-
abase
lower; degrade; humiliate; make humble; make (oneself) lose self-respect
-
-
abate
subside or moderate
-
-
abdicate
renounce; give up (position, right, or responsibility)
-
aberrant
abnormal or deviant
-
aberration
deviation from the normal; mental disorder
-
abet
assist usually in doing something wrong; encourage
-
abeyance
suspended action
-
-
abject
(of a condition) wretched; as low as possible; lacking pride; very humble; showing lack of self-respect; Ex. abject apology
-
abjure
renounce upon oath
-
-
abnegation
renunciation; self-sacrifice; self-abnegation
-
abolish
cancel; put an end to
-
-
abominable
detestable; extremely unpleasant
-
aboriginal
being the first of its kind in a region; primitive; native; indigenous; N. aborigine
-
abortive
unsuccessful; fruitless
-
abrasive
rubbing away; tending to grind down
-
abridge
condense or shorten
-
-
abscission
cutting off; separation
-
abscond
depart secretly and hide
-
absolute
complete; totally unlimited; having complete power; certain; not relative; Ex. absolute honesty/ruler; CF. absolutism
-
absolve
pardon (an offense)
-
abstain
refrain; withhold from participation; intentionally not use one's vote
-
abstemious
sparing in eating and drinking; temperate
-
abstinence
restraint from pleasant things, esp. eating or drinking; CF. abstention: act of abstaining from vote
-
abstract
theoretical; not concrete; nonrepresentational
-
abstruse
obscure; profound; difficult to understand
-
abusive
coarsely insulting; physically harmful
-
-
-
abyss
enormous chasm; vast bottomless pit
-
academic
related to a school; not practical or directly useful
-
-
-
accessible
easy to approach; obtainable
-
accessory
additional object; useful but not essential thing
-
acclaim
applaud; praise; greet with great approval; announce with great approval; Ex. The new drung has been acclaimed as the most important discoveries for years; N: strong expression of approval and praise
-
acclimate
adjust to climate or environment; adapt
-
acclivity
sharp upslope of a hill; OP. declivity
-
accolade
award of merit; strong praise and approval
-
accommodate
oblige or help someone; adjust or bring into harmony; adapt; make enough space for; ADJ. accommodative; CF. accomodating: helpful and obliging
-
accomplice
partner in crime
-
-
accost
approach and speak first to a person
-
accoutre
equip; N. accoutrement
-
accretion
growth or increase in size by gradual addition; growth; increase; increase by natural growth; Ex. towers and other accretions of the castle; V. accrete
-
accrue
come to one as a gain; accumulate over time; come about by addition; Ex. benefits that accrue from scientific research; Ex. interest accruing in a bank account; N. accrual
-
acerbity
bitterness of speech and temper; ADJ. acerbic: bitter; acrid (in taste, manner, or tone)
-
-
acidulous
slightly sour (in taste or manner); sharp; caustic
-
acknowledge
recognize; admit
-
acme
peak; pinnacle; highest point
-
acoustics
science of sound; quality that makes a room easy or hard to hear in
-
acquiesce
assent; agree passively; comply without protest
-
acquittal
deliverance from a charge; V. acquit: free from a charge or accusation; discharge from a duty; conduct (oneself) in a specified manner
-
acrid
bitter (to the taste or smell); sharp; bitterly pungent
-
acrimonious
stinging; caustic; bitter in words or manner; N. acrimony: bitter ill-natured animosity in speech or behavior
-
acrophobia
fear of heights
-
actuarial
calculating; pertaining to insurance statistics
-
actuary
someone who advises insurance companies
-
actuate
motivate; activate; cause to act
-
acuity
sharpness (of mind or senses of sight or hearing)
-
acumen
mental keenness; sharpness of judgment; ability to judge quickly and well; Ex. business acumen
-
acute
(of the senses) sharp; quickly perceptive; keen; penetrating; brief and severe; Ex. acute sense of smell/analysis/pain
-
adage
wise saying; proverb
-
proverb
adage; someone or something well known for notoriety; ADJ. proverbial: of a proverb; widely known; ADV. proverbially
-
-
adapt
make or become suitable for a specific use; alter; modify; adjust; N. adaptation: act of adapting; composition recast into a new form; Ex. The play is an adaption of a short novel.
-
addendum
addition; appendix to book; something that is added (as at the end of a speech or book)
-
addiction
compulsive habitual need
-
addle
make or become confused; muddle; drive crazy; become rotten (egg)
-
address
direct a speech to; speak to; deal with or discuss; direct one's efforts or attention to; make with a destination; N: formal speech
-
adept
expert at; very skilled
-
adhere
stick fast; be a devotd follower; N. adhesion: adhering; devotion; loyality
-
adherent
supporter; follower
-
adjacent
adjoining; neighboring; close by
-
adjunct
something attached to but holding an inferior position
-
adjuration
solemn urging; V. adjure: entreat earnestly; enjoin solemnly
-
adjutant
staff officer assisting the commander; assistant
-
admonish
warn or speak to with gentle disapproval; reprove
-
-
adroit
skillful (in using mind or hand)
-
adulation
flattery; admiration that is more than is necessary or deserved
-
adulterate
make impure or of poorer quality by adding inferior or tainted(contaminated) substances
-
-
adventitious
accidental; casual; happening by chance
-
adversary
opponent; enemy
-
adverse
going against; opposing; unfavorable; hostile
-
adversity
great hardship or affliction; misfortune; calamitous event
-
-
advocacy
support; active pleading on behalf of someone or something
-
advocate
speak in favor of; support (an idea or plan); urge; plead for
-
aegis
shield; protection; defense
-
aerie(aery,eyrie,eyry)
nest of a large bird of prey
-
aesthetic
artistic; dealing with or capable of appreciating the beautiful (of a person or building); CF. aesthete; CF. aesthetics
-
affable
easily approachable; easy to talk to; warmly friendly
-
affected
artificial; pretended
-
affidavit
written statement made under oath (for use as proof in a court of law)
-
affiliation
joining; associating with
-
affinity
feeling of kinship; similarity; Ex. strong affinity for her; Ex. many affinities between two languages
-
affirmation
positive assertion; confirmation; solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath; V. affirm; ADJ. affirmative; CF. affirmative action: positive discrimination
-
affliction
state of distress; trial; cause of distress or suffering; V. afflict: inflict grievous suffering on
-
affluence
abundance; wealth
-
affront
insult; offense; intentional act of disrespect; V: insult or hurt the feelings of intentionally
-
-
agenda
items of business at a meeting
-
agglomeration
collection; heap; V. agglomerate: gather into a rounded mass; N. aggolmeate: jumbled mass; heap
-
aggrandize
make greater; increase in power, wealth, rank, or honor; N. aggrandizement
-
aggregate
sum; total; ADJ. V: gather into a mass or whole; accumulate; add up to; Ex. aggregate 100 dollars
-
aghast
filled with great surprise or fear; horrified
-
agility
nimbleness; ability to move quickly
-
-
agnostic
one who is skeptical of the existence or knowability of a god or any ultimate reality
-
agog
highly excited; intensely curious
-
agrarian
pertaining to land or its cultivation; Ex. agrarian reform
-
alacrity
cheerful promptness without reluctance
-
alchemy
medieval chemistry
-
-
alias
an assumed name esp. by a criminal (usually to mislead people); ADV. alias
-
alienate
make unfriendly or hostile; estrange; separate; change the ownership of
-
alimentary
supplying nourishment
-
alimony
payments made regularly to an ex-spouse after divorce
-
-
allege
state without proof
-
-
allegory
story, play, or picture in which characters are used as symbols; fable
-
-
alliteration
repetition of beginning sound in poetry
-
allocate
assign; set apart for a particular purpose
-
alloy
mixture as of metals; something added that lowers in value or purity; V: mix; make less pure; lower in value or quality; spoil; CF. unalloyed: not in mixture with other maetals; pure; complete; unqualified; Ex. unalloyed happiness
-
allude
refer indirectly; N. allusion: indirect reference
-
allure
entice; attract; tempt
-
siren
apparatus for making sounds; womanlike creature
-
alluvial
pertaining to soil deposits left by running water
-
aloof
apart; not open in one's relationship with other people; reserved; ADV.
-
aloft
upward; high up in the air
-
altercation
noisy quarrel
-
altruistic
unselfishly generous; concerned for others; N. altiruism: unselfish concern for the welfare of others; unselfishness; OP. egoism
-
amalgamate
(of societies or groups) combine; unite in one body
-
amalgam
combination of different things; mixture of metals (containing mercury) used for filling holes in teeth
-
amass
collect (gradually, in a very large amount)
-
-
ambidextrous
capable of using either hand with equal ease
-
ambience
environment; atmosphere; Ex. restraurant with a pleasant ambience; ADJ. ambient: completely surrounding; Ex. ambient temperature
-
ambiguous
unclear or doubtful in meaning; having more than one possible interpretation
-
ambivalence
the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes or opinions
-
amble
walking at an easy unhurried pace; V: walk slowly and aimlessly
-
ambrosia
food of the gods
-
nectar
drink of the gods; sweet liquid collected by bees
-
-
-
amenable
obedient; compliant; readily managed; responsive; willing to be led; answerable or accountable legally; responsible; able to be tested by; Ex. amenable to sensible suggestions; Ex. He is very amenable; Ex. amenable to the usual tests
-
amend
correct; change ; generally for the better
-
amenities
convenient features that helps to make life pleasant; social courtesies
-
amiable
agreeable; lovable; warmly friendly
-
amicable
peaceful; politely friendly; not quarrelsome; Ex. amicable settlement
-
amiss
wrong; faulty; Ex. something amiss; ADV.
-
amity
friendship; peaceful relationship as between nations
-
-
amnesty
pardon (allowed by government to political criminals)
-
amoral
nonmoral; having no understanding of right and wrong
-
amorous
moved by sexual love; loving; of sexual love; Ex. amorous advances
-
amorphous
formless; lacking shape or definition
-
amphibian
able to live both on land and in water; N.
-
amphitheater
oval building with tiers of seats; CF. arena
-
ample
enough; abundant; spacious; large in size; Ex. ample opportunity/garden; N. amplitude: quality of being ample; abundance; largeness of space
-
amplify
increase in size or effect; expand; broaden or clarify by expanding; intensify; make stronger; Ex. amplify one's remarks with a graph
-
amputate
cut off part of body; prune (a limb)
-
amok(amuck)
in a state of rage; Ex. run amok
-
amulet
charm; talisman; an object worn believed to protect against evil, bad luck
-
anachronism
an error involving time in a story; something or someone misplaced in time; ADJ. anachronistic
-
analgesic
causing insensitivity to pain; N.
-
analgesia
condition of being unable to feel pain
-
analogous
comparable; similar
-
analogy
similarity; parallelism; comparing two similar things
-
anarchist
person who seeks to overturn the established government; advocate of abolishing authority
-
anarchy
absence of governing body; state of disorder
-
anathema
solemn curse; someone or something regarded as a curse; V. anathematize
-
ancestry
family descent; ADJ. ancestral
-
anchor
secure or fasten firmly; be fixed in place; N. anchorage
-
ancillary
serving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary; N.
