Barrons Set 6 Flashcards
1
Q
intractable
A
unruly; difficult to manage; Ex. intractable problem/child
2
Q
intransigence
A
refusal of any compromise; stubbornness; ADJ. intransigent: uncompromising
3
Q
intrepid
A
fearless
4
Q
intrinsic
A
essential; inherent; built-in
5
Q
introspective
A
looking within oneself; N. introspection: self-examination
6
Q
introvert
A
one who is introspective or inclined to think more about oneself; ADJ. introverted
7
Q
intrude
A
put or force in without being asked; trespass; enter as an uninvited person; Ex. intrude one’s own opinion into the report; CF. thrust in
8
Q
intuition
A
immediate insight; power of knowing without reasoning; ADJ. intuitive; V. intuit: know by intuition
9
Q
inundate
A
flood; overflow; submerge; cover completely; Ex. inundated with work
10
Q
overwhelm
A
(of water) cover completely; defeat completely by much greater force; Ex. overwhelmed by grief
11
Q
submerge
A
place under water; dip; go under water; cover completely (as with water); Ex. submerged in work
12
Q
engulf
A
surround and swallow up
13
Q
inured
A
accustomed; hardened; Ex. inured to the Alaskan cold; V. inure: make used to something undesirable; harden; CF. unfeeling
14
Q
invalidate
A
weaken; destroy; make invalid; nullify
15
Q
invalid
A
one incapacitated(disabled) by a chronic illness; ADJ: incapacitated by illness; not valid; null; V: allow to leave (a military force) because of ill-health
16
Q
invective
A
abuse
17
Q
inveigh
A
denounce; utter censure or invective; Ex. inveigh against the evils of drink
18
Q
inveigle
A
deceive; lead astray by deception; wheedle(cajole); Ex. inveigle her into joining the club; CF. interest dishonestly
19
Q
inverse
A
opposite
20
Q
invert
A
turn upside down or inside out; reverse the position or condition of
21
Q
inveterate
A
deep-rooted; habitual; CF. grow old
22
Q
invidious
A
designed to create ill will or envy; tending to rouse ill will or envy; Ex. invidious comparison
23
Q
invincible
A
unconquerable
24
Q
inviolable
A
secure from corruption, attack, or violation(or profanation); unassailable; Ex. inviolable oath/rights; N. inviolability
25
invocation
prayer for help (used in invoking); calling upon as a reference or support; act of invoking
26
invoke
call and bring into use (a right or law); call on/upon (a higher power or god) for help; ask for; beg for; conjure (a spirit); Ex. invoke the veto power; Ex. invoke one's advisor/God
27
invulnerable
incapable of injury; impossible to damage or injure
28
iota
very small quantity
29
irascible
irritable; easily angered
30
irate
angry; CF. ire: anger; wrath
31
iridescent
exhibiting rainbowlike colors; Ex. iridescent oil slick; N. iridescence
32
irksome
annoying; tedious; V. irk: annoy
33
ironic
expressing irony; occurring in an unexpected and contrary manner
34
irony
hidden sarcasm or satire; use of words that seem to mean the opposite of what they actually mean; use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning
35
irreconcilable
impossible to reconcile; incompatible; not able to be resolved
36
irrefutable
indisputable; incontrovertible; undeniable
37
irrelevant
not applicable; unrelated
38
irremediable
incurable; uncorrectable; impossible to remedy
39
irreparable
not able to be corrected or repaired; impossible to repair
40
irrepressible
unable to be restrained or held back; impossible to hold back
41
irreproachable
beyond reproach; blameless; impeccable; Ex. irreproachable conduct
42
irresolute
uncertain how to act; weak; lacking in resolution; indecisive; N. irresolution
43
indecisive
marked by indecision; inconclusive; Ex. indecisive battle
44
indecision
irresolution; inability to make up one's mind
45
irretrievable
impossible to recover or regain; CF. retrieve
46
irreverence
lack of proper respect or reverence; ADJ. irreverent
47
irrevocable
unalterable; irreversible; impossible to revoke
48
isotope
varying from of an element
49
isthmus
narrow neck of land connecting two larger bodies of land
50
itinerant
wandering; traveling from place to place (to perform work); Ex. itinerant preacher
51
itinerary
plan of a trip; record of a trip
52
jabber
chatter rapidly or unintelligibly
53
jab
poke abruptly with something sharp; punch with short blows
54
jaded
tired or uninterested by surfeit; fatigued; surfeited; worn out; wearied; Ex. jaded appetite
55
jargon
language used by special group; technical terminology; gibberish; nonsensical or incoherent talk
56
jaundiced
yellowed; prejudiced (envious, hostile, or resentful) from long and disappointing experience of human affairs; Ex. with a jaundiced eye
57
jaundice
medical condition in which the skin, the white part of the eyes, etc. turn yellow; V: affect with jaundice; affect with prejudice, envy, or hostility; bias
58
jaunt
trip; short journey
59
jaunty
cheerful and pleased with life; lighthearted; animated; easy and carefree; dapper in appearance; Ex. jaunty person/hat
60
jeopardize
endanger; imperil; put at risk; N. jeopardy: danger
61
jettison
throw overboard (from a ship or plane)
62
jibe
agree; be in harmony with; gibe
63
jingoist
extremely aggressive and militant patriot; warlike chauvinist; N. jingoism: extreme nationalism
64
jocose
given to(having a tendency of) joking
65
jocular
said or done in jest or playfully; marked by joking
66
jest
playful remark or act; V. act or speak playfully
67
jocund
merry
68
jollity
gaiety; cheerfulness; ADJ. jolly: merry; gay
69
jostle
shove; bump; push against (someone) rather roughly; Ex. jostled by the crowds
70
shove
push forward; push roughly; Ex. pushing and shoving to get on the bus; N.
