1  academic related to a school; not practical or directly

useful
 abase lower; degrade; humiliate; make humble; make
 accede agree
(oneself) lose self-respect
 accelerate move faster
abash embarrass
 accessible easy to approach; obtainable
abate subside or moderate
 accessory additional object; useful but not essential
 abbreviate shorten thing
 abdicate renounce; give up (position, right, or responsi-  acclaim applaud; praise; greet with great approval; an-
bility) nounce with great approval; Ex. The new drung has
 aberrant abnormal or deviant been acclaimed as the most important discoveries for
years; N: strong expression of approval and praise
 aberration deviation from the normal; mental disorder
 acclimate adjust to climate or environment; adapt
abet assist usually in doing something wrong; encour-
age acclivity sharp upslope of a hill; OP. declivity
abeyance suspended action  accolade award of merit; strong praise and approval
 abhor detest; hate merit good quality deserving praise; merits: aspect
of character or behavior deserving approval or disap-
 abject (of a condition) wretched; as low as possible;
proval; Ex. judge each plan on its own merits; V: de-
lacking pride; very humble; showing lack of self-
serve; earn
respect; Ex. abject apology
demerit fault; bad quality
 abjure renounce upon oath
earn gain for the performance of service or labor; gain
 ablution washing (something that one deserves); deserve
 abnegation renunciation; self-sacrifice; self-abnegation  accommodate oblige or help someone; adjust or bring
 abolish cancel; put an end to into harmony; adapt; make enough space for; ADJ. ac-
commodative; CF. accomodating: helpful and obliging
 abominate loathe; hate
 abominable detestable; extremely unpleasant
 accomplice partner in crime
 aboriginal being the first of its kind in a region; primi-
 accord agreement
tive; native; indigenous; N. aborigine
 accost approach and speak first to a person
 abortive unsuccessful; fruitless
accoutre equip; N. accoutrement
 abrasive rubbing away; tending to grind down
 accretion growth or increase in size by gradual addi-
 abridge condense or shorten
tion; growth; increase; increase by natural growth; Ex.
 abrogate abolish towers and other accretions of the castle; V. accrete
abscission cutting off; separation  accrue come to one as a gain; accumulate over time;
come about by addition; Ex. benefits that accrue from
 abscond depart secretly and hide
scientific research; Ex. interest accruing in a bank ac-
 absolute complete; totally unlimited; having complete count; N. accrual
power; certain; not relative; Ex. absolute honesty/ruler;
acerbity bitterness of speech and temper; ADJ. acerbic:
CF. absolutism
bitter; acrid (in taste, manner, or tone)
 absolve pardon (an offense)
bitter having a sharp biting taste;
H; causing sharp

 abstain refrain; withhold from participation; intention- pain to the body or mind; filled with resentment, dis-
ally not use ones vote; l


 appointment, or other unpleasant feelings; Ex. bitter
wind/sorrow/tears
 abstemious sparing in eating and drinking; temperate
biting sharply painful to the body or mind; Ex. biting
 abstinence restraint from pleasant things, esp. eating or
wind/remarks
drinking; CF. abstention: act of abstaining from vote
acetic vinegary
 abstract theoretical; not concrete; nonrepresentational
acidulous slightly sour (in taste or manner); sharp;
representational (of a style of art) showing things as
caustic
they actually appear in real life
 acknowledge recognize; admit
 abstruse obscure; profound; difficult to understand
acme peak; pinnacle; highest point
 abusive coarsely insulting; physically harmful
 acoustics science of sound; quality that makes a room
abut border upon; adjoin
easy or hard to hear in
 abysmal bottomless
 acquiesce assent; agree passively; comply without
 abyss enormous chasm; vast bottomless pit protest

1
 acquittal deliverance from a charge; V. acquit: free from  adorn decorate
a charge or accusation; discharge from a duty; conduct
 adroit skillful (in using mind or hand)
(oneself) in a specified manner
acrid bitter (to the taste or smell); sharp; bitterly pun-
gent
2
 adulation flattery; admiration that is more than is nec-
acrimonious stinging; caustic; bitter in words or man-
essary or deserved
ner; N. acrimony: bitter ill-natured animosity in speech
or behavior  adulterate make impure or of poorer quality by adding
inferior or tainted(contaminated) substances
 acrophobia fear of heights
 advent arrival
 actuarial calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics
 adventitious accidental; casual; happening by chance
 actuary someone who advises insurance companies
 adversary opponent; enemy
actuate motivate; activate; cause to act
 adverse going against; opposing; unfavorable; hostile
 acuity sharpness (of mind or senses of sight or hearing)
 adversity great hardship or affliction; misfortune;
calamitous event
 acumen mental keenness; sharpness of judgment; abil-
ity to judge quickly and well; Ex. business acumen advert refer
 acute (of the senses) sharp; quickly perceptive; keen;  advocacy support; active pleading on behalf of some-
penetrating; brief and severe; Ex. acute sense of one or something
smell/analysis/pain  advocate speak in favor of; support (an idea or plan);
adage wise saying; proverb urge; plead for
proverb adage; someone or something well known for aegis shield; protection; defense
notoriety; ADJ. proverbial: of a proverb; widely known; aerie(aery,eyrie,eyry) nest of a large bird of prey
ADV. proverbially
 aesthetic artistic; dealing with or capable of appreciat-
 adamant hard; inflexible ing the beautiful (of a person or building); CF. aesthete;
 adapt make or become suitable for a specific use; alter; CF. aesthetics
modify; adjust; N. adaptation: act of adapting; composi-  affable easily approachable; easy to talk to; warmly
tion recast into a new form; Ex. The play is an adaption friendly
of a short novel.
 affected artificial; pretended
addendum addition; appendix to book; something that
is added (as at the end of a speech or book)  affidavit written statement made under oath (for use as
proof in a court of law)
 addiction compulsive habitual need
 affiliation joining; associating with
addle make or become confused; muddle; drive crazy;
become rotten (egg)  affinity feeling of kinship; similarity; Ex. strong affinity
for her; Ex. many affinities between two languages
 address direct a speech to; speak to; deal with or dis-
cuss; direct ones efforts or attention to; make with a  affirmation positive assertion; confirmation; solemn
destination; N: formal speech pledge by one who refuses to take an oath; V. affirm;
ADJ. affirmative; CF. affirmative action: positive dis-
 adept expert at; very skilled crimination
 adhere stick fast; be a devotd follower; N. adhesion: ad-  affliction state of distress; trial; cause of distress or suf-
hering; devotion; loyality fering; V. afflict: inflict grievous suffering on
 adherent supporter; follower  affluence abundance; wealth
 adjacent adjoining; neighboring; close by
 affront insult; offense; intentional act of disrespect; V:
adjoin be next to insult or hurt the feelings of intentionally
adjourn suspend until a later time; move from one place agape openmouthed
to another
agenda items of business at a meeting
 adjunct something attached to but holding an inferior
agglomeration collection; heap; V. agglomerate: gather
position
into a rounded mass; N. aggolmeate: jumbled mass;
 adjuration solemn urging; V. adjure: entreat earnestly; heap
enjoin solemnly
 aggrandize make greater; increase in power, wealth,
adjutant staff officer assisting the commander; assistant rank, or honor; N. aggrandizement
 aggregate sum; total; ADJ. V: gather into a mass or
 admonish warn or speak to with gentle disapproval; re- whole; accumulate; add up to; Ex. aggregate 100 dol-
prove lars
adore love deeply and respect highly  aghast filled with great surprise or fear; horrified

2
 agility nimbleness; ability to move quickly  ambidextrous capable of using either hand with equal
ease
 agitate stir up; disturb
 agnostic one who is skeptical of the existence or knowa-  ambience environment; atmosphere; Ex. restraurant
bility of a god or any ultimate reality with a pleasant ambience; ADJ. ambient: completely
surrounding; Ex. ambient temperature
agog highly excited; intensely curious
 ambiguous unclear or doubtful in meaning; having
 agrarian pertaining to land or its cultivation; Ex. agrar- more than one possible interpretation
ian reform
 ambivalence the state of having contradictory or con-
 alacrity cheerful promptness without reluctance flicting emotional attitudes or opinions
 alchemy medieval chemistry  amble walking at an easy unhurried pace; V: walk
alcove nook; recess slowly and aimlessly
 alias an assumed name esp. by a criminal (usually to ambrosia food of the gods
mislead people); ADV. alias
nectar drink of the gods; sweet liquid collected by bees
 alienate make unfriendly or hostile; estrange; separate;
 ambulatory able to walk
change the ownership of
 ameliorate improve
 alimentary supplying nourishment
alimony payments made regularly to an ex-spouse after  amenable obedient; compliant; readily managed; re-
divorce sponsive; willing to be led; answerable or accountable
legally; responsible; able to be tested by; Ex. amenable
 allay calm; pacify to sensible suggestions; Ex. He is very amenable; Ex.
 allege state without proof amenable to the usual tests
 allegiance loyalty  amend correct; change ; generally for the better
allegory story, play, or picture in which characters are
used as symbols; fable 3
 alleviate relieve (pain)  amenities convenient features that helps to make life
pleasant; social courtesies
 alliteration repetition of beginning sound in poetry
 amiable agreeable; lovable; warmly friendly
 allocate assign; set apart for a particular purpose
earmark set aside (money or time) for a particular pur-  amicable peaceful; politely friendly; not quarrelsome;
pose Ex. amicable settlement

 alloy mixture as of metals; something added that low- amiss wrong; faulty; Ex. something amiss; ADV.
ers in value or purity; V: mix; make less pure; lower  amity friendship; peaceful relationship as between na-
in value or quality; spoil; CF. unalloyed: not in mixture tions
with other maetals; pure; complete; unqualified; Ex. un-
alloyed happiness  amnesia loss of memory

 allude refer indirectly; N. allusion: indirect reference  amnesty pardon (allowed by government to political
criminals)
 allure entice; attract; tempt
 amoral nonmoral; having no understanding of right
siren apparatus for making sounds; womanlike crea- and wrong
ture
 amorous moved by sexual love; loving; of sexual love;
 alluvial pertaining to soil deposits left by running water Ex. amorous advances
 amorphous formless; lacking shape or definition
aloof apart; not open in ones relationship with other
people; reserved; ADV.  amphibian able to live both on land and in water; N.
aloft upward; high up in the air  amphitheater oval building with tiers of seats; CF. arena
 altercation noisy quarrel
ample enough; abundant; spacious; large in size; Ex.
 altruistic unselfishly generous; concerned for others; N.
ample opportunity/garden; N. amplitude: quality of
altiruism: unselfish concern for the welfare of others;
being ample; abundance; largeness of space
unselfishness; OP. egoism
amalgamate (of societies or groups) combine; unite in  amplify increase in size or effect; expand; broaden or
one body clarify by expanding; intensify; make stronger; Ex. am-
plify ones remarks with a graph
amalgam combination of different things; mixture of
metals (containing mercury) used for filling holes in amputate cut off part of body; prune (a limb)
teeth amok(amuck) in a state of rage; Ex. run amok
amass collect (gradually, in a very large amount) amulet charm; talisman; an object worn believed to pro-
 amazon female warrior tect against evil, bad luck

3
 anachronism an error involving time in a story; some-  antagonism hostility; active opposition; V. antagonize:
thing or someone misplaced in time; ADJ. anachronistic cause to become an enemy; N. antagonist: person who
is opposed to another; opponent; adversary; principal
character in oppostion to the protagonist
analgesic causing insensitivity to pain; N.
analgesia condition of being unable to feel pain protagonist leader or noticeable supporter of an idea;
chief character in a play or story
 analogous comparable; similar
 antecede precede
 analogy similarity; parallelism; comparing two similar
things  antecedents preceding events that influence what
comes later; ancestors or early background
 anarchist person who seeks to overturn the established
government; advocate of abolishing authority  antediluvian antiquated; extremely ancient

 anarchy absence of governing body; state of disorder anthem song of praise or patriotism; Ex. national an-
them
anathema solemn curse; someone or something re-
garded as a curse; V. anathematize anthology book of literary selections by various au-
thors; CF. omnibus
 ancestry family descent; ADJ. ancestral
 anthropoid manlike; resembling a human being; N.
 anchor secure or fasten firmly; be fixed in place; N. an-
chorage  anthropologist student of the history and science of hu-
mankind
 ancillary serving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary; N.
 anthropomorphic having human form or characteris-
 anecdote short story of an amusing or interesting event tics
 anticlimax letdown in thought or emotion; something
 anemia condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles;
unexciting, ordinary, or disappointing coming after
ADJ. anemic
something important or exciting
 anesthetic substance that removes sensation with or
 antidote remedy to counteract a poison or disease; Ex.
without loss of consciousness; N. anesthesia
antidote to the economic troubles
 anguish acute pain; extreme suffering
 antipathy aversion; dislike or opposition
 angular sharp-cornered; having an angle; not rounded
antiquated obsolete; old-fashioned; outdated
(body); bony; lean; gaunt; stiff in manner
antique made in an earlier period and usu. valuable; N:
 animadversion critical remark; V. animadvert: com-
object that was made in an earlier period and that is rare
ment critically with disapproval
or valuable
 animated lively; spirited
antiquity quality of being very old; ancient times;
@/
 animosity active enmity
 antiseptic substance that prevents infection in a wound;
animus hostile feeling or intent; animosity; hostility; ADJ.
disposition
 antithesis contrast; direct opposite of or to; ADJ. anti-
 annals records arranged in yearly parts; history thetic or antithetical
 anneal reduce brittleness and improve toughness by antler bony growth on the head of a deer
heating and cooling (metal or glass)
anvil iron block used in hammering out metals
 annex attach; add to a large thing; take possession of;
incorporate (territory) into a larger existing political unit  apathy lack of caring; indifference; lack of concern or in-
(by force); N: building added to a large one terest in important matters; Ex. He was sunk in apathy
after his failure; ADJ. apathetic
 annihilate destroy
ape imitate or mimic (a persons behavior or manner)
 annotate comment; make explanatory notes
aperture opening; hole; adjustable opening in a camera
 annuity yearly allowance that limits the amount of light
 annul make void
apex tip; summit; climax; highest point
elope run away secretly with the intention of getting
 aphasia loss of speech due to injury or illness
married
 aphorism pithy maxim or saying; ADJ. aphoristic
:
anodyne drug that relieves pain or trouble;
x]
j; opi-
ate; ADJ. Ex. anodyne statement apiary a place where bees are kept
 anoint consecrate; put oil on (in a religious ceremony) hive box for bees; V: cause to go in a hive
 anomalous abnormal; irregular apiculture bee-keeping
 anomaly irregularity apiarist person who keeps bees
 anonymity state of being nameless; anonymousness; aplomb poise; composure in difficult situations; assur-
ADJ. anonymous ance; self-confidence

4
 poise good judgment with composure; balance; V: place  arbitrary unreasonable or capricious; random; tyranni-
in a carefully balanced position cal; Ex. arbitrary ruler
 apocalyptic prophetic; pertaining to revelations espe-  arbitrate act as judge (at the request of both sides)
cially of disaster; N. apocalypse
arboretum place where different trees and shrubs are
apocryphal (of a story) widely believed but untrue studied and exhibited
 apogee highest point; the point farthest from the earth; arboreal of or living in trees
OP. perigee
 arcade a covered passageway usually lined with shops
apolitical having an aversion or lack of concern for po-
litical affairs  arcane esoteric; secret; mysterious; known only to the
initiated; Ex. arcane ritual; Ex. arcane process closed to
apologist one who writes in defense of a cause or insti- the uninitiated listener
tution; N. apologia
 archaeology study of artifacts and relics of early
apoplexy stroke; loss of consciousness caused by too mankind
much blood in the brain
archaic antiquated; no longer used; belonging to the
apostate one who abandons his religious faith or politi- past; N.
cal beliefs; N. apostasy
archetype prototype; primitive pattern
apothecary druggist; pharmacist
 arch- chief; first; Ex. archbishop
4 archipelago group of closely located islands
apothegm(apophthegm) pithy, compact saying archives public records; place where public records are
kept
apotheosis elevation to godhood; an ideal example of
something  ardor heat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent
 appall dismay; shock deeply arduous hard; strenuous; Ex. arduous work
 apparition ghost; phantom argot slang; speech spoken by only a small group of
 appease pacify or soothe; Ex. appease a crying baby; N. people
appeasement  aria operatic solo; a song sung by one person in an
appellation name; title opera or oratorio

 append attach arid (of land) dry; barren; unproductive

application diligent attention; diligence; V. apply one-  aristocracy hereditary nobility; privileged class; gov-
self ernment by nobility; N. aristocrat
 apposite appropriate; fitting  armada fleet of warships
 appraise estimate value of; N. appraisal  aromatic fragrant; having a sweet smell; N. aroma:
strong pleasant smell
 appreciate be thankful for; increase in worth; be thor-
oughly conscious of; ADJ. appreciable: enough to be  arraign charge in court; indict
felt; Ex. appreciable difference array marshal; draw up in order; arrange in order;
 apprehend arrest (a criminal); dread; perceive; N. ap- clothe splendidly; adorn; N: fine clothes; ordered group;
prehension Ex. in battle array
apprehensive fearful; discerning  arrears being in debt; money that should have been
 apprise inform paid; work that should have been done

 approbation approval arrhythmic lacking rhythm or regularity; N. arrhythmia

 appropriate acquire; take possession of for ones own

use without permission; set aside for a particular pur-  arrogance pride; haughtiness; ADJ. arrogant: unpleas-
pose; allocate; CF. misappropriate antly self-important (with a strong confidence in ones
own importance and a lack of respect for other people)
appurtenances subordinate possessions; something
added to a more important thing arroyo gully; narrow channel formed by rainwater
apropos with reference to; regarding; Ex. remarks apro- artery blood-vessel; CF. vein
pos (of) the present situation; ADJ. ADV.  articulate effective; distinct; expressing ideas clearly;
 aptitude fitness; talent having clear sounds; having joints; Ex. articulate
speech; V: express thoughts and feeling clearly; pro-
aquiline curved; hooked; of or like an eagle; Ex.
nounce clearly; unite by joints
aquiline nose
 arsenal storage place for military equipment
arable fit for growing crops; Ex. arable land
 artifacts object made by human beings, either hand-
 arbiter person with power to decide a matter in dis-
made or mass-produced
pute; judge who is in a position ot make influential judg-
ments; Ex. supreme arbiter of fashion in beachware artifice deception; trickery

5
 artisan a manually skilled worker
artless without guile; open and honest
5
astral relating to the stars
 ascendancy controlling influence; position of control-
ling influence; CF. in the ascendant  astringent binding; causing contraction (stopping
bleeding); harsh or severe; stringent; Ex. astringent
 ascertain find out for certain; make certain criticism
 ascetic practicing self-denial; avoiding physical plea-  astronomical enormously large or extensive
sures and comforts; austere; Ex. ascetic life of Buddhist
monks; N. asceticism  astute wise; shrewd; keen; seeing quickly something
that is to ones advantage
 ascribe refer; attribute; assign
asunder into parts; apart; V. sunder
 aseptic preventing infection; having a cleansing effect
 asylum place of refuge or shelter; protection (religious
ashen ash-colored; deadly pale
or political)
asinine stupid; Ex. asinine remarks
 asymmetric not identical on both sides of a dividing
askance with a sideways or indirect look (with disap- central line
proval or distruct); Ex. look askance at
atavism resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to
askew crookedly; slanted; at an angle parents; reversion to an earlier type; throwback; ADJ.
 asperity sharpness; roughness; severity (of temper or atavistic
weather); Ex. asperities of a Russian winter  atheistic denying the existence of God; N. atheism
 aspersion slanderous remark; Ex. cast aspersions on  atone make amends for; pay for; Ex. atone for
 aspirant seeker after position or status
 atrocity brutal deed; ADJ. atrocious
 aspire seek to attain (position or status); long for; Ex.
 atrophy wasting away; V: weaken and lose flesh and
aspire to become president; Ex. aspire to/after the lead-
muscle (through lack of blood or lack of use)
ership
 assail assault  attentive alert and watchful; listening carefully; paying
attention; considerate; thoughtful; politely helpful; Ex.
assay analyze (to discover what materials are present); attentive audience; Ex. He was attentive to the old lady;
evaluate (soil or ore) N. attentions: act of courtesy and consideration
 assent agree; accept; N. assessment  attenuate make thin; weaken
assert state strongly or positively; demand recognition  attest testify; bear witness
of (rights, claims, etc.); make a claim to (by forceful ac-
tion); Ex. assert ones independence  attribute essential quality; V: ascribe; explain
 assiduous diligent  attrition rubbing away by friction; gradual decrease in
numbers or strength; reduction in the work force with-
 assimilate absorb; take (food) into the body and digest
out firing employees; wearing away of opposition by
it; understand (knowledge) completely and be able to
means of harassment; Ex. a war of attrition
use properly; cause to become homogeneous (the peo-
ple of a country or race in the wasy of behaving or think- atypical not normal; not typical
ing)
 audacious daring; bold; N. audacity
 assuage mak less severe; ease or lessen (pain); satisfy
 audit examination of accounts of a business; official ex-
(hunger); soothe (anger)
amination; V.
 assumption something taken for granted; the taking
 augment increase; add to
over or taking possession of; Ex. her assumption of
power; V. assume augury omen; prophecy; sign of coming events; V. au-
regent a person who governs in place of a ruler who is gur: predict; foretell; be a sign of (something in future)
ill, absent, or still a child; ADJ. Ex. the Prince regent
 assurance firm statement that something is certainly  august impressive; majestic
true; promise or pledge; certainty; confidence in ones aureole suns corona; halo; bright circle of light
own ability; self-confidence; Ex. In spite of all his as-
surances, he did not come back; Ex. assurance of his auroral pertaining to the aurora borealis; CF. aurora
loyalty; Ex. The teacher lacked assurance in fron of australis
his class; V. assure; tell firmly with confidence; ensure;  auspicious favoring success; giving signs of future suc-
make (something) certain to heappen; make (someone) cess; Cf. auspices
feel sure; give confidence to; ADJ. assured: self-assured;
confident in ones own ability; showing certainty  austere forbiddingly stern; ascetic; without comfort or
enjoyment; severely simple and unornamented; Ex. a
 asteroid small planet monks austere life; Ex. austere grandeur of the cathe-
astigmatism eye defect which prevents proper focus; dral; N. austerity
OP. stigmatism  authenticate prove genuine

6
 authoritarian subordinating the individual to the state; badinage teasing conversation; banter; joking talk
completely dominating anothers will; Ex. authoritarian
 baffle frustrate; perplex
regime/father
bait harass; tease; torment; Ex. badger baiting; N: food
 authoritative having the weight of authority; regarded or other lure used to catch fish or trap animals
as providing knowledge that can be trusted; reliable;
peremptory and dictatorial; Ex. authoritative dictio- baleful evil; malignant in intent or effect; deadly; hav-
nary/manner; CF. definitive ing a malign influence; portending evil; ominous;
threatening; Ex. baleful look
 autocratic having absolute unchecked power; dictato-
rial; N. autocrat, autocracy balk stop short, as if faced with an obstacle, and refuse
to continue; foil; stop or get in the way of; frustrate
 automaton mechanism that imitates actions of humans;
machine that works by itself ballast heavy substance used to add stability or weight;
V. supply with ballast
 autonomous self-governing; N. autonomy
balm something that relieves pain; oily liquid with a
 autopsy examination of a dead body; postmortem; V. pleasant smell from trees
 auxiliary offering or providing help; additional or sub- pang sudden sharp feeling of pain
sidiary; N: helper; assistant
balmy soft and mild (of air); fragrant
 avalanche great mass of falling snow and ice
 banal hackneyed; commonplace; trite; lacking original-
 avarice greediness for wealth ity; cliched
 avenge take vengence for something or on behalf of bandy discuss lightly or glibly; discuss in a frivolous
someone; Ex. They avenged his death by burning the manner; exchange (words) heatedly; quarrel; Ex. bandy
village; Ex. He swore to avenge his brother; Ex. They words with
avenged themselves on their enemy.
 bane posion; cause of ruin; ADJ. baneful: harmful; poi-
 aver state confidently; declare as true sonous
 averse reluctant; disinclined; not liking or opposed; Ex.  bantering joking talk; good-naturedly ridiculing; N.V.
averse to cats/doing the house work banter
 aversion firm dislike  barb sharp projection from fishhook, arrow, or other ob-
 avert prevent; avoid; turn away (eyes or thought); Ex. ject; openly cutting remark
An accident was averted by his quick thinking; Ex. She
averted her eyes from the terrible sight. 6
 aviary enclosure for birds; large cage bard poet
avid greedy; extremely eager for; Ex. avid learner; N. barefaced shameless and noticeable; blatant; bold; un-
avidity concealed; having no covering on the face; Ex. barefaced
 avocation secondary or minor occupation lie
 avow declare openly; N. avowal unregenerate making no attempt to change ones bad
practices
 avuncular of or like an uncle
baroque highly ornate
 awe solemn wonder; feeling of respect mixed with won-
der and fear; V: fill with awe; ADJ. awesome  barrage barrier laid down by artillery fire; overwhelm-
ing profusion; large number of questions or statements;
awful terrible; very bad
Ex. a barrage of criticism
awl pointed tool used for piercing
 barrister counselor-at-law or lawyer in the higher court
awry distorted; crooked; bent; Ex. Our plans have gone of law; CF. bar
awry. solicitor lawyer in the lower court of law
 axiom self-evident truth requiring no proof  barterer trader; V. barter: trade; exchange good for
azure sky blue other goods rather than money
babble chatter idly or foolishly; make continuous bask luxuriate; take pleasure in warmth
sounds like water running gently over rounded stone; luxuriate take pleasure in great comfort
N.
bastion stronghold; something seen as a source of pro-
bacchanalian drunken tection; Ex. the last bastion of male chauvinism
bacchanal noisy party with a lot of drinking bate let down; lessen the force of; moderate; restrain;
Bacchanalia the ancient Roman festival in honor of Bac- Ex. with bated breath; CF. abate
chus bauble trinket; cheap jewel; trifle
badger pester; annoy continually with demands; per- bawdy indecent; obscene; about sex in a rude funny
suade by asking again and again; Ex. The children bad- way; CF. bawd
gered me into taking them into the cinema; N: a kind of
mountain animal beatific giving or showing bliss; blissful

7
 bliss complete happiness; ADJ. blissful  benign kindly; favorable; not malignant (disease); Ex.
benign tumor
beatitude blessedness; state of great happiness
 benison blessing
mystic of hidden meaning and spiritual power; Ex.
mystic ceremonies; N. CF. mysticism  bent determined; Ex. bent on advancing in the busi-
ness; N: natural talent or inclination
bedizen dress with vulgar finery
 bequeath leave to someone by means of a will; hand
finery beautiful clothes for a special occasion
down in his will; N. bequest
bedraggle wet thoroughly; ADJ. bedraggled: draggled
berate scold strongly
beeline direct quick route
bereavement state of being deprived of something
befuddle confuse thoroughly valuable or beloved; state of being bereaved or bereft
fuddle make stupid or confused as with alcholic drink;
N. in a fuddle: confused bereaved deprived of (someone beloved through death)
 beget father; become the father of; produce; give rise to
begrudge envy; give or allow unwillingly; grudge; Ex. bereft deprived of (something valuable); lacking
We shouldnt begrudge him his success. berserk mad with violent anger; frenzied; madly ex-
grudge deep feeling of dislike; Ex. grudge fight; V. cited

beguile deceive; mislead or delude; cheat; pass time  beseech beg; plead with
pleasantly; charm or attract; Ex. beguiling smile beset harass or trouble from all directions; hem in
behemoth huge creature; something of monstrous size hem surround tightly so that movement is impossible;
or power Ex. hem in; N.
beholden obligated; indebted; owing thanks; obliged or  besiege surround with armed forces; harass (with re-
indebted from gratitude quests); annoy continually
behoove(behove) be suited to; be incumbent upon; be besmirch soil; defile; make dirty
right and necessary; Ex. It behooves one to do.
bestial beastlike; brutal; inhuman; very cruel
belabor harp on; dwell on tediously; explain or go over
 bestow confer
excessively or to a ridiculous degree; assail verbally;
beat severely; attack physically betoken signify; indicate; be a sign of
belated delayed token outward sign; Ex. a token of our gratitude
beleaguer besiege or attack (with an army); harass; be- betray be unfaithful; reveal (unconsciously or unwill-
set ingly); Ex. Her trembling hands betray her anxiety.
belie contradict; give a false impression; disguise; Ex. betroth become engaged to marry
The poor sales belied our high hopes; Ex. Her smile be- bevy large group; Ex. a bevy of starlets
lies her true feeling of displeasure.
 bicameral two-chambered as a legislative body
 belittle disparage; depreciate
 bicker quarrel
 bellicose warlike
 biennial every two years
 belligerent quarrelsome
bifurcated divided into two branches; forked
bemoan lament; moan for; express sorrow or disap-
proval of bigotry stubborn intolerance
bemused confused; lost in thought; preoccupied bigot one who is intolerant (in matters of religion or pol-
itics)
 benediction blessing
intolerant not willing to accept ways of thinking differ-
 benefactor gift giver; patron; person who does good or ent from ones own; CF. tolerant; CF. tolerate
who gives money for a good purpose
bilious suffering from indigestion; sick from having too
 beneficent kindly; doing good much bile; irritable; easily irritated
 beneficial helpful; useful; advantageous bilk swindle; cheat
 beneficiary person entitled to benefits or proceeds of an billowing swelling out in waves; surging
insurance policy or will
billow large wave of water; a great swell or surge (of
benefit advantage; anything that brings helpl, advan- smoke); V: surge, swell, roll in billows
tage, or profit; money provided by the government to
the people; fund-raising public entertainment; Ex. un- swell long wave of water that moves continuously
employment benefit; V: receive benefits; be beneficial to; without breaking; V.
give benefits surge powerful movement of or like a wave; V.
 benevolent generous; charitable; having a wish to do bivouac temporary encampment; camp without tents;
good V.

8
 bizarre fantastic; violently contrasting; noticeably odd; bombast grandiloquent, pompous speech
strikingly unconventional boon blessing; benefit; something very helpful
blanch bleach; whiten; make white or pale boorish rude; insensitive
bland soothing or mild (food); agreeable; causing no boor rude, insensitive person
trouble or offence
bouillon clear beef (or meat) soup
blandishment flattery
bountiful generous; graciously generous; showing
blare loud or harsh roar or screech; dazzling blaze of bounty
light
gracious kind in a generous way (to someone less im-
screech unpleasant high sharp sound; shriek; V. portant)
dazzle make blind with a sudden intense light; amaze;  bourgeois middle class; selfishly materialistic; too inter-
fill with wonder ested in material possessions
blase bored with pleasure or dissipation; uninterested  bovine cowlike; placid and dull; slow-thinking; calm
or bored
bowdlerize expurgate; CF. Thomas Bowdler
blasphemy irreverence; sacrilege; cursing; bad lan-
guage about God or holy things; V. blasphem; ADJ. blas- brackish somewhat saline
phemous; CF. sacrilege braggadocio boasting
blatant extremely (offensively) obvious; loudly offen- brag boast
sive; Ex. blatant lie; N. blatancy
braggart boaster; bragger
bleak cold or cheerless; frigid; unlikely to be favorable;
depressing brandish wave around (a weapon); flourish

blighted suffering from a disease; destroyed bravado swagger; assumed air of defiance; false show
of bravery
blight plant disease; V: infect with blight; ruin; destroy
swagger walk or behave with an over-confident manner
blithe(blithesome) gay; joyous
bloated (unpleasantly) swollen or puffed as with water brawn human muscle; muscular strength; sturdiness
or air
brawny muscular; having well-developed muscles
blowhard talkative boaster; braggart
sturdy strong and firm (in the body)
bludgeon club; heavy-headed weapon; V.
brazen insolent; without shame; bold; Ex. brazen lie; V:
bluff pretense (of strength); deception; high cliff; ADJ: face with bold self-assurance or with unshamed confi-
rough but good-natured dence

7 brawl noisy quarrel

breach breaking of contract or duty; fissure or gap;
 blunder error; stupid mistake opening; V.
blurt utter impulsively from nervousness or excitement  breadth width; extent
 brevity conciseness; shortness of duration
bluster blow in heavy gusts; threaten emptily; bully;
speak in a noisy or bullying manner; CF. breeze, gust, brindled tawny or grayish with streaks or spots (of an-
gale imals)

bully one who is habitually cruel to weaker people; V. tawny brownish yellow

 bode foreshadow; portend bristling rising like bristles; showing irritation

 bogus counterfeit; not authentic; intentionally false; Ex. bristle short stiff hair; V: (hair or fur) stand up stiffly
bogus interview brittle hard but easily broken; difficult; unstable; Ex.
bohemian unconventional (in an artistic way) brittle situation

 boisterous violent; rough; noisy broach introduce as a subject; moot; open up

bolster support; reinforce brocade rich, figured(patterned) fabric

bolt door bar; fastening pin or screw; length of fabric;  brochure pamphlet
large roll of cloth; V: dash or dart off; fasten (a door); brooch ornamental clasp; pin
gobble down
clasp hold firmly within arms
dart move or throw suddenly and quickly
brook tolerate; endure; Ex. brook no interference; N:
gobble eat very quickly small stream
bombardment attack (as with missiles or bombs); V. browbeat bully; intimidate
bombard browse graze; feed on growing grass; skim or glance at
bombastic pompous; using inflated language casually

9
 graze (of an animal) feed on growing grass; cause (an cajole persuade by praise or false promise; coax; whee-
animal) to feed on grass; scrape (esp. the skin) or touch dle
lightly in passing; brush; Ex. We cant graze the cattle
coax persuade by flattery
till summer; N: surface wound
 calamity disaster; misery
skim read or glance through quickly; touch lightly in
passing; brush; remove from the surface of a liquid  calculated deliberately planned; likely
brunt main impact or shock (of an attack or blow); Ex. caldron(cauldron) large kettle
brunt of the argument caliber ability; quality; diameter of the inside of a round
brusque blunt; abrupt; curt; not wanting to waste time cylinder; Ex. work of very high caliber
being nice  calligraphy beautiful writing; excellent penmanship
buccaneer pirate callous hardened; unfeeling; without sympathy for the
bucolic rustic; pastoral sufferings of others; unkind

buffet strike forcefully; slap; batter; knock out; N: table callus area of thick hard skin
with food set out for people to server themselves; meal callow youthful; immature; inexperienced
at which people help themselves to food thats been set
calorific heat-producing; N. calorie
slap hit quickly with the flat part of the hand; N. CF.
 calumny malicious misrepresentation; slander
smack
camaraderie good-fellowship; CF. comrade
buffoonery clowning
cameo shell or jewel carved in relief; stars special ap-
buffoon stupid person; clown pearance in a minor role in a film
clown act stupidly; play the fool; N. canard unfounded false rumor; exaggerated false report
bugaboo bugbear; object of baseless terror
bullion gold and silver in the form of bars candor frankness; open honesty; ADJ. candid

bulwark strong wall built for defense; earthwork or canine related to dogs; doglike
other strong defense; person who defends canker any ulcerous sore; ulcer; any evil; CF. cancer
bungle mismanage; blunder; botch; blow; spoil by ulcer sore place appearing on the skin inside or outside
clumsy behavior the body; Ex. stomach ulcer; ADJ. ulcerous; V. ulcerate
botch mismanage; blow canny shrewd in money matters; thrifty
 buoyant able to float; cheerful and optimistic; N. buoy- cant insincere speech or expression of piety; jargon of
ancy; Ex. buoyancy of wood/water/American market thieves; special words used by a particular group of
people
 bureaucracy overregulated administrative system  cantankerous ill-humored; irritable
marked by red tape; ADJ. bureaucratic cantata story set to music to be sung by a chorus
burgeon grow rapidly; grow forth; send out buds; Ex. (shorter than an oratorio)
burgeoning computer industry; CF. bludgeon canter slow gallop; V. CF. trot
burlesque give an imitation that ridicules; imitate
mockingly 8
burnish make shiny by rubbing; polish canto division of a long poem
buttress support; prop up; N. stationary structure to canvass determine or seek opinions, votes, etc.; go
support wall; Ex. flying buttress through (a region) to solicit votes or orders; conduct a
prop support placed under or against something; V. survey; N.

buxom full-bosomed; plump; jolly  capacious spacious

plump pleasantly fat; nicely rounded capacity mental or physical ability; role; position or
duty; ability to accommodate; Ex. in my capacity as
cabal small group of persons secretly united to promote president
their own interests
capillary having a very fine bore; resembling a hair; fine
 cache hiding place; V. and slender; Ex. capillary attraction; N: very fine hair-
 cacophonous discordant; inharmonious; N. cacophony: like tube; CF. capillarity
unpleasant mixture of loud sounds capitulate surrender; give up all resistance
 cadaver corpse; dead human body  caprice whim; sudden change of mind without any real
 cadaverous like a corpse; pale cause
 capricious unpredictable; fickle
cadence rhythmic rise and fall (of words or sounds);
beat; regular beat of sound; rhythm  caption title; chapter heading; text under illustration

10
 captious faultfinding; too critical catechism book for religious instruction in question-
and-answer form; religious instruction by question and
carafe glass water bottle; decanter
answer; V. catechize
carapace shell covering the back (of a turtle, tortoise,
 categorical without exceptions; made without any
crab, etc.)
doubt in mind; unqualified; absolute
carat(karat) unit of weight for precious stones; measure
qualify reach a necessary standard; limit the meaning
of the purity of gold
of something stated
carcinogenic causing cancer; N. carcinogen
 catharsis purging or cleansing of any passage of the
cardinal chief; most important; N: priest; cardinal num- body; purging and weakening of strong emotions as a
ber: number that shows quantity rather thatn order result of experiencing a dramatic work of art
 cardiologist doctor specializing in ailments of the heart  cathartic purgative; medicine that causes the bowels to
empty; ADJ.
careen lurch; sway from side to side; move with irregu- catholic (of likings and interests) universal; general;
lar swinging movement; stagger broad; including many different parts; wide-ranging
liberal; Ex. catholic opinions/tastes
career rush wildly; go at full speed
caucus private meeting of a group of people in a polit-
sway swing from side to side; influence (someone) to
ical party to select officers or determine policy; CF. the
change ones opinion; N.
Caucus club of Boston
 caricature distortion; burlesque
caulk(calk) make watertight (by blocking up cracks as
 carillon a set of bells (often in a tower) capable of being in a ship)
played
 causal implying a cause-and-effect relationship; N.
 carnage destruction of life; slaughter; killing of large causality
numbers of people or animals
 caustic burning; corrosive; able to burn by chemical ac-
 carnal fleshly; sensual; concerning the desires of the tion; sarcastically biting; (of remarks) intended to hurt;
body bitter; harmful; OP. harmless
 carnivorous meat-eating; N. carnivore; CF. herbivore cauterize burn (a wound or snakebite, etc.) with hot
iron or caustic substance to stop bleeding and prevent
carousal drunken revel; V. carouse
infection
carping petty criticism; fault-finding; fretful complain-
cavalcade procession of riders or horse-drawn car-
ing; quibble
riages; parade; CF. cavalry
carrion rotting flesh of a dead body; CF. vulture
cavalier casual and offhand; arrogant; N: knight
cartographer map-maker
cavil quibble; make frivolous objections; find fault un-
 cascade small waterfall necessarily
caste one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; so- cede yield (title or territory) to (esp. after losing a war);
cial stratification; prestige surrender formally; N. cession
 castigation punishment; severe criticism or disapproval  celerity speed; rapidity
 celestial heavenly
 casualty serious or fatal accident; person killed or hereafter life after death
wounded in an accident or battle
afterlife life after death; later part of ones life
casual happening by chance; irregular; occasional; in-
formal; showing or feeling little interest; Ex. casual celibate abstaining from sexual intercourse; unmarried;
reader/labor/remark N. celibacy

cataclysm deluge; upheaval; earthquake; violent and  censor (in ancient Rome) overseer of morals (also taking
sudden event or change the census); person who eliminates inappropriate mat-
ter; V.
catalyst agent which brings about a chemical change
while it remains unaffected and unchanged; CF. catal- censorious severely critical
ysis  censure blame; criticize; express strong disapproval; N:
 catapult slingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from cata- severe criticism; strong disapproval
pult  centaur mythical figure, half man and half horse
hurl throw forcefully; shout out violently  centigrade denoting a widely used temperature scale
cataract great waterfall; eye abnormality (causing a (basically same as Celsius)
gradual loss of eyesight)  centrifugal radiating; departing from the center
 catastrophe calamity ; disaster  centrifuge machine that separates substances by
whirling them
catcall shout of disapproval or displeasure (made at the
theater or a sports match); boo; V.  centripetal tending toward the center

11
 centurion Roman army officer (commanding a com- cherubic angelic; innocent-looking; N. cherub; CF. ser-
pany of about 100 soldiers) aph: winged angel of the highest order
 cerebral pertaining to the brain or intellect; intellectual chicanery trickery; deception
rather than emotional; CF. cerebrum
chide scold; rebuke (someone who has done wrong)
 cerebration thought; working of the brain
chimerical fantastically improbable; highly unrealistic;
ceremonious marked by formality; extremely formal N. chimera: unreal fancy; fire-breathing female creature
and polite; CF. ceremony: conventional social courtesy
unceremonious not done politely without due formali- chisel swindle or cheat; N: wedgelike tool for cutting
ties
chip lose a small piece from the surface or edge; N:
certitude certainty small piece broken off something; CF. French fry; Potato
 cessation stoppage chip/crisp
cession yielding to another; ceding  chivalrous courteous; faithful; brave; N. chivalry
chafe warm by rubbing; make sore by rubbing; N. choleric hot-tempered; bad-tempered; irritable; easily
angered; CF. cholera
chaff worthless products of an endeavor; husk(outer
seed cover) separated from grain; Ex. separate the choreography art of representing dances in written
wheat from the chaff symbols; arrangement of dances
chaffing bantering; joking chore daily domestic task (such as cleaning, cooking,
and shopping); unpleasant task
chagrin annoyance and disappointment; vexation
(caused by humiliation or injured pride) chortle chuckle with delight; N.
chalice goblet; consecrated cup chuckle laugh quietly
 chameleon lizard that changes color in different situa-  chronic long established as a disease
tions  chronicle report; record (in chronological order)

