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Merriam-Webster's Vocabulary Builder

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  1. nemesis
    a personal foe or rival that cannot be easily defeated
  2. myrmidon
    a follower who carries out orders without question
  3. Draconian
    imposing a harsh code of laws
  4. cyclopean
    of or relating to or resembling the Cyclops
  5. Cassandra
    (Greek mythology) a prophetess in Troy during the Trojan War whose predictions were true but were never believed
  6. Arcadia
    a department of Greece in the central Peloponnese
  7. pessimist
    a person who expects the worst
  8. theosophy
    a system of belief based on mystical insight into the nature of God and the soul
  9. sophomore
    a second-year undergraduate
  10. sophisticated
    having worldly knowledge and refinement
  11. sophistry
    a deliberately invalid argument in the hope of deceiving
  12. sensor
    a device that responds to a signal or stimulus
  13. sensuous
    providing perceptible pleasure or gratification
  14. extrasensory
    seemingly outside normal sensory channels
  15. desensitize
    cause to be less responsive to or affected by something
  16. peripheral
    on or near an edge or constituting an outer boundary
  17. perimeter
    a line enclosing a plane area
  18. peripatetic
    traveling especially on foot
  19. periodontal
    of or relating to parts of the mouth that support and surround the teeth
  20. cavity
    a space that is enclosed or surrounded by something
  21. deteriorate
    become worse or disintegrate
  22. curator
    the custodian of a collection, as a museum or library
  23. curative
    tending to cure or restore to health
  24. sinecure
    a job that involves minimal duties
  25. procure
    get by special effort
  26. cacophony
    loud confusing disagreeable sounds
  27. polyphonic
    of or relating to or characterized by polyphony
  28. phonetic
    using symbols to represent each speech sound
  29. phonics
    teaching reading by associating letters with their sounds
  30. vociferous
    conspicuously and offensively loud
  31. advocate
    a person who pleads for a person, cause, or idea
  32. equivocate
    be deliberately ambiguous or unclear
  33. irrevocable
    incapable of being retracted
  34. prospective
    of or concerned with or related to the future
  35. prospectus
    a document that sets forth a plan for a business enterprise
  36. aspect
    a characteristic to be considered
  37. perspective
    a way of regarding situations or topics
  38. envisage
    form a mental image of something that is not present
  39. vista
    the visual percept of a region
  40. vis-a-vis
    a person or thing having the same characteristics as another
  41. visionary
    a person with unusual powers of foresight
  42. sluggish
    moving slowly
  43. lethargic
    deficient in alertness or activity
  44. Stygian
    dark and dismal as of the river in Hades
  45. Midas touch
    an ability to make and manage large amounts of money
  46. Pyrrhic victory
    a victory that is won by incurring terrible losses
  47. pyrrhic
    relating to a victory that is offset by staggering losses
  48. Hades
    the god of the underworld in ancient mythology
  49. Croesus
    last king of Lydia (died in 546 BC)
  50. Augean stables
    (Greek mythology) the extremely dirty stables that were finally cleaned by Hercules who diverted two rivers through them
  51. precedent
    an example that is used to justify similar occurrences
  52. cede
    give over
  53. accede
    yield to another's wish or opinion
  54. concede
    give over
  55. erroneous
    containing or characterized by mistakes
  56. errant
    straying from the right course or from accepted standards
  57. aberrant
    markedly different from an accepted norm
  58. erratic
    liable to sudden unpredictable change
  59. ultrasonic
    of or involving frequencies above those of audible sound
  60. ultrasonic
    of or involving frequencies above those of audible sound
  61. resonance
    the characteristic of having a loud deep sound
  62. sonic
    having or caused by speed equal to the speed of sound
  63. dissonant
    harmonically unresolved
  64. inaudible
    impossible to hear; imperceptible by the ear
  65. auditory
    of or relating to the process of hearing
  66. auditor
    a qualified accountant who inspects accounting records
  67. auditorium
    the area of a theater or hall where the audience sits
  68. tachometer
    measuring instrument for indicating speed of rotation
  69. odometer
    instrument in a vehicle that measures the distance traveled
  70. meter
    a basic unit of length (approximately 1.094 yards)
  71. metric
    based on a decimal unit of measurement
  72. replete
    filled to satisfaction with food or drink
  73. deplete
    use up, as resources or materials
  74. plenary
    full in all respects
  75. complement
    something added to embellish or make perfect
  76. acquisitive
    eager to attain and possess material possessions
  77. requisite
    necessary for relief or supply
  78. perquisite
    an incidental benefit for certain types of employment
  79. inquisition
    a severe interrogation
  80. equinox
    when the sun crosses the plane of the earth's equator
  81. equilibrium
    a stable situation in which forces cancel one another
  82. equable
    not varying
  83. adequacy
    the quality of being able to meet a need satisfactorily
  84. curriculum vitae
    a summary of your academic and work history
  85. corpus delicti
    the body of evidence that constitute the offence
  86. caveat emptor
    the principle that the buyer takes on the risk of a purchase
  87. caveat
    a warning against certain acts
  88. bona fide
    not counterfeit or copied
  89. a fortiori