-
anecdote
short story of an amusing or interesting event
-
anemia
condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles; ADJ. anemic
-
anesthetic
substance that removes sensation with or without loss of consciousness; N. anesthesia
-
anguish
acute pain; extreme suffering
-
angular
sharp-cornered; having an angle; not rounded (body); bony; lean; gaunt; stiff in manner
-
animadversion
critical remark; V. animadvert: comment critically with disapproval
-
animated
lively; spirited
-
-
animus
hostile feeling or intent; animosity; hostility; disposition
-
annals
records arranged in yearly parts; history
-
anneal
reduce brittleness and improve toughness by heating and cooling (metal or glass)
-
annex
attach; add to a large thing; take possession of; incorporate (territory) into a larger existing political unit (by force); N: building added to a large one
-
-
annotate
comment; make explanatory notes
-
-
-
elope
run away secretly with the intention of getting married
-
anodyne
drug that relieves pain or trouble; ÃøÃ...ëæ; opiate; ADJ. Ex. anodyne statement
-
anoint
consecrate; put oil on (in a religious ceremony)
-
anomalous
abnormal; irregular
-
-
anonymity
state of being nameless; anonymousness; ADJ. anonymous
-
antagonism
hostility; active opposition; V. antagonize: cause to become an enemy; N. antagonist: person who is opposed to another; opponent; adversary; principal character in oppostion to the protagonist
-
-
antecedents
preceding events that influence what comes later; ancestors or early background
-
antediluvian
antiquated; extremely ancient
-
anthem
song of praise or patriotism; Ex. national anthem
-
anthology
book of literary selections by various authors; CF. omnibus
-
anthropoid
manlike; resembling a human being; N.
-
anthropologist
student of the history and science of humankind
-
anthropomorphic
having human form or characteristics
-
anticlimax
letdown in thought or emotion; something unexciting, ordinary, or disappointing coming after something important or exciting
-
antidote
remedy to counteract a poison or disease; Ex. antidote to the economic troubles
-
antipathy
aversion; dislike or opposition
-
antiquated
obsolete; old-fashioned; outdated
-
antiseptic
substance that prevents infection in a wound; ADJ.
-
antithesis
contrast; direct opposite of or to; ADJ. antithetic or antithetical
-
anvil
iron block used in hammering out metals
-
apathy
lack of caring; indifference; lack of concern or interest in important matters; Ex. He was sunk in apathy after his failure; ADJ. apathetic
-
ape
imitate or mimic (a person's behavior or manner)
-
aperture
opening; hole; adjustable opening in a camera that limits the amount of light
-
apex
tip; summit; climax; highest point
-
aphasia
loss of speech due to injury or illness
-
aphorism
pithy maxim or saying; ADJ. aphoristic
-
apiary
a place where bees are kept
-
hive
box for bees; V: cause to go in a hive
-
-
apiarist
person who keeps bees
-
aplomb
poise; composure in difficult situations; assurance; self-confidence
-
poise
good judgment with composure; balance; V: place in a carefully balanced position
-
apocalyptic
prophetic; pertaining to revelations especially of disaster; N. apocalypse
-
apocryphal
(of a story) widely believed but untrue
-
apogee
highest point; the point farthest from the earth; OP. perigee
-
apolitical
having an aversion or lack of concern for political affairs
-
apologist
one who writes in defense of a cause or institution; N. apologia
-
apoplexy
stroke; loss of consciousness caused by too much blood in the brain
-
apostate
one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs; N. apostasy
-
apothecary
druggist; pharmacist
-
apothegm(apophthegm)
pithy, compact saying
-
apotheosis
elevation to godhood; an ideal example of something
-
appall
dismay; shock deeply
-
apparition
ghost; phantom
-
appease
pacify or soothe; Ex. appease a crying baby; N. appeasement
-
-
-
application
diligent attention; diligence; V. apply oneself
-
apposite
appropriate; fitting
-
appraise
estimate value of; N. appraisal
-
appreciate
be thankful for; increase in worth; be thoroughly conscious of; ADJ. appreciable: enough to be felt; Ex. appreciable difference
-
apprehend
arrest (a criminal); dread; perceive; N. apprehension
-
apprehensive
fearful; discerning
-
-
-
appropriate
acquire; take possession of for one's own use without permission; set aside for a particular purpose; allocate; CF. misappropriate
-
appurtenances
subordinate possessions; something added to a more important thing
-
apropos
with reference to; regarding; Ex. remarks apropos (of) the present situation; ADJ. ADV.
-
-
aquiline
curved; hooked; of or like an eagle; Ex. aquiline nose
-
arable
fit for growing crops; Ex. arable land
-
arbiter
person with power to decide a matter in dispute; judge who is in a position ot make influential judgments; Ex. supreme arbiter of fashion in beachware
-
arbitrary
unreasonable or capricious; random; tyrannical; Ex. arbitrary ruler
-
arbitrate
act as judge (at the request of both sides)
-
arboretum
place where different trees and shrubs are studied and exhibited
-
arboreal
of or living in trees
-
arcade
a covered passageway usually lined with shops
-
arcane
esoteric; secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated; Ex. arcane ritual; Ex. arcane process closed to the uninitiated listener
-
archaeology
study of artifacts and relics of early mankind
-
archaic
antiquated; no longer used; belonging to the past; N.
-
archetype
prototype; primitive pattern
-
arch-
chief; first; Ex. archbishop
-
archipelago
group of closely located islands
-
archives
public records; place where public records are kept
-
ardor
heat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent
-
arduous
hard; strenuous; Ex. arduous work
-
argot
slang; speech spoken by only a small group of people
-
aria
operatic solo; a song sung by one person in an opera or oratorio
-
arid
(of land) dry; barren; unproductive
-
aristocracy
hereditary nobility; privileged class; government by nobility; N. aristocrat
-
-
aromatic
fragrant; having a sweet smell; N. aroma: strong pleasant smell
-
arraign
charge in court; indict
-
array
marshal; draw up in order; arrange in order; clothe splendidly; adorn; N: fine clothes; ordered group; Ex. in battle array
-
arrears
being in debt; money that should have been paid; work that should have been done
-
arrhythmic
lacking rhythm or regularity; N. arrhythmia
-
arrogance
pride; haughtiness; ADJ. arrogant: unpleasantly self-important (with a strong confidence in one's own importance and a lack of respect for other people)
-
arroyo
gully; narrow channel formed by rainwater
-
artery
blood-vessel; CF. vein
-
articulate
effective; distinct; expressing ideas clearly; having clear sounds; having joints; Ex. articulate speech; V: express thoughts and feeling clearly; pronounce clearly; unite by joints
-
arsenal
storage place for military equipment
-
artifacts
object made by human beings, either hand-made or mass-produced
-
artifice
deception; trickery
-
artisan
a manually skilled worker
-
artless
without guile; open and honest
-
ascendancy
controlling influence; position of controlling influence; CF. in the ascendant
-
ascertain
find out for certain; make certain
-
ascetic
practicing self-denial; avoiding physical pleasures and comforts; austere; Ex. ascetic life of Buddhist monks; N. asceticism
-
ascribe
refer; attribute; assign
-
aseptic
preventing infection; having a cleansing effect
-
ashen
ash-colored; deadly pale
-
asinine
stupid; Ex. asinine remarks
-
askance
with a sideways or indirect look (with disapproval or distruct); Ex. look askance at
-
askew
crookedly; slanted; at an angle
-
asperity
sharpness; roughness; severity (of temper or weather); Ex. asperities of a Russian winter
-
aspersion
slanderous remark; Ex. cast aspersions on
-
aspirant
seeker after position or status
-
aspire
seek to attain (position or status); long for; Ex. aspire to become president; Ex. aspire to/after the leadership
-
-
assay
analyze (to discover what materials are present); evaluate (soil or ore)
-
assent
agree; accept; N. assessment
-
assert
state strongly or positively; demand recognition of (rights, claims, etc.); make a claim to (by forceful action); Ex. assert one's independence
-
-
assimilate
absorb; take (food) into the body and digest it; understand (knowledge) completely and be able to use properly; cause to become homogeneous (the people of a country or race in the wasy of behaving or thinking)
-
assuage
mak less severe; ease or lessen (pain); satisfy (hunger); soothe (anger)
-
assumption
something taken for granted; the taking over or taking possession of; Ex. her assumption of power; V. assume
-
regent
a person who governs in place of a ruler who is ill, absent, or still a child; ADJ. Ex. the Prince regent
-
assurance
firm statement that something is certainly true; promise or pledge; certainty; confidence in one's own ability; self-confidence; Ex. In spite of all his assurances, he did not come back; Ex. assurance of his loyalty; Ex. The teacher lacked assurance in fron of his class; V. assure; tell firmly with confidence; ensure; make (something) certain to heappen; make (someone) feel sure; give confidence to; ADJ. assured: self-assured; confident in one's own ability; showing certainty
-
-
astigmatism
eye defect which prevents proper focus; OP. stigmatism
-
astral
relating to the stars
-
astringent
binding; causing contraction (stopping bleeding); harsh or severe; stringent; Ex. astringent criticism
-
astronomical
enormously large or extensive
-
astute
wise; shrewd; keen; seeing quickly something that is to one's advantage
-
asunder
into parts; apart; V. sunder
-
asylum
place of refuge or shelter; protection (religious or political)
-
asymmetric
not identical on both sides of a dividing central line
-
atavism
resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; reversion to an earlier type; throwback; ADJ. atavistic
-
atheistic
denying the existence of God; N. atheism
-
atone
make amends for; pay for; Ex. atone for
-
atrocity
brutal deed; ADJ. atrocious
-
atrophy
wasting away; V: weaken and lose flesh and muscle (through lack of blood or lack of use)
-
attentive
alert and watchful; listening carefully; paying attention; considerate; thoughtful; politely helpful; Ex. attentive audience; Ex. He was attentive to the old lady; N. attentions: act of courtesy and consideration
-
attenuate
make thin; weaken
-
attest
testify; bear witness
-
attribute
essential quality; V: ascribe; explain
-
attrition
rubbing away by friction; gradual decrease in numbers or strength; reduction in the work force without firing employees; wearing away of opposition by means of harassment; Ex. a war of attrition
-
atypical
not normal; not typical
-
audacious
daring; bold; N. audacity
-
audit
examination of accounts of a business; official examination; V.
-
-
augury
omen; prophecy; sign of coming events; V. augur: predict; foretell; be a sign of (something in future)
-
august
impressive; majestic
-
aureole
sun's corona; halo; bright circle of light
-
auroral
pertaining to the aurora borealis; CF. aurora australis
-
auspicious
favoring success; giving signs of future success; Cf. auspices
-
austere
forbiddingly stern; ascetic; without comfort or enjoyment; severely simple and unornamented; Ex. a monk's austere life; Ex. austere grandeur of the cathedral; N. austerity
-
authenticate
prove genuine
-
authoritarian
subordinating the individual to the state; completely dominating another's will; Ex. authoritarian regime/father
-
authoritative
having the weight of authority; regarded as providing knowledge that can be trusted; reliable; peremptory and dictatorial; Ex. authoritative dictionary/manner; CF. definitive
-
autocratic
having absolute unchecked power; dictatorial; N. autocrat, autocracy
-
automaton
mechanism that imitates actions of humans; machine that works by itself
-
autonomous
self-governing; N. autonomy
-
autopsy
examination of a dead body; postmortem; V.
-
auxiliary
offering or providing help; additional or subsidiary; N: helper; assistant
-
avalanche
great mass of falling snow and ice
-
avarice
greediness for wealth
-
avenge
take vengence for something or on behalf of someone; Ex. They avenged his death by burning the village; Ex. He swore to avenge his brother; Ex. They avenged themselves on their enemy.
