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685 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
abdicate
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to denounce; to discard; to abandon
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aberration
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something not typical; a deviation
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abhorrence
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repugnance; detestation
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abjure
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to renounce upon oath
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abnegation
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self-denial
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abrogate
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to break, as a treaty or law
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abscond
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to depart secretly; to hide (oneself)
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absolve
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to set free from an obligation or the consequences of guilt
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abstain
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to refrain deliberately from an action or practice, usually as a form of self-denial
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abstemious
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sparing or moderate, especially in eating or drinking ANTONYM: dluttonous
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abstruse
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hard to understand or grasp; esoteric
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abut
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to border on; to terminate at the boundary or point of contact
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abysmal
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immeasurable; bottomless
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accolade
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an award or honor; high praise
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acquiesce
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to agree silently; to accept tacitly
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acrophobia
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the fear of heights
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acumen
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keenness
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adamant
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unyielding; stubborn
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addle
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to throw into fonfusion; to confound
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adjure
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to command solemnly; to advise earnestly; to beg
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adroit
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showing skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness
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adulation
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excessive praise
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adulambrate
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to intimate or foreshadow; to obscure
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aestivate (estivate)
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to spend the summer in an inactive state
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agglomeration
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a collection in a mass, heap or cluster; aggrandizement
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agoraphobia
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the fear of open spaces
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alacrity
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liveliness or eagerness; readiness ANTONYM: lassitude
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allegory
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a symbolic expression or description
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allusion
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an indirect reference to something else; a hint
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alms
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charity; something given to the poor (usually refers to small change)
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alpinism
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mountain climbing
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altruistic
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unselfish; concerned with the welfare of others
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ambergris
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a product of sperm whales usd in the manufacture or perfume
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amphora
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an ancient two-handled Greek jar
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anathema
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a ban or curse; a denunciation accompanied by excommunication
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andiron
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a metal support used for holding logs in a hearth
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androphobia
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the fear of men
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anneal
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to toughen or to strengthen
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anodyne
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a pain reliever
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anomaly
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an aberration; a deviation; an irregularity
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antipathy
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firm dislike; hatred ANTONYM: sympathy
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antiseptic
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free from germs, exceptionally clean
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antithesis
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the direct opposite
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aphelion
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the point in a planet's orbit that is farthest from the sun
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apocalyptic
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of, or relating to, a revelation or discovery
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apocryphal
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of doubtful authenticity; spurious
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apogee
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the point in a satellite's orbit that is farthest from the center of the earth
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aquiline
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hooked; like an eagle
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arachnophobia
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the fear of spiders
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archon
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the chief magistrate in ancient Athens; any ruler
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arid
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dull; unimaginative; extremely dry
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arrogate
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to claim or seize without justification; to usurp
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artifice
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cleverness; ingenuity
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assiduous
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diligent
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assuage
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to ease the intensity of; to appease; to pacify ANTONYM: exacerbate
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astraphobia
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the fear of lightning
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atrophy
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a wasting away; degeneration
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attenuate
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to lessen in amount, force, or value; to weaken
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austral
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southern ANTONYM: boreal
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axiom
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a self-evident rule or truth; a qidely accepted saying
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azure
