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NSF SSB2

386 words 2 learners

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  1. piezoelectric
    relating to or involving piezoelectricity
    isoelectronic
  2. isohel
    an isogram connecting points receiving equal amounts of sunshine
    isohaline
  3. isotopic
    of or relating to or having the relation of an isotope
  4. Jena
    the battle in 1806 in which Napoleon decisively defeated the Prussians
    jnana
  5. jocular
    with humor
  6. jonquil
    widely cultivated ornamental plant native to southern Europe but naturalized elsewhere having fragrant yellow or white clustered flowers
  7. juggernaut
    a massive inexorable force
  8. juniper
    desert shrub of Syria and Arabia having small white flowers
  9. junta
    a group of officers who rule a country after seizing power
  10. Catacala
    moths whose larvae are cutworms: underwings
    kathakali
  11. coalhole
    a bin for holding coal
    keelhaul
  12. keeshond
    a spitz-like dog having a shaggy greyish coat and tightly curled tail originating in Holland
    keest
  13. kestrel
    a small North American falcon
  14. kickshaw
    something considered choice to eat
  15. kitsch
    excessively gaudy or sentimental art
  16. glyptography
    carvings or engravings (especially on precious stones)
    kleptocracy
  17. knavery
    lack of honesty; acts of lying or cheating or stealing
  18. knell
    the sound of a bell rung slowly to announce a death
  19. curium
    a radioactive transuranic metallic element
    kuruma
  20. laguna
    a body of water cut off from a larger body by a reef of sand or coral
  21. lahar
    an avalanche of volcanic water and mud down the slopes of a volcano
  22. lamasery
    a monastery for lamas
  23. lampoon
    ridicule with satire
  24. lamprey
    primitive eellike freshwater or anadromous cyclostome having round sucking mouth with a rasping tongue
  25. lanceolate
    shaped like a lance head
  26. lancet
    a surgical knife with a pointed double-edged blade
  27. langlaufer
    a cross-country skier
    langlauf
  28. larynx
    the structure containing the vocal cords
  29. lassitude
    a feeling of lack of interest or energy
  30. lathe
    a machine tool for shaping a piece of rotating wood or metal
  31. laurel
    a small aromatic tree with shiny dark green leaves
  32. layette
    kit consisting of a complete outfit for a new baby
  33. lederhosen
    leather shorts often worn with suspenders
  34. legerdemain
    an illusory feat
  35. lenticular
    rounded and thinner on the outside while wider in the middle
    lenticula
  36. lexicology
    the branch of linguistics that studies the lexical component of language
  37. ligament
    a band of fibrous tissue connecting bones or cartilages
  38. Limulidae
    horseshoe crabs
    limuloid
  39. litigious
    of or relating to legal proceedings
  40. liturgy
    a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship
  41. liverwurst
    sausage containing ground liver
  42. loathe
    dislike intensely; feel disgust toward
  43. logorrhea
    pathologically excessive and often incoherent talking
  44. location
    the act of putting something in a certain place
    lokshen
  45. lustrum
    a ceremonial purification of the Roman population every five years following the census
  46. lymph
    a thin coagulable fluid (similar to plasma but) containing white blood cells (lymphocytes) and chyle; is conveyed to the blood stream by lymphatic vessels
  47. macrophage
    a large phagocyte
  48. maestro
    an artist of consummate skill
  49. maglev
    high-speed rail technology
  50. magnanimity
    nobility and generosity of spirit
  51. maladroit
    not quick or skillful in action or thought
  52. malaise
    a feeling of mild sickness or depression
  53. malaria
    a disease caused by parasites transmitted by mosquito bite
  54. malediction
    the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil
  55. maleficence
    doing or causing evil
  56. malfeasance
    wrongful conduct by a public official
  57. malignant
    dangerous to health
  58. malodorous
    having an unpleasant smell
  59. mandibular
    relating to the lower jaw
  60. manna
    food that God gave the Israelites during the Exodus
  61. mantilla
    a woman's silk or lace scarf
  62. maraud
    raid and rove in search of plunder
  63. martyr
    one who voluntarily suffers death