71
bump
hit or knock against with force; N.
72
jovial
good-natured; merry; cheerful
73
jubilation
rejoicing; great joy
74
judicious
sound on judgment; wise
75
juggernaut
irresistible crushing force; overwhelming advancing force that crushes everything in its path
76
jug
pitcher; container for holding liquids
77
juncture
crisis; point in time; joining point; joint; act of joining
78
junket
trip especially one taken for pleasure by an official at public expense
79
junta
group of persons joined in political intrigue; cabal; group of military officers ruling a country after seizing power (by force)
80
jurisprudence
science of law
81
jurisdiction
right and power to apply the law; authority
82
juridical
of the law and its administration; CF. judicial: of courts of law; CF. judiciary
83
juxtapose
place side by side; CF. next
84
kaleidoscope
tube in which patterns made by the reflection in mirrors of colored pieces of glass, etc. produce interesting symmetrical effects; series of changing events; Ex. kaleidoscope of European history; CF. beautiful
85
ken
range of knowledge; Ex. beyond one's ken
86
kernel
central or vital part; core; whole seed (as of corn)
87
killjoy
grouch; spoilsport; one who intentionally spoils the pleasure of others
88
grouch
bad-tempered complaint; person who keeps complaining; V: complain; grumble
89
spoilsport
one who spoils the pleasure of others
90
kindle
start a fire; ignite; inspire; arouse
91
kindred
related; belonging to the same group; similar in nature or character; Ex. kindred languages; N: relative; kin; kinship
92
kinetic
producing motion; of motion
93
kismet
fate; destiny; Ex. Kismet is the Arabic word for fate.
94
kleptomaniac
person who has a compulsive desire to steal
95
knave
untrustworthy person; rogue; scoundrel; jack; N. knavery
96
knead
mix; work dough; mix and work into a uniform mass (with the hands); Ex. knead dough
97
knell
tolling of a bell especially to indicate a funeral, disaster, etc.; sound of the funeral bell; V.
98
toll
sound (a large bell) slowly at regular intervals; N: sound of a bell; fixed tax or charge
99
curfew
regulation requiring all people to leave the streets at stated times; signal (as a bell) announcing the hour of a curfew
100
knit
contract into wrinkles; grow together; join together closely; make (a fabric or garment) by interwining yarn or thread; Ex. knit the brow; Ex. The bones should knit together in a few weeks.
101
crochet
make (a piece of needlework) by looping thread with a hooked needle; N. CF. crotchet
102
knoll
little round hill; hillock
103
knotty
intricate; difficult; tangled; CF. knot
104
kudos
honor; glory; acclaim or praise for exceptional achievement
105
entourage
group of attendants; retinue; CF. surround
106
labile
likely to change; unstable; Ex. emotionally labile; N. lability
107
laborious
demanding much work or care; tedious
108
labyrinth
maze
109
laceration
torn ragged wound; V. lacerate: tear (the skin as with broken glass); wound
110
rip
tear or be torn quickly and violently; Ex. The sail ripped under the force of the wind; N.
111
rag
scrap of cloth; ADJ. ragged: old and torn; seeming unfinished and imperfect; Ex. ragged debut/performance
112
lachrymose
producing tears; tearful
113
lackadaisical
lacking interest or effort; lacking purpose or zest; lazy; halfhearted; languid
114
halfhearted
exhibiting little interest or enthusiasm
115
lackluster
lacking luster(shine; gloss); dull
116
laconic
brief and to the point; using few words; terse
117
laggard
slow; sluggish; N: one who lags; straggler
118
lag
move or develop more slowly; straggle; Ex. lag behind the rest; N.
