This document contains definitions of over 200 words beginning with letters A through L. It provides the part of speech and a brief definition or description for each word. Some of the words defined include abase (verb, to lower in position), abbess (noun, lady superior of a nunnery), abbot (noun, superior of monks), abdomen (noun, belly), and aboriginal (adjective, primitive).
This document contains definitions of over 200 words beginning with letters A through L. It provides the part of speech and a brief definition or description for each word. Some of the words defined include abase (verb, to lower in position), abbess (noun, lady superior of a nunnery), abbot (noun, superior of monks), abdomen (noun, belly), and aboriginal (adjective, primitive).
Copyright:
Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
This document contains definitions of over 200 words beginning with letters A through L. It provides the part of speech and a brief definition or description for each word. Some of the words defined include abase (verb, to lower in position), abbess (noun, lady superior of a nunnery), abbot (noun, superior of monks), abdomen (noun, belly), and aboriginal (adjective, primitive).
Copyright:
Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
• abase v. To lower in position, estimation, or the like; degrade.
• abbess n. The lady superior of a nunnery.
• abbey n. The group of buildings which collectively form the dwelling-place of a society of monks or nuns. • abbot n. The superior of a community of monks. • abdicate v. To give up (royal power or the like). • abdomen n. In mammals, the visceral cavity between the diaphragm and the pelvic floor; • the belly. • abdominal n. Of, pertaining to, or situated on the abdomen. • abduction n. A carrying away of a person against his will, or illegally. • abed adv. In bed; on a bed. • aberration n. Deviation from a right, customary, or prescribed course. • abet v. To aid, promote, or encourage the commission of (an offense). • abeyance n. A state of suspension or temporary inaction. • abhorrence n. The act of detesting extremely. • abhorrent adj. Very repugnant; hateful. • abidance n. An abiding. • abject adj. Sunk to a low condition. • abjure v. To recant, renounce, repudiate under oath. • able-bodied adj. Competent for physical service. • ablution n. A washing or cleansing, especially of the body. • abnegate v. To renounce (a right or privilege). • abnormal adj. Not conformed to the ordinary rule or standard. • abominable adj. Very hateful. • abominate v. To hate violently. • abomination n. A very detestable act or practice. • aboriginal adj. Primitive; unsophisticated. • aborigines n. The original of earliest known inhabitants of a country. • aboveboard adv. & adj. Without concealment, fraud, or trickery. • abrade v. To wear away the surface or some part of by friction. • abrasion n. That which is rubbed off. • abridge v. To make shorter in words, keeping the essential features, leaning out minor particles. • abridgment n. A condensed form as of a book or play. • abrogate v. To abolish, repeal. • abrupt adj. Beginning, ending, or changing suddenly or with a break. • abscess n. A Collection of pus in a cavity formed within some tissue of the body. • abscission n. The act of cutting off, as in a surgical operation. • abscond v. To depart suddenly and secretly, as for the purpose of escaping arrest. • absence n. The fact of not being present or available. • absent-minded adj. Lacking in attention to immediate surroundings or business. • absolution n. Forgiveness, or passing over of offenses. • absolve v. To free from sin or its penalties. • absorb v. To drink in or suck up, as a sponge absorbs water. • absorption n. The act or process of absorbing. • abstain v. To keep oneself back (from doing or using something). • abstemious adj. Characterized by self denial or abstinence, as in the use of drink, food. • abstinence n. Self denial. • abstruse adj. Dealing with matters difficult to be understood. • absurd adj. Inconsistent with reason or common sense. • abundant adj. Plentiful. • abusive adj. Employing harsh words or ill treatment. • abut v. To touch at the end or boundary line. • abyss n. Bottomless gulf. • academic adj. Of or pertaining to an academy, college, or university. • academician n. A member of an academy of literature, art, or science. • academy n. Any institution where the higher branches of learning are taught. • accede v. To agree. • accelerate v. To move faster. • accept v. To take when offered. • access n. A way of approach or entrance; passage. • accessible adj. Approachable. • accession n. Induction or elevation, as to dignity, office, or government. • accessory n. A person or thing that aids the principal agent. • acclaim v. To utter with a shout. • accommodate v. To furnish something as a kindness or favor. • accompaniment n. A subordinate part or parts, enriching or supporting the leading part. • accompanist n. One who or that which accompanies. • accompany v. To go with, or be associated with, as a companion. • accomplice n. An associate in wrong-doing. • accomplish v. To bring to pass. • accordion n. A portable free-reed musical instrument. • accost v. To speak to. • account n. A record or statement of receipts and expenditures, or of business transactions. • accouter v. To dress. • accredit v. To give credit or authority to. • accumulate v. To become greater in quantity or number. • accuracy n. Exactness. • accurate adj. Conforming exactly to truth or to a standard. • accursed adj. Doomed to evil, misery, or misfortune. • accusation n. A charge of crime, misdemeanor, or error. • accusatory adj. Of, pertaining to, or involving an accusation. • accuse v. To charge with wrong doing, misconduct, or error. • accustom v. To make familiar by use. • acerbity n. Sourness, with bitterness and astringency. • acetate n. A salt of acetic acid. • acetic adj. Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of vinegar. • ache v. To be in pain or distress. • Achillean adj. Invulnerable. • achromatic adj. Colorless, • acid n. A sour substance. • acidify v. To change into acid. • acknowledge v. To recognize; to admit the genuineness or validity of. • acknowledgment n. Recognition. • acme n. The highest point, or summit. • acoustic adj. Pertaining to the act or sense of hearing. • acquaint v. To make familiar or conversant. • acquiesce v. To comply; submit. • acquiescence n. Passive consent. • acquire v. To get as one's own. • acquisition n. Anything gained, or made one's own, usually by effort or labor. • acquit v. To free or clear, as from accusation. • acquittal n. A discharge from accusation by judicial action. • acquittance n. Release or discharge from indebtedness, obligation, or responsibility. • acreage n. Quantity or extent of land, especially of cultivated land. • acrid adj. Harshly pungent or bitter. • acrimonious adj. Full of bitterness. • acrimony n. Sharpness or bitterness of speech or temper. • actionable adj. Affording cause for instituting an action, as trespass, slanderous words. • actuality n. Any reality. • actuary n. An officer, as of an insurance company, who calculates and states the risks and premiums. • actuate v. To move or incite to action. • acumen n. Quickness of intellectual insight, or discernment; keenness of discrimination. • acute adj. Having fine and penetrating discernment. • adamant n. Any substance of exceeding hardness or impenetrability. • addendum n. Something added, or to be added. • addle v. To make inefficient or worthless; muddle. • adduce v. To bring forward or name for consideration. • adhere v. To stick fast or together. • adherence n. Attachment. • adherent adj. Clinging or sticking fast. • adhesion n. The state of being attached or joined. • adieu inter. Good-by; farewell. • adjacency n. The state of being adjacent. • adjacent n. That which is near or bordering upon. • adjudge v. To award or bestow by formal decision. • adjunct n. Something joined to or connected with another thing, but holding a subordinate place. • adjuration n. A vehement appeal. • adjutant adj. Auxiliary. • administrator n. One who manages affairs of any kind. • admissible adj. Having the right or privilege of entry. • admittance n. Entrance, or the right or permission to enter. • admonish v. To warn of a fault. • admonition n. Gentle reproof. • ado n. unnecessary activity or ceremony. • adoration n. Profound devotion. • adroit adj. Having skill in the use of the bodily or mental powers. • adulterant n. An adulterating substance. • adulterate v. To make impure by the admixture of other or baser ingredients. • adumbrate v. To represent beforehand in outline or by emblem. • advent n. The coming or arrival, as of any important change, event, state, or personage. • adverse adj. Opposing or opposed. • adversity n. Misfortune. • advert v. To refer incidentally. • advertiser n. One who advertises, especially in newspapers. • advisory adj. Not mandatory. • advocacy n. The act of pleading a cause. • advocate n. One who pleads the cause of another, as in a legal or ecclesiastical court. • aerial adj. Of, pertaining to, or like the air. • aeronaut n. One who navigates the air, a balloonist. • aeronautics n. the art or practice of flying aircraft • aerostat n. A balloon or other apparatus floating in or sustained by the air. • aerostatics n. The branch of pneumatics that treats of the equilibrium, pressure, and • mechanical properties. • affable adj. Easy to approach. • affect v. To act upon • affectation n. A studied or ostentatious pretense or attempt. • affiliate n. Some auxiliary person or thing. • affirmative adj. Answering yes; to a question at issue. • affix v. To fasten. • affluence n. A profuse or abundant supply of riches. • affront n. An open insult or indignity. • afire adv. & adj. On fire, literally or figuratively. • afoot adv. In progress. • aforesaid adj. Said in a preceding part or before. • afresh adv. Once more, after rest or interval. • afterthought n. A thought that comes later than its appropriate or expected time. • agglomerate v. To pile or heap together. • aggrandize v. To cause to appear greatly. • aggravate v. To make heavier, worse, or more burdensome. • aggravation n. The fact of being made heavier or more heinous, as a crime , offense, misfortune, etc. • aggregate n. The entire number, sum, mass, or quantity of something. • aggress v. To make the first attack. • aggression n. An unprovoked attack. • aggrieve v. To give grief or sorrow to. • aghast adj. Struck with terror and amazement. • agile adj. Able to move or act quickly, physically, or mentally. • agitate v. To move or excite (the feelings or thoughts). • agrarian adj. Pertaining to land, especially agricultural land. • aide-de-camp n. An officer who receives and transmits the orders of the general. • ailment n. Slight sickness. • airy adj. Delicate, ethereal. • akin adj. Of similar nature or qualities. • alabaster n. A white or delicately tinted fine-grained gypsum. • alacrity n. Cheerful willingness. • albeit conj. Even though. • albino n. A person with milky white skin and hair, and eyes with bright red pupil and usually pink iris. • album n. A book whose leaves are so made to form paper frames for holding photographs or the like. • alchemy n. Chemistry of the middle ages, characterized by the pursuit of changing base • metals to gold. • alcohol n. A volatile, inflammable, colorless liquid of a penetrating odor and burning taste. • alcoholism n. A condition resulting from the inordinate or persistent use of alcoholic beverages. • alcove n. A covered recess connected with or at the side of a larger room. • alder n. Any shrub or small tree of the genus Alumnus, of the oak family. • alderman n. A member of a municipal legislative body, who usually exercises also certain • judicial functions. • aldermanship n. The dignity, condition, office, or term of office of an alderman. • alias n. An assumed name. • alien n. One who owes allegiance to a foreign government. • alienable adj. Capable of being aliened or alienated, as lands. • alienate v. To cause to turn away. • alienation n. Estrangement. • aliment n. That which nourishes. • alkali n. Anything that will neutralize an acid, as lime, magnesia, etc. • allay v. To calm the violence or reduce the intensity of; mitigate. • allege v. To assert to be true, especially in a formal manner, as in court. • allegory n. The setting forth of a subject under the guise of another subject of aptly • suggestive likeness. • alleviate v. To make less burdensome or less hard to bear. • alley n. A narrow street, garden path, walk, or the like. • alliance n. Any combination or union for some common purpose. • allot v. To assign a definite thing or part to a certain person. • allotment n. Portion. • allude v. To refer incidentally, or by suggestion. • allusion n. An indirect and incidental reference to something without definite mention of it. • alluvion n. Flood. • ally n. A person or thing connected with another, usually in some relation of helpfulness. • almanac n. A series of tables giving the days of the week together with certain • astronomical information. • aloof adv. Not in sympathy with or desiring to associate with others. • altar n. Any raised place or structure on which sacrifices may be offered or incense burned. • alter v. To make change in. • alteration n. Change or modification. • altercate v. To contend angrily or zealously in words. • alternate n. One chosen to act in place of another, in case of the absence or incapacity of that other. • alternative n. Something that may or must exist, be taken or chosen, or done instead of • something else. • altitude n. Vertical distance or elevation above any point or base-level, as the sea. • alto n. The lowest or deepest female voice or part. • altruism n. Benevolence to others on subordination to self-interest. • altruist n. One who advocates or practices altruism. • amalgam n. An alloy or union of mercury with another metal. • amalgamate v. To mix or blend together in a homogeneous body. • amateur adj. Practicing an art or occupation for the love of it, but not as a profession. • amatory adj. Designed to excite love. • ambidextrous adj. Having the ability of using both hands with equal skill or ease. • ambiguous adj. Having a double meaning. • ambitious adj. Eagerly desirous and aspiring. • ambrosial adj. Divinely sweet, fragrant, or delicious. • ambulance n. A vehicle fitted for conveying the sick and wounded. • ambulate v. To walk about • ambush n. The act or state of lying concealed for the purpose of surprising or attacking the • enemy. • ameliorate v. To relieve, as from pain or hardship • amenable adj. Willing and ready to submit. • Americanism n. A peculiar sense in which an English word or phrase is used in the United • States. • amicable adj. Done in a friendly spirit. • amity n. Friendship. • amorous adj. Having a propensity for falling in love. • amorphous adj. Without determinate shape. • amour n. A love-affair, especially one of an illicit nature. • ampere n. The practical unit of electric-current strength. • ampersand n. The character &; and. • amphibious adj. Living both on land and in water. • amphitheater n. An edifice of elliptical shape, constructed about a central open space or arena. • amplitude n. Largeness. • amply adv. Sufficiently. • amputate v. To remove by cutting, as a limb or some portion of the body. • amusement n. Diversion. • anachronism n. Anything occurring or existing out of its proper time. • anagram n. The letters of a word or phrase so transposed as to make a different word or • phrase. • analogous adj. Corresponding (to some other) in certain respects, as in form, proportion, • relations. • analogy n. Reasoning in which from certain and known relations or resemblance others • are formed. • analyst n. One who analyzes or makes use of the analytical method. • analyze v. To examine minutely or critically. • anarchy n. Absence or utter disregard of government. • anathema n. Anything forbidden, as by social usage. • anatomy n. That branch of morphology which treats of the structure of organisms. • ancestry n. One's ancestors collectively. • anecdote n. A brief account of some interesting event or incident. • anemia n. Deficiency of blood or red corpuscles. • anemic adj. Affected with anemia. • anemometer n. An instrument for measuring the force or velocity of wind. • anesthetic adj. Pertaining to or producing loss of sensation. • anew adv. Once more. • angelic adj. Saintly. • Anglophobia n. Hatred or dread of England or of what is English. • Anglo-Saxon n. The entire English race wherever found, as in Europe, the United States, • or India. • angular adj. Sharp-cornered. • anhydrous adj. Withered. • animadversion n. The utterance of criticism or censure. • animadvert v. To pass criticism or censure. • animalcule n. An animal of microscopic smallness. • animate v. To make alive. • animosity n. Hatred. • annalist n. Historian. • annals n. A record of events in their chronological order, year by year. • annex v. To add or affix at the end. • annihilate v. To destroy absolutely. • annotate v. To make explanatory or critical notes on or upon. • annual adj. Occurring every year. • annuity n. An annual allowance, payment, or income. • annunciation n. Proclamation. • anode n. The point where or path by which a voltaic current enters an electrolyte or the • like. • anonymous adj. Of unknown authorship. • antagonism n. Mutual opposition or resistance of counteracting forces, principles, or • persons. • Antarctic adj. Pertaining to the south pole or the regions near it. • ante v. In the game of poker, to put up a stake before the cards are dealt. • antecede v. To precede. • antecedent n. One who or that which precedes or goes before, as in time, place, rank, • order, or causality. • antechamber n. A waiting room for those who seek audience. • antedate v. To assign or affix a date to earlier than the actual one. • antediluvian adj. Of or pertaining to the times, things, events before the great flood in the • days of Noah. • antemeridian adj. Before noon. • antemundane adj. Pertaining to time before the world's creation. • antenatal adj. Occurring or existing before birth. • anterior adj. Prior. • anteroom n. A room situated before and opening into another, usually larger. • anthology n. A collection of extracts from the writings of various authors. • anthracite n. Hard coal. • anthropology n. The science of man in general. • anthropomorphous adj. Having or resembling human form. • antic n. A grotesque, ludicrous, or fantastic action. • Antichrist n. Any opponent or enemy of Christ, whether a person or a power. • anticlimax n. A gradual or sudden decrease in the importance or impressiveness of what is said. • anticyclone n. An atmospheric condition of high central pressure, with currents flowing outward. • antidote n. Anything that will counteract or remove the effects of poison, disease, or the • like. • antilogy n. Inconsistency or contradiction in terms or ideas. • antipathize v. To show or feel a feeling of antagonism, aversion, or dislike. • antiphon n. A response or alteration of responses, generally musical. • antiphony n. An anthem or other composition sung responsively. • antipodes n. A place or region on the opposite side of the earth. • antiquary n. One who collects and examines old things, as coins, books, medals, weapons, etc. • antiquate v. To make old or out of date. • antique adj. Pertaining to ancient times. • antiseptic n. Anything that destroys or restrains the growth of putrefactive microorganisms. • antislavery adj. Opposed to human slavery. • antispasmodic adj. Tending to prevent or relieve non-inflammatory spasmodic affections. • antistrophe n. The inversion of terms in successive classes, as in “the home of joy” and • “the joy of home”. • antitoxin n. A substance which neutralizes the poisonous products of micro-organisms. • antonym n. A word directly opposed to another in meaning. • anxious adj. Distressed in mind respecting some uncertain matter. • apathy n. Insensibility to emotion or passionate feeling. • aperture n. Hole. • apex n. The highest point, as of a mountain. • aphorism n. Proverb. • apiary n. A place where bees are kept. • apogee n. The climax. • apology n. A disclaimer of intentional error or offense. • apostasy n. A total departure from one's faith or religion. • apostate adj. False. • apostle n. Any messenger commissioned by or as by divine authority. • apothecary n. One who keeps drugs for sale and puts up prescriptions. • apotheosis n. Deification. • appall v. To fill with dismay or horror. • apparent adj. Easily understood. • apparition n. Ghost. • appease v. To soothe by quieting anger or indignation. • appellate adj. Capable of being appealed to. • appellation n. The name or title by which a particular person, class, or thing is called. • append v. To add or attach, as something accessory, subordinate, or supplementary. • appertain v. To belong, as by right, fitness, association, classification, possession, or natural relation. • apposite adj. Appropriate. • apposition n. The act of placing side by side, together, or in contact. • appraise v. To estimate the money value of. • appreciable adj. Capable of being discerned by the senses or intellect. • apprehend v. To make a prisoner of (a person) in the name of the law. • apprehensible adj. Capable of being conceived. • approbation n. Sanction. • appropriate adj. Suitable for the purpose and circumstances. • aqueduct n. A water-conduit, particularly one for supplying a community from a distance. • aqueous adj. Of, pertaining to, or containing water. • arbiter n. One chosen or appointed, by mutual consent of parties in dispute, to decide matters. • arbitrary adj. Fixed or done capriciously. • arbitrate v. To act or give judgment as umpire. • arbor n. A tree. • arboreal adj. Of or pertaining to a tree or trees. • arborescent adj. Having the nature of a tree. • arboretum n. A botanical garden or place devoted to the cultivation of trees or shrubs. • arboriculture n. The cultivation of trees or shrubs. • arcade n. A vaulted passageway or street; a roofed passageway having shops, etc., opening from it. • archaic adj. Antiquated • archaism n. Obsolescence. • archangel n. An angel of high rank. • archbishop n. The chief of the bishops of an ecclesiastical province in the Greek, Roman, • and Anglican church. • archdeacon n. A high official administrator of the affairs of a diocese. • archaeology n. The branch of anthropology concerned with the systematic investigation of • the relics of man. • archetype n. A prototype. • archipelago n. Any large body of water studded with islands, or the islands collectively • themselves. • ardent adj. Burning with passion. • ardor n. Intensity of passion or affection. • arid adj. Very dry. • aristocracy n. A hereditary nobility • aristocrat n. A hereditary noble or one nearly connected with nobility. • armada n. A fleet of war-vessels. • armful n. As much as can be held in the arm or arms. • armory n. An arsenal. • aroma n. An agreeable odor. • arraign v. To call into court, as a person indicted for crime, and demand whether he pleads • guilty or not. • arrange v. To put in definite or proper order. • arrangement n. The act of putting in proper order, or the state of being put in order. • arrant adj. Notoriously bad. • arrear n. Something overdue and unpaid. • arrival n. A coming to stopping-place or destination. • arrogant adj. Unduly or excessively proud, as of wealth, station, learning, etc. • arrogate v. To take, demand, or claim, especially presumptuously or without reasons or • grounds. • Artesian well n. A very deep bored well. water rises due to underground pressure • artful adj. Characterized by craft or cunning. • Arthurian adj. Pertaining to King Arthur, the real or legendary hero of British poetic story. • artifice n. Trickery. • artless adj. Ingenuous. • ascendant adj. Dominant. • ascension n. The act of rising. • ascent n. A rising, soaring, or climbing. • ascetic adj. Given to severe self-denial and practicing excessive abstinence and devotion. • ascribe v. To assign as a quality or attribute. • asexual adj. Having no distinct sexual organs. • ashen adj. Pale. • askance adv. With a side or indirect glance or meaning. • asperity n. Harshness or roughness of temper. • aspirant n. One who seeks earnestly, as for advancement, honors, place. • aspiration n. An earnest wish for that which is above one's present reach. • aspire v. To have an earnest desire, wish, or longing, as for something high and good, not • yet attained. • assailant n. One who attacks. • assassin n. One who kills, or tries to kill, treacherously or secretly. • assassinate v. To kill, as by surprise or secret assault, especially the killing of some eminent person. • assassination n. Murderer, as by secret assault or treachery. • assay n. The chemical analysis or testing of an alloy ore. • assent v. To express agreement with a statement or matter of opinion. • assess v. To determine the amount of (a tax or other sum to be paid). • assessor n. An officer whose duty it is to assess taxes. • assets n. pl. Property in general, regarded as applicable to the payment of debts. • assiduous adj. Diligent. • assignee n. One who is appointed to act for another in the management of certain property • and interests. • assimilate v. To adapt. • assonance n. Resemblance or correspondence in sound. • assonant adj. Having resemblance of sound. • assonate v. To accord in sound, especially vowel sound. • assuage v. To cause to be less harsh, violent, or severe, as excitement, appetite, pain, or • disease. • astringent adj. Harsh in disposition or character. • astute adj. Keen in discernment. • atheism n. The denial of the existence of God. • athirst adj. Wanting water. • athwart adv. From side to side. • atomizer n. An apparatus for reducing a liquid to a fine spray, as for disinfection, inhalation, etc. • atone v. To make amends for. • atonement n. Amends, reparation, or expiation made from wrong or injury. • atrocious adj. Outrageously or wantonly wicked, criminal, vile, or cruel. • atrocity n. Great cruelty or reckless wickedness. • attaché n. A subordinate member of a diplomatic embassy. • attest v. To certify as accurate, genuine, or true. • attorney-general n. The chief law-officer of a government. • auburn adj. Reddish-brown, said usually of the hair. • audacious adj. Fearless. • audible adj. Loud enough to be heard. • audition n. The act or sensation of hearing. • auditory adj. Of or pertaining to hearing or the organs or sense of hearing. • augment v. To make bigger. • augur v. To predict. • Augustinian adj. Pertaining to St. Augustine, his doctrines, or the religious orders called • after him. • aura n. Pervasive psychic influence supposed to emanate from persons • aural adj. Of or pertaining to the ear. • auricle n. One of the two chambers of the heart which receives the blood from the veins. • auricular adj. Of or pertaining to the ear, its auricle, or the sense of hearing. • auriferous adj. Containing gold. • aurora n. A luminous phenomenon in the upper regions of the atmosphere. • auspice n. favoring, protecting, or propitious influence or guidance. • austere adj. Severely simple; unadorned. • autarchy n. Unrestricted power. • authentic adj. Of undisputed origin. • authenticity n. The state or quality of being genuine, or of the origin and authorship • claimed. • autobiography n. The story of one's life written by himself. • autocracy n. Absolute government. • autocrat n. Any one who claims or wields unrestricted or undisputed authority or influence. • automaton n. Any living being whose actions are or appear to be involuntary or • mechanical. • autonomous adj. Self-governing. • autonomy n. Self-government. • autopsy n. The examination of a dead body by dissection to ascertain the cause of death. • autumnal adj. Of or pertaining to autumn. • auxiliary n. One who or that which aids or helps, especially when regarded as subsidiary • or accessory. • avalanche n. The fall or sliding of a mass of snow or ice down a mountain-slope, often • bearing with it rock. • avarice n. Passion for getting and keeping riches. • aver v. To assert as a fact. • averse adj. Reluctant. • aversion n. A mental condition of fixed opposition to or dislike of some particular thing. • avert v. To turn away or aside. • aviary n. A spacious cage or enclosure in which live birds are kept. • avidity n. Greediness. • avocation n. Diversion. • avow v. To declare openly. • awaken v. To arouse, as emotion, interest, or the like. • awry adv. & adj. Out of the proper form, direction, or position. • aye adv. An expression of assent. • azalea n. A flowering shrub. • azure n. The color of the sky. • Baconian adj. Of or pertaining to Lord Bacon or his system of philosophy. • bacterium n. A microbe. • badger v. To pester. • baffle v. To foil or frustrate. • bailiff n. An officer of court having custody of prisoners under arraignment. • baize n. A single-colored napped woolen fabric used for table-covers, curtains, etc. • bale n. A large package prepared for transportation or storage. • baleful adj. Malignant. • ballad n. Any popular narrative poem, often with epic subject and usually in lyric form. • balsam n. A medical preparation, aromatic and oily, used for healing. • banal adj. Commonplace. • barcarole n. A boat-song of Venetian gondoliers. • barograph n. An instrument that registers graphically and continuously the atmospheric • pressure. • barometer n. An instrument for indicating the atmospheric pressure per unit of surface. • barring prep. Apart from. • baritone adj. Having a register higher than bass and lower than tenor. • bask v. To make warm by genial heat. • bass adj. Low in tone or compass. • baste v. To cover with melted fat, gravy, while cooking. • baton n. An official staff borne either as a weapon or as an emblem of authority or • privilege. • battalion n. A body of infantry composed of two or more companies, forming a part of a • regiment. • batten n. A narrow strip of wood. • batter n. A thick liquid mixture of two or more materials beaten together, to be used in cookery. • bauble n. A trinket. • bawl v. To proclaim by outcry. • beatify v. To make supremely happy. • beatitude n. Any state of great happiness. • beau n. An escort or lover. • becalm v. To make quiet. • beck v. To give a signal to, by nod or gesture. • bedaub v. To smear over, as with something oily or sticky. • bedeck v. To cover with ornament. • bedlam n. Madhouse. • befog v. To confuse. • befriend v. To be a friend to, especially when in need. • beget v. To produce by sexual generation. • begrudge v. To envy one of the possession of. • belate v. To delay past the proper hour. • belay v. To make fast, as a rope, by winding round a cleat. • belie v. To misrepresent. • believe v. To accept as true on the testimony or authority of others. • belittle v. To disparage. • belle n. A woman who is a center of attraction because of her beauty, accomplishments, • etc. • bellicose adj. Warlike. • belligerent adj. Manifesting a warlike spirit. • bemoan v. To lament • benediction n. a solemn invocation of the divine blessing. • benefactor n. A doer of kindly and charitable acts. • benefice n. A church office endowed with funds or property for the maintenance of divine • service. • beneficent adj. Characterized by charity and kindness. • beneficial adj. Helpful. • beneficiary n. One who is lawfully entitled to the profits and proceeds of an estate or • property. • benefit n. Helpful result. • benevolence n. Any act of kindness or well-doing. • benevolent adj. Loving others and actively desirous of their well-being. • benign adj. Good and kind of heart. • benignant adj. Benevolent in feeling, character, or aspect. • benignity n. Kindness of feeling, disposition, or manner. • benison n. Blessing. • bequeath v. To give by will. • bereave v. To make desolate with loneliness and grief. • berth n. A bunk or bed in a vessel, sleeping-car, etc. • beseech v. To implore. • beset v. To attack on all sides. • besmear v. To smear over, as with any oily or sticky substance. • bestial adj. Animal. • bestrew v. To sprinkle or cover with things strewn. • bestride v. To get or sit upon astride, as a horse. • bethink v. To remind oneself. • betide v. To happen to or befall. • betimes adv. In good season or time. • betroth v. To engage to marry. • betrothal n. Engagement to marry. • bevel n. Any inclination of two surfaces other than 90 degrees. • bewilder v. To confuse the perceptions or judgment of. • bibliomania n. The passion for collecting books. • bibliography n. A list of the words of an author, or the literature bearing on a particular subject. • • bibliophile n. One who loves books. • bibulous adj. Fond of drinking. • bide v. To await. • biennial n. A plant that produces leaves and roots the first year and flowers and fruit the second. • bier n. A horizontal framework with two handles at each end for carrying a corpse to the grave. • bigamist n. One who has two spouses at the same time. • bigamy n. The crime of marrying any other person while having a legal spouse living. • bight n. A slightly receding bay between headlands, formed by a long curve of a coast-line. • bilateral adj. Two-sided. • bilingual adj. Speaking two languages. • biograph n. A bibliographical sketch or notice. • biography n. A written account of one's life, actions, and character. • biology n. The science of life or living organisms. • biped n. An animal having two feet. • birthright n. A privilege or possession into which one is born. • bitterness n. Acridity, as to the taste. • blasé adj. Sated with pleasure. • blaspheme v. To indulge in profane oaths. • blatant adj. Noisily or offensively loud or clamorous. • blaze n. A vivid glowing flame. • blazon v. To make widely or generally known. • bleak adj. Desolate. • blemish n. A mark that mars beauty. • blithe adj. Joyous. • blithesome adj. Cheerful. • blockade n. The shutting up of a