4500_words Flashcards
mantel n
The facing, sometimes richly ornamented, about a fireplace, including the usualshelf above it
orthopedist n
One who practices the correcting or preventing of deformity
monarchy n
Government by a single, sovereign ruler
transposition n
The act of reversing the order or changing the place of
hemorrhage n
Discharge of blood from a ruptured or wounded blood-vessel
intelligible adj
Comprehensible
waistcoat n
A vest
citadel n
Any strong fortress
protrude v
To push out or thrust forth
midsummer n
The middle of the summer
rife adj
Abundant
spheroid n
A body having nearly the form of a sphere
edify v
To build up, or strengthen, especially in morals or religion
repository n
A place in which goods are stored
tiresome adj
Wearisome
obelisk n
A square shaft with pyramidal top, usually monumental or commemorative
preparatory adj
Having to do with what is preliminary
melodious adj
Characterized by a sweet succession of sounds
outlaw n
A habitual lawbreaker
normalcy n
The state of being normal
sepulcher n
A burial-place
apparent adj
Easily understood
sensibility n
Power to perceive or feel
rote n
Repetition of words or sounds as a means of learning them, with slight attention
tenant n
An occupant
grandiose adj
Having an imposing style or effect
pollen n
The fine dust-like grains or powder formed within the anther of a floweringplant
expediency n
Fitness to meet the requirements of a particular case
agitate v
To move or excite (the feelings or thoughts)
inconvenient adj
Interfering with comfort or progress
irreducible adj
That can not be lessened
electrolysis n
The process of decomposing a chemical compound by the passage of anelectric current
transmute v
To change in nature, substance, or form
laxative adj
Having power to open or loosen the bowels
deplete v
To reduce or lessen, as by use, exhaustion, or waste
eloquent adj
Having the ability to express emotion or feeling in lofty and impassionedspeech
harbinger n
One who or that which foreruns and announces the coming of any person orthing
negligent adj
Apt to omit what ought to be done
ointment n
A fatty preparation with a butter-like consistency in which a medicinalsubstance exists.
introgression n
Entrance
fez n
A brimless felt cap in the shape of a truncated cone, usually red with a blacktassel
torrid adj
Excessively hot
gesticulate v
To make gestures or motions, as in speaking, or in place of speech
undervalue v
To underestimate
obstetrics n
The branch of medical science concerned with the treatment and care of womenduring pregnancy
exit n
A way or passage out
patriotism n
Love and devotion to one’s country
egoism n
The theory that places man’s chief good in the completeness of self
naphtha n
A light, colorless, volatile, inflammable oil used as a solvent, as inmanufacture of paints
imminence n
Impending evil or danger
clan n
A tribe
redound n
Rebound
translucence n
The property or state of allowing the passage of light
extort v
To obtain by violence, threats, compulsion, or the subjection of another to somenecessity
executor n
A person nominated by the will of another to execute the will
rigor n
Inflexibility
dissolution n
A breaking up of a union of persons
divulgence n
A divulging
sequestrate v
To confiscate
raptorial adj
Seizing and devouring living prey
logician n
An expert reasoner
anthology n
A collection of extracts from the writings of various authors
contumacy n
Contemptuous disregard of the requirements of rightful authority
solvent adj
Having sufficient funds to pay all debts
exclusion n
Non-admission
perspicacity n
Acuteness or discernment
pseudonymity n
The state or character of using a fictitious name
delicacy n
That which is agreeable to a fine taste
infernal adj
Akin to or befitting hell or its occupants
amour n
A love-affair, especially one of an illicit nature
excruciate v
To inflict severe pain or agony upon
sequent adj
Following in the order of time
venerate v
To cherish reverentially
obese adj
Exceedingly fat
perpetrator n
The doer of a wrong or a criminal act
pennant n
A small flag
acquisition n
Anything gained, or made one’s own, usually by effort or labor
ambush n
The act or state of lying concealed for the purpose of surprising or attackingthe enemy
naval adj
Pertaining to ships
cereal adj
Pertaining to edible grain or farinaceous seeds
boll n
A round pod or seed-capsule, as a flax or cotton