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sky blue
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baleful
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menacing; harmful
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balmy
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soothing; mild
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banal
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trite; commonplace
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bellicose
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inclined to start wars or fights ANTONYM: pacific
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beneficent
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beneficial ANTONYM: deleterious
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benign
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gracious; favorable; not threatening to health ANTONYM: malignant
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None
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bibliophile
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one who loves books
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biennial
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occuring every two years
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bifurcate
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divided in two branches; forked
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blighted
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withered or rotten; destroyed; frustrated
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blithe
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happy; merry; cheerful
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bombastic
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pompous; overblown; turgid
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boreal
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northern ANTONYM: austral
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boycott
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to engage in a concerted refusal to have dealings with (a person, store, organization) as a sign of disapproval
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broach
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to make known for the first time; to open up (a subject) for discussion
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bromidic
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lacking originality; trite
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brontophobia
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the fear of thunder
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brook
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to bear or tolerate; to put up with
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brusque
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abrupt or short in manner or speech
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buccal
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pertaining to the cheeks or side of the mouth
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bucolic
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pastoral; relating to rural life
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buffoon
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a clown or ludicrous figure; someone who amuses with jokes or tricks
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bulbous
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rotund; round like a bulb
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bumptious
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aggressive and assertive in an offensive way ANTONYM: shy; self-effacing
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buoyant
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(1) having the ability to float (2) cheerful; gay
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None
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burnish
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to make shiny or lustrous; to polish
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burnoose
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a hooded Arabic cloak
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cassock
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a loose robe worn by priests
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cabal
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group united to plot, especially the overthrow of authority
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cache
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(1) a hiding place; (2) something hidden in a secure place
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cacophony
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a harsh-sounding mixture of words, voices, or sounds
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caduceus
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the emblem of the medical profession (a staff wutg ubtertwubed snajes and wings at the top)
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cajole
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to persuade a reluctant person to do something; to coax
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caliber
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the diameter of the bore of a gun
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gauge
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the size of a shotgun; measure of the interior diameter of the barrel
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calumny
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a lie told to damage another's reputation; slander
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candid
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frank
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canonical
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orthodox; authoritive
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capitulate
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to cease resisting; to surrender (often after negotiations)
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capricious
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unpredictable; governed by a whim
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captious
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critical; fault-finding
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carp
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to complain
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cashmere
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a fine wool from a cashmere goat (derived from Kashmir, India)
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None
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catharsis
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purification of emotions, especially through art
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bathos
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sentimalism; overdone pathos; triteness; anticlimax
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pathos
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something that evokes pity, compassion, or sorrw
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catholic
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universal ANTONYM: provincial; parochial
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caustic
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acrid; biting
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cavil
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to raise trivial objections; to nitpick
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cerulean
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resembling the blue of the sky
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chaff
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waste material from the threshing of wheat
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dross
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waste material from molten metal
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slag
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scoria; refuse from the melting of metals or reduction of ore
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tailings
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waste material from the preparation of ores or grains
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chartreuse
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yellow-green
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chastise
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to criticize harshly; to castigate
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chauvinism
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excessive or blind patriotism
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chicanery
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trickery; artful deception
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chimerical
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fantastically visionary; wildly fanciful
