-
adversary
- adversary |ˈadvərˌserē|
- noun (pl. adversaries)
- one's opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute: Davis beat his old adversary in the quarterfinals.
-
aplomb
- aplomb |əˈpläm, əˈpləm|
- noun
- self-confidence or assurance, esp. when in a demanding situation: Diana passed the test with aplomb.
-
apprehensive
- apprehensive |ˌapriˈhensiv|
- adjective
- anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen: he felt apprehensive about going home | [ with clause ] : they were apprehensive that something might go wrong.
-
aptitude
- aptitude |ˈaptiˌt(y)o͞od|
- noun
- (often aptitude for) a natural ability to do something: he had a remarkable aptitude for learning words.
- • a natural tendency: his natural aptitude for failure.
-
attentive
- attentive |əˈtentiv|
- adjective
- paying close attention to something: never before had she had such an attentive audience | Congress should be more attentive to the interests of taxpayers.
- • assiduously attending to the comfort or wishes of others; very polite or courteous: the hotel has a pleasant atmosphere and attentive service.
-
banish
- banish |ˈbaniSH|
- verb [ with obj. ]
- send (someone) away from a country or place as an official punishment: they were banished to Siberia for political crimes.
- • forbid, abolish, or get rid of (something unwanted): it's perfectly feasible to banish the smoke without banning smoking | all thoughts of romance were banished from her head.
-
barricade
- barricade |ˈbariˌkād|
- noun
- an improvised barrier erected across a street or other thoroughfare to prevent or delay the movement of opposing forces.
- verb [ with obj. ]
- block or defend with an improvised barrier: he barricaded the door with a bureau | (as adj. barricaded) : the heavily barricaded streets.
- • shut (oneself or someone) into a place by blocking all the entrances: detainees who barricaded themselves into their dormitory.
-
bluff
- bluff 1 |bləf|
- noun
- an attempt to deceive someone into believing that one can or will do something: the offer was denounced as a bluff | his game of bluff.
- verb [ no obj. ]
- try to deceive someone as to one's abilities or intentions: he's been bluffing all along | he bluffed his way onto an Antarctic supply vessel | [ with obj. ] : the object is to bluff your opponent into submission.
- • (in a card game) bet heavily on a weak hand in order to deceive opponents.
- bluff 2 |bləf|
- noun
- a steep cliff, bank, or promontory.
-
brackish
- brackish |ˈbrakiSH|
- adjective
- (of water) slightly salty, as is the mixture of river water and seawater in estuaries.
- • (of fish or other organisms) living in or requiring brackish water.
- • unpleasant or distasteful: the lighting in the movie is brackish.
-
brandish
- brandish |ˈbrandiSH|
- verb [ with obj. ]
- wave or flourish (something, esp. a weapon) as a threat or in anger or excitement.
-
circumference
- circumference |sərˈkəmf(ə)rəns| (abbr.: cir., circ., or circum.)
- noun
- the enclosing boundary of a curved geometric figure, esp. a circle.
- • the distance around something: babies who have small head circumferences | two inches in circumference.
-
commotion
- commotion |kəˈmōSHən|
- noun
- a state of confused and noisy disturbance: she was distracted by a commotion across the street | figure out what all the commotion is about.
- • civil insurrection: damage caused by civil commotion.
-
concoction
- concoction |kənˈkäkSHən|
- noun
- a mixture of various ingredients or elements: a concoction of gables, shingles, stained glass, and towers inspired by English medieval houses.
- • an elaborate story, esp. a fabrication: her story is an improbable concoction.
-
conspicuous
- conspicuous |kənˈspikyo͞oəs|
- adjective
- standing out so as to be clearly visible: he was very thin, with a conspicuous Adam's apple.
- • attracting notice or attention: he showed conspicuous bravery.
-
contort
- contort |kənˈtôrt|
- verb
- twist or bend out of its normal shape: [ with obj. ] : a spasm of pain contorted his face | [ no obj. ] : her face contorted with anger | (as adj. contorted) : contorted limbs | figurative : a contorted version of the truth.