    with greater reason
  90. a posteriori
    involving reasoning from facts or particulars to general principles or from effects to causes
  91. a priori
    reasoned from a general principle to a necessary effect
  92. dysplasia
    abnormal development (of organs or cells) or an abnormal structure resulting from such growth
  93. dyslexia
    impaired ability to learn to read
  94. dystopia
    state in which the conditions of life are extremely bad
  95. dyspeptic
    suffering from indigestion
  96. eulogy
    a formal expression of praise for someone who has died
  97. euphoria
    a feeling of great elation
  98. euphemism
    an inoffensive expression substituted for an offensive one
  99. eugenic
    causing improvement in the offspring produced
  100. directive
    a pronouncement encouraging or banning some activity
  101. rectilinear
    characterized by a straight line or lines
  102. rectitude
    righteousness as a consequence of being honorable and honest
  103. rectify
    make right or correct
  104. orthodontics
    the branch of dentistry dealing with the prevention or correction of irregularities of the teeth
  105. orthopedics
    a medical science concerned with the spine and joints
  106. orthodox
    adhering to what is commonly accepted
  107. orthography
    representing the sounds of a language by written symbols
  108. anterior
    of or near the head end or toward the front plane of a body
  109. antecedent
    a preceding occurrence or cause or event
  110. antedate
    be earlier in time than
  111. antechamber
    an outer room or waiting area that leads into another room
  112. prototype
    a standard or typical example
  113. protocol
    forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by officials
  114. protoplasm
    the substance of a living cell
  115. protagonist
    the principal character in a work of fiction
  116. catatonic
    characterized by unresponsiveness or lack of movement
  117. catatonic
    characterized by unresponsiveness or lack of movement
  118. catacomb
    an underground tunnel with recesses where bodies were buried
  119. cataclysm
    a sudden violent change in the earth's surface
  120. catalyst
    substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction
  121. malnourished
    not being provided with adequate food or nutrients
  122. malevolent
    wishing or appearing to wish evil to others
  123. malicious
    having the nature of threatening evil
  124. malign
    speak unfavorably about
  125. siren
    a warning signal that is a loud wailing sound
  126. sibylline
    resembling or characteristic of a prophet or prophecy
  127. protean
    taking on different forms
  128. Procrustean
    enforcing conformity by violent or ruthless means
  129. procrustean standard
    a standard that is enforced uniformly without regard to individuality
  130. Penelope
    the wife of Odysseus and a symbol of devotion and fidelity
  131. palladium
    a silver-white metallic element of the platinum group that resembles platinum; occurs in some copper and nickel ores; does not tarnish at ordinary temperatures and is used (alloyed with gold) in jewelry
  132. Calypso
    the sea nymph who detained Odysseus for seven years
  133. nymph
    a minor nature goddess depicted as a beautiful maiden
  134. odyssey
    a long wandering and eventful journey
  135. postmortem
    occurring or done after death
  136. postmortem
    occurring or done after death
  137. posthumous
    occurring or coming into existence after a person's death
  138. posterior
    located at or near the end of a structure
  139. inflection
    the patterns of stress and intonation in a language
  140. reflective
    capable of physically throwing back light or sound
  141. genuflect
    bend the knees and bow in a servile manner
  142. deflect
    turn from a straight course or fixed direction
  143. pedestrian
    a person who travels by foot
  144. pedigree
    the ancestry or lineage of an individual
  145. impediment
    something immaterial that interferes with action or progress
  146. quadruped
    an animal especially a mammal having four limbs
  147. precursor
    something indicating the approach of something or someone
  148. discursive
    tending to cover a wide range of subjects
  149. cursory
    hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
  150. concurrent
    occurring or operating at the same time
  151. perfidy
    an act of deliberate betrayal
  152. fiduciary
    relating to or of the nature of a legal trust
  153. affidavit
    written declaration made under oath
  154. credo
    any system of principles or beliefs
  155. credulity
    tendency to believe readily
  156. credible
    capable of being believed
  157. credence
    the mental attitude that something is believable
  158. reincarnation
    a second or new birth
  159. incarnate
    possessing or existing in bodily form
  160. carnal
    of or relating to the body or flesh
  161. carnage
    the savage and excessive killing of many people
  162. voracious
    devouring or craving food in great quantities
  163. insectivorous
    (of animals and plants) feeding on insects
  164. herbivorous
    feeding only on plants
  165. carnivorous
    relating to flesh-eating animals
  166. modus vivendi
    a manner of living that reflects the person's values and attitudes
  167. modus operandi
    an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
  168. ex post facto
    affecting things past
  169. quid pro quo
    something given in exchange for something else
  170. de facto
    existing, whether with lawful authority or not
  171. alter ego
    a very close friend who seems almost a part of yourself
  172. ad hominem
    appealing to personal considerations rather than to reason
  173. ad hoc
