-
chasm
a deep opening in the earth's surface
-
chassis
the skeleton of a motor vehicle consisting of a steel frame supported on springs that holds the body and motor
-
chaste
abstaining from unlawful sexual intercourse
-
chasten
censure severely
-
chastise
censure severely
-
check
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
-
checkered
patterned with alternating squares of color
-
cherubic
having a sweet nature befitting an angel or cherub
-
chimerical
being or relating to or like a chimera
-
chisel
an edge tool with a flat steel blade with a cutting edge
-
chivalrous
being attentive to women like an ideal knight
-
choir
a chorus that sings as part of a religious ceremony
-
chore
a specific piece of work required to be done as a duty or for a specific fee
-
chortle
a soft partly suppressed laugh
-
chronicle
a record or narrative description of past events
-
churlish
having a bad disposition; surly
-
ciliated
having a margin or fringe of hairlike projections
-
cipher
a secret method of writing
-
circuit
a journey or route all the way around a particular place or area
-
circuitous
deviating from a straight course
-
circumspect
heedful of potential consequences
-
cistern
a sac or cavity containing fluid especially lymph or cerebrospinal fluid
-
citadel
a stronghold into which people could go for shelter during a battle
-
civil
of or occurring within the state or between or among citizens of the state
-
clamber
climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
-
clamor
utter or proclaim insistently and noisily
-
clap
clap one's hands together
-
clapper
metal striker that hangs inside a bell and makes a sound by hitting the side
-
clarion
loud and clear
-
clasp
hold firmly and tightly
-
claustrophobia
a morbid fear of being closed in a confined space
-
clavicle
bone linking the scapula and sternum
-
cleave
separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument
-
cleft
a long narrow opening
-
clemency
leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
-
cliche
a trite or obvious remark
-
clientele
customers collectively
-
climactic
consisting of or causing a climax
-
clip
any of various small fasteners used to hold loose articles together
-
clipper
scissors for cutting hair or finger nails (often used in the plural)
-
cloying
overly sweet
-
coagulate
change from a liquid to a thickened or solid state
-
coalesce
fuse or cause to grow together
-
coalition
the union of diverse things into one body or form or group; the growing together of parts
-
coax
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
-
codicil
a supplement to a will; a testamentary instrument intended to alter an already executed will
-
codify
organize into a code or system, such as a body of law
-
cog
tooth on the rim of gear wheel
-
cogent
powerfully persuasive
-
cogitate
consider carefully and deeply; reflect upon; turn over in one's mind
-
cognate
related by blood
-
cognitive
of or being or relating to or involving cognition
-
cognizance
having knowledge of
-
cohere
cause to form a united, orderly, and aesthetically consistent whole
-
cohesion
the state of cohering or sticking together
-
cohort
a band of warriors (originally a unit of a Roman Legion)
-
coincidence
the temporal property of two things happening at the same time
-
collaborate
work together on a common enterprise of project
-
collage
a paste-up made by sticking together pieces of paper or photographs to form an artistic image
-
collate
to assemble in proper sequence
-
collateral
situated or running side by side
-
colloquial
characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation
-
colloquy
formal conversation
-
collusion
secret agreement
-
combustible
capable of igniting and burning
-
comely
according with custom or propriety
-
comestible
suitable for use as food
-
comeuppance
an outcome (good or bad) that is well deserved
-
comity
a state or atmosphere of harmony or mutual civility and respect
-
commandeer
take arbitrarily or by force
-
commemorate
call to remembrance; keep alive the memory of someone or something, as in a ceremony
-
commensurate
corresponding in size or degree or extent
-
commiserate
to feel or express sympathy or compassion
-
commodious
large and roomy (`convenient' is archaic in this sense)
-
commonplace
completely ordinary and unremarkable
-
commonwealth
a political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them
-
commune
communicate intimately with; be in a state of heightened, intimate receptivity
-
compassion
a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering
-
compendium
a publication containing a variety of works
-
compilation
the act of compiling (as into a single book or file or list)
-
complacency
the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself
-
complaisant
showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
-
compliance
the act of submitting; usually surrendering power to another
-
complicity
guilt as an accomplice in a crime or offense
-
component
an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system
-
comport
behave in a certain manner
-
compost
a mixture of decaying vegetation and manure; used as a fertilizer
-
composure
steadiness of mind under stress
-
comprehensive
including all or everything
-
compress
squeeze or press together
-
compromise
an accommodation in which both sides make concessions
-
compulsion
using force to cause something to occur
-
compulsive
caused by or suggestive of psychological compulsion
-
concave
curving inward
-
concede
give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
-
conceit
the trait of being unduly vain and conceited; false pride
-
concentric
having a common center
-
concerted
involving the joint activity of two or more
-
concession
the act of conceding or yielding
-
conciliatory
making or willing to make concessions
-
conclave
a confidential or secret meeting
-
conclusive