florist n
A dealer in flowers
indignity n
Unmerited contemptuous conduct or treatment
specimen n
One of a class of persons or things regarded as representative of the class
privateer n
A vessel owned and officered by private persons, but carrying on maritimewar
undersized adj
Of less than the customary size
discard v
To reject
innuendo n
Insinuation
ambrosial adj
Divinely sweet, fragrant, or delicious
entomology n
The branch of zoology that treats of insects
annalist n
Historian
deceit n
Falsehood
subjacent adj
Situated directly underneath
triennial adj
Taking place every third year
adjacency n
The state of being adjacent
debonair adj
Having gentle or courteous bearing or manner
intrinsic adj
Inherent
nunnery n
A convent for nuns
resonate v
To have or produce resonance
lassie n
A little lass
obsolete adj
No longer practiced or accepted
athwart adv
From side to side
osculate v
To kiss
masterpiece n
A superior production
aspire v
To have an earnest desire, wish, or longing, as for something high and good, notyet attained
detest v
To dislike or hate with intensity
geniality n
Warmth and kindliness of disposition
forfend v
To ward off
persiflage n
Banter
invasion n
Encroachment, as by an act of intrusion or trespass
demerit n
A mark for failure or bad conduct
vacuous adj
Empty
demagogue n
An unprincipled politician
pestilent adj
Having a malign influence or effect
unanimous adj
Sharing the same views or sentiments
collapsible adj
That may or can collapse
graceless adj
Ungracious
humbug n
Anything intended or calculated to deceive or mislead
persuade v
To win the mind of by argument, eloquence, evidence, or reflection
foreordination n
Predestination
upheave v
To raise or lift with effort
bestial adj
Animal
condensation n
The act or process of making dense or denser
aura n
Pervasive psychic influence supposed to emanate from persons
potential n
Anything that may be possible
circumference n
The boundary-line of a circle
explosive adj
Pertaining to a sudden and violent outbreak
conformance n
The act or state or conforming
enhance v
To intensify
nocturnal adj
Of or pertaining to the night
divination n
The pretended forecast of future events or discovery of what is lost orhidden
conduit n
A means for conducting something, particularly a tube, pipe, or passageway fora fluid
brine n
Water saturated with salt
replica n
A duplicate executed by the artist himself, and regarded, equally with thefirst, as an original
defiant adj
Characterized by bold or insolent opposition
borough n
An incorporated village or town
embolism n
An obstruction or plugging up of an artery or other blood-vessel
underrate v
To undervalue
guise n
The external appearance as produced by garb or costume
affectation n
A studied or ostentatious pretense or attempt
captious adj
Hypercritical
infinity n
Boundless or immeasurable extension or duration
fragile adj
Capable of being broken
asperity n
Harshness or roughness of temper
contingent adj
Not predictable
surety n
Security for payment or performance
emblem n
A symbol
formula n
Fixed rule or set form
underlie v
To be the ground or support of
infidel n
One who denies the existence of God
excellence n
Possession of eminently or unusually good qualities
naturally adv
According to the usual order of things
necropolis n
A city of the dead
impliable adj
Capable of being inferred
engender v
To produce
cardinal adj
Of prime or special importance
precedential adj
Of the nature of an instance that may serve as a guide or basis for arule
lactation n
The secretion of milk
tortuous adj
Abounding in irregular bends or turns
sophistry n
Reasoning sound in appearance only, especially when designedly deceptive
procrastination n
Delay
perspicuous adj
Lucid
medieval adj
Belonging or relating to or descriptive of the middle ages
discussion n
Debate
vivisection n
The dissection of a living animal
parlor n
A room for reception of callers or entertainment of guests
upturn v
To throw into confusion
dastard n
A base coward
extravagant adj
Needlessly free or lavish in expenditure
coincide v
To correspond
twinge n
A darting momentary local pain
inadequate adj
Insufficient
augment v
To make bigger
effulgence n
Splendor
extol v
To praise in the highest terms
ingratitude n
Insensibility to kindness
pathos n
The quality in any form of representation that rouses emotion or sympathy
