Barrons Set 9 Flashcards
1
Q
scintillate
A
sparkle; flash; be animated; be full of life; Ex. scintillating conversation
2
Q
scoff
A
laugh (at); mock; ridicule; Ex. scoff at their threats
3
Q
scotch
A
stamp out(put an end to); thwart; hinder; Ex. scotch the rumor; CF. cut; CF.
4
Q
score
A
number of points; written form of a musical composition; reason; group of 20; notch or incision; Ex. full/vocal score; Ex. Don’t worry on that score; V: mark with lines or notches; Ex. score the paper to make it easy to fold
5
Q
stamp
A
step on heavily (so as to crush or extinguish); put an end to; imprint or impress with a mark, design, or seal; shape with a die; characterize; Ex. machine stamping out car bodies; Ex. newspaper stamping him as a liar; N. stamping; implement used to stamp; impression stamped; mark; Ex. Her remarks bear the stamp of truth.
6
Q
scourge
A
lash; whip (formerly used for punishment); source of severe punishment; V: whip; afflict
7
Q
scruple
A
hesitate for ethical reasons; fret about; Ex. She did not scruple to read his diary; N: uneasy feeling arising from conscience; conscience
8
Q
scrupulous
A
conscientious; extremely thorough; Ex. scrupulous worker
9
Q
scrutinize
A
examine closely and critically; N. scrutiny
10
Q
scuffle
A
struggle confusedly; move off in a confused hurry; N. CF. scuffling twins ?
11
Q
shuffle
A
mix together; jumble; move (something) from one place to another; slide (the feet) along the ground while walking; Ex. shuffle papers from one pile to another; N.
12
Q
scurrilous
A
abusive; obscene; indecent; Ex. scurrilous remark
13
Q
scurry
A
move hastily; hurry; move briskly
14
Q
scurvy
A
contemptible; despicable; N: disease caused by deficiency of Vitamin C
15
Q
scuttle
A
sink (a ship) by cutting holes in the hull; scrap; discard; N: small hatch in a ship’s deck or hull
16
Q
hull
A
husk; dry outer covering of a seed; frame or body of a ship
17
Q
seamy
A
sordid; base; filthy; unwholesome; Ex. seamy side of city life
18
Q
base
A
contemptible; morally bad; inferior in value or quality; Ex. base motives/conduct; Ex. base metal such as iron
19
Q
sear
A
burn the surface of; char or burn; brand; parch; cause (a plant) to wither
20
Q
char
A
make or become black by burning; reduce or be reduced to carbon or charcoal(black substance made by burning wood) by incomplete combustion
21
Q
scorch
A
sear; N.
22
Q
brand
A
trademark; mark burned on the hide of an animal; mark burned into the flesh of criminals; mark of disgrace; V: mark with a brand; give a lasting bad name; stigmatize; Ex. The press branded him a liar.
23
Q
hide
A
skin of an animal
24
Q
seasoned
A
experienced
25
season
enhance the flavor of by adding a spice, etc.; inure; harden; N. seasoning: something used in seasoning
26
seasonal
of a particular season; Ex. seasonal rise in employment
27
seasonable
occurring at the proper time or season; opportune; Ex. seasonable intervention in the dispute
28
secession
withdrawal; V. secede: withdraw formally from membership
29
seclusion
isolation; solitude; V. seclude: set apart from others; isolate
30
secrete
conceal; hide away or cache; produce and release a substance into an organism; CF. secretive
31
sect
separate religious body; faction; group of people with common beliefs within a larger group
32
sectarian
of a sect; narrow-minded; parochial; N: member of a sect; narrow-minded person
33
denomination
religious group; unit in a system; name or designation; CF. denominator: common trait or characteristic
34
secular
worldly; not pertaining to church matters or religion; temporal
35
sedate
composed (with no excitement); grave; V: administer a sedative to; CF. sedative
36
sedentary
requiring sitting; done while sitting; not moving from one place to another; settled; Ex. sedentary job/population
37
sedition
conduct or language inciting rebellion; rebellion; resistance to authority; insubordination; ADJ. seditious
38
sedulous
diligent; assiduous; paying attention; N. sedulity
39
seedy
run-down; decrepit; disreputable; having many seeds; Ex. seedy downtown hotel
40
run-down
(of a place) dilapidated; in a bad condition; (of a person) weak or exhausted
41
seemly
(of behavior) proper; appropriate
42
seep
pass slowly through small openings; ooze; trickle; N. seepage
43
seethe
be violently disturbed; boil; (of a liquid) move about wildly as if boiling; Ex. The nation was seething with discontent.
44
seine
seine net; net for catching fish
45
seismic
pertaining to earthquakes
46
semblance
outward appearance; guise; Ex. We called in the troops to bring a/some semblance of order to the city.
