Verbs of Human Traits

Sim Nik (Australia)
11 words 7 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. languish
    become feeble
    For years, it languished in dry dock, leaking gas in the parking lot.
  2. commiserate
    feel or express sympathy or compassion
    Rose was commiserating with Bradley over the New England Patriots losing at home on Sunday. Seattle Times (Sep 19, 2012)
  3. abhor
    feel hatred or disgust toward
    In reality, they abhor any government regulations that cut into profit.
  4. gormandise
    overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself
    “Heathen!” exclaimed Browne, “can you think of nothing but gormandising? Dalziel
  5. condone
    excuse, overlook, or make allowances for
    He said he did not condone threats or “any kind of intimidation” by hackers. New York Times (Jan 14, 2012)
  6. importune
    beg persistently and urgently
    I'll see the other prisoners now, And importune their souls to penitence, So they escape from hell. Yeats, W. B. (William Butler)
  7. grovel
    show submission or fear
    "Better come and grovel, then," grinned the other, and passed on. Kelly, Eleanor Mercein
  8. covet
    wish, long, or crave for
    Flacco is not the most coveted pitchman in professional athletics.
  9. malinger
    avoid responsibilities and duties, often by faking illness
    Skulking, shirking, malingering, were all established tactics, it appeared. Stevenson, Robert Louis
  10. expiate
    make amends for
    He had only to live and expiate in solitude the crimes which he had committed. Verne, Jules
  11. skulk
    lie in wait or behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
    The skulking beast quickly disappeared and Jib did not fire. Emerson, Alice B.
Created on Fri Feb 08 22:14:09 EST 2013 (updated Sat Feb 09 05:01:13 EST 2013)

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