1100 Pink Deck Flashcards
Derogatory
de·rog·a·to·ry\di-ˈrä-gə-ˌtȯr-ē\
adjective
: expressing a low opinion of someone or something : showing a lack of respect for someone or something
Full Definition
1 : detracting from the character or standing of something — often used with to, towards, or of
2 : expressive of a low opinion : disparaging
de·rog·a·to·ri·ly -ˌrä-gə-ˈtȯr-ə-lē\ adverb
Examples
fans made a steady stream of derogatory remarks about the players on the visiting team
Origin: (see derogate ).
First use: circa 1503
Synonyms: belittling, contemptuous, decrying, degrading, demeaning, denigrative, denigratory, deprecatory, depreciative, depreciatory, derisory, derogative, detractive, disdainful, disparaging, pejorative, scornful, slighting, uncomplimentary
Antonyms: commendatory, complimentary, laudative, laudatory
Revile
re·vile\ri-ˈvī(-ə)l\ \: to speak about (someone or something) in a very critical or insulting way Full Definition transitive verb \: to subject to verbal abuse : vituperate intransitive verb \: to use abusive language : rail synonyms see scold Other forms: re·viled; re·vil·ing re·vile·ment \-ˈvī(-ə)l-mənt\ noun re·vil·er noun Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French reviler to despise, from re- + vil vile. First use: 14th century
Indict
in·dict\in-ˈdīt\
law : to formally decide that someone should be put on trial for a crime
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to charge with a fault or offense : criticize, accuse
2 : to charge with a crime by the finding or presentment of a jury (as a grand jury) in due form of law
in·dict·er or in·dict·or -ˈdī-tər\ noun
Examples
the grand jury could indict the mayor for fraud and embezzlement
Origin: alteration of earlier indite, from Middle English inditen, from Anglo-French enditer to write, point out, indict — more at indite.
First use: circa 1626
Synonyms: charge, criminate, defame [archaic], impeach, incriminate, accuse
Antonyms: absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate
Nebulous
neb·u·lous\ˈne-byə-ləs\
adjective
: not clear : difficult to see, understand, describe, etc.
Full Definition
1 : of, relating to, or resembling a nebula : nebular
2 : indistinct, vague
neb·u·lous·ly adverb
neb·u·lous·ness noun
Examples
made nebulous references to some major changes the future may hold
could just make out the nebulous outline of a fishing shack in the dense fog
Origin: Latin nebulosus misty, from nebula.
First use: 1674
Synonyms: ambiguous, arcane, cryptic, dark, deep, Delphic, double-edged, elliptical (or elliptic), enigmatic (also enigmatical), equivocal, fuliginous, inscrutable, murky, mysterious, mystic, obscure, occult, opaque
Antonyms: accessible, clear, nonambiguous, obvious, plain, unambiguous, unequivocal
Pesky
pes·ky\ˈpes-kē\
adjective
: making someone annoyed or irritated
Full Definition
: troublesome, vexatious
Other forms: pes·ki·er; pes·ki·est
Examples
the pesky problem of what to do with all the leftovers
Origin: probably irregular from pest + 1-y.
First use: 1775
Synonyms: abrasive, aggravating, bothersome, carking, chafing, disturbing, exasperating, frustrating, galling, irksome, irritating, maddening, nettlesome, nettling, peeving, annoying, pestiferous, pestilent, pestilential, pesty, plaguey (also plaguy), rankling, rebarbative, riling, vexatious, vexing
Redolent
red·o·lent-lənt\
adjective
: having a strong smell : full of a fragrance or odor
: causing thoughts or memories ofsomething
Full Definition
1 : exuding fragrance : aromatic
2 a : full of a specified fragrance : scented
b : evocative, suggestive <a>
synonyms see odorous
red·o·lent·ly adverb
Examples
my grandmother’s house always seemed to be redolent with the aroma of baking bread
Origin: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin redolent-, redolens, present participle of redolēre to emit a scent, from re-, red- + olēre to smell — more at odor.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: ambrosial, aromatic, perfumed, fragrant, savory (also savoury), scented, sweet
Antonyms: fetid, foul, malodorous, noisome, putrid, rancid, rank, reeking, reeky, skunky, smelly, stenchful, stenchy, stinking, stinky, strong</a>
Repose
re·pose\ri-ˈpōz\ transitive verb \: to lay at restintransitive verb 1 a : to lie at rest b : to lie dead c : to remain still or concealed 2 : to take a rest 3 archaic : rely 4 : to rest for support : lie Other forms: re·posed; re·pos·ing Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French reposer, from Late Latin repausare, from Latin re- + Late Latin pausare to stop, from Latin pausa pause. First use: 15th century Synonyms: bed, catnapping, dozing, napping, sleep, rest, resting, shut-eye, slumber, slumbering, snoozing, z's (or zs) Antonyms: consciousness, wake, wakefulness 2repose noun \: a state of resting or not being active Full Definition 1 a : a state of resting after exertion or strain; especially : rest in sleep b : eternal or heavenly rest 2 a : a place of rest b : peace, tranquillity c : a harmony in the arrangement of parts and colors that is restful to the eye 3 a : lack of activity : quiescence b : cessation or absence of activity, movement, or animation 4 : composure of manner : poise First use: 1509
3re·pose
transitive verb
1 archaic : to put away or set down : deposit
2 a : to place (as confidence or trust) in someone or something
b : to place for control, management, or use
Other forms: re·posed; re·pos·ing
Origin: Middle English, to replace, from Latin reponere (perfect indicative reposui).
Omnivorous
om·niv·o·rous\äm-ˈniv-rəs, -ˈni-və-\
adjective
: eating both plants and animals
: eager to learn about many different things
Full Definition
1 : feeding on both animal and vegetable substances
2 : avidly taking in everything as if devouring or consuming
om·niv·o·rous·ly adverb
Origin: Latin omnivorus, from omni- + -vorus -vorous.
First use: circa 1656
Disparate
dis·pa·rate\ˈdis-p(ə-)rət, di-ˈsper-ət, -ˈspa-rət\
adjective
: different from each other
Full Definition
1 : containing or made up of fundamentally different and often incongruous elements
2 : markedly distinct in quality or character
synonyms see different
dis·pa·rate·ly adverb
dis·pa·rate·ness noun
dis·par·i·ty \di-ˈsper-ə-tē, -ˈspa-rə-\ noun
Examples
disparate notions among adults and adolescents about when middle age begins
Origin: Middle English desparat, from Latin disparatus, past participle of disparare to separate, from dis- + parare to prepare — more at pare.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: different, dissimilar, distant, distinct, distinctive, distinguishable, diverse, nonidentical, other, unalike, unlike
Antonyms: alike, identical, indistinguishable, kin, kindred, like, parallel, same, similar
Abstemious
ab·ste·mi·ous\ab-ˈstē-mē-əs\
adjective
: not eating and drinking too much
Full Definition
: marked by restraint especially in the consumption of food or alcohol; also : reflecting such restraint
ab·ste·mi·ous·ly adverb
ab·ste·mious·ness noun
Examples
being abstemious diners, they avoid restaurants with all-you-can-eat buffets
Origin: Latin abstemius, from abs- + -temius; akin to Latin temetum intoxicating drink.
First use: 1609
Synonyms: abstentious, abstinent, continent, self-abnegating, self-denying, sober, temperate
Antonyms: self-indulgent
Extant
ex·tant\ˈek-stənt; ek-ˈstant, ˈek-ˌ\
adjective
: in existence : still existing : not destroyed or lost
Full Definition
1 archaic : standing out or above
2 a : currently or actually existing
b : still existing : not destroyed or lost
Examples
a celebrated author who is generally regarded as America’s greatest novelist extant
when people envisage the future, they often base their predictions on the assumption that extant trends will continue indefinitely
Origin: Latin exstant-, exstans, present participle of exstare to stand out, be in existence, from ex- + stare to stand — more at stand.