119
straggle
stray or fall behind (a main group); spread out in a scattered group; Ex. straggling marathon racer; Ex. straggling branch
120
lagoon
shallow body of water or lake near a sea; lake separated from a sea by sandbars or coral reefs
121
laity
laypersons; laymen; persons not connected with the clergy
122
layman
man who is not a cleric; man who is nonprofessional
123
lament
grieve; express sorrow; N. lamentation
124
lampoon
ridicule; N: written attack ridiculing or satirizing a person, group, or institution
125
lancet
small surgical tool for making incisions
126
lance
pierce with a lance; cut into; N: spearlike weapon
127
languid
lacking energy or vitality; weary; sluggish; listless
128
languish
lose animation or strength
129
languor
lack of physical or mental energy; lassitude; depression
130
lank
long and thin; Ex. Lank, gaunt, Abraham Lincoln
131
lap
take in food or drink with one's tongue; splash gently; Ex. waves lapping the shore; N: front area from the waist to the knees of a seated person
132
larceny
theft; Ex. petit larceny
133
larder
pantry; place where food is kept
134
largess
generous gift (given to people who do not have enough)
135
lascivious
lustful
136
lust
intense sexual desire; intense eagerness; V.
137
lassitude
languor; weariness; listlessness
138
latent
present but not yet noticeable or active; dormant; hidden; N. latency; CF. potential
139
lateral
of or coming from the side
140
latitude
freedom from narrow limitations
141
laud
praise; N. ADJ. laudable: praiseworthy; ADJ. laudatory: expressing praise
142
lavish
liberal; wasteful; generous or wasteful in giving or using; abundant; profuse; great; Ex. decorated lavishly; V. give in abundance
143
lax
careless; negligent; not paying enough attention; Ex. lax service
144
leaven
add leaven to; cause to rise or grow lighter; enliven; N: agent, such as yeast, that causes dough to rise (by fermentation); element that lightens or enlivens
145
enliven
make lively or spirited; animate
146
lechery
gross lewdness; lustfulness; ADJ. lecherous; N. lecher: lecherous man
147
lectern
reading desk or stand for a public speaker
148
leery
(of someone) suspicious; wary; cautious
149
leeway
room to move; margin; latitude; Ex. leeway for the deadline
150
margin
border; room; allowance beyond what is needed; Ex. margin of safety
151
marginal
of a margin; barely within a limit; Ex. marginal effect/writing ability
152
legacy
gift made by a will; something handed down from an ancestor
153
legend
explanatory list of symbols on a map
154
legerdemain
sleight(dexterity) of hand; CF. light of hand
155
leniency
mildness; permissiveness; ADJ. lenient: not severe in judgment or punishment
156
permissive
allowing much freedom; lenient; Ex. permissive society
157
leonine
like a lion
158
lethal
deadly
159
lethargic
drowsy; dull; N. lethargy: state of sluggishness and inactivity
160
levee
earthen or stone embankment to prevent flooding; CF. raise
161
levitate
rise and float in the air (especially by magical means); CF. light
162
levity
lack of seriousness or steadiness; frivolity; lightness of manner
163
levy
impose (a fine); collect (a payment); impose or collect (a tax); Ex. levy a tax on tobacco
164
lewd
lustful
165
lexicographer
compiler of a dictionary; CF. lexicography: work of compiling a dictionary
166
lexicon
dictionary
167
liability
drawback; handicap; debts; obligation; responsibility; condition of being liable; ADJ. liable: likely; responsible (for paying)
168
liaison
contact that keeps parties in communication; communication between groups; one that maintains communication; go-between; secret love affair; V. liaise: keep a connection
169
libel
defamatory written statement; act of writing something that smears a person's character; V. ADJ. libelous
170
libertine
debauched person; dissolute or licentious person; rou\'e; CF. free
171
rou\'e
lecherous man
172
libidinous
lustful
173
libido
psychic and emotional energy or urges behind human activity; sexual desire
174
libretto
text of an opera or oratorio; CF. book
175
licentious
amoral; lewd and lascivious; unrestrained
176
license
official or legal permission; latitude of action or speech; excessive freedom that causes harm or damage; V.
177
lien
legal claim or right on a property
178
ligneous
like wood
179
lilliputian
extremely small; CF. Lilliput in Gulliver's Travels
180
limber
flexible; supple; pliable; V.
181
limbo
region near heaven or hell where certain souls are kept; prison (slang); Ex. Purgatory and Limbo
182
abode
dwelling place; home
183
abide
dwell; abide by: comply with; put up with; tolerate; Ex. abide by the rules; Ex. I can't abide rude people.
184
limn
draw; outline; describe; CF. line ?
