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Anomaly
NOUN
- 1 : the angular distance of a planet from its perihelion as seen from the sun
- 2 : deviation from the common rule : irregularity
- 3 : something anomalous : something different, abnormal, peculiar, or not easily classified
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Assuage
transitive verb
from Latin ad- + suavis sweet — more at sweet
- 1 : to lessen the intensity of (something that pains or distresses) : ease <unable to assuage their grief>
- 2 : pacify, quiet <vainly strove…to assuage an implacable foe — Edward Gibbon>
- 3 : to put an end to by satisfying : appease, quench <assuaging his thirst>
synonyms:relieve
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Enigma
noun
Etymology: Latin aenigma, from Greek ainigmat-, ainigma, from ainissesthai to speak in riddles, from ainos fable
- 1 : an obscure speech or writing
- 2 : something hard to understand or explain
- 3 : an inscrutable or mysterious person
synonyms: mystery
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equivocal
adjective
Etymology: Late Latin aequivocus, from aequi- equi- + voc-, vox voice — more at voice
- 1 a : subject to two or more interpretations and usually used to mislead or confuse <an equivocal statement>
- b : uncertain as an indication or sign <equivocal evidence>
- 2 a : of uncertain nature or classification <equivocal shapes>
- b : of uncertain disposition toward a person or thing : undecided <an equivocal attitude>
- c : of doubtful advantage, genuineness, or moral rectitude <equivocal behavior>
synonyms: obscure
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erudite
adjective
Etymology: Middle English erudit, from Latin eruditus, from past participle of erudire to instruct, from e- + rudis rude, ignorant
1) possessing or displaying erudition : learned <an erudite scholar>
synonyms: knowledge
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fervid
adjective
Etymology: Latin fervidus, from fervēre
- 1 : very hot : burning
- 2 : marked by often extreme fervor <a fervid crusader>
synonyms: impassioned
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lucid
adjective
Etymology: Latin lucidus, from lucēre
- 1 a : suffused with light : luminous
- b : translucent <snorkeling in the lucid sea>
- 2 : having full use of one's faculties : sane
- 3 : clear to the understanding : intelligible
synonyms: clear
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opaque
adjective
Etymology: Latin opacus
- 1 : exhibiting opacity : blocking the passage of radiant energy and especially light
- 2 a : hard to understand or explain <opaque prose> b : obtuse, thickheaded
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placate
transitive verb
Etymology: Latin placatus, past participle of placare — more at please
1) to soothe or mollify especially by concessions : appease
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precipitate
verb
Etymology: Latin praecipitatus, past participle of praecipitare, from praecipit-, praeceps
transitive verb
- 1 a : to throw violently : hurl <the quandaries into which the release of nuclear energy has precipitated mankind — A. B. Arons>
- b : to throw down
- 2 : to bring about especially abruptly <precipitate a scandal that would end with his expulsion — John Cheever>
- 3 a : to cause to separate from solution or suspension
- b : to cause (vapor) to condense and fall or depositintransitive
verb
- 1 a : to fall headlong
- b : to fall or come suddenly into some condition
- 2 : to move or act precipitately
- 3 a : to separate from solution or suspension
- b : to condense from a vapor and fall as rain or snow
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prodigal
adjective
Etymology: Latin prodigus, from prodigere to drive away, squander, from pro-, prod- forth + agere to drive — more at pro-, agent
- 1 : characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure : lavish <a prodigal feast> <prodigal outlays for her clothes>
- 2 : recklessly spendthrift <the prodigal prince>
- 3 : yielding abundantly : luxuriant —often used with of <nature has been so prodigal of her bounty — H. T. Buckle>
synonyms: profuse
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zeal
- noun
- Etymology: Middle English zele, from Late Latin zelus, from Greek zēlos
1) eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something : fervor <her zeal to succeed strained her relationships>
synonyms: passion
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