of or suffering rabies; like a fanatic; extremely zealous; furious; CF. rabies: hydrophobia
raconteur
story-teller; one who tells stories with wit and skill
ragamuffin
dirty child in torn clothes; person wearing tattered clothes
tatter
torn piece of cloth; ADJ. tattered: (of clothes) old and torn; (of a person) dressed in old torn clothes
rail
complain bitterly; scold; rant; Ex. the weaker railing against injustices
raiment
clothing; garments; Ex. I have no raiment fit to wear.
rakish
jaunty; stylish; sporty; morally corrupt; dissolute; Ex. He wore his hat at a rakish and jaunty angle.
rake
angle of a slope; V: slant from the perpendicular
rake
immoral or dissolute person
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
ramble
wander aimlessly (physically or mentally); digress
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
ramify
branch out; divide into branches or subdivisions
ramp
slope; inclined plane or roadway (connecting two levels)
rampant
growing or spreading uncontrollably; growing in profusion; unrestrained; Ex. rampant lawlessness/weed
rampart
defensive mound of earth
ramshackle
(of a building or vehicle) poorly constructed; rickety; falling apart
rickety
(of buildings) likely to break or fall apart; of rickets; CF. rickets; CF. vitamin D
ransack
search thoroughly; pillage (going through a place); Ex. Enemy soldiers ransacked the town.
rancid
having the odor of stale or decomposing fat; rank
rank
offensive in odor or flavor
rancor
long-lasting hatred; bitterness; Ex. negotiation without rancor; ADJ. rancorous
random
without definite purpose, plan, or aim; haphazard; Ex. random shots; Ex. chosen at random
lot
object used in making a determination at random; fate; piece of land
draw
choosing of a lot or card
lottery
contest in which winners are selected in a drawing of lots
raffle
lottery; V: award as a prize in a raffle; Ex. raffle off a new car
rankle
irritate; fester; annoy
rant
speak violently or excitedly; rave; talk excitedly showing anger; scold; make a grandiloquent speech; Ex. The priest ranted about the devil.
rapacious
voracious; ravenous; taking everything one can; excessively grasping; plundering; subsisting on live prey; Ex. rapacious birds
rapport
close relationship; emotional closeness; harmony
rapt
engrossed; absorbed; enchanted; Ex. rapt listener
rarefied
made less dense (of a gas); V. rarefy: make less dense; N. rarefaction
rare
(of air) thin in density; rarefied; Ex. rare air of the mountains
raspy
making a harsh noise; grating; harsh
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.
ratify
approve formally; confirm; verify
ratiocination
reasoning; act of drawing conclusions from premises; V. ratiocinate: reason logically
rationale
fundamental reason or principle (on which a system or principle is based); fundamental reason or justification; grounds for an action
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
rational
(of a person) having reason; (of ideas) based on reason; logical
ration
fixed portion; V: distribute as rations
raucous
(of voice) harsh and unpleasant; (of people) disorderly and boisterous; Ex. raucous shouts
ravage
devastate; plunder; despoil; Ex. crops ravaged by storms
maraud
move in search of plunder; Ex. marauding army
rave
overwhelmingly favorable review; V: talk wildly as if mad; Ex. raving lunatic
ravel
fall apart into tangles; entangle; unravel or untwist
ravenous
extremely hungry; voracious
ravine
narrow valley with steep sides; gorge; CF. gully, canyon
raze
destroy completely; Ex. raze the city to the ground
reactionary
strongly opposed to social or political change; opposing progress; politically ultraconservative; N. OP. radical
reinstate
restore to a previous condition or position
realm
kingdom; field or sphere; Ex. not within the realms of possibility
reaper
one who harvests grain; Ex. the Grim Reaper; V. reap: cut and gather (crop); harvest a crop
rebate
return of part of a payment; discount; V.
rebuff
reject bluntly; snub; beat back; Ex. She rebuffed his invitation; N.