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choleric
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easily angered or irritated
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Cimmerian
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(1) adj. shrouded in gloom and darkness; (2) n. a mythical people described by Homer as dwelling in gloom
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stygian
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(1) dark and gloomy; (2) relating to the Styx (in Gree mythology, the river of the underworld)
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circumlocution
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an indirect expression; wordy or evasive language
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circumspect
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considering all options; cautious
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clandestine
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surreptitious; secret
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claustrophobia
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the fear of closed places
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clemency
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an act of leniency; mercy
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cloy
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to satiate
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glut
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to oversupply; to satiate
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None
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coalesce
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to grow together; to unite into a whole
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coda
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a passage that concludes a musical or literary work
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cogent
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pertinent; compelling; convincing
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cognizant
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perceptive; observant
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colloquial
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of or relating to conversation; characteristic of informal speech
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collusion
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a secret agreement, especially for an illegal purpose
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compulsion
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an impulse to perform an irrational act
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phobia
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an inexplicable fear of something
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conjoin
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to join or act together
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contentious
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rebellious; stubbornly disobedient; renegade
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conundrum
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a puzzle; a riddle
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cooper
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a maker of casks or barrels
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None
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corroborate
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to confirm; to back up with evidence
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cowl
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(1) a hood; (2) a cover for an engine
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croupier
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a collector and payer of bets at a casino
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culinary
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having to do with the kitchen or cooking
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cynophobia
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the fear of dogs
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cynosure
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the center of interest
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dauntless
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fearless
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debacle
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a violent breakdown; a sudden overthrow
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debauchery
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wild living; corruption by sensuality
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debilitate
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to weaken ANTONYM: invigorate
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debonair
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suave; courteious; sophisticated
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deciduous
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falling off or shedding at a certain season; ephemeral; not permanent
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declaim
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to make a bombastic speech
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decorous
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properl in good taste; correct
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defalcate
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to embezzle; to abscond with money
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deleterious
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harmful ANTONYM: beneficial; salubrious; salutary
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delineate
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to describe; to portray; to sketch
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deliquesce
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to melt away or dissolve; to become soft, especially with age
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delusion
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a deception; a false psychotic belief regarding oneself or others
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demur
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to object; to take exception
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denim
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a durable, twilled, usually cotton fabric qoven with white filling thread
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denoument
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the unfolding or outcome of a series or events
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denounce
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to express strong disapproval, especially publicly
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depraved
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morally corrupt or evil
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deprecate
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to play down; to belittle
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depredate
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to lay waste; to plunder
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desiccate
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to dry out
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despot
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a ruler with absolute power
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desultory
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lacking plan, regularity, or purpose; random
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dexterous
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mentally skillful; artful; clever
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dialectic
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logical argumentation
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diametric
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completely opposed; at opposite extremes
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diaphanous
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sheer; extremely delicate
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diatribe
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a bitter denunciation ANTONYM: panegyric
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dichotomy
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division, especially into two contradictory groups
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didactic
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intend to teach, moralize, or preach
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diffident
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shy; lacking in self-confidence
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dilatory
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tending to cause delay ANTONYM: expeditious
