Barrons Set 3 Flashcards
1
Q
creed
A
system of religious or ethical belief
2
Q
crescendo
A
increase in the volume or intensity as in a musical passage; climax; CF. crescent
3
Q
far-fetched
A
too improbable to be believed; implausible; Ex. far-fetched story
4
Q
overture
A
musical introduction to a long musical piece; first offer or proposal (to begin talks in the hope of reaching an agreement); Ex. overtures for peace
5
Q
crestfallen
A
dejected; dispirited
6
Q
crest
A
top (as of a hill or wave); showy feathers on the head of a bird
7
Q
crevice
A
crack; fissure
8
Q
cringe
A
shrink back as if in fear; cower
9
Q
criteria
A
standards used in judging; CF. criterion
10
Q
crone
A
hag; ugly old woman
11
Q
crotchety
A
(of someone old) eccentric; odd; whimsical; bad-tempered; N. crotchet: odd or whimsical notion
12
Q
crux
A
essential or main point; Ex. the crux of the problem; ADJ. crucial: of deciding importance
13
Q
crypt
A
secret recess or vault usually used for burial; underground room (under a church)
14
Q
cryptic
A
mysterious; hidden; secret
15
Q
cubicle
A
small chamber used for sleeping or work
16
Q
compartment
A
one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided
17
Q
cuisine
A
style of cooking; Ex. French cuisine
18
Q
culinary
A
relating to cooking or kitchen
19
Q
cull
A
pick out from others (to kill the weakest members); reject; select; collect (information); N.
20
Q
culmination
A
highest point; climax; V. culminate in: reach the highest point in; end in; Ex. a series of minor clashes culminating in war
21
Q
culpable
A
deserving blame; blameworthy
22
Q
culprit
A
one guilty of a crime
23
Q
culvert
A
artificial channel for water; drain crossing under a road
24
Q
cumbersome
A
heavy and awkward to carry or wear; burdensome; Ex. cumbersome parcel/uniform
25
cumulative
growing by addition; accumulative
26
cupidity
greed (for wealth); CF. cupid; CF. Cupid
27
curator
superintendent; manager (in charge of a museum or a library)
28
curmudgeon
churlish, miserly individual; bad-tempered old person
29
cursive
(of writing) flowing; running; having the successive letters joined
30
cursory
casual; hastily done with little attention to detail
31
curtail
shorten; reduce
32
cynical
skeptical or distrustful of human motives; N. cynicism; CF. cynic: person who believes all people are motivated by selfishness
33
cynosure
object of general attention; person or thing that is a center of attention; CF. Ursa Minor
34
dabble
work at in a nonserious fashion; splash around; move noisily in a liquid
35
dais
raised platform for speakers or other important people
36
dally
trifle with; toy with; treat without the necessary seriousness; procrastinate; waste time
37
dank
damp; unpleasantly wet
38
dapper
neat and trim (in appearance); (of small men) neat in appearance and quick in movements; neat; spry
39
dappled
spotted
40
daub
smear (as with paint); cover with something sticky; Ex. daub one's clothes with mud/paint; N: small bit of sticky substance; Ex. a daub of paint
41
smear
spread or cover with a sticky substance; N: mark made by smearing
42
smudge
dirty mark with unclear edges made by rubbing; V.
43
daunt
intimidate; frighten; discourage; dishearten
44
dauntless
bold; fearless
45
dawdle
loiter; hang around; waste time doing nothing
46
deadlock
standstill resulting from the opposition of two unrelenting forces; stalemate
47
standstill
condition of no movement or activity; stop
48
deadpan
wooden; impassive; with no show of feeling; with an expressionless face
49
dearth
scarcity
50
d\'eb\^acle
sudden disastrous downfall or defeat; complete disaster
51
debase
degrade; reduce in quality or value; degenerate; lower in esteem; disgrace; N. debasement
52
kneel
go down on one's knee(s)
53
debauch
corrupt morally; seduce from virtue; N. debauchery: wild behavior (with sex and alcohol)
54
seduce
lead away from proper conduct; entice; ADJ. seductive
55
debilitate
weaken (esp. through heat, hunger, illness); enfeeble
56
bout
match; short period of great activity; Ex. wrestling bout; bout of drinking/flu
57
debonair
(of men) friendly, charming, and fashionably dressed; aiming to please; CF. of good disposition
58
d\'ebris
rubble; wreckage; scattered remains of something broken or destroyed
59
debunk
expose as false, exaggerated, worthless, etc.; ridicule
60
debutante
young woman making formal entrance into society
61
debut
d\'ebut; first public appearance; formal presentation of a young woman to society
62
decadence
decay; fall to a lower level (of morality, civilization, or art); ADJ. decadent
63
decant
pour off gently (wine or liquid)
64
decapitate
behead
65
decelerate
slow down
66
deciduous
falling off at a specific season or stage of growth as of leaves; Ex. deciduous tree/teeth
67
decimate
kill (usually one out of ten or every tenth man); destroy or kill a large part of
68
decipher
decode; CF. indecipherable
69
declivity
downward slope
70
d\'ecollet\'e
(of a dress) having a low-cut neckline; CF. d\'ecolletage: low neckline (on a dress)
71
decree
authoritative order; edict; judgment of a court of law; V: order or judge by decree
72
decomposition
decay; V. decompose: decay; break and separate into simple parts
73
decorum
propriety; orderliness and good taste in manners; appropriateness of behavior or conduct
74
decorous
proper (in behavior, conduct, or appearance)
75
decoy
lure or bait; V.