town, a frontier, or a line of coast by hostile forces. • boatswain n. A subordinate officer of a vessel, who has general charge of the rigging, • anchors, etc. • bodice n. A women's ornamental corset-shaped laced waist. • bodily adj. Corporeal. • boisterous adj. Unchecked merriment or animal spirits. • bole n. The trunk or body of a tree. • bolero n. A Spanish dance, illustrative of the passion of love, accompanied by caste nets and singing. • boll n. A round pod or seed-capsule, as a flax or cotton. • bolster v. To support, as something wrong. • bomb n. A hollow projectile containing an explosive material. • bombard v. To assail with any missile or with abusive speech. • bombardier n. A person who has charge of mortars, bombs, and shells. • bombast n. Inflated or extravagant language, especially on unimportant subjects. • boorish adj. Rude. • bore v. To weary by tediousness or dullness. • borough n. An incorporated village or town. • bosom n. The breast or the upper front of the thorax of a human being, especially of a woman. • botanical adj. Connected with the study or cultivation of plants. • botanize v. To study plant-life. • botany n. The science that treats of plants. • bountiful adj. Showing abundance. • Bowdlerize v. To expurgate in editing (a literary composition) by omitting words or • passages. • bowler n. In cricket, the player who delivers the ball. • boycott v. To place the products or merchandise of under a ban. • brae n. Hillside. • braggart n. A vain boaster. • brandish v. To wave, shake, or flourish triumphantly or defiantly, as a sword or spear. • bravado n. An aggressive display of boldness. • bravo interj. Well done. • bray n. A loud harsh sound, as the cry of an ass or the blast of a horn. • braze v. To make of or ornament with brass. • brazier n. An open pan or basin for holding live coals. • breach n. The violation of official duty, lawful right, or a legal obligation. • breaker n. One who trains horses, dogs, etc. • breech n. The buttocks. • brethren n. pl. Members of a brotherhood, gild, profession, association, or the like. • brevity n. Shortness of duration. • bric-a-brac n. Objects of curiosity or for decoration. • bridle n. The head-harness of a horse consisting of a head-stall, a bit, and the reins. • brigade n. A body of troops consisting of two or more regiments. • brigadier n. General officer who commands a brigade, ranking between a colonel and a • major-general. • brigand n. One who lives by robbery and plunder. • brimstone n. Sulfur. • brine n. Water saturated with salt. • bristle n. One of the coarse, stiff hairs of swine: used in brush-making, etc. • Britannia n. The United Kingdom of Great Britain. • Briticism n. A word, idiom, or phrase characteristic of Great Britain or the British. • brittle adj. Fragile. • broach v. To mention, for the first time. • broadcast adj. Disseminated far and wide. • brogan n. A coarse, heavy shoe. • brogue n. Any dialectic pronunciation of English, especially that of the Irish people. • brokerage n. The business of making sales and purchases for a commission; a broker. • bromine n. A dark reddish-brown, non-metallic liquid element with a suffocating odor. • bronchitis n. Inflammation of the bronchial tubes. • bronchus n. Either of the two subdivisions of the trachea conveying air into the lungs. • brooch n. An article of jewelry fastened by a hinged pin and hook on the underside. • brotherhood n. Spiritual or social fellowship or solidarity. • browbeat v. To overwhelm, or attempt to do so, by stern, haughty, or rude address or manner. • brusque adj. Somewhat rough or rude in manner or speech. • buffoon n. A clown. • buffoonery n. Low drollery, coarse jokes, etc. • bulbous adj. Of, or pertaining to, or like a bulb. • bullock n. An ox. • bulrush n. Any one of various tall rush-like plants growing in damp ground or water. • bulwark n. Anything that gives security or defense. • bumper n. A cup or glass filled to the brim, especially one to be drunk as a toast or health. • bumptious adj. Full of offensive and aggressive self-conceit. • bungle v. To execute clumsily. • buoyancy n. Power or tendency to float on or in a liquid or gas. • buoyant adj. Having the power or tendency to float or keep afloat. • bureau n. A chest of drawers for clothing, etc. • bureaucracy n. Government by departments of men transacting particular branches of • public business. • burgess n. In colonial times, a member of the lower house of the legislature of Maryland or • Virginia. • burgher n. An inhabitant, citizen or freeman of a borough burgh, or corporate town. • burnish v. To make brilliant or shining. • bursar n. A treasurer. • bustle v. To hurry. • butt v. To strike with or as with the head, or horns. • butte n. A conspicuous hill, low mountain, or natural turret, generally isolated. • buttress n. Any support or prop. • by-law n. A rule or law adopted by an association, a corporation, or the like. • cabal n. A number of persons secretly united for effecting by intrigue some private • purpose. • cabalism n. Superstitious devotion to one's religion. • cabinet n. The body of men constituting the official advisors of the executive head of a • nation. • cacophony n. A disagreeable, harsh, or discordant sound or combination of sounds or • tones. • cadaverous adj. Resembling a corpse. • cadence n. Rhythmical or measured flow or movement, as in poetry or the time and pace • of marching troops. • cadenza n. An embellishment or flourish, prepared or improvised, for a solo voice or instrument. • caitiff adj. Cowardly. • cajole v. To impose on or dupe by flattering speech. • cajolery n. Delusive speech. • calculable adj. That may be estimated by reckoning. • calculus n. A concretion formed in various parts of the body resembling a pebble in • hardness. • callosity n. The state of being hard and insensible. • callow adj. Without experience of the world. • calorie n. Amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water 1 degree centigrade. • calumny n. Slander. • Calvary n. The place where Christ was crucified. • Calvinism n. The system of doctrine taught by John Calvin. • Calvinize v. To teach or imbue with the doctrines of Calvinism. • came n. A leaden sash-bar or grooved strip for fastening panes in stained-glass windows. • cameo n. Any small engraved or carved work in relief. • campaign n. A complete series of connected military operations. • Canaanite n. A member of one of the three tribes that dwelt in the land of Canaan, or • western Palestine. • canary adj. Of a bright but delicate yellow. • candid adj. Straightforward. • candor n. The quality of frankness or outspokenness. • canine adj. Characteristic of a dog. • canon n. Any rule or law. • cant v. To talk in a singsong, preaching tone with affected solemnity. • cantata n. A choral composition. • canto n. One of the divisions of an extended poem. • cantonment n. The part of the town or district in which the troops are quartered. • capacious adj. Roomy. • capillary n. A minute vessel having walls composed of a single layer of cells. • capitulate v. To surrender or stipulate terms. • caprice n. A whim. • caption n. A heading, as of a chapter, section, document, etc. • captious adj. Hypercritical. • captivate v. To fascinate, as by excellence. eloquence, or beauty. • carcass n. The dead body of an animal. • cardiac adj. Pertaining to the heart. • cardinal adj. Of prime or special importance. • caret n. A sign (^) placed below a line, indicating where omitted words, etc., should be inserted. • caricature n. a picture or description in which natural characteristics are exaggerated or • distorted. • carnage n. Massacre. • carnal adj. Sensual. • carnivorous adj. Eating or living on flesh. • carouse v. To drink deeply and in boisterous or jovial manner. • carrion n. Dead and putrefying flesh. • cartilage n. An elastic animal tissue of firm consistence. • cartridge n. A charge for a firearm, or for blasting. • caste n. The division of society on artificial grounds. • castigate v. To punish. • casual adj. Accidental, by chance. • casualty n. A fatal or serious accident or disaster. • cataclysm n. Any overwhelming flood of water. • cataract n. Opacity of the lens of the eye resulting in complete or partial blindness. • catastrophe n. Any great and sudden misfortune or calamity. • cathode n. The negative pole or electrode of a galvanic battery. • Catholicism n. The system, doctrine, and practice of the Roman Catholic Church. • catholicity n. Universal prevalence or acceptance. • cat-o-nine-tails n. An instrument consisting of nine pieces of cord, formerly used for • flogging in the army and navy. • caucus n. A private meeting of members of a political party to select candidates. • causal adj. Indicating or expressing a cause. • caustic adj. Sarcastic and severe. • cauterize v. To burn or sear as with a heated iron. • cede v. To pass title to. • censor n. An official examiner of manuscripts empowered to prohibit their publication. • censorious adj. Judging severely or harshly. • census n. An official numbering of the people of a country or district. • centenary adj. Pertaining to a hundred years or a period of a hundred years. • centiliter n. A hundredth of a liter. • centimeter n. A length of one hundredth of a meter. • centurion n. A captain of a company of one hundred infantry in the ancient Roman army. • cereal adj. Pertaining to edible grain or farinaceous seeds. • ceremonial adj. Characterized by outward form or ceremony. • ceremonious adj. Observant of ritual. • cessation n. Discontinuance, as of action or motion. • cession n. Surrender, as of possessions or rights. • chagrin n. Keen vexation, annoyance, or mortification, as at one's failures or errors. • chameleon adj. Changeable in appearance. • chancery n. A court of equity, as distinguished from a common-law court. • chaos n. Any condition of which the elements or parts are in utter disorder and confusion. • characteristic n. A distinctive feature. • characterize v. To describe by distinctive marks or peculiarities. • charlatan n. A quack. • chasm n. A yawning hollow, as in the earth's surface. • chasten v. To purify by affliction. • chastise v. To subject to punitive measures. • chastity n. Sexual or moral purity. • chateau n. A castle or manor-house. • chattel n. Any article of personal property. • check v. To hold back. • chiffon n. A very thin gauze used for trimmings, evening dress, etc. • chivalry n. The knightly system of feudal times with its code, usages and practices. • cholera n. An acute epidemic disease. • choleric adj. Easily provoked to anger. • choral adj. Pertaining to, intended for, or performed by a chorus or choir. • Christ n. A title of Jesus • christen v. To name in baptism. • Christendom n. That part of the world where Christianity is generally professed. • chromatic adj. Belonging, relating to, or abounding in color. • chronology n. The science that treats of computation of time or of investigation and • arrangement of events. • chronometer n. A portable timekeeper of the highest attainable precision. • cipher v. To calculate arithmetically. (also a noun meaning zero or nothing) • circulate v. To disseminate. • circumference n. The boundary-line of a circle. • circumlocution n. Indirect or roundabout expression. • circumnavigate v. To sail quite around. • circumscribe v. To confine within bounds. • circumspect adj. Showing watchfulness, caution, or careful consideration. • citadel n. Any strong fortress. • cite v. To refer to specifically. • claimant n. One who makes a claim or demand, as of right. • clairvoyance n. Intuitive sagacity or perception. • clamorous adj. Urgent in complaint or demand. • clan n. A tribe. • clandestine adj. Surreptitious. • clangor n. Clanking or a ringing, as of arms, chains, or bells; clamor. • clarify v. To render intelligible. • clarion n. A small shrill trumpet or bugle. • classify v. To arrange in a class or classes on the basis of observed resemblance; and differences. • clearance n. A certificate from the proper authorities that a vessel has complied with the • law and may sail. • clemency n. Mercy. • clement adj. Compassionate. • close-hauled adj. Having the sails set for sailing as close to the wind as possible. • clothier n. One who makes or sells cloth or clothing. • clumsy adj. Awkward of movement. • coagulate v. To change into a clot or a jelly, as by heat, by chemical action, or by a • ferment. • coagulant adj. Producing coagulation. • coalescence n. The act or process of coming together so as to form one body, • combination, or product. • coalition n. Combination in a body or mass. • coddle v. To treat as a baby or an invalid. • codicil n. A supplement adding to, revoking, or explaining in the body of a will. • coerce v. To force. • coercion n. Forcible constraint or restraint, moral or physical. • coercive adj. Serving or tending to force. • cogent adj. Appealing strongly to the reason or conscience. • cognate adj. Akin. • cognizant adj. Taking notice. • cohere v. To stick together. • cohesion n. Consistency. • cohesive adj. Having the property of consistency. • coincide v. To correspond. • coincidence n. A circumstance so agreeing with another: often implying accident. • coincident adj. Taking place at the same time. • collaborate v. To labor or cooperate with another or others, especially in literary or scientific pursuits. • collapse v. To cause to shrink, fall in, or fail. • collapsible adj. That may or can collapse. • colleague n. An associate in professional employment. • collective adj. Consisting of a number of persons or objects considered as gathered into a • mass, or sum. • collector n. One who makes a collection, as of objects of art, books, or the like. • collegian n. A college student. • collide v. To meet and strike violently. • collier n. One who works in a coal-mine. • collision n. Violent contact. • colloquial adj. Pertaining or peculiar to common speech as distinguished from literary. • colloquialism n. Form of speech used only or chiefly in conversation. • colloquy n. Conversation. • collusion n. A secret agreement for a wrongful purpose. • colossus n. Any strikingly great person or object. • comely adj. Handsome. • comestible adj. Fit to be eaten. • comical adj. Funny. • commemorate v. To serve as a remembrance of. • commentary n. A series of illustrative or explanatory notes on any important work. • commingle v. To blend. • commissariat n. The department of an army charged with the provision of its food and • water and daily needs. • commission v. To empower. • commitment n. The act or process of entrusting or consigning for safe-keeping. • • committal n. The act, fact, or result of committing, or the state of being • commodity n. Something that is bought and sold. • commotion n. A disturbance or violent agitation. • commute v. To put something, especially something less severe, in place of. • comparable adj. Fit to be compared. • comparative adj. Relative. • comparison n. Examination of two or more objects with reference to their likeness or • unlikeness. • compensate v. To remunerate. • competence n. Adequate qualification or capacity. • competent adj. Qualified. • competitive adj. characterized by rivalry. • competitor n. A rival. • complacence n. Satisfaction with one's acts or surroundings. • complacent adj. Pleased or satisfied with oneself. • complaisance n. Politeness. • complaisant adj. Agreeable. • complement v. To make complete. • complex adj. Complicated. • compliant adj. Yielding. • complicate v. To make complex, difficult, or hard to deal with. • complication n. An intermingling or combination of things or parts, especially in a perplexing manner. • complicity n. Participation or partnership, as in wrong-doing or with a wrong-doer. • compliment v. To address or gratify with expressions of delicate praise. • component n. A constituent element or part. • comport v. To conduct or behave (oneself). • composure n. Calmness. • comprehensible adj. Intelligible. • comprehension n. Ability to know. • comprehensive adj. Large in scope or content. • compress v. To press together or into smaller space. • compressible adj. Capable of being pressed into smaller compass. • compression n. Constraint, as by force or authority. • comprise v. To consist of. • compulsion n. Coercion. • compulsory adj. Forced. • compunction n. Remorseful feeling. • compute v. To ascertain by mathematical calculation. • concede v. To surrender. • conceit n. Self-flattering opinion. • conceive v. To form an idea, mental image or thought of. • concerto n. A musical composition. • concession n. Anything granted or yielded, or admitted in response to a demand, petition, • or claim. • conciliate v. To obtain the friendship of. • conciliatory adj. Tending to reconcile. • conclusive adj. Sufficient to convince or decide. • concord n. Harmony. • concordance n. Harmony. • concur v. To agree. • concurrence n. Agreement. • concurrent adj. Occurring or acting together. • concussion n. A violent shock to some organ by a fall or a sudden blow. • condensation n. The act or process of making dense or denser. • condense v. To abridge. • condescend v. To come down voluntarily to equal terms with inferiors. • condolence n. Expression of sympathy with a person in pain, sorrow, or misfortune. • conduce v. To bring about. • conducive adj. Contributing to an end. • conductible adj. Capable of being conducted or transmitted. • conduit n. A means for conducting something, particularly a tube, pipe, or passageway for • a fluid. • confectionery n. The candy collectively that a confectioner makes or sells, as candy. • confederacy n. A number of states or persons in compact or league with each other, as for • mutual aid. • confederate n. One who is united with others in a league, compact, or agreement. • confer v. To bestow. • conferee n. A person with whom another confers. • confessor n. A spiritual advisor. • confidant n. One to whom secrets are entrusted. • confide v. To reveal in trust or confidence. • confidence n. The state or feeling of trust in or reliance upon another. • confident adj. Assured. • confinement n. Restriction within limits or boundaries. • confiscate v. To appropriate (private property) as forfeited to the public use or treasury. • conflagration n. A great fire, as of many buildings, a forest, or the like. • confluence n. The place where streams meet. • confluent n. A stream that unites with another. • conformance n. The act or state or conforming. • conformable adj. Harmonious. • conformation n. General structure, form, or outline. • conformity n. Correspondence in form, manner, or use. • confront v. To encounter, as difficulties or obstacles. • congeal v. To coagulate. • congenial adj. Having kindred character or tastes. • congest v. To collect into a mass. • congregate v. To bring together into a crowd. • coniferous adj. Cone-bearing trees. • conjecture n. A guess. • conjoin v. To unite. • conjugal adj. Pertaining to marriage, marital rights, or married persons. • conjugate adj. Joined together in pairs. • conjugation n. The state or condition of being joined together. • conjunction n. The state of being joined together, or the things so joined. • connive v. To be in collusion. • connoisseur n. A critical judge of art, especially one with thorough knowledge and sound • judgment of art. • connote v. To mean; signify. • connubial adj. Pertaining to marriage or matrimony. • conquer v. To overcome by force. • consanguineous adj. Descended from the same parent or ancestor. • conscience n. The faculty in man by which he distinguishes between right and wrong in • character and conduct. • conscientious adj. Governed by moral standard. • conscious adj. Aware that one lives, feels, and thinks. • conscript v. To force into military service. • consecrate v. To set apart as sacred. • consecutive adj. Following in uninterrupted succession. • consensus n. A collective unanimous opinion of a number of persons. • conservatism n. Tendency to adhere to the existing order of things. • conservative adj. Adhering to the existing order of things. • conservatory n. An institution for instruction and training in music and declamation. • consign v. To entrust. • consignee n. A person to whom goods or other property has been entrusted. • consignor n. One who entrusts. • consistency n. A state of permanence. • console v. To comfort. • consolidate v. To combine into one body or system. • consonance n. The state or quality of being in accord with. • consonant adj. Being in agreement or harmony with. • consort n. A companion or associate. • conspicuous adj. Clearly visible. • conspirator n. One who agrees with others to cooperate in accomplishing some unlawful purpose. • conspire v. To plot. • constable n. An officer whose duty is to maintain the peace. • constellation n. An arbitrary assemblage or group of stars. • consternation n. Panic. • constituency n. The inhabitants or voters in a district represented in a legislative body. • constituent n. One who has the right to vote at an election. • constrict v. To bind. • consul n. An officer appointed to reside in a foreign city, chiefly to represent his country. • consulate n. The place in which a consul transacts official business. • consummate v. To bring to completion. • consumption n. Gradual destruction, as by burning, eating, etc., or by using up, wearing • out, etc. • consumptive adj. Designed for gradual destruction. • contagion n. The communication of disease from person to person. • contagious adj. Transmitting disease. • contaminate v. To pollute. • contemplate v. To consider thoughtfully. • contemporaneous adj. Living, occurring, or existing at the same time. • contemporary adj. Living or existing at the same time. • contemptible adj. Worthy of scorn or disdain. • contemptuous adj. Disdainful. • contender n. One who exerts oneself in opposition or rivalry. • contiguity n. Proximity. • contiguous adj. Touching or joining at the edge or boundary. • continence n. Self-restraint with respect to desires, appetites, and passion. • • contingency n. Possibility of happening. • contingent adj. Not predictable. • continuance n. Permanence. • continuation n. Prolongation. • continuity n. Uninterrupted connection in space, time, operation, or development. • continuous adj. Connected, extended, or prolonged without separation or interruption of • sequence. • contort v. To twist into a misshapen form. • contraband n. Trade forbidden by law or treaty. • contradiction n. The assertion of the opposite of that which has been said. • contradictory adj. Inconsistent with itself. • contraposition n. A placing opposite. • contravene v. To prevent or obstruct the operation of. • contribution n. The act of giving for a common purpose. • contributor n. One who gives or furnishes, in common with others, for a common purpose. • contrite adj. Broken in spirit because of a sense of sin. • contrivance n. The act planning, devising, inventing, or adapting something to or for a • special purpose. • contrive v. To manage or carry through by some device or scheme. • control v. To exercise a directing, restraining, or governing influence over. • controller n. One who or that which regulates or directs. • contumacious adj. Rebellious. • contumacy n. Contemptuous disregard of the requirements of rightful authority. • contuse v. To bruise by a blow, either with or without the breaking of the skin. • contusion n. A bruise. • convalesce v. To recover after a sickness. • convalescence n. The state of progressive restoration to health and strength after the • cessation of disease. • convalescent adj. Recovering health after sickness. • convene v. To summon or cause to assemble. • convenience n. Fitness, as of time or place. • converge v. To cause to incline and approach nearer together. • convergent adj. Tending to one point. • conversant adj. Thoroughly informed. • conversion n. Change from one state or position to another, or from one form to another. • convertible adj. Interchangeable. • convex adj. Curving like the segment of the globe or of the surface of a circle. • conveyance n. That by which anything is transported. • convivial adj. Devoted to feasting, or to good-fellowship in eating or drinking. • convolution n. A winding motion. • convolve v. To move with a circling or winding motion. • convoy n. A protecting force accompanying property in course of transportation. • convulse v. To cause spasms in. • convulsion n. A violent and abnormal muscular contraction of the body. • copious adj. Plenteous. • coquette n. A flirt. • cornice n. An ornamental molding running round the walls of a room close to the ceiling. • cornucopia n. The horn of plenty, symbolizing peace and prosperity. • corollary n. A proposition following so obviously from another that it requires little • demonstration. • coronation n. The act or ceremony of crowning a monarch. • coronet n. Inferior crown denoting, according to its form, various degrees of noble rank • less than sovereign. • corporal adj. Belonging or relating to the body as opposed to the mind. • corporate adj. Belonging to a corporation. • corporeal adj. Of a material nature; physical. • corps n. A number or body of persons in some way associated or acting together. • corpse n. A dead body. • corpulent adj. Obese. • corpuscle n. A minute particle of matter. • correlate v. To put in some relation of connection or correspondence. • correlative adj. Mutually involving or implying one another. • corrigible adj. Capable of reformation. • corroborate v. To strengthen, as proof or conviction. • corroboration n. Confirmation. • corrode v. To ruin or destroy little by little. • corrosion n. Gradual decay by crumbling or surface disintegration. • corrosive n. That which causes gradual decay by crumbling or surface disintegration. • corruptible adj. Open to bribery. • corruption n. Loss of purity or integrity. • cosmetic adj. Pertaining to the art of beautifying, especially the complexion. • cosmic adj. Pertaining to the universe. • cosmogony n. A doctrine of creation or of the origin of the universe. • cosmography n. The science that describes the universe, including astronomy, • geography, and geology. • cosmology n. The general science of the universe. • cosmopolitan adj. Common to all the world. • cosmopolitanism n. A cosmopolitan character. • cosmos n. The world or universe considered as a system, perfect in order and • arrangement. • counter-claim n. A cross-demand alleged by a defendant in his favor against the plaintiff. • counteract v. To act in opposition to. • counterbalance v. To oppose with an equal force. • countercharge v. To accuse in return. • counterfeit adj. Made to resemble something else. • counterpart n. Something taken with another for the completion of either. • countervail v. To offset. • counting-house n. A house or office used for transacting business, bookkeeping, • correspondence, etc. • countryman n. A rustic. • courageous adj. Brave. • course n. Line of motion or direction. • courser n. A fleet and spirited horse. • courtesy n. Politeness originating in kindness and exercised habitually. • covenant n. An agreement entered into by two or more persons or parties. • covert adj. Concealed, especially for an evil purpose. • covey n. A flock of quails or partridges. • cower v. To crouch down tremblingly, as through fear or shame. • coxswain n. One who steers a rowboat, or one who has charge of a ship's boat and its • crew under an officer. • crag n. A rugged, rocky projection on a cliff or ledge. • cranium n. The skull of an animal, especially that part enclosing the brain. • crass adj. Coarse or thick in nature or structure, as opposed to thin or fine. • craving n. A vehement desire. • creak n. A sharp, harsh, squeaking sound. • creamery n. A butter-making establishment. • creamy adj. Resembling or containing cream. • credence n. Belief. • credible adj. Believable. • credulous adj. Easily deceived. • creed n. A formal summary of fundamental points of religious belief. • crematory adj. A place for cremating dead bodies. • crevasse n. A deep crack or fissure in the ice of a glacier. • crevice n. A small fissure, as between two contiguous surfaces. • criterion n. A standard by which to determine the correctness of a judgment or conclusion. • critique n. A criticism or critical review. • crockery n. Earthenware made from baked clay. • crucible n. A trying and purifying test or agency. • crusade n. Any concerted movement, vigorously prosecuted, in behalf of an idea or • principle. • crustacean adj. Pertaining to a division of arthropods, containing lobsters, crabs, crawfish, etc. • crustaceous adj. Having a crust-like shell. • cryptogram n. Anything written in characters that are secret or so arranged as to have • hidden meaning. • crystallize v. To bring together or give fixed shape to. • cudgel n. A short thick stick used as a club. • culinary adj. Of or pertaining to cooking or the kitchen. • cull v. To pick or sort out from the rest. • culpable adj. Guilty. • culprit n. A guilty person. • culvert n. Any artificial covered channel for the passage of water through a bank or under • a road, canal. • cupidity n. Avarice. • curable adj. Capable of being remedied or corrected. • curator n. A person having charge as of a library or museum. • curio n. A piece of bric-a-brac. • cursive adj. Writing in which the letters are joined together. • cursory adj. Rapid and superficial. • curt adj. Concise, compressed, and abrupt in act or expression. • curtail v. To cut off or cut short. • curtsy n. A downward movement of the body by bending the knees. • cycloid adj. Like a circle. • cygnet n. A young swan. • cynical adj. Exhibiting moral skepticism. • cynicism n. Contempt for the opinions of others and of what others value. • cynosure n. That to which general interest or attention is directed. • daring adj. Brave. • • darkling adv. Blindly. • Darwinism n. The doctrine that natural selection has been the prime cause of evolution of • higher forms. • dastard n. A base coward. • datum n. A premise, starting-point, or given fact. • dauntless adj. Fearless. • day-man n. A day-laborer. • dead-heat n. A race in which two or more competitors come out even, and there is no • winner. • dearth n. Scarcity, as of something customary, essential ,or desirable. • death's-head n. A human skull as a symbol of death. • debase v. To lower in character or virtue. • debatable adj. Subject to contention or dispute. • debonair adj. Having gentle or courteous bearing or manner. • debut n. A first appearance in society or on the stage. • decagon n. A figure with ten sides and ten angles. • decagram n. A weight of 10 grams. • decaliter n. A liquid and dry measure of 10 liters. • decalogue n. The ten commandments. • Decameron n. A volume consisting of ten parts or books. • decameter n. A length of ten meters. • decamp v. To leave suddenly or unexpectedly. • decapitate v. To behead. • decapod adj. Ten-footed or ten-armed. • decasyllable n. A line of ten syllables. • deceit n. Falsehood. • deceitful adj. Fraudulent. • deceive v. To mislead by or as by falsehood. • decency n. Moral fitness. • decent adj. Characterized by propriety of conduct, speech, manners, or dress. • deciduous adj. Falling off at maturity as petals after flowering, fruit when ripe, etc. • decimal adj. Founded on the number 10. • decimate v. To destroy a measurable or large proportion of. • decipher v. To find out the true words or meaning of, as something hardly legible. • decisive ad. Conclusive. • declamation n. A speech recited or intended for recitation from memory in public. • declamatory adj. A full and formal style of utterance. • declarative adj. Containing a formal, positive, or explicit statement or affirmation. • declension n. The change of endings in nouns and adj. to express their different relations of gender. • decorate v. To embellish. • decorous adj. Suitable for the occasion or circumstances. • decoy n. Anything that allures, or is intended to allures into danger or temptation. • decrepit adj. Enfeebled, as by old age or some chronic infirmity. • dedication n. The voluntary consecration or relinquishment of something to an end or • cause. • deduce v. To derive or draw as a conclusion by reasoning from given premises or • principles. • deface v. To mar or disfigure the face or external surface of. • defalcate v. To cut off or take away, as a part of something. • defamation n. Malicious and groundless injury done to the reputation or good name of another. • defame v. To slander. • default n. The neglect or omission of a legal requirement. • defendant n. A person against whom a suit is brought. • defensible adj. Capable of being maintained or justified. • defensive adj. Carried on in resistance to aggression. • defer v. To delay or put off to some other time. • deference n. Respectful submission or yielding, as to another's opinion, wishes, or • judgment. • defiant adj. Characterized by bold or insolent opposition. • deficiency n. Lack or insufficiency. • deficient adj. Not having an adequate or proper supply or amount. • definite adj. Having an exact signification or positive meaning. • deflect v. To cause to turn aside or downward. • deforest v. To clear of forests. • deform v. To disfigure. • deformity n. A disfigurement. • defraud v. To deprive of something dishonestly. • defray v. To make payment for. • degeneracy n. A becoming worse. • degenerate v. To become worse or inferior. • degradation n. Diminution, as of strength or magnitude. • degrade v. To take away honors or position from. • dehydrate v. To deprive of water. • deify v. To regard or worship as a god. • deign v. To deem worthy of notice or account. • deist n. One who believes in God, but denies supernatural revelation. • deity n. A god, goddess, or divine person. • deject v. To dishearten. • dejection n. Melancholy. • delectable adj. Delightful to the taste or to the senses. • delectation n. Delight. • deleterious adj. Hurtful, morally or physically. • delicacy n. That which is agreeable to a fine taste. • delineate