47
seminal
related to seed or semen; germinal; creative; providing a basis for further development; influencing future developments; Ex. seminal research in a new field
48
seminary
school for training future ministers; secondary school, especially for young women
49
senility
old age; feeblemindedness of old age; ADJ. senile: resulting from old age; showing the weakness of body or mind from old age; Ex. senile dementia
50
feebleminded
deficient in intelligence; very stupid
51
sensitization
process of being made sensitive or acutely responsive to an external agent or substance; V. sensitize: make or become sensitive
52
sensual
devoted to the pleasures of the sense; carnal; voluptuous; Ex. sensual woman/curves/lips
53
voluptuous
sensual; of or giving sensual pleasure; indulging in sensual pleasures; Ex. voluptuous lines; Ex. voluptuous life of the Romans; N. voluptuary: voluptuous person
54
sensuous
giving pleasure to the senses; pertaining to the physical senses; operating through the senses; sensuous feeling of soft velvet on the skin
55
sententious
pithy; terse; concise; aphoristic
56
sentient
capable of sensation and conscious; aware; sensitive; Ex. sentient creature; N. sentience
57
sentinel
sentry; lookout
58
lookout
act of keeping watch; high place commanding a wide view; person who keeps watch
59
septic
of or causing sepsis; putrid; producing putrefaction; N. sepsis: poisoning of part of the body (producing pus)
60
sepulcher
tomb; V: place in a sepulcher; ADJ. sepulchral
61
sequester
isolate; segregate; seclude; retire from public life
62
sere
sear; parched; dry
63
serendipity
gift for finding valuable things by accident; accidental good fortune or luck; CF. The Three Princes of Serendip
64
serenity
calmness; placidity; ADJ. serene
65
serpentine
winding; twisting; of or like a serpent; Ex. serpentine course of the river; N. serpent: snake
66
serrated
having a sawtoothed edge; Ex. serrated leaf
67
servile
slavish; cringing; N. servility
68
servitude
slavery; compulsory labor imposed as a punishment
69
sever
separate; cut off (a part) from a whole; break up (a relationship); N. severance; CF. severance pay: extra pay given an employee upon leaving a position
70
severity
harshness; intensity; sternness; austerity; ADJ. severe: harsh; strict; extremely violent or intense
71
sextant
navigation tool used to determine a ship's latitude and longitude (by measuring the altitudes of stars)
72
shackle
chain; fetter; confine with shackles; N.
73
sham
pretend; feign; ADJ: not genuine; fake; Ex. sham jewelry; N: something that is not what it appears; impostor; pretense; Ex. The agreement was a sham.
74
shambles
(place or scene of) complete disorder or ruin; wreck; mess; Ex. After the hurricane, the coast was a shambles.
75
shard
fragment generally of broken pottery (glass, clay bowl, or cup)
76
shaving
very thin piece, usually of wood (cut from a surface with a sharp blade)
77
plane
carpenter's tool for smoothing and leveling wood; V. CF. flat
78
sheaf
bundle of stalks of grain; any bundle of things tied together
79
sheathe
place into a case; insert into or provide with a sheath; Ex. He sheathed his dagger; N. sheath: case for a blade
80
sherbet
flavored dessert ice
81
shimmer
shine with a flickering light; glimmer intermittently; Ex. The moonlight shimmered on the water; N.
82
shirk
avoid (responsibility, work, etc.); malinger
83
shoddy
made of inferior material; sham; not genuine; inferior; dishonest; Ex. shoddy goods/trick
84
shrew
scolding woman; very small mouselike animal
85
shrewd
clever; astute
86
shun
keep away from; avoid deliberately; Ex. She has been shunned by her neighbors.
87
shunt
move (a railway train) from one track to another; turn aside; divert; sidetrack; Ex. shunt traffic around an accident; N.
88
sidetrack
switch (a railroad car) to a siding; divert from a main issue; N. CF. siding: short section of railroad track connected by switches with a main track
89
shyster
lawyer using questionable methods; unscrupulous practioner
90
sibling
brother or sister
91
sibylline
prophetic; oracular; N. sibyl: woman prophet (in the ancient world)
92
sidereal
relating to stars; Ex. sidereal day
93
silt
sediment deposited by running water (at the entrance to a harbor or by a bend in a river)
94
simian
monkeylike; N: ape or monkey
95
simile
comparison of one thing with another, using the word like or as
96
simper
smirk; smile in a silly way; smile affectedly
97
simplistic
oversimplified
98
simulate
feign; imitate
99
sinecure
well-paid position with little responsibility; CF. sine cure: without care; CF. San Serif
100
sinewy
(of meat) tough; strong and firm; muscular; N. sinew: tendon; strong cord connecting a muscle to a bone
101
singular
being only one; individual; unique; extraordinary; odd; Ex. singular beauty/behavior
102
sinister
evil; ominous
103
sinuous
twisting; winding; bending in and out; not morally honest
104
skeptic
sceptic; doubter; person who suspends judgment until he has examined the evidence supporting a point of view; ADJ. skeptical; N. skepticism; scepticism
105
skiff
small light sailboat or rowboat
106
skimp
provide or use scantily; live very economically; Ex. skimp on necessities; ADJ. skimpy: inadequate in amount; scanty; stingy; niggardly
107
skinflint
miser; stingy person
108
skirmish
minor fight; minor battle in war; V.
109
skittish
inconstant; capricious; frivolous; not serious; Ex. charming but skittish young woman; CF. skit
110
frisk
move about playfully; froric; ADJ. frisky: playful
111
skulduggery(skullduggery)
dishonest behavior or action; Ex. skulduggery in the election
112
skulk
move furtively and secretly; Ex. He skulked through the less fashionable sections of the city.
