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Flashcards - 7

0
Q

Cahoot

A

: Same class, category, partnership or league — usually used in plural
Origin: perhaps from French cahute cabin, hut.

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1
Q

Loggerheads

A

1 chiefly dialect
a : blockhead
b : head; especially : a disproportionately large head
2 a : a very large chiefly carnivorous sea turtle (Caretta caretta) of subtropical and temperate waters
b : alligator snapping turtle
3 : an iron tool consisting of a long handle terminating in a ball or bulb that is heated and used to melt tar or to heat liquids
at loggerheads : in or into a state of quarrelsome disagreement
Examples
that loggerhead couldn’t find the business end of a cow even if his life depended on it
Origin: probably from English dialect logger block of wood + English head.
First use: 1588
Synonyms: airhead, birdbrain, blockhead, bonehead, bubblehead, chowderhead, chucklehead, clodpoll (or clodpole), clot [British], cluck, clunk, cretin, cuddy (or cuddie) [British dialect], deadhead, dim bulb [slang], dimwit, dip, dodo, dolt, donkey, doofus [slang], dope, dork [slang], dullard, dumbbell, dumbhead, dum-dum, dummkopf, dummy, dunce, dunderhead, fathead, gander, golem, goof, goon, half-wit, hammerhead, hardhead, ignoramus, imbecile, jackass, know-nothing, knucklehead, lamebrain, idiot [chiefly dialect], loon, lump, lunkhead, meathead, mome [archaic], moron, mug [chiefly British], mutt, natural, nimrod [slang], nincompoop, ninny, ninnyhammer, nit [chiefly British], nitwit, noddy, noodle, numskull (or numbskull), oaf, pinhead, prat [British], ratbag [chiefly Australian], saphead, schlub (also shlub) [slang], schnook [slang], simpleton, stock, stupe, stupid, thickhead, turkey, woodenhead, yahoo, yo-yo

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2
Q

Stymying or stymie

A

tr.v. sty·mied (-md), sty·mie·ing also sty·my·ing (-m-ng), sty·mies (-mz)
To thwart; stump: a problem in thermodynamics that stymied half the class.
n.
1. An obstacle or obstruction.
2. Sports A situation in golf in which an opponent’s ball obstructs the line of play of one’s own ball on the putting green.

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3
Q

Agog

A

: full of interest or excitement because of something
Full Definition
: full of intense interest or excitement : eager
Examples
The news has chemists agog.
Her supporters were agog at the idea.
The town is agog over the plan.
Origin: Middle French en gogues in mirth.
First use: 1559
Synonyms: agape, expectant, anticipant, anticipatory
Antonyms: apathetic, indifferent, uneager, unenthusiastic

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4
Q

Fissile

A

1 : capable of being split or divided in the direction of the grain or along natural planes of cleavage
2 : capable of undergoing fission
fis·sil·i·ty \fi-ˈsi-lə-tē\ noun

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5
Q

Seemliness or seemly

A

: proper or appropriate for the situation
Full Definition
1 a : good-looking, handsome
b : agreeably fashioned : attractive
2 : conventionally proper : decorous
3 : suited to the occasion, purpose, or person : fit
Other forms: seem·li·er; seem·li·est
seem·li·ness noun
seemly adverb
Examples
it would not be seemly to use the memorial service as a forum for your political views
a young man of seemly appearance, robust health, and keen intelligence
Origin: Middle English semely, from Old Norse sœmiligr, from sœmr fitting.
First use: 13th century
Synonyms: befitting, correct, decent, decorous, de rigueur, genteel, nice, polite, respectable, proper
Antonyms: improper, inappropriate, incorrect, indecent, indecorous, indelicate, unbecoming, ungenteel, unseemly

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6
Q

Mutinous

A

: involved in a mutiny
: feeling or showing a desire not to do what someone has told or ordered you to do
Full Definition
1 a : disposed to or being in a state of mutiny : rebellious <a>
b : turbulent, unruly
2 : of, relating to, or constituting mutiny
mu·ti·nous·ly adverb
mu·ti·nous·ness noun
Examples
vowed that he would someday see the mutinous crew hang
First use: 1578
Synonyms: insurgent, insurrectionary, rebellious, revolutionary</a>

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7
Q

Indelicate

A

in·del·i·cate-li-kət\
adjective
: not polite : having or showing bad manners or taste
Full Definition
: not delicate:
a (1) : lacking in or offending against propriety : improper (2) : verging on the indecent : coarse
b : marked by a lack of feeling for the sensibilities of others : tactless
synonyms see indecorous
in·del·i·cate·ly adverb
in·del·i·cate·ness noun
Examples
the company considered his indelicate handling of such a personal matter to be unprofessional
First use: 1742
Synonyms: brash, graceless, ill-advised, imprudent, inadvisable, indiscreet, injudicious, tactless, undiplomatic, unwise
Antonyms: advisable, discreet, judicious, prudent, tactful, wise

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8
Q

Plangent

A

of a sound : loud, deep, and often sad
Full Definition
1 : having a loud reverberating sound <a>
2 : having an expressive and especially plaintive quality
plan·gent·ly adverb
Examples
a plangent, haunting song about a long-ago love
plangent organ music filled the church
the strong, plangent tones of a Louis Armstrong trumpet solo
Origin: Latin plangent-, plangens, present participle of plangere to strike, lament — more at plaint.
First use: 1858
Synonyms: aching, agonized, anguished, bemoaning, bewailing, bitter, deploring, doleful, dolesome, dolorous, funeral, grieving, heartbroken, lamentable, lugubrious, plaintive, mournful, regretful, rueful, sorrowful, sorry, wailing, weeping, woeful</a>

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9
Q

Seething

A

1 : intensely hot : boiling <a></a>

2 : constantly moving or active : agitated

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10
Q

Wait

A

Synonyms: await, bide, hold on, stay, bide one’s time, cool one’s heels, hold one’s breath, sit tight

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11
Q

Groaning

A

: to make a deep sound because of being under strain or pain or some strong emotion (such as grief or disappointment)
: to say (something that expresses annoyance or unhappiness)
: to complain about something
Full Definition
intransitive verb
1 : to utter a deep moan indicative of pain, grief, or annoyance
2 : to make a harsh sound (as of creaking) under sudden or prolonged straintransitive verb
: to utter or express with groaning
groan noun
Examples
The wounded man groaned in/with pain.
She groaned when she saw the bill.
She groaned silently/inwardly when she saw the bill.
Origin: Middle English gronen, from Old English grānian; akin to Old High German grīnan to growl.
First use: before 12th century
Synonyms: moan, wail

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12
Q

Bay

A
  1. : reddish brown <a></a>
  2. 2 : a main division of a structure
    3.
    : to bark with long sounds
    : to shout or cry out in a loud and often angry way
  3. Honor or fame
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13
Q

Evocative

A

: bringing thoughts, memories, or feelings into the mind

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14
Q

Ecumenical

A

: involving people from different kinds of Christian churches
Full Definition
1 : worldwide or general in extent, influence, or application
2 a : of, relating to, or representing the whole of a body of churches
b : promoting or tending toward worldwide Christian unity or cooperation
ec·u·men·i·cal·ly -k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Origin: Late Latin oecumenicus, from Late Greek oikoumenikos, from Greek oikoumenē the inhabited world, from feminine of oikoumenos, present passive participle of oikein to inhabit, from oikos house — more at vicinity.