76
decrepitude
state of collapse or weakness caused by illness or old age
77
decrepit
weak and in bad condition from old age or hard use; Ex. decrepit old chair/man
78
decry
express strong disapproval of; condemn openly (something dangerous to the public); disparage; Ex. decry the violence of modern films
79
deducible
derived by reasoning; V. deduce: infer; derive by reasoning
80
deface
mar; disfigure
81
mar
spoil the appearance of
82
defame
harm someone's reputation; malign; speak evil of; slander; N. defamation; ADJ. defamatory
83
default
failure to act; failure to perform a task or be present; V.
84
defeatist
resigned to defeat or failure; accepting defeat or failure as a natural outcome; N. CF. defeatism
85
defection
desertion
86
defect
shortcoming; V: desert (in order to join the opposite one)
87
defer
give in respectfully; submit; delay till later; exempt temporarily; N. deferment; CF. show respect, comply with, courteous
88
deference
courteous regard for another's wish; courteous yielding to another's wish or opinion (showing respect); ADJ. deferential; OP. effrontery
89
defiance
refusal to yield; resistance; V. defy; ADJ. defiant
90
defile
pollute; make filthy or dirty; corrupt morally; profane; desecrate; N: narrow passage or gorge through mountains
91
definitive
most reliable; authorative and complete; that cannot be improved; conclusive; decisive; definite; Ex. definitive decision by the supreme court
92
deflect
turn aside; turn away from a straight course
93
defoliate
destroy leaves; deprive of leaves (by the use of chemicals); N. defoliant
94
defray
provide for the payment of; undertake the payment of; pay
95
defrock
strip a priest or minister of church authority; unfrock
96
frock
long loose garment (worn by monks)
97
deft
neat; skillful
98
defunct
dead; no longer in use or existence
99
degenerate
become worse in quality; deteriorate; ADJ: having become worse; Ex. a degenerate species; N: depraved or corrupt person
100
degradation
humiliation; debasement; degeneration; V. degrade: debase; disgrace; degenerate; reduce (something) in worth; demote (someone); reduce in rank
101
dishonor
disgrace; N. ADJ. dishonorable
102
dehydrate
remove water from; dry out
103
deify
turn into a god; make a god of; idolize; Ex. Kings were deified; CF. deity
104
deign
condescend; stoop
105
stoop
bend forward and down; lower or debase oneself; fall to a lower standard of behavior by doing something; condescend; Ex. stoop to lying
106
delete
erase; strike out
107
deleterious
harmful
108
deliberate
consider; ponder; ADJ: done on purpose; slow
109
delineate
portray; depict; sketch; describe; N. delineation
110
delirium
mental disorder marked by confusion; uncontrolled excitement; ADJ. delirious
111
delta
flat plain of mud or sand between branches of a river
112
delude
deceive
113
deluge
flood; rush; V.