    for or concerned with one specific purpose
  174. dislodge
    remove or force from a position previously occupied
  175. discredit
    the state of being held in low esteem
  176. disoriented
    having lost your bearings
  177. dissuade
    turn away from by persuasion
  178. homogeneous
    all of the same or similar kind or nature
  179. homogenize
    make uniform or consistent throughout
  180. homologous
    similar in position, structure, function, or characteristics
  181. homonym
    a word pronounced or spelled the same with another meaning
  182. primordial
    having existed from the beginning
  183. primate
    any mammal of the group including monkeys, apes, and humans
  184. primer
    an introductory textbook
  185. primal
    having existed from the beginning
  186. polygraph
    a medical instrument that records several physiological processes simultaneously (e.g., pulse rate and blood pressure and respiration and perspiration)
  187. polymer
    a naturally occurring or synthetic compound
  188. polyglot
    a person who speaks more than one language
  189. polyp
    a small vascular growth on the surface of a mucous membrane
  190. thermometer
    measuring instrument for measuring temperature
  191. thermonuclear
    using nuclear weapons based on fusion as distinguished from fission
  192. thermal
    relating to or associated with heat
  193. thermodynamics
    physics concerned with heat and other forms of energy
  194. British thermal unit
    a unit of heat equal to the amount of heat required to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at one atmosphere pressure; equivalent to 251.997 calories
  195. hypothetical
    a conjectural possibility or circumstance
  196. hypothesis
    a tentative insight that is not yet verified or tested
  197. hypothermia
    subnormal body temperature
  198. hypoglycemia
    abnormally low blood sugar usually resulting from excessive insulin or a poor diet
  199. hypochondriac
    a patient with imaginary symptoms and ailments
  200. epithet
    descriptive word or phrase
  201. epitaph
    an inscription in memory of a buried person
  202. epilogue
    a short speech by an actor at the end of a play
  203. epiphyte
    a plant that grows harmlessly on another
  204. ambiguous
    having more than one possible meaning
  205. ambivalent
    uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow
  206. ambiguous
    having more than one possible meaning
  207. ambient
    completely enveloping
  208. venerable
    profoundly honored
  209. jovial
    full of or showing high-spirited merriment
  210. Dionysian
    of or relating to or worshipping Dionysus
  211. Delphic
    of or relating to Delphi or to the oracles of Apollo at Delphi
  212. bacchanalian
    used of riotously drunken merrymaking
  213. non sequitur
    a reply that has no relevance to what preceded it
  214. sequential
    in regular succession without gaps
  215. subsequent
    following in time or order
  216. consequential
    having important effects or results
  217. induce
    cause to act in a specified manner
  218. seduction
    enticing someone astray from right behavior
  219. conductive
    able to easily transmit electricity, heat, sound, or other energy
  220. deduction
    the act of removing a part from the whole
  221. intractable
    difficult to manage or mold
  222. protracted
    relatively long in duration
  223. retract
    formally reject or disavow
  224. traction
    the friction between a body and a surface on which it moves
  225. conjecture
    believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
  226. trajectory
    the path followed by an object moving through space
  227. projection
    the act of expelling or ejecting
  228. interject
    speak abruptly, especially as an interruption
  229. infinitesimal
    immeasurably small
  230. finite
    bounded in magnitude or spatial or temporal extent
  231. definitive
    clearly formulated
  232. confine
    place limits on
  233. intercept
    seize, interrupt, or stop something on its way
  234. susceptible
    yielding readily to or capable of undergoing a process
  235. perception
    the process of becoming aware through the senses
  236. susceptible
    yielding readily to or capable of undergoing a process
  237. reception
    the act of taking in
  238. psychotherapist
    a therapist who deals with mental and emotional disorders
  239. psychosomatic
    used of illness or symptoms resulting from neurosis
  240. psychedelic
    producing distorted sensory perceptions and feelings
  241. psyche
    that which is responsible for one's thoughts and feelings
  242. megalomaniac
    a pathological egotist
  243. egomaniac
    a person who is abnormally self-absorbed and self-centered
  244. kleptomaniac
    someone with an irrational urge to steal
  245. dipsomaniac
    a person who drinks alcohol to excess habitually
  246. improvise
    manage in a makeshift way; do with whatever is at hand
  247. portage
    carrying boats and supplies overland
  248. portfolio
    a large, thin case for loose papers or drawings or maps
  249. comport
    behave in a certain manner
  250. deportment
    the way a person behaves toward other people
  251. pendant
    an adornment that hangs from a piece of jewelry
  252. append
    fix to; attach
  253. appendage
    a part that is joined to something larger
  254. suspend
    bar temporarily
  255. panacea
    hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases
  256. pandemonium
    a state of extreme confusion and disorder
  257. pantheism
    the belief that God exists in and is the same as all things
  258. panoply
    a complete and impressive array
Created on Tue Sep 17 04:50:12 EDT 2013 (updated Mon Sep 23 03:11:15 EDT 2013)

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