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15
Q

Belie

A

: to give a false idea of (something)
: to show (something) to be false or wrong
Disguise. Contradict.
1 a : to give a false impression of
b : to present an appearance not in agreement with
2 a : to show (something) to be false or wrong

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16
Q

Redress

A

Correct
: to correct (something that is unfair or wrong)
Full Definition
1 a (1) : to set right : remedy (2) : to make up for : compensate
b : to remove the cause of (a grievance or complaint)
c : to exact reparation for : avenge

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17
Q

Hemorrhaging

A

medical : a condition in which a person bleeds too much and cannot stop the flow of blood
Full Definition
1 : a copious discharge of blood from the blood vessels
2 : a rapid and uncontrollable loss or outflow <a>
hem·or·rhag·ic \ˌhe-mə-ˈra-jik\ adjective
Origin: Latin haemorrhagia, from Greek haimorrhagia, from haimo- hem- + -rrhagia.
First use: 1671
2hemorrhage
medical : to bleed in a very fast and uncontrolled way
: to lose (people, money, etc.) in a very fast and uncontrolled way
Full Definition
intransitive verb
: to undergo heavy or uncontrollable bleedingtransitive verb
: to lose rapidly and uncontrollably
Other forms: hemorrhaged; hemorrhag·ing
Examples
The patient began to hemorrhage after the surgery.
The company is hemorrhaging money.
The patient has internal hemorrhaging.
First use: 1928</a>

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18
Q

Publicize

A

: a sign that something will happen
: an official messenger in the past
Publicize
2 : an official crier or messenger
3 a : one that precedes or foreshadows
b : one that conveys news or proclaims : announcer
c : one who actively promotes or advocates : exponent
synonyms see forerunner
Synonyms: advocate, advocator, apostle, backer, booster, champion, expounder, espouser, friend, gospeler (or gospeller), exponent, hierophant, high priest, paladin, promoter, proponent, protagonist, supporter, true believer, tub-thumper, white knight
2herald
transitive verb
: to be a sign of (something that is beginning to happen or will happen soon)
: to greet (someone or something) with enthusiasm
Full Definition
1 : to give notice of : announce
2 a : to greet especially with enthusiasm : hail
b : publicize
3 : to signal the approach of : foreshadow
Examples
The early flowers are heralds of spring.
Mercury was the herald of the Roman gods.
First use: 14th century

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19
Q

Ratify

A

Officially approve
: to make (a treaty, agreement, etc.) official by signing it or voting for it
Full Definition
: to approve and sanction formally : confirm
Other forms: rat·i·fied; rat·i·fy·ing
rat·i·fi·ca·tion \ˌra-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən\ noun
rat·i·fi·er \ˈra-tə-ˌfī(-ə)r\ noun
Examples
Lincoln’s home state of Illinois was the first to ratify the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which provided for the abolition of slavery
Origin: Middle English ratifien, from Anglo-French ratifier, from Medieval Latin ratificare, from Latin ratus determined, from past participle of reri to calculate — more at reason.

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20
Q

Adduce

A

: to mention or provide (something, such as a fact or example) as evidence or proof to support an argument
Full Definition
: to offer as example, reason, or proof in discussion or analysis

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21
Q

Adumbrate

A

1 : to foreshadow vaguely : intimate
2 : to suggest, disclose, or outline partially
3 : overshadow, obscure
Other forms: ad·um·brat·ed; ad·um·brat·ing
ad·um·bra·tion \ˌa-(ˌ)dəm-ˈbrā-shən\ noun
ad·um·bra·tive \a-ˈdəm-brə-tiv\ adjective
ad·um·bra·tive·ly adverb
Examples
the strife in Bloody Kansas in the 1850s adumbrated the civil war that would follow
Origin: Latin adumbratus, past participle of adumbrare, from ad- + umbra shadow — more at umbrage.

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22
Q

Purport or purportedly

A

: said to be true or real but not definitely true or real
Full Definition
: reputed, alleged

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23
Q

Spook

A 
1 : ghost, specter
2 : an undercover agent : spy
spook·ish \ˈspü-kish\ adjective
Examples
scary spooks
a CIA spook
Origin: Dutch; akin to Middle Low German spōk ghost.
First use: 1801
Synonyms: agent, asset, emissary, intelligencer, mole, operative, spy, undercover
2spook
\: to scare or frighten (a person or animal)
\: to become frightened
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : haunt 3
2 : to make frightened or frantic : scare; especially : to startle into violent activity (as stampeding)
intransitive verb
\: to become spooked 
Examples
The noise spooked the cat.
The little girl was spooked by scary masks.
She doesn't spook easily.
First use: 1883
Synonyms: affright, alarm (also alarum), fright, horrify, panic, scare, scarify, shock, frighten, startle, terrify, terrorize
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24
Q

Incensed

A

3 : pleasing attention : flattery
1 : material used to produce a fragrant odor when burned
2 : to arouse the extreme anger or indignation of
Synonyms: aroma, attar (also otto), balm, bouquet, fragrancy, fragrance, perfume, redolence, scent, spice

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25
Q

Implication

A

: a possible future effect or result
: something that is suggested without being said directly : something that is implied
: the fact or state of being involved in or connected to something (such as a crime) : the fact or state of being implicated in something

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26
Q

Risqué

A

ris·qué\ri-ˈskā\
adjective
: verging on impropriety or indecency : off-color <a>
Origin: French, from past participle of risquer to risk, from risque.
First use: 1867
Synonyms: bawdy, blue, gamy (or gamey), lewd, off, off-color (or off-colored), racy, ribald, suggestive, salty, spicy</a>

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27
Q

Pander

A

: to do or provide what someone wants or demands even though it is not proper, good, or reasonable
Full Definition
: to act as a pander; especially : to provide gratification for others’ desires
1 a : a go-between in love intrigues
b : pimp
2 : someone who caters to or exploits the weaknesses of others
Origin: Middle English Pandare Pandarus, from Latin Pandarus.
First use: 1530
Synonyms: cadet [slang], fancy man, pimp, procurer

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28
Q

Fester

A

: a suppurating sore : pustule
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French festre, from Latin fistula pipe, fistulous ulcer.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: boil, pock, hickey, papule, pimple, pustule, whelk, zit [slang]
2fester
: to become painful and infected
: to become worse as time passes
Full Definition
intransitive verb
1 : to generate pus
2 : putrefy, rot
3 a : to cause increasing poisoning, irritation, or bitterness : rankle
b : to undergo or exist in a state of progressive deterioration
transitive verb
: to make inflamed or corrupt
Other forms: fes·tered; fes·ter·ing -t(ə-)riŋ\
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: break down, corrupt, decompose, disintegrate, decay, foul, mold, molder, perish [chiefly British], putrefy, rot, spoil

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29
Q

Antipodal

A

1 : of or relating to the antipodes; specifically : situated at the opposite side of the earth or moon
2 : diametrically opposite
3 : entirely opposed <a>
First use: 1646
Synonyms: opposite, antipodean, antithetical, contradictory, contrary, diametric (or diametrical), polar
Antonyms: noncontradictory</a>

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30
Q

Deprecation discountenance disesteem

A

Act of disapproving or criticiZing badly

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31
Q

Abreast

A

—used to describe two or more people or things that are next to each other in a line
Full Definition
1 : beside one another with bodies in line
2 : up to a particular standard or level especially of knowledge of recent developments
Examples
columns/rows of five men abreast = columns/rows of men five abreast
with seats two abreast on each side of the aisle
Another runner drew abreast of her.