forming an end or termination; especially putting an end to doubt or question
-
concoct
make a concoction (of) by mixing
-
concomitant
following or accompanying as a consequence
-
concord
a harmonious state of things in general and of their properties (as of colors and sounds); congruity of parts with one another and with the whole
-
concordat
a signed written agreement between two or more parties (nations) to perform some action
-
concur
happen simultaneously
-
concurrent
occurring or operating at the same time
-
condescend
behave in a patronizing and condescending manner
-
condign
fitting or appropriate and deserved; used especially of punishment
-
condiment
a preparation (a sauce or relish or spice) to enhance flavor or enjoyment
-
condole
express one's sympathetic grief, on the occasion of someone's death
-
condone
excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with
-
conducive
tending to bring about; being partly responsible for
-
confide
reveal in private; tell confidentially
-
confidence
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
-
confidential
(of information) given in confidence or in secret
-
confine
place limits on (extent or access)
-
confiscate
take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority
-
conflagration
a very intense and uncontrolled fire
-
confluence
a place where things merge or flow together (especially rivers)
-
conformist
someone who conforms to established standards of conduct (especially in religious matters)
-
confound
be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly
-
congeal
become gelatinous
-
congenial
suitable to your needs
-
congenital
present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development
-
congruent
corresponding in character or kind
-
conifer
any gymnospermous tree or shrub bearing cones
-
conjecture
to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
-
conjugal
of or relating to marriage or to the relationship between a wife and husband
-
connoisseur
an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts
-
connotation
an idea that is implied or suggested
-
consanguineous
related by blood
-
consanguine
related by blood
-
consanguinity
(anthropology) related by blood
-
conscientious
characterized by extreme care and great effort
-
conscript
enroll into service compulsorily
-
consecrate
give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause
-
consensus
agreement in the judgment or opinion reached by a group as a whole
-
consequential
having important issues or results
-
console
give moral or emotional strength to
-
consolidation
combining into a solid mass
-
consonance
the property of sounding harmonious
-
consonant
a speech sound that is not a vowel
-
consort
keep company with; hang out with
-
conspiracy
a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act (especially a political plot)
-
conspire
act in unison or agreement and in secret towards a deceitful or illegal purpose
-
consternation
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
-
constituency
the body of voters who elect a representative for their area
-
constituent
an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system
-
construe
make sense of; assign a meaning to
-
consummate
having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
-
contend
compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
-
contentious
inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits
-
contest
a struggle between rivals
-
contiguous
having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching
-
continence
voluntary control over urinary and fecal discharge
-
contortion
a tortuous and twisted shape or position
-
contravene
go against, as of rules and laws
-
contrivance
the faculty of contriving; inventive skill
-
contrive
make or work out a plan for; devise
-
contumacious
wilfully obstinate; stubbornly disobedient
-
conundrum
a difficult problem
-
convene
meet formally
-
convention
the act of convening
-
conversant
(usually followed by `with') well informed about or knowing thoroughly
-
converse
carry on a conversation
-
convert
change the nature, purpose, or function of something
-
convex
curving or bulging outward
-
conviction
an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence
-
convivial
occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company
-
convoke
call together
-
convoluted
rolled longitudinally upon itself
-
coquette
talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
-
cordial
politely warm and friendly
-
cordon
a series of sentinels or of military posts enclosing or guarding some place or thing
-
cornice
the topmost projecting part of an entablature
-
cornucopia
a goat's horn filled with grain and flowers and fruit symbolizing prosperity
-
corollary
(logic) an inference that follows directly from the proof of another proposition
-
corporeal
having material or physical form or substance
-
corpulent
excessively fat
-
corpus
a collection of writings
-
corpuscle
either of two types of cells (erythrocytes and leukocytes) and sometimes including platelets
-
correlation
a reciprocal relation between two or more things
-
corrode
cause to deteriorate due to the action of water, air, or an acid
-
corrosive
of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
-
corrugated
shaped into alternating parallel grooves and ridges
-
cosmic
of or from or pertaining to or characteristic of the cosmos or universe
-
countermand
cancel officially
-
coup
a sudden and decisive change of government illegally or by force
-
court
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
-
covenant
(Bible) an agreement between God and his people in which God makes certain promises and requires certain behavior from them in return
-
covert
secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed
-
covetous
immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth
-
cow