snub
ignore or behave coldly toward; Ex. I made a suggestion but she snubbed me; N.
rebuke
scold harshly; criticize severely
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''.
rebuttal
refutation; response with contrary evidence; V. rebut: refute; disprove
recalcitrant
disobedient or resisting authority even after being punished; obstinately stubborn; determined to resist authority; unruly; Ex. recalcitrant child
recant
disclaim or disavow; retract a previous statement; openly confess error; Ex. recant one's faith/a statement
recapitulate
summarize
recast
reconstruct (a sentence, story, statue, etc.); fashion again
fashion
give shape to; make; Ex. fashion the pot out of clay
receptive
quick or willing to receive (ideas, suggestions, etc.); Ex. receptive to the proposal
recession
withdrawal; retreat; time of low economic activity
recess
pause; temporary cessation; alcove; secret inner place; Ex. parliament in recess; V. CF. recessive
recidivism
habitual return to crime (even after being punished); N. recidivist
recipient
receiver
reciprocal
mutual; given and received in return; exchangeable; interacting; Ex. reciprocal trade agreement
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
recluse
hermit; loner; ADJ. reclusive
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
recondite
abstruse; not easily understood; profound; secret
reconnaissance
survey of enemy by soldiers; reconnoitering; V. reconnoiter: make a preliminary inspection of (esp. to gather military information)
recount
narrate or tell (a story); count over again
recourse
resorting to help when in trouble; Ex. without recourse to
resort
turn to for help; Ex. resort to violence; N.
makeshift
temporary expedient or substitute (in the case of urgent need); Ex. makeshift shelter
recreant
disloyal; cowardly; N: disloyal and cowardly person
recrimination
countercharges; V. recriminate
rectify
set right; correct; CF. rect-: right
rectitude
moral correctness; moral uprightness; moral virtue; correctness of judgment
recumbent
reclining; lying down completely or in part
recline
lie down
recuperate
recover; return to health; regain; Ex. recuperate losses
recurrent
occurring again and again
redolent
odorous; fragrant; suggestive (of an odor); Ex. redolent of onions/mystery
redoubtable
formidable; causing fear
redress
remedy; compensation; Ex. seek redress for the damage to your car; V: put right; remedy or rectify (a wrong); make amends for
redundant
superfluous; more than is necessary; verbose; excessively wordy; repetitious
reek
emit (an unpleasant odor or smoke); give off an unpleasant odor; give out smoke; Ex. reeking chimney; N: unpleasant odor; stench
stench
strong foul odor; reek; stink
stink
stench; V: emit a strong foul odor
refectory
dining hall; room where meals are served (in a school)
refraction
bending of a ray of light
refractory
unmanageable; disobedient and stubborn; Ex. refractory horse
renovate; make clean, bright, or fresh (make new) again; make bright by polishing; Ex. refurbish an old theater; CF. furbish: polish
refute
disprove; prove to be false; N. refutation
regal
royal; of a monarch; Ex. regal manner
regale
entertain
regatta
boat or yacht race
regeneration
spiritual rebirth; Ex. regeneration of the prisoners; V. regenerate: give or obtain new life; reform spiritually
penology
study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation
regicide
murder of a king or queen
regime
method of system or government
regimen
prescribed course of diet or exercise; prescribed diet and habits; Ex. daily regimen of a dancer
regiment
military unit; V: subject to strict order; Ex. regimented society
rehabilitate
restore to proper condition (health or useful life); restore the former rank of
reimburse
repay; pay back
reiterate
repeat
rejoinder
reply; retort; comeback; V. rejoin: say in reply
comeback
retort; quick clever reply; return to former status
rejuvenate
make young again
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
relent
become less severe; give in(surrender); ADJ. relentless: unyielding; continuously severe
relevant
having importance; pertinent; referring to the case in hand; N. relevance, relevancy
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.