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32
Q

Abrogate

A

: to end or cancel (something) in a formal and official way

: to fail to do what is required by (something, such as a responsibility)

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33
Q

Accrue/accrual

A

: to increase in value or amount gradually as time passes : to grow or build up slowly
: to come to or be given to someone
Full Definition
intransitive verb
1 : to come into existence as a legally enforceable claim
2 a : to come about as a natural growth, increase, or advantage
b : to come as a direct result of some state or action
3 : to accumulate or be added periodically

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34
Q

Acculturation

A

noun
1 : cultural modification of an individual, group, or people by adapting to or borrowing traits from another culture; also : a merging of cultures as a result of prolonged contact
2 : the process by which a human being acquires the culture of a particular society from infancy
ac·cul·tur·a·tion·al -shnəl, -shə-nəl\ adjective
ac·cul·tur·a·tive \ə-ˈkəl-chə-ˌrā-tiv, a-\ adjective

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35
Q

Acerbic

A

: expressing harsh or sharp criticism in a clever way
Full Definition
: acid in temper, mood, or tone
acer·bi·cal·ly -bi-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Examples
whispered a steady stream of acerbic comments as the lecturer droned on
Origin: (see acerb ).
First use: 1865
Synonyms: acerb, sarcastic, acid, acidic, acidulous, acrid, barbed, biting, caustic, corrosive, cutting, mordant, pungent, sardonic, satiric (or satirical), scalding, scathing, sharp, smart-aleck, smart-alecky, smart-mouthed, snarky, tart

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36
Q

Acuity

A

: the ability to see, hear, or understand something easily
Full Definition
: keenness of perception
Other forms: plural acu·ities
Examples
a worrisome deterioration in the acuity of his hearing over the years
Origin: Middle English acuite acridity, from Middle French acuité, from Medieval Latin acuitat-, acuitas, from Latin acuere.
First use: 1543
Synonyms: acuteness, delicacy, keenness, perceptiveness, perceptivity, sensitiveness, sensitivity, sharpness

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37
Q

Acumen

A

: the ability to think clearly and make good decisions
Full Definition
: keenness and depth of perception, discernment, or discrimination especially in practical matters
synonyms see discernment
Examples
had the business acumen to know that the market for sportswear was becoming oversaturated
Origin: Latin acumin-, acumen, literally, point, from acuere.
First use: circa 1579
Synonyms: astuteness, caginess (also cageyness), canniness, clear-sightedness, foxiness, hardheadedness, intelligence, keenness, knowingness, sharpness, shrewdness, wit

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38
Q

Acute

A

: very serious or dangerous : requiring serious attention or action
: having or showing an ability to think clearly and to understand what is not obvious or simple about something
: very strong and sensitive : highly developed

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39
Q

Addled

A

ad·dle\ˈa-dəl\
adjective
1 of an egg : rotten
2 : confused
Origin: Middle English adel filth, from Old English adela; akin to Middle Low German adele liquid manure.
First use: 1682
Synonyms: dizzy, addled, addlepated, bedeviled, befogged, befuddled, bemused, bewildered, bushed [chiefly Australian], confounded, confused, dazed, distracted, dopey (also dopy), fogged, mixed-up, muddleheaded, muzzy, pixilated (also pixillated), punch-drunk, punchy, raddled, shell-shocked, silly, slaphappy, spaced-out (or spaced), spacey (also spacy), stunned, stupefied, zonked, zonked-out
Antonyms: clearheaded, unconfused
2addle
: to make (someone’s mind or brain) unable to think clearly
Full Definition
transitive verb
: to throw into confusion : confound
intransitive verb
1 : to become rotten : spoil
2 : to become confused
Other forms: ad·dled; ad·dling\ˈad-liŋ, ˈa-dəl-iŋ\
First use: 1682
Synonyms: confuse, baffle, bamboozle, beat, befog, befuddle, bemuse, bewilder, buffalo, confound, discombobulate, disorient, flummox, fox, fuddle, get, gravel, maze, muddle, muddy, mystify, perplex, pose, puzzle, vex

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40
Q

Addlepated

A 
ad·dle·pat·ed\ˈa-dəl-ˌpā-təd\
adjective
1 : being mixed up : confused
2 : eccentric
Examples
some addlepated clerk had confused our hotel reservation with that of another, similarly named, party
First use: 1630
Synonyms: addle, addled, dizzy, bedeviled, befogged, befuddled, bemused, bewildered, bushed [chiefly Australian], confounded, confused, dazed, distracted, dopey (also dopy), fogged, mixed-up, muddleheaded, muzzy, pixilated (also pixillated), punch-drunk, punchy, raddled, shell-shocked, silly, slaphappy, spaced-out (or spaced), spacey (also spacy), stunned, stupefied, zonked, zonked-out
Antonyms: clearheaded, unconfused
41
Q

Adduce

A

ad·duce\ə-ˈüs also -ˈdyüs\
transitive verb
: to mention or provide (something, such as a fact or example) as evidence or proof to support an argument
Full Definition
: to offer as example, reason, or proof in discussion or analysis
Other forms: ad·duced; ad·duc·ing
ad·duc·er noun
Examples
in support of a 12-month school year, the committee adduced data from other school districts
Origin: Middle English, from Latin adducere, literally, to lead to, from ad- + ducere to lead — more at tow.
First use: 15th century

42
Q

Adept

A

: a highly skilled or well-trained person : someone who is adept at something
Full Definition
: a highly skilled or well-trained individual : expert
Examples
He’s adept in several languages.
politically adept
She’s adept at fixing flaws in the system.
Origin: New Latin adeptus alchemist who has attained the knowledge of how to change base metals into gold, from Latin, past participle of adipisci to attain, from ad- + apisci to reach — more at apt.
First use: 1709
Synonyms: ace, expert, artist, authority, cognoscente, connoisseur, crackerjack (also crackajack), dab [chiefly British], dab hand [chiefly British], fiend, geek, guru, hand, hotshot, maestro, master, maven (also mavin), meister, past master, proficient, scholar, shark, sharp, virtuoso, whiz, wizard
Antonyms: amateur, inexpert, nonexpert
2adept\ə-ˈdept also ˈa-ˌdept\
adjective
: very good at doing something that is not easy
Full Definition
: thoroughly proficient : expert
synonyms see proficient
adept·ly \ə-ˈdep-(t)lē, a-\ adverb

43
Q

Adjudicator

A

ad·ju·di·cate\ə-ˈjü-di-ˌkāt\
: to make an official decision about who is right in a dispute
Full Definition
transitive verb
: to settle judiciallyintransitive verb
: to act as judge
Other forms: ad·ju·di·cat·ed; ad·ju·di·cat·ing
ad·ju·di·ca·tive -ˌkā-tiv, -kə-\ adjective
ad·ju·di·ca·tor -ˌkā-tər\ noun
ad·ju·di·ca·to·ry -ˈjü-di-kə-ˌtȯr-ē\ adjective
Examples
when we asked the salesclerk to adjudicate our disagreement, she agreed with me that the white shoes looked better
First use: 1775
Synonyms: adjudge, judge, arbitrate, decide, determine, referee, rule (on), settle, umpire

44
Q

Adjuvant

A

1 : serving to aid or contribute : auxiliary
2 : assisting in the prevention, amelioration, or cure of disease
Origin: French or Latin; French, from Latin adjuvant-, adjuvans, present participle of adjuvare to aid — more at aid.
First use: 1574
2adjuvant
noun
: one that helps or facilitates: as
a : an ingredient (as in a prescription or a solution) that modifies the action of the principal ingredient
b : something (as a drug or method) that enhances the effectiveness of medical treatment
c : a substance (as one added to a vaccine) enhancing the immune response to an antigen
First use: 1609

45
Q

Admonish

A

: to speak to (someone) in a way that expresses disapproval or criticism
: to tell or urge (someone) to do something
Full Definition
1 a : to indicate duties or obligations to
b : to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner
2 : to give friendly earnest advice or encouragement to
synonyms see reprove
ad·mon·ish·er noun
ad·mon·ish·ing·ly -ni-shiŋ-lē\ adverb
ad·mon·ish·ment -mənt\ noun
Examples
admonished her for littering
my physician is always admonishing me to eat more healthy foods

46
Q

Avarice

A

: a strong desire to have or get money
Avid
Full Definition
: excessive or insatiable desire for wealth or gain : greediness, cupidity
Examples
the bank official’s embezzlement was motivated by pure avarice
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin avaritia, from avarus avaricious, from avēre to crave — more at avid.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: acquisitiveness, greed, avariciousness, avidity, avidness, covetousness, cupidity, graspingness, greediness, mercenariness, rapaciousness, rapacity