-
counter (verb)
- counter |ˈkountər|
- verb [ with obj. ]
- speak or act in opposition to: the second argument is more difficult to counter.
- • [ no obj. ] respond to hostile speech or action: “What would you like me to do about it?” she countered.
- • [ no obj. ] Boxing give a return blow while parrying: he countered with a left hook.
-
cunning
- cunning |ˈkəniNG|
- adjective
- 1 having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion: a cunning look came into his eyes.
- • ingenious: plants have evolved cunning defenses.
- 2 attractive; quaint: the baby will look cunning in that pink print.
-
debris
- debris |dəˈbrē, ˌdā-|
- noun
- scattered fragments, typically of something wrecked or destroyed: the bomb hits it, showering debris from all sides.
- • loose natural material consisting esp. of broken pieces of rock: a stable arrangement of planets, comets, and debris orbiting the sun.
- • dirt or refuse: clean away any collected dust or debris.
-
defiance
- defiance |diˈfīəns|
- noun
- open resistance; bold disobedience: the demonstration was held in defiance of official warnings.
-
deft
- deft |deft|
- adjective
- neatly skillful and quick in one's movements: a deft piece of footwork.
- • demonstrating skill and cleverness: the script was both deft and literate.
-
destination
- destination |ˌdestəˈnāSHən|
- noun
- the place to which someone or something is going or being sent: a popular destination for golfers.
- adjective
- being a place that people will make a special trip to visit: a destination restaurant.
-
diminish
- diminish |diˈminiSH|
- verb
- make or become less: [ with obj. ] : a tax whose purpose is to diminish spending | [ no obj. ] : the pain will gradually diminish.
- • [ with obj. ] make (someone or something) seem less impressive or valuable: the trial has aged and diminished him.
-
disdain
- disdain |disˈdān|
- noun
- the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect; contempt: her upper lip curled in disdain | an aristocratic disdain for manual labor.
- verb [ with obj. ]
- consider to be unworthy of one's consideration: gamblers disdain four-horse races.
- • refuse or reject (something) out of feelings of pride or superiority: she remained standing, pointedly disdaining his invitation to sit down | [ with infinitive ] : he disdained to discuss the matter further.
-
dismal
- dismal |ˈdizməl|
- adjective
- depressing; dreary: the dismal weather made the late afternoon seem like evening.
- • (of a person or a mood) gloomy: his dismal mood was not dispelled by finding the house empty.
- • informal pitifully or disgracefully bad: he shuddered as he watched his team's dismal performance.
-
dispel
- dispel |disˈpel|
- verb (dispels, dispelling, dispelled) [ with obj. ]
- make (a doubt, feeling, or belief) disappear: the brightness of the day did nothing to dispel Elaine's dejection.
-
eavesdrop
- eavesdrop |ˈēvzˌdräp|
- verb (eavesdrops, eavesdropping, eavesdropped) [ no obj. ]
- secretly listen to a conversation: she opened the window just enough to eavesdrop on the conversation outside.
-
egregious
- egregious |iˈgrējəs|
- adjective
- 1 outstandingly bad; shocking: egregious abuses of copyright.
-
ember
- ember |ˈembər|
- noun (usu. embers)
- a small piece of burning or glowing coal or wood in a dying fire: the dying embers in the fireplace | figurative : the flickering embers of nationalism.
-
emerge
- emerge |iˈmərj|
- verb [ no obj. ]
- move out of or away from something and come into view: black ravens emerged from the fog.
- • become apparent, important, or prominent: Philadelphia has emerged as the clear favorite | (as adj. emerging) : a world of emerging economic giants.
- • (of facts or circumstances) become known: reports of a deadlock emerged during preliminary discussions | [ with clause ] : during the trial it emerged that she had been suffering from a rare personality disorder.
