Majortest - Vocab - A2T

Question 1

Abate

Answer 1

Abate

become less in amount or intensity - [v]make less active or intense - [v]

The storm abated

Something that abates becomes fewer or less intense. Your enthusiasm for skiing might abate after falling off a ski lift and getting a mouthful of snow.

Abate comes from the Old French verb abattre, “to beat down,” and means to reduce or become less intense or numerous. As an intransitive verb, it is often used with something physically, emotionally, or figuratively violent, as in “the flood of fan mail began to abate.” Using it transitively, if you take measures to abate pollution or noise, you reduce them. Pronounce abate with the stress on the second syllable (uh-BATE).

Question 2

Aberration

Answer 2

Aberration

a state or condition markedly different from the norm - [n]a disorder in one’s mental state - [n]an optical phenomenon resulting from the failure of a lens or mirror to produce a good image - [n]

An aberration is a noun that means something that is not normal or is very typical at all. An example of an aberration is when the temperature hits 90 degrees in January — it’s nice and warm, but it’s really strange.

The noun aberration often refers to something that doesn’t fit with current moral standards, or is something that shows a mental lack of control. Aberration comes from the Latin word that means “to wander, go astray.” Today, you’d say it was an aberration to send little children to work in coal mines and factories and not to school, which was common in the nineteenth century. There’s a very old poem called “The Chimney Sweep” about a boy who cleans chimneys and is only about five years old!

Question 3

Abeyance

Answer 3

Abeyance

temporary cessation or suspension - [n]

An abeyance is a temporary halt to something, with the emphasis on “temporary.” It is usually used with the word “in” or “into”; “in abeyance” suggests a state of waiting or holding.

The word abeyance has a legal ring to it, and for a good reason — appearing in English in the 16th century, it comes from the Anglo-French word abeiance, a legal term for waiting or hoping to receive property. Nowadays, the word is used in a similar way. Different legal rights, like property rights, can be held in abeyance until matters are resolved.

Question 4

Abhor

Answer 4

Abhor

find repugnant - [v]

She abhors cats

If you abhor something, it gives you a feeling of complete hatred. Chances are you abhor that kid who used to torture the frogs in biology class.

Abhor is from Latin abhorrere — “to shrink back in horror.” It is the strongest way in English to express hatred, even stronger than loathe. We only use abhor in formal contexts; you might say “I abhor that man,” but you would be less likely to say “I abhor spinach” unless you tend to express yourself in highfalutin terms no matter what the occasion.

Question 5

Abjure

Answer 5

Abjure

formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure - [v]

She abjured her beliefs

• Abjure* means to swear off, and it applies to something you once believed. You can abjure a religious faith, you can abjure your love of another person, and you can abjure the practice of using excessive force in interrogation.
• Abjure* is a more dramatic way to declare your rejection of something you once felt or believed. When you see its Latin roots, it makes sense: from ab- (meaning “away”) and jurare (“to swear”). When you abjure something, you swear it away and dissociate yourself with it. You might abjure the field of astrology after receiving a bad fortune, or you might abjure marriage after a bitter divorce.

Question 6

Abrasive

Answer 6

Abrasive

causing abrasion - [adj]sharply disagreeable; rigorous - [adj]a substance that abrades or wears down - [n]

an abrasive character

What does an obnoxious person have in common with sandpaper? Both are abrasive. Anything that grates or irritates — physically or metaphorically — can be described using this adjective.

The history of the word abrasive illustrates how a word typically enters the English language and then changes with time. The English verb abrade “to wear down by scraping” entered the language from Latin abradere “to scrape off” in the late 1600s. Some 200 years later, the adjective form of the word — abrasive — came into use to describe a type of grinding tool. By the 1920s, abrasive had acquired the more figurative sense of annoying and infuriating. If you find someone abrasive, he or she grinds away at your nerves.

Question 7

Abrogate

Answer 7

Abrogate

revoke formally - [v]

Abrogate means to abolish or avoid. When someone cuts in front of you in line, they are abrogating your right to be the next one served. When you cut in line, you are abrogating your responsibility to those who were in line before you.

The Latin root of this word is made up of the prefix ab- “away” and rogare “to propose a law.” What does it mean if you propose a law away? You repeal it, of course, so abrogate means to officially revoke, cancel or abolish. The meaning of this word has expanded a bit since its earliest usage, but it still appears most often in a legal or political context, or when serious rights and responsibilities are being discussed.

Question 8

Abscission

Answer 8

Abscission

the act of cutting something off - [n]shedding of flowers and leaves and fruit following formation of scar tissue in a plant - [n]

When an apple ripens and then falls off a tree, it’s called an abscission. It means the cutting off or removal of something, like an unsightly mole on the chin.

You can remember that abscission is all about cutting when you see how close it looks to the word scissors. If you are a public speaker who habitually cuts yourself off, your speeches may suffer from abscission. If you’re wounded in the leg in battle and gangrene sets in, you will be faced with the abscission of a limb. Layoffs at work are the abscission of workers.

Question 9

Abstain

Answer 9

Abstain

choose not to consume - [v]refrain from voting - [v]

I abstain from alcohol

If you abstain from something, you restrain yourself from consuming it. People usually abstain from things that are considered vices — like drinking alcohol or eating chocolate.

Roots of the word abstain are from the 14th-century French, “to withhold oneself,” and the word often refers to people who abstain or keep themselves from drinking liquor. The noun form abstinence also pops up often in reference to abstinence programs that urge teens to abstain from premarital sex. Abstain can also mean to withhold a vote, and sometimes a difficult decision is held up when government representatives abstain from voting one way or another.

Question 10

Abstemious

Answer 10

Abstemious

marked by temperance in indulgence - [adj]sparing in consumption of especially food and drink - [adj]

abstemious with the use of adverbs
““the pleasures of the table, never of much consequence to one naturally abstemious”- John Galsworthy”

Reserve abstemious for someone who exercises restraint, especially with regard to alcohol. A rock musician may sing about enjoying wine and women, but in his private life he may be abstemious.

You might get the idea that abstemious is a relative of abstain with a change of consonant, but in fact the two words only share the abs- prefix, meaning “away.” The -temious bit in this adjective is from Latin temetum, “intoxicating drink,” so it came to refer to someone who keeps alcohol (or other temptations) at arm’s length. This word has the vowels a, e, i, o and u in alphabetical order; the adverb abstemiously adds the y!

Question 11

Abstruse

Answer 11

Abstruse

difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge - [adj]

the professor’s lectures were so abstruse that students tended to avoid them

Abstruse things are difficult to understand because they are so deep and intellectually challenging. It might be hard to figure out how a toilet flushes but the technology that goes into making the Internet function is abstruse.

The Latin roots of the word abstruse are about concealing or hiding something, which is a good way to remember the meaning of this word. It is useful when describing something that is overly confusing, or if someone is deliberately making a story or a situation more complicated than necessary. It sounds and looks like obtuse, but abstruse is almost its opposite. Obtuse is dull or lacking a sharpness of intellect. While Abstruse is president of the chess club, Obtuse is hanging out by the parking lot smoking cigarettes.

Question 12

Abut

Answer 12

Abut

lie adjacent to another or share a boundary - [v]

When something borders something else, it is said to abut it. The term is often used in real estate to refer to a lot line. Wouldn’t it be nice to have your back yard abut a forest preserve or park?

The Old French word but meant “end” — think of “butt” for a crude way to remember that! — and it was joined to a-, from the Latin ad- “near to.” The result was abuter, which meant “to touch at an end.” The word eventually became abouter, meaning “to join at the ends, or border on.” The idea of abut suggesting a common boundary comes from the late Middle English, and today we use the word when anything touches something else.

Question 13

Abysmal

Answer 13

Abysmal

resembling an abyss in depth; so deep as to be unmeasurable - [adj]very great; limitless - [adj]

abysmal misery
“abysmal stupidity”

If you want to say something is really, really bad — then call it abysmal. If one person shows up to your party, well then that is an abysmal turnout. The 1958 Ford Edsel? An abysmal failure.

When someone describes the hole you just dug as abysmal, you may not know whether to take it as positive or negative feedback. That’s because starting in the 1650s, abysmal simply meant “resembling an abyss in depth.” By that definition you’ve just received a compliment on your deep digging skills. But since the early twentieth century, abysmal has been more commonly used to identify something as “extremely bad.” So it’s more likely that your hole has just been insulted.

Question 14

Accolade

Answer 14

Accolade

a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction - [n]

A knight being honored with the tap of a sword-blade was the earliest form of accolade. Today, an accolade is more than a way to bestow knighthood, it is a form of praise or an award.

In the early 17th century, the French accoler meant to “embrace the neck,” which was done as part of a knighthood ceremony. By the 19th century, accolade came to mean “award.” A person who achieves a goal in research or service may receive an official paper certificate or trophy, an accolade of achievement, while a performer or speaker might get an accolade in the form of applause from the audience. Rarely does either of these types of accolade involve a sword.

Question 15

Accretion

Answer 15

Accretion

an increase by natural growth or addition - [n](geology) an increase in land resulting from alluvial deposits or waterborne sediment - [n](biology) growth by addition as by the adhesion of parts or particles - [n](astronomy) the formation of a celestial object by the effect of gravity pulling together surrounding objects and gases - [n](law) an increase in a beneficiary’s share in an estate (as when a co-beneficiary dies or fails to meet some condition or rejects the inheritance) - [n]

he scraped away the accretions of paint
“the central city surrounded by recent accretions”

The process of increasing can be called accretion. Although you may say that stalactites “grow” from the ceilings of caves, they actually form from an accretion of limestone and other minerals.

So what’s the difference between an addition and an accretion? Addition implies adding to something that already exists, such as an addition to the cast (when a new actor joins an existing show). The noun accretion, on the other hand, implies an accumulation that causes increase, such as “an accretion of frost on the windows” or “an accretion of plaque on your teeth.” The latter, of course, is why the dentist always begs you to floss and brush.

Question 16

Acquiesce

Answer 16

Acquiesce

to agree or express agreement - [v]

To acquiesce is to agree to something or to give in. If your kid sister is refusing to hand over the television remote, you hope she acquiesces before your favorite show comes on.

The verb acquiesce comes from the Latin word acquiescere, meaning “to rest.” If you “rest” or become passive in the face of something to which you object, you are giving tacit agreement, you acquiesce. If you want to go hiking with your family and your children are not interested, it will be a very tough day on the trail until they acquiesce.

Question 17

Acrid

Answer 17

Acrid

strong and sharp;”the pungent taste of radishes” - [adj]harsh or corrosive in tone - [adj]

the acrid smell of burning rubber
“her acrid remarks make her many enemies”

Acrid is almost always used to describe a smell, and it ain’t a pretty one. Acrid is the nasty sting that you feel in your nose when you walk by a building that just burned down––it’s sulfur mixed with smoke.

You can also use acrid to describe someone’s tone or general demeanor when they are being nasty. Someone about to do something evil might first give an acrid sneer, or speak in a chillingly acrid tone of voice, or even shudder as if they’d just bit into something with an acrid taste.

Question 18

Acrophobia

Answer 18

Acrophobia

a morbid fear of great heights - [n]

Want to go to the top of the Empire State Building? You must not have acrophobia. Someone who is terrified of heights will just wait for you in the gift shop — which is on the ground floor.

You can see the word phobia, or extreme fear, in acrophobia. Acro comes from the Greek word akron, which means “summit” or “high point.” When you put it all together, you have a word that means “fear of heights.” Whoever named Akron, Ohio, must have studied Greek; it is located on a plateau in Summit County.

Question 19

Acuity

Answer 19

Acuity

sharpness of vision; the visual ability to resolve fine detail (usually measured by a Snellen chart) - [n]a quick and penetrating intelligence - [n]

Acuity has to do with sharpness and smartness. Do you always get A’s in math? Then you have an acuity for numbers.

People often talk about “mental acuity,” which is a fancy way of saying intelligence, brains, or smartness. There are specific kinds of acuity, too. As people become very old, they tend to lose their acuity in many areas, including their vision, which is one reason very old people don’t drive as well. A 40-year-old quarterback isn’t going to have the same acuity for seeing receivers and throwing the ball as a 25-year-old quarterback.

Question 20

Adamant

Answer 20

Adamant

very hard native crystalline carbon valued as a gem - [n]impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, reason - [adj]

he is adamant in his refusal to change his mind

If you stubbornly refuse to change your mind about something, you are adamant about it.

This word’s story begins in ancient Greece, where philosophers spoke about a legendary unbreakable stone or metal they called adamos (literally, “invincible”). In English, people began to use the word to refer to something that cannot be altered, and then in the twentieth century — after adamant had been in English for about a thousand years — it came to be used as an adjective to mean “unyielding as stone.” If you’re adamant about something, no amount of persuasion is going to convince you otherwise.

Question 21

Adroit

Answer 21

Adroit

quick or skillful or adept in action or thought - [adj]

an exceptionally adroit pianist
“an adroit technician”
“his adroit replies to hecklers won him many followers”

Someone who is adroit is clever and skillful. An adroit leader will be able to persuade people to go with his ideas. An adroit sculptor can turn a lump of clay into an object of great beauty.

If you’ve ever studied French you know that droit means “right,” both as in “right of free speech” and as in “left and right,” and à droit means both “turn right” and “properly.” Once English people borrowed à droit, they changed the meaning slightly, from doing something “properly” to “doing something well.” You may have heard the expression “surprisingly adroit,” as in, “For a guy whose wife does all the cooking, he is surprisingly adroit in the kitchen.”

Question 22

Adulation

Answer 22

Adulation

servile flattery; exaggerated and hypocritical praise - [n]

If you’ve ever been to a pop concert filled with screaming fans you’ve probably been exposed to adulation — praise so over-the-top it’s almost embarrassing.

The Latin word adulatio means “flattery.” It’s made up of the roots ad (“to”) and ulos (“tail”), and if you’re thinking of a dog wagging its tail to and fro to get a treat from its owner, you’re on the right track. As anyone who’s seen a crazed fan drooling over a celebrity knows, adulation is one of the more doglike of human behaviors.

Question 23

Adversity

Answer 23

Adversity

a state of misfortune or affliction - [n]a stroke of ill fortune; a calamitous event - [n]

debt-ridden farmers struggling with adversity“a period marked by adversities”

When circumstances or a situation works against you, you face adversity.

Adversity, a noun which has been part of the English language for over 800 years, comes from the Latin adversitatem “opposition” and is related to the preposition, versus, a word common in legal or battle language meaning “against.” When things seem against you — circumstances or a stoke of bad luck — you are facing adversity. Sometimes people use a form of the phrase, “turning adversity into opportunity/advantage.” This refers to the ability some people or companies have to take a bad situation and make it into a successful one.

Question 24

Advocate

Answer 24

Advocate

a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea - [n]a lawyer who pleads cases in court - [n]speak, plead, or argue in favor of - [v]push for something - [v]

The doctor advocated a smoking ban in the entire house

You can refer to a person who’s a public supporter of a cause as an advocate.

As a noun, advocate (AD-və-kit) can mean a person who represents someone’s interests, such as a lawyer. It can also mean someone who supports or works toward a particular course of action, as in “an advocate for civil rights.” The verb advocate (AD-və-kate) means “to argue for” or “to publicly recommend”: “I advocate stricter standards of online safety.” The word comes from Latin advocare, “to call,” as a witness in court.

Question 25

Aesthetic

Answer 25

Aesthetic ## Footnote concerning or characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste - **[adj]**aesthetically pleasing - **[adj]**relating to or dealing with the subject of aesthetics - **[adj]**(philosophy) a philosophical theory as to what is beautiful - **[n]** the **aesthetic** faculties "an **aesthetic** person" "**aesthetic** feeling" The adjective *aesthetic* comes in handy when the subject at hand is beauty or the arts. A velvet painting of dogs playing poker might have minimal *aesthetic* appeal. *Aesthetic*, from a Greek word meaning "perception," comes to us from German philosophers who used it for a theory of the beautiful. From this technical sense, it soon came to refer to good taste and to artistry in general; if something has "*aesthetic* value," it has value as a work of art (even if nobody will pay much for it). It does not, however, refer to the objects themselves; do not talk about an "*aesthetic* painting."

Question 26

Affable

Answer 26

Affable ## Footnote diffusing warmth and friendliness - **[adj]** an **affable** smile *Affable* means friendly, pleasant, and easy to talk to. An *affable* host offers you something to drink and makes you feel at home. The adjective *affable* entered English by way of the Latin word *affābilis*, which means "kind, friendly." If you’re stuck on an airplane next to someone affable, the trip won’t be so bad because that person will be easy to chat with but won’t talk your ear off. Synonyms of *affable* also refer to a pleasant and mild friendliness, such as *genial*, *hospitable*, and *gracious*. Affable people generally seem like they’re in a good mood and are happy to see you.

Question 27

Agog

Answer 27

Agog ## Footnote highly excited - **[adj]** The word *agog* means with great excitement and interest. When you’re falling over yourself with excitement and curiosity to see who’s coming up the red carpet next, you’re *agog* about celebrities. At Christmas time, you are probably agog to see what's in all the beautiful presents. An easy way to remember what *agog* means is to think of it as goggle-eyed, which it sounds a bit like. When you’re agog, you’re goggle-eyed with excitement about something, whatever that happens to be. In truth, the word has nothing to do with goggle-eyes, but instead relates to the Middle French word *en gogues* which means "full of mirth, good humor, and joyfulness."

Question 28

Alacrity

Answer 28

Alacrity ## Footnote liveliness and eagerness - **[n]** he accepted with **alacrity** Someone with *alacrity* shows cheerful willingness and eager behavior, like a kid whose mother has told him he can buy anything in a candy store. While the noun *alacrity* normally refers to someone's peppy behavior, it can also describe a certain mood or tempo of a musical composition, indicating how the music should be played. *Alacrity* comes from the Latin *alacritas*, and the Italian musical term *allegro* is a near relation.

Question 29

Alchemy

Answer 29

Alchemy ## Footnote a pseudoscientific forerunner of chemistry in medieval times - **[n]**the way two individuals relate to each other - **[n]** a mysterious **alchemy** brought them together If your favorite but perpetually losing team picks up a couple of new players and the result is suddenly an unbeatable combo, that's *alchemy* — any seemingly magical act involving the combining of elements into something new. In medieval times *alchemy* meant the mysterious science of trying to convert one form of matter into another using fire, potions, spells, and all kind of other tricks. Alchemists often got a bad rap for their obsession with trying to turn base metals into gold, but in fact true alchemy was concerned with a far loftier ideal — that of finding a "universal elixir" that could overcome death.

Question 30

Allay

Answer 30

Allay ## Footnote lessen the intensity of or calm - **[v]**satisfy (thirst) - **[v]** The verb *allay* is used when you want to make something better or eliminate fears and concerns. When you *allay* something, you are calming it or reducing difficulties. It is used commonly in the context of to *allay* concerns and to comfort and some of its many synonyms are *alleviate*, *decrease*, *mitigate*, *assuage* and *mollify*. *Allay* comes from the Old English word *alecgan*, which means "to put down," as in literally "to lighten." So, if you can *allay* someone's fears, you are lightening their mood!

Question 31

Alleviate

Answer 31

Alleviate ## Footnote provide physical relief, as from pain - **[v]**make easier - **[v]** Do all these words make your head ache? If so, take an aspirin to *alleviate*, or relieve, your pain. The verb, *alleviate,* stems from the Latin root, *levis* "light" and is related to modern English words such as *elevator* and *levitate* — both words implying a lightening of one's load. *Alleviate* also has this sense of lightening a burden such as physical pain or emotional duress. You can take medicine to alleviate symptoms or do exercise to alleviate stress. Or if you want a bigger challenge: try alleviating traffic congestion or world hunger.

Question 32

Allure

Answer 32

Allure ## Footnote the power to entice or attract through personal charm - **[n]**dispose or incline or entice to - **[v]** If you find yourself making eyes at that stranger across the coffee shop, chances are there is an *allure* about him or her — something mysteriously, powerfully attractive and tempting. You've probably noticed that *allure* contains *lure*, from the German word *luder* meaning "bait." A well-made lure is so alluring to a fish that it won't notice the hook. First used in the 15th century, this word has even landed its own fashion magazine — "Allure," which tries to tempt people to buy it by putting powerfully attractive people on the cover and hoping you'll believe that if you buy it, you'll have some allure as well.

Question 33

Aloof

Answer 33

Aloof ## Footnote remote in manner - **[adj]**in an aloof manner - **[adv]** stood apart with **aloof** dignity "the local gentry and professional classes had held **aloof** for the school had accepted their sons readily enough" That emotionally cold and detached fellow who keeps to himself, smoking clove cigarettes and reading French philosophy, would best be described as *aloof*. In Middle English, *aloof* was originally a nautical term; the *loof* (now spelled *luff*) is the windward side of a ship. Smart sailors wanting to avoid a hazard on the leeward side would give the order, "A loof!" From this command we get the idea of steering clear of something (or someone). In modern usage the word has taken on a negative connotation: an *aloof* person is certainly not one most of us want to associate with.

Question 34

Amalgamate

Answer 34

Amalgamate ## Footnote to bring or combine together or with something else - **[v]**joined together into a whole - **[adj]** To *amalgamate* is to combine different things to create something new. Institutions — such as banks, schools, or hospitals — often join forces and *amalgamate* with one other. But other things — like musical genres — get *amalgamated* as well. The verb *amalgamate* original referred specifically to the mixture of metals, now however, it refers to any mixing or blending. A school board might decide to amalgamate two schools into one school due to a decrease in the student population, but amalgamating their mascots would be impossible.

Question 35

Amass

Answer 35

Amass ## Footnote collect or gather - **[v]**get or gather together - **[v]** She is **amassing** a lot of data for her thesis *Amass* means bring together or assemble. It can be a real shock to enter a room and see your *amassed* friends shouting "Surprise!" Although the word *amass* should not be confused with "a mass," as in the thing you never want to hear has been found on your lung, they both derive from the Latin *massa* "lump." When you think about it, this makes sense. Whether soldiers or cancer cells, things that come together to form a whole — in this case, a tumor or an army — are amassed.

Question 36

Ambidextrous

Answer 36

Ambidextrous ## Footnote equally skillful with each hand - **[adj]**marked by deliberate deceptiveness especially by pretending one set of feelings and acting under the influence of another - **[adj]** an **ambidextrous** surgeon *Ambidextrous* people have the ability to use both hands with equal dexterity. But the *ambidextrous* probably prefer to write with their right hands, since lefties always smudge what they've written as they drag their hand across the page. Coming from the Latin word *ambidexter*, which means "right-handed on both sides," *ambidextrous* describes someone who can use either hand to write, swing a bat or catch a ball. Lucky ducks. In a broader sense *ambidextrous* means "facile" or "skillful." But when it first came into use in the 1530's, *ambidextrous* had more sinister connotations with the practice of deceitful double-dealing.

Question 37

Ambiguous

Answer 37

Ambiguous ## Footnote having more than one possible meaning - **[adj]**open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead - **[adj]**having no intrinsic or objective meaning; not organized in conventional patterns - **[adj]** **ambiguous** words "frustrated by **ambiguous** instructions, the parents were unable to assemble the toy" "the polling had a complex and equivocal (or **ambiguous**) message for potential female candidates" Look to the adjective *ambiguous* when you need to describe something that's open to more than one interpretation, like the headline "Squad helps dog bite victim." Newspaper headlines can be unintentionally funny when they're *ambiguous*. In "Squad helps dog bite victim," is the squad helping a victim of a dog bite or helping a dog bite a victim? The *ambi-* prefix means "both ways," while the *guous* part is from the Latin verb *agere*, "to lead or drive." Thus an ambiguous sentence or situation drives us in two different directions at once. The accent is on the second syllable, "big," which you can remember since something that's ambiguous can lead to big misunderstandings.

Question 38

Ambivalence

Answer 38

Ambivalence ## Footnote mixed feelings or emotions - **[n]** Someone who shows *ambivalence* about a person or thing has conflicting feelings. If you love your mom but find her totally embarrassing you might feel *ambivalent* about having her give a presentation at your school. Originally a psychological term, *ambivalence* was borrowed from the German word *Ambivalenz*, coined in 1910 by the Swiss psychologist Eugen Bleuler. The German word was formed from the Latin prefix *ambi*- "in two ways" plus Latin *valentia* "vigor, strength."

Question 39

Ambulatory

Answer 39

Ambulatory ## Footnote able to walk about - **[adj]**relating to or adapted for walking - **[adj]**a covered walkway (as in a cloister) - **[n]** the patient is **ambulatory**"an **ambulatory** corridor" "it has an **ambulatory** and seven chapels" An *ambulatory* surgery is the kind of procedure where the patient walks in and walks out. *Ambulatory* means able to walk, or related to walking. To remember *ambulatory*, think of *ambulance*, which essentially means a walking hospital. (Its meaning derives from the time when it was pulled by horses, which would be walking.) You can also think of the old fashioned word for baby carriage, *perambulator* (it's been shorted to "pram") which means a carriage you push by walking.

Question 40

Ameliorate

Answer 40

Ameliorate ## Footnote to make better - **[v]**get better - **[v]** To *ameliorate* is to step in and make a bad situation better. You could try introducing a second lollipop to *ameliorate* a battle between two four-year-olds over a single lollipop. The verb *ameliorate* comes from the Latin word *meliorare*, meaning "improve." Food drives can ameliorate hunger. Aspirin can ameliorate a headache. A sympathy card can ameliorate grief. Family therapy can ameliorate severe sibling rivalry. Anything that can lift a burden can ameliorate.

Question 41

Amiable

Answer 41

Amiable ## Footnote diffusing warmth and friendliness - **[adj]**disposed to please - **[adj]** an **amiable** gathering ""an **amiable** villain with a cocky sidelong grin"- Hal Hinson" A friendly, pleasant person could be described as *amiable*. Airline flight attendants tend to be *amiable*. The people monitoring the school's cafeteria? Maybe not. An *amiable* person is good-natured and easy to get along with. Add one letter and you get *amicable*, a word with a common ancestor (Latin *amicabilis*) and a similar meaning. But while *amiable* refers to friendly people, *amicable* refers to friendly relations between them; two amiable people who no longer want to be married to one another might have an amicable divorce.

Question 42

Amity

Answer 42

Amity ## Footnote a state of friendship and cordiality - **[n]**a cordial disposition - **[n]** The word *amity* refers to a peaceful, friendly nature, much like the French word for *friend* — "ami." From the Latin *amicus* "friend," *amity* means "friendly relations." That strong sense of friendship lends irony to the name of the book, and later the movie, called "The Amityville Horror," about a horrifying town with a weirdly cheerful name. In truth, though, *amity* means mutual understanding and peace. Wouldn't it be nice if all of the world's nations lived in amity?

Question 43

Amorphous

Answer 43

Amorphous ## Footnote having no definite form or distinct shape - **[adj]**without real or apparent crystalline form - **[adj]**lacking the system or structure characteristic of living bodies - **[adj]** **amorphous** clouds of insects "an **amorphous** mineral" "**amorphous** structure" In a scientific sense *amorphous* means lacking a crystalline structure, something without solid form. In a broader sense, the word describes anything that lacks a distinct shape or organizing theme, be it a work of art, a political movement, or even someone's direction in life. The Latin roots of this word are clear — *morph* means form and *a* means lacking. Lacking form. When used to describe creative works or ideas, it usually refers to a lack of organization and would rarely be considered a compliment. If your writing is amorphous, it's probably not fully formed. An *amorphous* crowd of people seem to be random and unconnected, until they all start dancing the Macarena in unison.

Question 44

Analgesic

Answer 44

Analgesic ## Footnote capable of relieving pain - **[adj]**a medicine used to relieve pain - **[n]** an **analgesic** effect An *analgesic* is a medicine that takes away physical pain. If you ask for pain relief, and the nurse says "Here's an *analgesic,*" she's not trying to worsen your headache with a difficult word; she's just giving you a painkiller. Breaking apart the word *analgesic* helps with pronunciation, ann-ull-JEE-zick. This isn't a proper root-word study, but the last three letters of the word look like "sick." If you're sick and have some pain and discomfort, you might get relief from an analgesic. As a noun, *analgesic* is the actual medicine, and as an adjective, it describes the effect of the medicine — a pill will have an analgesic effect, relieving the pain — unless it's really bad pain, in which case you'll need two.

Question 45

Analogous

Answer 45

Analogous ## Footnote similar or equivalent in some respects though otherwise dissimilar - **[adj]**corresponding in function but not in evolutionary origin - **[adj]** brains and computers are often considered **analogous**"salmon roe is marketed as **analogous** to caviar" "the wings of a bee and those of a hummingbird are **analogous**" Use the adjective *analogous* to describe something that is similar to something else and can be compared to another. *Analogous* things can be compared to each other, so a near synonym is the adjective *comparable*. *Analogous* is a term used in biology to refer to body parts that have a similar function but differ in structure, such as the wings of a bird and the wings of an airplane. *Analogous* is from Latin *analogus*, from Greek *analogos*, meaning "according to a proper ratio or proportion."

Question 46

Anarchy

Answer 46

Anarchy ## Footnote a state of lawlessness and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government) - **[n]** Use the noun *anarchy* to describe a complete lack of government — or the chaotic state of affairs created by such an absence. A substitute teacher might worry that an unruly classroom will descend into *anarchy*. From the Greek for "without a ruler" we get this word for the political philosophy that the best government is no government at all — a movement that enjoyed surprising success worldwide in the early and middle parts of the twentieth century. Today, the word is more commonly used to describe not a political ideal but a state of total disorder, chaos and even violence: "A type of bloody *anarchy* is beginning to reign." A good synonym would be "lawlessness."

Question 47

Anecdote

Answer 47

Anecdote ## Footnote short account of an incident (especially a biographical one) - **[n]** A short, amusing true story is an *anecdote*. You might come back from a crazy spring break with a lot of *anecdotes* to tell. The roots of *anecdote* lie in the Greek word *anekdota*, meaning "unpublished." The word's original sense in English was "secret or private stories" — tales not fit for print, so to speak. It can still have connotations of unreliability, as in the phrase "anecdotal information." But the most common sense today is that of "a funny story about something that happened."

Question 48

Animosity

Answer 48

Animosity ## Footnote a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility - **[n]** * Animosity* is hatred. If your (supposed) best buddy embarrasses you in front of a big crowd, your friendship could turn into *animosity*. * Animosity* comes from the Latin word *animus*, meaning "spirit" or "mind." That's also the root of the word *animated* — literally, "full of spirit." So how did *animosity* get so negative? Over the centuries, the original meaning of "high spirits" soured into "hatred." Today we most often speak of animosity *toward, between, among,* or *against* people. Keeping your animosity in check might make steam come out your ears.

Question 49

Anomaly

Answer 49

Anomaly ## Footnote deviation from the normal or common order or form or rule - **[n]**(astronomy) position of a planet as defined by its angular distance from its perihelion (as observed from the sun) - **[n]** An *anomaly* is an abnormality, a blip on the screen of life that doesn’t fit with the rest of the pattern. If you are a breeder of black dogs and one puppy comes out pink, that puppy is an *anomaly*. The noun *anomaly* comes from the Greek word *anomolia*, meaning "uneven" or "irregular." When something is unusual compared to similar things around it, it’s the anomaly. If you are an Olympian who comes from a family of bookish types who all find it strenuous to walk the dog, you are an anomaly.

Question 50

Antagonism

Answer 50

Antagonism ## Footnote an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility - **[n]**a state of deep-seated ill-will - **[n]**the relation between opposing principles or forces or factors - **[n]**(biochemistry) interference in or inhibition of the physiological action of a chemical substance by another having a similar structure - **[n]** the inherent **antagonism** of capitalism and socialism *Antagonism* means hostility. You might feel *antagonism* to the teacher who gave you a D on your last test, and she might be angry at you for not working harder––there's *antagonism* between you. Antagonism is one of the few things you can share easily with someone you don't like. You might feel antagonism toward your school, or at least the idea of going to school. If you're an antagonistic person, you feel antagonism to lots of people and things.

Question 51

Antediluvian

Answer 51

Antediluvian ## Footnote of or relating to the period before the biblical flood - **[adj]**so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period - **[adj]**any of the early patriarchs who lived prior to the Noachian deluge - **[n]**a very old person - **[n]** **antediluvian** man "a ramshackle **antediluvian** tenement" "**antediluvian** ideas" *Antediluvian* means "before the flood" — that is, the Biblical flood with Noah's ark. Generally, though, the word is used — often humorously — to describe something really, really old. In popular language, *antediluvian* is almost always used to exaggerate how comically, ridiculously old and out-of-date something is. You may laugh at your parents' antediluvian ideas of what's proper for going out on a date. And how about those antediluvian computers they still insist are fine! When the word was coined in the seventeenth century, however, it was meant literally. Back then, the science of reconstructing the Earth's history used the Bible as a frame of reference.

Question 52

Anthology

Answer 52

Anthology ## Footnote a collection of selected literary passages - **[n]** A collection of writings is an *anthology.* The heavy textbooks that span the literature of an entire culture and that school children transport in over-sized backpacks with wheels? Those are anthologies. An *anthology* used to be just a collection of poetry, and the word came from the 17th-century Greek word *anthologia* for "flower gathering" or "collecting." A contemporary anthology can include anything from classic literature to rap music lyrics. Often an anthology focuses on one type, or genre, of writing, as in an anthology of horse riding haikus, or even an anthology of writings on writing. However, sometimes textbook-style anthologies — like *Global Literature* — will ambitiously try to include works from writers throughout the ages *and* from throughout the world.

Question 53

Antipathy

Answer 53

Antipathy ## Footnote a feeling of intense dislike - **[n]**the object of a feeling of intense aversion; something to be avoided - **[n]** cats were his greatest **antipathy** An *antipathy* is a deep-seated dislike of something or someone. Usually it's a condition that is long-term, innate, and pretty unlikely to change — like your *antipathy* for the Red Sox. If you look at the Greek roots of this word — *anti-* (meaning "against") and *pathos* (meaning "feeling"), you can see that *antipathy* is a feeling against someone or something. In general, antipathies are considered feelings that are kept at least somewhat under wraps and are not out on the surface.

Question 54

Antiquated

Answer 54

Antiquated ## Footnote so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period - **[adj]** Something is *antiquated* when it is so old that it is no longer useful. If your parents believe that you shouldn't use the Internet when you write papers for school, you might call their ideas *antiquated*. Something is antiquated when it is so old, it's like an antique or recognizable from another era and has the negative feel of being thoroughly outmoded. Things like typewriters, sealing wax for letters, and ideas of proper etiquette all seem antiquated in modern society. Currently, things get antiquated ever faster — 5-inch floppy disks for computers and dial-up modems were very modern fifteen years ago, but now they're antiquated.

Question 55

Apathy

Answer 55

Apathy ## Footnote an absence of emotion or enthusiasm - **[n]**the trait of lacking enthusiasm for or interest in things generally - **[n]** Use the noun *apathy* when someone is not interested in the important things that are happening. You might feel *apathy* for the political process after watching candidates bicker tediously with one another. Although *apathy* is a lazy-sounding word that indicates a lack of interest, action or emotion towards something, it has traveled through many languages to arrive in English. Originating from the Greek *apatheia* meaning "without emotion," the word has been a part of the English language since the 17th century. Not only a single person, but a whole segment of the population can be accused of inaction, indifference or emotional detachment: the expressions *voter apathy, student apathy,* and *consumer apathy* show just how unenthusiastic large groups of people can be.

Question 56

Apocryphal

Answer 56

Apocryphal ## Footnote being of questionable authenticity - **[adj]** Urban legends — stories about phantom hitchhikers, deep-fried rats, and spider eggs in bubblegum — are classic examples of *apocryphal* tales. They're told as if they're true, but no one can ever identify their origins. Today, any dubious or unverifiable story may be dismissed as apocryphal. If it can't be verified, it is seen as not real, true or authentic. Originally, however, *apocryphal* was reserved for religious writings that were not included in the Torah or the New Testament of the Bible because the divinity of the texts was not certain. These texts are knows as the Apocrypha and are included in the Septuagint (a Greek version of the Hebrew Bible) and the Vulgate (a Latin Bible edited in the 4th century).

Question 57

Appease

Answer 57

Appease ## Footnote make peace with - **[v]**cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of - **[v]**overcome or allay - **[v]** *Appease* means to make or preserve peace with a nation, group, or person by giving in to their demands, or to relieve a problem, as in "the cold drink *appeased* his thirst." The word often implies abandoning your moral principles to satisfy the demands of someone who is greedy for power: Think of British Prime Minister Chamberlain's attempt to *appease* the Nazis at Munich. The cold drink *appeased* his thirst. *Appease* is from Middle English *apaisen,* from *apaisier,* formed from the prefix *a-* "to" plus *pais* "peace," from Latin *pax*.

Question 58

Apposite

Answer 58

Apposite ## Footnote being of striking appropriateness and pertinence - **[adj]** the successful copywriter is a master of **apposite** and evocative verbal images Something *apposite* is fitting or relevant. It is *apposite* that radio stations play Christmas carols on Christmas Eve, and that your tax accountant takes vacation after April 15th. It all makes sense. The adjective *apposite* is derived from the Latin terms *appositus* and *apponere*. *Ponere* means to place, and thus *apponere* is "well-placed or well-put." Don't confuse *apposite* with *opposite*; they have almost opposite meanings!

Question 59

Apprehensive

Answer 59

Apprehensive ## Footnote in fear or dread of possible evil or harm - **[adj]**quick to understand - **[adj]** **apprehensive** for one's life "**apprehensive** of danger" "**apprehensive** about her job" If you're *apprehensive*, you're anxious or fearful. If you just got run over by a crazy bicyclist, you might be a bit *apprehensive* crossing the street. *Apprehensive* is from a Latin word meaning "to seize," and it originally meant "quick to seize impressions or ideas, perceptive, intelligent." Now it means "anticipating something bad, fearful of what may happen." Synonyms are *afraid*, which suggest a more immediate fear, and *fearful*, which suggests a more general temperament ("a fearful child"). You can be *apprehensive* about a situation while being an optimistic and courageous person in general.

Question 60

Approbation

Answer 60

Approbation ## Footnote official approval - **[n]**official recognition or approval - **[n]** *Approbation* is an official, important-sounding, and somewhat old-fashioned word for approval or praise. A princess, for example, might only consider marrying a prince that is met with her father's, the King's, *approbation*. How is it possible that *approbation* means approval when *probation* is a form of being in trouble in school? Remember that probation is a testing period, to see if you can be good. *Approbation* means it's all good. Or you can remember this rhyme: "Filled with *approbation*, the audience gave a standing ovation."

Question 61

Arable

Answer 61

Arable ## Footnote (of farmland) capable of being farmed productively - **[adj]** If you describe land as *arable*, it means that something can grow there. If you're looking to raise crops, you better find yourself a patch of *arable* land. *Arable* has its Latin roots in the word *arare*, which means "to plow." Arable soil is ground that can be plowed and cultivated. Chances are — if you are using the word *arable*, then either the word *land* or the word *soil* is following it; however, you might also see the phrase "*arable* crops" — meaning those crops that are able to be grown on arable land.

Question 62

Arbitrary

Answer 62

Arbitrary ## Footnote based on or subject to individual discretion or preference or sometimes impulse or caprice - **[adj]** an **arbitrary** decision "the **arbitrary** rule of a dictator" "an **arbitrary** penalty" Something that's *arbitrary* seems like it's chosen at random instead of following a consistent rule. Team members would dislike their coach using a totally *arbitrary* method to pick starting players. Even though *arbitrary* comes from a word meaning "judge" (*arbiter*), that doesn't mean judges are always fair. Calling a decision-maker *arbitrary* is usually a negative thing, suggesting the person is making rules based on whim rather than justice. A coach who selects starting players arbitrarily isn't strictly applying a rule; he could just be picking names out of a hat.

Question 63

Arcane

Answer 63

Arcane ## Footnote requiring secret or mysterious knowledge - **[adj]** the **arcane** science of dowsing Something *arcane* is understood or known by only a few people. Almost everyone knows the basics of baseball, but only an elite few possess the *arcane* knowledge of its history that marks the true fan. A near synonym is *esoteric*, as in remote information or knowledge. Experts in academic fields often show off the depth of their knowledge by mentioning some arcane and esoteric fact as if it was common for everyone to know. The origin of *arcane* is Latin *arcānus* "secret, closed," from arca "a chest, box." *Arcana* (singular *arcanum*) are pieces of mysterious knowledge or information.