185
limpid
crystal clear
186
lineage
descent; ancestry
187
lineaments
features especially of the face; distinctive shape or contour of the face; CF. line
188
feature
distinctive part of the faces (as the eyes or mouth); features: overall appearance of the face; prominent or distinctive quality; prominent article; film; V: make prominent
189
linger
loiter or dawdle; be slow in leaving; delay going; continue or persist; be slow to disappear; Ex. The smell lingered for days.
190
persist
continue in existence; last; continue in a course of action in spite of opposition; Ex. persist in/with something; ADJ. persistent
191
linguistic
pertaining to language
192
lionize
treat (a person) as a celebrity
193
liquidate
settle accounts; pay off (a debt); clear up; eliminate; kill or abolish
194
list
tilt (as of a ship); lean over (to one side)
195
listless
lacking in spirit or energy; languid
196
litany
supplicatory prayer; prayer in which the priest calls out and the people replies in the same words
197
lithe
flexible; supple; CF. limber
198
willowy
flexible; pliant; slender; CF. willow
199
litigation
lawsuit; N. litigant: one party in a lawsuit; V. litigate
200
litotes
understatement for emphasis; Ex. ``not bad(=pretty good)''
201
understate
state with less truth than seems warranted by the facts; Ex. He understated the seriousness of the crime; N. understatement; OP. overstate
202
livid
lead-colored; black and blue (as from a bruise); ashen; enraged; extremely angry
203
loath
reluctant; unwilling; disinclined; Ex. Romeo and Juliet were both loath for him to go.
204
loathe
detest; ADJ. loathsome: arousing loathing; offensive; Ex. loathsome smell
205
lode
metal-bearing vein(long deposit of an ore)
206
lofty
very high
207
loft
room or space under the roof; attic
208
log
record of a voyage or flight; record of day-to-day activities; section of a trunk; V.
209
loiter
hang about/around; stand idly about; linger
210
loll
lounge about
211
lounge
stand, sit, or lie in a lazy, relaxed way
212
longevity
long life; long duration
213
loom
appear or take shape (usually in an enlarged, indistinct, or distorted form); Ex. The shadow of the gallows loomed threateningly. N: apparatus for making thread into cloth
214
gallows
framework from which a noose is suspended (used for execution by hanging)
215
noose
loop formed in a rope
216
lope
gallop slowly
217
loquacious
talkative; N. loquacity
218
lout
clumsy person; ADJ. loutish; CF. from countrysides ?
219
low
moo; make the sound of a cow
220
lubricate
apply a lubricant to; N. lubricant: substance that reduces friction
221
lucid
easily understood; clear; intelligible; N. lucidity
222
lucrative
profitable; producing wealth
223
lucre
money; profit; Ex. filthy lucre
224
filth
dirty matter; ADJ. filthy
225
ludicrous
laughable; ridiculous; trifling
226
lugubrious
mournful; sorrowful
227
lull
moment of calm; period of reduced activity; Ex. a lull in the rain; V: cause to become less active; cause to sleep or rest; Ex. lull the opponents into a false sense of security; CF. lullaby
228
lumber
move heavily or clumsily; Ex. The bear lumbered through the woods; N: timber
229
lumen
unit of light energy (one candle's worth)
230
luminary
celebrity (in a specific field); dignitary; object that gives light (as a celestial body)
231
dignitary
person of high rank or position
232
luminous
shining (esp. in the dark); issuing light; Ex. luminous paint/road signs
233
lunar
pertaining to the moon
234
lunatic
insane; Ex. lunatic asylum
235
lurid
wild; sensational; graphic; gruesome; horrible; Ex. lurid details of the murder
236
lurk
stealthily lie in waiting; slink; exist unperceived
237
slink
move furtively; ADJ. slinky: stealthy; furtive; sneaky (as in ambush)
238
luscious
pleasing to taste or smell; delicious
239
luster
shine; gloss (of a polished surface)
240
lustrous
shining; brilliant; Ex. lustrous hair
241
luxuriant
abundant; growing healthily and in large amounts; excessively ornate; rich and splendid; fertile; Ex. luxuriant forests/prose; CF. luxurious, luxuriate
242
macabre
gruesome; grisly; ghastly; CF. of death
243
morgue
mortuary; place where bodies are kept before burial or cremation
244
cremate
incinerate (a corpse); N. crematory, crematorium
245
mace
ceremonial staff used as a symbol of authority; clublike medieval weapon
246
macerate
soften by soaking in liquid; waste away; Ex. macerate powdered wood to make paper
247
Machiavellian
crafty; double-dealing; of the political doctrine of Machiavelli, which holds that craft and deceit are justified in pursuing political power
248
machinations
evil schemes or plots; schemes or plots to achieve an evil end; V. machinate
249
maculated
spotted; stained; CF. immaculate
250
madrigal
pastoral song; song for several singers without instruments
251
maelstrom
violent whirlpool; violent or tublent situation; CF. stream
252
magisterial
authoritative; imperious; commanding; of a magistrate; Ex. magisterial study of Roman law; Ex. magisterial manner
253
magistrate
official with power to administer the law
254
magnanimity
generosity; ADJ. magnanimous: generous
255
magnate
person of prominence or influence; powerful or influential person (in business or industry); Ex. oil magnate
256
magniloquent
boastful; pompous
257
magnitude
greatness (in size or extent); extent
258
maim
mutilate; injure lastingly; disable; cripple; Ex. maimed for life
259
mangle
tear or cut to pieces; mutilate or disfigure; Ex. badly mangled bodies
260
maladroit
clumsy; not skillful; awkward; bungling
261
malady
illness
262
malaise
uneasiness; vague feeling of ill health (without any particular pain or appearance of disease)
263
malapropism
comic misuse of a word; CF. Mrs. Malaprop
264
malapropos
inappropriate; ADV.