113
slacken
slow up; loosen; make or become slack
114
slack
moving slowly; sluggish; inactive; (of a rope) loose; negligent; lax; Ex. slack season; Ex. slack in one's work; N. V.
115
slag
glassy residue from smelting metal; dross; waste matter
116
slake
satisfy (thirst); quench; sate
117
slander
defamation; utterance of false and malicious statements; V. ADJ. slanderous
118
slapdash
hasty and careless; haphazard; sloppy(carelessly done)
119
sleazy
shabby and dirty; flimsy; insubstantial; Ex. sleazy back-street hotel/fabric
120
sleeper
one that achieves unexpected success; something originally of little value or importance that in time becomes very valuable
121
sleight
dexterity; CF. sleight of hand: legerdemain; quickness of the hands in doing tricks
122
slew
large quantity or number; Ex. slew of errands left
123
slight
insult to one's dignity; snub; V: treat as if of small importance; insult; snub; ADJ. small in size; of small importance
124
slipshod
slovenly; careless; sloppy; untidy; shabby; Ex. slipshod work
125
slither
slip or slide
126
sloth
slow moving tree-dwelling mammal; laziness; ADJ. slothful: lazy; indolent
127
slough
(of a snake) shed or cast off (dead outer skin); N: outer layer that is shed
128
slovenly
untidy; careless in work habits; slipshod; N. sloven: one who is habitually untidy or careless
129
sledge
large sled drawn by work animals
130
sleigh
large vehicle drawn by a horse over snow or ice
131
sluggard
lazy person
132
sluggish
lazy; slow; inactive; lethargic; CF. slug: nail with no shell
133
sluice
artificial channel for directing or controlling the flow of water (with a gate to regulate the flow)
134
slur
slander; insult to one's character or reputation; V.
135
slur
pronounce indistinctly; speak indistinctly; mumble
136
smattering
slight knowledge; small scattered number or amount; Ex. smattering of German
137
smelt
melt (ore) for separating and removing the metal; melt or blend ores changing their chemical composition
138
smirk
conceited smile; offensively self-satisfied smile (often at someone else's misfortune); V.
139
smolder
smoulder; burn slowly without flame; be liable to break out at any moment; exist in a suppressed state; Ex. smoldering anger
140
snicker
half-stifled(suppressed) laugh; V.
141
snivel
complain or whine tearfully; run at the nose; snuffle; Ex. Don't come back sniveling to me.
142
snuffle
sniffle; sniff repeatedly (in order to keep liquid from running out of the nose)
143
sobriety
moderation (especially regarding indulgence in alcohol); seriousness
144
sober
serious; solemn; not drunken; abstemious or temperate; V: make or become sober
145
sodden
thoroughly soaked; dull or stupid as if from drink
146
sojourn
temporary stay; V: stay for a time
147
solace
comfort in sorrow or trouble; consolation; V: comfort or console in time of sorrow or trouble
148
solder
repair or make whole by using a metal alloy; N: metal alloy (usually tin and lead) used in the molten state to join metallic parts
149
solecism
nonstandard grammatical construction; construction that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically; violation of social etiquette
150
solemnity
seriousness; gravity
151
solicit
entreat; request earnestly; seek to obtain; Ex. solicit votes; CF. solicitor: one who solicits; chief law officer
152
solicitous
anxious; worried; concerned; eager; Ex. solicitous to do something; N. solicitude
153
soliloquy
talking to oneself (esp. in a play); CF. monologue: soliloquy; long speech by one person (often monopolizing a conversation)
154
solitude
state of being alone; seclusion; ADJ. solitary: existing or living alone (esp. by choice); remote or secluded; single; sole; Ex. solitary life/inn; Ex. no solitary piece of proof
155
solstice
point or time at which the sun is farthest from the equator
156
soluble
able to be dissolved in a liquid; able to be worked out or solved
157
solvent
able to pay all depths; N. solvency
158
solvent
substance that dissolves another; ADJ: capable of dissolving another substance
159
somatic
pertaining to the body; bodily; physical
160
somber
dark; gloomy; melancholy; depressing; CF. shadow
161
somnambulist
sleepwalker; V. somnambulate; N. somnambulism
162
somnolent
half asleep; drowsy; N. somnolence
163
sonorous
resonant; producing a full deep sound; producing sound
164
sonic
of sound or its speed in air; CF. subsonic, supersonic
165
sonnet
14-line poetic verse form with a fixed rhyme pattern
166
sophist
teacher of philosophy; quibbler; employer of fallacious reasoning; N. sophism: plausible but fallacious argument
167
sophisticated
worldly wise and urbane; refined; complex; N. sophistication; V. sophisticate
168
sophistry
seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning; sophism
169
sophomoric
immature; half-baked; like a sophomore
170
soporific
sleep-causing; marked by sleepiness; drowsy
171
sordid
filthy; foul; base; vile; Ex. sordid bed/story
172
spangle
small shiny metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation
173
sparse
not thick; thinly scattered; scanty
174
spartan
without attention to comfort; lacking luxury and comfort; sternly disciplined; Ex. spartan living condition/life
175
spasmodic
fitful; periodic; of or like a spasm; N. spasm: sudden involuntary muscular contraction; sudden burst of energy or emotion
176
spat
squabble; minor dispute; minor quarrel
177
spate
sudden flood or rush; Ex. spate of accidents
178
spatial
relating to space
179
spatula
broad-bladed instrument used for spreading or mixing
180
spawn
lay eggs (in large numbers); produce offspring (in large numbers); N: eggs of aquatic animals
181
specious
seemingly reasonable but incorrect; misleading (often intentionally)
182
spectral
ghostly; N. specter: spectre; ghost; phantom
183
spectrum
colored band produced when a beam of light passes through a prism; broad and continuous range; Ex. whole spectrum of modern thoughts
184
spendthrift
someone who wastes money; CF. thrift: accumulated wealth
185
sphinx-like
enigmatic; mysterious
186
splice
join together end to end to make one continuous length; fasten together; unite; Ex. splice two strips of tape; N.