Question 64

Archaic

Answer 64

Archaic ## Footnote so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period - **[adj]**little evolved from or characteristic of an earlier ancestral type - **[adj]** **archaic** laws "**archaic** forms of life" If you use the adjective *archaic* you are referring to something outmoded, belonging to an earlier period. Rotary phones and cassette players already seem so *archaic*! The adjective *archaic* means something that belongs to an earlier or antiquated time. It can also mean something that is outdated but can still be found in the present and therefore could seem out of place. The word comes from Greek, *archaikos*, and literally means "from Classical Greek culture," though it's meaning has broadened as it's been used in English. So, while Greek clay pots and urns are *archaic*, so are the parents of all teenagers!

Question 65

Archetype

Answer 65

Archetype ## Footnote something that serves as a model or a basis for making copies - **[n]** An *archetype* is a perfect example of something. If you have blond hair, a perfect size six body and are on the cheerleading squad, you're the *archetype* of a high school cheerleader. In the psychology of Carl Jung, an *archetype* is an inherited pattern of thought derived from the past experience of the whole race and present in our unconscious minds––Cinderella might be an archetype for girls in our culture; the boogey man is another. This noun is from Latin *archetypum,* from Greek *archetypon,* from *archetypos* "of the first mold," from *archein* "to begin" plus *typos* "type."

Question 66

Archives

Answer 66

Archives ## Footnote collection of records especially about an institution - **[n]** * Archives*, a noun, refers to records or historical documents, or the place where those records are kept, like the famous writer's *archives* that scholars can see by visiting the library *archives*. * Archives* are typically records or documents used when researching an event, a person, or even a building. Use archives to research your family tree, which might include birth, marriage, and death certificates, immigration records, tax files, and so on. The noun is also used to describe where historical documents and records are kept, like the National Archives and Record Administration, which holds important records of the Federal government.

Question 67

Arduous

Answer 67

Arduous ## Footnote characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort - **[adj]**difficult to accomplish; demanding considerable mental effort and skill - **[adj]**taxing to the utmost; testing powers of endurance - **[adj]** worked their **arduous** way up the mining valley "the **arduous** work of preparing a dictionary" ""your willingness after these six **arduous** days to remain here"- F.D.Roosevelt" Use the adjective, *arduous,* to describe an activity that takes a lot of effort. Writing all those college essays and filling out the applications is an *arduous* process! *Arduous* was first used in English to mean "steep" or "difficult to climb." If you're an outdoorsman, hiking up a mountain is a lot of fun, but if you're a couch potato, it's an arduous trek. Today, the word can be used figuratively for something that is difficult or takes a lot of work. If you spend an arduous week studying for your final exams, you'll do well because you've worked really hard!

Question 68

Armada

Answer 68

Armada ## Footnote a large fleet - **[n]** If an *armada* is looking for you, that's not good news — it's a fleet of warships. Even though *armada* sounds a little old-fashioned, they still exist. In fact, some armadas look for pirates — another old-fashioned-sounding group that still exists. Though an armada is part of a navy, *armada* sounds similar to "army,", and it should: they both come ultimately from the same source, the Latin word *armata,* "armed." Armies and navies are two of the oldest branches of a military power, and an armada is a military fleet — another word for a group of boats or ships.

Question 69

Articulate

Answer 69

Articulate ## Footnote express or state clearly - **[v]**consisting of segments held together by joints - **[adj]** **articulate** speech "an **articulate** orator" "**articulate** beings" To *articulate* is to say something. And, if you say it well, someone might praise you by saying you are *articulate*. Confused yet? It's all in the pronunciation. Reach for *articulate* when you need an adjective meaning "well-spoken" (pronounced ar-TIC-yuh-lit) or a verb (ar-TIC-yuh-late) meaning "to speak or express yourself clearly." The key to understanding *articulate*'s many uses is to think of the related noun *article*: an articulate person clearly pronounces each article of his or her speech (that is, each word and syllable), and an articulated joint is divided up into distinct articles, or parts.

Question 70

Artifice

Answer 70

Artifice ## Footnote a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture) - **[n]** If a politician pretends to be angry as a way of rousing the anger of the voters and getting more votes, he's guilty of *artifice* — a subtle and crafty trick. Before taking on its current meaning, *artifice* meant a skilled piece of workmanship. A beautiful diamond bracelet might have been considered a piece of artifice, for example; now it would only be called artifice if the diamonds were fake.

Question 71

Artisan

Answer 71

Artisan ## Footnote a skilled worker who practices some trade or handicraft - **[n]** An *artisan* has both the creativity and the skill to make a product. Wandering around a local craft fair, you will often see *artisans* selling handicrafts like pot holders or beaded jewelry. In medieval times, blacksmiths, carpenters, and masons were artisan trades. Unskilled laborers were not. The hierarchy of skill and prestige among artisans, from apprentice to journeyman to master, is sometimes reflected in ranks among today’s trade union members. But today an artisan can just be someone who makes attractive and creative work with their hands, like jewelry or pottery. Although, if they're trying to sell their goods, it probably helps if they're very skilled.

Question 72

Artless

Answer 72

Artless ## Footnote simple and natural; without cunning or deceit - **[adj]**(of persons) lacking art or knowledge - **[adj]** an **artless** manner "**artless** elegance" "an **artless** translation" Yes, *artless* could mean lacking in art, but more often it means lacking in superficiality or deceit. An *artless* person could never make a living as a con artist. Originally meaning "unskillful" or "uncultured," *artless* evolved into meaning not skilled or cultured in the art of deceit. If you are artless, you are natural and uncontrived. Young people, animals, the socially inept — these can all be artless in the way they express themselves. They seem to mean exactly what they say.

Question 73

Ascetic

Answer 73

Ascetic ## Footnote someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline - **[n]**practicing great self-denial - **[adj]**pertaining to or characteristic of an ascetic or the practice of rigorous self-discipline - **[adj]** Be systematically **ascetic**...do...something for no other reason than that you would rather not do it"- William James" "**ascetic** practices" Want to live an *ascetic* lifestyle? Then you better ditch the flat panel TV and fuzzy slippers. To be *ascetic*, you learn to live without; it's all about self-denial. *Ascetic* is derived from the Greek *asketes*, meaning "monk," or "hermit." Later that became *asketikos*, meaning "rigorously self-disciplined," which gives us the Modern English *ascetic*. *Ascetic* can be a noun: a person with incredible self-discipline and the ability to deprive herself, or an adjective that describes such a people or their lifestyle.

Question 74

Asperity

Answer 74

Asperity ## Footnote harshness of manner - **[n]**something hard to endure - **[n]** the **asperity** of northern winters *Asperity* is the harsh tone or behavior people exhibit when they’re angry, impatient, or just miserable. When your supervisor’s "Late again!" greeting causes your entire future to pass before your eyes, he is speaking with *asperity*. The harshness that *asperity* implies can also apply to conditions, like "the *asperities* of life in a bomb shelter." Or even more literally to surfaces, like "the *asperity* of an unfinished edge." But, most often, you will see *asperity* used in reference to grumpy human beings.

Question 75

Assay

Answer 75

Assay ## Footnote a quantitative or qualitative test of a substance (especially an ore or a drug) to determine its components; frequently used to test for the presence or concentration of infectious agents or antibodies etc. - **[n]**make an effort or attempt - **[v]** they made an **assay** of the contents An *assay* is a breakdown of a material, examining the individual parts that make up the whole. When you *assay* a situation, you look at all the elements that created the problem in order to come up with a solution. The word *assay* comes from the French word *essai*, which means "trial," an appropriate sense for a word that means to examine for analysis. As a noun, *assay* means a test or appraisal to determine the components of a substance or object. As a verb, it refers to the act of analyzing, or of conducting that test. It is usually used in chemistry-related fields like metallurgy and pharmaceuticals, but you can also assay a poem.

Question 76

Assiduous

Answer 76

Assiduous ## Footnote marked by care and persistent effort - **[adj]** her **assiduous** attempts to learn French "**assiduous** research" If you call someone *assiduous*, it's a compliment. It means they're careful, methodical and very persistent. Good detectives are classically *assiduous* types. *Assiduous* comes from two Latin words: *assiduus,* meaning "busy incessant, continual or constant," and *assidere,* meaning "to sit down to" something. (Funnily enough, we also get the word *sedentary,* meaning someone who doesn't move around much, a lazy couch potato, from this same last word.) Although we tend to think of sedentary types as being the very opposite of assiduous ones, many assiduous activities (like writing, thinking, or detective work) are best done sitting in a chair.

Question 77

Assuage

Answer 77

Assuage ## Footnote provide physical relief, as from pain - **[v]**satisfy (thirst) - **[v]**cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of - **[v]** If you *assuage* an unpleasant feeling, you make it go away. *Assuaging* your hunger by eating a bag of marshmallows may cause you other unpleasant feelings. The most common things that we *assuage* are *fears, concerns, guilt, grief, anxiety,* and *anger*. That makes a lot of sense — these are all things we seek relief from. The word comes from Old French *assouagier*, from the Latin root *suavis*, "sweet" — think of adding a bit of honey to something unpleasant. A word with a similar meaning is *mollify*.

Question 78

Astute

Answer 78

Astute ## Footnote marked by practical hardheaded intelligence - **[adj]** an **astute** tenant always reads the small print in a lease Someone who is *astute* is clever and has good judgment. The kid running around with a bucket stuck on his head? Not so *astute*. *Astute* (from Latin) is a formal and flattering adjective for someone with a good head on their shoulders. It differs from its synonym *shrewd* in placing less emphasis on hardheadedness than on sensitivity: we talk about a *shrewd* bargainer but an *astute* interpretation. Other synonyms are *perceptive* (emphasizing insight) and *discerning* (emphasizing an ability to distinguish).

Question 79

Asylum

Answer 79

Asylum ## Footnote a shelter from danger or hardship - **[n]**a hospital for mentally incompetent or unbalanced person - **[n]** Any mom taking care of the kids day in and day out is probably more than ready to seek *asylum*, or refuge, at a local spa. You may have heard *asylum* used to describe an institution where insane people are housed, but did you know that an *asylum* can also be somewhere you’d happily and willingly go? An asylum offers shelter and protection, like the awning of a building in a downpour. Or a country that takes in refugees in danger of persecution — otherwise known as "political asylum."

Question 80

Atavism

Answer 80

Atavism ## Footnote a reappearance of an earlier characteristic - **[n]** *Atavism* is a return to a previous way of doing, saying, or seeing things. It can be casual, like wearing retro clothing and listening to vinyl records, or committed, like living in a straw hut without electricity. It makes sense that *atavism* comes from a Latin word meaning "forefather," since it refers to a way of doing things like our ancestors did them. It’s often used negatively, though, to refer to behavior the speaker finds primitive or unacceptable. Atavists are often called "throwbacks." In biology, the term *atavism* or "evolutionary throwback" is used when animals are born with features that had disappeared, such as legs on a whale.

Question 81

Atrophy

Answer 81

Atrophy ## Footnote a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse - **[n]**any weakening or degeneration (especially through lack of use) - **[n]**undergo atrophy - **[v]** Muscles that are not used will **atrophy** Wearing a cast on a broken leg can cause *atrophy*, or withering, in the leg, because it is immobilized and gets no exercise. Appearing in English in the 17th century, the word *atrophy* originally described a lack of nourishment. *Atrophy* occurs in parts of the body that can't move or be "fed" because of disease or injury. It also is used to describe things that go dull through lack of use, like skills in sports or artistic creativity. The (unrelated) word "trophy" refers to something that sits on a shelf and is admired, while *atrophy* is a condition of being "shelved," or made inactive and lifeless.

Question 82

Attenuate

Answer 82

Attenuate ## Footnote become weaker, in strength, value, or magnitude - **[v]**weaken the consistency of (a chemical substance) - **[v]**reduced in strength - **[adj]** *Attenuate* is a verb that means to make or become weaker. The effects of aging may be *attenuated* by exercise. (Or by drinking from the fountain of youth.) The versatile word *attenuate* denotes a weakening in amount, intensity, or value. As a verb, *attenuate* is usually transitive, meaning it needs an object to be complete, such as in the sentence: "This tanning process tends to *attenuate* the deer hide, making it softer." The word can be intransitive in past tense, as in "The rain attenuated, ending the storm." And it can even be used as an adjective to describe something weakened: "Even an *attenuated* solution will remove the stain."

Question 83

Augment

Answer 83

Augment ## Footnote enlarge or increase - **[v]**grow or intensify - **[v]** The recent speech of the president **augmented** tensions in the Near East "The pressure **augmented**" Do you need to make something bigger, better, or stronger? Then you need to *augment* it. To *augment* is to increase the amount or strength of something. Maybe your bike isn't getting around very well on hills: the bike needs to be augmented with a better set of tires. People augment their computers and phones all the time, adding new gadgets and apps. They augment the storage space in their cars by buying roof racks. If the President decides to augment taxes, taxes are going up. When you see the word *augment*, think "More!"

Question 84

Augury

Answer 84

Augury ## Footnote an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come - **[n]** he hoped it was an **augury** Is your team losing 15-0? Has your girlfriend just slapped your face? Dude, these are *auguries* — signs of how things are going to work out in the future. And these two examples don't look good. In fact, not every augury is an ill omen, as the common phrase "*augers* well for the future" suggests, but more often than not, it seems, an augury is a sign that the future will be none too rosy. Auguries are signs of what's to come, and it's wise not to ignore them.

Question 85

Auspicious

Answer 85

Auspicious ## Footnote auguring favorable circumstances and good luck - **[adj]** an **auspicious** beginning for the campaign Use the adjective *auspicious* for a favorable situation or set of conditions. If you start a marathon by falling flat on your face, that's not an auspicious start. If something seems likely to bring success — either because it creates favorable conditions or you just consider it a lucky sign — label it *auspicious*. The word is related to *auspice*, "a divine omen," an old word with a colorful history. In Latin, an *auspex* was a person who observed the flight of birds to predict things about the future. Luckily, you no longer have to be a bird-watching fortune-teller to guess whether something is auspicious or not.

Question 86

Austere

Answer 86

Austere ## Footnote of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect - **[adj]**practicing great self-denial - **[adj]**severely simple - **[adj]** an **austere** expression "a desert nomad's **austere** life" The adjective *austere* is used to describe something or someone stern or without any decoration. You wouldn't want someone to describe you or your home as *austere*. *Austere* is not usually a positive word because it means that a person or a thing isn't pleasurable. For example, if you go on an austere diet, it's likely you wouldn't ever get to have candy. The adjective comes into English by way of French, Latin, and Greek, meaning "harsh" and "dry." It's pronounced as "o-stir," with an emphasis on the second syllable.

Question 87

Aver

Answer 87

Aver ## Footnote to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true - **[v]**report or maintain - **[v]** To *aver* is to declare something is true or to state. This verb has a serious tone, so you might *aver* something on a witness stand or you might *aver* that you won't back down to a challenge. The verb *aver* comes to English via the Latin root words *ad*, meaning "to," and *verus*, meaning "true." The word can have the sense of formally declaring something is true, but it can also mean to report positively: "The grandmother *averred* that her granddaughter would make a fine veterinarian because of her love and caring for animals."

Question 88

Aversion

Answer 88

Aversion ## Footnote the act of turning yourself (or your gaze) away - **[n]**a feeling of intense dislike - **[n]** If you have an *aversion* to something, you have an intense dislike for it. Commonly its food, but you could have an *aversion* to black and white movies, driving with the windows open, taking calls from salespeople or being barefoot outdoors. An *aversion* is also the person or thing that is the object of such intense dislike: her *aversions* included all kinds of vegetables and fruits. This noun is from Latin *avertio*, ultimately from *avertere* "to turn away," from the prefix *a-* "from" plus *vertere* "to turn." Near synonyms are *repugnance* and *antipathy*.

Question 89

Baleful

Answer 89

Baleful ## Footnote threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments-*(adj)* a **baleful** look *Baleful* means the foreshadowing of tragic or evil events. If no one's listening in class and your teacher reprimands you with a *baleful* glance, expect a pop quiz. If your car breaks down and you take refuge in adeserted mansion, you might huddle under a dusty blanket and findyourself thinking that the wind moaning at the windows sounds baleful —maybe it's really the voice of a young woman murdered in the very bedwhere you sleep?

Question 90

Balk

Answer 90

Balk ## Footnote refuse to comply-*(v)* an illegal pitching motion while runners are on base-*(n)* the area on a billiard table behind the balkline-*(n)* one of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof-*(n)* If you *balk* at your mother's suggestion that you take on more responsibility, you're saying no to added chores. To *balk* means to refuse to go along with. A donkey balks when it refuses to move forward. This is a good picture for *balk* which is often used in conjunction with demands. Demands are somethingpeople often balk at like a donkey refusing to move. In baseball, apitcher balks when he or she begins a pitch by winding up, but does notcomplete it. It is as if he is refusing to complete a started pitch, and it is against the rules.

Question 91

Balm

Answer 91

Balm ## Footnote semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation-*(n)* If your lips are cracked and dry, lip *balm* will make them feel better. A *balm* is a soothing substance with a consistency somewhere between solid and liquid. The ointment-like consistency is part of what the word *balm* means. It comes down from the word, balsam, which is a gummy substancethat comes from trees. You can use the word metaphorically too. If yourmother's cooking always makes you feel better no matter how bad thingsget, you can say her home cooking has been a balm for you in tryingtimes.

Question 92

Banal

Answer 92

Banal ## Footnote repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse-*(adj)* If something is boring and unoriginal, it's *banal*. *Banal* things are dull as dishwater. Ever notice how some TV shows, songs, and even phrases are boring and unoriginal? It's like you've seen or heard the samething a million times. Anything that's unoriginal and dull is *banal* — a fancy word for things that bore you to tears. When you're writing,try not to be banal. Clichés and dull topics are banal. New ideas, fresh language, and unusual subject matter can keep your writing from beingdreary and banal.

Question 93

Bane

Answer 93

Bane ## Footnote something causing misery or death-*(n)* the **bane** of my life The noun *bane* refers to anything that is acause of harm, ruin, or death. But we often use it for things thataren't that bad, just feel like it. You might say mosquitoes are *the bane of* your existence. The source of this word is Middle and Old Englishbana, meaning "destroyer, murderer." The now obsolete meaning of "deadly poison" is seen in the names of poisonous plants such as *wolfsbane* and *henbane*. Although "bane of my existence" is a commonly heard phrase, there's something deliciously archaic about the word *bane*. It conjures up villages preyed upon by dragons, or witches adding one bane or another to a steaming kettle.

Question 94

Bard

Answer 94

Bard ## Footnote a lyric poet-*(n)* an ornamental caparison for a horse-*(n)* If you’ve heard the word *bard*, it was probably in English class. William Shakespeare has been known as "The Bard"since the nineteenth century, but the word has a much older history,and, when it's not capitalized, it simply means "lyric poet." In civilizations without written histories, poets andsingers were the ones to spread the word from place to place and acrossgenerations. In ancient and medieval Gaelic societies, the professionalstorytellers were called *bards* (or *bardds*, in Wales).Irish bards were part of a chieftain's household, and their job was torecord and proclaim the exploits of their lord — although a bard mightalso compose blistering satires if he was displeased with his employer.

Question 95

Barrage

Answer 95

Barrage ## Footnote the heavy fire of artillery to saturate an area rather than hit a specific target-*(n)* the rapid and continuous delivery of linguistic communication (spoken or written)-*(n)* address with continuously or persistently, as if with a barrage-*(v)* they laid down a **barrage** in front of the advancing troops "a **barrage** of questions" "The speaker was **barraged** by an angry audience" A *barrage* is something that comes quickly and heavily — as an attack of bullets or artillery, or a fast spray of words. Sometimes in movies or news footage, the audience gets a glimpse from behind a mounted weapon and sees a heavy rain of bombsor bullets — called *a barrage* — going toward a target, sending as much POW! as possible to hit a wide area. Words become a barrage whenspoken or written in uncontrollable anger or with overflowing emotion:"Her human-rights speech was a *barrage* of passion. It was hard to keep up with, but we felt the intensity of her cause."

Question 96

Bastion

Answer 96

Bastion ## Footnote projecting part of a rampart or other fortification-*(n)* a group that defends a principle-*(n)* When the battle is getting long and the odds are getting longer, retreat to your *bastion* to regroup and prepare for the next round of fighting. A *bastion* is a stronghold or fortification that remains intact. French Independence Day, or Bastille Day (July 14),commemorates the storming in 1789 of the French king's prison/fort, theBastille. *Bastion* and *Bastille* share the root *bast*, which means "build." *Bastion* can refer to any place to which one turns for safety; that can includenot only buildings but also concepts, ideas, and even beliefs. TheChurch, for example, is a bastion of many religious beliefs.

Question 97

Befuddle

Answer 97

Befuddle ## Footnote be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly-*(v)* This question **befuddled** even the teacher To *befuddle* is to confuse. A sticky exam question can *befuddle* you, or an awkward question about your whereabouts the night before (how can you remember? You were *befuddled,* after all.) In sixteenth century Britain a popular thing to do(about the only thing to do) after the hogs had been fed and thechickens put away for the night was *fuddle* — in other words get pretty drunk. *Befuddled* was simply the confused state too many pots of mead put your poor brain in, and that's still its basic meaning today. Nowadays, *befuddle* has a more general meaning of confusion and uncertainty not necessarily caused by too much booze.

Question 98

Begrudge

Answer 98

Begrudge ## Footnote be envious of; set one's heart on-*(v)* To *begrudge* someone something is to wish them ill for it or to envy them. Try not to *begrudge* his getting the promotion over you — he's been at the company longer. An understudy might *begrudge* the lead her roleand even go so far as to put glass in her shoes so she can't perform. An easy way to remember the meaning of this verb is to note the noun *grudge* lurking inside it. A grudge is ill will that you hold toward someone:to begrudge is to hold that grudge. If you begrudge your friend hishappiness because he got the nicer car, your friendship will suffer.

Question 99

Beguile

Answer 99

Beguile ## Footnote attract; cause to be enamored-*(v)* influence by slyness-*(v)* To *beguile* is to trick someone, either with deception or with irresistible charm and beauty. You could be *beguiled* by a super model or by a super con artist. *Beguile* doesn't always mean that the person orthing beguiling is tricking you, but there is a sense with this word ofenchantment that takes away the viewer's normal powers of judgment. Abeautiful place or idea can beguile as easily as a person. You might beso beguiled by the idea of a picnic on the beach that you forgot thereare two feet of snow on the ground.

Question 100

Belabor

Answer 100

Belabor ## Footnote beat soundly-*(v)* to work at or to absurd length-*(v)* * Belabor* means to go at something with everything you've got. When you say, "Don't *belabor* or agonize over the decision," it means, "Move on." * Belabor* is made up of the Latin roots *be* and *labor* meaning "to exert one's strength upon." You can belabor a point byusing excessive detail, or you could belabor the obvious by stating over and over what everyone already knows. Belaboring can be a physicalattack as well. A person can belabor or beat the living daylights out of you with a club.

Question 101

Beleaguer

Answer 101

Beleaguer ## Footnote annoy persistently-*(v)* surround so as to force to give up-*(v)* * Beleaguer* means to pester or badger with persistence. A babysitter might find annoying the children who *beleaguer* her with requests for candy, cookies, games, and piggyback rides all at the same time. * Beleaguer* originally meant to lay siege to, and originates from a 16th century Dutch term which meant to camp allaround. It was not until later that *beleaguer* came to mean harass or bother in a determined way. Remember that there is a *league* in the middle of *be-league-r* and the spelling will be easy.

Question 102

Belie

Answer 102

Belie ## Footnote be in contradiction with-*(v)* represent falsely-*(v)* To *belie* means to contradict. If you are 93 but look like you are 53, then your young looks *belie* your age. We get *belie* from the Old English *beleogan*, which meant "to deceive by lying." It suggests characteristics orbehavior that inadvertently or deliberately hide the truth. To rememberit, just think "be lying." Snow White's decision to barge into the Seven Dwarfs' home without invitation belied her gentle nature.

Question 103

Belittle

Answer 103

Belittle ## Footnote cause to seem less serious; play down-*(v)* express a negative opinion of-*(v)* Don't **belittle** his influence To *belittle* means to put down, or to makeanother person feel as though they aren't important. Saying mean thingsabout another person literally makes them feel "little." To belittle someone is a cruel way of making someoneelse seem less important than yourself. A candidate for office mightbelittle his opponent by pointing out during a press conference that his fellow candidate has an inferior intellect. Belittling doesn't have tocome in the form of verbal abuse. A manager who forces hisadministrative assistant to scrub his office floor with a toothbrushbelittles her as well.

Question 104

Bellicose

Answer 104

Bellicose ## Footnote having or showing a ready disposition to fight-*(adj)* **bellicose** young officers If you walk into a high school where you know no one, find the toughest looking girl in the halls and tell her she's ugly,them's fighting words. Or *bellicose* ones. *Bellicose* means eager for war. *Bellicose* is from Latin *bellum* "war." A near synonym is *belligerent*, from the same Latin noun. You may wonder if they're connected to the Latin *bellus* "pretty, handsome," which gives us the names Bella or Isabella, as well as *belle* "a beautiful woman." They're not. War and beauty are not related, except in the case of Helen of Troy.

Question 105

Belligerent

Answer 105

Belligerent ## Footnote characteristic of an enemy or one eager to fight-*(adj)* someone who fights (or is fighting)-*(n)* a **belligerent** tone If someone is *belligerent*, they're eager to fight. It's a good idea to avoid hardcore hockey fans after their team loses — they tend to be *belligerent*. *Belligerent* comes from the Latin word *bellum*, for "war." You can use it to talk about actual wars — the nations taking part in a war are called *belligerents* — but usually *belligerent* describes a psychological disposition. If you're running a school foraggressive boys, do plenty of arts and crafts to prevent them frombecoming too belligerent. The stress is on the second syllable:bə-LIJ-ə-rənt.

Question 106

Bemoan

Answer 106

Bemoan ## Footnote regret strongly-*(v)* Some people love to complain, don't they? Complainers also tend to *bemoan* things, which can be translated to "Oh no! Why me?" A more casual expression for *bemoan* is to moanand groan. If you step in a puddle and get your shoes wet, you mightmoan and groan about, or bemoan, your bad luck to whoever will listen.Just about any bad or annoying thing can be bemoaned. In fact, peoplelove to bemoan how much other people are moaning and groaning aboutthings!

Question 107

Benevolent

Answer 107

Benevolent ## Footnote showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity-*(adj)* generous in providing aid to others-*(adj)* a **benevolent** society "a **benevolent** contributor" Choose the adjective *benevolent* for someone who does good deeds or shows goodwill. If your teacher collects homework with a *benevolent* smile, she's hoping that you've done a good job. *Benevolent* comes from the Latin *bene* "well" and *volent* from the verb "to wish" so you can imagine that this word bringsgoodness with it. A benevolent society is a charity group organized toserve a community through programs, sponsorships and donations. Theexpression, benevolent dictatorship, may seem like an oxymoron, but itis a political term for an authoritative government that works for thegood of the people under its rule.

Question 108

Benign

Answer 108

Benign ## Footnote kindness of disposition or manner-*(adj)* pleasant and beneficial in nature or influence-*(adj)* the **benign** ruler of millions "a **benign** smile" Someone or something that is *benign* is gentle, kind, mild, or unharmful: a benign soul wouldn't hurt a fly. *Benign* describes a range of qualities, all ofthem positive. When talking about a person, it means "gentle." Inreference to weather or climate, it means "mild." In some othercontexts, it simply means "not harmful"; you might speak of "a benigntumor" or "an environmentally benign chemical." The word comes from aLatin root *benignus* meaning "well born," but the implied meaningis "kind" or "pleasant" — it's hard to get mad at someone who has abenign disposition.

Question 109

Bequeath

Answer 109

Bequeath ## Footnote leave or give by will after one's death-*(v)* My aunt **bequeathed** me all her jewelry To *bequeath* is to leave your possessions toanother person after you die. A man might love his classic cars butwould be happy to bequeath them to his grandsons when he writes out hislast will and testament. *Bequeath* often is used about making plans togive away property and possessions after a person's death: "It wasstrange to leave a house to a one-year-old baby, but he planned what hewould *bequeath* in his will while he was young, and the baby would be 23 when he finally did die." Sometimes *bequeath* is used for things handed down without death, as when living parentsand grandparents pass, or bequeath, a legacy of stories or family traits and talents as an inheritance.

Question 110

Berate

Answer 110

Berate ## Footnote censure severely or angrily-*(v)* A strong verb for harshly cutting someone down with words is *berate.* "He didn't just correct the cashier who gave him the wrong change, he started to *berate* her, calling her names in front of the whole store." When you *berate* someone it is more than just raising your voice at them; it implies putting them down by insulting their character. *Berate* comes from the 16th-century English and French for "to scold" or "toblame." Often the anger behind the scolding seems over-the-top, as in"When the young man behind the counter dropped the scoop of vanilla, the manager *berated* him excessively by declaring him worthless and weak."

Question 111

Bestial

Answer 111

Bestial ## Footnote resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility-*(adj)* a **bestial** nature * Bestial* sounds like beast, and that is precisely what it means, beast-like. When a human acts like an animal, their behavior is called *bestial.* * Bestial* is often used to describe behavior that is primitive or uncivilized. If someone living on a desert island tookto grunting and crawling on all fours searching for bugs in dirt, youcould say she had descended to the *bestial.*

Question 112

Bilk

Answer 112

Bilk ## Footnote cheat somebody out of what is due, especially money-*(v)* escape, either physically or mentally-*(v)* hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of-*(v)* Ever paid a restaurant bill only to discover they charged you for stuff you never had? What they did was *bilk* you — cheat you out of money that was justly yours. Shady companies are forever *bilking* their investors. To bilk someone is slightly different from plainrobbing them, though the effect is the same; it implies a non-violent,subtle and devious method masquerading as legitimate. Bernie Madoff, the Ponzi scheme king, was a classic bilker. On a more enjoyable note, oneof the greatest bilkers in TV history was the appropriately namedSergeant Bilko, played by the comedian Phil Silvers. His eternal cardgames, promotions and get-rich-quick schemes were all designed to partsome poor sucker from their cash. Watch and learn from the master.

Question 113

Billowing

Answer 113

Billowing ## Footnote characterized by great swelling waves or surges-*(adj)* the restless **billowing** sea If you've ever seen a space shuttle launch, you probably remember seeing all the white smoke *billowing,* or swelling and rolling forth, underneath. You'll most often see the word *billowing* when someone is talking about smoke, steam, or the wind blowing through something, like hair or a flag. The word *bylgja,* from which *billow* derives, comes from an unusual source for English words: Old Norse.

Question 114

Blandishment

Answer 114

Blandishment ## Footnote flattery intended to persuade-*(n)* When you hear a *blandishment* come your way, you may feel flattered, as that's what a *blandisher* intends to do. However, beware because that flattery may come with the underlying intention of persuading you to do something! The noun *blandishment* is related to the old-fashioned verb *blandish* meaning "to coax with flattery, or kind words." A blandishment is often teasing in tone, and the intention to persuade is usually thinlyveiled. Your brother may use a blandishment or two to get you to do hischores, and you're going to know exactly what he's after. But the saying "You get more flies with honey" just might hold true if you findyourself taking out the trash when it's not your turn.

Question 115

Blasphemy

Answer 115

Blasphemy ## Footnote blasphemous language (expressing disrespect for God or for something sacred)-*(n)* Saying offensive things about God or religion is *blasphemy*. *Blasphemy* can be used for offensive ideas in other areas too. If you're saying something bad about a god, or takingthe Lord's name in vain, or questioning a religious institution in anyway, you could be accused of blasphemy — insulting something sacred. You can use this word in a lot of other ways too. At a meeting ofconservatives, a liberal idea could be considered blasphemy (and viceversa). You might even jokingly cry "Blasphemy!" if a friend said yourfavorite ice cream flavor stinks.

Question 116

Blatant

Answer 116

Blatant ## Footnote without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious-*(adj)* **blatant** disregard of the law Something *blatant* is very obvious and offensive. Don't get caught in a *blatant* lie, because you won't be able to weasel your way out of it. *Blatant* acts are done without trying to hide them. This adjective is probably from Latin *blaterare* "to chatter, croak" or Latin *blatīre* "to chatter, gossip." A near synonym is *flagrant*.

Question 117

Blighted

Answer 117

Blighted ## Footnote affected by blight; anything that mars or prevents growth or prosperity-*(adj)* a **blighted** rose Use the adjective *blighted* to describe something that has a condition that makes it weak or unable to grow, like a *blighted* lawn with more brown patches than green. Language experts can’t agree on the exact origins of the word *blighted*, but when it entered English in the sixteenth century it was used todescribe a skin condition. Today, you’ll hear the word applied to plants that are affected by a condition that causes them to wither and die,like a blighted tomato crop, or to describe the neglect and decay ofplaces, such as blighted buildings that pose safety hazards.

Question 118

Blithe

Answer 118

Blithe ## Footnote carefree and happy and lighthearted-*(adj)* was loved for her **blithe** spirit The adjective *blithe* used to mean happy andcarefree, but over time it's acquired a new understanding of someone who isn't paying attention the way they should. If you have a *blithe* disregard for authority,you might just smile vaguely when a teacher is yelling at you tocontinue writing on the lockers with a Sharpie. If you're dancing tomusic while driving, and pass *blithely* through a red light, chances are you will be pulled over and given either a ticket or a talking to.

Question 119

Blowhard

Answer 119

Blowhard ## Footnote a very boastful and talkative person-*(n)* A *blowhard* is someone who always brags or boasts about himself. If you get stuck sitting next to your *blowhard* cousin at the family holiday dinner, you may wish he didn't think he was quite so amazing. *Blowhard* is an informal word describing someone who can't stop talking about themselves or their accomplishments, realor imagined. You might know a blowhard at school, at work, or even inyour family. And usually everyone knows at least one blowhard sportsfan, who during the game can't stop talking about the unprecedentedgreatness of his favorite team or player.

Question 120

Bolster

Answer 120

Bolster ## Footnote support and strengthen-*(v)* a pillow that is often put across a bed underneath the regular pillows-*(n)* **bolster** morale When you cheer up a friend who's feeling down, you *bolster* them. To *bolster* is to offer support or strengthen. A bolster is also the name of a long pillow you mightuse to make your back feel better. And the two uses are not dissimilar.When you bolster your friends, you support them and prop them up, justlike the pillow does for your back. When you're trying to bolster yourcredibility, you find people and/or documents that support you or yourview. Bolster efforts to learn this word!

Question 121

Boorish

Answer 121

Boorish ## Footnote ill-mannered and coarse and contemptible in behavior or appearance-*(adj)* was **boorish** and insensitive If you cousin tells revolting jokes, belches, and smells like he spent the winter in a cave, he could be described as *boorish* — an adjective used for people with bad manners and a sloppy appearance. We almost always use the word *boorish* for men.This may be because it can be traced back to a 13th century word for"herdsman." Herdsmen spent a lot of time alone with their sheep,sleeping in tents and cooking over open fires, so it was no wonder thatthey didn't have the same refined manners as city folk. If someoneoffends you by acting boorishly — say, by cutting you off in traffic —you could exclaim, "What a *boor*!" Just don't confuse *boor* with *bore*: bad manners may be offensive, but they're rarely boring.

Question 122

Bourgeois

Answer 122

Bourgeois ## Footnote ``` (according to Marxist thought) being of the property-owning class and exploitive of the working class-*(adj)* belonging to the middle class-*(adj)* a member of the middle class-*(n)* a capitalist who engages in industrial commercial enterprise-*(n)* ``` a **bourgeois** mentality The adjective *bourgeois* means relating to or typical of the middle class. If someone says, "Oh, how *bourgeois*!" it's probably an insult, meaning you're preoccupied with middle class small mindedness. As a noun, a *bourgeois* is a member of themiddle class, originally a member of the middle class in France. Theword was borrowed from French, from Old French *burgeis* "citizen of a town," from *borc* "town, village," from Latin *burgus* "fortress, castle." The derived word *bourgeoisie* "the middle class" is a later borrowing from French.

Question 123

Boycott

Answer 123

Boycott ## Footnote a group's refusal to have commercial dealings with some organization in protest against its policies-*(n)* refuse to sponsor; refuse to do business with-*(v)* To *boycott* means to stop buying or using the goods or services of a certain company or country as a protest; the noun *boycott* is the protest itself. This noun comes from the name of Charles C. *Boycott,* an English land agent in 19th century Ireland who refused to reducerents for his tenant farmers. As a result, the local residents did notwant to have any dealings with him. Boycotts are an effective way to use your spending dollars to affect change.

Question 124

Braggart

Answer 124

Braggart ## Footnote a very boastful and talkative person-*(n)* exhibiting self-importance-*(adj)* If you know someone who is a real show off and is always bragging about how great they are, then you might call this boaster a *braggart*. *Braggart* is a pejorative word, which means it is used as an insult, so you shouldn’t call your boss or your teacher a *braggart* — unless you’re looking for trouble. *Braggart* is similar to other pejoratives like *blowhard* or *bigmouth*. Braggarts are characterized by talking loudly (usually in praise ofthemselves, their possessions, or their accomplishments) and are quickto assert their superiority over others.

Question 125

Brevity

Answer 125

Brevity ## Footnote the attribute of being brief or fleeting-*(n)* The noun *brevity* means shortness orconciseness. If you give a report on agriculture in the northernhemisphere in 3 minutes, you have done it with incredible *brevity*. *Brevity* comes from *brevis*, which means"brief" in Latin. You can use brevity for things that are literallyshort, like the brevity of an elevator meeting, or the quality offleetingness, like the brevity of youth. Brevity is also a style ofspeaking or writing with economy. "Brevity is the soul of wit," remarksPolonius in Shakespeare's "Hamlet," suggesting that witty people knowhow to make a point without unnecessary words.

Question 126

Broach

Answer 126

Broach ## Footnote bring up a topic for discussion-*(v)* a decorative pin worn by women-*(n)* As a verb, *broach* means to bring up or introduce a sensitive issue. As a noun, a *broach* is one of those dowdy pins your Great Aunt Edna wears. Telling her not to wear it is a subject you should probably not *broach*. Let's say you want to go on vacation with a friend and you ask your dad because he is more likely to say yes. He will probably tell you that he will broach the subject with your mom and let youknow. In a less common (and older) usage of *broach*, if you put ahole in something in order to get out what's inside you broach it. Thepiercing tool you use is also called a broach. Think of piercing someone with your idea the next time you broach a touchy issue.

Question 127

Brook

Answer 127

Brook ## Footnote a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)-*(n)* put up with something or somebody unpleasant-*(v)* A *brook* is a small stream, as in "burbling *brook*." It also a stuffy way of saying "put up with." The lord of the manor might say, "I will *brook* no trespassing on my land." *Brook* is tailor-made for talking about what you won't stand for—it's always "*brook* no..." If you brook no criticism of your friend, it means you won't let people speak ill of her. If you brook no brooks, it means you'vedeveloped a bizarre stream-hating fetish and will spend the rest of your days trying to stop their flow.

Question 128

Brusque

Answer 128

Brusque ## Footnote marked by rude or peremptory shortness-*(adj)* try to cultivate a less **brusque** manner If you ask a salesperson with help finding somethingand all you get in response is a brusque "Everything's out on theshelves," you'll probably take your business elsewhere. A *brusque* manner of speaking is unfriendly, rude, and very brief. *Brush* and *brusque* are not related, butthey sound similar––when someone is brusque, you often feel that theyare trying to give you the "brush off." Near synonyms for *brusque* are *curt*, *short*, and *gruff*. *Brusque* (pronounced "brusk") was borrowed from the French word meaning "lively, fierce," from Italian *brusco* "coarse, rough."