female of domestic cattle: "`moo-cow' is a child's term"
-
cower
crouch or curl up
-
coy
modestly or warily rejecting approaches or overtures
-
cozen
be false to; be dishonest with
-
crabbed
annoyed and irritable
-
crass
(of persons) so unrefined as to be lacking in discrimination and sensibility
-
crave
have a craving, appetite, or great desire for
-
craven
lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful
-
credence
the mental attitude that something is believable and should be accepted as true
-
credo
any system of principles or beliefs
-
credulity
tendency to believe readily
-
creep
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
-
crestfallen
brought low in spirit
-
crevice
a long narrow opening
-
cringe
draw back, as with fear or pain
-
crochet
needlework done by interlocking looped stitches with a hooked needle
-
cross
a marking that consists of lines that cross each other
-
crossbreed
(genetics) an organism that is the offspring of genetically dissimilar parents or stock; especially offspring produced by breeding plants or animals of different varieties or breeds or species
-
crotchety
having a difficult and contrary disposition
-
crux
the most important point
-
crypt
a cellar or vault or underground burial chamber (especially beneath a church)
-
cubicle
small area set off by walls for special use
-
cue
an actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action or speech
-
culmination
a concluding action
-
culpable
deserving blame or censure as being wrong or evil or injurious
-
culvert
a transverse and totally enclosed drain under a road or railway
-
cumbersome
difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight
-
cunning
showing inventiveness and skill
-
cupidity
extreme greed for material wealth
-
curfew
an order that after a specific time certain activities (as being outside on the streets) are prohibited
-
curmudgeon
a crusty irascible cantankerous old person full of stubborn ideas
-
cursive
rapid handwriting in which letters are set down in full and are cursively connected within words without lifting the writing implement from the paper
-
cursory
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
-
curtail
terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end or its full extent
-
debacle
a sudden and violent collapse
-
decollete
(of a garment) having a low-cut neckline
-
denouncement
a public act of denouncing
-
dais
a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it
-
dally
behave carelessly or indifferently
-
damn
something of little value
-
dank
unpleasantly cool and humid
-
dapper
marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners
-
dappled
having spots or patches of color
-
dart
a sudden quick movement
-
daunt
cause to lose courage
-
dauntless
invulnerable to fear or intimidation
-
dawdle
hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, etc.
-
daze
confusion characterized by lack of clarity
-
dazzle
brightness enough to blind partially and temporarily
-
deadlock
a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
-
dearth
an insufficient quantity or number
-
debar
prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening
-
debauch
a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity
-
debilitate
make weak
-
debris
the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up
-
debunk
expose while ridiculing; especially of pretentious or false claims and ideas
-
debut
the act of beginning something new
-
decadence
the state of being degenerate in mental or moral qualities
-
decant
pour out
-
decapitate
cut the head of
-
decelerate
lose velocity; move more slowly
-
decimate
kill one in every ten, as of mutineers in Roman armies
-
decipher
convert code into ordinary language
-
declivity
a downward slope or bend
-
decomposition
the organic phenomenon of rotting
-
decorum
propriety in manners and conduct
-
decoy
something used to lure fish or other animals into danger so they can be trapped or killed
-
decree
a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
-
decrepit
worn and broken down by hard use
-
decrepitude
a state of deterioration due to old age or long use
-
decry
express strong disapproval of
-
deducible
capable of being deduced
-
deface
mar or spoil the appearance of
-
defalcate
appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use
-
defame
charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
-
default
an option that is selected automatically unless an alternative is specified
-
defect
a failing or deficiency
-
defection
withdrawing support or help despite allegiance or responsibility
-
defer
yield to another's wish or opinion
-
defile
make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
-
deflect
turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest
-
defoliate
deprived of leaves
-
defray
bear the expenses of
-
defrock
divest of the frock; of church officials
-
deft
skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands
-
defunct
no longer in force or use; inactive
-
dehydrate
remove water from
-
deify
exalt to the position of a God
-
deign
do something that one considers to be below one's dignity
-
deleterious
harmful to living things
-
deliberate
carefully thought out in advance
-
delirium
a usually brief state of excitement and mental confusion often accompanied by hallucinations
-
delta
the 4th letter of the Greek alphabet
-
delusion
a mistaken or unfounded opinion or idea
-
delusive
inappropriate to reality or facts
-
demagogue
a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular passions and prejudices
-
demeanor
(behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
-
demented
affected with madness or insanity
-
demerit
the quality of being inadequate or falling short of perfection
-
demise
the time when something ends
-
demographic
a statistic characterizing human populations (or segments of human populations broken down by age or sex or income etc.)
