotation
an idea that is implied or suggested
consort
keep company with
contemn
look down on with disdain
contingent
determined by conditions or circumstances that follow
controvert
prove to be false or incorrect
conversant
well informed about or knowing thoroughly
copious
large in number or quantity
corporeal
having material or physical form or substance
corsair
a swift pirate ship (often operating with official sanction)
countermand
cancel officially
cower
crouch or curl up
craven
lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful
crepuscular
like or relating to twilight; dim
crone
an ugly, evil-looking old woman
cryptic
having a secret or hidden meaning
cull
remove something that has been rejected
curator
the custodian of a collection, as a museum or library
curtail
terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end
dank
unpleasantly cool and humid
dearth
an insufficient quantity or number
debilitate
make weak
deciduous
shedding foliage at the end of the growing season
decrepit
worn and broken down by hard use
defamation
an abusive attack on a person's character or good name
defile
make dirty or spotty
deign
do something that one considers to be below one's dignity
delirium
a usually brief state of excitement and mental confusion
demean
reduce in worth or character, usually verbally
demoniac
someone who acts as if possessed by a demon
denizen
a plant or animal naturalized in a region
deplete
use up, as resources or materials
deprecatory
tending to diminish or disparage
deride
treat or speak of with contempt
descry
catch sight of
despise
look down on with disdain or disgust
desultory
marked by lack of definite plan, purpose, or enthusiasm
deviate
turn aside; turn away from
dexterous
skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands
diatribe
thunderous verbal attack
diffusion
the act of dispersing something
dilemma
state of uncertainty in a choice between unfavorable options
dire
fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless
disclaim
make a disavowal about
discrete
constituting a separate entity or part
dishabille
the state of being carelessly or partially dressed
dismember
separate the limbs from the body
dispersion
spreading widely or driving off
dissection
the act of cutting so as to separate into pieces
dissipate
cause to separate and go in different directions
distaff
a stick on which wool or flax is wound before spinning
diurnal
having a daily cycle or occurring every day
diversity
noticeable variety
docket
a temporally organized plan for matters to be attended to
dolorous
showing sorrow
dotage
mental infirmity as a consequence of old age
dross
worthless or dangerous material that should be removed
duplicity
the act of deceiving or acting in bad faith
earthy
of or consisting of or resembling the soil
ecstasy
a state of elated bliss
effectual
producing or capable of producing an intended result
effigy
a representation of a person
effusion
an unrestrained expression of emotion
egress
the act or means of going out
elucidate
make clear and comprehensible
emancipate
free from slavery or servitude
embryonic
of an organism prior to birth or hatching
eminent
standing above others in quality or position
emulate
strive to equal or match, especially by imitating
encompass
include in scope
endive
widely cultivated herb with leaves valued as salad green
engross
devote fully to
ennui
the feeling of being bored by something tedious
enthrall
hold spellbound
environ
extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle
epilogue
a short speech by an actor at the end of a play
equable
not varying
equitable
fair to all parties as dictated by reason and conscience
erotic
giving sexual pleasure; sexually arousing
eschew
avoid and stay away from deliberately
estranged
caused to be unloved
eugenic
causing improvement in the offspring produced
evanescent
short-lived; tending to vanish or disappear
ewer
an open vessel with a handle and a spout for pouring
excision
surgical removal of a body part or tissue
exegesis
an explanation or critical interpretation
exiguous
extremely scanty
exorcise
expel through adjuration or prayers
expeditiously
with efficiency; in an efficient manner
expunge
remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line
extirpate
destroy completely, as if down to the roots
extricate
release from entanglement or difficulty
exude
release in drops or small quantities
facile
arrived at without due care or effort; lacking depth
factotum
a servant employed to do a variety of jobs
fanaticism
excessive intolerance of opposing views
fantastic
extravagantly fanciful in design, construction, appearance
faux pas
a socially awkward or tactless act
fecundity
the state of being fertile or capable of producing offspring
ferment
cause to undergo the breakdown of sugar into alcohol
fester
generate pus
fiasco
a complete failure or collapse
fiduciary
relating to or of the nature of a legal trust
finesse
subtly skillful handling of a situation
flaccid
drooping without elasticity
flair
a natural talent
fledgling
young bird that has just become capable of flying
flora