v. To represent by sketch or diagram. • deliquesce v. To dissolve gradually and become liquid by absorption of moisture from the • air. • delirious adj. Raving. • delude v. To mislead the mind or judgment of. • deluge v. To overwhelm with a flood of water. • delusion n. Mistaken conviction, especially when more or less enduring. • demagnetize v. To deprive (a magnet) of magnetism. • demagogue n. An unprincipled politician. • demeanor n. Deportment. • demented adj. Insane. • demerit n. A mark for failure or bad conduct. • demise n. Death. • demobilize v. To disband, as troops. • demolish v. To annihilate. • demonstrable adj. Capable of positive proof. • demonstrate v. To prove indubitably. • demonstrative adj. Inclined to strong exhibition or expression of feeling or thoughts. • demonstrator n. One who proves in a convincing and conclusive manner. • demulcent n. Any application soothing to an irritable surface • demurrage n. the detention of a vessel beyond the specified time of sailing. • dendroid adj. Like a tree. • dendrology n. The natural history of trees. • denizen n. Inhabitant. • denominate v. To give a name or epithet to. • denomination n. A body of Christians united by a common faith and form of worship and • discipline. • denominator n. Part of a fraction which expresses the number of equal parts into which • the unit is divided. • denote v. To designate by word or mark. • denouement n. That part of a play or story in which the mystery is cleared up. • denounce v. To point out or publicly accuse as deserving of punishment, censure, or • odium. • dentifrice n. Any preparation used for cleaning the teeth. • denude v. To strip the covering from. • denunciation n. The act of declaring an action or person worthy of reprobation or • punishment. • deplete v. To reduce or lessen, as by use, exhaustion, or waste. • deplorable adj. Contemptible. • deplore v. To regard with grief or sorrow. • deponent adj. Laying down. • depopulate v. To remove the inhabitants from. • deport v. To take or send away forcibly, as to a penal colony. • deportment n. Demeanor. • deposition n. Testimony legally taken on interrogatories and reduced to writing, for use as • evidence in court. • depositor n. One who makes a deposit, or has an amount deposited. • depository n. A place where anything is kept in safety. • deprave v. To render bad, especially morally bad. • deprecate v. To express disapproval or regret for, with hope for the opposite. • depreciate v. To lessen the worth of. • depreciation n. A lowering in value or an underrating in worth. • depress v. To press down. • depression n. A falling of the spirits. • depth n. Deepness. • derelict adj. Neglectful of obligation. • deride v. To ridicule. • derisible adj. Open to ridicule. • derision n. Ridicule. • derivation n. That process by which a word is traced from its original root or primitive form • and meaning. • derivative adj. Coming or acquired from some origin. • derive v. To deduce, as from a premise. • dermatology n. The branch of medical science which relates to the skin and its diseases. • derrick n. An apparatus for hoisting and swinging great weights. • • descendant n. One who is descended lineally from another, as a child, grandchild, etc. • descendent adj. Proceeding downward. • descent n. The act of moving or going downward. • descry v. To discern. • desert v. To abandon without regard to the welfare of the abandoned • desiccant n. Any remedy which, when applied externally, dries up or absorbs moisture, as • that of wounds. • designate v. To select or appoint, as by authority. • desist v. To cease from action. • desistance n. Cessation. • despair n. Utter hopelessness and despondency. • desperado n. One without regard for law or life. • desperate adj. Resorted to in a last extremity, or as if prompted by utter despair. • despicable adj. Contemptible. • despite prep. In spite of. • despond v. To lose spirit, courage, or hope. • despondent adj. Disheartened. • despot n. An absolute and irresponsible monarch. • despotism n. Any severe and strict rule in which the judgment of the governed has little or • no part. • destitute adj. Poverty-stricken. • desultory adj. Not connected with what precedes. • deter v. To frighten away. • deteriorate v. To grow worse. • determinate adj. Definitely limited or fixed. • determination n. The act of deciding. • deterrent adj. Hindering from action through fear. • detest v. To dislike or hate with intensity. • detract v. To take away in such manner as to lessen value or estimation. • detriment n. Something that causes damage, depreciation, or loss. • detrude v. To push down forcibly. • deviate v. To take a different course. • devilry n. Malicious mischief. • deviltry n. Wanton and malicious mischief. • devious adj. Out of the common or regular track. • devise v. To invent. • devout adj. Religious. • dexterity n. Readiness, precision, efficiency, and ease in any physical activity or in any • mechanical work. • diabolic adj. Characteristic of the devil. • diacritical adj. Marking a difference. • diagnose v. To distinguish, as a disease, by its characteristic phenomena. • diagnosis n. Determination of the distinctive nature of a disease. • dialect n. Forms of speech collectively that are peculiar to the people of a particular district. • dialectician n. A logician. • dialogue n. A formal conversation in which two or more take part. • diaphanous adj. Transparent. • diatomic adj. Containing only two atoms. • diatribe n. A bitter or malicious criticism. • dictum n. A positive utterance. • didactic adj. Pertaining to teaching. • difference n. Dissimilarity in any respect. • differentia n. Any essential characteristic of a species by reason of which it differs from other species. • differential adj. Distinctive. • differentiate v. To acquire a distinct and separate character. • diffidence n. Self-distrust. • diffident adj. Affected or possessed with self-distrust. • diffusible adj. Spreading rapidly through the system and acting quickly. • diffusion n. Dispersion. • dignitary n. One who holds high rank. • digraph n. A union of two characters representing a single sound. • digress v. To turn aside from the main subject and for a time dwell on some incidental • matter. • dilapidated pa. Fallen into decay or partial ruin. • dilate v. To enlarge in all directions. • dilatory adj. Tending to cause delay. • dilemma n. A situation in which a choice between opposing modes of conduct is • necessary. • dilettante n. A superficial amateur. • diligence n. Careful and persevering effort to accomplish what is undertaken. • dilute v. To make more fluid or less concentrated by admixture with something. • diminution n. Reduction. • dimly adv. Obscurely. • diphthong n. The sound produced by combining two vowels in to a single syllable or • running together the sounds. • diplomacy n. Tact, shrewdness, or skill in conducting any kind of negotiations or in social • matters. • diplomat n. A representative of one sovereign state at the capital or court of another. • diplomatic adj. Characterized by special tact in negotiations. • diplomatist n. One remarkable for tact and shrewd management. • disagree v. To be opposite in opinion. • disallow v. To withhold permission or sanction. • disappear v. To cease to exist, either actually or for the time being. • disappoint v. To fail to fulfill the expectation, hope, wish, or desire of. • disapprove v. To regard with blame. • disarm v. To deprive of weapons. • disarrange v. To throw out of order. • disavow v. To disclaim responsibility for. • disavowal n. Denial. • disbeliever n. One who refuses to believe. • disburden v. To disencumber. • disburse v. To pay out or expend, as money from a fund. • discard v. To reject. • discernible adj. Perceivable. • disciple n. One who believes the teaching of another, or who adopts and follows some doctrine. • disciplinary adj. Having the nature of systematic training or subjection to authority. • discipline v. To train to obedience. • disclaim v. To disavow any claim to, connection with, or responsibility to. • discolor v. To stain. • discomfit v. To put to confusion. • discomfort n. The state of being positively uncomfortable. • disconnect v. To undo or dissolve the connection or association of. • disconsolate adj. Grief-stricken. • discontinuance n. Interruption or intermission. • discord n. Absence of harmoniousness. • discountenance v. To look upon with disfavor. • discover v. To get first sight or knowledge of, as something previously unknown or unperceived. • discredit v. To injure the reputation of. • discreet adj. Judicious. • discrepant adj. Opposite. • discriminate v. To draw a distinction. • discursive adj. Passing from one subject to another. • discussion n. Debate. • disenfranchise v. To deprive of any right privilege or power • disengage v. To become detached. • disfavor n. Disregard. • disfigure v. To impair or injure the beauty, symmetry, or appearance of. • dishabille n. Undress or negligent attire. • dishonest adj. Untrustworthy. • disillusion v. To disenchant. • disinfect v. To remove or destroy the poison of infectious or contagious diseases. • disinfectant n. A substance used to destroy the germs of infectious diseases. • disinherit v. To deprive of an inheritance. • disinterested adj. Impartial. • disjunctive adj. Helping or serving to disconnect or separate. • dislocate v. To put out of proper place or order. • dismissal n. Displacement by authority from an office or an employment. • dismount v. To throw down, push off, or otherwise remove from a horse or the like. • disobedience n. Neglect or refusal to comply with an authoritative injunction. • disobedient adj. Neglecting or refusing to obey. • disown v. To refuse to acknowledge as one's own or as connected with oneself. • disparage v. To regard or speak of slightingly. • disparity n. Inequality. • dispel v. To drive away by or as by scattering in different directions. • dispensation n. That which is bestowed on or appointed to one from a higher power. • displace v. To put out of the proper or accustomed place. • dispossess v. To deprive of actual occupancy, especially of real estate. • disputation n. Verbal controversy. • disqualify v. To debar. • disquiet v. To deprive of peace or tranquility. • disregard v. To take no notice of. • disreputable adj. Dishonorable or disgraceful. • disrepute n. A bad name or character. • disrobe v. To unclothe. • disrupt v. To burst or break asunder. • dissatisfy v. To displease. • dissect v. To cut apart or to pieces. • dissection n. The act or operation of cutting in pieces, specifically of a plant or an animal. • dissemble v. To hide by pretending something different. • disseminate v. To sow or scatter abroad, as seed is sown. • dissension n. Angry or violent difference of opinion. • dissent n. Disagreement. • dissentient n. One who disagrees. • dissentious adj. Contentious. • dissertation n. Thesis. • disservice n. An ill turn. • dissever v. To divide. • dissimilar adj. Different. • dissipate v. To disperse or disappear. • dissipation n. The state of being dispersed or scattered. • dissolute adj. Lewd. • dissolution n. A breaking up of a union of persons. • dissolve v. To liquefy or soften, as by heat or moisture. • dissonance n. Discord. • dissonant adj. Harsh or disagreeable in sound. • dissuade v. To change the purpose or alter the plans of by persuasion, counsel, or • pleading. • dissuasion n. The act of changing the purpose of or altering the plans of through • persuasion, or pleading. • disyllable n. A word of two syllables. • distemper n. A disease or malady. • distend v. To stretch out or expand in every direction. • distensible adj. Capable of being stretched out or expanded in every direction. • distention n. Expansion. • distill v. To extract or produce by vaporization and condensation. • distillation n. Separation of the more volatile parts of a substance from those less volatile. • distiller n. One occupied in the business of distilling alcoholic liquors. • distinction n. A note or designation of honor, officially recognizing superiority or success in • studies. • distort v. To twist into an unnatural or irregular form. • distrain v. To subject a person to distress. • distrainor n. One who subjects a person to distress. • distraught adj. Bewildered. • distrust n. Lack of confidence in the power, wisdom, or good intent of any person. • disunion n. Separation of relations or interests. • diurnal adj. Daily. • divagation n. Digression. • divergent adj. Tending in different directions. • diverse adj. Capable of various forms. • diversion n. Pastime. • diversity n. Dissimilitude. • divert v. To turn from the accustomed course or a line of action already established. • divertible adj. Able to be turned from the accustomed course or a line of action already established. • divest v. To strip, specifically of clothes, ornaments, or accouterments or disinvestment. • divination n. The pretended forecast of future events or discovery of what is lost or hidden. • divinity n. The quality or character of being godlike. • divisible adj. Capable of being separated into parts. • divisor n. That by which a number or quantity is divided. • divulge v. To tell or make known, as something previously private or secret. • divulgence n. A divulging. • docile adj. Easy to manage. • docket n. The registry of judgments of a court. • doe n. The female of the deer. • dogma n. A statement of religious faith or duty formulated by a body claiming authority. • dogmatic adj. Making statements without argument or evidence. • dogmatize v. To make positive assertions without supporting them by argument or • evidence. • doleful adj. Melancholy. • dolesome adj. Melancholy. • dolor n. Lamentation. • dolorous adj. Expressing or causing sorrow or pain. • domain n. A sphere or field of action or interest. • domesticity n. Life in or fondness for one's home and family. • domicile n. The place where one lives. • dominance n. Ascendancy. • dominant adj. Conspicuously prominent. • dominate v. To influence controllingly. • domination n. Control by the exercise of power or constituted authority. • domineer v. To rule with insolence or unnecessary annoyance. • donate v. To bestow as a gift, especially for a worthy cause. • donator n. One who makes a donation or present. • donee n. A person to whom a donation is made. • donor n. One who makes a donation or present. • dormant adj. Being in a state of or resembling sleep. • doublet n. One of a pair of like things. • doubly adv. In twofold degree or extent. • dowry n. The property which a wife brings to her husband in marriage. • drachma n. A modern and an ancient Greek coin. • dragnet n. A net to be drawn along the bottom of the water. • dragoon n. In the British army, a cavalryman. • drainage n. The means of draining collectively, as a system of conduits, trenches, pipes, • etc. • dramatist n. One who writes plays. • dramatize v. To relate or represent in a dramatic or theatrical manner. • drastic adj. Acting vigorously. • drought n. Dry weather, especially when so long continued as to cause vegetation to • wither. • drowsy adj. Heavy with sleepiness. • drudgery n. Hard and constant work in any menial or dull occupation. • dubious adj. Doubtful. • duckling n. A young duck. • ductile adj. Capable of being drawn out, as into wire or a thread. • duet n. A composition for two voices or instruments. • dun v. To make a demand or repeated demands on for payment. • duplex adj. Having two parts. • duplicity n. Double-dealing. • durance n. Confinement. • duration n. The period of time during which anything lasts. • duteous adj. Showing submission to natural superiors. • dutiable adj. Subject to a duty, especially a customs duty. • dutiful adj. Obedient. • dwindle v. To diminish or become less. • dyne n. The force which, applied to a mass of one gram for 1 second, would give it a • velocity of 1 cm/s. • earnest adj. Ardent in spirit and speech. • earthenware n. Anything made of clay and baked in a kiln or dried in the sun. • eatable adj. Edible. • ebullient adj. Showing enthusiasm or exhilaration of feeling. • eccentric adj. Peculiar. • eccentricity n. Idiosyncrasy. • eclipse n. The obstruction of a heavenly body by its entering into the shadow of another • body. • economize v. To spend sparingly. • ecstasy n. Rapturous excitement or exaltation. • ecstatic adj. Enraptured. • edible adj. Suitable to be eaten. • edict n. That which is uttered or proclaimed by authority as a rule of action. • edify v. To build up, or strengthen, especially in morals or religion. • editorial n. An article in a periodical written by the editor and published as an official argument. • educe v. To draw out. • efface v. To obliterate. • effect n. A consequence. • effective adj. Fit for a destined purpose. • effectual adj. Efficient. • effeminacy n. Womanishness. • effeminate adj. Having womanish traits or qualities. • effervesce v. To bubble up. • effervescent adj. Giving off bubbles of gas. • effete adj. Exhausted, as having performed its functions. • efficacious adj. Effective. • efficacy n. The power to produce an intended effect as shown in the production of it. • efficiency n. The state of possessing adequate skill or knowledge for the performance of a duty. • efficient adj. Having and exercising the power to produce effects or results. • efflorescence n. The state of being flowery, or a flowery appearance. • efflorescent adj. Opening in flower. • effluvium n. A noxious or ill-smelling exhalation from decaying or putrefying matter. • effrontery n. Unblushing impudence. • effulgence n. Splendor. • effuse v. To pour forth. • effusion n. an outpouring. • egoism n. The theory that places man's chief good in the completeness of self. • egoist n. One who advocates or practices egoism. • egotism n. Self-conceit. • egotist n. One given to self-mention or who is constantly telling of his own views and • experiences. • • egregious adj. Extreme. • egress n. Any place of exit. • eject v. To expel. • elapse v. To quietly terminate: said of time. • elasticity n. That property of matter by which a body tends to return to a former shape after • being changed. • electrolysis n. The process of decomposing a chemical compound by the passage of an • electric current. • electrotype n. A metallic copy of any surface, as a coin. • elegy n. A lyric poem lamenting the dead. • element n. A component or essential part. • elicit v. To educe or extract gradually or without violence. • eligible adj. Qualified for selection. • eliminate v. To separate and cast aside. • Elizabethan adj. Relating to Elizabeth, queen of England, or to her era. • elocution n. The art of correct intonation, inflection, and gesture in public speaking or • reading. • eloquent adj. Having the ability to express emotion or feeling in lofty and impassioned speech. • elucidate v. To bring out more clearly the facts concerning. • elude v. To evade the search or pursuit of by dexterity or artifice. • elusion n. Evasion. • emaciate v. To waste away in flesh. • emanate v. To flow forth or proceed, as from some source. • emancipate v. To release from bondage. • embargo n. Authoritative stoppage of foreign commerce or of any special trade. • embark v. To make a beginning in some occupation or scheme. • embarrass v. To render flustered or agitated. • embellish v. To make beautiful or elegant by adding attractive or ornamental features. • embezzle v. To misappropriate secretly. • emblazon v. To set forth publicly or in glowing terms. • emblem n. A symbol. • embody v. To express, formulate, or exemplify in a concrete, compact or visible form. • embolden v. To give courage to. • embolism n. An obstruction or plugging up of an artery or other blood-vessel. • embroil v. To involve in dissension or strife. • emerge v. To come into view or into existence. • emergence n. A coming into view. • emergent adj. Coming into view. • emeritus adj. Retired from active service but retained to an honorary position. • emigrant n. One who moves from one place to settle in another. • emigrate v. To go from one country, state, or region for the purpose of settling or residing in another. • eminence n. An elevated position with respect to rank, place, character, condition, etc. • eminent adj. High in station, merit, or esteem. • emit v. To send or give out. • emphasis n. Any special impressiveness added to an utterance or act, or stress laid upon some word. • emphasize v. To articulate or enunciate with special impressiveness upon a word, or a • group of words. • emphatic adj. Spoken with any special impressiveness laid upon an act, word, or set of words. • employee n. One who works for wages or a salary. • employer n. One who uses or engages the services of other persons for pay. • emporium n. A bazaar or shop. • empower v. To delegate authority to. • emulate v. To imitate with intent to equal or surpass. • enact v. To make into law, as by legislative act. • enamor v. To inspire with ardent love. • encamp v. To pitch tents for a resting-place. • encomium n. A formal or discriminating expression of praise. • encompass v. To encircle. • encore n. The call for a repetition, as of some part of a play or performance. • encourage v. To inspire with courage, hope, or strength of mind. • encroach v. To invade partially or insidiously and appropriate the possessions of another. • encumber v. To impede with obstacles. • encyclical adj. Intended for general circulation. • encyclopedia n. A work containing information on subjects, or exhaustive of one subject. • endanger v. To expose to peril. • endear v. To cause to be loved. • endemic adj. Peculiar to some specified country or people. • endue v. To endow with some quality, gift, or grace, usually spiritual. • endurable adj. Tolerable. • endurance n. The ability to suffer pain, distress, hardship, or stress of any kind without succumbing. • energetic adj. Working vigorously. • enervate v. To render ineffective or inoperative. • enfeeble v. To debilitate. • enfranchise v. To endow with a privilege, especially with the right to vote. • engender v. To produce. • engrave v. To cut or carve in or upon some surface. • engross v. To occupy completely. • enhance v. To intensify. • enigma n. A riddle. • enjoin v. To command. • enkindle v. To set on fire. • enlighten v. To cause to see clearly. • enlist v. To enter voluntarily the military service by formal enrollment. • enmity n. Hatred. • ennoble v. To dignify. • enormity n. Immensity. • enormous adj. Gigantic. • enrage v. To infuriate. • enrapture v. To delight extravagantly or intensely. • enshrine v. To keep sacred. • ensnare v. To entrap. • entail v. To involve; necessitate. • entangle v. To involve in difficulties, confusion, or complications. • enthrall v. To bring or hold under any overmastering influence. • enthrone v. To invest with sovereign power. • enthuse v. To yield to or display intense and rapturous feeling. • enthusiastic adj. Full of zeal and fervor. • entirety n. A complete thing. • entomology n. The branch of zoology that treats of insects. • entrails n. pl. The internal parts of an animal. • entreaty n. An earnest request. • entree n. The act of entering. • entrench v. To fortify or protect, as with a trench or ditch and wall. • entwine v. To interweave. • enumerate v. To name one by one. • epic n. A poem celebrating in formal verse the mythical achievements of great personages, • heroes, etc. • epicure n. One who cultivates a delicate taste for eating and drinking. • Epicurean adj. Indulging, ministering, or pertaining to daintiness of appetite. • epicycle n. A circle that rolls upon the external or internal circumference of another circle. • epicycloid n. A curve traced by a point on the circumference of a circle which rolls upon • another circle. • epidemic n. Wide-spread occurrence of a disease in a certain region. • epidermis n. The outer skin. • epigram n. A pithy phrasing of a shrewd observation. • epilogue n. The close of a narrative or dramatic poem. • epiphany n. Any appearance or bodily manifestation of a deity. • episode n. An incident or story in a literary work, separable from yet growing out of it. • epitaph n. An inscription on a tomb or monument in honor or in memory of the dead. • epithet n. Word used adjectivally to describe some quality or attribute of is objects, as in • “Father Aeneas.” • epitome n. A simplified representation. • epizootic adj. Prevailing among animals. • epoch n. A interval of time, memorable for extraordinary events. • epode n. A species of lyric poems. • equalize v. To render uniform. • equanimity n. Evenness of mind or temper. • equestrian adj. Pertaining to horses or horsemanship. • equilibrium n. A state of balance. • equitable adj. Characterized by fairness. • equity n. Fairness or impartiality. • equivalent adj. Equal in value, force, meaning, or the like. • equivocal adj. Ambiguous. • equivocate v. To use words of double meaning. • eradicate v. To destroy thoroughly. • errant adj. Roving or wandering, as in search of adventure or opportunity for gallant deeds. • erratic adj. Irregular. • erroneous adj. Incorrect. • erudite adj. Very-learned. • erudition n. Extensive knowledge of literature, history, language, etc. • eschew v. To keep clear of. • espy v. To keep close watch. • esquire n. A title of dignity, office, or courtesy. • essence n. That which makes a thing to be what it is. • esthetic adj. Pertaining to beauty, taste, or the fine arts. • estimable adj. Worthy of respect. • estrange v. To alienate. • estuary n. A wide lower part of a tidal river. • • et cetera Latin. And so forth. • eugenic adj. Relating to the development and improvement of race. • eulogize v. To speak or write a laudation of a person's life or character. • eulogy n. A spoken or written laudation of a person's life or character. • euphemism n. A figure of speech by which a phrase less offensive is substituted. • euphonious adj. Characterized by agreeableness of sound. • euphony n. Agreeableness of sound. • eureka Greek. I have found it. • evade v. To avoid by artifice. • evanesce v. To vanish gradually. • evanescent adj. Fleeting. • evangelical adj. Seeking the conversion of sinners. • evangelist n. A preacher who goes from place to place holding services. • evasion n. Escape. • eventual adj. Ultimate. • evert v. To turn inside out. • evict v. To dispossess pursuant to judicial decree. • evidential adj. Indicative. • evince v. To make manifest or evident. • evoke v. To call or summon forth. • evolution n. Development or growth. • evolve v. To unfold or expand. • exacerbate v. To make more sharp, severe, or virulent. • exaggerate v. To overstate. • exasperate v. To excite great anger in. • excavate v. To remove by digging or scooping out. • exceed v. To go beyond, as in measure, quality, value, action, power, skill, etc. • excel v. To be superior or distinguished. • excellence n. Possession of eminently or unusually good qualities. • excellency n. A title of honor bestowed upon various high officials. • excellent adj. Possessing distinguished merit. • excerpt n. An extract or selection from written or printed matter. • excess n. That which passes the ordinary, proper, or required limit, measure, or • experience. • excitable adj. Nervously high-strung. • excitation n. Intensified emotion or action. • exclamation n. An abrupt or emphatic expression of thought or of feeling. • exclude v. To shut out purposely or forcibly. • exclusion n. Non-admission. • excrescence n. Any unnatural addition, outgrowth, or development. • excretion n. The getting rid of waste matter. • excruciate v. To inflict severe pain or agony upon. • excursion n. A journey. • excusable adj. Justifiable. • execrable adj. Abominable. • execration n. An accursed thing. • executor n. A person nominated by the will of another to execute the will. • exegesis n. Biblical exposition or interpretation. • exemplar n. A model, pattern, or original to be copied or imitated. • exemplary adj. Fitted to serve as a model or example worthy of imitation. • exemplify v. To show by example. • exempt adj. Free, clear, or released, as from some liability, or restriction affecting others. • exert v. To make an effort. • exhale v. To breathe forth. • exhaust v. To empty by draining off the contents. • exhaustible adj. Causing or tending to cause exhaustion. • exhaustion n. Deprivation of strength or energy. • exhaustive adj. Thorough and complete in execution. • exhilarate v. To fill with high or cheerful spirits. • exhume v. To dig out of the earth (what has been buried). • exigency n. A critical period or condition. • exigent adj. Urgent. • existence n. Possession or continuance of being. • exit n. A way or passage out. • exodus n. A going forth or departure from a place or country, especially of many people. • exonerate v. To relieve or vindicate from accusation, imputation, or blame. • exorbitance n. Extravagance or enormity. • exorbitant adj. Going beyond usual and proper limits. • exorcise v. To cast or drive out by religious or magical means. • exotic adj. Foreign. • expand v. To increase in range or scope. • expanse n. A continuous area or stretch. • expansion n. Increase of amount, size, scope, or the like. • expatriate v. To drive from one's own country. • expect v. To look forward to as certain or probable. • expectancy n. The act or state of looking forward to as certain or probable. • expectorate v. To cough up and spit forth. • expediency n. Fitness to meet the requirements of a particular case. • expedient adj. Contributing to personal advantage. • expedite v. To hasten the movement or progress of. • expeditious adj. Speedy. • expend v. To spend. • expense n. The laying out or expending or money or other resources, as time or strength. • expiate v. To make satisfaction or amends for. • explicate v. To clear from involvement. • explicit adj. Definite. • explode v. To cause to burst in pieces by force from within. • explosion n. A sudden and violent outbreak. • explosive adj. Pertaining to a sudden and violent outbreak. • exposition n. Formal presentation. • expository adj. Pertaining to a formal presentation. • expostulate v. To discuss. • exposure n. An open situation or position in relation to the sun, elements, or points of the • compass. • expressive adj. Full of meaning. • expulsion n. Forcible ejection. • extant adj. Still existing and known. • extemporaneous adj. Done or made without much or any preparation. • extempore adv. Without studied or special preparation. • extensible adj. Capable of being thrust out. • extension n. A reaching or stretching out, as in space, time or scope. • extensive adj. Extended widely in space, time, or scope. • extensor n. A muscle that causes extension. • extenuate v. To diminish the gravity or importance of. • exterior n. That which is outside. • external n. Anything relating or belonging to the outside. • extinct adj. Being no longer in existence. • extinguish v. To render extinct. • extol v. To praise in the highest terms. • extort v. To obtain by violence, threats, compulsion, or the subjection of another to some • necessity. • extortion n. The practice of obtaining by violence or compulsion. • extradite v. To surrender the custody of. • extradition n. The surrender by a government of a person accused of crime to the justice • of another government. • extrajudicial adj. Happening out of court. • extraneous adj. Having no essential relation to a subject. • extraordinary adj. Unusual. • extravagance n. Undue expenditure of money. • extravagant adj. Needlessly free or lavish in expenditure. • extremist n. One who supports extreme measures or holds extreme views. • extremity n. The utmost point, side, or border, or that farthest removed from a mean • position. • extricate v. Disentangle. • extrude v. To drive out or away. • exuberance n. Rich supply. • exuberant adj. Marked by great plentifulness. • fabricate v. To invent fancifully or falsely. • fabulous adj. Incredible. • facet n. One of the small triangular plane surfaces of a diamond or other gem. • facetious adj. Amusing. • facial adj. Pertaining to the face. • facile adj. Not difficult to do. • facilitate v. To make more easy. • facility n. Ease. • facsimile n. An exact copy or reproduction. • faction n. A number of persons combined for a common purpose. • factious adj. Turbulent. • fallacious adj. Illogical. • fallacy n. Any unsound or delusive mode of reasoning, or anything based on such • reasoning. • fallible adj. Capable of erring. • fallow n. Land broken up and left to become mellow or to rest. • famish v. To suffer extremity of hunger or thirst. • fanatic n. A religious zealot. • fancier n. One having a taste for or interest in special objects. • fanciless adj. Unimaginative. • fastidious adj. Hard to please. • • fathom n. A measure of length, 6 feet. • fatuous adj. Idiotic • faulty adj. Imperfect. • faun n. One of a class of deities of the woods and herds represented as half human, with • goats feet. • fawn n. A young deer. • fealty n. Loyalty. • feasible adj. That may be done, performed, or effected; practicable. • federate v. To league together. • feint n. Any sham, pretense, or deceptive movement. • felicitate v. To wish joy or happiness to, especially in view of a coming event. • felicity n. A state of well-founded happiness. • felon n. A criminal or depraved person. • felonious adj. Showing criminal or evil purpose. • felony n. One of the highest class of offenses, and punishable with death or imprisonment. • feminine adj. Characteristic of woman or womankind. • fernery n. A place in which ferns are grown. • ferocious adj. Of a wild, fierce, and savage nature. • ferocity n. Savageness. • fervent adj. Ardent in feeling. • fervid adj. Intense. • fervor n. Ardor or intensity of feeling. • festal adj. Joyous. • festive adj. Merry. • fete n. A festival or feast. • fetus n. The young in the womb or in the egg. • feudal adj. Pertaining to the relation of lord and vassal. • feudalism n. The feudal system. • fez n. A brimless felt cap in the shape of a truncated