Barrons Set 7 Flashcards
1
Q
nebula
A
diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas; galaxy
2
Q
necromancy
A
black magic; sorcery; dealings with the dead; art that professes to communicate with the spirits of the dead so as to predict the future; CF. necromancer; CF. necro+divination; CF. necro-: death; Ex. necropolis
3
Q
nefarious
A
very wicked
4
Q
negate
A
cancel out; nullify; cause to have no effect; deny; N. negation
5
Q
negligence
A
neglect; failure to take reasonable care; ADJ. negligent: neglectful; lax; not taking enough care
6
Q
negligible
A
so small, trifling, or unimportant as to be easily disregarded
7
Q
nemesis
A
someone seeking revenge; source of downfall or ruin; CF. Nemesis
8
Q
neologism
A
new or newly coined word or phrase
9
Q
neophyte
A
recent convert; new member of a religious group; beginner; CF. plant
10
Q
nepotism
A
favoritism (to a relative); CF. nephew
11
Q
favoritism
A
display of partiality toward a favored person
12
Q
nether
A
lower; Ex. nether garments/regions
13
Q
nettle
A
irritate; annoy; vex; ADJ. nettlesome
14
Q
nexus
A
connection
15
Q
nib
A
beak(bill); pen point
16
Q
nicety
A
precision; accuracy; minute distinction or difference; Ex. to a nicety: exactly; precisely; Ex. distinguish between niceties
17
Q
niggardly
A
meanly stingy; parsimonious; N. niggard: stingy person
18
Q
niggle
A
spend too much time on minor points (esp. when finding fault); find fault; Ex. niggle over details; ADJ. niggling
19
Q
nihilist
A
one who considers traditional beliefs to be groundless and existence meaningless; absolute skeptic; revolutionary terrorist; CF. nihilism: belief that nothing has meaning or value; belief that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement
20
Q
nip
A
snip off; stop something’s growth or development; bite; make numb with cold; Ex. nip the plan; Ex. A guard dog nipped the postman; Ex. fingers nipped by the extreme chill
21
Q
snip
A
short quick cut with scissors; V: cut with scissors
22
Q
pinch
A
squeeze between the thumb and a finger, or other edges; Ex. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. N: amount that can be held between the thumb and a finger
23
Q
nirvana
A
in Buddhist teachings, the ideal state in which the individual loses himself in the attainment of an impersonal beatitude
24
Q
impersonal
A
not being a person; not showing personal feelings; Ex. impersonal force/manner/organization
25
nocturnal
done or active at night; Ex. nocturnal animals/raids; CF. nocturne
26
noisome
foul smelling; very unpleasant; unwholesome
27
nomadic
wandering; N. nomad: tribe who migrates from place to place
28
nomenclature
terminology(system of specialized words); system of names or naming things
29
nominal
in name only; of a name; trifling; (of a sum of money) very small; CF. nominate: propose as a candidate; appoint
30
nonchalance
indifference; lack of concern; composure; ADJ. nonchalant: unconcerned; cool; indifferent; Ex. nonchalant attitude to his debts
31
noncommittal
neutral; refusing commitment to a particular opinion; unpledged; undecided
32
nondescript
undistinctive; ordinary; ordinary-looking; Ex. nondescript fellow in a crowd
33
nonentity
person of no importance; nonexistence
34
nonplus
put at a loss; bring to a halt by confusion; perplex; CF. no more
35
nostalgia
homesickness; longing for the past; Ex. nostalgia for the clothes of 1920s; ADJ. nostalgic
36
nostrum
questionable medicine; quack medicine; CF. our (remedy)
37
notable
conspicuous; worthy of note; remarkable; important; distinguished; noted
38
notoriety
disrepute; ill fame
39
nova
star that suddenly becomes much brighter and then returns to its original brightness
40
novelty
something new; newness; ADJ. novel: new; original
41
novice
beginner
42
noxious
harmful; CF. obnoxious
43
nuance
shade of slight difference in meaning or color; subtle distinction
44
shade
slight difference in degree; nuance; degree of color; Ex. shades of meaning/grey
45
gradation
series of gradual stages; degree in such a progression
46
nubile
marriageable; of marriageable age; CF. connubial
47
nugatory
worthless; futile
48
nullify
make invalid; make null; invalidate
49
numismatist
person who collects coins; N. numismatics: study or collection of money, coins, and medals
50
nuptial
related to marriage or the wedding ceremony; N. nuptials: wedding ceremony
51
nurture
nourish; feed; educate; rear; care for while it is growing or developing; foster; cultivate; N: something that nourishes; rearing
52
nutrient
nourishing substance; ADJ: providing nourishment
53
nutrition
process of nourishing or being nourished; CF. malnutrition
54
nutritious
providing nourishment
55
nourish
provide with food necessary for life and growth
56
nourishment
something that nourishes; food
57
oaf
stupid awkward person; CF. elf
58
obdurate
stubborn; refusing to change one's belief
59
obeisance
bow (to show respect and obedience)
60
obelisk
tall column tapering(becoming gradually narrower toward the end) and ending in a pyramid
61
obese
excessively fat; N. obesity
62
obfuscate
confuse; muddle; cause confusion; make needlessly complex; make so confused as to be difficult to understand
63
obituary
death notice (esp. in a newspaper); ADJ.
