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sreejeta
on FreezingBlue Flashcards.
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quack
charlatan; impostor
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quadruped
four-footed animal; ADJ. CF. biped
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quaff
drink with zest; drink with relish(zest; hearty enjoyment); CF. sip
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quagmire
bog; marsh; soft, wet, boggy land; predicament; complex or dangerous situation from which it is difficult to free oneself
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bog
soft wet land; V: hinder or be hindered; Ex. bogged down in the mud
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quail
cower; shrink back in fear; lose heart
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quaint
odd in an old-fashioned way; odd; old-fashioned; picturesque
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qualified
limited; restricted; V. qualify: limit the meaning of; modify
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qualms
uneasy feelings; misgivings; uneasy fears especially about matters of conscience; Ex. I have no qualms about giving this assignment to Helen.
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quandary
dilemma; state of uncertainty; Ex. She is in a quandary about whether to go.
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quarantine
isolation of a person, place, or ship to prevent spread of infection; V: isolate in quarantine
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quarry
person or animal of pursuit; victim; object of a hunt; prey
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quarry
dig into (to get stone); N: mine;
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bank
heap; piled-up mass; embankment; lateral tilting (as of an aircraft in turning); V: pile up; protect with a bank; tilt in turning
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quash
crush; suppress; squash; subdue; annul; Ex. quash a rebellion/the decision of the low court
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squash
crush; quash; suppress
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quay
dock; wharf; pier; landing place (for boats)
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queasy
experiencing nausea; nauseated; easily nauseated; squeamish; Ex. feel a little queasy
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quell
suppress; put an end to; put down forcibly; extinguish; quiet; Ex. ``Army Quells Rebellion'' in newspaper; CF. kill
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quench
assuage or satisfy (thrust); slake; douse or extinguish; put out; suppress
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squelch
produce a splashing sound (when stepping through mud); crush; squash; CF.
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querulous
given to complaining; complaining; fretful; whining
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whine
complain (in a sad voice); make a high sad sound (as in pain or supplication)
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query
inquiry; question; V.
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queue
line (of waiting people or vehicles)
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quibble
minor objection or complaint; V: raise minor objections; carp; cavil
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quiescent
dormant; temporarily inactive; at rest; N. quiescence
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quietude
tranquillity; calmness
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quintessence
purest and highest embodiment; perfect example; apotheosis; most essential element; Ex. quintessence of wit; ADJ. quintessential; CF. fifth essence
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quip
taunt; clever sarcastic remark; V.
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taunt
deride or provoke; challenge in derision; N.
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quirk
sudden sharp turn or twist; startling twist; caprice; idiosyncrasy; peculiarity of behavior; Ex. by a quirk of fate
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quisling
traitor who aids invaders; CF. Vidkun Quisling
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quiver
tremble; shake; N.
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leash
restraining rope fastened to the collar of an animal (to control it); Ex. a dog on a leash
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quixotic
idealistic but impractical; CF. Don Quixote
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quizzical
curious; suggesting puzzlement (without saying); questioning; teasing; mocking; bantering; Ex. quizzical glance
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quorum
minimal number of members necessary to conduct a meeting
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quotidian
daily; commonplace; customary; Ex. quotidian routine
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rabid
of or suffering rabies; like a fanatic; extremely zealous; furious; CF. rabies: hydrophobia
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raconteur
story-teller; one who tells stories with wit and skill
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ragamuffin
dirty child in torn clothes; person wearing tattered clothes
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tatter
torn piece of cloth; ADJ. tattered: (of clothes) old and torn; (of a person) dressed in old torn clothes
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rail
complain bitterly; scold; rant; Ex. the weaker railing against injustices
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raiment
clothing; garments; Ex. I have no raiment fit to wear.
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rakish
jaunty; stylish; sporty; morally corrupt; dissolute; Ex. He wore his hat at a rakish and jaunty angle.
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rake
angle of a slope; V: slant from the perpendicular
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rake
immoral or dissolute person
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rally
come or bring together; call up or summon (forces, vital powers, etc.); revive or recuperate (after illness or difficulty); N: act of rallying; mass gathering
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ramble
wander aimlessly (physically or mentally); digress
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ramification
branching out; subdivision; one branch of a system; one of the results following from an action or decision; Ex. ramifications of a business/the decision
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ramify
branch out; divide into branches or subdivisions
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ramp
slope; inclined plane or roadway (connecting two levels)
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rampant
growing or spreading uncontrollably; growing in profusion; unrestrained; Ex. rampant lawlessness/weed
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rampart
defensive mound of earth
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ramshackle
(of a building or vehicle) poorly constructed; rickety; falling apart
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rickety
(of buildings) likely to break or fall apart; of rickets; CF. rickets; CF. vitamin D
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ransack
search thoroughly; pillage (going through a place); Ex. Enemy soldiers ransacked the town.
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rancid
having the odor of stale or decomposing fat; rank
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rank
offensive in odor or flavor
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rancor
long-lasting hatred; bitterness; Ex. negotiation without rancor; ADJ. rancorous
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random
without definite purpose, plan, or aim; haphazard; Ex. random shots; Ex. chosen at random
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lot
object used in making a determination at random; fate; piece of land
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draw
choosing of a lot or card
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lottery
contest in which winners are selected in a drawing of lots
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raffle
lottery; V: award as a prize in a raffle; Ex. raffle off a new car
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rankle
irritate; fester; annoy
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rant
speak violently or excitedly; rave; talk excitedly showing anger; scold; make a grandiloquent speech; Ex. The priest ranted about the devil.
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rapacious
voracious; ravenous; taking everything one can; excessively grasping; plundering; subsisting on live prey; Ex. rapacious birds
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rapport
close relationship; emotional closeness; harmony
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rapt
engrossed; absorbed; enchanted; Ex. rapt listener
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rarefied
made less dense (of a gas); V. rarefy: make less dense; N. rarefaction
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rare
(of air) thin in density; rarefied; Ex. rare air of the mountains
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raspy
making a harsh noise; grating; harsh
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rasp
(of a sound) grate on (eg. nerves); make a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect; rub with something rough; Ex. The cat's tongue rasped my hand.
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ratify
approve formally; confirm; verify
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ratiocination
reasoning; act of drawing conclusions from premises; V. ratiocinate: reason logically
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rationale
fundamental reason or principle (on which a system or principle is based); fundamental reason or justification; grounds for an action
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rationalize
make rational; devise false reasons for (one's behavior); offer an excuse; give a plausible reason for an action in place of a true, less admirable ones; N. rationalization
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rational
(of a person) having reason; (of ideas) based on reason; logical
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ration
fixed portion; V: distribute as rations
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raucous
(of voice) harsh and unpleasant; (of people) disorderly and boisterous; Ex. raucous shouts
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ravage
devastate; plunder; despoil; Ex. crops ravaged by storms
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maraud
move in search of plunder; Ex. marauding army
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rave
overwhelmingly favorable review; V: talk wildly as if mad; Ex. raving lunatic
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ravel
fall apart into tangles; entangle; unravel or untwist
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ravenous
extremely hungry; voracious
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ravine
narrow valley with steep sides; gorge; CF. gully, canyon
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raze
destroy completely; Ex. raze the city to the ground
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reactionary
strongly opposed to social or political change; opposing progress; politically ultraconservative; N. OP. radical
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reinstate
restore to a previous condition or position
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realm
kingdom; field or sphere; Ex. not within the realms of possibility
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reaper
one who harvests grain; Ex. the Grim Reaper; V. reap: cut and gather (crop); harvest a crop
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rebate
return of part of a payment; discount; V.
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rebuff
reject bluntly; snub; beat back; Ex. She rebuffed his invitation; N.
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snub
ignore or behave coldly toward; Ex. I made a suggestion but she snubbed me; N.
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rebuke
scold harshly; criticize severely
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rebus
representation of words in the form of pictures or symbols; puzzle in which pictures or letters stand for words; Ex. ``R U 18'' is a rebus for ``Are you 18''.
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rebuttal
refutation; response with contrary evidence; V. rebut: refute; disprove
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recalcitrant
disobedient or resisting authority even after being punished; obstinately stubborn; determined to resist authority; unruly; Ex. recalcitrant child
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recant
disclaim or disavow; retract a previous statement; openly confess error; Ex. recant one's faith/a statement
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recast
reconstruct (a sentence, story, statue, etc.); fashion again
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fashion
give shape to; make; Ex. fashion the pot out of clay
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receptive
quick or willing to receive (ideas, suggestions, etc.); Ex. receptive to the proposal
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recession
withdrawal; retreat; time of low economic activity
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recess
pause; temporary cessation; alcove; secret inner place; Ex. parliament in recess; V. CF. recessive
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recidivism
habitual return to crime (even after being punished); N. recidivist
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reciprocal
mutual; given and received in return; exchangeable; interacting; Ex. reciprocal trade agreement
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reciprocate
do or give something in return; repay in kind; give or take mutually; interchange; move backwards and forwards; Ex. reciprocate his invitation by inviting him; N. reciprocity: reciprocal relationship; mutual interchange of advantages between two groups; Ex. reciprocity in trading rights
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recluse
hermit; loner; ADJ. reclusive
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reconcile
make friendly again (after quarrel); make consistent (two ideas in opposition); correct inconsistencies; Ex. reconcile one's political principles with one's religious beliefs
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recondite
abstruse; not easily understood; profound; secret
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reconnaissance
survey of enemy by soldiers; reconnoitering; V. reconnoiter: make a preliminary inspection of (esp. to gather military information)
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recount
narrate or tell (a story); count over again
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recourse
resorting to help when in trouble; Ex. without recourse to
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resort
turn to for help; Ex. resort to violence; N.
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makeshift
temporary expedient or substitute (in the case of urgent need); Ex. makeshift shelter
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recreant
disloyal; cowardly; N: disloyal and cowardly person
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recrimination
countercharges; V. recriminate
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rectify
set right; correct; CF. rect-: right
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rectitude
moral correctness; moral uprightness; moral virtue; correctness of judgment
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recumbent
reclining; lying down completely or in part
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recuperate
recover; return to health; regain; Ex. recuperate losses
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recurrent
occurring again and again
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redolent
odorous; fragrant; suggestive (of an odor); Ex. redolent of onions/mystery
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redoubtable
formidable; causing fear
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redress
remedy; compensation; Ex. seek redress for the damage to your car; V: put right; remedy or rectify (a wrong); make amends for
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redundant
superfluous; more than is necessary; verbose; excessively wordy; repetitious
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reek
emit (an unpleasant odor or smoke); give off an unpleasant odor; give out smoke; Ex. reeking chimney; N: unpleasant odor; stench
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stench
strong foul odor; reek; stink
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stink
stench; V: emit a strong foul odor
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refectory
dining hall; room where meals are served (in a school)
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refraction
bending of a ray of light
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refractory
unmanageable; disobedient and stubborn; Ex. refractory horse
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refrain
abstain from; resist; forbear; N: chorus
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chorus
phrase repeated throughout a song or poem
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refulgent
effulgent; brilliant; brightly shining; gleaming; Ex. refulgent moon
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gleam
brief flash of light; glow; V.