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dilettante
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one who is involved in a variety of things, none of them seriously; dabbler
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None
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diminution
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a decrease; a lessening
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dint
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a force; a power
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disavow
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to deny
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discomfit
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to confuse, to deject; to frustrate; to deceive
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discourse
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to converse; to discuss formally
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disingenuous
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lacking in candor
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disinterested
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unbiased
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dissemble
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to feign or pretend
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dissenter
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one who goes against an opinion; nonconformist
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dissuade
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to persuade someone not to do something
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djellabah
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a loose-fitting gown worn in North Africa
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doctrinaire
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dogmatic
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doggerel
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comic, loose verse
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dolt
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a stupid person
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doughty
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fearless; valiant
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draconian
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severe (as a code of laws); cruel
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dray
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a vehicle used to haul goods
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teamster
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a person who drives a truck as an occupation
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ductile
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malleable
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dunce
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a dull-witted or stupid person
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duplicity
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concealment of one's true intentions by misleading words or actions; deception
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ebullient
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lively; enthusiastic; boiling up
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eclectic
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selecting from many sources what seems to be the best; catholic
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ecumenical
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(1) haing to do with a body of churches; (2) worldwide or general in extent or application
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edification
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instruction; improvement; enlightenment
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efface
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to make indistinct by wearing away; to erase or remove
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effervescent
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lively; bubbly ANTONYM: effete
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effete
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exhausted; worn-out ANTONYM: effervescent
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effluvium
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a disagreeable or noxious vapor; escaping gas
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effusive
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overflowing very demonstrative
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egregious
|
conspicuously bad; flagrant
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egress
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(1) n. an exit; (2) v. to go out from
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elan
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dash; vigorous spirit
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elegy
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a lament for the dead
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elucidate
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to shed light upon; to make clear
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emanate
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to send out; to emit
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eminent
|
prominent; famous; standing above others in some quality or position
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endue
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to provide; to endow
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enervate
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to exhaust, weaken, or unnerve ANTONYM: invigorate
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engender
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to bring into being; to produce
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enigma
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a baffling situation; something that is hard to explain or solve
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ephemeral
|
lasting a short time; transient
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epiphany
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a sudden, and often divine, enlightenment or realization
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epitome
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a typical or ideal example
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equivocal
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ambiguous; deliberately confusing; able to be interpreted in more than one way
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erratic
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unpredictable; wandering; arbitrary ANTONYM: static; stable
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teamster
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to avoid; to shun
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euphemism
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(1) the substitution of a positive expression for something that may be interpreted as negative or distasteful; (2) the expression that is substituted
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evanescent
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fleeting; hardly visible; ephemeral
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exacerbate
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to make more violent or more severe ANTONYM: assuage; sppease
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exculpate
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to exonerate; to clear of guilt or blame
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exigent
|
urgent; requiring prompt action; taxing
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expedite
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to speed up; to hasten
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explicate
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to explain
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expunge
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to strike out; to obliterate or erase
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facetious
|
humorous; not serious
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factitious
|
artificial; sham ANOTNYM: authentic
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fagoting
|
a type of embroidery
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fallacious
|
erroneous; deceiving; misleading
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fallible
|
capable of making a mistake or error
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fastidious
|
hard to please; fickle
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fatuous
|
silly; inane
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fealty
|
allegiance
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feasible
|
practical; workable
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feckless
|
worthless; feeble