-
aver
state confidently; declare as true
-
averse
reluctant; disinclined; not liking or opposed; Ex. averse to cats/doing the house work
-
-
avert
prevent; avoid; turn away (eyes or thought); Ex. An accident was averted by his quick thinking; Ex. She averted her eyes from the terrible sight.
-
aviary
enclosure for birds; large cage
-
avid
greedy; extremely eager for; Ex. avid learner; N. avidity
-
avocation
secondary or minor occupation
-
avow
declare openly; N. avowal
-
avuncular
of or like an uncle
-
awe
solemn wonder; feeling of respect mixed with wonder and fear; V: fill with awe; ADJ. awesome
-
-
awl
pointed tool used for piercing
-
awry
distorted; crooked; bent; Ex. Our plans have gone awry.
-
axiom
self-evident truth requiring no proof
-
-
babble
chatter idly or foolishly; make continuous sounds like water running gently over rounded stone; N.
-
-
bacchanal
noisy party with a lot of drinking
-
Bacchanalia
the ancient Roman festival in honor of Bacchus
-
badger
pester; annoy continually with demands; persuade by asking again and again; Ex. The children badgered me into taking them into the cinema; N: a kind of mountain animal
-
badinage
teasing conversation; banter; joking talk
-
baffle
frustrate; perplex
-
bait
harass; tease; torment; Ex. badger baiting; N: food or other lure used to catch fish or trap animals
-
baleful
evil; malignant in intent or effect; deadly; having a malign influence; portending evil; ominous; threatening; Ex. baleful look
-
balk
stop short, as if faced with an obstacle, and refuse to continue; foil; stop or get in the way of; frustrate
-
ballast
heavy substance used to add stability or weight; V. supply with ballast
-
balm
something that relieves pain; oily liquid with a pleasant smell from trees
-
pang
sudden sharp feeling of pain
-
balmy
soft and mild (of air); fragrant
-
banal
hackneyed; commonplace; trite; lacking originality; clich\'ed
-
bandy
discuss lightly or glibly; discuss in a frivolous manner; exchange (words) heatedly; quarrel; Ex. bandy words with
-
bane
posion; cause of ruin; ADJ. baneful: harmful; poisonous
-
bantering
joking talk; good-naturedly ridiculing; N.V. banter
-
barb
sharp projection from fishhook, arrow, or other object; openly cutting remark
-
-
barefaced
shameless and noticeable; blatant; bold; unconcealed; having no covering on the face; Ex. barefaced lie
-
unregenerate
making no attempt to change one's bad practices
-
-
barrage
barrier laid down by artillery fire; overwhelming profusion; large number of questions or statements; Ex. a barrage of criticism
-
barrister
counselor-at-law or lawyer in the higher court of law; CF. bar
-
solicitor
lawyer in the lower court of law
-
barterer
trader; V. barter: trade; exchange good for other goods rather than money
-
bask
luxuriate; take pleasure in warmth
-
luxuriate
take pleasure in great comfort
-
bastion
stronghold; something seen as a source of protection; Ex. the last bastion of male chauvinism
-
bate
let down; lessen the force of; moderate; restrain; Ex. with bated breath; CF. abate
-
bauble
trinket; cheap jewel; trifle
-
bawdy
indecent; obscene; about sex in a rude funny way; CF. bawd
-
beatific
giving or showing bliss; blissful
-
bliss
complete happiness; ADJ. blissful
-
beatitude
blessedness; state of great happiness
-
mystic
of hidden meaning and spiritual power; Ex. mystic ceremonies; N. CF. mysticism
-
bedizen
dress with vulgar finery
-
finery
beautiful clothes for a special occasion
-
bedraggle
wet thoroughly; ADJ. bedraggled: draggled
-
beeline
direct quick route
-
befuddle
confuse thoroughly
-
fuddle
make stupid or confused as with alcholic drink; N. in a fuddle: confused
-
beget
father; become the father of; produce; give rise to
-
begrudge
envy; give or allow unwillingly; grudge; Ex. We shouldn't begrudge him his success.
-
grudge
deep feeling of dislike; Ex. grudge fight; V.
-
beguile
deceive; mislead or delude; cheat; pass time pleasantly; charm or attract; Ex. beguiling smile
-
behemoth
huge creature; something of monstrous size or power
-
beholden
obligated; indebted; owing thanks; obliged or indebted from gratitude
-
behoove(behove)
be suited to; be incumbent upon; be right and necessary; Ex. It behooves one to do.
-
belabor
harp on; dwell on tediously; explain or go over excessively or to a ridiculous degree; assail verbally; beat severely; attack physically
-
-
beleaguer
besiege or attack (with an army); harass; beset
-
belie
contradict; give a false impression; disguise; Ex. The poor sales belied our high hopes; Ex. Her smile belies her true feeling of displeasure.
-
belittle
disparage; depreciate
-
-
-
bemoan
lament; moan for; express sorrow or disapproval of
-
bemused
confused; lost in thought; preoccupied
-
-
benefactor
gift giver; patron; person who does good or who gives money for a good purpose
-
beneficent
kindly; doing good
-
beneficial
helpful; useful; advantageous
-
beneficiary
person entitled to benefits or proceeds of an insurance policy or will
-
benefit
advantage; anything that brings helpl, advantage, or profit; money provided by the government to the people; fund-raising public entertainment; Ex. unemployment benefit; V: receive benefits; be beneficial to; give benefits
-
benevolent
generous; charitable; having a wish to do good
-
benign
kindly; favorable; not malignant (disease); Ex. benign tumor
-
-
bent
determined; Ex. bent on advancing in the business; N: natural talent or inclination
-
bequeath
leave to someone by means of a will; hand down in his will; N. bequest
-
-
bereavement
state of being deprived of something valuable or beloved; state of being bereaved or bereft
-
bereaved
deprived of (someone beloved through death)
-
bereft
deprived of (something valuable); lacking
-
berserk
mad with violent anger; frenzied; madly excited
-
-
beset
harass or trouble from all directions; hem in
-
hem
surround tightly so that movement is impossible; Ex. hem in; N.
-
besiege
surround with armed forces; harass (with requests); annoy continually
-
besmirch
soil; defile; make dirty
-
bestial
beastlike; brutal; inhuman; very cruel
-
-
betoken
signify; indicate; be a sign of
-
token
outward sign; Ex. a token of our gratitude
-
betray
be unfaithful; reveal (unconsciously or unwillingly); Ex. Her trembling hands betray her anxiety.
-
betroth
become engaged to marry
-
bevy
large group; Ex. a bevy of starlets
-
bicameral
two-chambered as a legislative body
-
-
-
bifurcated
divided into two branches; forked
-
bigotry
stubborn intolerance
-
bigot
one who is intolerant (in matters of religion or politics)
-
intolerant
not willing to accept ways of thinking different from one's own; CF. tolerant; CF. tolerate
-
bilious
suffering from indigestion; sick from having too much bile; irritable; easily irritated
-
-
billowing
swelling out in waves; surging
-
billow
large wave of water; a great swell or surge (of smoke); V: surge, swell, roll in billows
-
swell
long wave of water that moves continuously without breaking; V.
-
surge
powerful movement of or like a wave; V.
-
bivouac
temporary encampment; camp without tents; V.
-
bizarre
fantastic; violently contrasting; noticeably odd; strikingly unconventional
-
blanch
bleach; whiten; make white or pale
-
bland
soothing or mild (food); agreeable; causing no trouble or offence
-
-
blare
loud or harsh roar or screech; dazzling blaze of light
-
screech
unpleasant high sharp sound; shriek; V.
-
dazzle
make blind with a sudden intense light; amaze; fill with wonder
-
blas\'e
bored with pleasure or dissipation; uninterested or bored
-
blasphemy
irreverence; sacrilege; cursing; bad language about God or holy things; V. blasphem; ADJ. blasphemous; CF. sacrilege
-
blatant
extremely (offensively) obvious; loudly offensive; Ex. blatant lie; N. blatancy
-
bleak
cold or cheerless; frigid; unlikely to be favorable; depressing
-
blighted
suffering from a disease; destroyed
-
blight
plant disease; V: infect with blight; ruin; destroy
-
blithe(blithesome)
gay; joyous
-
bloated
(unpleasantly) swollen or puffed as with water or air
-
blowhard
talkative boaster; braggart
-
bludgeon
club; heavy-headed weapon; V.
-
bluff
pretense (of strength); deception; high cliff; ADJ: rough but good-natured
-
blunder
error; stupid mistake
-
blurt
utter impulsively from nervousness or excitement
-
bluster
blow in heavy gusts; threaten emptily; bully; speak in a noisy or bullying manner; CF. breeze, gust, gale
-
bully
one who is habitually cruel to weaker people; V.
-
-
bogus
counterfeit; not authentic; intentionally false; Ex. bogus interview
-
bohemian
unconventional (in an artistic way)
-
boisterous
violent; rough; noisy
-
bolster
support; reinforce
-
bolt
door bar; fastening pin or screw; length of fabric; large roll of cloth; V: dash or dart off; fasten (a door); gobble down
-
dart
move or throw suddenly and quickly
-
-
bombardment
attack (as with missiles or bombs); V. bombard
-
bombastic
pompous; using inflated language
-
bombast
grandiloquent, pompous speech
-
boon
blessing; benefit; something very helpful
-
boorish
rude; insensitive
-
boor
rude, insensitive person
-
bouillon
clear beef (or meat) soup
-
bountiful
generous; graciously generous; showing bounty
-
gracious
kind in a generous way (to someone less important)
-
bourgeois
middle class; selfishly materialistic; too interested in material possessions
-
bovine
cowlike; placid and dull; slow-thinking; calm
-
bowdlerize
expurgate; CF. Thomas Bowdler
-
-
-
-
braggart
boaster; bragger
-
brandish
wave around (a weapon); flourish
-
bravado
swagger; assumed air of defiance; false show of bravery
-
swagger
walk or behave with an over-confident manner
-
brawn
human muscle; muscular strength; sturdiness
-
brawny
muscular; having well-developed muscles
-
sturdy
strong and firm (in the body)
-
brazen
insolent; without shame; bold; Ex. brazen lie; V: face with bold self-assurance or with unshamed confidence
-
-
breach
breaking of contract or duty; fissure or gap; opening; V.
-
-
brevity
conciseness; shortness of duration
-
brindled
tawny or grayish with streaks or spots (of animals)
-
-
bristling
rising like bristles; showing irritation
-
bristle
short stiff hair; V: (hair or fur) stand up stiffly
-
brittle
hard but easily broken; difficult; unstable; Ex. brittle situation
-
broach
introduce as a subject; moot; open up
-
brocade
rich, figured(patterned) fabric
-
-
brooch
ornamental clasp; pin
-
clasp
hold firmly within arms
-
brook
tolerate; endure; Ex. brook no interference; N: small stream
-
browbeat
bully; intimidate
-
browse
graze; feed on growing grass; skim or glance at casually
-
graze
(of an animal) feed on growing grass; cause (an animal) to feed on grass; scrape (esp. the skin) or touch lightly in passing; brush; Ex. We can't graze the cattle till summer; N: surface wound
-
skim
read or glance through quickly; touch lightly in passing; brush; remove from the surface of a liquid
-
brunt
main impact or shock (of an attack or blow); Ex. brunt of the argument
-
brusque
blunt; abrupt; curt; not wanting to waste time being nice
-
-
-
buffet
strike forcefully; slap; batter; knock out; N: table with food set out for people to server themselves; meal at which people help themselves to food that's been set
-
slap
hit quickly with the flat part of the hand; N. CF. smack
-
-
buffoon
stupid person; clown
-
clown
act stupidly; play the fool; N.