relinquish
give up something (with reluctance); yield; release; Ex. relinquish power/the claim to the land/his hold on my arm
relish
enjoy; savor; N: enjoyment; zest
remediable
reparable
reminiscence
recollection; V. reminisce: recollect the past
reminiscent
suggestive of something (in the past); of reminiscence
remiss
negligent; careless about a duty
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.
remit
transmit (money) in payment; free someone from a debt or punishment
remittance
remitting of money; amount of money remitted
remnant
remainder
remonstrate
protest; objection; V. remonstrate: say in protest
remorse
deep regret for wrongdoing; guilt; self-reproach
remunerative
(of work) compensating; rewarding; profitable; well-paid; V. remunerate: reward; pay (someone) for work or trouble
rend
split; tear apart; N. rent; CF. heartrending: causing deep sorrow
render
give; deliver; provide; represent in verbal or artistic form; depict; perform; make; translate; Ex. render the song beautifully
rendezvous
meeting place; meeting at a set time or place; V.
rendition
rendering; translation; artistic interpretation of a song, etc
renegade
deserter; traitor; ADJ.
renege
break a promise; deny; go back on; Ex. renege on the contract/paying off the debt
renounce
abandon; give up (by formal announcement); disown; repudiate; Ex. renounce one's claim to the property/one's religion; N. renunciation
renovate
restore to good condition; renew
renown
fame; ADJ. renowned
herald
messenger; sign of something to come; V: announce; proclaim; Ex. unheralded researcher
rent
tear made by rending; rip; split
reparable
capable of being repaired
reparation
compensation (for loss or wrong); amends; Ex. make reparation for the damage; CF. repair
repartee
quick clever reply
repast
meal; feast; banquet
repeal
revoke; annul
repel
drive away; disgust; Ex. repel the attack/moisture; Ex. repelled by the dirty room; CF. repulsion
repellent
driving away; disgusting; offensive; repulsive; unattractive; N.
formal demand or request; Ex. requisition for more computing equipment; V.
requite
make return for; repay; reciprocate; revenge; N. requittal
rescind
repeal; annul; cancel (a law, decision, or agreement)
resentment
indignation; bitterness; displeasure; V. resent: feel anger about
reserve
self-control; self-restraint; formal but distant manner; reticence; Ex. without reserve: freely and openly; ADJ. reserved: shy and uncommunicative
residue
remainder; balance
residual
remaining; left over; of a residue; N: residue
resignation
patiently submissiveness; statement that one is quitting a job; ADJ. resigned: acquiescent
resign
give up (a position, right, or claim); submit (oneself) passively
resilient
elastic; having the power of springing back; able to recover quickly (as from misfortune)
elastic
able to spring back into shape; quick to recover (as from disappointment); able to adapt to change; Ex. elastic plans; N: elastic material
resolution
determination; resoluteness; ADJ. resolute: firm or determined in purpose
resolve
determination; resolution; firmness of purpose
resolve
decide; settle; solve; separate; make a determined decision; N. resolution
resonant
(of a sound) echoing; resounding(sounding loudly); deep and full in sound; producing resonance; Ex. resonant voice; N. resonance
resound
(of a place) be filled with sound; (of a sound) sound loudly; sound back; echo; Ex. hall resounded with laughter
respiration
breathing; exhalation; ADJ. respiratory
respite
time for rest; interval of relief; delay in punishment; reprieve
resplendent
brilliant; splendid in appearance; dazzling; glorious
responsiveness
state of reacting readily to appeals, orders, etc.; ADJ. responsive: readily reacting; Ex. responsive to treatment
restitution
returning something (lost or stolen) to the rightful owner; reparation; indemnification; compensation for loss, damage, or injury
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'
restraint
moderation or self-control; controlling force; restriction
resumption
taking up again; recommencement; V. resume: begin or take up again; take or occupy again; Ex. Kindly resume your seats.
