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Words from the net

These words come from different blogs and news articles and social sites. They have only two thing in common - first I didn't know their meaning when I stumbled upon them, second I came across them during my sojourn of "the vast and infinite net".
148 words 7 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

  1. succinctly
    with concise and precise brevity; to the point
  2. antiquated
    so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
  3. knack
    a special way of doing something
  4. incessant
    uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
  5. innate
    present at birth but not necessarily hereditary
  6. paraphrase
    express the same message in different words
  7. nuance
    a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
  8. ingratiate
    gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts
  9. coax
    influence or persuade by gentle and persistent urging
  10. hubris
    overbearing pride or presumption
  11. lapse
    drop to a lower level, as in one's morals or standards
    Sign up for a year to either one, and when it's time to renew, let the subscription lapse and get the new subscriber (or lapsed customer) deal on the other one.
  12. consensus
    agreement in the judgment reached by a group as a whole
    But nothing undermines the possibility of a favourable consensus on anything in Pakistan as much as American fingerprints all over a decision.
  13. carapace
    hard outer covering or case of certain organisms
    Syria's war is now taking on the carapace of Lebanon's 1975-90 conflict: sympathise with Palestinians and you were anti-Christian – express Christian fears and you were pro-Israeli.
  14. clarion
    loud and clear
    We will fight for a thousand years, was one of his clarion calls, anti-Indianism a plank – nay, an essential component – of his extraordinary success in Punjab in the 1970 elections.
  15. marvel
    be amazed at
    The only good to come of it were the war songs of Noor Jahan, which are still a marvel to listen to.
  16. rampart
    an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
    The ramparts of the national security state rose higher.
  17. doctrine
    a belief accepted as authoritative by some group or school
    India was the enemy and this doctrine superseded all others.
  18. supersede
    take the place or move into the position of
    India was the enemy and this doctrine superseded all others.
  19. baleful
    threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
    This mythology would not have mattered if it had not led to lasting, and baleful, consequences.
  20. commemorate
    call to remembrance
    The Defence of Pakistan Day commemorates this historiography.
  21. historiography
    the writing of history
    The Defence of Pakistan Day commemorates this historiography.
  22. sought
    that is looked for
    I sought refuge under the roof of the Avari, where my poverty usually takes me when in the favoured city of the Emperor Jahangir.
  23. stale
    lacking freshness, palatability, or showing deterioration
    Who listens to the boring lectures, or the stale oratory, of the custodians of the two-nation theory headquartered permanently in Lahore?
  24. oratory
    the act of addressing an audience formally
    Who listens to the boring lectures, or the stale oratory, of the custodians of the two-nation theory headquartered permanently in Lahore?
  25. engaging
    attracting or delighting
    On a memorable occasion even two wine bottles allegedly discovered from the luggage of the engaging Ms Atiqa Odho were the subject of a suo motu notice.
  26. abdicate
    give up power, duties, or obligations
    If the Islamabad Police abdicated its responsibility and showed no spine on the first day, even now it is shirking its responsibility.
  27. shirk
    avoid one's assigned duties
    If the Islamabad Police abdicated its responsibility and showed no spine on the first day, even now it is shirking its responsibility.
  28. grope
    feel about uncertainly or blindly
    Groping for an answer I went into the maze of rundown streets which is the old locality of Mehra Jaffer just outside Islamabad where this supposed blasphemy occurred.
  29. reckon
    expect, believe, or suppose
    Day of reckoning for ‘blasphemy cleric’.
  30. lance
    a long pointed rod used as a weapon
    'TV bosses lance Boyle', ran the headline, flagging up a 'source' at Channel 4 TV claiming that the time had come to "wash our hands" off him.
  31. behest
    an authoritative command or request
    Militants become active at behest of agency, NA told.
  32. volume
    the property of something that is great in magnitude
    The first piece "Night View from Saddar" speaks volumes for Hanif Shehzad's ability to draw a picture and then add imaginative elements to it.
  33. precinct
    an administrative district of a city or town
    One thing that comes out of his works quite clearly is the sweet nostalgia that one feels when one visits older precincts of the city.