-
bugaboo
bugbear; object of baseless terror
-
bullion
gold and silver in the form of bars
-
bulwark
strong wall built for defense; earthwork or other strong defense; person who defends
-
bungle
mismanage; blunder; botch; blow; spoil by clumsy behavior
-
-
buoyant
able to float; cheerful and optimistic; N. buoyancy; Ex. buoyancy of wood/water/American market
-
bureaucracy
overregulated administrative system marked by red tape; ADJ. bureaucratic
-
burgeon
grow rapidly; grow forth; send out buds; Ex. burgeoning computer industry; CF. bludgeon
-
burlesque
give an imitation that ridicules; imitate mockingly
-
burnish
make shiny by rubbing; polish
-
buttress
support; prop up; N. stationary structure to support wall; Ex. flying buttress
-
prop
support placed under or against something; V.
-
buxom
full-bosomed; plump; jolly
-
plump
pleasantly fat; nicely rounded
-
cabal
small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests
-
-
cacophonous
discordant; inharmonious; N. cacophony: unpleasant mixture of loud sounds
-
cadaver
corpse; dead human body
-
cadaverous
like a corpse; pale
-
cadence
rhythmic rise and fall (of words or sounds); beat; regular beat of sound; rhythm
-
cajole
persuade by praise or false promise; coax; wheedle
-
coax
persuade by flattery
-
calamity
disaster; misery
-
calculated
deliberately planned; likely
-
caldron(cauldron)
large kettle
-
caliber
ability; quality; diameter of the inside of a round cylinder; Ex. work of very high caliber
-
calligraphy
beautiful writing; excellent penmanship
-
callous
hardened; unfeeling; without sympathy for the sufferings of others; unkind
-
callus
area of thick hard skin
-
callow
youthful; immature; inexperienced
-
calorific
heat-producing; N. calorie
-
calumny
malicious misrepresentation; slander
-
camaraderie
good-fellowship; CF. comrade
-
cameo
shell or jewel carved in relief; star's special appearance in a minor role in a film
-
canard
unfounded false rumor; exaggerated false report
-
candor
frankness; open honesty; ADJ. candid
-
canine
related to dogs; doglike
-
canker
any ulcerous sore; ulcer; any evil; CF. cancer
-
ulcer
sore place appearing on the skin inside or outside the body; Ex. stomach ulcer; ADJ. ulcerous; V. ulcerate
-
canny
shrewd in money matters; thrifty
-
cant
insincere speech or expression of piety; jargon of thieves; special words used by a particular group of people
-
cantankerous
ill-humored; irritable
-
cantata
story set to music to be sung by a chorus (shorter than an oratorio)
-
canter
slow gallop; V. CF. trot
-
canto
division of a long poem
-
canvass
determine or seek opinions, votes, etc.; go through (a region) to solicit votes or orders; conduct a survey; N.
-
-
capacity
mental or physical ability; role; position or duty; ability to accommodate; Ex. in my capacity as president
-
capillary
having a very fine bore; resembling a hair; fine and slender; Ex. capillary attraction; N: very fine hairlike tube; CF. capillarity
-
capitulate
surrender; give up all resistance
-
caprice
whim; sudden change of mind without any real cause
-
capricious
unpredictable; fickle
-
caption
title; chapter heading; text under illustration
-
captious
faultfinding; too critical
-
carafe
glass water bottle; decanter
-
carapace
shell covering the back (of a turtle, tortoise, crab, etc.)
-
carat(karat)
unit of weight for precious stones; measure of the purity of gold
-
carcinogenic
causing cancer; N. carcinogen
-
cardinal
chief; most important; N: priest; cardinal number: number that shows quantity rather thatn order
-
cardiologist
doctor specializing in ailments of the heart
-
careen
lurch; sway from side to side; move with irregular swinging movement; stagger
-
career
rush wildly; go at full speed
-
sway
swing from side to side; influence (someone) to change one's opinion; N.
-
caricature
distortion; burlesque
-
carillon
a set of bells (often in a tower) capable of being played
-
carnage
destruction of life; slaughter; killing of large numbers of people or animals
-
carnal
fleshly; sensual; concerning the desires of the body
-
carnivorous
meat-eating; N. carnivore; CF. herbivore
-
carousal
drunken revel; V. carouse
-
carping
petty criticism; fault-finding; fretful complaining; quibble
-
carrion
rotting flesh of a dead body; CF. vulture
-
-
-
caste
one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; social stratification; prestige
-
castigation
punishment; severe criticism or disapproval
-
casualty
serious or fatal accident; person killed or wounded in an accident or battle
-
casual
happening by chance; irregular; occasional; informal; showing or feeling little interest; Ex. casual reader/labor/remark
-
cataclysm
deluge; upheaval; earthquake; violent and sudden event or change
-
catalyst
agent which brings about a chemical change while it remains unaffected and unchanged; CF. catalysis
-
catapult
slingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from catapult
-
hurl
throw forcefully; shout out violently
-
cataract
great waterfall; eye abnormality (causing a gradual loss of eyesight)
-
catastrophe
calamity ; disaster
-
catcall
shout of disapproval or displeasure (made at the theater or a sports match); boo; V.
-
catechism
book for religious instruction in question-and-answer form; religious instruction by question and answer; V. catechize
-
categorical
without exceptions; made without any doubt in mind; unqualified; absolute
-
qualify
reach a necessary standard; limit the meaning of something stated
-
catharsis
purging or cleansing of any passage of the body; purging and weakening of strong emotions as a result of experiencing a dramatic work of art
-
cathartic
purgative; medicine that causes the bowels to empty; ADJ.
-
catholic
(of likings and interests) universal; general; broad; including many different parts; wide-ranging liberal; Ex. catholic opinions/tastes
-
caucus
private meeting of a group of people in a political party to select officers or determine policy; CF. the Caucus club of Boston
-
caulk(calk)
make watertight (by blocking up cracks as in a ship)
-
causal
implying a cause-and-effect relationship; N. causality
-
caustic
burning; corrosive; able to burn by chemical action; sarcastically biting; (of remarks) intended to hurt; bitter; harmful; OP. harmless
-
cauterize
burn (a wound or snakebite, etc.) with hot iron or caustic substance to stop bleeding and prevent infection
-
cavalcade
procession of riders or horse-drawn carriages; parade; CF. cavalry
-
cavalier
casual and offhand; arrogant; N: knight
-
cavil
quibble; make frivolous objections; find fault unnecessarily
-
cede
yield (title or territory) to (esp. after losing a war); surrender formally; N. cession
-
-
-
hereafter
life after death
-
afterlife
life after death; later part of one's life
-
celibate
abstaining from sexual intercourse; unmarried; N. celibacy
-
censor
(in ancient Rome) overseer of morals (also taking the census); person who eliminates inappropriate matter; V.
-
censorious
severely critical
-
censure
blame; criticize; express strong disapproval; N: severe criticism; strong disapproval
-
centaur
mythical figure, half man and half horse
-
centigrade
denoting a widely used temperature scale (basically same as Celsius)
-
centrifugal
radiating; departing from the center
-
centrifuge
machine that separates substances by whirling them
-
centripetal
tending toward the center
-
centurion
Roman army officer (commanding a company of about 100 soldiers)
-
cerebral
pertaining to the brain or intellect; intellectual rather than emotional; CF. cerebrum
-
cerebration
thought; working of the brain
-
ceremonious
marked by formality; extremely formal and polite; CF. ceremony: conventional social courtesy
-
unceremonious
not done politely without due formalities
-
-
-
cession
yielding to another; ceding
-
chafe
warm by rubbing; make sore by rubbing; N.
-
chaff
worthless products of an endeavor; husk(outer seed cover) separated from grain; Ex. separate the wheat from the chaff
-
chaffing
bantering; joking
-
chagrin
annoyance and disappointment; vexation (caused by humiliation or injured pride)
-
chalice
goblet; consecrated cup
-
chameleon
lizard that changes color in different situations
-
champion
support militantly; fight for; N: person who fights for or supports strongly (a principle, movement, person, etc.)
-
championship
position of champion; defense or support; competition held to determine a champion
-
chaotic
in utter disorder
-
charisma
divine gift; great popular charm or appeal; magnetism
-
charlatan
quack; pretender to knowledge (esp. in medicine)
-
chary
cautious; unwilling to take risks; sparing or restrained about giving; OP. bold
-
chase
ornament a metal surface by indenting; follow rapidly to catch
-
chasm
abyss; very deep crack
-
chassis
framework and working parts of an automobile; framework to which components are attached
-
chaste
morally pure; virginal; abstaining from illicit sexual acts; modest; simple (of a style of writing); not highly decorated; austere
-
chasten
discipline; punish in order to correct; CF. castigate
-
chastise
punish as by beating; criticize severely
-
chauvinist
blindly devoted patriot; zealous adherent of a group, cause, or sex; ADJ. chauvinistic; CF. chauvinism; Nicolas Chauvin
-
check
stop motion; curb or restrain
-
checkered(chequered)
marked by great changes in fortune; with many changes of fortuene; CF. checked: having a pattern of squares
-
cherubic
angelic; innocent-looking; N. cherub; CF. seraph: winged angel of the highest order
-
chicanery
trickery; deception
-
chide
scold; rebuke (someone who has done wrong)
-
chimerical
fantastically improbable; highly unrealistic; N. chimera: unreal fancy; fire-breathing female creature
-
chisel
swindle or cheat; N: wedgelike tool for cutting
-
chip
lose a small piece from the surface or edge; N: small piece broken off something; CF. French fry; Potato chip/crisp
-
chivalrous
courteous; faithful; brave; N. chivalry
-
choleric
hot-tempered; bad-tempered; irritable; easily angered; CF. cholera
-
choreography
art of representing dances in written symbols; arrangement of dances
-
chore
daily domestic task (such as cleaning, cooking, and shopping); unpleasant task
-
chortle
chuckle with delight; N.
-
-
chronic
long established as a disease
-
chronicle
report; record (in chronological order)
-
churlish
boorish; rude; N. churl: boor; yahoo
-
ciliated
having minute hairs; CF. cilium; CF. cilia: eyelash
-
cipher
nonentity; worthless person or thing; zero; secret code; V.