  64. masquerade
    a party of guests wearing costumes and disguises
  65. masseter
    a large muscle that raises the lower jaw and is used in chewing
  66. masticate
    bite and grind with the teeth
  67. matriarch
    a female head of a family or tribe
  68. mayhem
    violent and needless disturbance
  69. mechanics
    the branch of physics concerned with the motion of bodies
  70. medallion
    a round piece of metal given as an award or commemoration
  71. melancholy
    a constitutional tendency to be gloomy and depressed
  72. meliorate
    to make better
  73. membranous
    characterized by formation of a membrane
  74. menial
    relating to unskilled work, especially domestic work
  75. mensal
    the dining table
  76. mercerize
    treat to strengthen and improve the luster
  77. metabolize
    produce by the organic processes necessary for life
  78. metamorphosis
    striking change in appearance or character or circumstances
  79. metaphor
    a figure of speech that suggests a non-literal similarity
  80. minaret
    a slender tower with balconies, especially on a mosque
  81. ministerial
    of or relating to a government department
  82. minuend
    the number from which the subtrahend is subtracted
  83. mistletoe
    Old World parasitic shrub having branching greenish stems with leathery leaves and waxy white glutinous berries; the traditional mistletoe of Christmas
  84. mnemonic
    of or relating to the practice of aiding the memory
  85. monastic
    relating to life in an isolated religious community
  86. monaural
    relating to or having or hearing with only one ear
  87. monetary
    relating to or involving money
  88. mongrel
    derogatory term for a variation that is not genuine
  89. monte
    a gambling card game of Spanish origin
  90. mosaic
    design made of small pieces of colored stone or glass
  91. mosquito
    two-winged insect that sucks the blood of humans and animals
  92. mousse
    a rich, frothy, creamy dessert made with whipped egg whites and heavy cream
  93. mugwump
    a neutral or uncommitted person, especially in politics
  94. muishond
    southern African weasel
  95. mulligan
    Irish version of burgoo
  96. mummery
    meaningless ceremonies and flattery
  97. municipality
    a local district having powers of self-government
  98. musette
    a small bagpipe formerly popular in France
  99. muumuu
    a woman's loose unbelted dress
  100. mycology
    the scientific study of fungi
  101. nabob
    a governor in India during the Mogul empire
  102. nadir
    the lowest point of anything
  103. narcissistic
    having an inflated idea of one's own importance
  104. nascent
    being born or beginning
  105. natatorium
    pool that provides a facility for swimming
  106. neckerchief
    a kerchief worn around the neck
  107. necromancy
    conjuring up the dead, especially for prophesying
  108. negotiator
    someone who confers with others to reach a settlement
  109. neologism
    a newly invented word or phrase
  110. neural
    of or relating to the nervous system
  111. neuralgia
    acute spasmodic pain along the course of one or more nerves
  112. niobium
    a soft grey ductile metallic element used in alloys
  113. nonage
    any age prior to the legal age
  114. nonentity
    a person of no influence
  115. noxious
    injurious to physical or mental health
  116. nth
    last or greatest in an indefinitely large series
  117. obelisk
    a stone pillar tapering towards a pyramidal top
  118. obit
    a notice of someone's death
  119. obliged
    having a moral duty to do something
  120. obliterate
    remove completely from recognition or memory
  121. oceanography
    the branch of science dealing with physical and biological aspects of the oceans
  122. octopod
    a cephalopod with eight arms but lacking an internal shell
  123. ocular
    relating to or resembling the eye
  124. oculus
    the organ of sight
  125. offertory
    the offerings of the congregation at a religious service
  126. ogre
    (folklore) a giant who likes to eat human beings
  127. ombudsman
    an official who investigates public complaints or disputes
  128. ominous
    threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
  129. oncology
    the study and treatment of tumors
  130. orology
    the science of mountains
  131. orthodox
    adhering to what is commonly accepted
  132. orzo