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refurbish
renovate; make clean, bright, or fresh (make new) again; make bright by polishing; Ex. refurbish an old theater; CF. furbish: polish
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refute
disprove; prove to be false; N. refutation
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regal
royal; of a monarch; Ex. regal manner
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regatta
boat or yacht race
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regeneration
spiritual rebirth; Ex. regeneration of the prisoners; V. regenerate: give or obtain new life; reform spiritually
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penology
study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation
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regicide
murder of a king or queen
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regime
method of system or government
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regimen
prescribed course of diet or exercise; prescribed diet and habits; Ex. daily regimen of a dancer
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regiment
military unit; V: subject to strict order; Ex. regimented society
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rehabilitate
restore to proper condition (health or useful life); restore the former rank of
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reimburse
repay; pay back
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rejoinder
reply; retort; comeback; V. rejoin: say in reply
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comeback
retort; quick clever reply; return to former status
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rejuvenate
make young again
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relegate
put into a lower or worse place; banish to an inferior position; delegate; assign; Ex. relegate the old furniture to the children's room; Ex. relegated to the second division
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relent
become less severe; give in(surrender); ADJ. relentless: unyielding; continuously severe
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relevant
having importance; pertinent; referring to the case in hand; N. relevance, relevancy
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relic
surviving remnant (from an extinct culture); memento; keepsake; relics: corpse; Ex. ancient relics; Ex. relics of his travel; Ex. His relics are buried at X.
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relinquish
give up something (with reluctance); yield; release; Ex. relinquish power/the claim to the land/his hold on my arm
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relish
enjoy; savor; N: enjoyment; zest
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reminiscence
recollection; V. reminisce: recollect the past
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reminiscent
suggestive of something (in the past); of reminiscence
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remiss
negligent; careless about a duty
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remission
temporary moderation (of disease symptoms); remitting of a debt or punishment; cancelation of a debt; pardon; Ex. The disease went into remission; Ex. Christians pray for the remission of sins.
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remit
transmit (money) in payment; free someone from a debt or punishment
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remittance
remitting of money; amount of money remitted
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remonstrate
protest; objection; V. remonstrate: say in protest
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remorse
deep regret for wrongdoing; guilt; self-reproach
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remunerative
(of work) compensating; rewarding; profitable; well-paid; V. remunerate: reward; pay (someone) for work or trouble
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rend
split; tear apart; N. rent; CF. heartrending: causing deep sorrow
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render
give; deliver; provide; represent in verbal or artistic form; depict; perform; make; translate; Ex. render the song beautifully
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rendezvous
meeting place; meeting at a set time or place; V.
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rendition
rendering; translation; artistic interpretation of a song, etc
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renegade
deserter; traitor; ADJ.
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renege
break a promise; deny; go back on; Ex. renege on the contract/paying off the debt
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renounce
abandon; give up (by formal announcement); disown; repudiate; Ex. renounce one's claim to the property/one's religion; N. renunciation
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renovate
restore to good condition; renew
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renown
fame; ADJ. renowned
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herald
messenger; sign of something to come; V: announce; proclaim; Ex. unheralded researcher
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rent
tear made by rending; rip; split
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reparable
capable of being repaired
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reparation
compensation (for loss or wrong); amends; Ex. make reparation for the damage; CF. repair
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repartee
quick clever reply
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repast
meal; feast; banquet
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repel
drive away; disgust; Ex. repel the attack/moisture; Ex. repelled by the dirty room; CF. repulsion
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repellent
driving away; disgusting; offensive; repulsive; unattractive; N.
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repercussion
rebound; reaction; reverberation; Ex. serious repercussion
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repertoire
list of works of music, drama, etc., a performer is prepared to present; CF. repertory
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repine
fret; complain; be annoyed; Ex. repine over the undone work
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replete
fully filled; filled to the brim or to the point of being stuffed; abundantly supplied; Ex. report replete with errors
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memoir
memoirs; autobiography; biography
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brim
uppermost edge of a cup; projecting rim (as on a hat); Ex. The glass was full to the brim; V: be full to the brim
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replicate
reproduce; duplicate
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repose
resting; state of being at rest; calmness; V: lie at rest; relax; put or place; Ex. repose our hopes in a single man
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reprehensible
deserving blame; blameworthy; V. reprehend: blame
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repress
hold back (the natural expression of); restrain; crush; oppress; Ex. repressed child; Ex. repress a laugh/rebellion
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reprieve
postponement or cancelation of a punishment; temporary stay; V: postpone or cancel the punishment of
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reprimand
reprove severely; rebuke; N.
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reprise
musical repetition; repeating of a piece of music; repeat performance; recurrent action; Ex. reprise in the finale; Ex. constant reprises
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reproach
blame (not angrily but sadly); express disapproval or disappointment; N. ADJ. reproachful
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reprobate
morally disapproved person; person hardened in sin, devoid of a sense of decency; CF. disapproved by God ?
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reprobation
severe disapproval; CF. approbation
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reprove
censure; rebuke; N. reproof
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repudiate
disown; disavow; deny
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repugnance
disgust; strong dislike; loathing; ADJ. repugnant: arousing disgust; repulsive
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repulsion
distaste; disgust; act of driving back; ADJ. repulsive: causing disgust; tending to drive away; V. repel (not `repulse')
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repulse
reject with rudeness or coldness (an offer or friendship); drive back (an enemy attack); CF. repulse $\neq$ cause repulsion
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reputable
respectable; having a good reputation
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reputed
supposed; Ex. reputed father of the child; V. repute: consider; N. repute: reputation; esteem
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requiem
mass for the dead; dirge
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mass
Christian religious ceremony; CF. Mass: ceremony of the Eucharist
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requisite
necessary requirement; something required; ADJ: required; necessary
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requisition
formal demand or request; Ex. requisition for more computing equipment; V.
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requite
make return for; repay; reciprocate; revenge; N. requittal
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rescind
repeal; annul; cancel (a law, decision, or agreement)
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resentment
indignation; bitterness; displeasure; V. resent: feel anger about
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reserve
self-control; self-restraint; formal but distant manner; reticence; Ex. without reserve: freely and openly; ADJ. reserved: shy and uncommunicative
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residue
remainder; balance
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residual
remaining; left over; of a residue; N: residue
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resignation
patiently submissiveness; statement that one is quitting a job; ADJ. resigned: acquiescent
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resign
give up (a position, right, or claim); submit (oneself) passively
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resilient
elastic; having the power of springing back; able to recover quickly (as from misfortune)
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elastic
able to spring back into shape; quick to recover (as from disappointment); able to adapt to change; Ex. elastic plans; N: elastic material
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resolution
determination; resoluteness; ADJ. resolute: firm or determined in purpose
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resolve
determination; resolution; firmness of purpose
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resolve
decide; settle; solve; separate; make a determined decision; N. resolution
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resonant
(of a sound) echoing; resounding(sounding loudly); deep and full in sound; producing resonance; Ex. resonant voice; N. resonance
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resound
(of a place) be filled with sound; (of a sound) sound loudly; sound back; echo; Ex. hall resounded with laughter
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respiration
breathing; exhalation; ADJ. respiratory
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respite
time for rest; interval of relief; delay in punishment; reprieve
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resplendent
brilliant; splendid in appearance; dazzling; glorious
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responsiveness
state of reacting readily to appeals, orders, etc.; ADJ. responsive: readily reacting; Ex. responsive to treatment
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restitution
returning something (lost or stolen) to the rightful owner; reparation; indemnification; compensation for loss, damage, or injury
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restive
impatiently restless (induced by external coercion or restriction); restlessly impatient; obstinately resisting control; Ex. restive horses because of wolves; CF. not a general synonym for `restless'
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restraint
moderation or self-control; controlling force; restriction
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resumption
taking up again; recommencement; V. resume: begin or take up again; take or occupy again; Ex. Kindly resume your seats.
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resurge
rise again; flow to and fro; N. resurgence; ADJ. resurgent: (of ideas or beliefs) experiencing revival; surging again
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resuscitate
revive; bring back to life or consciousness; Ex. resuscitate the drowned child
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retain
keep; maintain possession of; employ (esp. a lawyer or advisor); N. retainer: servant; fee paid to retain an advisor
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retaliate
repay in kind (usually for bad treatment); V. retaliate
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retentive
holding; able to retain things (esp. facts in the mind); having a good memory
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reticent
inclined to silence; uncommunicative; reserved; Ex. He was reticent about the reasons; N. reticence
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retinue
following; attendants
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retiring
shy and reserved (of a person); modest; Ex. her retiring personality
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retort
quick sharp reply; V.
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retract
withdraw; take back; draw back; Ex. retract a statement/an offer/claws; N. retraction; CF. retractile
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retrench
cut down; cut down expenses; economize
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retribution
deserved punishment for wrongdoing; punishment for offenses; compensation; vengeance; CF. pay back
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retrieve
recover; put right; find and bring in; regain; Ex. retrieve the situation
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retroactive
taking effect before its enactment (as a law) or imposition (as a tax); (of a law) having effect on the past as well as the future
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enact
make (a bill) into law
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retrograde
go backwards; recede; degenerate; deteriorate; ADJ.
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retrospective
looking back on the past; N. retrospection; V. retrospect
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revelry
boisterous merrymaking; V. revel: engage boisterous festivities; enjoy greatly; N: boisterous festivity or celebration
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reverberate
echo repeatedly; resound; Ex. The thunder reverberated across the valley.
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reverent
respectful; worshipful; V. revere: regard with reverence; N. reverence: profound respect
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reverend
deserving reverence; N: priest
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reverie
daydream; abstracted musing
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revert
relapse; backslide; turn back to; return to the former owner; N. reversion
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relapse
return to a former state (esp. after improvement); N.
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backslide
revert (to bad habits); N. reverter
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revile
attack with abusive language; vilify(slander)
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revoke
cancel; retract; CF. irrevocable
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revulsion
sudden strong feeling of disgust; sudden violent change of feeling; negative reaction; Ex. revulsion from the scenes of torture
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rhapsodize
speak or write in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic manner; Ex. rhapsodize over the beauty of the scenery
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rhapsody
excessively enthusiastic expression of feeling; musical composition of irregular form (as if made up as one plays it)
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rhetoric
art of effective communication; art of using language effectively and persuasively; style of speaking or writing; grandiloquent language; Ex. political rhetoric; ADJ. rhetorical; CF. rhetorical question: question to which no answer is expected as ``Who knows it ?''