First use: 1545
Synonyms: alive, around, existent, existing, living
Antonyms: dead, extinct, nonextant
Vicissitude
vi·cis·si·tude\və-ˈsi-sə-ˌtüd, vī-, -ˌtyüd\
noun
1 a : the quality or state of being changeable : mutability
b : natural change or mutation visible in nature or in human affairs
2 a : a favorable or unfavorable event or situation that occurs by chance : a fluctuation of state or condition
b : a difficulty or hardship attendant on a way of life, a career, or a course of action and usually beyond one’s control
c : alternating change : succession
Origin: Middle French, from Latin vicissitudo, from vicissim in turn, from vicis change, alternation — more at week.
First use: circa 1576
Edifice
ed·i·fice\ˈe-də-fəs\
noun
: a large and usually impressive building (such as a church or government building)
Full Definition
1 : building; especially : a large or massive structure
2 : a large abstract structure
Examples
the U.S. Capitol is one of our nation’s most impressive edifices
the first edifices built by the colonists were primitive huts with walls of dried mud and roofs covered with thatch
the edifice of the argument is quite simple, once you get past the fancy language
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin aedificium, from aedificare.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: cathedral, hall, palace, tower
Sultry
sul·try\ˈsəl-trē\
adjective
: very hot and humid
: attractive in a way that suggests or causes feelings of sexual desire
Full Definition
1 a : very hot and humid : sweltering <a>
b : burning hot : torrid <a>
2 a : hot with passion or anger
b : exciting or capable of exciting strong sexual desire
Other forms: sul·tri·er; sul·tri·est
sul·tri·ly -trə-lē\ adverb
sul·tri·ness -trē-nəs\ noun
Examples
on really sultry days we go to the mall to hang out and cool off
the incredibly dry, sultry desert air
Origin: obsolete English sulter to swelter, alteration of English swelter.
First use: 1594
Synonyms: damp, muggy, sticky, humid
Antonyms: dry</a></a>
Trenchant
tren·chant-chənt\
adjective
: very strong, clear, and effective
Full Definition
1 : keen, sharp
2 : vigorously effective and articulate <a>; also : caustic
3 a : sharply perceptive : penetrating <a>
b : clear-cut, distinct
tren·chant·ly adverb
Examples
even the most trenchant sword could not sever the bonds of loyalty between them
Origin: Middle English trenchaunt, from Anglo-French, present participle of trencher.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: cutting, edged, edgy, ground, honed, keen, sharpened, stropped, sharp, whetted
Antonyms: blunt, blunted, dull, dulled, obtuse</a></a>
Puissant
puis·sant-sənt, -sənt\
adjective
: having puissance : powerful
Examples
one of the nation’s most respected and puissant advocates for the rights of minorities
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: heavy, heavy-duty, influential, mighty, potent, powerful, important, significant, strong
Antonyms: helpless, impotent, insignificant, little, powerless, unimportant, weak
Unabated
un·abat·ed\ˌən-ə-ˈbā-təd\
adjective
: continuing at full strength or force without becoming weaker
Full Definition
: not abated : being at full strength or force
un·abat·ed·ly adverb
First use: circa 1611
Maudlin
maud·lin\ˈmȯd-lən\
adjective
: showing or expressing too much emotion especially in a foolish or annoying way
Full Definition
1 : drunk enough to be emotionally silly
2 : weakly and effusively sentimental
Examples
a maudlin movie about a lovable tramp
Origin: alteration of Mary Magdalene; from her depiction as a weeping penitent.
First use: 1509
Synonyms: chocolate-box, cloying, drippy, fruity, gooey, lovey-dovey, corny, mawkish, mushy, novelettish, saccharine, sappy, schmaltzy, sentimental, sloppy, slushy, soppy, soupy, spoony (or spooney), sticky, sugarcoated, sugary, wet
Antonyms: unsentimental
Levity
lev·i·ty\ˈle-və-tē\
noun
: a lack of seriousness
: an amusing quality
Full Definition
1 : excessive or unseemly frivolity
2 : lack of steadiness : changeableness
Examples
the teachers disapprove of any displays of levity during school assemblies
Origin: Latin levitat-, levitas, from levis light in weight — more at light.
First use: 1564
Synonyms: facetiousness, flightiness, flippancy, frivolousness, frothiness, frivolity, light-headedness, light-mindedness, lightness, silliness
Antonyms: earnestness, gravity, seriousness, soberness, solemnity, solemnness
Lugubrious
lu·gu·bri·ous\lu̇-ˈgü-brē-əs also -ˈgyü-\
adjective
: full of sadness or sorrow : very sad especially in an exaggerated or insincere way
Full Definition
1 : mournful; especially : exaggeratedly or affectedly mournful
2 : dismal <a>
lu·gu·bri·ous·ly adverb
lu·gu·bri·ous·ness noun
Examples
the diner’s dim lighting makes eating there a particularly lugubrious experience
in Victorian times, people who could affect particularly lugubrious expressions were hired to march in funeral processions as professional mourners
Origin: Latin lugubris, from lugēre to mourn; akin to Greek lygros mournful.
First use: 1585
Synonyms: black, bleak, cheerless, chill, Cimmerian, cloudy, cold, comfortless, dark, darkening, depressing, depressive, desolate, dire, disconsolate, dismal, drear, dreary, dreich [chiefly Scottish], elegiac (also elegiacal), forlorn, funereal, glum, godforsaken, gray (also grey), lonely, lonesome, gloomy, miserable, morbid, morose, murky, plutonian, saturnine, sepulchral, solemn, somber (or sombre), sullen, sunless, tenebrific, tenebrous, wretched
Antonyms: bright, cheerful, cheering, cheery, comforting, cordial, festive, friendly, gay, heartwarming, sunshiny</a>
Scion
sci·on\ˈsī-ən\
noun
: a person who was born into a rich, famous, or important family
botany : a piece of a plant that is attached to part of another plant
Full Definition
1 : a detached living portion of a plant (as a bud or shoot) joined to a stock in grafting and usually supplying solely aerial parts to a graft
2 a : descendant, child; especially : a descendant of a wealthy, aristocratic, or influential family
b : heir 1
Origin: Middle English sioun, from Old French cion, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English cīth sprout, shoot, Old High German kīdi.
First use: 13th century
Indoctrinate
in·doc·tri·nate\in-ˈdäk-trə-ˌnāt\
: to teach (someone) to fully accept the ideas, opinions, and beliefs of a particular group and to not consider other ideas, opinions, and beliefs
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to instruct especially in fundamentals or rudiments : teach
2 : to imbue with a usually partisan or sectarian opinion, point of view, or principle
Other forms: in·doc·tri·nat·ed; in·doc·tri·nat·ing
in·doc·tri·na·tion (ˌ)in-ˌdäk-trə-ˈnā-shən\ noun
in·doc·tri·na·tor \in-ˈdäk-trə-ˌnā-tər\ noun
Examples
indoctrinated children in proper safety procedures
Origin: probably from Middle English endoctrinen, from Anglo-French endoctriner, from en- + doctrine doctrine.
First use: 1626
Synonyms: educate, teach, instruct, lesson, school, train, tutor
Opulence
op·u·lence\ˈä-pyə-lən(t)s\ noun 1 : wealth, affluence 2 : abundance, profusion Examples in some parts of the city nearly unimaginable opulence can be found side by side with nearly unthinkable poverty First use: circa 1510 Synonyms: assets, capital, fortune, means, wealth, riches, substance, wherewithal, worth
Obsequious
ob·se·qui·ous\əb-ˈsē-kwē-əs, äb-\
adjective
: too eager to help or obey someone important
Full Definition
: marked by or exhibiting a fawning attentiveness
synonyms see subservient
ob·se·qui·ous·ly adverb
ob·se·qui·ous·ness noun
Origin: Middle English, compliant, from Latin obsequiosus, from obsequium compliance, from obsequi to comply, from ob- toward + sequi to follow — more at ob-, sue.
First use: 15th century
Fulsome
ful·some\ˈfu̇l-səm\
adjective
: expressing something (such as praise or thanks) in a very enthusiastic or emotional way
Full Definition
1 a : characterized by abundance : copious
b : generous in amount, extent, or spirit s fulsome praise for the coach showed just how hard he was trying to be named captain of the team
grateful survivors who were fulsome in their praise of the rescue team
the author perpetuates some truly fulsome stereotypes in her novel
Origin: Middle English fulsom copious, cloying, from full + -som -some.