9 churlish boorish; rude; N. churl: boor; yahoo

ciliated having minute hairs; CF. cilium; CF. cilia: eye-
 champion support militantly; fight for; N: person who
fights for or supports strongly (a principle, movement, lash
person, etc.)  cipher nonentity; worthless person or thing; zero; secret
championship position of champion; defense or sup- code; V.
port; competition held to determine a champion  circlet small ring; band of gold, silver, jewel, etc. (worn
 chaotic in utter disorder on the head, arms, or neck as decoration)

 charisma divine gift; great popular charm or appeal;  circuitous roundabout

magnetism circuit closed circular line around an area; circumfer-
charlatan quack; pretender to knowledge (esp. in ence; regularly repeated journey from place to place
medicine)  circumlocution indirect or roundabout expression (by
chary cautious; unwilling to take risks; sparing or re- using an uncecessarily large number of words esp.
strained about giving; OP. bold when trying to avoid answering a difficult question di-
rectly)
chase ornament a metal surface by indenting; follow
rapidly to catch  circumscribe limit; confine; draw a line around
 chasm abyss; very deep crack circumspect prudent; cautious; acting after careful
thought
chassis framework and working parts of an automobile;
framework to which components are attached  circumvent outwit; defeat by behaving more cleverly;
outsmart; baffle; avoid; get around
 chaste morally pure; virginal; abstaining from illicit sex-
ual acts; modest; simple (of a style of writing); not cistern reservoir or water tank
highly decorated; austere  citadel fortress
chasten discipline; punish in order to correct; CF. casti-  cite quote; commend; Ex. cited for bravery in an official
gate record
chastise punish as by beating; criticize severely  civil having to do with citizens; not military or reli-
 chauvinist blindly devoted patriot; zealous adherent of gious; courteous and polite; Ex. married in a civil cere-
a group, cause, or sex; ADJ. chauvinistic; CF. chauvin- mony; Ex. civil strife/disorder/law; N. civility; CF. civic
ism; Nicolas Chauvin
 check stop motion; curb or restrain  clairvoyant having foresight; fortuneteller; N. clairvoy-
ance
checkered(chequered) marked by great changes in for-
tune; with many changes of fortuene; CF. checked: hav- hindsight understanding the nature of an event after it
ing a pattern of squares has actually happened

12
 clamber climb by crawling with difficulties; scramble codicil supplement to the body of a will; later addition
to a will
 clamor loud continous noise; continuous demand or
complaint made by a large number of people; V: make  codify arrange (laws or rules) as a code; classify; N.
a clamor; express (a demand) continually and loudly; code: system of words used instead of ordinary writ-
ADJ. clamorous ing; collection of laws, rules, established social customs
 clandestine secret
 coercion use of force to get someone to object; com-
chaperon older person who accompanies and super-
pelling; V. coerce
vises a young unmarried woman
coeval living at the same time as; existing during the
clangor loud resounding noise; sound of repeated
same period of time; contemporary; of the same age
clanging
clapper striker (tongue) of a bell cog tooth projecting from a wheel

clap strike the palms of the hands together with a sud-  cogent convincing
den explosive sound; come together suddenly with a  cogitate think over; ponder
sharp sound; put or send promptly; Ex. clap the thief in
 cognate having a common origin; related linguistically;
jail; N: clapping; loud or explosive sound; CF. applause
allied by blood; similar or akin in nature; Ex. cognate
clarion shrill, trumpetlike sound; kind of trumpet used languages; N.
in former times
 cognitive having to do with knowing or perceiving re-
 claustrophobia fear of being locked in lated to the mental processes; N. cognition: the mental
clavicle collarbone process of knowing

scrimmage disorderly fight between two or more peo-  cognizance knowledge; ADJ. cognizant; having knowl-
ple edge; aware

 cleave split or sever; cling to; remain faithful to; N. cohabit live together
cleavage; ADJ. cloven  cohere stick together
cleft N: split  cohesion tendency to keep together
clemency disposition to be lenient in deciding punish- cohorts group of people who share some common qual-
ments; mildness as of the weather; ADJ. clement ity; armed band; a group of between 300 and 600 sol-
 cliche phrase dulled in meaning by repetition; plati- diers under one commander (in the ancient Rome)
tude; ADJ. cliched coiffure hairstyle
bromide platitude; chemical compound used to calm  coin make coins; invent or fabricate (a word or phrase);
excitement N. coinage: word or phrase recently invented
clientele body of customers  coincidence the chance occurrence, at the same time, of
 climactic relating to the highest point; N. climax; CF. cli- two or more seemingly connected events; V. coincide:
matic happen at the same time; be in agreement; CF. coinci-
dent; CF. coincidental
clime climate
colander utensil with perforated bottom used for strain-
clique small exclusive group of people ing
 cloister monastery or convent
clout great influence (especially political or social); hard 10
blow with fist  collaborate work together; cooperate treasonably with
 cloying distasteful (because excessive); excessively the enemy
sweet or sentimental; V. cloy: become unpleasant collage work of art put together from fragments
through too much sweetness or excess
scrap small bit or fragment; discarded waste material;
coagulate congeal; thicken; clot; N. coagulant fight; Ex. a scrap of paper/cloth; V: break into parts for
clot half-solid lump formed from a liquid (or blood); V. disposal; discard as worthless; fight; quarrel
pudding hot sweet dish scraps leftover food
 coalesce combine; fuse; N. coalescence scrappy quarrelsome
 coalition partnership; league; union of separate politi-  collate examine and compare in order to verify authen-
cal parties ticity; arrange in order (the sheets of a book before they
are bound)
coda concluding section of a musical or literary compo-
sition  collateral security given for loan; ADJ: secondary; de-
scended from the same person but through different
coddle treat gently; indulge excessively; pamper; mol-
sons or daughters
lycoddle; baby; cook in water just below boiling point;
Ex. coddled eggs collation a light meal; collating

13
 colloquial pertaining to conversational or common  compendium brief, comprehensive summary; ADJ.
speech; informal; N. colloquialism: colloquial expres- compendious
sion
 compensatory making up for; repaying
 colloquy informal discussion; conversation
 compilation listing of information in tabular or book
 collusion conspiring in a fraudulent scheme to cheat or form; compiling
deceive others; V. collude
 compile assemble; gather; accumulate; make (a report
 colossal huge or a book) from facts and information found in various
places; Ex. compile a dictionary
 colossus gigantic statue; person or thing of great size or
importance  complacency self-satisfaction; smugness; ADJ. compla-
cent
comatose in a coma; extremely sleepy
smug self-satisfied; complacent
coma deep prolonged unconsciousness caused by dis-
ease, poison, or a severe blow  complaisant trying to please; obliging; willing to please
others
 combustible easily burned; N. CF. combustion
 complement complete; consummate; make perfect; N.
 comely attractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appear-
ance  complementary serving to complete something
homely not good-looking; unattractive  compliance conformity in fulfilling requirements;
readiness to yield; disposition to yield to others; V.
 comestible something fit to be eaten
comply
comeuppance deserts; well-deserved punishment or
 compliant readily acting in accordance with a rule, or-
misfortune; rebuke
der, or the wishes or others; yielding; comforming to
deserts what someone deserves requirements
comity courtesy; civility; Ex. comity of nations  complicity participation; involvement (in a question-
 commandeer take (private property) for military use able act or a crime)
without needing permission or giving payment; draft  component element; ingredient
for military purposes
comport bear ones self; behave; Ex. comport oneself;
draft first rough form; conscription; draught; V: make a N. comportment
draft of; conscript
deport send out of the country; behave; N. deportation,
draught current of air (through a room or to a fire); act deportment
of pulling roads; act of swallowing liquid or amount of
bearing deportment; connection
liquid swallowed at a time
 composure mental calmness
commemorative remembering; honoring the memory
of; Ex. commemorative stamp  compound combine; produce by combining; increase;
make worse by adding to or increasing; exacerbate; Ex.
commemorate honor the memory of; serve as a memo-
compound an error; ADJ: consisting of two or more
rial to; Ex. commemorate the 100th anniversary/those
parts; N: combination of two or more parts; area en-
who died in the war
closed by a wall containing a group of buildings; Ex.
 commensurate equal in extent; of the same size factory compound; CF. complex
 commiserate feel or express pity or sympathy for  comprehensive broad; including a lot or everything;
 commodious spacious and comfortable thorough; inclusive

communal held in common; public; of a group of peo- comprehend include; understand

ple; of a commune  compress force into less space; squeeze; contract; put
commune small (often rural) community whose mem- into fewer words; N: thick mass of cloth pressed to part
bers share work and income; V: exchange thoughts or of the body to stop bleeding or swelling, reduce fever,
feelings; Ex. commune with nature etc.

 compact agreement; contract; ADJ: tightly packed; firm;  comprise include; consist of
brief; concise; Ex. compact statement compromise adjust or settle by making mutual conces-
 compatible harmonious; in harmony with; able to exist sions; endanger the interests or reputation of; put into
together danger, disrepute, or a dishonorable position; Ex. com-
promise ones principle; N.
 compelling overpowering; irresistible in effect; holding
ones attention; that compels one to do something; Ex. a  compunction remorse; strong uneasiness caused by
compelling adventure story; V. compel guilt

compulsion compelling; strong desire that is difficult to  compute reckon; calculate

control; irresistible impulse reckon count; calculate; regard as; think; suppose
compulsory obligatory; that must be done  concatenate link as in a chain
compulsive resulting from compulsion  concave hollow; curved inwards; OP. convex

14
 concede admit; acknowledge as being true (often reluc- confidential spoken or written in secret; trusted with
tantly); yield; grant; Ex. concede a goal private matters; Ex. confidential secretary
 conceit vanity or self-love; too high opinion of ones  confine shut in an enclosed space; restrict; keep within
own value; extravagant metaphor (in poetry) limits; N. confinement
vain full of self-admiration; conceited; without result;  confiscate seize; take possession of (private property)
unsuccessful; N. vanity by official order (usu. as a punishment); commandeer
 concentric having a common center
 conception beginning; forming of an idea; fertilization;  conflagration great fire
V. conceive: form an idea in the mind; devise; become  confluence flowing together; the place where two rivers
pregnant; CF. inception flow together; crowd; gathering together
concerted mutually agreed on; done together by agree-
 conformity harmony; agreement with established rules
ment; Ex. concerted effort; CF. in concert: working to-
or customs; similarity; Ex. behave in conformity with;
gether
V. conform: be similar; act in agreement; comply; Ex.
 concession an act of yielding; conceding; something conform to the rule; CF. conformance
conceded; point, right, etc. given unwillingly; privilege
conformist person who uncritically conforms to the
of maintaining a business in a certain place; Ex. oil con-
customs of a group; OP. nonconformist: one who does
cessions in the North sea; CF. concessionaire
not conform to accepted beliefs of norms
 conciliatory reconciling; soothing; V. conciliate: recon-
cile; soothe; win the friendly feelings (by removing confound confuse; puzzle
anger)  congeal freeze; coagulate
 concise brief and compact  congenial pleasant; friendly; in agreement with ones
conclave private secret meeting tastes and nature; Ex. congenial weather
 conclusive decisive; ending all debate  congenital existing at birth
 concoct prepare by mixing or combining; make up in
concert; devise (something false) so as to deceive; Ex.
concoct an elaborate excuse for being late; N. concoction
11
 conglomeration mass of material sticking together
conglomerate corporation made up of several different
 concomitant that which accompanies; Ex. Deafnes is a
companies in diversified fields; mass of various material
frequent concommitant of old age; ADJ: existing or hap-
gathered together; rock consisting of small stones held
pening together with something else
together by clay; V.
 concord harmony; accord
 congruence correspondence of parts; harmonious rela-
concordat formal agreement tionship; CF. congruity
 concur agree; coincide; happen at the same time  congruent in agreement; harmonious; corresponding;
 concurrent happening at the same time; in agreement coinciding exactly; CF. congruous
 condescend (derog.) bestow courtesies with a superior conifer pine tree (usu. evergreen); cone-bearing tree;
air; descend to the level of one considered inferior ADJ. coniferous; CF. deciduous; CF. evergreen
 condign adequate; (of punishment) severe and well de-  conjecture surmise; guess; V.
served
 conjugal pertaining to marriage
 condiments seasonings; spices
 conjure cause to appear by magic; summon (a devil or
 condole express condolences; N. condolence: sympathy a spirit) by magical power; practice magic (esp. by very
for someone who has experienced great sorrow quick movement of the hands); evoke; conjure up: bring
 condone overlook; forgive; give tacit approval; excuse into the mind; Ex. The magician conjured a rabbit out of
his hat.
 conducive helpful; contributive; V. conduce; Ex. con-
duce to/towards  connivance pretense of ignorance of something wrong;
 conduit aqueduct; passageway for fluids assistance; permission to offend; V. connive: feign igno-
rance (of a wrong); cooperate secretly in an illegal ac-
confidant(confidante) trusted friend (to whom one tells tion; conspire
ones secret)
 connoisseur person competent to act as a judge of art,
confide tell in confidence (to a person one trusts); be etc. (whose judgments are respected); a lover of an art
confident about
 connotation suggested or implied meaning of an ex-
confidence self-assurance; calm unworried feeling
pression; V. connote
based on a strong belief in ones abilities; strong belief
in the ability of a person or plan; trust or faith in a per-  connubial pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial
son or thing; something confided; secret; Ex. confidence state
in your ability; Ex. Im telling you this in confidence; matrimony state of being married
Ex. exchange confidences about their boyfriends; ADJ.
confident patrimony property inherited from a father

15
 consanguinity kinship; relationship by birth drastic strong; violent and severe; Ex. drastic
changes/measures
consanguineous(consanguine) having a common an-
cestor  contaminate pollute
 conscientious scrupulous; through and careful; Ex.  contempt scorn; disdain; ADJ. contemptuous; CF. con-
conscientious worker temptible
 conscript draftee; person forced into military service; V.  contend struggle; compete; assert earnestly; state
strongly

 consecrate dedicate; sanctify; declare as sacred; Ex. con-  contention assertion; claim; thesis; struggling; competi-
secrate ones life to helping the poor tion

 consensus general agreement; opinion reached by a thesis opinion put forward and supported by reasoned
group arguments
boost lift by pushing up from below; increase; raise; N:
 consequential self-important; significant; consequent;
push upward; increase
following as a result; Ex. consequential air; CF. subse-
quent  contentious quarrelsome; controversial; likely to cause
arguments
 conservatory(conservatoire) school of the fine arts (es-
pecially music or drama); glass-enclosed area; CF. con-  contest dispute; argue about the rightness of; compete
servancy for; try to win; Ex. contest the election results; Ex. con-
test a seat in Parliament; N.
 consign send to a person or place for sale; deliver of-
ficially; entrust; put into the care of another; set apart  context writings preceding and following the passage
(for a special purpose); N. consignment; CF. consignor, quoted; circumstance in which an event occurs
consignee  contiguous adjacent to; touching upon
 consistency absence of contradictions; uniformity; de- continence self-restraint; sexual chastity; sexual absti-
gree of thickness or firmness; Ex. consistency of thick nence; voluntary control over bladder and bowel func-
cream; CF. viscous tions; ADJ. continent
 console lessen sadness or disappointment; give com- contingent dependent on something uncertain or in the
fort; allay the sorrow of; N. consolation future; conditional; happening by chance; accidental; N:
a group of soldiers, ships to a larger force; CF. contin-
 consolidation unification; process of becoming firmer
gency: future event that may or may not occur; possibil-
or stronger; V. consolidate: merge; strengthen
ity; Ex. prepare for every contingency
 consonance harmony; agreement
 contortions twistings; distortions; V. contort: twist vio-
consonant harmonious; in agreement; N. lently out of shape; CF. contortionist
 consort associate with; keep company; N: husband or contraband illegal trade; smuggling; smuggled goods;
wife (or a ruler) ADJ.
 conspiracy treacherous plot; secret plan against the law contravene contradict; oppose; violate (a rule, law, or
(by two or more people) custom); N. contravention
conspire take part in a conspiracy; (of events) work to-  contrite penitent; repentant; N. contrition
gether; combine; Ex. Events conspired to produce great contrived unnatural and forced; artificial; not sponta-
difficulties. neous; Ex. The ending was rather contrived.
consternation great shock; dismay contrive invent or fabricate in a clever way (by impro-
 constituent supporter; voter; member of a constituency; visation); manage; Ex. contrive to attract his attention
component
contrivance something contrived; machine or appara-
constituency voters represented by an elected official;
tus; clever deceitful plan; scheme
district so represented; group of supporters (or con-
stituents)  controvert oppose with arguments; attempt to refute;
contradict; ADJ. controversial; N. controversy
constitution constituting; system of laws; composition
of something; physical makeup or structure of a person;  contumacious stubborn and disobedient; resisting au-
Ex. men with strong constitutions thority (esp. disobedient to an order made by a court)
 constraint restraint; compulsion; repression of feelings;
reticence; V. constrain: hold back; restrain; compel;  contusion bruise
oblige; confine forcibly; imprison bruise injure without breaking the skin; N.
 construe explain; interpret; Ex. construe her silence as conundrum riddle; difficult problem
meaning that she agreed; CF. misconstrue
 convene come together; assemble; call to meet; Ex. con-
 consummate complete; V. vene the council
 contagion infection (by contact); ADJ. contagious; CF.  convention social or moral custom; established prac-
infectious: that can be passed by infection in the air tice; formal meeting; international agreement

16
 conventional ordinary; typical; not nuclear; Ex. con- corrugated wrinkled; ridged
ventional weapons wrinkle small ridge on a smooth surface (face or cloth);
 converge approach; tend to meet; come together V.
 conversant familiar with; having knowledge of crinkle wrinkle
 converse opposite; ADJ.  cosmic pertaining to the universe; vast
 convert one who has adopted a different religion or coterie group that meets socially; select circle; close
opinion; V: change into another form; (persuade to) group of people with shared interests
adopt a particular religion or belief
 countenance approve; support; tolerate; Ex. counte-
 convex curving outward nance his rude behavior; N: face; appearance
 conveyance vehicle; transfer; act of conveying; Ex. pub- countermand cancel; revoke (an order)
lic conveyance
 conviction judgment that someone is guilty of a crime;
strongly held belief
12
 counterpart thing that completes another; things very
 convivial pleasantly merry; festive; joyous; gay; charac- much alike; thing that has the same purpose in a differ-
terized by joviality; jovial ent system
 convoke call together; Ex. convoke Parliament; N. con- coup highly successful action or sudden attack; coup(s)
vocation detat; CF. coup de grace: deathblow or shot which kills
 convoluted coiled around; twisted; involved; compli-
cated; intricate; complex; N. convolution: twist; one of  couple join; unite; OP. uncouple
the convex folds of the surface of the brain
courier messenger
convulsion violent uncontrollable shaking movement
covenant binding agreement between two groups or
(caused by illness); V. convulse; ADJ. convulsive
people; compact; V: enter into a covenant; promise
copious plentiful
bargain agreement between two groups or people;
coquette flirt; flirtatious woman; woman who tries to something for sale at a price advantageous to the buyer;
attract the admiration of men without sincere feelings; V: negotiate; trade; Ex. bargaining power
V.
 covert secret; hidden; implied; OP. overt
flirt behave in a way that attracts (sexual) attention; deal
covetous avaricious; desirous of (someone elses pos-
triflingly with; N: one (or woman) given to flirting; ADJ.
sessions); V. covet: desire eagerly (someone elses pos-
flirtatious
sessions)
 cordial warmly friendly; gracious; heartfelt; Ex. cordial
cow terrorize; intimidate
welcome
cower shrink quivering as from fear; cringe
cordon extended line of men or fortifications to prevent
QL
access or egress; (# :\
"f
 |
x 
9  u
 H)

d
coy shy (flirtatiously); showing a (pretended) lack of

o r; V.
: ~
self-confidence; modest; coquettish; CF. job offer\


`

M
 :
cornice projecting molding on building (usually above
columns or pillars); %


d
cozen cheat; hoodwink; swindle
cornucopia horn (or horn-shaped container) overflow- crabbed sour; bad-tempered; peevish; difficult to read
ing with fruit and grain; symbol of abundance; horn of as handwriting
plenty peevish bad-tempered; irritable; V. peeve: make angry
 corollary natural consequence (which naturally follows crass very unrefined; grossly insensible; crude and
from something else) undiscriminating; Ex. crass behavior
corporeal bodily (rather than spiritual); of a bodily  craven cowardly
form; material; tangible
 credence belief
 corpulent very fat; N. corpulence
credo creed
corpus collection (of writings or information); Ex. the
corpus of Shakespears works; Cf. corpse  credulity belief on slight evidence; gullibility; naivete;
ADJ. credulous
corpuscle red or white cell in the blood
 creed system of religious or ethical belief
 correlation mutual relationship
 crescendo increase in the volume or intensity as in a
correlate either of the correlated things; V. musical passage; climax; CF. crescent
 corroborate confirm; support; strengthen far-fetched too improbable to be believed; implausible;
 corrode destroy or wear away gradually by chemical ac- Ex. far-fetched story
tion (over a long period) overture musical introduction to a long musical piece;
 corrosive eating away by chemicals or disease; (of lan- first offer or proposal (to begin talks in the hope of
guage) fierce reaching an agreement); Ex. overtures for peace

17
 crestfallen dejected; dispirited dank damp; unpleasantly wet
crest top (as of a hill or wave); showy feathers on the dapper neat and trim (in appearance); (of small men)
head of a bird neat in appearance and quick in movements; neat; spry
crevice crack; fissure dappled spotted
 cringe shrink back as if in fear; cower daub smear (as with paint); cover with something
 criteria standards used in judging; CF. criterion sticky; Ex. daub ones clothes with mud/paint; N: small
bit of sticky substance; Ex. a daub of paint
crone hag; ugly old woman
smear spread or cover with a sticky substance; N: mark
crotchety (of someone old) eccentric; odd; whimsical; made by smearing
bad-tempered; N. crotchet: odd or whimsical notion
smudge dirty mark with unclear edges made by rub-
crux essential or main point; Ex. the crux of the prob- bing; V.
lem; ADJ. crucial: of deciding importance
 daunt intimidate; frighten; discourage; dishearten
 crypt secret recess or vault usually used for burial; un-
derground room (under a church)  dauntless bold; fearless

 cryptic mysterious; hidden; secret  dawdle loiter; hang around; waste time doing nothing

cubicle small chamber used for sleeping or work  deadlock standstill resulting from the opposition of two
unrelenting forces; stalemate
compartment one of the parts into which an enclosed
space is divided standstill condition of no movement or activity; stop
cuisine style of cooking; Ex. French cuisine deadpan wooden; impassive; with no show of feeling;
with an expressionless face
culinary relating to cooking or kitchen
 dearth scarcity
cull pick out from others (to kill the weakest members);
reject; select; collect (information); N.  debacle sudden disastrous downfall or defeat; com-
plete disaster
 culmination highest point; climax; V. culminate in:
reach the highest point in; end in; Ex. a series of minor  debase degrade; reduce in quality or value; degenerate;
clashes culminating in war lower in esteem; disgrace; N. debasement
 culpable deserving blame; blameworthy kneel go down on ones knee(s)
culprit one guilty of a crime debauch corrupt morally; seduce from virtue; N. de-
bauchery: wild behavior (with sex and alcohol)
culvert artificial channel for water; drain crossing under
a road seduce lead away from proper conduct; entice; ADJ. se-
ductive
 cumbersome heavy and awkward to carry or wear; bur-
densome; Ex. cumbersome parcel/uniform  debilitate weaken (esp. through heat, hunger, illness);
enfeeble
 cumulative growing by addition; accumulative
bout match; short period of great activity; Ex. wrestling
 cupidity greed (for wealth); CF. cupid; CF. Cupid
bout; bout of drinking/flu
 curator superintendent; manager (in charge of a mu-
debonair (of men) friendly, charming, and fashionably
seum or a library)
dressed; aiming to please; CF. of good disposition
curmudgeon churlish, miserly individual; bad-
 debris rubble; wreckage; scattered remains of some-
tempered old person
thing broken or destroyed
cursive (of writing) flowing; running; having the suc-
cessive letters joined debunk expose as false, exaggerated, worthless, etc.;
ridicule
 cursory casual; hastily done with little attention to de-
tail debutante young woman making formal entrance into
society
 curtail shorten; reduce
debut debut; first public appearance; formal presenta-
 cynical skeptical or distrustful of human motives; N. tion of a young woman to society
cynicism; CF. cynic: person who believes all people are
motivated by selfishness  decadence decay; fall to a lower level (of morality, civi-
lization, or art); ADJ. decadent
cynosure object of general attention; person or thing
that is a center of attention; CF. Ursa Minor  decant pour off gently (wine or liquid)

dabble work at in a nonserious fashion; splash around;  decapitate behead

move noisily in a liquid  decelerate slow down
dais raised platform for speakers or other important
people 13
dally trifle with; toy with; treat without the necessary deciduous falling off at a specific season or stage of
seriousness; procrastinate; waste time growth as of leaves; Ex. deciduous tree/teeth

18
 decimate kill (usually one out of ten or every tenth defrock strip a priest or minister of church authority;
man); destroy or kill a large part of unfrock
 decipher decode; CF. indecipherable frock long loose garment (worn by monks)
declivity downward slope  deft neat; skillful
decollete (of a dress) having a low-cut neckline; CF.  defunct dead; no longer in use or existence
decolletage: low neckline (on a dress)  degenerate become worse in quality; deteriorate; ADJ:
decree authoritative order; edict; judgment of a court of having become worse; Ex. a degenerate species; N: de-
law; V: order or judge by decree praved or corrupt person
decomposition decay; V. decompose: decay; break and  degradation humiliation; debasement; degeneration; V.
separate into simple parts degrade: debase; disgrace; degenerate; reduce (some-
thing) in worth; demote (someone); reduce in rank
 decorum propriety; orderliness and good taste in man-
ners; appropriateness of behavior or conduct dishonor disgrace; N. ADJ. dishonorable

decorous proper (in behavior, conduct, or appearance) dehydrate remove water from; dry out

 decoy lure or bait; V.  deify turn into a god; make a god of; idolize; Ex. Kings
were deified; CF. deity
 decrepitude state of collapse or weakness caused by ill-
ness or old age deign condescend; stoop

decrepit weak and in bad condition from old age or stoop bend forward and down; lower or debase oneself;
hard use; Ex. decrepit old chair/man fall to a lower standard of behavior by doing something;
condescend; Ex. stoop to lying
decry express strong disapproval of; condemn openly
 delete erase; strike out
(something dangerous to the public); disparage; Ex. de-
cry the violence of modern films deleterious harmful
 deducible derived by reasoning; V. deduce: infer; de-  deliberate consider; ponder; ADJ: done on purpose;
rive by reasoning slow
 deface mar; disfigure  delineate portray; depict; sketch; describe; N. delin-
eation
mar spoil the appearance of
 delirium mental disorder marked by confusion; uncon-
 defame harm someones reputation; malign; speak evil trolled excitement; ADJ. delirious
of; slander; N. defamation; ADJ. defamatory
 delta flat plain of mud or sand between branches of a
 default failure to act; failure to perform a task or be river
present; V.
 delude deceive
defeatist resigned to defeat or failure; accepting defeat
or failure as a natural outcome; N. CF. defeatism  deluge flood; rush; V.

 defection desertion  delusion false belief; hallucination; deluding; Ex. delu-

sions of grandeur; Ex. under the delusion that
defect shortcoming; V: desert (in order to join the oppo-
site one)  delusive deceptive; likely to delude; misleading; rais-
ing vain hopes; Ex. delusive promises
 defer give in respectfully; submit; delay till later; ex-
empt temporarily; N. deferment; CF. show respect, com- delve dig; search deeply; investigate
ply with, courteous  demagogue person who appeals to peoples prejudice;
false leader of people; CF. demagoguery
 deference courteous regard for anothers wish; courte-
ous yielding to anothers wish or opinion (showing re-  demean disgrace; humiliate; debase in dignity; behave
spect); ADJ. deferential; OP. effrontery  demeanor behavior; bearing
 defiance refusal to yield; resistance; V. defy; ADJ. defi-  demented insane
ant
 demise death
 defile pollute; make filthy or dirty; corrupt morally;
profane; desecrate; N: narrow passage or gorge through demographic related to population balance; N. demog-
mountains raphy: statistical study of human population

 definitive most reliable; authorative and complete; that  demolition destruction; V. demolish
cannot be improved; conclusive; decisive; definite; Ex. demoniac(demoniacal) fiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil
definitive decision by the supreme court supernatural being; devil
 deflect turn aside; turn away from a straight course fiend evil spirit; devil
defoliate destroy leaves; deprive of leaves (by the use demotic of or pertaining to the people
of chemicals); N. defoliant
demur object (because of doubts, scruples); raise an ob-
defray provide for the payment of; undertake the pay- jection (showing qualms); hesitate; Ex. demur at the
ment of; pay idea of working on Sunday

19
 demure (of a woman or child) grave; quiet and serious;  dermatologist one who studies the skin and its diseases
coy; pretending to be demure
 denigrate blacken; defame acne skin disease (on the face)
 denizen (animal, person, or plant) inhabitant or resi-
dent of a particular place; regular visitor 14
 denotation meaning; distinguishing by name; V. de-  derogatory expressing a low opinion; disparaging; V.
note: indicate; refer to directly; mean; CF. connotation derogate: detract; disparage
descry catch sight of (something distant)
denouement final outcome; final development of the  desecrate profane; violate the sanctity of
plot of a play or other literary work; the end of a story
when everything is explained violate break (a law); defile; desecrate; assault sexually;
Ex. violate graves
 denounce condemn; criticize; N. denunciation
 desiccate dry up
 depict portray
 desolate (of a place) deserted; unpopulated; (of a per-
expose public revelation of something discreditable son) lonely; forlorn; joyless
 deplete reduce; exhaust  desolate make desolate; forsake; abandon and desert
 deplore regret; express sorrow and severe disapproval desperado reckless, desperate outlaw
for something bad; Ex. deplore their violent behav-
desperate having lost all hope; despairing; reckless and
ior; ADJ. deplorable: very bad; deserving severe disap-
violent because of loss of hope or despair; undertaken
proval; Ex. deplorable living condition
as a last resort
 deploy spread out (troops) in an extended though shal-
 despise look on with scorn; regard as worthless or dis-
low battle line; distribute (persons or forces) systemati-
tasteful; ADJ. despicable: contemptible
cally or strategically
 despoil plunder; sack; Ex. despoil the village
battalion army unit made up of four or more companies
 despondent without hope and courage; depressed;
gloomy; N. despondency: loss of hope with gloom; de-
 depose dethrone; remove from office; give a deposition; jection
testify
 despot tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; CF. despotism
 deposition testimony under oath; deposing; dethroning

 destitute extremely poor; lacking means of subsistence;

 depravity extreme corruption; wickedness; V. deprave utterly lacking; devoid; Ex. destitute of any experience
 deprecate express disapproval of; deplore; protest impoverish make poor; deprive of natural strength or
against; belittle; ADJ. deprecatory something important; Ex. impoverished soil
 depreciate lessen in value; belittle; represent as of little  desultory aimless; haphazard; digressing at random
value
detached emotionally removed; free from emotional in-
 depredation plundering; destruction volvement; calm and objective; physically separate; N.
 deranged insane detachment; CF. attachment

institute organization for a special purpose; V: establish detain keep waiting; prevent from leaving or going; N.
detention

institution instituting; (building for the) organization; determinate having a fixed order of procedure; pre-
established custom, practice, or relationship in a society; cisely defined; invariable; fixed; conclusive; final
mental hospital; Ex. institution of marriage determination resolve; firmness of purpose; measure-
institutionalize make into an institution; put or confine ment or calculation; decision
in an institution  deterrent something that discourages or deters
 derelict negligent; (of someone) neglectful of duty; (of  detonation explosion
something) deserted by an owner; abandoned; N: aban-  detraction slandering; aspersion; detracting; CF. detrac-
doned property; homeless or vagrant person tor
dereliction neglect of duty; abandonment  detrimental harmful; damaging; N. detriment
 deride ridicule; treat with contempt; make fun of; OP.  deviate turn away from (a principle, norm); move away
respect from an accepted standard; swerve; depart; diverge; N.
 derision ridicule; ADJ. derisive; CF. derisory deviation; Ex. deviation of the path of light by a prism
 derivative unoriginal; obtained from another source; devious roundabout; erratic; deviating from the
Ex. derivative prose style; N. straight course; not straightforward; not completely
honest; Ex. devious route
derivation deriving; origin or source of something; Ex.
the derivation of the word  devise think up; invent; plan; bequeath; N: bequest

20
 devoid empty; lacking  diminution lessening; reduction in size; V. diminish
devolve deputize; pass or be passed to others (power,  din continued loud noise; V: make a din; instill by
work, or property); Ex. devolve on/upon/to wearying repetition
deputize work or appoint as a deputy; N. deputy: per- weary tired after long work; V.
son who has the power to take charge when the leading
dinghy small boat (often ships boat)
person is away
maroon leave helpless on a deserted island or coast;
 devotee enthusiastic follower; enthusiast; Ex. devotee
ADJ. red brown
of Bach
dingy (of things and place) dirty and dull; Ex. dingy
 devout pious; deeply religious; sincere; earnest; Ex. my
street/curtain
devout hope
dull (of colors or surfaces) not bright; cloudy; overcast;
religious of religion; (of a person) pious; having rever-
boring; (of edge or sound) not sharp; not rapid; slug-
ence for a deity
gish; slow in thinking and understanding; stupid; V.
 dexterous skillful; skill in using hands or mind; N. dex-
dint means; effort; Ex. by dint of hard work
terity
diorama life-size, three-dimensional scene from nature
 diabolical diabolic; devilish; fiendish
or history; three-dimensional scene with modeled fig-
diadem crown ures against a painted background
 dialectical relating to the art of debate; mutual or recip- dire warning of disaster; disastrous; (of needs and dan-
rocal; Ex. dialectical situation; N. dialectic: art of arriv- gers) very great; urgent; Ex. dire prediction/need of
ing at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments food
 diaphanous sheer; transparent dirge funeral song; slow mournful piece of music (sung
diatribe bitter scolding or denunciation; invective; over a dead person)
abuse  disabuse correct a false impression; undeceive; free
 dichotomy division into two opposite parts; split; from a wrong belief
branching into two parts (especially contradictory ones) disaffected disloyal; lacking loyality; V. disaffect: cause
to lose affection or loyalty
dictum authoritative and weighty statement (made by a  disapprobation disapproval; condemnation
judge in court); saying; maxim; CF. obiter dictum: inci-
disarray state of disorder; a disorderly or untidy state;
dental, nonbinding remark (something said in passing)
Ex. with her clothes in disarray

didactic (of speech or writing) intended to teach a moral disavowal denial; disclaiming; repudiating; disowning;
lesson; teaching; instructional; N. didacticism V. disavow; CF. disclaim

die metal block used for shaping metal or plastic; device disband dissolve; disperse; (of a group) break up and
for stamping or impressing; mold; CF. dice separate; Ex. The club has disbanded.

 diffidence shyness; lack of self-confidence; timidity; disburse pay out (as from a fund); N. disbursement; CF.
ADJ. diffident purse

diffuse wordy; verbose; rambling; spread out (like a  discernible distinguishable; perceivable; Ex. dis-
gas); V: spread out in all directions; disperse; N. diffu- cernible improvement
sion; CF. suffuse  discerning mentally quick and observant; having in-
 digression wandering away from the subject; V. digress sight; perceptive; able to make good judgments; V. dis-
cern: perceive

 dilapidated falling to pieces; in a bad condition; ruined disclaim disown; renounce claim to; deny; CF. dis-
because of neglect; Ex. dilapidated old car/castle; N. claimer
dilapidation  disclose reveal; N. disclosure
 dilate expand; dilate on/upon: speak or write at length discombobulated discomposed; confused
on (a subject)
discompose disturb the composure of; confuse
 dilatory delaying; tending to delay
 discomfit frustrate; put to rout; defeat; disconcert; em-
 dilemma situation that requires a choice between barrass; perturb
equally unfavorable options; problem; choice of two un-
disconcert confuse; upset; embarrass; perturb
satisfactory alternatives
 disconsolate hopelessly sad (at the loss of something)
dilettante aimless follower of an art or a field of knowl-
edge (not taking it seriously); amateur; dabbler; CF. de-  discord conflict; lack of harmony; dissonance (when
light musical notes are played)
 diligence steadiness of effort; persistent hard work  discordant not harmonious; conflicting
 dilute make (a liquid) less concentrated; reduce in discount disregard; regard (a story or news) as unim-
strength; Ex. dilute the influence of the president portant; deduct from a cost

21
 discourse serious speech, writing, or conversation; for-  dismember cut into small parts; cut (a body) apart limb
mal discussion (either written or spoken); conversation; from limb
V. dismiss eliminate from consideration; no longer con-
 discredit defame; disgrace; destroy confidence in; dis- sider; put out of court without further hearing; reject;
believe; N. CF. discreditable: causing discredit; shame- discharge from employment; direct to leave; ADJ. dis-
ful missive; N. dismissal
 discrepancy lack of consistency or agreement as be-  disparage belittle
tween facts; difference; Ex. discrepancy between two  maneuver(manoeuver) strategic military or naval
descriptions movement (done for training purposes); carefully
 discrete separate; unconnected planned process; stratagem; V: carry out a military
maneuver; use maneuvers in gaining an end
 discretion prudence; ability to adjust actions to circum-
stances; freedom of action or judgment; ADJ. discreet;  disparate basically different; impossible to compare;
CF. discretionary unrelated
 discriminating able to see differences; discerning; prej-  disparity difference; condition of inequality; OP. parity
udiced; N. discrimination  dispassionate calm; impartial; not influenced by per-
discriminate distinguish; make distinctions on the basis sonal feelings
of preference  dispatch speediness; prompt execution; message sent
brisk quick and active; marked by liveliness and vigor with all due speed; V: send to a specified destination;
finish promptly; kill
discursive (of a person or writing) digressing; rambling
(without any clear plan)  dispel scatter; drive away; cause to vanish

 disdain treat with scorn or contempt dispense distribute; prepare and give out (medicines);
N. dispensation: dispensing; religious system; official
disembark debark; go ashore (from a ship); unload exemption from an obligation or a rule
cargo from a ship; CF. embark
 disperse scatter; Ex. disperse the cloud/crowd
 disenfranchise disfranchise; deprive of a civil right; OP.
enfranchise dispirited lacking in spirit

disengage uncouple; separate; disconnect; stop fight- disport amuse; Ex. disport oneself; CF. divert
ing; OP. engage  disputatious argumentative; fond of argument
 disfigure mar the appearance of; spoil  disquietude uneasiness; anxiety; V. disquiet: make anx-
ious
disgorge surrender something (stolen); eject; vomit; OP.
gorge disquisition formal systematic inquiry; explanation of
the results of a formal inquiry; long formal speech or
disgruntle make discontented
written report

15  dissection analysis; cutting apart in order to examine

dissemble disguise; hide the real nature of; pretend
 dishearten discourage
 disseminate distribute; spread; scatter (like seeds)
disheveled untidy (of hair or clothing); V. dishevel
 dissent disagree
 disinclination unwillingness
 dissertation formal essay; treatise
disingenuous not naive; not candid; sophisticated;
worldly wise; OP. ingenuous  dissident dissenting (with an opinion, a group, or a
government); rebellious; N.
disinter dig up; unearth; OP. inter
dissimulate pretend; conceal by feigning; dissemble
 disinterested unprejudiced; free from bias and self-
interest; objective  dissipate squander; waste foolishly; scatter
dissolution disintegration; reduction to a liquid form;
 disjointed disconnected; lacking coherence; V. disjoint:
looseness in morals; sensual indulgence; debauchery;
disconnect; disjoin
ADJ. dissolute: lacking in moral restraint; leading an
 disjunction act or state of separation; disunity; CF. dis- immoral life
junctive: expressing a choice between two ideas; CF.
reduce diminish; bring to a weaker or more difficult
conjunction; CF. conjunctive
condition; demote; lower in rank; separate into compo-
dislodge remove (forcibly); force out of a position; Ex. nents by analysis; Ex. reduced to the ranks; Ex. reduce
dislodge the food caught in his throat; CF. lodge the house to rubble; N. reduction
dismantle take apart; disassemble  dissuade persuade not to do; discourage; N. dissuasion
mantle loose sleeveless outer garment; cloak; some-
thing that covers or envelops; the layer of the earth be- dissonance discord
tween the crust and the core
distant reserved or aloof; cold in manner; Ex. distant
crust hard outer covering (as of earth or snow) greeting; ADV. distantly