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ribald
marked by vulgar lewd humor; wanton; profane; N. ribaldry: ribald language or joke
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riddle
pierce with holes; permeate or spread throughout; Ex. The gunman riddled the car with bullets; Ex. The whole report is riddled with errors; N. large sieve (separating earth from stone)
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rider
amendment or clause added to a legislative bill
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rife
(of something bad) widespread; abundant; current
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rift
narrow opening in a large mass; break in a friendly relation; Ex. through a rift in the clouds; OP. reconcilation
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rig
fix or manipulate; manipulate dishonestly for personal gain; Ex. rig the election
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rig
arrangement of masts and sails; V: equip (a ship) with rigging; ADJ. rigging: ropes that hold up a ship's sails
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rigid
hard and unbending; stiff and unyielding; fixed in behavior or views; strict; rigorous; Ex. rigid rule
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rigor
severity; Ex. rigors of the Russian winter
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rile
irritate; vex; muddy
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riveting
holding one's attention; absorbing; engrossing
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rivet
metal pin used for fastening metal plates together; V: fasten with a rivet; engross
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rivulet
small stream; CF. rill < rivulet < river
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rococo
ornate; highly decorated; N. CF. 18th century
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roil
make liquids murky by stirring up sediment; disturb
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roseate
rosy; optimistic; Ex. roseate views
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rostrum
raised platform for speech-making; pulpit
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pulpit
raised platform used in preaching (in a church)
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rote
repetition; memorization through repetition without understanding; Ex. learn poetry by rote
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rotunda
circular building or hall covered with a dome
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rotundity
roundness; sonorousness of speech
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rotund
(of a person) fat and round
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rousing
lively; inducing excitement; stirring; V. rouse: waken; arouse from sleep or depression; excite; stir up
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rout
put to rout; stampede; drive out; N: complete defeat and disorderly retreat
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stampede
sudden frenzied rush (of panic-stricken animals or people); V: participate in or cause stampede; Ex. stampede before the price rises
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rubble
fragments (esp. from a destroyed building)
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mason
one who builds or works with stone or brick; N. masonry: work of a mason; stonework or brickwork
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rubric
title or heading (in red print); directions for religious ceremony; protocol
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ruddy
reddish; (of the face) reddish and healthy-looking
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rudimentary
elementary; not developed; crude; N. rudiment: fundamental element or principle; Ex. rudiments of the language
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rue
regret; lament; mourn; Ex. He will rue the day; N. ADJ. rueful
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ruffian
violent scoundrel; bully
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ruminate
chew over and over (mentally or, like cows, physically); mull over(ponder)
-
ruminant
animal that ruminates; ADJ.
-
rummage
ransack; thoroughly search
-
runic
mysterious; set down in an ancient alphabet; N. rune: one of the letters of an alphabet used by ancient Germanic peoples (cut on stone or wood); magic charm
-
ruse
trick to deceive; stratagem
-
rustic
pertaining to country people; unsophisticated; simple; crude; uncouth; (of furniture) rough with the bark left on; N. rural person; rustic person
-
rusticate
banish to the country; dwell in the country
-
ruthless
pitiless; merciless; cruel
-
saboteur
one who commits sabotage; destroyer of property; N. sabotage: destruction of property (usually carried out secretly)
-
saccharine
cloying sweet; characteristic of sugar or saccharin
-
sacrilegious
desecrating; profane; N. sacrilege: desecration, misuse, or theft of something sacred
-
sacrosanct
invioably sacred; most sacred; inviolable
-
sadistic
inclined to cruelty; N. sadism: delight in cruelty
-
saga
Scandinavian myth; any legend; long heroic narrative
-
sagacious
wise; perceptive; shrewd; having insight; N. sagacity
-
sage
person celebrated for wisdom; wise person; ADJ: wise
-
salacious
lascivious; lustful; Ex. salacious monk
-
salient
prominent; projecting beyond a line; conspicuous; Ex. salient features
-
-
sallow
(of the skin) yellowish and unhealthy-looking; sickly in color; Ex. sallow complexion due to jaundice
-
salubrious
healthful; conducive to health or well-being; socially desirable; Ex. salubrious area; CF. health
-
salutary
tending to improve; beneficial; wholesome; Ex. The punishment had a salutary effect on the boy; CF. health
-
salvage
rescue (goods or property) from loss; N: saving; property saved
-
sanctimonious
displaying ostentatious or hypocritical devoutness; N. sanctimony: hypocritical piety
-
sanction
approve; ratify; N: permission; penalty intended to enforce compliance
-
sanctuary
place of refuge; shelter; shrine; holy place; Ex. The outlaw was granted sanctuary in the church.
-
sanguinary
bloody; with much bloodshed
-
sanguine
optimistic; cheerful; hopeful; of the color of blood; red
-
sap
diminish; weaken; undermine the foundations of (a fortification); Ex. The element kryptonite sapped his strength.
-
sarcasm
cutting ironic remark; scornful remarks; stinging rebuke; ADJ. sarcastic
-
sardonic
scornfully mocking; disdainful; sarcastic; cynical; Ex. sardonic smile
-
sartorial
pertaining to tailors or tailoring; Ex. a man of great sartorial elegance; CF. sartor: tailor
-
sate
satisfy to the full; satisfy to excess; cloy
-
-
satellite
small body revolving around a larger one
-
satiate
satisfy fully (physical needs such as hunger); sate; N. satiety: condition of being satiated
-
satire
form of literature in which irony, sarcasm, and ridicule are employed to attack human vice and folly
-
satirical
using satire; mocking
-
saturate
soak thoroughly; imbue; impregnate; charge; fill to capacity
-
saturnine
morose; gloomy; Ex. Do not be misled by his saturnine countenance.
-
satyr
half-human, half-bestial being in the court of Dionysus (resembling a goat), portrayed as wanton(unrestrained) and cunning; lecher; CF. faun; CF. goat: lecherous man
-
saunter
stroll(go for a leisurely walk) slowly; N.
-
savant
scholar; learned person; CF. savoir: know
-
savor
enjoy; have a distinctive flavor, smell, or quality; N: taste or smell; distinctive quality
-
savory
pleasant in taste; tasty; pleasing, attractive, or agreeable; Ex. savory reputation
-
scabbard
case for a sword blade; sheath
-
scad
a great quantity; Ex. scads of clothes
-
scaffold
temporary platform for workers (to work at heights above the ground); bracing framework; platform for execution
-
scale
climb up; ascend; remove or come off in scales; N: flake of epidermis; ascending or descending series of musical tones
-
scanty
meager; insufficient
-
scapegoat
someone who bears the blame for others; whipping boy; CF. escape+goat
-
scavenge
hunt through discarded materials for usable items or food; search, especially for food; N. scavenger: one who scavenges; animal that feeds on refuse and carrion
-
refuse
anything discarded or rejected as worthless; trash
-
scenario
plot outline; screenplay(script for a movie); opera libretto; outline of possible future events
-
schematic
of a schema or scheme; relating to an outline or diagram; using a system of symbols; N. schema: diagrammatic representation; outline
-
scheme
systematic plan; plot; clever dishonest plan; orderly arrangement of elements; Ex. health insurance scheme; Ex. a scheme to escape taxes; Ex. a color scheme; Ex. a story with no scheme; V: contrive a scheme
-
schism
division into factions (esp. within a religious body); split
-
scintilla
trace; minute amount; shred; least bit; Ex. There is not a scintilla of truth; CF. spark
-
scintillate
sparkle; flash; be animated; be full of life; Ex. scintillating conversation
-
scoff
laugh (at); mock; ridicule; Ex. scoff at their threats
-
scotch
stamp out(put an end to); thwart; hinder; Ex. scotch the rumor; CF. cut; CF. Ȱµ¿À» ÃÙÀÌ´Â ÀǹÌ
-
score
number of points; written form of a musical composition; reason; group of 20; notch or incision; Ex. full/vocal score; Ex. Don't worry on that score; V: mark with lines or notches; Ex. score the paper to make it easy to fold
-
stamp
step on heavily (so as to crush or extinguish); put an end to; imprint or impress with a mark, design, or seal; shape with a die; characterize; Ex. machine stamping out car bodies; Ex. newspaper stamping him as a liar; N. stamping; implement used to stamp; impression stamped; mark; Ex. Her remarks bear the stamp of truth.
-
scourge
lash; whip (formerly used for punishment); source of severe punishment; V: whip; afflict
-
scruple
hesitate for ethical reasons; fret about; Ex. She did not scruple to read his diary; N: uneasy feeling arising from conscience; conscience
-
scrupulous
conscientious; extremely thorough; Ex. scrupulous worker
-
scrutinize
examine closely and critically; N. scrutiny
-
scuffle
struggle confusedly; move off in a confused hurry; N. CF. scuffling twins ?
-
shuffle
mix together; jumble; move (something) from one place to another; slide (the feet) along the ground while walking; Ex. shuffle papers from one pile to another; N.
-
scurrilous
abusive; obscene; indecent; Ex. scurrilous remark
-
scurry
move hastily; hurry; move briskly
-
scurvy
contemptible; despicable; N: disease caused by deficiency of Vitamin C
-
scuttle
sink (a ship) by cutting holes in the hull; scrap; discard; N: small hatch in a ship's deck or hull
-
hull
husk; dry outer covering of a seed; frame or body of a ship
-
seamy
sordid; base; filthy; unwholesome; Ex. seamy side of city life
-
base
contemptible; morally bad; inferior in value or quality; Ex. base motives/conduct; Ex. base metal such as iron
-
sear
burn the surface of; char or burn; brand; parch; cause (a plant) to wither
-
char
make or become black by burning; reduce or be reduced to carbon or charcoal(black substance made by burning wood) by incomplete combustion
-
-
brand
trademark; mark burned on the hide of an animal; mark burned into the flesh of criminals; mark of disgrace; V: mark with a brand; give a lasting bad name; stigmatize; Ex. The press branded him a liar.
-
-
-
season
enhance the flavor of by adding a spice, etc.; inure; harden; N. seasoning: something used in seasoning
-
seasonal
of a particular season; Ex. seasonal rise in employment
-
seasonable
occurring at the proper time or season; opportune; Ex. seasonable intervention in the dispute
-
secession
withdrawal; V. secede: withdraw formally from membership
-
seclusion
isolation; solitude; V. seclude: set apart from others; isolate
-
secrete
conceal; hide away or cache; produce and release a substance into an organism; CF. secretive
-
sect
separate religious body; faction; group of people with common beliefs within a larger group
-
sectarian
of a sect; narrow-minded; parochial; N: member of a sect; narrow-minded person
-
denomination
religious group; unit in a system; name or designation; CF. denominator: common trait or characteristic
-
secular
worldly; not pertaining to church matters or religion; temporal
-
sedate
composed (with no excitement); grave; V: administer a sedative to; CF. sedative
-
sedentary
requiring sitting; done while sitting; not moving from one place to another; settled; Ex. sedentary job/population
-
sedition
conduct or language inciting rebellion; rebellion; resistance to authority; insubordination; ADJ. seditious
-
sedulous
diligent; assiduous; paying attention; N. sedulity
-
seedy
run-down; decrepit; disreputable; having many seeds; Ex. seedy downtown hotel
-
run-down
(of a place) dilapidated; in a bad condition; (of a person) weak or exhausted
-
seemly
(of behavior) proper; appropriate
-
seep
pass slowly through small openings; ooze; trickle; N. seepage
-
seethe
be violently disturbed; boil; (of a liquid) move about wildly as if boiling; Ex. The nation was seething with discontent.