First use: 13th century
Synonyms: adulatory, gushing, gushy, hagiographic (also hagiographical), oily, oleaginous, soapy, unctuous
Antonyms: cheap, close, closefisted, costive, illiberal [archaic], mingy, miserly, niggardly, parsimonious, penurious, selfish, stingy, stinting, tight, tightfisted, uncharitable, ungenerous
Usage: The senses shown above are the chief living senses of fulsome. Sense 2, which was a generalized term of disparagement in the late 17th century, is the least common of these. Fulsome became a point of dispute when sense 1, thought to be obsolete in the 19th century, began to be revived in the 20th. The dispute was exacerbated by the fact that the large dictionaries of the first half of the century missed the beginnings of the revival. Sense 1 has not only been revived but has spread in its application and continues to do so. The chief danger for the user of fulsome is ambiguity. Unless the context is made very clear, the reader or hearer cannot be sure whether such an expression as “fulsome praise” is meant in sense 1b or in sense 4.
Lush
lush\ˈləsh\
adjective
: having a lot of full and healthy growth
: covered with healthy green plants
: having a pleasingly rich quality
Full Definition
1 a : growing vigorously especially with luxuriant foliage
b : lavishly productive: as (1) : fertile (2) : thriving (3) : characterized by abundance : plentiful (4) : prosperous, profitable
2 a : savory, delicious
b : appealing to the senses
c : opulent, sumptuous
synonyms see profuse
lush·ly adverb
lush·ness noun
Examples
lush grass
lush tropical vegetation
The frequent rainfall encourages the lush growth of trees, ferns, and shrubs.
Origin: Middle English lusch soft, tender.
First use: 1610
Synonyms: green, grown, leafy, luxuriant, overgrown, verdant
Antonyms: barren, leafless
Synonyms: alcoholic, alkie (or alky) [slang], boozehound, boozer, dipsomaniac, drinker, drunkard, inebriate, juicehead [slang], juicer [slang], drunk, rummy, soak, soaker, sot, souse, tippler, toper, tosspot
Antonyms: nonintoxicant
2lush
noun
: a person who is often drunk
Full Definition
1 slang : intoxicating liquor : drink
2 : a habitual heavy drinker : drunkard
Examples
He’s just an old lush.
she accused him of being a lush and a spendthrift
Origin: origin unknown.
First use: circa 1790
Synonyms: green, grown, leafy, luxuriant, overgrown, verdant
Antonyms: barren, leafless
Synonyms: alcoholic, alkie (or alky) [slang], boozehound, boozer, dipsomaniac, drinker, drunkard, inebriate, juicehead [slang], juicer [slang], drunk, rummy, soak, soaker, sot, souse, tippler, toper, tosspot
Antonyms: nonintoxicant
3lush
verb
slang
: drink
First use: circa 1811
Synonyms: green, grown, leafy, luxuriant, overgrown, verdant
Antonyms: barren, leafless
Synonyms: alcoholic, alkie (or alky) [slang], boozehound, boozer, dipsomaniac, drinker, drunkard, inebriate, juicehead [slang], juicer [slang], drunk, rummy, soak, soaker, sot, souse, tippler, toper, tosspot
Destitution
des·ti·tu·tion\ˌdes-tə-ˈtü-shən, -ˈtyü-\
noun
: the state of being destitute; especially : such extreme want as threatens life unless relieved
synonyms see poverty
Examples
widespread destitution in Third World countries
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: beggary, destituteness, poverty, impecuniosity, impecuniousness, impoverishment, indigence, necessity, need, neediness, pauperism, penuriousness, penury, poorness, want
Antonyms: affluence, opulence, richness, wealth, wealthiness
Ponder
pon·der\ˈpän-dər\
: to think about or consider (something) carefully
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to weigh in the mind : appraise
2 : to think about : reflect on
intransitive verb
: to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply
Other forms: pon·dered; pon·der·ing -d(ə-)riŋ\
pon·der·er -dər-ər\ noun
Examples
I’m pondering whether or not I should join another committee
Origin: Middle English, from Middle French ponderer, from Latin ponderare to weigh, ponder, from ponder-, pondus weight — more at pendant.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: chew over, cogitate, consider, contemplate, debate, deliberate, entertain, eye, kick around, meditate, mull (over), perpend, pore (over), question, revolve, ruminate, study, think (about or over), turn, weigh, wrestle (with), beat one’s brains out (about), chew on, cudgel one’s brains (about), look at
Supplicate
sup·pli·cate\ˈsə-plə-ˌkāt\
intransitive verb
: to make a humble entreaty; especially : to pray to God
transitive verb
1 : to ask humbly and earnestly of
2 : to ask for earnestly and humbly
synonyms see beg
Other forms: sup·pli·cat·ed; sup·pli·cat·ing
sup·pli·ca·tion \ˌsə-plə-ˈkā-shən\ noun
Examples
the minister reminded his flock that God is a being to be obeyed and worshipped always and not just someone to be supplicated in times of trouble
Origin: Middle English, from Latin supplicatus, past participle of supplicare, from supplic-, supplex supplicant — more at supple.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: appeal (to), beseech, besiege, conjure, entreat, impetrate, implore, importune, petition, plead (to), pray, solicit, beg
Decadence
dec·a·dence\ˈde-kə-dən(t)s also di-ˈkā-\
noun
: behavior that shows low morals and a great love of pleasure, money, fame, etc.
Full Definition
1 : the process of becoming decadent : the quality or state of being decadent
2 : a period of decline
synonyms see deterioration
Examples
a symbol of the decadence of their once-mighty civilization
clergymen striving to combat decadence and sin in their communities
Origin: Middle French, from Medieval Latin decadentia, from Late Latin decadent-, decadens, present participle of decadere to fall, sink — more at decay.
First use: 1530
Synonyms: decline, declension, declination, degeneracy, degeneration, degradation, dégringolade, descent, deterioration, devolution, downfall, downgrade, ebb, eclipse, fall
Antonyms: ascent, rise, upswing
Penance
pen·ance\ˈpe-nən(t)s\
noun
: something that you do or are given to do in order to show that you are sad or sorry about doing something wrong
Full Definition
1 : an act of self-abasement, mortification, or devotion performed to show sorrow or repentance for sin
2 : a sacramental rite that is practiced in Roman, Eastern, and some Anglican churches and that consists of private confession, absolution, and a penance directed by the confessor
3 : something (as a hardship or penalty) resembling an act of penance (as in compensating for an offense)
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin poenitentia penitence.
First use: 14th century
2penance
transitive verb
: to impose penance on
Other forms: pen·anced; pen·anc·ing
First use: circa 1600
Ascetic
as·cet·ic\ə-ˈse-tik, a-\
adjective
: relating to or having a strict and simple way of living that avoids physical pleasure
Full Definition
1 : practicing strict self-denial as a measure of personal and especially spiritual discipline
2 : austere in appearance, manner, or attitude
synonyms see severe
ascetic noun
as·cet·i·cal·ly -ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
as·cet·i·cism -ˈse-tə-ˌsi-zəm\ noun
Variants: also as·cet·i·cal \ə-ˈse-ti-kəl\
Origin: Greek askētikos, literally, laborious, from askētēs one that exercises, hermit, from askein to work, exercise.
First use: 1646
Desultory
des·ul·to·ry\ˈde-səl-ˌtȯr-ē also -zəl-\
adjective
: not having a plan or purpose
: done without serious effort
Full Definition
1 : marked by lack of definite plan, regularity, or purpose <a>
2 : not connected with the main subject
3 : disappointing in progress, performance, or quality <a> <a>
des·ul·to·ri·ly \ˌde-səl-ˈtȯr-ə-lē\ adverb
des·ul·to·ri·ness \ˈde-səl-ˌtȯr-ē-nəs\ noun
Examples
a desultory search for something of interest on TV
a desultory discussion about the news of the day
Origin: Latin desultorius, literally, of a circus rider who leaps from horse to horse, from desilire to leap down, from de- + salire to leap — more at sally.