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fecund
|
fruitful; fertile
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fervid
|
very hot; intense in feeling or emotion; impassioned
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fetid
|
having an offensive ordor
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vapid
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flat; uninteresting; insipid
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fetish
|
(1) a charm; a talisman; an amulet; an object thought to deflect evil or bring luck; (2) a fixation; an object of obsessive desire; a preoccupation
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fiduciary
|
a trustee
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fitful
|
irregular; spasmodic
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flaccid
|
limp; flabby ANTONYM: resilient
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flag
|
to weaken; to slow down
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flagon
|
a flask with a handle and lid
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tureen
|
a casserole or bowl usually used to serve soup
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foible
|
a minor flaq or shortcoming in character; a weakness
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foment
|
to instigate, incite, or arouse
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foray
|
(1) v. to ravage for spoils; to pillage; (2) n. sudden, sometimes brief, invasion
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forbear
|
an ancestor or forefather
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fortuitous
|
happening by chance; unplanned
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fractious
|
unruly; quarrelsome
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franchise
|
the right to vote; a special privilege granted to a few; the right to market certain goods in a particular region
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fraught
|
laden; charged
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frenetic
|
frantic; frenzied
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froward
|
hapbitually disobedient; not willing to compromise
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frugal
|
economical; thrifty; sparing
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fuchsia
|
vivid reddish purple
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fugacious
|
disapperaring after a short time; short-lived; evanescent
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fulminate
|
to denounce; to send forth invectives; to explode
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fulsome
|
(1) abundant; copious; (2)morally offensive; disgusting
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furtive
|
sly; shifty
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gainsay
|
to deny; to contradict
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galvanize
|
(1) to stimulate or excite; (2) to coat with zinc
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gamut
|
the entire range
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garner
|
to collect; to accumulate
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garrote
|
to strangle and rob
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garrulous
|
wordy; extremely talkative; gabby ANTONYM: taciturn
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gauche
|
lacking social grace; crude; awkward
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gaunt
|
excessively thin; lean
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gelding
|
a castrated male horse
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denre
|
an artistic category or type
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genuflect
|
to go down on one's knee; to kneel, usually in obedience or respect
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germane
|
closely related; relevant; fitting
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glabrous
|
smooth; referring to a surface without hair or projections
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hirsute
|
roughly hairy
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goad
|
to urge, egg on, or incite to do something ANTONYM: curb
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gorgon
|
one of three snake-haired sisters whose glance turned the beholder into stone
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gourmand
|
one who eats and drinks excessively; glutton
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|
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gratuitous
|
not required by the circumstances; unwarranted; unnecessary
|
|
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gregarious
|
liking companionship; sociable
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|
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griffin
|
a mythical anymal having the head and wings of an eagle and the body and legs of a lion
|
|
|
chimera
|
(1) a fire-breathing monster with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a serpent; (2) illusion or mental fabrication
|
|
|
minotaur
|
a monster, half man and half bull, confined in a labyrinth
|
|
|
guffaw
|
a loud, boisterous burst of laughter
|
|
|
guile
|
deceitful cunning; cleverness
|
|
|
gulch
|
a deep pit; a ravine
|
|
|
hackneyed
|
overused; trite; commonplace
|
|
|
haiku
|
a type of unrymed Japanese poem consisting of three lines
|
|
|
halcyon
|
peaceful; tranquil
|
|
|
harangue
|
a ranting speech without much real meaning
|
|
|
harbinger
|
someone or something that foreshadows what is to come
|
|
|
Hellene
|
a native or inhabitant of Greece
|
|
|
heretic
|
one who goes against an established religion or belief; nonconformist
|
|
|
hermenuetics
|
the study of principles of interpretation (e.g. in the Bible)
|
|
|
hermetic
|
sealed off from external influencel airtightl abstruse or occult
|
|
|
herpetophobia
|
the fear of snakes
|
|
|
hiatus
|
a gap or interruption in time or in a continuum
|
|
|
hibernate
|
to spend the winter in a dormant, inactive state
|
|
|
hierarchy
|
a graded or ranked classification determined on the basis of age, economic status, or class
|
|
|
hirsute
|
hairy ANTONYM: glabrous
|
|
|
hoary
|
gray or white with age
|
|
|
homily
|
an inspirational discourse; a sermon
|
|
|
homogeneous
|
of uniform structure or composition
|
|
|
homophobia
|
the fear of homosexuals
|
|
|
homophones
|
words that sound alike but have different meanings
|
|
|
homonyms
|
homophones; also, words that are spelled the same but have different meanings (e.g. cleave, quail, bear)
|
|
|
hone
|
to sharpen
|
|
|
hyaline
|
transparent or almost so; glassy
|
|
|
hybrid
|
anything that is the product of at least two different sources
|
|
|
hydroponics
|
cultivation of plants in liquid nutrients
|
|
|
hyperbole
|
an exaggeration
|
|
|
hypertrophy
|
an exaggerated increase or complexity
|
|
|
hypocritical
|
pretending to have qualities or virtues that are not possessed; dissembling
|
|
|
hypothetical
|
based on conjecture; conditional
|
|
|
empirical
|
based on expertise, observation, or experimental evidence
|
|
|
iconoclast
|
one who destroys religious images or attacks established beliefs
|
|
|
vandal
|
one who destroys property
|
|
|
idyllic
|
carefree and lighthearted; peaceful
|
|
|
igneous
|
referring to rock formed from molten magme; volcanic
|
|
|
metamorphic
|
referring to rock formed from sedimentary rock and changed through pressure or heat
|
|
|
ignominious
|
infamous; despicable
|
|
|
imbue
|
to permeate or influence
|
|
|
imminent
|
about to happen (usually rreferring to something threatening)
|
None
|
|
immiscible
|
incapable of being mixed
|
|
|
immutable
|
not susceptible to change
|
|
|
impassive
|
apathetic; expressionless
|
|
|
impecunious
|
having little or no money
|
|
|
impermeable
|
impervious; not permitting passage through
|
|
|
impolitic
|
inwise; injudicious
|
|
|
imprecate
|
to curse
|
|
|
improvident
|
not providing for the future; careless
|
|
|
prescient
|
having foresight or foreknowledge of the future
|
|
|
impugn
|
to attack. Especially as false or lacking integrity
|
|
|
inanition
|
a loss of vitality from lack of food and water
|
|
|
incarnadine
|
blood red
|
|
|
inchoate
|
beginning; insipient; only imperfectly formed
|
|
|
inciphient
|
just beginning; in the early stages; commencing
|
|
|
incisive
|
keen; direct; decisive
|
|
|
incommodious
|
troublesome; inconvenient
|
|
|
incongruous
|
not like the others in a group; out of place; incompatible
|
|
|
incontrovertible
|
unquestionable; indisputable
|
None
|
|
incorrigible
|
unruly; delinquent
|
|
|
inculcate
|
to teach and impress by repetition
|
|
|
indemnify
|
(1) to secure against loss; (2) to compensate for hurt or loss
|
|
|
indigenous
|
having originated naturally in a particular environment
|
|
|
indigent
|
impoverished
|
|
|
induction
|
(1) an initiation into military service; (2) reasoning from parts to whole
|
|
|
ordination
|
an initiation into religious service
|
|
|
ineluctable
|
inescapable; inevitable
|
|
|
inimical
|
hostile; unfriendly ANTONYM: amicable
|
|
|
iniquitoue
|
vicious; wicked
|
|
|
innuendo
|
a veiled allusion; insinuation
|
|
|
insurgent
|
a person who revolts against established authority
|
|
|
intractable
|