-
seine
seine net; net for catching fish
-
seismic
pertaining to earthquakes
-
semblance
outward appearance; guise; Ex. We called in the troops to bring a/some semblance of order to the city.
-
seminal
related to seed or semen; germinal; creative; providing a basis for further development; influencing future developments; Ex. seminal research in a new field
-
seminary
school for training future ministers; secondary school, especially for young women
-
senility
old age; feeblemindedness of old age; ADJ. senile: resulting from old age; showing the weakness of body or mind from old age; Ex. senile dementia
-
feebleminded
deficient in intelligence; very stupid
-
sensitization
process of being made sensitive or acutely responsive to an external agent or substance; V. sensitize: make or become sensitive
-
sensual
devoted to the pleasures of the sense; carnal; voluptuous; Ex. sensual woman/curves/lips
-
voluptuous
sensual; of or giving sensual pleasure; indulging in sensual pleasures; Ex. voluptuous lines; Ex. voluptuous life of the Romans; N. voluptuary: voluptuous person
-
sensuous
giving pleasure to the senses; pertaining to the physical senses; operating through the senses; sensuous feeling of soft velvet on the skin
-
sententious
pithy; terse; concise; aphoristic
-
sentient
capable of sensation and conscious; aware; sensitive; Ex. sentient creature; N. sentience
-
-
lookout
act of keeping watch; high place commanding a wide view; person who keeps watch
-
septic
of or causing sepsis; putrid; producing putrefaction; N. sepsis: poisoning of part of the body (producing pus)
-
sepulcher
tomb; V: place in a sepulcher; ADJ. sepulchral
-
sequester
isolate; segregate; seclude; retire from public life
-
-
serendipity
gift for finding valuable things by accident; accidental good fortune or luck; CF. The Three Princes of Serendip
-
serenity
calmness; placidity; ADJ. serene
-
serpentine
winding; twisting; of or like a serpent; Ex. serpentine course of the river; N. serpent: snake
-
serrated
having a sawtoothed edge; Ex. serrated leaf
-
servile
slavish; cringing; N. servility
-
servitude
slavery; compulsory labor imposed as a punishment
-
sever
separate; cut off (a part) from a whole; break up (a relationship); N. severance; CF. severance pay: extra pay given an employee upon leaving a position
-
severity
harshness; intensity; sternness; austerity; ADJ. severe: harsh; strict; extremely violent or intense
-
sextant
navigation tool used to determine a ship's latitude and longitude (by measuring the altitudes of stars)
-
shackle
chain; fetter; confine with shackles; N.
-
sham
pretend; feign; ADJ: not genuine; fake; Ex. sham jewelry; N: something that is not what it appears; impostor; pretense; Ex. The agreement was a sham.
-
shambles
(place or scene of) complete disorder or ruin; wreck; mess; Ex. After the hurricane, the coast was a shambles.
-
shard
fragment generally of broken pottery (glass, clay bowl, or cup)
-
shaving
very thin piece, usually of wood (cut from a surface with a sharp blade)
-
plane
carpenter's tool for smoothing and leveling wood; V. CF. flat
-
sheaf
bundle of stalks of grain; any bundle of things tied together
-
sheathe
place into a case; insert into or provide with a sheath; Ex. He sheathed his dagger; N. sheath: case for a blade
-
sherbet
flavored dessert ice
-
shimmer
shine with a flickering light; glimmer intermittently; Ex. The moonlight shimmered on the water; N.
-
shirk
avoid (responsibility, work, etc.); malinger
-
shoddy
made of inferior material; sham; not genuine; inferior; dishonest; Ex. shoddy goods/trick
-
shrew
scolding woman; very small mouselike animal
-
-
shun
keep away from; avoid deliberately; Ex. She has been shunned by her neighbors.
-
shunt
move (a railway train) from one track to another; turn aside; divert; sidetrack; Ex. shunt traffic around an accident; N.
-
sidetrack
switch (a railroad car) to a siding; divert from a main issue; N. CF. siding: short section of railroad track connected by switches with a main track
-
shyster
lawyer using questionable methods; unscrupulous practioner
-
sibling
brother or sister
-
sibylline
prophetic; oracular; N. sibyl: woman prophet (in the ancient world)
-
sidereal
relating to stars; Ex. sidereal day
-
silt
sediment deposited by running water (at the entrance to a harbor or by a bend in a river)
-
simian
monkeylike; N: ape or monkey
-
simile
comparison of one thing with another, using the word like or as
-
simper
smirk; smile in a silly way; smile affectedly
-
simplistic
oversimplified
-
-
sinecure
well-paid position with little responsibility; CF. sine cure: without care; CF. San Serif
-
sinewy
(of meat) tough; strong and firm; muscular; N. sinew: tendon; strong cord connecting a muscle to a bone
-
singular
being only one; individual; unique; extraordinary; odd; Ex. singular beauty/behavior
-
-
sinuous
twisting; winding; bending in and out; not morally honest
-
skeptic
sceptic; doubter; person who suspends judgment until he has examined the evidence supporting a point of view; ADJ. skeptical; N. skepticism; scepticism
-
skiff
small light sailboat or rowboat
-
skimp
provide or use scantily; live very economically; Ex. skimp on necessities; ADJ. skimpy: inadequate in amount; scanty; stingy; niggardly
-
skinflint
miser; stingy person
-
skirmish
minor fight; minor battle in war; V.
-
skittish
inconstant; capricious; frivolous; not serious; Ex. charming but skittish young woman; CF. skit
-
frisk
move about playfully; froric; ADJ. frisky: playful
-
skulduggery(skullduggery)
dishonest behavior or action; Ex. skulduggery in the election
-
skulk
move furtively and secretly; Ex. He skulked through the less fashionable sections of the city.
-
slacken
slow up; loosen; make or become slack
-
slack
moving slowly; sluggish; inactive; (of a rope) loose; negligent; lax; Ex. slack season; Ex. slack in one's work; N. V.
-
slag
glassy residue from smelting metal; dross; waste matter
-
slake
satisfy (thirst); quench; sate
-
slander
defamation; utterance of false and malicious statements; V. ADJ. slanderous
-
slapdash
hasty and careless; haphazard; sloppy(carelessly done)
-
sleazy
shabby and dirty; flimsy; insubstantial; Ex. sleazy back-street hotel/fabric
-
sleeper
one that achieves unexpected success; something originally of little value or importance that in time becomes very valuable
-
sleight
dexterity; CF. sleight of hand: legerdemain; quickness of the hands in doing tricks
-
slew
large quantity or number; Ex. slew of errands left
-
slight
insult to one's dignity; snub; V: treat as if of small importance; insult; snub; ADJ. small in size; of small importance
-
slipshod
slovenly; careless; sloppy; untidy; shabby; Ex. slipshod work
-
-
sloth
slow moving tree-dwelling mammal; laziness; ADJ. slothful: lazy; indolent
-
slough
(of a snake) shed or cast off (dead outer skin); N: outer layer that is shed
-
slovenly
untidy; careless in work habits; slipshod; N. sloven: one who is habitually untidy or careless
-
sledge
large sled drawn by work animals
-
sleigh
large vehicle drawn by a horse over snow or ice
-
-
sluggish
lazy; slow; inactive; lethargic; CF. slug: nail with no shell
-
sluice
artificial channel for directing or controlling the flow of water (with a gate to regulate the flow)
-
slur
slander; insult to one's character or reputation; V.
-
slur
pronounce indistinctly; speak indistinctly; mumble
-
smattering
slight knowledge; small scattered number or amount; Ex. smattering of German
-
smelt
melt (ore) for separating and removing the metal; melt or blend ores changing their chemical composition
-
smirk
conceited smile; offensively self-satisfied smile (often at someone else's misfortune); V.
-
smolder
smoulder; burn slowly without flame; be liable to break out at any moment; exist in a suppressed state; Ex. smoldering anger
-
snicker
half-stifled(suppressed) laugh; V.
-
snivel
complain or whine tearfully; run at the nose; snuffle; Ex. Don't come back sniveling to me.
-
snuffle
sniffle; sniff repeatedly (in order to keep liquid from running out of the nose)
-
sobriety
moderation (especially regarding indulgence in alcohol); seriousness
-
sober
serious; solemn; not drunken; abstemious or temperate; V: make or become sober
-
sodden
thoroughly soaked; dull or stupid as if from drink
-
sojourn
temporary stay; V: stay for a time
-
solace
comfort in sorrow or trouble; consolation; V: comfort or console in time of sorrow or trouble
-
solder
repair or make whole by using a metal alloy; N: metal alloy (usually tin and lead) used in the molten state to join metallic parts
-
solecism
nonstandard grammatical construction; construction that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically; violation of social etiquette
-
solemnity
seriousness; gravity
-
solicit
entreat; request earnestly; seek to obtain; Ex. solicit votes; CF. solicitor: one who solicits; chief law officer
-
solicitous
anxious; worried; concerned; eager; Ex. solicitous to do something; N. solicitude
-
soliloquy
talking to oneself (esp. in a play); CF. monologue: soliloquy; long speech by one person (often monopolizing a conversation)
-
solitude
state of being alone; seclusion; ADJ. solitary: existing or living alone (esp. by choice); remote or secluded; single; sole; Ex. solitary life/inn; Ex. no solitary piece of proof
-
solstice
point or time at which the sun is farthest from the equator
-
soluble
able to be dissolved in a liquid; able to be worked out or solved
-
solvent
able to pay all depths; N. solvency
-
solvent
substance that dissolves another; ADJ: capable of dissolving another substance
-
somatic
pertaining to the body; bodily; physical
-
somber
dark; gloomy; melancholy; depressing; CF. shadow
-
somnambulist
sleepwalker; V. somnambulate; N. somnambulism
-
somnolent
half asleep; drowsy; N. somnolence
-
sonorous
resonant; producing a full deep sound; producing sound
-
sonic
of sound or its speed in air; CF. subsonic, supersonic
-
sonnet
14-line poetic verse form with a fixed rhyme pattern
-
sophist
teacher of philosophy; quibbler; employer of fallacious reasoning; N. sophism: plausible but fallacious argument
-
sophisticated
worldly wise and urbane; refined; complex; N. sophistication; V. sophisticate
-
sophistry
seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning; sophism
-
sophomoric
immature; half-baked; like a sophomore
-
soporific
sleep-causing; marked by sleepiness; drowsy
-
sordid
filthy; foul; base; vile; Ex. sordid bed/story
-
spangle
small shiny metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation
-
sparse
not thick; thinly scattered; scanty
-
spartan
without attention to comfort; lacking luxury and comfort; sternly disciplined; Ex. spartan living condition/life
-
spasmodic
fitful; periodic; of or like a spasm; N. spasm: sudden involuntary muscular contraction; sudden burst of energy or emotion
-
spat
squabble; minor dispute; minor quarrel
-
spate
sudden flood or rush; Ex. spate of accidents
-
spatial
relating to space
-
spatula
broad-bladed instrument used for spreading or mixing
-
spawn
lay eggs (in large numbers); produce offspring (in large numbers); N: eggs of aquatic animals
-
specious
seemingly reasonable but incorrect; misleading (often intentionally)
-
spectral
ghostly; N. specter: spectre; ghost; phantom
-
spectrum
colored band produced when a beam of light passes through a prism; broad and continuous range; Ex. whole spectrum of modern thoughts
-
spendthrift
someone who wastes money; CF. thrift: accumulated wealth
-
sphinx-like
enigmatic; mysterious
-
splice
join together end to end to make one continuous length; fasten together; unite; Ex. splice two strips of tape; N.