64
objective
not influenced by emotions; fair; N: goal; aim
65
obligatory
binding; required; compulsory; V. oblige: constrain; make grateful; do a favor; accommodate
66
oblique
indirect; slanting (deviating from the perpendicular or from a straight line); Ex. oblique reference
67
obliterate
destroy completely; wipe out; Ex. obliterate the village
68
oblivion
obscurity; condition of being completely forgotten; forgetfulness
69
oblivious
inattentive or unmindful; unaware; wholly absorbed; forgetful(having the habit of forgetting)
70
obloquy
slander; disgrace; infamy
71
obnoxious
offensive; disagreeable; Ex. obnoxious smell
72
obscure
dark; vague; unclear; not well known; Ex. obscure meaning/village; V: darken; cover; make unclear; Ex. obscure the moon/meaning
73
obsequious
slavishly attentive; servile; full of servile compliance; sycophantic
74
slavish
of or like a slave; servile; showing no originality; copied very closely; Ex. slavish devotion/copy of the original
75
obsequy
funeral ceremony
76
obsessive
related to thinking about something constantly; of an obsession; preoccupying; N. obsession: compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea; compulsive idea; V. obsess: preoccupy the mind of excessively
77
obsidian
black volcanic rock
78
scion
detached plant shoot used in grafting; descendant
79
obsolete
outmoded; no longer used
80
obstetrician
physician specializing in delivery(assisting in giving birth) of babies; N. obstetrics; CF. midwife
81
obstinate
stubborn; hard to control or treat; Ex. obstinate cough; N. obstinacy
82
obstreperous
boisterous; noisy and uncontrollable
83
obtrude
push (oneself or one's ideas) forward or intrude; impose (oneself or one's ideas) on others; butt in; stick out or extrude; thrust out; Ex. obtrude A on B; ADJ. obtrusive; N. obtrusion; CF. unobtrusive
84
obtuse
blunt; not sharp; stupid; slow in understanding
85
obviate
make unnecessary; get rid of; Ex. obviate the need
86
Occident
the West
87
occlude
shut; close; obstruct; Ex. A blood clot occluded an artery.
88
occult
mysterious; secret; supernatural; beyond human comprehension; CF. mysterious to human ?; OP. bare
89
oculist
physician who specializes in treatment of the eyes
90
odious
arousing strong dislike; hateful(causing hatred); vile
91
odium
detestation; quality of being odious; hatefulness; disrepute (resulting from hateful conduct)
92
odoriferous
giving off an odor
93
odorous
having an odor
94
odyssey
long, eventful, adventurous journey
95
offensive
attacking; insulting; distasteful; V. offend: violate; hurt the feelings of; N. offense: offending; violating of a moral or social code; crime; attack; Ex. first offense
96
offhand
casual; done without prior thought or preparation
97
officious
meddlesome; excessively pushy in offering one's services; overly eager in offering unwanted services or advices; Ex. officious bellboy
98
pushy
disagreeably aggressive
99
ogle
look at amorously; make eyes at; Ex. old men ogling young girls
100
olfactory
concerning the sense of smell
101
oligarchy
government by a privileged few
102
ominous
threatening; of an evil omen
103
threat
sign or warning (of coming danger); Ex. threat of rain; V: express a threat; give warning of (something bad); Ex. The cloud threatens rain.