First use: 1581
Synonyms: aimless, arbitrary, catch-as-catch-can, random, erratic, haphazard, helter-skelter, hit-or-miss, scattered, slapdash, stray
Antonyms: methodical (also methodic), nonrandom, orderly, organized, regular, systematic, systematized</a></a></a>
Disciple
dis·ci·ple\di-ˈsī-pəl\
noun
: someone who accepts and helps to spread the teachings of a famous person
: one of a group of 12 men who were sent out to spread the teachings of Jesus Christ
Full Definition
1 : one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another: as
a : one of the twelve in the inner circle of Christ’s followers according to the Gospel accounts
b : a convinced adherent of a school or individual
2 capitalized : a member of the Disciples of Christ founded in the United States in 1809 that holds the Bible alone to be the rule of faith and practice, usually baptizes by immersion, and has a congregational polity
synonyms see follower
dis·ci·ple·ship -ˌship\ noun
Examples
a circle of dedicated disciples who conscientiously wrote down everything the prophet said
Origin: Middle English, from Old English discipul & Anglo-French disciple, from Late Latin and Latin; Late Latin discipulus follower of Jesus Christ in his lifetime, from Latin, pupil.
First use: before 12th century
Synonyms: acolyte, adherent, convert, follower, epigone, liege man, partisan (also partizan), pupil, votarist, votary
Antonyms: coryphaeus, leader
Metamorphosis
meta·mor·pho·sis\ˌme-tə-ˈmȯr-fə-səs\
noun
: a major change in the appearance or character of someone or something
biology : a major change in the form or structure of some animals or insects that happens as the animal or insect becomes an adult
Full Definition
1 a : change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means
b : a striking alteration in appearance, character, or circumstances
2 : a typically marked and more or less abrupt developmental change in the form or structure of an animal (as a butterfly or a frog) occurring subsequent to birth or hatching
Other forms: plural meta·mor·pho·ses-ˌsēz\
Examples
the metamorphosis of caterpillars into butterflies
the metamorphosis of the abandoned factory into a mixed-use property
Origin: Latin, from Greek metamorphōsis, from metamorphoun to transform, from meta- + morphē form.
First use: 1533
Synonyms: changeover, conversion, transfiguration, transformation
Bona fide
bo·na fide\ˈbō-nə-ˌfīd, ˈbä-; ˌbō-nə-ˈfī-dē, -ˈfī-də\
adjective
: real or genuine
law : made or done in an honest and sincere way
Full Definition
1 : made in good faith without fraud or deceit <a>
2 : made with earnest intent : sincere
3 : neither specious nor counterfeit : genuine
synonyms see authentic
Examples
a bona fide war hero
Origin: Latin, literally, in good faith.
First use: 1632
Synonyms: authentic, certifiable, certified, dinkum [Australian&New Zealand], echt, genuine, honest, pukka (also pucka), real, right, sure-enough, true
Antonyms: bogus, counterfeit, fake, false, mock, phony (also phoney), pseudo, sham, spurious, suppositious, supposititious, unauthentic, unreal</a>
Salvation
sal·va·tion\sal-ˈvā-shən\
noun
in Christianity : the act of saving someone from sin or evil : the state of being saved from sin or evil
: something that saves someone or something from danger or a difficult situation
Full Definition
1 a : deliverance from the power and effects of sin
b : the agent or means that effects salvation
c Christian Science : the realization of the supremacy of infinite Mind over all bringing with it the destruction of the illusion of sin, sickness, and death
2 : liberation from ignorance or illusion
3 a : preservation from destruction or failure
b : deliverance from danger or difficulty
sal·va·tion·al -shnəl, -shə-nəl\ adjective
Examples
we spent the night in the cellar praying for salvation from the tornadoes
Origin: Middle English salvacion, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin salvation-, salvatio, from salvare to save — more at save.
First use: 13th century
Synonyms: deliverance, rescue
Materialism
ma·te·ri·al·ism\mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌli-zəm\
noun
: a way of thinking that gives too much importance to material possessions rather than to spiritual or intellectual things
philosophy : the belief that only material things exist
Full Definition
1 a : a theory that physical matter is the only or fundamental reality and that all being and processes and phenomena can be explained as manifestations or results of matter
b : a doctrine that the only or the highest values or objectives lie in material well-being and in the furtherance of material progress
c : a doctrine that economic or social change is materially caused — compare historical materialism
2 : a preoccupation with or stress upon material rather than intellectual or spiritual things
ma·te·ri·al·ist -list\ noun or adjective
ma·te·ri·al·is·tic -ˌtir-ē-ə-ˈlis-tik\ adjective
ma·te·ri·al·is·ti·cal·ly -ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
First use: 1733
Nurture
nur·ture\ˈnər-chər\
noun
: the care and attention given to someone or something that is growing or developing
Full Definition
1 : training, upbringing
2 : something that nourishes : food
3 : the sum of the environmental factors influencing the behavior and traits expressed by an organism
Origin: Middle English norture, nurture, from Anglo-French nureture, from Late Latin nutritura act of nursing, from Latin nutritus, past participle of nutrire to suckle, nourish — more at nourish.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, further, incubate, nourish, nurse, foster, promote
Antonyms: discourage, frustrate, hinder, inhibit
2nurture
: to help (something or someone) to grow, develop, or succeed
: to take care of (someone or something that is growing or developing) by providing food, protection, a place to live, etc.
: to hold (something, such as an idea or a strong feeling) in your mind for a long time
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to supply with nourishment
2 : educate
3 : to further the development of : foster
Other forms: nur·tured; nur·tur·ing \ˈnərch-riŋ, ˈnər-chə-\
nur·tur·er \ˈnər-chər-ər\ noun
Examples
Members of the family helped in the nurture of the baby.
Is our character affected more by nature or by nurture?
Nirvana
nir·va·na\nir-ˈvä-nə, (ˌ)nər-\
noun
: the state of perfect happiness and peace in Buddhism where there is release from all forms of suffering
: a state or place of great happiness and peace
Full Definition
Usage: often capitalized
1 : the final beatitude that transcends suffering, karma, and samsara and is sought especially in Buddhism through the extinction of desire and individual consciousness
2 a : a place or state of oblivion to care, pain, or external reality; also : bliss, heaven
b : a goal hoped for but apparently unattainable : dream
nir·van·ic -ˈvä-nik, -ˈva-\ adjective
Examples
the spa experience was a week of pure nirvana
the popular fantasy that life as a beachcomber in the South Pacific would be never-ending nirvana
Origin: Sanskrit nirvāṇa, literally, act of extinguishing, from nis- out + vāti it blows — more at wind.
First use: 1801
Synonyms: forgetfulness, oblivion, obliviousness
Antonyms: anti-utopia, dystopia, hell
Juxtapose
jux·ta·pose\ˈjək-stə-ˌpōz\
: to place (different things) together in order to create an interesting effect or to show how they are the same or different
Full Definition
transitive verb
: to place side by side
Other forms: jux·ta·posed; jux·ta·pos·ing
Origin: probably back-formation from juxtaposition.
First use: 1851
Plight
plight\ˈplīt\ transitive verb \: to put or give in pledge : engage plight·er noun Origin: Middle English, from Old English plihtan to endanger, from pliht danger; akin to Old English plēon to expose to danger, Old High German pflegan to take care of. First use: 13th century 2plight\ˈplīt\ noun \: a solemnly given pledge : engagement Examples the garden where the lovers plighted their troth Origin: (see 1plight ). First use: 13th century 3plight\ˈplīt\ noun \: an unfortunate, difficult, or precarious situation Origin: Middle English plight, plit danger, condition, in part from Old English pliht; in part from Anglo-French plit, pleit, pli condition, plight, literally, bending, fold — more at plait.