- • recover from or survive a difficult or demanding situation: the economy has started to emerge from recession.
- • (of an insect or other invertebrate) break out from an egg, cocoon, or pupal case.
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engross
- engross |enˈgrōs|
- verb [ with obj. ]
- absorb all the attention or interest of: the notes totally engrossed him.
- • archaic gain or keep exclusive possession of (something): the country had made the best of its position to engross trade.
-
exasperation
- exasperation |igˌzaspəˈrāSHən|
- noun
- a feeling of intense irritation or annoyance: she rolled her eyes in exasperation.
-
exhilarate
- exhilarate |igˈziləˌrāt|
- verb
- make (someone) feel very happy, animated, or elated: the children were exhilarated by a sense of purpose | (as adj. exhilarated) : all this hustle and bustle makes me feel exhilarated.
-
falter
- falter |ˈfôltər|
- verb [ no obj. ]
- start to lose strength or momentum: her smile faltered and then faded | (as adj. faltering) : his faltering career.
- • speak in a hesitant or unsteady voice: [ with direct speech ] : “I c-c-can't,” he faltered.
- • move unsteadily or in a way that shows lack of confidence: he faltered and finally stopped in midstride.
-
foresight
- foresight |ˈfôrˌsīt|
- noun
- the ability to predict or the action of predicting what will happen or be needed in the future: he had the foresight to check that his escape route was clear.
-
fragrance
- fragrance |ˈfrāgrəns|
- noun
- a pleasant, sweet smell: the fragrance of fresh-ground coffee | the bushes fill the air with fragrance.
- • a perfume or aftershave.
-
furtive
- furtive |ˈfərtiv|
- adjective
- attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive: they spent a furtive day together | he stole a furtive glance at her.
- • suggestive of guilty nervousness: the look in his eyes became furtive.
-
grueling or gruelling
- grueling |ˈgro͞oəliNG|
- adjective
- extremely tiring and demanding: a grueling schedule.
-
gusto
- gusto |ˈgəstō|
- noun (pl. gustos or gustoes)
- enjoyment or vigor in doing something; zest: she sang it with gusto.
- • [ in sing. ] archaic a relish or liking: he had a particular gusto for those sort of performances.
-
habitation
- habitation |ˌhabiˈtāSHən|
- noun
- the state or process of living in a particular place: signs of human habitation.
- • formal a place in which to live; a house or home.
-
hasten
- hasten |ˈhāsən|
- verb [ no obj., with infinitive ]
- be quick to do something: he hastened to refute the assertion.
- • [ with adverbial of direction ] move or travel hurriedly: we hastened back to Paris.
- • [ with obj. ] cause (something) to happen sooner than it otherwise would: a move that could hasten peace talks.
-
headway
- headway |ˈhedˌwā|
- noun
- 1 (usu. in phrase make headway) move forward or make progress, esp. when circumstances make this slow or difficult: the ship was making very little headway against heavy seas | they appear to be making headway in bringing the rebels under control.
-
ignite
- ignite |igˈnīt|
- verb
- catch fire or cause to catch fire: [ no obj. ] : furniture can give off lethal fumes when it ignites | [ with obj. ] : sparks flew out and ignited the dry scrub.
- • [ with obj. ] arouse or inflame (an emotion or situation): the words ignited new fury in him.
-
illuminate
- illuminate |iˈlo͞oməˌnāt|
- verb
- 1 [ with obj. ] light up: a flash of lightning illuminated the house | figurative : his face was illuminated by a smile.
- • decorate (a building or structure) with lights for a special occasion.
- 2 (often as adj. illuminated) decorate (a page or initial letter in a manuscript) with gold, silver, or colored designs.
- 3 (usu. as adj. illuminating) help to clarify or explain (a subject or matter): a most illuminating discussion.
-
impending
- impending
- adjective
- imminent, close (at hand), near, nearing, approaching, coming, forthcoming, upcoming, to come, on the way, about to happen, in store, in the offing, on the horizon, in the air/wind, brewing, looming, threatening, menacing; informal coming down the pike, in the cards.