187
spontaneity
lack of premeditation; naturalness; freedom from constraint; ADJ. spontaneous: self-generated; unpremeditated; happening without being planned
188
spoonerism
accidental transposition of sounds in successive words; Ex. "Let me sew you to your sheet'' for "Let me show you to your seat''; CF. William Spooner
189
transpose
reverse the order or position of
190
sporadic
occurring irregularly; intermittent
191
sportive
playful; frolicsome; merry; CF. sport: play or frolic; CF. sportsmanlike
192
spruce
neat and trim in appearance; smart; Ex. Be spruce for your job interview; V.
193
spry
(esp. of older people) vigorously active; nimble
194
nimble
quick in movement; agile; quick in understanding; Ex. nimble climber/mind
195
spurious
false; counterfeit; forged; illogical; Ex. spurious arguments
196
spurn
reject disdainfully; scorn; Ex. She spurned all offers of help.
197
squabble
minor quarrel; bickering; V: engage in a minor quarrel; Ex. squabbling children
198
squalor
condition of being squalid; filth; degradation; dirty neglected state; ADJ. squalid: dirty; sordid; morally repulsive; Ex. squalid story
199
squander
waste; spend foolishly
200
squat
short and thick; stocky; Ex. ugly squat tower; V. N.
201
staccato
played in an abrupt manner; marked by abrupt sharp sound; Ex. staccato applause
202
legato
(of music) played smoothly
203
stagnant
(of water) not flowing (often bad-smelling); motionless; stale; not developing; inactive; dull; Ex. stagnant industrial output
204
staid
serious and sedate; sober; Ex. staid during the funeral ceremony
205
stalemate
deadlock; situation in which further action is blocked
206
stalwart
physically strong; brawny; steadfast; strong in mind or determination; Ex. stalwart supporter; N: stalwart follower
207
stamina
power of endurance; strength; staying power
208
stanch
stop or check flow of blood; Ex. stanch the gushing wound
209
stanza
division of a poem (composed of two or more lines)
210
static
having no motion; unchanging; lacking development; N. stasis: stable state
211
statute
law enacted by the legislature
212
statutory
created by statute or legislative action; regulated by statute; Ex. statutory age limit
213
steadfast
steadily loyal; unswerving; steady
214
stealth
action of moving secretly or unseen; slyness; sneakiness; secretiveness; ADJ. stealthy
215
steep
soak; saturate; Ex. steep the fabric in the dye bath; ADJ: precipitous
216
stellar
pertaining to the stars; of a star performer; outstanding; Ex. stellar attraction of the entire performance
217
stem
stop or check (the flow of); Ex. stem the bleeding from the slashed artery; N: main axis of a plant; stalk
218
stem_from
arise from; originate from
219
stentorian
(of the voice) extremely loud; CF. Stentor: a loud herald in the Iliad
220
stereotype
one regarded as embodying a set image or type; fixed and unvarying representation; standardized mental picture often reflecting prejudice; Ex. stereotype of the happy slave; V: make a stereotype of; represent by a stereotype; Ex. It is wrong to stereotype people; Ex. stereotyped answer
221
stickler
perfectionist; person who insists things be exactly right
222
stifle
suppress; extinguish; inhibit; smother or suffocate
223
smother
kill from lack of air; suppress; cover thickly; Ex. smothered in little stickers
224
suffocate
die or kill from lack of air; suppress
225
stigma
token of disgrace; brand; V. stigmatize: mark with a stigma; characterize as disgraceful
226
stilted
bombastic; stiffly pompous; Ex. stilted rhetoric; CF. stiff: formal
227
stint
set limits in amount or number; be thrifty; ADJ. stinting, unstinting; CF. stint:savings
228
stint
supply; allotted amount of work; assigned portion of work; limitation; Ex. two-year stint in the army; Ex. without stint
229
stipend
pay for services
230
stipple
paint or draw with dots or short strokes
231
stipulate
state as a necessary condition (of an agreement); make express conditions; specify; Ex. He stipulated payment in advance
232
stock
standard; kept regularly in stock or supply; typical; routine; common; Ex. stock sizes of paper; Ex. stock excuse/character; N: goods for sale in a shop; OP. unique
233
stockade
wooden enclosure or pen; fixed line of posts used as defensive barrier
234
pen
fenced enclosure for animals; confining space; Ex. sheep pen; V: confine in a pen; enclose
235
stodgy
dull; stuffy; boringly conservative; Ex. stodgy book
236
stoic
stoical; impassive; unmoved by joy or grief; N. CF. stoicism
237
stoke
stir up a fire or furnace; feed plentifully
238
stolid
dull; impassive; showing little emotion when strong feelings are expected
239
stratagem
deceptive scheme; clever trick
240
stratified
divided into classes; arranged into strata; V. stratify
241
stratum
layer of earth's surface; layer of society; PL. strata
242
strew
spread randomly; sprinkle; scatter; Ex. flower girl strewing rose petals
243
striated
marked with parallel bands; striped; grooved; Ex. striated rocks; V. striate; N. stria: thin groove or line
244
stricture
severe and adverse criticism; critical comments; limit or restriction
245
strident
loud and harsh; insistent; N. stridency
246
stringent
(of rules) binding; rigid; marked by scarcity of money; Ex. stringent economic conditions
247
strut
pompous walk; V: walk in a self-important manner
248
strut
supporting bar; CF. airplane wing, building support
249
studied
carefully contrived; calculated; unspontaneous; deliberate; thoughtful; Ex. studied remark
250
stultify
make stupid in mind; cause to appear or become stupid or inconsistent; suppress; frustrate or hinder; Ex. stultifying effect of uninteresting work; Ex. stultify free expression
251
stupefy
stun; make numb (as with a drug); amaze
252
stupor
state of being stupefied; state of apathy; daze; lack of awareness
253
stun
make unconscious or numb as by a blow; amaze; astound
254
daze
stun as with a blow or shock; bemuse; benumb; N.