22
 distend expand; swell out merit deserve; ADJ. meritorious: deserving reward or
praise
 distill refine (a liquid by evaporating and subsequent
condensation); concentrate; separate the most impor- doff take off; OP. don
tant parts from; Ex. distill fresh water from sea water;
dogged determined; stubborn; stubbornly persevering;
CF. brew
tenacious; Ex. Inspector Javerts dogged pursuit of Jean
distinction honor; excellence; difference; contrast; dis- Valjean
crimination; Ex. graduated with distinction; Ex. a writer
persevere continue steadily in spite of difficulties
of real distinction
doggerel poor verse
distinct clearly different; clearly noticed
distinctive clearly different from others of the same  dogmatic opinionated; holding stubbornly to ones
kind opinion; arbitrary; doctrinal

 distort twist out of shape; give a false account of; mis- doldrums blues; listlessness(lack of spirit or energy);
represent; N. distortion slack(inactive) period; period of stagnation; ocean area
near the equator where ships cannot move because there
distrait absentminded; distracted is no wind; Ex. in the doldrums
distraught upset; distracted by anxiety; very anxious blues state of depression or melancholy; style of slow,
and troubled almost to the point of madness; Ex. dis- mournful music (evolved from southern Black Ameri-
traught with grief/worry can songs)
distract take (ones attention) off something; upset emo-  dolorous sorrowful; N. dolor
tionally; make anxious; ADJ. distracted
dolt slow-thinking stupid person; CF. dull
 diurnal daily; occurring during the daytime
domicile home; V. ADJ. domiciled: having ones domi-
 diva operatic singer; prima donna cile; Ex. He is domiciled in Britain.
 diverge vary; go in different directions from the same domineer rule over tyrannically
point; ADJ. divergent: differing; deviating
dominate control; rule; enjoy a commanding position
 diverse differing in some characteristics (from each in; overlook from a height; ?
/9


other); various; N. diversity: variety; dissimilitude; lack
of resemblance dominant exercising the most influence; high and eas-
ily seen; stronger than the other part of a system; not
 diversion act of turning aside; pastime; V. divert: turn recessive
aside from a course; distract; amuse
don put on; OP. doff
 divest strip (as of clothes); deprive (as of rights); dispos-
sess; N. divestiture(divestment) outfit clothing or equipment for a special purpose; Ex.
cowboy outfit
 divine perceive intuitively (by or as if by magic); foresee
the future; foretell; dowse; ADJ. N. divination  dormant sleeping; temporarily inactive; lethargic; la-
tent
dowse use a divining rod to search for underground
water or minerals dormer window projecting upright from roof; CF. sleep-
ing room
 divulge reveal
 dorsal relating to the back of an animal; Ex. dorsal fin
 docile obedient; easily managed; submissive
dossier file of documents on a subject or person; file; CF.
ferocious fierce; violent; N. ferocity
bundle of papers labeled on the back
docket program as for trial; book where such entries are
made; list of things to be done; agenda; label fixed to a dotage senility; feeblemindedness of old age; Ex. In
package listing contents or directions; V: describe in a ones dotage
docket dote be excessively fond of; show signs of mental de-
doctrinaire unable to compromise about points of doc- cline
trine; dogmatic; unyielding; marked by inflexible at- dour sullen; gloomy; stubborn
tachment to a doctrine without regard to its practical
difficulties sullen silently showing ill humor or resentment; dark;
gloomy
 doctrine teachings in general; particular principle (reli-
gious, legal, etc.) taught; dogma; tenet; ADJ. doctrinal brood sit on in order to hatch; think deeply or worry
anxiously; N: the young of certain animals; group of
young birds hatched at one time
indoctrinate cause to accept a doctrine without ques-
tioning it; Ex. indoctrinated with mindless anti- douse plunge into water or liquid; dip; immerse;
communism drench; wet throughly; extinguish; throw water over;
dowse
document provide written evidence (for a claim);
record with documents; N. dowdy untidy (of a woman or clothes); slovenly;
dressed in an unattractive way; shabby; CF. unattractive
doddering shaky; infirm from old age; V. dodder woman

23
 downcast disheartened; dejected; sad; directed down- dyslexia word blindness; learning disorder marked by
ward impairment of the ability to read
drab dull; lacking color; cheerless ; Ex. drab coat/life dysentery inflammatory disorder of the lower intestinal
tract
draconian extremely severe; Ex. draconian punish-
ment; CF. Draco: Athenian politician earthy unrefined; coarse; of earth; Ex. earthy remarks;
OP. ethereal
dregs sediment in a liquid; lees; worthless residue
earthly of this earth; terrestrial; worldly; not divine;
drivel nonsense; foolishness; V: talk nonsense
possible; Ex. no earthly reason
nonsense speech or writing with no meaning; foolish
 ebb (of the tide) recede; lessen; diminish; N. OP. flow:
behavior or language; Ex. make (a) nonsense of: spoil;
rise of tide
cause to fail
 ebullient showing excitement; overflowing with enthu-
dribble flow or fall in drops; let saliva flow out slowly
siasm; boiling; N. ebullience; N. ebullition: state of boil-
from the mouth; move a ball; N.
ing
drip fall or let fall in drops; shed drops; N: action or
 eccentric irregular; odd; unconventional; whimsical;
sound of falling in drops; liquid that falls in drops
bizarre; not concentric
trickle flow in drops or in a thin stream; N.
 eccentricity oddity; idiosyncrasy
droll queer and amusing
 ecclesiastic ecclesiastical; pertaining to the church; N:
queer strange; eccentric; deviating from the normal minister; priest; cleric; clergyman
drone idle person who lives on other peoples work; chapel small church (in a prison, college, or hospital)
male bee
chaplain clergyman attached to a chapel
drone talk dully; buzz or murmur like a bee; N.
padre chaplain (in the armed forces)
murmur low, indistinct, continuous sound; V. CF. mum-
 eclectic selective; composed of elements drawn from
ble
disparate sources; selecting individual elements from a
dross waste matter; worthless impurities variety of sources; N. eclecticism
 drudgery hard unpleasant work; menial work selective careful in choosing; having an effect only on
certain things; not general; Ex. eclectic weed killer
drudge do drudgery; N: person who drudges
 eclipse darken; extinguish; outshine; surpass; cause an
dubious questionable; (of something) causing doubt;
eclipse
(of someone) filled with doubt; N. dubiety
ecliptic path of the sun and the planets
ductile malleable; pliable; (of metals) easily pulled into
shape; flexible; (of someone) easily influenced or con-  ecologist person concerned with the interrelationship
trolled between living organisms and their environment; per-
son concerned with the detrimental effects of human
dulcet sweet sounding; pleasing to the ear; melodious
civilization on the environment; CF. ecology
dumbfound(dumfound) astonish (making dumb);
ecosystem ecological community together with its envi-
ADJ. dumbfounded, dumfounded, dumbstruck
ronment
dupe someone easily fooled or deceived; V: deceive
 economy efficiency or conciseness in using something;
duplicity double-dealing; hypocrisy; being dishonest thrifty management of resources
and deceitful; ADJ. duplicitous
 ecstasy rapture; very strong feeling of joy and happi-
ness; any overpowering emotion; ADJ. ecstatic: causing
16 or experiencing ecstasy
 duration length of time something lasts rapture great joy and delight; ecstasy; ADJ. rapturous
duress forcible restraint, especially unlawfully; coer- eddy swirling current of water, air, etc.; V.
cion by threat; illegal coercion; Ex. a promise made un-
 edict decree (especially one issued by a sovereign); offi-
der duress
cial command
dutiful(duteous) (of people or their behavior) respect-
sovereign ruler in a monarchy; ADJ: (of a country) in-
ful; obedient (filled with a sense of duty)
dependent and self-governing; having supreme power;
dwindle shrink; reduce gradually supreme; excellent
 dynamic energetic; vigorously active sovereignty complete independence and self-
government (of a country); supremacy of authority;
dynamo generator for producing electricity; energetic
power to govern
person
edify instruct; correct morally
dyspeptic suffering from indigestion; N. dyspepsia: in-
digestion; difficulty in digesting food edifice building (of imposing size)
dys- abnormal; impaired  eerie weird; causing fear because strange

24
 efface rub out; remove the surface of  elicit draw out fact or information (by discussion or
from someone)
 effectual able to produce a desired effect; valid
effective effectual; producing a strong response; elixir cure-all; panacea; something invigorating
striking; in operation; in effect; Ex. effective  ellipsis omission of words from a text; mark used to in-
speech/photograph dicate an omission (when the meaning can be under-
effectuate effect; produce; achieve; Ex. effectuate a rec- stood without them); PL. ellipses
onciliation  elliptical elliptic; oval; of an ellipse; containing an ellip-
 effeminate having womanly traits sis; ambiguous either purposely or because key words
have been left out
emasculate weaken; castrate
 eloquence expressiveness; persuasive speech; ADJ. elo-
castrate remove the sex organs (of a male animal or per- quent: movingly expressive; expressing ideas well so
son) that the hearers can be influeneced
effervescence inner excitement or exuberance; showing  elucidate explain; make clear; clarify; enlighten; CF. lu-
high spirits; emitting bubbles forming inside; bubbling cid
from fermentation or carbonation; ADJ. effervescent; V.
effervesce  elusive evasive; not frank; baffling; hard to grasp, catch,
or understand; V. elude: escape from; escape the under-
 effete having lost ones original power; barren; worn standing or grasp of; Ex. elude the hunter; Ex. His name
out; exhausted eludes me.
 efficacy power to produce desired effect; ADJ. effica-
elysian relating to paradise; blissful
cious: effectual
Elysium place or condition of bliss
 effigy dummy; likeness of a person made of wood, pa-
per, or stone; Ex. burn an effigy of the President  emaciated thin and wasted (from hunger or illness)
dummy imitation of a real object used as a substitute;  emanate issue forth; come out
effigy  emancipate set free; liberate
effluvium noxious(harmful) smell
 embargo ban on commerce or other activity
 effrontery rudeness without any sense of shame;
 embark commence; go on board a boat; begin a journey
shameless boldness; presumptousness; nerve; cheek
effulgent shining brightly; brilliant
 embed(imbed) enclose; place in something; fix firmly in
 effusion pouring forth; unrestrained outpouring of a surrounding mass
feeling; V. effuse: pour out; ADJ. effusive: pouring forth;
 embellish adorn; ornament; enhance as a story (by
gushing
adding fictitious details)
gush (of liquid) pour out in large quantities from a hole;
make an excessive display of feeling (without true feel-  embezzlement taking for ones own use in violation of
ing); Ex. Blood gushed from the wound. trust; stealing (of money placed in ones care)

 egoism excessive interest in ones self; belief that one emblazon ornament richly (a shield or flag); N. embla-
should be interested in ones self rather than in others; zonment
selfishness; ADJ. egoistic, egoistical embody give a bodily form to; incorporate; include
ego ones opinion of oneself; self-esteem emboss produce a design in raised relief; decorate with
 egotistical egotistic; excessively self- a raised design
centered(egocentric); self-important; conceited  embrace hug; clasp with the arms; adopt or espouse;
egotism tendency to speak or write of oneself exces- accept readily; encircle; include; Ex. embrace the
sively; conceit; self-importance cause/socialism; Ex. all-embracing; CF. brace; CF.
bracelet
 egregious notorious; conspicuously bad or shocking
encircle surround
egress exit; opening for going out; act of going out; OP.
ingress  embroider decorate with needlework; ornament (a
story) with fancy or fictitious details; embellish
ejaculation exclamation; abrupt ejection (to discharge
sperm); V. ejaculate  embroil throw into confusion; involve in strife, dispute,
or quarrel; entangle; CF. imbroglio
elaboration addition of details; intricacy
 embryonic undeveloped; rudimentary; N. embryo: or-
elaborate work out carefully; add more detail or infor-
ganism in the early stage of development
mation; ADJ.
 emend correct (usually a text); N. emendation: correc-
 elated filled with excited joy and pride; overjoyed; in
tion of errors; improvement
high spirits; joyful and proud; Ex. elated crowd; V. elate;
N. elation emetic substance causing vomiting; ADJ.
elegy poem or song expressing lamentation (for the eminent rising above others; high; lofty; distinguished;
dead); ADJ. elegiacal, elegiac Ex. eminent position

25
 emissary agent (sent on a mission to represent another);  engender cause; produce; give rise to
messenger
 engross occupy fully; absorb
 emollient soothing or softening remedy (for the skin);
 enhance increase; make greater (as in value, reputation,
ADJ.
or usefulness); improve
 emolument salary; payment for an office; compensa-
tion  enigma puzzle; mystery; ADJ. enigmatic: obscure; puz-
zling
empathy ability to identify with anothers feelings,
ideas, etc.; identification with and understanding of an- puzzle baffle or confuse by a difficult problem; ponder
others feelings; V. empathize; CF. sympathy over a problem in an effort to solve; clarify or solve by
reasoning; Ex. puzzle out the answer; N.
compassion sympathy for the suffering of others; ADJ.
compassionate  enjoin command; order; forbid
 empirical based on experience  enmity ill will; hatred; hostility
emulate imitate; rival; try to equal or excel (through im- ennui boredom; listlessness and dissatisfaction result-
itation) ing from lack of interest; CF. annoy
enamored in love; Ex. enamored of his own beauty; V.  enormity hugeness (in a bad sense); excessive wicked-
enamor: inspire with love ness; Ex. enormity of the crime; ADJ. enormous
 encipher encode; convert a message into code; put into enrapture please intensely; fill with rapture and delight
cipher
 enclave territory enclosed within an alien land ensconce settle comfortably; place comfortably (in a se-
 encomiastic praising; eulogistic; N. encomium: very cure place)
high praise; eulogy  ensue follow (as a result)
 encompass surround; include; Ex. His activities encom-  entail make necessary; require; necessitate; involve;
pass publishing and computers. limit the inheritance of (property) to a specified succes-
 encroachment gradual intrusion; Ex. I resent all these sion of heirs; Ex. entail A on/upon B
encroachments on my valuable time; V. encroach: take enterprising full of initiative; showing enterprise
anothers possessions or right gradually or stealthily;
intrude; Ex. encroach on/upon enterprise willingness to take new ventures; initiative;
business organization; plan (that is difficult or daring);
17 Ex. their latest enterprise to sail round the world in a
small boat
 encumber burden; N. encumbrance
 enthrall capture; enslave; captivate; hold the complete
endearment fond word or act; expression of affection attention of (as if magic); hold spellbound
endear make beloved; Ex. endear her to everyone; ADJ.  entice lure; persuade to do (something wrong); attract;
dear: loved; cherished; high-priced tempt
 endemic prevailing among a specific group of people or mischief behavior (of children) causing trouble with no
in a specific area or country; peculiar to a particular re- serious harm; damage; harm; Ex. mischief to the crops;
gion or people; CF. pandemic ADJ. mischievous: causing mischief; playfully trouble-
 endorse approve; support; write ones signature on the some
back of; N. endorsement; CF. dorsal  entity real being
 endue provide with some quality; endow  entomology study of insects
 enduring lasting; surviving; V. endure: bear (pain or entrance put under a spell(condition caused by magical
suffering) for a long time; remain alive (in spite of diffi- power); carry away(fill with strong feeling) with emo-
culties); last; survive tion; put into a trance; fill with delight
 energize invigorate; give energy to; make forceful and
trance hypnotic state; ecstatic state; detachment from
active
ones physical surrounding (as in contemplation or day-
 enervate weaken; take away energy from dreaming); CF. transition
 enfranchise admit to the rights of citizenship (espe- hypnosis induced sleeping state; ADJ. hypnotic; V. hyp-
cially the right to vote); CF. franchise notize
engage attract; employ; hire; pledge oneself; confront;  entreat plead; ask earnestly
fight; enter into confliction; interlock; lock together; par-
ticipate; N. engagement: agreement to marry; arrange- entree(entree) entrance; a way in; right to enter; main
ment to meet someone or to do something; battle dish of a meal; Ex. entree into the exclusive circle

 engaging charming; attractive  entrepreneur businessperson (who assumes the risk of

a business venture); contractor; ADJ. entrepreneurial
engaged employed; busy; betrothed; involved in con-
flict  enumerate list; mention one by one

26
 enunciate announce; proclaim; utter or speak, espe- equivocate use equivocal language to deceive people;
cially distinctly; pronounce clearly; articulate; Ex. This lie; mislead; attempt to conceal the truth; N. equivoca-
theory was first enunciated by him. tion
 environ enclose; surround; N. environs: surrounding  erode eat away; wear away gradually by abrasion; Ex.
area (as of a city) The sea erodes the rocks.
eon(aeon) long period of time; an age; longest division  erotic pertaining to passionate love or sexual love
of geologic time containing two or more eras errant wandering (esp. in search of adventure); straying
epaulet(epaulette) ornament worn on the shoulder (of from proper moral standards; Ex. knight-errant
a uniform, etc.) erratic odd; irregular in movement or behavior; unpre-
fringe decorative edge of hanging threads; edge dictable

 ephemeral short-lived; fleeting  erroneous mistaken; wrong; incorrect

fleet fast; rapid; N. ADJ. fleeting: passing quickly;  erudite (of a person or book) learned; full of learning;
ephemeral scholarly; N. erudition

 epic long heroic poem, novel, or similar work of art (cel- scholarly full of learning; erudite; like a scholar; Ex.
ebrating the feats of a hero); ADJ: (of stories or events) scholarly journal
resembling an epic; grand  escapade prank; flighty conduct; reckless adventure
that disobeys rules
 epicure connoisseur of food and drink; gourmet; ADJ.
epicurean; CF. Epicurus prank mischievous trick
Epicurean believing that pleasure is good and suffering flighty (esp. of a womans behavior) capricious; often
is bad and should be avoided; N. changing, esp. from one lover to another; impulsive
epigram witty thought or saying, usually short eschew avoid habitually; Ex. eschew alcoholic drinks
 epilogue short speech at conclusion of dramatic work esoteric hard to understand; known only to the chosen
few, esp. initiates; N. esoterica
episodic (of a story or play) loosely connected; made up
of separate and loosely connected parts; N. episode: in-  espionage spying
cident in the course of an experience espouse adopt; support (an idea or aim); marry; N. es-
epistemologist philosopher who studies the nature of pousal
knowledge; N. epistemology  esteem respect; value; judge; N.
epitaph inscription in memory of a dead person (as on estimable (of a person) worthy of esteem; admirable;
a tombstone) deserving esteem; possible to estimate
epithet word or phrase characteristically used to de- inestimable impossible to estimate; (apprec) invalu-
scribe a person or thing; descriptive phrase to charac- able; of immeasurable worth
terize a person (often contemptous)
 estranged separated; alienated; V. estrange: alienate
 epitome perfect example or embodiment; brief sum- (people in a family); N. estrangement
mary; Ex. epitome of good manners; V. epitomize: make
ethereal like a spirit or fairy; unearthly light; heavenly;
an epitome of; be an epitome of; embody
unusually refined; Ex. She has an ethereal beauty; CF.
 epoch period of time ether: upper air
 equable tranquil; of even calm temper; (of temperature) airy of air; high in the air; lofty; immaterial; unreal
steady; uniform ethnic relating to races
 equanimity calmness of temperament; composure ethnology study of humankind; study of the different
equestrian rider on horseback; ADJ. races of human beings; CF. anthropology

 equilibrium balance of opposing forces; balance of the ethos underlying character of a culture, group, etc.;
mind; equanimity character or ideas peculiar to a specific person, group,
or culture; Ex. the company ethos
equine resembling a horse; Ex. equine face
 etymology study of word parts; study of the origins of
 equinox period of equal days and nights; the beginning words
of spring and autumn; Ex. vernal/autumnal equinox;
ADJ. equinoctial  eugenic pertaining to the improvement of race; N. eu-
genics: study of hereditary improvement of the human
equipoise balance; balancing force; equilibrium race
 equitable fair; impartial; OP. inequitable  eulogistic praising; full of eulogy
 equity fairness; justice; OP. inequity
equivocal (of words or statements) ambiguous; inten-
18
tionally misleading; (of behavior) questionable; OP. un- eulogy expression of praise, often on the occasion of
equivocal someones death; V. eulogize

27
 euphemism mild expression in place of an unpleasant  execute put into effect; carry out; kill as a lawful pun-
one; ADJ. euphemistic ishment; N. execution
 euphony sweet sound; ADJ. euphonious executor person designated to execute the terms of a
will; \t
V

_
]j

euphoria feeling of exaggerated or un-
founded(ungrounded; baseless) well-being; feeling executioner person administering capital punishment
of great happiness or well-being (when unreasonable); executive person having administrative authority; one
ADJ. euphoriaric branch of government executing laws; ADJ: relating to
 euthanasia mercy killing executing
 evanescent fleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V. legislature legislating branch of government; CF. legis-
evanesce late: make laws
evasive not frank; trying to hide the truth; eluding; judiciary judicial branch of government
evading; V. evade: avoid (a duty or responsibility) or exegesis explanation, especially of biblical(of the bible)
escape from by deceit passages
 evince show clearly  exemplary serving as a model; outstanding; Ex. exem-
evenhanded impartial; fair plary punishment/behavior; N. exemplar: typical ex-
ample; model
 evocative tending to call up (emotions, memories)
 exemplify show by example; furnish an example; serve
 evoke call forth (memory or feeling); Ex. That old film as an example of; Ex. His pictures exemplify that sort of
evoked memories of my childhood; N. evocation painting.
ewe female sheep  exempt not subject to a duty or obligation; free from a
ram male sheep; V. strike or drive against with a heavy duty; V.
impact  exertion effort; expenditure of much physical work; V.
 exacerbate worsen; aggravate; embitter exert oneself: make a great effort

embitter make bitter; fill with painful or bitter feelings; exhale breathe out; OP. inhale
make sad and angry; Ex. He was embittered by many  exhilarating invigorating and refreshing; cheering; V.
disappointments. exhilarate: make cheerful and excited; Ex. exhilarated
 exacting extremely demanding; Ex. exacting standard by the ride in the sports car
of safety exhort urge (by strong argument or advice); Ex. The
exact demand and obtain by force; Ex. exact a promise general exhorted his men to fight bravely; N. exhorta-
from him; N. exaction tion
urge drive or force forward (by causing impulses); drive
 exalt raise in rank or dignity; praise highly; inspire; Ex.
to take action; impel; entreat earnestly; Ex. urge horses;
exalt the imagination; ADJ. exalted; N. exaltation
N: impulse that prompts action
exasperate vex; annoy or make angry (by testing the pa-
urgent compelling immediate action; pressing; persis-
tience)
tent; importunate; Ex. urgent in his demands
exceptionable objectionable; likely to cause dislike; of-
 exhume dig out of the ground; remove from a grave
fensive; CF. unexceptionable: entirely acceptable
coroner public official who investigates any death
except exclude; N. exception: objection; exclusion; ADJ.
thought to be of other than natural causes
exceptional: unusual; of unusually high quality
 exigency urgent situation; ADJ. exigent
excerpt selected passage (written or musical) taken
from a longer work; V.  exiguous small in amount; minute
exchequer treasury; Ex. Chancellor of the exchequer existential pertaining to existence; pertaining to the
philosophy of existentialism
chancellor legal official of high rank; CF. chan-
cellery(chancellory): position of a chancellor  exodus departure (of a large number of people)

treasure keep as precious; cherish  exonerate acquit; exculpate; free from blame or guilt

 excise cut away; cut out; N: government tax on good  exorbitant (of costs or demands) excessive; exceeding
produced and used inside a country; N. excision reasonable bounds

 exclaim cry out suddenly; N. exclamation; ADJ. exclam-  exorcise drive out evil spirits
atory  exotic not native; from another part of the world;
excoriate scold with biting harshness; censure strongly; strange; intriguingly unusual; Ex. exotic flower/dress
strip the skin off
 exculpate clear from blame or guilt intrigue make secret plans; plot; arouse the curiosity of;
N: secret scheme; plot; secret love affair
execrable very bad; detestable
expansive (of a person) outgoing and sociable; broad
 execrate curse; express abhorrence for; detest and extensive; able to increase in size

28
 outgoing sociable; eager to mix socially with others wring twist (to extract liquid); extract by twisting;
expatiate talk at length; speak or write in detail wrench painfully (necks or hands)

 expatriate exile; someone who has withdrawn from his extradition surrender of prisoner by one state to an-
native land; V: exile; banish; leave ones country other; Ex. extradition treaty; V. extradite

 expedient suitable (for a particular purpose al- extraneous not essential; irrelevant; superfluous; ex-
though not necessarily morally correct); practical; ternal; coming from the outside; Ex. extraneous de-
politic(prudent); N: something expedient tails/noise/to the subject

 expedite hasten; make go faster extrapolation projection; conjecture; V. extrapolate: in-

fer (unknown information) from known information
expeditious done with speed; quick; N. expedition
 extricate free from an entanglement or difficulty; disen-
 expenditure payment or expense; expending; some- tangle
thing expended; output; Ex. receipt for the expenditure;
Ex. expenditure of all the energy inextricable from which it is impossible to get free; that
cannot be untied; Ex. inextricable troubles; Ex. inextri-
 expertise specialized knowledge (in a particular field);
cable two histories
expert skill
 extrinsic external; not essential or inherent; extraneous;
 expiate make amends for (a sin)
OP. intrinsic
expletive meaningless word; interjection; profane oath;
 extrovert person interested mostly in external objects
swear-word
and actions
interjection exclamation; Ex. Ouch
mingle mix together in close association
swear vow; promise; use profane oaths; use offensive
words extrude force or push out; thrust out; shape (plastic or
metal) by forcing through a die
swear-word word considered offensive; Ex. bloody
exuberance overflowing abundance; joyful enthusiasm;
oath solemn promise; blasphemous use of sacred words flamboyance; lavishness; ADJ. exuberant: high-spirited
to express strong feelings; swear-word; Ex. For Christs and lively; growing abundantly and strongly
sake
glow shine brightly without a flame (as of eyes or met-
 explicate explain in detail; interpret; clarify; CF. expli- als); show redness and heat (in the face) after hard work
cable or because of strong feelings; N: light produced by a
 explicit totally clear; definite; outspoken heated body; brilliance of a color
 exploit brave and successful act; deed or action, partic- exude flow out slowly; discharge (gradually); give
ularly a brave deed; CF. crossing the Atlantic ocean forth; N. exudation
 exploit make use of, sometimes unjustly; N. exploita- ooze (of a thick liquid) pass or flow slowly; N: mud or
tion thick liquid as at the bottom of a river
 expository explanatory; serving to explain; N. exposi-  exult rejoice
tion: explaining; exhibition
 fabricate build; lie; make up (a story) in order to de-
expostulation protest; remonstrance; reasoning with ceive; Ex. fabricate the whole story; CF. fabric: underly-
someone to correct or dissuade; V. expostulate ing structure; Ex. fabric of society
 exposure risk, particularly of being exposed to disease facade(facade) front or face (of building); superficial or
or to the elements; unmasking; act of laying something false appearance
open; Ex. exposure of governmental corruption
 facet small plane surface (of a gem(precious stone)); a
 expound explain side
expropriate take possession of (often for public use and facetious joking (often inappropriately); unserious; hu-
without payment) morous
expunge cancel; remove a word or name (from a book
facile easily accomplished; ready or fluent; superficial;
or list); erase
not deep; Ex. facile solution to a complex problem; Ex.
 expurgate clean; remove offensive parts of a book facile speaker; N. facility: ability to do something easily
 extant (of something written or painted) still in exis- and well; ease in doing resulting from skill or aptitude;
tence something that facilitates an action; amenity; Ex. with
great facility
 extemporaneous not planned; impromptu; extempore
 facilitate help bring about; make less difficult
extenuate weaken; mitigate; lessen the seriousness of
(bad behavior)  facsimile copy

 extirpate root up; uproot; destroy completely faction party; clique (within a large group); dissension
extol praise very highly; glorify dissension disagreement of opinions causing strife
within a group
 extort wring from; get money by threats, etc.; obtain by
force or threats; CF. extortionate: exorbitant factious inclined to form factions; causing dissension

29
 factitious artificial; produced artificially; sham; false;  feasible practical; able to be carried out; practicable
Ex. factitious tears
febrile feverish
factotum handyman; person who does all kinds of
fecundity fertility; fruitfulness; ADJ. fecund: very pro-
work; CF. do everything
ductive of crops or young
 faculty mental or bodily powers; teaching staff
fertile producing many young, fruits, or seeds; (of land)
producing good crops; V. fertilize
19 fruitful producing results; profitable; prolific; produc-
 fallacious false; based on a fallacy; misleading; N. fal- ing in abundance
lacy: false idea or notion; false reasoning; Ex. popular
 feign pretend
fallacy; Ex. fallacy of the argument
feint trick; shift; sham blow; feigned attack to draw
 fallible liable to err
away defensive action; V.
falsify make (something written) false by changing
shift change position or place; exchange (one thing) for
fallow (of land) plowed but not sowed (to improve the another; change in direction or position; Ex. shift the
quality); uncultivated stolen goods; N. group of workers which takes turns
sow plant or scatter seed with other groups; working period of such a group

falter hesitate; weaken in purpose or action; walk or felicitous (of a word or remark) apt; suitably expressed;
move unsteadily through weakness; N. well chosen
stumble trip and almost fall; proceed unsteadily; act fal- felicity happiness; appropriateness (of a remark, choice,
teringly; N. etc.); quality of being felicitous
 fanaticism excessive zeal; extreme devotion to a belief feline of a member of the cat family; N.
or cause; N. fanatic; ADJ. fanatic fell cruel; (of a disease) deadly
 fancied imagined; unreal fell cut or knock down (a tree or a person); bring down
fancier breeder or dealer of animals; one who has a spe- (with a missile)
cial interest, as for raising specific plant or animal  felon person convicted of a grave crime; CF. felony: se-
fanciful whimsical; visionary; imaginary; produced by rious crime
imagination; Ex. fanciful scheme feral (of an animal) not domestic; wild
fancy imagination (of a whimsical or fantastic nature); ferment agitation; commotion(noisy and excited activ-
capricious liking; V: imagine; be fond of; ADJ. decora- ity); unrest (of a political kind); V. produce by fermen-
tive; elaborate tation; undergo fermentation; cause (a state of trouble)
fanfare call by bugles or trumpets; showy display; spec-
tacular public display fermentation chemical reaction that splits complex or-
farce broad comedy; mockery; humorous play full of ganic compounds; unrest; agitation
silly things happening; ADJ. farcical ferret drive or hunt out of hiding; hunt with ferrets;
fastidious difficult to please; squeamish; fussy; finicky drive out (as from a hiding place); expel; uncover or dis-
cover by searching; Ex. ferret out the secret; N. small
squeamish easily shocked or sickened by unpleasant
fierce animal which catches rats and rabbits by going
things; fastidious; Ex. A nurse should not be squeamish.
into their holes

fatalism belief that events are determined by forces or fervent ardent; zealous; hot
fates beyond ones control; ADJ. fatalistic; CF. fatal: fervid ardent; zealous; hot
causing death
impassioned (of speech) filled with passion; fervent
 fathom comprehend; investigate; determine the depth
fervor glowing ardor; intensity of feeling; quality of be-
of; N. unit of measurement for the depth of water
ing fervent or fervid; zeal; intense heat
fathomless too deep to be measured or understood; un-
fester rankle; produce irritation or resentment; (of a cut
fathomable
or wound) generate pus or rot; Ex. His insult festered in
fatuous smugly and unconsciously foolish; inane; silly; my mind for days.
N. fatuity, fatuousness
 festive joyous; celebratory; relating to a feast or festival
 fauna animals of a period or region; CF. flora
fawning courting favor by cringing and flattering; V. fete(fete) honor at a festival; celebrate or honor with a
fawn: exhibit affection as a dog; seek favor or attention feast; N. (outdoor) festival or feast; CF. feast
by obsequiousness
fetid(foetid) malodorous; foul
court attempt to gain; seek; woo; risk; behave so as to in-
vite; attempt to gain the favor of by attention; Ex. court foul very bad or disagreeable; very dirty; Ex. foul
disaster smell/flavor/temper/language/air/deed/weather/means;
N. act against the rules; V. make or become foul; commit
faze disconcert; dismay; embarrass a foul

30
 fetish(fetich) object believed to have spiritual powers; hothead person who does things too quickly without
object of excessive attention or reverence; CF. fetishism thinking; ADJ. hotheaded
fetter shackle; restrict the freedom of; N. chain or  fissure crevice; crack
shackle for the foot of a prisoner; CF. foot fitful spasmodic; intermittent; irregular
fiasco total failure; CF. bottle fit sudden outburst of an illness or feeling; convulsion
fiat command; arbitrary order; Ex. presidential fiat; CF. caused by epilepsy
let it be done flaccid flabby; lacking firmness; weak; Ex. flaccid mus-
 fickle changeable (in affections or friendship); faithless cles

fictitious imaginary; non-existent; purposely invented limp walk lamely; ADJ: lacking firmness; weak
to deceive; untrue; Ex. fictitious name/boyfriend; CF. flag droop; grow feeble; decline in vigor or strength;
fictional ADJ. flagging; CF. unflagging
 fidelity loyalty; accuracy droop bend or hang downward; become weakened; Ex.
His shoulders drooped with tiredness; N.
figment invention; something invented; imaginary
thing; Ex. figment of your imagination  flagrant conspicuously wicked, bad, or offensive; bla-
tant; outrageous
 figurative not literal but metaphorical; using a fig-
ure(impression) of speech  outrage act of extreme violence or viciousness; resentful
anger; V: commit an outrage on; produce anger in; ADJ.
figure written symbols; number; amount represented outrageous: offensive
in numbers; outline or silhouette of a thing or human
body; person (well-known); impression; diagram; pat- flail beat with or as if with a flail; move wildly; thresh
tern; group in a dance; Ex. figure of speech; V. calculate grain by hand; strike or slap; toss about; N: threshing
with numbers; adorn with figures; appear; consider; Ex. tool consisting of a stick swinging from the end of a long
My name did not figure in the list. handle
figurine small ornamental statuette(very small statue) thresh beat (cereal plants) with a machine or flail to sep-
arate the grains from the straw
filch steal (things of small value)
toss throw lightly; move or lift (the head) with a sudden
pilfer steal things of small value; filch; snitch motion; flip (a coin) to decide something
filial pertaining to or befitting a son or daughter; Ex. fil- flair talent
ial respect
flamboyant ornate; highly elaborate; richly colored; os-
filibuster block legislation or prevent action in a law- tentatious; showy; CF. flame
making body by making very slow long speeches; N;
flaunt display ostentatiously; Ex. Honey, if youve got
freebooter
it, flaunt it !
freebooter pirate or plunderer who makes war in order
flay strip off skin; plunder; remove the skin from; criti-
to grow rich
cize harshly
bust piece of sculpture showing a persons head, shoul- fleck spot; mark with flecks; N: small mark or spot
ders, and upper chest; V: break up; arrest; Ex. crime-
buster fledgling(fledgeling) inexperienced; N: young bird that
has acquired wing feathers and is learning to fly; inex-
filigree delicate ornamental lacelike metalwork perienced person
lace cord used to draw and tie together two opposite fleece wool coat of a sheep; V: shear the fleece from; rob
edges (as of a shoe); delicate fabric made of fine threads; by a trick; swindle; plunder
V: draw together by tying a lace
shear remove (fleece or hair) by cutting; remove the hair
filing particle removed by a file or fleece from; cut with or as if with shears; N: shears;
 finale conclusion; concluding part pair of scissors

finesse delicate skill; V: handle with finesse trickster person who cheats people
flick light stroke as with a whip; V: move with a light
finicky too particular; fussy; difficult to please; too con-
quick blow; strike with a light quick blow (as from a
cerned with unimportant details or quality; Ex. finicky
whip); Ex. flick the switch
about her food
flicker burn unsteadily or fitfully; move waveringly; N:
fussy fastidious; finicky; easily upset
flickering movement or light; brief sensation; Ex. flicker
fuss: trouble or worry over trifles; make nervous; pay of excitement
too much attention to; N: needless concern or worry
flutter (of a bird with large wings) wave (the wings)
(about a trivial thing); anxious nervous condition; dis-
lightly, rapidly, and irregularly; vibrate rapidly or errat-
play of attention; Ex. make a fuss over the baby
ically; fly by waving quickly; flitter; N.
 finite limited flinch hesitate; shrink back (in fear of something un-
firebrand piece of burning wood; hothead; trouble- pleasant); Ex. She did not flinch in the face of danger.
maker; person who stirs up trouble

31
 20 stammer speak with involuntarily pauses or repetitions

flippant lacking proper seriousness; Ex. flippant re-

flux flowing; series of changes; fluctuation; Ex. in a state
marks about death; N. flippancy
of flux
flip send (something) spinning, often into the air, by
fodder coarse food for cattle, horses, etc.; feed for live-
striking with a light quick blow; turn over; Ex. flip over
stock; CF. food

flit fly; fly or move lightly or quickly; dart lightly; pass foible small weakness of character; slight fault; CF. fee-
swiftly by; Ex. a bee flitting from flower to flower ble

floe flat mass of floating ice foil contrast; one that by contrast enhances the distinc-
tive characteristics of another
 flora plants of a region or era
foil defeat; frustrate; prevent from being successful;
florescence condition or period of flowering thwart; CF. fail
florid ruddy; (of a complexion) reddish; flowery; very foist insert improperly; impose upon another by coer-
ornate; CF. rose cion; palm off; pass off as genuine or worthy; CF. fist
flush redden; blush; flow suddenly and abundantly;
wash out by a rapid brief flow of water; N: reddish palm conceal in the palm of the hand; palm off: pass
tinge; blush; brief rush; rush of strong feeling; Ex. flush off; Ex. palm off some bad oranges onto the lady/the
of pride; ADJ: having surfaces in the same plane; even; painting as a real Renoir
blushing
pass off present falsely; represent falsely to be
blush become red in the face (from embarrassment or
shame); become red or rosy; N. foliage masses of leaves; CF. defoliate
tinge give a slight degree of a color or quality to; N: foment stir up; incite; instigate; promote the growth of
slight degree of a color or quality; Ex. tinged with (something evil or unpleasant)
grey/jealousy
foolhardy rash; reckless; foolishly daring
tint slight degree of color; V: give a tint to
foppish vain about dress and appearance; N. fop: man
flowery full of flowers; full of ornate expressions who takes too much interest in his clothes and appear-
flotsam drifting wreckage ance

jetsam things thrown from a ship (to lighten the ship) foray raid; sudden raid or military advance; V.

flounder struggle and thrash about; proceed clumsily or forbearance patience; forgiveness; V. forbear: refrain
falter (as in water, mud, snow, etc.); proceed in confu- from (in a generous and forgiving way); be patient; Ex.
sion forbear to send him to prison

thrash beat with a whip or flail; defeat utterly; talk ford place where a river can be crossed on foot; V.
about thoroughly in order to find the answer; move forebears(forbears) ancestors
wildly or violently; Ex. The fishes thrashed about in the
net.  foreboding premonition of evil; feeling of coming evil;
V. forebode: be a warning of (something unpleasant)
 flourish grow well; prosper; make sweeping gestures;
wave; brandish; Ex. The trees flourished in the sun. forensic suitable to debate or courts of law; of or used
N: showy movement or gesture; embellishment or or- in legal proceedings and the tracking of criminals; Ex.
namentation (esp. in handwriting) forensic science/medicine
flout reject; mock; show contempt for; scorn; Ex. flout forum public square of an ancient Roman city; public
the rules place for open discussion; court of law
curb chain or strap used with a bit to restrain a horse;  foreshadow give an indication beforehand; be a sign of
something that checks; V: check; restrain (what is coming); portend; prefigure
 fluctuate waver; shift; rise and fall as if in waves; prefigure be a sign of; foreshadow
change or vary irregularly
forerunner predecessor; one that comes before and in-
 fluency smoothness of speech; ADJ. fluent dicates the approach of another
fluke unlikely occurrence; stroke of fortune; accidental  foresight ability to foresee future happenings; prudence
stroke of good luck; ADJ. fluky in providing for the future
fluster confuse; make nervous and confused; N.  forestall prevent by taking action in advance
fluted having vertical parallel grooves (as in a pillar); V. nuptial of marriage or the wedding ceremony; N; nup-
flute: make long parallel inward curves in; N. flute: long tials; wedding ceremony
rounded groove incised on the shaft of a column
forfeit something surrendered as punishment for a
groove long narrow channel made in a surface to guide crime or breach of contract; V: lose as a forfeit; N. for-
the movement of something; Ex. groove of the record feiture

32
 forge counterfeit; reproduce fraudulently; form by pastry paste of flour and water (eaten when baked)
heating in a forge and hammering into shape; move plaster paste that hardens to a smooth solid and is used
with a sudden increase of speed or power; Ex. forged for coating walls; V.
ahead in the last two years; N: furnace where metals are
heated fret be annoyed or vexed; Ex. fret over your poor
grades; N: irritation of mind; ADJ. fretful
 forgo(forego) give up; do without
 friction clash or conflict in opinion; rubbing against
 forlorn sad and lonely; wretched; desolate
frieze ornamental horizontal band on a wall
 formality ceremonious quality; ceremonious adherence
to rules; something done just for forms sake; Ex. mere  frigid intensely cold; cold in manner; Ex. frigid zone
formality fritter waste (time or money on unimportant things)
 formidable menacing; arousing fear; threatening; diffi-  frivolous lacking in seriousness; flippant; self-
cult to defeat; Ex. formidable foe/question indulgently carefree; unworthy of serious attention;
menace threat; V: threaten relatively unimportant; trivial
self-indulgence excessive indulgence of ones own de-
forsake desert; abandon; renounce
sire
forswear renounce under oath; abandon; make a
carefree free from worries; having no problems
solemn promise to give up; CF. abjure
frolicsome prankish; gay; playful; merry; frisky
 forte strong point or special talent in a persons charac-
ter frolic play and jump about happily; frisk; Ex. frolicking
young lambs
forthright straightforward; direct; frank
frond fern leaf; palm or banana leaf
forthcoming happening in the near future; ready; will-
ing to help; Ex. No answer was forthcoming. litter waste material thrown away (as bits of paper scat-
tered untidily); V: cover untidily with scattered litter
 fortitude bravery; courage; strength of mind
fructify bear fruit; produce fruit
fortuitous accidental; by chance; N. fortuity
 frugality thrift; economy; ADJ. frugal: practicing econ-
foster rear; bring up (for a certain period only); encour- omy; costing little; inexpensive
age; promote the development of (feelings or ideas); Ex.
help foster friendly relations; ADJ: giving parental care  fruition bearing of fruit; fulfillment; realization; Ex.
although not related by blood; Ex. foster parents come to/be brought to fruition

founder fail completely; sink; CF. flounder  frustrate thwart; defeat; prevent from accomplishing a
purpose
 founder person who establishes (an organization or
 fugitive fleeting or transitory; lasting only a short time;
business)
roving(wandering); running away or fleeing as from the
fracas brawl(noisy quarrel or fight) in which a number law; N: one who flees; Ex. fugitives at large
of people take part; melee
fulcrum support on which a lever rests or pivots
fractious unruly; peevish; cranky; bad-tempered; Ex.
fulminate thunder; explode; issue a severe denuncia-
fractious horse
tion
 frail weak; N. frailty fulsome disgustingly excessive; offensively flattering;
 franchise right or privilege granted by authority; right Ex. fulsome praise/expressions of admire
to vote; license to sell a product in a particular territory  fumble move the fingers and hands awkwardly (in
frantic wild; distraught as from fear or worry; Ex. fran- search of something); mishandle or drop a ball that is
tic with fear in play; bungle; botch; spoil by mishandling; N.
 fraudulent cheating; deceitful; Ex. fraudulent means; functionary official (who performs a particular func-
N. fraud: deception; swindle tion)
fraught filled (with something unpleasant); full; Ex. functional made for practical use only (without decora-
fraught with danger and difficulties; CF. freight tion); functioning; Ex. functional modern furniture; CF.
functionalism
fray brawl; fight; V: wear away or unravel by rubbing;
have loose threads developing; cause to become worn  fundamental basic; primary; essential
out (a persons temper or nerves); CF. rub funereal sad; solemn; suitable for a funeral
frenetic(phrenetic) frenzied; frantic furor frenzy; great anger and excitement; CF. fury
frenzied madly excited; N. frenzy: violent wild excite- furtive stealthy; quiet and secret (trying to escape no-
ment tice); sneaky; Ex. furtive glance
fresco painting on wet plaster (usually fresh) sneak move, give, or take in a quiet, stealthy way; N:
paste smooth viscous mixture as of flour(powder made one who sneaks; ADJ. sneaky
by crushing grain) and water (used as an adhesive); V: underhand(underhanded) done slyly and secretly (be-
cause to adhere by applying paste ing dishonest)