265
malcontent
person dissatisfied with existing state of affairs; discontented person; ADJ: discontented
266
malediction
curse
267
malefactor
evildoer; criminal
268
maleficient
doing evil; N. maleficience
269
malevolent
wishing evil; exhibiting ill will; N. malevolence
270
malfeasance
wrongdoing; misconduct (by a public official)
271
malicious
hateful; spiteful; expressing malice; N. malice: desire to harm others; spite
272
malign
speak evil of; bad-mouth(criticize spitefully); defame; ADJ: harmful; Ex. malign influence
273
malignant
tending to cause death; highly injurious; aggressively malevolent; Ex. malignant tumor
274
malingerer
one who feigns illness to escape duty; V. malinger: feign illness to avoid work
275
malleable
(of a metal) capable of being shaped by pounding(beating); pliable; (of someone) impressionable(easily influenced); easily controlled; tractable
276
malodorous
foul-smelling
277
compost
mixture of decaying organic matter used as fertilizer; V: put or make compost
278
mammal
vertebrate animal whose female suckles its young
279
vertebrate
having a backbone or spinal column; N: group of animals having a segmented spinal column
280
suckle
give or take milk at the breast or udder
281
nurse
suckle; take care of (as a nurse); bear in mind; Ex. nursing mother; Ex. nurse a hope/grudge against someone
282
mammoth
gigantic; enormous
283
manacle
restrain; handcuff; N.
284
mandate
order; charge; authoritative command; power to govern another country; power to given to a government; region under administration; V: give a mandate to; place under a mandate; Ex. mandated territory
285
mandatory
obligatory; compulsory; of a mandate
286
mangy
shabby; wretched; suffering from mange; of bad appearance
287
mange
skin disease (esp. of domestic animals) marked by loss of hair
288
maniacal
raging mad; insane; N. maniac: insane person; CF. mania: disorder of the mind; intense enthusiasm
289
manifest
evident; visible; obvious; V: show plainly
290
manifestation
outward demonstration; manifesting; indication of the presence of something; Ex. manifestation of his pronounced musical bent
291
pronounced
distinct; very noticeable; Ex. pronounced limp
292
manifesto
public declaration of principles; statement of policy
293
manifold
many in number or kind; numerous; varied
294
manipulate
operate with one's hands; control or play upon (people, forces, etc.) artfully; maneuver; Ex. how to manipulate publicity and men; ADJ. manipulative
295
mannered
affected; not natural; Ex. mannered way of speech
296
mannerism
distinctive behavioral trait; affected style in art (according to a set of styles)
297
manumit
emancipate; free from slavery or bondage
298
marital
pertaining to marriage
299
maritime
bordering on(adjacent to) the sea; nautical; of the ships or the sea; Ex. Maritime Provinces
300
marked
noticeable; targeted for vengeance or attack; Ex. marked improvement/man
301
marred
damaged; disfigured; V. mar: spoil; disfigure
302
marshal
put in order; guide ceremoniously to the correct place; Ex. marshal the children into the museum; N: military officer; official
303
enlist
(cause to) join the armed forces; obtain (help, sympathy, or support)
304
marsupial
one of a family of mammals that nurse their offspring in a pouch(pocket of skin or leather); CF. kangaroo, opossum, wombat
305
martial
warlike; of war; Ex. martial art/law
306
cadet
student at a military school
307
martinet
strict disciplinarian; person who demands total obedience to rules and orders; CF. Jean Martinet
308
martyr
one who voluntarily suffers death for his or her religion or cause; great sufferer; Ex. martyr to his rheumatism
309
masochist
person who enjoys his own pain; CF. masochism
310
masticate
chew
311
materialism
preoccupation with physical comforts and things; excessive regard for worldly concerns (rather than spiritual matters)
312
maternal
motherly; N. maternity: motherhood
313
matriarch
woman who rules a family or larger social group
314
matriculate
enroll (in college or graduate school); CF. matrix
315
matrix
point of origin; array of numbers or algebraic symbols; mold or die; Ex. the matrix of Western civilization
316
maudlin
effusively sentimental
317
sentimental
swayed by sentiment; appealing to the sentiments
318
maul
handle roughly; batter; injure by beating; Ex. mauled by his overexcited fans; N: heavy long-handled hammer
319
mausoleum
monumental tomb; large stately tomb; CF. Mausolos
320
mauve
pale purple
321
maverick
rebel; nonconformist (in a group)
322
mawkish