255
stygian
unpleasantly dark; gloomy; hellish; deathly; CF. Styx: the chief river in the subterranean land of the dead
256
stymie
thwart; present an obstacle; stump
257
stump
base of a tree trunk left after the rest has been cut down; V: walk in a heavy manner; baffle; puzzle
258
suavity
urbanity; polish; ADJ. suave: smooth and courteous
259
subaltern
subordinate
260
subdue
less intense; quieter; Ex. subdued lighting; Ex. subdue: conquer; make less intense; quiet; Ex. subdue one's anger
261
subjective
influenced by personal feelings; occurring or taking place within the mind; unreal; Ex. subjective sensation of the ghostly presence
262
subjugate
conquer; bring under control
263
sublimate
refine; purify; replace (natural urges) with socially acceptable activities; change between a solid state and a gaseous state
264
sublime
causing deep feelings of wonder, joy, respect, etc.; exalted; noble and uplifting; utter
265
subliminal
below the threshold of conscious perception; Ex. subliminal advertisement
266
submissive
willing to obey orders; yielding; timid
267
subordinate
occupying a lower rank; inferior; submissive; N. V: put in a lower rank or class
268
suborn
persuade to act unlawfully (especially to commit perjury); N. subornation
269
subpoena
writ(written command issued by a court) summoning a witness to appear in court; V: summon with a subpoena
270
subsequent
following in time or order; later
271
subservient
behaving like a slave; servile; obsequious; subordinate; N. subservience
272
subside
sink to a lower level; settle down; sink to the bottom (as a sediment); descend; grow quiet; become less; moderate; abate
273
subsidiary
serving to assist; subordinate; secondary; of a subsidy; N.
274
subsidy
direct financial aid by government, etc.; V. subsidize: assist with a subsidy
275
subsistence
existence; means of subsisting; means of support; livelihood; V. subsist: exist; maintain life (at a meager level)
276
substantial
of substance; material; solid; essential or fundamental; ample; considerable; well-to-do; wealthy
277
substantiate
support (a claim) with evidence; establish with evidence; verify
278
substantive
substantial; essential; pertaining to the substance; substantial; considerable; Ex. substantive issues
279
subsume
include (as a member of a group); encompass
280
subterfuge
stratagem(deceptive scheme); pretense; evasion; Ex. resort to a harmless subterfuge
281
subtlety
perceptiveness; ingenuity; delicacy; ADJ. subtle: delicate; so slight as to be difficult to detect; able to make fine distinctions; clever; Ex. subtle mind/differences in meaning
282
subversive
tending to overthrow or ruin; V. subvert: overthrow completely (an established system); destroy completely; CF. undermine ?
283
succor
assist (someone in difficulty); aid; comfort; N.
284
succulent
juicy; full of juice or sap; full of richness; N: succulent plant such as a cactus
285
succumb
yield (to something overwhelming); give in; die; Ex. succumb to the illness
286
suffragist
advocate of the extension of voting rights (for women); CF. suffrage
287
suffuse
spread through or over (with a color or liquid); charge; Ex. A blush suffused her cheeks.
288
sully
defile; soil; tarnish; Ex. sully one's hands in menial labor
289
tarnish
make or become dull or discolored; N.
290
sultry
(of weather) hot; sweltering; sensual; voluptuous
291
summation
act of finding the total; summing-up; summary (esp. one given by the judge at the end of a trial)
292
sumptuous
grand suggesting great expense; lavish; rich; Ex. sumptuous feast
293
sunder
separate; part; CF. asunder
294
sundry
miscellaneous; various; several; N. sundries: small miscellaneous items
295
superannuated
retired or disqualified because of age; outmoded; obsolete
296
supercilious
haughty; arrogant; condescending; patronizing; CF. eyebrow, cilium
297
supererogatory
superfluous; more than needed or demanded
298
superficial
of the surface; not deep; shallow; not thorough; trivial; Ex. superficial analysis/knowledge
299
superfluous
excessive; overabundant; unnecessary; N. superfluity
300
superimpose
place over something else
301
supernumerary
person or thing excess of what is necessary; extra; ADJ: additional to the usual or necessary number
302
supersede
replace; cause to be set aside; make obsolete; N. supersession
303
supine
lying on back; passive; inactive; Ex. The defeated pugilist lay supine; Ex. supine acceptance of the decision
304
supplant
take the place of unfairly; usurp; replace
305
supple
flexible; limber; pliant
306
suppliant
entreating; beseeching; N.