33
 sly clever in deceiving; secretive; not telling ones inten-  gargoyle waterspout carved in grotesque figures on a
tions building
fusillade simultaneous firing or outburst (of missiles, garish overbright in color; unpleasantly bright; gaudy
questions, etc.)
trim make neat or tidy by clipping; reduce by remov-
 fusion union; coalition; V. fuse ing what is unnecessary; ornament; decorate (round the
 futile useless; hopeless; ineffectual edges); Ex. trim the cost; Ex. jacket trimmed with fur;
N. ADJ: tidy; in good order
gadfly animal-biting fly; irritating person
garner gather; store up; amass
gaffe social blunder
garnish decorate; add a garnish to; decorate (food or
21 drink) with small items such as lemon slices; N.
garrulous loquacious; wordy; talkative; N. garrulity
gainsay deny
gait manner of walking or running; speed gastronomy art and science of preparing and serving
good food; CF. gastronome
 galaxy large isolated system of stars, such as the Milky
Way; collection of brilliant personalities  gauche clumsy (in social behavior); coarse and uncouth

 gale windstorm; gust of wind; emotional outburst

(laughters, tears); Ex. gale of laughter gaudy flashy; showy
gall bitterness of feeling; nerve; effrontery; {
a
v(bile);
 flashy showy; gaudy; giving a momentary brilliance
CF. gall bladder gild cover with a thin layer of gold
gall annoy; exasperate; chafe; N: skin sore caused by gaunt lean and angular; thin and bony; emaciated; bar-
rubbing (as on the skin of a horse); exasperation ren
 galleon large three-masted sailing ship
gavel hammerlike tool; mallet(wooden hammer) used
galley low ship with sails (rowed along by slaves) by a presiding officer or an auctioneer; V.
clipper sailing vessel built for great speed bid command; utter (a greeting); offer as a price; N:
pinnace small boat offer of a price; amount offered; earnest effort to gain
something; Ex. bid for freedom
clip cut off with shears; fasten; N: something clipped off
(as a short extract from film); clasp or fastener gawk stare foolishly; look in open-mouthed awe
galvanize stimulate or shock by an electric current; gazette official periodical publication; newspaper
stimulate by shock; shock into action; stir up; coat with  genealogy record of descent; lineage; ancestry; study of
rust-resistant zinc by using electricity ancestry
galvanic of the production of electricity by the action of  generality vague statement; general statement which is
an acid on a metal; having the effect of an electric shock; not detailed; quality of being general; greater part; most;
Ex. galvanic cell; galvanic effect; CF. Luigi Galvani Ex. generality of people
gambit opening in chess in which a piece is sacrificed;
 generate cause; produce; create
action made to produce a future advantage
 generic characteristic of an entire class or species; of a
ploy strategem to gain an advantage; tactic; Ex. man-
genus
agement ploy
gambol romp; skip about; leap about playfully; frolic; genus division of animals or plants, below a family and
N. above a species

romp play or frolic boisterously; gambol; N.  genesis beginning; origin

zest outer skin of an orange used for giving a special geniality cheerfulness; kindliness; sympathy; ADJ. ge-
taste to food; spice; interest; flavor; spirited enjoyment; nial: cheerful and good-tempered
Ex. add a certain zest to the affair; Ex. zest for life  genre particular variety of art or literature
gamely in a spirited manner; with courage; Ex. fight genteel well-bred; elegant; striving to convey an ap-
gamely against a superior boxer; ADJ. game pearance of refinement; Ex. genteel poverty
gamut entire range gentility those of gentle birth; high social class; refine-
gape open widely; open the mouth wide; stare wonder- ment; quality of being genteel
ingly with the mouth open; CF. agape
breed produce young; rear; bring up; produce (an un-
garbled mixed up; jumbled; distorted; V. garble: mix desirable condition); N: kind or sort of animal or plant
up or distort (a message) to such an extent as to make
misleading or unintelligible
crossbreed hybridize; N: hybrid; CF. interbreed; CF. in-
jumble mix in a confused way breed
gargantuan huge; enormous; gigantic; CF. the hero of well-bred of good upbringing; well-mannered and re-
Gargantua and Pantagruel fined

34
 gentry people of standing(rank or position); people of slick make smooth or glossy; N: smooth surface; Ex. oil
good family or high social position; class of people just slick; ADJ: smooth; glossy; deftly executed; adroit; glib
below nobility
sleek smooth and shining (as from good health); V.
gentle kindly; soft; mild; of good family
glimmer shine erratically; twinkle; N: dim or unsteady
genuflect bend the knee as in worship light; faint indication; Ex. glimmer of hope
 germane pertinent; bearing upon(having connection glitter shine brightly with flashing points of light; Ex.
with) the case at hand; appropriate glittering diamond ring; N: sparkling light; attractive-
ness; glamor; Ex. glitter of the sun on the waves
germinal pertaining to a germ; creative; Ex. germinal
idea glamor compelling charm; ADJ. glamorous
germ earliest form of an organism; seed or bud; some- gloat express evil satisfaction; look at or think about
thing that may develop into something larger or more with evil satisfaction; view malevolently; Ex. The thief
important; microbe gloated over the stolen jewels.
 germinate cause to sprout; sprout gloss over explain away with the intention of deceiving
or hiding faults
sprout begin to grow; give off shoots or buds; N: new
growth on a plant; shoot gloss brief explanation note or translation of a difficult
expression; V.
shoot new growth from a plant
 glossary brief explanation of words used in the text
 gerontocracy government ruled by old people
glossy smooth and shining; N. gloss: shiny brightness
gerontology study of the sociological phenomena asso-
on a surface; superficially attractive appearance; Ex.
ciated with old age
gloss of good manners
geriatrics medical treatment and care of old age
mat not shiny; matte; having a dull finish; N: flat piece
gerrymander change voting district lines in order to of material used as a floor covering; V.
favor a political party; N. CF. Elbridge Gerry +
finish surface texture; completeness of execution
(sala)mander
finished properly made and complete; Ex. finished
gestate evolve as in prenatal growth; N. gestation: pe-
product/performance
riod of development from conception until birth
glower scowl; glare; look or stare angrily
natal connected with birth; CF. prenatal; CF. postnatal
scowl frown angrily; N: angry frown
gesticulation motion; gesture; V. gesticulate: make ges-
tures (while speaking) glut overstock; fill beyond capacity (with food); fill to
excess; N: oversupply
ghastly horrible; terrifying; resembling ghosts; CF.
aghast glutinous sticky; viscous; gluey
gibberish nonsense; nonsensical or unintelligible talk  glutton someone who eats too much; ADJ. gluttonous:
or writing; babbling given to gluttony; greedy; CF. gluttony: habit of eating
too much
gibe mock; make jeering remarks; N: jeering remarks
gnarled twisted
giddy light-hearted; not serious; frivolous; dizzy; caus-
ing dizziness; Ex. giddy youth; Ex. giddy climb/height gnarl protruding knot on a tree; V.
 gnome dwarf; underground spirit who guards treasure
gingerly very carefully; ADJ. hoards
girth distance around something; circumference  goad urge on; drive with a goad; cause (someone) to do
something by continued annoyance; Ex. They goaded
gist essence; main point; substance
him into doing it by saying he was a coward; N: sharp-
 glacial like a glacier; of an ice age; extremely cold; Ex. pointed stick for driving cattle; stimulus; CF. annoy con-
glacial epoch; CF. iceberg tinually
glaring (of something bad) highly conspicuous; harshly gorge narrow canyon; steep rocky cleft; ravine (made
bright; shining intensely and blindingly by a stream which runs through it)
glare shine intensely and blindingly; stare fixedly and gorge stuff oneself (with food); glut; CF. gorgeous: daz-
angrily; N. zlingly beautiful
glaze cover with a thin and shiny surface; apply a glaze gory bloody; N. gore: blood (from a wound)
to; N: thin, smooth, shiny coating (as for pottery); Ex.
shudder shake uncontrollably; tremble; V.
unglazed pottery
gossamer sheer; very light; like cobwebs; N: soft and
glean gather leavings; gather grain left behind by
sheer fabric; cobweb
reapers; gather bit by bit (facts or information) often
with difficulty sheer pure; thin and transparent; very steep
 glib fluent (with insincerity or superficiality); facile;
slick 22
35
 gouge tear out; cut out (as if with a gouge); Ex. gouge grimace facial distortion to show feeling such as pain,
his eyes out; N: chisel for cutting out hollow areas in disgust, etc; V.
wood
grisly ghastly; horrifying; Ex. grisly remains of the bod-
gouge overcharge (with high price); extort from; Ex. ies
gouge the public; CF. usury
groom man employed to take care of horses; V: make
gourmand epicure; person who takes excessive plea- neat and trim; clean and brush (an animal)
sure in food and drink
 grotesque fantastic; comically hideous; strange and un-
gourmet connoisseur of food and drink; epicure natural (causing fear or amusement)
 graduated arranged by degrees (of height, difficulty, hideous repulsive to the sight; ugly; repugnant; Ex.
etc.) hideous face/scream
graduate arrange into categories or grades; divide into grotto small cavern
marked intervals (for use in measurement); Ex. gradu-
grouse complain; fuss; grumble; grouch; N: plump
ated ruler
chickenlike game bird
granary storehouse for grain
grumble complain; mutter discontentedly; grouch; N.
 grandeur impressiveness; stateliness; majesty
mutter utter (complaining words) indistinctly in low
stately formal; ceremonious; grand in style or size; ma- tones
jestic
rumble make or move with a deep rolling sound (as
 grandiloquent (of a person or speech) using high thunder or stomach)
sounding or important-sounding language; pompous;
grovel crawl or creep on ground; remain prostrate; be-
bombastic
have in a servile manner
 grandiose affectedly grand; pretentious; high-flown;
 grudging unwilling; reluctant; stingy(giving reluc-
ridiculously exaggerated; impressive; great in size or
tantly)
scope; grand; Ex. grandiose ideas
gruel thin liquid porridge
high-flown highly pretentious or inflated
matinee(matinee) dramatic or musical performance porridge soft food made by boiling oatmeal
given in the afternoon oatmeal crushed oats used for making porridge
granulate form into grains or granules; N. granule: grueling exhausting; Ex. grueling marathon race
grain or particle
gruesome grisly; horrible
 graphic pertaining to the art of delineating; vividly de-
gruff rough-mannered; (of a voice) rough; hoarse
scribed
grunt utter a deep guttural sound (as a pig does); N.
vivid (of light or color) bright and distinct; evoking life-
like mental images; Ex. vivid red hair/description guffaw boisterous laughter; V.
graphite black form of carbon used in lead pencils  guile deceit; duplicity; wiliness; cunning; Ex. persuade
her by guile
grapple wrestle; come to grips with; take hold of and
struggle with; Ex. grapple with the burglar cunning clever in deceiving; sly; N: cleverness in de-
ceiving; deceit
grate make a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect;
shred by rubbing against a rough surface; Ex. grated  guileless without deceit
cheese N: framework of metal bars to hold fuel in a fire-
 guise outward appearance; costume; Ex. in a new guise
place
 gratify please; satisfy; Ex. gratify a desire
gull trick; deceive; hoodwink; N: person who is easily
gratis free; without charge; ADJ. tricked; dupe
 gratuitous given freely; unwarranted; uncalled for;  gullible easily deceived
done without good reason; Ex. gratuitous comment
gustatory affecting or relating to the sense of taste
 gratuity tip
gusto eager enjoyment; zest; enthusiasm
 gravity seriousness; ADJ. grave
 gusty windy
 gregarious sociable; (of an animal) tending to form a
gust strong abrupt rush of wind; V. CF. bluster
group
guy cable or chain attached to something that needs to
 grievance cause of complaint; complaint
be braced or steadied; CF. guide
grill question severely; cook on a grill; broil; N: cooking
topple become unsteady and fall down
surface of parallel metal bars
overthrow topple; N.
broil cook by direct heat; N.
overturn turn over; capsize; topple
grim causing great fear; unrelenting; determined in
spite of fear; Ex. grim smile capsize (of a boat) turn over

36
 gyroscope apparatus used to maintain balance, ascer- notch V-shaped cut in a surface; V.
tain direction, etc.
 haughtiness pride; arrogance; ADJ. haughty
habituate accustom or familiarize; addict
haunt (of a spirit) visit (a place); come to mind contin-
hackles hairs on back and neck, especially of a dog; Ex. ually; visit (a place) regularly; frequent; Ex. haunted
make someones hackles rise house; Ex. haunted by his last words; N: place much
growl low, guttural, menacing sound (as of a dog) frequented
 hackneyed commonplace; trite haven place of safety; refuge; harbor; Ex. tax haven
haggard wasted away; gaunt; Ex. haggard faces of the havoc widespread damage; disorder; chaos
rescued miners
 hazardous dangerous
haggle argue about prices (in an attempt to bargain)
hazard venture; put in danger; risk; Ex. hazard a guess;
halcyon calm; peaceful; Ex. halcyon days N: possible source of danger
hale healthy  hazy slightly obscure; misty; unclear; N. haze: light
hail frozen rain drop; V: salute or greet; precipitate hail mist or smoke; confused state of mind
hallowed blessed; consecrated; Ex. hallowed ground; headlong hasty; rash; headfirst; ADV.
V. hallow: set apart as holy headfirst moving with the head leading; headlong
 hallucination delusion; false idea; false perception of
headstrong willful; stubborn; unyielding; determined
objects with a compelling sense of their reality; objects
to have ones own way; CF. no excessive
so perceived; V. hallucinate; ADJ. hallucinatory
heckler person who verbally harasses others; V. heckle:
halting hesitant; faltering; not fluent; Ex. halting
verbally harass as with gibes (by interrupting a speaker
steps/voice; V. halt: proceed or act with uncertainty; fal-
or speech)
ter; hesitate; waver; stop
waver move or swing back and forth; be uncertain or  hedonist one who believes that pleasure is the sole aim
unsteady in decision or movement; Ex. wavering be- in life; CF. hedonism: practice of living ones life purely
tween accepting and refusing for pleasure



 hamper obstruct; prevent the free movement of; N: d  heedless not noticing; disregarding

s
_

41
x
p `{

H
  m heed pay attention to; N: close attention
hap chance; luck hegemony dominance especially of one nation over
 haphazard random; by chance; happening in an un- others
planned manner; Ex. haphazard growth of the town heinous atrocious; wicked; hatefully bad; Ex. heinous
hapless unfortunate; luckless crime
harangue long, passionate, and vehement speech; V. gross total; fragrant; clearly wrong; (of peoples behav-
 harass annoy by repeated attacks ior) coarse; corpulent; Ex. gross insolence/behavior; V:
earn as a total amount; N: 12 dozens
 harbinger forerunner (which foreshadows what is to
come) helm steering wheel of a ship; position of control

 harbor give protection (by giving food and shelter); pro-  herbivorous grain-eating; CF. herbivore
vide a refuge for; hide; keep in mind (thoughts or feel-  heresy opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion con-
ings); Ex. harbor a grudge/criminal; N: place of shelter; trary to accepted religion; ADJ. heretical; CF. heretic
refuge
hermetic sealed by fusion so as to be airtight; airtight
habitat natural home of a plant or animal; CF. habita-
tion hermetic concerning alchemy or magic; obscure and
mysterious; occult
hardy (of people or animals) sturdy; robust; (of plants)
able to stand inclement(stormy) weather sterile incapable of producing young; free from mi-
croorganism; V. sterilize
harping tiresome dwelling on a subject; V. harp: dwell
on(think or speak a lot about) tediously hermitage home of a hermit
harrowing agonizing; distressing; traumatic; V. harrow: herpetologist one who studies reptiles; CF. herpetol-
break up and level (soil) with a harrow; inflict great dis- ogy: branch of zoology that deals with reptiles and am-
tress on; agonize; N: farming machine to break up the phibians
earth
heterodox (of beliefs) against accepted opinion; un-
 harry harass, annoy, torment (by repeated attacks); raid orthodox; unconventional
 heterogeneous dissimilar; mixed; not homogeneous;
 hatch deck opening; lid covering a deck opening; V: consisting of dissimilar elements or plants
emerge from an egg; produce (young) from an egg
hew cut to pieces with ax or sword; chop; N.
latch fastening or lock consisting of a movable bar that
fits into a notch; V: close with a latch heyday time of greatest success or power; prime

37
 prime period of ideal or peak condition; earliest or be-  homespun domestic; made at home; spun or woven at
ginning stage; Ex. in the prime of life; Ex. prime of the home; simple and ordinary; Ex. homespun philosophy
year(spring); ADJ: first in importance or rank; first; V:
spin rotate swiftly; make (thread) by twisting (cotton,
make ready; prepare
wool, etc.); N.
primary first in rank or importance; principal; earliest
homily sermon; tedious moralizing lecture; serious
in time; Ex. primary stages; N. CF. first
warning; ADJ. homiletic
primal first in rank or importance; being first in time;
 homogeneous of the same kind; uniform in composi-
original; Ex. mans primal innocence
tion throughout
primate group of mammals including humans
hone sharpen (a tool); N: whetstone for sharpening a
hiatus gap; pause; gap or interruption in space or time; tool
break
hoodwink deceive; delude

23 horde crowd; swarm

hibernal wintry; wintery; of or like winter swarm large group of insects moving in a mass; crowd
of people or animals; V: move in a crowd or mass
 hibernate sleep throughout the winter; N. hibernation
hortatory encouraging; exhortive; marked by exhorta-
 hierarchy arrangement by rank or standing; authoritar- tion; CF. exhort
ian body divided into ranks; body of persons having au-
thority horticultural pertaining to cultivation of gardens; N.
horticulture: science or art of cultivating fruits, vegeta-
totem animal, plant, or natural object serving as a sym- bles, or ornamental plants; CF. agriculture: science or
bol of a clan or family; representation of this; Ex. totem art of farming or growing crops
pole
 hostility unfriendliness; hatred; enmity; ADJ. hostile
 hieroglyphic picture writing; ADJ.
hovel shack; small wretched house
hilarity boisterous mirth(merriment; laughter); ADJ. hi-
larious: full of laughter hut crude dwelling; shack

hindmost furthest behind; farthest to the rear shack crude cabin

wage begin and continue (a war) shed small roofed structure for storage and shelter;
V: pour forth; lose by natural process; repel with-
 hindrance block; obstacle; V. hinder out allowing penetration; radiate; cast; Ex. shed
hinterlands back country; inner part of a country; OP. tears/light/water/skin/leaves
foreland hover hang about; (of birds or aircraft) stay in the air
hireling one who serves for hire (usually used contemp- in one place; (of people) wait nearby; stay around one
tuously); one who works solely for compensation; Ex. place; waver; be in an uncertain state
hireling politician hubbub confused uproar; loud noise; din
hirsute hairy; having a lot of hair hubris arrogance; excessive self-conceit
histrionic theatrical; excessively dramatic or emotional; hue color; aspect; Ex. opinions of every hue
affected; of actors or acting; N. histrionics: histrionic be-
havior hue and cry outcry; loud cry or clamor; strong protest;
Ex. hue and cry against the new rule
historic important in history; Ex. historic battle
 humane marked by kindness or consideration; kind
historical connected with history; based on events in and compassionate; humanitarian
history (whether regarded as important or not)
 humanitarian one devoted to the promotion of human
hoard stockpile; accumulate for future use; N: supply welfare; CF. humanism
stored for future use
humdrum dull; monotonous
hoary white with age
 humid damp; N. humidity
hoax trick which makes someone take action; practical
joke; Ex. hoax mail; V. humility humbleness of spirit
holocaust destruction by fire; CF. burnt whole; CF. humble of low rank or position; modest; having a low
Holocaust opinion of oneself and a high opinion of others; unas-
suming; not proud; V. humiliate: make humble; cause
holster leather pistol case (that hangs on a belt around to feel ashamed or to lose the respect of others
the waist)
hummock small hill; hillock
 homage honor; tribute; great respect; Ex. pay/do
homage to humus substance or rich soil formed by decaying veg-
etable matter; CF. soil
homeostasis tendency of a system or organism to
maintain relative stability or internal equilibrium; CF. hurtle crash; rush; move with great speed; Ex. hurtling
homeo-: constant; Ex. homeotherm runaway train

38
 husband use sparingly; conserve; save; Ex. husband  ignite kindle; light; catch fire or set fire to
ones energy; CF. house holder
ignoble unworthy; not noble; dishonorable; Ex. ignoble
husbandry frugality; thrift; economy; agriculture; farm- deed
ing; Ex. animal husbandry; CF. husbandman ignominy deep disgrace; shame or dishonor; ADJ. ig-
 hybrid mongrel; mixed breed; V. hybridize nominious; Ex. ignominous defeat
mongrel plant or animal (esp. a dog) of mixed breed;  illicit illegal
ADJ. illimitable infinite; limitless
pedigree line of ancestors; ancestry; lineage; ADJ. (of an  illuminate brighten; clear up or make understandable;
animal) descended from of a chosen family; Ex. pedi- enlighten; enable to understand; Ex. illuminating re-
gree dog; CF. cranes foot marks
hydrophobia fear of water; rabies  illusion misleading vision or visual image; false idea or
rabies disease passed on by the bite of an infected ani- belief; CF. delusion
mal (causing madness and death)  illusive deceiving; based on illusion; causing illusion;
hygiene science and practice of the promotion and deceptive
preservation of health; ADJ. hygienic: showing careful  illusory illusive; deceptive; not real
attention to cleanness (to prevent disease); Ex. hygienic
 imbalance lack of balance or symmetry; disproportion
condition
disproportion lack of proportion (between the parts);
hyperbole exaggeration; overstatement; ADJ. hyper-
ADJ. disproportionate
bolic: of hyperbole; of a hyperbola
imbecility weakness of mind; state of being an imbecile;
 hypercritical excessively exacting; too critical (without
N. imbecile: stupid person; fool
noticing good qualities)
 imbibe drink in
hypochondriac person unduly worried about his
health; worrier without cause about illness; ADJ. CF. imbroglio complicated situation (as in a play); painful
hypochondria: neurosis that one is or is becoming ill; or complex misunderstanding (as in a play); entangle-
CF. abdomen ment; confused mass (as of papers); V. embroil
 hypocritical pretending to be virtuous; deceiving; N. imbue saturate(soak thoroughly); fill; Ex. imbue some-
hypocrisy: profession of beliefs one does not possess; one with feelings
CF. hypocrite
 hypothetical based on assumptions or hypotheses; sup- 24
posed; N. hypothesis  immaculate spotless; flawless; absolutely clean
ichthyology study of fish; CF. ichthyo-: fish tenant one that pays rent to use property owned by an-
 icon(ikon) religious image; idol; image or representa- other
tion tenancy possession of land or building by rent; period
iconoclastic attacking cherished traditions; N. icono- of a tenants occupancy
clast: one who attacks traditional ideas; one who de-  imminent impending; near at hand
stroys sacred images
 immobility state of being immovable
 ideology system of ideas characteristic of a group or
immolate offer or kill as a sacrifice (by fire)
culture
 immune resistant to; free or exempt from; N. immunity
idiom expression whose meaning as a whole differs
from the meanings of its individual words; distinctive
style (of expression); Ex. idiom of the modern popular immure imprison; shut up in confinement; CF. wall
music; ADJ. idiomatic  immutable unchangeable
 idiosyncrasy individual trait usually odd in nature; be-  impair injure; hurt; damage
havioral peculiarity; eccentricity; attitude, behavior, or
opinion peculiar to a person; anything highly individ- impale pierce (with a sharp point); Ex. impaled by the
ual or eccentric; ADJ. idiosyncratic spear

idolatry worship of idols; excessive admiration or de-  impalpable imperceptible(not easily understood); in-
votion; ADJ. idolatrous tangible; OP. palpable: tangible; easily perceptible

idyllic charmingly carefree; simple and happy; Ex. idyl-  impartial not biased; fair; N. impartiality
lic scene impart grant a share of; make known; Ex. news to im-
idyll(idyl) short poem idealizing rural life; simple part
happy period of life (in the country); scene from such  impassable not able to be traveled or crossed
a time; Ex. idyll of two young lovers
 impasse predicament(dangerous condition) from
igneous produced by fire; of fire; volcanic; (of rocks) which there is no escape; situation allowing for no
formed from lava; Ex. igneous meteorite further progress

39
 impassive without feeling; expressionless; imper-  implement put into effect; enforce; carry out; supply
turbable; stoical; Ex. impassive face with tools; Ex. implement the plan/suggestion; N: tool
impeach charge (a public official) with crime in office; or instrument
raise doubts about; indict; Ex. impeach a witnesss cred-  implicate incriminate; involve incriminatingly; show to
ibility be involved (in a crime); Ex. implicate someone in the
impeccable faultless crime

credential evidence concerning ones authority; written  implication something hinted at or suggested; imply-
proof of a persons position; Ex. The new ambassador ing; implicating
presented his credentials to the court.  implicit understood but not stated; implied; unques-
 impecunious without money tioning and complete; Ex. implicit trust
 impede hide; retard or obstruct the progress of; block  implode burst inward; CF. vaccum tube
retard delay (in development); ADJ. retarded: (as of a  implore beg
child) slower in development  imply suggest a meaning not expressed; signify
 impediment hindrance; stumbling-block; speech defect impolitic not wise; not expedient; not politic
preventing clear articulation; Ex. speech impediment
 imponderable weightless; that cannot undergo precise
 impel drive or force onward; drive to take action; urge
evaluation; CF. pound
to action
 import significance; importance; meaning
 impending nearing; approaching; about to happen
significant expressing a meaning; important; Ex. sig-
 impenetrable not able to be pierced or entered; beyond
nificant smile; N. significance: importance; meaning; V.
understanding; impossible to understand; Ex. impene-
signify: denote; mean; signal; make known; matter; be
trable mystery
significant
 impenitent not repentant
importunate urging; always demanding; trouble-
 imperative absolutely necessary; that must be done; somely urgent or persistent
critically important; expressing command; Ex. It is im-
perative that; N: something that must be done importune beg persistently; make repeated requests (in
an annoying way)
 imperceptible unnoticeable; impossible to perceive; un-
detectable  imposture assuming a false identity; masquerade; CF.
impostor
 imperial like an emperor; related to an empire; CF. im-
perialism masquerade wear a mask or disguise; pretend; N: cos-
tume party or ball at which masks are worn; pretense;
imperil put in danger disguise
imperious domineering; too commanding; haughty;
 impotent weak; ineffective; lacking in physical strength
CF. imperial/emperor
or power
 impermeable impervious; not permitting passage
crave desire; want intensely
through its substance; impossible to permeate
imprecation curse; swearword
 impertinent insolent; rude; not pertinent; N. imperti-
nence impregnable invulnerable; impossible to capture or en-
 imperturbable unshakably calm; placid ter by force; Ex. impregnable fort/argument; CF. take

collected composed; calm; self-possessed

impregnate make pregnant; fill thoroughly; saturate
impervious impenetrable; incapable of being damaged
or distressed; incapable of being affected (in ones opin-  impromptu without previous preparation; off the
ions); Ex. impervious to water/criticism cuff(end of a sleeve); on the spur of the moment

 impetuous violent; hasty; rash; impulsive; without  impropriety improperness; unsuitableness

careful thought; Ex. impetuous decision  improvident thriftless; not providing for the future
 impetus moving force; momentum; force of a moving  improvise compose on the spur of the moment
body; incentive; stimulus; impulse
 imprudent lacking caution; not prudent; injudicious
 impiety irreverence; lack of respect for God or piety
 impudence impertinence; insolence
impinge infringe; encroach; influence; touch; collide
with; Ex. The effects are impinging on every aspect of impugn dispute or contradict (often in an insulting
our lives. way); attack as false or questionable; challenge; gainsay;
CF. fight
 impious irreverent
impuissance powerlessness; feebleness
 implacable incapable of being pacified; impossible to
appease; Ex. implacable enemy  impunity freedom from punishment or harm; CF. pun-
ish
 implausible unlikely (to be true); unbelievable; Ex. im-
plausible alibi impute attribute; ascribe; charge; N. imputation

40
 inadvertently unintentionally; by oversight; carelessly inchoate (of desire, wish, plan) recently begun; not ex-
plicit; at the beginning of development; rudimentary;
oversee watch over and direct; supervise; N. oversight:
elementary; Ex. inchoate mass
unintentional failure to notice or do something; super-
vision  incidence rate of occurrence; particular occurrence; Ex.
high incidence of infant mortality
 inalienable not to be taken away; nontransferable; Ex.
inalienable rights  incidental not essential; minor; N: something incidental
inane silly; senseless; Ex. inane remarks; N. inanity
incident event; event that causes a crisis
 inanimate lifeless; not animate
incinerate burn to ashes
inarticulate speechless; producing indistinct speech;
not articulate; not expressing oneself clearly  incipient beginning; in an early stage
speechless unable for the moment to speak (because of  incisive (appreciatively) cutting; sharp; Ex. incisive re-
strong feeling); Ex. speechless with anger marks; V. incise: make a cut into
 inaugurate begin formally; install in office; induct into  incite arouse to action; goad; motivate; induce to exist;
office by a formal ceremony; N. inauguration; ADJ. in- Ex. incite a riot/the crowd to rebellion
augural
inclement stormy; unkind; unmerciful; CF. clement
incandescent strikingly bright; shining with intense
 incline slope; slant; Ex. steep incline
heat; emitting visible light when heated; Ex. incandes-
cent light bulb; CF. candle  inclined tending or leaning toward; bent; V. incline:
slant; dispose; be disposed; tend
incantation singing or chanting of magic spells; magi-
cal formula; (the saying of) words used in magic; CF. tend have a tendency; take care of; minister; serve at;
enchant apply ones attention; attend
chant tune(melody) in which a number of words are  inclusive tending to include all; all-inclusive; Ex. inclu-
sung on the same note; V: sing (a chant); utter (a slogan) sive charge
in the manner of a chant  incognito with identity concealed; using an assumed
charm quality of pleasing; amulet; action or formula name; ADJ.
thought to have magical power; spell; V: attract; cast a  incoherent unintelligible; muddled; unable to express
spell on; bewitch ones thoughts in an orderly manner; illogical; lacking
bewitch cast a spell over; captivate completely cohesion; not coherent
recite repeat aloud (something learned); describe; Ex.  incommodious not spacious; inconvenient
recite his complaints; N. recitation  incompatible inharmonious; N. incompatibility
recital act of reciting publicly; detailed account; perfor-  incongruity lack of harmony; absurdity; ADJ. incongru-
mance of music or dance (by a solo performer) ous: lacking in harmony; inappropriate
incapacitate disable; N. incapacity: lack of capacity attire clothe; N: clothing; array; apparel
 incarcerate imprison  inconsequential insignificant; unimportant
 incarnate endowed with flesh; invested with bodily  inconsistency state of being self-contradictory; lack of
form; personified; Ex. devil incarnate; V: give bodily uniformity or steadiness; ADJ. inconsistent: displaying
form to; embody a lack of consistency; erratic; contradictory; incompati-
 incarnation act of assuming a human body and human ble
nature; one who personifies something; personification;  incontinent lacking self-restraint; not continent; licen-
Ex. previous incarnation/reincarnation tious
personify represent (an inanimate object) as a person;  incontrovertible indisputable; impossible to dispute;
be the embodiment or perfect example of; Ex. She is not open to question; unquestionable
evil/patience personified; N. personification
 incorporate introduce something into a larger whole;
 incendiary arsonist; ADJ: causing fire; of arson; Ex. in- include; embody; give material form to; ADJ.
cendiary bomb
incorporeal without a material body; insubstantial
 incense enrage; infuriate(make furious); make ex-
tremely angry; outrage; N: aromatic substance burned  incorrigible uncorrectable
to produce a pleasant odor  incredulity tendency to disbelief
 incentive spur; motive; something which encourages  incredulous withholding belief; skeptical; showing dis-
one to greater activity belief
 inception start; beginning  increment increase
 incessant uninterrupted; unceasing  incriminate accuse of or implicate in a crime; serve as
evidence against; cause to seem or make guilty of a
25 crime; Ex. incriminating evidence

41
 incrustation hard coating or crust; V. incrust: encrust;  indissoluble permanent; impossible to dissolve or dis-
cover with a crust integrate
 incubate hatch; warm (eggs) with the body to promote  indite write; compose
hatching; maintain at optimal environment conditions  indolent lazy
for development; be holding in ones body an infection
which is going to develop into a disease; N. incubation;  indomitable unconquerable; unyielding
CF. incubation:disease indubitable unable to be doubted; which cannot be
inasmuch as since; owing to the fact that doubted; unquestionable

 incubus burden; very worriying problem; mental care;  induce persuade; lead to do something; bring about; N.
nightmare; male devil; CF. succubus inducement

 inculcate teach (ideas or principles); instill  inductive pertaining to induction or proceeding from
the specific to the general
 incumbent obligatory; imposed as an obligation; cur-
induct place formally in office; install; admit as a mem-
rently holding an office; N: person who holds an office
ber; initiate; N. induction: inducting; process of deriv-
ing general principles from particular facts
 incur bring upon oneself
 indulgent humoring; yielding; lenient; showing indul-
 incursion temporary invasion; CF. excursion: short gence
journey
indulge yield to; gratify; allow oneself a special plea-
inroad hostile invasion; advance that lessens the quan- sure; Ex. indulge ones every whim/a child/in a big
tity or difficulty of something; Ex. The long illness made cigarette; N. indulgence
serious inroads on his savings; CF. raid humor indulge; comply with the wishes of; N. quality
 indefatigable tireless; untiring; showing no sign of get- that makes something amusing; state of mind; mood;
ting tired Ex. in a bad humor; Ex. out of humor
 indelible not able to be erased  industrious diligent; hard-working; N. industry
indemnify make secure against damage or loss; com- inebriated habitually intoxicated; drunk; N. inebriety
pensate for damage or loss; CF. make uninjured inebriate make drunk; intoxicate; N. intoxicated person
 indentation notch; deep recess; V. indent; CF. tooth
indenture bind as servant or apprentice to master; bind intoxicate make drunk; stimulate or excite; Ex. intoxi-
by indenture; N: contract binding one party into the ser- cated by all the money he might win
vice of another for a specified time (as between an ap- ineffable unutterable; not to be uttered; taboo; that can-
prentice and his master) not be expressed in speech; indescribable; unspeakable;
 indeterminate uncertain; not clearly fixed; indefinite inexpressible; Ex. ineffable name/joy

 indicative suggestive; implying; serving to indicate  ineffectual not effective; not having a desired effect;
weak
 indices signs; indications; Ex. indices of a students po-
ineluctable irresistible; not to be escaped; unavoidable
tential; CF. index: something that reveals or indicates;
sign; Ex. cost-of-living index  inept unsuited; inappropriate; lacking skill; incompe-
tent; CF. inapt: (of statements or ideas) inappropriate
 indict charge; N. indictment
 indifferent unmoved or unconcerned by; having no in-
 inequity unfairness; ADJ. inequitable
terest in; mediocre; neither good nor bad
inerrancy infallibility
 indigence poverty
inert inactive; lacking power to move; unable to move
 indigenous native; Ex. plant indigenous to the New or act; Ex. chemically inert; N. inertia: state of being
World inert; force which keeps a thing in the position or state
 indigent poor; destitute  inevitable unavoidable
 indignation anger at an injustice; Ex. righteous indig- inexorable relentless; unyielding; implacable; not capa-
nation; ADJ. indignant ble of being changed by entreaty or efforts; Ex. inex-
righteous morally upright; just orable price rises
rightful legally correct; Ex. rightful owner  infallible unerring; never making mistakes

 indignity treatment or situation that causes shame or  infamous notoriously bad; notorious; well known for
loss of dignity, respect; offensive or insulting treatment; being bad; Ex. infamous behavior; N: infamy: infamous
humiliating or degrading treatment; Ex. I suffered the act; evil fame or reputation
indignity of having to say that in front of them.  infantile childish; infantlike
 indiscriminate choosing at random; confused; not  infer deduce; conclude; N. inference
based on careful distinctions
infernal pertaining to hell; devilish; N. inferno: place of
 indisputable too certain to be disputed; beyond doubt fiery heat or destruction

42
 infidel unbeliever (with respect to a particular religion) innuendo indirect or subtle (derogatory) hint; insinua-
tion; Ex. sexual innuendo
 infiltrate pass into or through; penetrate or enter (an or-  inopportune untimely; inappropriate or ill-timed;
ganization) sneakily; Ex. infiltrate the troops into enemy poorly chosen
territory; CF. infiltrator
inordinate beyond reasonable limits; unrestrained; ex-
penetrate enter into; pierce; permeate; see through; cessive; Ex. inordinate demands
grasp the inner significance of; understand
 inquisitor questioner (especially harsh); investigator;
 infinitesimal very small person making an inquisition
 infirmity weakness inquisitive eager for knowledge; unduly curious
 inflated exaggerated; pompous; enlarged (with air or insalubrious unwholesome; not healthful; Ex. insalu-
gas) brious place
 influx flowing into healthful conducive to good health; Ex. healthful
 infraction violation (of a rule or regulation); breach mountain air
healthy possessing good health; healthful
26 wholesome conducive to mental or physical health;
 infringe violate (a law); encroach (the right of another healthful
person)  insatiable not easily satisfied; unquenchable; Ex. insa-
 ingenious marked by inventive skill; clever; resource- tiable appetite
ful; N. ingenuity inscrutable difficult to understand; impenetrable; not
resourceful clever and imaginative (in dealing with dif- readily understood; mysterious
ficult situations); N. resource, resourcefulness insensate without feeling; lacking sense; foolish
 ingenuous naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated; insensible unconscious; unresponsive; insensitive; un-
candid aware; imperceptible; Ex. insensible of his danger/to
ingenue ingenue; young innocent girl pain; Ex. insensible change; CF. not the opposite of sen-
sible
 ingrained deeply established; firmly rooted; Ex. in-
grained dirt/prejudice insidious treacherous; stealthy; sly; working or spread-
ing harmfully in a stealthy manner; Ex. insidious
 ingrate ungrateful person (not expressing thanks) spreading of dry rot
ingratiate become popular with; bring (oneself) in favor  insightful discerning; perceptive
of another; Ex. ingratiate himself with the boss
insinuate hint; imply; suggest indirectly; creep in; in-
 inherent firmly established by nature or habit; intrinsic troduce or insert (oneself) by artful means; Ex. insinuate
 inhibit restrain; prohibit; retard or prevent; N. inhibi- himself into the bosss favor; CF. ingratiate
tion creep move with body close to the ground; move
inhibited (of a person) unable to express what one re- stealthily or slowly; N.
ally feels artful exhibiting art or skill; deceitful; cunning; CF. arti-
uninhibited having no inhibitions; free in behavior and fice
feelings insipid lacking in flavor; lacking interest; dull; Ex. in-
inimical (of someone) unfriendly; hostile; (of some- sipid food/character
thing) harmful; detrimental; CF. enemy  insolence impudent disrespect; haughtiness; ADJ. inso-
 inimitable matchless; not able to be imitated lent; CF. haughty + rude
 iniquitous wicked; immoral; unrighteous; N. iniquity;  insolvent bankrupt; lacking money to pay; N. insol-
Ex. den of iniquity vency
 initiate begin; originate; receive into a group; introduce  insomnia wakefulness; inability to sleep
to a new field or activity; Ex. initiate someone into the insouciant without concern or care; unconcerned; indif-
mysteries of a secret religion; N: one who has been initi- ferent
ated
instigate start; urge; provoke; incite; Ex. instigate a
 injurious harmful; causing injury search/quarrel
inkling hint; slight indication
 insubordination disobedience; rebelliousness; ADJ. in-
 innate inborn subordinate
 innocuous harmless  insubstantial lacking substance; insignificant; frail; im-
material
 innovation change; something newly introduced; intro-
duction of something new; V. innovate: begin or intro- insularity narrow-mindedness; isolation; ADJ. insular:
duce (something new); be creative; ADJ. innovative of an island; isolated; narrow-minded; CF. peninsula

43
 insuperable insurmountable; unbeatable; Ex. insupera- intrude put or force in without being asked; trespass;
ble difficulties enter as an uninvited person; Ex. intrude ones own
opinion into the report; CF. thrust in
odds chances; probability; disagreement; Ex. The odds
are that it will rain. Ex. at odds with  intuition immediate insight; power of knowing with-
out reasoning; ADJ. intuitive; V. intuit: know by intu-
 insurgent rebellious; N.
ition
 insurmountable overwhelming; unbeatable; insupera-
 inundate flood; overflow; submerge; cover completely;
ble
Ex. inundated with work
 insurrection rebellion; uprising
overwhelm (of water) cover completely; defeat com-
 intangible not able to be perceived by touch; vague pletely by much greater force; Ex. overwhelmed by grief
 integral complete; necessary for completeness; Ex. inte-
gral part submerge place under water; dip; go under water;
cover completely (as with water); Ex. submerged in
 integrate make whole; combine; make into one unit
work
 integrity honesty; uprightness; wholeness; state of be-
engulf surround and swallow up
ing whole and undivided; completeness
inured accustomed; hardened; Ex. inured to the
upright (sitting or standing) straight up; honest; moral
Alaskan cold; V. inure: make used to something unde-
 intellect higher mental powers; person of great intellec- sirable; harden; CF. unfeeling
tual ability
 invalidate weaken; destroy; make invalid; nullify
 intelligentsia intellectuals; members of the educated
invalid one incapacitated(disabled) by a chronic illness;
elite (often used derogatorily)
ADJ: incapacitated by illness; not valid; null; V: allow to
 inter bury; N. interment leave (a military force) because of ill-health
cemetery place for burying the dead  invective abuse
 interdict prohibit; forbid; N. inveigh denounce; utter censure or invective; Ex. in-
veigh against the evils of drink
 interim meantime; Ex. in the interim; ADJ. taking place
during an interim; Ex. interim paper inveigle deceive; lead astray by deception; whee-
dle(cajole); Ex. inveigle her into joining the club; CF.
interloper intruder; one who interferes
interest dishonestly
 interminable endless
 inverse opposite
 intermittent periodic; on and off; stopping and starting  invert turn upside down or inside out; reverse the posi-
at intervals tion or condition of
 internecine mutually destructive
interpolate insert between 27
interregnum period between two successive reigns or  inveterate deep-rooted; habitual; CF. grow old
governments invidious designed to create ill will or envy; tending to
interrogate question closely; cross-examine; cross- rouse ill will or envy; Ex. invidious comparison
question  invincible unconquerable
 intervene come between; interfere; Ex. intervened to inviolable secure from corruption, attack, or viola-
prevent a fight; N. intervention tion(or profanation); unassailable; Ex. inviolable
intimate hint; suggest; imply; ADJ: marked by close oath/rights; N. inviolability
relationship; familiar; private; personal; Ex. intimate invocation prayer for help (used in invoking); calling
knowledge/thoughts in the diary; N: close friend or upon as a reference or support; act of invoking
confidant; CF. intimacy
invoke call and bring into use (a right or law); call
 intimidate frighten; N. intimidation on/upon (a higher power or god) for help; ask for; beg
 intractable unruly; difficult to manage; Ex. intractable for; conjure (a spirit); Ex. invoke the veto power; Ex.
problem/child invoke ones advisor/God
 invulnerable incapable of injury; impossible to damage
 intransigence refusal of any compromise; stubborn-
or injure
ness; ADJ. intransigent: uncompromising
 iota very small quantity
 intrepid fearless
irascible irritable; easily angered
 intrinsic essential; inherent; built-in
irate angry; CF. ire: anger; wrath
introspective looking within oneself; N. introspection:
self-examination iridescent exhibiting rainbowlike colors; Ex. iridescent
oil slick; N. iridescence
 introvert one who is introspective or inclined to think
more about oneself; ADJ. introverted  irksome annoying; tedious; V. irk: annoy