  34. inordinate
    beyond normal limits
    The kind of work that artist Hanif Shehzad does can only be attributed to inordinate affection for his subjects.
  35. impart
    bestow a quality on
    The artwork imparts a dreamy feel to the building with thick foliage in the foreground and the domed structure in the background.
  36. foliage
    the collective amount of leaves of one or more plants
    The artwork imparts a dreamy feel to the building with thick foliage in the foreground and the domed structure in the background.
  37. vintage
    the oldness of wines
    Jheel Park PECHS is one exhibit that provides the viewer with a contemporary feel and yet it does not lose out on the vintage vibe of Karachi.
  38. vibe
    a distinctive emotional aura experienced instinctively
    Jheel Park PECHS is one exhibit that provides the viewer with a contemporary feel and yet it does not lose out on the vintage vibe of Karachi.
  39. spadework
    dull or routine preliminary work preparing for an undertaking
    Some of the private-sector spadework for Cuomo's energy highway may already be done.
  40. inconsequential
    lacking worth or importance
    I normally put off such small inconsequential tasks, but as I grew older I had to grudgingly acknowledge that such boring activities (paying rent, buying groceries, trying to get health insurance) were in fact major sources of happiness, if only indirectly.
  41. grudgingly
    in a reluctant manner
    I normally put off such small inconsequential tasks, but as I grew older I had to grudgingly acknowledge that such boring activities (paying rent, buying groceries, trying to get health insurance) were in fact major sources of happiness, if only indirectly.
  42. bore
    make a hole, especially with a pointed power or hand tool
    I normally put off such small inconsequential tasks, but as I grew older I had to grudgingly acknowledge that such boring activities (paying rent, buying groceries, trying to get health insurance) were in fact major sources of happiness, if only indirectly.
  43. guffaw
    a burst of loud and hearty laughter
    I stood in front of a glass case crammed filled with phones I could never afford, while the store’s only employee, a bro-ish lad with a goatee, talked animatedly into his own phone, guffawing and chortling in a definitely non-work related manner.
  44. chortle
    a soft partly suppressed laugh
    I stood in front of a glass case crammed filled with phones I could never afford, while the store’s only employee, a bro-ish lad with a goatee, talked animatedly into his own phone, guffawing and chortling in a definitely non-work related manner.
  45. exasperated
    greatly annoyed; out of patience
    Exasperated (and a bit desperate) I finally shouted “Is there anybody else who can help me?”
  46. hoarse
    deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness
    Step around the counter, if you please!” came a hoarse yell from the back.
  47. oblivious
    lacking conscious awareness of
    I stepped around the display case, past the oblivious salesman and into a backroom where I was suddenly face to face with a wild-haired old man.
  48. wrench
    a sharp strain on muscles or ligaments
    Terrified, I wrenched myself free and ran out past the still yammering salesman into the freezing January air.
  49. throng
    a large gathering of people
    My fingers twitched but then I grew scared, shoved everything in my pocket and sprinted back to my apartment through the throngs of indifferent pedestrians.
  50. indifferent
    marked by a lack of interest
    My fingers twitched but then I grew scared, shoved everything in my pocket and sprinted back to my apartment through the throngs of indifferent pedestrians.
  51. arduous
    characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion
    I don't usually listen to my books after I've made them, but the recording sessions had been so arduous that I didn't even remember making the recording.
  52. proselytize
    convert or try to convert someone to another religion
  53. incredulity
    doubt about the truth of something
  54. inane
    devoid of intelligence
  55. grime
    thick or ingrained dirt
  56. recoup
    regain or make up for
  57. bespoke
    custom-made
  58. esoteric
    understandable only by an enlightened inner circle
  59. narcissistic
    having an inflated idea of one's own importance
  60. condescending
    characteristic of those who treat others with arrogance
  61. coherent
    marked by an orderly and consistent relation of parts
    Occasionally coherent observations on the stuff around me, from vim and inkscape to ESL and cooking.