114
delusion
false belief; hallucination; deluding; Ex. delusions of grandeur; Ex. under the delusion that
115
delusive
deceptive; likely to delude; misleading; raising vain hopes; Ex. delusive promises
116
delve
dig; search deeply; investigate
117
demagogue
person who appeals to people's prejudice; false leader of people; CF. demagoguery
118
demean
disgrace; humiliate; debase in dignity; behave
119
demeanor
behavior; bearing
120
demented
insane
121
demise
death
122
demographic
related to population balance; N. demography: statistical study of human population
123
demolition
destruction; V. demolish
124
demoniac(demoniacal)
fiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil supernatural being; devil
125
fiend
evil spirit; devil
126
demotic
of or pertaining to the people
127
demur
object (because of doubts, scruples); raise an objection (showing qualms); hesitate; Ex. demur at the idea of working on Sunday
128
demure
(of a woman or child) grave; quiet and serious; coy; pretending to be demure
129
denigrate
blacken; defame
130
denizen
(animal, person, or plant) inhabitant or resident of a particular place; regular visitor
131
denotation
meaning; distinguishing by name; V. denote: indicate; refer to directly; mean; CF. connotation
132
d\'enouement
final outcome; final development of the plot of a play or other literary work; the end of a story when everything is explained
133
denounce
condemn; criticize; N. denunciation
134
depict
portray
135
expos\'e
public revelation of something discreditable
136
deplete
reduce; exhaust
137
deplore
regret; express sorrow and severe disapproval for something bad; Ex. deplore their violent behavior; ADJ. deplorable: very bad; deserving severe disapproval; Ex. deplorable living condition
138
deploy
spread out (troops) in an extended though shallow battle line; distribute (persons or forces) systematically or strategically
139
battalion
army unit made up of four or more companies
140
depose
dethrone; remove from office; give a deposition; testify
141
deposition
testimony under oath; deposing; dethroning
142
depravity
extreme corruption; wickedness; V. deprave
143
deprecate
express disapproval of; deplore; protest against; belittle; ADJ. deprecatory
144
depreciate
lessen in value; belittle; represent as of little value
145
depredation
plundering; destruction
146
deranged
insane
147
institute
organization for a special purpose; V: establish
148
institution
instituting; (building for the) organization; established custom, practice, or relationship in a society; mental hospital; Ex. institution of marriage
149
institutionalize
make into an institution; put or confine in an institution
150
derelict
negligent; (of someone) neglectful of duty; (of something) deserted by an owner; abandoned; N: abandoned property; homeless or vagrant person
151
dereliction
neglect of duty; abandonment
152
deride
ridicule; treat with contempt; make fun of; OP. respect
153
derision
ridicule; ADJ. derisive; CF. derisory
154
derivative
unoriginal; obtained from another source; Ex. derivative prose style; N.
155
derivation
deriving; origin or source of something; Ex. the derivation of the word
156
dermatologist
one who studies the skin and its diseases
157
acne
skin disease (on the face)
158
derogatory
expressing a low opinion; disparaging; V. derogate: detract; disparage
159
descry
catch sight of (something distant)
160
desecrate
profane; violate the sanctity of
161
violate
break (a law); defile; desecrate; assault sexually; Ex. violate graves
162
desiccate
dry up
163
desolate
(of a place) deserted; unpopulated; (of a person) lonely; forlorn; joyless
164
desolate
make desolate; forsake; abandon and desert
165
desperado
reckless, desperate outlaw
166
desperate
having lost all hope; despairing; reckless and violent because of loss of hope or despair; undertaken as a last resort
167
despise
look on with scorn; regard as worthless or distasteful; ADJ. despicable: contemptible
168
despoil
plunder; sack; Ex. despoil the village
169
despondent
without hope and courage; depressed; gloomy; N. despondency: loss of hope with gloom; dejection
170
despot
tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; CF. despotism
171
destitute
extremely poor; lacking means of subsistence; utterly lacking; devoid; Ex. destitute of any experience
172
impoverish
make poor; deprive of natural strength or something important; Ex. impoverished soil
173
desultory
aimless; haphazard; digressing at random
174
detached
emotionally removed; free from emotional involvement; calm and objective; physically separate; N. detachment; CF. attachment
175
detain
keep waiting; prevent from leaving or going; N. detention
176
determinate
having a fixed order of procedure; precisely defined; invariable; fixed; conclusive; final
177
determination
resolve; firmness of purpose; measurement or calculation; decision
178
deterrent
something that discourages or deters
179
detonation
explosion
180
detraction
slandering; aspersion; detracting; CF. detractor
181
detrimental
harmful; damaging; N. detriment
182
deviate
turn away from (a principle, norm); move away from an accepted standard; swerve; depart; diverge; N. deviation; Ex. deviation of the path of light by a prism
183
devious
roundabout; erratic; deviating from the straight course; not straightforward; not completely honest; Ex. devious route
184
devise
think up; invent; plan; bequeath; N: bequest
185
devoid
empty; lacking
186
devolve
deputize; pass or be passed to others (power, work, or property); Ex. devolve on/upon/to
187
deputize
work or appoint as a deputy; N. deputy: person who has the power to take charge when the leading person is away
188
devotee
enthusiastic follower; enthusiast; Ex. devotee of Bach
189
devout
pious; deeply religious; sincere; earnest; Ex. my devout hope
190
dexterous
skillful; skill in using hands or mind; N. dexterity
191
diabolical
diabolic; devilish; fiendish
192
diadem
crown
193
dialectical
relating to the art of debate; mutual or reciprocal; Ex. dialectical situation; N. dialectic: art of arriving at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments
194
diaphanous
sheer; transparent
195
diatribe
bitter scolding or denunciation; invective; abuse
196
dichotomy
division into two opposite parts; split; branching into two parts (especially contradictory ones)
197
dictum
authoritative and weighty statement (made by a judge in court); saying; maxim; CF. obiter dictum: incidental, nonbinding remark (something said in passing)
198
didactic
(of speech or writing) intended to teach a moral lesson; teaching; instructional; N. didacticism
199
die
metal block used for shaping metal or plastic; device for stamping or impressing; mold; CF. dice
200
diffidence
shyness; lack of self-confidence; timidity; ADJ. diffident
201
diffuse
wordy; verbose; rambling; spread out (like a gas); V: spread out in all directions; disperse; N. diffusion; CF. suffuse
202
digression
wandering away from the subject; V. digress
203
dilapidated
falling to pieces; in a bad condition; ruined because of neglect; Ex. dilapidated old car/castle; N. dilapidation
204
dilate
expand; dilate on/upon: speak or write at length on (a subject)
205
dilatory
delaying; tending to delay
206
dilemma
situation that requires a choice between equally unfavorable options; problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives
207
dilettante
aimless follower of an art or a field of knowledge (not taking it seriously); amateur; dabbler; CF. delight
208
diligence
steadiness of effort; persistent hard work
209
dilute
make (a liquid) less concentrated; reduce in strength; Ex. dilute the influence of the president
210
diminution
lessening; reduction in size; V. diminish
211
din
continued loud noise; V: make a din; instill by wearying repetition
212
weary
tired after long work; V.