resurge
rise again; flow to and fro; N. resurgence; ADJ. resurgent: (of ideas or beliefs) experiencing revival; surging again
resurrect
revive
resuscitate
revive; bring back to life or consciousness; Ex. resuscitate the drowned child
retain
keep; maintain possession of; employ (esp. a lawyer or advisor); N. retainer: servant; fee paid to retain an advisor
retaliate
repay in kind (usually for bad treatment); V. retaliate
retentive
holding; able to retain things (esp. facts in the mind); having a good memory
reticent
inclined to silence; uncommunicative; reserved; Ex. He was reticent about the reasons; N. reticence
retinue
following; attendants
retiring
shy and reserved (of a person); modest; Ex. her retiring personality
retort
quick sharp reply; V.
retract
withdraw; take back; draw back; Ex. retract a statement/an offer/claws; N. retraction; CF. retractile
retrench
cut down; cut down expenses; economize
retribution
deserved punishment for wrongdoing; punishment for offenses; compensation; vengeance; CF. pay back
retrieve
recover; put right; find and bring in; regain; Ex. retrieve the situation
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
enact
make (a bill) into law
retrograde
go backwards; recede; degenerate; deteriorate; ADJ.
retrospective
looking back on the past; N. retrospection; V. retrospect
revelry
boisterous merrymaking; V. revel: engage boisterous festivities; enjoy greatly; N: boisterous festivity or celebration
reverberate
echo repeatedly; resound; Ex. The thunder reverberated across the valley.
reverent
respectful; worshipful; V. revere: regard with reverence; N. reverence: profound respect
reverend
deserving reverence; N: priest
reverie
daydream; abstracted musing
revert
relapse; backslide; turn back to; return to the former owner; N. reversion
relapse
return to a former state (esp. after improvement); N.
backslide
revert (to bad habits); N. reverter
revile
attack with abusive language; vilify(slander)
revoke
cancel; retract; CF. irrevocable
revulsion
sudden strong feeling of disgust; sudden violent change of feeling; negative reaction; Ex. revulsion from the scenes of torture
rhapsodize
speak or write in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic manner; Ex. rhapsodize over the beauty of the scenery
rhapsody
excessively enthusiastic expression of feeling; musical composition of irregular form (as if made up as one plays it)
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 ?''
ribald
marked by vulgar lewd humor; wanton; profane; N. ribaldry: ribald language or joke
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)
rider
amendment or clause added to a legislative bill
rife
(of something bad) widespread; abundant; current
rift
narrow opening in a large mass; break in a friendly relation; Ex. through a rift in the clouds; OP. reconcilation
rig
fix or manipulate; manipulate dishonestly for personal gain; Ex. rig the election
rig
arrangement of masts and sails; V: equip (a ship) with rigging; ADJ. rigging: ropes that hold up a ship's sails
rigid
hard and unbending; stiff and unyielding; fixed in behavior or views; strict; rigorous; Ex. rigid rule
rigor
severity; Ex. rigors of the Russian winter
rile
irritate; vex; muddy
riveting
holding one's attention; absorbing; engrossing
rivet
metal pin used for fastening metal plates together; V: fasten with a rivet; engross
rivulet
small stream; CF. rill < rivulet < river
robust
strong; vigorous
rococo
ornate; highly decorated; N. CF. 18th century
roil
make liquids murky by stirring up sediment; disturb
roseate
rosy; optimistic; Ex. roseate views
roster
list (of names)
rostrum
raised platform for speech-making; pulpit
pulpit
raised platform used in preaching (in a church)
rote
repetition; memorization through repetition without understanding; Ex. learn poetry by rote
rotunda
circular building or hall covered with a dome
rotundity
roundness; sonorousness of speech
rotund
(of a person) fat and round
rousing
lively; inducing excitement; stirring; V. rouse: waken; arouse from sleep or depression; excite; stir up
rout
put to rout; stampede; drive out; N: complete defeat and disorderly retreat
stampede
sudden frenzied rush (of panic-stricken animals or people); V: participate in or cause stampede; Ex. stampede before the price rises
rubble
fragments (esp. from a destroyed building)
mason
one who builds or works with stone or brick; N. masonry: work of a mason; stonework or brickwork
rubric
title or heading (in red print); directions for religious ceremony; protocol
ruddy
reddish; (of the face) reddish and healthy-looking
rudimentary
elementary; not developed; crude; N. rudiment: fundamental element or principle; Ex. rudiments of the language
rue
regret; lament; mourn; Ex. He will rue the day; N. ADJ. rueful
ruffian
violent scoundrel; bully
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
saline
salty
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.