  62. chronicle
    a record or narrative description of past events
    This chronicle begins on the 3rd day of the 7th month in the time of Our Vim where people lived a modal life of happiness and abided the :ex commands with pious fervour and so were blessed with edits most excellent and help abundant.
  63. abide
    dwell
    This chronicle begins on the 3rd day of the 7th month in the time of Our Vim where people lived a modal life of happiness and abided the :ex commands with pious fervour and so were blessed with edits most excellent and help abundant.
  64. pious
    having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity
    This chronicle begins on the 3rd day of the 7th month in the time of Our Vim where people lived a modal life of happiness and abided the :ex commands with pious fervour and so were blessed with edits most excellent and help abundant.
  65. churlish
    having a bad disposition; surly
    Then one fateful day a churlish stranger peddled into town, seated upon a contraption most vile and contemptuous.
  66. contraption
    a small mechanical device or tool
    Then one fateful day a churlish stranger peddled into town, seated upon a contraption most vile and contemptuous.
  67. vile
    morally reprehensible
    Then one fateful day a churlish stranger peddled into town, seated upon a contraption most vile and contemptuous.
  68. contemptuous
    expressing extreme scorn
    Then one fateful day a churlish stranger peddled into town, seated upon a contraption most vile and contemptuous.
  69. perch
    an elevated place serving as a seat
    Perched high atop its mechanical crown he screeched down upon the startled fray: “Tarry not betwixt thy :buffers and switch thee not so slowly as with a :buffer number or partial match thereof!
  70. fray
    wear away by rubbing
    Perched high atop its mechanical crown he screeched down upon the startled fray: “Tarry not betwixt thy :buffers and switch thee not so slowly as with a :buffer number or partial match thereof!
  71. tarry
    leave slowly and hesitantly
    Perched high atop its mechanical crown he screeched down upon the startled fray: “Tarry not betwixt thy :buffers and switch thee not so slowly as with a :buffer number or partial match thereof!
  72. hark
    listen; used mostly in the imperative
    Hark the word of reason and join your wizened brethren in celebration of the wheel!
  73. wizened
    lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness
    Hark the word of reason and join your wizened brethren in celebration of the wheel!
  74. brethren
    the lay members of a male religious order
    Hark the word of reason and join your wizened brethren in celebration of the wheel!
  75. orator
    a person who delivers a speech
    So bold was the orator and so balanced he atop his levered contrivance that several among the crowd, wide eyed and jowls agape, moved toward the wretched apparatus with minds numbed and coveting limbs trembling outstretched in wanton avarice.
  76. contrivance
    the faculty of inventive skill
    So bold was the orator and so balanced he atop his levered contrivance that several among the crowd, wide eyed and jowls agape, moved toward the wretched apparatus with minds numbed and coveting limbs trembling outstretched in wanton avarice.
  77. agape
    with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
    So bold was the orator and so balanced he atop his levered contrivance that several among the crowd, wide eyed and jowls agape, moved toward the wretched apparatus with minds numbed and coveting limbs trembling outstretched in wanton avarice.
  78. wretched
    deserving or inciting pity
    So bold was the orator and so balanced he atop his levered contrivance that several among the crowd, wide eyed and jowls agape, moved toward the wretched apparatus with minds numbed and coveting limbs trembling outstretched in wanton avarice.
  79. apparatus
    equipment designed to serve a specific function
    So bold was the orator and so balanced he atop his levered contrivance that several among the crowd, wide eyed and jowls agape, moved toward the wretched apparatus with minds numbed and coveting limbs trembling outstretched in wanton avarice.
  80. covet
    wish, long, or crave for
    So bold was the orator and so balanced he atop his levered contrivance that several among the crowd, wide eyed and jowls agape, moved toward the wretched apparatus with minds numbed and coveting limbs trembling outstretched in wanton avarice.
  81. avarice
    reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth
    So bold was the orator and so balanced he atop his levered contrivance that several among the crowd, wide eyed and jowls agape, moved toward the wretched apparatus with minds numbed and coveting limbs trembling outstretched in wanton avarice.