-
circlet
small ring; band of gold, silver, jewel, etc. (worn on the head, arms, or neck as decoration)
-
-
circuit
closed circular line around an area; circumference; regularly repeated journey from place to place
-
circumlocution
indirect or roundabout expression (by using an uncecessarily large number of words esp. when trying to avoid answering a difficult question directly)
-
circumscribe
limit; confine; draw a line around
-
circumspect
prudent; cautious; acting after careful thought
-
circumvent
outwit; defeat by behaving more cleverly; outsmart; baffle; avoid; get around
-
cistern
reservoir or water tank
-
-
cite
quote; commend; Ex. cited for bravery in an official record
-
civil
having to do with citizens; not military or religious; courteous and polite; Ex. married in a civil ceremony; Ex. civil strife/disorder/law; N. civility; CF. civic
-
clairvoyant
having foresight; fortuneteller; N. clairvoyance
-
hindsight
understanding the nature of an event after it has actually happened
-
clamber
climb by crawling with difficulties; scramble
-
clamor
loud continous noise; continuous demand or complaint made by a large number of people; V: make a clamor; express (a demand) continually and loudly; ADJ. clamorous
-
-
chaperon
older person who accompanies and supervises a young unmarried woman
-
clangor
loud resounding noise; sound of repeated clanging
-
clapper
striker (tongue) of a bell
-
clap
strike the palms of the hands together with a sudden explosive sound; come together suddenly with a sharp sound; put or send promptly; Ex. clap the thief in jail; N: clapping; loud or explosive sound; CF. applause
-
clarion
shrill, trumpetlike sound; kind of trumpet used in former times
-
claustrophobia
fear of being locked in
-
-
scrimmage
disorderly fight between two or more people
-
cleave
split or sever; cling to; remain faithful to; N. cleavage; ADJ. cloven
-
-
clemency
disposition to be lenient in deciding punishments; mildness as of the weather; ADJ. clement
-
clich\'e
phrase dulled in meaning by repetition; platitude; ADJ. clich\'ed
-
bromide
platitude; chemical compound used to calm excitement
-
clientele
body of customers
-
climactic
relating to the highest point; N. climax; CF. climatic
-
-
clique
small exclusive group of people
-
cloister
monastery or convent
-
clout
great influence (especially political or social); hard blow with fist
-
cloying
distasteful (because excessive); excessively sweet or sentimental; V. cloy: become unpleasant through too much sweetness or excess
-
coagulate
congeal; thicken; clot; N. coagulant
-
clot
half-solid lump formed from a liquid (or blood); V.
-
-
coalesce
combine; fuse; N. coalescence
-
coalition
partnership; league; union of separate political parties
-
coda
concluding section of a musical or literary composition
-
coddle
treat gently; indulge excessively; pamper; mollycoddle; baby; cook in water just below boiling point; Ex. coddled eggs
-
codicil
supplement to the body of a will; later addition to a will
-
codify
arrange (laws or rules) as a code; classify; N. code: system of words used instead of ordinary writing; collection of laws, rules, established social customs
-
coercion
use of force to get someone to object; compelling; V. coerce
-
coeval
living at the same time as; existing during the same period of time; contemporary; of the same age
-
cog
tooth projecting from a wheel
-
-
cogitate
think over; ponder
-
cognate
having a common origin; related linguistically; allied by blood; similar or akin in nature; Ex. cognate languages; N.
-
cognitive
having to do with knowing or perceiving related to the mental processes; N. cognition: the mental process of knowing
-
cognizance
knowledge; ADJ. cognizant; having knowledge; aware
-
-
-
cohesion
tendency to keep together
-
cohorts
group of people who share some common quality; armed band; a group of between 300 and 600 soldiers under one commander (in the ancient Rome)
-
-
coin
make coins; invent or fabricate (a word or phrase); N. coinage: word or phrase recently invented
-
coincidence
the chance occurrence, at the same time, of two or more seemingly connected events; V. coincide: happen at the same time; be in agreement; CF. coincident; CF. coincidental
-
colander
utensil with perforated bottom used for straining
-
collaborate
work together; cooperate treasonably with the enemy
-
collage
work of art put together from fragments
-
scrap
small bit or fragment; discarded waste material; fight; Ex. a scrap of paper/cloth; V: break into parts for disposal; discard as worthless; fight; quarrel
-
-
-
collate
examine and compare in order to verify authenticity; arrange in order (the sheets of a book before they are bound)
-
collateral
security given for loan; ADJ: secondary; descended from the same person but through different sons or daughters
-
collation
a light meal; collating
-
colloquial
pertaining to conversational or common speech; informal; N. colloquialism: colloquial expression
-
colloquy
informal discussion; conversation
-
collusion
conspiring in a fraudulent scheme to cheat or deceive others; V. collude
-
-
colossus
gigantic statue; person or thing of great size or importance
-
comatose
in a coma; extremely sleepy
-
coma
deep prolonged unconsciousness caused by disease, poison, or a severe blow
-
combustible
easily burned; N. CF. combustion
-
comely
attractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appearance
-
homely
not good-looking; unattractive
-
comestible
something fit to be eaten
-
comeuppance
deserts; well-deserved punishment or misfortune; rebuke
-
deserts
what someone deserves
-
comity
courtesy; civility; Ex. comity of nations
-
commandeer
take (private property) for military use without needing permission or giving payment; draft for military purposes
-
draft
first rough form; conscription; draught; V: make a draft of; conscript
-
draught
current of air (through a room or to a fire); act of pulling roads; act of swallowing liquid or amount of liquid swallowed at a time
-
commemorative
remembering; honoring the memory of; Ex. commemorative stamp
-
commemorate
honor the memory of; serve as a memorial to; Ex. commemorate the 100th anniversary/those who died in the war
-
commensurate
equal in extent; of the same size
-
commiserate
feel or express pity or sympathy for
-
commodious
spacious and comfortable
-
communal
held in common; public; of a group of people; of a commune
-
commune
small (often rural) community whose members share work and income; V: exchange thoughts or feelings; Ex. commune with nature
-
compact
agreement; contract; ADJ: tightly packed; firm; brief; concise; Ex. compact statement
-
compatible
harmonious; in harmony with; able to exist together
-
compelling
overpowering; irresistible in effect; holding one's attention; that compels one to do something; Ex. a compelling adventure story; V. compel
-
compulsion
compelling; strong desire that is difficult to control; irresistible impulse
-
compulsory
obligatory; that must be done
-
compulsive
resulting from compulsion
-
compendium
brief, comprehensive summary; ADJ. compendious
-
compensatory
making up for; repaying
-
compilation
listing of information in tabular or book form; compiling
-
compile
assemble; gather; accumulate; make (a report or a book) from facts and information found in various places; Ex. compile a dictionary
-
complacency
self-satisfaction; smugness; ADJ. complacent
-
smug
self-satisfied; complacent
-
complaisant
trying to please; obliging; willing to please others
-
complement
complete; consummate; make perfect; N.
-
complementary
serving to complete something
-
compliance
conformity in fulfilling requirements; readiness to yield; disposition to yield to others; V. comply
-
compliant
readily acting in accordance with a rule, order, or the wishes or others; yielding; comforming to requirements
-
complicity
participation; involvement (in a questionable act or a crime)
-
component
element; ingredient
-
comport
bear one's self; behave; Ex. comport oneself; N. comportment
-
deport
send out of the country; behave; N. deportation, deportment
-
bearing
deportment; connection
-
composure
mental calmness
-
compound
combine; produce by combining; increase; make worse by adding to or increasing; exacerbate; Ex. compound an error; ADJ: consisting of two or more parts; N: combination of two or more parts; area enclosed by a wall containing a group of buildings; Ex. factory compound; CF. complex
-
comprehensive
broad; including a lot or everything; thorough; inclusive
-
compress
force into less space; squeeze; contract; put into fewer words; N: thick mass of cloth pressed to part of the body to stop bleeding or swelling, reduce fever, etc.
-
comprise
include; consist of
-
compromise
adjust or settle by making mutual concessions; endanger the interests or reputation of; put into danger, disrepute, or a dishonorable position; Ex. compromise one's principle; N.
-
compunction
remorse; strong uneasiness caused by guilt
-
compute
reckon; calculate
-
reckon
count; calculate; regard as; think; suppose
-
concatenate
link as in a chain
-
concave
hollow; curved inwards; OP. convex
-
concede
admit; acknowledge as being true (often reluctantly); yield; grant; Ex. concede a goal
-
conceit
vanity or self-love; too high opinion of one's own value; extravagant metaphor (in poetry)
-
vain
full of self-admiration; conceited; without result; unsuccessful; N. vanity
-
concentric
having a common center
-
conception
beginning; forming of an idea; fertilization; V. conceive: form an idea in the mind; devise; become pregnant; CF. inception
-
concerted
mutually agreed on; done together by agreement; Ex. concerted effort; CF. in concert: working together
-
concession
an act of yielding; conceding; something conceded; point, right, etc. given unwillingly; privilege of maintaining a business in a certain place; Ex. oil concessions in the North sea; CF. concessionaire
-
conciliatory
reconciling; soothing; V. conciliate: reconcile; soothe; win the friendly feelings (by removing anger)
-
concise
brief and compact
-
conclave
private secret meeting
-
conclusive
decisive; ending all debate
-
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
-
concomitant
that which accompanies; Ex. Deafnes is a frequent concommitant of old age; ADJ: existing or happening together with something else
-
-
concordat
formal agreement
-
concur
agree; coincide; happen at the same time
-
concurrent
happening at the same time; in agreement
-
condescend
(derog.) bestow courtesies with a superior air; descend to the level of one considered inferior
-
condign
adequate; (of punishment) severe and well deserved
-
condiments
seasonings; spices
-
condole
express condolences; N. condolence: sympathy for someone who has experienced great sorrow
-
condone
overlook; forgive; give tacit approval; excuse
-
conducive
helpful; contributive; V. conduce; Ex. conduce to/towards
-
conduit
aqueduct; passageway for fluids
-
confidant(confidante)
trusted friend (to whom one tells one's secret)
-
confide
tell in confidence (to a person one trusts); be confident about
-
confidence
self-assurance; calm unworried feeling based on a strong belief in one's abilities; strong belief in the ability of a person or plan; trust or faith in a person or thing; something confided; secret; Ex. confidence in your ability; Ex. I'm telling you this in confidence; Ex. exchange confidences about their boyfriends; ADJ. confident
-
confidential
spoken or written in secret; trusted with private matters; Ex. confidential secretary
-
confine
shut in an enclosed space; restrict; keep within limits; N. confinement
-
confiscate
seize; take possession of (private property) by official order (usu. as a punishment); commandeer
-
-
confluence
flowing together; the place where two rivers flow together; crowd; gathering together
-
conformity
harmony; agreement with established rules or customs; similarity; Ex. behave in conformity with; V. conform: be similar; act in agreement; comply; Ex. conform to the rule; CF. conformance
-
-
congeal
freeze; coagulate
-
congenial
pleasant; friendly; in agreement with one's tastes and nature; Ex. congenial weather
-
congenital
existing at birth
-
conglomeration
mass of material sticking together
-
conglomerate
corporation made up of several different companies in diversified fields; mass of various material gathered together; rock consisting of small stones held together by clay; V.
-
congruence
correspondence of parts; harmonious relationship; CF. congruity
-
congruent
in agreement; harmonious; corresponding; coinciding exactly; CF. congruous
-
conifer
pine tree (usu. evergreen); cone-bearing tree; ADJ. coniferous; CF. deciduous; CF. evergreen
-
conjecture
surmise; guess; V.
-
conjugal
pertaining to marriage
-
conjure
cause to appear by magic; summon (a devil or a spirit) by magical power; practice magic (esp. by very quick movement of the hands); evoke; conjure up: bring into the mind; Ex. The magician conjured a rabbit out of his hat.
-
connivance
pretense of ignorance of something wrong; assistance; permission to offend; V. connive: feign ignorance (of a wrong); cooperate secretly in an illegal action; conspire
-
connoisseur
person competent to act as a judge of art, etc. (whose judgments are respected); a lover of an art
-
connotation
suggested or implied meaning of an expression; V. connote
-
connubial
pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state
-
matrimony
state of being married
-
patrimony
property inherited from a father
-
consanguinity
kinship; relationship by birth
-
consanguineous(consanguine)
having a common ancestor
-
conscientious
scrupulous; through and careful; Ex. conscientious worker
-
conscript
draftee; person forced into military service; V.