    pasta shaped like pearls of barley
  133. osculate
    kiss
  134. osmotic
    of or relating to osmosis
  135. ossicle
    a small bone; especially one in the middle ear
  136. oxidize
    enter into a combination with oxygen
  137. pacification
    the act of appeasing someone
  138. paleography
    the study of ancient forms of writing
  139. pallbearer
    one of the mourners carrying the coffin at a funeral
  140. pallid
    pale, as of a person's complexion
  141. palooka
    a second-rate prize fighter
  142. panegyrical
    formally expressing praise
  143. pangolin
    a toothless mammal with horny scales and a long snout
  144. pantheon
    a temple to all the gods of antiquity
  145. papa
    an informal term for a father
  146. paparazzo
    a freelance photographer who pursues celebrities
  147. paradigm
    a standard or typical example
  148. parallel
    being everywhere equidistant and not intersecting
  149. parapsychology
    phenomena that appear to contradict physical laws and suggest the possibility of causation by mental processes
  150. paroxysm
    a sudden uncontrollable attack
  151. parquetry
    a patterned wood inlay used to cover a floor
  152. parry
    impede the movement of
  153. pathology
    the branch of medical science that studies diseases
  154. patina
    a fine coating of oxide on the surface of a metal
  155. patrician
    a person of refined upbringing and manners
  156. patronage
    the business given to an establishment by its customers
  157. paucity
    an insufficient quantity or number
  158. pavlova
    a dessert consisting of a meringue base or cup filled with fruit and whipped cream
  159. pedant
    a person who is preoccupied with rules and learning
  160. pedesis
    the random motion of small particles suspended in a gas or liquid
  161. perennial
    lasting an indefinitely long time
  162. pestilential
    likely to spread and cause an epidemic disease
  163. pettifog
    argue over insignificant things
  164. pharmaceutics
    the art and science of preparing and dispensing drugs and medicines
  165. pharynx
    the passage to the stomach and lungs
  166. phenomenon
    any state or process known through the senses
  167. philately
    the collection and study of postage stamps
  168. philhellenism
    admiration for Greece and the Greeks and Greek customs
  169. philosophy
    the rational investigation of existence and knowledge
  170. phlegmatic
    showing little emotion
  171. phyllo
    tissue thin sheets of pastry used especially in Greek dishes
  172. physiology
    the science dealing with the functioning of organisms
  173. picaresque
    (of fiction) involving clever rogues or adventurers
  174. pillion
    a seat behind the rider of a horse or motorbike etc.
  175. pinafore
    a sleeveless dress resembling an apron
  176. piscivorous
    feeding on fishes
  177. pitchblende
    a mineral consisting of uranium oxide and trace amounts of radium and thorium and polonium and lead and helium; uraninite in massive form is called pitchblende which is the chief uranium ore
  178. plateau
    a relatively flat raised area of land
  179. pliant
    capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
  180. plover
    a small shorebird with a straight bill and large wings
  181. plurality
    the state of being more than one
  182. pneumatic
    relating to or using air or a similar gas
  183. poignant
    keenly distressing to the mind or feelings
  184. poltergeist
    a ghost that creates disorder and noise
  185. polypeptide
    a peptide containing 10 to more than 100 amino acids
  186. porpoise
    any of several small gregarious cetacean mammals having a blunt snout and many teeth
  187. postnuptial
    relating to events after a marriage
  188. powwow
    a council of or with Native Americans
  189. prairie
    a treeless grassy plain
  190. precinct
    an administrative district of a city or town
  191. prehensile
    adapted for grasping especially by wrapping around an object
  192. prestissimo
    extremely fast; as fast as possible
  193. prevaricate
    be deliberately ambiguous or unclear
  194. primogeniture
    right of inheritance belonging exclusively to the eldest son
  195. prioress
    the leader of a community of nuns
  196. probate
    act or process of proving that a will was properly executed
  197. procrastinate
    waste time or postpone doing what one should be doing
  198. procurator