cone, usually red with a black tassel. • fiasco n. A complete or humiliating failure. • fickle adj. Unduly changeable in feeling, judgment, or purpose. • fictitious adj. Created or formed by the imagination. • fidelity n. Loyalty. • fiducial adj. Indicative of faith or trust. • fief n. A landed estate held under feudal tenure. • filibuster n. One who attempts to obstruct legislation. • finale n. Concluding performance. • finality n. The state or quality of being final or complete. • finally adv. At last. • financial adj. Monetary. • financier n. One skilled in or occupied with financial affairs or operations. • finery n. That which is used to decorate the person or dress. • finesse n. Subtle contrivance used to gain a point. • finite adj. Limited. • fiscal adj. Pertaining to the treasury or public finances of a government. • fishmonger n. One who sells fish. • fissure n. A crack or crack-like depression. • fitful adj. Spasmodic. • fixture n. One who or that which is expected to remain permanently in its position. • flag-officer n. The captain of a flag-ship. • flagrant adj. Openly scandalous. • flamboyant adj. Characterized by extravagance and in general by want of good taste. • flatulence n. Accumulation of gas in the stomach and bowels. • flection n. The act of bending. • fledgling n. A young bird. • flexible adj. Pliable. • flimsy adj. Thin and weak. • flippant adj. Having a light, pert, trifling disposition. • floe n. A collection of tabular masses of floating polar ice. • flora n. The aggregate of plants growing without cultivation in a district. • floral adj. Pertaining to flowers. • florid adj. Flushed with red. • florist n. A dealer in flowers. • fluctuate v. To pass backward and forward irregularly from one state or degree to another. • fluctuation n. Frequent irregular change back and forth from one state or degree to • another. • flue n. A smoke-duct in a chimney. • fluent adj. Having a ready or easy flow of words or ideas. • fluential adj. Pertaining to streams. • flux n. A state of constant movement, change, or renewal. • foggy adj. Obscure. • foible n. A personal weakness or failing. • foist v. To palm off. • foliage n. Any growth of leaves. • folio n. A sheet of paper folded once, or of a size adapted to folding once. • folklore n. The traditions, beliefs, and customs of the common people. • fondle v. To handle tenderly and lovingly. • foolery n. Folly. • foot-note n. A note of explanation or comment at the foot of a page or column. • foppery n. Dandyism. • foppish adj. Characteristic of one who is unduly devoted to dress and the niceties of • manners. • forbearance n. Patient endurance or toleration of offenses. • forby adv. Besides. • forcible adj. Violent. • forecourt n. A court opening directly from the street. • forejudge v. To judge of before hearing evidence. • forepeak n. The extreme forward part of a ship's hold, under the lowest deck. • foreshore n. That part of a shore uncovered at low tide. • forebode v. To be an omen or warning sign of, especially of evil. • forecast v. To predict. • forecastle n. That part of the upper deck of a ship forward of the after fore-shrouds. • foreclose v. To bar by judicial proceedings the equitable right of a mortgagor to redeem • property. • forefather n. An ancestor. • forego v. To deny oneself the pleasure or profit of. • foreground n. That part of a landscape or picture situated or represented as nearest the • spectator. • forehead n. The upper part of the face, between the eyes and the hair. • foreign adj. Belonging to, situated in, or derived from another country. • foreigner n. A citizen of a foreign country. • foreknowledge n. Prescience. • foreman n. The head man. • foreordain v. To predetermine. • foreordination n. Predestination. • forerun v. To go before as introducing or ushering in. • foresail n. A square sail. • foresee v. To discern beforehand. • foresight n. Provision against harm or need. • foretell v. To predict. • forethought n. Premeditation. • forfeit v. To lose possession of through failure to fulfill some obligation. • forfend v. To ward off. • forgery n. Counterfeiting. • forgo v. To deny oneself. • formation n. Relative disposition of parts. • formidable adj. Difficult to accomplish. • formula n. Fixed rule or set form. • forswear v. To renounce upon oath. • forte n. A strong point. • forth adv. Into notice or view. • forthright adv. With directness. • fortify v. To provide with defensive works. • fortitude n. Patient courage. • foursome adj. Consisting of four. • fracture n. A break. • fragile adj. Easily broken. • frailty n. Liability to be broken or destroyed. • fragile adj. Capable of being broken. • frankincense n. A gum or resin which on burning yields aromatic fumes. • frantic adj. Frenzied. • fraternal adj. Brotherly. • fraudulence n. Deceitfulness. • fraudulent adj. Counterfeit. • fray v. To fret at the edge so as to loosen or break the threads. • freemason n. A member of an ancient secret fraternity originally confined to skilled • artisans. • freethinker n. One who rejects authority or inspiration in religion. • free trade n. Commerce unrestricted by tariff or customs. • frequency n. The comparative number of any kind of occurrences within a given time or space. • fresco n. The art of painting on a surface of plaster, particularly on walls and ceilings. • freshness n. The state, quality, or degree of being fresh. • fretful adj. Disposed to peevishness. • frightful adj. Apt to induce terror or alarm. • frigid adj. Lacking warmth. • frigidarium n. A room kept at a low temperature for preserving fruits, meat, etc. • frivolity n. A trifling act, thought, saying, or practice. • frivolous adj. Trivial. • • frizz v. To give a crinkled, fluffy appearance to. • frizzle v. To cause to crinkle or curl, as the hair. • frolicsome adj. Prankish. • frontier n. The part of a nation's territory that abuts upon another country. • frowzy adj. Slovenly in appearance. • frugal adj. Economical. • fruition n. Fulfillment. • fugacious adj. Fleeting. • fulcrum n. The support on or against which a lever rests, or the point about which it turns. • fulminate v. To cause to explode. • fulsome adj. Offensive from excess of praise or commendation. • fumigate v. To subject to the action of smoke or fumes, especially for disinfection. • functionary n. An official. • fundamental adj. Basal. • fungible adj. That may be measured, counted, or weighed. • fungous adj. Spongy. • fungus n. A plant destitute of chlorophyll, as a mushroom. • furbish v. To restore brightness or beauty to. • furlong n. A measure, one-eighth of a mile. • furlough n. A temporary absence of a soldier or sailor by permission of the commanding officer. • furrier n. A dealer in or maker of fur goods. • further adj. More distant or advanced. • furtherance n. Advancement. • furtive adj. Stealthy or sly, like the actions of a thief. • fuse v. To unite or blend as by melting together. • fusible adj. Capable of being melted by heat. • futile adj. Of no avail or effect. • futurist n. A person of expectant temperament. • gauge n. An instrument for measuring. • gaiety n. Festivity. • gaily adv. Merrily. • gait n. Carriage of the body in going. • gallant adj. Possessing a brave or chivalrous spirit. • galore adj. Abundant. • galvanic adj. Pertaining or relating to electricity produced by chemical action. • galvanism n. Current electricity, especially that arising from chemical action. • galvanize v. To imbue with life or animation. • gamble v. To risk money or other possession on an event, chance, or contingency. • gambol n. Playful leaping or frisking. • gamester n. A gambler. • gamut n. The whole range or sequence. • garnish v. In cookery, to surround with additions for embellishment. • garrison n. The military force stationed in a fort, town, or other place for its defense. • garrote v. To execute by strangling. • garrulous adj. Given to constant trivial talking. • gaseous adj. Light and unsubstantial. • gastric adj. Of, pertaining to, or near the stomach. • gastritis n. Inflammation of the stomach. • gastronomy n. The art of preparing and serving appetizing food. • gendarme n. In continental Europe, particularly in France, a uniformed and armed police officer. • genealogy n. A list, in the order of succession, of ancestors and their descendants. • genealogist n. A tracer of pedigrees. • generality n. The principal portion. • generalize v. To draw general inferences. • generally adv. Ordinarily. • generate v. To produce or cause to be. • generic adj. Noting a genus or kind; opposed to specific. • generosity n. A disposition to give liberally or to bestow favors heartily. • genesis n. Creation. • geniality n. Warmth and kindliness of disposition. • genital adj. Of or pertaining to the animal reproductive organs. • genitive adj. Indicating source, origin, possession, or the like. • genteel adj. Well-bred or refined. • gentile adj. Belonging to a people not Jewish. • geology n. The department of natural science that treats of the constitution and structure • of the earth. • germane adj. Relevant. • germinate v. To begin to develop into an embryo or higher form. • gestation n. Pregnancy. • gesticulate v. To make gestures or motions, as in speaking, or in place of speech. • gesture n. A movement or action of the hands or face, expressive of some idea or emotion. • ghastly adj. Hideous. • gibe v. To utter taunts or reproaches. • giddy adj. Affected with a whirling or swimming sensation in the head. • gigantic adj. Tremendous. • giver n. One who gives, in any sense. • glacial adj. Icy, or icily cold. • glacier n. A field or stream of ice. • gladden v. To make joyous. • glazier n. One who cuts and fits panes of glass, as for windows. • glimmer n. A faint, wavering, unsteady light. • glimpse n. A momentary look. • globose adj. Spherical. • globular adj. Spherical. • glorious adj. Of excellence and splendor. • glutinous adj. Sticky. • gluttonous adj. Given to excess in eating. • gnash v. To grind or strike the teeth together, as from rage. • Gordian knot n. Any difficulty the only issue out of which is by bold or unusual manners. • gourmand n. A connoisseur in the delicacies of the table. • gosling n. A young goose. • gossamer adj. Flimsy. • gourd n. A melon, pumpkin, squash, or some similar fruit having a hard rind. • graceless adj. Ungracious. • gradation n. A step, degree, rank, or relative position in an order or series. • gradient adj. Moving or advancing by steps. • granary n. A storehouse for grain after it is thrashed or husked. • grandeur n. The quality of being grand or admirably great. • grandiloquent adj. Speaking in or characterized by a pompous or bombastic style. • grandiose adj. Having an imposing style or effect. • grantee n. The person to whom property is transferred by deed. • grantor n. The maker of a deed. • granular adj. Composed of small grains or particles. • granulate v. To form into grains or small particles. • granule n. A small grain or particle. • grapple v. To take hold of. • gratification n. Satisfaction. • gratify v. To please, as by satisfying a physical or mental desire or need. • gratuitous adj. Voluntarily. • gratuity n. That which is given without demand or claim. Tip. • gravity n. Seriousness. • gregarious adj. Not habitually solitary or living alone. • grenadier n. A member of a regiment composed of men of great stature. • grief n. Sorrow. • grievance n. That which oppresses, injures, or causes grief and at the same time a sense • of wrong. • grievous adj. Creating affliction. • grimace n. A distortion of the features, occasioned by some feeling of pain, disgust, etc. • grindstone n. A flat circular stone, used for sharpening tools. • grisly adj. Fear-inspiring. • grotesque adj. Incongruously composed or ill-proportioned. • grotto n. A small cavern. • ground n. A pavement or floor or any supporting surface on which one may walk. • guess n. Surmise. • guile n. Duplicity. • guileless adj. Frank. • guinea n. An English monetary unit. • guise n. The external appearance as produced by garb or costume. • gullible adj. Credulous. • gumption n. Common sense. • gusto n. Keen enjoyment. • guy n. Stay-rope. • guzzle v. To swallow greedily or hastily; gulp. • gynecocracy n. Female supremacy. • gynecology n. The science that treats of the functions and diseases peculiar to women. • gyrate v. To revolve. • gyroscope n. An instrument for illustrating the laws of rotation. • habitable adj. Fit to be dwelt in. • habitant n. Dweller. • habitual adj. According to usual practice. • habitude n. Customary relation or association. • hackney v. To make stale or trite by repetition. • haggard adj. Worn and gaunt in appearance. • halcyon adj. Calm. • hale adj. Of sound and vigorous health. • handwriting n. Penmanship. • hanger-on n. A parasite. • happy-go-lucky adj. Improvident. • • harangue n. A tirade. • harass v. To trouble with importunities, cares, or annoyances. • harbinger n. One who or that which foreruns and announces the coming of any person or thing. • hard-hearted adj. Lacking pity or sympathy. • hardihood n. Foolish daring. • harmonious adj. Concordant in sound. • havoc n. Devastation. • hawthorn n. A thorny shrub much used in England for hedges. • hazard n. Risk. • head first adv. Precipitately, as in diving. • head foremost adv. Precipitately, as in diving. • heartrending adj. Very depressing. • heathenish adj. Irreligious. • heedless adj. Thoughtless. • heifer n. A young cow. • heinous adj. Odiously sinful. • hemorrhage n. Discharge of blood from a ruptured or wounded blood-vessel. • hemorrhoids n. pl. Tumors composed of enlarged and thickened blood-vessels, at the • lower end of the rectum. • henchman n. A servile assistant and subordinate. • henpeck v. To worry or harass by ill temper and petty annoyances. • heptagon n. A figure having seven sides and seven angles. • heptarchy n. A group of seven governments. • herbaceous adj. Having the character of a herb. • herbarium n. A collection of dried plants scientifically arranged for study. • herbivorous adj. Feeding on herbs or other vegetable matter, as animals. • hereditary adj. Passing naturally from parent to child. • heredity n. Transmission of physical or mental qualities, diseases, etc., from parent to offspring. • heresy n. An opinion or doctrine subversive of settled beliefs or accepted principles. • heretic n. One who holds opinions contrary to the recognized standards or tenets of any philosophy. • heritage n. Birthright. • hernia n. Protrusion of any internal organ in whole or in part from its normal position. • hesitancy n. A pausing to consider. • hesitant adj. Vacillating. • hesitation n. Vacillation. • heterodox adj. At variance with any commonly accepted doctrine or opinion. • heterogeneity n. Unlikeness of constituent parts. • heterogeneous adj. Consisting of dissimilar elements or ingredients of different kinds. • heteromorphic adj. Deviating from the normal form or standard type. • hexangular adj. Having six angles. • hexapod adj. Having six feet. • hexagon n. A figure with six angles. • hiatus n. A break or vacancy where something necessary to supply the connection is • wanting. • hibernal adj. Pertaining to winter. • Hibernian adj. Pertaining to Ireland, or its people. • hideous adj. Appalling. • hilarious adj. Boisterously merry. • hillock n. A small hill or mound. • hinder v. To obstruct. • hindmost adj. Farthest from the front. • hindrance n. An obstacle. • hirsute adj. Having a hairy covering. • hoard v. To gather and store away for the sake of accumulation. • hoarse adj. Having the voice harsh or rough, as from a cold or fatigue. • homage n. Reverential regard or worship. • homogeneity n. Congruity of the members or elements or parts. • homogeneous adj. Made up of similar parts or elements. • homologous adj. Identical in nature, make-up, or relation. • homonym n. A word agreeing in sound with but different in meaning from another. • homophone n. A word agreeing in sound with but different in meaning from another. • honorarium n. A token fee or payment to a professional man for services. • hoodwink v. To deceive. • horde n. A gathered multitude of human beings. • hosiery n. A stocking. • hospitable adj. Disposed to treat strangers or guests with generous kindness. • hospitality n. The practice of receiving and entertaining strangers and guests with • kindness. • hostility n. Enmity. • huckster n. One who retails small wares. • humane adj. Compassionate. • humanitarian n. A philanthropist. • humanize v. To make gentle or refined. • humbug n. Anything intended or calculated to deceive or mislead. • humiliate v. To put to shame. • hussar n. A light-horse trooper armed with saber and carbine. • hustle v. To move with haste and promptness. • hybrid adj. Cross-bred. • hydra n. The seven- or nine-headed water-serpent slain by Hercules. • hydraulic adj. Involving the moving of water, of the force exerted by water in motion. • hydrodynamics n. The branch of mechanics that treats of the dynamics of fluids. • hydroelectric adj. Pertaining to electricity developed water or steam. • hydromechanics n. The mechanics of fluids. • hydrometer n. An instrument for determining the density of solids and liquids by flotation. • hydrostatics n. The branch of science that treats of the pressure and equilibrium of fluids. • hydrous adj. Watery. • hygiene n. The branch of medical science that relates to improving health. • hypercritical adj. Faultfinding. • hypnosis n. An artificial trance-sleep. • hypnotic adj. Tending to produce sleep. • hypnotism n. An artificially induced somnambulistic state in which the mind readily acts on • suggestion. • hypnotize v. To produce a somnambulistic state in which the mind readily acts on suggestions. • hypocrisy n. Extreme insincerity. • hypocrite n. One who makes false professions of his views or beliefs. • hypodermic adj. Pertaining to the area under the skin. • hypotenuse n. The side of a right-angled triangle opposite the right angle. • hypothesis n. A proposition taken for granted as a premise from which to reach a • conclusion. • hysteria n. A nervous affection occurring typically in paroxysms of laughing and crying. • ichthyic adj. Fish-like. • ichthyology n. The branch of zoology that treats of fishes. • ichthyosaurs n. A fossil reptile. • icily adv. Frigidly. • iciness n. The state of being icy. • icon n. An image or likeness. • iconoclast n. An image-breaker. • idealize v. To make to conform to some mental or imaginary standard. • idiom n. A use of words peculiar to a particular language. • idiosyncrasy n. A mental quality or habit peculiar to an individual. • idolize v. To regard with inordinate love or admiration. • ignoble adj. Low in character or purpose. • ignominious adj. Shameful. • Iliad n. A Greek epic poem describing scenes from the siege of Troy. • illegal adj. Not according to law. • illegible adj. Undecipherable. • illegitimate adj. Unlawfully begotten. • illiberal adj. Stingy. • illicit adj. Unlawful. • illimitable adj. Boundless. • illiterate adj. Having little or no book-learning. • ill-natured adj. Surly. • illogical adj. Contrary to the rules of sound thought. • illuminant n. That which may be used to produce light. • illuminate v. To supply with light. • illumine v. To make bright or clear. • illusion n. An unreal image presented to the senses. • illusive adj. Deceptive. • illusory adj. Deceiving or tending to deceive, as by false appearance. • imaginable adj. That can be imagined or conceived in the mind. • imaginary adj. Fancied. • imbibe v. To drink or take in. • imbroglio n. A misunderstanding attended by ill feeling, perplexity, or strife. • imbrue v. To wet or moisten. • imitation n. That which is made as a likeness or copy. • imitator n. One who makes in imitation. • immaculate adj. Without spot or blemish. • immaterial adj. Of no essential consequence. • immature adj. Not full-grown. • immeasurable adj. Indefinitely extensive. • immense adj. Very great in degree, extent, size, or quantity. • immerse v. To plunge or dip entirely under water or other fluid. • immersion n. The act of plunging or dipping entirely under water or another fluid. • immigrant n. A foreigner who enters a country to settle there. • immigrate v. To come into a country or region from a former habitat. • imminence n. Impending evil or danger. • imminent adj. Dangerous and close at hand. • immiscible adj. Separating, as oil and water. • • immoral adj. Habitually engaged in licentious or lewd practices. • immortalize v. To cause to last or to be known or remembered throughout a great or • indefinite length of time. • immovable adj. Steadfast. • immune adj. Exempt, as from disease. • immutable adj. Unchangeable. • impair v. To cause to become less or worse. • impalpable adj. Imperceptible to the touch. • impartial adj. Unbiased. • impassable adj. That can not be passed through or over. • impassible adj. Not moved or affected by feeling. • impassive adj. Unmoved by or not exhibiting feeling. • impatience n. Unwillingness to brook delays or wait the natural course of things. • impeccable adj. Blameless. • impecunious adj. Having no money. • impede v. To be an obstacle or to place obstacles in the way of. • impel v. To drive or urge forward. • impend v. To be imminent. • imperative adj. Obligatory. • imperceptible adj. Indiscernible. • imperfectible adj. That can not be perfected. • imperil v. To endanger. • imperious adj. Insisting on obedience. • impermissible adj. Not permissible. • impersonal adj. Not relating to a particular person or thing. • impersonate v. To appear or act in the character of. • impersuadable adj. Unyielding. • impertinence n. Rudeness. • imperturbable adj. Calm. • impervious adj. Impenetrable. • impetuosity n. Rashness. • impetuous adj. Impulsive. • impetus n. Any impulse or incentive. • impiety n. Irreverence toward God. • impious adj. Characterized by irreverence or irreligion. • implausible adj. Not plausible. • impliable adj. Capable of being inferred. • implicate v. To show or prove to be involved in or concerned • implicit adj. Implied. • imply v. To signify. • impolitic adj. Inexpedient. • importation n. The act or practice of bringing from one country into another. • importunate adj. Urgent in character, request, or demand. • importune v. To harass with persistent demands or entreaties. • impotent adj. Destitute of or lacking in power, physical, moral, or intellectual. • impoverish v. To make indigent or poor. • impracticable adj. Not feasible. • impregnable adj. That can not be taken by assault. • impregnate v. To make pregnant. • impromptu n. Anything done or said on the impulse of the moment. • improper adj. Not appropriate, suitable, or becoming. • impropriety n. The state or quality of being unfit, unseemly, or inappropriate. • improvident adj. Lacking foresight or thrift. • improvise v. To do anything extemporaneously or offhand. • imprudent adj. Heedless. • impudence n. Insolent disrespect. • impugn v. To assail with arguments, insinuations, or accusations. • impulsion n. Impetus. • impulsive adj. Unpremeditated. • impunity n. Freedom from punishment. • impure adj. Tainted. • impute v. To attribute. • inaccessible adj. Difficult of approach. • inaccurate adj. Not exactly according to the facts. • inactive adj. Inert. • inadequate adj. Insufficient. • inadmissible adj. Not to be approved, considered, or allowed, as testimony. • inadvertent adj. Accidental. • inadvisable adj. Unadvisable. • inane adj. Silly. • inanimate adj. Destitute of animal life. • inapprehensible adj. Not to be understood. • inapt adj. Awkward or slow. • inarticulate adj. Speechless. • inaudible adj. That can not be heard. • inborn adj. Implanted by nature. • inbred adj. Innate. • incandescence n. The state of being white or glowing with heat. • incandescent adj. White or glowing with heat. • incapacitate v. To deprive of power, capacity, competency, or qualification. • incapacity n. Want of power to apprehend, understand, and manage. • incarcerate v. To imprison. • incendiary n. Chemical or person who starts a fire-literally or figuratively. • incentive n. That which moves the mind or inflames the passions. • inception n. The beginning. • inceptive adj. Beginning. • incessant adj. Unceasing. • inchmeal adv. Piecemeal. • inchoate adj. Incipient. • inchoative n. That which begins, or expresses beginning. • incidence n. Casual occurrence. • incident n. A happening in general, especially one of little importance. • incidentally adv. Without intention. • incinerate v. To reduce to ashes. • incipience n. Beginning. • incipient adj. Initial. • incisor n. A front or cutting tooth. • incite v. To rouse to a particular action. • incitement n. That which moves to action, or serves as an incentive or stimulus. • incoercible adj. Incapable of being forced, constrained, or compelled. • incoherence n. Want of connection, or agreement, as of parts or ideas in thought, speech, etc. • incoherent adj. Not logically coordinated, as to parts, elements, or details. • incombustible adj. That can not be burned. • incomparable adj. Matchless. • incompatible adj. Discordant. • incompetence n. General lack of capacity or fitness. • incompetent adj. Not having the abilities desired or necessary for any purpose. • incomplete adj. Lacking some element, part, or adjunct necessary or required. • incomprehensible adj. Not understandable. • incompressible adj. Resisting all attempts to reduce volume by pressure. • inconceivable adj. Incomprehensible. • incongruous adj. Unsuitable for the time, place, or occasion. • inconsequential adj. Valueless. • inconsiderable adj. Small in quantity or importance. • inconsistent adj. Contradictory. • inconstant adj. Changeable. • incontrovertible adj. Indisputable. • inconvenient adj. Interfering with comfort or progress. • indefensible adj. Untenable. • indefinitely adv. In a vague or uncertain way. • indelible adj. That can not be blotted out, effaced, destroyed, or removed. • indescribable adj. That can not be described. • indestructible adj. That can not be destroyed. • indicant adj. That which points out. • indicator n. One who or that which points out. • indict v. To find and declare chargeable with crime. • indigence n. Poverty. • indigenous adj. Native. • indigent adj. Poor. • indigestible adj. Not digestible, or difficult to digest. • indigestion n. Difficulty or failure in the alimentary canal in changing food into absorptive • nutriment. • indignant adj. Having such anger and scorn as is aroused by meanness or wickedness. • indignity n. Unmerited contemptuous conduct or treatment. • indiscernible adj. Not perceptible. • indiscreet adj. Lacking wise judgment. • indiscriminate adj. Promiscuous. • indispensable adj. Necessary or requisite for the purpose. • indistinct adj. Vague. • indivertible adj. That can not be turned aside. • indivisible adj. Not separable into parts. • indolence n. Laziness. • indolent adj. Habitually inactive or idle. • indomitable adj. Unconquerable. • induct v. To bring in. • indulgence n. The yielding to inclination, passion, desire, or propensity in oneself or • another. • indulgent adj. Yielding to the desires or humor of oneself or those under one's care. • • inebriate v. To intoxicate. • inedible adj. Not good for food. • ineffable adj. Unutterable. • inefficient adj. Not accomplishing an intended purpose. • inefficiency n. That which does not accomplish an intended purpose. • ineligible adj. Not suitable to be selected or chosen. • inept adj. Not fit or suitable. • inert adj. Inanimate. • inestimable adj. Above price. • inevitable adj. Unavoidable. • inexcusable adj. Not to be justified. • inexhaustible adj. So large or furnishing so great a supply as not to be emptied, wasted, • or spent. • inexorable adj. Unrelenting. • inexpedient adj. Unadvisable. • inexpensive adj. Low-priced. • inexperience n. Lack of or deficiency in experience. • inexplicable adj. Such as can not be made plain. • inexpressible adj. Unutterable. • inextensible adj. Of unchangeable length or area. • infallible adj. Exempt from error of judgment, as in opinion or statement. • infamous adj. Publicly branded or notorious, as for vice, or crime. • infamy n. Total loss or destitution of honor or reputation. • inference n. The derivation of a judgment from any given material of knowledge on the • ground of law. • infernal adj. Akin to or befitting hell or its occupants. • infest v. To be present in such numbers as to be a source of annoyance, trouble, or • danger. • infidel n. One who denies the existence of God. • infidelity n. Disloyalty. • infinite adj. Measureless. • infinity n. Boundless or immeasurable extension or duration. • infirm adj. Lacking in bodily or mental strength. • infirmary n. A place for the reception or treatment of the sick. • infirmity n. A physical, mental, or moral weakness or flaw. • inflammable adj. Easily set on fire or excited. • inflammation n. A morbid process in some part of the body characterized by heat, • swelling, and pain. • inflexible adj. That can not be altered or varied. • influence n. Ability to sway the will of another. • influential adj. Having the power to sway the will of another. • influx n. Infusion. • infrequence n. Rareness. • infrequent adj. Uncommon. • infringe v. To trespass upon. • infuse v. To instill, introduce, or inculcate, as principles or qualities. • infusion n. The act of imbuing, or pouring in. • ingenious adj. Evincing skill, originality, or cleverness, as in contrivance or arrangement. • ingenuity n. Cleverness in contriving, combining, or originating. • ingenuous adj. Candid, frank, or open in character or quality. • inglorious adj. Shameful. • ingraft v. To set or implant deeply and firmly. • ingratiate v. To win confidence or good graces for oneself. • ingratitude n. Insensibility to kindness. • ingredient n. Component. • inherence n. The state of being permanently existing in something. • inherent adj. Intrinsic. • inhibit v. To hold back or in. • inhospitable adj. Not disposed to entertain strangers gratuitously. • inhuman adj. Savage. • inhume v. To place in the earth, as a dead body. • inimical adj. Adverse. • iniquity n. Gross wrong or injustice. • initiate v. To perform the first act or rite. • inject v. To introduce, as a fluid, by injection. • injunction n. Mandate. • inkling n. A hint. • inland adj. Remote from the sea. • inlet n. A small body of water leading into a larger. • inmost adj. Deepest within. • innocuous adj. Harmless. • innovate v. To introduce or strive to introduce new things. • innuendo n. Insinuation. • innumerable adj. Countless. • inoffensive adj. Causing nothing displeasing or disturbing. • inopportune adj. Unsuitable or inconvenient, especially as to time. • inquire v. To ask information about. • inquisition n. A court or tribunal for examination and punishment of heretics. • inquisitive adj. Given to questioning, especially out of curiosity. • inquisitor n. One who makes an investigation. • inroad n. Forcible encroachment or trespass. • insatiable adj. That desires or craves immoderately or unappeasably. • inscribe v. To enter in a book, or on a list, roll, or document, by writing. • inscrutable adj. Impenetrably mysterious or profound. • insecure adj. Not assured of safety. • insensible adj. Imperceptible. • insentient adj. Lacking the power of feeling or perceiving. • inseparable adj. That can not be separated. • insidious adj. Working ill by slow and stealthy means. • insight n. Intellectual discernment. • insignificance n. Lack of import or of importance. • insignificant adj. Without importance, force, or influence. • insinuate v. To imply. • insipid adj. Tasteless. • insistence n. Urgency. • insistent adj. Urgent. • insolence n. Pride or haughtiness exhibited in contemptuous and overbearing treatment of • others. • insolent adj. Impudent. • insomnia n. Sleeplessness. • inspector n. An official appointed to examine or oversee any matter of public interest or • importance. • instance n. A single occurrence or happening of a given kind. • instant n. A very brief portion of time. • instantaneous adj. Done without perceptible lapse of time. • instigate v. To provoke. • instigator n. One who incites to evil. • instill v. To infuse. • instructive adj. Conveying knowledge. • insufficiency n. Inadequacy. • insufficient adj. Inadequate for some need, purpose, or use. • insular adj. Pertaining to an island. • insulate v. To place in a detached state or situation. • insuperable adj. Invincible. • insuppressible adj. Incapable of being concealed. • insurgence n. Uprising. • insurgent n. One who takes part in forcible opposition to the constituted authorities of a • place. • insurrection n. The state of being in active resistance to authority. • intangible adj. Not perceptible to the touch. • integrity n. Uprightness of character and soundness of moral principle. • intellect n. The faculty of perception or thought. • intellectual adj. Characterized by intelligence. • intelligence n. Capacity to know or understand. • intelligible adj. Comprehensible. • intemperance n. Immoderate action or indulgence, as of the appetites. • intension n. The act of stringing or stretching, or state of being strained. • intensive adj. Adding emphasis or force. • intention n. That upon which the mind is set. • interact v. To act reciprocally. • intercede v. To mediate between persons. • intercept v. To interrupt the course of. • intercession n. Entreaty in behalf of others. • intercessor n. A mediator. • interdict n. Authoritative act of prohibition. • interim n. Time between acts or periods. • interlocutor n. One who takes part in a conversation or oral discussion. • interlude n. An action or event considered as coming between others of greater length. • intermediate adj. Being in a middle place or degree or between extremes. • interminable adj. Having no limit or end. • intermission n. A recess. • intermit v. To cause to cease temporarily. • intermittent adj. A temporary discontinuance. • interpolation n. Verbal interference. • interpose v. To come