-
innovation
- innovation |ˌinəˈvāSHən|
- noun
- the action or process of innovating.
- • a new method, idea, product, etc.: technological innovations designed to save energy.
-
imperious
- imperious |imˈpi(ə)rēəs|
- adjective
- assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering: his imperious demands.
-
jabber
- jabber |ˈjabər|
- verb [ no obj. ]
- talk rapidly and excitedly but with little sense: he jabbered away to his friends.
- noun
- fast, excited talk that makes little sense: stop your jabber.
-
jargon
- jargon 1 |ˈjärgən|
- noun
- special words or expressions that are used by a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand: legal jargon.
- • a form of language regarded as barbarous, debased, or hybrid.
-
jostle
- jostle |ˈjäsəl|
- verb [ with obj. ]
- push, elbow, or bump against (someone) roughly, typically in a crowd: passengers arriving and departing, jostling one another | [ no obj. ] : people jostled against us.
- • [ no obj. ] (jostle for) struggle or compete forcefully for: a jumble of images jostled for attention.
- noun
- the action of jostling.
-
jut
- jut |jət|
- verb (juts, jutting, jutted) [ no obj. ]
- extend out, over, or beyond the main body or line of something: a rock jutted out from the side of the bank.
- • [ with obj. ] cause (something, such as one's chin) to protrude: she put up her head and jutted out her chin with determination.
- noun
- a point that sticks out.
-
kindle
- kindle 1 |ˈkindl|
- verb [ with obj. ]
- light or set on fire.
- • arouse or inspire (an emotion or feeling): a love of art was kindled in me.
- • [ no obj. ] (of an emotion) be aroused: she hesitated, suspicion kindling within her.
- • [ no obj. ] become impassioned or excited: the young man kindled at once.
-
knoll
- knoll |nōl|
- noun
- a small hill or mound.
-
luminous
- luminous |ˈlo͞omənəs|
- adjective
- full of or shedding light; bright or shining, esp. in the dark: the luminous dial on his watch | a luminous glow | figurative : her eyes were luminous with joy.
- • (of a color) very bright; harsh to the eye: he wore luminous green socks.
-
malleable
- malleable |ˈmalyəbəl, ˈmalēə-|
- adjective
- (of a metal or other material) able to be hammered or pressed permanently out of shape without breaking or cracking.
- • easily influenced; pliable: Anna was shaken enough to be malleable.
-
materialize
- materialize |məˈti(ə)rēəˌlīz|
- verb [ no obj. ]
- 1 (of a ghost, spirit, or similar entity) appear in bodily form.
- • [ with obj. ] cause to appear in bodily or physical form.
- 2 become actual fact; happen: the assumed savings may not materialize.
- • appear or be present: the train didn't materialize.
-
meander (verb)
- meander |mēˈandər|
- verb [ no obj. ]
- (of a river or road) follow a winding course: a river that meandered gently through a meadow.
- • (of a person) wander at random: kids meandered in and out.
- • (of a speaker or text) proceed aimlessly or with little purpose: a stylish offbeat thriller which occasionally meanders.
-
meticulous
- meticulous |məˈtikyələs|
- adjective
- showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise: he had always been so meticulous about his appearance.
-
misgiving
- misgiving |misˈgiviNG|
- noun (usu. misgivings)
- a feeling of doubt or apprehension about the outcome or consequences of something: we have misgivings about the way the campaign is being run | I felt a sense of misgiving at the prospect of retirement.
-
momentum
- momentum |mōˈmentəm, mə-|
- noun (pl. momenta |-tə| or momentums)
- 1 Physics the quantity of motion of a moving body, measured as a product of its mass and velocity.
- 2 the impetus gained by a moving object: the vehicle gained momentum as the road dipped.
- • the impetus and driving force gained by the development of a process or course of events: the investigation gathered momentum in the spring.