pertaining to tailors or tailoring; Ex. a man of great sartorial elegance; CF. sartor: tailor
sate
satisfy to the full; satisfy to excess; cloy
doze
sleep lightly; nap
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
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
scorch
sear; N.
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.
hide
skin of an animal
seasoned
experienced
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
sentinel
sentry; lookout
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
sere
sear; parched; dry
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
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
shrewd
clever; astute
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
simulate
feign; imitate
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
sinister
evil; ominous
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
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
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
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
stipend
pay for services
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
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
subaltern
subordinate
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
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
surmise
guess; N.
surmount
overcome
surpass
exceed
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.
swill
drink greedily
swindler
cheater
sybarite
lover of luxury; person devoted to pleasure and luxury; CF. Sybaris: an ancient Greek city in Italy
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
talon
claw of bird
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
tempo
speed of music
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
tenet
doctrine; dogma
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
tenuous
thin; slim; rare
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
thrive
prosper; flourish
throes
violent anguish
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)
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
toga
Roman outer robe
tome
large volume; book
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
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
trigger
set off; start
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
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
turncoat
traitor
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
tyro
beginner; novice
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
unfeigned
genuine; real
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
in good condition; showing good judgment or good sense; thorough; complete; Ex. sound mind/investment/training
validate
make valid; confirm; ratify
valor
bravery; ADJ. valiant: possessing valor; brave
vampire
ghostly being that sucks the blood of the living
vanguard
forerunners; foremost position of an army; advance forces; foremost position in a trend or movement; CF. rearguard
avantgarde
group of artists whose work is based on the newest ideas and methods; CF. vanguard
vantage
position giving an advantage (such as a strategic point); CF. vantagepoint
vapid
lacking liveliness; dull and unimaginative; insipid and flavorless; Ex. vapid lecture
vaporize
turn into vapor (steam, gas, fog, etc.)
variegated
(esp. of a flower or leaf) many-colored
variegate
change the appearance of (by marking with different colors)
vassal
in feudalism, one who held land of a superior lord; subordinate or dependent
vaunted
boasted; bragged; highly publicized; V. vaunt: boast; brag
veer
change in direction; swerve
vegetate
live in a monotonous way (without interests or activity); CF. vegetation: plants of an area; CF. vegetarian; CF. vegan
vehement
forceful; intensely emotional; with marked vigor; strong; N. vehemence
velocity
speed
venal
capable of being bribed; corrupt; CF. vernal
vendetta
blood feud (esp. between two families); CF. Nina Williams
vendor
seller
veneer
thin surface layer (of good quality wood, glued to a base of inferior material); cover; surface show; fa\c{c}ade; V.
venerable
deserving high respect; commanding respect; CF. command: deserve and get
venerate
revere; treat with great respect
venial
(of a fault or sin) forgivable; trivial
venison
meat of a deer; CF. cow: beef; CF. pig: pork, ham, bacon; CF. calf: veal; CF. sheep: mutton; CF. lamb: lamb
venom
poison (of an animal); hatred; Ex. remarks full of venom; ADJ. venomous
vent
small opening; outlet (as of fumes or a gas); Ex. He gave vent to his anger by kicking the chair.
vent
release or discharge through a vent; express (esp. unfairly); utter; Ex. He vented his wrath on his family.
ventilate
admit fresh air into to replace stale air
ventral
abdominal
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
venture
risk; expose to risk; dare; undertake a risk; N.