between other things or persons. • interposition n. A coming between. • interpreter n. A person who makes intelligible the speech of a foreigner by oral translation. • interrogate v. To examine formally by questioning. • • interrogative adj. Having the nature or form of a question. • interrogatory n. A question or inquiry. • interrupt v. To stop while in progress. • intersect v. To cut through or into so as to divide. • intervale n. A low tract of land between hills, especially along a river. • intervene v. To interfere for some end. • intestacy n. The condition resulting from one's dying not having made a valid will. • intestate adj. Not having made a valid will. • intestine n. That part of the digestive tube below or behind the stomach, extending to the • anus. • intimacy n. Close or confidential friendship. • intimidate v. To cause to become frightened. • intolerable adj. Insufferable. • intolerance n. Inability or unwillingness to bear or endure. • intolerant adj. Bigoted. • intoxicant n. Anything that unduly exhilarates or excites. • intoxicate v. To make drunk. • intracellular adj. Occurring or situated within a cell. • intramural adj. Situated within the walls of a city. • intrepid adj. Fearless and bold. • intricacy n. Perplexity. • intricate adj. Difficult to follow or understand. • intrigue n. A plot or scheme, usually complicated and intended to accomplish something • by secret ways. • intrinsic adj. Inherent. • introductory adj. Preliminary. • introgression n. Entrance. • intromit v. To insert. • introspect v. To look into. • introspection n. The act of observing and analyzing one's own thoughts and feelings. • introversion n. The act of turning or directing inward, physically or mentally. • introvert v. To turn within. • intrude v. To come in without leave or license. • intrusion n. The act of entering without warrant or invitation; encroachment. • intuition n. Instinctive knowledge or feeling. • inundate v. To fill with an overflowing abundance. • inundation n. Flood. • inure v. To harden or toughen by use, exercise, or exposure. • invalid adj. Having no force, weight, or cogency. • invalid n. One who is disabled by illness or injury. • invalidate v. To render of no force or effect. • invaluable adj. Exceedingly precious. • invariable adj. Unchangeable. • invasion n. Encroachment, as by an act of intrusion or trespass. • invective n. An utterance intended to cast censure, or reproach. • inveigh v. To utter vehement censure or invective. • inventive adj. Quick at contrivance. • inverse adj. Contrary in tendency or direction. • inversion n. Change of order so that the first shall become last and the last first. • invert v. To turn inside out, upside down, or in opposite direction. • investigator n. One who investigates. • investor n. One who invests money. • inveterate adj. Habitual. • invidious adj. Showing or feeling envy. • invigorate v. To animate. • invincible adj. Not to be conquered, subdued, or overcome. • inviolable adj. Incapable of being injured or disturbed. • invoke v. To call on for assistance or protection. • involuntary adj. Unwilling. • involution n. Complication. • involve v. To draw into entanglement, literally or figuratively. • invulnerable adj. That can not be wounded or hurt. • inwardly adv. With no outward manifestation. • iota n. A small or insignificant mark or part. • irascible adj. Prone to anger. • irate adj. Moved to anger. • ire n. Wrath. • iridescence n. A many-colored appearance. • iridescent adj. Exhibiting changing rainbow-colors due to the interference of the light. • irk v. To afflict with pain, vexation, or fatigue. • irksome adj. Wearisome. • irony n. Censure or ridicule under cover of praise or compliment. • irradiance n. Luster. • irradiate v. To render clear and intelligible. • irrational adj. Not possessed of reasoning powers or understanding. • irreducible adj. That can not be lessened. • irrefragable adj. That can not be refuted or disproved. • irrefrangible adj. That can not be broken or violated. • irrelevant adj. Inapplicable. • irreligious adj. Indifferent or opposed to religion. • irreparable adj. That can not be rectified or made amends for. • irrepressible adj. That can not be restrained or kept down. • irresistible adj. That can not be successfully withstood or opposed. • irresponsible adj. Careless of or unable to meet responsibilities. • irreverence n. The quality showing or expressing a deficiency of veneration, especially for • sacred things. • irreverent adj. Showing or expressing a deficiency of veneration, especially for sacred • things. • irreverential adj. Showing or expressing a deficiency of veneration, especially for sacred • things. • irreversible adj. Irrevocable. • irrigant adj. Serving to water lands by artificial means. • irrigate v. To water, as land, by ditches or other artificial means. • irritable adj. Showing impatience or ill temper on little provocation. • irritancy n. The quality of producing vexation. • irritant n. A mechanical, chemical, or pathological agent of inflammation, pain, or tension. • irritate v. To excite ill temper or impatience in. • irruption n. Sudden invasion. • isle n. An island. • islet n. A little island. • isobar n. A line joining points at which the barometric pressure is the same at a specified • moment. • isochronous adj. Relating to or denoting equal intervals of time. • isolate v. To separate from others of its kind. • isothermal adj. Having or marking equality of temperature. • itinerant adj. Wandering. • itinerary n. A detailed account or diary of a journey. • itinerate v. To wander from place to place. • jargon n. Confused, unintelligible speech or highly technical speech. • jaundice n. A morbid condition, due to obstructed excretion of bile or characterized by • yellowing of the skin. • jeopardize v. To imperil. • Jingo n. One of a party in Great Britain in favor of spirited and demonstrative foreign policy. • jocose adj. Done or made in jest. • jocular adj. Inclined to joke. • joggle n. A sudden irregular shake or a push causing such a shake. • journalize v. To keep a diary. • jovial adj. Merry. • jubilation n. Exultation. • judgment n. The faculty by the exercise of which a deliberate conclusion is reached. • judicature n. Distribution and administration of justice by trial and judgment. • judicial adj. Pertaining to the administration of justice. • judiciary n. That department of government which administers the law relating to civil and • criminal justice. • judicious adj. Prudent. • juggle v. To play tricks of sleight of hand. • jugglery n. The art or practice of sleight of hand. • jugular adj. Pertaining to the throat. • juicy adj. Succulent. • junction n. The condition of being joined. • juncture n. An articulation, joint, or seam. • junta n. A council or assembly that deliberates in secret upon the affairs of government. • juridical adj. Assumed by law to exist. • jurisdiction n. Lawful power or right to exercise official authority. • jurisprudence n. The science of rights in accordance with positive law. • juror n. One who serves on a jury or is sworn in for jury duty in a court of justice. • joust v. To engage in a tilt with lances on horseback. • justification n. Vindication. • juvenile adj. Characteristic of youth. • juxtapose v. To place close together. • keepsake n. Anything kept or given to be kept for the sake of the giver. • kerchief n. A square of linen, silk, or other material, used as a covering for the head or • neck. • kernel n. A grain or seed. • kiln n. An oven or furnace for baking, burning, or drying industrial products. • kiloliter n. One thousand liters. • kilometer n. A length of 1,000 meters. • kilowatt n. One thousand watts. • • kimono n. A loose robe, fastening with a sash, the principal outer garment in Japan. • kind-hearted adj. Having a kind and sympathetic nature. • kingling n. A petty king. • kingship n. Royal state. • kinsfolk n. pl. Relatives. • knavery n. Deceitfulness in dealing. • knead v. To mix and work into a homogeneous mass, especially with the hands. • knickknack n. A small article, more for ornament that use. • knight errant n. One of the wandering knights who in the middle ages went forth in search • of adventure. • knighthood n. Chivalry. • laborious adj. Toilsome. • labyrinth n. A maze. • lacerate v. To tear rudely or raggedly. • lackadaisical adj. Listless. • lactation n. The secretion of milk. • lacteal adj. Milky. • lactic adj. Pertaining to milk. • laddie n. A lad. • ladle n. A cup-shaped vessel with a long handle, intended for dipping up and pouring • liquids. • laggard adj. Falling behind. • landholder n. Landowner. • landlord n. A man who owns and lets a tenement or tenements. • landmark n. A familiar object in the landscape serving as a guide to an area otherwise • easily lost track of. • landscape n. A rural view, especially one of picturesque effect, as seen from a distance or • an elevation. • languid adj. Relaxed. • languor n. Lassitude of body or depression. • lapse n. A slight deviation from what is right, proper, or just. • lascivious adj. Lustful. • lassie n. A little lass. • latent adj. Dormant. • latency n. The state of being dormant. • later adv. At a subsequent time. • lateral adj. Directed toward the side. • latish adj. Rather late. • lattice n. Openwork of metal or wood, formed by crossing or interlacing strips or bars. • laud v. To praise in words or song. • laudable adj. Praiseworthy. • laudation n. High praise. • laudatory adj. Pertaining to, expressing, or containing praise. • laundress n. Washerwoman. • laureate adj. Crowned with laurel, as a mark of distinction. • lave v. To wash or bathe. • lawgiver n. A legislator. • lawmaker n. A legislator. • lax adj. Not stringent or energetic. • laxative adj. Having power to open or loosen the bowels. • lea n. A field. • leaflet n. A little leaf or a booklet. • leaven v. To make light by fermentation, as dough. • leeward n. That side or direction toward which the wind blows. • left-handed adj. Using the left hand or arm more dexterously than the right. • legacy n. A bequest. • legalize v. To give the authority of law to. • legging n. A covering for the leg. • legible adj. That may be read with ease. • legionary n. A member of an ancient Roman legion or of the modern French Legion of • Honor. • legislate v. To make or enact a law or laws. • legislative adj. That makes or enacts laws. • legislator n. A lawgiver. • legitimacy n. Accordance with law. • legitimate adj. Having the sanction of law or established custom. • leisure n. Spare time. • leniency n. Forbearance. • lenient adj. Not harsh. • leonine adj. Like a lion. • lethargy n. Prolonged sluggishness of body or mind. • levee n. An embankment beside a river or stream or an arm of the sea, to prevent overflow. • lever n. That which exerts, or through which one may exert great power. • leviathan n. Any large animal, as a whale. • levity n. Frivolity. • levy v. To impose and collect by force or threat of force. • lewd adj. Characterized by lust or lasciviousness. • lexicographer n. One who makes dictionaries. • lexicography n. The making of dictionaries. • lexicon n. A dictionary. • liable adj. Justly or legally responsible. • libel n. Defamation. • liberalism n. Opposition to conservatism. • liberate v. To set free or release from bondage. • licentious adj. Wanton. • licit adj. Lawful. • liege adj. Sovereign. • lien n. A legal claim or hold on property, as security for a debt or charge. • lieu n. Stead. • lifelike adj. Realistic. • lifelong adj. Lasting or continuous through life. • lifetime n. The time that life continues. • ligament n. That which binds objects together. • ligature n. Anything that constricts, or serves for binding or tying. • light-hearted adj. Free from care. • ligneous adj. Having the texture of appearance of wood. • likelihood n. A probability. • likely adj. Plausible. • liking n. Fondness. • limitation n. A restriction. • linear adj. Of the nature of a line. • liner n. A vessel belonging to a steamship-line. • lingo n. Language. • lingua n. The tongue. • lingual adj. Pertaining to the use of the tongue in utterance. • linguist n. One who is acquainted with several languages. • linguistics n. The science of languages, or of the origin, history, and significance of words. • liniment n. A liquid preparation for rubbing on the skin in cases of bruises, inflammation, • etc. • liquefacient adj. Possessing a liquefying nature or power. • liquefy v. To convert into a liquid or into liquid form. • liqueur n. An alcoholic cordial sweetened and flavored with aromatic substances. • liquidate v. To deliver the amount or value of. • liquor n. Any alcoholic or intoxicating liquid. • listless adj. Inattentive. • literacy n. The state or condition of knowing how to read and write. • literal adj. Following the exact words. • literature n. The written or printed productions of the human mind collectively. • lithe adj. Supple. • lithesome adj. Nimble. • lithograph n. A print made by printing from stone. • lithotype n. In engraving, an etched stone surface for printing. • litigant n. A party to a lawsuit. • litigate v. To cause to become the subject-matter of a suit at law. • litigious adj. Quarrelsome. • littoral adj. Of, pertaining to, or living on a shore. • liturgy n. A ritual. • livelihood n. Means of subsistence. • livid adj. Black-and-blue, as contused flesh. • loam n. A non-coherent mixture of sand and clay. • loath adj. Averse. • loathe v. To abominate. • locative adj. Indicating place, or the place where or wherein an action occurs. • loch n. A lake. • locomotion n. The act or power of moving from one place to another. • lode n. A somewhat continuous unstratified metal- bearing vein. • lodgment n. The act of furnishing with temporary quarters. • logic n. The science of correct thinking. • logical adj. Capable of or characterized by clear reasoning. • logician n. An expert reasoner. • loiterer n. One who consumes time idly. • loneliness n. Solitude. • longevity n. Unusually prolonged life. • loot v. To plunder. • loquacious adj. Talkative. • lordling n. A little lord. • lough n. A lake or loch. • louse n. A small insect parasitic on and sucking the blood of mammals. • • lovable adj. Amiable. • low-spirited adj. Despondent. • lowly adv. Rudely. • lucid adj. Mentally sound. • lucrative adj. Highly profitable. • ludicrous adj. Laughable. • luminary n. One of the heavenly bodies as a source of light. • luminescent adj. Showing increase of light. • luminescence n. Showing increase. • luminosity n. The quality of giving or radiating light. • luminous adj. Giving or radiating light. • lunacy n. Mental unsoundness. • lunar adj. Pertaining to the moon. • lunatic n. An insane person. • lune n. The moon. • lurid adj. Ghastly and sensational. • luscious adj. Rich, sweet, and delicious. • lustrous adj. Shining. • luxuriance n. Excessive or superfluous growth or quantity. • luxuriant adj. Abundant or superabundant in growth. • luxuriate v. To live sumptuously. • lying n. Untruthfulness. • lyre n. One of the most ancient of stringed instruments of the harp class. • lyric adj. Fitted for expression in song. • macadamize v. To cover or pave, as a path or roadway, with small broken stone. • machinery n. The parts of a machine or engine, taken collectively. • machinist n. One who makes or repairs machines, or uses metal-working tools. • macrocosm n. The whole of any sphere or department of nature or knowledge to which • man is related. • madden v. To inflame with passion. • Madonna n. A painted or sculptured representation of the Virgin, usually with the infant • Jesus. • magician n. A sorcerer. • magisterial adj. Having an air of authority. • magistracy n. The office or dignity of a magistrate. • magnanimous adj. Generous in treating or judging others. • magnate n. A person of rank or importance. • magnet n. A body possessing that peculiar form of polarity found in nature in the • lodestone. • magnetize v. To make a magnet of, permanently, or temporarily. • magnificence n. The exhibition of greatness of action, character, intellect, wealth, or • power. • magnificent adj. Grand or majestic in appearance, quality, or action. • magnitude n. Importance. • maharaja n. A great Hindu prince. • maidenhood n. Virginity. • maintain v. To hold or preserve in any particular state or condition. • maintenance n. That which supports or sustains. • maize n. Indian corn: usually in the United States called simply corn. • makeup n. The arrangements or combination of the parts of which anything is composed. • malady n. Any physical disease or disorder, especially a chronic or deep-seated one. • malaria n. A fever characterized by alternating chills, fever, and sweating. • malcontent n. One who is dissatisfied with the existing state of affairs. • malediction n. The calling down of a curse or curses. • malefactor n. One who injures another. • maleficent adj. Mischievous. • malevolence n. Ill will. • malevolent adj. Wishing evil to others. • malign v. To speak evil of, especially to do so falsely and severely. • malignant adj. Evil in nature or tending to do great harm or mischief. • malleable adj. Pliant. • mallet n. A wooden hammer. • maltreat v. To treat ill, unkindly, roughly, or abusively. • man-trap n. A place or structure dangerous to human life. • mandate n. A command. • mandatory adj. Expressive of positive command, as distinguished from merely directory. • mane n. The long hair growing upon and about the neck of certain animals, as the horse • and the lion. • man-eater n. An animal that devours human beings. • maneuver v. To make adroit or artful moves: manage affairs by strategy. • mania n. Insanity. • maniac n. a person raving with madness. • manifesto n. A public declaration, making announcement, explanation or defense of • intentions, or motives. • manlike adj. Like a man. • manliness n. The qualities characteristic of a true man, as bravery, resolution, etc. • mannerism n. Constant or excessive adherence to one manner, style, or peculiarity, as of • action or conduct. • manor n. The landed estate of a lord or nobleman. • mantel n. The facing, sometimes richly ornamented, about a fireplace, including the usual • shelf above it. • mantle n. A cloak. • manufacturer n. A person engaged in manufacturing as a business. • manumission n. Emancipation. • manumit v. To set free from bondage. • marine adj. Of or pertaining to the sea or matters connected with the sea. • maritime adj. Situated on or near the sea. • maroon v. To put ashore and abandon (a person) on a desolate coast or island. • martial adj. Pertaining to war or military operations. • Martian adj. Pertaining to Mars, either the Roman god of war or the planet. • martyrdom n. Submission to death or persecution for the sake of faith or principle. • marvel v. To be astonished and perplexed because of (something). • masonry n. The art or work of constructing, as buildings, walls, etc., with regularly • arranged stones. • masquerade n. A social party composed of persons masked and costumed so as to be • disguised. • massacre n. The unnecessary and indiscriminate killing of human beings. • massive adj. Of considerable bulk and weight. • masterpiece n. A superior production. • mastery n. The attainment of superior skill. • material n. That of which anything is composed or may be constructed. • materialize v. To take perceptible or substantial form. • maternal adj. Pertaining or peculiar to a mother or to motherhood. • matinee n. An entertainment (especially theatrical) held in the daytime. • matricide n. The killing, especially the murdering, of one's mother. • matrimony n. The union of a man and a woman in marriage. • matrix n. That which contains and gives shape or form to anything. • matter of fact n. Something that has actual and undeniable existence or reality. • maudlin adj. Foolishly and tearfully affectionate. • mausoleum n. A tomb of more than ordinary size or architectural pretensions. • mawkish adj. Sickening or insipid. • maxim n. A principle accepted as true and acted on as a rule or guide. • maze n. A labyrinth. • mead n. A meadow. • meager adj. scanty. • mealy-mouthed adj. Afraid to express facts or opinions plainly. • meander v. To wind and turn while proceeding in a course. • mechanics n. The branch of physics that treats the phenomena caused by the action of • forces. • medallion n. A large medal. • meddlesome adj. Interfering. • medial adj. Of or pertaining to the middle. • mediate v. To effect by negotiating as an agent between parties. • medicine n. A substance possessing or reputed to possess curative or remedial properties. • medieval adj. Belonging or relating to or descriptive of the middle ages. • mediocre adj. Ordinary. • meditation n. The turning or revolving of a subject in the mind. • medley n. A composition of different songs or parts of songs arranged to run as a continuous • whole. • meliorate v. To make better or improve, as in quality or social or physical condition. • mellifluous adj. Sweetly or smoothly flowing. • melodious adj. Characterized by a sweet succession of sounds. • melodrama n. A drama with a romantic story or plot and sensational situation and • incidents. • memento n. A souvenir. • memorable adj. Noteworthy. • menace n. A threat. • menagerie n. A collection of wild animals, especially when kept for exhibition. • mendacious adj. Untrue. • mendicant n. A beggar. • mentality n. Intellectuality. • mentor n. A wise and faithful teacher, guide, and friend. • mercantile adj. Conducted or acting on business principles; commercial. • mercenary adj. Greedy • merciful adj. Disposed to pity and forgive. • merciless adj. Cruel. • meretricious adj. Alluring by false or gaudy show. • mesmerize v. To hypnotize. • • messieurs n. pl. Gentlemen. • metal n. An element that forms a base by combining with oxygen, is usually hard, heavy, and lustrous. • metallurgy n. The art or science of extracting a metal from ores, as by smelting. • metamorphosis n. A passing from one form or shape into another. • metaphor n. A figure of speech in which one object is likened to another, by speaking as if • the other. • metaphysical adj. Philosophical. • metaphysician n. One skilled in metaphysics. • metaphysics n. The principles of philosophy as applied to explain the methods of any • particular science. • mete v. To apportion. • metempsychosis n. Transition of the soul of a human being at death into another body, • whether human or beast. • meticulous adj. Over-cautious. • metonymy n. A figure of speech that consists in the naming of a thing by one of its • attributes. • metric adj. Relating to measurement. • metronome n. An instrument for indicating and marking exact time in music. • metropolis n. A chief city, either the capital or the largest or most important city of a state. • metropolitan adj. Pertaining to a chief city. • mettle n. Courage. • mettlesome adj. Having courage or spirit. • microcosm n. The world or universe on a small scale. • micrometer n. An instrument for measuring very small angles or dimensions. • microphone n. An apparatus for magnifying faint sounds. • microscope n. An instrument for assisting the eye in the vision of minute objects or • features of objects. • microscopic adj. Adapted to or characterized by minute observation. • microscopy n. The art of examing objects with the microscope. • midsummer n. The middle of the summer. • midwife n. A woman who makes a business of assisting at childbirth. • mien n. The external appearance or manner of a person. • migrant adj. Wandering. • migrate v. To remove or pass from one country, region, or habitat to another. • migratory adj. Wandering. • mileage n. A distance in miles. • militant adj. Of a warlike or combative disposition or tendency. • militarism n. A policy of maintaining great standing armies. • militate v. To have weight or influence (in determining a question). • militia n. Those citizens, collectively, who are enrolled and drilled in temporary military • organizations. • Milky Way n. The galaxy. • millet n. A grass cultivated for forage and cereal. • mimic v. To imitate the speech or actions of. • miniature adj. Much smaller than reality or that the normal size. • minimize v. To reduce to the smallest possible amount or degree. • minion n. A servile favorite. • ministration n. Any religious ceremonial. • ministry n. A service. • minority n. The smaller in number of two portions into which a number or a group is • divided. • minute adj. Exceedingly small in extent or quantity. • minutia n. A small or unimportant particular or detail. • mirage n. An optical effect looking like a sheet of water in the desert. • misadventure n. An unlucky accident. • misanthropic adj. Hating mankind. • misanthropy n. Hatred of mankind. • misapprehend v. To misunderstand. • misbehave v. To behave ill. • misbehavior n. Ill or improper behavior. • mischievous adj. Fond of tricks. • miscount v. To make a mistake in counting. • miscreant n. A villain. • misdeed n. A wrong or improper act. • misdemeanor n. Evil conduct, small crime. • miser n. A person given to saving and hoarding unduly. • mishap n. Misfortune. • misinterpret v. To misunderstand. • mislay v. To misplace. • mismanage v. To manage badly, improperly, or unskillfully. • misnomer n. A name wrongly or mistakenly applied. • misogamy n. Hatred of marriage. • misogyny n. Hatred of women. • misplace v. To put into a wrong place. • misrepresent v. To give a wrong impression. • misrule v. To misgovern. • missal n. The book containing the service for the celebration of mass. • missile n. Any object, especially a weapon, thrown or intended to be thrown. • missive n. A message in writing. • mistrust v. To regard with suspicion or jealousy. • misty adj. Lacking clearness • misunderstand v. To Take in a wrong sense. • misuse v. To maltreat. • mite n. A very small amount, portion, or particle. • miter n. The junction of two bodies at an equally divided angle. • mitigate v. To make milder or more endurable. • mnemonics n. A system of principles and formulas designed to assist the recollection in • certain instances. • moat n. A ditch on the outside of a fortress wall. • mobocracy n. Lawless control of public affairs by the mob or populace. • moccasin n. A foot-covering made of soft leather or buckskin. • mockery n. Ridicule. • moderation n. Temperance. • moderator n. The presiding officer of a meeting. • modernity n. The state or character of being modern. • modernize v. To make characteristic of the present or of recent times. • modification n. A change. • modify v. To make somewhat different. • modish adj. Fashionable. • modulate v. To vary in tone, inflection, pitch or other quality of sound. • mollify v. To soothe. • molt v. To cast off, as hair, feathers, etc. • momentary adj. Lasting but a short time. • momentous adj. Very significant. • momentum n. An impetus. • monarchy n. Government by a single, sovereign ruler. • monastery n. A dwelling-place occupied in common by persons under religious vows of • seclusion. • monetary adj. Financial. • mongrel n. The progeny resulting from the crossing of different breeds or varieties. • monition n. Friendly counsel given by way of warning and implying caution or reproof. • monitory n. Admonition or warning. • monocracy n. Government by a single person. • monogamy n. The habit of pairing, or having but one mate. • monogram n. A character consisting of two or more letters interwoven into one, usually • initials of a name. • monograph n. A treatise discussing a single subject or branch of a subject. • monolith n. Any structure or sculpture in stone formed of a single piece. • monologue n. A story or drama told or performed by one person. • monomania n. The unreasonable pursuit of one idea. • monopoly n. The control of a thing, as a commodity, to enable a person to raise its price. • monosyllable n. A word of one syllable. • monotone n. The sameness or monotony of utterance. • monotonous adj. Unchanging and tedious. • monotony n. A lack of variety. • monsieur n. A French title of respect, equivalent to Mr. and sir. • monstrosity n. Anything unnaturally huge or distorted. • moonbeam n. A ray of moonlight. • morale n. A state of mind with reference to confidence, courage, zeal, and the like. • moralist n. A writer on ethics. • morality n. Virtue. • moralize v. To render virtuous. • moratorium n. An emergency legislation authorizing a government suspend some action temporarily. • morbid adj. Caused by or denoting a diseased or unsound condition of body or mind. • mordacious adj. Biting or giving to biting. • mordant adj. Biting. • moribund adj. On the point of dying. • morose adj. Gloomy. • morphology n. the science of organic forms. • motley adj. Composed of heterogeneous or inharmonious elements. • motto n. An expressive word or pithy sentence enunciating some guiding rule of life, or • faith. • mountaineer n. One who travels among or climbs mountains for pleasure or exercise. • mountainous adj. Full of or abounding in mountains. • mouthful n. As much as can be or is usually put into the or exercise. • muddle v. To confuse or becloud, especially with or as with drink. • muffle v. To deaden the sound of, as by wraps. • mulatto n. The offspring of a white person and a black person. • • muleteer n. A mule-driver. • multiform adj. Having many shapes, or appearances. • multiplicity n. the condition of being manifold or very various. • mundane adj. Worldly, as opposed to spiritual or celestial. • municipal adj. Of or pertaining to a town or city, or to its corporate or local government. • municipality n. A district enjoying municipal government. • munificence n. A giving characterized by generous motives and extraordinary liberality. • munificent adj. Extraordinarily generous. • muster n. An assemblage or review of troops for parade or inspection, or for numbering off. • mutation n. The act or process of change. • mutilate v. To disfigure. • mutiny n. Rebellion against lawful or constituted authority. • myriad n. A vast indefinite number. • mystic n. One who professes direct divine illumination, or relies upon meditation to acquire truth. • mystification n. The act of artfully perplexing. • myth n. A fictitious narrative presented as historical, but without any basis of fact. • mythology n. The whole body of legends cherished by a race concerning gods and • heroes. • nameless adj. Having no fame or reputation. • naphtha n. A light, colorless, volatile, inflammable oil used as a solvent, as in manufacture of • paints. • Narcissus n. The son of the Athenian river-god Cephisus, fabled to have fallen in love with • his reflection. • narrate v. To tell a story. • narration n. The act of recounting the particulars of an event in the order of time or • occurrence. • narrative n. An orderly continuous account of the successive particulars of an event. • narrator n. One who narrates anything. • narrow-minded adj. Characterized by illiberal views or sentiments. • nasal adj. Pertaining to the nose. • natal adj. Pertaining to one's birth. • nationality n. A connection with a particular nation. • naturally adv. According to the usual order of things. • nausea n. An affection of the stomach producing dizziness and usually an impulse to vomit • nauseate v. To cause to loathe. • nauseous adj. Loathsome. • nautical adj. Pertaining to ships, seamen, or navigation. • naval adj. Pertaining to ships. • navel n. The depression on the abdomen where the umbilical cord of the fetus was • attached. • navigable adj. Capable of commercial navigation. • navigate v. To traverse by ship. • nebula n. A gaseous body of unorganized stellar substance. • necessary adj. Indispensably requisite or absolutely needed to accomplish a desired • result. • necessitate v. To render indispensable. • necessity n. That which is indispensably requisite to an end desired. • necrology n. A list of persons who have died in a certain place or time. • necromancer n. One who practices the art of foretelling the future by means of • communication with the dead. • necropolis n. A city of the dead. • necrosis n. the death of part of the body. • nectar n. Any especially sweet and delicious drink. • nectarine n. A variety of the peach. • needlework n. Embroidery. • needy adj. Being in need, want, or poverty. • nefarious adj. Wicked in the extreme. • negate v. To deny. • negation n. The act of denying or of asserting the falsity of a proposition. • neglectful adj. Exhibiting or indicating omission. • negligee n. A loose gown worn by women. • negligence n. Omission of that which ought to be done. • negligent adj. Apt to omit what ought to be done. • negligible adj. Transferable by assignment, endorsement, or delivery. • negotiable v. To bargain with others for an agreement, as for a treaty or transfer of • property. • Nemesis n. A goddess; divinity of chastisement and vengeance. • neocracy n. Government administered by new or untried persons. • neo-Darwinsim n. Darwinism as modified and extended by more recent students. • neo-Latin n. Modernized Latin. • neopaganism n. A new or revived paganism. • Neolithic adj. Pertaining to the later stone age. • neology n. The coining or using of new words or new meanings of words. • neophyte adj. Having the character of a beginner. • nestle v. To adjust cozily in snug quarters. • nestling adj. Recently hatched. • nettle v. To excite sensations of uneasiness or displeasure in. • network n. Anything that presents a system of cross- lines. • neural adj. Pertaining to the nerves or nervous system. • neurology n. The science of the nervous system. • neuter adj. Neither masculine nor feminine. • neutral adj. Belonging to or under control of neither of two contestants. • nevertheless conj. Notwithstanding. • Newtonian adj. Of or pertaining to Sir Isaac Newton, the English philosopher. • niggardly adj. Stingy. (no longer acceptable to use) • nihilist n. An advocate of the doctrine that nothing either exists or can be known. • nil n. Nothing • nimble adj. Light and quick in motion or action. • nit n. The egg of a louse or some other