Question 129

Bulwark

Answer 129

Bulwark ## Footnote an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes-*(n)* defend with a bulwark-*(v)* A *bulwark* is a wall built for protection or defense. If you and your pals build a secret fort for girls only, you might want to build a *bulwark* to surround it — with a "No Boys Allowed" sign posted prominently. A seawall that runs perpendicular to the shore issometimes called a bulwark, because it defends the beach, not againstinvaders, but against beach erosion. Although the noun *bulwark* can refer to any fortified wall, it often specifically refers to an earthen wall, like a rampart. As a verb, *bulwark* means to fortify with a wall or to provide protection: "The volunteers used sandbags to *bulwark* the levee in an attempt to prevent the flooded river from overflowing its banks."

Question 130

Bureaucracy

Answer 130

Bureaucracy ## Footnote a government that is administered primarily by bureaus that are staffed with nonelective officials-*(n)* any organization in which action is obstructed by insistence on unnecessary procedures and red tape-*(n)* A *bureaucracy* is an organization made up ofmany departments and divisions that are administered by lots of people.If you've ever had to deal with health insurance or financial aid,you're familiar with the dark side of *bureaucracy*. *Bureaucracy* has a bad reputation because it has come to mean an organization or government that is chin-deep in redtape and unnecessary procedures. When dealing with a *bureaucracy*, expect to fill out lots of forms and wait. *Bureaucracies* are mocked in the hilarious film "Brazil," where people have mind-numbing jobs they do while sitting at desks. *Bureaucracy* is an organization administered by people behind desks, or bureaus. Bureaus, get it?

Question 131

Burgeon

Answer 131

Burgeon ## Footnote grow and flourish-*(v)* The **burgeoning** administration Use the verb *burgeon* to describe somethingthat is growing, expanding, and flourishing. If you have a green thumb,in the spring your flower gardens will *burgeon* in a cacophony of color. If you don't have a green thumb, your collection of plastic plants will burgeon. Although *burgeon* means to grow and flourish, it doesn't necessarily have to apply only to plants. Your town can haveburgeoning downtown development. Your tiny retirement account canburgeon into an excellent emergency fund if you invest even a smallamount each month. You may have a burgeoning career as a villain if youoverthrow a planet by using your mind-controlling ray gun on thepopulace.

Question 132

Burlesque

Answer 132

Burlesque ## Footnote a theatrical entertainment of broad and earthy humor;consists of comic skits and short turns (and sometimes striptease)-*(n)* a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way-*(n)* make a parody of-*(v)* relating to or characteristic of a burlesque-*(adj)* **burlesque** theater In contemporary usage, *burlesque* is aplayfully nostalgic form of striptease — think fans and feather boasrather than explicit nudity — but this is just the latest form of anironic style of entertainment dating back to medieval times. *Burlesque* comes from *burla*, Spanish for"joke." Comedy has always been an essential part of burlesque art, butit's comedy of a particular kind. Burlesque is satirical, and it usesexaggeration that can be extreme. Early examples of burlesque in English literature can be found in the Canterbury Tales. By the eighteenthcentury, the word was used to describe often risqué parodies of seriousoperas or plays. Burlesque became associated with striptease in themusic halls and vaudeville theaters of nineteenth-century America.

Question 133

Burnish

Answer 133

Burnish ## Footnote polish and make shiny-*(v)* the property of being smooth and shiny-*(n)* That seductive gleam on that Porsche behind the dealer's window? It's called a *burnish,* a gloss only achieved by loads of polishing. Likewise, you can *burnish* resume, by polishing it until it's perfect. A caution about usage: *burnish* in the physical sense is usually reserved for inanimate objects — a woman will not be happy to hear that her appearance is "*burnished* to perfection." But your car will thank you. Also, one of the mostcommon non-physical things to be burnished? A reputation. People areforever burnishing them — and its opposite, *besmirching* them (i.e., making them dirty).

Question 134

Buttress

Answer 134

Buttress ## Footnote a support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building-*(n)* reinforce with a buttress-*(v)* **Buttress** the church You can *buttress* an argument with solid factsor your financial portfolio with safe investments. You may find thatgiving compliments to everyone you meet *buttresses* your popularity. To *buttress* is to sustain or reinforce. A *buttress* is a structure that adds stabilityto a wall or building, and this innovation played a significant role inthe evolution of architecture. Think of a medieval cathedral. It's anincredibly tall, open building filled with light from vast windows.Without buttresses supporting the walls and carrying the weight of theceiling away from the building and down to the ground, this cathedralwould be impossible. Picture this when you use *buttress* figuratively as a verb meaning to strengthen and support.

Question 135

Cajole

Answer 135

Cajole ## Footnote influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering - **[v]** To *cajole* someone is to persuade them by using insincere compliments or promises. If you say "Please, pretty-please, I'll be your best friend," when asking for a stick of gum, you are *cajoling* the gum holder. The origin of this word is probably a blend of two French words meaning "to chatter like a jaybird" and "to lure into a cage." When you cajole that guy into lending you some money, picture him as the bird going into the cage. In fact, the word *cajole* may be associated with another French word meaning "to put in jail."

Question 136

Caldron

Answer 136

Caldron ## Footnote a very large pot that is used for boiling - **[n]** A *caldron* is a large cooking pot, often with handles. If you're planning to cook chili for an entire Super Bowl crowd, it is recommended you use the *caldron* and not the saucepan. A famous scene from William Shakespeare's play *Macbeth* shows the three witches casting a spell as they add ingredients into a caldron. Each time they add something to the big pot, like eye of newt or lizard's leg, they repeat the chorus of their spell in unison: "Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and *caldron* bubble."

Question 137

Callow

Answer 137

Callow ## Footnote young and inexperienced - **[adj]** If you're a rookie or new to something, you could be described as *callow* — like *callow* freshmen in high school or the *callow* receptionist who can't figure out how to transfer a call. The word *callow* comes from the Old English word *calu*, which meant "bald or featherless." It was used to describe young, fledgling birds. Over time, the meaning expanded to include young, inexperienced people. You'll most often see the adjective paired with the noun *youth*. Think of the callow youth as people who haven't tested their wings yet.

Question 138

Candor

Answer 138

Candor ## Footnote the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech - **[n]**ability to make judgments free from discrimination or dishonesty - **[n]** *Candor* usually means the quality of being open, honest, and sincere. If someone tells you they think you are dumb, you might reply with, "While I appreciate your *candor*, I don't think we need to be friends anymore." The corresponding adjective is *candid*, as in "I want you to be *candid*. Do these pants make me look fat?" *Candor* is from French *candeur,* from Latin *candor,* from *candēre* "to shine, be white." The color white is associated with purity, which is a now obsolete meaning of *candor*.

Question 139

Cant

Answer 139

Cant ## Footnote a slope in the turn of a road or track; the outside is higher than the inside in order to reduce the effects of centrifugal force - **[n]**two surfaces meeting at an angle different from 90 degrees - **[n]**a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves) - **[n]**insincere talk about religion or morals - **[n]** *Cant* is language repeated so often and so mechanically that it's essentially empty of meaning. *Cant* can also mean the specialized jargon of a particular group — like the "*cant* of piracy" (e.g., Ahoy! Lubber! Arrr!). Possible sources for *cant* exist in both Irish Gaelic and Latin, and the meanings of both are similar: *caint* is "speech," while *cantare* is "to sing." In broader English, the word was first used to mock the singing of monks (who makes fun of monks?). As it evolved, *cant* became the whining of beggars and then the secret language of thieves, and the negative connotations persist in modern usage. Just think of the clichés and catchphrases parroted by politicians during election season!

Question 140

Cantankerous

Answer 140

Cantankerous ## Footnote stubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate - **[adj]**having a difficult and contrary disposition - **[adj]** a **cantankerous** and venomous-tongued old lady- Dorothy Sayers If someone is *cantankerous* he has a difficult disposition. Take care not to throw your ball into the yard of the *cantankerous* old man down the street — he'll cuss you out and keep your ball. The origin of *cantankerous* is unclear (it may be at least partly from Middle English *contek* 'dissension'), but ever since it first appeared in plays from the 1770s, it's been a popular way to describe someone who is quarrelsome and disagreeable. It is usually applied to people, but stubborn animals like mules are also described as cantankerous. Events can be cantankerous too, like a cantankerous debate. Some synonyms are *cranky, bad-tempered, irritable, irascible*.

Question 141

Capacious

Answer 141

Capacious ## Footnote large in capacity - **[adj]** she carried a **capacious** bag When something is really big and holds a lot it is *capacious*, like a woman's *capacious* purse that is so big, people mistake it for a piece of luggage. Have you ever seen a Fourth of July hot dog eating contest? As you watch people wolf down 60 or more hot dogs in a matter of minutes, you must be thinking, "Where do they put all that food?" Well, it helps to have a capacious stomach. The suffix *-ous* adds "full of" to *capacity*; *capacious* is literally "full of capacity." If something is *capacious*, it has plenty of extra room.

Question 142

Capitulate

Answer 142

Capitulate ## Footnote surrender under agreed conditions - **[v]** *Capitulate* means to give in to something. "The teachers didn't want to have class outside, but the students begged so hard, she *capitulated.*" Because *capitulate* relates to the military, and Romans were all about their military, Latin has a lot to say about this word. In Latin, *caput* means head, *capitulum* little head. Think with this word how, at the end of a battle, someone bows their head in defeat, and often that is when heads roll.

Question 143

Cardinal

Answer 143

Cardinal ## Footnote a variable color averaging a vivid red - **[n]**serving as an essential component - **[adj]**being or denoting a numerical quantity but not order - **[adj]**(Roman Catholic Church) one of a group of more than 100 prominent bishops in the Sacred College who advise the Pope and elect new Popes - **[n]** a **cardinal** rule **cardinal** numbers In Catholicism, a *cardinal* is a high-ranking bishop. In math, you use *cardinal* numbers to count. A *cardinal* rule is one that is central and should not be broken. Okay, that's a lot of definitions. How exactly are they related? In all cases, *cardinal* means central or essential. It's a cardinal principle that you use it to describe words of behavior like rule or sin. In the Church, cardinals form the central governing body, and in math the cardinal numbers (one, two, three) are the numbers you learn and use first.

Question 144

Carping

Answer 144

Carping ## Footnote persistent petty and unjustified criticism - **[n]** *Carping* is petty and unjustified criticism that just won’t stop. People who find fault with you at every turn, who appreciate nothing and complain, complain, complain, are *carping*. Enough already! Your annoying aunt Mildred who constantly picks on you, listing all the things she thinks are wrong about the way you dress, the style of your hair, who you’re dating, and where you’re working? She’s carping. *Carping* can also be used as an adjective, to describe someone who is overly critical and impossible to please — like that carping food critic who ruined the debut of your new restaurant.

Question 145

Carrion

Answer 145

Carrion ## Footnote the dead and rotting body of an animal; unfit for human food - **[n]** The noun *carrion* refers to the dead and rotting flesh of an animal. Ever seen a dead opossum or cat in the road? You can call that road kill *carrion*. The word *carrion* comes from a Latin word *caro*, which means "meat," but carrion is usually considered unfit for human consumption. Birds of prey and other opportunistic animals will often have carrion as part of their diet, however. Sometimes the word *carrion* is used a little more metaphorically: "The soldiers were unable to retrieve the bodies of their fallen brothers, so they were left on the field of battle like so much *carrion*."

Question 146

Cartographer

Answer 146

Cartographer ## Footnote a person who makes maps - **[n]** Unless you’re the one guy in America who actually asks for directions, you’ve probably broken down and used a map at some point in your life. The *cartographer* is the person you should thank for getting you un-lost — the mapmaker. A *cartographer* is a person who creates maps, whether they’re of the world, the local bus routes, or buried pirate treasure. It comes to us from the Latin word *charta-*, which means tablet or leaf of paper, and the Greek word *graphein*, meaning to write or draw. These days, a cartographer doesn’t have to work on paper––it's all computers, making electronic maps as part of GPS software. Technically, a cartographer can make charts, too.

Question 147

Catharsis

Answer 147

Catharsis ## Footnote purging the body by the use of a cathartic to stimulate evacuation of the bowels - **[n]**(psychoanalysis) purging of emotional tensions - **[n]** Use the noun, *catharsis,* to refer to the experience a person can have of releasing emotional tension and feeling refreshed afterwards. Conceived by Aristotle as the cleansing effect of emotional release that tragic drama has on its audience, *catharsis* stems from a Greek verb meaning "to purify, purge." Today, it can be used to describe any emotional release, including a good long laugh or cry that is followed by a sense of balance and freshness afterwards.

Question 148

Caucus

Answer 148

Caucus ## Footnote meet to select a candidate or promote a policy - **[v]**a closed political meeting - **[n]** The noun *caucus* is a closed meeting of members from the same political party. The Iowa *caucuses* get a lot of attention during the presidential primary season. Who knows how we got the noun *caucus*? One theory is that it comes from an Algonquin word that means an elder or leader of the tribe. Another theory is that the word comes from a social and political club in Boston in the 1700s that was perhaps named for the Greek word for drinking cup. However the word slipped into American English, today it refers to a closed political meeting, often used to choose party leaders.

Question 149

Caulk

Answer 149

Caulk ## Footnote a waterproof filler and sealant that is used in building and repair to make watertight - **[n]**seal with caulking - **[v]** **caulk** the window * Caulk* is the sealant. It comes in a tube and is used commonly by plumbers and carpenters trying to seal up cracks where air or water might push through. When a plumber *caulks* a tub, he's applying caulk to its seams to make it watertight. * Caulk* can be used to describe both the process of applying caulk and the sealant itself. The word caulk comes from the Old Northern French *cauquer*, meaning "to press down." After you lay the caulk down over the seam you press it down by either running your finger over it or using a specific tool to force the caulk to settles into the hole you're trying to cover.

Question 150

Caustic

Answer 150

Caustic ## Footnote of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action - **[adj]**harsh or corrosive in tone - **[adj]**any chemical substance that burns or destroys living tissue - **[n]** **caustic** jokes about political assassination, talk-show hosts and medical ethics Use the adjective *caustic* to describe any chemical that is able to burn living tissue or other substances, or, figuratively, a statement that has a similarly burning effect. *Caustic* in this sense means harshly critical. In the chemical sense, a near synonym is *corrosive*. In the figurative sense, near synonyms are *biting*, *scathing*, and *sarcastic*. The source of the word *caustic* is Latin *causticus,* from Greek *kaustikos,* from *kaiein* "to burn."

Question 151

Cavalcade

Answer 151

Cavalcade ## Footnote a procession of people traveling on horseback - **[n]** If you are traveling with a procession of people on horseback, you are part of a *cavalcade.* The word *cavalcade* comes from the Latin word for horse, *caballus*. The word *cavalry,* which means soldiers on horseback, comes from the same Latin root. So strictly speaking, a *cavalcade* is group of people on horseback or in horse-drawn carriages, moving together in some kind of ceremony or parade. But cavalcades can include vehicles or people walking, like the motorcycle cavalcades that sometimes accompany a funeral procession.

Question 152

Celerity

Answer 152

Celerity ## Footnote a rate that is rapid - **[n]** While it looks a lot like celery, *celerity* means something that vegetables are not — fast moving. Gossip often travels with *celerity*, as do children trying to get to a big plate of cookies. When you see the word *celerity*, think accelerate, like a car when you step on the gas. Both words share the Latin root *celer* which means swift. You may want to study for exams with celerity, but using a slower, more methodical approach will often yield better results.

Question 153

Censorious

Answer 153

Censorious ## Footnote harshly critical or expressing censure - **[adj]** was **censorious** of petty failings * Censorious*, an adjective, describes people who are so critical, they find something wrong in everything. Do not let *censorious* guests come to your next dinner party! * Censorious*, pronounced "sen-SOAR-ee-us," comes from the Latin word *censura*, meaning "judgment." Someone who is censorious judges everyone and everything, ruining everyone's good time with harsh criticisms. The sky is too blue. Your dog is too friendly. The zebra has too many stripes. You get the idea. A censorious person makes others say, "So...is there anything you do like?"

Question 154

Censure

Answer 154

Censure ## Footnote harsh criticism or disapproval - **[n]**the state of being excommunicated - **[n]**rebuke formally - **[v]** *Censure* is a noun referring to very strong criticism; the verb means to criticize very strongly. If you take your dad's car without telling him, you can expect him to *censure* you severely, and maybe even ground you as well. The noun and verb are most closely associated with official expressions of disapproval, as when Congress *censures* a senator. The noun is from Latin *cēnsūra* "censorship," from *cēnsor* "an ancient Roman censor." The job of a Roman *censor* was to take the census and to supervise public morals and behavior. Our English word *censor*––which means to suppress speech or other forms of expression––is from this Latin word.

Question 155

Centrifuge

Answer 155

Centrifuge ## Footnote an apparatus that uses centrifugal force to separate particles from a suspension - **[n]**rotate at very high speed in order to separate the liquids from the solids - **[v]** That ride at the fair that spins you around until you stick to the walls? The device in your washing machine that spins your clothes around quickly to get the water out of them? Those are *centrifuges*. Centrifuges are used mostly in science. In this application, centrifugal force — the force from spinning that moves things away from the center — separates liquids that have different weights. For example, a centrifuge is used to separate blood cells from plasma cells. When the blood is spun in the centrifuge, the heavier plasma cells separate from the lighter blood cells, and can be collected for other uses.

Question 156

Centurion

Answer 156

Centurion ## Footnote (ancient Rome) the leader of 100 soldiers - **[n]** A *centurion* is a kind of soldier in the Roman army responsible for the command of a *century*, or one hundred, men. *Centurion* lives on in common language as the typical Roman soldier––countless generations of fifth graders have been asked to sketch their costumes. Their resilience in popular imagination may be ascribed to the role the *centurion* soldiers played in the Christian gospel story of the life of Jesus Christ.

Question 157

Cerebral

Answer 157

Cerebral ## Footnote of or relating to the cerebrum or brain - **[adj]**involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct - **[adj]** **cerebral** hemisphere **cerebral** activity a **cerebral** approach to the problem If you are a *cerebral* person, no one would ever call you a drama queen. You make decisions using your intelligence and cold, hard facts, instead of your emotions. The word *cerebral* gets its meaning from *cerebrum*, which is Latin for brain. Cerebral people use their brains instead of their hearts. The cerebrum is a particular section of the brain, and anything related to that part is also cerebral, like in medicine. A *cerebral* hemorrhage, for example, means a hemorrhage has occurred in the brain — a phrase you'd never want to hear coming from a doctor.

Question 158

Certitude

Answer 158

Certitude ## Footnote total certainty or greater certainty than circumstances warrant - **[n]** If you're absolutely convinced your team is going to the Super Bowl, you state it with *certitude* or confidence. Your team didn't make it? Oh dear, you were guilty of certitude — an absolute conviction that the outcome of the game did not support. In other words, you were a tad cocky. *Certitude* is very similar to *certainty,* and often used interchangeably, but there's a hint of danger about certitude; someone who displays it may well be overconfident. Certainty is more certain.

Question 159

Charlatan

Answer 159

Charlatan ## Footnote a flamboyant deceiver; one who attracts customers with tricks or jokes - **[n]** A *charlatan* is a quack, a person who is trying to deceive you with false claims. Beware of *charlatans* who try to sell you access to the fountain of youth or to a Ponzi scheme disguised as an exclusive investment fund. A *charlatan* is one who pretends to possess knowledge he or she lacks. From the 16th century Italian *ciarlatano* "a quack," the usage of *charlatan* has not shifted much. Other words for *charlatan* are *impostor*, *cheat*, or *pretender*. *Charlatans* are marked by the elaborate schemes they cook up. Russian playwright Anton Chekhov said, "No psychologist should pretend to understand what he does not understand...Only fools and *charlatans* know everything and understand nothing."

Question 160

Chary

Answer 160

Chary ## Footnote characterized by great caution and wariness - **[adj]** **chary** of the risks involved a **chary** investor Being *chary* (pronounced CHAIR-ee) is being wary or cautious. If you lost two teeth in last year’s rugby season, you should be *chary* of signing up again this year. *Chary* comes from the Old English word *cearig* for "sorrowful, careful," which is basically what you are if you’re chary. If you’re a little suspicious of something and mulling it over, you’re being chary. A synonym of *chary* is *wary*, and both include caution, but some definitions suggest that it's obvious when someone is wary — it shows — while being chary is more of an inside, or hidden, distrust.

Question 161

Chauvinist

Answer 161

Chauvinist ## Footnote a person with a prejudiced belief in the superiority of his or her own kind - **[n]**an extreme bellicose nationalist - **[n]** A *chauvinist* is someone who blindly and enthusiastically believes in the superiority of his cause or people. If you grew up in New York and refuse to eat at any pizzeria beyond a five-mile radius of the Empire State Building, you could be described as a New York pizza *chauvinist*. The word *chauvinist* comes from Nicholas Chauvin, a French soldier — probably fictional — who was so devoted to Napoleon that he continued to zealously support the emperor even after Napoleon rejected him. The put-down male *chauvinist* pig describes a man who believes that women are not as intelligent or worthy of respect as men. Often when we hear the word *chauvinist*, we think of arrogant men.

Question 162

Chicanery

Answer 162

Chicanery ## Footnote the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them) - **[n]** Have you ever gotten the sense that politicians or corporate leaders will say anything to turn public opinion their way? This tricky kind of deceit and manipulation is called *chicanery*. Besides *chicanery*, another funny-sounding word for trickery is *shenanigans*. Whereas the former is always used in the singular and involves deceptive language, the latter is usually used in the plural and refers to the actions of a person. Your crazy neighbor is up to his old shenanigans if he has begun doing weird stuff again, but if a politician's chicanery is exposed, he will lose public trust and not be returned to office in the next election cycle.

Question 163

Chimerical

Answer 163

Chimerical ## Footnote being or relating to or like a chimera - **[adj]**produced by a wildly fanciful imagination - **[adj]** his Utopia is not a **chimerical** commonwealth but a practical improvement on what already exists- Douglas Bush Use the adjective *chimerical* to describe something that is wildly fanciful or imaginative — like the *chimerical* illustrations of unicorns in a children's book. A *chimera* was a fire-breathing monster from Greek mythology made from three different animals: a lion at its head, a goat in the middle, and a serpent at the end. The first surviving mention of the beast is in Homer's *The Iliad*. From this fantastical creature, English created the adjective *chimerical* to describe wild figments of the imagination.

Question 164

Choleric

Answer 164

Choleric ## Footnote characterized by anger - **[adj]**quickly aroused to anger - **[adj]**easily moved to anger - **[adj]** a **choleric** outburst "men of the **choleric** type take to kicking and smashing"- H.G.Wells Are you easy to tick off? Known to have a short fuse? Then, you could be described as *choleric*. Don't worry; it's not a disease related to cholera. *Choleric* just means you're testy and irritable. Before the advent of modern medicine, most folks believed that health and disease were the result of the balance of "humors" in the body. If you were quick to anger, you were thought to have too much choler in your system. You were called *choleric*. W. C. Fields, Richard Nixon, and Ebinezer Scrooge are just a few people famous for being choleric, easy to tick off.

Question 165

Chronic

Answer 165

Chronic ## Footnote being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering - **[adj]**of long duration - **[adj]**habitual - **[adj]** **chronic** indigestion a **chronic** shortage of funds a **chronic** invalid If you smoke a cigarette once, you've simply made a bad choice. But if you're a *chronic* smoker, you've been smoking for a long time and will have a hard time stopping. The word *chronic* is used to describe things that occur over a long period of time and, in fact, comes from the Greek word for time, *khronos.* If you have chronic asthma, it is a recurring health issue for you. No one likes a chronic liar! A problem that cannot be solved can also be called chronic - think of the chronic food shortages in certain parts of the world.

Question 166

Circuitous

Answer 166

Circuitous ## Footnote deviating from a straight course - **[adj]**marked by obliqueness or indirection in speech or conduct - **[adj]** a long and **circuitous** journey by train and boat the explanation was **circuitous** and puzzling * Circuitous* means indirect or roundabout. If you're in a hurry to get to the hospital where your wife is having a baby, you want to take the straightest, fastest way, not a *circuitous* one! * Circuitous* comes from the Latin word *circuitus* meaning basically "a going around." If you're being *circuitous* it's like you're going around and around in circles. It can also refer to someone's manner or speech, if they are not being direct. For example, if you want someone to get you another piece of cake but just you sit there looking longingly at your empty plate, saying "More cake sure would be nice," then you're being *circuitous*. And annoying.

Question 167

Circumlocution

Answer 167

Circumlocution ## Footnote an indirect way of expressing something - **[n]**a style that involves indirect ways of expressing things - **[n]** * Circumlocution* is a long, complicated word which means a long, complicated way of expressing something. To cut to the chase, *circumlocution* means to beat around the bush. * Circumlocution* comes from the Latin words *circum*, "circle," and *loqui*, "to speak." So circumlocution is speaking in circles, going round and round in a wordy way without ever getting to the heart of the matter. It's an evasive style of argument, best employed when you really don't want to say what's on your mind.

Question 168

Circumscribe

Answer 168

Circumscribe ## Footnote to draw a geometric figure around another figure so that the two are in contact but do not intersect - **[v]**restrict or confine, "I limit you to two visits to the pub a day" - **[v]** To *circumscribe* is to limit or restrict. If you spend too much time watching TV instead of fulfilling other obligations, you might circumscribe your TV-watching time to one hour daily (or two hours, if your favorite show is on). *Circumscribe* comes from the Latin words *circum*, meaning "around," and *scribere*, meaning "to write." If the word *circumscribe* causes you to think of geometry class, give yourself a pat on the back. In geometry, *circumscribe* means to draw one geometric figure around another figure so that the two figures touch but don’t intersect. If you studied geometry but this sounds unfamiliar, perhaps you should have taken our advice about watching too much TV.

Question 169

Circumspect

Answer 169

Circumspect ## Footnote heedful of potential consequences - **[adj]** **circumspect** actions physicians are now more **circumspect** about recommending its use If you are *circumspect*, you think carefully before doing or saying anything. A good quality in someone entrusted with responsibility, though sometimes boring in a friend. The word *circumspect* was borrowed from Latin *circumspectus*, from *circumspicere* "to be cautious." The basic meaning of Latin *circumspicere* is "to look around." Near synonyms are *prudent* and *cautious*, though *circumspect* implies a careful consideration of all circumstances and a desire to avoid mistakes and bad consequences.

Question 170

Circumvent

Answer 170

Circumvent ## Footnote surround so as to force to give up - **[v]**avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues) - **[v]**beat through cleverness and wit - **[v]** To *circumvent* is to avoid. Someone who trains elephants but somehow gets out of picking up after them has found a way to *circumvent* the cleaning of the circus tent. *Circum* in Latin means "around" or "round about," and *vent-* comes from *venire,* "to come," but painting a picture from these two parts of the word helps. Picture someone circling around a barrier instead of climbing over it. That's what you do when you circumvent. You find a smart way around rules or barriers, or avoid doing something unpleasant altogether.

Question 171

Clairvoyant

Answer 171

Clairvoyant ## Footnote someone who has the power of clairvoyance - **[n]**perceiving things beyond the natural range of the senses - **[adj]**foreseeing the future - **[adj]** If you can predict the future, you may want to keep your *clairvoyant* powers to yourself. Otherwise everyone will be knocking down your door asking for the next winning lotto numbers. A clairvoyant individual is believed to possess psychic abilities or a higher level of insight than other humans who can only use the regular old five senses. Through dreams, visions, Ouija boards and crystal balls, they can see what happens in the future. But before 1851, *clairvoyant* didn't have the same mystical meaning that it does today — it merely meant a clear-sighted person.

Question 172

Clamor

Answer 172

Clamor ## Footnote utter or proclaim insistently and noisily - **[v]**make loud demands - **[v]**compel someone to do something by insistent clamoring - **[v]**loud and persistent outcry from many people - **[n]**a loud harsh or strident noise - **[n]** The delegates **clamored** their disappointment he **clamored** for justice and tolerance They **clamored** the mayor into building a new park To *clamor* is to make a demand — LOUDLY. It's usually a group that *clamors* — like Americans might *clamor* for comprehensive health care coverage. The noun *clamor* is often used specifically to describe a noisy outcry from a group of people, but more generally, the word means any loud, harsh sound. You could describe the clamor of sirens in the night or the clamor of the approaching subway in the tunnel.

Question 173

Clandestine

Answer 173

Clandestine ## Footnote conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods - **[adj]** **clandestine** intelligence operations Pick the adjective, *clandestine,* to describe something that is done in secret, like your *clandestine* attempts to steal your brother's Halloween candy. *Clandestine,* an adjective imported from Latin, describes a secret, usually illegal activity. Often these things have to do with political and spy organizations. The CIA might run a clandestine operation to infiltrate terrorist organizations. Words with similar meanings include *secret*; *covert*, used especially for military matters; *undercover*, common in espionage; and *surreptitious* which emphasizes a person's efforts to keep something secret.

Question 174

Clemency

Answer 174

Clemency ## Footnote leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice - **[n]**good weather with comfortable temperatures - **[n]** Say you're playing a role-playing game and you end up in one of the other player's dungeons. You could try begging him for *clemency* — compassion shown by people in power towards people who rebel or break the law. *Clemency* is also a weather word, though nowadays it's much more common to hear people talk about "inclement weather" than, say, "the *clemency* of the storm." Derived from the Latin for "gentle", it came into usage in the 1550s. If you have trouble remembering its meaning, get rid of the "cle" and replace the "n" with an "r". You're left with *"mercy"*, which more or less means the same thing.

Question 175

Clientele

Answer 175

Clientele ## Footnote customers collectively - **[n]** they have an upper class **clientele** Your customers are your *clientele*. If you own a pet food store, your *clientele* might be two-footed and four-pawed. The noun *clientele* is often preceded by an adjective to describe the exact type of customer. Little boutiques in upscale neighborhoods probably cater to an exclusive clientele, while the kids' hair salon might have Barney on video to keep the young clientele motionless in their chairs. Regardless of business type, you are always trying to please the clientele.

Question 176

Coalesce

Answer 176

Coalesce ## Footnote fuse or cause to grow together - **[v]**mix together different elements - **[v]** Waiting for a plan to come together? You're waiting for it to *coalesce*. *Coalesce* is when different elements of something join together and become one. In *coalesce*, you see *co-*, which should tell you the word means "together." The other half of the word, *alesce*, appears in expressions having to do with growth. So if you are trying to start up a photography club at school, once you have an advisor, some interested students and support from the administration, things will be coalescing or growing together. Another way to remember that? An adolescent is one who is growing. A lot!

Question 177

Coda

Answer 177

Coda ## Footnote the closing section of a musical composition - **[n]** A *coda* is a concluding segment of a piece of music, a dance, or a statement. It's usually short and adds a final embellishment beyond a natural ending point. Like this. *Coda* comes from the Italian word *couda*, and it's good to think of it as a tail tacked onto something that in and of itself is already a whole. If you tell a story about your crazy experience getting lost in the country and sleeping at a farmer's house, you might add, as a coda, that the farmer ended up visiting you too, a year later.

Question 178

Coddle

Answer 178

Coddle ## Footnote cook in nearly boiling water - **[v]**treat with excessive indulgence - **[v]** **coddle** eggs While it is okay for parents to *coddle*, spoil, or pamper a young child, it’s a little unnerving when parents *coddle,* or pamper adult children. And downright weird when adult children wear Pampers. *Coddle* is an old word. Originally, it meant to cook gently in water that is near boiling, as in coddling an egg. It most likely gained its association with pampering and taking care of someone via a drink made for invalids that was prepared by coddling. Mollycoddle, a synonym for *coddle*, originally meant a person who coddles himself, or an effeminate man.

Question 179

Coercion

Answer 179

Coercion ## Footnote using force to cause something to occur - **[n]**the act of compelling by force of authority - **[n]** they didn't have to use **coercion** * Coercion* is making something happen by force, like when bullies use *coercion* to make kids give them their lunch money. * Coercion* can be a threat, "The shady lawyer uses *coercion* when he threatens to get the waiter fired if he doesn't rat out his boss," or it can be actual brute force, as when the gangster breaks the messenger's leg to keep her from talking to the police. The police might use *coercion*, too, to get a confession. The prefix *co-* is derived from the Latin word for "together." So you can't use *coercion* on yourself; you need someone else to force into doing something.

Question 180

Cogent

Answer 180

Cogent ## Footnote powerfully persuasive - **[adj]** a **cogent** argument When you make a *cogent* argument, it means your argument is clear and persuasive. In these days of 24-hour entertainment news and sound-bite sized explanations of complex government policy, it’s hard to find a *cogent* argument amidst all the emotional outbursts. *Cogent* comes from a Latin word meaning to drive together, so cogent thinking is well-organized: it hangs together. If you try to convince your mayor to build a new park by saying that playgrounds are good, seeing the sky is nice, and raccoons are cool…well that’s not a cogent argument; it’s just random. But you could cogently argue that parks contribute to civic happiness by providing space for exercise, community, and encounters with nature.

Question 181

Cogitate

Answer 181

Cogitate ## Footnote consider carefully and deeply; reflect upon; turn over in one's mind - **[v]**use or exercise the mind or one's power of reason in order to make inferences, decisions, or arrive at a solution or judgments - **[v]** * Cogitate* is a fancy was of saying think hard on. If you spend a lot of time figuring out exactly how your French teacher does her hair, you are *cogitating* in order to avoid conjugating. * Cogitate* can be used both transitively or intransitively, which means you can cogitate on something, like your history project or your why your computer never seems to work the way you want it to. Or you can simply sit in your room and cogitate.

Question 182

Cognitive

Answer 182

Cognitive ## Footnote of or being or relating to or involving cognition - **[adj]** * *cognitive** psychology * *cognitive** style If it's related to thinking, it's considered *cognitive*. Anxious parents might defend using flashcards with toddlers as "nurturing their *cognitive* development." The adjective, *cognitive,* comes from the Latin *cognoscere* "to get to know" and refers to the ability of the brain to think and reason as opposed to feel. A child's cognitive development is the growth in his or her ability to think and solve problems. Many English words that involve knowing and knowledge have *cogn-* in them such as *cognizant* "aware of" and *recognize* "to know someone in the present because you knew them from the past."

Question 183

Colander

Answer 183

Colander ## Footnote bowl-shaped strainer; used to wash or drain foods - **[n]** Most cooks would agree that a *colander* is an essential piece of equipment for even the most basic kitchen. It's a bowl, usually made of plastic or metal, with holes in it to allow liquid to drain away from the food. Colanders are used for draining anything — for instance, if you're washing fruit, a *colander* would make the job quick and easy. If you're cooking pasta, you toss the pasta into a pot of boiling water, then when it's cooked, you pour the contents of the pot through a *colander*, and what's left behind in the *colander*, drained and ready to eat, is the pasta.

Question 184

Collage

Answer 184

Collage ## Footnote a paste-up made by sticking together pieces of paper or photographs to form an artistic image - **[n]**any collection of diverse things - **[n]** he used his computer to make a **collage** of pictures superimposed on a map a **collage** of memories Have you ever cut out a bunch of pictures from magazines and pasted them together to make a big picture? If you have, you have made a *collage*. *Collage* came to English through French from the Greek word for glue, *kolla*, about 100 years ago. A collage is not only made from magazine pictures. In the world of fine art, it refers to a work made with various small objects sometimes with paint sometimes without. The word can also be used to mean a collection of different things. If it's very loud in your house, you might come home to a collage of sounds from the dog, the TV, your mom on the phone and your brother on the guitar. Years after you graduate, high school might just seem like a collage of memories.

Question 185

Colloquial

Answer 185

Colloquial ## Footnote characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation - **[adj]** wrote her letters in a **colloquial** style *Colloquial* language is casual and conversational: it's the difference between "What are you going to do?" and "Whatchagonnado?" The word *colloquial* comes from the Latin word *colloquium*, which means "speaking together." The roots are the prefix *com-*, which means "together," and the suffix *-loqu*, which means "speak." Some may think that colloquial language is not good, when in fact it may just not be appropriate for the context. While it is OK to be colloquial and chatty with friends, it is not acceptable to be colloquial in an essay for school or work.

Question 186

Commandeer

Answer 186

Commandeer ## Footnote take arbitrarily or by force - **[v]** The Cubans **commandeered** the plane and flew it to Miami What is that person doing, interrupting everyone and changing the subject every minute? He is trying to *commandeer*, or take control, of the conversation. You can probably tell from the look of the word that *commandeer* is somehow related to *commander* in meaning. A *commander* is someone who is officially in charge, giving orders and making decisions for a group such as a nation or a military. Many groups don't have a commander, but this doesn't stop some people from trying to take charge. If you commandeer something — whether it's a car or a conversation — you use force to try to take over.

Question 187

Commensurate

Answer 187

Commensurate ## Footnote corresponding in size or degree or extent - **[adj]** pay should be **commensurate** with the time worked The word *commensurate* has to do with things that are similar in size and therefore appropriate. Many people think the death penalty is a *commensurate* punishment for murder. In other words, the penalty fits the crime. When things are commensurate, they're fair, appropriate, and the right size. If you got a ticket for jaywalking, you shouldn't get ten years in prison — that penalty is not commensurate with the crime. The word *commensurate* is usually followed by *with* or *to*; one thing is commensurate with or to another.

Question 188

Compliant

Answer 188

Compliant ## Footnote disposed or willing to comply - **[adj]** children **compliant** with the parental will If you are willing to submit to someone's request, then you are *compliant*. Parents like it when their teenagers are *compliant* and follow the rules. Teenagers, on the other hand, are probably not as *compliant* as parents would like to think! The adjective *compliant* can also describe something that is agreeable. "The lawyers made sure that the man's will was fully *compliant* with state law, so that his children could not contest his desire to leave his entire estate to his dog, Fluffy." Or: "That software is not *compliant* with your operating system; you'll have to buy a different version."

Question 189

Concatenate

Answer 189

Concatenate ## Footnote add by linking or joining so as to form a chain or series - **[v]**combine two strings to form a single one - **[v]** * *concatenate** terms * *concatenate** characters Did you just link together several memories of your brother to form one longer story for his wedding toast? If so, you *concatenated* without knowing it! That’s because *concatenate* means to link things together to form a series or chain. In truth, the word *concatenate* is really a mouthful. It's hard to imagine anyone using it when they could use a synonym, such as *link* for the verb form and *linked* for the adjective form, just as well. But if you’re looking to impress with big words, try it out! To understand the situation in the Middle East, you have to concatenate the events of the past 50 years. You can tell others about that book you really love which is really a concatenate series of related poems.

Question 190

Concise

Answer 190

Concise ## Footnote expressing much in few words - **[adj]** a **concise** explanation If something is *concise*, it's short and gets right to the point. A *concise* edition of your diary might be 50 pages of the most important entries. *Concise* comes from the Latin word *concidere*, which means to cut down. When we use *concise*, we're talking about words that have been cut down. There are no concise trees, but there are concise works of political philosophy. A concise Italian-English dictionary, is shorter than an unabridged one. If you're good at quick explanations, you have a concise manner. A good synonym is *succinct*.

Question 191

Condescend

Answer 191

Condescend ## Footnote behave in a patronizing and condescending manner - **[v]**treat condescendingly - **[v]**do something that one considers to be below one's dignity - **[v]**debase oneself morally, act in an undignified, unworthy, or dishonorable way - **[v]** A snooty waiter might *condescend* to serve you dinner at a fancy restaurant, meaning that he'd consider himself far too important to carry out the mundane task of delivering your hamburger and fries. You might have noticed that *condescend* contains the word *descend*, meaning to move down from a higher place. You can think of *condescend* as lowering yourself to do a task that you feel is far beneath you. Kings and queens would never condescend to do their own laundry at the palace, for example. If they even knew how to do the laundry, you can be sure they'd do it in a condescending, or superior, way to let everyone know that housework is no task for a monarch.

Question 192

Condone

Answer 192

Condone ## Footnote excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with - **[v]** She **condoned** her husband's occasional infidelities If you *condone* something, you allow it, approve of it, or at least can live with it. Some teachers *condone* chewing gum, and some don't. Things that are condoned are allowed, even if everyone isn't exactly thrilled about it. People often say, "I don't *condone* what he did, but I understand it." Condoning is like excusing something. People seem to talk more about things they don't condone than things they do condone. Your mom might say, "I don't *condone* you staying up till 10, but I know you need to read." That's a way of giving approval and not giving approval at the same time.