213
dinghy
small boat (often ship's boat)
214
maroon
leave helpless on a deserted island or coast; ADJ. red brown
215
dingy
(of things and place) dirty and dull; Ex. dingy street/curtain
216
dull
(of colors or surfaces) not bright; cloudy; overcast; boring; (of edge or sound) not sharp; not rapid; sluggish; slow in thinking and understanding; stupid; V.
217
dint
means; effort; Ex. by dint of hard work
218
diorama
life-size, three-dimensional scene from nature or history; three-dimensional scene with modeled figures against a painted background
219
dire
warning of disaster; disastrous; (of needs and dangers) very great; urgent; Ex. dire prediction/need of food
220
dirge
funeral song; slow mournful piece of music (sung over a dead person)
221
disabuse
correct a false impression; undeceive; free from a wrong belief
222
disaffected
disloyal; lacking loyality; V. disaffect: cause to lose affection or loyalty
223
disapprobation
disapproval; condemnation
224
disarray
state of disorder; a disorderly or untidy state; Ex. with her clothes in disarray
225
disavowal
denial; disclaiming; repudiating; disowning; V. disavow; CF. disclaim
226
disband
dissolve; disperse; (of a group) break up and separate; Ex. The club has disbanded.
227
disburse
pay out (as from a fund); N. disbursement; CF. purse
228
discernible
distinguishable; perceivable; Ex. discernible improvement
229
discerning
mentally quick and observant; having insight; perceptive; able to make good judgments; V. discern: perceive
230
disclaim
disown; renounce claim to; deny; CF. disclaimer
231
disclose
reveal; N. disclosure
232
discombobulated
discomposed; confused
233
discompose
disturb the composure of; confuse
234
discomfit
frustrate; put to rout; defeat; disconcert; embarrass; perturb
235
disconcert
confuse; upset; embarrass; perturb
236
disconsolate
hopelessly sad (at the loss of something)
237
discord
conflict; lack of harmony; dissonance (when musical notes are played)
238
discordant
not harmonious; conflicting
239
discount
disregard; regard (a story or news) as unimportant; deduct from a cost
240
discourse
serious speech, writing, or conversation; formal discussion (either written or spoken); conversation; V.