104
omnipotent
all-powerful; having unlimited power
105
omnipresent
universally present; ubiquitous
106
omniscient
all-knowing
107
omnivorous
eating both plant and animal food; devouring everything
108
onerous
burdensome
109
onomatopoeia
words formed in imitation of natural sounds
110
rustle
make slight sounds like silk moving or being rubbed together
111
onslaught
vicious assault; fierce attack; Ex. unexpected onslaught of the enemy
112
slaughter
killing of animals for food; massacre; V: butcher (animals) for food; kill in large numbers
113
onus
burden; responsibility
114
spare
give; use; refrain from harming; save from experiencing; exempt; Ex. spare me 5 minutes; Ex. Take this money and spare my life; Ex. The emperor was spared the onus; ADJ: kept in reserve; free for other use; unoccupied; Ex. spare time
115
opalescent
iridescent; lustrous; like an opal; N. opalescence
116
opaque
dark; not transparent; N. opacity
117
opiate
medicine to induce sleep or deaden pain; something that relieves emotions or causes inaction; sleep-producing drug containing opium
118
opportune
timely; well-chosen
119
opportunist
individual who sacrifices principles for expediency by taking advantage of circumstances; N. opportunism
120
opprobrium
infamy; disgrace arising from shameful conduct; vilification(slander); scorn; contempt; Ex. opprobrium hurled against him; ADJ. opprobrious: expressing contempt; shameful or infamous
121
optician
maker and seller of eyeglasses
122
optimist
person who looks on the bright side; N. optimism
123
optimum
most favorable; optimal; N: most favorable condition
124
optional
not compulsory; left to one's choice; N. option: act of choosing; choice; freedom or power to choose; something available as a choice; Ex. have no option; Ex. two options
125
optometrist
one who fits glasses to remedy visual defects
126
opulence
extreme wealth; luxuriousness; abundance; ADJ. opulent: possessing great wealth; abundant
127
opus
work (esp. musical composition); Ex. magnum opus: masterpiece; CF. opera
128
oracular
of an oracle; prophetic; uttered as if with divine authority; mysterious or ambiguous; hard to understand; N. oracle: wiser person; prophecy made by an oracle
129
orator
public speaker
130
oratorio
dramatic poem set to music; long musical work with singing but without acting; CF. cantata
131
ordain
decree or command; grant holy orders; predestine; install as a minister, priest, or rabbi; N. ordainment; CF. ordination
132
ordeal
severe trial or affliction; difficult experience; trial(test of patience or endurance); affliction
133
ordinance
decree; authoritative order
134
ordination
ceremony conferring holy orders; ceremony of ordaining a priest
135
orgy
wild drunken revelry; unrestrained indulgence in an activity; Ex. orgy of shopping
136
orient
get one's bearings; adjust; make familiar with a situation; orientate
137
orientation
act of finding oneself in society; orienting
138
orifice
mouthlike opening; small opening (esp. to a cavern or passage of the body); CF. mouth
139
ornate
excessively or elaborately decorated
140
ornithologist
scientific student of birds; N. ornithology: scientific study of birds
141
orthodox
traditional; (of someone) conservative in belief; adhering to an established doctrine
142
orthography
correct spelling; CF. ortho-: straight; correct; Ex. orthodontics
143
oscillate
vibrate pendulumlike; waver
144
osseous
made of bone; bony
145
ossify
change or harden into bone; become hard and unchanging in one's ideas
146
ostensible
apparent; appearing as such; professed(pretended); pretended; Ex. ostensible purpose of the expedition
147
apparent
evident; easily seen or understood; appearing as such; Ex. apparent improvement
148
ostentatious
showy; trying to attract attention; pretentious; N. ostentation: showy display
149
ostracize
banish from a group; exclude from public favor; ban; Ex. His friends ostracized him. N. ostracism
150
blackball
vote against (an applicant); ostracize; N: negative vote
151
oust
expel; drive out; force out; N. ouster: ousting
152
outlandish
bizzare; peculiar; unconventional
153
outmoded
no longer in fashion or use; no longer stylish; old-fashioned
154
outskirts
fringes; outer borders (as of a city); Ex. outskirts of Boston
155
outspoken
candid; blunt
156
blunt
having a dull edge; abrupt and frank in speech or manner; brusque; V: make or become blunt
157
outstrip
outrun; surpass; outdo
158
outwit
outsmart; defeat by behaving more cleverly
159
ovation
enthusiastic applause
160
overbearing
bossy; domineering and arrogant; decisively important; Ex. overbearing manner/importance; V. overbear: dominate
161
overt
open to view; public; not secret; CF. covert
162
overweening
arrogant; presumptuous
163
overwrought
nervous or excited; extremely agitated; hysterical; wrought-up; CF. wrought: made or done
164
hysteria
excessive or uncontrollable excitement; N. hysteric: person suffering from hysteria; CF. hysterics: attack of hysteria
165
ovoid
egg-shaped; CF. ovum; CF. ovulate
166
pachyderm
thick-skinned animal
167
pacifist
one opposed to force; antimilitarist; ADJ. N. pacifism: opposition to war as a means of resolving disputes
168
pacify
soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace to
169
paean
song of praise or joy; Ex. paeans celebrating the victory
170
painstaking
taking pains; showing hard work; taking great care; very careful and through
171
palatable
agreeable; pleasing to the taste
172
palate
roof of the mouth; sense of the taste
173
palatial
of or suitable for a palace; magnificent
174
paleontology
study of prehistoric life or fossils; CF. paleo-: ancient or prehistoric; Ex. paleography: study of ancient written documents
175
palette
board on which painter mixes pigments(coloring matters)
176
palimpsest
parchment or piece of writing material used for second time after original writing has been erased
177
parchment
writing material made from the skin of a sheep or goat
178
pall
become boring; grow tiresome
179
pallet
small poor bed; Ex. straw pallet
180
palliate
ease pain (without curing); make less severe or offensive (a crime or illness)
181
pallid
pale; wan; Ex. pallid complexion
182
palpable
tangible; (of something bad) easily perceptible; obvious; Ex. palpable blunder
183
palpitate
throb; beat rapidly; flutter; tremble; Ex. Her heart began to palpitate.