all the plant life in a particular region or period
fluctuation
an instance of change
foible
a minor weakness or peculiarity in someone's character
foray
a sudden short attack
forte
an asset of special worth or utility
fractious
easily irritated or annoyed
fraught
filled with or attended with
fresco
a mural done with watercolors on wet plaster
fritter
fried batter containing meat, vegetables, or fruit
fructify
make productive or fruitful
fulgent
shining intensely
furor
an interest followed with exaggerated zeal
gaff
an iron hook with a handle; used for landing large fish
gambol
play or run boisterously
garbled
lacking orderly continuity
garrulity
the quality of being wordy and talkative
gauntlet
a glove of armored leather that protects the hand
geniality
a disposition to be friendly and approachable
genuflect
bend the knees and bow in a servile manner
gestate
be pregnant with
gibe
laugh at with contempt and derision
glib
artfully persuasive in speech
glut
supply with an excess of
goad
stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
gourmand
a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
harrow
a cultivator that pulverizes or smooths the soil
hazardous
involving risk or danger
heinous
extremely wicked or deeply criminal
heterogeneous
consisting of elements not of the same kind or nature
hierarchy
a series of ordered groupings within a system
hirsute
having or covered with hair
holocaust
an act of mass destruction and loss of life
hoodwink
conceal one's true motives from
hubbub
loud confused noise from many sources
hummock
a small natural mound
hyperbole
extravagant exaggeration
hypothecate
pledge without delivery or title of possession
idiosyncrasy
a behavioral attribute peculiar to an individual
ignominious
deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
imbibe
take in liquids
imminent
close in time; about to occur
immutable
not subject or susceptible to change or variation
impassive
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility
impenitent
not remorseful
imperturbable
marked by extreme calm and composure
impious
lacking piety or reverence for a god
imply
express or state indirectly
importune
beg persistently and urgently
impromptu
with little or no preparation or forethought
impunity
exemption from punishment or loss
inane
devoid of intelligence
incarcerate
lock up or confine, in or as in a jail
incentive
a positive motivational influence
incisive
demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
incommodious
uncomfortably or inconveniently small
incontinent
lacking restraint or self-control
incredulous
not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
inculcate
teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions
indenture
formal agreement as to terms of a debt
indisputable
not open to question; obviously true
inductive
influencing or causing to arise
inept
generally incompetent and ineffectual
infer
conclude by reasoning
influx
the process of flowing in
ingrate
a person who shows no thankfulness or appreciation
iniquitous
characterized by injustice or wickedness
innuendo
an indirect and usually malicious implication
insidious
working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way
insomnia
an inability to sleep
insurgent
in opposition to a civil authority or government
intelligentsia
an educated elite
interment
the ritual placing of a corpse in a grave
intimate
marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
intrepid
invulnerable to fear or intimidation
inundate
fill or cover completely, usually with water
inveigle
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
invulnerable
immune to attack; impregnable
ironical
marked by incongruity between what is expected and what is
irremediable
impossible to correct or redress
iterate
say, state, or perform again
jaundiced
affected by yellowing of the skin
jingoism
fanatical patriotism
judicious
marked by the exercise of common sense in practical matters
kaleidoscope
an optical toy in a tube
kith
your friends and acquaintances
labyrinth
complex system of paths in which it is easy to get lost
laconic
brief and to the point
lambent
softly bright or radiant
languor
inactivity; showing an unusual lack of energy
lassitude
a feeling of lack of interest or energy
laudatory
full of or giving praise
lectern
desk or stand with a slanted top used to hold a text
lewd
suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
libertine
unrestrained by convention or morality
lieu
the post or function properly occupied or served by another
liquidate
eliminate a debt by paying it off
litotes
understatement for rhetorical effect
longevity
the property of having lived for a considerable time
lucent
softly bright or radiant
lugubrious
excessively mournful
luster
the property of something that shines with reflected light
machination
a crafty and involved plot to achieve your ends
magniloquent
lofty in style
malediction
the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil
malignant
dangerous to health
mammoth
extinct elephant widely distributed in the Pleistocene
manifesto
a public declaration of intentions
marital