Covert
co·vert\ˈkō-(ˌ)vərt, kō-ˈ; ˈkə-vərt\
adjective
: made, shown, or done in a way that is not easily seen or noticed : secret or hidden
Full Definition
1 : not openly shown, engaged in, or avowed : veiled <a>
2 : covered over : sheltered
synonyms see secret
co·vert·ly adverb
co·vert·ness noun
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French, past participle of coverir to cover.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: cloistered, secluded, hidden, isolated, quiet, remote, retired, secret, sheltered
Antonyms: open, overt, public
Synonyms: concealment, hideout, den, hermitage, hideaway, hidey-hole (or hidy-hole), lair, nest</a>
2co·vert\ˈkə-vərt, ˈkō-vərt also ˈkə-vər\
noun
1 a : hiding place : shelter
b : a thicket affording cover for game
c : a masking or concealing device
2 : a feather covering the bases of the quills of the wings and tail of a bird — see wing illustration
3 : a firm durable twilled sometimes waterproofed cloth usually of mixed-color yarns
Cope
cope\ˈkōp\
noun
: a long, loose piece of clothing that is worn by a priest on special occasions
Full Definition
1 : a long enveloping ecclesiastical vestment
2 a : something resembling a cope (as by concealing or covering)
b : coping
Origin: Middle English, from Old English -cāp, from Late Latin cappa head covering.
First use: 13th century
Synonyms: blanket, cloak, cover, covering, coverture, cover-up, curtain, hood, mantle, mask, pall, penumbra, robe, shroud, veil, wraps
2cope
transitive verb
: to cover or furnish with a cope
Other forms: coped; cop·ing
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: blanket, cloak, cover, covering, coverture, cover-up, curtain, hood, mantle, mask, pall, penumbra, robe, shroud, veil, wraps
3cope
intransitive verb
1 obsolete : strike, fight
2 a : to maintain a contest or combat usually on even terms or with success — used with with
b : to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and difficulties — often used with with
3 archaic : meet, encounter
transitive verb
1 obsolete : to meet in combat
2 obsolete : to come in contact with
3 obsolete : match
Other forms: coped; cop·ing
Origin: Middle English copen, coupen, from Anglo-French couper to strike, cut, from cop, colp blow, from Late Latin colpus, alteration of Latin colaphus, from Greek kolaphos buffet.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: blanket, cloak, cover, covering, coverture, cover-up, curtain, hood, mantle, mask, pall, penumbra, robe, shroud, veil, wraps
4cope
transitive verb
1 : to shape (a structural member) to fit a coping or conform to the shape of another member
2 : notch
Other forms: coped; cop·ing
Origin: probably from French couper to cut.
First use: circa 1901
Synonyms: blanket, cloak, cover, covering, coverture, cover-up, curtain, hood, mantle, mask, pall, penumbra, robe, shroud, veil, wraps
Incompatibility
in·com·pat·i·bil·i·ty\ˌin-kəm-ˌpa-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\
noun
1 a : the quality or state of being incompatible
b : lack of interfertility between two plants
2 plural : mutually antagonistic things or qualities
Other forms: plural in·com·pat·i·bil·i·ties
First use: 1611
Incapacitate
in·ca·pac·i·tate\ˌin-kə-ˈpa-sə-ˌtāt\
: to make (someone or something) unable to work, move, or function in the usual way
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to make legally incapable or ineligible
2 : to deprive of capacity or natural power : disable
Other forms: in·ca·pac·i·tat·ed; in·ca·pac·i·tat·ing
in·ca·pac·i·ta·tion -ˌpa-sə-ˈtā-shən\ noun
Examples
the malfunctioning of a single component can incapacitate the engine
the stroke left her completely incapacitated
First use: 1657
Synonyms: cripple, disable, hamstring, immobilize, paralyze, prostrate
Fabricate
fab·ri·cate\ˈfa-bri-ˌkāt\
: to make or build (something)
: to create or make up (something, such as a story) in order to trick people
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 a : invent, create
b : to make up for the purpose of deception
2 : construct, manufacture; specifically : to construct from diverse and usually standardized parts
Other forms: fab·ri·cat·ed; fab·ri·cat·ing
fab·ri·ca·tor \ˈfa-bri-ˌkā-tər\ noun
Examples
with a few inexpensive materials from a craft shop, we were able to fabricate our own holiday wreath
fabricated a daring plan to create an underground explosion that would take the enemy totally by surprise
the house was essentially fabricated at the factory and then shipped to the site for assembly
Origin: Middle English, from Latin fabricatus, past participle of fabricari, from fabrica.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: make, fashion, form, frame, manufacture, produce
Antonyms: demount, disassemble, dismantle, dismember, knock down, strike, take down, tear down
Connubial
con·nu·bi·al\kə-ˈnü-bē-əl, -ˈnyü-\
adjective
: of or relating to the married state : conjugal
con·nu·bi·al·ism -bē-ə-ˌli-zəm\ noun
con·nu·bi·al·i·ty -ˌnü-bē-ˈa-lə-tē, -ˌnyü-\ noun
con·nu·bi·al·ly -ˈnü-bē-ə-lē, -ˈnyü-\ adverb
Examples
a happy couple celebrating half a century of connubial bliss
Origin: Latin conubialis, from conubium, connubium marriage, from com- + nubere to marry — more at nuptial.
First use: circa 1656
Synonyms: conjugal, marital, married, matrimonial, nuptial, wedded
Antonyms: nonmarital
Demur
de·mur\di-ˈmər\
: to disagree politely with another person’s statement or suggestion
: to politely refuse to accept a request or suggestion
Full Definition
intransitive verb
1 archaic : delay, hesitate
2 : to file a demurrer
3 : to take exception : object — often used with to or at
Other forms: de·murred; de·mur·ring
Origin: Middle English demuren, demeren to linger, from Anglo-French demurer, demoerer, from Latin demorari, from de- + morari to linger, from mora delay — more at mora.
First use: 13th century
Synonyms: challenge, complaint, objection, demurral, demurrer, difficulty, exception, expostulation, fuss, kick, protest, question, remonstrance, stink
Synonyms: object, except, expostulate, kick, protest, remonstrate
2demur
noun
: an act of disagreeing about something
Full Definition
1 : hesitation (as in doing or accepting) usually based on doubt of the acceptability of something offered or proposed
2 : the act or an instance of objecting : protest
synonyms see qualm
Examples
She accepted the group’s decision without demur.
we accepted his offer to pay for our dinners without demur
First use: 13th century
Appellation
ap·pel·la·tion\ˌa-pə-ˈlā-shən\
noun
: a name or title
Full Definition
1 : an identifying name or title : designation
2 archaic : the act of calling by a name
3 : a geographical name (as of a region, village, or vineyard) under which a winegrower is authorized to identify and market wine; also : the area designated by such a name
Examples
a twisting road that deserved the appellation “Sidewinder Lane”
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: name, appellative, cognomen, compellation, denomination, denotation, designation, handle, moniker (also monicker), nomenclature, title
Escalate
es·ca·late\ˈes-kə-ˌlāt, ÷-kyə-\
: to become worse or to make (something) worse or more severe
: to become greater or higher or to make (something) greater or higher
Full Definition
intransitive verb
: to increase in extent, volume, number, amount, intensity, or scope <a>
transitive verb
: expand 2
Other forms: es·ca·lat·ed; es·ca·lat·ing
es·ca·la·tion \ˌes-kə-ˈlā-shən, ÷-kyə-\ noun
es·ca·la·to·ry \ˈes-kə-lə-ˌtȯr-ē, ÷-kyə-\ adjective
Examples
as the war between the two countries escalated, it threatened to become a global conflict
the president promised to escalate the government’s program to combat the dreaded disease
Origin: back-formation from escalator.