mushy(sentimental) and gushy; icky-sticky sentimental; excessively and objectionably sentimental
323
maxim
proverb; truth pithily stated
324
mayhem
injury to body; crime of willfully maiming or crippling a person; violent disorder; Ex. mayhem in the zoo; CF. maim
325
meager
scanty; inadequate
326
mealymouthed
indirect in speech (when something unpleasant must be said); hypocritical; evasive
327
meander
wind or turn in its course; follow a winding or turning course; move aimlessly and idly
328
meddlesome
interfering; V. meddle: interfere
329
mediate
settle a dispute through the services of an outsider; act as an intermediary; produce by mediating; Ex. mediate a cease-fire
330
intermediary
intermediate; acting as a mediator; N: mediator; go-between
331
mediocre
ordinary; commonplace; neither good nor bad
332
meditation
reflection; thought; V. meditate
333
medium
element that is a creature's natural environment; nutrient setting in which microorganisms are cultivated; appropriate occupation or means of expression; channel of communication; compromise; middle position between extremes; intervening substance through which something else is transmitted
334
medley
mixture
335
meek
submissive; patient and long-suffering
336
suitor
man who is courting a woman
337
megalomania
mania for doing grandiose things; mental disorder characterized by delusions of wealth, power, or importance
338
melancholy
gloomy; morose; blue; N. ADJ. melancholic; CF. melancholia
339
blue
gloomy; depressed
340
melee
fight
341
mellifluous
(of words or a voice) sweetly or smoothly flowing; melodious; having a pleasant tune
342
memento
token; reminder of the past; keepsake; Ex. memento of your visit
343
memorialize
commemorate
344
memorial
something, such as a monument or holiday, intended to honor the memory of a person or event; ADJ: commemorative
345
menagerie
collection of wild animals on exhibition; zoo
346
mendacious
lying; habitually dishonest; N. mendacity
347
mendicant
beggar; ADJ: living as a beggar
348
alms
money or goods given to the poor
349
menial
suitable for servants; lowly; mean; N: someone who does menial work (esp. servant in a house)
350
mentor
counselor; teacher
351
mercantile
concerning trade or merchants
352
mercenary
motivated solely by money or gain; N.
353
mercurial
capricious; quick and changing; fickle; containing the element mercury; Ex. mercurial temper; CF. mood
354
quicksilver
mercury
355
meretricious
flashy; tawdry; attractive on the surface but of no real value; Ex. metericious argument/jewel; CF. prostitute
356
vulgar
of the common people; deficient in refinement; not refined; coarse; Ex. vulgar display of wealth; N. vulgarism: vulgarity; crudely indecent word; CF. vulgarian: vulgar person; boor; lout
357
merger
combination (of two business corporations); act of merging
358
mesmerize
hypnotize; N. mesmerism; CF. Franz Mesmer
359
metallurgical
pertaining to the art of removing metals from ores; N. metallurgy: science that deals with extracting metals from ores
360
metamorphosis
change of form; Ex. metamorphosis of caterpillar to butterfly; V. metamorphose: change by metamorphosis
361
metaphor
implied comparison; CF. simile
362
soar
rise or fly high in the air; Ex. The rocket soared into the sky.
363
metaphysical
pertaining to speculative philosophy; of metaphysics; N. metaphysics: branch of philosophy that examines the nature of reality
364
mete
measure; distribute; administer; Ex. mete out justice/punishment
365
meteoric
like a meteor; swift; momentarily brilliant; Ex. meteoric rise to fame; N. meteor
366
methodical
systematic; N. method: systematic method of procedure
367
meticulous
excessively careful (with great attention to detail); painstaking; scrupulous
368
metropolis
large city
369
mettle
courage (to continue bravely in spite of difficulties); spirit; ADJ. mettlesome
370
miasma
swamp gas; heavy vaporous atmosphere often emanating from decaying matter; pervasive corrupting influence; noxious atmosphere or influence
371
swamp
wetland; marsh; V: flood; overwhelm; drench in with liquid
372
microcosm
small representative world; world in miniature; Ex. microcosm of English society
373
miniature
small model; small painting; ADJ: small
374
migrant
changing its habitat; wandering; Ex. migrant birds/workers; N: one that migrates
375
migratory
wandering; V. migrate: move from one region and settle in another; move periodically from one region to another
376
milieu
social environment; means of expression; Ex. feel out of one's milieu; Ex. His proper milieu is watercolor.