insect. • nocturnal adj. Of or pertaining to the night. • noiseless adj. Silent. • noisome adj. Very offensive, particularly to the sense of smell. • noisy adj. Clamorous. • nomad adj. Having no fixed abode. • nomic adj. Usual or customary. • nominal adj. Trivial. • nominate v. To designate as a candidate for any office. • nomination n. The act or ceremony of naming a man or woman for office. • nominee n. One who receives a nomination. • non-existent n. That which does not exist. • non-resident adj. Not residing within a given jurisdiction. • nonchalance n. A state of mind indicating lack of interest. • non-combatant n. One attached to the army or navy, but having duties other than that of • fighting. • nondescript adj. Indescribable. • nonentity n. A person or thing of little or no account. • nonpareil n. One who or that which is of unequaled excellence. • norm n. A model. • normalcy n. The state of being normal. • Norman adj. Of or peculiar to Normandy, in northern France. • nostrum n. Any scheme or recipe of a charlatan character. • noticeable adj. Perceptible. • notorious adj. Unfavorably known to the general public. • novellette n. A short novel. • novice n. A beginner in any business or occupation. • nowadays adv. In the present time or age. • nowhere adv. In no place or state. • noxious adj. Hurtful. • nuance n. A slight degree of difference in anything perceptible to the sense of the mind. • nucleus n. A central point or part about which matter is aggregated. • nude adj. Naked. • nugatory adj. Having no power or force. • nuisance n. That which annoys, vexes, or irritates. • numeration n. The act or art of reading or naming numbers. • numerical adj. Of or pertaining to number. • nunnery n. A convent for nuns. • nuptial adj. Of or pertaining to marriage, especially to the marriage ceremony. • nurture n. The process of fostering or promoting growth. • nutriment n. That which nourishes. • nutritive adj. Having nutritious properties. • oaken adj. Made of or from oak. • oakum n. Hemp-fiber obtained by untwisting and picking out loosely the yarns of old hemp rope. • obdurate adj. Impassive to feelings of humanity or pity. • obelisk n. A square shaft with pyramidal top, usually monumental or commemorative. • obese adj. Exceedingly fat. • obesity n. Excessive fatness. • obituary adj. A published notice of a death. • objective adj. Grasping and representing facts as they are. • objector n. One who objects, as to a proposition, measure, or ruling. • obligate v. To hold to the fulfillment of duty. • obligatory adj. Binding in law or conscience. • oblique adj. Slanting; said of lines. • obliterate v. To cause to disappear. • oblivion n. The state of having passed out of the memory or of being utterly forgotten. • oblong adj. Longer than broad: applied most commonly to rectangular objects considerably elongated • obnoxious adj. Detestable. • obsequies n. Funeral rites. • obsequious adj. Showing a servile readiness to fall in with the wishes or will of another. • • observance n. A traditional form or customary act. • observant adj. Quick to notice. • observatory n. A building designed for systematic astronomical observations. • obsolescence n. The condition or process of gradually falling into disuse. • obsolescent adj. Passing out of use, as a word. • obsolete adj. No longer practiced or accepted. • obstetrician n. A practitioner of midwifery. • obstetrics n. The branch of medical science concerned with the treatment and care of • women during pregnancy. • obstinacy n. Stubborn adherence to opinion, arising from conceit or the desire to have • one's own way. • obstreperous adj. Boisterous. • obstruct v. To fill with impediments so as to prevent passage, either wholly or in part. • obstruction n. Hindrance. • obtrude v. To be pushed or to push oneself into undue prominence. • obtrusive adj. Tending to be pushed or to push oneself into undue prominence. • obvert v. To turn the front or principal side of (a thing) toward any person or object. • obviate v. To clear away or provide for, as an objection or difficulty. • occasion n. An important event or celebration. • Occident n. The countries lying west of Asia and the Turkish dominions. • occlude v. To absorb, as a gas by a metal. • occult adj. Existing but not immediately perceptible. • occupant n. A tenant in possession of property, as distinguished from the actual owner. • occurrence n. A happening. • octagon n. A figure with eight sides and eight angles. • octave n. A note at this interval above or below any other, considered in relation to that • other. • octavo n. A book, or collection of paper in which the sheets are so folded as to make eight • leaves. • octogenarian adj. A person of between eighty and ninety years. • ocular adj. Of or pertaining to the eye. • oculist n. One versed or skilled in treating diseases of the eye. • oddity n. An eccentricity. • ode n. The form of lyric poetry anciently intended to be sung. • odious adj. Hateful. • odium n. A feeling of extreme repugnance, or of dislike and disgust. • odoriferous adj. Having or diffusing an odor or scent, especially an agreeable one. • odorous adj. Having an odor, especially a fragrant one. • off adj. Farther or more distant. • offhand adv. Without preparation. • officiate v. To act as an officer or leader. • officious adj. Intermeddling with what is not one's concern. • offshoot n. Something that branches off from the parent stock. • ogre n. A demon or monster that was supposed to devour human beings. • ointment n. A fatty preparation with a butter-like consistency in which a medicinal • substance exists. • olfactory adj. of or pertaining to the sense of smell. • olive-branch n. A branch of the olive-tree, as an emblem of peace. • ominous adj. Portentous. • omission n. Exclusion. • omnipotence n. Unlimited and universal power. • Omnipotent adj. Possessed of unlimited and universal power. • omniscience n. Unlimited or infinite knowledge. • omniscient adj. Characterized by unlimited or infinite knowledge. • omnivorous adj. Eating or living upon food of all kinds indiscriminately. • onerous adj. Burdensome or oppressive. • onrush n. Onset. • onset n. An assault, especially of troops, upon an enemy or fortification. • onslaught n. A violent onset. • onus n. A burden or responsibility. • opalescence n. The property of combined refraction and reflection of light, resulting in • smoky tints. • opaque adj. Impervious to light. • operate v. To put in action and supervise the working of. • operative adj. Active. • operator n. One who works with or controls some machine or scientific apparatus. • operetta n. A humorous play in dialogue and music, of more than one act. • opinion n. A conclusion or judgment held with confidence, but falling short of positive • knowledge. • opponent n. One who supports the opposite side in a debate, discussion, struggle, or • sport. • opportune adj. Especially fit as occurring, said, or done at the right moment. • opportunist n. One who takes advantage of circumstances to gain his ends. • opportunity n. Favorable or advantageous chance or opening. • opposite adj. Radically different or contrary in action or movement. • opprobrium n. The state of being scornfully reproached or accused of evil. • optic n. Pertaining to the eye or vision. • optician n. One who makes or deals in optical instruments or eye-glasses. • optics n. The science that treats of light and vision, and all that is connected with sight. • optimism n. The view that everything in nature and the history of mankind is ordered for • the best. • option n. The right, power, or liberty of choosing. • optometry n. Measurement of the powers of vision. • opulence n. Affluence. • opulent adj. Wealthy. • oral adj. Uttered through the mouth. • orate v. To deliver an elaborate or formal public speech. • oration n. An elaborate or formal public speech. • orator n. One who delivers an elaborate or formal speech. • oratorio n. A composition for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra, generally taken from the • Scriptures. • oratory n. The art of public speaking. • ordeal n. Anything that severely tests courage, strength, patience, conscience, etc. • ordinal n. That form of the numeral that shows the order of anything in a series, as first, second, third. • ordination n. A consecration to the ministry. • ordnance n. A general name for all kinds of weapons and their appliances used in war. • orgies n. Wild or wanton revelry. • origin n. The beginning of that which becomes or is made to be. • original adj. Not copied nor produced by imitation. • originate v. To cause or constitute the beginning or first stage of the existence of. • ornate adj. Ornamented to a marked degree. • orthodox adj. Holding the commonly accepted faith. • orthodoxy n. Acceptance of the common faith. • orthogonal adj. Having or determined by right angles. • orthopedic adj. Relating to the correcting or preventing of deformity • orthopedist n. One who practices the correcting or preventing of deformity • oscillate v. To swing back and forth. • osculate v. To kiss. • ossify v. to convert into bone. • ostentation n. A display dictated by vanity and intended to invite applause or flattery. • ostracism n. Exclusion from intercourse or favor, as in society or politics. • ostracize v. To exclude from public or private favor. • ought v. To be under moral obligation to be or do. • oust v. To eject. • out-and-out adv. Genuinely. • outbreak n. A sudden and violent breaking forth, as of something that has been pent up or restrained. • outburst n. A violent issue, especially of passion in an individual. • outcast n. One rejected and despised, especially socially. • outcry n. A vehement or loud cry or clamor. • outdo v. To surpass. • outlandish adj. Of barbarous, uncouth, and unfamiliar aspect or action. • outlast v. To last longer than. • outlaw n. A habitual lawbreaker. • outlive v. To continue to exist after. • out-of-the-way adj. Remotely situated. • outpost n. A detachment of troops stationed at a distance from the main body to guard • against surprise. • outrage n. A gross infringement of morality or decency. • outrageous adj. Shocking in conduct. • outreach v. To reach or go beyond. • outride v. To ride faster than. • outrigger n. A part built or arranged to project beyond a natural outline for support. • outright adv. Entirely. • outskirt n. A border region. • outstretch v. To extend. • outstrip v. To go beyond. • outweigh v. To surpass in importance or excellence. • overdo v. To overtax the strength of. • overdose n. An excessive dose, usually so large a dose of a medicine that its effect is • toxic. • overeat v. To eat to excess. • overhang n. A portion of a structure which projects or hangs over. • overleap v. To leap beyond. • overlord n. One who holds supremacy over another. • overpass v. To pass across or over, as a river. • overpay v. To pay or reward in excess. • overpower v. To gain supremacy or victory over by superior power. • overproduction n. Excessive production. • • overreach v. To stretch out too far. • overrun v. To infest or ravage. • oversee v. To superintend. • overseer n. A supervisor. • overshadow v. To cast into the shade or render insignificant by comparison. • overstride v. To step beyond. • overthrow v. To vanquish an established ruler or government. • overtone n. A harmonic. • overture n. An instrumental prelude to an opera, oratorio, or ballet. • overweight n. Preponderance. • pacify v. To bring into a peaceful state. • packet n. A bundle, as of letters. • pact n. A covenant. • pagan n. A worshiper of false gods. • pageant n. A dramatic representation, especially a spectacular one. • palate n. The roof of the mouth. • palatial adj. Magnificent. • paleontology n. The branch of biology that treats of ancient life and fossil organisms. • palette n. A thin tablet, with a hole for the thumb, upon which artists lay their colors for • painting. • palinode n. A retraction. • pall v. To make dull by satiety. • palliate v. To cause to appear less guilty. • pallid adj. Of a pale or wan appearance. • palpable n. perceptible by feeling or touch. • palsy n. Paralysis. • paly adj. Lacking color or brilliancy. • pamphlet n. A brief treatise or essay, usually on a subject of current interest. • pamphleteer v. To compose or issue pamphlets, especially controversial ones. • panacea n. A remedy or medicine proposed for or professing to cure all diseases. • Pan-American adj. Including or pertaining to the whole of America, both North and South. • pandemic adj. Affecting a whole people or all classes, as a disease. • pandemonium n. A fiendish or riotous uproar. • panegyric n. A formal and elaborate eulogy, written or spoken, of a person or of an act. • panel n. A rectangular piece set in or as in a frame. • panic n. A sudden, unreasonable, overpowering fear. • panoply n. A full set of armor. • panorama n. A series of large pictures representing a continuous scene. • pantheism n. The worship of nature for itself or its beauty. • Pantheon n. A circular temple at Rome with a fine Corinthian portico and a great domed • roof. • pantomime n. Sign-language. • pantoscope n. A very wide-angled photographic lens. • papacy n. The official head of the Roman Catholic Church. • papyrus n. The writing-paper of the ancient Egyptians, and later of the Romans. • parable n. A brief narrative founded on real scenes or events usually with a moral. • paradox n. A statement or doctrine seemingly in contradiction to the received belief. • paragon n. A model of excellence. • parallel v. To cause to correspond or lie in the same direction and equidistant in all parts. • parallelism n. Essential likeness. • paralysis n. Loss of the power of contractility in the voluntary or involuntary muscles. • paralyze v. To deprive of the power to act. • paramount adj. Supreme in authority. • paramour n. One who is unlawfully and immorally a lover or a mistress. • paraphernalia n. Miscellaneous articles of equipment or adornment. • paraphrase v. Translate freely. • pare v. To cut, shave, or remove (the outside) from anything. • parentage n. The relation of parent to child, of the producer to the produced, or of cause to • effect. • Pariah n. A member of a degraded class; a social outcast. • parish n. The ecclesiastical district in charge of a pastor. • Parisian adj. Of or pertaining to the city of Paris. • parity n. Equality, as of condition or rank. • parlance n. Mode of speech. • parley v. To converse in. • parliament n. A legislative body. • parlor n. A room for reception of callers or entertainment of guests. • parody v. To render ludicrous by imitating the language of. • paronymous adj. Derived from the same root or primitive word. • paroxysm n. A sudden outburst of any kind of activity. • parricide n. The murder of a parent. • parse v. To describe, as a sentence, by separating it into its elements and describing each word. • parsimonious adj. Unduly sparing in the use or expenditure of money. • partible adj. Separable. • participant n. One having a share or part. • participate v. To receive or have a part or share of. • partition n. That which separates anything into distinct parts. • partisan adj. Characterized by or exhibiting undue or unreasoning devotion to a party. • passible adj. Capable of feeling of suffering. • passive adj. Unresponsive. • pastoral adj. Having the spirit or sentiment of rural life. • paternal adj. Fatherly. • paternity n. Fatherhood. • pathos n. The quality in any form of representation that rouses emotion or sympathy. • patriarch n. The chief of a tribe or race who rules by paternal right. • patrician adj. Of senatorial or noble rank. • patrimony n. An inheritance from an ancestor, especially from one's father. • patriotism n. Love and devotion to one's country. • patronize v. To exercise an arrogant condescension toward. • patronymic adj. Formed after one's father's name. • patter v. To mumble something over and over. • paucity n. Fewness. • pauper n. One without means of support. • pauperism n. Dependence on charity. • pavilion n. An open structure for temporary shelter. • payee n. A person to whom money has been or is to be paid. • peaceable adj. Tranquil. • peaceful adj. Tranquil. • peccable adj. Capable of sinning. • peccadillo n. A small breach of propriety or principle. • peccant adj. Guilty. • pectoral adj. Pertaining to the breast or thorax. • pecuniary adj. Consisting of money. • pedagogics n. The science and art of teaching. • pedagogue n. A schoolmaster. • pedagogy n. The science and art of teaching • pedal n. A lever for the foot usually applied only to musical instruments, cycles, and other • machines. • pedant n. A scholar who makes needless and inopportune display of his learning. • peddle v. To go about with a small stock of goods to sell. • pedestal n. A base or support as for a column, statue, or vase. • pedestrian n. One who journeys on foot. • pediatrics n. The department of medical science that relates to the treatment of diseases of • childhood. • pedigree n. One's line of ancestors. • peddler n. One who travels from house to house with an assortment of goods for retail. • peerage n. The nobility. • peerless adj. Of unequaled excellence or worth. • peevish adj. Petulant. (irritable) • pellucid adj. Translucent. • penalty n. The consequences that follow the transgression of natural or divine law. • penance n. Punishment to which one voluntarily submits or subjects himself as an • expression of penitence. • penchant n. A bias in favor of something. • pendant n. Anything that hangs from something else, either for ornament or for use. • pendulous adj. Hanging, especially so as to swing by an attached end or part. • pendulum n. A weight hung on a rod, serving by its oscillation to regulate the rate of a • clock. • penetrable adj. That may be pierced by physical, moral, or intellectual force. • penetrate v. To enter or force a way into the interior parts of. • penetration n. Discernment. • peninsular adj. Pertaining to a piece of land almost surrounded by water. • penitence n. Sorrow for sin with desire to amend and to atone. • penitential adj. Pertaining to sorrow for sin with desire to amend and to atone. • pennant n. A small flag. • pension n. A periodical allowance to an individual on account of past service done by • him/her. • pentagram n. A figure having five points or lobes. • pentavalent adj. Quinqeuvalent. • pentad n. The number five. • pentagon n. A figure, especially, with five angles and five sides. • pentahedron n. A solid bounded by five plane faces. • pentameter n. In prosody, a line of verse containing five units or feet. • pentathlon n. The contest of five associated exercises in the great games and the same • contestants. • penultimate adj. A syllable or member of a series that is last but one. • penurious adj. Excessively sparing in the use of money. • penury n. Indigence. • • perambulate v. To walk about. • perceive v. To have knowledge of, or receive impressions concerning, through the medium • of the body senses. • perceptible adj. Cognizable. • perception n. Knowledge through the senses of the existence and properties of matter or • the external world. • percipience n. The act of perceiving. • percipient n. One who or that which perceives. • percolate v. To filter. • percolator n. A filter. • percussion n. The sharp striking of one body against another. • peremptory adj. Precluding question or appeal. • perennial adj. Continuing though the year or through many years. • perfectible adj. Capable of being made perfect. • perfidy n. Treachery. • perforate v. To make a hole or holes through. • perform v. To accomplish. • perfumery n. The preparation of perfumes. • perfunctory adj. Half-hearted. • perhaps adv. Possibly. • perigee n. The point in the orbit of the moon when it is nearest the earth. • periodicity n. The habit or characteristic of recurrence at regular intervals. • peripatetic adj. Walking about. • perjure v. To swear falsely to. • perjury n. A solemn assertion of a falsity. • permanence n. A continuance in the same state, or without any change that destroys the • essential form or nature. • permanent adj. Durable. • permeate v. To pervade. • permissible adj. That may be allowed. • permutation n. Reciprocal change, different ordering of same items. • pernicious adj. Tending to kill or hurt. • perpendicular adj. Straight up and down. • perpetrator n. The doer of a wrong or a criminal act. • perpetuate v. To preserve from extinction or oblivion. • perquisite n. Any profit from service beyond the amount fixed as salary or wages. • persecution n. Harsh or malignant oppression. • perseverance n. A persistence in purpose and effort. • persevere v. To continue striving in spite of discouragements. • persiflage n. Banter. • persist v. To continue steadfast against opposition. • persistence n. A fixed adherence to a resolve, course of conduct, or the like. • personage n. A man or woman as an individual, especially one of rank or high station. • personal adj. Not general or public. • personality n. The attributes, taken collectively, that make up the character and nature of • an individual. • personnel n. The force of persons collectively employed in some service. • perspective n. The relative importance of facts or matters from any special point of view. • perspicacious adj. Astute. • perspicacity n. Acuteness or discernment. • perspicuous adj. Lucid. • perspiration n. Sweat. • perspire v. To excrete through the pores of the skin. • persuade v. To win the mind of by argument, eloquence, evidence, or reflection. • persuadable adj. capable of influencing to action by entreaty, statement, or anything that • moves the feelings. • pertinacious adj. Persistent or unyielding. • pertinacity n. Unyielding adherence. • pertinent adj. Relevant. • perturb v. To disturb greatly. • perturbation n. Mental excitement or confusion. • perusal n. The act of reading carefully or thoughtfully. • pervade v. To pass or spread through every part. • pervasion n. The state of spreading through every part. • pervasive adj. Thoroughly penetrating or permeating. • perverse adj. Unreasonable. • perversion n. Diversion from the true meaning or proper purpose. • perversity n. Wickedness. • pervert n. One who has forsaken a doctrine regarded as true for one esteemed false. • pervious adj. Admitting the entrance or passage of another substance. • pestilence n. A raging epidemic. • pestilent adj. Having a malign influence or effect. • pestilential adj. having the nature of or breeding pestilence. • peter v. To fail or lose power, efficiency, or value. • petrify v. To convert into a substance of stony hardness and character. • petulance n. The character or condition of being impatient, capricious or petulant. • petulant adj. Displaying impatience. • pharmacopoeia n. A book containing the formulas and methods of preparation of • medicines for the use of druggists. • pharmacy n. The art or business of compounding and dispensing medicines. • phenomenal adj. Extraordinary or marvelous. • phenomenon n. Any unusual occurrence. • philander v. To play at courtship with a woman. • philanthropic adj. Benevolent. • philanthropist n. One who endeavors to help his fellow men. • philanthropy n. Active humanitarianism. • philately n. The study and collection of stamps. • philharmonic adj. Fond of music. • philogynist n. One who is fond of women. • philologist n. An expert in linguistics. • philology n. The study of language in connection with history and literature. • philosophize v. To seek ultimate causes and principles. • philosophy n. The general principles, laws, or causes that furnish the rational explanation • of anything. • phlegmatic adj. Not easily roused to feeling or action. • phonetic adj. Representing articulate sounds or speech. • phonic adj. Pertaining to the nature of sound. • phonogram n. A graphic character symbolizing an articulate sound. • phonology n. The science of human vocal sounds. • phosphorescence n. The property of emitting light. • photoelectric adj. Pertaining to the combined action of light and electricity. • photometer n. Any instrument for measuring the intensity of light or comparing the • intensity of two lights. • photometry n. The art of measuring the intensity of light. • physicist n. A specialist in the science that treats of the phenomena associated with matter and • energy. • physics n. The science that treats of the phenomena associated with matter and energy. • physiocracy n. The doctrine that land and its products are the only true wealth. • physiognomy n. The external appearance merely. • physiography n. Description of nature. • physiology n. The science of organic functions. • physique n. The physical structure or organization of a person. • picayune adj. Of small value. • piccolo n. A small flute. • piece n. A loose or separated part, as distinguished from the whole or the mass. • piecemeal adv. Gradually. • pillage n. Open robbery, as in war. • pillory n. A wooden framework in which an offender is fastened to boards and is exposed • to public scorn. • pincers n. An instrument having two lever-handles and two jaws working on a pivot. • pinchers n. An instrument having two jaws working on a pivot. • pinnacle n. A high or topmost point, as a mountain-peak. • pioneer n. One among the first to explore a country. • pious adj. Religious. • pique v. To excite a slight degree of anger in. • piteous adj. Compassionate. • pitiable adj. Contemptible. • pitiful adj. Wretched. • pitiless adj. Hard-hearted. • pittance n. Any small portion or meager allowance. • placate v. To bring from a state of angry or hostile feeling to one of patience or • friendliness. • placid adj. Serene. • plagiarism n. The stealing of passages from the writings of another and publishing them • as one's own. • planisphere n. A polar projection of the heavens on a chart. • plasticity n. The property of some substances through which the form of the mass can • readily be changed. • platitude n. A written or spoken statement that is flat, dull, or commonplace. • plaudit n. An expression of applause. • plausible adj. Seeming likely to be true, though open to doubt. • playful adj. Frolicsome. • playwright n. A maker of plays for the stage. • plea n. An argument to obtain some desired action. • pleasant adj. Agreeable. • pleasurable adj. Affording gratification. • plebeian adj. Common. • pledgee n. The person to whom anything is pledged. • pledgeor n. One who gives a pledge. • plenary adj. Entire. • plenipotentiary n. A person fully empowered to transact any business. • plenitude n. Abundance. • plenteous adj. Abundant. • plumb n. A weight suspended by a line to test the verticality of something. • plummet n. A piece of lead for making soundings, adjusting walls to the vertical. • pluperfect adj. Expressing past time or action prior to some other past time or action. • plural adj. Containing or consisting of more than one. • plurality n. A majority. • plutocracy n. A wealthy class in a political community who control the government by • means of their money. • pneumatic adj. Pertaining to or consisting of air or gas. • poesy n. Poetry. • poetaster n. An inferior poet. • poetic adj. Pertaining to poetry. • poetics n. The rules and principles of poetry. • poignancy n. Severity or acuteness, especially of pain or grief. • poignant adj. Severely painful or acute to the spirit. • poise n. Equilibrium. • polar adj. Pertaining to the poles of a sphere, especially of the earth. • polemics n. The art of controversy or disputation. • pollen n. The fine dust-like grains or powder formed within the anther of a flowering plant. • pollute v. To contaminate. • polyarchy n. Government by several or many persons of what- ever class. • polycracy n. The rule of many. • polygamy n. the fact or condition of having more than one wife or husband at once. • polyglot adj. Speaking several tongues. • polygon n. A figure having many angles. • polyhedron n. A solid bounded by plane faces, especially by more than four. • polysyllable adj. Having several syllables, especially more than three syllables. • polytechnic adj. Pertaining to, embracing, or practicing many arts. • polytheism n. The doctrine or belief that there are more gods than one. • pommel v. To beat with something thick or bulky. • pomposity n. The quality of being marked by an assumed stateliness and impressiveness of manner. • pompous adj. Marked by an assumed stateliness and impressiveness of manner. • ponder v. To meditate or reflect upon. • ponderous adj. Unusually weighty or forcible. • pontiff n. The Pope. • populace n. The common people. • populous adj. Containing many inhabitants, especially in proportion to the territory. • portend v. To indicate as being about to happen, especially by previous signs. • portent n. Anything that indicates what is to happen. • portfolio n. A portable case for holding writing-materials, drawings, etc. • posit v. To present in an orderly manner. • position n. The manner in which a thing is placed. • positive adj. Free from doubt or hesitation. • posse n. A force of men. • possess v. To own. • possession n. The having, holding, or detention of property in one's power or command. • possessive adj. Pertaining to the having, holding, or detention of property in one's power • or command. • possessor n. One who owns, enjoys, or controls anything, as property. • possible adj. Being not beyond the reach of power natural, moral, or supernatural. • postdate v. To make the date of any writing later than the real date. • posterior n. The hinder part. • postgraduate adj. Pertaining to studies that are pursued after receiving a degree. • postscript n. Something added to a letter after the writer's signature. • potency n. Power. • potent adj. Physically powerful. • potentate n. One possessed of great power or sway. • potential n. Anything that may be possible. • potion n. A dose of liquid medicine. • powerless adj. Impotent. • practicable adj. Feasible. • prate v. To talk about vainly or foolishly. • prattle v. To utter in simple or childish talk. • preamble n. A statement introductory to and explanatory of what follows. • precarious adj. Perilous. • precaution n. A provision made in advance for some possible emergency or danger. • precede v. To happen first. • precedence n. Priority in place, time, or rank. • precedent n. An instance that may serve as a guide or basis for a rule. • precedential adj. Of the nature of an instance that may serve as a guide or basis for a rule. • precession n. The act of going forward. • precipice n. A high and very steep or approximately vertical cliff. • precipitant adj. Moving onward quickly and heedlessly. • precipitate v. To force forward prematurely. • precise adj. Exact. • precision n. Accuracy of limitation, definition, or adjustment. • preclude v. To prevent. • precocious adj. Having the mental faculties prematurely developed. • precursor n. A forerunner or herald. • predatory adj. Prone to pillaging. • predecessor n. An incumbent of a given office previous to another. • predicament n. A difficult, trying situation or plight. • predicate v. To state as belonging to something. • predict v. To foretell. • prediction n. A prophecy. • predominance n. Ascendancy or preponderance. • predominant adj. Superior in power, influence, effectiveness, number, or degree. • predominate v. To be chief in importance, quantity, or degree. • preeminence n. Special eminence. • preempt v. To secure the right of preference in the purchase of public land. • preemption n. The right or act of purchasing before others. • preengage v. To preoccupy. • preestablish v. To settle or arrange beforehand. • preexist v. To exist at a period or in a state earlier than something else. • preexistence n. Existence antecedent to something. • preface n. A brief explanation or address to the reader, at the beginning of a book. • prefatory adj. Pertaining to a brief explanation to the reader at the beginning of a book. • prefer v. To hold in higher estimation. • preferable adj. More desirable than others. • preference n. An object of favor or choice. • preferential adj. Possessing, giving, or constituting preference or priority. • preferment n. Preference. • prefix v. To attach at the beginning. • prehensible adj. Capable of being grasped. • prehensile adj. Adapted for grasping or holding. • prehension n. The act of laying hold of or grasping. • prejudice n. A judgment or opinion formed without due examination of the facts. • prelacy n. A system of church government. • prelate n. One of a higher order of clergy having direct authority over other clergy. • prelude n. An introductory or opening performance. • premature adj. Coming too soon. • premier adj. First in rank or position. • premise n. A judgment as a conclusion. • premonition n. Foreboding. • preoccupation n. The state of having the mind, attention, or inclination preoccupied. • preoccupy v. To fill the mind of a person to the exclusion of other subjects. • preordain v. To foreordain. • preparation n. An act or proceeding designed to bring about some event. • preparatory adj. Having to do with what is preliminary. • preponderant adj. Prevalent. • preponderate v. To exceed in influence or power. • prepossession n. A preconceived liking. • preposterous adj. Utterly ridiculous or absurd. • prerogative adj. Having superior rank or precedence. • presage v. To foretell. • prescience n. Knowledge of events before they take place. • prescient adj. Foreknowing. • prescript adj. Prescribed as a rule or model. • prescriptible adj. Derived from authoritative direction. • prescription n. An authoritative direction. • presentient adj. Perceiving or feeling beforehand. • presentiment n. Foreboding. • presentment n. Semblance. • preservation n. Conservation. • presumption n. That which may be logically assumed to be true until disproved. • presumptuous adj. Assuming too much. • pretension n. A bold or presumptuous assertion. • pretentious adj. Marked by pretense, conceit, or display. • preternatural adj. Extraordinary. • pretext