Sol n
The sun
egregious adj
Extreme
improvident adj
Lacking foresight or thrift
usurious adj
Taking unlawful or exorbitant interest on money loaned
interpolation n
Verbal interference
diacritical adj
Marking a difference
antechamber n
A waiting room for those who seek audience
tapestry n
A fabric to which a pattern is applied with a needle, designed for ornamentalhangings
Martian adj
Pertaining to Mars, either the Roman god of war or the planet
possessive adj
Pertaining to the having, holding, or detention of property in one’s poweror command
meander v
To wind and turn while proceeding in a course
theocracy n
A government administered by ecclesiastics
besmear v
To smear over, as with any oily or sticky substance
pollute v
To contaminate
patrimony n
An inheritance from an ancestor, especially from one’s father
misty adj
Lacking clearness
abstain v
To keep oneself back (from doing or using something)
consign v
To entrust
equity n
Fairness or impartiality
pentad n
The number five
nectar n
Any especially sweet and delicious drink
emit v
To send or give out
impiety n
Irreverence toward God
prefatory adj
Pertaining to a brief explanation to the reader at the beginning of a book.
studious adj
Having or showing devotion to the acquisition of knowledge
narration n
The act of recounting the particulars of an event in the order of time oroccurrence
alabaster n
A white or delicately tinted fine-grained gypsum
wavelet n
A ripple
foliage n
Any growth of leaves
orthopedic adj
Relating to the correcting or preventing of deformity
mead n
A meadow
advertiser n
One who advertises, especially in newspapers
credence n
Belief
Scriptural adj
Pertaining to, contained in, or warranted by the Holy Scriptures
apex n
The highest point, as of a mountain
perverse adj
Unreasonable
tutelar adj
Protective
bromine n
A dark reddish-brown, non-metallic liquid element with a suffocating odor
exorbitance n
Extravagance or enormity
consonant adj
Being in agreement or harmony with
cede v
To pass title to
adieu inter
Good-by; farewell
attache n
A subordinate member of a diplomatic embassy
fulsome adj
Offensive from excess of praise or commendation
fumigate v
To subject to the action of smoke or fumes, especially for disinfection
apprehend v
To make a prisoner of (a person) in the name of the law
adherence n
Attachment
portent n
Anything that indicates what is to happen
nestling adj
Recently hatched
reflectible adj
Capable of being turned back
corporal adj
Belonging or relating to the body as opposed to the mind
unisonant adj
Being in a condition of perfect agreement and accord
juxtapose v
To place close together
noisome adj
Very offensive, particularly to the sense of smell
gyroscope n
An instrument for illustrating the laws of rotation
discipline v
To train to obedience
cant v
To talk in a singsong, preaching tone with affected solemnity
retrogression n
A going or moving backward or in a reverse direction
cosmogony n
A doctrine of creation or of the origin of the universe
risible adj
capable of exciting laughter
protection n
Preservation from harm, danger, annoyance, or any other evil
truism n
A statement so plainly true as hardly to require statement or proof
facial adj
Pertaining to the face
detract v
To take away in such manner as to lessen value or estimation
pentahedron n
A solid bounded by five plane faces
culinary adj
Of or pertaining to cooking or the kitchen
extrude v
To drive out or away
encore n
The call for a repetition, as of some part of a play or performance
oratory n
The art of public speaking
kernel n
A grain or seed
emergent adj
Coming into view
jubilation n
Exultation
inkling n
A hint
superheat v
To heat to excess
opalescence n
The property of combined refraction and reflection of light, resulting insmoky tints
intelligence n
Capacity to know or understand
option n
The right, power, or liberty of choosing
dehydrate v
To deprive of water
animosity n
Hatred
bemoan v
To lament
anticlimax n
A gradual or sudden decrease in the importance or impressiveness of what issaid
opportune adj
Especially fit as occurring, said, or done at the right moment
poignant adj
Severely painful or acute to the spirit
inadvertent adj
Accidental
arbiter n
One chosen or appointed, by mutual consent of parties in dispute, to decidematters
metaphor n
A figure of speech in which one object is likened to another, by speaking asif the other