Question 193

Conflagration

Answer 193

Conflagration ## Footnote a very intense and uncontrolled fire - **[n]** A *conflagration* isn't just a few flames; it's an especially large and destructive fire that causes devastation. That tiny campfire that somehow turned into a raging forest inferno? You could call that intense, uncontrolled blaze a conflagration. Mrs. O'Leary's cow knew a thing or two about conflagrations: It was that unknowing animal that kicked over a kerosene lamp in the night, setting the O'Leary's barn on fire and sending four square miles of the Windy City into that blistering conflagration known as the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

Question 194

Confound

Answer 194

Confound ## Footnote be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly - **[v]**mistake one thing for another - **[v]** If you have an identical twin, you've probably tried dressing alike so that people *confound* you with, or mistake you for, one another. You've also probably learned that, unfortunately, this trick doesn’t work on your mom. The verb *confound* means both "to mistake" and "to confuse." If you decide to treat yourself to a delicious dessert, you might find yourself confounded by the overwhelming number of choices. If you end up ordering the chocolate cake but the waiter brings you chocolate mousse, the waiter has somehow confounded those two options. Another meaning you may come across in literature is "to damn," as in "*Confound* it! You are the most exasperating person on the planet."

Question 195

Congeal

Answer 195

Congeal ## Footnote become gelatinous - **[v]** *Congeal* means to jell — to solidify or become gelatinous. Sounds gross? But wiggly Jell-O is actually *congealed* liquid, so it can't be that bad, right? This word comes to us from the Old French word *congeler*, which means "to freeze." So when something congeals it goes from liquid to solid form, almost like freezing. No one usually likes congealed anything — whether it's chunkified old soup in the fridge or dried blood on a wound. See? Pretty gross. Jell-O is about as good as congealed gets!

Question 196

Congenital

Answer 196

Congenital ## Footnote present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development - **[adj]** * Congenital* refers to something present at birth but not necessarily inherited from the parents. Babies with heart disorders developed in utero can live long and productive lives, in spite of their *congenital* birth defect. * Congenital* derives from the Latin *genus,* to beget. Something that is present at one’s begetting, during fetal development, or at birth is congenital. Fetal alcohol syndrome, which develops in fetuses if their mothers are drinking heavily while pregnant, is a congenital disorder. You might also use *congenital* to describe something seemingly inborn "a *congenital* sense of humor," or a "*congenital* faith."

Question 197

Congruent

Answer 197

Congruent ## Footnote corresponding in character or kind - **[adj]**coinciding when superimposed - **[adj]** The adjective, *congruent* fits when two shapes are the same in shape and size. If you lay two *congruent* triangles on each other, they would match up exactly. *Congruent* comes from the Latin verb *congruere* "to come together, correspond with." Figuratively, the word describes something that is similar in character or type. Are your actions congruent with your values? If a friend says something outrageous that you don't want to agree with but don't want to disagree with either, say that your friend's idea is congruent with what you think. That way you can agree with him but change your mind later if you have to.

Question 198

Connoisseur

Answer 198

Connoisseur ## Footnote an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts - **[n]** A *connoisseur* is a person who, through study and interest, has a fine appreciation for something, like the *connoisseur* who can identify the clarinet player on a jazz recording by the sound of his inhalations alone. A connoisseur is an authority in his field, someone who has expert knowledge and training, especially in the arts. A *connoisseur* may also be someone with an extremely developed sense of taste, like the connoisseur who can identify rare wine by a flavor others can't even detect. Then again, some people call themselves connoisseurs of just about anything they like — pizza, old vinyl albums, even cartoons — because they know so much about it.

Question 199

Conscript

Answer 199

Conscript ## Footnote enroll into service compulsorily - **[v]**someone who is drafted into military service - **[n]** The men were **conscripted** If you’re ever drafted into the Turkish army, then you could be called a *conscript*, someone who is forced to join the military. At the root of *conscript* is the Latin word *conscriptus*, meaning enroll. *Conscript* does involve enrollment — but it’s a forced enrollment, used to describe someone who has been forced to join the military, such as someone who has been drafted. As a verb, *conscript* means "force to join," like a military that conscripts new soldiers. In contrast, those who choose to join are recruited; when they enter the service, they enlist.

Question 200

Consecrate

Answer 200

Consecrate ## Footnote give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause - **[v]**dedicate to a deity by a vow - **[v]**render holy by means of religious rites - **[v]**appoint to a clerical posts - **[v]**solemnly dedicated to or set apart for a high purpose - **[adj]** **consecrate** your life to the church *Consecrate* means to make holy or to dedicate to a higher purpose. You need to *consecrate* a building to turn it into a church, but you can also *consecrate* a week in New York City to the pursuit of the perfect bagel. The *secr* part of *consecrate* comes from the Latin *sacer* "sacred." Remember that something consecrated is dedicated to God and thus sacred. And then remember that the meanings of words tend to stretch; over time this one moved from "dedicated to God" to "dedicated to whatever": jelly donuts, the perfect tan, finding a solution to Rubik's Cube.

Question 201

Consensus

Answer 201

Consensus ## Footnote agreement in the judgment or opinion reached by a group as a whole - **[n]** the lack of **consensus** reflected differences in theoretical positions those rights and obligations are based on an unstated **consensus** When there's a *consensus*, everyone agrees on something. If you're going to a movie with friends, you need to reach a *consensus* about which movie everyone wants to see. Ever notice how people disagree about just about everything, from who's the best baseball player to how high taxes should be? Whenever there's disagreement, there's no consensus: consensus means everyone is on the same page. When you're talking about all the people in the world, it's hard to find a consensus on anything. There are just too many opinions. However, in a smaller group, reaching a consensus is possible.

Question 202

Consummate

Answer 202

Consummate ## Footnote having or revealing supreme mastery or skill - **[adj]**fulfill sexually - **[v]** a **consummate** artist * *consummate** skill * *consummate** happiness If a restaurant is a *consummate* example of fine dining, you might say there's nothing more to say about fine dining that what this restaurant represents. *Consummate* means complete or finished. *Consummate* can be used to describe something good or bad: *consummate* joy, a *consummate* liar. To *consummate* means to bring something to completion, but it often refers specifically to making a marriage complete by having sexual relations. The adjective is pronounced KÄN-sə-mit, but the verb is pronounced KÄN-sə-māt.

Question 203

Contentious

Answer 203

Contentious ## Footnote inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits - **[adj]**involving or likely to cause controversy - **[adj]** a style described as abrasive and **contentious**"a central and **contentious** element of the book"- Tim W.Ferfuson A *contentious* issue is one that people are likely to argue about, and a *contentious* person is someone who likes to argue or fight. Some issues — like abortion, the death penalty, and gun control — are very controversial. They're also contentious, because people tend to argue about them, and the arguments will probably go on forever. Contentious issues get people angry and in a fighting mood. On the other hand, some people always seem to be in a fighting mood, no matter what the issue is. People like that are contentious too.

Question 204

Contiguous

Answer 204

Contiguous ## Footnote having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching - **[adj]**connecting without a break; within a common boundary - **[adj]**very close or connected in space or time - **[adj]** Utah and the **contiguous** state of Idaho the **contiguous** 48 states **contiguous** events Use the adjective *contiguous* when you want to describe one thing touching another thing, or next to it but not actually touching. Things that are contiguous are near or next to but not actually touching and yet they are also defined as "touching, sharing a border." You can use this adjective to describe people or things related to and nearby others. It comes from the Latin word *contiguus*, which means pretty much the same thing, "bordering upon." Because the word has two meanings that are very similar but not always the same it can be a bit confusing. This is an example of what's called "semantic ambiguity," when something can mean more than one thing or a word or phrase is not precise.

Question 205

Contrite

Answer 205

Contrite ## Footnote feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses - **[adj]** We are sorry to inform you that the adjective *contrite* means to feel regret, remorse, or even guilt. Someone who feels remorse or guilt is *contrite* and in addition to feeling sorry, part of the definition includes wanting to atone for a having done something wrong. The word comes from the Latin roots *com*- meaning "together" and *terere* which means "to rub." It's also related to the Latin word *conterere* and is defined as "to bruise." In the field of theology being *contrite* is "being remorseful for past sin and resolved to avoid future sin."

Question 206

Contumacious

Answer 206

Contumacious ## Footnote wilfully obstinate; stubbornly disobedient - **[adj]** That ornery horse that keeps heading back to the barn, no matter how much you coax and kick and try and convince him to stay on the trail? He's showing you his *contumacious* side, meaning he's stubbornly resisting authority. You might hear the word *contumacious* used in a courtroom to describe an uncooperative witness or someone who willfully disobeys an order given by the court. If you have a glove compartment full of unpaid parking tickets, when you finally land in court your disobedient behavior may cause the judge to tell you that you're a contumacious lout. You'll not only have to pay the tickets, you'll also be slapped with a big fine, and you'll never be contumacious again.

Question 207

Contusion

Answer 207

Contusion ## Footnote an injury that doesn't break the skin but results in some discoloration - **[n]**the action of bruising - **[n]** the bruise resulted from a **contusion** *Contusion* is really just a fancy word for a bad bruise. Professional athletes are often benched suffering from *contusions.* After all, if they're being paid millions, it sounds kinda wimpy to pull them because they're suffering from a...bruise. A *contusion* is any damage to the body that doesn't break the skin but ruptures the blood capillaries beneath, resulting in a handsome-looking discoloration. For once, it's a medical term not used widely to describe a broader emotional or psychological state. You could talk about an "emotional *contusion,*" but please, better not to. There are better terms around (see *heartbroken,* *wounded,* *forlorn,* etc.). Your audience will thank you.

Question 208

Conundrum

Answer 208

Conundrum ## Footnote a difficult problem - **[n]** The tricky word *conundrum* is used to describe a riddle or puzzle, sometimes including a play on words or pun. One of the most famous *conundrums* is the riddle of the Sphinx, famously in the play *Oedipus the King* by Sophocles. Oedipus encounters the Sphinx, a mythical beast, who asks him, "What walks on four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three in the evening?" The answer is "A person": crawling as a child, walking as an adult, and using a cane in old age. The scary thing is that if the Sphinx asked you the riddle and you didn't know, she'd eat you!

Question 209

Conventional

Answer 209

Conventional ## Footnote following accepted customs and proprieties - **[adj]**represented in simplified or symbolic form - **[adj]**(weapons) using energy for propulsion or destruction that is not nuclear energy - **[adj]** **conventional** wisdom she had strayed from the path of **conventional** behavior **conventional** forms of address *Conventional* is an adjective for things that are normal, ordinary, and following the accepted way. Ho-hum. This word describes what is typical and ordinary and that which follows accepted standards of behavior or taste. This is a word that's current definition is still very similar to its Latin root, *conventionalis*, which is "pertaining to an agreement." One way this word is used is with respect to *conventional* weapons, as in those "not using, making, or involving nuclear weapons or energy; nonnuclear."

Question 210

Cornucopia

Answer 210

Cornucopia ## Footnote a goat's horn filled with grain and flowers and fruit symbolizing prosperity - **[n]**the property of being extremely abundant - **[n]** A grocery store with a large selection of fruits and vegetables could be said to have a *cornucopia* of produce. A *cornucopia* is a lot of good stuff. Around Thanksgiving in the United States, you'll often see cornucopias or horn-shaped baskets filled with fruit and other goodies as centerpieces. Originally, a cornucopia was a goat's horn filled with corn and fruit to symbolize plenty. Nowadays, a cornucopia is probably made of some kind of plaster or wicker, but it still symbolizes the same thing — a good harvest season.

Question 211

Corpulent

Answer 211

Corpulent ## Footnote excessively fat - **[adj]** *Corpulent* is a formal word that describes a fat person. If you are trying to be respectful when describing a fat man, you might refer to him as a "*corpulent* gentleman." There are certainly many other ways to describe a fat person: *obese*, *overweight*, and *stout* are only a few. *Corpulent* is from Latin *corpulentus*, from *corpus* "body." The Latin suffix *-ulentus*, corresponding to English *-ulent*, has the meaning "full of, having in quantity."

Question 212

Corroborate

Answer 212

Corroborate ## Footnote give evidence for - **[v]**support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm - **[v]**establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts - **[v]** To *corroborate* is to back someone else’s story. If you swear to your teacher that you didn't throw the spitball, and your friends *corroborate* your story by promising that you were concentrating on math homework, she might actually believe you. For example, a witness in court corroborates the testimony of others, and further experimentation can corroborate a scientific theory. Near synonyms are *substantiate* and *confirm*. *Corroborate,* originally meaning "to support or strengthen," was borrowed from Latin *corrōborāre*, formed from the prefix *cor-* "completely" plus *rōborāre* "to strengthen" (from *rōbur* "strength").

Question 213

Corrugated

Answer 213

Corrugated ## Footnote shaped into alternating parallel grooves and ridges - **[adj]** the surface of the ocean was rippled and **corrugated** *Corrugated* means molded into tight ridges and valleys. You've probably seen *corrugated* cardboard, or *corrugated* metal roofs. Materials are put into a corrugated shape to ensure elasticity and strength––cardboard boxes hold their shape because the cardboard is reinforced with a corrugated layer inside the two flat pieces. To remember *corrugated*, think about corduroy pants––which also have ridges and valleys. If you're lucky enough to have had ribbon candy, that's corrugated as well.

Question 214

Coterie

Answer 214

Coterie ## Footnote an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose - **[n]** Have you noticed how so many of the best TV shows concentrate on a group of friends who seem to mesh together perfectly, to the exclusion of all others? This, then, is a *coterie*, an exclusive group with common interests. The modern spelling and meaning of *coterie* developed in the 18th century from a French word rooted in the feudal system. When the farmers working the land of a feudal lord established an organization, they were called *cotiers*, or "tenants of a cote" (think "cottage"), and that idea of a select group led to the word *coterie*. There's just something so French about the idea of exclusivity, isn't there?

Question 215

Covert

Answer 215

Covert ## Footnote secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed - **[adj]**(of a wife) being under the protection of her husband - **[adj]**a flock of coots - **[n]** **covert** actions by the CIA **covert** funding for the rebels the brush provided a **covert** for game Think soldiers in masks secretly infiltrating an enemy stronghold, a *covert* operation is one that no one but the president and a few generals know is happening. *Covert* is the opposite of *overt*, which means obvious, something in full view. "The teachers weren't impressed by the students' *overt* attempt to derail the discussion. 'You aren't even pretending to try to like Shakespeare,' she complained."

Question 216

Cower

Answer 216

Cower ## Footnote crouch or curl up - **[v]**show submission or fear - **[v]** To *cower* is to shrink in fear. Whether they live in the country or city, any mouse will *cower* when a huge, hungry cat approaches. When you *cower*, you're not just afraid. You're so terrified that your whole body cringes, crouches, and shrinks in on itself to hide from the source of your fear. Victims of a school bully *cower* whenever he comes near. They're in no rush to have their lunch money stolen again, or to get another wedgie, so they cower to avoid being seen. Although a *coward* might *cower* in fear, the two words aren't related.

Question 217

Cringe

Answer 217

Cringe ## Footnote draw back, as with fear or pain - **[v]**show submission or fear - **[v]** When you *cringe*, your body language shows you don't like what you see and hear. You close your eyes and grimace. You may even jerk your body away from the offensive sight or sound, like the old picture of you in an "awkward stage" that makes you *cringe* whenever you see it. Whether it's a song you hate or someone mentioning an embarrassing moment from the past, you *cringe* at things that are unpleasant. If you think about the way your body involuntarily flinches or bends in those situations, you won’t be surprised to learn that the word *cringe* can be traced back to the Old English word *cringan*, meaning give way, fall (in battle), become bent. That’s exactly what your body does when you *cringe*!

Question 218

Cryptic

Answer 218

Cryptic ## Footnote having a secret or hidden meaning - **[adj]**of an obscure nature - **[adj]**having a puzzling terseness - **[adj]** **cryptic** writings the new insurance policy is written without **cryptic** or mysterious terms a **cryptic** note White bunny. Moon. Square. Do you understand what that means? Of course not! It's totally *cryptic*. *Cryptic* comments or messages are hard to understand because they seem to have a hidden meaning. *Cryptic* is from Late Latin *crypticus,* from Greek *kryptikos,* from *kryptos* "hidden." This Greek adjective is the source of our English word *crypt*, referring to a room under a church in which dead people are buried. That might account for why the word *cryptic* has an eerie tone to it.

Question 219

Cumbersome

Answer 219

Cumbersome ## Footnote difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight - **[adj]**not elegant or graceful in expression - **[adj]** a **cumbersome** piece of machinery his **cumbersome** writing style You have to wrestle a bit with the longish word *cumbersome*; it's *cumbersome,* or kind of long and clumsy, to tumble out in a sentence. It's hard to use it gracefully. A "cumber" is something that slows you down, and though the words aren't related, "lumber" includes big pieces of heavy wood, which might slow down the person carrying them. Moving lumber is *cumbersome*, because it's a heavy and awkward job. Getting your laundry down the stairs or putting a Rottweiler in the bathtub can be cumbersome too.

Question 220

Curmudgeon

Answer 220

Curmudgeon ## Footnote a crusty irascible cantankerous old person full of stubborn ideas - **[n]** Old, cranky, and more than a little stubborn, a *curmudgeon* is the crusty grey haired neighbor who refuses to hand out candy at Halloween and shoos away holiday carolers with a "bah humbug!" As fickle and stubborn as the type of person it describes, *curmudgeon* comes to us without a history, its origins undisclosed. It was originally believed to have come from *coeur mechant*, the French phrase for evil heart, but that theory has been long discarded. Don't worry though, you’ll know a curmudgeon when you see one: He’ll be ill-tempered and miserly, eager to shake his fist and spout disagreeable opinions.

Question 221

Curtail

Answer 221

Curtail ## Footnote terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end or its full extent - **[v]**place restrictions on - **[v]** Personal freedom is **curtailed** in many countries **curtail** drinking in school To *curtail* something is to slow it down, put restrictions on it, or stop it entirely. If I give up cake, I am *curtailing* my cake-eating. *Curtail* is an official-sounding word for stopping or slowing things down. The police try to curtail crime — they want there to be less crime in the world. A company may want to curtail their employees' computer time, so they spend more time working and less time goofing around. Teachers try to curtail whispering and note-passing in class. When something is curtailed, it's either stopped entirely or stopped quite a bit — it's cut short.

Question 222

Cynical

Answer 222

Cynical ## Footnote believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others - **[adj]** If you think public officials are nothing but a bunch of greedy buffoons, you have a *cynical* attitude about politics. A *cynical* person has a bleak outlook about others, always imagining that people are ruled by their worst instincts. H.L. Mencken was famous for saying cynical things like, "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public." The original Cynics were ancient Greek philosophers who never had a good word to say about anyone. The Greek word *kynikos* actually means "canine," maybe because all of that sneering seemed a little dog-like.

Question 223

Dally

Answer 223

Dally ## Footnote behave carelessly or indifferently - **[v]**talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions - **[v]** Get busy--don't **dally**! *Dally* means "to waste time." When you *dally*, you will cause a delay because of your dawdling. You have probably heard the expression ""to dilly-*dally*"" — which means "to dawdle." Well, if you take the *dilly* out of dilly-dally to get just *dally* — you still have pretty much the same meaning. *Dally* has other common definitions, such as "to flirt" (especially without care of the result) or "to play." The light tone is probably an echo of its origin, which is likely the French word *dalier*, meaning "to amuse oneself."

Question 224

Debacle

Answer 224

Debacle ## Footnote a sudden and violent collapse - **[n]**flooding caused by a tumultuous breakup of ice in a river during the spring or summer - **[n]**a sound defeat - **[n]** Use *debacle* to refer to a violent disaster or a great failure. If the flower gardens come toppling down during prom, strangling some students and tripping others, you might call the evening a *debacle*. *Debacle* is often used to describe a military defeat. If your army retreats, that's one thing. If your army is outmaneuvered and ends up huddled in a valley, surrounded on all sides by the enemy, forced to sing 70s sitcom theme songs by their savage captors––that's a debacle. *Debacle* comes from French *débâcler* "to clear," from Middle French *desbacler,* from the prefix *des-* "completely, utterly" plus *bacler* "to block."

Question 225

Decorum

Answer 225

Decorum ## Footnote propriety in manners and conduct - **[n]** *Decorum* is proper and polite behavior. If you let out a big belch at a fancy dinner party, you're not showing much *decorum*. This noun is from Latin *decōrus* "proper, becoming, handsome," from *décor* "beauty, grace," which is also the source of English *décor*. The corresponding adjective is *decorous*, meaning "well-behaved in a particular situation." Both *decorum* and *decorous* are often used to describe behavior in a classroom or courtroom.

Question 226

Decoy

Answer 226

Decoy ## Footnote something used to lure fish or other animals into danger so they can be trapped or killed - **[n]**a beguiler who leads someone into danger (usually as part of a plot) - **[n]**lure or entrap with or as if with a decoy - **[v]** A *decoy* is a fake version of something used to play a trick or lead you into danger, like the cork duck *decoys* hunters put on the pond to make the real ducks think it's safe to stop by. *Decoy* most often refers to bait used for trapping or killing an animal, but it can be any object or plan used to lead someone or something into trouble. Fisherman use worm decoys on their lures to catch fish, just like police use people as undercover decoys to catch criminals. While etymologists aren't positive, they suspect *decoy* comes from the Dutch *kooi*, which means "a cage." So think of luring a mouse into a cage with a big slice of decoy cheese.

Question 227

Deference

Answer 227

Deference ## Footnote courteous regard for people's feelings - **[n]**a courteous expression (by word or deed) of esteem or regard - **[n]**a disposition or tendency to yield to the will of others - **[n]** in **deference** to your wishes "his **deference** to her wishes was very flattering" Sure you wear ripped jeans to school every day, but you don't wear them to your grandmother's house out of *deference* to her. When you show *deference* to someone, you make a gesture of respect. The noun *deference* goes with the verb *defer*, which means "to yield to someone's opinions or wishes out of respect for that person." If you and your dad disagree about the best route to the grocery store, you might defer to him, and take his route. You're taking his route out of deference to his opinion and greater experience.

Question 228

Defoliate

Answer 228

Defoliate ## Footnote deprived of leaves - **[adj]**strip the leaves or branches from - **[v]** **defoliate** the trees with pesticides *Defoliate* means to take the leaves or branches off of a tree or bush. When your mom asks you to defoliate the rose bushes, she wants you to trim them back. In *defoliate* you see part of the word *foliage*, which means "leaves." When your family takes a trip to Vermont to look at the foliage, you’re going leaf peeping. If the trees of Vermont are defoliated, there'll be nothing to look at on your leaf peeping trip except the poor quality black and white television in your motel room. The adjective *defoliated* describes a tree or bush that has had its leaves stripped.

Question 229

Defunct

Answer 229

Defunct ## Footnote no longer in force or use; inactive - **[adj]**having ceased to exist or live - **[adj]** a **defunct** law "a **defunct** organization" "the will of a **defunct** aunt" *Defunct* describes something that used to exist, but is now gone. A magazine that no longer publishes, like *Sassy*, the girl-power mag from the '90s, is *defunct*, for example. Although *defunct* comes from the Latin word *defunctus* meaning "dead," it's not usually used to describe a person who's no longer with us, but rather institutions, projects, companies and political parties — you know, the boring stuff. Keep digging and you'll find that *defunctus* comes from *defungi*, meaning, "to finish," which is closer to how it's used today. *Defunct* can also refer to a rule or law that's no longer used or has become inactive, like prohibition.

Question 230

Degradation

Answer 230

Degradation ## Footnote changing to a lower state (a less respected state) - **[n]**a low or downcast state - **[n]** *Degradation* is the act of lowering something or someone to a less respected state. A president resigning from office is a *degradation*. It’s also a downcast state. Once the president has resigned, he might feel *degradation*. The noun *degradation* is related to the verb *degrade*, which comes from the Latin *degradare*. *Degradare* comes from *de-*, meaning "down," and *gradus*, meaning "step." You can think of a degradation as a step down, or feeling as though you’re a step below.

Question 231

Deign

Answer 231

Deign ## Footnote do something that one considers to be below one's dignity - **[v]** * Deign* means to reluctantly agree to do something you consider beneath you. When threatened with the loss of her fortune, an heiress might *deign* to get a job, but she might look down her nose at the people she'd have to work with. * Deign* has the same origins as *dignity*. Both descend from the Latin word, *dignare*, meaning "to deem worthy." If you deign to do something, you don't feel it's worthy of your lofty stature, but you do it anyway — it's like you're doing someone a really big favor. Instead of admitting his wrongdoing, the politician who is accused of taking bribes might indignantly declare, "I won't deign to dignify your ridiculous accusations with a response!"

Question 232

Deleterious

Answer 232

Deleterious ## Footnote harmful to living things - **[adj]** **deleterious** chemical additives If something is *deleterious*, it does harm or makes things worse. Smoking has obvious *deleterious* effects on your health, not to mention your social life. My parents were worried that their divorce would have a deleterious effect on us kids, but in the end it was less harmful than watching them fight all the time. For most plants, a lack of sunlight has very deleterious consequences, but there are some plants that actually do very well in the dark. It's a wonder, given how well-established the science is, that we continue to do things that are deleterious to the fragile ecosystem. We must be willing to live with the deleterious effects.

Question 233

Deliberate

Answer 233

Deliberate ## Footnote carefully thought out in advance - **[adj]**unhurried and with care and dignity - **[adj]**think about carefully; weigh - **[v]**discuss the pros and cons of an issue - **[v]** with all **deliberate** speed To *deliberate* means to carefully think or talk something through — it also means slow and measured, the pace of this kind of careful decision making. If you chose *deliberately*, you make a very conscious, well-thought-through choice. The verb *deliberate* ends with an "ate" sound — at the end of a trial, after the evidence is presented, the twelve members of a jury retreat to a room to deliberate, i.e., talk through the trial and come to a verdict. The adjective *deliberate* ends with an "it" sound. If you walk with a deliberate pace, you're slow and steady.

Question 234

Demagogue

Answer 234

Demagogue ## Footnote a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular passions and prejudices - **[n]** A *demagogue* is someone who becomes a leader largely because of skills as a speaker or who appeals to emotions and prejudices. Though the Greek root for *demagogue* literally means "a leader of the people," the word has for centuries had a negative connotation: it actually means a leader who has manipulated the emotions and prejudices of the rabble. The reason for the negative connotation is that in ancient Athens, "the people" were considered to be an uncivilized mob. Two of the most famous historical demagogues are said to be Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin.

Question 235

Demur

Answer 235

Demur ## Footnote take exception to - **[v]**(law) a formal objection to an opponent's pleadings - **[n]**enter a demurrer - **[v]** he **demurred** at my suggestion to work on Saturday Your mother asks you to pick up your room. You refuse: you *demur.* Your friend wants to go to the Death Metal Forever concert, but you hesitate: you *demur.* Whether you strongly object, politely disagree, or hesitate to agree, you *demur.* If Aunt Tilly offers to knit you a sweater, you might politely *demur,* being reluctant to accept. When she describes the bunnies she plans for the sweater, you would want to strongly *demur,* explaining that you plan to move to Texas next week and will no longer need sweaters. And if you find yourself the defendant in a civil suit, you might file a *demurrer* to object to the plaintiff’s complaint. When you file that demurrer, you *demur.*

Question 236

Denigrate

Answer 236

Denigrate ## Footnote charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone - **[v]**cause to seem less serious; play down - **[v]** To *denigrate* is to say bad things — true or false — about a person or thing. Your reputation as a math whiz might be hurt if your jealous classmate manages to *denigrate* you, even though the accusations are unfounded. The verb *denigrate* comes from the Latin word *denigrare*, which means "to blacken." To sully or defame someone’s reputation, or to spread negative or hurtful information about a company or a situation, is to denigrate it. Your neighbors may denigrate your proposal for mandatory recycling in an attempt to stop your plan. *Denigrate* can also mean that you're making something seem less important, like when your brother tries to denigrate your athletic achievements.

Question 237

Denounce

Answer 237

Denounce ## Footnote speak out against - **[v]**announce the termination of, as of treaties - **[v]** He **denounced** the Nazis "He **denounced** the government action" To *denounce* is to tattle, rat out, or speak out against something. When you stand on your desk and tell the class that your partner is cheating, you *denounce* him or her. The prefix *de-* means "down," as in *destroy* or *demolish* (tear down). Add that to the Latin root *nuntiare*, meaning "announce," and *destroy* plus *announce* equals *denounce*. It's a word that shows up in the headlines often, as a country might *denounce* a corrupt election. Politicians love to *denounce* each other's shady doings, or *denounce* some underhanded activities of people in their party in order to separate themselves. *Denounce* can also mean the official end of something, like a treaty.

Question 238

Deplete

Answer 238

Deplete ## Footnote use up (resources or materials) - **[v]** To *deplete* is to use up or consume a limited resource. Visiting relatives might *deplete* your refrigerator of food, or a pestering friend might *deplete* your patience. The verb *deplete* is used like "to drain." A long, exhausting day can deplete your body of energy and a summer drought can deplete a region’s water supply. If you *de*plete your body of hydration after a lot of exercise, be sure to *re*plete yourself with a nice glass of water.

Question 239

Deplore

Answer 239

Deplore ## Footnote express strong disapproval of - **[v]**regret strongly - **[v]** We **deplore** the government's treatment of political prisoners "I **deplore** this hostile action" The verb *deplore* is used to express strong disapproval of something. If you really, really hate the way your mom makes meatloaf, then it's safe to say you *deplore* it. *Deplore* comes from Latin roots that mean to bewail or lament. So if you *deplore* something, you object to it because it brings you sorrow or grief. People often deplore things that they regret or feel bad about. You might deplore the inhumane treatment of animals or the deforestation of the Amazon. Or maybe you just deplore your wardrobe choices from middle school.

Question 240

Depravity

Answer 240

Depravity ## Footnote moral perversion; impairment of virtue and moral principles - **[n]**a corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice - **[n]** its brothels, its opium parlors, its **depravity** *Depravity* goes beyond mere bad behavior — it is a total lack of morals, values, and even regard for other living things, like the *depravity* of a serial killer. You can see the verb *deprave* in *depravity*. To deprave is to make something bad, often to the point of moral corruption, like the parental fear that a bad influence will deprave their good kids. So, depravity is behavior that is morally corrupt or otherwise deemed wicked. Don't confuse *depravity* with *deprivation*, meaning "being denied something that is necessary."

Question 241

Deprecate

Answer 241

Deprecate ## Footnote express strong disapproval of; deplore - **[v]**belittle - **[v]** The teacher should not **deprecate** his student's efforts To *deprecate* is to show disapproval or to make someone feel unimportant by speaking to them disrespectfully, like seniors who *deprecate* younger students just for fun. To deprecate is to diminish, or to oppose, like when someone deprecates your dream of climbing Mt. Everest by calling it "a little walk up a hill." Some people deprecate themselves, which is called being self-deprecating. People who do are self-deprecating play down their abilities because they are humble — or want to appear that way. So if you do climb Everest and you are self-deprecating, you'll say it wasn't such a big deal, even if it was the proudest moment of your life.

Question 242

Deride

Answer 242

Deride ## Footnote treat or speak of with contempt - **[v]** He **derided** his student's attempt to solve the biggest problem in mathematics The verb *deride* means to show a low opinion of someone or something. The jerk would deride the other kids on the bus by calling them names or pulling their hair until the driver decided to de-ride him by kicking him off the bus. To "ride" people is to get on their case or give them a hard time, and to *deride* is to do the same with insulting language or poor treatment. *Deride* comes from the Latin root *dērīdēre,* meaning "to ridicule, to scorn," and it's often used to express dislike or even hatred. Criticizing something with words is a common way to deride, and politicians often deride each other in their speeches during election campaigns.

Question 243

Derogatory

Answer 243

Derogatory ## Footnote expressive of low opinion - **[adj]** **derogatory** comments Something that's *derogatory* is insulting or disrespectful. If you make *derogatory* comments, that means you say things that are unflattering, unkind, or demeaning. *Derogatory* means about the same as *insulting*. Derogatory language is meant to hurt, and it usually does. If you feel offended or insulted by what someone says, the person probably said something derogatory. Racial, sexist, and homophobic slurs are all derogatory. Insults that mean someone is stupid or crazy are derogatory. Making a joke about someone's mother is derogatory.

Question 244

Descry

Answer 244

Descry ## Footnote catch sight of - **[v]** If you spot something, you *descry* it. When you spy it, you *descry* it. It's a good verb to use when you catch a glimpse of a rare bird in the trees. Or when you finally spot Waldo in a "Where's Waldo?" book. *Descry* is very similar to "see" or "discern," but involves more than just keeping your eyes open. Usually you descry something after observing carefully for a while. Wrote Ovid, the Ancient Roman poet and author: "Time on time revolving we descry, so moments flit, so moments fly." Apparently, even in antiquity people complained about seeing the time go by too quickly.

Question 245

Desecrate

Answer 245

Desecrate ## Footnote violate the sacred character of a place or language - **[v]**remove the consecration from a person or an object - **[v]** **desecrate** a cemetery To *desecrate* means to treat a sacred place or thing with violent disrespect. The news sometimes reports on vandals who have *desecrated* tombstones or places of worship. The word *consecrate* from the Latin *consecrare* means "to make sacred." Substituting the prefix *con-* with *de-* reverses the meaning. When preparing for a foreign occupation, the military instructs troops not to desecrate sacred sites and risk offending the local population. You can also desecrate someone's memory if you spread malicious lies about him after his death.

Question 246

Despondent

Answer 246

Despondent ## Footnote without or almost without hope - **[adj]** **despondent** about his failure If you are *despondent*, you are discouraged, very sad, and without hope. If you are depressed, you might describe your mood as *despondent*. This adjective is often followed by *over* or *about*: He was despondent over the loss of his job. If you want a noun, use the words *despondency* or *despondence*. The adjective *despondent* is from Latin *despondens*, from *despondere* "to lose courage, give up," from the prefix *de-* "from" plus *spondere* "to promise." The Latin words originally referred to promising a woman in marriage.

Question 247

Desultory

Answer 247

Desultory ## Footnote marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another - **[adj]** **desultory** thoughts "the **desultory** conversation characteristic of cocktail parties" If you lack a definite plan or purpose and flit from one thing to another, your actions are *desultory*. Some people call such *desultory* wanderings spontaneous. Others call it "being lost." The adjective *desultory* comes from the word *desultor*, which was a circus rider who would leap from the back of one galloping horse onto another. From this literal sense of jumping from one thing to another, we get the modern meaning of *desultory* as jumping between things without a logical purpose.

Question 248

Detrimental

Answer 248

Detrimental ## Footnote (sometimes followed by `to') causing harm or injury - **[adj]** *Detrimental* is a formal way of saying "harmful." Anything *detrimental* hurts, hinders, or puts a damper on something. *Detrimental* things do damage. Have you ever heard "Smoking may be *detrimental* to your health" and wondered what it meant? It means that smoking is bad for your health: it's going to harm you in a bunch of ways. *Detrimental* is a more official, formal way of talking about things that do harm. A dog who likes digging holes can be detrimental to a garden. If you're writing a paper and want to pick an alternative to *harmful* that sounds more formal, *detrimental* is a great choice.

Question 249

Dexterous

Answer 249

Dexterous ## Footnote skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands - **[adj]** **dexterous** of hand and inventive of mind If you're *dexterous*, you're good with your hands. To be *dexterous* is an essential trait for knitters and sleight-of-hand magicians. The adjective *dexterous* often refers to skill and agility with the hands, but it can mean any skillful or clever physical movement. A kid's dexterous ball handling and footwork can aid him on the soccer field. *Dexterous* can also be used to describe mental skill and agility — like the *dexterous* handling of an uncomfortable situation at work.

Question 250

Diaphanous

Answer 250

Diaphanous ## Footnote so thin as to transmit light - **[adj]** a hat with a **diaphanous** veil If a dress is so see-through that light shines through it revealing the goods beneath, it's *diaphanous.* Also known as "sheer," "transparent," or just plain "sexy," but *diaphanous* is so much classier. If you want a classic example of *diaphanous* clothing check out all those nineteenth century Romantic paintings of voluptuous Goddesses clad in clearly insufficient lightweight gowns flouncing around in the middle of forests at night or storm-tossed fields. Those gowns are *diaphanous* all right, but because it's a classical allusion there's obviously nothing naughty about it. From the ancient Greek word *diaphanes,* meaning "transparent" — a style the Greeks were much in favor of.

Question 251

Diatribe

Answer 251

Diatribe ## Footnote thunderous verbal attack - **[n]** It's totally overwhelming when you ask someone a seemingly innocuous question, like "Do you like hot dogs?" and they unleash a *diatribe* about the evils of eating meat. A *diatribe* is an angry speech that strongly criticizes a person or thing. This noun is from Latin *diatriba* "learned discourse," from Greek *diatribē* "pastime, lecture," from *diatrībein* "to waste time, wear away," from the prefix *dia-* "thoroughly" plus *trībein* "to rub." So the origin of the word *diatribe* is connected to both serious study and the spending or wasting of time. In English, the original meaning of *diatribe* was a long and formal debate or discussion.

Question 252

Dichotomy

Answer 252

Dichotomy ## Footnote being twofold; a classification into two opposed parts or subclasses - **[n]** the **dichotomy** between eastern and western culture A *dichotomy* is an idea or classification split in two. When you point out a *dichotomy*, you draw a clear distinction between two things. A dichotomy is a contrast between two things. When there are two ideas, especially two opposed ideas — like war and peace, or love and hate — you have a dichotomy. You often hear about a "false *dichotomy*," which occurs when a situation is unfairly represented as an "either/or" scenario. For example, the statement "All cars are either small and efficient or large and polluting" creates a false dichotomy because there are some cars that don't fit into either category.

Question 253

Didactic

Answer 253

Didactic ## Footnote instructive (especially excessively) - **[adj]** When people are *didactic*, they're teaching or instructing. This word is often used negatively for when someone is acting too much like a teacher. When you're didactic, you're trying to teach something. Just about everything teachers do is didactic: the same is true of coaches and mentors. *Didactic* is often used in a negative way. If you heard that a movie is overly didactic, that's probably not good. Most people want to see a story and be entertained when going to the movies, and if it feels like the movie is just telling you what to think, that's didactic in a bad way.

Question 254

Dilatory

Answer 254

Dilatory ## Footnote wasting time - **[adj]** Something *dilatory* creates a delay. If you are a high school student, once in a while you might have used *dilatory* tactics if you forgot to do your homework. The adjective *dilatory* comes from the Latin root word *dilator*, a noun that means someone who puts off things, or a procrastinator. If you are always late to appointments, people may accuse you of being dilatory, especially if they think you don't have a good excuse.

Question 255

Dilemma

Answer 255

Dilemma ## Footnote state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options - **[n]** A *dilemma* is a tough choice. When you're in a difficult situation and each option looks equally bad, you're in a *dilemma*. *Dilemma* is from a Greek for "double proposition." It was originally a technical term of logic, but we use it now for any time you have a problem with no satisfactory solution. If you're at the mall choosing between red or blue socks, that's not really a dilemma. But if you have to choose whether to save your cat or your dog from a burning building, that's an awful dilemma.

Question 256

Dilettante

Answer 256

Dilettante ## Footnote an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge - **[n]**showing frivolous or superficial interest; amateurish - **[adj]** Though *dilettante* might sound like a nice French word, don't use it on your friend who thinks he can play the guitar after several short lessons. A *dilettante* is an amateur, often one who pretends to be very knowledgeable. The meaning of *dilettante* has changed since it was borrowed from the Italian in the mid 1700s. Originally, it meant "lover of the arts," but began to take on a negative slant as the idea of doing something as a professional took hold strongly during the 18th century. A dilettante was a mere lover of art as opposed to one who did it professionally. Today, the word implies you're pretending to be more of an artist than you're interested in or capable of being, so if you call your friend who likes to paint a dilettante, it's like you're calling him or her a poser.