-
monotonous
- monotonous |məˈnätn-əs|
- adjective
- dull, tedious, and repetitious; lacking in variety and interest: the statistics that he quotes with monotonous regularity.
- • (of a sound or utterance) lacking in variation in tone or pitch: soon we heard a low, monotonous wailing of many voices.
-
multitude
- multitude |ˈməltəˌt(y)o͞od|
- noun
- a large number: a multitude of medical conditions are due to being overweight.
- • (the multitudes) large numbers of people: the multitudes using the roads.
- • (the multitude) a large gathering of people: Father Peter addressed the multitude.
- • (the multitude) the mass of ordinary people without power or influence: placing ultimate political power in the hands of the multitude.
-
muster
- muster |ˈməstər|
- verb [ with obj. ]
- 1 assemble (troops), esp. for inspection or in preparation for battle.
- • [ no obj. ] (of troops) come together for inspection or preparation: the cavalrymen mustered beside the other regiments.
- • [ no obj. ] (of a group of people) gather together: reporters mustered outside her house.
- 2 collect or assemble (a number or amount): he could fail to muster a majority.
- • summon up (a particular feeling, attitude, or response): he replied with as much dignity as he could muster.
-
narrate
- narrate |ˈnarˌāt|
- verb [ with obj. ]
- give a spoken or written account of: the voyages, festivities, and intrigues are narrated with unflagging gusto | the tough-but-sensitive former bouncer narrates much of the story.
- • provide a spoken commentary to accompany (a movie, broadcast, piece of music, etc.).
-
obscure
- obscure |əbˈskyo͝or|
- adjective (obscurer, obscurest)
- not discovered or known about; uncertain: his origins and parentage are obscure.
- • not clearly expressed or easily understood: obscure references to Proust.
- • not important or well known: an obscure religious sect.
- • hard to make out or define; vague: figurative : I feel an obscure resentment.
- • (of a color) not sharply defined; dim or dingy.
- verb [ with obj. ]
- keep from being seen; conceal: gray clouds obscure the sun.
- • make unclear and difficult to understand: the debate has become obscured by conflicting ideological perspectives.
- • overshadow: none of this should obscure the skill, experience, and perseverance of the workers.
-
ominous
- ominous |ˈämənəs|
- adjective
- giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious: there were ominous dark clouds gathering overhead.
-
outlandish
- outlandish |outˈlandiSH|
- adjective
- looking or sounding bizarre or unfamiliar: outlandish brightly colored clothes | the most outlandish ideas.
-
persistent
- persistent |pərˈsistənt|
- adjective
- 1 continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition: one of the government's most persistent critics.
- 2 continuing to exist or endure over a prolonged period: persistent rain will affect many areas | persistent reports of human rights abuses by the military.
- • (of a chemical or radioactivity) remaining within the environment for a long time after its introduction: PCBs are persistent environmental contaminants.
-
pertinent
- pertinent |ˈpərtn-ənt|
- adjective
- relevant or applicable to a particular matter; apposite: she asked me a lot of very pertinent questions | the unreleased section of tape was not pertinent to the investigation.
-
potential (adjective)
- potential |pəˈtenCHəl|
- adjective [ attrib. ]
- having or showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future: a two-pronged campaign to woo potential customers.
-
precipice
- precipice |ˈpresəpəs|
- noun
- a very steep rock face or cliff, typically a tall one: we swerved toward the edge of the precipice | figurative : the country was teetering on the precipice of political anarchy.
-
pristine
- pristine |ˈprisˌtēn, priˈstēn|
- adjective
- in its original condition; unspoiled: pristine copies of an early magazine.
- • clean and fresh as if new; spotless: a pristine white shirt.
-
quell
- quell |kwel|
- verb [ with obj. ]
- put an end to (a rebellion or other disorder), typically by the use of force: extra police were called to quell the disturbance.
- • subdue or silence someone: Connor quelled him with a look.