47
Q

Cadaverous

A

: looking very thin and pale : resembling a corpse
Full Definition
1 a : of or relating to a corpse
b : suggestive of corpses or tombs
2 a : pallid, livid
b : gaunt, emaciated
ca·dav·er·ous·ly adverb
Examples
everyone always looks cadaverous in the winter
a cadaverous cancer patient living out his final days with dignity and courage
First use: 1627
Synonyms: ashen, ashy, blanched, pale, doughy, livid, lurid, mealy, paled, pallid, pasty, peaked, wan

48
Q

Gaunt

A 
gaunt\ˈgȯnt, ˈgänt\
adjective
\: very thin usually because of illness or suffering
\: plain and unpleasant in appearance : desolate and gloomy
Full Definition
1 : excessively thin and angular <a>
2 : barren, desolate
synonyms see lean
gaunt·ly adverb
gaunt·ness noun
Examples
a small gaunt man
He left the hospital looking tired and gaunt.
gaunt leafless trees
Origin: Middle English.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: cadaverous, emaciated, haggard, skeletal, wasted
49
Q

Emaciated

A

intransitive verb
: to waste away physicallytransitive verb
1 : to cause to lose flesh so as to become very thin
2 : to make feeble
Other forms: ema·ci·at·ed; ema·ci·at·ing
ema·ci·a·tion -ˌmā-s(h)ē-ˈā-shən\ noun
Examples
without adequate medical supplies, doctors could only look on helplessly as cholera victims continued to emaciate
Origin: Latin emaciatus, past participle of emaciare, from e- + macies leanness, from macer lean — more at meager.
First use: 1646
Synonyms: decay, droop, weaken, fade, fail, flag, go, lag, languish, sag, sink, waste (away), wilt, wither

50
Q

Precocial

A

: capable of a high degree of independent activity from birth
Examples:
The mallard is a type of precocial bird that can often fly independently just 24 hours after hatching.

“Hares are like deer, horses and cattle in the sense that their offspring are precocial. They still have multiple offspring per pregnancy, but they are born fully furred with their eyes open.” — Bill Danielson, The Recorder (Greenfield, Massachusetts), June 26, 2014
Did you know?
Precocial and its partner altricial are really for the birds. Well, at least they are often used to describe the young of our feathered friends. The chicks of precocial birds can see as soon as they hatch and generally have strong legs and a body covered with fine down. Those are attributes you would expect in birds described by the word precocial, which traces to the Latin precox, a term that means “precocious” or “early ripening” (yes, that root also gave us the word “precocious”). Ducks, geese, ostriches, pheasants, and quail are among the birds that hatch precocial offspring. Altricial chicks, on the other hand, are basically featherless and helpless at birth and require days or weeks of parental care before becoming independent.

51
Q

Concoct

A

con·coct\kən-ˈkäkt, kän-\
transitive verb
: to make (a food or drink) by mixing different things together
: to invent or develop (a plan, story, etc.) especially in order to trick or deceive someone
Full Definition
1 : to prepare by combining raw materials
2 : devise, fabricate
con·coct·er noun
con·coc·tion -ˈkäk-shən\ noun
con·coc·tive -ˈkäk-tiv\ adjective
Examples
trying to concoct an explanation for how the lamp got broken by itself
Origin: Latin concoctus, past participle of concoquere to cook together, from com- + coquere to cook — more at cook.
First use: 1594

52
Q

Excogitate

A

ex·cog·i·tate\ek-ˈskä-jə-ˌtāt\
transitive verb
: to think out : devise
ex·cog·i·ta·tion (ˌ)ek-ˌskä-jə-ˈtā-shən\ noun
ex·cog·i·ta·tive \ek-ˈskä-jə-ˌtā-tiv\ adjective
Examples
she’s a master at excogitating reasons not to do her assigned work
Origin: Latin excogitatus, past participle of excogitare, from ex- + cogitare to cogitate.
First use: circa 1530

53
Q

Palaver

A

: talk that is not important or meaningful
: excitement and activity caused by something that is not important
Full Definition
1 a : a long parley usually between persons of different cultures or levels of sophistication
b : conference, discussion
2 a : idle talk
b : misleading or beguiling speech
Origin: Portuguese palavra word, speech, from Late Latin parabola parable, speech.
First use: 1735
Synonyms: argument, argumentation, argy-bargy [chiefly British], back-and-forth, colloquy, confab, confabulation, conference, consult, consultation, council, counsel, debate, deliberation, dialogue (also dialog), give-and-take, discussion, parley, talk
2palaver
intransitive verb
1 : to talk profusely or idly
2 : parley
transitive verb
: to use palaver to : cajole
Other forms: pa·lav·ered; pa·lav·er·ing \pə-ˈla-və-riŋ, -ˈlä-; -ˈlav-riŋ, -ˈläv-\
First use: 1773
Synonyms: babble, blab, cackle, chaffer [British], chatter, chin [slang], converse, gab, gabble, gas, jabber, jaw, kibitz (also kibbitz), natter, chat, patter, prate, prattle, rap, rattle, run on, schmooze (or shmooze), talk, twitter, visit

54
Q

Impute

A

: to say or suggest that someone or something has or is guilty of (something)
Full Definition
1 : to lay the responsibility or blame for often falsely or unjustly
2 : to credit to a person or a cause : attribute
synonyms see ascribe
Other forms: im·put·ed; im·put·ing
im·put·abil·i·ty -ˌpyü-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
im·put·able -ˈpyü-tə-bəl\ adjective
Examples
people often impute his silence to unfriendliness and not to the shyness it really represents

55
Q

Ascribe

A

: to refer to a supposed cause, source, or author
Other forms: as·cribed; as·crib·ing
as·crib·able -ˈskrī-bə-bəl\ adjective
Examples
ascribed their stunning military victory to good intelligence beforehand
Origin: Middle English, from Latin ascribere, from ad- + scribere to write — more at scribe.
First use: 15th century
Synonym discussion: ascribe attribute assign impute credit mean to lay something to the account of a person or thing. ascribe suggests an inferring or conjecturing of cause, quality, authorship . attribute suggests less tentativeness than ascribe , less definiteness than assign . assign implies ascribing with certainty or after deliberation . impute suggests ascribing something that brings discredit by way of accusation or blame . credit implies ascribing a thing or especially an action to a person or other thing as its agent, source, or explanation .

56
Q

Innuendo

A

: a statement which indirectly suggests that someone has done something immoral, improper, etc.
Full Definition
1 a : an oblique allusion : hint, insinuation; especially : a veiled or equivocal reflection on character or reputation
b : the use of such allusions
2 : a parenthetical explanation introduced into the text of a legal document
Other forms: plural in·nu·en·dos or in·nu·en·does
Examples
repeatedly made innuendos regarding his opponent’s business dealings but feigned innocence when called upon to substantiate them
Origin: Latin, by nodding, from innuere to nod to, make a sign to, from in- + nuere to nod; akin to Latin nutare to nod — more at numen.
First use: 1678
Synonyms: imputation, insinuation

57
Q

Solicit

A

2importune
: to ask (someone) for something or to do something in a repeated or annoying way
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 a : to press or urge with troublesome persistence
b archaic : to request or beg for urgently
2 : annoy, trouble
intransitive verb
: to beg, urge, or solicit persistently or troublesomely
synonyms see beg
Other forms: importuned; importun·ing
im·por·tun·er noun
First use: 1530
Synonyms: appeal (to), beseech, besiege, conjure, entreat, impetrate, implore, beg, petition, plead (to), pray, solicit, supplicate

58
Q

Chastity

A

chas·ti·ty\ˈchas-tə-tē\
noun
: the state of not having sex with anyone : the quality or state of being chaste
Full Definition
1 : the quality or state of being chaste: as
a : abstention from unlawful sexual intercourse
b : abstention from all sexual intercourse
c : purity in conduct and intention
d : restraint and simplicity in design or expression
2 : personal integrity
Examples
a saint who is often held up as a model of chastity
vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
First use: 13th century
Synonyms: chasteness, immaculacy, innocence, modesty, purity
Antonyms: immodesty, impurity, unchasteness, unchastity