Question 257

Diorama

Answer 257

Diorama ## Footnote a picture (or series of pictures) representing a continuous scene - **[n]** If you use a shoebox and tiny toys to recreate the Battle of Normandy, you are creating a *diorama*, or three dimensional model, of the event. At the Museum of Natural History in New York, you'll see *dioramas*, or scenes of animals or ancient peoples in their habitats. Before things like movies, television, and computers became common, the best way for large numbers of people to get an idea of what a lion might look like devouring its prey was by *diorama*.

Question 258

Dirge

Answer 258

Dirge ## Footnote a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person - **[n]** A *dirge* is a song of mourning, performed as a memorial to someone who’s died. As you might imagine, a *dirge* is usually quite sad. Another word with a similar meaning that you might know is "requiem." The noun *dirge* comes from the Latin *dirige*, which means "direct," and is the beginning of a prayer that translates as "Direct my way in your sight, O Lord my God." *Dirge* can still have a religious meaning, but it can also be any sad and mournful song, poem, or hymn composed or performed in memory of someone who has died. You can also say that something mournful sounds like a dirge, using the word in a more poetic sense.

Question 259

Disabuse

Answer 259

Disabuse ## Footnote free somebody (from an erroneous belief) - **[v]** * Disabuse* means to free someone of a belief that is not true. Many teachers of health find that when they teach, they spend as much energy *disabusing* kids of false beliefs as they do giving them the facts. * Disabuse* is often connected to the word notion or idea. In singing lessons, you must disabuse young singers of the idea that they can sing better by singing louder. In the first year of college, many people are disabused of the idea that they way they are is "normal," by meeting so many people who represent other ways to be.

Question 260

Disapprobation

Answer 260

Disapprobation ## Footnote an expression of strong disapproval; pronouncing as wrong or morally culpable - **[n]** If you show up for Thanksgiving dinner an hour late and covered in mud from a tag football game, your parents will give you a look of *disapprobation*. This means they seriously disapprove of your actions, despite the fact that you scored the winning touchdown. *Disapprobation* is a noun for the state of total disapproval and condemnation. It is often used in conjunction with a moral or social offense. Acts such as stealing an old lady's purse, defying your teachers or parents, vandalizing, or being a lying sneak are all things that are going to earn you disapprobation. But if you decide to change your evil ways and do something wonderful to earn praise, you'll find yourself back on the side of *approbation*.

Question 261

Discord

Answer 261

Discord ## Footnote lack of agreement or harmony - **[n]**disagreement among those expected to cooperate - **[n]**strife resulting from a lack of agreement - **[n]**a harsh mixture of sounds - **[n]**be different from one another - **[v]** * Discord* is the strife and tension that arises when two sides disagree on something, like the high pitched screaming of two kids fighting over the front seat of the car. * Discord* can be broken down into the prefix *dis*, meaning "different," and *cord*, which stems from an old word for "heart." So that leaves us with "different hearts." So if we're talking about music, discord means a lack of harmony — tones that clash so badly your ears bleed. But when there's discord between people, their hearts are in different places — which usually results in more than a few raised voices clashing disharmoniously.

Question 262

Discrepancy

Answer 262

Discrepancy ## Footnote a difference between conflicting facts or claims or opinions - **[n]**an event that departs from expectations - **[n]** A *discrepancy* is a lack of agreement or balance. If there is a *discrepancy* between the money you earned and the number on your paycheck, you should complain to your boss. There is a *discrepancy* when there is a difference between two things that should be alike. For example, there can be a wide *discrepancy* or a slight *discrepancy* between two objects, stories, or facts. The noun *discrepancy* is from Latin *discrepare* "to sound differently," from the prefix *dis-* "from" plus *crepare* "to rattle, creak."

Question 263

Discrete

Answer 263

Discrete ## Footnote constituting a separate entity or part - **[adj]** a government with three **discrete** divisions *Discrete* means separate or divided. A *discrete* unit is a separate part of something larger. A room is a *discrete* space within a house, just as the transmission is a *discrete* part of a car engine. If something is discrete, it has its own space. An ice cube comes from an ice tray, but it has its own discrete compartment. A student government might have discrete committees for different projects. Don't confuse *discrete* with its close cousin *discreet*, which means "appropriately private." Billionaire Bruce Wayne, for example, is very discreet about his secret life as Batman. You could say Batman is a discrete, or separate, part of Bruce Wayne’s identity. Anything distinct and separated is discrete.

Question 264

Disdain

Answer 264

Disdain ## Footnote lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike - **[n]**a communication that indicates lack of respect by patronizing the recipient - **[n]**look down on with disdain - **[v]**reject with contempt - **[v]** If you feel that something isn't worthy of your consideration, you may *disdain* it (or treat it with *disdain*). In Old French, *deignier* meant "to treat something as worthy." To *dis*dain something, then, is to treat it with contempt: "Management at [the company] displayed a certain *disdain* for safety and appeared to regard safety-conscious workers as wimps in the organization." As a verb, *disdain* carries an air of self-righteousness not associated with similar words like *despise, abhor, detest, loathe* and *scorn*. So if you disdain something, you might reject it with a haughty scoff, "Ha!"

Question 265

Disingenuous

Answer 265

Disingenuous ## Footnote not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness - **[adj]** an ambitious, **disingenuous**, philistine, and hypocritical operator, who...exemplified...the most disagreeable traits of his time"- David Cannadine" "a **disingenuous** excuse" Use the adjective *disingenuous* to describe behavior that's not totally honest or sincere. It's *disingenuous* when people pretend to know less about something than they really do. *Disingenuous* combines *dis-*, meaning not, with *ingenuous* (from the Latin *gen-*, meaning born) which was originally used to distinguish free-born Romans from slaves, and later came to mean honest or straightforward. So *disingenuous* means dishonest. *Ingenuous* is less common now than *disingenuous*, but we still use it for someone who is sincere to the point of naiveté. A good synonym is *insincere*.

Question 266

Disinter

Answer 266

Disinter ## Footnote dig up for reburial or for medical investigation; of dead bodies - **[v]** To "inter" a body is to bury it or place it in a mausoleum, so to *disinter* someone is to take the body out again — usually to find out how they died, to make sure it's really who we think it is, or to move the body to a new burial site. You might think you got away with murder, but once they disinter the body, the medical examiners will find out that the guy was a victim of your evil plot. A vampire sleeps all day in his own coffin and then disinters himself at night to go in search of blood. One way to remember the meaning of *disinter* is to think of "dis-entering" a body. When someone dies, their body is "entered" into the grave. If the body is removed, it's being "dis-entered," in a sense. But *disinter* is spelled — and pronounced — differently (diss-in-TUR), of course.

Question 267

Disinterested

Answer 267

Disinterested ## Footnote unaffected by self-interest - **[adj]** If you can't decide whether to purchase the shirt with orange polka dots or the purple paisley-patterned one, you might seek input from a *disinterested*, or unbiased, party (who will probably tell you not to buy either one). Depending on whom you ask, *disinterested* is either one of the most commonly misused words in the English language, or a perfect example of usage experts and English teachers being way too uptight. While everyone agrees that *disinterested* can mean "unbiased," the debate rages on as to whether it can also mean "uninterested" or "indifferent." Sticklers are vehemently opposed to this secondary meaning. (Of course, you’ll also find the disinterested — or uninterested? — folks who couldn’t care less.)

Question 268

Disparage

Answer 268

Disparage ## Footnote express a negative opinion of - **[v]** She **disparaged** her student's efforts If you haven't got anything nice to say, then it's time to *disparage* someone. It means to belittle or degrade a person or idea. *Disparage* is a specific way to describe a certain kind of insult, the kind that secures the insulter's place as superior. It often refers to an opinion or criticism lobbed in print or via word of mouth, not necessarily an act done to someone's face. If someone or something is being disparaged, you will often find a competing interest in the wings.

Question 269

Disparity

Answer 269

Disparity ## Footnote inequality or difference in some respect - **[n]** If there is a disparity between how great you think you are at tennis, and how you actually play, you are probably surprised by how often you lose. *Disparity* is the condition of being unequal, and a *disparity* is a noticeable difference. *Disparity* usually refers to a difference that is unfair: economic *disparities* exist among ethnic groups, there is a *disparity* between what men and women earn in the same job. This noun derives from Latin *dispar* "unequal." The opposite of *disparity* is *parity*, the condition of being equal or the same.

Question 270

Dispassionate

Answer 270

Dispassionate ## Footnote unaffected by strong emotion or prejudice - **[adj]** a journalist should be a **dispassionate** reporter of fact * Dispassionate* describes someone who is not getting carried away by—or maybe not even having—feelings. It's something you'd want to see in a surgeon, who keeps cool under pressure, but not in a romantic partner. * Dispassionate* is the opposite of *passionate*, and while *passions* are said to run "hot," dispassionate people are often described as "cold." A city marshal whose job is it to evict people behind on their rents must conduct their job with *dispassionate* fairness, but still, no one wants to be their friend.

Question 271

Dispatch

Answer 271

Dispatch ## Footnote the act of sending off something - **[n]**an official report (usually sent in haste) - **[n]** it was done with **dispatch**"He **dispatched** the task he was assigned" "the traitor was **dispatched** by the conspirators" Anything that needs to be mailed, sent off, or quickly shipped needs to be *dispatched*. Letters, official reports, teams of police — if it has somewhere to be, you can *dispatch* it to get there. Sometimes spelled *despatch*, this word was first used in the early 1500s as a verb meaning "to send off in a hurry." These days we get hurried dispatches in noun and verb form, from journalists sending in their war zone stories to emergency squads getting dispatched to the scene of an accident. And in its most sinister sense, dispatch means to kill off without delay.

Question 272

Dissemble

Answer 272

Dissemble ## Footnote behave unnaturally or affectedly - **[v]**make believe with the intent to deceive - **[v]**hide under a false appearance - **[v]** To *dissemble* is to hide under a false appearance, to deceive. "When confronted about their human rights record, the Chinese government typically *dissembles*." *Dissemble* is a little more complicated than a straight lie or denial. When you *dissemble*, you disguise your true intentions or feelings behind a false appearance. To *dissemble* is to pretend that you don't know something, to pretend that you think one way when you act another way. "My boyfriend was *dissembling* the whole time. He was a married father of two."

Question 273

Dissident

Answer 273

Dissident ## Footnote a person who dissents from some established policy - **[n]**characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards - **[adj]**disagreeing, especially with a majority - **[adj]** If you are a *dissident*, you are a person who is rebelling against a government. *Dissidents* can do their work peacefully or with violence. *Dissident* is closely related to the word, dissent, which means objecting. People who are dissidents show their dissent. Catholic priests who advocate allowing women into the priesthood could be called dissidents, as could the Puritans who left England to live in colonial America. As an adjective, a dissident member of a group is one who disagrees with the majority of members.

Question 274

Dissonance

Answer 274

Dissonance ## Footnote disagreeable sounds - **[n]**the auditory experience of sound that lacks musical quality; sound that is a disagreeable auditory experience - **[n]**a conflict of people's opinions or actions or characters - **[n]** Disagreeable sounds can be called *dissonance*. You know it's *dissonance* if you have the strong desire to cover your ears with your hands. Racket, noise, dissonance — all can describe sounds that are not pleasant. While some musicians purposely add a little dissonance into their melodies to create an unexpected sound, others, like someone who just started drum lessons, creates dissonance by accident. *Dissonance* can also be a conflict between people or opinions, like the dissonance you feel when you want to do something but your parents say "no."

Question 275

Diurnal

Answer 275

Diurnal ## Footnote having a daily cycle or occurring every day - **[adj]**of or belonging to or active during the day - **[adj]** **diurnal** rotation of the heavens "**diurnal** animals are active during the day" "**diurnal** flowers are open during the day and closed at night" If it’s 9:00 at night and your mom wants you to do the dishes, you could try to put it off until the next day by politely pointing out that you are a *diurnal* animal. That means you get most of your activities done during the day. The adjective *diurnal* can be used to describe anything that takes place in the daytime, but it is most often used in the field of biology to describe animals that are active during the day and then sleep at night. Animals with the opposite schedule are said to be *nocturnal*, which means they’re active at night and sleep in the daytime. *Diurnal* can also be used to describe something that has a daily cycle, such as a diurnal tide that occurs once each day.

Question 276

Divest

Answer 276

Divest ## Footnote take away possessions from someone - **[v]**remove (someone's or one's own) clothes - **[v]** The company decided to **divest**"the board of trustees **divested** $20 million in real estate property" "he was **divested** of his rights and his title" It could be your wine portfolio, your stake in a mining company, or even the extra coats that are taking up space in your closet. Whatever it is, when you *divest* something, you get rid of it. *Divest* is sort of a fancy way to say "dispose of." It’s often used in a business context to describe companies or governments that divest some of their holdings by selling them off. It can also be used in the sense of taking something away from someone. For example if your boss becomes insane and power mad, his handlers may divest him of his title, meaning his position is taken away from him.

Question 277

Docile

Answer 277

Docile ## Footnote easily handled or managed - **[adj]**willing to be taught or led or supervised or directed - **[adj]**ready and willing to be taught - **[adj]** a gentle old horse, **docile** and obedient "the **docile** masses of an enslaved nation" "**docile** pupils eager for instruction" If someone is *docile*, he is easily taught or handled. If you suddenly became a trouble-maker in class, your teachers would long for the days when you were sweet and *docile*. *Docile* comes from Latin root for teaching, *docere*, so someone docile is easy to teach. A docile student is willing to be taught. A docile animal is easy to handle. If you behave well and do what people tell you to do, you're a docile person. *Docile* might be a word of praise, but it can also be a criticism of someone for being overly submissive. Some synonyms are *amenable* and *compliant*.

Question 278

Doff

Answer 278

Doff ## Footnote remove - **[v]** He **doffed** his hat Use the verb *doff* to describe removing something. You probably always *doff* your cap before the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." The word *doff* and its antonym *don* date to the mid-14th century. *Doff* is a contraction of "do (take) off," and *don* is short for "do (put) on." By 1755, these words were all but obsolete, but they came back into vogue thanks to Sir Walter Scott, author of works like *Ivanhoe*, *Rob Roy*, and *The Lady of the Lake*. The popular Scottish author used them frequently, and he and his readers kept *doff* and *don* alive.

Question 279

Dogmatic

Answer 279

Dogmatic ## Footnote of or pertaining to or characteristic of a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative - **[adj]**relating to or involving dogma - **[adj]**characterized by assertion of unproved or unprovable principles - **[adj]** **dogmatic** writings Someone who is *dogmatic* has arrogant attitudes based on unproved theories. If you *dogmatically* assert that the moon is made of green cheese, you'll just get laughed at. The most basic definition of the adjective *dogmatic* is that it is related to *dogma* — doctrines relating to morals and faith — but what it has come to mean is attitudes that are not only based on unproved theories but are also arrogant in nature. The root of *dogmatic* is the Greek word *dogmatikos*. A synonym of *dogmatic* is "dictatorial" and because there are religious associations to the root word *dogma*, someone who is *dogmatic* tends to "pontificate."

Question 280

Dolt

Answer 280

Dolt ## Footnote a person who is not very bright - **[n]** *Dolt* refers a person who isn't very smart. You might be called a *dolt* if you do something dumb, like stand outside your car complaining that you locked your keys inside — even though the window is wide open. Let's be honest — you never want to be called a dolt. And if you're a kind person, you'll never call anyone else a dolt — unless they do something so frustratingly stupid that you can't take it anymore. *Dolt* probably came from the Middle English word *dullen*, meaning "to dull, make or become dazed or stupid." To help remember what *dolt* means, say it out loud, with gusto. With its guttural sound, the word itself sounds not very bright.

Question 281

Don

Answer 281

Don ## Footnote teacher at a university or college (especially at Cambridge or Oxford) - **[n]**the head of an organized crime family - **[n]**put clothing on one's body - **[v]** The princess **donned** a long blue dress To *don* means to put on, as in clothing or hats. A hunter will *don* his camouflage clothes when he goes hunting. What is the opposite of *don*, an old-fashioned word meaning "to put on?" *Doff* another old-fashioned word meaning "to take off." These two words have something else in common - both are contractions from the 14th century English expressions *do on* and *do off* respectively. Don your boots before going out in the snow and doff them when you come inside again! A don is also a Spanish nobleman and a dean of a college at Oxford or Cambridge, but these meanings come from the Latin *dominus* meaning "master."

Question 282

Dote

Answer 282

Dote ## Footnote shower with love; show excessive affection for - **[v]**be foolish or senile due to old age - **[v]** Grandmother **dotes** on her the twins Who doesn't love to have someone *dote* on them? If you *dote* on someone, you shower them with love and attention. Sounds like the life! Parents that dote on their children too much might find themselves in trouble down the road; all that unadulterated devotion is a surefire way to spoil your kid. The problem is that those who are doing the doting are often too smitten to see when the object of their affection is acting like a complete jerk. No wonder *dote* is related to a German word that means "to be foolish." That connection might also explain the use of *dote* to mean acting senile in one's later years.

Question 283

Drivel

Answer 283

Drivel ## Footnote saliva spilling from the mouth - **[n]**a worthless message - **[n]**let saliva drivel from the mouth - **[v]** *Drivel* is useless, boring information. If you *drivel*, you talk stupidly or actually drool. Your parent might think the articles in your favorite fashion magazine are *drivel*. Etymologists suspect *drivel* comes to us from the Old Norse word *draf*, meaning "malt dregs." This would make sense, given that *drivel* is usually talk or writing about as useless as dregs. If you don't prepare for an oral report, the unfortunate result may be that your teacher finds your disorganized ramblings to be pure drivel. *Drivel* also means to dribble saliva. If a friendly dog licks your hand, leaving it wet and gooey, you can assume he driveled on it.

Question 284

Droll

Answer 284

Droll ## Footnote comical in an odd or whimsical manner - **[adj]** a **droll** little man with a quiet tongue-in-cheek kind of humor Need a mental picture for the word *droll*? Think of one of those cute-homely troll dolls — blend those two words together — "doll" and "troll" — and you get *droll*, a description of a figure that is adorably strange and whimsically cute. The word *droll* comes from the archaic French word *drolle*, referring to a jolly good fellow. The French word comes perhaps from the Middle Dutch *drolle*, or "imp." The word came into English as both noun ("funny person, buffoon") and adjective ("funny, quaint, strange") in the 17th century.

Question 285

Drone

Answer 285

Drone ## Footnote an unchanging intonation - **[n]**stingless male bee in a colony of social bees (especially honeybees) whose sole function is to mate with the queen - **[n]**someone who takes more time than necessary; someone who lags behind - **[n]** The harmonium was **droning** on A *drone* is a male bee whose only job — and only purpose in life — is to fertilize the Queen Bee's eggs. That's why some workers who do their jobs robotically, not trying to innovate but just get through each day, are sometimes, and negatively, called drones. *Drone* can be a noun and a verb: it is both a low, monotonous sound, like the drone of a boring teacher that makes students struggle to stay awake, and the act of making that sound — that teacher drones on and on, never noticing that everyone is staring out the window. *Drone* can also be a synonym for "worker bee," either the insect or the worker whose low level of ambition suggests he or she will never rise through the ranks to become a top decision-maker at the company.

Question 286

Dross

Answer 286

Dross ## Footnote worthless or dangerous material that should be removed - **[n]**the scum formed by oxidation at the surface of molten metals - **[n]** Things that are a total loss — really worthless or damaging — are *dross.* You could call that gunk between your teeth that comes out when you floss, *dross.* No one wants it, and it's harmful if it stays. While *dross* is a noun for stuff that's physically left over or useless, like the nonmetallic stuff left when metal gets refined, it's also used for people and forms of art. A really bad movie can be called *dross,* and a low or despicable person can be dross. Debris, or trash, is another form of dross. "Searching the backyard for unexploded fireworks — the dross of Chinese New Year celebrations — was a tradition for the kids and a safeguard for the dogs."

Question 287

Dubious

Answer 287

Dubious ## Footnote fraught with uncertainty or doubt - **[adj]**open to doubt or suspicion - **[adj]**not convinced - **[adj]** **dubious** about agreeing to go "he has a **dubious** record indeed" "what one found uncertain the other found **dubious** or downright false" Choose the adjective *dubious* for something you have doubts about or you suspect is not true. That bridge you just "bought" might be of *dubious* value. *Dubious* stems from Latin *dubiosus* "doubtful" or "uncertain" and contains the Latin root *duo* in this case meaning "of two minds." This is apparent in that *dubious* generally describes something that appears one way but is truly another. A dubious claim is probably not true, whereas a dubious website or character is of questionable quality. *Dubious* can also be synonymous with *doubtful* when referring to a person as in "she was *dubious* about the idea."

Question 288

Dupe

Answer 288

Dupe ## Footnote fool or hoax - **[v]**a person who is tricked or swindled - **[n]** The immigrant was **duped** because he trusted everyone A *dupe* is a furry, ceremonial hat occasionally worn during ancient pagan rituals... or not. *Dupe* actually means "trick or deceive." We’re sorry we tried to *dupe* you into believing the wrong definition. *Dupe* can also refer to the victim of a trick or hoax, and — used in this sense — it sometimes conveys the idea that the victim is easily fooled. *Dupe* comes from the French word for a type of bird called the *hoopoe*, which has an extravagant crest and a reputation for being dim-witted. (And no, that's not another attempt to dupe you; it's the truth!)

Question 289

Duplicity

Answer 289

Duplicity ## Footnote acting in bad faith; deception by pretending to entertain one set of intentions while acting under the influence of another - **[n]**a fraudulent or duplicitous representation - **[n]** Though he said he didn't know anything about the footprints in the new sidewalk, his *duplicity,* or deceitfulness, was obvious from the cement caking his shoes. His mouth said one thing, his feet said another. Many words with "du" have meanings with "two" or "duo." *Duplicity* is from a Latin word meaning "twofold, having two parts." Someone who shows duplicity is two-faced — maybe showing one side in public and another in private — or is just a liar, saying something known to be untrue or misleading. A fraud uses duplicity to gain something with false promises, and someone described as "fake" might use duplicity just to fit in or be accepted.

Question 290

Dynamic

Answer 290

Dynamic ## Footnote an efficient incentive - **[n]**characterized by action or forcefulness or force of personality - **[adj]**of or relating to dynamics - **[adj]**(used of verbs (e.g. `to run') and participial adjectives (e.g. `running' in `running water')) expressing action rather than a state of being - **[adj]** they hoped it would act as a spiritual **dynamic** on all churches "a **dynamic** market" "a **dynamic** speaker" If a person, place, or thing is energetic and active, then it's *dynamic*. When things are *dynamic*, there's a lot going on. Even the most exciting rural town won't be as dynamic as a big city: there are just more things happening in a city. Someone with a dynamic personality is probably funny, loud, and excitable; a quiet, mousy person isn't dynamic. You can also talk about the dynamic aspect of music, which has to do with how the music uses *dynamics*, which means "changes in volume." When things are dynamic, changes and energy are in the air.

Question 291

Ebullient

Answer 291

Ebullient ## Footnote joyously unrestrained - **[adj]** More than chipper, more than happy, more than delighted is *ebullient* — meaning bubbling over with joy and delight. There are two senses of the word of *ebullient.* One describes an immediate, and ultimately short-lived, reaction to a particular event — for example if you've just won the lottery, you are ebullient. The other describes someone who is perpetually upbeat and cheerful, for example, as in "an *ebullient* personality." Watch out for ebullient personalities: they can often be "over the top" as well.

Question 292

Eccentric

Answer 292

Eccentric ## Footnote conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual - **[adj]**not having a common center; not concentric - **[adj]** famed for his **eccentric** spelling "a friendly **eccentric**" "**eccentric** circles" You're most likely to encounter the adjective *eccentric* in a description of an unusual or quirky person — like a scatter-brained aunt who leaves her life savings to her cat. From the Greek *ekkentros*, "out of the center," this word originally had to do with the orbits of planets that were observed to be slightly out of whack. Eventually it came to describe people who were a little kooky, both as an adjective and as a noun, too: *an eccentric* is an unconventional, odd person. Think of them as following a slightly different orbit from the rest of society.

Question 293

Eclectic

Answer 293

Eclectic ## Footnote selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas - **[adj]**someone who selects according to the eclectic method - **[n]** She listens to hip-hop, Gregorian chant, and folk music from the '60s. He's been seen wearing a handmade tuxedo jacket over a thrift-store flannel shirt. They both have *eclectic* tastes. The English word *eclectic* first appeared in the seventeenth century to describe philosophers who did not belong to a particular school of thought, but instead assembled their doctrines by picking and choosing from a variety of philosophical systems. Today, the word can refer to any assemblage of varied parts. You can have an eclectic group of friends (friends from diverse groups), eclectic taste in furniture (a mixture of 18th-century French chairs, Andy Warhol paintings, and Persian rugs), or enjoy eclectic cuisine (fusion cooking that uses ingredients from different national cuisines).

Question 294

Eddy

Answer 294

Eddy ## Footnote a miniature whirlpool or whirlwind resulting when the current of a fluid doubles back on itself - **[n]**flow in a circular current, of liquids - **[v]** An *eddy* is a whirlpool — what you stare at as a kid when the water is draining out of the bathtub. Pronounced exactly like the name, "Eddie," this word means to swirl in a direction opposite of the current. Any substance like water, fog, smoke, or air can create an eddy, but it is most commonly seen as a term related to water. Books from the "flapper" era of the 1920s often include a description of a nightclub with "an *eddy* of cigarette smoke above a woman’s head."

Question 295

Efface

Answer 295

Efface ## Footnote remove by or as if by rubbing or erasing - **[v]**remove completely from recognition or memory - **[v]**make inconspicuous - **[v]** **efface** the memory of the time in the camps "**efface** oneself" If something is erased or rubbed out, it has been *effaced*. Teachers get annoyed to find that someone has *effaced* the blackboard — even the part clearly marked, "Do Not Erase!" You can also efface things that are not physical — like effacing feelings, impressions, or memories. When you efface a memory, you wipe it out as well. Some people believe that their good deeds are able to efface their past wrongs. They'll have to rely on others' opinions to see how well that works.

Question 296

Efficacy

Answer 296

Efficacy ## Footnote capacity or power to produce a desired effect - **[n]** concern about the safety and **efficacy** of the vaccine The degree to which a method or medicine brings about a specific result is its *efficacy.* You might not like to eat it, but you can't question the *efficacy* of broccoli as a health benefit. *Efficacy* is a more formal way to say effectiveness, both of which stem from the Latin verb *efficere* "to work out, accomplish." The effectiveness, or efficacy, of something is how well it works or brings the results you hoped for. A scientist does research to determine the efficacy of a vaccine or medicine under development. If it is efficacious, it will cure or prevent a disease.

Question 297

Effigy

Answer 297

Effigy ## Footnote a representation of a person (especially in the form of sculpture) - **[n]** the coin bears an **effigy** of Lincoln In modern usage, *effigy* most often refers to a likeness, such as a dummy, that is hanged, burned, or otherwise abused when protesting the despised person's actions. If you've encountered the phrase "in *effigy*," it's probably been in a news report about protesters burning a stuffed figure made to look like a loathed corporate leader or head of state. Since the 18th century or longer, effigies have been destroyed in place of individuals who, as far as the angry crowd is concerned, have escaped justice. *Effigy* can also refer to a sculptural portrait of the deceased reclining upon a burial monument.

Question 298

Effrontery

Answer 298

Effrontery ## Footnote audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to - **[n]** If you rudely behave as if you have a right to something that you have no right to, you're committing *effrontery*. When a couple stroll into a crowded restaurant, demand the best table, and threaten the staff unless they're seated right away, that's *effrontery*. People have been guilty of outrageously self-centered behavior at least since 1715, when *effrontery* was coined. Tracing to the French word *effronté*, meaning "shameless," the word *effrontery* is also connected to *brazen*, which means "of brass," and describes someone so accustomed to effrontery that he's hardened to it and has no concern for the harm done to others.

Question 299

Effusive

Answer 299

Effusive ## Footnote uttered with unrestrained enthusiasm - **[adj]**extravagantly demonstrative - **[adj]** insincere and **effusive** demonstrations of sentimental friendship Getting a compliment from your *effusive* Aunt Sally can be a little embarrassing. Since she's so *effusive*, Aunt Sally holds nothing back, gushing with enthusiasm. The adjective *effusive* means "extravagantly demonstrative," and if you know someone who know who expresses positive emotions in a heartfelt, bubbly way, you understand just what it means. The word *effusive* has a surprisingly similar definition in geology; it describes a particular kind of volcanic eruption, one in which lava bubbles up out of the volcano and flows around it.

Question 300

Egregious

Answer 300

Egregious ## Footnote conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible - **[adj]** an **egregious** lie Something that is *egregious* stands out, but not in a good way — it means "really bad or offensive," like a tattoo on a man misspelling his girlfriend's name. My massage therapist gave me bruises, someone complained recently on Twitter, asking, "When does it cease to be deep tissue massage therapy and become *egregious* and unabashed manhandling?" An *egregious* error is hardly forgivable. Some synonyms are *shocking, appalling,* and *intolerable*. The word has made a 180-degree turn from its original sense in Latin, when it meant "exceptionally good." Word historians have speculated that the negative usage was originally meant to be ironic, but it is the only sense that has survived. Be careful not to use it to mean "outstanding," since no one wants to be called *egregious*.

Question 301

Egress

Answer 301

Egress ## Footnote the act of coming (or going) out; becoming apparent - **[n]**the becoming visible - **[n]**(astronomy) the reappearance of a celestial body after an eclipse - **[n]**come out of - **[v]** If you want to leave a place, you need a means of *egress,* or a way to exit, such as a door or window. It was a beautiful old house, but without enough ways of egress, they needed outdoor fire-stairs for reaching the upper floors. *Egress* comes from a Latin word meaning "going out." An egress is basically the same thing as an exit. (*Egress* can also be used as a verb, "to exit," but less frequently than as a noun.) When buildings undergo inspection, one of the main safety features under review is the number and placement of doors and windows, the "means of *egress*," in case of fire or other emergency.

Question 302

Elegy

Answer 302

Elegy ## Footnote a mournful poem; a lament for the dead - **[n]** An *elegy* is a sad poem, usually written to praise and express sorrow for someone who is dead. Although a speech at a funeral is a eulogy, you might later compose an *elegy* to someone you have loved and lost to the grave. The purpose of this kind of poem is to express feelings rather than tell a story. Thomas Gray's "Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard" is a poem that reflects on the lives of common people buried in a church cemetery, and on the nature of human mortality. The noun *elegy* was borrowed in the 16th century from Middle French *élégie*, from Latin *elegīa*, from Greek *elegeia*, from *elegos* "mournful poem or song."

Question 303

Ellipsis

Answer 303

Ellipsis ## Footnote omission or suppression of parts of words or sentences - **[n]** An *ellipsis* is punctuation that is used to show where words have been left out. The *ellipsis* is usually formed by three periods (four if the *ellipsis* comes at the end of a sentence). The word *ellipsis* comes to English via a Greek word, *elleipein*, meaning to fall short or leave out. The plural of the noun is *ellipses*. In the sentence, "'What the . . . !' she exclaimed.", the ellipsis replaces an expletive. The severity of the expletive is left to the reader's imagination.

Question 304

Elucidate

Answer 304

Elucidate ## Footnote make clear and (more) comprehensible - **[v]**make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear - **[v]** If you *elucidate* something, you explain it very clearly. If you don't understand fractions, a visit to the pie shop may *elucidate* the subject for you. *Elucidate* is from Late Latin *elucidare,* from the Latin prefix *e-* "thoroughly" plus *lucidus* "clear, bright." This Latin adjective is the source of English *lucid,* which describes someone who thinks clearly or something that is clear enough to understand.

Question 305

Elusive

Answer 305

Elusive ## Footnote skillful at eluding capture - **[adj]**difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze - **[adj]**making great mental demands; hard to comprehend or solve or believe - **[adj]** a cabal of conspirators, each more **elusive** than the archterrorist"- David Kline" "that **elusive** thing the soul" "a haunting **elusive** odor" Things that are *elusive* hard to find, pin down, or remember. They slip right out of your grasp. Ever try to catch a mouse? It's not easy, because mice are quick and elusive — they're tough to catch. Rabbits are speedy, so they're elusive too. Also, things that are tough to understand or describe are elusive — like the concepts of love and beauty. If you had an idea and then forgot it, the idea is elusive: it slipped away. Anything you can't get hold of, with your hands or with your brain, is elusive.

Question 306

Emaciated

Answer 306

Emaciated ## Footnote very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold - **[adj]** Someone who is dangerously skinny and skeletal-looking can be described as *emaciated*. It's probably how you'd start to look after a few weeks in the wilderness with only berries and bugs for dinner. The adjective *emaciated* evolved from the Latin *emaciatus*, meaning to "make lean, waste away." An *emaciated* person or animal isn't just thin. They're bony, gaunt, and most likely undernourished, often from illness. So if an emaciated stray cat shows up on your doorstep, give it a bowl of milk and maybe pay a visit to the vet.

Question 307

Emancipate

Answer 307

Emancipate ## Footnote free from slavery or servitude - **[v]**give equal rights to; of women and minorities - **[v]** If you *emancipate* someone, you set them free from something. At the end of the Civil War, slaves were *emancipated* and became free men and women. If you break down *emancipate*, you have *e-* "out," *-man-* from the Latin *manus* "hand," and *-cip-* from the Latin verb "to take." Put it together, and you have "to be taken out of someone's hands" — a good definition of freedom. The American Revolution was about colonists emancipating themselves from British rule. As a legal term, if a child is emancipated, he or she is declared independent from parental control.

Question 308

Emboss

Answer 308

Emboss ## Footnote raise in a relief - **[v]** **embossed** stationery * Emboss* means to carve with a design. A silver tray might be *embossed* with your initials and wedding date. You might give your teacher a plaque with "World's Best Teacher" *embossed* under their name. * Embossing* and engraving have similar effects––a raised surface. But *embossing* pushes the paper or metal up, working from behind, while engraving actually cuts into the surface, cutting away a bit of the media as it makes its mark.

Question 309

Embroil

Answer 309

Embroil ## Footnote force into some kind of situation, condition, or course of action - **[v]** To *embroil* is to drag someone in to a mess. If you're *embroiled*, you're in ... DEEP. It's far worse, far messier, and generally far more long-term, than simply being "involved" with something. Nothing good can come of being *embroiled.* *Embroil* can refer to any sort of situation — love affairs, political events, scandals — but it's probably most commonly used in reference to law suits. The classic law suit that embroiled its participants was the fictional one of Jarndyce. v. Jarndyce, in Dickens's novel *Bleak House* — which went on for so many generations that all the characters' money was eaten up entirely by lawyers' fees. Let us repeat: nothing good comes of getting embroiled.

Question 310

Emollient

Answer 310

Emollient ## Footnote toiletry consisting of any of various substances in the form of a thick liquid that have a soothing and moisturizing effect when applied to the skin - **[n]**having a softening or soothing effect especially to the skin - **[adj]** An *emollient* is a cream or ointment with a thick, gooey texture. When your hands are dry and cracked in the winter, you probably apply an *emollient* to make them softer. *Emollient* comes from a Latin word with the same spelling, which means "to make soft." The noun form of *emollient* refers to a substance that makes something soft. However, *emollient* can also be an adjective used to describe something with a softening or soothing effect. For example, the annoying child on the airplane might be soothed by the emollient sound of the pilot’s voice over the intercom.

Question 311

Empirical

Answer 311

Empirical ## Footnote derived from experiment and observation rather than theory - **[adj]**relying on medical quackery - **[adj]** an **empirical** basis for an ethical theory "**empirical** laws" "**empirical** data" If knowledge is *empirical*, it's based on observation rather than theory. To do an *empirical* study of donut shops, you'll need to visit every one you can find. *Empirical* looks like *empire* comes from a completely different origin: it is from the Greek *empeirikos*, meaning experienced. It was originally used in medicine for doctors making choices based on observation and experiment rather than theoretical ideas. It's now used for any kind of knowledge that comes from experience. Meditate all day on the origins of donuts, but until you visit the donut bakery you'll lack empirical knowledge of donut creation.

Question 312

Emulate

Answer 312

Emulate ## Footnote strive to equal or match, especially by imitating - **[v]**compete with successfully; approach or reach equality with - **[v]**imitate the function of (another system), as by modifying the hardware or the software - **[v]** He is **emulating** the skating skills of his older sister "This artist's drawings cannot **emulate** his water colors" When you *emulate* someone, you imitate them, especially with the idea of matching their success. When someone is impressive because of their great skills, brains, strength, or accomplishments, other will emulate. To emulate is to imitate and model yourself after someone. People emulate role models — people they want to be like. After Michael Jordan retired from the NBA, player after player tried to emulate Jordan's game and success. It's hard to be as good as someone like that, but having a hero to emulate can be helpful in many areas of life.

Question 313

Encomium

Answer 313

Encomium ## Footnote a formal expression of praise - **[n]** An *encomium* is a fancy word for a formal speech or piece of writing that warmly praises someone or something. *Encomium* comes from the Greek word *enkomion* which, in a nutshell, is to honor someone or something at a party in a poetic speech. It used to refer to the song for the winner of the Olympic Games, sung at a victory celebration. You might hear an encomium at a retirement party, after you publish a fabulous book, or even at a funeral (a eulogy, or speech at a funeral about the person who died, is a kind of encomium). It's pronounced with a long O, *en-CO-mium*.

Question 314

Endorse

Answer 314

Endorse ## Footnote be behind; approve of - **[v]**sign as evidence of legal transfer - **[v]** **endorse** a new project "**endorse** cheques" To *endorse* is to give support to someone or something. "I *endorse* this!" means "I think this is a good thing, and so should you." People endorse in many ways. When someone endorses a politician, it means "You should vote for this person, and I'm putting my reputation on the line to say so." When someone endorses a product in a commercial, it means "Go buy this! You'll like it." To *endorse* is to give support. You can also endorse a check, which means writing your name or someone else's on the back so that you or the other person can cash or deposit it.

Question 315

Enduring

Answer 315

Enduring ## Footnote unceasing - **[adj]**patiently bearing continual wrongs or trouble - **[adj]** an **enduring** disposition Many people have an *enduring* love for ice cream, that is, they have loved it for a long time and will continue to love it into the future. *Enduring* means long-lasting. *Enduring* has roots that go back about 1,500 years to the Late Latin period. It is quite an enduring word! The original root meant hard, so your enduring friendship or your enduring interest in sports is solid enough to stand the test of time. Besides meaning long-lasting, *enduring* sometimes means long-suffering as when someone has an enduring disposition, but this meaning is found in the verb more than in the adjective.

Question 316

Enervate

Answer 316

Enervate ## Footnote weaken mentally or morally - **[v]**disturb the composure of - **[v]** When you *enervate* something, you disturb it, possibly weakening it mentally or morally. Perhaps knowing that its gambling and nightlife has been known to *enervate* some visitors, a certain desert city's slogan is a promise to keep their antics a secret. The verb *enervate* can mean "to faze or unnerve," like public speaking, which is known to enervate many people, or "make weak," like crazy bargains that enervate holiday shoppers. Don't confuse *enervate* with *innervate*. The words are antonyms: something that *enervates* saps your energy, while something that *innervates* stimulates, or gives you energy.

Question 317

Enfranchise

Answer 317

Enfranchise ## Footnote grant freedom to; as from slavery or servitude - **[v]**grant voting rights - **[v]** Slaves were **enfranchised** in the mid-19th century The verb *enfranchise* is used when a group of people are given voting rights or freedoms they didn't have before. Many people under the age of 18 would like lawmakers to *enfranchise* their peer group so they can vote. *Enfranchise* traces back to the Old French word *enfranchiss*, a combination of *en-*, meaning "make, put in," and *enfranchir*, meaning "to set or make free." In the 1680s, *enfranchise* came to mean "to admit to membership in a state," something that usually came with the right to vote. You may know the word *disenfranchised*, an adjective that describes people who lack rights or liberties. To enfranchise is to give or restore rights to the disenfranchised.