hard to manage; unruly; obstinate
|
|
|
intransigent
|
stubborn; uncompromising
|
|
|
intrepid
|
fearless ANTONYM: timorous
|
|
|
inure
|
to accustom to accept something undesirable; to habituate
|
|
|
invective
|
insulting or abusive language
|
|
|
invidious
|
offensive; envious; obnoxious
|
|
|
irascible
|
easily angered; choleric; malevolent
|
|
|
jalousie
|
a type of blind or shutter having adjustable slats or louvers and usually made of glass
|
|
|
jargon
|
specialized terminology of a certain group; a lingo
|
|
|
jejune
|
immature; juvenile
|
|
|
jenny
|
a female donkey
|
|
|
jettison
|
to sacrifice cargo to lighten a ship or vehicle
|
|
|
jetty
|
a projection or structure extending into a body of water
|
|
|
jezebel
|
a shameless, brazen woman
|
|
|
jocose
|
humorous; witty
|
|
|
jocular
|
habitually happy or cheerful
|
|
|
jocund
|
gay; cheerful
|
|
|
judicious
|
wise; sagacious; prudent
|
|
|
junk
|
(1) trash; something that is not worth saving; (2) a type of Chinese ship
|
|
|
junta
|
a political group or committee, especially after a revolution
|
|
|
juxtapose
|
to place right next to something
|
|
|
kaleidoscope
|
(1) a succession of changing patterns or scenes; (2) a changing pattern or scene
|
|
|
kindle
|
to activate or inspire; to arouse
|
None
|
|
kindred
|
(1) n. relatives; kinship; (2) adj. similar in nature; like
|
|
|
kinetic
|
related to motion
|
|
|
knave
|
a sly, deceitful man or boy
|
|
|
kudos
|
praise; compliments
|
|
|
labyrinth
|
a place full of intricate passageways; something extremely complex or intricate
|
|
|
laconic
|
concise ANTONYM: verbose; redundant
|
|
|
lambent
|
flickering; softly bright or radiant, as a candle
|
|
|
lampoon
|
harsh, satirical writing, usually attacking an individual
|
|
|
lascivious
|
lewd; lustful; wanton
|
|
|
lassitude
|
fatigue; weariness ANTONYM: alacrity
|
None
|
|
laudable
|
worthy of praise
|
|
|
lethargic
|
slow moving; sluggish
|
|
|
levity
|
lightness; lack of seriousness; frivolity
|
|
|
libertine
|
a person who is not restrained by convention or morality
|
|
|
licentious
|
lacking moral restraints, especially sexual ones; lustful
|
|
|
ligneous
|
woodlike
|
|
|
limpid
|
clear and simple in style; transparent; serene and untroubled
|
|
|
lucid
|
clear; sane ; translucent; luminous
|
|
|
pellucid
|
reflecting light evenly; easy to understand
|
|
|
litigate
|
to try in court; to contest in law
|
|
|
littoral
|
relating to the shore or coastal region
|
|
|
loggia
|
a roofed, open gallery, like a porch
|
|
|
loquacious
|
talkative
|
|
|
lucre
|
monetary gain; profit
|
|
|
ludicrous
|
laughable; rediculous
|
|
|
lugubrious
|
gloomy; sorrowful
|
|
|
lurid
|
(1) gruesome; shocking; (2) ghastly pale
|
|
|
magenta
|
deep purplish red
|
|
|
malefactor
|
an evil-doer; a criminal
|
|
|
malfeasance
|
wrongdoing; official misconduct
|
|
|
malignant
|
evil; injurious; tending to produce death ANTONYM: benign
|
|
|
mandatory
|
necessary; obligatory
|
None
|
|
marred
|
injured; blemished; damaged
|
|
|
martinet
|
a strict disciplinarian
|
|
|
masticate
|
to chew
|
|
|
maudlin
|
foolishly sentimental or morose
|
|
|
maverick
|
a rebel; a nonconformist
|
|
|
megalomaniac
|
one who exhibits delusions of omnipotence or grandeur
|
|
|
mercurial
|
quickly changing; inconstant
|
|
|
meretricious
|
attractive only on the surface; superficial; pretentious
|
|
|
meticulous
|
extremely concerned with details; well organized
|
|
|
miasma
|
a depleting or corrupting influence or atmosphere
|
|
|
millennium
|
a thousand years
|
|
|
miscreant
|
a heretic; a villain; one who commits illegal acts
|
|
|
misogynistic
|
characterized by hatred of women
|
|
|
mitigate
|
to soften; to lessen the severity of
|
|
|
moot
|
questionable; debatably
|
|
|
mordant
|
biting in manner or style; incisive
|
|
|
motility
|
movement
|
|
|
munificent
|
lavish; generous; liberal
|
|
|
nadir
|
(1) the lowest point; (2) a point in the sky opposite the zenith
|
|
|
naiad
|
a water nymph
|
|
|
napery
|
table linens
|
|
|
necromancy
|
magic; witchcraft
|
|
|
chiromancy
|
palmistry
|
|
|
necrophobia
|
the fear of death
|
None
|
|
necropolis
|
a cemetery
|
|
|
nefarious
|
wicked; vile
|
|
|
nexus
|
a connection or link
|
|
|
niggardly
|
stingy
|
|
|
noisome
|
offensive; harmful
|
|
|
nomenclature
|
a standardized system of symbols for a particular subject, usually art or science
|
|
|
nonfeasance
|
failure to perform an act that should have been completed
|
|
|
notorious
|
widely and unfavorably known
|
None
|
|
nuance
|
a subtle distinction, variation, or quality
|
|
|
nugatory
|
inconsequential; trifling
|
|
|
nullify
|
to void legally; to make of no consequence
|
|
|
numismatist
|
on who studies and collects coins and tokens
|
|
|
nuncupative
|
no written; oral
|
|
|
nyctophobia
|
the fear of darkness
|
|
|
obdurate
|
persistent; unyielding
|
|
|
obfuscate
|
to confuse ANTONYM: clarify
|
|
|
objurgate
|
to denounce harshly; to declaim; to castigate
|
|
|
obliterate
|
to destroy completely; to cause to disappear
|
|
|
obloquy
|
(1) abusive language; (2) bad repute
|
|
|
obscurant
|
tending to make obscure
|
|
|
obsequious
|
obedient; subservient
|
|
|
sycophant
|
a servile, self-seeking flatterer
|
|
|
obtrude
|
to force, usually oneself or one's ideas on another without request
|
|
|
ocher
|
earthy yellow or red
|
|
|
ochlophobia
|
the fear of crowds
|
|
|
officious
|
meddling; interfering
|
|
|
olfactory
|
relating to the sense of smell
|
|
|
oligarchy
|
form of government in which control is placed in the hands of a few, especially associated with corruption
|
|
|
omnipotent
|
all-powerful
|
|
|
omnipresent
|
being all places at once
|
|
|
omniscient
|
knowing everything
|
|
|
omnivore
|
one who eats both animals and vegetables
|
|
|
onomatopoeia
|
the use of words whose sounds convey their meaning (e.g., buzz, hiss)
|
|
|
ontogeny
|
the development of an organism
|
|
|
onus
|
a burden; an obligation
|
|
|
ophidiophobia
|
the fear of snakes
|
|
|
opprobrium
|
desgrace due to a shameful act
|
|
|
opus
|
a major work, especially a set of musical compositions
|
|
|
ornithophobia
|
the fear of birds
|
|
|
oscillate
|
to swing back and forth; to vary
|
|
|
osmosis
|
diffusion through a membrane
|
|
|
ossify
|
to become hard as a bone
|
|
|
ostentatious
|
showy; pretentious
|
|
|
oviparous
|
producing eggs that hatch outside the maternal body
|
|
|
palindrome
|
a word, sentence, or number that reads the same backward and foreward (e.g., mom)
|
|
|
palliate
|
to cover up with excuses; to extenuate
|
|
|
panegyric
|
high praise; a tribute; an encomium ANTONYM: diatribe
|
|
|
paradigm
|
an example; a pattern; an archetype
|
|
|
paradox
|
(1) something true that appears to be false; (2) something false that appears to be logical
|
|
|
pariah
|
an outcast
|
|
|
parry
|
(1) to ward off; (2) to escape by dodging
|
|
|
parisimony
|
the quality of being careful with money; thrift ANTONYM: extravagance
|
|
|
partisan
|
one who is committed to a particular person, cause, or idea
|
|
|
parvenu
|
one recently risen to an unaccustomed position and not yet possessing the requisite dignity or characteristics; upstart
|
|
|
paucity
|
a small amount; a scarcity
|
|
|
pecuniary
|
having to do with money
|
|
|
pedantic
|
characterized by an ostentations display of learning
|
|
|
pedometer
|
an instrument used to measure the distance walked
|
|
|
pennultimate
|
next to last
|
|
|
peremptory
|
precluding a right of action, delay, or debate; admitting or no contradiction
|
|
|
perfidious
|
faithless; disloyal; treacherous
|
|
|
peripatetic
|
wandering; itinerant
|
|
|
peruse
|
to read carefully; to study
|
None
|
|
pervade
|
to spread throughout
|
|
|
petulant
|
ill-tempered' irritable; fractious
|
|
|
philatelist
|
one who studies and collects stamps
|
|
|
-phile
|
a love or afiniry for (e.g. philogyny: love of men)
|
|
|
-phobe
|
a fear of or aversion to
|
|
|
philistine
|
(1) characterized by material rather than spiritual or artistic balues; (2) narrow-minded or uninformed with respect to a specific topic area
|
|
|
piscatorial
|
of or relating to fish
|
|
|
platen
|
(1) a roller on a typewriter; (2) a flat plate
|
|
|
platitude
|
the state of being dull, banal, or trite
|
|
|
plethora
|
a superfluity; an excess
|
|
|
plumb
|
(1) n. a lead weight used to find the true vertical; (2) v. to measure the depth of; to fathom
|
|
|
polemic
|
strong argument in refutation of another; disputation; practice of engaging in controversy
|
|
|
poltroon
|
a coward
|
|
|
potlatch
|
(1) a ceremonial feast, with gifts, ofnorthwest coast Indians; (2) a festival or celebration
|
|
|
precipitous
|
steep
|
|
|
precocious
|
exhibiting maturity at an early age
|
|
|
prescience
|
the anticipation of upcoming events; foresight
|
|
|
prevaricate
|
to deviate from the truth; to lie
|
|
|
probity
|
honesty; uprightness; rectitude
|
|
|
profusion
|
a great amount; an abundance
|
|
|
prognosticate
|
to forecast; to prophesy
|
|
|
propinquity
|
closeness; proximity
|
|
|
proxy
|
a person authorized to act for another (e.g. to vote corporate stock)
|
|
|
pseudonym
|
a fictitious or pen name
|
|
|
surname
|
(1) a family name; (2) an added name or nickname
|
|
|
puce
|
dark red
|
|
|
puerile
|
childish juvenile
|
None
|
|
pundit
|
an expert; an authority; a critical; a savant
|
|
|
purloin
|
to steal
|
|
|
purview
|