-
consecrate
dedicate; sanctify; declare as sacred; Ex. consecrate one's life to helping the poor
-
consensus
general agreement; opinion reached by a group
-
consequential
self-important; significant; consequent; following as a result; Ex. consequential air; CF. subsequent
-
conservatory(conservatoire)
school of the fine arts (especially music or drama); glass-enclosed area; CF. conservancy
-
consign
send to a person or place for sale; deliver officially; entrust; put into the care of another; set apart (for a special purpose); N. consignment; CF. consignor, consignee
-
consistency
absence of contradictions; uniformity; degree of thickness or firmness; Ex. consistency of thick cream; CF. viscous
-
console
lessen sadness or disappointment; give comfort; allay the sorrow of; N. consolation
-
consolidation
unification; process of becoming firmer or stronger; V. consolidate: merge; strengthen
-
consonance
harmony; agreement
-
consonant
harmonious; in agreement; N.
-
consort
associate with; keep company; N: husband or wife (or a ruler)
-
conspiracy
treacherous plot; secret plan against the law (by two or more people)
-
conspire
take part in a conspiracy; (of events) work together; combine; Ex. Events conspired to produce great difficulties.
-
consternation
great shock; dismay
-
constituent
supporter; voter; member of a constituency; component
-
constituency
voters represented by an elected official; district so represented; group of supporters (or constituents)
-
constitution
constituting; system of laws; composition of something; physical makeup or structure of a person; Ex. men with strong constitutions
-
constraint
restraint; compulsion; repression of feelings; reticence; V. constrain: hold back; restrain; compel; oblige; confine forcibly; imprison
-
construe
explain; interpret; Ex. construe her silence as meaning that she agreed; CF. misconstrue
-
-
contagion
infection (by contact); ADJ. contagious; CF. infectious: that can be passed by infection in the air
-
drastic
strong; violent and severe; Ex. drastic changes/measures
-
-
contempt
scorn; disdain; ADJ. contemptuous; CF. contemptible
-
contend
struggle; compete; assert earnestly; state strongly
-
contention
assertion; claim; thesis; struggling; competition
-
thesis
opinion put forward and supported by reasoned arguments
-
boost
lift by pushing up from below; increase; raise; N: push upward; increase
-
contentious
quarrelsome; controversial; likely to cause arguments
-
contest
dispute; argue about the rightness of; compete for; try to win; Ex. contest the election results; Ex. contest a seat in Parliament; N.
-
context
writings preceding and following the passage quoted; circumstance in which an event occurs
-
contiguous
adjacent to; touching upon
-
continence
self-restraint; sexual chastity; sexual abstinence; voluntary control over bladder and bowel functions; ADJ. continent
-
contingent
dependent on something uncertain or in the future; conditional; happening by chance; accidental; N: a group of soldiers, ships to a larger force; CF. contingency: future event that may or may not occur; possibility; Ex. prepare for every contingency
-
contortions
twistings; distortions; V. contort: twist violently out of shape; CF. contortionist
-
contraband
illegal trade; smuggling; smuggled goods; ADJ.
-
contravene
contradict; oppose; violate (a rule, law, or custom); N. contravention
-
contrite
penitent; repentant; N. contrition
-
contrived
unnatural and forced; artificial; not spontaneous; Ex. The ending was rather contrived.
-
contrive
invent or fabricate in a clever way (by improvisation); manage; Ex. contrive to attract his attention
-
contrivance
something contrived; machine or apparatus; clever deceitful plan; scheme
-
controvert
oppose with arguments; attempt to refute; contradict; ADJ. controversial; N. controversy
-
contumacious
stubborn and disobedient; resisting authority (esp. disobedient to an order made by a court)
-
-
bruise
injure without breaking the skin; N.
-
conundrum
riddle; difficult problem
-
convene
come together; assemble; call to meet; Ex. convene the council
-
convention
social or moral custom; established practice; formal meeting; international agreement
-
conventional
ordinary; typical; not nuclear; Ex. conventional weapons
-
converge
approach; tend to meet; come together
-
conversant
familiar with; having knowledge of
-
-
convert
one who has adopted a different religion or opinion; V: change into another form; (persuade to) adopt a particular religion or belief
-
-
conveyance
vehicle; transfer; act of conveying; Ex. public conveyance
-
conviction
judgment that someone is guilty of a crime; strongly held belief
-
convivial
pleasantly merry; festive; joyous; gay; characterized by joviality; jovial
-
convoke
call together; Ex. convoke Parliament; N. convocation
-
convoluted
coiled around; twisted; involved; complicated; intricate; complex; N. convolution: twist; one of the convex folds of the surface of the brain
-
convulsion
violent uncontrollable shaking movement (caused by illness); V. convulse; ADJ. convulsive
-
-
coquette
flirt; flirtatious woman; woman who tries to attract the admiration of men without sincere feelings; V.
-
flirt
behave in a way that attracts (sexual) attention; deal triflingly with; N: one (or woman) given to flirting; ADJ. flirtatious
-
cordial
warmly friendly; gracious; heartfelt; Ex. cordial welcome
-
cordon
extended line of men or fortifications to prevent access or egress; (¾î±ú¿¡¼ °Üµå¶û ¹ØÀ¸·Î °ÉÄ¡´Â) Àå½Ä ¸®º»; V.
-
cornice
projecting molding on building (usually above columns or pillars); ó¸¶ Àå½Ä
-
cornucopia
horn (or horn-shaped container) overflowing with fruit and grain; symbol of abundance; horn of plenty
-
corollary
natural consequence (which naturally follows from something else)
-
corporeal
bodily (rather than spiritual); of a bodily form; material; tangible
-
corpulent
very fat; N. corpulence
-
corpus
collection (of writings or information); Ex. the corpus of Shakespear's works; Cf. corpse
-
corpuscle
red or white cell in the blood
-
correlation
mutual relationship
-
correlate
either of the correlated things; V.
-
corroborate
confirm; support; strengthen
-
corrode
destroy or wear away gradually by chemical action (over a long period)
-
corrosive
eating away by chemicals or disease; (of language) fierce
-
corrugated
wrinkled; ridged
-
wrinkle
small ridge on a smooth surface (face or cloth); V.
-
-
cosmic
pertaining to the universe; vast
-
coterie
group that meets socially; select circle; close group of people with shared interests
-
countenance
approve; support; tolerate; Ex. countenance his rude behavior; N: face; appearance
-
countermand
cancel; revoke (an order)
-
counterpart
thing that completes another; things very much alike; thing that has the same purpose in a different system
-
coup
highly successful action or sudden attack; coup(s) d'\'etat; CF. coup de gr\^ace: deathblow or shot which kills
-
couple
join; unite; OP. uncouple
-
-
covenant
binding agreement between two groups or people; compact; V: enter into a covenant; promise
-
bargain
agreement between two groups or people; something for sale at a price advantageous to the buyer; V: negotiate; trade; Ex. bargaining power
-
covert
secret; hidden; implied; OP. overt
-
covetous
avaricious; desirous of (someone else's possessions); V. covet: desire eagerly (someone else's possessions)
-
cow
terrorize; intimidate
-
cower
shrink quivering as from fear; cringe
-
coy
shy (flirtatiously); showing a (pretended) lack of self-confidence; modest; coquettish; CF. job offer¸¦ ¹Þ¾Ã'À» ¶§
-
cozen
cheat; hoodwink; swindle
-
crabbed
sour; bad-tempered; peevish; difficult to read as handwriting
-
peevish
bad-tempered; irritable; V. peeve: make angry
-
crass
very unrefined; grossly insensible; crude and undiscriminating; Ex. crass behavior
-
-
-
-
credulity
belief on slight evidence; gullibility; naivet\'e; ADJ. credulous
-
creed
system of religious or ethical belief
-
crescendo
increase in the volume or intensity as in a musical passage; climax; CF. crescent
-
far-fetched
too improbable to be believed; implausible; Ex. far-fetched story
-
overture
musical introduction to a long musical piece; first offer or proposal (to begin talks in the hope of reaching an agreement); Ex. overtures for peace
-
crestfallen
dejected; dispirited
-
crest
top (as of a hill or wave); showy feathers on the head of a bird
-
-
cringe
shrink back as if in fear; cower
-
criteria
standards used in judging; CF. criterion
-
crone
hag; ugly old woman
-
crotchety
(of someone old) eccentric; odd; whimsical; bad-tempered; N. crotchet: odd or whimsical notion
-
crux
essential or main point; Ex. the crux of the problem; ADJ. crucial: of deciding importance
-
crypt
secret recess or vault usually used for burial; underground room (under a church)
-
cryptic
mysterious; hidden; secret
-
cubicle
small chamber used for sleeping or work
-
compartment
one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided
-
cuisine
style of cooking; Ex. French cuisine
-
culinary
relating to cooking or kitchen
-
cull
pick out from others (to kill the weakest members); reject; select; collect (information); N.
-
culmination
highest point; climax; V. culminate in: reach the highest point in; end in; Ex. a series of minor clashes culminating in war
-
culpable
deserving blame; blameworthy
-
culprit
one guilty of a crime
-
culvert
artificial channel for water; drain crossing under a road
-
cumbersome
heavy and awkward to carry or wear; burdensome; Ex. cumbersome parcel/uniform
-
cumulative
growing by addition; accumulative
-
cupidity
greed (for wealth); CF. cupid; CF. Cupid
-
curator
superintendent; manager (in charge of a museum or a library)
-
curmudgeon
churlish, miserly individual; bad-tempered old person
-
cursive
(of writing) flowing; running; having the successive letters joined
-
cursory
casual; hastily done with little attention to detail
-
-
cynical
skeptical or distrustful of human motives; N. cynicism; CF. cynic: person who believes all people are motivated by selfishness
-
cynosure
object of general attention; person or thing that is a center of attention; CF. Ursa Minor
-
dabble
work at in a nonserious fashion; splash around; move noisily in a liquid
-
dais
raised platform for speakers or other important people
-
dally
trifle with; toy with; treat without the necessary seriousness; procrastinate; waste time
-
dank
damp; unpleasantly wet
-
dapper
neat and trim (in appearance); (of small men) neat in appearance and quick in movements; neat; spry
-
-
daub
smear (as with paint); cover with something sticky; Ex. daub one's clothes with mud/paint; N: small bit of sticky substance; Ex. a daub of paint
-
smear
spread or cover with a sticky substance; N: mark made by smearing
-
smudge
dirty mark with unclear edges made by rubbing; V.