-
spontaneity
lack of premeditation; naturalness; freedom from constraint; ADJ. spontaneous: self-generated; unpremeditated; happening without being planned
-
spoonerism
accidental transposition of sounds in successive words; Ex. ``Let me sew you to your sheet'' for ``Let me show you to your seat''; CF. William Spooner
-
transpose
reverse the order or position of
-
sporadic
occurring irregularly; intermittent
-
sportive
playful; frolicsome; merry; CF. sport: play or frolic; CF. sportsmanlike
-
spruce
neat and trim in appearance; smart; Ex. Be spruce for your job interview; V.
-
spry
(esp. of older people) vigorously active; nimble
-
nimble
quick in movement; agile; quick in understanding; Ex. nimble climber/mind
-
spurious
false; counterfeit; forged; illogical; Ex. spurious arguments
-
spurn
reject disdainfully; scorn; Ex. She spurned all offers of help.
-
squabble
minor quarrel; bickering; V: engage in a minor quarrel; Ex. squabbling children
-
squalor
condition of being squalid; filth; degradation; dirty neglected state; ADJ. squalid: dirty; sordid; morally repulsive; Ex. squalid story
-
squander
waste; spend foolishly
-
squat
short and thick; stocky; Ex. ugly squat tower; V. N.
-
staccato
played in an abrupt manner; marked by abrupt sharp sound; Ex. staccato applause
-
legato
(of music) played smoothly
-
stagnant
(of water) not flowing (often bad-smelling); motionless; stale; not developing; inactive; dull; Ex. stagnant industrial output
-
staid
serious and sedate; sober; Ex. staid during the funeral ceremony
-
stalemate
deadlock; situation in which further action is blocked
-
stalwart
physically strong; brawny; steadfast; strong in mind or determination; Ex. stalwart supporter; N: stalwart follower
-
stamina
power of endurance; strength; staying power
-
stanch
stop or check flow of blood; Ex. stanch the gushing wound
-
stanza
division of a poem (composed of two or more lines)
-
static
having no motion; unchanging; lacking development; N. stasis: stable state
-
statute
law enacted by the legislature
-
statutory
created by statute or legislative action; regulated by statute; Ex. statutory age limit
-
steadfast
steadily loyal; unswerving; steady
-
stealth
action of moving secretly or unseen; slyness; sneakiness; secretiveness; ADJ. stealthy
-
steep
soak; saturate; Ex. steep the fabric in the dye bath; ADJ: precipitous
-
stellar
pertaining to the stars; of a star performer; outstanding; Ex. stellar attraction of the entire performance
-
stem
stop or check (the flow of); Ex. stem the bleeding from the slashed artery; N: main axis of a plant; stalk
-
stem_from
arise from; originate from
-
stentorian
(of the voice) extremely loud; CF. Stentor: a loud herald in the Iliad
-
stereotype
one regarded as embodying a set image or type; fixed and unvarying representation; standardized mental picture often reflecting prejudice; Ex. stereotype of the happy slave; V: make a stereotype of; represent by a stereotype; Ex. It is wrong to stereotype people; Ex. stereotyped answer
-
stickler
perfectionist; person who insists things be exactly right
-
stifle
suppress; extinguish; inhibit; smother or suffocate
-
smother
kill from lack of air; suppress; cover thickly; Ex. smothered in little stickers
-
suffocate
die or kill from lack of air; suppress
-
stigma
token of disgrace; brand; V. stigmatize: mark with a stigma; characterize as disgraceful
-
stilted
bombastic; stiffly pompous; Ex. stilted rhetoric; CF. stiff: formal
-
stint
set limits in amount or number; be thrifty; ADJ. stinting, unstinting; CF. stint:savings
-
stint
supply; allotted amount of work; assigned portion of work; limitation; Ex. two-year stint in the army; Ex. without stint
-
-
stipple
paint or draw with dots or short strokes
-
stipulate
state as a necessary condition (of an agreement); make express conditions; specify; Ex. He stipulated payment in advance
-
stock
standard; kept regularly in stock or supply; typical; routine; common; Ex. stock sizes of paper; Ex. stock excuse/character; N: goods for sale in a shop; OP. unique
-
stockade
wooden enclosure or pen; fixed line of posts used as defensive barrier
-
pen
fenced enclosure for animals; confining space; Ex. sheep pen; V: confine in a pen; enclose
-
stodgy
dull; stuffy; boringly conservative; Ex. stodgy book
-
stoic
stoical; impassive; unmoved by joy or grief; N. CF. stoicism
-
stoke
stir up a fire or furnace; feed plentifully
-
stolid
dull; impassive; showing little emotion when strong feelings are expected
-
stratagem
deceptive scheme; clever trick
-
stratified
divided into classes; arranged into strata; V. stratify
-
stratum
layer of earth's surface; layer of society; PL. strata
-
strew
spread randomly; sprinkle; scatter; Ex. flower girl strewing rose petals
-
striated
marked with parallel bands; striped; grooved; Ex. striated rocks; V. striate; N. stria: thin groove or line
-
stricture
severe and adverse criticism; critical comments; limit or restriction
-
strident
loud and harsh; insistent; N. stridency
-
stringent
(of rules) binding; rigid; marked by scarcity of money; Ex. stringent economic conditions
-
strut
pompous walk; V: walk in a self-important manner
-
strut
supporting bar; CF. airplane wingÀ̳ª building µîÀ» support
-
studied
carefully contrived; calculated; unspontaneous; deliberate; thoughtful; Ex. studied remark
-
stultify
make stupid in mind; cause to appear or become stupid or inconsistent; suppress; frustrate or hinder; Ex. stultifying effect of uninteresting work; Ex. stultify free expression
-
stupefy
stun; make numb (as with a drug); amaze
-
stupor
state of being stupefied; state of apathy; daze; lack of awareness
-
stun
make unconscious or numb as by a blow; amaze; astound
-
daze
stun as with a blow or shock; bemuse; benumb; N.
-
stygian
unpleasantly dark; gloomy; hellish; deathly; CF. Styx: the chief river in the subterranean land of the dead
-
stymie
thwart; present an obstacle; stump
-
stump
base of a tree trunk left after the rest has been cut down; V: walk in a heavy manner; baffle; puzzle
-
suavity
urbanity; polish; ADJ. suave: smooth and courteous
-
-
subdue
less intense; quieter; Ex. subdued lighting; Ex. subdue: conquer; make less intense; quiet; Ex. subdue one's anger
-
subjective
influenced by personal feelings; occurring or taking place within the mind; unreal; Ex. subjective sensation of the ghostly presence
-
subjugate
conquer; bring under control
-
sublimate
refine; purify; replace (natural urges) with socially acceptable activities; change between a solid state and a gaseous state
-
sublime
causing deep feelings of wonder, joy, respect, etc.; exalted; noble and uplifting; utter
-
subliminal
below the threshold of conscious perception; Ex. subliminal advertisement
-
submissive
willing to obey orders; yielding; timid
-
subordinate
occupying a lower rank; inferior; submissive; N. V: put in a lower rank or class
-
suborn
persuade to act unlawfully (especially to commit perjury); N. subornation
-
subpoena
writ(written command issued by a court) summoning a witness to appear in court; V: summon with a subpoena
-
subsequent
following in time or order; later
-
subservient
behaving like a slave; servile; obsequious; subordinate; N. subservience
-
subside
sink to a lower level; settle down; sink to the bottom (as a sediment); descend; grow quiet; become less; moderate; abate
-
subsidiary
serving to assist; subordinate; secondary; of a subsidy; N.
-
subsidy
direct financial aid by government, etc.; V. subsidize: assist with a subsidy
-
subsistence
existence; means of subsisting; means of support; livelihood; V. subsist: exist; maintain life (at a meager level)
-
substantial
of substance; material; solid; essential or fundamental; ample; considerable; well-to-do; wealthy
-
substantiate
support (a claim) with evidence; establish with evidence; verify
-
substantive
substantial; essential; pertaining to the substance; substantial; considerable; Ex. substantive issues
-
subsume
include (as a member of a group); encompass
-
subterfuge
stratagem(deceptive scheme); pretense; evasion; Ex. resort to a harmless subterfuge
-
subtlety
perceptiveness; ingenuity; delicacy; ADJ. subtle: delicate; so slight as to be difficult to detect; able to make fine distinctions; clever; Ex. subtle mind/differences in meaning
-
subversive
tending to overthrow or ruin; V. subvert: overthrow completely (an established system); destroy completely; CF. undermine ?
-
succor
assist (someone in difficulty); aid; comfort; N.
-
succulent
juicy; full of juice or sap; full of richness; N: succulent plant such as a cactus
-
succumb
yield (to something overwhelming); give in; die; Ex. succumb to the illness
-
suffragist
advocate of the extension of voting rights (for women); CF. suffrage
-
suffuse
spread through or over (with a color or liquid); charge; Ex. A blush suffused her cheeks.
-
sully
defile; soil; tarnish; Ex. sully one's hands in menial labor
-
tarnish
make or become dull or discolored; N.
-
sultry
(of weather) hot; sweltering; sensual; voluptuous
-
summation
act of finding the total; summing-up; summary (esp. one given by the judge at the end of a trial)
-
sumptuous
grand suggesting great expense; lavish; rich; Ex. sumptuous feast
-
sunder
separate; part; CF. asunder
-
sundry
miscellaneous; various; several; N. sundries: small miscellaneous items
-
superannuated
retired or disqualified because of age; outmoded; obsolete
-
supercilious
haughty; arrogant; condescending; patronizing; CF. eyebrow, cilium
-
supererogatory
superfluous; more than needed or demanded
-
superficial
of the surface; not deep; shallow; not thorough; trivial; Ex. superficial analysis/knowledge
-
superfluous
excessive; overabundant; unnecessary; N. superfluity
-
superimpose
place over something else
-
supernumerary
person or thing excess of what is necessary; extra; ADJ: additional to the usual or necessary number
-
supersede
replace; cause to be set aside; make obsolete; N. supersession
-
supine
lying on back; passive; inactive; Ex. The defeated pugilist lay supine; Ex. supine acceptance of the decision
-
supplant
take the place of unfairly; usurp; replace
-
supple
flexible; limber; pliant
-
suppliant
entreating; beseeching; N.
-
supplicate
petition humbly; pray to grant a favor
-
supplicant
one who supplicates; ADJ.