184
throb
(of a heart or machine) beat rapidly or violently; N. Ex. hearthrob: heartbeat; sweetheart
185
paltry
insignificant; petty; trifling; contemptible; Ex. paltry sum; CF. trash
186
pan
criticize harshly
187
panacea
cure-all; remedy for all diseases
188
panache
flair; manner of doing things without any difficulty (causing admiration); flamboyance; bunch of feathers (on a helmet); Ex. with great panache
189
pandemic
widespread; affecting the majority of people; N: pandemic disease; CF. all people
190
pandemonium
wild tumult(commotion); wild noisy disorder; CF. Paradise Lost
191
pander
cater to (the low desires of others)
192
cater
provide food and drink (for); cater to: try to satisfy (desires of a bad kind)
193
panegyric
formal praise; encomium; Ex. I don't deserve such panegyrics.
194
panoramic
denoting an unobstructed and comprehensive view; N. panorama: unbroken view of a wide area
195
pantomime
acting without dialogue; V.
196
papyrus
ancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant
197
parable
short simple story teaching a moral
198
paradigm
model; example that serves as a model; pattern; list of all the inflectional forms of a word
199
paradox
something apparently contradictory in nature (that may nonetheless be true); statement that looks false but is actually correct
200
paragon
model of perfection; Ex. paragon of virtue
201
parallelism
state of being parallel; similarity; analogy
202
parallel
similar; analogous; corresponding; N: parallel line; person or thing that is parallel (to another); similarity; Ex. know of no parallel to the case; Ex. without parallel; V: be similar to; make parallel; Ex. Your experience parallels mine; CF. unparalleled
203
parameter
limit; independent variable; Ex. parameters of the problem; Ex. within the parameters of the budget
204
paramount
foremost in importance; supreme; CF. para-: beyond; above; Ex. paranormal
205
paramour
illicit lover
206
inamorata
woman whom a man loves
207
paranoia
psychosis marked by delusions of grandeur or persecution; N: ADJ: paranoid, paranoiac
208
paraphernalia
equipment; odds and ends used in a particular activity; personal belongings; Ex. photographic paraphernalia; CF. married woman's property exclusive of her dowry
209
dowry
money or property brought by a bride to her husband at marriage
210
paraphrase
restate a passage in one's own words while retaining thought of author; N: restatement of a text in other words
211
parasite
animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant; CF. para-: beside
212
infest
inhabit in numbers large enough to be harmful; Ex. Mice infested the house; Ex. shark-infested waters
213
parched
extremely dry; very thirsty; V. parch: make or become extremely dry (by exposure to heat)
214
pariah
social outcast; Ex. Mariah the pariah
215
outcast
one that has been excluded from a society; ADJ.
216
parity
equality; close resemblance; CF. disparate
217
parlance
language; manner of speaking; idiom; Ex. in legal/common parlance
218
parley
conference (between opponents); CF. speak
219
parochial
narrow in scope or outlook; provincial; related to parishes
220
parish
area in the care of a single priest and served by one main church
221
outlook
point of view; view from a particular place; expectation for the future; prospect; Ex. outlook on life; Ex. pleasing outlook; Ex. weather outlook
222
parody
humorous imitation; spoof; takeoff; travesty; V.
223
spoof
parody
224
takeoff
burlesque; act of leaving the ground
225
paroxysm
fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage; sudden outburst
226
parquet
floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic like matter; CF. strip: long narrow piece
227
parry
ward off a blow; deflect; Ex. He parried the unwelcome question very skillfully; N.
228
ward
administrative division of a city; division in a hospital or prison; incompetent person placed under the protection of a guardian; V: guard; ward off: avert
229
parsimony
stinginess; excessive frugality; ADJ. parsimonious
230
partial
incomplete; favoring one side over another; having a liking for something
231
partiality
state of being partial; inclination; favorable bias; special fondness; preference
232
partisan
one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party (with dislike of any others); N: strong supporter of a party; guerrilla
233
parvenu
upstart; newly rich person
234
partition
divide into parts
235
pass\'e
old-fashioned; past the prime
236
passive
not active; acted upon; receiving an action without acting in return; accepting without resistance
237
pastiche
imitation of another's style in musical composition or in writing; work of art openly imitating the works of other artists
238
pastoral
rural; of rural life; idyllic; of a pastor
239
patent
obvious; easily seen; open for the public to read; of or protected by a patent; Ex. patent to everyone; N.
240
pathetic
causing sadness, compassion, pity; touching
241
touching
causing a feeling of pity or sympathy; pathetic; V. touch: cause to feel pity or sympathy; ADJ. touched
242
pathological
pertaining to disease; N. pathology: study of disease
243
pathos
tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings; Ex. pathos that runs through the novel
244
patina
green crust on old bronze works or copper; tone slowly taken by varnished painting
245
varnish
paint used to coat a surface with a glossy film; glossy coating produced by using this substance; Ex. nail varnish; V.
246
patois
local or provincial dialect
247
patriarch
father and ruler of a family or tribe
248
patrician
noble; aristocratic; N: person of high rank; aristocrat; CF. member of the governing classes in ancient Rome; CF. plebian
249
patronize
support; act superior toward; treat in a condescending manner; be a customer of; N. patron: one that supports; regular customer; N. patronage; CF. boycott
250
paucity
scarcity; dearth
251
pauper
very poor person
252
peccadillo
slight offense or fault; CF. sin
253
swipe
hit with a sweeping motion; N.