    a person authorized to act for another
  199. profligacy
    the trait of spending extravagantly
  200. projectionist
    the person who operates the projector in a movie house
  201. prosaic
    lacking wit or imagination
  202. prosody
    the study of poetic meter and the art of versification
  203. prospicience
    seeing ahead; knowing in advance; foreseeing
  204. protagonist
    the principal character in a work of fiction
  205. proximo
    in or of the next month after the present
  206. psyche
    that which is responsible for one's thoughts and feelings
  207. pulmonary
    relating to or affecting the lungs
  208. punctilio
    a fine point of etiquette or petty formality
  209. quadruped
    an animal especially a mammal having four limbs
  210. quietus
    euphemism for death
  211. quinine
    a bitter extract from cinchona bark, used to treat malaria
  212. quorum
    a gathering of the minimal number of members of a group
  213. quotient
    the number obtained by division
  214. ragout
    well-seasoned stew of meat and vegetables
  215. recalcitrant
    stubbornly resistant to authority or control
  216. reciprocal
    concerning each of two or more persons or things
  217. recitalist
    a musician who gives recitals
  218. recruit
    cause to assemble or enlist in the military
  219. redolent
    having a strong pleasant odor
  220. redoubt
    a refuge or stronghold
  221. redoubtable
    inspiring fear
  222. refectory
    a communal dining-hall, usually in a monastery
  223. regatta
    a series of boat races
  224. regime
    the governing authority of a political unit
  225. renegade
    someone who rebels and becomes an outlaw
  226. repatriation
    the act of returning to one's country of origin
  227. repertoire
    the range of skills in a particular field or occupation
  228. residue
    matter that remains after something has been removed
  229. resile
    spring back; spring away from an impact
  230. resonance
    the characteristic of having a loud deep sound
  231. rheostat
    resistor for regulating current
  232. rive
    tear or be torn violently
  233. rococo
    having excessive asymmetrical ornamentation
  234. rookery
    a breeding ground for gregarious birds (such as rooks)
  235. rosary
    a series of prayers counted using a string of beads
  236. rotisserie
    an oven or broiler equipped with a rotating spit on which meat cooks as it turns
  237. rotunda
    a building having a circular plan and a dome
  238. roulette
    a gambling game in which players bet on which compartment of a revolving wheel a small ball will come to rest in
  239. rubella
    a contagious viral disease that is a milder form of measles lasting three or four days; can be damaging to a fetus during the first trimester
  240. rutabaga
    a cruciferous plant with a thick bulbous edible yellow root
  241. sable
    marten of northern Asian forests having dark brown fur
  242. saboteur
    someone who deliberately destroys or disrupts something
  243. saccade
    an abrupt spasmodic movement
  244. sachet
    a small soft bag containing perfumed powder
  245. sacrosanct
    treated as if holy and kept free from violation or criticism
  246. saffron
    crocus with pungent orange stigmas used in flavoring food
  247. salaam
    a deep bow; a Muslim form of salutation
  248. salve
    a preparation applied externally as a soothing remedy
  249. salvo
    rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
  250. samovar
    a metal urn with a spigot at the base
  251. samurai
    feudal Japanese military aristocracy
  252. sanctum
    a sacred place of pilgrimage
  253. sayonara
    a farewell remark
  254. scherzo
    a fast movement (usually in triple time)
  255. sconce
    a decorative wall bracket for holding candles or lights
  256. scourge
    something causing misery or death
  257. scow
    any of various flat-bottomed boats with sloping ends
  258. scrimmage
    practice play between two teams
  259. scythe
    an edge tool for cutting grass
  260. seagirt
    surrounded or enclosed by the sea
  261. seersucker
    a light puckered fabric that is usually striped
  262. seismograph
    an instrument for measuring movements of the ground
  263. semipermeable
    (of a membrane) selectively permeable
  264. sentinel
    a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
  265. sequester
    keep away from others
  266. sequin