brave
face courageously; Ex. brave the storm
venturesome
(of a person) bold; adventurous; daring; (of an action) risky
venue
location; place (of a crime, trial, gathering, etc.); CF. come
veracious
(of a person) truthful
veracity
truthfulness; adherence to the truth
verbalize
put into words; ADJ. verbal: of words; spoken rather than written; oral; of a verb
verbatim
word for word; in the same words; repeating the actual words exactly
verbiage
pompous array of words; too many unnecessary words; wordiness
verbose
wordy; N. verbosity
verdant
green; covered with green plants or grass; lush in vegetation; Ex. verdant meadows
lush
(of a plant or grass) growing very well
verdigris
green coating or patina on copper which has been exposed to the weather
verge
border; edge, rim, or margin; Ex. on the verge of: very near to; V: border on
verisimilar
having the appearance of truth or reality; probable or likely to be true; plausible
verisimilitude
appearance of truth; quality of appearing to be true or real; likelihood; Ex. verisimilitude of her performance as Lady Macbeth
veritable
being truly so; real or genuine; actual; not false or imaginary
verity
quality of being true; lasting truth or principle; Ex. the verity of his testimony; Ex. one of the eternal verities
vernacular
living language (as compared to the official language); language spoken in a country or region; natural style; Ex. lapse into the vernacular
vernal
pertaining to spring
versatile
having many talents; capable of working in many fields; having many uses or functions; N. versatility
vertex
summit; highest point; PL. vertices
vertigo
severe dizziness; giddiness
verve
enthusiasm (as in artistic performance or composition); liveliness; vigor
vestige
trace; remains; Ex. vestiges of some ancient religion
veto
vested power to reject a bill; exercise of this right; V: prevent or forbid by exercising the power of veto
vex
annoy; distress
viable
capable of maintaining life; feasible; practical or workable; Ex. viable scheme
viand
food; CF. live
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
vicar
parish priest; representative
vicissitude
change (esp. from good to bad); change of fortune; CF. the last emperor of China
victuals
food; provisions; V. victual: provide with food
vie
contend; compete
vigilant
watchful; on the alert; watchfully awake; alert to spot danger; N. vigilance
vigil
keeping watch (during normal sleeping hours); Ex. all-night vigil
vigilante
one who without authority assumes law enforcement powers
vigor
active strength; energy; enthusiasm; ADJ. vigorous
vignette
small drawing placed at the beginning or end of a chapter; picture; short literary sketch; short written description of a character or scene
vilify
slander; speak evil of; N. vilification
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
vindictive
disposed to revenge; vengeful; out for revenge; spiteful; intended to cause harm; malicious; Ex. vindictive streak
vintner
wine merchant; winemaker; seller of wine
viper
poisonous snake
virile
manly; having masculine spirit or strength; full of strength
virtual
in essence; existing in essence though not in actual form; for practical purposes; Ex. virtual ruler/space
virtue
goodness; moral excellence; good quality; advantage; Ex. by virtue of; Ex. make a virtue of necessity
virtuoso
highly skilled artist (esp. in music); Ex. piano virtuoso
virulent
(of a disease or poison) extremely harmful or poisonous; (of a feeling) hostile; bitter; N. virulence; CF. virus; CF. venom
virus
disease communicator
visage
face; appearance
visceral
felt in one's inner organs; N. viscera: internal body organs; CF. eviscerate
viscid
adhesive; gluey
viscous
(of a liquid) thick and sticky; gluey; viscid; CF. consistency
vise
vice; tool for holding work in place; clamping device
visionary
produced by imagination; fanciful; mystical; showing foresight; N: one having foresight; one given to speculative impractical ideas
vision
eyesight; foresight; mental image produced by the imagination; experience of seeing the supernatural
vital
full of life; animated; vibrant and lively; critical; of great importance; necessary to stay alive; of life; living; breathing; N. vitality; V. vitalize
vibrant
full of vigor or energy; vibrating
vitiate
spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally
vitreous
of glass; pertaining to or resembling glass; V. vitrify: change into glass; CF. petrify
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
vituperative
abusive; scolding; V. vituperate: berate; scold; rail against abusively
vivacious
lively or animated; sprightly
sprightly
lively
vivisection
act of dissecting living animals
vixen
female fox; ill-tempered woman; CF. shrew
vociferous
clamorous; noisy; V. vociferate: cry out loudly (when complaining)
vogue
popular fashion; Ex. Jeans became the vogue.