241
discredit
defame; disgrace; destroy confidence in; disbelieve; N. CF. discreditable: causing discredit; shameful
242
discrepancy
lack of consistency or agreement as between facts; difference; Ex. discrepancy between two descriptions
243
discrete
separate; unconnected
244
discretion
prudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances; freedom of action or judgment; ADJ. discreet; CF. discretionary
245
discriminating
able to see differences; discerning; prejudiced; N. discrimination
246
discriminate
distinguish; make distinctions on the basis of preference
247
brisk
quick and active; marked by liveliness and vigor
248
discursive
(of a person or writing) digressing; rambling (without any clear plan)
249
disdain
treat with scorn or contempt
250
disembark
debark; go ashore (from a ship); unload cargo from a ship; CF. embark
251
disenfranchise
disfranchise; deprive of a civil right; OP. enfranchise
252
disengage
uncouple; separate; disconnect; stop fighting; OP. engage
253
disfigure
mar the appearance of; spoil
254
disgorge
surrender something (stolen); eject; vomit; OP. gorge
255
disgruntle
make discontented
256
dishearten
discourage
257
disheveled
untidy (of hair or clothing); V. dishevel
258
disinclination
unwillingness
259
disingenuous
not naive; not candid; sophisticated; worldly wise; OP. ingenuous
260
disinter
dig up; unearth; OP. inter
261
disinterested
unprejudiced; free from bias and self-interest; objective
262
disjointed
disconnected; lacking coherence; V. disjoint: disconnect; disjoin
263
disjunction
act or state of separation; disunity; CF. disjunctive: expressing a choice between two ideas; CF. conjunction; CF. conjunctive
264
dislodge
remove (forcibly); force out of a position; Ex. dislodge the food caught in his throat; CF. lodge
265
dismantle
take apart; disassemble
266
mantle
loose sleeveless outer garment; cloak; something that covers or envelops; the layer of the earth between the crust and the core
267
crust
hard outer covering (as of earth or snow)
268
dismember
cut into small parts; cut (a body) apart limb from limb
269
dismiss
eliminate from consideration; no longer consider; put out of court without further hearing; reject; discharge from employment; direct to leave; ADJ. dismissive; N. dismissal
270
disparage
belittle
271
maneuver(manoeuver)
strategic military or naval movement (done for training purposes); carefully planned process; stratagem; V: carry out a military maneuver; use maneuvers in gaining an end
272
disparate
basically different; impossible to compare; unrelated
273
disparity
difference; condition of inequality; OP. parity
274
dispassionate
calm; impartial; not influenced by personal feelings
275
dispatch
speediness; prompt execution; message sent with all due speed; V: send to a specified destination; finish promptly; kill
276
dispel
scatter; drive away; cause to vanish
277
dispense
distribute; prepare and give out (medicines); N. dispensation: dispensing; religious system; official exemption from an obligation or a rule
278
disperse
scatter; Ex. disperse the cloud/crowd
279
dispirited
lacking in spirit
280
disport
amuse; Ex. disport oneself; CF. divert
281
disputatious
argumentative; fond of argument
282
disquietude
uneasiness; anxiety; V. disquiet: make anxious
283
disquisition
formal systematic inquiry; explanation of the results of a formal inquiry; long formal speech or written report
284
dissection
analysis; cutting apart in order to examine
285
dissemble
disguise; hide the real nature of; pretend
286
disseminate
distribute; spread; scatter (like seeds)
287
dissent
disagree
288
dissertation
formal essay; treatise
289
dissident
dissenting (with an opinion, a group, or a government); rebellious; N.
290
dissimulate
pretend; conceal by feigning; dissemble
291
dissipate
squander; waste foolishly; scatter
292
dissolution
disintegration; reduction to a liquid form; looseness in morals; sensual indulgence; debauchery; ADJ. dissolute: lacking in moral restraint; leading an immoral life
293
reduce
diminish; bring to a weaker or more difficult condition; demote; lower in rank; separate into components by analysis; Ex. reduced to the ranks; Ex. reduce the house to rubble; N. reduction
294
dissuade
persuade not to do; discourage; N. dissuasion
295
dissonance
discord
296
distant
reserved or aloof; cold in manner; Ex. distant greeting; ADV. distantly
297
distend
expand; swell out
298
distill
refine (a liquid by evaporating and subsequent condensation); concentrate; separate the most important parts from; Ex. distill fresh water from sea water; CF. brew
299
distinction
honor; excellence; difference; contrast; discrimination; Ex. graduated with distinction; Ex. a writer of real distinction
300
distinct
clearly different; clearly noticed
301
distinctive
clearly different from others of the same kind
302
distort
twist out of shape; give a false account of; misrepresent; N. distortion
303
distrait
absentminded; distracted
304
distraught
upset; distracted by anxiety; very anxious and troubled almost to the point of madness; Ex. distraught with grief/worry
305
distract
take (one's attention) off something; upset emotionally; make anxious; ADJ. distracted
306
diurnal
daily; occurring during the daytime
307
diva
operatic singer; prima donna
308
diverge
vary; go in different directions from the same point; ADJ. divergent: differing; deviating
309
diverse
differing in some characteristics (from each other); various; N. diversity: variety; dissimilitude; lack of resemblance
310
diversion
act of turning aside; pastime; V. divert: turn aside from a course; distract; amuse
311
divest
strip (as of clothes); deprive (as of rights); dispossess; N. divestiture(divestment)
312
divine
perceive intuitively (by or as if by magic); foresee the future; foretell; dowse; ADJ. N. divination
313
dowse
use a divining rod to search for underground water or minerals
314
divulge
reveal
315
docile
obedient; easily managed; submissive
316
ferocious
fierce; violent; N. ferocity
317
docket
program as for trial; book where such entries are made; list of things to be done; agenda; label fixed to a package listing contents or directions; V: describe in a docket
318
doctrinaire
unable to compromise about points of doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding; marked by inflexible attachment to a doctrine without regard to its practical difficulties
319
doctrine
teachings in general; particular principle (religious, legal, etc.) taught; dogma; tenet; ADJ. doctrinal
320
indoctrinate
cause to accept a doctrine without questioning it; Ex. indoctrinated with mindless anti-communism
321
document
provide written evidence (for a claim); record with documents; N.