59
Q

Jejune (stodgy)

A

je·june\ji-ˈjün\
adjective
: not interesting
: too simple
Full Definition
1 : lacking nutritive value
2 : devoid of significance or interest : dull
3 : juvenile, puerile
synonyms see insipid
je·june·ly adverb
je·june·ness -ˈjün-nəs\ noun
Examples
another moralizing tale filled with jejune platitudes
an essay filled with jejune, simplistic opinions about international politics
Origin: Latin jejunus empty of food, hungry, meager.
First use: 1646
Synonyms: arid, colorless, drab, dreary, drudging, dry, dull, dusty, flat, heavy, ho-hum, humdrum, jading, boring, leaden, mind-numbing, monochromatic, monotonous, numbing, old, pedestrian, ponderous, slow, stale, stodgy, stuffy, stupid, tame, tedious, tiresome, tiring, uninteresting, wearisome, weary, wearying
Antonyms: absorbing, engaging, engrossing, gripping, interesting, intriguing, involving, riveting

60
Q

Sinister

A

: having an evil appearance : looking likely to cause something bad, harmful, or dangerous to happen
Full Definition
1 archaic : unfavorable, unlucky
2 archaic : fraudulent
3 : singularly evil or productive of evil
4 a : of, relating to, or situated to the left or on the left side of something; especially : being or relating to the side of a heraldic shield at the left of the person bearing it
b : of ill omen by reason of being on the left
5 : presaging ill fortune or trouble
6 : accompanied by or leading to disaster
sin·is·ter·ly adverb
sin·is·ter·ness noun
Examples
the movie relies too much on sinister background music to create the suspense that the plot sorely lacks
Origin: Middle English sinistre, from Anglo-French senestre on the left, from Latin sinistr-, sinister on the left side, unlucky, inauspicious.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: baleful, dire, direful, doomy, foreboding, ill, ill-boding, inauspicious, menacing, minatory, portentous, ominous, threatening
Antonyms: unthreatening
Synonym discussion: sinister baleful malign mean seriously threatening evil or disaster. sinister suggests a general or vague feeling of fear or apprehension on the part of the observer <a>. baleful imputes perniciousness or destructiveness to something whether working openly or covertly . malign applies to what is inherently evil or harmful .</a>

61
Q

Dereliction

A

: the act of no longer caring for, using, or doing something : the act of abandoning something
: the condition of being no longer cared for
law : failure to do your job or duty : failure to do what you should do
Full Definition
1 a : an intentional abandonment
b : the state of being abandoned
2 : a recession of water leaving permanently dry land
3 a : intentional or conscious neglect : delinquency
b : fault, shortcoming
Examples
the family’s shameful dereliction of their pets at the end of the summer season
the ski area was not held responsible for the injury on account of the skier’s own manifest dereliction
both sentries were to be court-martialed for dereliction of duty
First use: 1597
Synonyms: abandonment, desertion, forsaking

62
Q

Alibi

A

: a claim that you cannot be guilty of a crime because you were somewhere else when the crime was committed ; also : evidence which shows that such a claim is true
: an excuse for not being somewhere or doing something
Full Definition
1 : the plea of having been at the time of the commission of an act elsewhere than at the place of commission; also : the fact or state of having been elsewhere at the time
2 : an excuse usually intended to avert blame or punishment (as for failure or negligence)
synonyms see apology
Origin: Latin, elsewhere, from alius.
First use: 1743
Synonyms: excuse, apology, defense, justification, plea, reason
2alibi
transitive verb
: to exonerate by an alibi : furnish an excuse for
intransitive verb
: to offer an excuse
Other forms: alibied; alibi·ing
First use: 1909

63
Q

Emmendation

A

1 : the act or practice of emending
2 : an alteration designed to correct or improve
Examples
the governor’s numerous emendations to the speechwriter’s first draft left nary a sentence untouched
First use: 1536
Synonyms: amendment, correction

64
Q

Homonym

A

: a word that is spelled and pronounced like another word but is different in meaning
Full Definition
1 a : homophone
b : homograph
c : one of two or more words spelled and pronounced alike but different in meaning (as the noun quail and the verb quail)
2 : namesake
3 : a taxonomic designation rejected as invalid because the identical term has been used to designate another group of the same rank — compare synonym
hom·onym·ic \ˌhä-mə-ˈni-mik, ˌhō-\ adjective
Origin: Latin homonymum, from Greek homōnymon, from neuter of homōnymos.

65
Q

Metonym

A

A word used as another term for something it relates to

66
Q

Derelict

A

: no longer cared for or used by anyone
: failing to do what should be done
Full Definition
1 : abandoned especially by the owner or occupant; also : run-down
2 : lacking a sense of duty : negligent
Origin: Latin derelictus, past participle of derelinquere to abandon, from de- + relinquere to leave — more at relinquish.
First use: 1649
Synonyms: careless, negligent, disregardful, lax, lazy, neglectful, neglecting, remiss, slack
Antonyms: attentive, careful, conscientious, nonnegligent
2derelict
noun
: a person who has no money, job, home, etc.
Full Definition
1 a : something voluntarily abandoned; especially : a ship abandoned on the high seas
b : a tract of land left dry by receding water
2 : a destitute homeless social misfit : vagrant, bum
Examples
a drunken derelict
It was a run-down neighborhood filled with drugs addicts and derelicts.
First use: 1670
Synonyms: bum, ne’er–do–well, do-nothing, good-for-nothing, no-account, no-good, no-goodnik, slacker, vagrant

67
Q

Decree

A

: an official order given by a person with power or by a government
: an official decision made by a court of law
Full Definition
1 : an order usually having the force of law
2 a : a religious ordinance enacted by council or titular head
b : a foreordaining will
3 a : a judicial decision of the Roman emperor
b : a judicial decision especially in an equity or probate court
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French decré, from Latin decretum, from neuter of decretus, past participle of decernere to decide, from de- + cernere to sift, decide — more at certain.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: behest, charge, commandment, command, dictate, direction, directive, do, edict, imperative, injunction, instruction, order, word
2decree
: to order or decide (something) in an official way
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to command or enjoin by or as if by decree
2 : to determine or order judicially
intransitive verb
: ordain
Other forms: de·creed; de·cree·ing
de·cre·er -ˈkrē-ər\ noun
Examples
The government decreed a national holiday.
The change was decreed by the President.
The City Council has decreed that all dogs must be kept on a leash.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: call, command, dictate, direct, mandate, ordain, order

68
Q

Ineluctable

A

: not able to be avoided or changed
Full Definition
: not to be avoided, changed, or resisted : inevitable
in·eluc·ta·bil·i·ty -ˌlək-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
in·eluc·ta·bly -ˈlək-tə-blē\ adverb
Examples
the ineluctable approach of winter had many worried about the cost of heating their homes
Origin: Latin ineluctabilis, from in- + eluctari to struggle clear of, from ex- + luctari to struggle, wrestle; akin to Latin luxus dislocated — more at lock.
First use: circa 1623
Synonyms: certain, inevitable, ineludible, inescapable, necessary, sure, unavoidable, unescapable
Antonyms: avoidable, evadable, uncertain, unsure

69
Q

Incommensurate

A

: not commensurate: as
a : incommensurable
b : inadequate
c : disproportionate <a></a>

70
Q

Diminution

A

: the act or process of becoming less
Full Definition
: the act, process, or an instance of diminishing : decrease
Examples
a diminution of 60 percent over the course of the month
Origin: Middle English diminucioun, from Anglo-French diminutiun, from Medieval Latin diminution-, diminutio, alteration of Latin deminution-, deminutio, from deminuere.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: abatement, decline, decrement, dent, depletion, depression, diminishment, decrease, drop, drop-off, fall, falloff, loss, reduction, shrinkage, step-down
Antonyms: boost, enlargement, gain, increase, increment, raise, rise, step-up, uptick