First use: 1944
Synonyms: accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, build up, burgeon (also bourgeon), climb, enlarge, increase, expand, gain, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, wax
Antonyms: contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane</a>
Indifference
in·dif·fer·ence\in-ˈdi-fərn(t)s, -f(ə-)rən(t)s\
noun
: lack of interest in or concern about something : an indifferent attitude or feeling
Full Definition
1 : the quality, state, or fact of being indifferent
2 a archaic : lack of difference or distinction between two or more things
b : absence of compulsion to or toward one thing or another
Examples
an alarming indifference toward the well-being of his own children
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: apathy, casualness, complacence, disinterestedness, disregard, incuriosity, incuriousness, insouciance, nonchalance, torpor, unconcern
Antonyms: concern, interest, regard
Potential
po·ten·tial\pə-ˈten(t)-shəl\
adjective
: capable of becoming real
Full Definition
1 : existing in possibility : capable of development into actuality
2 : expressing possibility; specifically : of, relating to, or constituting a verb phrase expressing possibility, liberty, or power by the use of an auxiliary with the infinitive of the verb (as in “it may rain”)
synonyms see latent
po·ten·tial·ly -ˈten(t)-sh(ə-)lē\ adverb
Origin: Middle English potencial, from Late Latin potentialis, from potentia potentiality, from Latin, power, from potent-, potens.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: implicit, possible
Antonyms: actual, existent, factual, real
Synonyms: capability, eventuality, possibility, potentiality, prospect
2potential
noun
: a chance or possibility that something will happen or exist in the future
: a quality that something has that can be developed to make it better
: an ability that someone has that can be developed to help that person become successful
Full Definition
1 a : something that can develop or become actual <a>
b : promise 2
2 a : any of various functions from which the intensity or the velocity at any point in a field may be readily calculated
b : the work required to move a unit positive charge from a reference point (as at infinity) to a point in question
c : potential difference
Examples
Wet roads increase the potential for an accident.
If you study hard, there is a greater potential for success.
Scientists are exploring the potentials of the new drug.
First use: 1817
Synonyms: implicit, possible</a>
Cumulative
cu·mu·la·tive\ˈkyü-myə-lə-tiv, -ˌlā-\
adjective
: increasing or becoming better or worse over time through a series of additions
: including or adding together all of the things that came before
Full Definition
1 a : made up of accumulated parts
b : increasing by successive additions
2 : tending to prove the same point
3 a : taking effect upon completion of another penal sentence <a>
b : increasing in severity with repetition of the offense
4 : formed by the addition of new material of the same kind <a>
5 : summing or integrating overall data or values of a random variable less than or less than or equal to a specified value
cu·mu·la·tive·ly adverb
cu·mu·la·tive·ness noun
Examples
a cumulative weight gain of 20 pounds over the course of a year
Origin: (see cumulate ).
First use: 1605
Synonyms: accretive, accumulative, additive, conglomerative, incremental</a></a>
Recondite
re·con·dite\ˈre-kən-ˌdīt, ri-ˈkän-\
adjective
: not understood or known by many people
Full Definition
1 : hidden from sight : concealed
2 : difficult or impossible for one of ordinary understanding or knowledge to comprehend : deep <a>
3 : of, relating to, or dealing with something little known or obscure
re·con·dite·ly adverb
re·con·dite·ness noun
Examples
geochemistry is a recondite subject
Origin: Latin reconditus, past participle of recondere to conceal, from re- + condere to store up, from com- + -dere to put — more at com-, do.
First use: 1649
Synonyms: abstruse, arcane, deep, esoteric, hermetic (also hermetical), profound
Antonyms: shallow, superficial</a>
Palliate
pal·li·ate\ˈpa-lē-ˌāt\
: to make the effects of (something, such as an illness) less painful, harmful, or harsh
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to reduce the violence of (a disease); also : to ease (symptoms) without curing the underlying disease
2 : to cover by excuses and apologies
3 : to moderate the intensity of
Other forms: pal·li·at·ed; pal·li·at·ing
pal·li·a·tion \ˌpa-lē-ˈā-shən\ noun
pal·li·a·tor \ˈpa-lē-ˌā-tər\ noun
Examples
don’t try to palliate your constant lying by claiming that everybody lies
this medicine should palliate your cough at least a little
Origin: Middle English, from Late Latin palliatus, past participle of palliare to cloak, conceal, from Latin pallium cloak.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: deodorize, excuse, explain away, extenuate, gloss (over), gloze (over), whitewash
Antonyms: aggravate, exacerbate
Delude
de·lude\di-ˈlüd, dē-\
: to cause (someone) to believe something that is not true
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to mislead the mind or judgment of : deceive, trick
2 obsolete
a : frustrate, disappoint
b : evade, elude
synonyms see deceive
Other forms: de·lud·ed; de·lud·ing
de·lud·er noun
Examples
we deluded ourselves into thinking that the ice cream wouldn’t affect our diet
Origin: Middle English, from Latin deludere, from de- + ludere to play — more at ludicrous.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: bamboozle, beguile, bluff, buffalo, burn, catch, con, cozen, deceive, dupe, fake out, fool, gaff, gammon, gull, have, have on [chiefly British], hoax, hoodwink, hornswoggle, humbug, juggle, misguide, misinform, mislead, snooker, snow, spoof, string along, sucker, suck in, take in, trick
Antonyms: undeceive
Prelude
pre·lude\ˈprel-ˌyüd, ˈprāl-; ˈpre-ˌlüd, ˈprā-; sense 1 also ˈprē-ˌlüd\
noun
: something that comes before and leads to something else
: a short piece of music that introduces a longer piece
Full Definition
1 : an introductory performance, action, or event preceding and preparing for the principal or a more important matter
2 a : a musical section or movement introducing the theme or chief subject (as of a fugue or suite) or serving as an introduction to an opera or oratorio
b : an opening voluntary
c : a separate concert piece usually for piano or orchestra and based entirely on a short motif
Origin: Middle French, from Medieval Latin praeludium, from Latin praeludere to play beforehand, from prae- + ludere to play — more at ludicrous.
First use: 1561
Synonyms: curtain-raiser, overture, preamble, preliminary, prologue (also prolog), warm-up
Antonyms: epilogue (also epilog)
2prelude
transitive verb
1 : to serve as a prelude to
2 : to play as a preludeintransitive verb
: to give or serve as a prelude; especially : to play a musical introduction
Other forms: pre·lud·ed; pre·lud·ing
pre·lud·er noun
First use: 1655
Synonyms: curtain-raiser, overture, preamble, preliminary, prologue (also prolog), warm-up
Chimerical
chi·me·ri·cal\kī-ˈmer-i-kəl, kə-, -ˈmir-\
adjective
1 : existing only as the product of unchecked imagination : fantastically visionary or improbable
2 : given to fantastic schemes
synonyms see imaginary
chi·me·ri·cal·ly -i-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Examples
for the time being, interplanetary travel remains a chimerical feature of life in the 21st century
Variants: also chi·me·ric -ik\
Origin: chimera.
First use: 1638
Synonyms: imaginary (also chimeric), fabulous, fanciful, fantasied, fantastic (also fantastical), fictional, fictitious, ideal, imaginal, imagined, invented, made-up, make-believe, mythical (or mythic), notional, phantasmal, phantasmic, phantom, pretend, unreal, visonary
Antonyms: actual, existent, existing, real
Acknowledge
ac·knowl·edge\ik-ˈnä-lij, ak-\
: to say that you accept or do not deny the truth or existence of (something)
: to regard or describe (someone or something) as having or deserving a particular status
: to tell or show someone that something (such as a letter or message) has been received
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to recognize the rights, authority, or status of
2 : to disclose knowledge of or agreement with
3 a : to express gratitude or obligation for
b : to take notice of
c : to make known the receipt of
4 : to recognize as genuine or valid
Other forms: ac·knowl·edged; ac·knowl·edg·ing
Examples
finally had to acknowledge that she’d outgrown her favorite jacket
Origin: ac- (as in accord) + knowledge.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: admit, agree, allow, concede, confess, fess (up), grant, own (up to)
Antonyms: deny
Synonym discussion: acknowledge admit own avow confess mean to disclose against one’s will or inclination. acknowledge implies the disclosing of something that has been or might be concealed . admit implies reluctance to disclose, grant, or concede and refers usually to facts rather than their implications . own implies acknowledging something in close relation to oneself . avow implies boldly declaring, often in the face of hostility, what one might be expected to be silent about . confess may apply to an admission of a weakness, failure, omission, or guilt .