-
supposition
assumption; hypothesis; surmise; V. suppose
-
supposititious
assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical
-
suppress
put an end to forcibly; subdue; stifle; overwhelm; inhibit the expression of; check; prevent from being published or made public; Ex. suppress a smile; Ex. suppress the magazine/truth
-
surfeit
satiate; feed or supply to excess; stuff; indulge to excess in anything; N: surfeiting; excessive amount; Ex. surfeit of food
-
surly
bad-tempered; rude; cross
-
cross
bad-tempered; showing ill-humor; angry
-
-
-
-
surreptitious
done secretly; secret; furtive; sneaky; hidden
-
surrogate
substitute; person or thing used in place of another; Ex. surrogate mother; ADJ.
-
surveillance
close observation of a person (esp. one under suspicion); watching; guarding
-
susceptible
impressionable; easily influenced; sensitive; having little resistance as to a disease; likely to suffer; receptive to; capable of accepting; Ex. susceptible to persuasion/colds; Ex. The agreement is not susceptible of alteration; N. susceptibility
-
sustain
suffer (harm or loss); experience; support; prop; maintain; keep in existence; nourish (to maintain life); Ex. sustain the family/the trapped miners
-
sustenance
sustaining; means of livelihood, support, food, nourishment; something that maintains life; food
-
suture
stitches sewn to hold the cut edges of a wound or incision; material used in sewing; V: sew together a wound
-
swarthy
(of a skin or complexion) dark; dusky; Ex. swarthy Italian ?
-
swathe
swath; wrap around; bandage; Ex. one's head swathed in bandages
-
swelter
(of a person) suffer from oppressive heat; be oppressed by heat
-
swerve
deviate; turn aside sharply from a straight course; Ex. swerve from the principle; Ex. The car swerved to the right.
-
-
-
sybarite
lover of luxury; person devoted to pleasure and luxury; CF. Sybaris: an ancient Greek city in Italy
-
sycophant
servile flatterer; bootlicker; yes man; ADJ. sycophantic
-
syllogism
logical formula consisting of a major premise, a minor premise and a conclusion; deceptive or specious argument
-
sylvan
pertaining to the woods or the country
-
symbiosis
interdependent relationship (between groups, species) often mutually beneficial; ADJ. symbiotic; CF. together + life
-
symmetry
arrangement of parts so that balance is obtained; congruity; ADJ. symmetrical
-
lopsided
heavier or larger on one side than the other; Ex. lopsided way of walking
-
synchronous
similarly timed; simultaneous with; occurring at the same time; V. synchronize
-
synoptic
providing a general overview; summary; N. synopsis
-
synthesis
combining parts or separate things into a whole; the whole so formed; PL. syntheses; V. synthesize
-
synthetic
not natural; artificial; resulting from synthesis; Ex. synthetic fiber; N.
-
tacit
understood (without actually being expressed); not put into words; Ex. tacit agreement
-
taciturn
habitually silent; talking little
-
tactile
pertaining to the organs or sense of touch
-
tact
skill or sensitivity in dealing with people without causing offence
-
taint
contaminate; cause to lose purity; modify with a trace of something bad; Ex. tainted reputation; N: stain; touch of decay or bad influence; CF. touch
-
talisman
charm; object believed to give supernatural powers to or protect its bearer
-
-
tangential
only slightly connected; not central; peripheral; digressing; showing divergence; CF. tangent
-
tangible
able to be touched; real; concrete; palpable; possible to realize or understand; Ex. tangible proof
-
tanner
person who turns animal hides into leather
-
tan
convert (hide) into leather; make brown by exposure to the sun
-
tantalize
tease; excite by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach; torture with disappointment; CF. Tantalus: Greek mythological figure
-
tantamount
equivalent in effect or value; Ex. This invasion is tantamount to a declaration of war; CF. amount
-
tantrum
fit of bad temper; fit of petulance; caprice; Ex. The child went into tantrums.
-
taper
very thin candle; gradual decrease in the width of a long object; V. make or become gradually narrower toward one end
-
tarantula
venomous spider
-
tarry
linger; delay in starting or going; dawdle
-
taut
tight; strained; tense; ready; OP. slack
-
tautological
needlessly repetitious; Ex. ``It was visible to the eye''; N. tautology: needless repetition of the same sense; statement that is always true
-
tawdry
cheap and gaudy; Ex. tawdry jewelry
-
taxonomist
specialist in classifying (animals, etc.); CF. taxonomy: science of classification
-
tedium
boredom; weariness; ADJ. tedious
-
teetotalism
practice of abstaining totally from alcoholic drinks; N. teetotaler;; ADJ. teetotal; CF. T + total
-
temerity
boldness; nerve; rashness; Ex. temerity to ask for a pay increase after only three day's work
-
temper
moderate; make less severe; tone down or restrain; toughen (steel) as by alternate heating and cooling
-
temperament
characteristic frame of mind; disposition; emotional excess; ADJ. temperamental: of temperament; having frequent changes of temper; Ex. temperamental dislike of sports; Ex. temperamental actress
-
temperate
moderate; restrained; self-controlled; moderate in respect to temperature; CF. temperance: moderation and self-restraint; abstinence of alcoholic drinks; Ex. temperance society
-
tempestuous
stormy; violent; impassioned; N. tempest: violent storm
-
-
temporal
of time; not lasting forever; limited by time; temporary; secular; worldly
-
temporize
gain time as by postponing an action; avoid committing oneself
-
tenacious
holding fast (as to a belief); persistent
-
tenacity
firmness; persistence
-
tendentious
promoting a particular point of view; biased; having an aim; designed to further a cause; Ex. tendentious rather than truth-seeking; CF. tend: move in a certain direction
-
tender
offer formally; extend; Ex. tender one's resignation/the exact fare; N: formal offer; money; Ex. legal tender; ADJ: young and vulnerable; sensitive to the touch; sore; soft; delicate; Ex. child of tender years; Ex. tender wound
-
-
tensile
capable of being stretched; of tension; Ex. tensile rubber
-
tension
stretching; condition of being stretched; mental strain; strained relationship between groups or people
-
tentative
not fully worked out or developed; provisional; experimental; uncertain; hesitant; not definite or positive; Ex. tentative agreement/reply
-
-
tenure
holding of an office or real estate; time during which such an office is held
-
tepid
lukewarm; slightly warm; ¹ÌÃö±ÙÇÃ'; half-hearted; not eager; Ex. tepid reaction to the new film; Ex. tepid supporter
-
termination
end; V. terminate
-
terminology
terms used in a science or art; study of nomenclature
-
terminus
last stop of railroad; end
-
terminal
part that forms the end; railroad or bus station; ADJ. forming an end; ending in death; fatal; Ex. terminal cancer
-
terrestrial
on or relating to the earth
-
terse
concise; abrupt; pithy
-
tertiary
third in order or rank
-
tessellated
mosaic; inlaid; Ex. tessellated pattern
-
testator
maker of a will; CF. testatrix
-
testy
irritable; impatient and bad-tempered; short-tempered; N. testiness
-
tether
tie (an animal) with a rope or tether; N: rope or chain to which an animal is tied; limit of one's endurance; Ex. the end of one's tether
-
thematic
of a theme; relating to a unifying motif or idea
-
theocracy
government run by religious leaders
-
theoretical
based on theory; not practical or applied; hypothetical
-
therapeutic
curative; N. therapy
-
thermal
pertaining to heat; producing heat; warm; Ex. thermal bath; N: rising current of warm air
-
thespian
pertaining to drama; N: actor or actress
-
drama
prose or verse composition to be performed by actors; play; exciting and unusual situation
-
thrall
slave; bondage; slavery; Ex. Her beauty held him in thrall; CF. enthrall
-
threadbare
worn through till the threads show; shabby and poor; hackneyed; Ex. threadbare excuses
-
thrifty
careful about money; economical; N. thrift
-
-
-
throng
crowd (of people or things); V.
-
throttle
strangle; regulate the speed of with a throttle; N: valve that regulates the flow; CF. throat ?
-
strangle
kill by choking or suffocating; suppress
-
thwart
block or hinder; baffle; frustrate
-
tightwad
miser; excessively frugal person
-
tiller
handle used to move boat's rudder (to steer)
-
timbre
quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument (which distinguishes it from others of the same pitch)
-
timidity
lack of self-confidence or courage
-
timorous
fearful; timid; demonstrating fear
-
tipple
drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently; N: alcoholic drink
-
tirade
long angry denunciatory speech; diatribe; harangue; extended scolding; denunciation
-
tardy
slow; sluggish; not on time; late; Ex. tardy arrival
-
titanic
gigantic; N. titan
-
tithe
tax of one-tenth (contributed to a church); V: pay a tithe
-
titillate
tickle; excite pleasantly; Ex. not to titillate the audience but to enlighten it
-
tickle
touch (the body) lightly so as to cause laughter; please
-
title
name (of a book, film, etc.); mark of rank; formal appellation as of rank or office (such as Lord or General); right or claim to possession; championship; Ex. title as head of the family; Ex. title to the estate
-
titter
nervous giggle; nervous laugh; V.
-
titular
of a title; in name only; nominal; having the title of an office without the obligations; Ex. titular head of the company
-
toady
servile flatterer; yes man; sycophant; V: be a toady to; fawn
-
-
-
handsome
large in quantity; generous; Ex. handsome reward
-
tonsure
shaving of the head especially by person entering religious orders; V.
-
topography
physical features of a region (such as the shape and height); CF. topo-: place
-
torpedo
underwater explosive apparatus; V.
-
torpor
lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy; ADJ. torpid: lethargic; lazy; inactive; (of an animal) dormant; hibernating
-
torque
twisting force; force producing rotation
-
torrent
rushing stream; flood; Ex. The rain fell in torrents.
-
torrid
(of weather) hot or scorching; passionate; Ex. torrid love affairs
-
torso
trunk of statue with head and limbs missing; human trunk
-
trunk
main wooden stem of a tree; human body excluding the head and limbs; torso; prehensile nose of an elephant
-
tortuous
winding; full of curves; Ex. tortuous mountain road
-
totter
shake or move unsteadily; sway as if about to fall
-
touchstone
stone used to test the fineness of gold alloys; criterion; standard
-
touchy
oversensitive; easily offended; irasible; delicate; needing delicate handling; Ex. touchy situation
-
tout
promote or publicize (one's goods or service); praise excessively (as a form of advertisement); CF. advertise
-
toxic
poisonous; N. toxicity
-
tract
propaganda pamphlet (esp. by a religious or political group); expanse of land; region of indefinite size; system of related organs; Ex. digestive tract
-
tractable
docile; easily managed; (of something) easily changed or molded; N. tractability
-
traduce
expose to slander
-
trajectory
path taken by a projectile; Ex. trajectory of a bullet
-
elevation
elevated position; altitude; height; flat upright side of a building; angle made by pointing a gun; Ex. The elevation of her style is much admired; Ex. front elevation of the house
-
tranquillity
calmness; peace
-
transcendent
exceeding ordinary limits; superior; surpassing; V. transcend: go beyond; exceed; surpass; N. transcendancy
-
transcendental
going beyond common thought or ideas; impossible to understand by practical experiences or practices; known only by studying thoughts or intuition; OP. empirical; CF. transcendentalism
-
transcribe
copy; write a copy of; N. transcription
-
transgression
violation of a law; sin; V. transgress: go beyond (a limit); violate; do wrong
-
transient
staying for a short time; momentary; temporary; N: one that is transient
-
transition
going from one state of action to another
-
transitory
transient; impermanent; fleeting; N. transitoriness
-
translucent
partly transparent
-
transmute
transform; change; convert to something different
-
transparent
permitting light to pass through freely; easily detected; obvious; clear; Ex. transparent lie
-
transpire
(of a fact) become known; be revealed; happen; give off (watery waste matter) through pores
-
transport
strong emotion; rapture; Ex. in a transport/transports of; V: move to strong emotion; enrapture
-
trappings
outward decorations; ornaments (as an outward sign of rank)
-
traumatic
(of an experience) deeply shocking; pertaining to an injury caused by violence; N. trauma: serious wound; emotional shock that causes lasting psychological damage
-
travail
strenuous work; toil; painful labor; labor of childbirth
-
traverse
go through or across
-
travesty
copy or example of something that completely misrepresents the true nature of the real thing; comical parody or imitation; treatment aimed at making something appear ridiculous; Ex. travesty of justice; OP. paragon
-
treatise
article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly
-
trek
travel; journey; V: make a long difficult journey
-
tremor
trembling; slight quiver (as of the earth or from nervous agitation)
-
tremulous
trembling; wavering
-
trenchant
cutting; incisive; keen
-
furrow
long shallow trench made by a plow; deep wrinkle in the skin; V.