preempt v
To secure the right of preference in the purchase of public land
variance n
Change
expanse n
A continuous area or stretch
badger v
To pester
vociferance n
The quality of making a clamor
permutation n
Reciprocal change, different ordering of same items
assess v
To determine the amount of (a tax or other sum to be paid)
antemeridian adj
Before noon
significant adj
Important, especially as pointing something out
misdemeanor n
Evil conduct, small crime
platitude n
A written or spoken statement that is flat, dull, or commonplace
wholly adv
Completely
contributor n
One who gives or furnishes, in common with others, for a common purpose
simplify v
To make less complex or difficult
dolorous adj
Expressing or causing sorrow or pain
scuttle v
To sink (a ship) by making holes in the bottom
modification n
A change
inane adj
Silly
radiance n
Brilliant or sparkling luster
conspire v
To plot
impropriety n
The state or quality of being unfit, unseemly, or inappropriate
orthodoxy n
Acceptance of the common faith
plagiarism n
The stealing of passages from the writings of another and publishing them asone’s own
bureau n
A chest of drawers for clothing, etc
immovable adj
Steadfast
mettle n
Courage
allege v
To assert to be true, especially in a formal manner, as in court
valedictorian n
Student who delivers an address at graduating exercises of an educationalinstitution
irrelevant adj
Inapplicable
maze n
A labyrinth
refringent adj
Having the power to refract
corrigible adj
Capable of reformation
extremity n
The utmost point, side, or border, or that farthest removed from a meanposition
peaceful adj
Tranquil
retrospective adj
Looking back on the past
liturgy n
A ritual
penetrable adj
That may be pierced by physical, moral, or intellectual force
predatory adj
Prone to pillaging
garrulous adj
Given to constant trivial talking
freethinker n
One who rejects authority or inspiration in religion
accredit v
To give credit or authority to
bawl v
To proclaim by outcry
dispel v
To drive away by or as by scattering in different directions
antistrophe n
The inversion of terms in successive classes, as in “the home of joyand the joy of home”
contusion n
A bruise
qualify v
To endow or furnish with requisite ability, character, knowledge, skill, orpossessions
epode n
A species of lyric poems
skirmish n
Desultory fighting between advanced detachments of two armies
hoard v
To gather and store away for the sake of accumulation
forth adv
Into notice or view
deteriorate v
To grow worse
morphology n
the science of organic forms
second-rate adj
Second in quality, size, rank, importance, etc
shrivel v
To draw or be drawn into wrinkles
fabulous adj
Incredible
miscreant n
A villain
sense n
The signification conveyed by some word, phrase, or action
vincible adj
Conquerable
befog v
To confuse
decapitate v
To behead
atomizer n
An apparatus for reducing a liquid to a fine spray, as for disinfection,inhalation, etc
stanchion n
A vertical bar, or a pair of bars, used to confine cattle in a stall
tercentenary adj
Pertaining to a period of 300 years
reflexible adj
Capable of being reflected
procedure n
A manner or method of acting
inherent adj
Intrinsic
despot n
An absolute and irresponsible monarch
mismanage v
To manage badly, improperly, or unskillfully
transmission n
The act of sending through or across
effete adj
Exhausted, as having performed its functions
perfunctory adj
Half-hearted
nutriment n
That which nourishes
fathom n
A measure of length, 6 feet
levy v
To impose and collect by force or threat of force
introductory adj
Preliminary
onslaught n
A violent onset
congenial adj
Having kindred character or tastes
pincers n
An instrument having two lever-handles and two jaws working on a pivot
brooch n
An article of jewelry fastened by a hinged pin and hook on the underside
relapse v
To suffer a return of a disease after partial recovery
subjugate v
To conquer
flue n
A smoke-duct in a chimney
nomination n
The act or ceremony of naming a man or woman for office
propitious adj
Kindly disposed
baton n
An official staff borne either as a weapon or as an emblem of authority orprivilege
scoundrel n
A man without principle
subterranean adj
Situated or occurring below the surface of the earth
enshrine v
To keep sacred
fresco n
The art of painting on a surface of plaster, particularly on walls and ceilings.