volatile
changeable; of a quickly changing nature (as of temper); mercurial; tending to violence; evaporating rapidly; Ex. volatile character/situation in the street
volition
act of using one's will; act of making a conscious choice; Ex. She selected this dress of her own volition.
voluble
fluent; talkative; glib; N. volubility
volley
simultaneous discharge of a number of shots; V.
voluminous
having great volume (as of a garment or container); bulky; large
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
voodoo
religion practiced chiefly in Haiti
voracious
ravenous; eating large quantities of food; exceedingly eager; insatiable; Ex. voracious animal/reader
vortex
whirlwind; whirlpool; center of turbulence; predicament into which one is inexorably plunged
vouchsafe
grant condescendingly; guarantee; Ex. vouchsafe your fair return on your investment
vouch
give a personal guarantee; Ex. I can vouch for his integrity; N. voucher
voyeur
Peeping Tom; person who derives sexual gratification from observing the sexual acts of others
vulnerable
susceptible to wounds or attack; N. vulnerability
vulpine
like a fox; crafty
craft
skill (esp. with one's hands); skill in deceiving people; guile; ADJ. crafty: cleverly deceitful; cunning
vulture
carrion-eating birds
vying
contending; CF. vie
waffle
speak equivocally about an issue; N.
waft
move gently (in air or in seas) by wind or waves; Ex. leaves wafting past the window
waggish
humorous; mischievous; tricky
wag
shake repeatedly from side to side; Ex. The dog wagged its tail; N: humorous person; wit
waif
homeless child or animal; Ex. waifs and strays
waive
give up temporarily; yield; N. waiver: waiving a right or claim; document that waives a right or claim
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
wallow
roll in mud; indulge in; (of a ship) roll in a rough sea; become helpless; Ex. wallow in the mud/luxury
wan
having a pale or sickly color; pallid
wanderlust
strong longing to travel
wane
decrease in size or strength (after being full); grow gradually to an end; Ex. The moon waxes and wanes every month; N.
wangle
achieve by cleverness or trick; wiggle out; fake; Ex. She tried to wangle an invitation to the party.
wiggle
wriggle; move from side to side with irregular twisting motions
fake
not genuine; N: one that is not genuine; impostor; sham; V: counterfeit; Ex. fake the results of the experiment/the signature
wanton
unrestrained; gratuitously cruel; willfully malicious; unchaste; sexually improper; promiscuous; Ex. wanton spending/killing; CF. having no just cause
warble
(of a bird) sing; babble; N.
warp
twist out of shape; N.
warranted
justified; authorized
warrant
justification; written order that serves as authorization (esp. a judicial writ); Ex. search/death warrant; V: justify; guarantee
warranty
guarantee; assurance by seller
warren
tunnels in which rabbits live; overcrowded living area; crowded conditions in which people live
wary
very cautious; watchful
wastrel
waster; profligate
wax
increase gradually (as the moon); grow
waylay
ambush; lie in wait for and attack
ambush
act of lying in wait to attack by surprise; sudden attack made from a concealed position; Ex. lie in ambush; V.
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
weather
pass safely through (a storm or difficult period); endure the effects of weather or other forces
welt
raised mark from a beating or whipping
welter
confusion; turmoil; confused mass; bewildering jumble; Ex. welter of data
welter
wallow (as in mud or high seas); lie soaked (as in blood); Ex. The victims weltered in their blood.
wheedle
deceive, persuade, or obtain by flattery; cajole; coax; Ex. wheedle a promise out of her