n. A fictitious reason or motive. • prevalence n. Frequency. • prevalent adj. Of wide extent or frequent occurrence. • prevaricate v. To use ambiguous or evasive language for the purpose of deceiving or • diverting attention. • • prevention n. Thwarting. • prickle v. To puncture slightly with fine, sharp points. • priggish adj. Conceited. • prim adj. Stiffly proper. • prima adj. First. • primer n. An elementary reading-book for children. • primeval adj. Belonging to the first ages. • primitive adj. Pertaining to the beginning or early times. • principal adj. Most important. • principality n. The territory of a reigning prince. • principle n. A general truth or proposition. • priory n. A monastic house. • pristine adj. Primitive. • privateer n. A vessel owned and officered by private persons, but carrying on maritime • war. • privilege n. A right or immunity not enjoyed by all, or that may be enjoyed only under • special conditions. • privity n. Knowledge shared with another or others regarding a private matter. • privy adj. Participating with another or others in the knowledge of a secret transaction. • probate adj. Relating to making proof, as of a will. • probation n. Any proceeding designed to ascertain or test character, qualification, or the • like. • probe v. To search through and through. • probity n. Virtue or integrity tested and confirmed. • procedure n. A manner or method of acting. • proceed v. To renew motion or action, as after rest or interruption. • proclamation n. Any announcement made in a public manner. • procrastinate v. To put off till tomorrow or till a future time. • procrastination n. Delay. • proctor n. An agent acting for another. • prodigal n. One wasteful or extravagant, especially in the use of money or property. • prodigious adj. Immense. • prodigy n. A person or thing of very remarkable gifts or qualities. • productive adj. Yielding in abundance. • profession n. Any calling or occupation involving special mental or other special • disciplines. • professor n. A public teacher of the highest grade in a university or college. • proffer v. To offer to another for acceptance. • proficiency n. An advanced state of acquirement, as in some knowledge, art, or science. • proficient adj. Possessing ample and ready knowledge or of skill in any art, science, or industry. • profile n. An outline or contour. • profiteer n. One who profits. • profligacy n. Shameless viciousness. • profligate adj. Abandoned to vice. • profuse adj. Produced or displayed in overabundance. • progeny n. Offspring. • progression n. A moving forward or proceeding in course. • prohibition n. A decree or an order forbidding something. • prohibitionist n. One who favors the prohibition by law of the manufacture and sale of • alcoholic beverages. • prohibitory adj. Involving or equivalent to prohibition, especially of the sale of alcoholic • beverages. • projection n. A prominence. • proletarian n. A person of the lowest or poorest class. • prolific adj. Producing offspring or fruit. • prolix adj. Verbose. • prologue n. A prefatory statement or explanation to a poem, discourse, or performance. • prolong v. To extend in time or duration. • promenade v. To walk for amusement or exercise. • prominence n. The quality of being noticeable or distinguished. • prominent adj. Conspicuous in position, character, or importance. • promiscuous adj. Brought together without order, distinction, or design (for sex). • promissory adj. Expressing an engagement to pay. • promontory n. A high point of land extending outward from the coastline into the sea. • promoter n. A furtherer, forwarder, or encourager. • promulgate v. To proclaim. • propaganda n. Any institution or systematic scheme for propagating a doctrine or system. • propagate v. To spread abroad or from person to person. • propel v. To drive or urge forward. • propellant adj. Propelling. • propeller n. One who or that which propels. • prophecy n. Any prediction or foretelling. • prophesy v. To predict or foretell, especially under divine inspiration and guidance. • propitious adj. Kindly disposed. • proportionate adj. Being in proportion. • propriety n. Accordance with recognized usage, custom, or principles. • propulsion n. A driving onward or forward. • prosaic adj. Unimaginative. • proscenium n. That part of the stage between the curtain and the orchestra. • proscribe v. To reject, as a teaching or a practice, with condemnation or denunciation. • proscription n. Any act of condemnation and rejection from favor and privilege. • proselyte n. One who has been won over from one religious belief to another. • prosody n. The science of poetical forms. • prospector n. One who makes exploration, search, or examination, especially for minerals. • prospectus n. A paper or pamphlet containing information of a proposed undertaking. • prostrate adj. Lying prone, or with the head to the ground. • protagonist n. A leader in any enterprise or contest. • protection n. Preservation from harm, danger, annoyance, or any other evil. • protective adj. Sheltering. • protector n. A defender. • protégé n. One specially cared for and favored by another usually older person. • Protestant n. A Christian who denies the authority of the Pope and holds the right of • special judgment. • protomartyr n. The earliest victim in any cause. • protocol n. A declaration or memorandum of agreement less solemn and formal than a • treaty. • protoplasm n. The substance that forms the principal portion of an animal or vegetable • cell. • prototype n. A work, original in character, afterward imitated in form or spirit. • protract v. To prolong. • protrude v. To push out or thrust forth. • protrusion n. The act of protruding. • protuberance n. Something that swells out from a surrounding surface. • protuberant adj. Bulging. • protuberate v. To swell or bulge beyond the surrounding surface. • proverb n. A brief, pithy saying, condensing in witty or striking form the wisdom of • experience. • provident adj. Anticipating and making ready for future wants or emergencies. • providential adj. Effected by divine guidance. • provincial adj. Uncultured in thought and manner. • proviso n. A clause in a contract, will, etc., by which its operation is rendered conditional. • provocation n. An action or mode of conduct that excites resentment. • prowess n. Strength, skill, and intrepidity in battle. • proximately adv. Immediately. • proxy n. A person who is empowered by another to represent him or her in a given matter. • prudence n. Caution. • prudential adj. Proceeding or marked by caution. • prudery n. An undue display of modesty or delicacy. • prurient adj. Inclined to lascivious thoughts and desires. • pseudapostle n. A pretended or false apostle. • pseudonym n. A fictitious name, especially when assumed by a writer. • pseudonymity n. The state or character of using a fictitious name. • psychiatry n. The branch of medicine that relates to mental disease. • psychic adj. Pertaining to the mind or soul. • psychopathic adj. Morally irresponsible. • psychotherapy n. The treatment of mental disease. • pudgy adj. Small and fat. • puerile adj. Childish. • pugnacious adj. Quarrelsome. • puissant adj. Possessing strength. • pulmonary adj. Pertaining to the lungs. • punctilious adj. Strictly observant of the rules or forms prescribed by law or custom. • punctual adj. Observant and exact in points of time. • pungent adj. Affecting the sense of smell. • pungency n. The quality of affecting the sense of smell. • punitive adj. Pertaining to punishment. • pupilage n. The state or period of being a student. • purgatory n. An intermediate state where souls are made fit for paradise or heaven by • expiatory suffering. • purl v. To cause to whirl, as in an eddy. • purloin v. To steal. • purport n. Intent. • purveyor n. one who supplies • pusillanimous adj. Without spirit or bravery. • putrescent adj. Undergoing decomposition of animal or vegetable matter accompanied by fetid odors. • pyre n. A heap of combustibles arranged for burning a dead body. • pyromania n. An insane propensity to set things on fire. • pyrotechnic adj. Pertaining to fireworks or their manufacture. • • pyx n. A vessel or casket, usually of precious metal, in which the host is preserved. • quackery n. Charlatanry • quadrate v. To divide into quarters. • quadruple v. To multiply by four. • qualification n. A requisite for an employment, position, right, or privilege. • qualify v. To endow or furnish with requisite ability, character, knowledge, skill, or • possessions. • qualm n. A fit of nausea. • quandary n. A puzzling predicament. • quantity n. Magnitude. • quarantine n. The enforced isolation of any person or place infected with contagious • disease. • quarrelsome adj. Irascible. • quarter n. One of four equal parts into which anything is or may be divided. • quarterly adj. Occurring or made at intervals of three months. • quartet n. A composition for four voices or four instruments. • quarto n. An eight-page newspaper of any size. • quay n. A wharf or artificial landing-place on the shore of a harbor or projecting into it. • querulous adj. Habitually complaining. • query v. To make inquiry. • queue n. A file of persons waiting in order of their arrival, as for admittance. • quibble n. An utterly trivial distinction or objection. • quiescence n. Quiet. • quiescent adj. Being in a state of repose or inaction. • quiet adj. Making no noise. • quietus n. A silencing, suppressing, or ending. • quintessence n. The most essential part of anything. • quintet n. Musical composition arranged for five voices or instruments. • quite adv. Fully. • Quixotic adj. Chivalrous or romantic to a ridiculous or extravagant degree. • rabid adj. Affected with rabies or hydrophobia. • racy adj. Exciting or exhilarating to the mind. • radiance n. Brilliant or sparkling luster. • radiate v. To extend in all directions, as from a source or focus. • radical n. One who holds extreme views or advocates extreme measures. • radix n. That from or on which something is developed. • raillery n. Good-humored satire. • ramify v. To divide or subdivide into branches or subdivisions. • ramose adj. Branch-like. • rampant adj. Growing, climbing, or running without check or restraint. • rampart n. A bulwark or construction to oppose assault or hostile entry. • rancor n. Malice. • rankle v. To produce irritation or festering. • rapacious adj. Disposed to seize by violence or by unlawful or greedy methods. • rapid adj. Having great speed. • rapine n. The act of seizing and carrying off property by superior force, as in war. • rapt adj. Enraptured. • raptorial adj. Seizing and devouring living prey. • ration v. To provide with a fixed allowance or portion, especially of food. • rationalism n. The formation of opinions by relying upon reason alone, independently of • authority. • raucous adj. Harsh. • ravage v. To lay waste by pillage, rapine, devouring, or other destructive methods. • ravenous adj. Furiously voracious or hungry. • ravine n. A deep gorge or hollow, especially one worn by a stream or flow of water. • reaction n. Tendency towards a former, or opposite state of things, as after reform, • revolution, or inflation. • reactionary adj. Pertaining to, of the nature of, causing, or favoring reaction. • readily adv. Without objection or reluctance. • readjust v. To put in order after disarrangement. • ready adj. In a state of preparedness for any given purpose or occasion. • realism n. The principle and practice of depicting persons and scenes as they are believed • really to exist. • rearrange v. To arrange again or in a different order. • reassure v. To give new confidence. • rebellious adj. Insubordinate. • rebuff n. A peremptory or unexpected rejection of advances or approaches. • rebuild v. To build again or anew. • rebut v. To oppose by argument or a sufficient answer. • recant v. To withdraw formally one's belief (in something previously believed or • maintained). • recapitulate v. To repeat again the principal points of. • recapture v. To capture again. • recede v. To move back or away. • receivable adj. Capable of being or fit to be received - often money. • receptive adj. Having the capacity, quality, or ability of receiving, as truths or impressions. • recessive adj. Having a tendency to go back. • recidivist n. A confirmed criminal. • reciprocal adj. Mutually interchangeable or convertible. • reciprocate v. To give and take mutually. • reciprocity n. Equal mutual rights and benefits granted and enjoyed. • recitation n. The act of reciting or repeating, especially in public and from memory. • reck v. To have a care or thought for. • reckless adj. Foolishly headless of danger. • reclaim v. To demand or to obtain the return or restoration of. • recline v. To cause to assume a leaning or recumbent attitude or position. • recluse n. One who lives in retirement or seclusion. • reclusory n. A hermitage. • recognizance n. An acknowledgment entered into before a court with condition to do some • particular act. • recognize v. To recall the identity of (a person or thing). • recoil v. To start back as in dismay, loathing, or dread. • recollect v. To recall the knowledge of. • reconcilable adj. Capable of being adjusted or harmonized. • reconnoiter v. To make a preliminary examination of for military, surveying, or geological • purposes. • reconsider v. To review with care, especially with a view to a reversal of previous action. • reconstruct v. To rebuild. • recourse n. Resort to or application for help in exigency or trouble. • recover v. To regain. • recreant n. A cowardly or faithless person. • recreate v. To refresh after labor. • recrudescence n. The state of becoming raw or sore again. • recrudescent adj. Becoming raw or sore again. • recruit v. To enlist men for military or naval service. • rectify v. To correct. • rectitude n. The quality of being upright in principles and conduct. • recuperate v. To recover. • recur v. To happen again or repeatedly, especially at regular intervals. • recure v. To cure again. • recurrent adj. Returning from time to time, especially at regular or stated intervals. • redemption n. The recovery of what is mortgaged or pledged, by paying the debt. • redolent adj. Smelling sweet and agreeable. • redolence n. Smelling sweet and agreeable. • redoubtable adj. Formidable. • redound n. Rebound. • redress v. To set right, as a wrong by compensation or the punishment of the wrong-doer. • reducible adj. That may be reduced. • redundance n. Excess. • redundant adj. Constituting an excess. • reestablish v. To restore. • refer v. To direct or send for information or other purpose. • referrer n. One who refers. • referable adj. Ascribable. • referee n. An umpire. • refinery n. A place where some crude material, as sugar or petroleum, is purified. • reflectible adj. Capable of being turned back. • reflection n. The throwing off or back of light, heat, sound, or any form of energy that travels in waves. • reflector n. A mirror, as of metal, for reflecting light, heat, or sound in a particular direction. • reflexible adj. Capable of being reflected. • reform n. Change for the better. • reformer n. One who carries out a reform. • refract v. To bend or turn from a direct course. • refractory adj. Not amenable to control. • refragable adj. Capable of being refuted. • refringency n. Power to refract. • refringent adj. Having the power to refract. • refusal n. Denial of what is asked. • refute v. To prove to be wrong. • regale v. To give unusual pleasure. • regalia n. pl. The emblems of royalty. • regality n. Royalty. • regenerate v. To reproduce. • regent n. One who is lawfully deputized to administer the government for the time being in • the name of the ruler. • regicide n. The killing of a king or sovereign. • regime n. Particular conduct or administration of affairs. • • regimen n. A systematized order or course of living with reference to food, clothing and • personal habits. • regiment n. A body of soldiers. • regnant adj. Exercising royal authority in one's own right. • regress v. To return to a former place or condition. • regretful adj. Feeling, expressive of, or full of regret. • rehabilitate v. To restore to a former status, capacity, right rank, or privilege. • reign v. To hold and exercise sovereign power. • reimburse v. To pay back as an equivalent of what has been expended. • rein n. A step attached to the bit for controlling a horse or other draft-animal. • reinstate v. To restore to a former state, station, or authority. • reiterate v. To say or do again and again. • rejoin v. To reunite after separation. • rejuvenate v. To restore to youth. • rejuvenescence n. A renewal of youth. • relapse v. To suffer a return of a disease after partial recovery. • relegate v. To send off or consign, as to an obscure position or remote destination. • relent v. To yield. • relevant adj. Bearing upon the matter in hand. • reliance n. Dependence. • reliant adj. Having confidence. • relinquish v. To give up using or having. • reliquary n. A casket, coffer, or repository in which relics are kept. • relish v. To like the taste or savor of. • reluctance n. Unwillingness. • reluctant adj. Unwilling. • remembrance n. Recollection. • reminiscence n. The calling to mind of incidents within the range of personal knowledge or • experience. • reminiscent adj. Pertaining to the recollection of matters of personal interest. • remiss adj. Negligent. • remission n. Temporary diminution of a disease. • remodel v. Reconstruct. • remonstrance n. Reproof. • remonstrant adj. Having the character of a reproof. • remonstrate v. To present a verbal or written protest to those who have power to right or • prevent a wrong. • remunerate v. To pay or pay for. • remuneration n. Compensation. • Renaissance n. The revival of letters, and then of art, which marks the transition from • medieval to modern time. • rendezvous n. A prearranged place of meeting. • rendition n. Interpretation. • renovate v. To restore after deterioration, as a building. • renunciation n. An explicit disclaimer of a right or privilege. • reorganize v. To change to a more satisfactory form of organization. • reparable adj. Capable of repair. • reparation n. The act of making amends, as for an injury, loss, or wrong. • repartee n. A ready, witty, or apt reply. • repeal v. To render of no further effect. • repel v. To force or keep back in a manner, physically or mentally. • repellent adj. Having power to force back in a manner, physically or mentally. • repentance n. Sorrow for something done or left undone, with desire to make things right • by undoing the wrong. • repertory n. A place where things are stored or gathered together. • repetition n. The act of repeating. • repine v. To indulge in fretfulness and faultfinding. • replenish v. To fill again, as something that has been emptied. • replete adj. Full to the uttermost. • replica n. A duplicate executed by the artist himself, and regarded, equally with the first, as an original. • repository n. A place in which goods are stored. • reprehend v. To find fault with. • reprehensible adj. Censurable. • reprehension n. Expression of blame. • repress v. To keep under restraint or control. • repressible adj. Able to be kept under restraint or control. • reprieve v. To grant a respite from punishment to. • reprimand v. To chide or rebuke for a fault. • reprisal n. Any infliction or act by way of retaliation on an enemy. • reprobate n. One abandoned to depravity and sin. • reproduce v. To make a copy of. • reproduction n. The process by which an animal or plant gives rise to another of its kind. • reproof n. An expression of disapproval or blame personally addressed to one censured. • repudiate v. To refuse to have anything to do with. • repugnance n. Thorough dislike. • repugnant adj. Offensive to taste and feeling. • repulse n. The act of beating or driving back, as an attacking or advancing enemy. • repulsive adj. Grossly offensive. • repute v. To hold in general opinion. • requiem n. A solemn mass sung for the repose of the souls of the dead. • requisite adj. Necessary. • requital n. Adequate return for good or ill. • requite v. To repay either good or evil to, as to a person. • rescind v. To make void, as an act, by the enacting authority or a superior authority. • reseat v. To place in position of office again. • resemblance n. Similarity in quality or form. • resent v. To be indignant at, as an injury or insult. • reservoir n. A receptacle where a quantity of some material, especially of a liquid or gas, may be kept. • residue n. A remainder or surplus after a part has been separated or otherwise treated. • resilience n. The power of springing back to a former position • resilient adj. Having the quality of springing back to a former position. • resistance n. The exertion of opposite effort or effect. • resistant adj. Offering or tending to produce resistance. • resistive adj. Having or exercising the power of resistance. • resistless adj. Powerless. • resonance n. The quality of being able to reinforce sound by sympathetic vibrations. • resonance adj. Able to reinforce sound by sympathetic vibrations. • resonate v. To have or produce resonance. • resource n. That which is restored to, relied upon, or made available for aid or support. • respite n. Interval of rest. • resplendent adj. Very bright. • respondent adj. Answering. • restitution n. Restoration of anything to the one to whom it properly belongs. • resumption n. The act of taking back, or taking again. • resurgent adj. Surging back or again. • resurrection n. A return from death to life • resuscitate v. To restore from apparent death. • retaliate v. To repay evil with a similar evil. • retch v. To make an effort to vomit. • retention n. The keeping of a thing within one's power or possession. • reticence n. The quality of habitually keeping silent or being reserved in utterance. • reticent adj. Habitually keeping silent or being reserved in utterance. • retinue n. The body of persons who attend a person of importance in travel or public • appearance. • retort n. A retaliatory speech. • retouch v. To modify the details of. • retrace v. To follow backward or toward the place of beginning, as a track or marking. • retract v. To recall or take back (something that one has said). • retrench v. To cut down or reduce in extent or quantity. • retrieve v. To recover something by searching. • retroactive adj. Operative on, affecting, or having reference to past events, transactions, • responsibilities. • retrograde v. To cause to deteriorate or to move backward. • retrogression n. A going or moving backward or in a reverse direction. • retrospect n. A view or contemplation of something past. • retrospective adj. Looking back on the past. • reunite v. To unite or join again, as after separation. • revelation n. A disclosing, discovering, or making known of what was before secret, • private, or unknown. • revere v. To regard with worshipful veneration. • reverent adj. Humble. • reversion n. A return to or toward some former state or condition. • revert v. To return, or turn or look back, as toward a former position or the like. • revile v. To heap approach or abuse upon. • revisal n. Revision. • revise v. To examine for the correction of errors, or for the purpose of making changes. • revocation n. Repeal. • revoke v. To rescind. • rhapsody n. Rapt or rapturous utterance. • rhetoric n. The art of discourse. • rhetorician n. A showy writer or speaker. • ribald adj. Indulging in or manifesting coarse indecency or obscenity. • riddance n. The act or ridding or delivering from something undesirable. • ridicule n. Looks or acts expressing amused contempt. • ridiculous adj. Laughable and contemptible. • rife adj. Abundant. • righteousness n. Rectitude. • rightful adj. Conformed to a just claim according to established laws or usage. • • rigmarole n. Nonsense. • rigor n. Inflexibility. • rigorous adj. Uncompromising. • ripplet n. A small ripple, as of water. • risible adj. capable of exciting laughter. • rivulet n. A small stream or brook. • robust adj. Characterized by great strength or power of endurance. • rondo n. A musical composition during which the first part or subject is repeated several • times. • rookery n. A place where crows congregate to breed. • rotary adj. Turning around its axis, like a wheel, or so constructed as to turn thus. • rotate v. To cause to turn on or as on its axis, as a wheel. • rote n. Repetition of words or sounds as a means of learning them, with slight attention. • rotund adj. Round from fullness or plumpness. • rudimentary adj. Being in an initial, early, or incomplete stage of development. • rue v. To regret extremely. • ruffian adj. A lawless or recklessly brutal fellow. • ruminant adj. Chewing the cud. • ruminate v. To chew over again, as food previously swallowed and regurgitated. • rupture v. To separate the parts of by violence. • rustic adj. Characteristic of dwelling in the country. • ruth n. Sorrow for another's misery. • sacrifice v. To make an offering of to deity, especially by presenting on an altar. • sacrificial adj. Offering or offered as an atonement for sin. • sacrilege n. The act of violating or profaning anything sacred. • sacrilegious adj. Impious. • safeguard v. To protect. • sagacious adj. Able to discern and distinguish with wise perception. • salacious adj. Having strong sexual desires. • salience n. The condition of standing out distinctly. • salient adj. Standing out prominently. • saline adj. Constituting or consisting of salt. • salutary adj. Beneficial. • salutation n. Any form of greeting, hailing, or welcome, whether by word or act. • salutatory n. The opening oration at the commencement in American colleges. • salvage n. Any act of saving property. • salvo n. A salute given by firing all the guns, as at the funeral of an officer. • sanctimonious adj. Making an ostentatious display or hypocritical pretense of holiness or • piety. • sanction v. To approve authoritatively. • sanctity n. Holiness. • sanguinary adj. Bloody. • sanguine adj. Having the color of blood. • sanguineous adj. Consisting of blood. • sapid adj. Affecting the sense of taste. • sapience n. Deep wisdom or knowledge. • sapient adj. Possessing wisdom. • sapiential adj. Possessing wisdom. • saponaceous adj. Having the nature or quality of soap. • sarcasm n. Cutting and reproachful language. • sarcophagus n. A stone coffin or a chest-like tomb. • sardonic adj. Scornfully or bitterly sarcastic. • satiate v. To satisfy fully the appetite or desire of. • satire n. The employment of sarcasm, irony, or keenness of wit in ridiculing vices. • satiric adj. Resembling poetry, in which vice, incapacity ,or corruption is held up to ridicule. • satirize v. To treat with sarcasm or derisive wit. • satyr n. A very lascivious person. • savage n. A wild and uncivilized human being. • savor v. To perceive by taste or smell. • scabbard n. The sheath of a sword or similar bladed weapon. • scarcity n. Insufficiency of supply for needs or ordinary demands. • scholarly adj. Characteristic of an erudite person. • scholastic adj. Pertaining to education or schools. • scintilla n. The faintest ray. • scintillate v. To emit or send forth sparks or little flashes of light. • scope n. A range of action or view. • scoundrel n. A man without principle. • scribble n. Hasty, careless writing. • scribe n. One who writes or is skilled in writing. • script n. Writing or handwriting of the ordinary cursive form. • Scriptural adj. Pertaining to, contained in, or warranted by the Holy Scriptures. • scruple n. Doubt or uncertainty regarding a question of moral right or duty. • scrupulous adj. Cautious in action for fear of doing wrong. • scurrilous adj. Grossly indecent or vulgar. • scuttle v. To sink (a ship) by making holes in the bottom. • scythe n. A long curved blade for mowing, reaping, etc. • séance n. A meeting of spirituals for consulting spirits. • sear v. To burn on the surface. • sebaceous adj. Pertaining to or appearing like fat. • secant adj. Cutting, especially into two parts. • secede v. To withdraw from union or association, especially from a political or religious • body. • secession n. Voluntary withdrawal from fellowship, especially from political or religious • bodies. • seclude v. To place, keep, or withdraw from the companionship of others. • seclusion n. Solitude. • secondary adj. Less important or effective than that which is primary. • secondly adv. In the second place in order or succession. • second-rate adj. Second in quality, size, rank, importance, etc. • secrecy n. Concealment. • secretary n. One who attends to correspondence, keeps records. or does other writing for • others. • secretive adj. Having a tendency to conceal. • sedate adj. Even-tempered. • sedentary adj. Involving or requiring much sitting. • sediment n. Matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid. • sedition n. Conduct directed against public order and the tranquility of the state. • seditious adj. Promotive of conduct directed against public order and the tranquility of the • state. • seduce v. To entice to surrender chastity. • sedulous adj. Persevering in effort or endeavor. • seer n. A prophet. • seethe v. To be violently excited or agitated. • seignior n. A title of honor or respectful address, equivalent to sir. • seismograph n. An instrument for recording the phenomena of earthquakes. • seize v. To catch or take hold of suddenly and forcibly. • selective adj. Having the power of choice. • self-respect n. Rational self-esteem. • semblance n. Outward appearance. • semicivilized adj. Half-civilized. • semiconscious adj. Partially conscious. • semiannual adj. Recurring at intervals of six months. • semicircle n. A half-circle. • seminar n. Any assemblage of pupils for real research in some specific study under a • teacher. • seminary n. A special school, as of theology or pedagogics. • senile adj. Peculiar to or proceeding from the weakness or infirmity of old age. • sensation n. A condition of mind resulting from spiritual or inherent feeling. • sense n. The signification conveyed by some word, phrase, or action. • sensibility n. Power to perceive or feel. • sensitive adj. Easily affected by outside operations or influences. • sensorium n. The sensory apparatus. • sensual adj. Pertaining to the body or the physical senses. • sensuous adj. Having a warm appreciation of the beautiful or of the refinements of luxury. • sentence n. A related group of words containing a subject and a predicate and expressing • a complete thought. • sentience n. Capacity for sensation or sense-perception. • sentient adj. Possessing the power of sense or sense-perception. • sentinel n. Any guard or watch stationed for protection. • separable adj. Capable of being disjoined or divided. • separate v. To take apart. • separatist n. A seceder. • septennial adj. Recurring every seven years. • sepulcher n. A burial-place. • sequacious adj. Ready to be led. • sequel n. That which follows in consequence of what has previously happened. • sequence n. The order in which a number or persons, things, or events follow one another • in space or time. • sequent adj. Following in the order of time. • sequester v. To cause to withdraw or retire, as from society or public life. • sequestrate v. To confiscate. • sergeant n. A non-commissioned military officer ranking next above a corporal. • sergeant-at-arms n. An executive officer in legislative bodies who enforces the orders of • the presiding officer. • sergeant-major n. The highest non-commissioned officer in a regiment. • service n. Any work done for the benefit of another. • serviceable adj. Durable. • servitude n. Slavery. • • severance n. Separation. • severely adv. Extremely. • sextet n. A band of six singers or players. • sextuple adj. Multiplied by six. • sheer adj. Absolute. • shiftless adj. Wanting in resource, energy, or executive ability. • shrewd adj. Characterized by skill at understanding and profiting by circumstances. • shriek n. A sharp, shrill outcry or scream, caused by agony or terror. • shrinkage n. A contraction of any material into less bulk or dimension. • shrivel v. To draw or be drawn into wrinkles. • shuffle n. A mixing or changing the order of things. • sibilance n. A hissing sound. • sibilant adj. Made with a hissing sound. • sibilate v. To give a hissing sound to, as in pronouncing the letter s. • sidelong adj. Inclining or tending to one side. • sidereal adj. Pertaining to stars or constellations. • siege n. A beleaguerment. • significance n. Importance. • significant adj. Important, especially as pointing something out. • signification n. The meaning conveyed by language, actions, or signs. • similar adj. Bearing resemblance to one another or to something else. • simile n. A comparison which directs the mind to the representative object itself. • similitude n. Similarity. • simplify v. To make less complex or difficult. • simulate v. Imitate. • simultaneous adj. Occurring, done, or existing at the same time. • sinecure n. Any position having emoluments with few or no duties. • singe v. To burn slightly or superficially. • sinister adj. Evil. • sinuosity n. The quality of curving in and out. • sinuous adj. Curving in and out. • sinus n. An opening or cavity. • siren n. A sea-nymph, described by Homer as dwelling between the island of Circe and • Scylla. • sirocco n. hot winds from Africa. • sisterhood n. A body of sisters united by some bond of sympathy or by a religious vow. • skeptic n. One who doubts any statements. • skepticism n. The entertainment of doubt concerning something. • skiff n. Usually, a small light boat propelled by oars. • skirmish n. Desultory fighting between advanced detachments of two armies. • sleight n. A trick or feat so deftly done that the manner of performance escapes • observation. • slight adj. Of a small importance or significance. • slothful adj. Lazy. • sluggard n. A person habitually lazy or idle. • sociable adj. Inclined to seek