upbraid v
To reproach as deserving blame
ductile adj
Capable of being drawn out, as into wire or a thread
verity n
Truth
barring prep
Apart from
lacteal adj
Milky
antipathize v
To show or feel a feeling of antagonism, aversion, or dislike
repulse n
The act of beating or driving back, as an attacking or advancing enemy
loath adj
Averse
pestilence n
A raging epidemic
acrimonious adj
Full of bitterness
lifelong adj
Lasting or continuous through life
explosion n
A sudden and violent outbreak
pinnacle n
A high or topmost point, as a mountain-peak
terse adj
Pithy
later adv
At a subsequent time
desultory adj
Not connected with what precedes
purloin v
To steal
intestine n
That part of the digestive tube below or behind the stomach, extending to theanus
blockade n
The shutting up of a town, a frontier, or a line of coast by hostile forces
reprieve v
To grant a respite from punishment to
kilometer n
A length of 1,000 meters
amity n
Friendship
edict n
That which is uttered or proclaimed by authority as a rule of action
verification n
The act of proving to be true, exact, or accurate
temporize v
To pursue a policy of delay
immutable adj
Unchangeable
resilience n
The power of springing back to a former position
impetuosity n
Rashness
tribune n
Any champion of the rights and liberties of the people: often used as the namefor a newspaper
succulent adj
Juicy
ruminate v
To chew over again, as food previously swallowed and regurgitated
mausoleum n
A tomb of more than ordinary size or architectural pretensions
luminosity n
The quality of giving or radiating light
assonant adj
Having resemblance of sound
denote v
To designate by word or mark
hesitation n
Vacillation
et cetera Latin
And so forth
nondescript adj
Indescribable
hindrance n
An obstacle
aide-de-camp n
An officer who receives and transmits the orders of the general
prehensile adj
Adapted for grasping or holding
pious adj
Religious
gyrate v
To revolve
profligacy n
Shameless viciousness
ungainly adj
Clumsy
percipient n
One who or that which perceives
impugn v
To assail with arguments, insinuations, or accusations
livid adj
Black-and-blue, as contused flesh
cursory adj
Rapid and superficial
pellucid adj
Translucent
disqualify v
To debar
subtle adj
Discriminating
termagant adj
Violently abusive and quarrelsome
fervor n
Ardor or intensity of feeling
botanical adj
Connected with the study or cultivation of plants
vinery n
A greenhouse for grapes
reliquary n
A casket, coffer, or repository in which relics are kept
Hibernian adj
Pertaining to Ireland, or its people
sibilate v
To give a hissing sound to, as in pronouncing the letter s
counterfeit adj
Made to resemble something else
microscope n
An instrument for assisting the eye in the vision of minute objects orfeatures of objects
olive-branch n
A branch of the olive-tree, as an emblem of peace
inbred adj
Innate
noxious adj
Hurtful
interact v
To act reciprocally
dilatory adj
Tending to cause delay
amputate v
To remove by cutting, as a limb or some portion of the body
epizootic adj
Prevailing among animals
mythology n
The whole body of legends cherished by a race concerning gods and heroes
pseudonym n
A fictitious name, especially when assumed by a writer
monosyllable n
A word of one syllable
subjection n
The act of bringing into a state of submission
circumnavigate v
To sail quite around
inedible adj
Not good for food
requisite adj
Necessary
desert v
To abandon without regard to the welfare of the abandoned
sanction v
To approve authoritatively
embark v
To make a beginning in some occupation or scheme
novellette n
A short novel
birthright n
A privilege or possession into which one is born
emigrate v