a range of authority, competence, or responsibility; scope
|
|
|
pusillanimous
|
cowardly; fearful
|
|
|
Pyrrhic
|
usually referring to a victory won at excessively high cost
|
|
|
quaff
|
to drink hearily
|
|
|
quagmire
|
a bog; a difficult or entrapping situation; a predicament
|
|
|
qualm
|
(1) a sudden onset of illness, especially of nausea; (2) a feeling of unease about a point of conscience
|
|
|
quandary
|
a state of confusion of doubt
|
|
|
quell
|
to suppress
|
|
|
querulous
|
complaining; whining
|
|
|
quintessence
|
the essence of something in its most concentrated form; the urest representative from a certain category
|
|
|
quisling
|
a traitor
|
|
|
quittance
|
a release from debt or obligation
|
|
|
quixotic
|
foolishly impractical and idealistic; capricious
|
|
|
quizzical
|
(1) eccentric; odd; (2) inquisitive; questioning
|
|
|
quondam
|
former; sometime
|
|
|
quorum
|
the minimum number of a group that must be present to conduct business legally
|
|
|
quotidian
|
daily
|
|
|
rancorous
|
with ill-will; with enmity ANTONYM: benevolent
|
|
|
raze
|
to demolish completely; to destroy
|
|
|
recalcitrant
|
obstinately defiant of authority; resistant
|
|
|
recidivism
|
repeated relapse, as in tendency to repeat criinal activity
|
|
|
reciprocal
|
(1) mutuall shared; common; (2) inversely related
|
|
|
recondite
|
obscure; concealed; incomprehensible; esoteric
|
|
|
recumbent
|
lying down; leaning; resting
|
|
|
recusant
|
marked by refusal to obey authority
|
|
|
redolent
|
having a pleasing scent; fragrant
|
|
|
refurbish
|
to freshen or make new; to renovate
|
|
|
relegate
|
to assign to a place of insignificance; to banish
|
|
|
relume
|
to light or light again; to rekindle; to reestablish
|
|
|
remonstrate
|
to object; to protest
|
|
|
reprehend
|
to voice disapproval of
|
|
|
reprobate
|
a villain; an immoral person
|
|
|
repugnant
|
distasteful; abhorrent; obnoxious ANTONYM: congenial
|
|
|
rescind
|
to take away; to remove
|
|
|
resilient
|
able to recover easily from hardship or misfortune; flexible
|
|
|
revile
|
to use abusive speech; to rail; to scold
|
|
|
ribald
|
rude or offensive; indecent
|
|
|
risible
|
capable of laughing or provoking laughter
|
|
|
rookery
|
a breeding place among rocks for mammals (e.g. seals) or birds
|
|
|
roseate
|
overoptimistic; cheerful
|
|
|
rotund
|
round; plump; chubby
|
|
|
ruminate
|
to reflect on something; to ponder
|
|
|
saboteur
|
one who willfully hinders, through destruction or obstruction, industrial production or a nation's war effort
|
|
|
fifth column
|
supporters of an enemy that engage in sabotage within defense lines or national boundaries
|
|
|
sagacious
|
wise; astute; perspicacious
|
|
|
salubrious
|
healthy; promoting well-being; salutary ANTONYM: deleterious
|
|
|
sanctimonious
|
(1) devout; holy; (2) hypocritically devout or holy
|
|
|
sanction
|
to authorixe or approve
|
|
|
sanguine
|
hopeful
|
|
|
sardonic
|
distdainful; sarcastic
|
|
|
satiric
|
using ridicule or sarcasm to convey criticism; lampooning
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saturnine
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gloomy; sullen; morose
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savant
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one with detailed knowledge in a specialized field
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prodigy
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highly talented child
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virtuoso
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one who is highly skilled in the practice of an art, especially music
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None
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scintilla
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a minute trace or jot; an iota
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tittle
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a particle
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sectarian
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of or relating to a sect or a smaller group within a larger group that adopts only certain beleifs; narrow-minded
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sequester
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(1) to set apart from others; to segregate; (2) to confiscate
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None
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sidereal
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related to the stars; astral
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sophomoric
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(literally "wise fool") believing one's level of knowledge and maturity to be higher than it actually is
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soporific
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marked by, or causing, sleepiness or lethargy; drowsy
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sordid
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wretched; vile; foul
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spelunker
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one who studies and explores caves as a hobby
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splenetic
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hot tempered; easily angered
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spurious
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false; forged; counterfeit
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staid
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sedate; serious; grave
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sterile
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inimaginative; unfruitful; bare ANTONYM: fecund; fertile
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stolid
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dull; unemotional; immovable
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stoma, stomata
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a minute opening on outside surface of a plant (e.g. a leaf) for the passage pf gases
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None
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striated
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referring to muscle with alternate light and dark bands, as opposed to smooth muscle
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strident
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loud; harsh; grating
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superfluous
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more than necessary; extra
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surmise
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to imagine; to make inferences based on insufficient evidence
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surreptitious
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secret; covert ANTONYM: brazen; overt
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sybaritic
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voluptuous; sensual
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sycophant
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servile flatterer; parasite
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synthesis
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the combination of parts to form a whole, or of thesis and antithesis to form a higher truth
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tacit
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unspoken; implied ANTONYM: explicit
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taciturn
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silent; having little inclination to talk ANTONYM: garrulous
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tactile
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perceptible by touch; tangible
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tangential
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touching only the edge; marginally relevant
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tangerine
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a deep orange to almost scarlet mandarin orange
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tawdry
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appearing gaudy or cheap
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temerity
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audicity; effrontery; boldness ANTONYM: caution
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temporal
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referring to time, as opposed to eternity; secular
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tenet
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a doctrine upheld by members of an organization
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tepid
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moderately warm; lukemarm
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termagant
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a shrew; a nagging woman, as Xanthippe (Socrates' wife); a virago; an ogress; a harpy
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terrestrial