44
 ironic expressing irony; occurring in an unexpected and jettison throw overboard (from a ship or plane)
contrary manner
jibe agree; be in harmony with; gibe
irony hidden sarcasm or satire; use of words that seem
 jingoist extremely aggressive and militant patriot; war-
to mean the opposite of what they actually mean; use of
like chauvinist; N. jingoism: extreme nationalism
words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning
jocose given to(having a tendency of) joking
 irreconcilable impossible to reconcile; incompatible;
not able to be resolved jocular said or done in jest or playfully; marked by jok-
 irrefutable indisputable; incontrovertible; undeniable ing

 irrelevant not applicable; unrelated jest playful remark or act; V. act or speak playfully

 irremediable incurable; uncorrectable; impossible to jocund merry

remedy jollity gaiety; cheerfulness; ADJ. jolly: merry; gay
 irreparable not able to be corrected or repaired; impos- jostle shove; bump; push against (someone) rather
sible to repair roughly; Ex. jostled by the crowds
 irrepressible unable to be restrained or held back; im- shove push forward; push roughly; Ex. pushing and
possible to hold back shoving to get on the bus; N.
 irreproachable beyond reproach; blameless; impecca- bump hit or knock against with force; N.
ble; Ex. irreproachable conduct
jovial good-natured; merry; cheerful
 irresolute uncertain how to act; weak; lacking in resolu-
tion; indecisive; N. irresolution  jubilation rejoicing; great joy
indecisive marked by indecision; inconclusive; Ex. in-  judicious sound on judgment; wise
decisive battle juggernaut irresistible crushing force; overwhelming
indecision irresolution; inability to make up ones mind advancing force that crushes everything in its path
jug pitcher; container for holding liquids
 irretrievable impossible to recover or regain; CF. re- juncture crisis; point in time; joining point; joint; act of
trieve joining
 irreverence lack of proper respect or reverence; ADJ. ir- junket trip especially one taken for pleasure by an offi-
reverent cial at public expense
 irrevocable unalterable; irreversible; impossible to re-
junta group of persons joined in political intrigue; ca-
voke
bal; group of military officers ruling a country after seiz-
 isotope varying from of an element ing power (by force)
isthmus narrow neck of land connecting two larger jurisprudence science of law
bodies of land
jurisdiction right and power to apply the law; authority
itinerant wandering; traveling from place to place (to
perform work); Ex. itinerant preacher
juridical of the law and its administration; CF. judicial:
itinerary plan of a trip; record of a trip of courts of law; CF. judiciary
jabber chatter rapidly or unintelligibly juxtapose place side by side; CF. next
jab poke abruptly with something sharp; punch with kaleidoscope tube in which patterns made by the reflec-
short blows tion in mirrors of colored pieces of glass, etc. produce in-
jaded tired or uninterested by surfeit; fatigued; sur- teresting symmetrical effects; series of changing events;
feited; worn out; wearied; Ex. jaded appetite Ex. kaleidoscope of European history; CF. beautiful
 jargon language used by special group; technical termi- ken range of knowledge; Ex. beyond ones ken
nology; gibberish; nonsensical or incoherent talk  kernel central or vital part; core; whole seed (as of corn)
jaundiced yellowed; prejudiced (envious, hostile, or re-
sentful) from long and disappointing experience of hu- killjoy grouch; spoilsport; one who intentionally spoils
man affairs; Ex. with a jaundiced eye the pleasure of others
jaundice medical condition in which the skin, the white grouch bad-tempered complaint; person who keeps
part of the eyes, etc. turn yellow; V: affect with jaundice; complaining; V: complain; grumble
affect with prejudice, envy, or hostility; bias
spoilsport one who spoils the pleasure of others
jaunt trip; short journey
 kindle start a fire; ignite; inspire; arouse
jaunty cheerful and pleased with life; lighthearted; an-
imated; easy and carefree; dapper in appearance; Ex. kindred related; belonging to the same group; similar in
jaunty person/hat nature or character; Ex. kindred languages; N: relative;
kin; kinship
 jeopardize endanger; imperil; put at risk; N. jeopardy:
danger  kinetic producing motion; of motion

45
 kismet fate; destiny; Ex. Kismet is the Arabic word for laity laypersons; laymen; persons not connected with
fate. the clergy
kleptomaniac person who has a compulsive desire to layman man who is not a cleric; man who is nonprofes-
steal sional
knave untrustworthy person; rogue; scoundrel; jack; N.  lament grieve; express sorrow; N. lamentation
knavery
lampoon ridicule; N: written attack ridiculing or satiriz-
knead mix; work dough; mix and work into a uniform ing a person, group, or institution
mass (with the hands); Ex. knead dough
lancet small surgical tool for making incisions
knell tolling of a bell especially to indicate a funeral,
lance pierce with a lance; cut into; N: spearlike weapon
disaster, etc.; sound of the funeral bell; V.
 languid lacking energy or vitality; weary; sluggish; list-
toll sound (a large bell) slowly at regular intervals; N:
less
sound of a bell; fixed tax or charge
 languish lose animation or strength
curfew regulation requiring all people to leave the
streets at stated times; signal (as a bell) announcing the  languor lack of physical or mental energy; lassitude; de-
hour of a curfew pression
knit contract into wrinkles; grow together; join together lank long and thin; Ex. Lank, gaunt, Abraham Lincoln
closely; make (a fabric or garment) by interwining yarn lap take in food or drink with ones tongue; splash gen-
or thread; Ex. knit the brow; Ex. The bones should knit tly; Ex. waves lapping the shore; N: front area from the
together in a few weeks. waist to the knees of a seated person
crochet make (a piece of needlework) by looping thread larceny theft; Ex. petit larceny
with a hooked needle; N. CF. crotchet
larder pantry; place where food is kept
knoll little round hill; hillock
largess generous gift (given to people who do not have
knotty intricate; difficult; tangled; CF. knot enough)
kudos honor; glory; acclaim or praise for exceptional  lascivious lustful
achievement
lust intense sexual desire; intense eagerness; V.
entourage group of attendants; retinue; CF. surround
lassitude languor; weariness; listlessness
labile likely to change; unstable; Ex. emotionally labile;
N. lability  latent present but not yet noticeable or active; dormant;
hidden; N. latency; CF. potential
 laborious demanding much work or care; tedious
 lateral of or coming from the side
 labyrinth maze
latitude freedom from narrow limitations
laceration torn ragged wound; V. lacerate: tear (the skin
as with broken glass); wound  laud praise; N. ADJ. laudable: praiseworthy; ADJ.
laudatory: expressing praise
rip tear or be torn quickly and violently; Ex. The sail
ripped under the force of the wind; N. lavish liberal; wasteful; generous or wasteful in giving
or using; abundant; profuse; great; Ex. decorated lav-
rag scrap of cloth; ADJ. ragged: old and torn; ishly; V. give in abundance
seeming unfinished and imperfect; Ex. ragged de-
but/performance lax careless; negligent; not paying enough attention; Ex.
lax service
lachrymose producing tears; tearful
leaven add leaven to; cause to rise or grow lighter; en-
lackadaisical lacking interest or effort; lacking purpose liven; N: agent, such as yeast, that causes dough to rise
or zest; lazy; halfhearted; languid (by fermentation); element that lightens or enlivens
halfhearted exhibiting little interest or enthusiasm enliven make lively or spirited; animate
lackluster lacking luster(shine; gloss); dull  lechery gross lewdness; lustfulness; ADJ. lecherous; N.
laconic brief and to the point; using few words; terse lecher: lecherous man
laggard slow; sluggish; N: one who lags; straggler lectern reading desk or stand for a public speaker
lag move or develop more slowly; straggle; Ex. lag be- leery (of someone) suspicious; wary; cautious
hind the rest; N. leeway room to move; margin; latitude; Ex. leeway for
straggle stray or fall behind (a main group); spread out the deadline
in a scattered group; Ex. straggling marathon racer; Ex. margin border; room; allowance beyond what is
straggling branch needed; Ex. margin of safety

28 marginal of a margin; barely within a limit; Ex.

marginal effect/writing ability
lagoon shallow body of water or lake near a sea; lake  legacy gift made by a will; something handed down
separated from a sea by sandbars or coral reefs from an ancestor

46
 legend explanatory list of symbols on a map abide dwell; abide by: comply with; put up with; toler-
ate; Ex. abide by the rules; Ex. I cant abide rude people.
legerdemain sleight(dexterity) of hand; CF. light of
hand
limn draw; outline; describe; CF. line ?
 leniency mildness; permissiveness; ADJ. lenient: not
severe in judgment or punishment limpid crystal clear
permissive allowing much freedom; lenient; Ex. per-  lineage descent; ancestry
missive society lineaments features especially of the face; distinctive
 leonine like a lion shape or contour of the face; CF. line

 lethal deadly feature distinctive part of the faces (as the eyes or
mouth); features: overall appearance of the face; promi-
 lethargic drowsy; dull; N. lethargy: state of sluggish- nent or distinctive quality; prominent article; film; V:
ness and inactivity make prominent
levee earthen or stone embankment to prevent flood- linger loiter or dawdle; be slow in leaving; delay going;
ing; CF. raise continue or persist; be slow to disappear; Ex. The smell
levitate rise and float in the air (especially by magical lingered for days.
means); CF. light persist continue in existence; last; continue in a course
of action in spite of opposition; Ex. persist in/with
 levity lack of seriousness or steadiness; frivolity; light-
something; ADJ. persistent
ness of manner
 linguistic pertaining to language
levy impose (a fine); collect (a payment); impose or col-
lect (a tax); Ex. levy a tax on tobacco lionize treat (a person) as a celebrity
 lewd lustful liquidate settle accounts; pay off (a debt); clear up;
eliminate; kill or abolish
lexicographer compiler of a dictionary; CF. lexicogra-
phy: work of compiling a dictionary list tilt (as of a ship); lean over (to one side)

lexicon dictionary  listless lacking in spirit or energy; languid

litany supplicatory prayer; prayer in which the priest
liability drawback; handicap; debts; obligation; respon-
calls out and the people replies in the same words
sibility; condition of being liable; ADJ. liable: likely; re-
sponsible (for paying) lithe flexible; supple; CF. limber
 liaison contact that keeps parties in communication; willowy flexible; pliant; slender; CF. willow
communication between groups; one that maintains litigation lawsuit; N. litigant: one party in a lawsuit; V.
communication; go-between; secret love affair; V. liaise: litigate
keep a connection
litotes understatement for emphasis; Ex. not
 libel defamatory written statement; act of writing bad(=pretty good)
something that smears a persons character; V. ADJ. li-
understate state with less truth than seems warranted
belous
by the facts; Ex. He understated the seriousness of the
libertine debauched person; dissolute or licentious per- crime; N. understatement; OP. overstate
son; roue; CF. free
livid lead-colored; black and blue (as from a bruise);
roue lecherous man ashen; enraged; extremely angry
 libidinous lustful loath reluctant; unwilling; disinclined; Ex. Romeo and
Juliet were both loath for him to go.
libido psychic and emotional energy or urges behind
human activity; sexual desire  loathe detest; ADJ. loathsome: arousing loathing; offen-
sive; Ex. loathsome smell
libretto text of an opera or oratorio; CF. book
lode metal-bearing vein(long deposit of an ore)
 licentious amoral; lewd and lascivious; unrestrained
 lofty very high
license official or legal permission; latitude of action or
speech; excessive freedom that causes harm or damage; loft room or space under the roof; attic
V.  log record of a voyage or flight; record of day-to-day
lien legal claim or right on a property activities; section of a trunk; V.
 loiter hang about/around; stand idly about; linger
ligneous like wood
loll lounge about
lilliputian extremely small; CF. Lilliput in Gullivers
Travels lounge stand, sit, or lie in a lazy, relaxed way
limber flexible; supple; pliable; V.  longevity long life; long duration

limbo region near heaven or hell where certain souls are loom appear or take shape (usually in an enlarged, in-
kept; prison (slang); Ex. Purgatory and Limbo distinct, or distorted form); Ex. The shadow of the gal-
lows loomed threateningly. N: apparatus for making
abode dwelling place; home thread into cloth

47
 gallows framework from which a noose is suspended macerate soften by soaking in liquid; waste away; Ex.
(used for execution by hanging) macerate powdered wood to make paper
noose loop formed in a rope Machiavellian crafty; double-dealing; of the political
doctrine of Machiavelli, which holds that craft and de-
lope gallop slowly
ceit are justified in pursuing political power
 loquacious talkative; N. loquacity
machinations evil schemes or plots; schemes or plots to
achieve an evil end; V. machinate
29 maculated spotted; stained; CF. immaculate
lout clumsy person; ADJ. loutish; CF. from countrysides
? madrigal pastoral song; song for several singers with-
out instruments
low moo; make the sound of a cow
maelstrom violent whirlpool; violent or tublent situa-
lubricate apply a lubricant to; N. lubricant: substance tion; CF. stream
that reduces friction
magisterial authoritative; imperious; commanding; of
 lucid easily understood; clear; intelligible; N. lucidity a magistrate; Ex. magisterial study of Roman law; Ex.
 lucrative profitable; producing wealth magisterial manner

lucre money; profit; Ex. filthy lucre magistrate official with power to administer the law

filth dirty matter; ADJ. filthy  magnanimity generosity; ADJ. magnanimous: gener-
ous
ludicrous laughable; ridiculous; trifling
magnate person of prominence or influence; powerful
lugubrious mournful; sorrowful or influential person (in business or industry); Ex. oil
lull moment of calm; period of reduced activity; Ex. a magnate
lull in the rain; V: cause to become less active; cause to  magniloquent boastful; pompous
sleep or rest; Ex. lull the opponents into a false sense of
security; CF. lullaby  magnitude greatness (in size or extent); extent
lumber move heavily or clumsily; Ex. The bear lum- maim mutilate; injure lastingly; disable; cripple; Ex.
bered through the woods; N: timber maimed for life
lumen unit of light energy (one candles worth) mangle tear or cut to pieces; mutilate or disfigure; Ex.
badly mangled bodies
luminary celebrity (in a specific field); dignitary; object
that gives light (as a celestial body)  maladroit clumsy; not skillful; awkward; bungling
dignitary person of high rank or position  malady illness
luminous shining (esp. in the dark); issuing light; Ex. malaise uneasiness; vague feeling of ill health (without
luminous paint/road signs any particular pain or appearance of disease)
 lunar pertaining to the moon malapropism comic misuse of a word; CF. Mrs.
lunatic insane; Ex. lunatic asylum Malaprop

lurid wild; sensational; graphic; gruesome; horrible; Ex. malapropos inappropriate; ADV.
lurid details of the murder  malcontent person dissatisfied with existing state of af-
lurk stealthily lie in waiting; slink; exist unperceived fairs; discontented person; ADJ: discontented

slink move furtively; ADJ. slinky: stealthy; furtive;  malediction curse

sneaky (as in ambush)  malefactor evildoer; criminal
luscious pleasing to taste or smell; delicious maleficient doing evil; N. maleficience
luster shine; gloss (of a polished surface)  malevolent wishing evil; exhibiting ill will; N. malevo-
lustrous shining; brilliant; Ex. lustrous hair lence
luxuriant abundant; growing healthily and in large malfeasance wrongdoing; misconduct (by a public offi-
amounts; excessively ornate; rich and splendid; fertile; cial)
Ex. luxuriant forests/prose; CF. luxurious, luxuriate  malicious hateful; spiteful; expressing malice; N. mal-
macabre gruesome; grisly; ghastly; CF. of death ice: desire to harm others; spite
morgue mortuary; place where bodies are kept before  malign speak evil of; bad-mouth(criticize spitefully);
burial or cremation defame; ADJ: harmful; Ex. malign influence
cremate incinerate (a corpse); N. crematory, cremato-  malignant tending to cause death; highly injurious; ag-
rium gressively malevolent; Ex. malignant tumor
mace ceremonial staff used as a symbol of authority;  malingerer one who feigns illness to escape duty; V.
clublike medieval weapon malinger: feign illness to avoid work

48
 malleable (of a metal) capable of being shaped by enlist (cause to) join the armed forces; obtain (help,
pounding(beating); pliable; (of someone) impression- sympathy, or support)
able(easily influenced); easily controlled; tractable
marsupial one of a family of mammals that nurse their
 malodorous foul-smelling offspring in a pouch(pocket of skin or leather); CF. kan-
compost mixture of decaying organic matter used as garoo, opossum, wombat
fertilizer; V: put or make compost  martial warlike; of war; Ex. martial art/law
 mammal vertebrate animal whose female suckles its cadet student at a military school
young
martinet strict disciplinarian; person who demands to-
vertebrate having a backbone or spinal column; N: tal obedience to rules and orders; CF. Jean Martinet
group of animals having a segmented spinal column
 martyr one who voluntarily suffers death for his or her
suckle give or take milk at the breast or udder religion or cause; great sufferer; Ex. martyr to his
nurse suckle; take care of (as a nurse); bear in mind; rheumatism
Ex. nursing mother; Ex. nurse a hope/grudge against  masochist person who enjoys his own pain; CF.
someone masochism
 mammoth gigantic; enormous masticate chew
 manacle restrain; handcuff; N.  materialism preoccupation with physical comforts and
mandate order; charge; authoritative command; power things; excessive regard for worldly concerns (rather
to govern another country; power to given to a govern- than spiritual matters)
ment; region under administration; V: give a mandate  maternal motherly; N. maternity: motherhood
to; place under a mandate; Ex. mandated territory
 matriarch woman who rules a family or larger social
 mandatory obligatory; compulsory; of a mandate group
mangy shabby; wretched; suffering from mange; of bad matriculate enroll (in college or graduate school); CF.
appearance matrix
mange skin disease (esp. of domestic animals) marked matrix point of origin; array of numbers or algebraic
by loss of hair symbols; mold or die; Ex. the matrix of Western civi-
 maniacal raging mad; insane; N. maniac: insane per- lization
son; CF. mania: disorder of the mind; intense enthusi- maudlin effusively sentimental
asm
sentimental swayed by sentiment; appealing to the sen-
 manifest evident; visible; obvious; V: show plainly timents
manifestation outward demonstration; manifesting; in- maul handle roughly; batter; injure by beating; Ex.
dication of the presence of something; Ex. manifestation mauled by his overexcited fans; N: heavy long-handled
of his pronounced musical bent hammer
pronounced distinct; very noticeable; Ex. pronounced
limp 30
 manifesto public declaration of principles; statement of mausoleum monumental tomb; large stately tomb; CF.
policy Mausolos
manifold many in number or kind; numerous; varied mauve pale purple
manipulate operate with ones hands; control or play maverick rebel; nonconformist (in a group)
upon (people, forces, etc.) artfully; maneuver; Ex. how
mawkish mushy(sentimental) and gushy; icky-sticky
to manipulate publicity and men; ADJ. manipulative
sentimental; excessively and objectionably sentimental
mannered affected; not natural; Ex. mannered way of
speech
 maxim proverb; truth pithily stated
mannerism distinctive behavioral trait; affected style in
mayhem injury to body; crime of willfully maiming or
art (according to a set of styles)
crippling a person; violent disorder; Ex. mayhem in the
manumit emancipate; free from slavery or bondage zoo; CF. maim
 marital pertaining to marriage  meager scanty; inadequate
maritime bordering on(adjacent to) the sea; nautical; of mealymouthed indirect in speech (when something un-
the ships or the sea; Ex. Maritime Provinces pleasant must be said); hypocritical; evasive
 marked noticeable; targeted for vengeance or attack; Ex. meander wind or turn in its course; follow a winding or
marked improvement/man turning course; move aimlessly and idly
marred damaged; disfigured; V. mar: spoil; disfigure meddlesome interfering; V. meddle: interfere
marshal put in order; guide ceremoniously to the cor-  mediate settle a dispute through the services of an out-
rect place; Ex. marshal the children into the museum; sider; act as an intermediary; produce by mediating; Ex.
N: military officer; official mediate a cease-fire

49
 intermediary intermediate; acting as a mediator; N: me- metallurgical pertaining to the art of removing metals
diator; go-between from ores; N. metallurgy: science that deals with ex-
 mediocre ordinary; commonplace; neither good nor tracting metals from ores
bad  metamorphosis change of form; Ex. metamorphosis of
caterpillar to butterfly; V. metamorphose: change by
 meditation reflection; thought; V. meditate
metamorphosis
 medium element that is a creatures natural environ-
 metaphor implied comparison; CF. simile
ment; nutrient setting in which microorganisms are cul-
tivated; appropriate occupation or means of expression; soar rise or fly high in the air; Ex. The rocket soared into
channel of communication; compromise; middle posi- the sky.
tion between extremes; intervening substance through  metaphysical pertaining to speculative philosophy; of
which something else is transmitted metaphysics; N. metaphysics: branch of philosophy
medley mixture that examines the nature of reality
meek submissive; patient and long-suffering mete measure; distribute; administer; Ex. mete out jus-
tice/punishment
suitor man who is courting a woman
 meteoric like a meteor; swift; momentarily brilliant; Ex.
megalomania mania for doing grandiose things; mental meteoric rise to fame; N. meteor
disorder characterized by delusions of wealth, power, or
importance  methodical systematic; N. method: systematic method
of procedure
 melancholy gloomy; morose; blue; N. ADJ. melan-
cholic; CF. melancholia  meticulous excessively careful (with great attention to
detail); painstaking; scrupulous
blue gloomy; depressed
 metropolis large city
 melee fight
mettle courage (to continue bravely in spite of difficul-
mellifluous (of words or a voice) sweetly or smoothly ties); spirit; ADJ. mettlesome
flowing; melodious; having a pleasant tune
miasma swamp gas; heavy vaporous atmosphere often
memento token; reminder of the past; keepsake; Ex. emanating from decaying matter; pervasive corrupting
memento of your visit influence; noxious atmosphere or influence
 memorialize commemorate swamp wetland; marsh; V: flood; overwhelm; drench in
memorial something, such as a monument or holiday, with liquid
intended to honor the memory of a person or event;  microcosm small representative world; world in minia-
ADJ: commemorative ture; Ex. microcosm of English society
menagerie collection of wild animals on exhibition; zoo miniature small model; small painting; ADJ: small
 migrant changing its habitat; wandering; Ex. migrant
mendacious lying; habitually dishonest; N. mendacity birds/workers; N: one that migrates
mendicant beggar; ADJ: living as a beggar  migratory wandering; V. migrate: move from one re-
alms money or goods given to the poor gion and settle in another; move periodically from one
region to another
menial suitable for servants; lowly; mean; N: someone
milieu social environment; means of expression; Ex.
who does menial work (esp. servant in a house)
feel out of ones milieu; Ex. His proper milieu is wa-
mentor counselor; teacher tercolor.
mercantile concerning trade or merchants  militant combative; bellicose; N.
 mercenary motivated solely by money or gain; N. militate work against; Ex. militate against the chances
mercurial capricious; quick and changing; fickle; con- of promotion; CF. serve as a soldier
taining the element mercury; Ex. mercurial temper; CF. militia army composed of ordinary citizens rather than
mood professional soldiers
quicksilver mercury  millennium thousand-year period (as in the New Tes-
meretricious flashy; tawdry; attractive on the surface tament); hoped-for period of happiness and prosperity
but of no real value; Ex. metericious argument/jewel;
CF. prostitute  mimicry imitation
vulgar of the common people; deficient in refinement; mime pantomime(act without dialogue); mimicry;
not refined; coarse; Ex. vulgar display of wealth; N. mimer; V: mimic; pantomime
vulgarism: vulgarity; crudely indecent word; CF. vul- minatory menacing; threatening
garian: vulgar person; boor; lout
mincing affectedly dainty(delicate); V. mince: cut (esp.
merger combination (of two business corporations); act meat) into very small pieces; walk with exaggerated
of merging primness; walk in an unnatural way, taking little short
mesmerize hypnotize; N. mesmerism; CF. Franz Mes- steps; Ex. The actor minced across the stage; CF. mince-
mer meat; CF. mincer

50
 dainty delicate; delicately beautiful; fastidious; not easy  mobile movable; not fixed; N. mobility
to please; Ex. dainty movement/dress
mock ridicule; deride; imitate often in derision
exquisite delicate; very finely made; extremely beauti-
 mode prevailing style; current fashion; manner; way of
ful; Ex. exquisite piece of jewelry
doing something; Ex. in the latest mode; Ex. simple
choice delicate; of very fine quality mode of life
minion servile dependent; obsequious follower modicum limited quantity; small amount; Ex. He does
minuscule(miniscule) extremely small not have a modicum of sense; CF. moderate

 minute extremely small; CF. minutes: official record of modish fashionable; conforming to the current fashion
the proceedings at a meeting modulate tone down in intensity; change the intensity
minutiae petty or trivial details; CF. minutia or tone of; regulate; change from one musical key to an-
other; Ex. modulate from E to G
 mirage unreal reflection; optical illusion
mogul powerful person; Ex. oil moguls; CF. Mogol,
mire entangle; stick in swampy ground; stick or sink in Moghul; CF. Mongolian
mire; N: bog; deep mud; Ex. sucked deeper into the
mire  molecule the smallest particle (one or more atoms) of a
substance that has all the properties of that substance
mirth merriment; laughter
mollify soothe an angry person
misadventure mischance; ill luck; Ex. death by misad-
venture mollycoddle pamper; coddle; baby; indulge exces-
sively
 misanthrope one who hates mankind; misanthropist
molt(moult) periodically shed or cast off hairs or feath-
vile despicable; unpleasant; disgusting; Ex. vile slander ers (for replacement by a new growth)
molten melted; Ex. molten lava
 misapprehension error; misunderstanding; V. misap-
prehend  momentous very important; N. moment; CF. momen-
tary
 miscellany mixture of writings on various subjects; col-
lection of various items  momentum quantity of motion of a moving body; im-
petus; moving force
miscellaneous made up of a variety of parts
 monarchy government under a single ruler
mischance ill luck
 monastic related to monks or monasteries; removed
 misconstrue interpret incorrectly; misinterpret; mis- from worldly concerns
judge
 monetary pertaining to money
miscreant wretch; wrongdoer; villain; Ex. kindness to
the miscreant; CF. believe  monochromatic having only one color
wretch miserable person; bad or despicable person; monochrome painting in only one color; ADJ.
ADJ. wretched: miserable; bad; contemptible; vile monogram design composed of one or more initials of
 misdemeanor minor crime; misdeed; wrongdoing a name; V.
misconduct immoral behavior; bad management; V. monograph scholarly article
 miserly stingy; mean monolithic solidly uniform; unchangeable; unyielding;
N. monolith: large block of stone
misgivings doubts
 monotheism belief in one God
mishap unfortunate accident
 monotony sameness leading to boredom; monotonous-
misnomer wrong or improper name; incorrect designa-
ness; ADJ. monotonous; CF. monotone
tion
monumental massive; impressively large; built as a
31 monument

 misogamy hatred of marriage moodiness fits of depression or gloom; ADJ. moody:

given to changeable moods; subject to periods of de-
 misogynist hater of woman; CF. misogyny pression; gloomy CF. mood: state of mind or emotion
 missile object to be thrown or projected
missive letter; written statement; CF. sent moratorium legal delay of payment or action; Ex. de-
clare moratorium on the building of new houses
mite very small object or insect-like creature; small coin
morbid given to unwholesome or unhealthy thought;
moody; characteristic of disease; Ex. morbid curiosity;
 mitigate appease; moderate; make or become less in
N. morbidity; CF. disease
force or intensity
mordant biting; sarcastic; stinging; (apprec.) incisive;
mnemonic pertaining to memory; assisting the mem-
cutting; Ex. mordant pen/wit
ory; N: device, such as as formula or rhyme, used as
a mnemonic aid mores conventions; moral standards; moral customs

51
 moribund dying; at the point of death; CF. death muster gather; assemble (troops); Ex. muster up ones
strength for the ordeal; N.
morose ill-humored; sullen; sullenly melancholy
musty stale (in odor or taste); spoiled by age; CF. moist
mortician undertaker; CF. death
 mutablility ability to change in form; fickleness; ADJ.
undertaker funeral director; one whose business is to
mutable: able to change; fickle; CF. mutate; CF. mutant
arrange burials
 muted silent; muffled; toned down; Ex. muted traffic
mortify humiliate by embarassing excessively; shame;
noise
punish the flesh; discipline (ones body) by self-denial;
Ex. mortified by her blunder; Ex. mortify the flesh; CF. mute silent; without speech; not pronounced; unable to
cause to die speak; N: one who is incapable of speech; V: soften the
sound, color, shade of
 mosaic picture made of small colorful inlaid tiles; ADJ.
mutilate maim; injure lastingly; deprive of a limb or an
mote small speck (esp. of dust)
essential part
speck small piece or mark; Ex. speck of dust in the eye
mutinous unruly; rebellious; Ex. mutinous teenagers;
motif theme; recurrent thematic element in a musical or N. mutiny: open rebellion; CF. mutineer
literary work; single or repeated pattern; figure
myopic nearsighted; lacking foresight; N. myopia
motility ability to move spontaneously; ADJ. motile:
myriad very large number; ADJ. CF. ten thousand
moving spontaneously
nadir lowest point; point on the celestial sphere diamet-
motley multi-colored (as of a garment worn by a jester);
rically opposite the zenith
mixed; heterogeneous; CF. jester: one who jests (as a
paid fool at medieval courts)  naivete(naivety) quality of being unsophisticated; sim-
plicity; artlessness; gullibility; ADJ. naive(nave): ingen-
motto brief statement used to express a principle
uous; lacking worldliness; simple; credulous
mottled blotched in coloring; spotted; Ex. mottled face;
 narcissist conceited person; N. narcissism; CF. narcissus
V. mottle: mark with blotches of different colors
blotch spot; blot; CF. blot+botch
 narrative related to telling a story; N: narrated account;
blemish mar; spoil the beauty or perfection of; N: flaw story; V. narrate: tell (a story); CF. narration
or defect (that spoils perfection); Ex. blemishes in the
nascent incipient; coming into being or existence; Ex.
crystal; CF. unblemished
nascent ability in music
mountebank charlatan; boastful pretender
peddle travel about selling (wares); CF. foot 32
muddle confuse; mix up confusedly; N: state of confu-  natation swimming
sion
natty neatly or smartly dressed; dapper; smart; Ex.
muggy (of weather) warm and damp natty dresser
mulct defraud a person of something; swindle; Ex. smart intelligent; quick and energetic; fashionable; Ex.
mulct the boy of his legacy smart pace/restaurant; V: cause or feel a sharp pain; N:
multifarious varied; greatly diversified; Ex. multifari- smarting pain
ous activities  nauseate cause to become sick; fill with disgust; fill nau-
 multiform having many forms sea

 multilingual having many languages; fluent in several nausea feeling of sickness and desire to vomit; disgust;
languages CF. seasickness

 multiplicity state of being numerous or multiple; large nauseous causing nausea; feeling nausea
number; Ex. multiplicity of details; ADJ. multiple: of  nautical pertaining to ships or navigation
more than one element
navigable (of a body of water) wide and deep enough to
mundane worldly as opposed to spiritual; everyday; of allow ships to pass through; (of a ship or aircraft) able
the ordinary; Ex. mundane existence; CF. world to be steered
munificent very generous in giving; Ex. munificent nebulous vague; hazy; cloudy; of a nebula; Ex. nebu-
benefactor; N. munificience lous proposal
mural wall painting nebula diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas; galaxy
murky dark and gloomy; thick with fog; vague; Ex. necromancy black magic; sorcery; dealings with the
murky night/fog; N. murk: partial or complete dark- dead; art that professes to communicate with the spirits
ness; gloom of the dead so as to predict the future; CF. necromancer;
muse ponder at length; N: source of inspiration (esp. of CF. necro+divination; CF. necro-: death; Ex. necropolis
a poet) nefarious very wicked
musky having the odor of musk; N. musk: odorous  negate cancel out; nullify; cause to have no effect; deny;
substance secreted by an Asian deer N. negation

52
 negligence neglect; failure to take reasonable care; ADJ. nonchalance indifference; lack of concern; composure;
negligent: neglectful; lax; not taking enough care ADJ. nonchalant: unconcerned; cool; indifferent; Ex.
nonchalant attitude to his debts
 negligible so small, trifling, or unimportant as to be
easily disregarded  noncommittal neutral; refusing commitment to a par-
ticular opinion; unpledged; undecided
 nemesis someone seeking revenge; source of downfall
or ruin; CF. Nemesis nondescript undistinctive; ordinary; ordinary-looking;
Ex. nondescript fellow in a crowd
neologism new or newly coined word or phrase
 nonentity person of no importance; nonexistence
neophyte recent convert; new member of a religious
group; beginner; CF. plant nonplus put at a loss; bring to a halt by confusion; per-
plex; CF. no more
nepotism favoritism (to a relative); CF. nephew
 nostalgia homesickness; longing for the past; Ex. nos-
favoritism display of partiality toward a favored person talgia for the clothes of 1920s; ADJ. nostalgic
nostrum questionable medicine; quack medicine; CF.
nether lower; Ex. nether garments/regions our (remedy)
nettle irritate; annoy; vex; ADJ. nettlesome  notable conspicuous; worthy of note; remarkable; im-
nexus connection portant; distinguished; noted
 notoriety disrepute; ill fame
nib beak(bill); pen point
nova star that suddenly becomes much brighter and
nicety precision; accuracy; minute distinction or differ-
then returns to its original brightness
ence; Ex. to a nicety: exactly; precisely; Ex. distinguish
between niceties novelty something new; newness; ADJ. novel: new;
original
niggardly meanly stingy; parsimonious; N. niggard:
stingy person  novice beginner
niggle spend too much time on minor points (esp.  noxious harmful; CF. obnoxious
when finding fault); find fault; Ex. niggle over details; nuance shade of slight difference in meaning or color;
ADJ. niggling subtle distinction
nihilist one who considers traditional beliefs to be shade slight difference in degree; nuance; degree of
groundless and existence meaningless; absolute skeptic; color; Ex. shades of meaning/grey
revolutionary terrorist; CF. nihilism: belief that nothing
gradation series of gradual stages; degree in such a pro-
has meaning or value; belief that destruction of existing
gression
political or social institutions is necessary for future im-
provement nubile marriageable; of marriageable age; CF. connu-
bial
nip snip off; stop somethings growth or development;
bite; make numb with cold; Ex. nip the plan; Ex. A nugatory worthless; futile
guard dog nipped the postman; Ex. fingers nipped by  nullify make invalid; make null; invalidate
the extreme chill
numismatist person who collects coins; N. numismat-
snip short quick cut with scissors; V: cut with scissors ics: study or collection of money, coins, and medals
pinch squeeze between the thumb and a finger, or other nuptial related to marriage or the wedding ceremony;
edges; Ex. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasnt N. nuptials: wedding ceremony
dreaming. N: amount that can be held between the
thumb and a finger nurture nourish; feed; educate; rear; care for while it is
growing or developing; foster; cultivate; N: something
nirvana in Buddhist teachings, the ideal state in which that nourishes; rearing
the individual loses himself in the attainment of an im-
nutrient nourishing substance; ADJ: providing nourish-
personal beatitude
ment
impersonal not being a person; not showing personal
nutrition process of nourishing or being nourished; CF.
feelings; Ex. impersonal force/manner/organization
malnutrition
 nocturnal done or active at night; Ex. nocturnal ani-
nutritious providing nourishment
mals/raids; CF. nocturne
nourish provide with food necessary for life and
noisome foul smelling; very unpleasant; unwholesome growth
 nomadic wandering; N. nomad: tribe who migrates nourishment something that nourishes; food
from place to place
oaf stupid awkward person; CF. elf
 nomenclature terminology(system of specialized
words); system of names or naming things  obdurate stubborn; refusing to change ones belief

 nominal in name only; of a name; trifling; (of a sum of  obeisance bow (to show respect and obedience)
money) very small; CF. nominate: propose as a candi-  obelisk tall column tapering(becoming gradually nar-
date; appoint rower toward the end) and ending in a pyramid

53
 obese excessively fat; N. obesity  occult mysterious; secret; supernatural; beyond human
comprehension; CF. mysterious to human ?; OP. bare
obfuscate confuse; muddle; cause confusion; make
needlessly complex; make so confused as to be difficult  oculist physician who specializes in treatment of the
to understand eyes
obituary death notice (esp. in a newspaper); ADJ. odious arousing strong dislike; hateful(causing hatred);
 objective not influenced by emotions; fair; N: goal; aim vile

 obligatory binding; required; compulsory; V. oblige: odium detestation; quality of being odious; hatefulness;
constrain; make grateful; do a favor; accommodate disrepute (resulting from hateful conduct)

 oblique indirect; slanting (deviating from the perpen- odoriferous giving off an odor
dicular or from a straight line); Ex. oblique reference  odorous having an odor
 obliterate destroy completely; wipe out; Ex. obliterate odyssey long, eventful, adventurous journey
the village
 offensive attacking; insulting; distasteful; V. offend: vi-
 oblivion obscurity; condition of being completely for- olate; hurt the feelings of; N. offense: offending; vio-
gotten; forgetfulness lating of a moral or social code; crime; attack; Ex. first
oblivious inattentive or unmindful; unaware; wholly offense
absorbed; forgetful(having the habit of forgetting)  offhand casual; done without prior thought or prepara-
 obloquy slander; disgrace; infamy tion
obnoxious offensive; disagreeable; Ex. obnoxious smell officious meddlesome; excessively pushy in offering
ones services; overly eager in offering unwanted ser-
 obscure dark; vague; unclear; not well known; Ex. ob- vices or advices; Ex. officious bellboy
scure meaning/village; V: darken; cover; make unclear; pushy disagreeably aggressive
Ex. obscure the moon/meaning
ogle look at amorously; make eyes at; Ex. old men
 obsequious slavishly attentive; servile; full of servile ogling young girls
compliance; sycophantic
olfactory concerning the sense of smell
slavish of or like a slave; servile; showing no originality;
copied very closely; Ex. slavish devotion/copy of the  oligarchy government by a privileged few
original  ominous threatening; of an evil omen
 obsequy funeral ceremony threat sign or warning (of coming danger); Ex. threat
 obsessive related to thinking about something con- of rain; V: express a threat; give warning of (something
stantly; of an obsession; preoccupying; N. obsession: bad); Ex. The cloud threatens rain.
compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea; compul-  omnipotent all-powerful; having unlimited power
sive idea; V. obsess: preoccupy the mind of excessively
 omnipresent universally present; ubiquitous

 obsidian black volcanic rock  omniscient all-knowing

scion detached plant shoot used in grafting; descendant  omnivorous eating both plant and animal food; devour-
ing everything
onerous burdensome
33 onomatopoeia words formed in imitation of natural
 obsolete outmoded; no longer used sounds
 obstetrician physician specializing in delivery(assisting rustle make slight sounds like silk moving or being
in giving birth) of babies; N. obstetrics; CF. midwife rubbed together
 obstinate stubborn; hard to control or treat; Ex. obsti-  onslaught vicious assault; fierce attack; Ex. unexpected
nate cough; N. obstinacy onslaught of the enemy
 obstreperous boisterous; noisy and uncontrollable slaughter killing of animals for food; massacre; V:
obtrude push (oneself or ones ideas) forward or in- butcher (animals) for food; kill in large numbers
trude; impose (oneself or ones ideas) on others; butt onus burden; responsibility
in; stick out or extrude; thrust out; Ex. obtrude A on
B; ADJ. obtrusive; N. obtrusion; CF. unobtrusive spare give; use; refrain from harming; save from expe-
riencing; exempt; Ex. spare me 5 minutes; Ex. Take this
 obtuse blunt; not sharp; stupid; slow in understanding money and spare my life; Ex. The emperor was spared
 obviate make unnecessary; get rid of; Ex. obviate the the onus; ADJ: kept in reserve; free for other use; unoc-
need cupied; Ex. spare time
 Occident the West opalescent iridescent; lustrous; like an opal; N. opales-
cence
occlude shut; close; obstruct; Ex. A blood clot occluded
an artery.  opaque dark; not transparent; N. opacity