Question 318

Engender

Answer 318

Engender ## Footnote make children - **[v]**call forth - **[v]** *Engender* is a fancy way of saying "to make happen," like when you *engender* the spirit of teamwork and cooperation by encouraging others and doing your share of the group's work. The verb *engender* has nothing to do with being male or female, though originally, it did mean "beget, procreate." Today, *engender* means "to produce or bring about." When students come to class prepared, meaning they've read their assignment, this engenders better class discussions, just as mutual trust and the desire to help each other engenders a meaningful friendship.

Question 319

Enhance

Answer 319

Enhance ## Footnote increase - **[v]**make better or more attractive - **[v]** This will **enhance** your enjoyment "This sauce will **enhance** the flavor of the meat" Many people use the expression "enhance your chance" to point out ways to increase your chances of winning or earning a contest or prize. When you *enhance* something, you heighten it or make it better. Hance is not a word, but the addition of "en-" does something to *enhance* it and improve its sound. You can enhance the size of something, too, by altering it or raising it, which is what the word original meant (the "hance" part came via French from Latin *altus*, meaning "high"). When you *enhance* something you take it to a higher level, like adding salt to French fries to enhance flavor or adding words to enhance your vocabulary.

Question 320

Enigma

Answer 320

Enigma ## Footnote something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained - **[n]**a difficult problem - **[n]** Take the noun, *enigma,* for something that is a puzzle or a mystery. Why do you have to learn difficult words like this? That is an *enigma*. Traveling to English from the Greek through the Latin words for "riddle," *enigma* refers to something or someone that is mysterious, puzzling or difficult to figure out. As a funny-sounding word with an interesting meaning, many things have been named enigma such as a rock band, a video game, a rollercoaster ride, and a very famous coding machine used in World War II.

Question 321

Enigmatic

Answer 321

Enigmatic ## Footnote not clear to the understanding - **[adj]**resembling an oracle in obscurity of thought - **[adj]** I didn't grasp the meaning of that **enigmatic** comment until much later "prophetic texts so **enigmatic** that their meaning has been disputed for centuries" "so **enigmatic** that priests might have to clarify it" Something that's *enigmatic* is tough to figure out. It's puzzling and even mysterious, like those weird secret college societies, Mona Lisa's smile or the New York Times crossword. It's no mystery where the adjective *enigmatic* comes from: It's rooted in the Greek word for riddle. Something that's enigmatic is obscure, unclear and not an easy nut to crack. Translating the Rosetta Stone, with its ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs and mysterious foreign writings, was certainly an enigmatic challenge for the archaeologists that found it.

Question 322

Ensconce

Answer 322

Ensconce ## Footnote fix firmly - **[v]** He **ensconced** himself in the chair If you *ensconce* yourself somewhere, you settle in for quite a while, such as when you're home with the flu and *ensconce* yourself on the couch with the remote control, tissues, your phone, and a big glass of orange juice. *Ensconce* dates to the 1580s, when it literally meant "to cover with a fort." It isn't quite clear whether the word can be traced to French or Dutch, which has a word *schans* that describes "earthwork." Today, you don't need a protective structure like a fort in order to be ensconced, but the idea of being surrounded is key to the word's meaning.

Question 323

Epaulet

Answer 323

Epaulet ## Footnote adornment consisting of an ornamental cloth pad worn on the shoulder - **[n]** An *epaulet* is a decoration that is attached to the shoulders of a uniform. If you are a guard at Buckingham Palace, you have pretty nice *epaulets* on your uniform, but they aren’t as amazing as that hat. The noun *epaulet* comes from the Late Latin meaning of *spatula*, "shoulder blade." Any fancy extras attached on the exterior shoulders of a garment can be called an epaulet. Epaulets often have gold braided embroidery. Or stars. Some have fringe. The epaulets on the uniforms of airline pilots have four rows of braids, which distinguishes them as a higher rank than co-pilots, who wear three braids.

Question 324

Ephemeral

Answer 324

Ephemeral ## Footnote anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day in its winged form - **[n]**lasting a very short time - **[adj]** the **ephemeral** joys of childhood Something that is fleeting or short-lived is *ephemeral*, like a fly that lives for one day or text messages flitting from cellphone to cellphone. *Ephemeral* (ə-FEM-ər-əl) was originally a medical term with the specific meaning "lasting only one day," as a fever or sickness (*Hemera* means "day" in Greek.) The word became more general, coming to mean "lasting a short time," covering the life spans of plants or insects and then eventually anything that is fleeting or transitory. A related word is the plural noun *ephemera*, meaning "things that are meant to last for only a short time." Posters for a rock concert are often ephemera, unless the band is so famous that they get saved and sold on eBay.

Question 325

Epicure

Answer 325

Epicure ## Footnote a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment (especially good food and drink) - **[n]** We call a person who truly loves food—food at the highest levels—an *epicure*. Occasionally, you might find the word *epicure* used for a person who loves something else, but an *epicure* is usually someone who delights in fine food. Epicurus was the Greek philosopher whom we credit with thinking the most about cooking and food. So any time you see the word *epicure*, remember that that person follows the philosopher Epicurus and therefore loves food. Being an epicure ain't cheap. Most fine restaurants these days will charge you an arm and a leg for a meal good enough to satisfy a real epicure: a good bottle of wine alone could cost the choosy epicure a couple of Benjamins ($100 bills).

Question 326

Epigram

Answer 326

Epigram ## Footnote a witty saying - **[n]** An *epigram* is a short, clever remark. One of Oscar Wilde's many memorable *epigrams* is "I can resist everything but temptation." *Epigram* comes from the Latin word *epigramma*, which means "an inscription." If you've ever seen an inscription on, say, the back of a watch, you know the writing has to be brief. It won't surprise you, then, that epigrams are very short poems, sayings, or famous quotations, like Benjamin Franklin's "Little strokes fell great oaks," a memorable reminder to keep working toward big goals or to pay attention to little details, the opposite of an epigram from our era: "Don't sweat the small stuff."

Question 327

Epithet

Answer 327

Epithet ## Footnote descriptive word or phrase - **[n]**a defamatory or abusive word or phrase - **[n]** The noun *epithet* is a descriptive nickname, such as "Richard the Lionhearted," or "Tommy the Terrible." When it takes a turn for the worse, it can also be a word or phrase that offends. Don’t let *epithet’s* bad reputation fool you — that’s only half the story. An epithet can be harmless, a nickname that catches on, like all hockey fans knowing that "Sid the Kid" is Sidney Crosby. On the flip side, an epithet can be an abusive word or phrase that should never be used, like a racial epithet that offends and angers everyone.

Question 328

Equivocal

Answer 328

Equivocal ## Footnote open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead - **[adj]**uncertain as a sign or indication - **[adj]**open to question - **[adj]** an **equivocal** statement "the officer's **equivocal** behavior increased the victim's uneasiness" "popularity is an **equivocal** crown" Try to remember that uncertain means *equivocal* and certain means *unequivocal.* That's a tricky movement the *un-* is making, and a lot of people get stumped. From the Latin *aequus* 'equal, the same' + *vocare* "to call," *equivocal* describes when something is too close to call. Whose hand first touched the last brownie on the plate? We asked everyone but the answers were *equivocal*.

Question 329

Equivocate

Answer 329

Equivocate ## Footnote be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information - **[v]** When you are unwilling to make a decision and almost intentionally go back and forth between two choices, you are *equivocating*. When politicians *equivocate*, they are often afraid of upsetting, and thus alienating, voters with their decisions. A key part of *equivocate* is the root *vocate* which come from the Latin *vocare* or "voice." When you give your voice to two opposing views in order to mislead or keep your options open, you're equivocating. Think of the expression, to talk out of both sides of your mouth. If you want to go to a party and your parents keep saying "maybe, it depends," tell them to stop equivocating and give you a straight answer.

Question 330

Errant

Answer 330

Errant ## Footnote straying from the right course or from accepted standards - **[adj]**uncontrolled motion that is irregular or unpredictable - **[adj]** **errant** youngsters "an **errant** breeze" Something or someone described as *errant* has gone astray or done wrong by going in an unexpected direction. An *errant* bird might end up in northern Canada while his friends fly to southern Mexico for the winter. Although *errant* is commonly used as a synonym for "misbehaving" or "naughty," it also refers to things that are just out of place. An errant bomb can hit a house instead of an army base, and an errant lock of hair can get in your eyes. *Errant* can be intentional, as in "the *errant* boys skipped school to go to the movies," or unintentional, as in "an *errant* snowball hit your neighbor instead of your arch enemy."

Question 331

Erratic

Answer 331

Erratic ## Footnote liable to sudden unpredictable change - **[adj]**likely to perform unpredictably - **[adj]**having no fixed course - **[adj]** **erratic** behavior "**erratic** winds are the bane of a sailor" "an **erratic** comet" The adjective *erratic* describes things that are unpredictable, unusual, and that deviate from the norm. An *erratic* quarterback might completely confuse his receivers waiting for a pass. Like its linguistic relative, *error*, the adjective *erratic* means "deviating from the norm," or "wrong." It also implies behavior or qualities that are unpredictable or odd. The word comes from the Latin verb *errare*, or "to wander" off course. In the field of geology, a rock that is *erratic* is unlike others in its environment because it has been transported by glacial activity. Likewise, someone driving a car that veers out of its lane is said to be driving *erratically*.

Question 332

Eschew

Answer 332

Eschew ## Footnote avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of - **[v]** If you *eschew* something, you deliberately avoid it. If you live the bohemian life in the city, then most likely you *eschew* the suburbs. *Eschew* comes from a word meaning dread, or shun. So to *eschew* something isn’t simply to avoid it, the way you would avoid walking in a puddle––it's stronger than that. You *eschew* things that you find morally or aesthetically wrong, or that you have chosen to find wrong. A dieter might *eschew* a chocolate sundae, not because he doesn’t like it, but because he’s afraid of what it will do to his waistline.

Question 333

Esoteric

Answer 333

Esoteric ## Footnote confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle - **[adj]** a compilation of **esoteric** philosophical theories Pssst... do you know the secret handshake? If you haven't been brought into the inner circle of those with special knowledge, *esoteric* things will remain a mystery to you. In the olden days, achieving *esoteric* knowledge meant getting initiated into the mystical arts, learning secrets unknown to regular folks. Now when a subject is called *esoteric* it's usually something not so mystical but still hard to penetrate: financial accounting might seem esoteric for people who get easily stumped filling out their tax forms. Americans might find the sport of cricket to be esoteric, but the rules of baseball can be just as impenetrable to outsiders. The infield fly rule? Totally esoteric.

Question 334

Espouse

Answer 334

Espouse ## Footnote choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans - **[v]**take in marriage - **[v]** The candidate **espouses** Republican ideals Use the verb *espouse* to describe the actions of someone who lives according to specific beliefs, such as your friends who *espouse* environmentalism and as a result walk whenever possible instead of taking the car. You can see the word *spouse* in *espouse*, so you may be wondering what husbands and wives have to do with it. Originally *espouse* did mean "to marry," but its meaning has evolved to include other long-term commitments as well, such as support for a principle or a cause. Similar to marriage, if you espouse a belief system, the idea is that you've chosen to wed yourself to it.

Question 335

Etymology

Answer 335

Etymology ## Footnote a history of a word - **[n]**the study of the sources and development of words - **[n]** Since you're reading this, then you probably have some interest in *etymology*, because it's the study of the history and derivations of words. What *genealogy* is to a family, *etymology* is to words. A genealogist studies the history of a family. A person who studies etymology does the same thing with words. Etymology looks at the roots of words — for example, whether they started out as Latin, Greek, or as some other language — and how they took on their current meaning. When you learn that the *-logy* part of *etymology* almost always means "the study of," that is, in itself, etymology.

Question 336

Eulogy

Answer 336

Eulogy ## Footnote a formal expression of praise for someone who has died recently - **[n]**a formal expression of praise - **[n]** At every funeral, there comes a moment when someone who knew the dead person speaks about their life. They are delivering what is known as a *eulogy*. A *eulogy* is a formal speech that praises a person who has died. Usually a eulogy makes the dead person sound a lot more impressive than they really were. A couple of less common synonyms for this kind of "praise the dead" speech are *panegyric* and *encomium*. Sometimes the dead person was so unimpressive that there's nothing nice to say. And sometimes they were so awful that the only appropriate speech is a *dyslogy* that describes their faults and failings.

Question 337

Euphemism

Answer 337

Euphemism ## Footnote an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harsh - **[n]** Pardon me, but when a polite term is substituted for a blunt, offensive one, you should call it a *euphemism*. *Euphemism* is from Greek *euphemismos*, meaning "good speech," and it's a way that we paper over uncomfortable things with more pleasant-sounding words. These days we tend to use euphemisms when talking about anything having to do with elimination of bodily waste: *toilet*, *bathroom*, and *water closet* were all originally euphemisms. The military is also notorious for using euphemisms, like saying "neutralizing the target" instead of "killing someone."

Question 338

Euphony

Answer 338

Euphony ## Footnote any agreeable (pleasing and harmonious) sounds - **[n]** Shakespeare's language is a good example of *euphony*: pleasant, musical sounds in harmony, as with "To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow / Creeps in this petty pace from day to day." Use *euphony* to describe music or poetry. To understand it, break it down: *eu-* means good; *phon-* means sound or voice. Of course, just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, euphony is in the ear of the listener — it's subjective. Kids and their parents rarely find euphony in the same song.

Question 339

Evanescent

Answer 339

Evanescent ## Footnote tending to vanish like vapor - **[adj]** **evanescent** beauty A beautiful sunset, a rainbow, a wonderful dream right before your alarm clock goes off — all of these could be described as *evanescent*, which means "fleeting" or "temporary." *Evanescent* comes from the Latin *ex*, meaning "out of," and *vanescere*, meaning "to vanish." When pronouncing this word, emphasize the third syllable and note that the *c* is silent. You might want to practice saying *evanescent* a few times right now; if you stumble over pronunciation when you need this word the most, whatever you’re describing — be it a shooting star or a whiff of fragrant perfume — will be gone.

Question 340

Exacerbate

Answer 340

Exacerbate ## Footnote make worse - **[v]**exasperate or irritate - **[v]** For a formal-sounding verb that means to make worse, try *exacerbate*. If you're in trouble, complaining about it will only *exacerbate* the problem. *Exacerbate* is related to the adjective *acrid*, often used to describe sharp-smelling smoke. Think of *exacerbate* then as a sharp or bitter thing that makes something worse. A drought will exacerbate a country's food shortage. *Worsen*, *intensify*, *aggravate* and *compound* are similar, but *exacerbate* has the sense of an irritant being added in to make something bad even worse.

Question 341

Exceptionable

Answer 341

Exceptionable ## Footnote liable to objection or debate; used of something one might take exception to - **[adj]** a thoroughly unpleasant highly **exceptionable** piece of writing If something is *exceptionable*, someone is bound to find something wrong with it. Be careful not to confuse *exceptionable* with *exceptional,* which means something remarkable and particularly unusual, or with *unexceptionable,* which means the exact opposite of *exceptionable* — something quite ordinary and hardly to be noticed. "Puppies are cute" is about as unexceptionable a sentence as you are likely to find. Unless you're a puppy hater, of course.

Question 342

Exculpate

Answer 342

Exculpate ## Footnote pronounce not guilty of criminal charges - **[v]** To *exculpate* means to find someone not guilty of criminal charges. If you've been wrongly convicted of robbery, you better hope a judge will *exculpate* you, unless you want to go to jail because you've heard prison food is amazing. *Exculpate* comes from two Latin words: *ex-*, meaning "from," and *culpa*, meaning "blame." *Exculpate* is similar in meaning to *exonerate*. When you exonerate someone, you clear a person of an accusation and any suspicion that goes along with it. *Exculpate* usually refers more directly to clearing the charges against someone. So if that judge exculpates you from the robbery charge, everyone in town might still think you did it. Get him to exculpate and exonerate you.

Question 343

Execrable

Answer 343

Execrable ## Footnote unequivocally detestable - **[adj]**of very poor quality or condition - **[adj]**deserving a curse - **[adj]** **execrable** crimes If something's *execrable* it's really and truly, unbelievably, absolutely the worst. *Execrable* is often used as a harshly critical term in the arts, when a reviewer really wants to throw the book at something. Not surprisingly, the word comes from a Latin word meaning "to utter a curse; to hate or abhor." Tough words for bad art. Perhaps part of the power and nastiness of *execrable* lies in the word's similarity to *excrement* — but that's a vocabulary word we're not touching in this entry!

Question 344

Exegesis

Answer 344

Exegesis ## Footnote an explanation or critical interpretation (especially of the Bible) - **[n]** If your teacher gives an explanation of a difficult text you are reading, she is giving you an *exegesis* on it. An *exegesis* is a critical look at a text. *Exegesis* comes from the Greek word for interpret and it's often used in connection with the Bible. Often times, religious rules are based on an exegesis of a text. For instance, some Jewish people do not eat meat and dairy in the same meal based on an exegesis of a law in the Torah that says you should not eat a calf cooked in its mother's milk.

Question 345

Exemplary

Answer 345

Exemplary ## Footnote worthy of imitation - **[adj]**being or serving as an illustration of a type - **[adj]**serving to warn - **[adj]** **exemplary** behavior "an action **exemplary** of his conduct" "an **exemplary** jail sentence" *Exemplary* people excel at what they do and are excellent examples to others. Something *exemplary* is so good that it is an example for others to follow. When something is the best it can be or reaches the highest point, it is exemplary and thus worth imitating. *Exemplary* comes from the Latin *exemplum,* meaning "sample" or "example." While some people and things are held as examples of what *not* to do, an exemplary person or thing is always a positive example. A country can have an exemplary record of preventing pollution, and a person may have an exemplary reputation just for being all-around praiseworthy or noble.

Question 346

Exemplify

Answer 346

Exemplify ## Footnote be characteristic of - **[v]**clarify by giving an example of - **[v]** This compositional style is **exemplified** by this fugue If you *exemplify* something, you're the perfect example of it. Say you wear frilly shirts, knee-high boots, and black eye-make-up — you *exemplify* the fashion world's obsession with pirates. Exemplifying something can also mean make it clearer by offering an illustration or an example. If you want to exemplify your argument that, say, pirate gear is fashionable, you might want to show your friends some pictures of celebrities wearing eye patches.

Question 347

Exigency

Answer 347

Exigency ## Footnote a pressing or urgent situation - **[n]**a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action - **[n]** the health-care **exigency** Think of a mix of excitement and emergency, and you have *exigency*, a sudden, urgent crisis. The very word conjures up danger and intrigue that demand a cool head and an immediate effort at a solution. The meaning of *exigency* is obvious from its source, the Latin noun *exigentia*, which means "urgency" and comes from the verb *exigere*, meaning "to demand or require." An emergency situation, or exigency, is urgent and demands immediate action. Our lives are filled with exigencies, both large and small, from a child stuck in a tree to lightning striking your house to catastrophic river flooding. Each is an exigency — it's all a matter of perspective.

Question 348

Expatiate

Answer 348

Expatiate ## Footnote add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing - **[v]** The verb *expatiate* means "to add details to in order to clear up." If your story is confusing to everyone who hears it, certain key parts must be missing. Better *expatiate* so that people can understand it. To pronounce *expatiate* correctly, accent the second syllable: "ex-PAY-she-ate." When you expatiate, you add details, usually to something you are writing. The goal is to make your ideas clearer to readers, perhaps by offering an example to help them understand. Teachers can tell when you are expatiating and when you are just adding to what you've written, say, reach a certain length requirement. That's usually called "padding."

Question 349

Expatriate

Answer 349

Expatriate ## Footnote a person who is voluntarily absent from home or country - **[n]**expel from a country - **[v]**move away from one's native country and adopt a new residence abroad - **[v]** American **expatriates** An *expatriate* is someone who lives in another country by choice. If you leave your split-level ranch in Ohio and move to a writers' commune in Paris for good, you've become an *expatriate*. *Expatriate* can also be a verb, so that American in Paris has *expatriated*. There was a scene of *expatriates*, or *expats*, living in Paris in the roaring '20s that included writers like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Gertrude Stein. The word used to mean to get kicked out of your native country — it's from the French word *expatrier* which means "banish." The prefix *ex* means "out of" and the Latin *patria* "one's native country," but the word took a turn and now refers to people who left without getting shoved out.

Question 350

Expedient

Answer 350

Expedient ## Footnote appropriate to a purpose; practical - **[adj]**serving to promote your interest - **[adj]**a means to an end; not necessarily a principled or ethical one - **[n]** in the circumstances it was **expedient** to express loyalty "was merciful only when mercy was **expedient**" The adjective *expedient* describes something that provides an easy way to achieve a goal or result, but it's not necessarily a moral solution. *Politically expedient* means something you do to advance yourself politically. Use *expedient* when you want to hint that a particular solution or strategy has certain benefits and advantages but is not completely fair. However, *expedient* can also be used to describe something practical for a particular purpose.

Question 351

Expedite

Answer 351

Expedite ## Footnote process fast and efficiently - **[v]**speed up the progress of; facilitate - **[v]** I will try to **expedite** the matter "This should **expedite** the process" To *expedite* something is to make it go faster or speed up the process. *Expediting* that package might get it to Alaska by tomorrow, instead of next Tuesday. If someone says, "Let me *expedite* the process," that's probably a good thing: they're offering to speed things up. If you've ever waited in line a long time, then you must have wished someone could expedite things. A driver can expedite his commute by going in the faster car-pool lane. Whenever there's a lot of paperwork for something, it's nice to know someone who can expedite the process. When you see the word *expedite*, think "Make faster!"

Question 352

Expiate

Answer 352

Expiate ## Footnote make amends for - **[v]** **expiate** one's sins In the fairy tale, the baker must *expiate* his father’s sins by bringing the witch three ingredients for a magic potion: a cow, a cape and a slipper. *Expiate* means to make amends or atone for a wrong you or someone else has committed. After the incident on the hill, a mortified Jill *expiated* her guilt by buying Jack a brand new crown. The shiny new crown served as compensation, or *expiation*, for the broken one. That it cost her so dearly made the *expiatory* gesture especially meaningful to poor Jack.

Question 353

Extant

Answer 353

Extant ## Footnote still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost - **[adj]** **extant** manuscripts ""specimens of graphic art found among **extant** barbaric folk"- Edward Clodd" Use the adjective *extant* to describe old things that are still around, like your *extant* diary from third grade or the only *extant* piece of pottery from certain craftspeople who lived hundreds of years ago. *Extant* is the opposite of *extinct*: it refers to things that are here — they haven't disappeared or been destroyed. Use *extant* to describe things that it may be surprising to learn are still around — you wouldn't say jeans you bought last year are extant, but a pair of jeans worn by Marilyn Monroe back in the 1950s? Definitely extant.

Question 354

Extirpate

Answer 354

Extirpate ## Footnote destroy completely, as if down to the roots - **[v]**surgically remove (an organ) - **[v]** The verb *extirpate* originally literally meant "to weed out by the roots." Now you'd use it when you want to get rid of something completely as if pulling it up by the root. Use the verb *extirpate* when you mean to destroy completely or get rid of completely. You can try to *extirpate* all the bedbugs that came home with you from your vacation, but you will probably be afraid that some resisted the exterminator to munch on you later.

Question 355

Extol

Answer 355

Extol ## Footnote praise, glorify, or honor - **[v]** **extol** the virtues of one's children If you have a crush on a guy who likes your best friend, it can be very depressing to listen to him *extol* your friend's virtues, while you just nod and smile. If you *extol* something, you praise it very highly. The Bible says: "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and *extol* and honor the King of heaven..." Nebuchadnezzar II was king of the second Babylonian Empire, the one who sent the Jews into exile. In some translations of the Bible, the word *honor* is replaced with *glorify*. *Praise, extol, honor, glorify* all mean about the same. The Bible often uses five words when one would be enough.

Question 356

Extraneous

Answer 356

Extraneous ## Footnote not belonging to that in which it is contained; introduced from an outside source - **[adj]**coming from the outside - **[adj]**not pertinent to the matter under consideration - **[adj]**not essential - **[adj]** water free of **extraneous** matter "**extraneous** light in the camera spoiled the photograph" "relying upon an **extraneous** income" *Extraneous* means coming from or belonging to the outside—*extraneous* noise is what you hear when you're in a theater and a train passes by, *extraneous* wires bring your cable connection into the house. In Latin, *extra* means outside, as in *extraordinary* "outside the ordinary," or *extraterrestrial* 'coming from outside earth.' (Bonus points––ding! ding!––if you knew that *terra* is Latin for "earth.") The meaning of *extraneous* also extends to more abstract things that come from the outside: extraneous details are ones that don't matter.

Question 357

Extrinsic

Answer 357

Extrinsic ## Footnote not forming an essential part of a thing or arising or originating from the outside - **[adj]** **extrinsic** evidence "an **extrinsic** feature of the new building" "that style is something **extrinsic** to the subject" Extrinsic means not connected to the essential nature of something. New cleats are *extrinsic* to making the soccer team. How you play is what gets you on the team, whether your cleats are old or new. If the *ex* in *extrinsic* makes you think of *external* or *extra* you’re on the right track––all these *ex* words are talking about something that is outside, or above and beyond. You often hear *extrinsic* paired with its opposite, *intrinsic*, which means part of something or someone's essential nature. If being sweet-tempered is intrinsic to your personality, you might not even know how to get mad.

Question 358

Facetious

Answer 358

Facetious ## Footnote cleverly amusing in tone - **[adj]** **facetious** remarks Someone who is *facetious* is only joking: "I was being *facetious* when I told my mother I want Brussels sprouts with every meal, but she took me seriously!" *Facetious* is a useful word to describe something that's humorous, or meant to be humorous. If a joke falls flat, then you can back off from it by saying you're only being facetious. There are limits to this use of the word: if you stage an elaborate prank on your friend, making him run out into the street in his underwear because he thinks his house is on fire, calling the joke *facetious* will probably earn you a punch in the face.

Question 359

Fallacious

Answer 359

Fallacious ## Footnote containing or based on a fallacy - **[adj]**based on an incorrect or misleading notion or information - **[adj]**intended to deceive - **[adj]** **fallacious** reasoning "**fallacious** hope" "**fallacious** testimony" Something *fallacious* is a mistake that comes from too little information or unsound sources. Predictions that the whole state of California will snap off from the rest of North America and float away have proven to be *fallacious* — for now, anyway. *Fallacious* comes ultimately from the Latin *fallax,* "deceptive." The word *fallacious* might describe an intentional deception or a false conclusion coming from bad science or incomplete understanding. "Her assumption that anyone that old — over 20 — could understand her tween dilemma was *fallacious*; her sister had been young once too."

Question 360

Fallible

Answer 360

Fallible ## Footnote wanting in moral strength, courage, or will; having the attributes of man as opposed to e.g. divine beings - **[adj]**likely to fail or make errors - **[adj]** I'm only a **fallible** human "everyone is **fallible** to some degree" As humans we are all *fallible*, because *fallible* means likely to make errors or fail. Nobody's perfect, after all. Fall down on the job and you're *fallible*. It's a forgiving way to say you screwed up. If a scientific experiment's data is *fallible*, that means you can't trust the numbers. More than just locking your keys in the car, *fallible* can allude to a lack of moral strength. If in addition to locking your keys in the car, you kissed your best friend's husband, you might try using "I'm *fallible*" as your defense.

Question 361

Fallow

Answer 361

Fallow ## Footnote left unplowed and unseeded during a growing season - **[adj]**undeveloped but potentially useful - **[adj]**cultivated land that is not seeded for one or more growing seasons - **[n]** **fallow** farmland "a **fallow** gold market" Something that is *fallow* is left unused. If you’re smart but lazy, someone might say you have a *fallow* mind. We use the word to talk about any unused resource, it started as a work about land. *Fallow* comes from the old English word for plowing, and refers to the practice of leaving fields unplowed in rotation––when a field lies fallow, the soil regains nutrients that are sucked up by over-planting.

Question 362

Falter

Answer 362

Falter ## Footnote move hesitatingly, as if about to give way - **[v]**be unsure or weak - **[v]** The speaker **faltered** when he saw his opponent enter the room "Their enthusiasm is **faltering**" *Falter* means to hesitate, stumble, or waver, and everything from faith to voices can do it. So if you want to keep your bride or groom happy, it's best not to *falter* when it's your turn to say "I do." Experts may falter if you ask them where *falter* came from, because the origins are pretty unclear. But everyone agrees on the current meaning: someone who falters is unsteady, wobbly, or unsure. You might falter while reciting a poem if you forget some of the lines, or falter crossing a rickety rope bridge when fear gets the most of you. But you certainly won't falter when someone asks you the meaning of this word.

Question 363

Fanaticism

Answer 363

Fanaticism ## Footnote excessive intolerance of opposing views - **[n]** * Fanaticism* occurs when someone is unwilling or unable to accept a differing point of view. You can use the word to describe the endless war between fans of the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. * Fanaticism* come from the Latin word *fanaticus*, a word with a meaning that includes the word *mad* — in both senses. If you're mad, you might be angry — or you might be insane. Fanaticism involves both kinds of madness. Anger at those who disagree with you, taken so far that there's a desire to stop or even harm the dissenters? That's madness — and also fanaticism.

Question 364

Fastidious

Answer 364

Fastidious ## Footnote giving careful attention to detail; hard to please; excessively concerned with cleanliness - **[adj]**having complicated nutritional requirements; especially growing only in special artificial cultures - **[adj]** a **fastidious** and incisive intellect "**fastidious** about personal cleanliness" "**fastidious** microorganisms" If you want to describe a person who insists on perfection or pays much attention to food, clothing and cleanliness, the right word is *fastidious.* *Fastidious* is a funny-sounding adjective from the Latin *fastidium* "loathing" that has several equally strange-sounding synonyms — persnickety, fussbudgety, finicky and punctilious. Fussy and hard to please will also do the trick. *Fastidious* is occasionally used as a compliment to describe someone whose attention to detail gives them good organizing abilities, but it is usually used as a disapproving term.

Question 365

Fatuous

Answer 365

Fatuous ## Footnote devoid of intelligence - **[adj]** * Fatuous* means lacking intelligence. When your mother outlaws calling your brother stupid, use *fatuous* instead. * Fatuous* derives from the Latin *fatuus* meaning "foolish." It sounds like it should have something to do with being fat, but it actually has no relation to size. Back in Old English times, when the word *fat* was emerging, food was a lot more scarce than it is today, and the word *fat* meant simply plump or well-fed. Times have changed, and now that we have more food than we know what to do with, fat people are thought to lack self control, which makes them seem foolish, or even fatuous, which is hardly the case.

Question 366

Feasible

Answer 366

Feasible ## Footnote capable of being done with means at hand and circumstances as they are - **[adj]** If something is *feasible*, then you can do it without too much difficulty. When someone asks "Is it *feasible*?" the person is asking if you'll be able to get something done. Feasible things are possible. If you have enough time, money, or energy to do something, it's feasible. Something might be feasible at one time and then not feasible at another time. Because of technological advances and competition with the Russians, going to the moon was feasible for the United States in the sixties. Often, people disagree about what's feasible, especially in politics, where how feasible a project is counts for a lot.

Question 367

Feint

Answer 367

Feint ## Footnote any distracting or deceptive maneuver (as a mock attack) - **[n]**deceive by a mock action - **[v]** The midfielder **feinted** to shoot Did you ever tell your parents you were going off to school, grabbed your book bag, and headed out the door... only to spend the rest of the day hanging out with your friends? Well, that was a *feint,* a super sneaky move designed to fool someone. Although military and political tactics are big on feints, their most common use is probably in sports — particularly boxing, where opponents are continually trying to fake each other out. As in Dundee's account of an Ali-Frazier match: "Ali feinted with a jab, and Frazier threw one of his own, missing." Not to be confused with *faint,* meaning "weak or feeble." However, a feint can be deliberately faint, as Ali knew and Frazier found out when the real right hook made contact.

Question 368

Felicitous

Answer 368

Felicitous ## Footnote exhibiting an agreeably appropriate manner or style - **[adj]**marked by good fortune - **[adj]** a **felicitous** speaker "a **felicitous** life" * Felicitous* describes something that's really pleasant. If someone behaves in a *felicitous* manner, she's being agreeable and appropriate. You know, the way you should behave when your great aunt offers you those stale candies. * Felicitous* also describes something that's happy or lucky. When you plan a trip to the amusement park and it turns out that the sun is shining, that’s felicitous. If you need to mail a package by a certain date and you make it to the post office just in time, that’s also felicitous. *Felicitous* can also describe something that's well chosen. Planning an outdoor wedding for the dead of winter would not be felicitous.

Question 369

Fervent

Answer 369

Fervent ## Footnote characterized by intense emotion - **[adj]**extremely hot - **[adj]** a **fervent** desire to change society "a **fervent** admirer" ""the **fervent** heat...merely communicated a genial warmth to their half-torpid systems"- Nathaniel Hawthorne" Use *fervent* to describe a person or thing that shows very strong feelings or enthusiasm. If you have a *fervent* desire to become an actress, you'll stop at nothing to realize your dream. The adjective *fervent* and the noun *fervor* are often associated with the feelings aroused by patriotism, religion, or a belief that you support or oppose. A near synonym for the adjective is *ardent*. *Fervent* is from Middle English, from Old French, from the Latin verb *fervēre* "to boil, glow."

Question 370

Fervid

Answer 370

Fervid ## Footnote characterized by intense emotion - **[adj]**extremely hot - **[adj]** set out...when the **fervid** heat subsides"- Frances Trollope" *Fervid* can be used to describe something that is physically hot such as "a *fervid* day in August," but it is more often used to describe heated emotions like anger, love, or desire. When passions and emotions run wild, you should expect to hear some fervid language thrown about. The adjective *fervid* comes from the Latin *fervidus* which means "glowing, burning, or boiling." It is often used like the word *fiery*. You might hear a politician deliver a "*fervid* speech" if he or she is particularly worked up over an issue.

Question 371

Fervor

Answer 371

Fervor ## Footnote feelings of great warmth and intensity - **[n]**the state of being emotionally aroused and worked up - **[n]** Use *fervor* to describe an intensity of emotion or expression. Fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers show so much *fervor* that they "bleed Dodger blue." This noun comes to us from Latin *fervere*, meaning "to boil, glow." In the English word *fervor*, the suffix *–or* means "a condition or property of something." There is another *–or* suffix that means "a person or thing that does the thing expressed by the verb." A corresponding adjective is *fervent*; synonyms of the noun and adjective are *ardor* and *ardent*.

Question 372

Fickle

Answer 372

Fickle ## Footnote liable to sudden unpredictable change - **[adj]**marked by erratic changeableness in affections or attachments - **[adj]** **fickle** weather "**fickle** friends" People who are *fickle* change their minds so much you can't rely on them. If your best friend suddenly decides that she doesn't like you one week, and then the next week she wants to hang out again, she's being *fickle*. *Fickle* comes from the Old English word *ficol*, for deceitful. We usually use *fickle* to talk about people, but it can also be used for abstract things that alternately favor you and abuse you, like the weather. If you win the lottery and then lose everything else in the world that's important to you, fate is being fickle.

Question 373

Filibuster

Answer 373

Filibuster ## Footnote (law) a tactic for delaying or obstructing legislation by making long speeches - **[n]**a legislator who gives long speeches in an effort to delay or obstruct legislation that he (or she) opposes - **[n]**obstruct deliberately by delaying - **[v]** As a verb, *filibuster* means "to obstruct legislation by talking at great length." As a noun, it can refer to that oppositional speech. "The Senator prevented a vote on the bill by reading the dictionary from *aardvark* to *zyzzyva*." As a parliamentary tactic, the *filibuster* dates back to at least the first century B.C.E. The rules of the Roman Senate required that all business must be completed by nightfall, and, on more than one occasion, the senator Cato the Younger spoke until dark to delay a vote. In the Parliament of the United Kingdom, a minister may "talk out" a bill, but his speech must pertain to the bill. In the United States, by contrast, a Senator may forestall action on a bill by speaking on any topic.

Question 374

Finesse

Answer 374

Finesse ## Footnote subtly skillful handling of a situation - **[n]** Having *finesse* means you can handle difficult situations with diplomacy and tact, like the *finesse* it takes to help two friends work out their differences — without taking sides or alienating either one. Finesse is having grace under pressure. It's handling the rantings of an angry customer with a smile and a calm tone. Someone who has finesse says the right thing at the right time — or knows when to say nothing at all. *Finesse* looks like *fineness* and in fact comes from the Middle French word that means exactly that — delicate in nature. People with finesse can handle anything — with a delicate approach that really works.

Question 375

Fitful

Answer 375

Fitful ## Footnote occurring in spells and often abruptly - **[adj]**intermittently stopping and starting - **[adj]** **fitful** bursts of energy "**fitful** (or interrupted) sleep" An adjective that sounds a little like what it means, *fitful* means stopping and starting, on-again off-again, switching suddenly. I had a *fitful* night's sleep: I woke up several times throughout the night. A fit is a disturbance that happens without warning, like a tantrum, tremor, or spasm. If something is fitful, it's "full of fits." A night at the opera is a night of fitful pleasures: the arias are cool, but the rest of the show is boring. I've made only fitful progress trying to lose weight, because I lose only a few pounds at a time, and they almost always come right back: my progress is fitful because it comes in "fits and starts."

Question 376

Flagrant

Answer 376

Flagrant ## Footnote conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible - **[adj]** **flagrant** violation of human rights Something *flagrant* is bad — so bad you can't ignore it. A *flagrant* foul in sports might send you to the bench, and a *flagrant* violation of the law might send you to the slammer. The current meaning of the adjective *flagrant* — "obviously offensive or disgraceful" — is thought to derive from the Latin legal term *in flagrante delicto*, which literally meant "with fire still blazing" and is used figuratively to describe a situation in which the criminal is caught red handed. Aside from a flagrant abuse of the law, the word can also be used to describe anything that is obviously bad — like flagrant bad taste or flagrant abuse of the rules of grammar.

Question 377

Flail

Answer 377

Flail ## Footnote an implement consisting of handle with a free swinging stick at the end; used in manual threshing - **[n]**move like a flail; thresh about - **[v]**give a thrashing to; beat hard - **[v]** Her arms were **flailing** To *flail* means to wave around wildly. If you are stranded on a deserted island and you see a ship in the distance, it’s a good idea to *flail* your arms in the air to get the captain’s attention. *Flail* originates with the Latin word *flagellum*, which is a whip. It is also related to the noun *flail*, a stick with a swinging attachment to it, used to thresh grain. As a verb, it most often refers to arms, but can also involve the whole body, especially if someone is a very wild dancer. Other things can flail as well. If someone admits that his business is flailing, it’s probably lacking direction and not doing very well.

Question 378

Flamboyant

Answer 378

Flamboyant ## Footnote marked by ostentation but often tasteless - **[adj]**showy tropical tree or shrub native to Madagascar; widely planted in tropical regions for its immense racemes of scarlet and orange flowers; sometimes placed in genus Poinciana - **[n]** **flamboyant** handwriting *Flamboyant* means elaborate and ostentatious. When you think of *flamboyant,* think of Las Vegas showgirls: feathers, sequins, three-inch heels, enough make-up to disguise any irregularity. Flamboyant means showy, and though we often roll our eyes at it, it's not a hateful thing. Liberace was flamboyant. So was Elvis. The word comes from the French *flamboyer,* to flame. Think of passion and pageantry all rolled into one, and you'll have a good idea what *flamboyant* should mean at its best. If that doesn't do it for you, think of a man playing a shiny white grand piano at a rock concert, wearing a white satin jump suit and 8-foot wide, fully-feathered wings. See? Flamboyant.

Question 379

Flaunt

Answer 379

Flaunt ## Footnote display proudly; act ostentatiously or pretentiously - **[v]**the act of displaying something ostentatiously - **[n]** his behavior was an outrageous **flaunt** *Flaunt* is "to display proudly or show off," like when you *flaunt* your new Italian leather jacket by wearing it to the beach and pretending you're cold to make sure everyone sees it. Although we love it when a peacock *flaunts* his colorful feathers, when a person does the same thing we feel bad. *Flaunt* is like bragging, which can bum people out because they don't have whatever you're showing off, like that cool jacket. When rich people *flaunt* their wealth by speeding past you in their limo, they may as well splash a mud puddle on your white clothes. Leave the flaunting for peacocks and stars in bad reality TV shows.