-
demolition
the act of demolishing
-
demoniac
someone who acts as if possessed by a demon
-
demoniacal
frenzied as if possessed by a demon
-
demotic
of or for the common people
-
demur
take exception to
-
denigrate
charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone
-
denomination
identifying word or words by which someone or something is called and classified or distinguished from others
-
denotation
the most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression; the class of objects that an expression refers to
-
denounce
speak out against
-
depict
give a description of
-
deplete
use up (resources or materials)
-
deploy
place troops or weapons in battle formation
-
deport
expel from a country
-
deposition
the act of putting something somewhere
-
depravity
moral perversion; impairment of virtue and moral principles
-
deprecate
express strong disapproval of; deplore
-
depreciate
lose in value
-
depredation
an act of plundering and pillaging and marauding
-
deputize
appoint as a substitute
-
deranged
driven insane
-
derelict
a person without a home, job, or property
-
dereliction
willful negligence
-
derision
the act of deriding or treating with contempt
-
descry
catch sight of
-
desecrate
violate the sacred character of a place or language
-
deserts
an outcome (good or bad) that is well deserved
-
desiccate
lacking vitality or spirit; lifeless
-
desolate
providing no shelter or sustenance
-
desperado
a bold outlaw (especially on the American frontier)
-
desperate
a person who is frightened and in need of help
-
despoil
steal goods; take as spoils
-
despot
a cruel and oppressive dictator
-
destitute
poor enough to need help from others
-
desultory
marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another
-
detached
no longer connected or joined
-
detain
cause to be slowed down or delayed
-
determinate
supplying or being a final or conclusive settlement
-
determination
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
-
detonation
the act of detonating an explosive
-
detraction
a petty disparagement
-
detrimental
(sometimes followed by `to') causing harm or injury
-
devious
deviating from a straight course
-
devise
a will disposing of real property
-
devoid
completely wanting or lacking
-
devotee
an ardent follower and admirer
-
devout
deeply religious
-
diabolical
showing the cunning or ingenuity or wickedness typical of a devil
-
diadem
an ornamental jeweled headdress signifying sovereignty
-
dialectical
of or relating to or employing dialectic
-
diaphanous
so thin as to transmit light
-
diatribe
thunderous verbal attack
-
dichotomy
being twofold; a classification into two opposed parts or subclasses
-
dictum
an authoritative declaration
-
didactic
instructive (especially excessively)
-
die
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
-
diffuse
spread out; not concentrated in one place
-
dignitary
an important or influential (and often overbearing) person
-
dilapidated
in deplorable condition
-
dilate
become wider
-
dilatory
wasting time
-
dilemma
state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options
-
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
-
diminution
change toward something smaller or lower
-
din
a loud harsh or strident noise
-
dingy
thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
-
dire
fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless
-
dirge
a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person
-
disaffected
discontented as toward authority
-
disapprobation
an expression of strong disapproval; pronouncing as wrong or morally culpable
-
disarray
untidiness (especially of clothing and appearance)
-
disband
cause to break up or cease to function
-
disbar
remove from the bar; expel from the practice of law by official action
-
disburse
expend, as from a fund
-
discerning
having or revealing keen insight and good judgment
-
disclaim
make a disclaimer about
-
discomfit
cause to lose one's composure
-
discompose
cause to lose one's composure
-
disconcert
cause to lose one's composure
-
disconsolate
sad beyond comforting; incapable of being consoled
-
discord
lack of agreement or harmony
-
discordant
not in agreement or harmony
-
discourse
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
-
discredit
the state of being held in low esteem
-
discrepancy
a difference between conflicting facts or claims or opinions
-
discrete
constituting a separate entity or part
-
discretion
the power of making free choices unconstrained by external agencies
-
discriminating
showing or indicating careful judgment and discernment especially in matters of taste
-
discursive
proceeding to a conclusion by reason or argument rather than intuition
-
disdain
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
-
disembark
go ashore
-
disenfranchise
deprive of voting rights
-
disgorge
eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth
-
disgruntle
put into a bad mood or into bad humour
-
dishearten
take away the enthusiasm of
-
disheveled
in disarray; extremely disorderly
-
dishonor
a state of shame or disgrace
-
disinclination
a certain degree of unwillingness
-
disingenuous
not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
-
disinter
dig up for reburial or for medical investigation; of dead bodies
-
disinterested
unaffected by self-interest
-
disjunction
state of being disconnected
-
dislodge
remove or force from a position of dwelling previously occupied
-
dismantle
take off or remove
-
dismember
separate the limbs from the body
-
dismiss
stop associating with
-
disparage
express a negative opinion of
-
disparity
inequality or difference in some respect
-
dispassionate
unaffected by strong emotion or prejudice
-
dispatch
the act of sending off something
-
dispel
to cause to separate and go in different directions
-
dispense
administer or bestow, as in small portions
-
dispirited
marked by low spirits; showing no enthusiasm
-
disport
occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
-
disproportion
lack of proportion; imbalance among the parts of something
-
disquietude
feelings of anxiety that make you tense and irritable
-
dissection
cutting so as to separate into pieces
-
dissemble
behave unnaturally or affectedly
-
dissent
a difference of opinion
-
dissertation
a treatise advancing a new point of view resulting from research; usually a requirement for an advanced academic degree
-
dissipate
to cause to separate and go in different directions
-
dissolution
separation into component parts
-
dissonance
disagreeable sounds
-
distant
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
-
distend
cause to expand as it by internal pressure
-
distinct
constituting a separate entity or part
-
distinctive
of a feature that helps to distinguish a person or thing
-
distrait
having the attention diverted especially because of anxiety
-
distraught
deeply agitated especially from emotion
-
diurnal
having a daily cycle or occurring every day
-
diva
a distinguished female operatic singer; a female operatic star
-
diverge
move or draw apart
-
diversion
a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern)
-
divest
take away possessions from someone
-
divulge
make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret
-
docile
easily handled or managed
-
docket
a temporally organized plan for matters to be attended to
-
doctrinaire
a stubborn person of arbitrary or arrogant opinions
-
document
anything serving as a representation of a person's thinking by means of symbolic marks
-
doddering
mentally or physically infirm with age
-
doff
remove
-
dogged
stubbornly unyielding
-
doggerel
a comic verse of irregular measure
-
dogmatic
of or pertaining to or characteristic of a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative
-
doldrums
a belt of calms and light winds between the northern and southern trade winds of the Atlantic and Pacific
-
dolt
a person who is not very bright
-
dominant
most frequent or common
-
dominate
be in control
-
domineer
rule or exercise power over (somebody) in a cruel and autocratic manner
-
don
teacher at a university or college (especially at Cambridge or Oxford)
-
doom
an unpleasant or disastrous destiny
-
dorsal
belonging to or on or near the back or upper surface of an animal or organ or part
-
dour
showing a brooding ill humor
-
douse
wet thoroughly
-
dowdy
lacking in smartness or taste
-
downcast
filled with melancholy and despondency
-
doze
a light fitful sleep
-
Draconian
of or relating to Draco or his harsh code of laws
-
draught
a serving of drink (usually alcoholic) drawn from a keg
-
draw
cause to move by pulling
-
dregs
sediment that has settled at the bottom of a liquid
-
drip
flowing in drops; the formation and falling of drops of liquid
-
drone
an unchanging intonation
-
droop
a shape that sags
-
drudgery
hard monotonous routine work
-
ductile
capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
-
dulcet
pleasing to the ear
-
dull
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
-
dumbfound
be a mystery or bewildering to
-
duplicity
acting in bad faith; deception by pretending to entertain one set of intentions while acting under the influence of another
-
dutiful
willingly obedient out of a sense of duty and respect
-
duteous
willingly obedient out of a sense of duty and respect
-
dwindle
become smaller or lose substance
-
dynamic
an efficient incentive
-
dynamo
generator consisting of a coil (the armature) that rotates between the poles of an electromagnet (the field magnet) causing a current to flow in the armature
-
dysentery
an infection of the intestines marked by severe diarrhea
-
dyslexia
impaired ability to learn to read
-
earmark
give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
-
earthy
of or consisting of or resembling earth