307
supplicate
petition humbly; pray to grant a favor
308
supplicant
one who supplicates; ADJ.
309
supposition
assumption; hypothesis; surmise; V. suppose
310
supposititious
assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical
311
suppress
put an end to forcibly; subdue; stifle; overwhelm; inhibit the expression of; check; prevent from being published or made public; Ex. suppress a smile; Ex. suppress the magazine/truth
312
surfeit
satiate; feed or supply to excess; stuff; indulge to excess in anything; N: surfeiting; excessive amount; Ex. surfeit of food
313
surly
bad-tempered; rude; cross
314
cross
bad-tempered; showing ill-humor; angry
315
surmise
guess; N.
316
surmount
overcome
317
surpass
exceed
318
surreptitious
done secretly; secret; furtive; sneaky; hidden
319
surrogate
substitute; person or thing used in place of another; Ex. surrogate mother; ADJ.
320
surveillance
close observation of a person (esp. one under suspicion); watching; guarding
321
susceptible
impressionable; easily influenced; sensitive; having little resistance as to a disease; likely to suffer; receptive to; capable of accepting; Ex. susceptible to persuasion/colds; Ex. The agreement is not susceptible of alteration; N. susceptibility
322
sustain
suffer (harm or loss); experience; support; prop; maintain; keep in existence; nourish (to maintain life); Ex. sustain the family/the trapped miners
323
sustenance
sustaining; means of livelihood, support, food, nourishment; something that maintains life; food
324
suture
stitches sewn to hold the cut edges of a wound or incision; material used in sewing; V: sew together a wound
325
swarthy
(of a skin or complexion) dark; dusky; Ex. swarthy Italian ?
326
swathe
swath; wrap around; bandage; Ex. one's head swathed in bandages
327
swelter
(of a person) suffer from oppressive heat; be oppressed by heat
328
swerve
deviate; turn aside sharply from a straight course; Ex. swerve from the principle; Ex. The car swerved to the right.
329
swill
drink greedily
330
swindler
cheater
331
sybarite
lover of luxury; person devoted to pleasure and luxury; CF. Sybaris: an ancient Greek city in Italy
332
sycophant
servile flatterer; bootlicker; yes man; ADJ. sycophantic
333
syllogism
logical formula consisting of a major premise, a minor premise and a conclusion; deceptive or specious argument
334
sylvan
pertaining to the woods or the country
335
symbiosis
interdependent relationship (between groups, species) often mutually beneficial; ADJ. symbiotic; CF. together + life
336
symmetry
arrangement of parts so that balance is obtained; congruity; ADJ. symmetrical
337
lopsided
heavier or larger on one side than the other; Ex. lopsided way of walking
338
synchronous
similarly timed; simultaneous with; occurring at the same time; V. synchronize
339
synoptic
providing a general overview; summary; N. synopsis
340
synthesis
combining parts or separate things into a whole; the whole so formed; PL. syntheses; V. synthesize
341
synthetic
not natural; artificial; resulting from synthesis; Ex. synthetic fiber; N.
342
tacit
understood (without actually being expressed); not put into words; Ex. tacit agreement
343
taciturn
habitually silent; talking little
344
tactile
pertaining to the organs or sense of touch
345
tact
skill or sensitivity in dealing with people without causing offence
346
taint
contaminate; cause to lose purity; modify with a trace of something bad; Ex. tainted reputation; N: stain; touch of decay or bad influence; CF. touch
347
talisman
charm; object believed to give supernatural powers to or protect its bearer
348
talon
claw of bird
349
tangential
only slightly connected; not central; peripheral; digressing; showing divergence; CF. tangent
350
tangible
able to be touched; real; concrete; palpable; possible to realize or understand; Ex. tangible proof
351
tanner
person who turns animal hides into leather
352
tan
convert (hide) into leather; make brown by exposure to the sun
353
tantalize
tease; excite by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach; torture with disappointment; CF. Tantalus: Greek mythological figure
354
tantamount
equivalent in effect or value; Ex. This invasion is tantamount to a declaration of war; CF. amount
355
tantrum
fit of bad temper; fit of petulance; caprice; Ex. The child went into tantrums.