377
militant
combative; bellicose; N.
378
militate
work against; Ex. militate against the chances of promotion; CF. serve as a soldier
379
militia
army composed of ordinary citizens rather than professional soldiers
380
millennium
thousand-year period (as in the New Testament); hoped-for period of happiness and prosperity
381
mimicry
imitation
382
mime
pantomime(act without dialogue); mimicry; mimer; V: mimic; pantomime
383
minatory
menacing; threatening
384
mincing
affectedly dainty(delicate); V. mince: cut (esp. meat) into very small pieces; walk with exaggerated primness; walk in an unnatural way, taking little short steps; Ex. The actor minced across the stage; CF. mincemeat; CF. mincer
385
dainty
delicate; delicately beautiful; fastidious; not easy to please; Ex. dainty movement/dress
386
exquisite
delicate; very finely made; extremely beautiful; Ex. exquisite piece of jewelry
387
choice
delicate; of very fine quality
388
minion
servile dependent; obsequious follower
389
minuscule(miniscule)
extremely small
390
minute
extremely small; CF. minutes: official record of the proceedings at a meeting
391
minutiae
petty or trivial details; CF. minutia
392
mirage
unreal reflection; optical illusion
393
mire
entangle; stick in swampy ground; stick or sink in mire; N: bog; deep mud; Ex. sucked deeper into the mire
394
mirth
merriment; laughter
395
misadventure
mischance; ill luck; Ex. death by misadventure
396
misanthrope
one who hates mankind; misanthropist
397
vile
despicable; unpleasant; disgusting; Ex. vile slander
398
misapprehension
error; misunderstanding; V. misapprehend
399
miscellany
mixture of writings on various subjects; collection of various items
400
miscellaneous
made up of a variety of parts
401
mischance
ill luck
402
misconstrue
interpret incorrectly; misinterpret; misjudge
403
miscreant
wretch; wrongdoer; villain; Ex. kindness to the miscreant; CF. believe
404
wretch
miserable person; bad or despicable person; ADJ. wretched: miserable; bad; contemptible; vile
405
misdemeanor
minor crime; misdeed; wrongdoing
406
misconduct
immoral behavior; bad management; V.
407
miserly
stingy; mean
408
misgivings
doubts
409
mishap
unfortunate accident
410
misnomer
wrong or improper name; incorrect designation
411
misogamy
hatred of marriage
412
misogynist
hater of woman; CF. misogyny
413
missile
object to be thrown or projected
414
missive
letter; written statement; CF. sent
415
mite
very small object or insect-like creature; small coin
416
mitigate
appease; moderate; make or become less in force or intensity
417
mnemonic
pertaining to memory; assisting the memory; N: device, such as as formula or rhyme, used as a mnemonic aid
418
mobile
movable; not fixed; N. mobility
419
mock
ridicule; deride; imitate often in derision
420
mode
prevailing style; current fashion; manner; way of doing something; Ex. in the latest mode; Ex. simple mode of life
421
modicum
limited quantity; small amount; Ex. He does not have a modicum of sense; CF. moderate
422
modish
fashionable; conforming to the current fashion
423
modulate
tone down in intensity; change the intensity or tone of; regulate; change from one musical key to another; Ex. modulate from E to G
424
mogul
powerful person; Ex. oil moguls; CF. Mogol, Moghul; CF. Mongolian
425
molecule
the smallest particle (one or more atoms) of a substance that has all the properties of that substance
426
mollify
soothe an angry person
427
mollycoddle
pamper; coddle; baby; indulge excessively
428
molt(moult)
periodically shed or cast off hairs or feathers (for replacement by a new growth)
429
molten
melted; Ex. molten lava
430
momentous
very important; N. moment; CF. momentary
431
momentum
quantity of motion of a moving body; impetus; moving force
432
monarchy
government under a single ruler
433
monastic
related to monks or monasteries; removed from worldly concerns
434
monetary
pertaining to money
435
monochromatic
having only one color
436
monochrome
painting in only one color; ADJ.
437
monogram
design composed of one or more initials of a name; V.