71
Q

Diminutive

A

: a word or suffix that indicates that something is small
: an informal form of a name
Full Definition
1 : a diminutive word, affix, or name
2 : a diminutive individual
Origin: Middle English diminutif, from Medieval Latin diminutivum, alteration of Late Latin deminutivum, from neuter of deminutivus, adjective, from deminutus, past participle of deminuere.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: dwarf, midget, mite, peewee, pygmy (also pigmy), runt, scrub, shrimp, Tom Thumb
Antonyms: behemoth, colossus, giant, jumbo, leviathan, mammoth, monster, titan
2diminutive
adjective
: very small
linguistics : indicating small size
Full Definition
1 : indicating small size and sometimes the state or quality of being familiarly known, lovable, pitiable, or contemptible — used of affixes (as -ette, -kin, -ling) and of words formed with them (as kitchenette, manikin, duckling), of clipped forms (as Jim), and of altered forms (as Peggy) — compare augmentative
2 : exceptionally or notably small : tiny <a>
synonyms see small
di·min·u·tive·ly adverb
di·min·u·tive·ness noun
Examples
the diminutives “-ette” and “kitchenette”
dik-diks, the diminutives of the antelope family
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: bantam, small, dinky, dwarfish, fine, half-pint, Lilliputian, little, pint-size (or pint-sized), pocket, pocket-size (also pocket-sized), puny, pygmy, shrimpy, slight, smallish, subnormal, toylike, undersized (also undersize)
Antonyms: big, biggish, considerable, goodly, grand, great, handsome, husky, king-size (or king-sized), large, largish, outsize (also outsized), overscale (or overscaled), oversize (or oversized), sizable (or sizeable), substantial, tidy, whacking, whopping</a>

72
Q

Emetic

A 
\: an agent that induces vomiting
emetic adjective
emet·i·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Origin: Latin emetica, from Greek emetikē, from feminine of emetikos causing vomiting, from emein to vomit — more at vomit.
First use: 1657
73
Q

Aphrodisiac

A

: something (such as a food, drink, or drug) that causes or increases sexual desire
Full Definition
1 : an agent (as a food or drug) that arouses or is held to arouse sexual desire
2 : something that excites
aphrodisiac also aph·ro·di·si·a·cal \ˌa-frə-di-ˈsī-ə-kəl, -ˈzī-\ adjective
Origin: Greek aphrodisiakos sexual, gem with aphrodisiac properties, from aphrodisia heterosexual pleasures, from neuter plural of aphrodisios of Aphrodite, from Aphroditē.

74
Q

Sublime

A

transitive verb
1 : to cause to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state and condense back to solid form
2 [French sublimer, from Latin sublimare]
a(1) : to elevate or exalt especially in dignity or honor (2) : to render finer (as in purity or excellence)
b : to convert (something inferior) into something of higher worthintransitive verb
: to pass directly from the solid to the vapor state
Other forms: sub·limed; sub·lim·ing
sub·lim·able -ˈblī-mə-bəl\ adjective
sub·lim·er noun
Origin: Middle English, from Middle French sublimer, from Medieval Latin sublimare to refine, sublime, from Latin, to elevate, from sublimis.
First use: 14th century
2sub·lime\sə-ˈblīm\
adjective
: very beautiful or good : causing strong feelings of admiration or wonder
: complete or extreme
Full Definition
1a : lofty, grand, or exalted in thought, expression, or manner
b : of outstanding spiritual, intellectual, or moral worth
c : tending to inspire awe usually because of elevated quality (as of beauty, nobility, or grandeur) or transcendent excellence
2 a archaic : high in place
b obsolete : lofty of mien : haughty
c capitalized : supreme — used in a style of address
d : complete, utter
synonyms see splendid
Other forms: sub·lim·er; sub·lim·est
sub·lime·ly adverb
sub·lime·ness noun
Origin: Latin sublimis, literally, high, elevated.
First use: circa 1567
Synonyms: amazing, astonishing, astounding, awesome, awful, eye-opening, fabulous, miraculous, portentous, prodigious, staggering, stunning, stupendous, marvelous, surprising, wonderful, wondrous

75
Q

Beguile

A

: to trick or deceive (someone)
: to attract or interest someone
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 : to lead by deception
2 : hoodwink
3 : to while away especially by some agreeable occupation; also : divert 2
4 : to engage the interest of by or as if by guileintransitive verb
: to deceive by wiles
synonyms see deceive
Other forms: be·guiled; be·guil·ing
be·guile·ment -ˈgī(-ə)l-mənt\ noun
be·guil·er -ˈgī-lər\ noun
be·guil·ing·ly -ˈgī-liŋ-lē\ adverb
Examples
the magician effortlessly beguiled and amazed the children
beguiled her into believing that yet another worthless item would enhance her life
was beguiled by the promise of easy money as a drug dealer
First use: 13th century
Synonyms: allure, charm, bewitch, captivate, enchant, fascinate, kill, magnetize, wile, witch [archaic]

76
Q

Intractable

A

: not easily managed, controlled, or solved
: not easily relieved or cured
Stubborn
Full Definition
1 : not easily governed, managed, or directed
2 : not easily manipulated or wrought
3 : not easily relieved or cured
synonyms see unruly
in·trac·ta·bil·i·ty (ˌ)in-ˌtrak-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
in·trac·ta·bly -blē\ adverb
Examples
an intractable child who deliberately does the opposite of whatever he is told
cats are by nature fairly intractable animals
Origin: Latin intractabilis, from in- + tractabilis tractable.
First use: 1531
Synonyms: balky, contrary, contumacious, defiant, froward, incompliant, insubordinate, disobedient, obstreperous, rebel, rebellious, recalcitrant, recusant, refractory, restive, ungovernable, unruly, untoward, wayward, willful (or wilful)
Antonyms: amenable, biddable, compliant, conformable, docile, obedient, ruly, submissive, tractable

77
Q

Opprobrium

A

: very strong disapproval or criticism of a person or thing especially by a large number of people
Full Definition
1 : something that brings disgrace
2 a : public disgrace or ill fame that follows from conduct considered grossly wrong or vicious
b : contempt, reproach
Examples
saw no reason why “secretary” should suddenly become a term of opprobrium among the politically correct
the opprobrium that was long attached to the convicted embezzler’s name
Origin: Latin, from opprobrare to reproach, from ob in the way of + probrum reproach; akin to Latin pro forward and to Latin ferre to carry, bring — more at ob-, for, bear.
First use: 1656
Synonyms: dishonor, disgrace, reflection, reproach, scandal

78
Q

Invective

A

: of, relating to, or characterized by insult or abuse
in·vec·tive·ly adverb
in·vec·tive·ness noun
Origin: Middle English invectif, from Middle French, from Latin invectivus, from invectus, past participle of invehere.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: contumelious, abusive, opprobrious, scurrile (or scurril), scurrilous, truculent, vitriolic, vituperative, vituperatory
2invective
noun
: harsh or insulting words : rude and angry language
Full Definition
1 : an abusive expression or speech
2 : insulting or abusive language : vituperation
synonyms see abuse
First use: 1523
Synonyms: billingsgate, fulmination, abuse, obloquy, scurrility, vitriol, vituperation

79
Q

Intriguing

A

in·trigu·ing\in-ˈtrē-giŋ\
adjective
: extremely interesting
Full Definition
: engaging the interest to a marked degree : fascinating
Examples
an intriguing concept that should engender much debate among climatologists
Origin: (see 1intrigue ).
First use: 1752
Synonyms: absorbing, arresting, consuming, engaging, engrossing, enthralling, fascinating, gripping, immersing, interesting, involving, riveting
Antonyms: boring, drab, dry, dull, heavy, monotonous, tedious, uninteresting