254
pecuniary
pertaining to money
255
pedagogue
teacher; CF. child leader
256
pedagogy
teaching; art of education
257
pedant
scholar who overemphasizes book learning, trivial details of learning, or technicalities
258
pedantic
bookish; showing off learning; marked by an excessive ostentatious concern for book learning; N. pedantry
259
bookish
fond of books and reading
260
studious
given to diligent study
261
pedestrian
ordinary; dull; unimaginative(lacking in imagination); going on foot; Ex. pedestrian prose; N.
262
precinct
division of a city for election or police purposes; precincts: space that surrounds a building; Ex. precincts of the college
263
pedigree
ancestry; lineage
264
pediatrician
physician specializing in children's diseases; N. pediatrics
265
peerless
having no equal; incomparable
266
peer
one who has equal standing with another; nobleman; V: look intently; N. peerage; CF. peeress
267
pejorative
(of a word or phrase) suggesting that someone is of little value; negative in connotation; having a belittling effect; Ex. Many women now considers ``housewife'' a pejorative expression, because it patronized them.
268
pell-mell
in confusion; disorderly; Ex. dash pell-mell
269
pellucid
transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in meaning; easy to understand
270
penance
self-imposed punishment for sin; Ex. do penance for one's sins; CF. penitent
271
penchant
strong inclination; strong liking (esp. for something that is disapproved of by other people); Ex. penchant for fast cars
272
pendant(pendent)
hanging down from something; pending; N: ornament (hanging from a necklace etc.)
273
pending
not yet decided or settled; impending; Ex. pending decision; PREP. while awaiting; until; Ex. delay the decision pending his return
274
pendulous
hanging; suspended
275
suspend
cause to stop for a period; interrupt; hold in abeyance; defer; hang from above; exclude for a period from a position; Ex. suspended state; Ex. suspend judgment; Ex. suspended from the team; N. suspension
276
suspense
state of being undecided; anxiety or apprehension resulting from uncertainty
277
penitent
repentant; N.
278
pensive
dreamily or deeply thoughtful; sadly thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative; CF. think over
279
penumbra
partial shadow (in an eclipse); CF. almost shadow
280
penury
extreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious: very poor; stingy
281
peon
landless agricultural worker; bond servant; menial worker; N. peonage
282
perceptive
insightful; showing a good ability at perceiving and understanding; aware; wise; of perception
283
percussion
striking one object against another sharply; Ex. percussion instrument; N: striking together of two bodies; sound caused by percussion
284
perdition
damnation; complete ruin; hell
285
damn
condemn; criticize severely; condemn to everlasting punishment; doom; bring to ruin; N. damnation
286
doom
condemnation to a severe penalty; ruin; fate (esp. a tragic or ruinous one); V.
287
peregrination
journey; V. peregrinate
288
peremptory
demanding and leaving no choice; imperative; Ex. peremptory decree/knock
289
perennial
something long-lasting; perennial plant; ADJ: lasting through the year or many years; lasting for a long time; enduring
290
perfidious
treacherous; disloyal; N. perfidy: treachery
291
perforate
pierce; put a hole through
292
perfunctory
done routinely and with little care; superficial; not thorough; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; Ex. perfunctory kiss
293
perigee
point of moon's orbit when it is nearest the earth; CF. apogee
294
perimeter
outer boundary; length of the outer boundary; circumference
295
bound
leap or spring; limit or confine; constitute the limit of; Ex. bounded by Canada; N: leap or jumping; boundary; ADJ: certain; having a duty to do something (legally or morally); confined by bonds; Ex. We are bound to be late; Ex. I am bound to say my opinion; CF. bounce, rebound
296
peripatetic
walking about from place to place (to work); moving; Ex. peripatetic school of philosophy
297
peripheral
of a periphery; marginal; outer; of minor importance; not central; Ex. peripheral nerve/interest
298
periphery
outside edge especially of a round surface; perimeter; Ex. periphery of the town
299
perjury
false testimony while under oath; V. perjure oneself: testify falsely under oath
300
permeable
that can be permeated; penetrable; porous; allowing liquids or gas to pass through; V. permeate: spread or flow throughout; charge
301
pernicious
very harmful; deadly; very destructive; Ex. pernicious effect/anemia
302
peroration
conclusion of an oration; perorating; V. perorate: conclude a speech; speak at great length
303
perpetrate
commit an offense; do (something wrong)
304
perpetual
everlasting
305
perpetuate
make perpetual; make something last for a long time; preserve from extinction; N. perpetuity