Question 380

Flippant

Answer 380

Flippant ## Footnote showing inappropriate levity - **[adj]** When a parent scolds a teenager for missing a curfew or blowing off a test and the teen snaps back, "Whatever," you could say the teen is being *flippant*. His reply was casual to the point of sarcasm and disrespect. When it first showed up in the English language around the 17th century, *flippant* meant glib and talkative. But over the years it has developed a more negative connotation. Today *flippant* is used to describe a blasé attitude or comment in a situation that calls for seriousness. Make a flippant comment about your friend's mother and the odds are good that they'll be offended.

Question 381

Flout

Answer 381

Flout ## Footnote treat with contemptuous disregard - **[v]**laugh at with contempt and derision - **[v]** **flout** the rules To *flout* is to scorn or show contempt for. "I *flout* the law and the concept of civilian safety by making a concerted effort to jaywalk every time I cross a street." Oddly enough, when *flout* came into existence in the 1550s, it had a much different sense to it than it does now; it's believed that it evolved from the Middle English *flowten* "to play the flute." As a verb, it means to scorn, as in, for example, to scorn a law, person, or social norm by defying it. As a noun, it is a contemptuous remark or insult. Wrote William Shakespeare, "*Flout* 'em, and scout 'em; and scout 'em and *flout* 'em; Thought is free."

Question 382

Foible

Answer 382

Foible ## Footnote a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual - **[n]**the weaker part of a sword's blade from the forte to the tip - **[n]** If you repeat *foible* out loud enough times, it sounds so funny that you can laugh at it and maybe remember to laugh at the odd and distinctive weaknesses of others — the *foible* or two or a hundred that we all have. Sometimes a foible helps make a person who they are, even if the *foible,* or weakness ("feeble" is a close relative), is a little odd. Synonyms for *foible* in a negative sense are "failing," "shortcoming," and in a more positive sense "quirk," "eccentricity." It can likewise be annoying or endearing. Most people have a foible, or idiosyncrasy, that stands out to others, but interestingly, a person rarely sees his or her own characteristic foible.

Question 383

Foment

Answer 383

Foment ## Footnote try to stir up public opinion - **[v]**bathe with warm water or medicated lotions - **[v]** His legs should be **fomented** Stand outside the school cafeteria passing out flyers with nutritional details on school food, and you may *foment* a revolution––*foment* means stirring up something undesirable, such as trouble. You would never say, "Hooray, we *fomented* a revolution." Instead you'd say, "Those good for nothing scalawags fomented the rebellion." Don't confuse *foment* and *ferment*. *Ferment* can mean "to stir up" in a good way––a football game can ferment excitement in a town, or foment trouble through traffic tie-ups and litter.

Question 384

Foolhardy

Answer 384

Foolhardy ## Footnote marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences - **[adj]** **foolhardy** enough to try to seize the gun from the hijacker If you decide you are going to scale Mt. Everest next weekend without any training or experience, that would be a *foolhardy* decision. Use the adjective *foolhardy* when someone rushes into action without considering the consequences. *Foolhardy* is a combination of the noun *fool* and the adjective *hardy*, meaning "brave" or "bold." Put them together and you’ve got "foolishly brave." Someone who is foolhardy throws caution to the wind and takes reckless chances. A foolhardy mistake is typically the result of this kind of impulsive behavior. But *foolhardy* doesn’t always imply foolishness or stupidity; *foolhardy* can convey courage and romance, as in the case of a foolhardy passion or desire.

Question 385

Foppish

Answer 385

Foppish ## Footnote affecting extreme elegance in dress and manner - **[adj]** A man who is constantly checking out his outfit in the mirror might be *foppish*, or someone who loves dressing up in fancy clothes. For some reason, *foppish* is almost always used to describe men (not women), and that's why the word might make you think of an elegant suit, vest, and tie, and probably some over-the-top details like a flower in a buttonhole and a polka-dotted handkerchief. The word *foppish* also implies that this guy probably thinks he looks pretty good.

Question 386

Forensic

Answer 386

Forensic ## Footnote used or applied in the investigation and establishment of facts or evidence in a court of law - **[adj]**of, relating to, or used in public debate or argument - **[adj]** **forensic** photograph "**forensic** ballistics" The adjective *forensic* describes scientific methods used to investigate crimes. If you're looking for *forensic* evidence, you're using your scientific know-how to find proof that will help solve crimes. The adjective *forensic* comes from the Latin word *forensis*, meaning "in open court" or "public." When you describe something as forensic you usually mean that is has to do with finding evidence to solve a crime. It could also mean that it has to do with the courts or legal system. You could have a forensic advantage — meaning an advantage in court — if the forensic team — meaning the investigators — found no forensic evidence of you being involved.

Question 387

Fortitude

Answer 387

Fortitude ## Footnote strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage - **[n]** *Fortitude* refers to strength in the face of adversity or difficulty. Eating fried worms might require a lot of intestinal *fortitude*. When someone has *fortitude* it means that they have emotional power or reserves and the ability to withstand adversity. People who have *fortitude* are described in an admiring way for their courage and this word comes from the Latin word *fortitudo*, meaning "strength." Jacueline Bisset, someone who knows about beauty, said, "Character contributes to beauty. It fortifies a woman as her youth fades. A mode of conduct, a standard of courage, discipline, fortitude and integrity can do a great deal to make a woman beautiful."

Question 388

Fortuitous

Answer 388

Fortuitous ## Footnote occurring by happy chance - **[adj]**having no cause or apparent cause - **[adj]** profits were enhanced by a **fortuitous** drop in the cost of raw materials "**fortuitous** encounters--strange accidents of fortune" *Fortuitous* means by chance, like a lucky accident. If you and your best friend's families happen to go on vacation to the same place at the same time, that’s a *fortuitous* coincidence! Something fortuitous is random like an accident, but there’s no downside. A rock falling on your head is an accident, dollar bills falling on your head is fortuitous. The meaning of *fortuitous* is changing from "happening by chance" to "lucky chance" because people get it mixed up with *fortunate*. But watch out: If you say *fortuitous* to mean just plain lucky without the element of chance –– that's a usage error.

Question 389

Fracas

Answer 389

Fracas ## Footnote noisy quarrel - **[n]** If your marching band gets into a fight with another school's pep squad, your principal might say the *fracas* was uncalled for and undignified. A *fracas* is a noisy quarrel. *Fracas* comes from an Italian word meaning uproar or crash. Two people in a quiet little spat is not a fracas, but a schoolyard rumble definitely qualifies as one! Sometimes *fracas* means the large amount of outraged discussion that an event causes. Imagine the fracas if your school decided to ban sneakers!

Question 390

Fractious

Answer 390

Fractious ## Footnote easily irritated or annoyed - **[adj]**stubbornly resistant to authority or control - **[adj]**unpredictably difficult in operation; likely to be troublesome - **[adj]** an incorrigibly **fractious** young man "a **fractious** animal that would not submit to the harness" "rockets were much too **fractious** to be tested near thickly populated areas" If you're prone to picking fights, making snarky comments, and being frustratingly stubborn, you're *fractious*. And odds are you're not invited to too many parties. Someone who is *fractious* is cranky, rebellious and inclined to cause problems. Tempers and children are commonly described as such. In *To Kill A Mockingbird*, author Harper Lee uses the word to describe the trouble-making Calpurnia: "She had always been too hard on me, she had at last seen the error of her *fractious* ways, she was sorry and too stubborn to say so."

Question 391

Fraudulent

Answer 391

Fraudulent ## Footnote intended to deceive - **[adj]** a **fraudulent** scheme to escape paying taxes Something *fraudulent* is intentionally false and meant to harm or deceive. That email message from the Sultan of Brunei offering you millions of dollars just might be *fraudulent*. From the fact that the word *fraudulent* is frequently teamed with the word *scheme*, you can get the idea that something fraudulent is sneaky, snarky, and just plain wrong. A fraudulent scheme is one designed to gain something at the expense of someone else. It might be small — trying to use an expired coupon — or bigger — lying on your taxes. Whatever its form, planning something fraudulent is cheating, and it's wrong.

Question 392

Frieze

Answer 392

Frieze ## Footnote an architectural ornament consisting of a horizontal sculptured band between the architrave and the cornice - **[n]**a heavy woolen fabric with a long nap - **[n]** A *frieze* is a decorative band, usually, but not always, above a doorframe or on the wall near the ceiling. You may find a *frieze* of sculptured angels too formal for the trim of your bedroom wall. You might not think of a frieze in the same category as a painting or a statue, but it can be a true work of art. One famous frieze is painted in a large circle on the inside of the United States Capitol building; it shows famous events in American history. Another is at the Parthenon, a temple from ancient Greece. Don’t confuse *frieze* with the more common term *freeze*, though they are pronounced the same way.

Question 393

Frivolous

Answer 393

Frivolous ## Footnote not serious in content or attitude or behavior - **[adj]** a **frivolous** novel "a **frivolous** remark" "a **frivolous** young woman" *Frivolous* things are silly or unnecessary. If something is *frivolous*, then you don't need it. Frivolous things are goofy, useless, or just plain dumb. The word is often used to describe lawsuits. A frivolous lawsuit has no value and will be a waste of the court's time, like someone suing McDonald's for making the coffee too hot (which actually happened). If someone is frivolous, that person shouldn't be taken seriously because he's always fooling around and never gets anything done. *Frivolous* is pretty much the opposite of *essential*.

Question 394

Fulminate

Answer 394

Fulminate ## Footnote cause to explode violently and with loud noise - **[v]**a salt or ester of fulminic acid - **[n]** the disease **fulminated**"He **fulminated** against the Republicans' plan to cut Medicare" Watch a bomb *fulminate* or explode and hope you're under safe cover. Have your parents *fulminate* or blow up at you for coming home past curfew and hope you're not grounded for too long. The word fulminate is made up of the Latin root *fulmen* meaning "lightning flash." Look up at the sky during a violent thunderstorm and chances are you'll catch thunder and lightning *fulminate* or explode loudly and violently overhead. But you needn't look to the sky alone for this kind of intensity. If you find yourself in a room with passionate Republicans and Democrats debating, you might see them *fulminate* or severely rail against each other's beliefs.

Question 395

Furtive

Answer 395

Furtive ## Footnote secret and sly or sordid - **[adj]**marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed - **[adj]** **furtive** behavior "a **furtive** manner" If you're looking for a formal adjective to describe something sly or secret, sneak in *furtive.* Let's hope the teacher doesn't see your *furtive* attempts to pass notes in class! The adjective, *furtive,* is related to *fūrtum,* the Latin word for theft or robbery. This is apparent as the expressions "to give someone a *furtive* glance" and "to steal a glance at someone" mean the same thing. If a person's manner is furtive, he or she is acting suspiciously. *Secret*, *stealthy* and *sly* are all similar in meaning, but they lack this image of a thief's actions.

Question 396

Fusillade

Answer 396

Fusillade ## Footnote rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms - **[n]**attack with fusillade - **[v]** our **fusillade** from the left flank caught them by surprise When you watch an action movie, the hero's deadly *fusillade* often results in at least one of his enemies being shot. The noun *fusillade* describes a quick round of gunfire. To correctly pronounce *fusillade*, say "FEW sill ahd." The word probably reminds you of *fuselage*, the part of an aircraft where crew members and passengers sit. But the words only sound alike. *Fuselage* gets its name from its cylinder shape, while *fusillade* comes from the French word *fusil*, meaning "musket." *Fusillade* also can be used in a figurative sense to describe a rapid series of anything, such as a fusillade of punches or a fusillade of questions.

Question 397

Futile

Answer 397

Futile ## Footnote producing no result or effect - **[adj]**unproductive of success - **[adj]** a **futile** effort "**futile** years after her artistic peak" When something fails to deliver a useful result, you can call it *futile*. Hopefully all the time you're spending studying vocabulary won't turn out to be *futile*! *Futile* comes from the Latin *futilis*, which originally meant "leaky." Although we use *futile* to talk about more than buckets, the image of a leaky vessel is a good illustration of the adjective. Pouring water into a leaky bucket is futile. Your exercise program will be futile if you don't stop chowing down on chocolate. *Futile* fancier than its synonym *useless*. Other synonyms are *fruitless* or *vain*. The *i* can be either short (FYOO-t'l) or long (FYOO-tile).

Question 398

Gaffe

Answer 398

Gaffe ## Footnote a socially awkward or tactless act - **[n]** A *gaffe* is mistake that embarrasses you in front of others. If you run into a friend out with her grey-haired father, and you blurt out, "Oh, hi, you must be Tara's grandfather!" then you've made a *gaffe*. *Gaffe* rhymes with *laugh*, and you'll be lucky if that's how people respond to your social blunder. A gaffe seems to occur most often when you literally don't know your audience — you make a joke about the mayor; you didn't know you were talking to his sister. That's definitely a gaffe. And who knew your hosts come from a culture that takes offense if you refuse to try every dish?

Question 399

Gainsay

Answer 399

Gainsay ## Footnote take exception to - **[v]** * Gainsay*, a verb, means "contradict" or "speak out against." When you challenge authority, you *gainsay*, as in teachers don't like it when unruly students *gainsay* them. * Gainsay* comes from an Old English word that means "contradict" or "say against," as in, no one dared *gainsay* the principal, who is well-known for giving detention to students who so much as frown at him. If you know someone who constantly corrects others, tells them that they're wrong, and says, "That's not true," more than anyone else, you have first-hand experience with the art of the gainsay.

Question 400

Gall

Answer 400

Gall ## Footnote a digestive juice secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder; aids in the digestion of fats - **[n]**the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties - **[n]**irritate or vex - **[v]**an open sore on the back of a horse caused by ill-fitting or badly adjusted saddle - **[n]** It **galls** me that we lost the suit *Gall* describes something irritating, like someone very rude. If you barge into a bakery and cut in front of a sweet old lady, then you have *gall*. If someone has gall, they're irritating. In fact, as a verb, *gall* means "to irritate" like new tight jeans that gall your thighs. *Gall* is "bile," too, like what's in a gall bladder. Back in the days of Hippocrates, if the four humors of the body were out of whack, it affected your spirits. If you had too much bile, or gall, then you'd be aggressive or depressed. It's also a noun for "deep feeling of ill will."

Question 401

Galleon

Answer 401

Galleon ## Footnote a large square-rigged sailing ship with three or more masts; used by the Spanish for commerce and war from the 15th to 18th centuries - **[n]** Though a *galleon* was a large ship with multiple decks, it was no cruise liner and probably didn’t offer round-the-clock buffets. A *galleon* refers to a type of sailboat used in the 15th to 18th centuries mostly for battles and carrying consumer goods. Galleons had big square sails rigged onto several masts. They were built and sailed by many Europeans, but they are most commonly associated with the Spanish. In fact, this word is derived from the Spanish word *galeón*, which means "armed merchant ship."

Question 402

Gambit

Answer 402

Gambit ## Footnote a chess move early in the game in which the player sacrifices minor pieces in order to obtain an advantageous position - **[n]**a maneuver in a game or conversation - **[n]**an opening remark intended to secure an advantage for the speaker - **[n]** A *gambit* is a strategic move, often in chess but also in politics or business, where a player sacrifices something up front for future gain. The noun *gambit* comes from an Italian word, *gambetto*, which means "tripping up." When you make an opening move, offer something, or start a conversation with something that seems self-sacrificing but is really a ploy for greater advantage in the long run, that's a gambit. In chess, a gambit is when you sacrifice a pawn early for better positioning, but when you offer to drive the morning carpool that’s might be a gambit to get the afternoon shift off.

Question 403

Gambol

Answer 403

Gambol ## Footnote play boisterously - **[v]**gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement - **[n]** the **gamboling** lambs in the meadows To *gambol* is to run around playing excitedly. There are some really fun-sounding synonyms for *gambol,* such as "frolic," "romp," and "cavort," and though it sounds like "gamble," when you *gambol* with an "ol" you never lose — you just have a great time! If you've ever sprinted around, jumping up and down, yelling "woo-hoo!," you already know how to gambol. Being really excited or even just slap-happy makes people gambol, and it's so energizing that animals do it too. Dogs gambol when they rise on two legs to greet each other, and squirrels gambol when they chase each other up and down trees. And when springtime comes after a long winter, it seems to make every living thing gambol with extra life.

Question 404

Garish

Answer 404

Garish ## Footnote tastelessly showy - **[adj]** **garish** colors Use the adjective *garish* to describe something that is overly vivid, bright, showy, and in bad taste — like the DJ's *garish* outfit that is a flashback to the disco era. *Garish* comes to English from the Old Norse word *gaurr*, meaning "rough fellow." It is often used to describe colors, clothing, decorations, and other things that can be elegant and tasteful. Because the word connotes bad taste, however, it is rarely used in a complimentary way. If you say to your friend, "I like your *garish* hair and makeup," she is not likely to take it well, unless, of course, you are going to a 70s flashback party.

Question 405

Garner

Answer 405

Garner ## Footnote store grain - **[v]**assemble or get together - **[v]**acquire or deserve by one's efforts or actions - **[v]**a storehouse for threshed grain or animal feed - **[n]** To *garner* means to gather or earn. If you want to run for office without belonging to a political party, you must *garner* enough signatures — usually a few thousand — to get onto the ballot. The word *garner* comes from the Latin *granarium* which means "store-house," usually for grain. The current use of the word carries with it the sense of something being stored up. It’s not only that you can gather enough yes-votes to overcome the opposition, there is the sense that all the things you have garnered have some weight of their own. In its other use, *garner* means "earn" or "merit." Think of movie stars garnering Oscar nominations for their excellent work.

Question 406

Garrulous

Answer 406

Garrulous ## Footnote full of trivial conversation - **[adj]** A *garrulous* person just won’t stop talking (and talking, and talking, and talking...). *Garrulous* comes from the Latin word *garrire* for "chattering or prattling." If someone is garrulous, he doesn't just like to talk; he indulges in talking for talking’s sake — whether or not there’s a real conversation going on. If you discover that you have a garrulous neighbor sitting next to you on the plane, you might just want to feign sleep, unless you really want to hear everything going through his mind for the entire trip.

Question 407

Gaunt

Answer 407

Gaunt ## Footnote very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold - **[adj]** a nightmare population of **gaunt** men and skeletal boys You can never be too rich or too thin, but you certainly can be too *gaunt.* It means you look skinny like you're sick, not skinny like you have a personal nutritionist slapping your hand when you reach for a bonbon. A good way to remember *gaunt* is that it rhymes with *haunt,* and *gaunt* people look pale, drawn, and wasted — like you'd expect a haunting ghost to appear. Another way to remember it is that g- + *aunt* is like *great-aunt*, and often when you appear to be *gaunt* you look like you're old — like your Great Aunt Mildred.

Question 408

Gavel

Answer 408

Gavel ## Footnote a small mallet used by a presiding officer or a judge - **[n]** You know that wooden hammer a judge slams down on his desk when he's trying to bring order to the court? That's a *gavel*. Judges aren't the only ones who use gavels. They are common in governments large and small, where they are used to bring order to the often unruly rooms where government happens. But they are also a sign of who's in charge. The practice of turning control from one party, or one person, to another, is done by "passing the *gavel*." It's a big deal when the outgoing Speaker of the House of Representatives turns over the gavel to the incoming Speaker. Sometimes it looks like the hand-off won't happen — a gavel being the ultimate sign of authority and power.

Question 409

Genre

Answer 409

Genre ## Footnote a kind of literary or artistic work - **[n]**a class of art (or artistic endeavor) having a characteristic form or technique - **[n]**an expressive style of music - **[n]**a style of expressing yourself in writing - **[n]** A *genre* is a specific type of music, film, or writing. Your favorite literary *genre* might be science fiction, and your favorite film *genre* might be horror flicks about cheerleaders. Go figure. In music, *genre* refers to musical style such as jazz, salsa or rock. In film or literature, the genre is determined by the subject, setting or plot of the story. When you are wandering around a book store, books are usually arranged by genre. Many genres, such as "mystery" or "fantasy," overlap in film and literature, while others, such as "romantic comedy" in film or "historical fiction" in books, are specific to one or the other.

Question 410

Germane

Answer 410

Germane ## Footnote relevant and appropriate - **[adj]** he asks questions that are **germane** and central to the issue *Germane* means relevant; it fits in. If you are giving a speech on dog training, stick to the *germane*, canine stuff. Topics that would not be *germane*? Catnip toys, hamster wheels, and the use of a saddle. You can thank Shakespeare for the modern meaning of the adjective *germane*. The word originally referred to people who have the same parents. Shakespeare added the word's figurative meaning of objects being closely related or relevant when he used it in the play *Hamlet*. You might want to bring up all sorts of complaints during an argument with your best friend, but she says the two of you should only discuss issues that are *germane* to the current fight.

Question 411

Germinal

Answer 411

Germinal ## Footnote containing seeds of later development - **[adj]** *Germinal*, an adjective, describes something that is just starting to happen, like all the planning you did and people you got interested in joining the running club when it was just an idea. That's the germinal stage. To correctly pronounce *germinal*, accent the first syllable: "JER-mih-nul." You can see and hear *germ* in *germinal*. It comes from the Latin word *germen*, or "sprout, bud, sprig, offshoot." So, something in its germinal stage is just beginning, like when you are thinking about possible topics for the research report you are going to write.

Question 412

Gerontocracy

Answer 412

Gerontocracy ## Footnote a political system governed by old men - **[n]** A *gerontocracy* is a society governed by old people. Think: tribes where elders are esteemed for the perspective and wisdom they have acquired in long years on the planet. If your grandparents moved into your house and started telling everyone what to do, you might be outraged. Daily Metumucil doses for everyone! No loud music or reading of novels written after the First World War! A good thing then, that we live in a culture that worships youth––we're unlikely to be ruled by a *gerontocracy*.

Question 413

Gist

Answer 413

Gist ## Footnote the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work - **[n]**the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience - **[n]** the **gist** of the prosecutor's argument When you need a quick summary of the essentials, rather than the whole story or a thorough explanation, you're looking for the *gist*. The word *gist* has had a variety of meanings in English, but most of them have become obsolete. The surviving sense of the word entered the language by way of the law: The *gist* of any legal action is the factor on which the action depends — that is, an alleged assault might be the *gist* of an indictment. The meaning of *gist* has evolved, though, and now it can be used to describe the core component of any matter, as in, "He watched the trailer, but he still didn't get the *gist* of the movie." Or, "She was having trouble writing a headline that conveyed the *gist* of her article."

Question 414

Glacial

Answer 414

Glacial ## Footnote relating to or derived from a glacier - **[adj]**extremely cold - **[adj]**devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain - **[adj]** **glacial** deposit "**glacial** winds" "a **glacial** handshake" Things that are *glacial* are super cold. A place can be *glacial* — like the South Pole — but a person can be *glacial*, too, like that unfriendly girl who gave you a *glacial* stare. The word *glacial* is related to the word *glacier*, which is a huge piece of ice. If something or someone is glacial, that thing or person is icy. You can give someone you don’t like a glacial look, or you can go skiing on a glacial morning. *Glacial* comes from the Latin *glacies*, which sounds like the name of a frozen dessert, but which actually just means "ice."

Question 415

Glib

Answer 415

Glib ## Footnote artfully persuasive in speech - **[adj]**having only superficial plausibility - **[adj]**marked by lack of intellectual depth - **[adj]** a **glib** tongue "**glib** promises" "**glib** generalizations" A hiring manager might think you're being *glib*, or slick and insincere, if you say you've led a successful multinational corporation when you were actually in charge of flipping burgers for a fast-food restaurant chain. The word *glib* might be used to describe the slick car salesman who uses his polished sales pitch to talk his customers into buying lemons. In fact, the word comes from old German and Dutch words for "slippery," another word that could be used to describe the very same salesman. In addition to meaning "smooth" and "persuasive," *glib* can be applied to the kind of thoughtless comment that could get you into big trouble. Telling your boss that you had a "hot time" with his daughter is the kind of glib remark that could end your career.

Question 416

Goad

Answer 416

Goad ## Footnote stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick - **[v]**urge with or as if with a goad - **[v]**goad or provoke,as by constant criticism - **[v]**give heart or courage to - **[v]**a pointed instrument that is used to prod into a state of motion - **[n]** A *goad* is a pointy stick or other instrument used to prod something along. To *goad* is to poke something with that pointy stick. Either way, the pointiness is really essential for making things leap into action. Originally spelled *gad*, meaning "spearhead," *goad* first came into use as a verb in the 1570s. But say you left your pointy goading stick at home. Have no fear! You can goad people with words, too. Literally or figuratively, a *goad* prods and pokes and provokes people into doing something. A sheep herder might hustle his flock along with a goad, just as your mom's constant nagging and goading might finally get you sit up straight at the dinner table.

Question 417

Gossamer

Answer 417

Gossamer ## Footnote a gauze fabric with an extremely fine texture - **[n]**filaments from a web that was spun by a spider - **[n]**characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy - **[adj]**so thin as to transmit light - **[adj]** **gossamer** shading through his playing "**gossamer** cobwebs" *Gossamer* is something super fine and delicate — like a spider web or the material of a wedding veil. The original *gossamer,* from which these meanings come from, is the fine, filmy substance spiders excrete to weave their webs. A dress can be gossamer-like, if its fabric is so sheer as to be see-through, or almost. Your chances of going to a good college are "gossamer thin" if you've never cracked a book in high school.

Question 418

Gouge

Answer 418

Gouge ## Footnote an impression in a surface (as made by a blow) - **[n]**and edge tool with a blade like a trough for cutting channels or grooves - **[n]**the act of gouging - **[n]**force with the thumb - **[v]**make a groove in - **[v]** **gouge** out his eyes *Gouge* means stealing by overcharging. If your local gas station puts the price of gas way up because a storm is coming, you may say that the station owner *gouges* prices — and that's illegal. The verb *gouge* means to cut or carve. You can use special chisels to *gouge* linoleum for interesting design in printing. As a noun, a gouge is the tool you would use — instead of a flat-head chisel, a gouge has a trough — to make the gouge marks of the design. Another meaning of the verb *gouge* is an indentation in the surface of something. If you're not careful with the screwdriver, you'll accidentally gouge a hole in the wall.

Question 419

Gratis

Answer 419

Gratis ## Footnote costing nothing - **[adj]**without payment - **[adv]** I'll give you this **gratis** When there’s a concert you want to go to and your best friend gets tickets and takes you *gratis,* be grateful: that means you’re going for free. You can use *gratis* as a synonym for "free" or "without payment" as either an adjective or an adverb. For example, you buy a new smart phone and immediately download several free apps. You get your first bill, and see you’ve been charged for all those apps. When you call the phone company, you can say, "Those apps were labeled as *gratis*. I downloaded them *gratis.* Why are you charging me?"

Question 420

Gratuitous

Answer 420

Gratuitous ## Footnote unnecessary and unwarranted - **[adj]**costing nothing - **[adj]** a **gratuitous** insult * Gratuitous* means "without cause" or "unnecessary." Telling ridiculous jokes at a somber occasion would be a display of *gratuitous* humor. * Gratuitous* can be used to refer to something that’s unnecessary and mildly annoying. If a friend frequently gives you fashion tips, even though you’ve expressed no interest in receiving them, you’d be correct in labeling her advice as gratuitous. In addition, *gratuitous* can be used to indicate that something is not only unnecessary but also inappropriate. Some people claim that some films and video games contain gratuitous violence — that is, violence that is excessive and offensive.

Question 421

Gravity

Answer 421

Gravity ## Footnote (physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface - **[n]**a manner that is serious and solemn - **[n]** the more remote the body the less the **gravity** The noun *gravity* means being grave or very serious. In physics, *gravity* is the natural force that causes things to fall toward the earth. Someone who conducts themselves with an air of gravity is someone who takes what they are doing seriously. You might be amused to see a three year old serving her dolls tea with an air of gravity appropriate to the Queen of England. *Gravity* was borrowed through French from Latin *gravitās*, from *gravis* "heavy."

Question 422

Gregarious

Answer 422

Gregarious ## Footnote instinctively or temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others - **[adj]**(of animals) tending to form a group with others of the same species - **[adj]**(of plants) growing in groups that are close together - **[adj]** he is a **gregarious** person who avoids solitude "**gregarious** bird species" If you know someone who's outgoing, sociable, and fond of the company of others, you might want to call her *gregarious*. The word was originally used to describe animals that live in flocks — it's from the Latin word *grex*, meaning "herd." Not surprisingly, people began using it to describe humans who liked being in groups. Today biologists still speak of *gregarious species*, but you're more likely to hear it in reference to people. Despite what you might suspect, it has no historical connection to the name *Gregory* — but if you know an outgoing fellow with that name, you could call him Greg-arious.

Question 423

Guffaw

Answer 423

Guffaw ## Footnote a burst of deep loud hearty laughter - **[n]**laugh boisterously - **[v]** A *guffaw* is a belly laugh: a laugh that bubbles up with good feeling and plenty of volume. At the end of a stressful day of work, it’s good to have some *guffaws* with your friends. *Guffaw* operates just like the word laugh: you can give a *guffaw*, or you can *guffaw*. It comes from the Scottish word *gawf*, which is onomatopoetic, meaning that it’s spelled the way it sounds. Imagine a big happy Scotsman snorting "gawf, gawf, gawf" at the end of a joke, and you’ll know what a *guffaw* is. Refined ladies and gentlemen don’t guffaw––and are much the worse for it.

Question 424

Guile

Answer 424

Guile ## Footnote shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception - **[n]**the quality of being crafty - **[n]**the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them) - **[n]** Use the noun *guile* for cunning, craftiness, and artful duplicity. Acting like you have a job on Wall Street when you're actually unemployed would take a lot of *guile*. The noun *guile* has quite negative connotations, as it refers to the kind of knowledge and skill that can be used by comic book villains for evil and not good! People who have *guile* are also thought of as being *wily* (which is also a related word), *sneaky*, and *deceitful*. Those who are free of guile are pure and upstanding, and Henry David Thoreau affirms those feelings when he wrote: "It is the work of a brave man surely, in whom there was no guile!"

Question 425

Guileless

Answer 425

Guileless ## Footnote free of deceit - **[adj]** If you are *guileless*, you are not a liar; you are innocent, and you might be a touch on the gullible side. To be guileless is to be without guile. *Guile* is "deceit, duplicity and trickery." The young and uninitiated are the ones we call *guileless*, and they are the ones who often get stung by the more heartless among us. You might recall being a guileless freshman trying out for the school play, and being told by a veteran performer that it would be best to come to the audition for *Our Town* in a chicken costume, so you did.

Question 426

Gullible

Answer 426

Gullible ## Footnote naive and easily deceived or tricked - **[adj]**easily tricked because of being too trusting - **[adj]** at that early age she had been **gullible** and in love "**gullible** tourists taken in by the shell game" If you are *gullible,* the joke is on you because you are easily fooled. It is thought that *gullible* might be derived from the verb *gull,* meaning "to swallow." This would be a funny coincidence as *gullible* describes an overly trusting person who tends to swallow the stories he hears whole. The related word, *gull,* can be used as a noun "don't be such a *gull!*" or as a verb "you can't *gull* me into believing that!"

Question 427

Gustatory

Answer 427

Gustatory ## Footnote of or relating to gustation - **[adj]** If you want to improve the *gustatory* appeal of a grapefruit, you might add a spoonful of sugar. *Gustatory* is an adjective that refers to tasting or the sense of taste. You may be tempted to link *gustatory* with the word *gust*, meaning "a quick, strong rush of wind." However, *gustatory* has its roots in the Latin *gustare*, meaning "to taste," while *gust* can be traced back to the Old Norse *gustr*, meaning to "to gush." But if a gust of wind brings with it the savory aroma of a nearby backyard barbecue, you might find yourself licking the air in gustatory frustration.

Question 428

Hackneyed

Answer 428

Hackneyed ## Footnote repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse - **[adj]** **hackneyed** phrases * Hackneyed* is a word for language that doesn't pack a punch since it's overused and trite. "Roses are red, violets are..." — enough already?! That's hackneyed stuff. * Hackneyed* is usually used to describe tired writing, but you can also refer to the hackneyed plots of television sit-coms or the hackneyed jokes of your Uncle Fred. But, most often, you will see *hackneyed* before the word *phrase* to refer to a specific cliché that is annoying the heck out of someone.

Question 429

Halcyon

Answer 429

Halcyon ## Footnote a mythical bird said to breed at the time of the winter solstice in a nest floating on the sea and to have the power of calming the winds and waves - **[n]**idyllically calm and peaceful; suggesting happy tranquillity - **[adj]**marked by peace and prosperity - **[adj]** a **halcyon** atmosphere "the **halcyon** days of the clipper trade" An old man watching his grandchildren play might look back fondly on his *halcyon* days, remembering the peaceful, happy time of his youth. The word *halcyon* comes from a story in Greek mythology about the *halcyon* bird, which had the power to calm the rough ocean waves every December so she could nest. Like those calm waters, *halcyon* has come to mean a sense of peace or tranquility. People often use the phrase *halcyon days* to refer idyllically to a calmer, more peaceful time in their past.

Question 430

Hallowed

Answer 430

Hallowed ## Footnote worthy of religious veneration - **[adj]** Jerusalem's **hallowed** soil The adjective *hallowed* is used to describe something that is sacred and revered, usually something old and steeped in tradition. The word *hallowed* often has a religious connotation, but it can also be used playfully to convey a sense of reverence about something that isn’t religious in nature but that nonetheless inspires worship. A football fan, for example, may talk about the *hallowed* tradition of tailgating on a game day Saturday, or an avid shopper may describe the *hallowed* grounds of the Macy’s shoe department. In the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln used the word with its more traditional sense to ponder man's inability to show the proper reverence to those men who died in battle: "But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate…we cannot consecrate…we cannot hallow…this ground."

Question 431

Hamper

Answer 431

Hamper ## Footnote prevent the progress or free movement of - **[v]**a basket usually with a cover - **[n]** He was **hampered** in his efforts by the bad weather Use the verb *hamper* to describe an action that slows progress or makes it difficult to do something, like the presence of your parents that *hamper* your ability to look cool at the mall. The verb *hamper* is for those times when normal progress is slow but not shut down completely. *Hamper* often describes travel during bad weather, like icy conditions that could hamper holiday travel. *Hamper* means "slow going." You may have heard of noun form of *hamper*, a container for holding dirty laundry: If your hamper is full, the need to do laundry could hamper your plans of going out and having fun.

Question 432

Hapless

Answer 432

Hapless ## Footnote deserving or inciting pity - **[adj]** a **hapless** victim Use the adjective *hapless* to describe someone unlucky and deserving of pity, like the *hapless* used car buyer who gives in to the fast-talking salesperson. The word *hapless* traces all the way back to the Old Norse word *happ*, meaning "chance, good luck." Combine this with the suffix *-less* ("lacking") and *hapless* means "unlucky" or "ill-fated." A traveler who goes to Moscow and briefly gets lost on the subway? Just a tourist. A traveler who goes to Moscow, accidentally eats food he is allergic to, somehow loses all his money, and by chance gets on a train destined for Mongolia? Definitely *hapless*.

Question 433

Harangue

Answer 433

Harangue ## Footnote a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion - **[n]**deliver a harangue to; address forcefully - **[v]** A *harangue* is more than a speech, louder than a discussion, and nastier than a lecture. It is a verbal attack that doesn't let up, delivered as a verb or received as a noun. Either way, it's pretty unpleasant. The word *harangue* developed its modern spelling around 1530, when the word was recorded as *harangue* in French. The word, meaning a strong, nasty rant, appears to have evolved from the Old Italian word *aringa*, probably from the word for a public square or place for public speaking. This in turn appears to have evolved from a Germanic word related to *ring*, as in "circular gathering," which is clearly similar to the Italian meaning.

Question 434

Haughtiness

Answer 434

Haughtiness ## Footnote overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors - **[n]** If you are shy and have a hard time talking to others, people might wrongly interpret your quietness as *haughtiness*. *Haughtiness* is thinking a lot of yourself and not much of others. The word *haughtiness* originally comes from the Old French adjective *haut* meaning "high" and later developed to mean having a high estimation of yourself. When you think of the word, imagine a Queen riding by on a horse, chin upturned, not paying any mind to her subjects below. Her Highness might as well be called Her Haughtiness up there.

Question 435

Headstrong

Answer 435

Headstrong ## Footnote habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition - **[adj]** *Headstrong* describes something that's disobedient or willful. If you're *headstrong*, you want to do what you want to do. When you refuse to complete your homework because you want to watch a football game, you're being *headstrong*. A closer look at the word *headstrong* can give you a hint to its meaning — the combination of the words *head* and *strong*. You're determined to have your own way because you have a strong belief that your view — what you have in your head — is the best one. Being a headstrong person is not always a bad thing. Sometimes headstrong people make history because they fight traditional values or outdated rules that need to be changed.

Question 436

Hedonist

Answer 436

Hedonist ## Footnote someone motivated by desires for sensual pleasures - **[n]** Your parents might want to visit the museum while you want to hike in the forest, but your brother, the hedonist, just wants to lounge by the hotel pool and eat cake. A *hedonist* values sensual pleasure above all else. *Hedonist* comes from the Greek word *hedone* "pleasure" and is related to *hedys*, which means "sweet." Although this noun did not make its first appearance until 1822, the word was created as a reference to an ancient Greek philosophical system known as the Cyrenaic school. The Cyrenaics taught that pleasure — particularly physical pleasure — is the greatest good. If you need some examples of modern day hedonists, think the many celebrities today who are only famous for going to parties.

Question 437

Hegemony

Answer 437

Hegemony ## Footnote the dominance or leadership of one social group or nation over others - **[n]** the **hegemony** of a single member state is not incompatible with a genuine confederation "to say they have priority is not to say they have complete **hegemony**" "the consolidation of the United States' **hegemony** over a new international economic system" * Hegemony* is political or cultural dominance or authority over others. The *hegemony* of the popular kids over the other students means that they determine what is and is not cool. * Hegemony* comes from the Greek *hegemon* "leader." Wealthy lender nations hoping to determine political outcomes and trade decisions have established hegemony over the debtor nations they lend to. As well as the dominance of one group or nation over others, *hegemony* is also the term for the leading group or nation itself. During the American Revolution, colonists fought to throw off the British hegemony.

Question 438

Heresy

Answer 438

Heresy ## Footnote a belief that rejects the orthodox tenets of a religion - **[n]**any opinions or doctrines at variance with the official or orthodox position - **[n]** Heresies are beliefs that do not agree with the official beliefs of a particular religion; *heresy* is the maintaining of such contrary beliefs. *Heresy* can be used figuratively: To disagree with the school committee's decisions is considered pure *heresy* by the faculty. This noun is from Middle English *heresie,* from Old French, from Late Latin *haeresis* "school of thought, sect," from Greek, "action of taking, choice," from *hairein* "to take, choose." A person who believes or speaks heresies is a *heretic*.

Question 439

Heterodox

Answer 439

Heterodox ## Footnote characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards - **[adj]** *Heterodox* is from the Greek root words *heteros*, meaning "the other," and *doxa*, meaning "opinion." The adjective *heterodox* was first applied to people who held a different religious opinion from the standard beliefs and teachings. Today, although the religious meaning remains, the adjective *heterodox* can describe someone who adheres to any atypical beliefs, such as scientists who buck the current thinking or politicians who do not toe the party line. The word can be a synonym of *heretical*, which describes someone with contrary beliefs. If you are a teacher with a *heterodox* teaching style, you may win over students but alarm your more traditional colleagues.

Question 440

Hiatus

Answer 440

Hiatus ## Footnote an interruption in the intensity or amount of something - **[n]**a missing piece (as a gap in a manuscript) - **[n]**a natural opening or perforation through a bone or a membranous structure - **[n]** A temporary gap, pause, break, or absence can be called a *hiatus*. When your favorite TV show is on *hiatus*, that means there are no new episodes — not forever, just for a little while. Even things that go on for a long time take a break once in a while: one kind of break is a hiatus. If someone has to leave her job for a time, she's going on hiatus. A touring band will need to take a hiatus if the lead singer gets in an accident. The key thing about a hiatus is that it's an interruption of something that was happening, but it's not a permanent break.