-
trepidation
fear; nervous apprehension
-
tribulation
suffering; ordeal; distress; trial
-
tribunal
court of justice
-
tribune
official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians to protect their rights; protector of the people
-
tribute
tax levied by a ruler; payment made by one nation to another in acknowledgment of submission; mark of respect (such as praise or gift); Ex. pay tribute to
-
trident
three-pronged spear
-
prong
pointed projecting part
-
trifling
trivial; unimportant
-
trifle
something of little importance or value; small amount; Ex. a trifle; V: treat without seriousness; flirt
-
-
trilogy
group of three related works (connected by a shared subject but each complete in itself)
-
trinket
knickknack; bauble; cheap jewelry
-
trite
hackneyed; commonplace
-
trivia
trifles; unimportant matters
-
troth
pledge of good faith especially in betrothal; betrothal; Ex. by my troth
-
trough
long narrow container for feeding farm animals; lowest point (of a wave, business cycle, etc.); long narrow depression as between waves
-
truculence
aggressiveness; ferocity; ADJ. truculent: aggressive; pugnacious; fierce
-
truism
self-evident truth
-
truncate
cut the top off; shorten
-
tryst
meeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between lovers to meet
-
tumid
(of a part of the body) swollen; distended; bombastic; pompous
-
overblown
inflated; exaggerated
-
tumult
commotion of a great crowd; riot; noise; uproar; ADJ. tumultuous: noisy and disorderly
-
tundra
rolling treeless plain in Siberia and arctic North America
-
rolling
(of land) rising and falling in long gentle slopes; happening continuously by stages; Ex. rolling devolution of power to local governments
-
turbid
(of a liquid) having the sediment disturbed; muddy; thick
-
turbulence
state of violent agitation; ADJ. turbulent: violently agitated or disturbed
-
tureen
deep dish for serving soup
-
turgid
swollen; distended (as from liquid)
-
turmoil
extreme confusion; great commotion and confusion; Ex. throw the country into turmoil
-
-
turpitude
depravity; baseness; Ex. moral turpitude
-
tutelage
guardianship; training; function of a tutor; instruction
-
tutelary
protective; pertaining to a guardianship; Ex. tutelary deities
-
tycoon
wealthy and powerful businessperson; wealthy leader; magnate; Ex. business tycoon
-
typhoon
tropical hurricane or cyclone
-
tyranny
oppression; cruel government; ADJ. tyrannical: of a tyrant or tyranny; despotic; V. tyrannize: treat tyrannically; oppress
-
-
ubiquitous
being everywhere; omnipresent; N. ubiquity
-
wade
walk through a substance, such as water, that impedes movement
-
ulterior
intentionally hidden; beyond what is evident; situated beyond; unstated and often questionable; Ex. ulterior motive
-
ultimate
final; not susceptible to further analysis; fundamental; Ex. The sun is the ultimate source of energy.
-
eventual
happening at last as a result; Ex. eventual victory
-
ultimatum
last demand; last warning; last statement of conditions that must be met; Ex. They have ignored our ultimatum.
-
umbrage
resentment; anger; sense of injury or insult; Ex. take umbrage at his rudeness
-
unaccountable
unexplicable; impossible to account for; unreasonable or mysterious
-
unanimity
complete agreement; ADJ. unanimous
-
unassailable
not open to attack; impregnable; not subject to question
-
unassuaged
unsatisfied; not soothed
-
unassuming
modest; Ex. the champion's unassuming manner
-
unbridled
violent; uncontrolled; Ex. unbridled rage/greed
-
bridle
harness fitted about a horse's head (used to restrain); curb; check; V: put a bridle on; control or restrain; show anger
-
uncanny
strange; mysterious; Ex. uncanny knack
-
knack
special talent; art
-
unconscionable
unscrupulous; not guided by conscience; excessive; beyond reason; Ex. unconscionable demand
-
uncouth
boorish; clumsy in speech or behavior; outlandish
-
unction
the act of anointing with oil; Ex. extreme unction
-
unctuous
oily; bland; insincerely suave
-
underlying
lying below; fundamental
-
undermine
weaken gradually; sap; dig a mine beneath
-
underscore
underline; emphasize
-
undulating
moving with a wavelike motion; V. undulate; CF. und: wave
-
unearth
dig up; discover (facts) by careful searching; Ex. He unearthed some secrets about her; OP. conceal
-
unearthly
not earthly; supernatural; weird; ghostly
-
weird
eerie; strange; unnatural
-
unequivocal
plain; clear; obvious
-
unerringly
infallibly; ADJ. unerring: making no mistakes
-
unexceptionable
entirely acceptable; not offering any basis for criticism
-
unfaltering
steadfast; firm; not changing
-
-
unfetter
liberate; free from chains; V. unfetter
-
hostage
person who is kept as a prisoner by an enemy so that the other side will do what the enemy demands
-
unfledged
immature; not having the feathers necessary to fly; CF. fledgling
-
unfrock
defrock; strip a priest or minister of church authority
-
disbar
make (a lawyer) leave the bar or the legal profession
-
debar
bar; forbid; exclude; Ex. debarred from jury services
-
bar
railing in a courtroom; legal profession; vertical line dividing a staff into equal measures; Ex. prisoner at the bar; V: shut in or out with bars; forbid; exclude; CF. barrister
-
bastard
illegitimate child
-
ungainly
(of someone) awkward in movement; clumsy; (of something) unwieldy; Ex. ungainly dancer/instrument
-
-
uniformity
sameness; monotony; ADJ. uniform: the same all over
-
unilateral
one-sided; involving or affecting only one side; Ex. unilateral declaration
-
unimpeachable
that cannot be impeached; beyond doubt or question; blameless and exemplary
-
uninhibited
unrepressed; free in behavior and feelings
-
unintimating
unfrightening
-
unique
without an equal; single in kind
-
unison
unity of pitch (in musical performance); complete accord; Ex. The choir sang in unison.
-
choir
group of people who sing together (esp. during religious services); place for choir
-
universal
characterizing or affecting all; general; present everywhere; of the universe; cosmic; Ex. universal agreement; Ex. a subject of universal interest
-
unkempt
disheveled; uncared for in appearance; not combed; CF. comb
-
unmitigated
(of something bad) not moderated; unrelieved or immoderate; without qualification; absolute; Ex. unmitigated disaster
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unobtrusive
inconspicuous; not blatant
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unprecedented
having no previous example; novel; unparalleled
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unprepossessing
unattractive
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prepossessing
attractive; CF. preoccupying ?
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unravel
disentangle; solve
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unrequited
not requited; not reciprocated; Ex. unrequited love
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unruly
disobedient; lawless; difficult to control
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unsavory
distasteful; disagreeable; morally offensive; Ex. unsavory activity/reputation
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unscathed
unharmed; Ex. escape the accident unscathed
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unseemly
unbecoming; not proper in behavior; indecent; Ex. leave with unseemly haste
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unsightly
ugly; unpleasant to look at
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unsullied
untarnished; CF. sully
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untenable
(of a position, esp. in an argument) indefensible; not able to be maintained
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untoward
unexpected and adverse; unfortunate or unlucky; Ex. untoward encounter
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unwarranted
unjustified; having no justification; groundless; baseless; undeserved
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unwieldy
awkward (to carry or move); cumbersome; unmanageable
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unwitting
not knowing; unaware; unintentional; Ex. She was their unwitting accomplice; Ex. unwitting insult; CF. wit: know
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unwonted
unaccustomed; unusual; Ex. He arrived with unwonted punctuality.
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upbraid
reprimand; severely scold
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braid
plait; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; N: braided segment (as of hair)
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uproarious
marked by commotion or uproar; very noisy (esp. with laughter); hilarious; causing loud laughter; extremely funny
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upshot
outcome; final result
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urbane
suave; refined in manner; elegant
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urchin
mischievous child (usually a boy); CF. urchin: hedgehog; CF. porcupine: pig with spikes ?; CF. sea urchin
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ursine
bearlike; pertaining to a bear
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usurp
seize another's power or rank (without legal authority); supplant; appropriate; N. usurpation; CF. take for one's own use
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usury
lending money at illegal high rates of interest
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utopia
ideal place, state, or society; ADJ. utopian
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Shangri-la
imaginary remote paradise on earth; CF. Lost Horizon
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uxorious
excessively submissive or devoted to one's wife; CF. uxor: wife
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vacillate
waver (in opinion); fluctuate; sway to and fro; N. vacillation
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vacuous
empty; lacking in ideas; inane; stupid; Ex. vacuous expression; N. vacuity
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vagabond
wanderer (without a permanent home); tramp
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tramp
walk with a heavy step; travel on foot; N: vagrant; one who travels aimlessly about; long walk; sound of heavy walking
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trample
step heavily with the feet; crush under the feet
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tread
walk; trample; N: grooved face of a tire; horizontal part of a step
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vagary
capricious happening; caprice; whim; CF. wander
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vagrant
wandering from place to place; roving; stray; moving in a random fashion; Ex. vagrant thoughts; N. vagrancy
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vagrant
homeless wanderer
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vainglorious
boastful; excessively conceited; N. vainglory: great vanity
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valedictory
pertaining to farewell; N: farewell address (esp. at graduation exercises)
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valediction
saying farewell; expression of leave-taking
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leave-taking
farewell or departure
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valid
logically convincing; sound; legally acceptable; effective; Ex. valid reasoning/passport
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sound
in good condition; showing good judgment or good sense; thorough; complete; Ex. sound mind/investment/training
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validate
make valid; confirm; ratify
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valor
bravery; ADJ. valiant: possessing valor; brave
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vampire
ghostly being that sucks the blood of the living
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vanguard
forerunners; foremost position of an army; advance forces; foremost position in a trend or movement; CF. rearguard
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avantgarde
group of artists whose work is based on the newest ideas and methods; CF. vanguard
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vantage
position giving an advantage (such as a strategic point); CF. vantagepoint
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vapid
lacking liveliness; dull and unimaginative; insipid and flavorless; Ex. vapid lecture
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vaporize
turn into vapor (steam, gas, fog, etc.)