  82. carousel
    a large, rotating machine with seats for children to ride
    Lost were these souls on the dull carousel of endlessly needing to :bnext to their buffers; pitiful prisoners of self-constrained linear, cyclic thinking.
  83. constrained
    lacking spontaneity; not natural
    Lost were these souls on the dull carousel of endlessly needing to :bnext to their buffers; pitiful prisoners of self-constrained linear, cyclic thinking.
  84. maverick
    someone who exhibits independence in thought and action
    Forever, that is, until the mavericks started flying.
  85. rhetoric
    study of the technique for using language effectively
    Unconvinced by the rhetoric of the Church of the Wheel, various voracious vimmers revolted against the Cyclic Dogma and instead embraced a more direct buffer navigation strategy they dubbed flying.
  86. voracious
    devouring or craving food in great quantities
    Unconvinced by the rhetoric of the Church of the Wheel, various voracious vimmers revolted against the Cyclic Dogma and instead embraced a more direct buffer navigation strategy they dubbed flying.
  87. ardent
    characterized by intense emotion
    This upstart movement quickly gathered an ardent band of kindred spirits who championed the righteousness of flying over cycling.
  88. kindred
    group of people related by blood or marriage
    This upstart movement quickly gathered an ardent band of kindred spirits who championed the righteousness of flying over cycling.
  89. zealous
    marked by active interest and enthusiasm
    Regretfully, the zealous were much harder to shake free from their demonic wheel worship.
  90. demonic
    extremely evil or cruel
    Regretfully, the zealous were much harder to shake free from their demonic wheel worship.
  91. skirmish
    a minor short-term fight
    Skirmishes frequently lead to larger battles, some of which erupted into full blown flame wars involving some very hurtful name calling.
  92. erupt
    start suddenly
    Skirmishes frequently lead to larger battles, some of which erupted into full blown flame wars involving some very hurtful name calling.
  93. majestic
    having or displaying great dignity or nobility
    That all changed when Brother Raimondi rode into town astride a bullock of majestic poise and serious presence.
  94. poise
    hold or carry in equilibrium
    That all changed when Brother Raimondi rode into town astride a bullock of majestic poise and serious presence.
  95. omniscient
    knowing, seeing, or understanding everything
    And nigh on omniscient — inferring your very intention from the merest mumble of your desires.
  96. infer
    conclude by reasoning
    And nigh on omniscient — inferring your very intention from the merest mumble of your desires.
  97. mumble
    talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
    And nigh on omniscient — inferring your very intention from the merest mumble of your desires.
  98. acolyte
    a devoted follower or assistant
    So stunning was the stuff of this beefy buffer bouncer that even acolytes of the Church of the Wheel were leaving the order and forsaking their old cycling ways as sin against good sense and refined taste.
  99. reign
    royal authority; the dominion of a monarch
    For many millions of clock cycles did the mighty buffalo reign over the land of Vim with an ever brisk gait and unerring (ok, only slightly erring) eye toward buffer discretion.
  100. brisk
    quick and energetic
    For many millions of clock cycles did the mighty buffalo reign over the land of Vim with an ever brisk gait and unerring (ok, only slightly erring) eye toward buffer discretion.
  101. gait
    an animal's manner of moving
    For many millions of clock cycles did the mighty buffalo reign over the land of Vim with an ever brisk gait and unerring (ok, only slightly erring) eye toward buffer discretion.
  102. err
    make a mistake
    For many millions of clock cycles did the mighty buffalo reign over the land of Vim with an ever brisk gait and unerring (ok, only slightly erring) eye toward buffer discretion.
  103. discretion
    power of making choices unconstrained by external agencies
    For many millions of clock cycles did the mighty buffalo reign over the land of Vim with an ever brisk gait and unerring (ok, only slightly erring) eye toward buffer discretion.
  104. bovine
    any of various wild or domestic cattle
    Though happy were the citizens with their bovine bureaucrats, they shared a secret longing for simpler governance, clearer models, a more transparent core.