438
monograph
scholarly article
439
monolithic
solidly uniform; unchangeable; unyielding; N. monolith: large block of stone
440
monotheism
belief in one God
441
monotony
sameness leading to boredom; monotonousness; ADJ. monotonous; CF. monotone
442
monumental
massive; impressively large; built as a monument
443
moodiness
fits of depression or gloom; ADJ. moody: given to changeable moods; subject to periods of depression; gloomy CF. mood: state of mind or emotion
444
moratorium
legal delay of payment or action; Ex. declare moratorium on the building of new houses
445
morbid
given to unwholesome or unhealthy thought; moody; characteristic of disease; Ex. morbid curiosity; N. morbidity; CF. disease
446
mordant
biting; sarcastic; stinging; (apprec.) incisive; cutting; Ex. mordant pen/wit
447
mores
conventions; moral standards; moral customs
448
moribund
dying; at the point of death; CF. death
449
morose
ill-humored; sullen; sullenly melancholy
450
mortician
undertaker; CF. death
451
undertaker
funeral director; one whose business is to arrange burials
452
mortify
humiliate by embarassing excessively; shame; punish the flesh; discipline (one's body) by self-denial; Ex. mortified by her blunder; Ex. mortify the flesh; CF. cause to die
453
mosaic
picture made of small colorful inlaid tiles; ADJ.
454
mote
small speck (esp. of dust)
455
speck
small piece or mark; Ex. speck of dust in the eye
456
motif
theme; recurrent thematic element in a musical or literary work; single or repeated pattern; figure
457
motility
ability to move spontaneously; ADJ. motile: moving spontaneously
458
motley
multi-colored (as of a garment worn by a jester); mixed; heterogeneous; CF. jester: one who jests (as a paid fool at medieval courts)
459
motto
brief statement used to express a principle
460
mottled
blotched in coloring; spotted; Ex. mottled face; V. mottle: mark with blotches of different colors
461
blotch
spot; blot; CF. blot+botch
462
blemish
mar; spoil the beauty or perfection of; N: flaw or defect (that spoils perfection); Ex. blemishes in the crystal; CF. unblemished
463
mountebank
charlatan; boastful pretender
464
peddle
travel about selling (wares); CF. foot
465
muddle
confuse; mix up confusedly; N: state of confusion
466
muggy
(of weather) warm and damp
467
mulct
defraud a person of something; swindle; Ex. mulct the boy of his legacy
468
multifarious
varied; greatly diversified; Ex. multifarious activities
469
multiform
having many forms
470
multilingual
having many languages; fluent in several languages
471
multiplicity
state of being numerous or multiple; large number; Ex. multiplicity of details; ADJ. multiple: of more than one element
472
mundane
worldly as opposed to spiritual; everyday; of the ordinary; Ex. mundane existence; CF. world
473
munificent
very generous in giving; Ex. munificent benefactor; N. munificience
474
mural
wall painting
475
murky
dark and gloomy; thick with fog; vague; Ex. murky night/fog; N. murk: partial or complete darkness; gloom
476
muse
ponder at length; N: source of inspiration (esp. of a poet)
477
musky
having the odor of musk; N. musk: odorous substance secreted by an Asian deer
478
muster
gather; assemble (troops); Ex. muster up one's strength for the ordeal; N.
479
musty
stale (in odor or taste); spoiled by age; CF. moist
480
mutablility
ability to change in form; fickleness; ADJ. mutable: able to change; fickle; CF. mutate; CF. mutant
481
muted
silent; muffled; toned down; Ex. muted traffic noise
482
mute
silent; without speech; not pronounced; unable to speak; N: one who is incapable of speech; V: soften the sound, color, shade of
483
mutilate
maim; injure lastingly; deprive of a limb or an essential part
484
mutinous
unruly; rebellious; Ex. mutinous teenagers; N. mutiny: open rebellion; CF. mutineer
485
myopic
nearsighted; lacking foresight; N. myopia
486
myriad
very large number; ADJ. CF. ten thousand
487
nadir
lowest point; point on the celestial sphere diametrically opposite the zenith
488
naivet\'e(naivety)
quality of being unsophisticated; simplicity; artlessness; gullibility; ADJ. naive(na\"ive): ingenuous; lacking worldliness; simple; credulous
489
narcissist
conceited person; N. narcissism; CF. narcissus
490
narrative
related to telling a story; N: narrated account; story; V. narrate: tell (a story); CF. narration
491
nascent
incipient; coming into being or existence; Ex. nascent ability in music
492
natation
swimming
493
natty
neatly or smartly dressed; dapper; smart; Ex. natty dresser
494
smart
intelligent; quick and energetic; fashionable; Ex. smart pace/restaurant; V: cause or feel a sharp pain; N: smarting pain
495
nauseate
cause to become sick; fill with disgust; fill nausea
496
nausea
feeling of sickness and desire to vomit; disgust; CF. seasickness
497
nauseous
causing nausea; feeling nausea
498
nautical
pertaining to ships or navigation
499
navigable
(of a body of water) wide and deep enough to allow ships to pass through; (of a ship or aircraft) able to be steered
500
nebulous
vague; hazy; cloudy; of a nebula; Ex. nebulous proposal