of or relating to the state of marriage
martinet
someone who demands exact conformity to rules and forms
maudlin
very sentimental or emotional
maxim
a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
mediocre
moderate to inferior in quality
mellifluous
pleasing to the ear
menial
relating to unskilled work, especially domestic work
meretricious
tastelessly showy
metamorphosis
striking change in appearance or character or circumstances
metropolis
a large and densely populated urban area
mien
a person's appearance, manner, or demeanor
militate
have force or influence; bring about an effect or change
minion
a servile or fawning dependent
miscegenation
marriage or reproduction by people of different races
misgiving
uneasiness about the fitness of an action
mite
small arachnid that infests animals, plants, or stored foods
modish
in the current fashion or style
molt
cast off hair, skin, horn, or feathers
monotheism
belief in a single God
morbid
suggesting the horror of death and decay
morose
showing a brooding ill humor
motley
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
mulct
money extracted as a penalty
munificent
given or giving freely, generously, or without restriction
musty
covered with or smelling of mold
myriad
a large indefinite number
nauseate
upset and make ill
nebulous
lacking definite form or limits
nemesis
a personal foe or rival that cannot be easily defeated
nib
the writing point of a pen
noisome
causing or able to cause nausea
nonplus
be a mystery or bewildering to
novice
someone new to a field or activity
numismatist
a collector and student of money, especially coins
obeisance
bending the head or body in reverence or submission
objurgate
censure severely
obliquity
the quality of being deliberately vague or deceptive
obsequious
attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
obstreperous
noisily and stubbornly defiant
occult
supernatural forces and events and beings collectively
odorous
having a characteristic aroma
olfactory
of or relating to the sense of smell
omniscient
knowing, seeing, or understanding everything
onus
a burdensome or difficult concern
opportunist
a person who places expediency above principle
optometrist
a person skilled in testing for defects of vision
orientation
the act of determining one's position
ornithology
the branch of zoology that studies birds
ostensible
appearing as such but not necessarily so
pachyderm
a large mammal with thick skin, such as an elephant or hippo
palatial
relating to or being a large and stately residence
palliate
lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
paltry
contemptibly small in amount or size
panoply
a complete and impressive array
paradox
a statement that contradicts itself
paranoiac
a person afflicted with paranoia
paregoric
medicine used to treat diarrhea
parlous
fraught with danger
parsimonious
excessively unwilling to spend
passe
out of fashion
pathological
relating to the study of diseases
patricide
the murder of your father
peculation
the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted to your care but actually owned by someone else
pediatrician
a medical specialist in the care of children
pellucid
transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity
pendulous
hanging loosely or bending downward
penurious
excessively unwilling to spend
peremptory
putting an end to all debate or action
perfunctory
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
peristyle
a colonnade surrounding a building or enclosing a court
peroration
the concluding section of a rhetorical address
personable
pleasant in manner and appearance
pertinacious
stubbornly unyielding
perverse
deviating from what is considered moral or right or proper
pestilential
likely to spread and cause an epidemic disease
philander
talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
phobia
an anxiety disorder characterized by irrational fear
pied
having sections or patches colored differently and brightly
pious
having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity
pittance
an inadequate payment
plangent
loud and resounding, often in a mournful way
plebeian
of or associated with the great masses of people
plumb
exactly vertical
politic
marked by artful prudence, expedience, and shrewdness
pommel
strike, usually with the fist
portly
fairly large
potable
suitable for drinking
poultice
a medical dressing spread on a cloth and applied to the skin
prattle
speak about unimportant matters rapidly and incessantly
preciosity
the quality of being fastidious or excessively refined
precursor
something indicating the approach of something or someone
prefatory
serving as an introduction or preface
preponderance
exceeding in heaviness; having greater weight
presentiment
a feeling of evil to come
prim
affectedly dainty or refined
probe
an exploratory action or expedition
prodigal
recklessly wasteful
progenitor
an ancestor in the direct line
projectile
a weapon that is forcibly propelled toward a target
promontory
a natural elevation
propensity
a natural inclination

Created on Mon Oct 15 17:37:21 EDT 2007

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