80
Q

Plaintive

A

: expressing suffering or sadness : having a sad sound
Full Definition
: expressive of suffering or woe : melancholy <a>
plain·tive·ly adverb
plain·tive·ness noun
Examples
the puppy’s plaintive expression after we put the toy away was rather amusing
Origin: Middle English plaintif grieving, from Anglo-French pleintif, plaintif, from plaint.
First use: 1579
Synonyms: aching, agonized, anguished, bemoaning, bewailing, bitter, deploring, doleful, dolesome, dolorous, funeral, grieving, heartbroken, lamentable, lugubrious, mournful, plangent, regretful, rueful, sorrowful, sorry, wailing, weeping, woeful</a>

81
Q

Attractive

A

: having a pleasing appearance ; especially : having a pleasing appearance that causes romantic or sexual feelings in someone
: having a feature or quality that people like
Full Definition
1 : having or relating to the power to attract
2 a : arousing interest or pleasure : charming
b : appealing
at·trac·tive·ly adverb
at·trac·tive·ness noun
Examples
world travel has always been very attractive to me
generally the star of a TV commercial is an attractive person
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: alluring, appealing, fascinating, bewitching, captivating, charismatic, charming, elfin, enchanting, engaging, entrancing, fetching, glamorous (also glamourous), luring, magnetic, seductive

82
Q

Meet

A

: to see and speak to (someone) for the first time : to be introduced to or become acquainted with (someone)
: to come together in order to talk : to go to a place to be with someone else
: to come together formally : to have a meeting : to come together for a discussion
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 a : to come into the presence of : find
b : to come together with especially at a particular time or place
Examples
He met his wife at work.
We met each other in college.
Did you meet anyone interesting at the party?
Origin: Middle English meten, from Old English mētan; akin to Old English gemōt assembly — more at moot.
First use: before 12th century
Synonyms: catch, chance (upon), encounter, happen (upon), stumble (upon), bump into, cross paths (with), run across, run into, run upon
Antonyms: break up, disband, disperse, split (up)
2meet
noun
: a large gathering of athletes for a sports competition
: an event or occasion when people come together to hunt foxes
Full Definition
1 : the act of assembling for a hunt or for competitive sports
2 : a competition in which individuals match skills
Examples
a track/swim meet
a swim meet
First use: 1804
Synonyms: bout, competition, contest, event, match, matchup, game, sweepstakes (also sweep-stake), tournament, tourney
3meet
adjective
: precisely adapted to a particular situation, need, or circumstance : very proper
synonyms see fit
meet·ly adverb
Origin: Middle English mete, from Old English gemǣte; akin to Old English metan to mete.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: applicable, appropriate, apt, becoming, befitting, felicitous, fitted, fitting, good, happy, fit, pretty, proper, right, suitable
Antonyms: improper, inapplicable, inapposite, inappropriate, inapt, incongruous, indecent, infelicitous, malapropos, misbecoming, unapt, unbecoming, unbeseeming, unfit, unfitting, unhappy, unmeet, unseemly, unsuitable, wrong

83
Q

Condign

A

: deserved, appropriate
con·dign·ly adverb
Examples
a suspension without pay is condign punishment for breaking the company’s code of business ethics
Origin: Middle English condigne, from Anglo-French, from Latin condignus, from com- + dignus worthy — more at decent.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: competent, just, deserved, due, fair, justified, merited, right, rightful, warranted
Antonyms: undeserved, undue, unfair, unjust, unjustified, unmerited, unwarranted

84
Q

Vigilance

A

vig·i·lance\ˈvi-jə-lən(t)s\
noun
: the quality or state of being vigilant
Examples
eternal vigilance is the price of freedom
First use: 1533
Synonyms: alert, alertness, attentiveness, qui vive, red alert, watch, watchfulness

85
Q

Commodious

A

: having a lot of space
Full Definition
1 : comfortably or conveniently spacious : roomy <a>
2 archaic : handy, serviceable
synonyms see spacious
com·mo·di·ous·ly adverb
com·mo·di·ous·ness noun
Examples
a house with exceptionally commodious closets
Origin: Middle English, fertile, useful, modification of Medieval Latin commodosus, from Latin commodum convenience, from neuter of commodus.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: ample, capacious, spacious, roomy</a>

86
Q

Egregious

A

: very bad and easily noticed
Full Definition
1 archaic : distinguished
2 : conspicuous; especially : conspicuously bad : flagrant
egre·gious·ly adverb
egre·gious·ness noun
Examples
the student’s theme was marred by a number of egregious errors in spelling
Origin: Latin egregius, from e- + greg-, grex herd — more at gregarious.
First use: circa 1534
Synonyms: blatant, conspicuous, flagrant, glaring, gross, obvious, patent, pronounced, rank, striking

87
Q

Rationale

A

: the reason or explanation for something
ra·tio·nale\ˌra-shə-ˈnal\
noun
: the reason or explanation for something
Full Definition
1 : an explanation of controlling principles of opinion, belief, practice, or phenomena
2 : an underlying reason : basis
Examples
the rationale for starting the school day an hour later is that kids will supposedly get an extra hour of sleep
Origin: Latin, neuter of rationalis.
First use: 1657
Synonyms: account, accounting, argument, case, explanation, reason

88
Q

Wastrel

A

: a person who wastes time, money, etc.
Full Definition
1 : vagabond, waif
2 : one who expends resources foolishly and self-indulgently : profligate
Examples
the black sheep of the family, he ended up being a wastrel and a drunkard
Origin: irregular from 2waste.
First use: circa 1841
Synonyms: fritterer, high roller, profligate, spender, spendthrift, squanderer, waster, prodigal

89
Q

Carnal

A

: of or relating to the body : sexual or sensual
Full Definition
1 a : relating to or given to crude bodily pleasures and appetites
b : marked by sexuality
2 : bodily, corporeal
3 a : temporal
b : worldly <a>
car·nal·i·ty \kär-ˈna-lə-tē\ noun
car·nal·ly \ˈkär-nə-lē\ adverb
Examples
the preacher warned that those who were interested only in carnal pursuits would not see the kingdom of heaven
a missionary who tends to the carnal needs of the people as well as to their spiritual concerns
carnal attractions of that gambling mecca in the desert
Origin: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French carnel, charnel, from Late Latin carnalis, from Latin carn-, caro flesh; akin to Greek keirein to cut — more at shear.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: earthly, earthborn, earthbound, fleshly, material, mundane, sublunary, temporal, terrene, terrestrial, worldly
Antonyms: heavenly, nontemporal, unearthly, unworldly
Synonym discussion: carnal fleshly sensual animal mean having a relation to the body. carnal may mean only this but more often connotes derogatorily an action or manifestation of a person’s lower nature <a>. fleshly is less derogatory than carnal <a>. sensual may apply to any gratification of a bodily desire or pleasure but commonly implies sexual appetite with absence of the spiritual or intellectual . animal stresses the physical as distinguished from the rational nature of a person .</a></a></a>

90
Q

Bastion

A

bas·tion\ˈbas-chən\
noun
: a place or system in which something (such as an old-fashioned idea) continues to survive
Full Definition
1 : a projecting part of a fortification
2 : a fortified area or position
3 : stronghold 2
bas·tioned -chənd\ adjective
Examples
the rebel army retreated to its bastion in the mountains to regroup
Origin: Middle French, from Old Italian bastione, augmentative of bastia fortress, derivative from dialect form of bastire to build, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German besten to patch.
First use: 1562
Synonyms: fort, castle, citadel, fastness, fortification, fortress, hold, redoubt, stronghold

91
Q

Tedious

A

: boring and too slow or long
Full Definition
: tiresome because of length or dullness : boring <a>
te·dious·ly adverb
te·dious·ness noun
Examples
a long and tedious staff meeting
Origin: Middle English, from Late Latin taediosus, from Latin taedium (see tedium ).
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: arid, colorless, drab, dreary, drudging, dry, dull, dusty, flat, heavy, ho-hum, humdrum, jading, jejune, leaden, mind-numbing, monochromatic, monotonous, numbing, old, pedestrian, ponderous, slow, stale, stodgy, stuffy, stupid, tame, boring, tiresome, tiring, uninteresting, wearisome, weary, wearying
Antonyms: absorbing, engaging, engrossing, gripping, interesting, intriguing, involving, riveting</a>