- • suppress (a feeling, esp. an unpleasant one): he spoke up again to quell any panic among the assembled youngsters.
-
recluse
- recluse |ˈrekˌlo͞os, riˈklo͞os, ˈrekˌlo͞oz|
- noun
- a person who lives a solitary life and tends to avoid other people.
-
recuperate
- recuperate |riˈko͞opəˌrāt|
- verb
- 1 [ no obj. ] recover from illness or exertion: she has been recuperating from a shoulder wound | Christmas is a time to recuperate.
- 2 [ with obj. ] recover or regain (something lost or taken): they will seek to recuperate the returns that go with investment.
-
replenish
- replenish |riˈpleniSH|
- verb [ with obj. ]
- fill (something) up again: he replenished Justin's glass with mineral water.
- • restore (a stock or supply of something) to the former level or condition: all creatures need sleep to replenish their energies.
-
repugnant
- repugnant |riˈpəgnənt|
- adjective
- 1 extremely distasteful; unacceptable: the thought of going back into the fog was repugnant to him.
- 2 [ predic. ] (repugnant to) in conflict with; incompatible with: a bylaw must not be repugnant to the general law of the country.
-
restitution
- restitution |ˌrestəˈt(y)o͞oSHən|
- noun
- 1 the restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner: seeking the restitution of land taken from blacks under apartheid.
- 2 recompense for injury or loss: he was ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution.
-
sabotage
- sabotage |ˈsabəˌtäZH|
- verb [ with obj. ]
- deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct (something), esp. for political or military advantage.
- noun
- the action of sabotaging something.
-
scarcity
- scarcity |ˈskersitē|
- noun (pl. scarcities)
- the state of being scarce or in short supply; shortage: a time of scarcity | the growing scarcity of resources.
-
scurry
- scurry |ˈskərē|
- verb (scurries, scurrying, scurried) [ no obj. ]
- (of a person or small animal) move hurriedly with short quick steps: pedestrians scurried for cover.
- noun (pl. scurries) [ in sing. ]
- a situation of hurried and confused movement: I was in such a scurry.
-
serenity
- serenity |səˈrenitē|
- noun (pl. serenities)
- the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled: an oasis of serenity amidst the bustling city.
-
sociable
- sociable |ˈsōSHəbəl|
- adjective
- willing to talk and engage in activities with other people; friendly: being a sociable person, Eva loved entertaining.
- • (of a place, occasion, or activity) marked by friendliness: a very sociable little village.
-
somber
- somber |ˈsämbər| (Brit. also sombre)
- adjective
- dark or dull in color or tone; gloomy: the night skies were somber and starless.
- • oppressively solemn or sober in mood; grave: he looked at her with a somber expression.
-
specimen
- specimen |ˈspesəmən|
- noun
- an individual animal, plant, piece of a mineral, etc., used as an example of its species or type for scientific study or display.
- • an example of something such as a product or piece of work, regarded as typical of its class or group.
- • a sample for medical testing, esp. of urine.
- • informal used to refer humorously to a person or animal: in her he found himself confronted by a sorrier specimen than himself.
-
stamina
- stamina |ˈstamənə|
- noun
- the ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort: their secret is stamina rather than speed.
-
subside
- subside |səbˈsīd|
- verb [ no obj. ]
- 1 become less intense, violent, or severe: I'll wait a few minutes until the storm subsides.
- • lapse into silence or inactivity: Fred opened his mouth to protest again, then subsided.
- 2 (of water) go down to a lower or the normal level: the floods subside almost as quickly as they arise.
- • (of the ground) cave in; sink: the island is subsiding.
- • (of a swelling) reduce until gone: it took seven days for the swelling to subside completely.
-
swagger
- swagger |ˈswagər|
- verb [ no obj. ]
- walk or behave in a very confident and typically arrogant or aggressive way: he swaggered along the corridor | (as adj. swaggering) : a swaggering gait.