356
taper
very thin candle; gradual decrease in the width of a long object; V. make or become gradually narrower toward one end
357
tarantula
venomous spider
358
tarry
linger; delay in starting or going; dawdle
359
taut
tight; strained; tense; ready; OP. slack
360
tautological
needlessly repetitious; Ex. ``It was visible to the eye''; N. tautology: needless repetition of the same sense; statement that is always true
361
tawdry
cheap and gaudy; Ex. tawdry jewelry
362
taxonomist
specialist in classifying (animals, etc.); CF. taxonomy: science of classification
363
tedium
boredom; weariness; ADJ. tedious
364
teetotalism
practice of abstaining totally from alcoholic drinks; N. teetotaler;; ADJ. teetotal; CF. T + total
365
temerity
boldness; nerve; rashness; Ex. temerity to ask for a pay increase after only three day's work
366
temper
moderate; make less severe; tone down or restrain; toughen (steel) as by alternate heating and cooling
367
temperament
characteristic frame of mind; disposition; emotional excess; ADJ. temperamental: of temperament; having frequent changes of temper; Ex. temperamental dislike of sports; Ex. temperamental actress
368
temperate
moderate; restrained; self-controlled; moderate in respect to temperature; CF. temperance: moderation and self-restraint; abstinence of alcoholic drinks; Ex. temperance society
369
tempestuous
stormy; violent; impassioned; N. tempest: violent storm
370
tempo
speed of music
371
temporal
of time; not lasting forever; limited by time; temporary; secular; worldly
372
temporize
gain time as by postponing an action; avoid committing oneself
373
tenacious
holding fast (as to a belief); persistent
374
tenacity
firmness; persistence
375
tendentious
promoting a particular point of view; biased; having an aim; designed to further a cause; Ex. tendentious rather than truth-seeking; CF. tend: move in a certain direction
376
tender
offer formally; extend; Ex. tender one's resignation/the exact fare; N: formal offer; money; Ex. legal tender; ADJ: young and vulnerable; sensitive to the touch; sore; soft; delicate; Ex. child of tender years; Ex. tender wound
377
tenet
doctrine; dogma
378
tensile
capable of being stretched; of tension; Ex. tensile rubber
379
tension
stretching; condition of being stretched; mental strain; strained relationship between groups or people
380
tentative
not fully worked out or developed; provisional; experimental; uncertain; hesitant; not definite or positive; Ex. tentative agreement/reply
381
tenuous
thin; slim; rare
382
tenure
holding of an office or real estate; time during which such an office is held
383
tepid
lukewarm; slightly warm; ¹ÌÃö±ÙÇÃ'; half-hearted; not eager; Ex. tepid reaction to the new film; Ex. tepid supporter
384
termination
end; V. terminate
385
terminology
terms used in a science or art; study of nomenclature
386
terminus
last stop of railroad; end
387
terminal
part that forms the end; railroad or bus station; ADJ. forming an end; ending in death; fatal; Ex. terminal cancer
388
terrestrial
on or relating to the earth
389
terse
concise; abrupt; pithy
390
tertiary
third in order or rank
391
tessellated
mosaic; inlaid; Ex. tessellated pattern
392
testator
maker of a will; CF. testatrix
393
testy
irritable; impatient and bad-tempered; short-tempered; N. testiness
394
tether
tie (an animal) with a rope or tether; N: rope or chain to which an animal is tied; limit of one's endurance; Ex. the end of one's tether
395
thematic
of a theme; relating to a unifying motif or idea
396
theocracy
government run by religious leaders
397
theoretical
based on theory; not practical or applied; hypothetical
398
therapeutic
curative; N. therapy
399
thermal
pertaining to heat; producing heat; warm; Ex. thermal bath; N: rising current of warm air
400
thespian
pertaining to drama; N: actor or actress
401
drama
prose or verse composition to be performed by actors; play; exciting and unusual situation
402
thrall
slave; bondage; slavery; Ex. Her beauty held him in thrall; CF. enthrall
403
threadbare
worn through till the threads show; shabby and poor; hackneyed; Ex. threadbare excuses
404
thrifty
careful about money; economical; N. thrift
405
thrive
prosper; flourish
406
throes
violent anguish
407
throng
crowd (of people or things); V.
408
throttle
strangle; regulate the speed of with a throttle; N: valve that regulates the flow; CF. throat ?
409
strangle
kill by choking or suffocating; suppress
410
thwart
block or hinder; baffle; frustrate
411
tightwad
miser; excessively frugal person
412
tiller
handle used to move boat's rudder (to steer)
413
timbre
quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument (which distinguishes it from others of the same pitch)
414
timidity
lack of self-confidence or courage
415
timorous
fearful; timid; demonstrating fear
416
tipple
drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently; N: alcoholic drink
417
tirade
long angry denunciatory speech; diatribe; harangue; extended scolding; denunciation
418
tardy
slow; sluggish; not on time; late; Ex. tardy arrival
419
titanic
gigantic; N. titan
420
tithe
tax of one-tenth (contributed to a church); V: pay a tithe
421
titillate
tickle; excite pleasantly; Ex. not to titillate the audience but to enlighten it
422
tickle
touch (the body) lightly so as to cause laughter; please
423
title
name (of a book, film, etc.); mark of rank; formal appellation as of rank or office (such as Lord or General); right or claim to possession; championship; Ex. title as head of the family; Ex. title to the estate
424
titter
nervous giggle; nervous laugh; V.
425
titular
of a title; in name only; nominal; having the title of an office without the obligations; Ex. titular head of the company
426
toady
servile flatterer; yes man; sycophant; V: be a toady to; fawn
427
toga
Roman outer robe
428
tome
large volume; book
429
handsome
large in quantity; generous; Ex. handsome reward
430
tonsure
shaving of the head especially by person entering religious orders; V.