92
Q

Exhausted

A

: to use all of someone’s mental or physical energy : to tire out or wear out (someone) completely
: to completely use up (something, such as supplies or money)
: to try all of (something)
Full Definition
transitive verb
1 a : to consume entirely : use up
b : to tire extremely or completely
c : to deprive of a valuable quality or constituent
2 a : to draw off or let out completely
b : to empty by drawing off the contents; specifically : to create a vacuum in
3 a : to consider or discuss (a subject) thoroughly or completely
b : to try out the whole number of
intransitive verb
: discharge, empty
synonyms see deplete, tire
ex·haust·er noun
ex·haust·ibil·i·ty -ˌzȯ-stə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
ex·haust·ible -ˈzȯ-stə-bəl\ adjective
Origin: Latin exhaustus, past participle of exhaurire, from ex- + haurire to draw; akin to Middle High German œsen to empty, Greek auein to take.
First use: 1531
Synonyms: break, burn out, bust, do in, do up, drain, fag, fatigue, frazzle, harass, kill, knock out, outwear, tire, tucker (out), wash out, wear, wear out, weary, wear to a frazzle
Antonyms: renew, replace

93
Q

Foreshadow

A

: to give a suggestion of (something that has not yet happened)
Full Definition
: to represent, indicate, or typify beforehand : prefigure
fore·shad·ow·er -də-wər\ noun
Examples
a series of small tremors that foreshadowed the massive earthquake the next day

94
Q

Livid

A

: very angry
: having a dark purplish color
Full Definition
1 : discolored by bruising : black-and-blue
2 : ashen, pallid
3 : reddish <a>
4 : very angry : enraged noun
Examples
the boss was livid when yet another deadline was missed
her face was livid with fear
Origin: French livide, from Latin lividus, from livēre to be blue; akin to Welsh lliw color and probably to Russian sliva plum.
First use: 1622
Synonyms: angered, apoplectic, ballistic, cheesed off [chiefly British], choleric, enraged, foaming, fuming, furious, hopping, horn-mad, hot, incensed, indignant, inflamed (also enflamed), infuriate, infuriated, irate, ireful, angry, mad, outraged, rabid, rankled, riled, riley, roiled, shirty [chiefly British], sore, steamed up, steaming, teed off, ticked, wrathful, wroth</a>

95
Q

Somber

A

: very sad and serious
: having a dull or dark color
Full Definition
1 : so shaded as to be dark and gloomy
2a : of a serious mien : grave
b : of a dismal or depressing character : melancholy
c : conveying gloomy suggestions or ideas
3 : of a dull or heavy cast or shade : dark colored
som·ber·ly adverb
som·ber·ness noun
Examples
the prison’s somber interrogation room has the desired effect of striking fear and despair into the prisoner
the somber occasion of a dear friend’s funeral
Variants: or som·bre \ˈsäm-bər\
Origin: French sombre.
First use: 1760
Synonyms: black, caliginous, darkened, darkish, darkling, darksome, dim, dimmed, dusk, dusky, gloomy, lightless, murky, obscure, obscured, pitch-black, pitch-dark, pitchy, rayless, dark (or sombre), stygian, tenebrific, tenebrous, unlit
Antonyms: bright, brightened, brilliant, illuminated, illumined, light, lit (or lighted), lightsome, lucent, lucid, luminous

96
Q

Ecclesiastical

A

ec·cle·si·as·ti·cal-ti-kəl\
adjective
: of or relating to the Christian church or clergy
Full Definition
1 : of or relating to a church especially as an established institution
2 : suitable for use in a church
ec·cle·si·as·ti·cal·ly -ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
Examples
ecclesiastical laws that have been in existence for centuries
Origin: Middle English, from Late Latin ecclesiasticus, from Late Greek ekklēsiastikos, from Greek, of an assembly of citizens, from ekklēsiastēs.
First use: 15th century
Synonyms: churchly, ecclesial, ecclesiastic
Antonyms: nonchurch, nonecclesiastical

97
Q

Issue

A

: something that people are talking about, thinking about, etc. : an important subject or topic
: the version of a newspaper, magazine, etc., that is published at a particular time
: the act of officially making something available or giving something to people to be used : the act of issuing something
Full Definition
1 plural : proceeds from a source of revenue (as an estate)
2 : the action of going, coming, or flowing out : egress, emergence
3 : a means or place of going out : exit, outlet
4 : offspring, progeny
5 a : a final outcome that usually constitutes a solution (as of a problem) or resolution (as of a difficulty)
b obsolete : a final conclusion or decision about something arrived at after consideration
c archaic : termination, end
6 a : a matter that is in dispute between two or more parties
b (1) : a vital or unsettled matter (2) : concern, problem <i>
c : the point at which an unsettled matter is ready for a decision
7 : a discharge (as of blood) from the body
8 a : something coming forth from a specified source
b obsolete : deed
9 a : the act of publishing or officially giving out or making available
b : the thing or the whole quantity of things given out at one time
is·sue·less \ˈi-shü-ləs\ adjective
at issue
1 : in a state of controversy : in disagreement
2 also in issue : under discussion or in dispute
Origin: Middle English, exit, proceeds, from Anglo-French, from issir to come out, go out, from Latin exire to go out, from ex- + ire to go; akin to Gothic iddja he went, Greek ienai to go, Sanskrit eti he goes.
First use: 14th century
Synonyms: aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, consequence, corollary, development, fate, fruit, effect, outcome, outgrowth, precipitate, product, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot
Antonyms: antecedent, causation, cause, occasion, reason
2issue
: to give (something) to someone in an official way : to give or supply (something) to (someone)
: to make (something) available to be sold or used
: to announce (something) in a public and official way
Full Definition
intransitive verb
1 a : to go, come, or flow out
b : to come forth : emerge
2 : accrue
3 archaic : to descend from a specified parent or ancestor
4 : to be a consequence or final outcome : emanate, result
5 : to appear or become available through being officially put forth or distributed
6 : eventuate, terminate
transitive verb
1 : to cause to come forth : discharge, emit
2 a : to put forth or distribute usually officially
b : to send out for sale or circulation : publish
c British : provide 2b, supply
synonyms see spring
Other forms: is·sued; is·su·ing
is·su·er noun
Examples
The police have issued numerous tickets for speeding in recent days.
The jail issued him an orange uniform. = (Brit) The jail issued him with an orange uniform.</i>

98
Q

Promiscuous

A

: having or involving many sexual partners
: including or involving too many people or things : not limited in a careful or proper way
Full Definition
1 : composed of all sorts of persons or things
2 : not restricted to one class, sort, or person : indiscriminate
3 : not restricted to one sexual partner
4 : casual, irregular
pro·mis·cu·ous·ly adverb
pro·mis·cu·ous·ness noun
Examples
since I just collect stamps that I happen to like, my collection is pretty promiscuous
Origin: Latin promiscuus, from pro- forth + miscēre to mix — more at pro-, mix.
First use: 1601
Synonyms: assorted, eclectic, heterogeneous, indiscriminate, kitchen-sink, magpie, mixed, motley, patchwork, piebald, miscellaneous, raggle-taggle, ragtag, varied

99
Q

Tactile

A 
tac·tile\ˈtak-təl, -ˌtī(-ə)l\
adjective
\: relating to the sense of touch
Full Definition
1 : perceptible by touch : tangible
2 : of, relating to, or being the sense of touch
tac·tile·ly \-tə-lē, -ˌtīl-lē\ adverb
Origin: French or Latin; French, from Latin tactilis, from tangere to touch — more at tangent.
First use: 1615

Gre Words (10 decks)

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