    a small disk of shiny material used to decorate clothing
  267. serendipity
    good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries
  268. serotonin
    a neurotransmitter involved in e.g. sleep and depression and memory
  269. shaman
    one acting as a medium between the visible and spirit worlds
  270. simile
    a figure of speech expressing a resemblance between things
  271. simultaneously
    at the same instant
  272. slalom
    a downhill race over a winding course defined by upright poles
  273. slaughter
    the killing of animals, as for food
  274. sleight
    adroitness in using the hands
  275. sleuth
    a detective who follows a trail
  276. sockeye
    small salmon with red flesh
  277. solitaire
    a card game played by one person
  278. solon
    a man who is a respected leader in national or international affairs
  279. sorbet
    a frozen dessert usually made from fruit juice
  280. spatula
    a hand tool with a thin flexible blade
  281. speleology
    the scientific study of caves
  282. spherical
    relating to a round, three-dimensional closed surface
  283. sphincter
    a ring of muscle that contracts to close an opening
  284. sphinx
    a mythical creature with a lion's body and a human head
  285. spinet
    a small and compactly built upright piano
  286. spoliation
    the act of stripping and taking by force
  287. sputnik
    a Russian artificial satellite
  288. stagnant
    not growing or changing; without force or vitality
  289. stamina
    enduring strength and energy
  290. stanchion
    any vertical post or rod used as a support
  291. stationery
    paper cut to an appropriate size for writing letters
  292. stoat
    the ermine in its brown summer coat with black-tipped tail
  293. strafe
    attack from above with machine guns or cannon fire
  294. stratagem
    an elaborate or deceitful scheme to deceive or evade
  295. stratocracy
    government by the military and an army
  296. strudel
    thin sheet of filled dough rolled and baked
  297. stupefy
    make someone dazed or foolish
  298. stupor
    a state of being half-awake
  299. stylite
    an early Christian ascetic who lived on top of high pillars
  300. subterfuge
    something intended to misrepresent the nature of an activity
  301. subtrahend
    the number to be subtracted from the minuend
  302. succinct
    briefly giving the gist of something
  303. succumb
    give in, as to overwhelming force, influence, or pressure
  304. suffuse
    cause to spread or flush or flood through, over, or across
  305. supercilious
    having or showing arrogant superiority
  306. supernal
    of heaven or the spirit
  307. surmountable
    capable of being surmounted or overcome
  308. surrealism
    an artistic movement using fantastic and incongruous images
  309. synapse
    the junction between two neurons
  310. synchroneity
    the relation that exists when things occur at the same time
  311. synchronization
    the relation that exists when things occur at the same time
  312. syndicalism
    a radical political movement that advocates bringing industry and government under the control of labor unions
  313. syrinx
    the vocal organ of a bird
  314. tabard
    a short sleeveless outer tunic emblazoned with a coat of arms; worn by a knight over his armor or by a herald
  315. tactically
    with regard to tactics
  316. tahini
    a thick Middle Eastern paste made from ground sesame seeds
  317. tantalize
    harass with persistent teasing or baiting
  318. tapestried
    hung or decorated with tapestry
  319. taphephobia
    a morbid fear of being buried alive
  320. tarpon
    large silvery game fish of warm Atlantic coastal waters especially off Florida
  321. tarragon
    aromatic perennial of southeastern Russia
  322. tarriance
    the act of tarrying
  323. taupe
    a greyish brown
  324. tectonic
    pertaining to the structure or movement of the earth's crust
  325. teleological
    explaining phenomena by their ends or purposes
  326. televangelist
    an evangelist who conducts services on television
  327. tempura
    vegetables and seafood dipped in batter and deep-fried
  328. ternary
    having three units or components or elements
  329. terrapin
    any of various edible North American web-footed turtles living in fresh or brackish water
  330. tetrachloride
    any compound that contains four chlorine atoms per molecule
  331. theatricality