322
doddering
shaky; infirm from old age; V. dodder
323
merit
deserve; ADJ. meritorious: deserving reward or praise
324
doff
take off; OP. don
325
dogged
determined; stubborn; stubbornly persevering; tenacious; Ex. Inspector Javert's dogged pursuit of Jean Valjean
326
persevere
continue steadily in spite of difficulties
327
doggerel
poor verse
328
dogmatic
opinionated; holding stubbornly to one's opinion; arbitrary; doctrinal
329
doldrums
blues; listlessness(lack of spirit or energy); slack(inactive) period; period of stagnation; ocean area near the equator where ships cannot move because there is no wind; Ex. in the doldrums
330
blues
state of depression or melancholy; style of slow, mournful music (evolved from southern Black American songs)
331
dolorous
sorrowful; N. dolor
332
dolt
slow-thinking stupid person; CF. dull
333
domicile
home; V. ADJ. domiciled: having one's domicile; Ex. He is domiciled in Britain.
334
domineer
rule over tyrannically
335
dominate
control; rule; enjoy a commanding position in; overlook from a height
336
dominant
exercising the most influence; high and easily seen; stronger than the other part of a system; not recessive
337
don
put on; OP. doff
338
outfit
clothing or equipment for a special purpose; Ex. cowboy outfit
339
dormant
sleeping; temporarily inactive; lethargic; latent
340
dormer
window projecting upright from roof; CF. sleeping room
341
dorsal
relating to the back of an animal; Ex. dorsal fin
342
dossier
file of documents on a subject or person; file; CF. bundle of papers labeled on the back
343
dotage
senility; feeblemindedness of old age; Ex. In one's dotage
344
dote
be excessively fond of; show signs of mental decline
345
dour
sullen; gloomy; stubborn
346
sullen
silently showing ill humor or resentment; dark; gloomy
347
brood
sit on in order to hatch; think deeply or worry anxiously; N: the young of certain animals; group of young birds hatched at one time
348
douse
plunge into water or liquid; dip; immerse; drench; wet throughly; extinguish; throw water over; dowse
349
dowdy
untidy (of a woman or clothes); slovenly; dressed in an unattractive way; shabby; CF. unattractive woman
350
downcast
disheartened; dejected; sad; directed downward
351
drab
dull; lacking color; cheerless ; Ex. drab coat/life
352
draconian
extremely severe; Ex. draconian punishment; CF. Draco: Athenian politician
353
dregs
sediment in a liquid; lees; worthless residue
354
drivel
nonsense; foolishness; V: talk nonsense
355
nonsense
speech or writing with no meaning; foolish behavior or language; Ex. make (a) nonsense of: spoil; cause to fail
356
dribble
flow or fall in drops; let saliva flow out slowly from the mouth; move a ball; N.
357
drip
fall or let fall in drops; shed drops; N: action or sound of falling in drops; liquid that falls in drops
358
trickle
flow in drops or in a thin stream; N.
359
droll
queer and amusing
360
queer
strange; eccentric; deviating from the normal
361
drone
idle person who lives on other people's work; male bee
362
drone
talk dully; buzz or murmur like a bee; N.