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having to do with the earth
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terse
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(1) polished; refined (2) short and to the point; concise
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therapeutic
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used in the treatment of diseases or disorders; curative
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timbre
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the quality of a sound or tone, distinctive of a particular voice or instrument
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timorous
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fearful; timid ANTONYM: intrepid
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tirade
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a long, intemperate speech, diatribe
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None
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torpid
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dormant; lacking energy; lethargic; apathetic; dull
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vapid
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lacking vitality; flat; uninteresting
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torque
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(1) n. a twisting or turning force; (2) to cause to rotate or twist
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torrid
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oppressively hot
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tort
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a civil wrong for which the injured party is entitled to compensation
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tractable
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docile; mallable; obedient ANTONYM: unruly
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transient
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lasting only a short time; changing; ephemeral; transitory
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trenchant
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(1) caustic; penetrating; (2) separate; distinct
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triskaidekaphobia
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the fear of the number 13
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truculent
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cruel; brutal belligerent
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turbid
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muddy
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turpitude
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baseness; corruption; depravity
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umbrage
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(1) a feeling of offense or annoyance; (2) a shadow; a hint; a suspicion
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unctuous
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oily; smug; suave
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undulate
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to move in wavelike motions; to fluctuate
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unduly
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excessively
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unequivocal
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clear; obvious; certain
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ungainly
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hard to handle; unwieldy; clumsy
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ungulate
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hooflike; regerring to hoofed animals
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urbane
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polished; polite or finished in manner
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utopian
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referring to paradise or an impossible ideal
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uxoricide
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the murder of one's wife
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vacillate
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to waver; to fluctuate; to oscillate
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vacuous
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stupid; lacking intelligence
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vagrancy
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the state of being homeless (legally, a misdemeanor)
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vapid
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insipid spiritless
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None
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venal
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corruptible
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venerate
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to honor
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venial
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forgivable
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verbose
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wordy ANTONYM: laconic
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None
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viable
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(1) capable of living (2)able to stand or develop independently
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vicarious
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experienced through another medium; experienced through imaginary participation in the events of another's life
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vilify
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to slander; to verbally abuse; to defame
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virago
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a loud, overbearing woman; a termagant
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viscous
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thick; having a gummy consistency
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vitriolic
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caustic; biting
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viviparous
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producing living young, as most mammals, some reptiles, and a few fishes
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volatile
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easily aroused; explosive
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volition
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choice or decision; will
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voracious
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ravenous; gluttonous; insatiable
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vulpine
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foxlike; crafty
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wan
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pale; sickly
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wanton
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flirtatious; lascivious
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whet
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to stimulate; to incite; to make more intense, especially an appetite
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wizened
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shrunken and wrinkled with age
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wright
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a worker, especially in wood; used in combination with another word (e.g. wheelwright, playwright)
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wroth
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intensely angry; incensed
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xanthic
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yellowish
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xenophobia
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the fear of strangers
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yean
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to give birth, used of sheep or goats
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yore
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time long past
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yowl
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to cry out loudly; to wail
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zealot
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one who is enthusiastic, sometimes fanatical, about a cause
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zenith
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(1) the highest point; (2) the highest point reached by a celestial body ANTONYM: nadir
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