54
 opiate medicine to induce sleep or deaden pain; some-  oscillate vibrate pendulumlike; waver
thing that relieves emotions or causes inaction; sleep-
osseous made of bone; bony
producing drug containing opium
ossify change or harden into bone; become hard and
 opportune timely; well-chosen
unchanging in ones ideas
 opportunist individual who sacrifices principles for ex-
 ostensible apparent; appearing as such; pro-
pediency by taking advantage of circumstances; N. op-
fessed(pretended); pretended; Ex. ostensible purpose
portunism
of the expedition
opprobrium infamy; disgrace arising from shameful
apparent evident; easily seen or understood; appearing
conduct; vilification(slander); scorn; contempt; Ex. op-
as such; Ex. apparent improvement
probrium hurled against him; ADJ. opprobrious: ex-
pressing contempt; shameful or infamous ostentatious showy; trying to attract attention; preten-
 optician maker and seller of eyeglasses tious; N. ostentation: showy display

 optimist person who looks on the bright side; N. opti- ostracize banish from a group; exclude from public fa-
mism vor; ban; Ex. His friends ostracized him. N. ostracism

 optimum most favorable; optimal; N: most favorable

condition blackball vote against (an applicant); ostracize; N: neg-
ative vote
 optional not compulsory; left to ones choice; N. option:
act of choosing; choice; freedom or power to choose; oust expel; drive out; force out; N. ouster: ousting
something available as a choice; Ex. have no option; Ex.  outlandish bizzare; peculiar; unconventional
two options
 outmoded no longer in fashion or use; no longer stylish;
 optometrist one who fits glasses to remedy visual de- old-fashioned
fects
outskirts fringes; outer borders (as of a city); Ex. out-
 opulence extreme wealth; luxuriousness; abundance; skirts of Boston
ADJ. opulent: possessing great wealth; abundant
 outspoken candid; blunt
opus work (esp. musical composition); Ex. magnum
opus: masterpiece; CF. opera blunt having a dull edge; abrupt and frank in speech or
manner; brusque; V: make or become blunt
oracular of an oracle; prophetic; uttered as if with di-
vine authority; mysterious or ambiguous; hard to un- outstrip outrun; surpass; outdo
derstand; N. oracle: wiser person; prophecy made by  outwit outsmart; defeat by behaving more cleverly
an oracle
ovation enthusiastic applause
 orator public speaker
 overbearing bossy; domineering and arrogant; deci-
 oratorio dramatic poem set to music; long musical work sively important; Ex. overbearing manner/importance;
with singing but without acting; CF. cantata V. overbear: dominate
ordain decree or command; grant holy orders; predes-  overt open to view; public; not secret; CF. covert
tine; install as a minister, priest, or rabbi; N. ordainment;
CF. ordination overweening arrogant; presumptuous
 ordeal severe trial or affliction; difficult experience;
trial(test of patience or endurance); affliction 34
 ordinance decree; authoritative order overwrought nervous or excited; extremely agitated;
hysterical; wrought-up; CF. wrought: made or done
ordination ceremony conferring holy orders; ceremony
of ordaining a priest hysteria excessive or uncontrollable excitement; N. hys-
orgy wild drunken revelry; unrestrained indulgence in teric: person suffering from hysteria; CF. hysterics: at-
an activity; Ex. orgy of shopping tack of hysteria

 orient get ones bearings; adjust; make familiar with a  ovoid egg-shaped; CF. ovum; CF. ovulate
situation; orientate  pachyderm thick-skinned animal
 orientation act of finding oneself in society; orienting  pacifist one opposed to force; antimilitarist; ADJ. N.
orifice mouthlike opening; small opening (esp. to a cav- pacifism: opposition to war as a means of resolving dis-
ern or passage of the body); CF. mouth putes

 ornate excessively or elaborately decorated  pacify soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace
to
ornithologist scientific student of birds; N. ornithology:
scientific study of birds paean song of praise or joy; Ex. paeans celebrating the
victory
 orthodox traditional; (of someone) conservative in be-
lief; adhering to an established doctrine painstaking taking pains; showing hard work; taking
great care; very careful and through
orthography correct spelling; CF. ortho-: straight; cor-
rect; Ex. orthodontics palatable agreeable; pleasing to the taste

55
 palate roof of the mouth; sense of the taste parallel similar; analogous; corresponding; N: parallel
line; person or thing that is parallel (to another); simi-
palatial of or suitable for a palace; magnificent
larity; Ex. know of no parallel to the case; Ex. without
paleontology study of prehistoric life or fossils; CF. parallel; V: be similar to; make parallel; Ex. Your experi-
paleo-: ancient or prehistoric; Ex. paleography: study ence parallels mine; CF. unparalleled
of ancient written documents
parameter limit; independent variable; Ex. parameters
 palette board on which painter mixes pig- of the problem; Ex. within the parameters of the budget
ments(coloring matters)
palimpsest parchment or piece of writing material used  paramount foremost in importance; supreme; CF. para-:
for second time after original writing has been erased beyond; above; Ex. paranormal
parchment writing material made from the skin of a  paramour illicit lover
sheep or goat
inamorata woman whom a man loves
pall become boring; grow tiresome
 paranoia psychosis marked by delusions of grandeur or
pallet small poor bed; Ex. straw pallet
persecution; N: ADJ: paranoid, paranoiac
palliate ease pain (without curing); make less severe or
offensive (a crime or illness)  paraphernalia equipment; odds and ends used in a par-
ticular activity; personal belongings; Ex. photographic
pallid pale; wan; Ex. pallid complexion paraphernalia; CF. married womans property exclusive
 palpable tangible; (of something bad) easily percepti- of her dowry
ble; obvious; Ex. palpable blunder dowry money or property brought by a bride to her
palpitate throb; beat rapidly; flutter; tremble; Ex. Her husband at marriage
heart began to palpitate.  paraphrase restate a passage in ones own words while
throb (of a heart or machine) beat rapidly or violently; retaining thought of author; N: restatement of a text in
N. Ex. hearthrob: heartbeat; sweetheart other words
paltry insignificant; petty; trifling; contemptible; Ex.  parasite animal or plant living on another; toady; syco-
paltry sum; CF. trash phant; CF. para-: beside
pan criticize harshly infest inhabit in numbers large enough to be harmful;
 panacea cure-all; remedy for all diseases Ex. Mice infested the house; Ex. shark-infested waters

panache flair; manner of doing things without any dif- parched extremely dry; very thirsty; V. parch: make or
ficulty (causing admiration); flamboyance; bunch of become extremely dry (by exposure to heat)

feathers (on a helmet); Ex. with great panache; CF.
pariah social outcast; Ex. Mariah the pariah
A
  ;`
 N
 S?/H5
 u}

outcast one that has been excluded from a society; ADJ.
 pandemic widespread; affecting the majority of people;
N: pandemic disease; CF. all people
 parity equality; close resemblance; CF. disparate
 pandemonium wild tumult(commotion); wild noisy
disorder; CF. Paradise Lost parlance language; manner of speaking; idiom; Ex. in
legal/common parlance
pander cater to (the low desires of others)
parley conference (between opponents); CF. speak
cater provide food and drink (for); cater to: try to satisfy
(desires of a bad kind) parochial narrow in scope or outlook; provincial; re-
lated to parishes
panegyric formal praise; encomium; Ex. I dont deserve
such panegyrics. parish area in the care of a single priest and served by
 panoramic denoting an unobstructed and comprehen- one main church
sive view; N. panorama: unbroken view of a wide area outlook point of view; view from a particular place; ex-
pectation for the future; prospect; Ex. outlook on life;
 pantomime acting without dialogue; V. Ex. pleasing outlook; Ex. weather outlook

 papyrus ancient paper made from stem of papyrus  parody humorous imitation; spoof; takeoff; travesty; V.
plant spoof parody
parable short simple story teaching a moral takeoff burlesque; act of leaving the ground
 paradigm model; example that serves as a model; pat-  paroxysm fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage; sudden
tern; list of all the inflectional forms of a word outburst
 paradox something apparently contradictory in nature
parquet floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic
(that may nonetheless be true); statement that looks
like matter; CF. strip: long narrow piece
false but is actually correct
 parry ward off a blow; deflect; Ex. He parried the un-
 paragon model of perfection; Ex. paragon of virtue
welcome question very skillfully; N. CF.

}H
 H>
 h

 parallelism state of being parallel; similarity; analogy 
s _

56
 ward administrative division of a city; division in a hos-  pedagogue teacher; CF. child leader
pital or prison; incompetent person placed under the
 pedagogy teaching; art of education
protection of a guardian; V: guard; ward off: avert
pedant scholar who overemphasizes book learning,
 parsimony stinginess; excessive frugality; ADJ. parsi-
trivial details of learning, or technicalities
monious
pedantic bookish; showing off learning; marked by an
 partial incomplete; favoring one side over another; hav-
excessive ostentatious concern for book learning; N.
ing a liking for something
pedantry
 partiality state of being partial; inclination; favorable
bookish fond of books and reading
bias; special fondness; preference
studious given to diligent study
partisan one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party
(with dislike of any others); N: strong supporter of a pedestrian ordinary; dull; unimaginative(lacking in
party; guerrilla imagination); going on foot; Ex. pedestrian prose; N.
parvenu upstart; newly rich person
precinct division of a city for election or police pur-
 partition divide into parts
poses; precincts: space that surrounds a building; Ex.
passe old-fashioned; past the prime precincts of the college
 passive not active; acted upon; receiving an action with- pedigree ancestry; lineage
out acting in return; accepting without resistance
 pediatrician physician specializing in childrens dis-
pastiche imitation of anothers style in musical compo- eases; N. pediatrics
sition or in writing; work of art openly imitating the
 peerless having no equal; incomparable
works of other artists
peer one who has equal standing with another; noble-
 pastoral rural; of rural life; idyllic; of a pastor
man; V: look intently; N. peerage; CF. peeress
 patent obvious; easily seen; open for the public to read;
pejorative (of a word or phrase) suggesting that some-
of or protected by a patent; Ex. patent to everyone; N.
one is of little value; negative in connotation; having
 pathetic causing sadness, compassion, pity; touching a belittling effect; Ex. Many women now considers
housewife a pejorative expression, because it patron-
touching causing a feeling of pity or sympathy; pa-
ized them.
thetic; V. touch: cause to feel pity or sympathy; ADJ.
touched pell-mell in confusion; disorderly; Ex. dash pell-mell
 pathological pertaining to disease; N. pathology: study pellucid transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in
of disease meaning; easy to understand
pathos tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature penance self-imposed punishment for sin; Ex. do
that produces these feelings; Ex. pathos that runs penance for ones sins; CF. penitent
through the novel penchant strong inclination; strong liking (esp. for
patina green crust on old bronze works or copper; tone something that is disapproved of by other people); Ex.
slowly taken by varnished painting penchant for fast cars
varnish paint used to coat a surface with a glossy film;  pendant(pendent) hanging down from something;
glossy coating produced by using this substance; Ex. pending; N: ornament (hanging from a necklace etc.)
nail varnish; V. pending not yet decided or settled; impending; Ex.
patois local or provincial dialect pending decision; PREP. while awaiting; until; Ex. delay
the decision pending his return
 patriarch father and ruler of a family or tribe
pendulous hanging; suspended
patrician noble; aristocratic; N: person of high rank;
aristocrat; CF. member of the governing classes in an- suspend cause to stop for a period; interrupt; hold in
cient Rome; CF. plebian abeyance; defer; hang from above; exclude for a period
from a position; Ex. suspended state; Ex. suspend judg-
 patronize support; act superior toward; treat in a con-
ment; Ex. suspended from the team; N. suspension
descending manner; be a customer of; N. patron: one
that supports; regular customer; N. patronage; CF. boy- suspense state of being undecided; anxiety or appre-
cott hension resulting from uncertainty
 paucity scarcity; dearth  penitent repentant; N.
 pauper very poor person pensive dreamily or deeply thoughtful; sadly thought-
ful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative;
peccadillo slight offense or fault; CF. sin
CF. think over
swipe hit with a sweeping motion; N.
penumbra partial shadow (in an eclipse); CF. almost
shadow
35  penury extreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious:
 pecuniary pertaining to money very poor; stingy

57
 peon landless agricultural worker; bond servant; me- personable attractive (in personality or appearance)
nial worker; N. peonage
 perspicacious (of someone) having insight; penetrating;
 perceptive insightful; showing a good ability at perceiv- astute
ing and understanding; aware; wise; of perception
 perspicuity clearness of expression; freedom from am-
percussion striking one object against another sharply; biguity
Ex. percussion instrument; N: striking together of two
 perspicuous (of something) plainly expressed; easy to
bodies; sound caused by percussion
understand; Ex. perspicuous comments
perdition damnation; complete ruin; hell
pert (esp. of a girl or young woman) impertinent; for-
damn condemn; criticize severely; condemn to everlast- ward; trim; jaunty; Ex. pert young miss/hat
ing punishment; doom; bring to ruin; N. damnation
forward presumptuous or bold
doom condemnation to a severe penalty; ruin; fate (esp.
 pertinacious holding tenaciously to an action; stub-
a tragic or ruinous one); V.
born; persistent
 peregrination journey; V. peregrinate
 pertinent suitable; to the point; relevant
peremptory demanding and leaving no choice; impera-
 perturb disturb greatly
tive; Ex. peremptory decree/knock
peruse read through with care; N. perusal
 perennial something long-lasting; perennial plant; ADJ:
lasting through the year or many years; lasting for a  pervasive spread throughout; V. pervade: (of smells,
long time; enduring ideas, feelings) spread throughout; charge; permeate
 perfidious treacherous; disloyal; N. perfidy: treachery perverse purposely continuing to do something wrong;
stubbornly wrongheaded; perverted; directed away
 perforate pierce; put a hole through
from what is right; wicked and unacceptable; Ex. per-
 perfunctory done routinely and with little care; superfi- verse satisfaction; Ex. Hannibal Lecter in a perverse
cial; not thorough; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; mood; N. perversity
Ex. perfunctory kiss
 perversion corruption; turning from right to wrong
 perigee point of moons orbit when it is nearest the
pervert corrupt; turn from right to wrong; misuse; Ex.
earth; CF. apogee
perverted sexual desire/scientific knowledge; N: per-
 perimeter outer boundary; length of the outer bound- son whose sexual behavior is not natural
ary; circumference
wrongheaded stubbornly wrong
bound leap or spring; limit or confine; constitute the
 pessimism belief that life is basically bad or evil;
limit of; Ex. bounded by Canada; N: leap or jumping;
gloominess; tendency to take the gloomiest possible
boundary; ADJ: certain; having a duty to do something
view of a situation; ADJ. pessimistic
(legally or morally); confined by bonds; Ex. We are
bound to be late; Ex. I am bound to say my opinion; pestilential(pestilent) causing plague; tending to cause
CF. bounce, rebound death; baneful; N. pestilence: fatal epidemic disease
(esp. bubonic plague)
peripatetic walking about from place to place (to work);
moving; Ex. peripatetic school of philosophy pestle tool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard
bowl or mortar
peripheral of a periphery; marginal; outer; of minor im-
portance; not central; Ex. peripheral nerve/interest mortar vessel in which substances are crushed with a
pestle
periphery outside edge especially of a round surface;
perimeter; Ex. periphery of the town mash crush into mash; convert into mash; N: mixture of
ground grain and nutrients fed to livestock and fowl
 perjury false testimony while under oath; V. perjure
oneself: testify falsely under oath petrify turn to stone; cause to become stonelike; stun or
paralyze
 permeable that can be permeated; penetrable; porous;
allowing liquids or gas to pass through; V. permeate:  petty trivial; unimportant; very small; small-minded;
spread or flow throughout; charge petty-minded
pernicious very harmful; deadly; very destructive; Ex. petulant touchy; peevish; ill-tempered
pernicious effect/anemia phalanx formation of infantry carrying overlapping
peroration conclusion of an oration; perorating; V. per- shields and long spears; group of men packed together
orate: conclude a speech; speak at great length (for attack or defense)
perpetrate commit an offense; do (something wrong) pharisaical pertaining to the Pharisees, who paid
scrupulous attention to tradition; self-righteous; hypo-
 perpetual everlasting
critical
 perpetuate make perpetual; make something last for a
pharisee Pharisee: member of an ancient Jewish group
long time; preserve from extinction; N. perpetuity
that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic law
perquisite(perk) any gain above stipulated salary; Ex. (considering themselves very holy); hypocritical self-
perquisites such as free meals and a car righteous person

58
 self-righteous sure of ones own righteousness; moral- tart sharp to the taste; acid-tasting; caustic; sarcastic; Ex.
istic tart apple/reply
phenomena observable facts; subjects of scientific in- sour having a sharp or acid taste; acid; tart; bad-
vestigation; SG. phenomenon: observable fact; very un- tempered; V.
usual person, thing, or event; marvel; wonder; CF. phe-
 pique irritation; resentment from wounded pride (eg.
nomenons; ADJ. phenomenal: very unusual; extraordi-
loss in a contest); V: provoke; arouse; annoy; cause to
nary; of a phenomenon; Ex. phenomenal strength
feel resentment; Ex. pique her curiosity
 philanderer faithless lover; flirt
piscatorial pertaining to fishing; CF. Pisces

36  pitfall hidden danger; concealed trap

beware be cautious (of)
 philanthropist lover of mankind; doer of good; N. phi-
lanthropy pith core or marrow; spongelike substance in the center
of stems; essence; substance
philatelist stamp-collector; N. philately: stamp collect-
ing marrow soft fatty tissue that fills most bone cavities and
is the source of blood cells
philistine narrow-minded person, uncultured and ex-
clusively interested in material gain; uncultured person  pithy concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty
who is indifferent to artistic and cultural values; mem- pittance small amount (of money); small allowance or
ber of an ancient people in Palestine; OP. aesthete wage
philology study of language or words  pivotal of a pivot; central; critical; crucial
phlegmatic calm and unexcitable; not easily disturbed;  placate pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease
CF. phlegm: sticky mucus produced in the respiratory
tract placebo harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill

 phobia morbid fear

tablet small round piece of medicine; flat piece of stone
 phoenix symbol of immortality or rebirth; Ex. phoenix or metal bearing an inscription; Ex. stone tablet on the
rising from its ashes wall
phylum major classification, second to kingdom, of  placid peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake
plants and animals; category ranking below a kingdom
and above a class; division plagiarize steal anothers ideas or writings and pass
them off as ones own; Ex. ideas plagiarized from my
physiognomy face (as showing the character and the article; N. plagiarism; CF. kidnap
mind); art of judging human character from facial fea-
tures plaintive expressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive
song
physiological pertaining to the science of the function
of living organisms; N. physiology plait braid; interwine; interweave strands or lengths of;
make by weaving strands together; Ex. plaited hair; N:
piebald of different colors; mottled; spotted in different braided length as of hair o fabric; CF. pigtail, ponytail
colors (esp. in black and white); Ex. piebald horse; CF.
pie+bald plasticity ability to be molded; ADJ. plastic: capable of
being shaped or molded; Ex. plastic material such as
piecemeal one part at a time; gradually; in stages; Ex. clay
read a novel piecemeal
 platitude trite remark; commonplace statement; ADJ.
pied piebald; variegated(many-colored); multicolored platitudinous
 piety devoutness; reverence for God; ADJ. pious commonplace ordinary; N: something ordinary or com-
pigment coloring matter (usually powder to be mixed mon; trite remark
with water or oil) commonwealth nation governed by the people; repub-
 pillage plunder lic; people of a nation
 pillory punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory;  platonic purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual
subject or expose to criticism and ridicule; N. desire
pine long for; yearn; languish from longing or grief; de- plaudit praise; enthusiastic approval; round(succession
cline or series) of applause; ADJ. plauditory; CF. applaud
pinion restrain or immobilize by binding the wings or  plausible conceivably true; having a show of truth but
legs; N: birds wing open to doubt; specious
 pinnacle peak; highest point; acme; Ex. pinnacle of plebeian common; vulgar; pertaining to the common
fame people; N: common people in ancient Rome; CF. patri-
cian
 pious devout; religious; N. piety
plebiscite direct vote by the entire electorate (on an im-
piquant pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimu-
portant issue)
lating; Ex. piquant situation when my old enemy asked
for my help referendum direct vote by all the people

59
 plenary (of power) complete; full; fully attended by all ponderous having great weight; weighty; unwieldy;
qualified members; Ex. plenary power lacking lightness; dull; Ex. ponderous body/style of
writing
plenitude abundance; plenty; great amount; complete-
ness; fullness; CF. plenary, plenty pontifical pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or
pretentious; CF. pontiff: pope; bishop
plethora excess; overabundance; Ex. a plethora of ex-
cuses pore study industriously; ponder; scrutinize; Ex. pore
 pliable flexible; easily influenced; yielding; adaptable over the book; N.

 pliant flexible; easily influenced  porous full of pores; like a sieve

 plight difficult condition; condition or state (esp. a bad interstice narrow space between things
state or condition); predicament  portend foretell; presage; be a sign or warning of; N.
pluck courage; V: pull off or out; pull out the hair or portent: sign; omen; forewarning
feathers of; ADJ. plucky: courageous; brave soothsayer one who foretells the future
plumage feathers of a bird; portly stout; corpulent
plume feather, esp. large or showy one; something that stout rather fat; strong in body; sturdy; resolute;
rises into the air (like the shape of a feather); Ex. plume determined; strong in determination; Ex. stout
of smoke: ! Q$
2
stick/supporter
plumb exactly vertical; N: weight on the end of a line; poseur person who pretends to be sophisticated, ele-
V: examine very carefully or critically in order to un- gant, etc., to impress others; person who poses; CF. pose
derstand; measure depth (by sounding); Ex. plumb the
depth of
pose assume a particular posture; put forward; present;
plumber one who installs and repairs pipes and plumb- affect a particular attitude (to impress others); Ex. pose
ing(pipes) a threat; N.
plummet fall sharply; fall straight down; Ex. Stock posterity descendants; future generations; Ex. go down
prices plummeted. to posterity; CF. posterior, anterior
 plutocracy society ruled by the wealthy
posthumous after death (as of child born after fathers
 podiatrist doctor who treats ailments of the feet; chi- death or book published after authors death); com-
ropodist; N. podiatrics ing or occurring after ones death; Ex. posthumous
fame/novel
 podium pedestal; raised platform
postmortem autopsy; ADJ: occurring after death; of a
pedestal support or base as for a pillar or statue
postmortem
poignancy quality of being deeply moving; keenness of
emotion; ADJ. poignant: touching; deeply moving; (of postulate self-evident truth; something assumed with-
sorrow, grief, etc.) painful; keenly distressing to the out proof; V: assume the truth of (as a basis of an argu-
mind; Ex. poignant memory/anxiety; CF. prick ment)

polarize split into opposite extremes or camps posture assume an affected pose; act artificially; N:
pose; attitude
polarity state of having two opposite qualities
potable suitable for drinking; drinkable
polar of a pole; characterized by opposite extremes; Ex.
polar opposites  potent powerful; convincing; persuasive; greatly influ-
ential
camp group sharing a common cause or opinion
potentate monarch; sovereign
polemic attack or defense of an opinion; controversy or
refutation; argument in support of point of view; N.  potential expressing possibility; latent; N: capacity for
polemics: art of debate or controversy growth

polemical(polemic) aggressive in verbal attack; dispu-  potion dose (of liquids); liquid dose
tatious (rather than simply expressing opinions) potpourri heterogeneous mixture; medley; mixture of
 politic prudent; judicious; well judged; expedient; well dried flower petals a pot (to give a pleasant smell to a
devised room)
 polity (particular form of) political organization; form poultice soothing application applied to sore and in-
of government of nation or state; Ex. student polity flamed portions of the body
 polygamist one who has more than one spouse at a  practicable feasible
time; CF. bigamy; CF. polyandry
 practical based on experience; of or acquired through
 polyglot speaking several languages; multilingual; Ex. practice (rather than theory); useful; Ex. practical man
polyglot person/society; N.
 pragmatic practical (as opposed to idealistic); con-
 pomposity self-important behavior; acting like a stuffed cerned with practical worth or impact of something; Ex.
shirt(pompous person); ADJ. pompous: self-important pragmatic test of the skill

60
 pragmatist practical person; N. pragmatism: pragmatic preempt prevent in advance; head off(forestall); fore-
way of dealing with things stall by acting first; appropriate for oneself before oth-
ers; supplant; take the place of; displace; Ex. preempt
prance move about in a spirited manner (proudly and
any attempts; ADJ. preemptive
confidently)
preen make oneself tidy in appearance; feel self-
prate talk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly satisfaction or pride; (of a bird) smooth or clean (feath-
prattle talk idly; babble; N. CF. prate ers) with the beak; Ex. preen oneself on; CF. prune
idle not working; not employed or busy; lazy; without  prefatory introductory; of a preface
purpose; useless; lacking substance; baseless; not based prehensile capable of grasping or holding (esp. by
on truth; Ex. idle worker; Ex. talk idly; V. wrapping around); Ex. prehensile tails
 preamble introductory statement prelate church dignitary; priest of high position in the
precarious unsafe; lacking in stability; uncertain; risky; church (esp. bishop)
Ex. precarious living  prelude introduction; introductory performance or
event; forerunner
 precedent something preceding in time which may be
used as an authority or guide for future action; V. pre-  premeditate plan in advance; Ex. premeditated murder
cede; CF. unprecedented
 precedent preceding (in time, rank, etc.)  premise assumption; postulate; proposition upon
which an argument is based

37  premonition forewarning; presentiment; foreboding

 premonitory serving to warn
 precept practical rule guiding conduct; Ex. mothers
precept  preponderance superiority of power, quantity, etc.; V.
preponderate: be greater in power, weight, or impor-
 precipice cliff; dangerous position; Ex. on the edge of
tance; ADJ. preponderant
the precipice
 preposterous absurd; completely unreasonable; ridicu-
brink edge (at the top of a cliff); Ex. on the brink of the lous
Grand Canyon
 prerogative privilege; unquestionable right; CF. ask be-
 precipitant something that causes a substance in a fore
>

chemical solution to separate out in solid form; g ]
j;
OP. solvent  presage foretell; be a warning or sign of; N: presenti-
ment; foreboding; omen
 precipitate hurl downward; throw headlong; hasten;
prescience ability to foretell the future; knowledge of
cause to happen sooner; condense and fall as rain or
actions before they occur; ADJ. prescient
snow; cause (a solid substance) to be separated from a
solution; ADJ. hasty; rash; premature; sudden  presentiment premonition; foreboding; feeling some-
thing will happen; anticipatory fear
 precipitous steep; overhasty; precipitate
 prestige respect or admiration; impression produced by
precis abstract; concise summing up of main points; achievements or reputation; ADJ: causing admiration;
concise summary of a text ADJ. prestigious: having prestige
 precise exact presumptuous going beyond what is right; excessively
 preclude make impossible; prevent; exclude; eliminate forward; arrogant; taking liberties

 precocious advanced in development; N. precocity presume take for granted; assume; act overconfidently;
take liberties; presume on/upon: take unfair advantage
 precursor forerunner; predecessor of (someones kindness or connection); N. presumption
 predator predatory animal or bird; predatory person;
creature that seizes and devours another animal; person pretentious ostentatious; showy; pompous; making un-
who robs or exploits others; ADJ. predatory: living by justified claims; overambitious; Ex. pretentious films
preying on other organisms; plundering; N. predation that claim to be art
 predecessor former occupant of a post pretend feign; pretend to: claim to possess; make pre-
tensions to; Ex. I dont pretend to much expertise; N.
 predetermine determine in advance; predestine; settle
pretense
or decide beforehand; influence markedly
pretension pretentiousness; claim (without founda-
 predicament difficult situation; tricky or dangerous sit- tion); Ex. I make no pretensions to skill as an artist.
uation; dilemma
preternatural beyond what is normal in nature; super-
predilection preference; partiality natural; Ex. preternatural strength/forces
predispose give an inclination toward (in advance);  pretext excuse
make susceptible to; Ex. predispose people to certain
prevail be widespread; triumph over; gain victory; pre-
cancer; N. predisposition
vail on: persuade; induce; Ex. Justice has prevailed; Ex.
 preeminent outstanding; superior prevail on someone to do something

61
 prevalent widespread; generally accepted progeny children; offspring; descendants
prevaricate lie; hide the truth (by equivocating)  prognosis forecasted course of a disease; prediction; CF.
prognostic
 prey target of a hunt; victim; V: hunt and eat as prey;
victimize; Ex. Cats prey on mice.  prognosticate predict (according to present indications)
prim proper to the point of affectation; very precise and
formal; exceedingly proper  prohibitive so high as to prohibit purchase or use; tend-
primogeniture seniority by birth; state of being the first- ing to prevent the purchase or use of something; pro-
born child; right of the eldest child (to inherit the entire hibiting; inclined to prevent or forbid; Ex. prohibitive
property of one or both parents) tax

 primordial existing at the beginning (of time); rudimen-  projectile missile; fired or thrown object (such as stone
tary or bullet)

primp groom oneself with care; adorn oneself  proletarian member of the working class; blue collar
guy; N. proletariat: working class (who have to work
pristine unspoiled; remaining in a pure state; charac- for wages)
teristic of earlier times; primitive; Ex. an old book in
pristine condition  proliferate grow rapidly (in numbers); spread; multi-
ply; N. proliferation
privation lack of the basic necessities or comforts of life;
hardship; want; CF. deprive  prolific producing offspring or fruit in abundance; fer-
tile; fecund; abundantly fruitful; producing abundant
privy secret; hidden; not public; made a participant in works; Ex. prolific writer
something secret; Ex. privy chamber government; Ex.
be privy to a discussion; CF. private prolixity tedious wordiness; verbosity; ADJ. prolix:
wordy; verbose; diffuse
 probe explore with a probe or tools; investigate; N: slen-
der instrument used to explore a wound or body cav-  prologue introduction (to a poem or play)
ity; device designed to investigate an unknown region; feud bitter prolonged quarrel (usually between two
thorough investigation; Ex. space probe peoples or families); V. CF. Romeo and Juliet; CF. feu-
 probity uprightness; honesty; incorruptibility dal, feudalism

defalcate embezzle  prolong lengthen; extend; draw out

problematic causing a problem; open to doubt; doubt-  prominent protruding(sticking out); conspicuous; no-
ful; unsettled; questionable; Ex. Whether the arena will table; eminent
ever be completed is problematic. promiscuous mixed indiscriminately; indiscriminate;
 proclivity inclination; natural tendency (esp. towards not choosing carefully; indiscriminate in the choice
something bad) of sexual partners; irregular, particularly sexually; Ex.
promiscuous life/girl; N. promiscuity
 procrastinate postpone; delay or put off
 promontory headland
 procurement obtaining; V. procure: obtain by effort; ob-
tain (a prostitute) for another promote advance in rank; advance; help to flourish;
advocate; help actively in forming; publicize or pop-
prod poke (with a pointed object); stir up; urge; goad to ularize; Ex. Milk promotes health; Ex. promote a
action; N: pointed object used to prod; prodding match/bill; Ex. promote a new product
 prodigal wasteful; reckless with money; profuse; Ex. a prompt cause; urge; provoke; provide a cue (for an ac-
mind prodigal of ideas; N. prodigality tor); ADJ: done without delay; done at the right time;
 prodigious enormous; marvelous; extraordinary; Ex. punctual; on time; N: reminder or cue
prodigious amount/memory cue word or signal (as in a play to prompt another ac-
 prodigy highly gifted child; person with exceptional tors speech or entrance); reminder or hint; V: give a cue
talents; marvel; wonder to
 profane violate; desecrate (something holy); treat un- promulgate announce; proclaim a doctrine or law;
worthily; be profane for; ADJ: secular; nonreligious; ir- make known by official publication
reverent for holy things  prone inclined to; likely to (suffer); prostrate; lying with
profligate wasteful (of money); dissipated; wildly im- the front downward; Ex. prone to disease/make mis-
moral; dissolute; N: profligate person; N. profligacy takes; Ex. accident-prone
 profound deep; not superficial; complete; Ex. profound  propagate increase in number by producing young;
thinker/remark/silence/deafness; N. profundity multiply; spread; Ex. Most plants propagate by seed;
Ex. newspaper propagating their ideas
 profusion great amount; plenty; overabundance; ex-
cess; lavish expenditure; Ex. profusion of choices; ADJ.  propellant(propellent) substance which propels or
profuse: plentiful; copious; giving or given abundantly; drives forward (such as an explosive charge or a rocket
extravagant fuel)
 progenitor ancestor  propensity natural inclination

62
 prophetic of a prophet or prophecy; having to do with  protege person receiving protection and support from a
predicting the future; N. prophecy; V. prophesy; N. patron
prophet
protocol diplomatic etiquette; ceremony and etiquette
 prophylactic used to prevent disease; N: something observed by diplomats; first copy of a treaty before its
prophylactic; condom; N. prophylaxis: prevention of ratification; Ex. Protocol demands that the queen meet
disease him at the airport.
propinquity nearness (in space or relationship); prox-  prototype original work used as a model by others
imity; kinship
 protract prolong; lengthen in time; draw out
propitiate appease; conciliate; make peaceful; ADJ. pro-
 protrude stick out; jut; project; Ex. protruding teeth
pitiatory
protuberance protrusion; swelling; bulge
38 bulge protruding part; swelling of a surface; Ex. The
apple made a bulge in his pocket; V: swell outward; pro-
propitious favorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortu- trude
nate; Ex. propitious day/sign
provenance place of origin; origin or source of some-
horoscope diagram of the positions of stars at a given thing; Ex. Gunpowder is of Chinese provenance; CF.
moment (eg. of a persons birth) used by astrologers come
 proponent supporter; backer; opposite of opponent provender dry food for livestock; fodder
 propound put forth for consideration or analysis; set
 provident providing for future needs; displaying fore-
forth; Ex. propound a problem/theory
sight; thrifty; preparing for emergencies; OP. improvi-
 propriety fitness; quality of being proper; correct con- dent
duct; conformity to prevailing customs and usages; CF.
providence quality of being provident; divine care;
proprietor, proprietary
gods care; Providence: god; Ex. It seemed like provi-
usage act or manner of using; accepted practice; way in dence that the doctor happened to be there; ADJ. provi-
which words are actually used dential: of divine providence; fortunate
 propulsive driving forward; N. propulsion  provincial pertaining to a province; limited in outlook;
narrow; unsophisticated
prosaic lacking in imagination; dull and unimaginative;
matter-of-fact(concerned with facts, not imagination or  provisional tentative; temporary
feelings); factual; CF. prose
 proviso stipulation; condition in an agreement; provi-
proscenium part of stage in front of curtain; front arch sion
of a stage
provision act of providing; something provided;
 proscribe prohibit; ostracize; banish; outlaw preparatory measure; provisions: necessary supplies
(esp. food); stipulation; condition in an agreement; Ex.
outlaw fugitive from the law (excluded from legal pro-
According to the provisions of the agreement
tection); V: declare (someone) to be an outlaw; deprive
of the protection of the law; declare illegal; Ex. Drinking  provocative arousing anger or sexual interest; annoy-
has been outlawed. ing; Ex. provocative in tight jeans; V. provoke: incite to
anger; cause (an unpleasant action or feeling); N. provo-
proselytize (induce someone to) convert to a religion or
cation
belief; N. proselyte: new convert to a doctrine or reli-
gion prowess extraordinary ability; military bravery; Ex.
prowess in battle
prosody art of versification; study of the metrical struc-
ture of verse  proximity nearness; ADJ. proximate
metrical metric; written in the form of poetry; Ex. met-  proxy authorized agent; authority to act for another
rical translation of Homer
prude excessively modest or proper person (who is eas-
meter arrangement of words in the form of poetry (by ily shocked by improper things, esp. of a sexual nature);
accentual rhythm) N. prudery; ADJ. prudish: excessively concerned with
propriety
 prosperity good fortune and financial success; physical
well-being  prudent cautious; careful; prudential
prosper become successful (esp. financially); thrive;  prune cut away; trim
grow well; Ex. children prospering under his care
prurient having or causing lustful desires and thoughts;
prosperous successful; rich; affluent; well-to-do; well- arousing immoderate sexual desire
off
pry inquire impertinently (someone elses private af-
 prostrate stretch out full on ground; make prostrate; en- fairs); use leverage to raise or open something; prize;
ervate; Ex. prostrating illness; ADJ: lying face down; N. pries: tool for prying
having lost all strength
prize pry; move with a lever; value highly; esteem; Ex.
protean able to take on many forms; versatile; CF. Pro- his most prized possession; N: something captured dur-
teus: sea god to change his shape at will ing war-time (esp. an enemy ship)

63
 pseudonym pen name; fictitious name assumed by an purveyor furnisher of foodstuffs; caterer; V. purvey:
author; ADJ. pseudonymous supply (eg. food); furnish; CF. provide
 psyche soul; mind pusillanimous cowardly; lacking courage; fainthearted
 psychiatrist doctor who treats mental diseases
putative supposed; reputed; generally regarded as
psychic of psyche; mental; of or possessing extraordi-
such; Ex. putative father of the child
nary mental powers
putrid decayed and foul-smelling; foul; rotten; de-
 psychopathic pertaining to mental dearrangement; N.
cayed; N. putridity
psychopath: person with an antisocial personality dis-
order putrefy make or become putrid; N. putrefaction
 psychosis mental disorder; ADJ. N. psychotic putrescent becoming putrid; putrefying
psychosomatic of the influence of the mind on the body gangrene decay of body tissue caused by insufficient
(esp. with respect to disease) blood supply (usually following injury); ADJ. gan-
grenous
pterodactyl extinct flying reptile; CF. wing+finger
 pyromaniac person with an insane desire to set things
puerile childish; immature; CF. puer: boy
on fire
 pugilist boxer; CF. pugilism: boxing
 quack charlatan; impostor
pugnacity combativeness; disposition to fight; ADJ. quadruped four-footed animal; ADJ. CF. biped
pugnacious: (of people) belligerent; combative in nature
quaff drink with zest; drink with relish(zest; hearty en-
J,
joyment);

J,

r ; CF. sip
puissant powerful; strong; potent; N. puissance: power
quagmire bog; marsh; soft, wet, boggy land; predica-
ment; complex or dangerous situation from which it is
pulchritude beauty; comeliness; ADJ. pulchritudinous difficult to free oneself
pulmonary pertaining to the lungs bog soft wet land; V: hinder or be hindered; Ex. bogged
pulsate throb; beat regularly; vibrate regularly down in the mud
pulse rhythmical throbbing of arteries; brief sudden quail cower; shrink back in fear; lose heart
change in a normally constant quantity; V: pulsate  quaint odd in an old-fashioned way; odd; old-
 pulverize crush or grind into very small particles fashioned; picturesque
pummel pommel; beat or pound with fists  qualified limited; restricted; V. qualify: limit the mean-
ing of; modify
 punctilious minutely attentive (perhaps too much so)
to fine points; stressing niceties of conduct or form; N. qualms uneasy feelings; misgivings; uneasy fears espe-
punctilio, punctiliousness: careful attention payed to cially about matters of conscience; Ex. I have no qualms
every small exact detail about giving this assignment to Helen.
pundit authority on a subject; expert; learned person quandary dilemma; state of uncertainty; Ex. She is in a
quandary about whether to go.
 pungent stinging; acrid; sharp in taste or smell; (of
speech or writing) caustic; N. pungency quarantine isolation of a person, place, or ship to pre-
vent spread of infection; V: isolate in quarantine
punitive punishing; Ex. punitive measures
quarry person or animal of pursuit; victim; object of a
puny tiny; weak; insignificant hunt; prey
purchase secure grasp or hold; firm grasp or footing 3
quarry dig into (to get stone); N: mine; G$


 purgatory place of spiritual expiation; temporary state bank heap; piled-up mass; embankment; lateral tilting
or place in which the souls must expiate their sins (as of an aircraft in turning); V: pile up; protect with a
 purge remove or get rid of something or someone un- bank; tilt in turning
wanted; eliminate; free from blame or guilt; cleanse or
purify (esp. of sin, guilt, or defilement); N. 39
 purport intention; purpose; meaning; V: claim; profess; quash crush; suppress; squash; subdue; annul; Ex.
Ex. order which purports to be signed by the general quash a rebellion/the decision of the low court
 purported alleged; claimed; reputed or rumored; Ex. squash crush; quash; suppress
purported Satanists
 quay dock; wharf; pier; landing place (for boats)
rooster cock; adult male chicken
queasy experiencing nausea; nauseated; easily nause-
rabble mob; noisy crowd ated; squeamish; Ex. feel a little queasy
purse pucker; contract (lips) into wrinkles; N: wallet quell suppress; put an end to; put down forcibly; extin-
pucker gather into wrinkles or folds; N: wrinkle or fold guish; quiet; Ex. Army Quells Rebellion in newspa-
per; CF. kill

64
 quench assuage or satisfy (thrust); slake; douse or ex- rake angle of a slope; V: slant from the perpendicular
tinguish; put out; suppress
rake immoral or dissolute person
squelch produce a splashing sound (when stepping
 rally come or bring together; call up or summon (forces,

through mud); crush; squash; CF.
 f`
0
 A\
" 1
f
`

vital powers, etc.); revive or recuperate (after illness or
:
M
difficulty); N: act of rallying; mass gathering
querulous given to complaining; complaining; fretful;
 ramble wander aimlessly (physically or mentally); di-
whining
gress
whine complain (in a sad voice); make a high sad sound
 ramification branching out; subdivision; one branch of
(as in pain or supplication)
a system; one of the results following from an action or
 query inquiry; question; V. decision; Ex. ramifications of a business/the decision
 queue line (of waiting people or vehicles)  ramify branch out; divide into branches or subdivisions
quibble minor objection or complaint; V: raise minor
objections; carp; cavil ramp slope; inclined plane or roadway (connecting two
quiescent dormant; temporarily inactive; at rest; N. qui- levels)
escence rampant growing or spreading uncontrollably; grow-
 quietude tranquillity; calmness ing in profusion; unrestrained; Ex. rampant lawless-
ness/weed
quintessence purest and highest embodiment; per-
fect example; apotheosis; most essential element; Ex.  rampart defensive mound of earth
quintessence of wit; ADJ. quintessential; CF. fifth ramshackle (of a building or vehicle) poorly con-
essence structed; rickety; falling apart
quip taunt; clever sarcastic remark; V. rickety (of buildings) likely to break or fall apart; of
taunt deride or provoke; challenge in derision; N. rickets; CF. rickets; CF. vitamin D
quirk sudden sharp turn or twist; startling twist; ransack search thoroughly; pillage (going through a
caprice; idiosyncrasy; peculiarity of behavior; Ex. by a place); Ex. Enemy soldiers ransacked the town.
quirk of fate rancid having the odor of stale or decomposing fat; rank
quisling traitor who aids invaders; CF. Vidkun Quisling
rank offensive in odor or flavor
quiver case for arrows rancor long-lasting hatred; bitterness; Ex. negotiation
quiver tremble; shake; N. without rancor; ADJ. rancorous
leash restraining rope fastened to the collar of an animal  random without definite purpose, plan, or aim; haphaz-
(to control it); Ex. a dog on a leash ard; Ex. random shots; Ex. chosen at random
quixotic idealistic but impractical; CF. Don Quixote lot object used in making a determination at random;
quizzical curious; suggesting puzzlement (without say- fate; piece of land
ing); questioning; teasing; mocking; bantering; Ex. draw choosing of a lot or card
quizzical glance
lottery contest in which winners are selected in a draw-
quorum minimal number of members necessary to con- ing of lots
duct a meeting
raffle lottery; V: award as a prize in a raffle; Ex. raffle off
quotidian daily; commonplace; customary; Ex. quotid- a new car
ian routine
rankle irritate; fester; annoy
rabid of or suffering rabies; like a fanatic; extremely
zealous; furious; CF. rabies: hydrophobia rant speak violently or excitedly; rave; talk excitedly
showing anger; scold; make a grandiloquent speech; Ex.
raconteur story-teller; one who tells stories with wit and The priest ranted about the devil.
skill
rapacious voracious; ravenous; taking everything one
ragamuffin dirty child in torn clothes; person wearing can; excessively grasping; plundering; subsisting on
tattered clothes live prey; Ex. rapacious birds
tatter torn piece of cloth; ADJ. tattered: (of clothes) old  rapport close relationship; emotional closeness; har-
and torn; (of a person) dressed in old torn clothes mony
rail complain bitterly; scold; rant; Ex. the weaker railing rapt engrossed; absorbed; enchanted; Ex. rapt listener
against injustices
rarefied made less dense (of a gas); V. rarefy: make less
raiment clothing; garments; Ex. I have no raiment fit to dense; N. rarefaction
wear.
rare (of air) thin in density; rarefied; Ex. rare air of the
rakish jaunty; stylish; sporty; morally corrupt; disso- mountains
lute; Ex. He wore his hat at a rakish and jaunty angle.
raspy making a harsh noise; grating; harsh