363
murmur
low, indistinct, continuous sound; V. CF. mumble
364
dross
waste matter; worthless impurities
365
drudgery
hard unpleasant work; menial work
366
drudge
do drudgery; N: person who drudges
367
dubious
questionable; (of something) causing doubt; (of someone) filled with doubt; N. dubiety
368
ductile
malleable; pliable; (of metals) easily pulled into shape; flexible; (of someone) easily influenced or controlled
369
dulcet
sweet sounding; pleasing to the ear; melodious
370
dumbfound(dumfound)
astonish (making dumb); ADJ. dumbfounded, dumfounded, dumbstruck
371
dupe
someone easily fooled or deceived; V: deceive
372
duplicity
double-dealing; hypocrisy; being dishonest and deceitful; ADJ. duplicitous
373
duration
length of time something lasts
374
duress
forcible restraint, especially unlawfully; coercion by threat; illegal coercion; Ex. a promise made under duress
375
dutiful(duteous)
(of people or their behavior) respectful; obedient (filled with a sense of duty)
376
dwindle
shrink; reduce gradually
377
dynamic
energetic; vigorously active
378
dynamo
generator for producing electricity; energetic person
379
dyspeptic
suffering from indigestion; N. dyspepsia: indigestion; difficulty in digesting food
380
dys-
abnormal; impaired
381
dyslexia
word blindness; learning disorder marked by impairment of the ability to read
382
dysentery
inflammatory disorder of the lower intestinal tract
383
earthy
unrefined; coarse; of earth; Ex. earthy remarks; OP. ethereal
384
earthly
of this earth; terrestrial; worldly; not divine; possible; Ex. no earthly reason
385
ebb
(of the tide) recede; lessen; diminish; N. OP. flow: rise of tide
386
ebullient
showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm; boiling; N. ebullience; N. ebullition: state of boiling
387
eccentric
irregular; odd; unconventional; whimsical; bizarre; not concentric
388
eccentricity
oddity; idiosyncrasy
389
ecclesiastic
ecclesiastical; pertaining to the church; N: minister; priest; cleric; clergyman
390
chapel
small church (in a prison, college, or hospital)
391
chaplain
clergyman attached to a chapel
392
padre
chaplain (in the armed forces)
393
eclectic
selective; composed of elements drawn from disparate sources; selecting individual elements from a variety of sources; N. eclecticism
394
eclipse
darken; extinguish; outshine; surpass; cause an eclipse
395
ecliptic
path of the sun and the planets
396
ecologist
person concerned with the interrelationship between living organisms and their environment; person concerned with the detrimental effects of human civilization on the environment; CF. ecology
397
ecosystem
ecological community together with its environment
398
economy
efficiency or conciseness in using something; thrifty management of resources
399
ecstasy
rapture; very strong feeling of joy and happiness; any overpowering emotion; ADJ. ecstatic: causing or experiencing ecstasy
400
rapture
great joy and delight; ecstasy; ADJ. rapturous
401
eddy
swirling current of water, air, etc.; V.
402
edict
decree (especially one issued by a sovereign); official command
403
sovereign
ruler in a monarchy; ADJ: (of a country) independent and self-governing; having supreme power; supreme; excellent
404
sovereignty
complete independence and self-government (of a country); supremacy of authority; power to govern
405
edify
instruct; correct morally
406
edifice
building (of imposing size)
407
eerie
weird; causing fear because strange
408
efface
rub out; remove the surface of
409
effectual
able to produce a desired effect; valid
410
effective
effectual; producing a strong response; striking; in operation; in effect; Ex. effective speech/photograph
411
effectuate
effect; produce; achieve; Ex. effectuate a reconciliation
412
effeminate
having womanly traits
413
emasculate
weaken; castrate
414
castrate
remove the sex organs (of a male animal or person)
415
effervescence
inner excitement or exuberance; showing high spirits; emitting bubbles forming inside; bubbling from fermentation or carbonation; ADJ. effervescent; V. effervesce
416
effete
having lost one's original power; barren; worn out; exhausted
417
efficacy
power to produce desired effect; ADJ. efficacious: effectual
418
effigy
dummy; likeness of a person made of wood, paper, or stone; Ex. burn an effigy of the President
419
dummy
imitation of a real object used as a substitute; effigy
420
effluvium
noxious(harmful) smell
421
effrontery
rudeness without any sense of shame; shameless boldness; presumptousness; nerve; cheek
422
effulgent
shining brightly; brilliant
423
effusion
pouring forth; unrestrained outpouring of feeling; V. effuse: pour out; ADJ. effusive: pouring forth; gushing
424
gush
(of liquid) pour out in large quantities from a hole; make an excessive display of feeling (without true feeling); Ex. Blood gushed from the wound.
425
egoism
excessive interest in one's self; belief that one should be interested in one's self rather than in others; selfishness; ADJ. egoistic, egoistical
426
ego
one's opinion of oneself; self-esteem
427
egotistical
egotistic; excessively self-centered(egocentric); self-important; conceited
428
egotism
tendency to speak or write of oneself excessively; conceit; self-importance
429
egregious
notorious; conspicuously bad or shocking
430
egress
exit; opening for going out; act of going out; OP. ingress
431
ejaculation
exclamation; abrupt ejection (to discharge sperm); V. ejaculate
432
elaboration
addition of details; intricacy
433
elaborate
work out carefully; add more detail or information; ADJ.
434
elated
filled with excited joy and pride; overjoyed; in high spirits; joyful and proud; Ex. elated crowd; V. elate; N. elation
435
elegy
poem or song expressing lamentation (for the dead); ADJ. elegiacal, elegiac
436
elicit
draw out fact or information (by discussion or from someone)
437
elixir
cure-all; panacea; something invigorating
438
ellipsis
omission of words from a text; mark used to indicate an omission (when the meaning can be understood without them); PL. ellipses
439
elliptical
elliptic; oval; of an ellipse; containing an ellipsis; ambiguous either purposely or because key words have been left out
440
eloquence
expressiveness; persuasive speech; ADJ. eloquent: movingly expressive; expressing ideas well so that the hearers can be influeneced
441
elucidate
explain; make clear; clarify; enlighten; CF. lucid
442
elusive
evasive; not frank; baffling; hard to grasp, catch, or understand; V. elude: escape from; escape the understanding or grasp of; Ex. elude the hunter; Ex. His name eludes me.