Heterogeneous
het·ero·ge·neous\ˌhe-tə-rə-ˈjē-nē-əs, ˌhe-trə-, -nyəs\
adjective
: made up of parts that are different
Full Definition
: consisting of dissimilar or diverse ingredients or constituents : mixed
het·ero·ge·neous·ly adverb
het·ero·ge·neous·ness noun
Examples
the seating in the hall was a heterogeneous collection of old school desk chairs, wood and metal folding chairs, and even a few plush theater seats
Origin: Medieval Latin heterogeneus, from Greek heterogenēs, from heter- + genos kind — more at kin.
First use: 1630
Synonyms: assorted, eclectic, miscellaneous, indiscriminate, kitchen-sink, magpie, mixed, motley, patchwork, piebald, promiscuous, raggle-taggle, ragtag, varied
Antonyms: homogeneous
Gamut
gam·ut\ˈga-mət\
noun
: a range or series of related things
Full Definition
1 : the whole series of recognized musical notes
2 : an entire range or series
synonyms see range
Examples
the actress’s work runs the gamut from goofy comedies to serious historical dramas
Origin: Medieval Latin gamma, lowest note of a medieval scale (from Late Latin, 3d letter of the Greek alphabet) + ut ut.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: diapason, range, scale, spectrum, spread, stretch
Perspicacious
per·spi·ca·cious\ˌpər-spə-ˈkā-shəs\
adjective
: having or showing an ability to notice and understand things that are difficult or not obvious
Full Definition
: of acute mental vision or discernment : keen
synonyms see shrewd
per·spi·ca·cious·ly adverb
per·spi·ca·cious·ness noun
per·spi·cac·i·ty -ˈka-sə-tē\ noun
Origin: Latin perspicac-, perspicax, from perspicere.
First use: 1640
Analogous
anal·o·gous\ə-ˈna-lə-gəs\
adjective
: similar in some way
Full Definition
1 : showing an analogy or a likeness that permits one to draw an analogy
2 : being or related to as an analogue
synonyms see similar
anal·o·gous·ly adverb
anal·o·gous·ness noun
Examples
bad-mouthing your sister is analogous to slapping her in the face—it’s just as bad
Origin: Latin analogus, from Greek analogos, literally, proportionate, from ana- + logos reason, ratio, from legein to gather, speak — more at legend.
First use: 1646
Synonyms: akin, alike, cognate, comparable, connate, correspondent, corresponding, ditto, like, matching, parallel, resemblant, resembling, similar, such, suchlike
Antonyms: different, dissimilar, diverse, unakin, unlike
Maladjusted
mal·ad·just·ed\ˌma-lə-ˈjəs-təd\
adjective
: not able to deal with other people in a normal or healthy way
Full Definition
: poorly or inadequately adjusted; specifically : lacking harmony with one’s environment from failure to adjust one’s desires to the conditions of one’s life
First use: 1886
Phenomenon
phe·nom·e·non\fi-ˈnä-mə-ˌnän, -nən\
noun
: something (such as an interesting fact or event) that can be observed and studied and that typically is unusual or difficult to understand or explain fully
: someone or something that is very impressive or popular especially because of an unusual ability or quality
Full Definition
1 plural phenomena : an observable fact or event
2 plural phenomena
a : an object or aspect known through the senses rather than by thought or intuition
b : a temporal or spatiotemporal object of sensory experience as distinguished from a noumenon
c : a fact or event of scientific interest susceptible to scientific description and explanation
3 a : a rare or significant fact or event
b plural phenomenons : an exceptional, unusual, or abnormal person, thing, or occurrence
usage see phenomena
Other forms: plural phe·nom·e·na -nə, -ˌnä\ or phe·nom·e·nons
Examples
our jaws dropped when we saw this basketball phenomenon play for the first time
Origin: Late Latin phaenomenon, from Greek phainomenon, from neuter of phainomenos, present participle of phainesthai to appear, middle voice of phainein to show — more at fancy.
First use: 1605
Synonyms: caution, flash, marvel, miracle, wonder, portent, prodigy, sensation, splendor
Neurotic
neu·rot·ic\nu̇-ˈrä-tik\
adjective
medical : having or suggesting neurosis
: often or always fearful or worried about something : tending to worry in a way that is not healthy or reasonable
Full Definition
: of, relating to, constituting, or affected with neurosis(see neurosis )
neu·rot·i·cal·ly -ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
First use: 1866
2neu·rot·ic\nu̇-ˈrä-tik\
noun
medical : a person who has a neurosis
: a person who is always fearful or worried about something
Full Definition
1 : one affected with a neurosis(see neurosis )
2 : an emotionally unstable individual
Examples
He was diagnosed as a neurotic.
He is a neurotic about keeping his clothes neat.
First use: 1896
Mortality
mor·tal·i·ty\mȯr-ˈta-lə-tē\
noun
: the quality or state of being a person or thing that is alive and therefore certain to die : the quality or state of being mortal
: the death of a person, animal, etc.
: the number of deaths that occur in a particular time or place
Full Definition
1 : the quality or state of being mortal
2 : the death of large numbers (as of people or animals)
3 archaic : death
4 : the human race
5 a : the number of deaths in a given time or place
b : the proportion of deaths to population
c : the number lost or the rate of loss or failure
First use: 14th century
Decade
de·cade\ˈde-ˌkād, de-ˈkād; especially sense 1b ˈde-kəd\
noun
: a period of 10 years ; especially : a 10-year period beginning with a year ending in 0
Full Definition
1 : a group or set of 10: as
a : a period of 10 years
b : a division of the rosary that consists primarily of 10 Hail Marys
2 : a ratio of 10 to 1 : order of magnitude
de·cad·al \ˈde-kə-dəl\ adjective
Origin: Middle English, from Middle French décade, from Late Latin decad-, decas, from Greek dekad-, dekas, from deka.
First use: 15th century
Susceptible
sus·cep·ti·ble\sə-ˈsep-tə-bəl\
adjective
: easily affected, influenced, or harmed by something
: capable of being affected by a specified action or process
Full Definition
1 : capable of submitting to an action, process, or operation <a>
2 : open, subject, or unresistant to some stimulus, influence, or agency
3 : impressionable, responsive <a>
synonyms see liable
sus·cep·ti·ble·ness noun
sus·cep·ti·bly -blē\ adverb
Examples
some people are more susceptible to depression during the winter because of reduced exposure to sunlight
completely susceptible and totally defenseless against the imploring eyes of the puppy in the pet store
having recently lost his job, he was more susceptible to the illusory promises of get-rich-quick schemes
Origin: Late Latin susceptibilis, from Latin susceptus, past participle of suscipere to take up, admit, from sub-, sus- up + capere to take — more at sub-, heave.
First use: 1605
Synonyms: endangered, exposed, open, sensitive, subject (to), liable, vulnerable
Antonyms: insusceptible, invulnerable, unexposed, unsusceptible</a></a>
Pedagogue
ped·a·gogue
noun
: teacher, schoolmaster; especially : a dull, formal, or pedantic teacher
Examples
a pedagogue whose classroom lessons consisted entirely of reading directly from the textbook in a monotone
Variants: also ped·a·gog \ˈpe-də-ˌgäg\
Origin: Middle English pedagoge, from Latin paedagogus, from Greek paidagōgos, slave who escorted children to school, from paid- ped- + agōgos leader, from agein to lead — more at agent.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: educationist [chiefly British], educator, instructor, teacher (also pedagog), preceptor, schoolteacher
Enunciate
enun·ci·ate\ē-ˈnən(t)-sē-ˌāt\
: to make a clear statement of (ideas, beliefs, etc.)
: to pronounce words or parts of words clearly
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 a : to make a definite or systematic statement of
b : announce, proclaim
2 : articulate, pronounce
intransitive verb
: to utter articulate sounds
Other forms: enun·ci·at·ed; enun·ci·at·ing
enun·cia·ble -ˈnən(t)-sē-ə-bəl, -ˈnən-ch(ē-)ə-\ adjective
enun·ci·a·tion -ˌnən(t)-sē-ˈā-shən\ noun
enun·ci·a·tor -ˈnən(t)-sē-ˌā-tər\ noun
Examples
enunciate your words, and then you won’t have to repeat them so often
today the President enunciated a new foreign policy
a paper that enunciates the goals of the environmental organization
Origin: Latin enuntiatus, past participle of enuntiare to report, declare, from e- + nuntiare to report — more at announce.