65
 rasp (of a sound) grate on (eg. nerves); make a harsh  recant disclaim or disavow; retract a previous state-
noise; have an unpleasant effect; rub with something ment; openly confess error; Ex. recant ones faith/a
rough; Ex. The cats tongue rasped my hand. statement
 ratify approve formally; confirm; verify  recapitulate summarize
ratiocination reasoning; act of drawing conclusions recast reconstruct (a sentence, story, statue, etc.); fash-
from premises; V. ratiocinate: reason logically ion again
 rationale fundamental reason or principle (on which a fashion give shape to; make; Ex. fashion the pot out of
system or principle is based); fundamental reason or clay
justification; grounds for an action  receptive quick or willing to receive (ideas, suggestions,
 rationalize make rational; devise false reasons for etc.); Ex. receptive to the proposal
(ones behavior); offer an excuse; give a plausible rea-  recession withdrawal; retreat; time of low economic ac-
son for an action in place of a true, less admirable ones; tivity
N. rationalization
recess pause; temporary cessation; alcove; secret inner
rational (of a person) having reason; (of ideas) based on place; Ex. parliament in recess; V. CF. recessive
reason; logical
 recidivism habitual return to crime (even after being
ration fixed portion; V: distribute as rations punished); N. recidivist
raucous (of voice) harsh and unpleasant; (of people)  recipient receiver
disorderly and boisterous; Ex. raucous shouts
 reciprocal mutual; given and received in return; ex-
 ravage devastate; plunder; despoil; Ex. crops ravaged changeable; interacting; Ex. reciprocal trade agreement
by storms
maraud move in search of plunder; Ex. marauding reciprocate do or give something in return; repay in
army kind; give or take mutually; interchange; move back-
rave overwhelmingly favorable review; V: talk wildly wards and forwards; Ex. reciprocate his invitation by
as if mad; Ex. raving lunatic inviting him; N. reciprocity: reciprocal relationship;
mutual interchange of advantages between two groups;
 ravel fall apart into tangles; entangle; unravel or un- Ex. reciprocity in trading rights
twist
 recluse hermit; loner; ADJ. reclusive
ravenous extremely hungry; voracious
 reconcile make friendly again (after quarrel); make con-
ravine narrow valley with steep sides; gorge; CF. gully, sistent (two ideas in opposition); correct inconsistencies;
canyon Ex. reconcile ones political principles with ones reli-
 raze destroy completely; Ex. raze the city to the ground gious beliefs
 recondite abstruse; not easily understood; profound;
 reactionary strongly opposed to social or political secret
change; opposing progress; politically ultraconserva-  reconnaissance survey of enemy by soldiers; reconnoi-
tive; N. OP. radical tering; V. reconnoiter: make a preliminary inspection of
(esp. to gather military information)
reinstate restore to a previous condition or position
recount narrate or tell (a story); count over again
 realm kingdom; field or sphere; Ex. not within the
realms of possibility  recourse resorting to help when in trouble; Ex. without
recourse to
 reaper one who harvests grain; Ex. the Grim Reaper; V.
reap: cut and gather (crop); harvest a crop resort turn to for help; Ex. resort to violence; N.
 rebate return of part of a payment; discount; V. makeshift temporary expedient or substitute (in the
case of urgent need); Ex. makeshift shelter
rebuff reject bluntly; snub; beat back; Ex. She rebuffed
his invitation; N. recreant disloyal; cowardly; N: disloyal and cowardly
person
snub ignore or behave coldly toward; Ex. I made a sug-
gestion but she snubbed me; N.  recrimination countercharges; V. recriminate
 rebuke scold harshly; criticize severely  rectify set right; correct; CF. rect-: right
rebus representation of words in the form of pictures or rectitude moral correctness; moral uprightness; moral
symbols; puzzle in which pictures or letters stand for virtue; correctness of judgment
words; Ex. R U 18 is a rebus for Are you 18.  recumbent reclining; lying down completely or in part
rebuttal refutation; response with contrary evidence; V. recline lie down
rebut: refute; disprove
 recuperate recover; return to health; regain; Ex. recu-
recalcitrant disobedient or resisting authority even after perate losses
being punished; obstinately stubborn; determined to re-
sist authority; unruly; Ex. recalcitrant child  recurrent occurring again and again

66
 40 relegate put into a lower or worse place; banish to an
inferior position; delegate; assign; Ex. relegate the old
 redolent odorous; fragrant; suggestive (of an odor); Ex. furniture to the childrens room; Ex. relegated to the
redolent of onions/mystery second division
redoubtable formidable; causing fear  relent become less severe; give in(surrender); ADJ. re-
redress remedy; compensation; Ex. seek redress for the lentless: unyielding; continuously severe
damage to your car; V: put right; remedy or rectify (a  relevant having importance; pertinent; referring to the
wrong); make amends for case in hand; N. relevance, relevancy
 redundant superfluous; more than is necessary; ver- relic surviving remnant (from an extinct culture); me-
bose; excessively wordy; repetitious mento; keepsake; relics: corpse; Ex. ancient relics; Ex.
reek emit (an unpleasant odor or smoke); give off an un- relics of his travel; Ex. His relics are buried at X.
pleasant odor; give out smoke; Ex. reeking chimney; N:  relinquish give up something (with reluctance); yield;
unpleasant odor; stench release; Ex. relinquish power/the claim to the land/his
stench strong foul odor; reek; stink hold on my arm
stink stench; V: emit a strong foul odor relish enjoy; savor; N: enjoyment; zest
refectory dining hall; room where meals are served (in  remediable reparable
a school)  reminiscence recollection; V. reminisce: recollect the
 refraction bending of a ray of light past
refractory unmanageable; disobedient and stubborn; reminiscent suggestive of something (in the past); of
Ex. refractory horse reminiscence
refrain abstain from; resist; forbear; N: chorus  remiss negligent; careless about a duty
chorus phrase repeated throughout a song or poem  remission temporary moderation (of disease symp-
 refulgent effulgent; brilliant; brightly shining; gleam- toms); remitting of a debt or punishment; cancelation
ing; Ex. refulgent moon of a debt; pardon; Ex. The disease went into remission;
Ex. Christians pray for the remission of sins.
gleam brief flash of light; glow; V.
remit transmit (money) in payment; free someone from
refurbish renovate; make clean, bright, or fresh (make a debt or punishment
new) again; make bright by polishing; Ex. refurbish an
old theater; CF. furbish: polish remittance remitting of money; amount of money re-
mitted
 refute disprove; prove to be false; N. refutation
 remnant remainder
 regal royal; of a monarch; Ex. regal manner
 remonstrate protest; objection; V. remonstrate: say in
regale entertain protest
regatta boat or yacht race
 remorse deep regret for wrongdoing; guilt; self-
 regeneration spiritual rebirth; Ex. regeneration of the reproach
prisoners; V. regenerate: give or obtain new life; reform
 remunerative (of work) compensating; rewarding;
spiritually
profitable; well-paid; V. remunerate: reward; pay
penology study of prison management and criminal re- (someone) for work or trouble
habilitation
 rend split; tear apart; N. rent; CF. heartrending: causing
 regicide murder of a king or queen deep sorrow
 regime method of system or government  render give; deliver; provide; represent in verbal or
regimen prescribed course of diet or exercise; pre- artistic form; depict; perform; make; translate; Ex. ren-
scribed diet and habits; Ex. daily regimen of a dancer der the song beautifully
 rendezvous meeting place; meeting at a set time or
regiment military unit; V: subject to strict order; Ex. reg- place; V.
imented society  rendition rendering; translation; artistic interpretation
 rehabilitate restore to proper condition (health or use- of a song, etc
ful life); restore the former rank of renegade deserter; traitor; ADJ.
 reimburse repay; pay back renege break a promise; deny; go back on; Ex. renege
 reiterate repeat on the contract/paying off the debt
rejoinder reply; retort; comeback; V. rejoin: say in reply  renounce abandon; give up (by formal announcement);
disown; repudiate; Ex. renounce ones claim to the
property/ones religion; N. renunciation
comeback retort; quick clever reply; return to former
status  renovate restore to good condition; renew
 rejuvenate make young again  renown fame; ADJ. renowned

67
 herald messenger; sign of something to come; V: an-  reprove censure; rebuke; N. reproof
nounce; proclaim; Ex. unheralded researcher  repudiate disown; disavow; deny
rent tear made by rending; rip; split  repugnance disgust; strong dislike; loathing; ADJ. re-
 reparable capable of being repaired pugnant: arousing disgust; repulsive
reparation compensation (for loss or wrong); amends;  repulsion distaste; disgust; act of driving back; ADJ. re-
Ex. make reparation for the damage; CF. repair pulsive: causing disgust; tending to drive away; V. repel
(not repulse)
 repartee quick clever reply
repulse reject with rudeness or coldness (an offer or
repast meal; feast; banquet
friendship); drive back (an enemy attack); CF. repulse
 repeal revoke; annul 6= cause repulsion
 repel drive away; disgust; Ex. repel the at-  reputable respectable; having a good reputation
tack/moisture; Ex. repelled by the dirty room; CF. re-
 reputed supposed; Ex. reputed father of the child; V.
pulsion
repute: consider; N. repute: reputation; esteem
 repellent driving away; disgusting; offensive; repul-  requiem mass for the dead; dirge
sive; unattractive; N.
mass Christian religious ceremony; CF. Mass: ceremony
 repercussion rebound; reaction; reverberation; Ex. seri- of the Eucharist
ous repercussion
 requisite necessary requirement; something required;
 repertoire list of works of music, drama, etc., a per- ADJ: required; necessary
former is prepared to present; CF. repertory
requisition formal demand or request; Ex. requisition
repine fret; complain; be annoyed; Ex. repine over the for more computing equipment; V.
undone work
requite make return for; repay; reciprocate; revenge; N.
 replenish fill up again requittal
 replete fully filled; filled to the brim or to the point of
being stuffed; abundantly supplied; Ex. report replete
with errors
41
 rescind repeal; annul; cancel (a law, decision, or agree-
memoir memoirs; autobiography; biography ment)
brim uppermost edge of a cup; projecting rim (as on a  resentment indignation; bitterness; displeasure; V. re-
hat); Ex. The glass was full to the brim; V: be full to the sent: feel anger about
brim
 reserve self-control; self-restraint; formal but distant
 replica copy manner; reticence; Ex. without reserve: freely and
 replicate reproduce; duplicate openly; ADJ. reserved: shy and uncommunicative
 repository storehouse  residue remainder; balance
repose resting; state of being at rest; calmness; V: lie at residual remaining; left over; of a residue; N: residue
rest; relax; put or place; Ex. repose our hopes in a single  resignation patiently submissiveness; statement that
man one is quitting a job; ADJ. resigned: acquiescent
 reprehensible deserving blame; blameworthy; V. repre- resign give up (a position, right, or claim); submit (one-
hend: blame self) passively
 repress hold back (the natural expression of); restrain;  resilient elastic; having the power of springing back;
crush; oppress; Ex. repressed child; Ex. repress a able to recover quickly (as from misfortune)
laugh/rebellion
elastic able to spring back into shape; quick to recover
 reprieve postponement or cancelation of a punishment; (as from disappointment); able to adapt to change; Ex.
temporary stay; V: postpone or cancel the punishment elastic plans; N: elastic material
of
 resolution determination; resoluteness; ADJ. resolute:
 reprimand reprove severely; rebuke; N. firm or determined in purpose
 reprisal retaliation  resolve determination; resolution; firmness of purpose
reprise musical repetition; repeating of a piece of music;  resolve decide; settle; solve; separate; make a deter-
repeat performance; recurrent action; Ex. reprise in the mined decision; N. resolution
finale; Ex. constant reprises
 resonant (of a sound) echoing; resounding(sounding
 reproach blame (not angrily but sadly); express disap- loudly); deep and full in sound; producing resonance;
proval or disappointment; N. ADJ. reproachful Ex. resonant voice; N. resonance
reprobate morally disapproved person; person hard- resound (of a place) be filled with sound; (of a sound)
ened in sin, devoid of a sense of decency; CF. disap- sound loudly; sound back; echo; Ex. hall resounded
proved by God ? with laughter
 reprobation severe disapproval; CF. approbation  respiration breathing; exhalation; ADJ. respiratory

68
 respite time for rest; interval of relief; delay in punish- revelry boisterous merrymaking; V. revel: engage bois-
ment; reprieve terous festivities; enjoy greatly; N: boisterous festivity
or celebration
 resplendent brilliant; splendid in appearance; dazzling;
glorious reverberate echo repeatedly; resound; Ex. The thunder
reverberated across the valley.
 responsiveness state of reacting readily to appeals, or-
ders, etc.; ADJ. responsive: readily reacting; Ex. respon-  reverent respectful; worshipful; V. revere: regard with
sive to treatment reverence; N. reverence: profound respect
restitution returning something (lost or stolen) to the reverend deserving reverence; N: priest
rightful owner; reparation; indemnification; compensa-
reverie daydream; abstracted musing
tion for loss, damage, or injury
 revert relapse; backslide; turn back to; return to the for-
restive impatiently restless (induced by external coer-
mer owner; N. reversion
cion or restriction); restlessly impatient; obstinately re-
sisting control; Ex. restive horses because of wolves; CF. relapse return to a former state (esp. after improve-
not a general synonym for restless ment); N.
 restraint moderation or self-control; controlling force; backslide revert (to bad habits); N. reverter
restriction revile attack with abusive language; vilify(slander)
 resumption taking up again; recommencement; V. re-  revoke cancel; retract; CF. irrevocable
sume: begin or take up again; take or occupy again; Ex.
Kindly resume your seats. revulsion sudden strong feeling of disgust; sudden vi-
olent change of feeling; negative reaction; Ex. revulsion
resurge rise again; flow to and fro; N. resurgence; ADJ. from the scenes of torture
resurgent: (of ideas or beliefs) experiencing revival;
surging again rhapsodize speak or write in an exaggeratedly enthu-
siastic manner; Ex. rhapsodize over the beauty of the
resurrect revive scenery
 resuscitate revive; bring back to life or consciousness; rhapsody excessively enthusiastic expression of feeling;
Ex. resuscitate the drowned child musical composition of irregular form (as if made up as
 retain keep; maintain possession of; employ (esp. a one plays it)
lawyer or advisor); N. retainer: servant; fee paid to re- rhetoric art of effective communication; art of using lan-
tain an advisor guage effectively and persuasively; style of speaking or
 retaliate repay in kind (usually for bad treatment); V. writing; grandiloquent language; Ex. political rhetoric;
retaliate ADJ. rhetorical; CF. rhetorical question: question to
which no answer is expected as Who knows it ?
retentive holding; able to retain things (esp. facts in the
mind); having a good memory ribald marked by vulgar lewd humor; wanton; profane;
N. ribaldry: ribald language or joke
reticent inclined to silence; uncommunicative; re-
served; Ex. He was reticent about the reasons; N. ret- riddle pierce with holes; permeate or spread through-
icence out; Ex. The gunman riddled the car with bullets; Ex.
The whole report is riddled with errors; N. large sieve
 retinue following; attendants
(separating earth from stone)
retiring shy and reserved (of a person); modest; Ex. her
rider amendment or clause added to a legislative bill
retiring personality
rife (of something bad) widespread; abundant; current
 retort quick sharp reply; V.
rift narrow opening in a large mass; break in a friendly
 retract withdraw; take back; draw back; Ex. retract a
relation; Ex. through a rift in the clouds; OP. reconcila-
statement/an offer/claws; N. retraction; CF. retractile
tion
retrench cut down; cut down expenses; economize
rig fix or manipulate; manipulate dishonestly for per-
retribution deserved punishment for wrongdoing; sonal gain; Ex. rig the election
punishment for offenses; compensation; vengeance; CF.
rig arrangement of masts and sails; V: equip (a ship)
pay back
with rigging; ADJ. rigging: ropes that hold up a ships
 retrieve recover; put right; find and bring in; regain; Ex. sails
retrieve the situation
 rigid hard and unbending; stiff and unyielding; fixed in
retroactive taking effect before its enactment (as a law) behavior or views; strict; rigorous; Ex. rigid rule
or imposition (as a tax); (of a law) having effect on the
past as well as the future  rigor severity; Ex. rigors of the Russian winter

enact make (a bill) into law rile irritate; vex; muddy

retrograde go backwards; recede; degenerate; deterio- riveting holding ones attention; absorbing; engrossing
rate; ADJ. rivet metal pin used for fastening metal plates together;
 retrospective looking back on the past; N. retrospection; V: fasten with a rivet; engross
V. retrospect rivulet small stream; CF. rill rivulet river

69
 robust strong; vigorous  sacrilegious desecrating; profane; N. sacrilege: desecra-
tion, misuse, or theft of something sacred
 rococo ornate; highly decorated; N. CF. 18th century
sacrosanct invioably sacred; most sacred; inviolable
roil make liquids murky by stirring up sediment; dis-
turb
roseate rosy; optimistic; Ex. roseate views 42
roster list (of names) sadistic inclined to cruelty; N. sadism: delight in cruelty

rostrum raised platform for speech-making; pulpit

 saga Scandinavian myth; any legend; long heroic narra-
pulpit raised platform used in preaching (in a church) tive
rote repetition; memorization through repetition with- sagacious wise; perceptive; shrewd; having insight; N.
out understanding; Ex. learn poetry by rote sagacity
rotunda circular building or hall covered with a dome sage person celebrated for wisdom; wise person; ADJ:
rotundity roundness; sonorousness of speech wise

rotund (of a person) fat and round salacious lascivious; lustful; Ex. salacious monk

rousing lively; inducing excitement; stirring; V. rouse: salient prominent; projecting beyond a line; conspicu-
waken; arouse from sleep or depression; excite; stir up ous; Ex. salient features
 rout put to rout; stampede; drive out; N: complete de-  saline salty
feat and disorderly retreat sallow (of the skin) yellowish and unhealthy-looking;
stampede sudden frenzied rush (of panic-stricken ani- sickly in color; Ex. sallow complexion due to jaundice
mals or people); V: participate in or cause stampede; Ex.
stampede before the price rises salubrious healthful; conducive to health or well-being;
 rubble fragments (esp. from a destroyed building) socially desirable; Ex. salubrious area; CF. health
mason one who builds or works with stone or brick; N. salutary tending to improve; beneficial; wholesome; Ex.
masonry: work of a mason; stonework or brickwork The punishment had a salutary effect on the boy; CF.
health
rubric title or heading (in red print); directions for reli-
gious ceremony; protocol  salvage rescue (goods or property) from loss; N: saving;
property saved
ruddy reddish; (of the face) reddish and healthy-
looking sanctimonious displaying ostentatious or hypocritical
devoutness; N. sanctimony: hypocritical piety
 rudimentary elementary; not developed; crude; N.
rudiment: fundamental element or principle; Ex. rudi-  sanction approve; ratify; N: permission; penalty in-
ments of the language tended to enforce compliance
rue regret; lament; mourn; Ex. He will rue the day; N.  sanctuary place of refuge; shelter; shrine; holy place; Ex.
ADJ. rueful The outlaw was granted sanctuary in the church.
ruffian violent scoundrel; bully  sanguinary bloody; with much bloodshed
ruminate chew over and over (mentally or, like cows,  sanguine optimistic; cheerful; hopeful; of the color of
physically); mull over(ponder) blood; red
ruminant animal that ruminates; ADJ. sap diminish; weaken; undermine the foundations of (a
fortification); Ex. The element kryptonite sapped his
 rummage ransack; thoroughly search
strength.
runic mysterious; set down in an ancient alphabet; N.
 sarcasm cutting ironic remark; scornful remarks; sting-
rune: one of the letters of an alphabet used by ancient
ing rebuke; ADJ. sarcastic
Germanic peoples (cut on stone or wood); magic charm
sardonic scornfully mocking; disdainful; sarcastic; cyn-
ical; Ex. sardonic smile
ruse trick to deceive; stratagem
sartorial pertaining to tailors or tailoring; Ex. a man of
 rustic pertaining to country people; unsophisticated;
great sartorial elegance; CF. sartor: tailor
simple; crude; uncouth; (of furniture) rough with the
bark left on; N. rural person; rustic person sate satisfy to the full; satisfy to excess; cloy
 rusticate banish to the country; dwell in the country doze sleep lightly; nap
 ruthless pitiless; merciless; cruel  satellite small body revolving around a larger one
 saboteur one who commits sabotage; destroyer of prop-  satiate satisfy fully (physical needs such as hunger);
erty; N. sabotage: destruction of property (usually car- sate; N. satiety: condition of being satiated
ried out secretly)
 satire form of literature in which irony, sarcasm, and
 saccharine cloying sweet; characteristic of sugar or sac- ridicule are employed to attack human vice and folly
charin

70
 satirical using satire; mocking with lines or notches; Ex. score the paper to make it easy
to fold
 saturate soak thoroughly; imbue; impregnate; charge;
fill to capacity stamp step on heavily (so as to crush or extinguish); put
an end to; imprint or impress with a mark, design, or
saturnine morose; gloomy; Ex. Do not be misled by his
seal; shape with a die; characterize; Ex. machine stamp-
saturnine countenance.
ing out car bodies; Ex. newspaper stamping him as a
satyr half-human, half-bestial being in the court of liar; N. stamping; implement used to stamp; impres-
Dionysus (resembling a goat), portrayed as wan- sion stamped; mark; Ex. Her remarks bear the stamp
ton(unrestrained) and cunning; lecher; CF. faun; CF. of truth.
goat: lecherous man
scourge lash; whip (formerly used for punishment);
saunter stroll(go for a leisurely walk) slowly; N. source of severe punishment; V: whip; afflict
savant scholar; learned person; CF. savoir: know scruple hesitate for ethical reasons; fret about; Ex. She
did not scruple to read his diary; N: uneasy feeling aris-
savor enjoy; have a distinctive flavor, smell, or quality;
ing from conscience; conscience
N: taste or smell; distinctive quality
 scrupulous conscientious; extremely thorough; Ex.
savory pleasant in taste; tasty; pleasing, attractive, or
scrupulous worker
agreeable; Ex. savory reputation
 scrutinize examine closely and critically; N. scrutiny
scabbard case for a sword blade; sheath
scuffle struggle confusedly; move off in a confused
scad a great quantity; Ex. scads of clothes hurry; N. CF. scuffling twins ?
scaffold temporary platform for workers (to work at shuffle mix together; jumble; move (something) from
heights above the ground); bracing framework; plat- one place to another; slide (the feet) along the ground
form for execution while walking; Ex. shuffle papers from one pile to an-
 scale climb up; ascend; remove or come off in scales; other; N.
N: flake of epidermis; ascending or descending series of scurrilous abusive; obscene; indecent; Ex. scurrilous re-
musical tones mark
 scanty meager; insufficient scurry move hastily; hurry; move briskly
scapegoat someone who bears the blame for others; scurvy contemptible; despicable; N: disease caused by
whipping boy; CF. escape+goat deficiency of Vitamin C
scavenge hunt through discarded materials for usable scuttle sink (a ship) by cutting holes in the hull; scrap;
items or food; search, especially for food; N. scavenger: discard; N: small hatch in a ships deck or hull
one who scavenges; animal that feeds on refuse and car-
hull husk; dry outer covering of a seed; frame or body
rion
of a ship
refuse anything discarded or rejected as worthless;
seamy sordid; base; filthy; unwholesome; Ex. seamy
trash
side of city life
 scenario plot outline; screenplay(script for a movie); base contemptible; morally bad; inferior in value or
opera libretto; outline of possible future events quality; Ex. base motives/conduct; Ex. base metal such
 schematic of a schema or scheme; relating to an outline as iron
or diagram; using a system of symbols; N. schema: dia- sear burn the surface of; char or burn; brand; parch;
grammatic representation; outline cause (a plant) to wither
scheme systematic plan; plot; clever dishonest plan; or- char make or become black by burning; reduce or be re-
derly arrangement of elements; Ex. health insurance duced to carbon or charcoal(black substance made by
scheme; Ex. a scheme to escape taxes; Ex. a color burning wood) by incomplete combustion
scheme; Ex. a story with no scheme; V: contrive a
scheme scorch sear; N.

schism division into factions (esp. within a religious brand trademark; mark burned on the hide of an ani-
body); split mal; mark burned into the flesh of criminals; mark of
disgrace; V: mark with a brand; give a lasting bad name;
scintilla trace; minute amount; shred; least bit; Ex. stigmatize; Ex. The press branded him a liar.
There is not a scintilla of truth; CF. spark
hide skin of an animal
scintillate sparkle; flash; be animated; be full of life; Ex.
 seasoned experienced
scintillating conversation
season enhance the flavor of by adding a spice, etc.; in-
scoff laugh (at); mock; ridicule; Ex. scoff at their threats
ure; harden; N. seasoning: something used in seasoning

scotch stamp out(put an end to); thwart; hinder; Ex.

seasonal of a particular season; Ex. seasonal rise in em-
scotch the rumor; CF. cut; CF.
1
x
l s
`
H_
 p
ployment
score number of points; written form of a musical com-
seasonable occurring at the proper time or season; op-
position; reason; group of 20; notch or incision; Ex.
portune; Ex. seasonable intervention in the dispute
full/vocal score; Ex. Dont worry on that score; V: mark
71
 secession withdrawal; V. secede: withdraw formally voluptuous sensual; of or giving sensual pleasure; in-
from membership dulging in sensual pleasures; Ex. voluptuous lines; Ex.
voluptuous life of the Romans; N. voluptuary: volup-
 seclusion isolation; solitude; V. seclude: set apart from
tuous person
others; isolate
secrete conceal; hide away or cache; produce and re-  sensuous giving pleasure to the senses; pertaining to
lease a substance into an organism; CF. secretive the physical senses; operating through the senses; sen-
suous feeling of soft velvet on the skin
 sect separate religious body; faction; group of people
with common beliefs within a larger group sententious pithy; terse; concise; aphoristic

sectarian of a sect; narrow-minded; parochial; N: mem- sentient capable of sensation and conscious; aware; sen-
ber of a sect; narrow-minded person sitive; Ex. sentient creature; N. sentience

denomination religious group; unit in a system; name  sentinel sentry; lookout

or designation; CF. denominator: common trait or char- lookout act of keeping watch; high place commanding
acteristic a wide view; person who keeps watch
 secular worldly; not pertaining to church matters or re- septic of or causing sepsis; putrid; producing putrefac-
ligion; temporal tion; N. sepsis: poisoning of part of the body (producing
sedate composed (with no excitement); grave; V: ad- pus)
minister a sedative to; CF. sedative sepulcher tomb; V: place in a sepulcher; ADJ. sepul-
 sedentary requiring sitting; done while sitting; not chral
moving from one place to another; settled; Ex. seden-
tary job/population 43
 sedition conduct or language inciting rebellion; rebel- sequester isolate; segregate; seclude; retire from public
lion; resistance to authority; insubordination; ADJ. sedi- life
tious
sere sear; parched; dry
sedulous diligent; assiduous; paying attention; N.
sedulity serendipity gift for finding valuable things by accident;
accidental good fortune or luck; CF. The Three Princes
seedy run-down; decrepit; disreputable; having many of Serendip
seeds; Ex. seedy downtown hotel
 serenity calmness; placidity; ADJ. serene
run-down (of a place) dilapidated; in a bad condition;
(of a person) weak or exhausted serpentine winding; twisting; of or like a serpent; Ex.
serpentine course of the river; N. serpent: snake
seemly (of behavior) proper; appropriate
serrated having a sawtoothed edge; Ex. serrated leaf
seep pass slowly through small openings; ooze; trickle;
N. seepage  servile slavish; cringing; N. servility
seethe be violently disturbed; boil; (of a liquid) move  servitude slavery; compulsory labor imposed as a pun-
about wildly as if boiling; Ex. The nation was seething ishment
with discontent. sever separate; cut off (a part) from a whole; break up
seine seine net; net for catching fish (a relationship); N. severance; CF. severance pay: extra
pay given an employee upon leaving a position
 seismic pertaining to earthquakes
 severity harshness; intensity; sternness; austerity; ADJ.
semblance outward appearance; guise; Ex. We called
severe: harsh; strict; extremely violent or intense
in the troops to bring a/some semblance of order to the
city. sextant navigation tool used to determine a ships lati-
tude and longitude (by measuring the altitudes of stars)
 seminal related to seed or semen; germinal; creative;
providing a basis for further development; influencing
future developments; Ex. seminal research in a new shackle chain; fetter; confine with shackles; N.
field sham pretend; feign; ADJ: not genuine; fake; Ex. sham
seminary school for training future ministers; sec- jewelry; N: something that is not what it appears; im-
ondary school, especially for young women postor; pretense; Ex. The agreement was a sham.
 senility old age; feeblemindedness of old age; ADJ. se- shambles (place or scene of) complete disorder or ruin;
nile: resulting from old age; showing the weakness of wreck; mess; Ex. After the hurricane, the coast was a
body or mind from old age; Ex. senile dementia shambles.
feebleminded deficient in intelligence; very stupid shard fragment generally of broken pottery (glass, clay
sensitization process of being made sensitive or acutely bowl, or cup)
responsive to an external agent or substance; V. sensi- shaving very thin piece, usually of wood (cut from a
tize: make or become sensitive surface with a sharp blade)
 sensual devoted to the pleasures of the sense; carnal; plane carpenters tool for smoothing and leveling
voluptuous; Ex. sensual woman/curves/lips wood; V. CF. flat

72
 sheaf bundle of stalks of grain; any bundle of things tied skinflint miser; stingy person
together
 skirmish minor fight; minor battle in war; V.
sheathe place into a case; insert into or provide with a
skittish inconstant; capricious; frivolous; not serious;
sheath; Ex. He sheathed his dagger; N. sheath: case for
Ex. charming but skittish young woman; CF. skit
a blade
frisk move about playfully; froric; ADJ. frisky: playful
sherbet flavored dessert ice
skulduggery(skullduggery) dishonest behavior or ac-
shimmer shine with a flickering light; glimmer inter-
tion; Ex. skulduggery in the election
mittently; Ex. The moonlight shimmered on the water;
N. skulk move furtively and secretly; Ex. He skulked
through the less fashionable sections of the city.
shirk avoid (responsibility, work, etc.); malinger
slacken slow up; loosen; make or become slack
shoddy made of inferior material; sham; not genuine;
inferior; dishonest; Ex. shoddy goods/trick slack moving slowly; sluggish; inactive; (of a rope)
loose; negligent; lax; Ex. slack season; Ex. slack in ones
shrew scolding woman; very small mouselike animal
work; N. V.
 shrewd clever; astute
slag glassy residue from smelting metal; dross; waste
shun keep away from; avoid deliberately; Ex. She has matter
been shunned by her neighbors.
 slake satisfy (thirst); quench; sate
shunt move (a railway train) from one track to another;
turn aside; divert; sidetrack; Ex. shunt traffic around an  slander defamation; utterance of false and malicious
accident; N. statements; V. ADJ. slanderous

sidetrack switch (a railroad car) to a siding; divert from slapdash hasty and careless; haphazard;
a main issue; N. CF. siding: short section of railroad sloppy(carelessly done)
track connected by switches with a main track sleazy shabby and dirty; flimsy; insubstantial; Ex.
shyster lawyer using questionable methods; unscrupu- sleazy back-street hotel/fabric
lous practioner sleeper one that achieves unexpected success; some-
 sibling brother or sister thing originally of little value or importance that in time
becomes very valuable
sibylline prophetic; oracular; N. sibyl: woman prophet
(in the ancient world)  sleight dexterity; CF. sleight of hand: legerdemain;
quickness of the hands in doing tricks
sidereal relating to stars; Ex. sidereal day
slew large quantity or number; Ex. slew of errands left
silt sediment deposited by running water (at the en-
trance to a harbor or by a bend in a river) slight insult to ones dignity; snub; V: treat as if of small
importance; insult; snub; ADJ. small in size; of small
simian monkeylike; N: ape or monkey importance
 simile comparison of one thing with another, using the slipshod slovenly; careless; sloppy; untidy; shabby; Ex.
word like or as slipshod work
simper smirk; smile in a silly way; smile affectedly slither slip or slide
 simplistic oversimplified  sloth slow moving tree-dwelling mammal; laziness;
 simulate feign; imitate ADJ. slothful: lazy; indolent
sinecure well-paid position with little responsibility; slough (of a snake) shed or cast off (dead outer skin); N:
CF. sine cure: without care; CF. San Serif outer layer that is shed
sinewy (of meat) tough; strong and firm; muscular; N. slovenly untidy; careless in work habits; slipshod; N.
sinew: tendon; strong cord connecting a muscle to a sloven: one who is habitually untidy or careless
bone
sledge large sled drawn by work animals
 singular being only one; individual; unique; extraordi-
sleigh large vehicle drawn by a horse over snow or ice
nary; odd; Ex. singular beauty/behavior
sluggard lazy person
 sinister evil; ominous
 sluggish lazy; slow; inactive; lethargic; CF. slug: nail
sinuous twisting; winding; bending in and out; not
with no shell
morally honest
sluice artificial channel for directing or controlling the
 skeptic sceptic; doubter; person who suspends judg-
flow of water (with a gate to regulate the flow)
ment until he has examined the evidence supporting a
point of view; ADJ. skeptical; N. skepticism; scepticism slur slander; insult to ones character or reputation; V.
skiff small light sailboat or rowboat slur pronounce indistinctly; speak indistinctly; mumble
skimp provide or use scantily; live very economically;
Ex. skimp on necessities; ADJ. skimpy: inadequate in smattering slight knowledge; small scattered number
amount; scanty; stingy; niggardly or amount; Ex. smattering of German

73
 smelt melt (ore) for separating and removing the metal; somnolent half asleep; drowsy; N. somnolence
melt or blend ores changing their chemical composition
sonorous resonant; producing a full deep sound; pro-
ducing sound
smirk conceited smile; offensively self-satisfied smile
sonic of sound or its speed in air; CF. subsonic, super-
(often at someone elses misfortune); V.
sonic
smolder smoulder; burn slowly without flame; be liable
sonnet 14-line poetic verse form with a fixed rhyme pat-
to break out at any moment; exist in a suppressed state;
tern
Ex. smoldering anger
 sophist teacher of philosophy; quibbler; employer of
snicker half-stifled(suppressed) laugh; V.
fallacious reasoning; N. sophism: plausible but falla-
snivel complain or whine tearfully; run at the nose; cious argument
snuffle; Ex. Dont come back sniveling to me.
 sophisticated worldly wise and urbane; refined; com-
snuffle sniffle; sniff repeatedly (in order to keep liquid plex; N. sophistication; V. sophisticate
from running out of the nose)
 sophistry seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning;
 sobriety moderation (especially regarding indulgence sophism
in alcohol); seriousness
sophomoric immature; half-baked; like a sophomore
sober serious; solemn; not drunken; abstemious or tem-
soporific sleep-causing; marked by sleepiness; drowsy
perate; V: make or become sober
sodden thoroughly soaked; dull or stupid as if from sordid filthy; foul; base; vile; Ex. sordid bed/story
drink spangle small shiny metallic piece sewn to clothing for
sojourn temporary stay; V: stay for a time ornamentation

solace comfort in sorrow or trouble; consolation; V:  sparse not thick; thinly scattered; scanty
comfort or console in time of sorrow or trouble spartan without attention to comfort; lacking luxury
solder repair or make whole by using a metal alloy; N: and comfort; sternly disciplined; Ex. spartan living con-
metal alloy (usually tin and lead) used in the molten dition/life
state to join metallic parts spasmodic fitful; periodic; of or like a spasm; N. spasm:
solecism nonstandard grammatical construction; con- sudden involuntary muscular contraction; sudden burst
struction that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically; vi- of energy or emotion
olation of social etiquette spat squabble; minor dispute; minor quarrel
 solemnity seriousness; gravity spate sudden flood or rush; Ex. spate of accidents
 solicit entreat; request earnestly; seek to obtain; Ex. so-  spatial relating to space
licit votes; CF. solicitor: one who solicits; chief law offi-
cer spatula broad-bladed instrument used for spreading or
mixing
solicitous anxious; worried; concerned; eager; Ex. so-
licitous to do something; N. solicitude  spawn lay eggs (in large numbers); produce offspring
(in large numbers); N: eggs of aquatic animals
 soliloquy talking to oneself (esp. in a play); CF. mono-
logue: soliloquy; long speech by one person (often mo-  specious seemingly reasonable but incorrect; mislead-
nopolizing a conversation) ing (often intentionally)

 solitude state of being alone; seclusion; ADJ. solitary:  spectral ghostly; N. specter: spectre; ghost; phantom
existing or living alone (esp. by choice); remote or se-  spectrum colored band produced when a beam of light
cluded; single; sole; Ex. solitary life/inn; Ex. no solitary passes through a prism; broad and continuous range;
piece of proof Ex. whole spectrum of modern thoughts
 solstice point or time at which the sun is farthest from spendthrift someone who wastes money; CF. thrift: ac-
the equator cumulated wealth
 soluble able to be dissolved in a liquid; able to be sphinx-like enigmatic; mysterious
worked out or solved
splice join together end to end to make one continuous
 solvent able to pay all depths; N. solvency length; fasten together; unite; Ex. splice two strips of
 solvent substance that dissolves another; ADJ: capable tape; N.
of dissolving another substance  spontaneity lack of premeditation; naturalness; free-
 somatic pertaining to the body; bodily; physical dom from constraint; ADJ. spontaneous: self-generated;
unpremeditated; happening without being planned

44 spoonerism accidental transposition of sounds in suc-

cessive words; Ex. Let me sew you to your sheet for
somber dark; gloomy; melancholy; depressing; CF. Let me show you to your seat; CF. William Spooner
shadow
transpose reverse the order or position of
 somnambulist sleepwalker; V. somnambulate; N. som-
nambulism  sporadic occurring irregularly; intermittent

74
 sportive playful; frolicsome; merry; CF. sport: play or stentorian (of the voice) extremely loud; CF. Stentor: a
frolic; CF. sportsmanlike loud herald in the Iliad
spruce neat and trim in appearance; smart; Ex. Be  stereotype one regarded as embodying a set image or
spruce for your job interview; V. type; fixed and unvarying representation; standardized
mental picture often reflecting prejudice; Ex. stereotype
spry (esp. of older people) vigorously active; nimble
of the happy slave; V: make a stereotype of; represent
nimble quick in movement; agile; quick in understand- by a stereotype; Ex. It is wrong to stereotype people; Ex.
ing; Ex. nimble climber/mind stereotyped answer
spurious false; counterfeit; forged; illogical; Ex. spuri- stickler perfectionist; person who insists things be ex-
ous arguments actly right
spurn reject disdainfully; scorn; Ex. She spurned all of- stifle suppress; extinguish; inhibit; smother or suffocate
fers of help.
squabble minor quarrel; bickering; V: engage in a mi- smother kill from lack of air; suppress; cover thickly;
nor quarrel; Ex. squabbling children Ex. smothered in little stickers
squalor condition of being squalid; filth; degradation; suffocate die or kill from lack of air; suppress
dirty neglected state; ADJ. squalid: dirty; sordid;
morally repulsive; Ex. squalid story stigma token of disgrace; brand; V. stigmatize: mark
with a stigma; characterize as disgraceful
 squander waste; spend foolishly
stilted bombastic; stiffly pompous; Ex. stilted rhetoric;
squat short and thick; stocky; Ex. ugly squat tower; V. CF. stiff: formal
N.
stint set limits in amount or number; be thrifty; ADJ.
staccato played in an abrupt manner; marked by abrupt stinting, unstinting; CF. stint:savings
sharp sound; Ex. staccato applause
stint supply; allotted amount of work; assigned portion
legato (of music) played smoothly of work; limitation; Ex. two-year stint in the army; Ex.
 stagnant (of water) not flowing (often bad-smelling); without stint
motionless; stale; not developing; inactive; dull; Ex. stipend pay for services
stagnant industrial output
stipple paint or draw with dots or short strokes
staid serious and sedate; sober; Ex. staid during the fu-
neral ceremony  stipulate state as a necessary condition (of an agree-
ment); make express conditions; specify; Ex. He stip-
 stalemate deadlock; situation in which further action is ulated payment in advance
blocked
stock standard; kept regularly in stock or supply; typ-
stalwart physically strong; brawny; steadfast; strong in ical; routine; common; Ex. stock sizes of paper; Ex.
mind or determination; Ex. stalwart supporter; N: stal- stock excuse/character; N: goods for sale in a shop; OP.
wart follower unique
 stamina power of endurance; strength; staying power
stockade wooden enclosure or pen; fixed line of posts
stanch stop or check flow of blood; Ex. stanch the gush- used as defensive barrier
ing wound
pen fenced enclosure for animals; confining space; Ex.
stanza division of a poem (composed of two or more sheep pen; V: confine in a pen; enclose
lines)
stodgy dull; stuffy; boringly conservative; Ex. stodgy
 static having no motion; unchanging; lacking develop- book
ment; N. stasis: stable state
 stoic stoical; impassive; unmoved by joy or grief; N. CF.
 statute law enacted by the legislature stoicism
 statutory created by statute or legislative action; regu- stoke stir up a fire or furnace; feed plentifully
lated by statute; Ex. statutory age limit
stolid dull; impassive; showing little emotion when
steadfast steadily loyal; unswerving; steady strong feelings are expected
 stealth action of moving secretly or unseen; slyness;  stratagem deceptive scheme; clever trick
sneakiness; secretiveness; ADJ. stealthy
 stratified divided into classes; arranged into strata; V.
steep soak; saturate; Ex. steep the fabric in the dye bath; stratify
ADJ: precipitous
 stratum layer of earths surface; layer of society; PL.
 stellar pertaining to the stars; of a star performer; out- strata
standing; Ex. stellar attraction of the entire performance
strew spread randomly; sprinkle; scatter; Ex. flower girl
strewing rose petals
stem stop or check (the flow of); Ex. stem the bleeding
from the slashed artery; N: main axis of a plant; stalk striated marked with parallel bands; striped; grooved;
Ex. striated rocks; V. striate; N. stria: thin groove or line
 stem from arise from; originate from