306
perquisite(perk)
any gain above stipulated salary; Ex. perquisites such as free meals and a car
307
personable
attractive (in personality or appearance)
308
perspicacious
(of someone) having insight; penetrating; astute
309
perspicuity
clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity
310
perspicuous
(of something) plainly expressed; easy to understand; Ex. perspicuous comments
311
pert
(esp. of a girl or young woman) impertinent; forward; trim; jaunty; Ex. pert young miss/hat
312
forward
presumptuous or bold
313
pertinacious
holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent
314
pertinent
suitable; to the point; relevant
315
perturb
disturb greatly
316
peruse
read through with care; N. perusal
317
pervasive
spread throughout; V. pervade: (of smells, ideas, feelings) spread throughout; charge; permeate
318
perverse
purposely continuing to do something wrong; stubbornly wrongheaded; perverted; directed away from what is right; wicked and unacceptable; Ex. perverse satisfaction; Ex. Hannibal Lecter in a perverse mood; N. perversity
319
perversion
corruption; turning from right to wrong
320
pervert
corrupt; turn from right to wrong; misuse; Ex. perverted sexual desire/scientific knowledge; N: person whose sexual behavior is not natural
321
wrongheaded
stubbornly wrong
322
pessimism
belief that life is basically bad or evil; gloominess; tendency to take the gloomiest possible view of a situation; ADJ. pessimistic
323
pestilential(pestilent)
causing plague; tending to cause death; baneful; N. pestilence: fatal epidemic disease (esp. bubonic plague)
324
pestle
tool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard bowl or mortar
325
mortar
vessel in which substances are crushed with a pestle
326
mash
crush into mash; convert into mash; N: mixture of ground grain and nutrients fed to livestock and fowl
327
petrify
turn to stone; cause to become stonelike; stun or paralyze
328
petty
trivial; unimportant; very small; small-minded; petty-minded
329
petulant
touchy; peevish; ill-tempered
330
phalanx
formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears; group of men packed together (for attack or defense)
331
pharisaical
pertaining to the Pharisees, who paid scrupulous attention to tradition; self-righteous; hypocritical
332
pharisee
Pharisee: member of an ancient Jewish group that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic law (considering themselves very holy); hypocritical self-righteous person
333
self-righteous
sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic
334
phenomena
observable facts; subjects of scientific investigation; SG. phenomenon: observable fact; very unusual person, thing, or event; marvel; wonder; CF. phenomenons; ADJ. phenomenal: very unusual; extraordinary; of a phenomenon; Ex. phenomenal strength
335
philanderer
faithless lover; flirt
336
philanthropist
lover of mankind; doer of good; N. philanthropy
337
philatelist
stamp-collector; N. philately: stamp collecting
338
philistine
narrow-minded person, uncultured and exclusively interested in material gain; uncultured person who is indifferent to artistic and cultural values; member of an ancient people in Palestine; OP. aesthete
339
philology
study of language or words
340
phlegmatic
calm and unexcitable; not easily disturbed; CF. phlegm: sticky mucus produced in the respiratory tract
341
phobia
morbid fear
342
phoenix
symbol of immortality or rebirth; Ex. phoenix rising from its ashes
343
phylum
major classification, second to kingdom, of plants and animals; category ranking below a kingdom and above a class; division
344
physiognomy
face (as showing the character and the mind); art of judging human character from facial features
345
physiological
pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms; N. physiology
346
piebald
of different colors; mottled; spotted in different colors (esp. in black and white); Ex. piebald horse; CF. pie+bald
347
piecemeal
one part at a time; gradually; in stages; Ex. read a novel piecemeal
348
pied
piebald; variegated(many-colored); multicolored
349
piety
devoutness; reverence for God; ADJ. pious
350
pigment
coloring matter (usually powder to be mixed with water or oil)
351
pillage
plunder
352
pillory
punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject or expose to criticism and ridicule; N.
353
pine
long for; yearn; languish from longing or grief; decline
354
pinion
restrain or immobilize by binding the wings or legs; N: bird's wing
355
pinnacle
peak; highest point; acme; Ex. pinnacle of fame
356
pious
devout; religious; N. piety
357
piquant
pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating; Ex. piquant situation when my old enemy asked for my help
358
tart
sharp to the taste; acid-tasting; caustic; sarcastic; Ex. tart apple/reply
359
sour
having a sharp or acid taste; acid; tart; bad-tempered; V.