- noun [ in sing. ]
- a very confident and typically arrogant or aggressive gait or manner: they strolled around the camp with an exaggerated swagger.
- adjective [ attrib. ]
- denoting a coat or jacket cut with a loose flare from the shoulders.
-
swarm
- swarm |swôrm|
- noun
- a large or dense group of insects, esp. flying ones.
- • a large number of honeybees that leave a hive en masse with a newly fertilized queen in order to establish a new colony.
- • (a swarm/swarms of) a large number of people or things: a swarm of journalists.
- • a series of similar-sized earthquakes occurring together, typically near a volcano.
- • Astronomy a large number of minor celestial objects occurring together in space, esp. a dense shower of meteors.
- verb |swɔrm|
- 1 [ no obj. ] (of insects) move in or form a swarm: (as adj. swarming) : swarming locusts.
- • (of honeybees, ants, or termites) issue from the nest in large numbers with a newly fertilized queen in order to found new colonies: the bees had swarmed and left the hive.
- 2 [ no obj. ] move somewhere in large numbers: protesters were swarming into the building.
- • (swarm with) (of a place) be crowded or overrun with (moving people or things): the place was swarming with police.
-
tactic
- tactic |ˈtaktik|
- noun
- an action or strategy carefully planned to achieve a specific end.
- • (tactics) [ also treated as sing. ] the art of disposing armed forces in order of battle and of organizing operations, esp. during contact with an enemy. Often contrasted with strategy.
-
terse
- terse |tərs|
- adjective (terser, tersest)
- sparing in the use of words; abrupt: a terse statement.
-
translucent
- translucent |transˈlo͞osnt, tranz-|
- adjective
- (of a substance) allowing light, but not detailed images, to pass through; semitransparent: fry until the onions become translucent.
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uncanny
- uncanny |ˌənˈkanē|
- adjective (uncannier, uncanniest)
- strange or mysterious, esp. in an unsettling way: an uncanny feeling that she was being watched.
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unsightly
- unsightly |ˌənˈsītlē|
- adjective
- unpleasant to look at; ugly: unsightly warts.
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versatile
- versatile |ˈvərsətl|
- adjective
- able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities: a versatile sewing machine | he was versatile enough to play either position.
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vigilant
- vigilant |ˈvijələnt|
- adjective
- keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties: the burglar was spotted by vigilant neighbors.
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vulnerable
- vulnerable |ˈvəln(ə)rəbəl|
- adjective
- susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm: we were in a vulnerable position | small fish are vulnerable to predators.
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waft
- waft |wäft, waft|
- verb
- pass or cause to pass easily or gently through or as if through the air: [ no obj. ] : the smell of stale fat wafted out from the cafe | [ with obj. ] : each breeze would waft pollen around the house.
- noun
- a gentle movement of air.
- • a scent or odor carried on a movement of air.
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waver
- waver |ˈwāvər|
- verb [ no obj. ]
- shake with a quivering motion: the flame wavered in the draft.
- • become unsteady or unreliable: his love for her had never wavered.
- • be undecided between two opinions or courses of action; be irresolute: she never wavered from her intention.
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weather (verb)
- weather |ˈweT͟Hər|
- verb [ with obj. ]
- 1 wear away or change the appearance or texture of (something) by long exposure to the air: his skin was weathered almost black by his long outdoor life.
- • [ no obj. ] (of rock or other material) be worn away or altered by long exposure to the air: the ice sheet preserves specimens that would weather away more quickly in other regions.
- • (usu. as nounweathering) Falconry allow (a hawk) to spend a period perched on a block in the open air.
- 2 come safely through (a storm).
- • withstand (a difficulty or danger): this year has tested industry's ability to weather recession.
- • Sailing (of a ship) get to the windward of (a cape or other obstacle).
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zeal
- zeal |zēl|
- noun
- great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective: his zeal for privatization | Laura brought a missionary zeal to her work.
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