To go from one country, state, or region for the purpose of settling orresiding in another
eclipse n
The obstruction of a heavenly body by its entering into the shadow of anotherbody
neural adj
Pertaining to the nerves or nervous system
pendulous adj
Hanging, especially so as to swing by an attached end or part
adherent adj
Clinging or sticking fast
magnificence n
The exhibition of greatness of action, character, intellect, wealth, orpower
landscape n
A rural view, especially one of picturesque effect, as seen from a distanceor an elevation
degeneracy n
A becoming worse
predecessor n
An incumbent of a given office previous to another
hosiery n
A stocking
repetition n
The act of repeating
elicit v
To educe or extract gradually or without violence
principal adj
Most important
frequency n
The comparative number of any kind of occurrences within a given time orspace
subsist v
To be maintained or sustained
avalanche n
The fall or sliding of a mass of snow or ice down a mountain-slope, oftenbearing with it rock.
omnipotence n
Unlimited and universal power
sensorium n
The sensory apparatus
invigorate v
To animate
microscopy n
The art of examing objects with the microscope
furtherance n
Advancement
foresee v
To discern beforehand
incandescent adj
White or glowing with heat
venous adj
Of, pertaining to, or contained or carried in a vein or veins
trickery n
Artifice
rhetoric n
The art of discourse
personality n
The attributes, taken collectively, that make up the character and natureof an individual
loam n
A non-coherent mixture of sand and clay
barometer n
An instrument for indicating the atmospheric pressure per unit of surface
imaginary adj
Fancied
convolve v
To move with a circling or winding motion
sprightly adj
Vivacious
diverse adj
Capable of various forms
acme n
The highest point, or summit
coalescence n
The act or process of coming together so as to form one body, combination,or product
antilogy n
Inconsistency or contradiction in terms or ideas
resilient adj
Having the quality of springing back to a former position
livelihood n
Means of subsistence
penance n
Punishment to which one voluntarily submits or subjects himself as anexpression of penitence
spinous adj
Having spines
mite n
A very small amount, portion, or particle
unutterable adj
Inexpressible
ambitious adj
Eagerly desirous and aspiring
polyhedron n
A solid bounded by plane faces, especially by more than four
auxiliary n
One who or that which aids or helps, especially when regarded as subsidiaryor accessory
brotherhood n
Spiritual or social fellowship or solidarity
suppress v
To prevent from being disclosed or punished
obesity n
Excessive fatness
kind-hearted adj
Having a kind and sympathetic nature
univalence n
Monovalency
centimeter n
A length of one hundredth of a meter
deify v
To regard or worship as a god
analogy n
Reasoning in which from certain and known relations or resemblance others areformed
mantel n
The facing, sometimes richly ornamented, about a fireplace, including the usualshelf above it
orthopedist n
One who practices the correcting or preventing of deformity
monarchy n
Government by a single, sovereign ruler
transposition n
The act of reversing the order or changing the place of
hemorrhage n
Discharge of blood from a ruptured or wounded blood-vessel
intelligible adj
Comprehensible
waistcoat n
A vest
citadel n
Any strong fortress
protrude v
To push out or thrust forth
midsummer n
The middle of the summer
rife adj
Abundant
spheroid n
A body having nearly the form of a sphere
edify v
To build up, or strengthen, especially in morals or religion
repository n
A place in which goods are stored
tiresome adj
Wearisome