360
pique
irritation; resentment from wounded pride (eg. loss in a contest); V: provoke; arouse; annoy; cause to feel resentment; Ex. pique her curiosity
361
piscatorial
pertaining to fishing; CF. Pisces
362
pitfall
hidden danger; concealed trap
363
beware
be cautious (of)
364
pith
core or marrow; spongelike substance in the center of stems; essence; substance
365
marrow
soft fatty tissue that fills most bone cavities and is the source of blood cells
366
pithy
concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty
367
pittance
small amount (of money); small allowance or wage
368
pivotal
of a pivot; central; critical; crucial
369
placate
pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease
370
placebo
harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill
371
tablet
small round piece of medicine; flat piece of stone or metal bearing an inscription; Ex. stone tablet on the wall
372
placid
peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake
373
plagiarize
steal another's ideas or writings and pass them off as one's own; Ex. ideas plagiarized from my article; N. plagiarism; CF. kidnap
374
plaintive
expressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive song
375
plait
braid; interwine; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; Ex. plaited hair; N: braided length as of hair o fabric; CF. pigtail, ponytail
376
plasticity
ability to be molded; ADJ. plastic: capable of being shaped or molded; Ex. plastic material such as clay
377
platitude
trite remark; commonplace statement; ADJ. platitudinous
378
commonplace
ordinary; N: something ordinary or common; trite remark
379
commonwealth
nation governed by the people; republic; people of a nation
380
platonic
purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire
381
plaudit
praise; enthusiastic approval; round(succession or series) of applause; ADJ. plauditory; CF. applaud
382
plausible
conceivably true; having a show of truth but open to doubt; specious
383
plebeian
common; vulgar; pertaining to the common people; N: common people in ancient Rome; CF. patrician
384
plebiscite
direct vote by the entire electorate (on an important issue)
385
referendum
direct vote by all the people
386
plenary
(of power) complete; full; fully attended by all qualified members; Ex. plenary power
387
plenitude
abundance; plenty; great amount; completeness; fullness; CF. plenary, plenty
388
plethora
excess; overabundance; Ex. a plethora of excuses
389
pliable
flexible; easily influenced; yielding; adaptable
390
pliant
flexible; easily influenced
391
plight
difficult condition; condition or state (esp. a bad state or condition); predicament
392
pluck
courage; V: pull off or out; pull out the hair or feathers of; ADJ. plucky: courageous; brave
393
plumage
feathers of a bird;
394
plumb
exactly vertical; N: weight on the end of a line; V: examine very carefully or critically in order to understand; measure depth (by sounding); Ex. plumb the depth of
395
plumber
one who installs and repairs pipes and plumbing(pipes)
396
plummet
fall sharply; fall straight down; Ex. Stock prices plummeted.
397
plutocracy
society ruled by the wealthy
398
podiatrist
doctor who treats ailments of the feet; chiropodist; N. podiatrics
399
podium
pedestal; raised platform
400
pedestal
support or base as for a pillar or statue
401
poignancy
quality of being deeply moving; keenness of emotion; ADJ. poignant: touching; deeply moving; (of sorrow, grief, etc.) painful; keenly distressing to the mind; Ex. poignant memory/anxiety; CF. prick
402
polarize
split into opposite extremes or camps
403
polarity
state of having two opposite qualities
404
polar
of a pole; characterized by opposite extremes; Ex. polar opposites
405
camp
group sharing a common cause or opinion
406
polemic
attack or defense of an opinion; controversy or refutation; argument in support of point of view; N. polemics: art of debate or controversy
407
polemical(polemic)
aggressive in verbal attack; disputatious (rather than simply expressing opinions)
408
politic
prudent; judicious; well judged; expedient; well devised
409
polity
(particular form of) political organization; form of government of nation or state; Ex. student polity
410
polygamist
one who has more than one spouse at a time; CF. bigamy; CF. polyandry
411
polyglot
speaking several languages; multilingual; Ex. polyglot person/society; N.
412
pomposity
self-important behavior; acting like a stuffed shirt(pompous person); ADJ. pompous: self-important
413
ponderous
having great weight; weighty; unwieldy; lacking lightness; dull; Ex. ponderous body/style of writing
414
pontifical
pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious; CF. pontiff: pope; bishop
415
pore
study industriously; ponder; scrutinize; Ex. pore over the book; N.
416
porous
full of pores; like a sieve
417
interstice
narrow space between things
418
portend
foretell; presage; be a sign or warning of; N. portent: sign; omen; forewarning
419
soothsayer
one who foretells the future
420
portly
stout; corpulent
421
stout
rather fat; strong in body; sturdy; resolute; determined; strong in determination; Ex. stout stick/supporter
422
poseur
person who pretends to be sophisticated, elegant, etc., to impress others; person who poses; CF. pose
423
pose
assume a particular posture; put forward; present; affect a particular attitude (to impress others); Ex. pose a threat; N.
424
posterity
descendants; future generations; Ex. go down to posterity; CF. posterior, anterior
425
posthumous
after death (as of child born after father's death or book published after author's death); coming or occurring after one's death; Ex. posthumous fame/novel
426
postmortem
autopsy; ADJ: occurring after death; of a postmortem
427
postulate
self-evident truth; something assumed without proof; V: assume the truth of (as a basis of an argument)
428
posture
assume an affected pose; act artificially; N: pose; attitude
429
potable
suitable for drinking; drinkable
430
potent
powerful; convincing; persuasive; greatly influential
431
potentate
monarch; sovereign
432
potential
expressing possibility; latent; N: capacity for growth
433
potion
dose (of liquids); liquid dose
434
potpourri
heterogeneous mixture; medley; mixture of dried flower petals a pot (to give a pleasant smell to a room)
435
poultice
soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of the body
436
practicable
feasible
437
practical
based on experience; of or acquired through practice (rather than theory); useful; Ex. practical man
438
pragmatic
practical (as opposed to idealistic); concerned with practical worth or impact of something; Ex. pragmatic test of the skill
439
pragmatist
practical person; N. pragmatism: pragmatic way of dealing with things
440
prance
move about in a spirited manner (proudly and confidently)
441
prate
talk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly
442
prattle
talk idly; babble; N. CF. prate
443
idle
not working; not employed or busy; lazy; without purpose; useless; lacking substance; baseless; not based on truth; Ex. idle worker; Ex. talk idly; V.