75
 stricture severe and adverse criticism; critical com-  subsequent following in time or order; later
ments; limit or restriction
 subservient behaving like a slave; servile; obsequious;
strident loud and harsh; insistent; N. stridency subordinate; N. subservience
 stringent (of rules) binding; rigid; marked by scarcity of  subside sink to a lower level; settle down; sink to the
money; Ex. stringent economic conditions bottom (as a sediment); descend; grow quiet; become
strut pompous walk; V: walk in a self-important man- less; moderate; abate
ner  subsidiary serving to assist; subordinate; secondary; of


strut supporting bar; CF. airplane wings  building 1
x
p a subsidy; N.
support
`
  subsidy direct financial aid by government, etc.; V. sub-
studied carefully contrived; calculated; unspontaneous; sidize: assist with a subsidy
deliberate; thoughtful; Ex. studied remark  subsistence existence; means of subsisting; means of
stultify make stupid in mind; cause to appear or be- support; livelihood; V. subsist: exist; maintain life (at
come stupid or inconsistent; suppress; frustrate or hin- a meager level)
der; Ex. stultifying effect of uninteresting work; Ex.  substantial of substance; material; solid; essential or
stultify free expression fundamental; ample; considerable; well-to-do; wealthy
stupefy stun; make numb (as with a drug); amaze
 substantiate support (a claim) with evidence; establish
stupor state of being stupefied; state of apathy; daze; with evidence; verify
lack of awareness
substantive substantial; essential; pertaining to the sub-
stun make unconscious or numb as by a blow; amaze; stance; substantial; considerable; Ex. substantive issues
astound
daze stun as with a blow or shock; bemuse; benumb; N. subsume include (as a member of a group); encompass
subterfuge stratagem(deceptive scheme); pretense;
stygian unpleasantly dark; gloomy; hellish; deathly; CF. evasion; Ex. resort to a harmless subterfuge
Styx: the chief river in the subterranean land of the dead
 subtlety perceptiveness; ingenuity; delicacy; ADJ. sub-
tle: delicate; so slight as to be difficult to detect;
stymie thwart; present an obstacle; stump able to make fine distinctions; clever; Ex. subtle
stump base of a tree trunk left after the rest has been cut mind/differences in meaning
down; V: walk in a heavy manner; baffle; puzzle subversive tending to overthrow or ruin; V. subvert:
suavity urbanity; polish; ADJ. suave: smooth and cour- overthrow completely (an established system); destroy
teous completely; CF. undermine ?
subaltern subordinate  succor assist (someone in difficulty); aid; comfort; N.
 subdue less intense; quieter; Ex. subdued lighting; Ex. succulent juicy; full of juice or sap; full of richness; N:
subdue: conquer; make less intense; quiet; Ex. subdue succulent plant such as a cactus
ones anger
 succumb yield (to something overwhelming); give in;
 subjective influenced by personal feelings; occurring or die; Ex. succumb to the illness
taking place within the mind; unreal; Ex. subjective sen-
sation of the ghostly presence suffragist advocate of the extension of voting rights (for
women); CF. suffrage
 subjugate conquer; bring under control
suffuse spread through or over (with a color or liquid);
 sublimate refine; purify; replace (natural urges) with charge; Ex. A blush suffused her cheeks.
socially acceptable activities; change between a solid
state and a gaseous state sully defile; soil; tarnish; Ex. sully ones hands in me-
nial labor
 sublime causing deep feelings of wonder, joy, respect,
etc.; exalted; noble and uplifting; utter tarnish make or become dull or discolored; N.
 sultry (of weather) hot; sweltering; sensual; voluptuous
45
 subliminal below the threshold of conscious percep-  summation act of finding the total; summing-up; sum-
tion; Ex. subliminal advertisement mary (esp. one given by the judge at the end of a trial)
 submissive willing to obey orders; yielding; timid
sumptuous grand suggesting great expense; lavish;
 subordinate occupying a lower rank; inferior; submis-
rich; Ex. sumptuous feast
sive; N. V: put in a lower rank or class
suborn persuade to act unlawfully (especially to com- sunder separate; part; CF. asunder
mit perjury); N. subornation sundry miscellaneous; various; several; N. sundries:
subpoena writ(written command issued by a court) small miscellaneous items
summoning a witness to appear in court; V: summon superannuated retired or disqualified because of age;
with a subpoena outmoded; obsolete

76
 supercilious haughty; arrogant; condescending; pa- suture stitches sewn to hold the cut edges of a wound
tronizing; CF. eyebrow, cilium or incision; material used in sewing; V: sew together a
wound
supererogatory superfluous; more than needed or de-
manded swarthy (of a skin or complexion) dark; dusky; Ex.
swarthy Italian ?
 superficial of the surface; not deep; shallow; not thor-
ough; trivial; Ex. superficial analysis/knowledge swathe swath; wrap around; bandage; Ex. ones head
swathed in bandages
 superfluous excessive; overabundant; unnecessary; N.
superfluity swelter (of a person) suffer from oppressive heat; be op-
pressed by heat
 superimpose place over something else
swerve deviate; turn aside sharply from a straight
supernumerary person or thing excess of what is nec-
course; Ex. swerve from the principle; Ex. The car
essary; extra; ADJ: additional to the usual or necessary
swerved to the right.
number
swill drink greedily
 supersede replace; cause to be set aside; make obsolete;
N. supersession  swindler cheater
supine lying on back; passive; inactive; Ex. The de- sybarite lover of luxury; person devoted to pleasure
feated pugilist lay supine; Ex. supine acceptance of the and luxury; CF. Sybaris: an ancient Greek city in Italy
decision
 supplant take the place of unfairly; usurp; replace  sycophant servile flatterer; bootlicker; yes man; ADJ.
sycophantic
 supple flexible; limber; pliant
 syllogism logical formula consisting of a major premise,
 suppliant entreating; beseeching; N. a minor premise and a conclusion; deceptive or specious
 supplicate petition humbly; pray to grant a favor argument
supplicant one who supplicates; ADJ. sylvan pertaining to the woods or the country
 supposition assumption; hypothesis; surmise; V. sup- symbiosis interdependent relationship (between
pose groups, species) often mutually beneficial; ADJ.
symbiotic; CF. together + life
supposititious assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical
 symmetry arrangement of parts so that balance is ob-
 suppress put an end to forcibly; subdue; stifle; over- tained; congruity; ADJ. symmetrical
whelm; inhibit the expression of; check; prevent from
being published or made public; Ex. suppress a smile; lopsided heavier or larger on one side than the other;
Ex. suppress the magazine/truth Ex. lopsided way of walking
surfeit satiate; feed or supply to excess; stuff; indulge to  synchronous similarly timed; simultaneous with; oc-
excess in anything; N: surfeiting; excessive amount; Ex. curring at the same time; V. synchronize
surfeit of food  synoptic providing a general overview; summary; N.
surly bad-tempered; rude; cross synopsis

cross bad-tempered; showing ill-humor; angry  synthesis combining parts or separate things into a
whole; the whole so formed; PL. syntheses; V. synthe-
 surmise guess; N. size
 surmount overcome  synthetic not natural; artificial; resulting from synthe-
 surpass exceed sis; Ex. synthetic fiber; N.
 surreptitious done secretly; secret; furtive; sneaky; hid-  tacit understood (without actually being expressed);
den not put into words; Ex. tacit agreement
surrogate substitute; person or thing used in place of taciturn habitually silent; talking little
another; Ex. surrogate mother; ADJ.  tactile pertaining to the organs or sense of touch
 surveillance close observation of a person (esp. one un- tact skill or sensitivity in dealing with people without
der suspicion); watching; guarding causing offence
susceptible impressionable; easily influenced; sensi- tactful careful no to cause offence; OP. tactless
tive; having little resistance as to a disease; likely to suf-
fer; receptive to; capable of accepting; Ex. susceptible to taint contaminate; cause to lose purity; modify with a
persuasion/colds; Ex. The agreement is not susceptible trace of something bad; Ex. tainted reputation; N: stain;
of alteration; N. susceptibility touch of decay or bad influence; CF. touch

 sustain suffer (harm or loss); experience; support; prop; talisman charm; object believed to give supernatural
maintain; keep in existence; nourish (to maintain life); powers to or protect its bearer
Ex. sustain the family/the trapped miners talon claw of bird
 sustenance sustaining; means of livelihood, support, tangential only slightly connected; not central; periph-
food, nourishment; something that maintains life; food eral; digressing; showing divergence; CF. tangent

77
 tangible able to be touched; real; concrete; palpable; tendentious promoting a particular point of view; bi-
possible to realize or understand; Ex. tangible proof ased; having an aim; designed to further a cause; Ex.
tendentious rather than truth-seeking; CF. tend: move
tanner person who turns animal hides into leather
in a certain direction
tan convert (hide) into leather; make brown by exposure  tender offer formally; extend; Ex. tender ones resig-
to the sun nation/the exact fare; N: formal offer; money; Ex. le-
tantalize tease; excite by exposing something desirable gal tender; ADJ: young and vulnerable; sensitive to the
while keeping it out of reach; torture with disappoint- touch; sore; soft; delicate; Ex. child of tender years; Ex.
ment; CF. Tantalus: Greek mythological figure tender wound

tantamount equivalent in effect or value; Ex. This inva-  tenet doctrine; dogma
sion is tantamount to a declaration of war; CF. amount tensile capable of being stretched; of tension; Ex. tensile
rubber

46 tension stretching; condition of being stretched; mental

strain; strained relationship between groups or people
tantrum fit of bad temper; fit of petulance; caprice; Ex. tentative not fully worked out or developed; provi-
The child went into tantrums. sional; experimental; uncertain; hesitant; not definite or
taper very thin candle; gradual decrease in the width of positive; Ex. tentative agreement/reply
a long object; V. make or become gradually narrower tenuous thin; slim; rare
toward one end
 tenure holding of an office or real estate; time during
tarantula venomous spider which such an office is held
tarry linger; delay in starting or going; dawdle tepid lukewarm; slightly warm; p tH
 ; half-hearted;

not eager; Ex. tepid reaction to the new film; Ex. tepid
taut tight; strained; tense; ready; OP. slack
supporter
tautological needlessly repetitious; Ex. It was visible  termination end; V. terminate
to the eye; N. tautology: needless repetition of the
same sense; statement that is always true  terminology terms used in a science or art; study of
nomenclature
tawdry cheap and gaudy; Ex. tawdry jewelry
terminus last stop of railroad; end
 taxonomist specialist in classifying (animals, etc.); CF.
taxonomy: science of classification terminal part that forms the end; railroad or bus station;
ADJ. forming an end; ending in death; fatal; Ex. termi-
 tedium boredom; weariness; ADJ. tedious nal cancer
teetotalism practice of abstaining totally from alcoholic  terrestrial on or relating to the earth
drinks; N. teetotaler;; ADJ. teetotal; CF. T + total
 terse concise; abrupt; pithy
 temerity boldness; nerve; rashness; Ex. temerity to ask
tertiary third in order or rank
for a pay increase after only three days work
tessellated mosaic; inlaid; Ex. tessellated pattern
 temper moderate; make less severe; tone down or re-
strain; toughen (steel) as by alternate heating and cool- testator maker of a will; CF. testatrix
ing testy irritable; impatient and bad-tempered; short-
 temperament characteristic frame of mind; disposition; tempered; N. testiness
emotional excess; ADJ. temperamental: of tempera- tether tie (an animal) with a rope or tether; N: rope
ment; having frequent changes of temper; Ex. tempera- or chain to which an animal is tied; limit of ones en-
mental dislike of sports; Ex. temperamental actress durance; Ex. the end of ones tether
 temperate moderate; restrained; self-controlled; moder-  thematic of a theme; relating to a unifying motif or idea
ate in respect to temperature; CF. temperance: moder-
ation and self-restraint; abstinence of alcoholic drinks;
Ex. temperance society  theocracy government run by religious leaders
 theoretical based on theory; not practical or applied;
tempestuous stormy; violent; impassioned; N. tempest:
hypothetical
violent storm
 therapeutic curative; N. therapy
 tempo speed of music
thermal pertaining to heat; producing heat; warm; Ex.
temporal of time; not lasting forever; limited by time; thermal bath; N: rising current of warm air
temporary; secular; worldly
thespian pertaining to drama; N: actor or actress
temporize gain time as by postponing an action; avoid
committing oneself drama prose or verse composition to be performed by
actors; play; exciting and unusual situation
 tenacious holding fast (as to a belief); persistent
thrall slave; bondage; slavery; Ex. Her beauty held him
 tenacity firmness; persistence in thrall; CF. enthrall

78
 threadbare worn through till the threads show; shabby torque twisting force; force producing rotation
and poor; hackneyed; Ex. threadbare excuses torrent rushing stream; flood; Ex. The rain fell in tor-
 thrifty careful about money; economical; N. thrift rents.
 thrive prosper; flourish torrid (of weather) hot or scorching; passionate; Ex. tor-
 throes violent anguish rid love affairs
torso trunk of statue with head and limbs missing; hu-
throng crowd (of people or things); V.
man trunk
throttle strangle; regulate the speed of with a throttle;
trunk main wooden stem of a tree; human body exclud-
N: valve that regulates the flow; CF. throat ?
ing the head and limbs; torso; prehensile nose of an ele-
strangle kill by choking or suffocating; suppress phant
 thwart block or hinder; baffle; frustrate tortuous winding; full of curves; Ex. tortuous mountain
tightwad miser; excessively frugal person road
tiller handle used to move boats rudder (to steer) totter shake or move unsteadily; sway as if about to fall
timbre quality of a musical tone produced by a musi-
cal instrument (which distinguishes it from others of the  touchstone stone used to test the fineness of gold alloys;
same pitch) criterion; standard
 timidity lack of self-confidence or courage touchy oversensitive; easily offended; irasible; delicate;
needing delicate handling; Ex. touchy situation
 timorous fearful; timid; demonstrating fear
tout promote or publicize (ones goods or service);
tipple drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently; N: alco- praise excessively (as a form of advertisement); CF. ad-
holic drink vertise
tirade long angry denunciatory speech; diatribe; ha-  toxic poisonous; N. toxicity
rangue; extended scolding; denunciation
tract propaganda pamphlet (esp. by a religious or po-
tardy slow; sluggish; not on time; late; Ex. tardy arrival litical group); expanse of land; region of indefinite size;
 titanic gigantic; N. titan system of related organs; Ex. digestive tract
tithe tax of one-tenth (contributed to a church); V: pay a  tractable docile; easily managed; (of something) easily
tithe changed or molded; N. tractability
titillate tickle; excite pleasantly; Ex. not to titillate the  traduce expose to slander
audience but to enlighten it  trajectory path taken by a projectile; Ex. trajectory of a
tickle touch (the body) lightly so as to cause laughter; bullet
please elevation elevated position; altitude; height; flat up-
 title name (of a book, film, etc.); mark of rank; formal right side of a building; angle made by pointing a gun;
appellation as of rank or office (such as Lord or Gen- Ex. The elevation of her style is much admired; Ex. front
eral); right or claim to possession; championship; Ex. elevation of the house
title as head of the family; Ex. title to the estate  tranquillity calmness; peace
titter nervous giggle; nervous laugh; V.  transcendent exceeding ordinary limits; superior; sur-
titular of a title; in name only; nominal; having the title passing; V. transcend: go beyond; exceed; surpass; N.
of an office without the obligations; Ex. titular head of transcendancy
the company transcendental going beyond common thought or
toady servile flatterer; yes man; sycophant; V: be a ideas; impossible to understand by practical experi-
toady to; fawn ences or practices; known only by studying thoughts or
intuition; OP. empirical; CF. transcendentalism
toga Roman outer robe
 transcribe copy; write a copy of; N. transcription
 tome large volume; book
 transgression violation of a law; sin; V. transgress: go
handsome large in quantity; generous; Ex. handsome
beyond (a limit); violate; do wrong
reward
 transient staying for a short time; momentary; tempo-
47 rary; N: one that is transient
 transition going from one state of action to another
tonsure shaving of the head especially by person enter-
ing religious orders; V.  transitory transient; impermanent; fleeting; N. transi-
topography physical features of a region (such as the toriness
shape and height); CF. topo-: place  translucent partly transparent
torpedo underwater explosive apparatus; V.  transmute transform; change; convert to something dif-
 torpor lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy; ADJ. torpid: ferent
lethargic; lazy; inactive; (of an animal) dormant; hiber-  transparent permitting light to pass through freely; eas-
nating ily detected; obvious; clear; Ex. transparent lie

79
 transpire (of a fact) become known; be revealed; hap- truculence aggressiveness; ferocity; ADJ. truculent: ag-
pen; give off (watery waste matter) through pores gressive; pugnacious; fierce
transport strong emotion; rapture; Ex. in a trans- truism self-evident truth
port/transports of; V: move to strong emotion; enrap-  truncate cut the top off; shorten
ture
tryst meeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between
trappings outward decorations; ornaments (as an out- lovers to meet
ward sign of rank)
tumid (of a part of the body) swollen; distended; bom-
traumatic (of an experience) deeply shocking; pertain- bastic; pompous
ing to an injury caused by violence; N. trauma: serious
wound; emotional shock that causes lasting psycholog- overblown inflated; exaggerated
ical damage tumult commotion of a great crowd; riot; noise; uproar;
travail strenuous work; toil; painful labor; labor of ADJ. tumultuous: noisy and disorderly
childbirth  tundra rolling treeless plain in Siberia and arctic North
 traverse go through or across America

travesty copy or example of something that completely rolling (of land) rising and falling in long gentle slopes;
misrepresents the true nature of the real thing; comical happening continuously by stages; Ex. rolling devolu-
parody or imitation; treatment aimed at making some- tion of power to local governments
thing appear ridiculous; Ex. travesty of justice; OP. turbid (of a liquid) having the sediment disturbed;
paragon muddy; thick
 treatise article treating a subject systematically and  turbulence state of violent agitation; ADJ. turbulent: vi-
thoroughly olently agitated or disturbed
trek travel; journey; V: make a long difficult journey tureen deep dish for serving soup
 tremor trembling; slight quiver (as of the earth or from turgid swollen; distended (as from liquid)
nervous agitation) turmoil extreme confusion; great commotion and con-
 tremulous trembling; wavering fusion; Ex. throw the country into turmoil
 trenchant cutting; incisive; keen turncoat traitor
furrow long shallow trench made by a plow; deep wrin- turpitude depravity; baseness; Ex. moral turpitude
kle in the skin; V. tutelage guardianship; training; function of a tutor; in-
 trepidation fear; nervous apprehension struction
tribulation suffering; ordeal; distress; trial tutelary protective; pertaining to a guardianship; Ex.
tutelary deities
tribunal court of justice
tycoon wealthy and powerful businessperson; wealthy
tribune official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians leader; magnate; Ex. business tycoon
to protect their rights; protector of the people
 typhoon tropical hurricane or cyclone
 tribute tax levied by a ruler; payment made by one na-
tion to another in acknowledgment of submission; mark  tyranny oppression; cruel government; ADJ. tyranni-
of respect (such as praise or gift); Ex. pay tribute to cal: of a tyrant or tyranny; despotic; V. tyrannize: treat
tyrannically; oppress
trident three-pronged spear
 tyro beginner; novice
prong pointed projecting part
 ubiquitous being everywhere; omnipresent; N. ubiq-
 trifling trivial; unimportant uity
trifle something of little importance or value; small wade walk through a substance, such as water, that im-
amount; Ex. a trifle; V: treat without seriousness; flirt pedes movement

 trigger set off; start 48

trilogy group of three related works (connected by a ulterior intentionally hidden; beyond what is evident;
shared subject but each complete in itself) situated beyond; unstated and often questionable; Ex.
trinket knickknack; bauble; cheap jewelry ulterior motive

 trite hackneyed; commonplace  ultimate final; not susceptible to further analysis; fun-
damental; Ex. The sun is the ultimate source of energy.
 trivia trifles; unimportant matters
troth pledge of good faith especially in betrothal; be- eventual happening at last as a result; Ex. eventual vic-
trothal; Ex. by my troth tory
trough long narrow container for feeding farm animals; ultimatum last demand; last warning; last statement of
lowest point (of a wave, business cycle, etc.); long nar- conditions that must be met; Ex. They have ignored our
row depression as between waves ultimatum.

80
 umbrage resentment; anger; sense of injury or insult; bar railing in a courtroom; legal profession; vertical line
Ex. take umbrage at his rudeness dividing a staff into equal measures; Ex. prisoner at the
 unaccountable unexplicable; impossible to account for; bar; V: shut in or out with bars; forbid; exclude; CF. bar-
unreasonable or mysterious rister

 unanimity complete agreement; ADJ. unanimous bastard illegitimate child

 unassailable not open to attack; impregnable; not sub- ungainly (of someone) awkward in movement;
ject to question clumsy; (of something) unwieldy; Ex. ungainly
dancer/instrument
 unassuaged unsatisfied; not soothed
unguent ointment
unassuming modest; Ex. the champions unassuming
manner  uniformity sameness; monotony; ADJ. uniform: the
same all over
unbridled violent; uncontrolled; Ex. unbridled
rage/greed unilateral one-sided; involving or affecting only one
side; Ex. unilateral declaration
bridle harness fitted about a horses head (used to re-
strain); curb; check; V: put a bridle on; control or re- unimpeachable that cannot be impeached; beyond
strain; show anger doubt or question; blameless and exemplary
uncanny strange; mysterious; Ex. uncanny knack  uninhibited unrepressed; free in behavior and feelings
knack special talent; art  unintimating unfrightening
unconscionable unscrupulous; not guided by con-  unique without an equal; single in kind
science; excessive; beyond reason; Ex. unconscionable
demand unison unity of pitch (in musical performance); com-
plete accord; Ex. The choir sang in unison.
uncouth boorish; clumsy in speech or behavior; out-
landish choir group of people who sing together (esp. during
religious services); place for choir
unction the act of anointing with oil; Ex. extreme unc-
tion  universal characterizing or affecting all; general;
present everywhere; of the universe; cosmic; Ex. uni-
unctuous oily; bland; insincerely suave
versal agreement; Ex. a subject of universal interest
 underlying lying below; fundamental
 undermine weaken gradually; sap; dig a mine beneath unkempt disheveled; uncared for in appearance; not
 underscore underline; emphasize combed; CF. comb

 undulating moving with a wavelike motion; V. undu- unmitigated (of something bad) not moderated; unre-
late; CF. und: wave lieved or immoderate; without qualification; absolute;
Ex. unmitigated disaster
unearth dig up; discover (facts) by careful searching;
Ex. He unearthed some secrets about her; OP. conceal unobtrusive inconspicuous; not blatant
 unprecedented having no previous example; novel; un-
unearthly not earthly; supernatural; weird; ghostly paralleled
weird eerie; strange; unnatural unprepossessing unattractive
 unequivocal plain; clear; obvious prepossessing attractive; CF. preoccupying ?
 unerringly infallibly; ADJ. unerring: making no mis-  unravel disentangle; solve
takes
 unrequited not requited; not reciprocated; Ex. unre-
unexceptionable entirely acceptable; not offering any quited love
basis for criticism
 unruly disobedient; lawless; difficult to control
 unfaltering steadfast; firm; not changing
 unsavory distasteful; disagreeable; morally offensive;
 unfeigned genuine; real Ex. unsavory activity/reputation
 unfetter liberate; free from chains; V. unfetter
unscathed unharmed; Ex. escape the accident un-
hostage person who is kept as a prisoner by an enemy scathed
so that the other side will do what the enemy demands
unseemly unbecoming; not proper in behavior; inde-
unfledged immature; not having the feathers necessary cent; Ex. leave with unseemly haste
to fly; CF. fledgling
unsightly ugly; unpleasant to look at
 unfrock defrock; strip a priest or minister of church au-
thority unsullied untarnished; CF. sully

disbar make (a lawyer) leave the bar or the legal profes- untenable (of a position, esp. in an argument) indefen-
sion sible; not able to be maintained

debar bar; forbid; exclude; Ex. debarred from jury ser- untoward unexpected and adverse; unfortunate or un-
vices lucky; Ex. untoward encounter

81
 unwarranted unjustified; having no justification; valediction saying farewell; expression of leave-taking
groundless; baseless; undeserved
leave-taking farewell or departure
 unwieldy awkward (to carry or move); cumbersome;
 valid logically convincing; sound; legally acceptable; ef-
unmanageable
fective; Ex. valid reasoning/passport
unwitting not knowing; unaware; unintentional; Ex.
sound in good condition; showing good judgment
She was their unwitting accomplice; Ex. unwitting in-
or good sense; thorough; complete; Ex. sound
sult; CF. wit: know
mind/investment/training
unwonted unaccustomed; unusual; Ex. He arrived
 validate make valid; confirm; ratify
with unwonted punctuality.
 valor bravery; ADJ. valiant: possessing valor; brave
upbraid reprimand; severely scold
 vampire ghostly being that sucks the blood of the living
braid plait; interweave strands or lengths of; make by
weaving strands together; N: braided segment (as of
hair) vanguard forerunners; foremost position of an army;
advance forces; foremost position in a trend or move-
uproarious marked by commotion or uproar; very
ment; CF. rearguard
noisy (esp. with laughter); hilarious; causing loud
laughter; extremely funny avantgarde group of artists whose work is based on the
newest ideas and methods; CF. vanguard
uproar noisy confusion
 vantage position giving an advantage (such as a strate-
upshot outcome; final result
gic point); CF. vantagepoint
urbane suave; refined in manner; elegant
vapid lacking liveliness; dull and unimaginative; in-
urchin mischievous child (usually a boy); CF. urchin: sipid and flavorless; Ex. vapid lecture
hedgehog; CF. porcupine: pig with spikes ?; CF. sea
 vaporize turn into vapor (steam, gas, fog, etc.)
urchin
variegated (esp. of a flower or leaf) many-colored
 ursine bearlike; pertaining to a bear
variegate change the appearance of (by marking with
usurp seize anothers power or rank (without legal au-
different colors)
thority); supplant; appropriate; N. usurpation; CF. take
for ones own use vassal in feudalism, one who held land of a superior
lord; subordinate or dependent
usury lending money at illegal high rates of interest
vaunted boasted; bragged; highly publicized; V. vaunt:
 utopia ideal place, state, or society; ADJ. utopian
boast; brag
Shangri-la imaginary remote paradise on earth; CF.
veer change in direction; swerve
Lost Horizon
vegetate live in a monotonous way (without interests or
uxorious excessively submissive or devoted to ones
activity); CF. vegetation: plants of an area; CF. vegetar-
wife; CF. uxor: wife
ian; CF. vegan
vacillate waver (in opinion); fluctuate; sway to and fro;
 vehement forceful; intensely emotional; with marked
N. vacillation
vigor; strong; N. vehemence
vacuous empty; lacking in ideas; inane; stupid; Ex. vac-
uous expression; N. vacuity
 vagabond wanderer (without a permanent home);
49
tramp  velocity speed

tramp walk with a heavy step; travel on foot; N: va- venal capable of being bribed; corrupt; CF. vernal
grant; one who travels aimlessly about; long walk; vendetta blood feud (esp. between two families); CF.
sound of heavy walking Nina Williams
trample step heavily with the feet; crush under the feet  vendor seller
tread walk; trample; N: grooved face of a tire; horizontal veneer thin surface layer (of good quality wood, glued
part of a step to a base of inferior material); cover; surface show;
vagary capricious happening; caprice; whim; CF. wan- facade; V.
der venerable deserving high respect; commanding re-
 vagrant wandering from place to place; roving; stray; spect; CF. command: deserve and get
moving in a random fashion; Ex. vagrant thoughts; N. venerate revere; treat with great respect
vagrancy
venial (of a fault or sin) forgivable; trivial
 vagrant homeless wanderer
venison meat of a deer; CF. cow: beef; CF. pig: pork,
vainglorious boastful; excessively conceited; N. vain- ham, bacon; CF. calf: veal; CF. sheep: mutton; CF. lamb:
glory: great vanity lamb
 valedictory pertaining to farewell; N: farewell address venom poison (of an animal); hatred; Ex. remarks full
(esp. at graduation exercises) of venom; ADJ. venomous

82
 vent small opening; outlet (as of fumes or a gas); Ex. He  vestige trace; remains; Ex. vestiges of some ancient reli-
gave vent to his anger by kicking the chair. gion
vent release or discharge through a vent; express (esp. veto vested power to reject a bill; exercise of this right;
unfairly); utter; Ex. He vented his wrath on his family. V: prevent or forbid by exercising the power of veto
ventilate admit fresh air into to replace stale air  vex annoy; distress
ventral abdominal  viable capable of maintaining life; feasible; practical or
workable; Ex. viable scheme
 ventriloquist someone who can make his or her voice
seem to come from another person or thing (without viand food; CF. live
moving lips or jaws); N. ventriloquism, ventriloquy vicarious experienced as if one were taking part in the
 venture risk; expose to risk; dare; undertake a risk; N. experience of another; done by a deputy for other peo-
ple; acting as a substitute; Ex. vicarious thrill at the
brave face courageously; Ex. brave the storm movies; Ex. the vicarious sufferings of Christ
 venturesome (of a person) bold; adventurous; daring; vicar parish priest; representative
(of an action) risky
vicissitude change (esp. from good to bad); change of
venue location; place (of a crime, trial, gathering, etc.); fortune; CF. the last emperor of China
CF. come
victuals food; provisions; V. victual: provide with food
veracious (of a person) truthful
 vie contend; compete
veracity truthfulness; adherence to the truth
 vigilant watchful; on the alert; watchfully awake; alert
 verbalize put into words; ADJ. verbal: of words; spo- to spot danger; N. vigilance
ken rather than written; oral; of a verb vigil keeping watch (during normal sleeping hours);
 verbatim word for word; in the same words; repeating Ex. all-night vigil
the actual words exactly vigilante one who without authority assumes law en-
 verbiage pompous array of words; too many unneces- forcement powers
sary words; wordiness  vigor active strength; energy; enthusiasm; ADJ. vigor-
 verbose wordy; N. verbosity ous

verdant green; covered with green plants or grass; lush vignette small drawing placed at the beginning or end
in vegetation; Ex. verdant meadows of a chapter; picture; short literary sketch; short written
description of a character or scene
lush (of a plant or grass) growing very well
vilify slander; speak evil of; N. vilification
verdigris green coating or patina on copper which has
been exposed to the weather vindicate clear from blame; free from blame or accu-
sation (with supporting proof); exonerate; substantiate;
 verge border; edge, rim, or margin; Ex. on the verge of: justify or support; avenge; Ex. vindicate ones client; Ex.
very near to; V: border on vindicate ones claim; CF. vindicator
verisimilar having the appearance of truth or reality; vindictive disposed to revenge; vengeful; out for re-
probable or likely to be true; plausible venge; spiteful; intended to cause harm; malicious; Ex.
verisimilitude appearance of truth; quality of appear- vindictive streak
ing to be true or real; likelihood; Ex. verisimilitude of vintner wine merchant; winemaker; seller of wine
her performance as Lady Macbeth
 viper poisonous snake
veritable being truly so; real or genuine; actual; not  virile manly; having masculine spirit or strength; full of
false or imaginary strength
 verity quality of being true; lasting truth or principle;  virtual in essence; existing in essence though not
Ex. the verity of his testimony; Ex. one of the eternal in actual form; for practical purposes; Ex. virtual
verities ruler/space
vernacular living language (as compared to the official  virtue goodness; moral excellence; good quality; advan-
language); language spoken in a country or region; nat- tage; Ex. by virtue of; Ex. make a virtue of necessity
ural style; Ex. lapse into the vernacular
virtuoso highly skilled artist (esp. in music); Ex. piano
vernal pertaining to spring virtuoso
 versatile having many talents; capable of working in virulent (of a disease or poison) extremely harmful or
many fields; having many uses or functions; N. versa- poisonous; (of a feeling) hostile; bitter; N. virulence; CF.
tility virus; CF. venom
 vertex summit; highest point; PL. vertices  virus disease communicator
 vertigo severe dizziness; giddiness visage face; appearance
verve enthusiasm (as in artistic performance or compo- visceral felt in ones inner organs; N. viscera: internal
sition); liveliness; vigor body organs; CF. eviscerate

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 viscid adhesive; gluey vouchsafe grant condescendingly; guarantee; Ex.
vouchsafe your fair return on your investment
 viscous (of a liquid) thick and sticky; gluey; viscid; CF.
consistency vouch give a personal guarantee; Ex. I can vouch for his
integrity; N. voucher
vise vice; tool for holding work in place; clamping de-
vice voyeur Peeping Tom; person who derives sexual grati-
fication from observing the sexual acts of others
visionary produced by imagination; fanciful; mystical;
showing foresight; N: one having foresight; one given  vulnerable susceptible to wounds or attack; N. vulner-
to speculative impractical ideas ability
vision eyesight; foresight; mental image produced by vulpine like a fox; crafty
the imagination; experience of seeing the supernatural craft skill (esp. with ones hands); skill in deceiving peo-
ple; guile; ADJ. crafty: cleverly deceitful; cunning
 vital full of life; animated; vibrant and lively; critical; of vulture carrion-eating birds
great importance; necessary to stay alive; of life; living;
breathing; N. vitality; V. vitalize vying contending; CF. vie
waffle speak equivocally about an issue; N.
vibrant full of vigor or energy; vibrating
waft move gently (in air or in seas) by wind or waves;
vitiate spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt
Ex. leaves wafting past the window
morally
waggish humorous; mischievous; tricky
vitreous of glass; pertaining to or resembling glass; V.
vitrify: change into glass; CF. petrify wag shake repeatedly from side to side; Ex. The dog
wagged its tail; N: humorous person; wit
vitriolic causing sharp pain to the mind; caustic; cor-
rosive; sarcastic; of vitriol; N. vitriol: sulphuric acid waif homeless child or animal; Ex. waifs and strays
(which burns flesh deeply); bitterly abusive expression;  waive give up temporarily; yield; N. waiver: waiving a
caustic expression; CF. glass right or claim; document that waives a right or claim
vituperative abusive; scolding; V. vituperate: berate; wake trail of ship or other object through water; path of
scold; rail against abusively something that has gone before; Ex. hunger followed in
vivacious lively or animated; sprightly the wake of the war

sprightly lively wallow roll in mud; indulge in; (of a ship) roll in
a rough sea; become helpless; Ex. wallow in the
 vivisection act of dissecting living animals mud/luxury
vixen female fox; ill-tempered woman; CF. shrew wan having a pale or sickly color; pallid
 vociferous clamorous; noisy; V. vociferate: cry out wanderlust strong longing to travel
loudly (when complaining)
wane decrease in size or strength (after being full); grow
vogue popular fashion; Ex. Jeans became the vogue. gradually to an end; Ex. The moon waxes and wanes
every month; N.
50 wangle achieve by cleverness or trick; wiggle out; fake;
Ex. She tried to wangle an invitation to the party.
volatile changeable; of a quickly changing nature (as
of temper); mercurial; tending to violence; evaporating wiggle wriggle; move from side to side with irregular
rapidly; Ex. volatile character/situation in the street twisting motions
 volition act of using ones will; act of making a con- fake not genuine; N: one that is not genuine; impostor;
scious choice; Ex. She selected this dress of her own sham; V: counterfeit; Ex. fake the results of the experi-
volition. ment/the signature
 voluble fluent; talkative; glib; N. volubility wanton unrestrained; gratuitously cruel; willfully ma-
licious; unchaste; sexually improper; promiscuous; Ex.
volley simultaneous discharge of a number of shots; V. wanton spending/killing; CF. having no just cause
 voluminous having great volume (as of a garment or warble (of a bird) sing; babble; N.
container); bulky; large
warp twist out of shape; N.
bulk size or volume (esp. when very large); main part;
Ex. The bulk of the work has already been done; ADJ.  warranted justified; authorized
bulky: having great size warrant justification; written order that serves as autho-
voodoo religion practiced chiefly in Haiti rization (esp. a judicial writ); Ex. search/death warrant;
V: justify; guarantee
 voracious ravenous; eating large quantities of food;
exceedingly eager; insatiable; Ex. voracious ani-  warranty guarantee; assurance by seller
mal/reader warren tunnels in which rabbits live; overcrowded liv-
ing area; crowded conditions in which people live
 vortex whirlwind; whirlpool; center of turbulence;
predicament into which one is inexorably plunged  wary very cautious; watchful

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 wastrel waster; profligate wispy thin; slight; barely discernible
wax increase gradually (as the moon); grow wisp small bunch (of hair); faint streak (of smoke)
waylay ambush; lie in wait for and attack wistful sadly thoughtful (because of desires or memo-
ries); sadly pensive; vaguely longing
ambush act of lying in wait to attack by surprise; sud-
den attack made from a concealed position; Ex. lie in withdrawn introverted; retiring; remote
ambush; V. remote distant in manner; aloof
wean accustom a baby not to nurse; accustom (the wither (of a plant) dry up from loss of moisture; lose
young of a mammal) to take nourishment other than by freshness; shrivel; decay
suckling; give up a cherished activity; cause to gradu-
ally leave (an interest or habit); Ex. wean oneself from shrivel make or become shrunken and wrinkled (often
cigarettes by drying)
weather pass safely through (a storm or difficult pe- withhold refuse to give; hold back; Ex. withholding tax
riod); endure the effects of weather or other forces
welt raised mark from a beating or whipping  withstand stand up against; resist successfully
welter confusion; turmoil; confused mass; bewildering  witless lacking intelligence or wit; foolish; idiotic
jumble; Ex. welter of data witticism witty saying; wisecrack(clever joking remark)
welter wallow (as in mud or high seas); lie soaked (as
in blood); Ex. The victims weltered in their blood.  wizardry sorcery; magic
wheedle deceive, persuade, or obtain by flattery; cajole; wizened shriveled; withered; Ex. wizened apple/old
coax; Ex. wheedle a promise out of her lady
whelp young animal (esp. of the dog or cat family);  woe great sorrow; deep inconsolable grief; affliction;
young wolf, dog, tiger, etc. suffering; Ex. financial woes
whet sharpen; stimulate; Ex. whet someones appetite woeful sad; (of something bad) deplorable; deplorably
whiff puff or gust (of air, scent, etc.); short-lasting smell; bad; Ex. woeful housing conditions
hint; Ex. whiff of perfume/scandal wont (the stated persons) habit or custom; habitual
whimsical capricious; fanciful; amusingly strange procedure; ADJ. wonted: customary

whim sudden capricious idea; fancy  worldly engrossed in matters of this earth; not spiritual;
of the material world
whimsy whim; tendency to behave amusingly
strangely; Ex. story full of whimsy wrangle quarrel noisily; obtain through arguing; herd
cattle; N.
whinny neigh like a horse; CF. neigh: make the sound
which horses make herd group of animals; crowd; one who looks after a
herd; Ex. shepherd/goatherd; Ex. herd instinct; Ex.
whit small amount; smallest speck; Ex. not a whit of herdsman; V: come together in a herd; look after a herd;
whittle pare; cut away thin bits (from wood); fashion in Ex. herd cattle
this way; reduce gradually; trim  wrath anger; fury
pare cut away the outer covering or skin of (with a wreak inflict; Ex. wreak ones vengeance on
knife); trim; Ex. pare apples/expenses
 wrench twist; pull; strain; Ex. He wrenched the gun out
whorl ring of leaves around stem; ring; circular ar- of her hands.
rangement; Ex. whorls on the fingers
wrest obtain by pulling violently; pull away; take by vi-
 willful wilful; intentional; headstrong olence; Ex. wrest victory from their grasp
wilt loose freshness; droop writ written command issued by a court (telling some-
 wily crafty; cunning; artful; N. wile: deceitful stratagem one to do or not to do something)
writhe twist in coils; contort in pain
wince move back suddenly; shrink back; flinch; Ex. She wry (esp. of an expression of the face) twisted; with a
winced as she touched the cold body. humorous twist (expressing displeasure)
start move suddenly or involuntarily; Ex. start at the  xenophobia fear or hatred of foreigners; N. xenophobe
sight of a snake
yen strong desire; longing; urge; Ex. yen for travel
windfall fallen fruit; unexpected lucky event
yeoman man or farmer owning small estate; middle-
winnow sift; separate the chaff from grain by blowing; class farmer
separate good parts from bad; CF. wind
 yield amount produced; crop; income on investment;
sift put through a sieve to separate fine from coarse par- profit obtained from an investment; V: produce; give in;
ticles; sort or examine carefully surrender
winsome charming (in a childlike way); agreeable; gra- yoke join together; unite; N: crossbar used to joining
cious; engaging two draft animals

85
 yokel rustic; country bumpkin;
r0
@ u
l
yore time long past; Ex. in the days of yore
zany comic; crazy; N: clown; comical person (given to
outlandish behavior)
 zeal eager enthusiasm (to a cause or ideal); ADJ. zealous

 zealot one who is zealous; fanatic; person who shows

excessive zeal
 zenith point directly overhead in the sky; summit;
acme; highest point
zephyr gentle breeze; west wind

86