431
topography
physical features of a region (such as the shape and height); CF. topo-: place
432
torpedo
underwater explosive apparatus; V.
433
torpor
lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy; ADJ. torpid: lethargic; lazy; inactive; (of an animal) dormant; hibernating
434
torque
twisting force; force producing rotation
435
torrent
rushing stream; flood; Ex. The rain fell in torrents.
436
torrid
(of weather) hot or scorching; passionate; Ex. torrid love affairs
437
torso
trunk of statue with head and limbs missing; human trunk
438
trunk
main wooden stem of a tree; human body excluding the head and limbs; torso; prehensile nose of an elephant
439
tortuous
winding; full of curves; Ex. tortuous mountain road
440
totter
shake or move unsteadily; sway as if about to fall
441
touchstone
stone used to test the fineness of gold alloys; criterion; standard
442
touchy
oversensitive; easily offended; irasible; delicate; needing delicate handling; Ex. touchy situation
443
tout
promote or publicize (one's goods or service); praise excessively (as a form of advertisement); CF. advertise
444
toxic
poisonous; N. toxicity
445
tract
propaganda pamphlet (esp. by a religious or political group); expanse of land; region of indefinite size; system of related organs; Ex. digestive tract
446
tractable
docile; easily managed; (of something) easily changed or molded; N. tractability
447
traduce
expose to slander
448
trajectory
path taken by a projectile; Ex. trajectory of a bullet
449
elevation
elevated position; altitude; height; flat upright side of a building; angle made by pointing a gun; Ex. The elevation of her style is much admired; Ex. front elevation of the house
450
tranquillity
calmness; peace
451
transcendent
exceeding ordinary limits; superior; surpassing; V. transcend: go beyond; exceed; surpass; N. transcendancy
452
transcendental
going beyond common thought or ideas; impossible to understand by practical experiences or practices; known only by studying thoughts or intuition; OP. empirical; CF. transcendentalism
453
transcribe
copy; write a copy of; N. transcription
454
transgression
violation of a law; sin; V. transgress: go beyond (a limit); violate; do wrong
455
transient
staying for a short time; momentary; temporary; N: one that is transient
456
transition
going from one state of action to another
457
transitory
transient; impermanent; fleeting; N. transitoriness
458
translucent
partly transparent
459
transmute
transform; change; convert to something different
460
transparent
permitting light to pass through freely; easily detected; obvious; clear; Ex. transparent lie
461
transpire
(of a fact) become known; be revealed; happen; give off (watery waste matter) through pores
462
transport
strong emotion; rapture; Ex. in a transport/transports of; V: move to strong emotion; enrapture
463
trappings
outward decorations; ornaments (as an outward sign of rank)
464
traumatic
(of an experience) deeply shocking; pertaining to an injury caused by violence; N. trauma: serious wound; emotional shock that causes lasting psychological damage
465
travail
strenuous work; toil; painful labor; labor of childbirth
466
traverse
go through or across
467
travesty
copy or example of something that completely misrepresents the true nature of the real thing; comical parody or imitation; treatment aimed at making something appear ridiculous; Ex. travesty of justice; OP. paragon
468
treatise
article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly
469
trek
travel; journey; V: make a long difficult journey
470
tremor
trembling; slight quiver (as of the earth or from nervous agitation)
471
tremulous
trembling; wavering
472
trenchant
cutting; incisive; keen
473
furrow
long shallow trench made by a plow; deep wrinkle in the skin; V.
474
trepidation
fear; nervous apprehension
475
tribulation
suffering; ordeal; distress; trial
476
tribunal
court of justice
477
tribune
official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians to protect their rights; protector of the people
478
tribute
tax levied by a ruler; payment made by one nation to another in acknowledgment of submission; mark of respect (such as praise or gift); Ex. pay tribute to
479
trident
three-pronged spear
480
prong
pointed projecting part
481
trifling
trivial; unimportant
482
trifle
something of little importance or value; small amount; Ex. a trifle; V: treat without seriousness; flirt
483
trigger
set off; start
484
trilogy
group of three related works (connected by a shared subject but each complete in itself)
485
trinket
knickknack; bauble; cheap jewelry
486
trite
hackneyed; commonplace
487
trivia
trifles; unimportant matters
488
troth
pledge of good faith especially in betrothal; betrothal; Ex. by my troth
489
trough
long narrow container for feeding farm animals; lowest point (of a wave, business cycle, etc.); long narrow depression as between waves
490
truculence
aggressiveness; ferocity; ADJ. truculent: aggressive; pugnacious; fierce
491
truism
self-evident truth
492
truncate
cut the top off; shorten
493
tryst
meeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between lovers to meet
494
tumid
(of a part of the body) swollen; distended; bombastic; pompous
495
overblown
inflated; exaggerated
496
tumult
commotion of a great crowd; riot; noise; uproar; ADJ. tumultuous: noisy and disorderly
497
tundra
rolling treeless plain in Siberia and arctic North America
498
rolling
(of land) rising and falling in long gentle slopes; happening continuously by stages; Ex. rolling devolution of power to local governments
499
turbid
(of a liquid) having the sediment disturbed; muddy; thick
500
turbulence
state of violent agitation; ADJ. turbulent: violently agitated or disturbed