-
daunt
intimidate; frighten; discourage; dishearten
-
-
dawdle
loiter; hang around; waste time doing nothing
-
deadlock
standstill resulting from the opposition of two unrelenting forces; stalemate
-
standstill
condition of no movement or activity; stop
-
deadpan
wooden; impassive; with no show of feeling; with an expressionless face
-
-
d\'eb\^acle
sudden disastrous downfall or defeat; complete disaster
-
debase
degrade; reduce in quality or value; degenerate; lower in esteem; disgrace; N. debasement
-
kneel
go down on one's knee(s)
-
debauch
corrupt morally; seduce from virtue; N. debauchery: wild behavior (with sex and alcohol)
-
seduce
lead away from proper conduct; entice; ADJ. seductive
-
debilitate
weaken (esp. through heat, hunger, illness); enfeeble
-
bout
match; short period of great activity; Ex. wrestling bout; bout of drinking/flu
-
debonair
(of men) friendly, charming, and fashionably dressed; aiming to please; CF. of good disposition
-
d\'ebris
rubble; wreckage; scattered remains of something broken or destroyed
-
debunk
expose as false, exaggerated, worthless, etc.; ridicule
-
debutante
young woman making formal entrance into society
-
debut
d\'ebut; first public appearance; formal presentation of a young woman to society
-
decadence
decay; fall to a lower level (of morality, civilization, or art); ADJ. decadent
-
decant
pour off gently (wine or liquid)
-
-
-
deciduous
falling off at a specific season or stage of growth as of leaves; Ex. deciduous tree/teeth
-
decimate
kill (usually one out of ten or every tenth man); destroy or kill a large part of
-
decipher
decode; CF. indecipherable
-
-
d\'ecollet\'e
(of a dress) having a low-cut neckline; CF. d\'ecolletage: low neckline (on a dress)
-
decree
authoritative order; edict; judgment of a court of law; V: order or judge by decree
-
decomposition
decay; V. decompose: decay; break and separate into simple parts
-
decorum
propriety; orderliness and good taste in manners; appropriateness of behavior or conduct
-
decorous
proper (in behavior, conduct, or appearance)
-
-
decrepitude
state of collapse or weakness caused by illness or old age
-
decrepit
weak and in bad condition from old age or hard use; Ex. decrepit old chair/man
-
decry
express strong disapproval of; condemn openly (something dangerous to the public); disparage; Ex. decry the violence of modern films
-
deducible
derived by reasoning; V. deduce: infer; derive by reasoning
-
-
mar
spoil the appearance of
-
defame
harm someone's reputation; malign; speak evil of; slander; N. defamation; ADJ. defamatory
-
default
failure to act; failure to perform a task or be present; V.
-
defeatist
resigned to defeat or failure; accepting defeat or failure as a natural outcome; N. CF. defeatism
-
-
defect
shortcoming; V: desert (in order to join the opposite one)
-
defer
give in respectfully; submit; delay till later; exempt temporarily; N. deferment; CF. show respect, comply with, courteous
-
deference
courteous regard for another's wish; courteous yielding to another's wish or opinion (showing respect); ADJ. deferential; OP. effrontery
-
defiance
refusal to yield; resistance; V. defy; ADJ. defiant
-
defile
pollute; make filthy or dirty; corrupt morally; profane; desecrate; N: narrow passage or gorge through mountains
-
definitive
most reliable; authorative and complete; that cannot be improved; conclusive; decisive; definite; Ex. definitive decision by the supreme court
-
deflect
turn aside; turn away from a straight course
-
defoliate
destroy leaves; deprive of leaves (by the use of chemicals); N. defoliant
-
defray
provide for the payment of; undertake the payment of; pay
-
defrock
strip a priest or minister of church authority; unfrock
-
frock
long loose garment (worn by monks)
-
-
defunct
dead; no longer in use or existence
-
degenerate
become worse in quality; deteriorate; ADJ: having become worse; Ex. a degenerate species; N: depraved or corrupt person
-
degradation
humiliation; debasement; degeneration; V. degrade: debase; disgrace; degenerate; reduce (something) in worth; demote (someone); reduce in rank
-
dishonor
disgrace; N. ADJ. dishonorable
-
dehydrate
remove water from; dry out
-
deify
turn into a god; make a god of; idolize; Ex. Kings were deified; CF. deity
-
-
stoop
bend forward and down; lower or debase oneself; fall to a lower standard of behavior by doing something; condescend; Ex. stoop to lying
-
-
-
deliberate
consider; ponder; ADJ: done on purpose; slow
-
delineate
portray; depict; sketch; describe; N. delineation
-
delirium
mental disorder marked by confusion; uncontrolled excitement; ADJ. delirious
-
delta
flat plain of mud or sand between branches of a river
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-
-
delusion
false belief; hallucination; deluding; Ex. delusions of grandeur; Ex. under the delusion that
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delusive
deceptive; likely to delude; misleading; raising vain hopes; Ex. delusive promises
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delve
dig; search deeply; investigate
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demagogue
person who appeals to people's prejudice; false leader of people; CF. demagoguery
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demean
disgrace; humiliate; debase in dignity; behave
-
demeanor
behavior; bearing
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-
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demographic
related to population balance; N. demography: statistical study of human population
-
demolition
destruction; V. demolish
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demoniac(demoniacal)
fiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil supernatural being; devil
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demotic
of or pertaining to the people
-
demur
object (because of doubts, scruples); raise an objection (showing qualms); hesitate; Ex. demur at the idea of working on Sunday
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demure
(of a woman or child) grave; quiet and serious; coy; pretending to be demure
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denigrate
blacken; defame
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denizen
(animal, person, or plant) inhabitant or resident of a particular place; regular visitor
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denotation
meaning; distinguishing by name; V. denote: indicate; refer to directly; mean; CF. connotation
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d\'enouement
final outcome; final development of the plot of a play or other literary work; the end of a story when everything is explained
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denounce
condemn; criticize; N. denunciation
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expos\'e
public revelation of something discreditable
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-
deplore
regret; express sorrow and severe disapproval for something bad; Ex. deplore their violent behavior; ADJ. deplorable: very bad; deserving severe disapproval; Ex. deplorable living condition
-
deploy
spread out (troops) in an extended though shallow battle line; distribute (persons or forces) systematically or strategically
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battalion
army unit made up of four or more companies
-
depose
dethrone; remove from office; give a deposition; testify
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deposition
testimony under oath; deposing; dethroning
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depravity
extreme corruption; wickedness; V. deprave
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deprecate
express disapproval of; deplore; protest against; belittle; ADJ. deprecatory
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depreciate
lessen in value; belittle; represent as of little value
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depredation
plundering; destruction
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institute
organization for a special purpose; V: establish
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institution
instituting; (building for the) organization; established custom, practice, or relationship in a society; mental hospital; Ex. institution of marriage
-
institutionalize
make into an institution; put or confine in an institution
-
derelict
negligent; (of someone) neglectful of duty; (of something) deserted by an owner; abandoned; N: abandoned property; homeless or vagrant person
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dereliction
neglect of duty; abandonment
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deride
ridicule; treat with contempt; make fun of; OP. respect
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derision
ridicule; ADJ. derisive; CF. derisory
-
derivative
unoriginal; obtained from another source; Ex. derivative prose style; N.
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derivation
deriving; origin or source of something; Ex. the derivation of the word
-
dermatologist
one who studies the skin and its diseases
-
acne
skin disease (on the face)
-
derogatory
expressing a low opinion; disparaging; V. derogate: detract; disparage
-
descry
catch sight of (something distant)
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desecrate
profane; violate the sanctity of
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violate
break (a law); defile; desecrate; assault sexually; Ex. violate graves
-
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desolate
(of a place) deserted; unpopulated; (of a person) lonely; forlorn; joyless
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desolate
make desolate; forsake; abandon and desert
-
desperado
reckless, desperate outlaw
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desperate
having lost all hope; despairing; reckless and violent because of loss of hope or despair; undertaken as a last resort
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despise
look on with scorn; regard as worthless or distasteful; ADJ. despicable: contemptible
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despoil
plunder; sack; Ex. despoil the village
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despondent
without hope and courage; depressed; gloomy; N. despondency: loss of hope with gloom; dejection
-
despot
tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; CF. despotism
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destitute
extremely poor; lacking means of subsistence; utterly lacking; devoid; Ex. destitute of any experience
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impoverish
make poor; deprive of natural strength or something important; Ex. impoverished soil
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desultory
aimless; haphazard; digressing at random
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detached
emotionally removed; free from emotional involvement; calm and objective; physically separate; N. detachment; CF. attachment
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detain
keep waiting; prevent from leaving or going; N. detention
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determinate
having a fixed order of procedure; precisely defined; invariable; fixed; conclusive; final
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determination
resolve; firmness of purpose; measurement or calculation; decision
-
deterrent
something that discourages or deters
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detraction
slandering; aspersion; detracting; CF. detractor
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detrimental
harmful; damaging; N. detriment
-
deviate
turn away from (a principle, norm); move away from an accepted standard; swerve; depart; diverge; N. deviation; Ex. deviation of the path of light by a prism
-
devious
roundabout; erratic; deviating from the straight course; not straightforward; not completely honest; Ex. devious route
-
devise
think up; invent; plan; bequeath; N: bequest
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-
devolve
deputize; pass or be passed to others (power, work, or property); Ex. devolve on/upon/to
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deputize
work or appoint as a deputy; N. deputy: person who has the power to take charge when the leading person is away
-
devotee
enthusiastic follower; enthusiast; Ex. devotee of Bach
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devout
pious; deeply religious; sincere; earnest; Ex. my devout hope
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dexterous
skillful; skill in using hands or mind; N. dexterity
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diabolical
diabolic; devilish; fiendish
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-
dialectical
relating to the art of debate; mutual or reciprocal; Ex. dialectical situation; N. dialectic: art of arriving at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments
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diaphanous
sheer; transparent
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diatribe
bitter scolding or denunciation; invective; abuse
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dichotomy
division into two opposite parts; split; branching into two parts (especially contradictory ones)
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dictum
authoritative and weighty statement (made by a judge in court); saying; maxim; CF. obiter dictum: incidental, nonbinding remark (something said in passing)
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didactic
(of speech or writing) intended to teach a moral lesson; teaching; instructional; N. didacticism
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die
metal block used for shaping metal or plastic; device for stamping or impressing; mold; CF. dice
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diffidence
shyness; lack of self-confidence; timidity; ADJ. diffident
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diffuse
wordy; verbose; rambling; spread out (like a gas); V: spread out in all directions; disperse; N. diffusion; CF. suffuse
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digression
wandering away from the subject; V. digress
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dilapidated
falling to pieces; in a bad condition; ruined because of neglect; Ex. dilapidated old car/castle; N. dilapidation
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dilate
expand; dilate on/upon: speak or write at length on (a subject)
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dilatory
delaying; tending to delay
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dilemma
situation that requires a choice between equally unfavorable options; problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives
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dilettante
aimless follower of an art or a field of knowledge (not taking it seriously); amateur; dabbler; CF. delight
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diligence
steadiness of effort; persistent hard work
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dilute
make (a liquid) less concentrated; reduce in strength; Ex. dilute the influence of the president
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diminution
lessening; reduction in size; V. diminish
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din
continued loud noise; V: make a din; instill by wearying repetition
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weary
tired after long work; V.
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dinghy
small boat (often ship's boat)
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maroon
leave helpless on a deserted island or coast; ADJ. red brown
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dingy
(of things and place) dirty and dull; Ex. dingy street/curtain
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dull
(of colors or surfaces) not bright; cloudy; overcast; boring; (of edge or sound) not sharp; not rapid; sluggish; slow in thinking and understanding; stupid; V.
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dint
means; effort; Ex. by dint of hard work
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diorama
life-size, three-dimensional scene from nature or history; three-dimensional scene with modeled figures against a painted background
-
dire
warning of disaster; disastrous; (of needs and dangers) very great; urgent; Ex. dire prediction/need of food
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dirge
funeral song; slow mournful piece of music (sung over a dead person)
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disabuse
correct a false impression; undeceive; free from a wrong belief
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disaffected
disloyal; lacking loyality; V. disaffect: cause to lose affection or loyalty
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disapprobation
disapproval; condemnation
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disarray
state of disorder; a disorderly or untidy state; Ex. with her clothes in disarray
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disavowal
denial; disclaiming; repudiating; disowning; V. disavow; CF. disclaim
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disband
dissolve; disperse; (of a group) break up and separate; Ex. The club has disbanded.