443
elysian
relating to paradise; blissful
444
Elysium
place or condition of bliss
445
emaciated
thin and wasted (from hunger or illness)
446
emanate
issue forth; come out
447
emancipate
set free; liberate
448
embargo
ban on commerce or other activity
449
embark
commence; go on board a boat; begin a journey
450
embed(imbed)
enclose; place in something; fix firmly in a surrounding mass
451
embellish
adorn; ornament; enhance as a story (by adding fictitious details)
452
embezzlement
taking for one's own use in violation of trust; stealing (of money placed in one's care)
453
emblazon
ornament richly (a shield or flag); N. emblazonment
454
embody
give a bodily form to; incorporate; include
455
emboss
produce a design in raised relief; decorate with a raised design
456
embrace
hug; clasp with the arms; adopt or espouse; accept readily; encircle; include; Ex. embrace the cause/socialism; Ex. all-embracing; CF. brace; CF. bracelet
457
encircle
surround
458
embroider
decorate with needlework; ornament (a story) with fancy or fictitious details; embellish
459
embroil
throw into confusion; involve in strife, dispute, or quarrel; entangle; CF. imbroglio
460
embryonic
undeveloped; rudimentary; N. embryo: organism in the early stage of development
461
emend
correct (usually a text); N. emendation: correction of errors; improvement
462
emetic
substance causing vomiting; ADJ.
463
eminent
rising above others; high; lofty; distinguished; Ex. eminent position
464
emissary
agent (sent on a mission to represent another); messenger
465
emollient
soothing or softening remedy (for the skin); ADJ.
466
emolument
salary; payment for an office; compensation
467
empathy
ability to identify with another's feelings, ideas, etc.; identification with and understanding of another's feelings; V. empathize; CF. sympathy
468
compassion
sympathy for the suffering of others; ADJ. compassionate
469
empirical
based on experience
470
emulate
imitate; rival; try to equal or excel (through imitation)
471
enamored
in love; Ex. enamored of his own beauty; V. enamor: inspire with love
472
encipher
encode; convert a message into code; put into cipher
473
enclave
territory enclosed within an alien land
474
encomiastic
praising; eulogistic; N. encomium: very high praise; eulogy
475
encompass
surround; include; Ex. His activities encompass publishing and computers.
476
encroachment
gradual intrusion; Ex. I resent all these encroachments on my valuable time; V. encroach: take another's possessions or right gradually or stealthily; intrude; Ex. encroach on/upon
477
encumber
burden; N. encumbrance
478
endearment
fond word or act; expression of affection
479
endear
make beloved; Ex. endear her to everyone; ADJ. dear: loved; cherished; high-priced
480
endemic
prevailing among a specific group of people or in a specific area or country; peculiar to a particular region or people; CF. pandemic
481
endorse
approve; support; write one's signature on the back of; N. endorsement; CF. dorsal
482
endue
provide with some quality; endow
483
enduring
lasting; surviving; V. endure: bear (pain or suffering) for a long time; remain alive (in spite of difficulties); last; survive
484
energize
invigorate; give energy to; make forceful and active
485
enervate
weaken; take away energy from
486
enfranchise
admit to the rights of citizenship (especially the right to vote); CF. franchise
487
engage
attract; employ; hire; pledge oneself; confront; fight; enter into confliction; interlock; lock together; participate; N. engagement: agreement to marry; arrangement to meet someone or to do something; battle
488
engaging
charming; attractive
489
engaged
employed; busy; betrothed; involved in conflict
490
engender
cause; produce; give rise to
491
engross
occupy fully; absorb
492
enhance
increase; make greater (as in value, reputation, or usefulness); improve
493
enigma
puzzle; mystery; ADJ. enigmatic: obscure; puzzling
494
puzzle
baffle or confuse by a difficult problem; ponder over a problem in an effort to solve; clarify or solve by reasoning; Ex. puzzle out the answer; N.
495
enjoin
command; order; forbid
496
enmity
ill will; hatred; hostility
497
ennui
boredom; listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest; CF. annoy
498
enormity
hugeness (in a bad sense); excessive wickedness; Ex. enormity of the crime; ADJ. enormous
499
enrapture
please intensely; fill with rapture and delight
500
ensconce
settle comfortably; place comfortably (in a secure place)