company. • socialism n. A theory of civil polity that aims to secure the reconstruction of society. • socialist adj. One who advocates reconstruction of society by collective ownership of land and capital. • sociology n. The philosophical study of society. • Sol n. The sun. • solace n. Comfort in grief, trouble, or calamity. • solar adj. Pertaining to the sun. • solder n. A fusible alloy used for joining metallic surfaces or margins. • soldier n. A person engaged in military service. • solecism n. Any violation of established rules or customs. • solicitor n. One who represents a client in court of justice; an attorney. • solicitude n. Uneasiness of mind occasioned by desire, anxiety, or fear. • soliloquy n. A monologue. • solstice n. The time of year when the sun is at its greatest declination. • soluble adj. Capable of being dissolved, as in a fluid. • solvent adj. Having sufficient funds to pay all debts. • somber adj. Gloomy. • somniferous adj. Tending to produce sleep. • somnolence n. Oppressive drowsiness. • somnolent adj. Sleepy. • sonata n. An instrumental composition. • sonnet n. A poem of fourteen decasyllabic or octosyllabiclines expressing two successive • phrases. • sonorous adj. Resonant. • soothsayer n. One who claims to have supernatural insight or foresight. • sophism n. A false argument understood to be such by the reasoner himself and • intentionally used to deceive • sophistical adj. Fallacious. • sophisticate v. To deprive of simplicity of mind or manner. • sophistry n. Reasoning sound in appearance only, especially when designedly deceptive. • soprano n. A woman's or boy's voice of high range. • sorcery n. Witchcraft. • sordid adj. Of degraded character or nature. • souvenir n. A token of remembrance. • sparse adj. Thinly diffused. • Spartan adj. Exceptionally brave; rigorously severe. • spasmodic adj. Convulsive. • specialize v. To assume an individual or specific character, or adopt a singular or special • course. • specialty n. An employment limited to one particular line of work. • specie n. A coin or coins of gold, silver, copper, or other metal. • species n. A classificatory group of animals or plants subordinate to a genus. • specimen n. One of a class of persons or things regarded as representative of the class. • specious adj. Plausible. • spectator n. One who beholds or looks on. • specter n. Apparition. • spectrum n. An image formed by rays of light or other radiant energy. • speculate v. To pursue inquiries and form conjectures. • speculator n. One who makes an investment that involves a risk of loss, but also a chance • of profit. • sphericity n. The state or condition of being a sphere. • spheroid n. A body having nearly the form of a sphere. • spherometer n. An instrument for measuring curvature or radii of spherical surfaces. • spinous adj. Having spines. • spinster n. A woman who has never been married. • spontaneous adj. Arising from inherent qualities or tendencies without external efficient • cause. • sprightly adj. Vivacious. • spurious adj. Not genuine. • squabble v. To quarrel. • squalid adj. Having a dirty, mean, poverty-stricken appearance. • squatter n. One who settles on land without permission or right. • stagnant adj. Not flowing: said of water, as in a pool. • stagnate v. To become dull or inert. • stagnation n. The condition of not flowing or not changing. • stagy adj. Having a theatrical manner. • staid adj. Of a steady and sober character. • stallion n. An uncastrated male horse, commonly one kept for breeding. • stanchion n. A vertical bar, or a pair of bars, used to confine cattle in a stall. • stanza n. A group of rimed lines, usually forming one of a series of similar divisions in a • poem. • statecraft n. The art of conducting state affairs. • static adj. Pertaining to or designating bodies at rest or forces in equilibrium. • statics n. The branch of mechanics that treats of the relations that subsist among forces in • order. • stationary adj. Not moving. • statistician n. One who is skilled in collecting and tabulating numerical facts. • statuesque adj. Having the grace, pose, or quietude of a statue. • statuette n. A figurine. • stature n. The natural height of an animal body. • statute n. Any authoritatively declared rule, ordinance, decree, or law. • stealth n. A concealed manner of acting. • stellar adj. Pertaining to the stars. • steppe n. One of the extensive plains in Russia and Siberia. • sterling adj. Genuine. • stifle v. To smother. • stigma n. A mark of infamy or token of disgrace attaching to a person as the result of evildoing. • stiletto n. A small dagger. • stimulant n. Anything that rouses to activity or to quickened action. • stimulate v. To rouse to activity or to quickened action. • stimulus n. Incentive. • stingy adj. Cheap, unwilling to spend money. • stipend n. A definite amount paid at stated periods in compensation for services or as an • allowance. • Stoicism n. The principles or the practice of the Stoics-being very even tempered in • success and failure. • stolid adj. Expressing no power of feeling or perceiving. • strait n. A narrow passage of water connecting two larger bodies of water. • stratagem n. Any clever trick or device for obtaining an advantage. • stratum n. A natural or artificial layer, bed, or thickness of any substance or material. • streamlet n. Rivulet. • stringency n. Strictness. • • stringent adj. Rigid. • stripling n. A mere youth. • studious adj. Having or showing devotion to the acquisition of knowledge. • stultify v. To give an appearance of foolishness to. • stupendous adj. Of prodigious size, bulk, or degree. • stupor n. Profound lethargy. • suasion n. The act of persuading. • suave adj. Smooth and pleasant in manner. • subacid adj. Somewhat sharp or biting. • subaquatic adj. Being, formed, or operating under water. • subconscious adj. Being or occurring in the mind, but without attendant consciousness or • conscious perception. • subjacent adj. Situated directly underneath. • subjection n. The act of bringing into a state of submission. • subjugate v. To conquer. • subliminal adj. Being beneath the threshold of consciousness. • sublingual adj. Situated beneath the tongue. • submarine adj. Existing, done, or operating beneath the surface of the sea. • submerge v. To place or plunge under water. • submergence n. The act of submerging. • submersible adj. Capable of being put underwater. • submersion n. The act of submerging. • submission n. A yielding to the power or authority of another. • submittal n. The act of submitting. • subordinate adj. Belonging to an inferior order in a classification. • subsequent adj. Following in time. • subservience n. The quality, character, or condition of being servilely following another's • behests. • subservient adj. Servilely following another's behests. • subside v. To relapse into a state of repose and tranquility. • subsist v. To be maintained or sustained. • subsistence n. Sustenance. • substantive adj. Solid. • subtend v. To extend opposite to. • subterfuge n. Evasion. • subterranean adj. Situated or occurring below the surface of the earth. • subtle adj. Discriminating. • subtrahend n. That which is to be subtracted. • subversion n. An overthrow, as from the foundation. • subvert v. To bring to ruin. • succeed v. To accomplish what is attempted or intended. • success n. A favorable or prosperous course or termination of anything attempted. • successful adj. Having reached a high degree of worldly prosperity. • successor n. One who or that which takes the place of a predecessor or preceding thing. • succinct adj. Concise. • succulent adj. Juicy. • succumb v. To cease to resist. • sufferance n. Toleration. • sufficiency n. An ample or adequate supply. • suffrage n. The right or privilege of voting. • suffuse v. To cover or fill the surface of. • suggestible adj. That can be suggested. • suggestive adj. Stimulating to thought or reflection. • summary n. An abstract. • sumptuous adj. Rich and costly. • superabundance n. An excessive amount. • superadd v. To add in addition to what has been added. • superannuate v. To become deteriorated or incapacitated by long service. • superb adj. Sumptuously elegant. • supercilious adj. Exhibiting haughty and careless contempt. • superficial adj. Knowing and understanding only the ordinary and the obvious. • superfluity n. That part of anything that is in excess of what is needed. • superfluous adj. Being more than is needed. • superheat v. To heat to excess. • superintend v. To have the charge and direction of, especially of some work or movement. • superintendence n. Direction and management. • superintendent n. One who has the charge and direction of, especially of some work or • movement. • superlative n. That which is of the highest possible excellence or eminence. • supernatural adj. Caused miraculously or by the immediate exercise of divine power. • supernumerary adj. Superfluous. • supersede v. To displace. • supine adj. Lying on the back. • supplant v. To take the place of. • supple adj. Easily bent. • supplementary adj. Being an addition to. • supplicant n. One who asks humbly and earnestly. • supplicate v. To beg. • supposition n. Conjecture. • suppress v. To prevent from being disclosed or punished. • suppressible adj. Capable of being suppressed. • suppression n. A forcible putting or keeping down. • supramundane adj. Supernatural. • surcharge n. An additional amount charged. • surety n. Security for payment or performance. • surfeit v. To feed to fullness or to satiety. • surmise v. To conjecture. • surmount v. To overcome by force of will. • surreptitious adj. Clandestine. • surrogate n. One who or that which is substituted for or appointed to act in place of • another. • surround v. To encircle. • surveyor n. A land-measurer. • susceptibility n. A specific capability of feeling or emotion. • susceptible adj. Easily under a specified power or influence. • suspense n. Uncertainty. • suspension n. A hanging from a support. • suspicious adj. Inclined to doubt or mistrust. • sustenance n. Food. • swarthy adj. Having a dark hue, especially a dark or sunburned complexion. • Sybarite n. A luxurious person. • sycophant n. A servile flatterer, especially of those in authority or influence. • syllabic adj. Consisting of that which is uttered in a single vocal impulse. • syllabication n. Division of words into that which is uttered in a single vocal impulse. • syllable n. That which is uttered in a single vocal impulse. • syllabus n. Outline of a subject, course, lecture, or treatise. • sylph n. A slender, graceful young woman or girl. • symmetrical adj. Well-balanced. • symmetry n. Relative proportion and harmony. • sympathetic adj. Having a fellow-feeling for or like feelings with another or others. • sympathize v. To share the sentiments or mental states of another. • symphonic adj. Characterized by a harmonious or agreeable mingling of sounds. • symphonious adj. Marked by a harmonious or agreeable mingling of sounds. • symphony n. A harmonious or agreeable mingling of sounds. • synchronism n. Simultaneousness. • syndicate n. An association of individuals united for the prosecution of some enterprise. • syneresis n. The coalescence of two vowels or syllables, as e'er for ever. • synod n. An ecclesiastical council. • synonym n. A word having the same or almost the same meaning as some other. • synopsis n. A syllabus or summary. • systematic adj. Methodical. • tableau n. An arrangement of inanimate figures representing a scene from real life. • tacit adj. Understood. • taciturn adj. Disinclined to conversation. • tack n. A small sharp-pointed nail. • tact n. Fine or ready mental discernment shown in saying or doing the proper thing. • tactician n. One who directs affairs with skill and shrewdness. • tactics n. Any maneuvering or adroit management for effecting an object. • tangency n. The state of touching. • tangent adj. Touching. • tangible adj. Perceptible by touch. • tannery n. A place where leather is tanned. • tantalize v. To tease. • tantamount adj. Having equal or equivalent value, effect, or import. • tapestry n. A fabric to which a pattern is applied with a needle, designed for ornamental • hangings. • tarnish v. To lessen or destroy the luster of in any way. • taut adj. Stretched tight. • taxation n. A levy, by government, of a fixed contribution. • taxidermy n. The art or process of preserving dead animals or parts of them. • technic adj. Technical. • technicality n. Something peculiar to a particular art, trade, or the like. • technique n. Manner of performance. • technography n. The scientific description or study of human arts and industries in their • historic development. • technology n. The knowledge relating to industries and manufactures. • teem v. To be full to overflowing. • telepathy n. Thought-transference. • • telephony n. The art or process of communicating by telephone. • telescope v. To drive together so that one slides into the another like the sections of a spyglass. • telltale adj. That gives warning or information. • temerity n. Recklessness. • temporal adj. Pertaining to or concerned with the affairs of the present life. • temporary adj. Lasting for a short time only. • temporize v. To pursue a policy of delay. • tempt v. To offer to (somebody) an inducement to do wrong. • tempter n. An allurer or enticer to evil. • tenacious adj. Unyielding. • tenant n. An occupant. • tendency n. Direction or inclination, as toward some objector end. • tenet n. Any opinion, principle, dogma, or doctrine that a person believes or maintains as • true. • tenor n. A settled course or manner of progress. • tense adj. Strained to stiffness. • tentative adj. Done as an experiment. • tenure n. The term during which a thing is held. • tercentenary adj. Pertaining to a period of 300 years. • termagant adj. Violently abusive and quarrelsome. • terminal adj. Pertaining to or creative of a boundary, limit. • terminate v. To put an end or stop to. • termination n. The act of ending or concluding. • terminus n. The final point or goal. • terrify v. To fill with extreme fear. • territorial adj. Pertaining to the domain over which a sovereign state exercises jurisdiction. • terse adj. Pithy. • testament n. A will. • testator n. The maker of a will. • testimonial n. A formal token of regard, often presented in public. • thearchy n. Government by a supreme deity. • theism n. Belief in God. • theocracy n. A government administered by ecclesiastics. • theocrasy n. The mixed worship of polytheism. • theologian n. A professor of divinity. • theological adj. Based on or growing out of divine revelation. • theology n. The branch of theological science that treats of God. • theoretical adj. Directed toward knowledge for its own sake without respect to applications. • theorist n. One given to speculating. • theorize v. To speculate. • thereabout adv. Near that number, quantity, degree, place, or time, approximately. • therefor adv. For that or this. • thermal adj. Of or pertaining to heat. • thermoelectric adj. Denoting electricity produced by heat. • thermoelectricity n. Electricity generated by differences of temperature, • thesis n. An essay or treatise on a particular subject. • thoroughbred adj. Bred from the best or purest blood or stock. • thoroughfare n. A public street or road. • thrall n. One controlled by an appetite or a passion. • tilth n. Cultivation. • timbre n. The quality of a tone, as distinguished from intensity and pitch. • timorous adj. Lacking courage. • tincture n. A solution, usually alcoholic, of some principle used in medicine. • tinge n. A faint trace of color. • tipsy adj. Befuddled with drinks. • tirade n. Harangue. • tireless adj. Untiring. • tiresome adj. Wearisome. • Titanic adj. Of vast size or strength. • toilsome adj. Laborious. • tolerable adj. Moderately good. • tolerance n. Forbearance in judging of the acts or opinions of others. • tolerant adj. Indulgent. • tolerate v. To passively permit or put up with. • toleration n. A spirit of charitable leniency. • topography n. The art of representing on a map the physical features of any locality or • region with accuracy. • torpor n. Apathy. • torrid adj. Excessively hot. • tortious adj. Wrongful. • tortuous adj. Abounding in irregular bends or turns. • torturous adj. Marked by extreme suffering. • tractable adj. Easily led or controlled. • trait n. A distinguishing feature or quality. • trajectory n. The path described by a projectile moving under given forces. • trammel n. An impediment. • tranquil adj. Calm. • tranquilize v. To soothe. • tranquility n. Calmness. • transalpine adj. Situated on the other side of the Alps. • transact v. To do business. • transatlantic adj. Situated beyond or on the other side of the Atlantic. • transcend v. To surpass. • transcendent adj. Surpassing. • transcontinental adj. Extending or passing across a continent. • transcribe v. To write over again (something already written) • transcript n. A copy made directly from an original. • transfer v. To convey, remove, or cause to pass from one person or place to another. • transferable adj. Capable of being conveyed from one person or place to another. • transferee n. The person to whom a transfer is made. • transference n. The act of conveying from one person or place to another. • transferrer n. One who or that which conveys from one person or place to another. • transfigure v. To give an exalted meaning or glorified appearance to. • transfuse v. To pour or cause to pass, as a fluid, from one vessel to another. • transfusible adj. Capable of being poured from one vessel to another. • transfusion n. The act of pouring from one vessel to another. • transgress v. To break a law. • transience n. Something that is of short duration. • transient n. One who or that which is only of temporary existence. • transition n. Passage from one place, condition, or action to another. • transitory adj. Existing for a short time only. • translate v. To give the sense or equivalent of in another language or dialect. • translator n. An interpreter. • translucence n. The property or state of allowing the passage of light. • translucent adj. Allowing the passage of light. • transmissible adj. That may e sent through or across. • transmission n. The act of sending through or across. • transmit v. To send trough or across. • transmute v. To change in nature, substance, or form. • transparent adj. Easy to see through or understand. • transpire v. To come to pass. • transplant v. To remove and plant in another place. • transposition n. The act of reversing the order or changing the place of. • transverse adj. Lying or being across or in a crosswise direction. • travail n. Hard or agonizing labor. • travesty n. A grotesque imitation. • treacherous adj. Perfidious. • treachery n. Violation of allegiance, confidence, or plighted faith. • treasonable adj. Of the nature of betrayal, treachery, or breech of allegiance. • treatise n. An elaborate literary composition presenting a subject in all its parts. • treble adj. Multiplied by three. • trebly adv. Triply. • tremendous adj. Awe-inspiring. • tremor n. An involuntary trembling or shivering. • tremulous adj. Characterized by quivering or unsteadiness. • trenchant adj. Cutting deeply and quickly. • trepidation n. Nervous uncertainty of feeling. • trestle n. An open braced framework for supporting the horizontal stringers of a railwaybridge. • triad n. A group of three persons of things. • tribune n. Any champion of the rights and liberties of the people: often used as the name • for a newspaper. • trickery n. Artifice. • tricolor adj. Of three colors. • tricycle n. A three-wheeled vehicle. • trident n. The three-pronged fork that was the emblem of Neptune. • triennial adj. Taking place every third year. • trimness n. Neatness. • trinity n. A threefold personality existing in the one divine being or substance. • trio n. Three things grouped or associated together. • triple adj. Threefold. • triplicate adj. Composed of or pertaining to three related things or parts. • triplicity n. The state of being triple or threefold. • tripod n. A three-legged stand, usually hinged near the top, for supporting some • instrument. • trisect v. To divide into three parts, especially into three equal parts. • trite adj. Made commonplace by frequent repetition. • • triumvir n. One of three men united coordinately in public office or authority. • trivial adj. Of little importance or value. • troublesome adj. Burdensome. • truculence n. Ferocity. • truculent adj. Having the character or the spirit of a savage. • truism n. A statement so plainly true as hardly to require statement or proof. • truthful adj. Veracious. • turgid adj. Swollen. • turpitude n. Depravity. • tutelage n. The act of training or the state of being under instruction. • tutelar adj. Protective. • tutorship n. The office of a guardian. • twinge n. A darting momentary local pain. • typical adj. Characteristic. • typify v. To serve as a characteristic example of. • typographical adj. Pertaining to typography or printing. • typography n. The arrangement of composed type, or the appearance of printed matter. • tyrannical adj. Despotic. • tyranny n. Absolute power arbitrarily or unjustly administrated. • tyro n. One slightly skilled in or acquainted with any trade or profession. • ubiquitous adj. Being present everywhere. • ulterior adj. Not so pertinent as something else to the matter spoken of. • ultimate adj. Beyond which there is nothing else. • ultimatum n. A final statement or proposal, as concerning terms or conditions. • ultramundane adj. Pertaining to supernatural things or to another life. • ultramontane adj. Beyond the mountains, especially beyond the Alps (that is, on their • Italian side). • umbrage n. A sense of injury. • unaccountable adj. Inexplicable. • unaffected adj. Sincere. • unanimous adj. Sharing the same views or sentiments. • unanimity n. The state or quality of being of one mind. • unavoidable adj. Inevitable. • unbearable adj. Unendurable. • unbecoming adj. Unsuited to the wearer, place, or surroundings. • unbelief n. Doubt. • unbiased adj. Impartial, as judgment. • unbridled adj. Being without restraint. • uncommon adj. Rare. • unconscionable adj. Ridiculously or unjustly excessive. • unconscious adj. Not cognizant of objects, actions, etc. • unction n. The art of anointing as with oil. • unctuous adj. Oily. • undeceive v. To free from deception, as by apprising of the real state of affairs. • undercharge v. To make an inadequate charge for. • underexposed adj. Insufficiently exposed for proper or full development, as negatives in • photography. • undergarment n. A garment to be worn under the ordinary outer garments. • underman v. To equip with less than the full complement of men. • undersell v. To sell at a lower price than. • undersized adj. Of less than the customary size. • underhanded adj. Clandestinely carried on. • underlie v. To be the ground or support of. • underling n. A subordinate. • undermine v. To subvert in an underhand way. • underrate v. To undervalue. • understate v. To fail to put strongly enough, as a case. • undervalue v. To underestimate. • underworld n. Hades. • underwrite v. To issue or be party to the issue of a policy of insurance. • undue adj. More than sufficient. • undulate v. To move like a wave or in waves. • undulous adj. Resembling waves. • unfavorable adj. Adverse. • ungainly adj. Clumsy. • unguent n. Any ointment or lubricant for local application. • unicellular adj. Consisting of a single cell. • univalence n. Monovalency. • unify v. To cause to be one. • unique adj. Being the only one of its kind. • unison n. A condition of perfect agreement and accord. • unisonant adj. Being in a condition of perfect agreement and accord. • Unitarian adj. Pertaining to a religious body that rejects the doctrine of the Trinity. • unlawful adj. Illegal. • unlimited adj. Unconstrained. • unnatural adj. Artificial. • unnecessary adj. Not essential under the circumstances. • unsettle v. To put into confusion. • unsophisticated adj. Showing inexperience. • unspeakable adj. Abominable. • untimely adj. Unseasonable. • untoward adj. Causing annoyance or hindrance. • unutterable adj. Inexpressible. • unwieldy adj. Moved or managed with difficulty, as from great size or awkward shape. • unwise adj. Foolish. • unyoke v. To separate. • up-keep n. Maintenance. • upbraid v. To reproach as deserving blame. • upcast n. A throwing upward. • upheaval n. Overthrow or violent disturbance of established order or condition. • upheave v. To raise or lift with effort. • uppermost adj. First in order of precedence. • uproarious adj. Noisy. • uproot v. To eradicate. • upturn v. To throw into confusion. • urban adj. Of, or pertaining to, or like a city. • urbanity n. Refined or elegant courtesy. • urchin n. A roguish, mischievous boy. • urgency n. The pressure of necessity. • usage n. Treatment. • usurious adj. Taking unlawful or exorbitant interest on money loaned. • usurp v. To take possession of by force. • usury n. The demanding for the use of money as a loan, a rate of interest beyond what is • allowed by law. • utilitarianism n. The ethical doctrine that actions are right because they are useful or of • beneficial tendency. • utility n. Fitness for some desirable practical purpose. • utmost n. The greatest possible extent. • vacate v. To leave. • vaccinate v. To inoculate with vaccine virus or virus of cowpox. • vacillate v. To waver. • vacuous adj. Empty. • vacuum n. A space entirely devoid of matter. • vagabond n. A wanderer. • vagrant n. An idle wanderer. • vainglory n. Excessive, pretentious, and demonstrative vanity. • vale n. Level or low land between hills. • valediction n. A bidding farewell. • valedictorian n. Student who delivers an address at graduating exercises of an • educational institution. • valedictory n. A parting address. • valid adj. Founded on truth. • valorous adj. Courageous. • vapid adj. Having lost sparkling quality and flavor. • vaporizer n. An atomizer. • variable adj. Having a tendency to change. • variance n. Change. • variant n. A thing that differs from another in form only, being the same in essence or • substance. • variation n. Modification. • variegate v. To mark with different shades or colors. • vassal n. A slave or bondman. • vaudeville n. A variety show. • vegetal adj. Of or pertaining to plants. • vegetarian n. One who believes in the theory that man's food should be exclusively • vegetable. • vegetate v. To live in a monotonous, passive way without exercise of the mental faculties. • vegetation n. Plant-life in the aggregate. • vegetative adj. Pertaining to the process of plant-life. • vehement adj. Very eager or urgent. • velocity n. Rapid motion. • velvety adj. Marked by lightness and softness. • venal adj. Mercenary, corrupt. • vendible adj. Marketable. • vendition n. The act of selling. • vendor n. A seller. • veneer n. Outside show or elegance. • venerable adj. Meriting or commanding high esteem. • • venerate v. To cherish reverentially. • venereal adj. Pertaining to or proceeding from sexual intercourse. • venial adj. That may be pardoned or forgiven, a forgivable sin. • venison n. The flesh of deer. • venom n. The poisonous fluid that certain animals secrete. • venous adj. Of, pertaining to, or contained or carried in a vein or veins. • veracious adj. Habitually disposed to speak the truth. • veracity n. Truthfulness. • verbatim adv. Word for word. • verbiage n. Use of many words without necessity. • verbose adj. Wordy. • verdant adj. Green with vegetation. • verification n. The act of proving to be true, exact, or accurate. • verify v. To prove to be true, exact, or accurate. • verily adv. In truth. • verity n. Truth. • vermin n. A noxious or troublesome animal. • vernacular n. The language of one's country. • vernal adj. Belonging to or suggestive of the spring. • versatile adj. Having an aptitude for applying oneself to new and varied tasks or to various • subjects. • version n. A description or report of something as modified by one's character or opinion. • vertex n. Apex. • vertical adj. Lying or directed perpendicularly to the horizon. • vertigo n. Dizziness. • vestige n. A visible trace, mark, or impression, of something absent, lost, or gone. • vestment n. Clothing or covering. • veto n. The constitutional right in a chief executive of refusing to approve an enactment. • vicarious adj. Suffered or done in place of or for the sake of another. • viceroy n. A ruler acting with royal authority in place of the sovereign in a colony or • province. • vicissitude n. A change, especially a complete change, of condition or circumstances, as of fortune. • vie v. To contend. • vigilance n. Alert and intent mental watchfulness in guarding against danger. • vigilant adj. Being on the alert to discover and ward off danger or insure safety. • vignette n. A picture having a background or that is shaded off gradually. • vincible adj. Conquerable. • vindicate v. To prove true, right, or real. • vindicatory adj. Punitive. • vindicative adj. Revengeful. • vinery n. A greenhouse for grapes. • viol n. A stringed instrument of the violin class. • viola n. A musical instrument somewhat larger than a violin. • violator n. One who transgresses. • violation n. Infringement. • violoncello n. A stringed instrument held between the player's knees. • virago n. A bold, impudent, turbulent woman. • virile adj. Masculine. • virtu n. Rare, curious, or beautiful quality. • virtual adj. Being in essence or effect, but not in form or appearance. • virtuoso n. A master in the technique of some particular fine art. • virulence n. Extreme poisonousness. • virulent adj. Exceedingly noxious or deleterious. • visage n. The face, countenance, or look of a person. • viscount n. In England, a title of nobility, ranking fourth in the order of British peerage. • vista n. A view or prospect. • visual adj. Perceptible by sight. • visualize v. To give pictorial vividness to a mental representation. • vitality n. The state or quality of being necessary to existence or continuance. • vitalize v. To endow with life or energy. • vitiate v. To contaminate. • vituperable adj. Deserving of censure. • vivacity n. Liveliness. • vivify v. To endue with life. • vivisection n. The dissection of a living animal. • vocable n. a word, especially one regarded in relation merely to its qualities of sound. • vocative adj. Of or pertaining to the act of calling. • vociferance n. The quality of making a clamor. • vociferate v. To utter with a loud and vehement voice. • vociferous adj. Making a loud outcry. • vogue n. The prevalent way or fashion. • volant adj. Flying or able to fly. • volatile adj. Changeable. • volition n. An act or exercise of will. • volitive adj. Exercising the will. • voluble adj. Having great fluency in speaking. • voluptuous adj. having fullness of beautiful form, as a woman, with or without sensuous or • sensual quality. • voracious adj. Eating with greediness or in very large quantities. • vortex n. A mass of rotating or whirling fluid, especially when sucked spirally toward the • center. • votary adj. Consecrated by a vow or promise. • votive adj. Dedicated by a vow. • vulgarity n. Lack of refinement in conduct or speech. • vulnerable adj. Capable of receiving injuries. • waif n. A homeless, neglected wanderer. • waistcoat n. A vest. • waive v. To relinquish, especially temporarily, as a right or claim. • wampum n. Beads strung on threads, formerly used among the American Indians as • currency. • wxane v. To diminish in size and brilliancy. • wantonness n. Recklessness. • warlike adj. Belligerent. • wavelet n. A ripple. • weak-kneed adj. Without resolute purpose or energy. • weal n. Well-being. • wean v. To transfer (the young) from dependence on mother's milk to another form of • nourishment. • wearisome adj. Fatiguing. • wee adj. Very small. • well-bred adj. Of good ancestry. • well-doer n. A performer of moral and social duties. • well-to-do adj. In prosperous circumstances. • whereabouts n. The place in or near which a person or thing is. • whereupon adv. After which. • wherever adv. In or at whatever place. • wherewith n. The necessary means or resources. • whet v. To make more keen or eager. • whimsical adj. Capricious. • whine v. To utter with complaining tone. • wholly adv. Completely. • wield v. To use, control, or manage, as a weapon, or instrument, especially with full command. • wile n. An act or a means of cunning deception. • winsome adj. Attractive. • wintry adj. Lacking warmth of manner. • wiry adj. Thin, but tough and sinewy. • witchcraft n. Sorcery. • witless adj. Foolish, indiscreet, or silly. • witling n. A person who has little understanding. • witticism n. A witty, brilliant, or original saying or sentiment. • wittingly adv. With knowledge and by design. • wizen v. To become or cause to become withered or dry. • wizen-faced adj. Having a shriveled face. • working-man n. One who earns his bread by manual labor. • workmanlike adj. Like or befitting a skilled workman. • workmanship n. The art or skill of a workman. • wrangle v. To maintain by noisy argument or dispute. • wreak v. To inflict, as a revenge or punishment. • wrest v. To pull or force away by or as by violent twisting or wringing. • wretchedness n. Extreme misery or unhappiness. • writhe v. To twist the body, face, or limbs or as in pain or distress. • writing n. The act or art of tracing or inscribing on a surface letters or ideographs. • wry adj. Deviating from that which is proper or right. • yearling n. A young animal past its first year and not yet two years old. • zealot n. One who espouses a cause or pursues an object in an immoderately partisan • manner. • zeitgeist n. The intellectual and moral tendencies that characterize any age or epoch. • zenith n. The culminating-point of prosperity, influence, or greatness. • zephyr n. Any soft, gentle wind. • zodiac n. An imaginary belt encircling the heavens within which are the larger planets.