  105. bureaucrat
    a nonelective government official
    Though happy were the citizens with their bovine bureaucrats, they shared a secret longing for simpler governance, clearer models, a more transparent core.
  106. longing
    prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
    Though happy were the citizens with their bovine bureaucrats, they shared a secret longing for simpler governance, clearer models, a more transparent core.
  107. exaltation
    the elevation of a person, as to the status of a god
    Their collective desires created an exaltation of excellence within the very genes of the tenacious bison herd.
  108. gene
    part of DNA controlling physical characteristics and growth
    Their collective desires created an exaltation of excellence within the very genes of the tenacious bison herd.
  109. tenacious
    stubbornly unyielding
    Their collective desires created an exaltation of excellence within the very genes of the tenacious bison herd.
  110. herd
    a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals
    Their collective desires created an exaltation of excellence within the very genes of the tenacious bison herd.
  111. metamorphosis
    striking change in appearance or character or circumstances
    Indeed, the metamorphosis was nothing short of a total paradigm shift.
  112. paradigm
    a standard or typical example
    Indeed, the metamorphosis was nothing short of a total paradigm shift.
  113. swoop
    move with a sweep
    Thus dawned the era of the formidable SkyBison — a wondrous hoofed though winged beast, swooping down from aloft in clean and graceful yet swift and precise arcs of buffer selection.
  114. swift
    moving very fast
    Thus dawned the era of the formidable SkyBison — a wondrous hoofed though winged beast, swooping down from aloft in clean and graceful yet swift and precise arcs of buffer selection.
  115. longevity
    the property of having lived for a considerable time
    May the SkyBison reign righteously and with longevity.
  116. hail
    precipitation of ice pellets
    All hail the SkyBison!
  117. gorge
    a deep ravine, usually with a river running through it
    And if you’re still cycling when you should be flying… may SkyBison gorge on your artless cud.
  118. artless
    simple and natural; without cunning or deceit
    And if you’re still cycling when you should be flying… may SkyBison gorge on your artless cud.
  119. semblance
    the outward or apparent appearance or form of something
    Any semblance to peoples either living, dead or pretending to be so is purely coincidental and should not be taken as pertaining to them in any way whatsoever.
  120. coincidental
    occurring or operating at the same time
    Any semblance to peoples either living, dead or pretending to be so is purely coincidental and should not be taken as pertaining to them in any way whatsoever.
  121. pertain
    be relevant to
    Any semblance to peoples either living, dead or pretending to be so is purely coincidental and should not be taken as pertaining to them in any way whatsoever.
  122. flatter
    praise somewhat dishonestly
    Unless you feel flattered by the events described herein, in which it’s totally about you.
  123. interloper
    someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another
  124. stoicism
    an indifference to pleasure or pain
  125. decimate
    kill in large numbers
  126. nebulous
    lacking definite form or limits
  127. hemorrhage
    the flow of blood from a ruptured blood vessel
  128. pretentious
    creating an appearance of importance or distinction
  129. bumbling
    lacking physical movement skills, especially with the hands
  130. bumbling
    lacking physical movement skills, especially with the hands
  131. sleuthing
    a police investigation to determine the perpetrator
  132. sliver
    a small thin sharp bit of wood, glass, or metal
  133. fledgling
    young bird that has just become capable of flying
  134. kitschy
    very sentimental or emotional
  135. revel
    take delight in
  136. complacent
    contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions
  137. polyglot
    a person who speaks more than one language
  138. nuance
    a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
  139. intelligible
    capable of being apprehended or understood
  140. intelligible
    capable of being apprehended or understood
  141. propensity
    a natural inclination
  142. innuendo
    an indirect and usually malicious implication
  143. semiotics
    a philosophical theory of the functions of signs and symbols
  144. epigone
    an inferior imitator or follower of someone
  145. complacent
    contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions
  146. parable
    a short moral story
  147. carabiner
    an oblong metal ring with a spring clip
  148. ostensibly
    from appearances alone
Created on Wed Dec 26 10:46:59 EST 2012 (updated Fri Jun 14 09:55:08 EDT 2013)

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