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variegated
(esp. of a flower or leaf) many-colored
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variegate
change the appearance of (by marking with different colors)
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vassal
in feudalism, one who held land of a superior lord; subordinate or dependent
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vaunted
boasted; bragged; highly publicized; V. vaunt: boast; brag
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veer
change in direction; swerve
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vegetate
live in a monotonous way (without interests or activity); CF. vegetation: plants of an area; CF. vegetarian; CF. vegan
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vehement
forceful; intensely emotional; with marked vigor; strong; N. vehemence
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venal
capable of being bribed; corrupt; CF. vernal
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vendetta
blood feud (esp. between two families); CF. Nina Williams
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veneer
thin surface layer (of good quality wood, glued to a base of inferior material); cover; surface show; fa\c{c}ade; V.
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venerable
deserving high respect; commanding respect; CF. command: deserve and get
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venerate
revere; treat with great respect
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venial
(of a fault or sin) forgivable; trivial
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venison
meat of a deer; CF. cow: beef; CF. pig: pork, ham, bacon; CF. calf: veal; CF. sheep: mutton; CF. lamb: lamb
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venom
poison (of an animal); hatred; Ex. remarks full of venom; ADJ. venomous
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vent
small opening; outlet (as of fumes or a gas); Ex. He gave vent to his anger by kicking the chair.
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vent
release or discharge through a vent; express (esp. unfairly); utter; Ex. He vented his wrath on his family.
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ventilate
admit fresh air into to replace stale air
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ventriloquist
someone who can make his or her voice seem to come from another person or thing (without moving lips or jaws); N. ventriloquism, ventriloquy
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venture
risk; expose to risk; dare; undertake a risk; N.
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brave
face courageously; Ex. brave the storm
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venturesome
(of a person) bold; adventurous; daring; (of an action) risky
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venue
location; place (of a crime, trial, gathering, etc.); CF. come
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veracious
(of a person) truthful
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veracity
truthfulness; adherence to the truth
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verbalize
put into words; ADJ. verbal: of words; spoken rather than written; oral; of a verb
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verbatim
word for word; in the same words; repeating the actual words exactly
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verbiage
pompous array of words; too many unnecessary words; wordiness
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verbose
wordy; N. verbosity
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verdant
green; covered with green plants or grass; lush in vegetation; Ex. verdant meadows
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lush
(of a plant or grass) growing very well
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verdigris
green coating or patina on copper which has been exposed to the weather
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verge
border; edge, rim, or margin; Ex. on the verge of: very near to; V: border on
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verisimilar
having the appearance of truth or reality; probable or likely to be true; plausible
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verisimilitude
appearance of truth; quality of appearing to be true or real; likelihood; Ex. verisimilitude of her performance as Lady Macbeth
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veritable
being truly so; real or genuine; actual; not false or imaginary
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verity
quality of being true; lasting truth or principle; Ex. the verity of his testimony; Ex. one of the eternal verities
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vernacular
living language (as compared to the official language); language spoken in a country or region; natural style; Ex. lapse into the vernacular
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vernal
pertaining to spring
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versatile
having many talents; capable of working in many fields; having many uses or functions; N. versatility
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vertex
summit; highest point; PL. vertices
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vertigo
severe dizziness; giddiness
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verve
enthusiasm (as in artistic performance or composition); liveliness; vigor
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vestige
trace; remains; Ex. vestiges of some ancient religion
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veto
vested power to reject a bill; exercise of this right; V: prevent or forbid by exercising the power of veto
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viable
capable of maintaining life; feasible; practical or workable; Ex. viable scheme
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vicarious
experienced as if one were taking part in the experience of another; done by a deputy for other people; acting as a substitute; Ex. vicarious thrill at the movies; Ex. the vicarious sufferings of Christ
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vicar
parish priest; representative
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vicissitude
change (esp. from good to bad); change of fortune; CF. the last emperor of China
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victuals
food; provisions; V. victual: provide with food
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vigilant
watchful; on the alert; watchfully awake; alert to spot danger; N. vigilance
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vigil
keeping watch (during normal sleeping hours); Ex. all-night vigil
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vigilante
one who without authority assumes law enforcement powers
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vigor
active strength; energy; enthusiasm; ADJ. vigorous
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vignette
small drawing placed at the beginning or end of a chapter; picture; short literary sketch; short written description of a character or scene
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vilify
slander; speak evil of; N. vilification
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vindicate
clear from blame; free from blame or accusation (with supporting proof); exonerate; substantiate; justify or support; avenge; Ex. vindicate one's client; Ex. vindicate one's claim; CF. vindicator
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vindictive
disposed to revenge; vengeful; out for revenge; spiteful; intended to cause harm; malicious; Ex. vindictive streak
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vintner
wine merchant; winemaker; seller of wine
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virile
manly; having masculine spirit or strength; full of strength
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virtual
in essence; existing in essence though not in actual form; for practical purposes; Ex. virtual ruler/space
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virtue
goodness; moral excellence; good quality; advantage; Ex. by virtue of; Ex. make a virtue of necessity
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virtuoso
highly skilled artist (esp. in music); Ex. piano virtuoso
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virulent
(of a disease or poison) extremely harmful or poisonous; (of a feeling) hostile; bitter; N. virulence; CF. virus; CF. venom
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virus
disease communicator
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visceral
felt in one's inner organs; N. viscera: internal body organs; CF. eviscerate
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viscous
(of a liquid) thick and sticky; gluey; viscid; CF. consistency
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vise
vice; tool for holding work in place; clamping device
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visionary
produced by imagination; fanciful; mystical; showing foresight; N: one having foresight; one given to speculative impractical ideas
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vision
eyesight; foresight; mental image produced by the imagination; experience of seeing the supernatural
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vital
full of life; animated; vibrant and lively; critical; of great importance; necessary to stay alive; of life; living; breathing; N. vitality; V. vitalize
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vibrant
full of vigor or energy; vibrating
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vitiate
spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally
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vitreous
of glass; pertaining to or resembling glass; V. vitrify: change into glass; CF. petrify
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vitriolic
causing sharp pain to the mind; caustic; corrosive; sarcastic; of vitriol; N. vitriol: sulphuric acid (which burns flesh deeply); bitterly abusive expression; caustic expression; CF. glass
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vituperative
abusive; scolding; V. vituperate: berate; scold; rail against abusively
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vivacious
lively or animated; sprightly
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vivisection
act of dissecting living animals
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vixen
female fox; ill-tempered woman; CF. shrew
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vociferous
clamorous; noisy; V. vociferate: cry out loudly (when complaining)
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vogue
popular fashion; Ex. Jeans became the vogue.
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volatile
changeable; of a quickly changing nature (as of temper); mercurial; tending to violence; evaporating rapidly; Ex. volatile character/situation in the street
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volition
act of using one's will; act of making a conscious choice; Ex. She selected this dress of her own volition.
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voluble
fluent; talkative; glib; N. volubility
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volley
simultaneous discharge of a number of shots; V.
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voluminous
having great volume (as of a garment or container); bulky; large
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bulk
size or volume (esp. when very large); main part; Ex. The bulk of the work has already been done; ADJ. bulky: having great size
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voodoo
religion practiced chiefly in Haiti
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voracious
ravenous; eating large quantities of food; exceedingly eager; insatiable; Ex. voracious animal/reader
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vortex
whirlwind; whirlpool; center of turbulence; predicament into which one is inexorably plunged
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vouchsafe
grant condescendingly; guarantee; Ex. vouchsafe your fair return on your investment
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vouch
give a personal guarantee; Ex. I can vouch for his integrity; N. voucher
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voyeur
Peeping Tom; person who derives sexual gratification from observing the sexual acts of others
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vulnerable
susceptible to wounds or attack; N. vulnerability
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vulpine
like a fox; crafty
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craft
skill (esp. with one's hands); skill in deceiving people; guile; ADJ. crafty: cleverly deceitful; cunning
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vulture
carrion-eating birds
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vying
contending; CF. vie
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waffle
speak equivocally about an issue; N.
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waft
move gently (in air or in seas) by wind or waves; Ex. leaves wafting past the window
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waggish
humorous; mischievous; tricky
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wag
shake repeatedly from side to side; Ex. The dog wagged its tail; N: humorous person; wit
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waif
homeless child or animal; Ex. waifs and strays
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waive
give up temporarily; yield; N. waiver: waiving a right or claim; document that waives a right or claim
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wake
trail of ship or other object through water; path of something that has gone before; Ex. hunger followed in the wake of the war
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wallow
roll in mud; indulge in; (of a ship) roll in a rough sea; become helpless; Ex. wallow in the mud/luxury
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wan
having a pale or sickly color; pallid
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wanderlust
strong longing to travel
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wane
decrease in size or strength (after being full); grow gradually to an end; Ex. The moon waxes and wanes every month; N.
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wangle
achieve by cleverness or trick; wiggle out; fake; Ex. She tried to wangle an invitation to the party.
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wiggle
wriggle; move from side to side with irregular twisting motions
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fake
not genuine; N: one that is not genuine; impostor; sham; V: counterfeit; Ex. fake the results of the experiment/the signature
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wanton
unrestrained; gratuitously cruel; willfully malicious; unchaste; sexually improper; promiscuous; Ex. wanton spending/killing; CF. having no just cause
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warble
(of a bird) sing; babble; N.
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warp
twist out of shape; N.
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warranted
justified; authorized
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warrant
justification; written order that serves as authorization (esp. a judicial writ); Ex. search/death warrant; V: justify; guarantee
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warranty
guarantee; assurance by seller
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warren
tunnels in which rabbits live; overcrowded living area; crowded conditions in which people live
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wary
very cautious; watchful
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wastrel
waster; profligate
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wax
increase gradually (as the moon); grow
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waylay
ambush; lie in wait for and attack
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ambush
act of lying in wait to attack by surprise; sudden attack made from a concealed position; Ex. lie in ambush; V.
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wean
accustom a baby not to nurse; accustom (the young of a mammal) to take nourishment other than by suckling; give up a cherished activity; cause to gradually leave (an interest or habit); Ex. wean oneself from cigarettes
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weather
pass safely through (a storm or difficult period); endure the effects of weather or other forces
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welt
raised mark from a beating or whipping
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welter
confusion; turmoil; confused mass; bewildering jumble; Ex. welter of data
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welter
wallow (as in mud or high seas); lie soaked (as in blood); Ex. The victims weltered in their blood.
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wheedle
deceive, persuade, or obtain by flattery; cajole; coax; Ex. wheedle a promise out of her
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whelp
young animal (esp. of the dog or cat family
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