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disburse
pay out (as from a fund); N. disbursement; CF. purse
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discernible
distinguishable; perceivable; Ex. discernible improvement
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discerning
mentally quick and observant; having insight; perceptive; able to make good judgments; V. discern: perceive
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disclaim
disown; renounce claim to; deny; CF. disclaimer
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disclose
reveal; N. disclosure
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discombobulated
discomposed; confused
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discompose
disturb the composure of; confuse
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discomfit
frustrate; put to rout; defeat; disconcert; embarrass; perturb
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disconcert
confuse; upset; embarrass; perturb
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disconsolate
hopelessly sad (at the loss of something)
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discord
conflict; lack of harmony; dissonance (when musical notes are played)
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discordant
not harmonious; conflicting
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discount
disregard; regard (a story or news) as unimportant; deduct from a cost
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discourse
serious speech, writing, or conversation; formal discussion (either written or spoken); conversation; V.
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discredit
defame; disgrace; destroy confidence in; disbelieve; N. CF. discreditable: causing discredit; shameful
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discrepancy
lack of consistency or agreement as between facts; difference; Ex. discrepancy between two descriptions
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discrete
separate; unconnected
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discretion
prudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances; freedom of action or judgment; ADJ. discreet; CF. discretionary
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discriminating
able to see differences; discerning; prejudiced; N. discrimination
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discriminate
distinguish; make distinctions on the basis of preference
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brisk
quick and active; marked by liveliness and vigor
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discursive
(of a person or writing) digressing; rambling (without any clear plan)
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disdain
treat with scorn or contempt
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disembark
debark; go ashore (from a ship); unload cargo from a ship; CF. embark
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disenfranchise
disfranchise; deprive of a civil right; OP. enfranchise
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disengage
uncouple; separate; disconnect; stop fighting; OP. engage
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disfigure
mar the appearance of; spoil
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disgorge
surrender something (stolen); eject; vomit; OP. gorge
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disgruntle
make discontented
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disheveled
untidy (of hair or clothing); V. dishevel
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disinclination
unwillingness
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disingenuous
not naive; not candid; sophisticated; worldly wise; OP. ingenuous
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disinter
dig up; unearth; OP. inter
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disinterested
unprejudiced; free from bias and self-interest; objective
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disjointed
disconnected; lacking coherence; V. disjoint: disconnect; disjoin
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disjunction
act or state of separation; disunity; CF. disjunctive: expressing a choice between two ideas; CF. conjunction; CF. conjunctive
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dislodge
remove (forcibly); force out of a position; Ex. dislodge the food caught in his throat; CF. lodge
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dismantle
take apart; disassemble
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mantle
loose sleeveless outer garment; cloak; something that covers or envelops; the layer of the earth between the crust and the core
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crust
hard outer covering (as of earth or snow)
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dismember
cut into small parts; cut (a body) apart limb from limb
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dismiss
eliminate from consideration; no longer consider; put out of court without further hearing; reject; discharge from employment; direct to leave; ADJ. dismissive; N. dismissal
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maneuver(manoeuver)
strategic military or naval movement (done for training purposes); carefully planned process; stratagem; V: carry out a military maneuver; use maneuvers in gaining an end
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disparate
basically different; impossible to compare; unrelated
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disparity
difference; condition of inequality; OP. parity
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dispassionate
calm; impartial; not influenced by personal feelings
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dispatch
speediness; prompt execution; message sent with all due speed; V: send to a specified destination; finish promptly; kill
-
dispel
scatter; drive away; cause to vanish
-
dispense
distribute; prepare and give out (medicines); N. dispensation: dispensing; religious system; official exemption from an obligation or a rule
-
disperse
scatter; Ex. disperse the cloud/crowd
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dispirited
lacking in spirit
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disport
amuse; Ex. disport oneself; CF. divert
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disputatious
argumentative; fond of argument
-
disquietude
uneasiness; anxiety; V. disquiet: make anxious
-
disquisition
formal systematic inquiry; explanation of the results of a formal inquiry; long formal speech or written report
-
dissection
analysis; cutting apart in order to examine
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dissemble
disguise; hide the real nature of; pretend
-
disseminate
distribute; spread; scatter (like seeds)
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dissertation
formal essay; treatise
-
dissident
dissenting (with an opinion, a group, or a government); rebellious; N.
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dissimulate
pretend; conceal by feigning; dissemble
-
dissipate
squander; waste foolishly; scatter
-
dissolution
disintegration; reduction to a liquid form; looseness in morals; sensual indulgence; debauchery; ADJ. dissolute: lacking in moral restraint; leading an immoral life
-
reduce
diminish; bring to a weaker or more difficult condition; demote; lower in rank; separate into components by analysis; Ex. reduced to the ranks; Ex. reduce the house to rubble; N. reduction
-
dissuade
persuade not to do; discourage; N. dissuasion
-
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distant
reserved or aloof; cold in manner; Ex. distant greeting; ADV. distantly
-
distend
expand; swell out
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distill
refine (a liquid by evaporating and subsequent condensation); concentrate; separate the most important parts from; Ex. distill fresh water from sea water; CF. brew
-
distinction
honor; excellence; difference; contrast; discrimination; Ex. graduated with distinction; Ex. a writer of real distinction
-
distinct
clearly different; clearly noticed
-
distinctive
clearly different from others of the same kind
-
distort
twist out of shape; give a false account of; misrepresent; N. distortion
-
distrait
absentminded; distracted
-
distraught
upset; distracted by anxiety; very anxious and troubled almost to the point of madness; Ex. distraught with grief/worry
-
distract
take (one's attention) off something; upset emotionally; make anxious; ADJ. distracted
-
diurnal
daily; occurring during the daytime
-
diva
operatic singer; prima donna
-
diverge
vary; go in different directions from the same point; ADJ. divergent: differing; deviating
-
diverse
differing in some characteristics (from each other); various; N. diversity: variety; dissimilitude; lack of resemblance
-
diversion
act of turning aside; pastime; V. divert: turn aside from a course; distract; amuse
-
divest
strip (as of clothes); deprive (as of rights); dispossess; N. divestiture(divestment)
-
divine
perceive intuitively (by or as if by magic); foresee the future; foretell; dowse; ADJ. N. divination
-
dowse
use a divining rod to search for underground water or minerals
-
-
docile
obedient; easily managed; submissive
-
ferocious
fierce; violent; N. ferocity
-
docket
program as for trial; book where such entries are made; list of things to be done; agenda; label fixed to a package listing contents or directions; V: describe in a docket
-
doctrinaire
unable to compromise about points of doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding; marked by inflexible attachment to a doctrine without regard to its practical difficulties
-
doctrine
teachings in general; particular principle (religious, legal, etc.) taught; dogma; tenet; ADJ. doctrinal
-
indoctrinate
cause to accept a doctrine without questioning it; Ex. indoctrinated with mindless anti-communism
-
document
provide written evidence (for a claim); record with documents; N.
-
doddering
shaky; infirm from old age; V. dodder
-
merit
deserve; ADJ. meritorious: deserving reward or praise
-
-
dogged
determined; stubborn; stubbornly persevering; tenacious; Ex. Inspector Javert's dogged pursuit of Jean Valjean
-
persevere
continue steadily in spite of difficulties
-
-
dogmatic
opinionated; holding stubbornly to one's opinion; arbitrary; doctrinal
-
doldrums
blues; listlessness(lack of spirit or energy); slack(inactive) period; period of stagnation; ocean area near the equator where ships cannot move because there is no wind; Ex. in the doldrums
-
blues
state of depression or melancholy; style of slow, mournful music (evolved from southern Black American songs)
-
dolorous
sorrowful; N. dolor
-
dolt
slow-thinking stupid person; CF. dull
-
domicile
home; V. ADJ. domiciled: having one's domicile; Ex. He is domiciled in Britain.
-
domineer
rule over tyrannically
-
dominate
control; rule; enjoy a commanding position in; overlook from a height; ³»·Ã´Ùº¸´Ù
-
dominant
exercising the most influence; high and easily seen; stronger than the other part of a system; not recessive
-
-
outfit
clothing or equipment for a special purpose; Ex. cowboy outfit
-
dormant
sleeping; temporarily inactive; lethargic; latent
-
dormer
window projecting upright from roof; CF. sleeping room
-
dorsal
relating to the back of an animal; Ex. dorsal fin
-
dossier
file of documents on a subject or person; file; CF. bundle of papers labeled on the back
-
dotage
senility; feeblemindedness of old age; Ex. In one's dotage
-
dote
be excessively fond of; show signs of mental decline
-
dour
sullen; gloomy; stubborn
-
sullen
silently showing ill humor or resentment; dark; gloomy
-
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
-
douse
plunge into water or liquid; dip; immerse; drench; wet throughly; extinguish; throw water over; dowse
-
dowdy
untidy (of a woman or clothes); slovenly; dressed in an unattractive way; shabby; CF. unattractive woman
-
downcast
disheartened; dejected; sad; directed downward
-
drab
dull; lacking color; cheerless ; Ex. drab coat/life
-
draconian
extremely severe; Ex. draconian punishment; CF. Draco: Athenian politician
-
dregs
sediment in a liquid; lees; worthless residue
-
drivel
nonsense; foolishness; V: talk nonsense
-
nonsense
speech or writing with no meaning; foolish behavior or language; Ex. make (a) nonsense of: spoil; cause to fail
-
dribble
flow or fall in drops; let saliva flow out slowly from the mouth; move a ball; N.
-
drip
fall or let fall in drops; shed drops; N: action or sound of falling in drops; liquid that falls in drops
-
trickle
flow in drops or in a thin stream; N.
-
-
queer
strange; eccentric; deviating from the normal
-
drone
idle person who lives on other people's work; male bee
-
drone
talk dully; buzz or murmur like a bee; N.
-
murmur
low, indistinct, continuous sound; V. CF. mumble
-
dross
waste matter; worthless impurities
-
drudgery
hard unpleasant work; menial work
-
drudge
do drudgery; N: person who drudges
-
dubious
questionable; (of something) causing doubt; (of someone) filled with doubt; N. dubiety
-
ductile
malleable; pliable; (of metals) easily pulled into shape; flexible; (of someone) easily influenced or controlled
-
dulcet
sweet sounding; pleasing to the ear; melodious
-
dumbfound(dumfound)
astonish (making dumb); ADJ. dumbfounded, dumfounded, dumbstruck
-
dupe
someone easily fooled or deceived; V: deceive
-
duplicity
double-dealing; hypocrisy; being dishonest and deceitful; ADJ. duplicitous
-
duration
length of time something lasts
-
duress
forcible restraint, especially unlawfully; coercion by threat; illegal coercion; Ex. a promise made under duress
-
dutiful(duteous)
(of people or their behavior) respectful; obedient (filled with a sense of duty)
-
dwindle
shrink; reduce gradually
-
dynamic
energetic; vigorously active
-
dynamo
generator for producing electricity; energetic person
-
dyspeptic
suffering from indigestion; N. dyspepsia: indigestion; difficulty in digesting food
-
-
dyslexia
word blindness; learning disorder marked by impairment of the ability to read
-
dysentery
inflammatory disorder of the lower intestinal tract
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