    an artificial and mannered quality
  332. thermonuclear
    using nuclear weapons based on fusion as distinguished from fission
  333. thesaurus
    a book containing a classified list of synonyms
  334. thyme
    any of various mints of the genus Thymus
  335. tilde
    a diacritical mark placed over the letter n in Spanish
  336. titration
    a measured amount of a solution of unknown concentration is added to a known volume of a second solution until the reaction between them is just complete; the concentration of the unknown solution (the titer) can then be calculated
  337. totem
    emblem consisting of an object such as an animal or plant
  338. tournament
    a competition in which contestants play a series of games
  339. tournedos
    thick steak cut from the beef tenderloin
  340. toxicology
    the scientific study of poisons
  341. tracheal
    relating to or resembling or functioning like a trachea
  342. trapezoid
    a quadrilateral with one pair of parallel sides
  343. trauma
    an emotional wound or shock having long-lasting effects
  344. trawl
    a long fishing line with many shorter lines and hooks attached to it (usually suspended between buoys)
  345. tremolo
    a tremulous effect produced by repetition of a single tone
  346. tribology
    the branch of engineering that deals with the interaction of surfaces in relative motion (as in bearings or gears): their design and friction and wear and lubrication
  347. triceratops
    huge ceratopsian dinosaur having three horns and the neck heavily armored with a very solid frill
  348. tripartite
    involving three parties or elements
  349. trochanter
    one of the bony prominences developed near the upper extremity of the femur to which muscles are attached
  350. tryst
    a secret rendezvous, especially a romantic one
  351. tungsten
    a heavy grey-white metallic element
  352. tutelage
    attention and management implying responsibility for safety
  353. ubiquitous
    being present everywhere at once
  354. ultimatum
    a final peremptory demand
  355. unaccountable
    not to be explained
  356. unappeasable
    not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
  357. uncouth
    lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
  358. unction
    anointing as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual
  359. understudy
    an actor able to replace a regular performer when required
  360. unimpeachable
    beyond doubt or reproach
  361. unimpeded
    not slowed or prevented
  362. valence
    the capacity of something or someone to react with or affect others
  363. varicella
    acute viral disease that causes skin eruptions and fever
  364. venerable
    profoundly honored
  365. verbena
    any of numerous tropical or subtropical American plants of the genus Verbena grown for their showy spikes of variously colored flowers
  366. vernacular
    the everyday speech of the people
  367. vicegerent
    someone appointed by a ruler as an administrative deputy
  368. virtuoso
    someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
  369. virulence
    extreme harmfulness
  370. viscous
    having a relatively high resistance to flow
  371. vitiate
    make imperfect
  372. vivisection
    the act of operating on living animals
  373. vortex
    a powerful circular current of water
  374. vulnerability
    the state of being exposed to harm
  375. walleyed
    having divergent strabismus
  376. warren
    a colony of rabbits
  377. whelk
    large carnivorous marine gastropods of coastal waters and intertidal regions having a strong snail-like shell
  378. willowware
    chinaware decorated with a blue Chinese design on a white background depicting a willow tree and often a river
  379. woebegone
    affected by or full of grief
  380. wreckage
    the remaining parts of something that has been destroyed
  381. wrestle
    the act of engaging in close hand-to-hand combat
  382. wretchedness
    a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
  383. writ
    a legal document issued by a court or judicial officer
  384. xylophone
    a bright-toned wooden bar instrument played with hard-headed mallets
  385. yachtsman
    a person who owns or sails a yacht
  386. yeoman
    a free man who cultivates his own land
Created on Tue Jan 01 22:37:38 EST 2013 (updated Sun Feb 03 21:25:59 EST 2013)

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