444
preamble
introductory statement
445
precarious
unsafe; lacking in stability; uncertain; risky; Ex. precarious living
446
precedent
something preceding in time which may be used as an authority or guide for future action; V. precede; CF. unprecedented
447
precedent
preceding (in time, rank, etc.)
448
precept
practical rule guiding conduct; Ex. mother's precept
449
precipice
cliff; dangerous position; Ex. on the edge of the precipice
450
brink
edge (at the top of a cliff); Ex. on the brink of the Grand Canyon
451
precipitant
something that causes a substance in a chemical solution to separate out in solid form; OP. solvent
452
precipitate
hurl downward; throw headlong; hasten; cause to happen sooner; condense and fall as rain or snow; cause (a solid substance) to be separated from a solution; ADJ. hasty; rash; premature; sudden
453
precipitous
steep; overhasty; precipitate
454
pr\'ecis
abstract; concise summing up of main points; concise summary of a text
455
precise
exact
456
preclude
make impossible; prevent; exclude; eliminate
457
precocious
advanced in development; N. precocity
458
precursor
forerunner; predecessor
459
predator
predatory animal or bird; predatory person; creature that seizes and devours another animal; person who robs or exploits others; ADJ. predatory: living by preying on other organisms; plundering; N. predation
460
predecessor
former occupant of a post
461
predetermine
determine in advance; predestine; settle or decide beforehand; influence markedly
462
predicament
difficult situation; tricky or dangerous situation; dilemma
463
predilection
preference; partiality
464
predispose
give an inclination toward (in advance); make susceptible to; Ex. predispose people to certain cancer; N. predisposition
465
preeminent
outstanding; superior
466
preempt
prevent in advance; head off(forestall); forestall by acting first; appropriate for oneself before others; supplant; take the place of; displace; Ex. preempt any attempts; ADJ. preemptive
467
preen
make oneself tidy in appearance; feel self-satisfaction or pride; (of a bird) smooth or clean (feathers) with the beak; Ex. preen oneself on; CF. prune
468
prefatory
introductory; of a preface
469
prehensile
capable of grasping or holding (esp. by wrapping around); Ex. prehensile tails
470
prelate
church dignitary; priest of high position in the church (esp. bishop)
471
prelude
introduction; introductory performance or event; forerunner
472
premeditate
plan in advance; Ex. premeditated murder
473
premise
assumption; postulate; proposition upon which an argument is based
474
premonition
forewarning; presentiment; foreboding
475
premonitory
serving to warn
476
preponderance
superiority of power, quantity, etc.; V. preponderate: be greater in power, weight, or importance; ADJ. preponderant
477
preposterous
absurd; completely unreasonable; ridiculous
478
prerogative
privilege; unquestionable right; CF. ask before
479
presage
foretell; be a warning or sign of; N: presentiment; foreboding; omen
480
prescience
ability to foretell the future; knowledge of actions before they occur; ADJ. prescient
481
presentiment
premonition; foreboding; feeling something will happen; anticipatory fear
482
prestige
respect or admiration; impression produced by achievements or reputation; ADJ: causing admiration; ADJ. prestigious: having prestige
483
presumptuous
going beyond what is right; excessively forward; arrogant; taking liberties
484
presume
take for granted; assume; act overconfidently; take liberties; presume on/upon: take unfair advantage of (someone's kindness or connection); N. presumption
485
pretentious
ostentatious; showy; pompous; making unjustified claims; overambitious; Ex. pretentious films that claim to be art
486
pretend
feign; pretend to: claim to possess; make pretensions to; Ex. I don't pretend to much expertise; N. pretense
487
pretension
pretentiousness; claim (without foundation); Ex. I make no pretensions to skill as an artist.
488
preternatural
beyond what is normal in nature; supernatural; Ex. preternatural strength/forces
489
pretext
excuse
490
prevail
be widespread; triumph over; gain victory; prevail on: persuade; induce; Ex. Justice has prevailed; Ex. prevail on someone to do something
491
prevalent
widespread; generally accepted
492
prevaricate
lie; hide the truth (by equivocating)
493
prey
target of a hunt; victim; V: hunt and eat as prey; victimize; Ex. Cats prey on mice.
494
prim
proper to the point of affectation; very precise and formal; exceedingly proper
495
primogeniture
seniority by birth; state of being the first-born child; right of the eldest child (to inherit the entire property of one or both parents)
496
primordial
existing at the beginning (of time); rudimentary
497
primp
groom oneself with care; adorn oneself
498
pristine
unspoiled; remaining in a pure state; characteristic of earlier times; primitive; Ex. an old book in pristine condition
499
privation
lack of the basic necessities or comforts of life; hardship; want; CF. deprive
500
privy
secret; hidden; not public; made a participant in something secret; Ex. privy chamber government; Ex. be privy to a discussion; CF. private