First use: 1623
Synonyms: articulate
Inordinate
in·or·di·nate\in-ˈȯr-dən-ət, -ˈȯrd-nət\
adjective
: going beyond what is usual, normal, or proper
Full Definition
1 archaic : disorderly, unregulated
2 : exceeding reasonable limits : immoderate
synonyms see excessive
in·or·di·nate·ly adverb
in·or·di·nate·ness noun
Examples
an inordinate number of complaints about the slow pace of snow removal around the city
Origin: Middle English inordinat, from Latin inordinatus, from in- + ordinatus, past participle of ordinare to arrange — more at ordain.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: baroque, devilish, exorbitant, extravagant, extreme, fancy, immoderate, excessive, insane, intolerable, lavish, overdue, overextravagant, overmuch, overweening, plethoric, steep, stiff, towering, unconscionable, undue, unmerciful
Antonyms: middling, moderate, modest, reasonable, temperate
Irascible
iras·ci·ble\i-ˈra-sə-bəl\
adjective
: becoming angry very easily : having a bad temper
Full Definition
: marked by hot temper and easily provoked anger
iras·ci·bil·i·ty -ˌra-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
iras·ci·ble·ness \i-ˈra-sə-bəl-nəs\ noun
iras·ci·bly -blē\ adverb
Examples
forced to endure a memorably irascible boss on her first job after college
Origin: Middle French, from Late Latin irascibilis, from Latin irasci to become angry, be angry, from ira.
First use: circa 1530
Synonyms: choleric, crabby, cranky, cross, crotchety, fiery, grouchy, grumpy, irritable, peevish, perverse, pettish, petulant, prickly, quick-tempered, raspy, ratty, short-tempered, snappish, snappy, snarky, snippety, snippy, stuffy, testy, waspish
Introspection
in·tro·spec·tion\ˌin-trə-ˈspek-shən\
noun
: the process of examining your own thoughts or feelings
Full Definition
: a reflective looking inward : an examination of one’s own thoughts and feelings
in·tro·spect -ˈspekt\ verb
in·tro·spec·tion·al -ˈspek-shnəl, -shə-nəl\ adjective
in·tro·spec·tive -ˈspek-tiv\ adjective
in·tro·spec·tive·ly adverb
in·tro·spec·tive·ness noun
Examples
not a man given to introspection, he grew impatient with his wife’s constant need to discuss their relationship
Origin: Latin introspectus, past participle of introspicere to look inside, from intro- + specere to look — more at spy.
First use: circa 1677
Synonyms: self-contemplation, self-examination, self-observation, self-questioning, self-reflection, self-scrutiny, self-searching, soul-searching
Perpetuate
per·pet·u·ate\pər-ˈpe-chə-ˌwāt\
: to cause (something that should be stopped, such as a mistaken idea or a bad situation) to continue
Full Definition
transitive verb
: to make perpetual or cause to last indefinitely
Other forms: per·pet·u·at·ed; per·pet·u·at·ing
per·pet·u·a·tion -ˌpe-chə-ˈwā-shən\ noun
per·pet·u·a·tor -ˈpe-chə-ˌwā-tər\ noun
Examples
we hope to perpetuate this holiday tradition
Origin: Latin perpetuatus, past participle of perpetuare, from perpetuus.
First use: 1530
Synonyms: eternalize, immortalize
Mandate
man·date\ˈman-ˌdāt\
noun
: an official order to do something
: the power to act that voters give to their elected leaders
Full Definition
1 : an authoritative command; especially : a formal order from a superior court or official to an inferior one
2 : an authorization to act given to a representative
3 a : an order or commission granted by the League of Nations to a member nation for the establishment of a responsible government over a former German colony or other conquered territory
b : a mandated territory
Origin: Middle French & Latin; Middle French mandat, from Latin mandatum, from neuter of mandatus, past participle of mandare to entrust, enjoin, probably irregular from manus hand + -dere to put — more at manual, do.
First use: 1501
Synonyms: accreditation, authorization, delegation, empowerment, license (or licence), commission
Synonyms: call, decree, dictate, direct, command, ordain, order
2man·date\ˈman-ˌdāt\
: to officially demand or require (something)
: to officially give (someone) the power to do something
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to administer or assign (as a territory) under a mandate (see 1mandate )
2 : to officially require (something) : make (something) mandatory : order <a>; also : to direct or require (someone) to do something <a>
Other forms: man·dat·ed; man·dat·ing
Examples
Ours was the first state to mandate the change.
The law mandates that every car have seat belts.
Drug tests have been mandated by the government.
Origin: (see 1mandate ).
First use: 1919</a></a>
Compensate
com·pen·sate\ˈkäm-pən-ˌsāt, -ˌpen-\
: to provide something good as a balance against something bad or undesirable : to make up forsome defect or weakness
: to give money or something else of value to (someone) in return for something (such as work) or as payment for something lost, damaged, etc.
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to be equivalent to : counterbalance
2 : to make an appropriate and usually counterbalancing payment to
3 a : to provide with means of counteracting variation
b : to neutralize the effect of (variations)
intransitive verb
1 : to supply an equivalent — used with for
2 : to offset an error, defect, or undesired effect
3 : to undergo or engage in psychological or physiological compensation
synonyms see pay
Other forms: com·pen·sat·ed; com·pen·sat·ing
com·pen·sa·tive \ˈkäm-pən-ˌsā-tiv, -ˌpen-; kəm-ˈpen(t)-sə-\ adjective
com·pen·sa·tor \ˈkäm-pən-ˌsā-tər, -ˌpen-\ noun
com·pen·sa·to·ry \kəm-ˈpen(t)-sə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective
Examples
you’ll have to compensate the neighbors for cutting down their tree
compensate them well for their efforts
Origin: Latin compensatus, past participle of compensare, frequentative of compendere.
First use: 1646
Synonyms: indemnify, recompense, recoup, remunerate, requite, satisfy
Neutralize
neu·tral·ize\ˈnü-trə-ˌlīz, ˈnyü-\
: to stop (someone or something) from being effective or harmful
: to cause (a chemical) to be neither an acid nor a base
: to make (something, such as a country or area) neutral during a war
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to make chemically neutral
2 a : to counteract the activity or effect of : make ineffective
b : kill, destroy
3 : to make electrically inert by combining equal positive and negative quantities
4 : to invest (as a territory or a nation) with conventional or obligatory neutrality conferring inviolability during a war
5 : to make neutral by blending with the complementary color
6 : to give (as a pair of phonemes) a nondistinctive form or pronunciation
intransitive verb
: to undergo neutralization
Other forms: neu·tral·ized; neu·tral·iz·ing
neu·tral·iz·er noun
Examples
a pro-government rally that is intended to neutralize the antiwar demonstrations
orders to find the renegade colonel and to neutralize him
First use: 1759
Synonyms: annul, cancel (out), compensate (for), correct, counteract, counterbalance, counterpoise, make up (for), negative, offset
Catastrophe
ca·tas·tro·phe\kə-ˈtas-trə-(ˌ)fē\
noun
: a terrible disaster
Full Definition
1 : the final event of the dramatic action especially of a tragedy
2 : a momentous tragic event ranging from extreme misfortune to utter overthrow or ruin
3 a : a violent and sudden change in a feature of the earth
b : a violent usually destructive natural event (as a supernova)
4 : utter failure : fiasco
cat·a·stroph·ic \ˌka-tə-ˈsträ-fik\ adjective
cat·a·stroph·i·cal·ly -fi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Examples
more than one natural catastrophe has threatened to destroy their farm over the years
the movie was a catastrophe, nearly bankrupting the studio that produced it
Origin: Greek katastrophē, from katastrephein to overturn, from kata- + strephein to turn.
First use: 1540
Synonyms: apocalypse, calamity, cataclysm, disaster, debacle (also débâcle), tragedy
Antonyms: blockbuster, hit, smash, success, winner