Question 441

Histrionic

Answer 441

Histrionic ## Footnote characteristic of acting or a stage performance; often affected - **[adj]** **histrionic** gestures Anything that has to do with actors or acting can be called *histrionic*, like a Broadway actor's *histrionic* voice projection that would sound strange in everyday life but is perfect for the stage. The adjective *histrionic*, pronounced "his-tree-ON-ic," comes from the Latin words *histrionicus* and *histrio* which mean "actor." It can describe things that have to do with acting on the stage, but it can also describe a person who in regular life is a little too dramatic and even over-acts, like your friend whose histrionic rantings make a trip to the grocery store seem like a matter of life and death.

Question 442

Hoary

Answer 442

Hoary ## Footnote showing characteristics of age, especially having grey or white hair - **[adj]**ancient - **[adj]**covered with fine whitish hairs or down - **[adj]** nodded his **hoary** head "**hoary** jokes" Use the adjective *hoary* to describe something that is old and worn out — like the *hoary* jokes your great uncle Albert clings to. The word *hoary* can also be used to describe something that is white or gray with age. Santa is usually depicted with a hoary beard and hoary hair, although sometimes mall Santas have to fake this with wigs and artificial beards. *Hoary* can also mean covered with white down — "The *hoary* leaves felt like velvet to the touch."

Question 443

Hone

Answer 443

Hone ## Footnote sharpen with a hone - **[v]**make perfect or complete - **[v]**a whetstone made of fine gritstone; used for sharpening razors - **[n]** **hone** a knife The verb *hone* means to sharpen skills. When you practice shooting baskets every day after school, you are *honing* your skills as a basketball player. *Hone*, the verb, literally means to sharpen with a hone, a whetstone used to sharpen cutting tools. Use *hone* to describe someone working hard, perfecting or sharpening skills, as in "She is *honing* her skills as an actress by working in community theater." *Hone*, which rhymes with phone, is from the Old English word, *han*, meaning "stone, rock."

Question 444

Hortatory

Answer 444

Hortatory ## Footnote giving strong encouragement - **[adj]** * Hortatory* is a word used to describe a behavior or action that is encouraging. In the face of great economic crisis, the president's speech takes on a *hortatory* or encouraging tone, at a time when people most need the reassurance. * Hortatory,* pronounced hawr-tuh-tawr-ee, is probably not a word you hear a lot, but what it describes is common. Teachers often give hortatory speeches when students are most overwhelmed. Coaches scream hortatory remarks to their team in the locker room to keep the players motivated. When you're lying in bed in the morning ignoring your alarm, look for that little hortatory voice in your head, encouraging you to get up so that you're not late.

Question 445

Idiosyncrasy

Answer 445

Idiosyncrasy ## Footnote a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual - **[n]** If a person has an *idiosyncrasy*, he or she has a little quirk, or a funny behavior, that makes him or her different. If you only say goodbye in French, never in English, that would be an *idiosyncrasy*. *Idio* seems like it means stupid, but really it is Latin for "one's own," as an *idiosyncrasy* is one's own particular, usually odd, behavior. Putting salt in your hot chocolate or needing the light on to sleep or tapping your head while you think are all idiosyncrasies. A machine such as a DVD player has an idiosyncrasy if you have to do something weird to it to make it work like having to bang it on the back left-hand side to stop it from skipping.

Question 446

Ignominy

Answer 446

Ignominy ## Footnote a state of dishonor - **[n]** suffered the **ignominy** of being sent to prison Walk into class in your underwear is to feel what the word *ignominy* means. *Ignominy* is a noun meaning great public shame, disgrace, or embarrassment, or a situation or event that causes this. The shame can be major or minor: to suffer the *ignominy* of defeat/the *ignominies* of old age. When pronouncing this word, the main accent is on the first syllable, and the secondary accent is on the third syllable. *Ignominy* is from French *ignominie,* from Latin *ignominia,* formed from the prefix *in-* "no, not" plus *nomen* "a name." The corresponding English adjective is *ignominious.*

Question 447

Illuminate

Answer 447

Illuminate ## Footnote make lighter or brighter - **[v]**add embellishments and paintings to (medieval manuscripts) - **[v]** To *illuminate* is to light up — with physical light or with an idea. A spotlight might *illuminate* an actor on stage, and a good Chemistry teacher might *illuminate* students with a lesson on the atomic structure of hydrogen. Originally, the verb *illuminate* referred to decorating handwritten manuscripts with bright lettering or pictures. Monks illuminated manuscripts with colors like gold, silver, bright red, and blue. Nowadays you can illuminate anything in the dark — either literally or figuratively. If you are afraid of the dark, illuminate your bedroom. In the dark when it comes to Organic Chemistry? Get an illuminating tutor.

Question 448

Illusory

Answer 448

Illusory ## Footnote based on or having the nature of an illusion - **[adj]** Secret activities offer presidents the alluring but often **illusory** promise that they can achieve foreign policy goals without the bothersome debate and open decision that are staples of democracy If something is based on something that is not real, you can say it is *illusory*. Tales of seeing Elvis and Big Foot eating together at McDonalds are probably based on an *illusory* experience. Although the adjective *illusory* can describe anything that's based on an illusion, it often has the negative connotation of being deliberately deceptive. Like a bogus investment scheme that seems to make money for investors: any real profits are totally illusory. Or the illusory claims that fad diets work — they only work while you're on the diet, and no one can survive on cabbage soup forever.

Question 449

Immutable

Answer 449

Immutable ## Footnote not subject or susceptible to change or variation in form or quality or nature - **[adj]** the view of that time was that all species were **immutable**, created by God If you can't change it, it's *immutable*. There are many things in life that are immutable; these unchangeable things include death, taxes, and the laws of physics. The adjective *immutable* has Latin roots that mean "not changeable." The Latin prefix for not is *in*, but the spelling changes when the prefix is put before the consonant *m*. It is *im* before a root word starting with *m* as in *immutable*. If you learn this rule, you'll know the immutable fact that immutable begins with *i*-*m*-*m*.

Question 450

Impartial

Answer 450

Impartial ## Footnote free from undue bias or preconceived opinions - **[adj]**showing lack of favoritism - **[adj]** the **impartial** eye of a scientist "the cold neutrality of an **impartial** judge" If you're in a contest you'd better hope the judges are *impartial*, that is, that they aren't biased toward one competitor over another. When someone's *partial* to something they take its part. *Impartial* means no part has yet been taken. In most high school elections, teachers strive to create an impartial atmosphere, to keep it from appearing to be a popularity contest.

Question 451

Impecunious

Answer 451

Impecunious ## Footnote not having enough money to pay for necessities - **[adj]** If you are hard up, broke, penniless, or strapped for cash, you could describe yourself as *impecunious*. Then maybe you could make some money teaching vocabulary words. *Impecunious* comes from the old Latin word for money, *pecunia*, combined with the prefix *im*, meaning not or without. But *impecunious* doesn’t just mean having no money. It means that you almost never have any money. If you go into the arts, you are most likely facing an impecunious future. If you gamble away your cash instead of saving it for rent, your landlord might throw you out for being impecunious.

Question 452

Imperative

Answer 452

Imperative ## Footnote requiring attention or action - **[adj]**relating to verbs in the imperative mood - **[adj]** as nuclear weapons proliferate, preventing war becomes **imperative**"requests that grew more and more **imperative**" When something absolutely has to be done and cannot be put off, use the adjective *imperative*. *Imperative* is from Latin *imperare* "to command," and its original use was for a verb form expressing a command: "Do it!" is an *imperative* sentence. It's still used that way, but it's more commonly applied to something so pressing it cannot be put off: "Hiring new workers has become *imperative*." It has more immediate force than *pressing* but less than *urgent*.

Question 453

Impious

Answer 453

Impious ## Footnote lacking piety or reverence for a god - **[adj]**lacking due respect or dutifulness - **[adj]** **impious** toward one's parents To be *impious* is to be disrespectful of god or duty. When someone is being *impious* they are doing things that their church, synagogue, temple, mosque, school principal, government or parents would find unacceptable. When you don’t show reverence for religion or god, you are impious. The adjective *impious* is related to the word *piety*, which means religious reverence. To be impious is to be without piety. Being impious is similar to being blasphemous, but it’s a little more passive to be impious, while blasphemy is more actively insulting. Also, when you act out against tradition or dutifulness, you could be considered impious. If you dodge a military draft, you will likely be considered impious.

Question 454

Importune

Answer 454

Importune ## Footnote beg persistently and urgently - **[v]** I **importune** you to help them Sure, to *importune* is to beg, but use it only when you're talking about going beyond mere begging into more urgent territory. The woman *importuned* the judge to release her innocent brother from jail. The original Latin term actually meant something closer "to bother." Bear that in mind when you're deciding whether to use *importune*, because that's the kind of begging you'd want to be talking about when you do. Imagine needing something so badly that you cannot stop asking for it: then you might importune someone to get it. After a year of being importuned, dad let me have the car.

Question 455

Impromptu

Answer 455

Impromptu ## Footnote with little or no preparation or forethought - **[adj]**without advance preparation - **[adv]**an extemporaneous speech or remark - **[n]**a short musical passage that seems to have been made spontaneously without advance preparation - **[n]** an **impromptu** speech "a witty **impromptu** must not sound premeditated" Some of the best kinds of parties are *impromptu* ones, when you decide at the last minute to get together. The adjective *impromptu* describes things done or said without previous thought or preparation. *Impromptu* is also used as an adverb: Most people are not able to speak *impromptu* in front of an audience. This word was borrowed from French, from Latin *in prōmptū* "at hand, in readiness" from *in* "in" plus *prōmptū*, a form of *prōmptus* "readiness," from *prōmere* "to bring forth." As you can guess from the spelling, the adjective and verb *prompt* is related to *impromptu*; they are from the same Latin verb.

Question 456

Impropriety

Answer 456

Impropriety ## Footnote the condition of being improper - **[n]**an improper demeanor - **[n]**an indecent or improper act - **[n]**an act of undue intimacy - **[n]** When the boss' wife shows up at a formal dinner party and proceeds to stuff her purse full of hors d'oeuvres, no one dares to mention her *impropriety* above a whisper, especially to the boss. *Impropriety* is a violation of a rule of behavior, manners, or etiquette. So while it is fitting and proper to wear a bikini top and a sarong to the beach, to do so at church would be considered an impropriety. Some find a bit of impropriety charming. Somerset Maugham went so far as to say, "*Impropriety* is the soul of wit."

Question 457

Impugn

Answer 457

Impugn ## Footnote attack as false or wrong - **[v]** To *impugn* means to call into question or attack as wrong. If your usually grumpy brother is suddenly nice and sweet, you'll impugn his motives if you're smart — he probably just wants something from you. The root of *impugn* is the Latin *pugnare* which means "to fight," so when you impugn, you are fighting or attacking, but by saying that something is false or wrong. If a candidate has a record that cannot be impugned, his or her opponent might go for a character attack. If you take pride in your work, you will be especially insulted if someone impugns your professionalism or integrity.

Question 458

Incantation

Answer 458

Incantation ## Footnote a ritual recitation of words or sounds believed to have a magical effect - **[n]** Double, double toil and trouble / Fire burn, and cauldron bubble. These lines, cackled by the Weird Sisters in Shakespeare's "Macbeth," are part of the most famous *incantation* –- or magic spell made of words -– in English literature. *Incantation* shares a Latin source with *enchant*, both of which are related to *chant*. An incantation, then, summons a thing or action into being with words that are sung, spoken, or written. Long before it became the catchword of stage magicians, *abracadabra* was regarded as a powerful incantation capable of warding off serious disease. The phrase *hocus pocus* may be a corruption of a seventeenth-century incantation spoken during the Roman Catholic liturgy of the Eucharist, "hoc est corpus."

Question 459

Incessant

Answer 459

Incessant ## Footnote uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing - **[adj]** night and day we live with the **incessant** noise of the city Something *incessant* continues without interruption. When you're on a cross country flight, it's tough to tolerate the *incessant* crying of a baby. In Latin, *cessare* means 'to stop,' so when you add the negative prefix *in*- you get a word meaning never stopping. A near synonym is *continual*, but something *incessant* is more relentless; *ceaseless* is a closer synonym. It's rare to find *incessant* used in a positive way. Even incessant sunshine would grow boring.

Question 460

Inchoate

Answer 460

Inchoate ## Footnote only partly in existence; imperfectly formed - **[adj]** a vague **inchoate** idea * Inchoate* means just beginning to form. You can have an *inchoate* idea, like the earliest flickers of images for your masterpiece, or it can be a feeling, like the *inchoate* sense of anger toward your new neighbor’s talking parrot. * Inchoate* comes from a Latin word for beginning. When something is inchoate, although you don’t yet understand what it is fully, you have a strong sense that it is indeed coming. It’s stronger than the wisp of an idea that never turns into anything. But it’s hard to really find the language to describe an inchoate idea. That’s the whole point: you don’t have the words for it yet!

Question 461

Incipient

Answer 461

Incipient ## Footnote only partly in existence; imperfectly formed - **[adj]** **incipient** civil disorder "an **incipient** tumor" * Incipient* means something is in an early stage of existence. In its *incipient* form, basketball was played with a soccer ball and peach baskets for goals. Bouncy orange balls and nets came later. * Incipient* comes from the Latin *incipere* "to begin." The related, and more commonly used, word *inception* means the beginning or the start. It is important to note that when something is in an incipient stage, there is a chance it will never come to completion. So be on the lookout for incipient trouble or an incipient crisis — you might be able to prevent it from happening.

Question 462

Incoherent

Answer 462

Incoherent ## Footnote without logical or meaningful connection - **[adj]**(physics) of waves having no stable definite or stable phase relation - **[adj]** a turgid **incoherent** presentation "**incoherent** with grief" *Incoherent* thoughts don't follow each other logically. *Incoherent* speech is mumbled or jumbled. *Incoherent* means that something is difficult to understand because it's not holding together. A lot of people use *incoherent* to mean unintelligible, which is a perfectly fine usage. But it specifically means unintelligible due to a lack of cohesion, or sticking together. An *incoherent* argument may sound something like this. "I deserve to go to the dance because it is the second Tuesday of the month and my feet are a size ten." The reasons do not follow each other logically and to not even relate. It's an *incoherent* mess.

Question 463

Inconsequential

Answer 463

Inconsequential ## Footnote lacking worth or importance - **[adj]**not following logically as a consequence - **[adj]** his work seems trivial and **inconsequential** If something is considered of little worth or importance, it is *inconsequential.* If astronomers forecast a tremendous meteor shower, it might turn out to be no more than space junk, too *inconsequential* to record. You can use the adjective *inconsequential* to describe things that just don’t matter or are of no relevance, as in "the rainy forecast is totally *inconsequential* — the bowling tournament is inside!" It also describes things that don't make sense in a certain order, "trying to win their votes is *inconsequential*: the election's over." Something small or minor can be inconsequential too, though the red bump on your nose on picture-day may not seem as inconsequential to you as it does to the photographer.

Question 464

Incubus

Answer 464

Incubus ## Footnote a male demon believed to lie on sleeping persons and to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women - **[n]**a situation resembling a terrifying dream - **[n]**someone who depresses or worries others - **[n]** An *incubus* is someone or something that really drags you down, like a so-called friend who only calls you to complain about her life or a job that you can't stand. *Incubus* comes from the Latin word *incubo*, meaning "nightmare, one who lies down on (the sleeper)," which describes an evil spirit that crushes people in their sleep, triggering terrible nightmares and making them feel like they're suffocating. In the Middle Ages, not only did people believe incubi (yes, that's the plural) were real, they passed laws against these terrifying spirits.

Question 465

Indelible

Answer 465

Indelible ## Footnote cannot be removed or erased - **[adj]** an **indelible** stain "**indelible** memories" If something is *indelible*, you better hope you never regret it, like the *indelible* tattoo of the name of your favorite band or the *indelible* first impression it might give people you meet years from now, especially if your taste in music changes. The adjective *indelible* describes something that can't be erased or removed, like marks made by an indelible marker, or an indelible moment you will never forget, like your first day of kindergarten or the first time you visit a new, exotic place. It comes from the Latin word *indelebilis*, meaning "not able to be destroyed."

Question 466

Indifferent

Answer 466

Indifferent ## Footnote marked by a lack of interest - **[adj]**(usually followed by `to') unwilling or refusing to pay heed - **[adj]**fairly poor to not very good - **[adj]**having only a limited ability to react chemically; chemically inactive - **[adj]** it is simply **indifferent**"**indifferent** to the sufferings of others" "**indifferent** to her plea" *Indifferent* is an adjective that refers to a lack of opinion or interest, or being just plain, old, average. If you are *indifferent* about something it means that you don't much care one way or another. A synonym for *indifferent* is *average*, and both words refer to situations that call for being unbiased or impartial. You can also think of *indifferent* in relation to its root, the Latin *indifferens*, which means "not differing" and in this case it means "not set apart." In particular, we want to consider the law as *indifferent*.

Question 467

Indigence

Answer 467

Indigence ## Footnote a state of extreme poverty or destitution - **[n]** their **indigence** appalled him *Indigence* is a synonym for *extreme poverty*. If you experience *indigence*, you have a critical need for food, money, and other resources. To correctly pronounce *indigence*, accent the first syllable: "IN-dih-genz." It means "great lack of material resources," like money. *Indigence* a noun, and *indigent*, an adjective, are related words that have to do with need. If you are indigent — suffering from extreme poverty — you are living in indigence, the state of extreme poverty.

Question 468

Indigenous

Answer 468

Indigenous ## Footnote originating where it is found - **[adj]** the Ainu are **indigenous** to the northernmost islands of Japan Use *indigenous* to describe a plant, animal or person that is native or original to an area. Though Switzerland is known for its chocolates, chocolate, which comes from the cocoa plant, is *indigenous* to South America. *Indigenous*, *aboriginal* and *native* all mean the same thing. *Aboriginal*, however, is commonly used in connection with Australia, and *native* with North America. The most neutral of the three terms, *indigenous* comes from the Latin word, *indigena* meaning "a native." An indigenous ceremony or religion is one traditionally used by a certain group of people.

Question 469

Indigent

Answer 469

Indigent ## Footnote poor enough to need help from others - **[adj]** An *indigent* person is extremely poor, lacking the basic resources of a normal life. Often the *indigent* lack not only money but homes. *Indigent* comes from a Latin word meaning wanting, which we used to use to mean "lacking" and not just to describe desires. Homeless shelters, soup kitchens, free medical clinics and court-appointed lawyers are all institutions that our society has developed to help indigent people.

Question 470

Indulgent

Answer 470

Indulgent ## Footnote characterized by or given to yielding to the wishes of someone - **[adj]**tolerant or lenient - **[adj]**being favorably inclined - **[adj]** **indulgent** grandparents "**indulgent** parents risk spoiling their children" "an **indulgent** attitude" Someone who is self-*indulgent* gives themselves a lot of treats. Parents who are *indulgent* cave to ever desire their child expresses. *Indulgent* means lenient, or overly generous. *Indulgent* is a word that, here in Puritanical North America, is hard to know how to take. Is it okay to "*indulge* yourself" as so many spa advertisements suggest? Or is *indulgent* always associated with excess? You can *indulge* fantasies of figuring out the answer, or you can give in to an *indulgent* shrug and move on to another word.

Question 471

Ineffable

Answer 471

Ineffable ## Footnote defying expression or description - **[adj]**too sacred to be uttered - **[adj]** **ineffable** ecstasy "the **ineffable** name of the Deity" When you find something hard to express or difficult to pin down, it's *ineffable*. The feeling when you get a new puppy is *ineffable* — too strange and wonderful to define. You could call something "indescribable", but it wouldn't be quite the same as calling it *ineffable*. An ineffable feeling, for example, has an almost ghostly quality. You can almost touch it, but it slips away just before you do. The bubbles in a glass of champagne have an *ineffable* joy to them. The sense of sadness that you feel watching certain TV commercials is often *ineffable*: you simply can't explain it. You know that strange feeling of satisfaction you feel when you learn a new word? That's an *ineffable* feeling.

Question 472

Inept

Answer 472

Inept ## Footnote generally incompetent and ineffectual - **[adj]**revealing lack of perceptiveness or judgment or finesse - **[adj]**not elegant or graceful in expression - **[adj]** **inept** handling of the account "an **inept** remark" "if the rumor is true, can anything be more **inept** than to repeat it now?" A clumsy, incompetent person — or an ineffective action — is *inept*. When you're *inept*, you don't know what you're doing or just can't get it done. Someone inept is bumbling, clueless, and ineffective. Inept people are dumb or clueless; they don't understand things. More than that, inept people are bad at what they do. An inept lawyer always loses cases. An inept figure skater wipes out on the ice. An inept postal worker loses mail and puts it in the wrong box. An inept person is downright bad at something. The opposite of *inept* is *competent*.

Question 473

Inerrancy

Answer 473

Inerrancy ## Footnote (Christianity) exemption from error - **[n]** biblical **inerrancy** Something that has *inerrancy* is completely accurate and cannot be wrong. Many Christians believe in the *inerrancy* of the Bible. You're most likely to come across the noun *inerrancy* in a religious context. It usually describes Christian religious writing — particularly the Bible — and the word of God. People who believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible are most likely to emphasize its inerrancy. In other words, they think that everything in the Bible is the literal truth. *Inerrancy* comes from *inerrant*, which originally referred to stars in the sky, and which is rooted in *inerrantem*, "not wandering" in Latin.

Question 474

Inevitable

Answer 474

Inevitable ## Footnote incapable of being avoided or prevented - **[adj]**invariably occurring or appearing - **[adj]**an unavoidable event - **[n]** the **inevitable** result "the **inevitable** changes of the seasons" "don't argue with the **inevitable**" If something is *inevitable*, it will definitely happen, like death or tax season. *Inevitable* comes from the Latin word *inevitabilis*, which means unavoidable. If you say something is inevitable, you give the sense that no matter what scheme you come with to get around it, it's going to happen sooner or later. You can use all the skin products you want, but wrinkles are inevitable.

Question 475

Inexorable

Answer 475

Inexorable ## Footnote not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty - **[adj]**impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, reason - **[adj]** Russia's final hour, it seemed, approached with **inexorable** certainty "Cynthia was **inexorable**" When a person is *inexorable*, they're stubborn. When a thing or process is *inexorable*, it can't be stopped. This is a word for people and things that will not change direction. An inexorable person is hard-headed and cannot be convinced to change their mind, no matter what. You can also say that a process, like the progress of a deadly illness, is inexorable because it can't be stopped. A speeding train with no brakes is inexorable; it's not stopping till it crashes. When you see the word *inexorable*, think "No one's stopping that."

Question 476

Infallible

Answer 476

Infallible ## Footnote incapable of failure or error - **[adj]** an **infallible** antidote "an **infallible** memory" "the Catholic Church considers the Pope **infallible**" Fallible means capable of making mistakes — or, easier to remember — capable of failing. *Infallible* means exactly the opposite — incapable of failing. This word is often used to describe human capacity for error — no one is infallible. And yet, we are able to be infallible in certain ways: children are infallibly curious, teenagers infallibly hungry. Interestingly, *infallible* derives from the Latin *in-* "not" + *fallere* "deceive." When did making a mistake and deception become the same thing?

Question 477

Infamous

Answer 477

Infamous ## Footnote known widely and usually unfavorably - **[adj]** the **infamous** Benedict Arnold Someone who is *infamous* has a very bad reputation. If you become a Hollywood star and find yourself on the pages of gossip magazines for your affairs and addictions, you will have succeeded in becoming *infamous*. *Infamous* is from Latin *infamis*, for negative fame. If you're bad but unknown, then you're not infamous — it's reserved for those wicked and well-known people that capture our collective imagination. It is a strong and resonant term. Some synonyms are *notorious, disgraceful,* and *odious*. The stress is on the first syllable.

Question 478

Infer

Answer 478

Infer ## Footnote conclude by reasoning; in logic - **[v]**reason by deduction; establish by deduction - **[v]**guess correctly; solve by guessing - **[v]**draw from specific cases for more general cases - **[v]**believe to be the case - **[v]** When you *infer* something, you read between the lines. To *infer* is to make a well informed guess — if you see your mom’s bag on the table, you might *infer* that she’s home. When you infer, you listen closely to someone and guess at things they mean but haven't actually said. It’s like guessing, but not making wild guesses. You're making deductions — guesses based on logic. Another kind of inferring is more scientific, like when a scientist has part of a dinosaur fossil and can infer what the rest of the dinosaur looked like. When you see the word *infer*, think "educated guess."

Question 479

Ingrate

Answer 479

Ingrate ## Footnote a person who shows no gratitude - **[n]** If your kind act of buying a donut for your friend gets you nothing but a complaint that the chocolate icing looks runny, then it sounds like your pal is an *ingrate*, someone who is not thankful for others' kindness. The noun *ingrate* comes for the Latin word *ingratus*, a combination of *in-*, meaning "not," and *gratus*, or "grateful." That pretty much sums up an ingrate: not grateful. It describes someone who tends to act this way in general, rarely acknowledging others' generosity, or even worse, seeming to expect special treatment. You can tell someone is an ingrate but what isn't said: "thank you" and "I appreciate what you've done for me."

Question 480

Inimical

Answer 480

Inimical ## Footnote not friendly - **[adj]** an **inimical** critic Censorship is *inimical* to freedom. So, most teenagers would argue, are curfews. To be *inimical* is to be harmful, antagonistic, or opposed to — like smoking two packs a day is to healthy lungs. *Inimical* comes from the Latin word *inimicus*, meaning "enemy." It suggests acting like someone's enemy––being adverse, damaging, or downright hostile. It can refer to anything from emotions and actions to public policy. Be careful not to mix it up with *inimitable*, which means too good to be copied.

Question 481

Iniquitous

Answer 481

Iniquitous ## Footnote characterized by iniquity; wicked because it is believed to be a sin - **[adj]** **iniquitous** deeds Something that is *iniquitous* is extremely immoral or wicked, such as an *iniquitous* political regime that assassinates its enemies. Use the adjective *iniquitous* to describe something that is truly bad, morally wrong, extremely wicked, or completely unfair. It’s a strong word — don't use it lightly. If you go see a movie that’s boring and too long, for example, it’s just a bad movie. But a movie that encourages people to take violent action against a minority group? That's *iniquitous* because the movie's message is grossly immoral.

Question 482

Innate

Answer 482

Innate ## Footnote present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development - **[adj]**not established by conditioning or learning - **[adj]**being talented through inherited qualities - **[adj]** an **innate** talent If a characteristic or ability is already present in a person or animal when they are born, it is *innate.* People have the *innate* ability to speak whereas animals do not. *Innate* can also be used figuratively for something that comes from the mind rather than from external sources. Do you know someone with an innate sense of style? Some kids seem to have an innate sense of fairness where others seem to be natural bullies. In some contexts, *innate* means inherent. There is an innate sadness in certain types of ceremonies.

Question 483

Innocuous

Answer 483

Innocuous ## Footnote not injurious to physical or mental health - **[adj]**lacking intent or capacity to injure - **[adj]**not causing disapproval - **[adj]** it was an **innocuous** remark "confined himself to **innocuous** generalities" If you want to reassure someone that something isn't harmful or likely to cause injury, call it *innocuous*. Even an *innocuous* letter from your boyfriend is embarrassing if your parents find it! The adjective, *innocuous,* does not really say what something is, but rather what it is not. Some chemicals, viruses, snakes or websites may be harmful, some remarks or questions may be offensive, but if one of these is innocuous, it is not. The word comes from the Latin roots *in-* "not" and *nocere* "to injure, harm."

Question 484

Inscrutable

Answer 484

Inscrutable ## Footnote of an obscure nature - **[adj]** the **inscrutable** workings of Providence Any person or thing that's mysterious, mystifying, hard to read, or impossible to interpret is *inscrutable*. You ever notice how it's hard to tell what some people are thinking? Those folks are *inscrutable*. A good way to think about what *inscrutable* means is to consider cats and dogs. Dogs wear their hearts on their sleeves, shaking when they're afraid and bouncing up and down when they're happy. Dogs are definitely not inscrutable, because you can tell what they're thinking and feeling. On the other hand, cats are very difficult to read. Even longtime cat owners aren't always sure what's going on with their kitty. Cats are very inscrutable animals.

Question 485

Insipid

Answer 485

Insipid ## Footnote lacking interest or significance or impact - **[adj]**lacking taste or flavor or tang - **[adj]** an **insipid** personality "**insipid** hospital food" Some *insipid* is lacking in flavor or interest. You'll probably find the generic poems inside of greeting cards *insipid*. *Insipid* comes from the Latin *insipidus*, the opposite of *sapidus* which means flavorful. Because spices and salts are left out, hospital food is usually insipid. The most common use of the word is in a metaphorical sense for dull or flat. You might think that your goody-two-shoes cousin is the most insipid girl you've ever met.

Question 486

Instigate

Answer 486

Instigate ## Footnote provoke or stir up - **[v]**serve as the inciting cause of - **[v]** When you *instigate* something, you start it, but the word carries conflict with it. If you are suspended for wearing a political t-shirt, the incident might *instigate* days of protest by students and faculty. *Instigate* comes from the Latin word *instigare* "to incite." People who are instigators often begin trouble but then back off and let others break the rules. If you instigate a food fight in the cafeteria, you might throw the first spoonful of mashed potatoes, but then you stop and let all the other students carry on the chaos. When something is instigated, the outcome tends to be unknown. The plan you instigate might not lead to the desired result.

Question 487

Insurgent

Answer 487

Insurgent ## Footnote in opposition to a civil authority or government - **[adj]**a person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority (especially in the hope of improving conditions) - **[n]**a member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger force by sabotage and harassment - **[n]** An *insurgent* is a rebel or a revolutionary, someone who takes up arms against the authorities. *Insurgent* is from the Latin word "insurgentem," literally meaning "to rise against," so think of an insurgent as a fighter who rises against the people in power. Often insurgents are considered terrorists because they use violence to intimidate people.

Question 488

Intangible

Answer 488

Intangible ## Footnote incapable of being perceived by the senses especially the sense of touch - **[adj]**lacking substance or reality; incapable of being touched or seen - **[adj]**(of especially business assets) not having physical substance or intrinsic productive value - **[adj]**hard to pin down or identify - **[adj]**assets that are saleable though not material or physical - **[n]** the **intangible** constituent of energy"- James Jeans" "that **intangible** thing--the soul" "**intangible** assets such as good will" You can't touch this word — it is *intangible.* You can grasp the meaning of the word in your head, but you can't close your hands around it; you'll just put fingerprints on your monitor. The Latin verb *tangere* means "to touch," and the 16th-century English word *tangible* comes from it. Something intangible can't be touched physically, but most of the time it is understandable or even felt in the heart. Sadness can't be picked up and thrown in the garbage can because it is intangible, but you can throw away the tissues wet with tears. Laughing is intangible too, but you can hold onto movies, pets, and friends that make you laugh.

Question 489

Interminable

Answer 489

Interminable ## Footnote tiresomely long; seemingly without end - **[adj]** an **interminable** sermon Use *interminable* to describe something that has or seems to have no end. Your math class. Your sister's violin recital. A babysitting job where five kids are going through your purse and the parents didn't leave a number. Something that is *interminable* is often boring, annoying, or hard to bear, such as an *interminable* noise. A near synonym is *incessant,* which also refers to something unpleasant that continues without stopping. It descends from the Latin prefix *in-* "not," *terminare* "to end," and the suffix *-abilis* "able to." Latin *terminare* is also the source of the English verb *terminate* "to end" and the corresponding noun *termination* "an act of ending something."

Question 490

Intermittent

Answer 490

Intermittent ## Footnote stopping and starting at irregular intervals - **[adj]** **intermittent** rain showers Reach for the adjective *intermittent* to describe periodic movement and stopping and starting over a period of time. The adjective *intermittent* modifies things that work or stop and start at periodic intervals. An interesting use of something *intermittent* is a *metronome*, a device that marks off time in music by making a sound in a regular pattern. It provides structure for musicians, especially when there are several instruments all playing different melodies at the same time. Other *intermittent* things are the windshield wipers on your car and thank goodness for them when it rains!

Question 491

Interregnum

Answer 491

Interregnum ## Footnote the time between two reigns, governments, etc. - **[n]** *Interregnum* describes the period between the reigns of two leaders. If you're a rebel leader, you may try to gain power during an *interregnum*. Pronounce *interregnum* with the accent on the third syllable: "in-ter-REG-num." It comes from Latin: *inter-* means "between" and *regnum* means "kingship, dominion, rule, realm." An interregnum can be marked by no government at all, or it can refer to a different kind of leadership between two similar regimes.

Question 492

Intransigence

Answer 492

Intransigence ## Footnote the trait of being intransigent; stubbornly refusing to compromise - **[n]** If you refuse to compromise with your sister about whose turn it is to do the dishes, your mother might accuse you both of *intransigence*. *Intransigence* is a stubborn refusal to change your views. Inside of *intransigence* you see the Latin *transigere* which means to come to an understanding. People who show intransigence refuse to do this. Nations are often accused of intransigence when they refuse to comply with international standards or will.

Question 493

Intrepid

Answer 493

Intrepid ## Footnote invulnerable to fear or intimidation - **[adj]** **intrepid** pioneers *Intrepid* is just a fancy word for describing a person or action that is bold and brave. Super heroes are *intrepid* in their struggle for truth, justice and the American way. Some synonyms are *fearless*, *courageous*, *dauntless*, or *valiant*, but the word *intrepid* suggests a lack of fear in dealing with something new or unknown. This adjective comes from Latin *intrepidus,* formed from the prefix *in-* "not" plus *trepidus* "alarmed."

Question 494

Inured

Answer 494

Inured ## Footnote made tough by habitual exposure - **[adj]** a peasant, dark, lean-faced, wind-**inured**"- Robert Lynd" ""our successors...may be graver, more **inured** and equable men"- V.S.Pritchett" If you have gotten so many mosquito bites in your life that they no longer bother you, you have become *inured* to them. This means you have become accustomed to tolerating them. This adjective is derived from the 16th-century phrase *in ure,* meaning "in use" or "in practice." When you are inured to something, you have probably had a lot of persistent exposure to it, and it’s usually something negative. People can become inured to pain, inured to violence, and even inured to the sound of a little yappy dog that won’t stop barking.

Question 495

Inveigle

Answer 495

Inveigle ## Footnote influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering - **[v]** When you tell your boyfriend he’s not just the best boyfriend ever but also the world's best driver, and this makes him offer to drive the whole way on your upcoming road trip, then congratulations. You know how to *inveigle*, or use charm to coax someone into doing something. If you successfully *inveigle* your sister to doing something for you, she must be so caught up in your flattering that she is blind to your true intention. In fact, *inveigle* comes from the Middle French word *aveugler*, meaning "delude, make blind," which can be traced back to the Medieval Latin word *ab oculis*, or "lacking eyes." The people you inveigle don't see what you are really up to.

Question 496

Inveterate

Answer 496

Inveterate ## Footnote habitual - **[adj]**in a habitual and longstanding manner - **[adv]** If you're an *inveterate* doodler, all your notebooks are covered with drawings. If you're an *inveterate* golf player, you probably get twitchy if you haven't been out on a course in a week. In Middle English *inveterate* was associated with chronic disease. Now it simply refers to something that is a signature habit with a person. Unless you're an *inveterate* gambler, drinker or smoker––in which case you're addicted and we're back to talking about being sick.

Question 497

Invidious

Answer 497

Invidious ## Footnote containing or implying a slight or showing prejudice - **[adj]** **invidious** comparisons Something can be described as *invidious* when it is resentful, discriminatory or envious, as in: "Fred was angered by the *invidious* gossip about his divorce being spread by his ex-wife's allies." The adjective *invidious* is used to describe an act, thought, opinion or critique that is full of ill will or prejudice. It comes from a Latin word that means "hostile." When the captain of a cheerleading squad says nasty things about an opposing cheer captain's new party dress, those are *invidious* comments.

Question 498

Inviolable

Answer 498

Inviolable ## Footnote incapable of being transgressed or dishonored - **[adj]**immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with - **[adj]**not capable of being violated or infringed - **[adj]**must be kept sacred - **[adj]** the person of the king is **inviolable**"an **inviolable** oath" "fortifications that made the frontier **inviolable**" Wedding vows and vault combinations that can’t be broken are considered *inviolable*. (Of course, divorce lawyers and bank robbers consider this a challenge.) The word can refer to a physical structure (a fortress, for instance) or something more conceptual (human rights or morals, perhaps). *Inviolable* has changed little from its Latin origin of *inviolabilis*, which combines the prefix *in*- (meaning "not") with the verb *violare* ("to violate"). *Inviolable* turns up in religious settings too, usually in reference to texts or rites. In that context, it means "sacred." No surprise: the antonym of *inviolable* is *violable* ("accessible or penetrable").

Question 499

Irascible

Answer 499

Irascible ## Footnote quickly aroused to anger - **[adj]**characterized by anger - **[adj]** an **irascible** response If you're *irascible*, you get angry easily — perhaps blowing up in rage when someone brushes into you. *Irascible* comes from the Latin root *ira*, which means "anger" or "rage," the same root that gives us the word *ire*, "anger." The *-sc* in the middle of *irascible*, means "becoming," so *irascible* doesn't just mean you're angry — it's got action built into it. If you're looking for a fight most of the time, then you're irascible — ready for the spark that's going to set you on fire.

Question 500

Irksome

Answer 500

Irksome ## Footnote so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness - **[adj]** what an **irksome** task the writing of long letters is"- Edmund Burke" If your little brother keeps saying the same phrase over and over again, you might find it *irksome* — that is, annoying in a tiresome way. If you are a person who likes to know exactly where words come from, you might find it irksome that the etymology of *irksome*'s 15th century ancestor *irken* is unknown. If you complain about this to all of your friends, they might start to find you irksome also.

Question 501

Ironic

Answer 501

Ironic ## Footnote characterized by often poignant difference or incongruity between what is expected and what actually is - **[adj]**humorously sarcastic or mocking - **[adj]** madness, an **ironic** fate for such a clear thinker "an **ironic** remark often conveys an intended meaning obliquely" "an **ironic** novel" If something is *ironic* it's unexpected, often in an amusing way. If you're the world chess champion, it would be pretty *ironic* if you lost a match to someone who just learned to play yesterday. *Ironic* is the adjective for the noun *irony*. In contemporary speech, when we call something ironic, we often mean *sarcastic*. If you spill coffee all over drawings you've been working on all morning, you might ironically tell your coworker, "I've done something wonderful!" An ironic outcome is the opposite of what's intended. Having someone splash mud on you is always annoying, but it would be ironic if they had splashed you because they were running up to wipe dirt off you.

Question 502

Irreproachable

Answer 502

Irreproachable ## Footnote free of guilt; not subject to blame - **[adj]** of **irreproachable** character Use the adjective *irreproachable* to describe something or someone blameless or not deserving of criticism. It can be annoying, but your parents strive to give you *irreproachable* advice when they tell you, "Study hard in school," and not "Party on!" The adjective *irreproachable* comes the Old French word *reprocher*, which meant "to blame." With the addition of the prefix *ir-*, meaning "not," and the suffix *-able*, meaning "capable," we get the English meaning of "not capable of being blamed." It is the rare politician who has an irreproachable reputation. So if your background is not irreproachable and you run for office, be prepared for the press to dig up all the skeletons in your closet.

Question 503

Irrevocable

Answer 503

Irrevocable ## Footnote incapable of being retracted or revoked - **[adj]** firm and **irrevocable** is my doom"- Shakespeare" If you're on a diet but eat one tiny piece of chocolate, it might start an *irrevocable* slide into bad eating. Describe something as *irrevocable* if it cannot be undone or taken back. If you break down *irrevocable*, you wind up with *ir* "not," *re* "back" and *vocable* from the Latin *vocare* "to call." So if something is irrevocable, you cannot call it back — it is permanent. You must fulfill an irrevocable promise and live with an irrevocable decision. A law is irrevocable if it states within the law that it cannot be nullified. Now that's final!

Question 504

Itinerant

Answer 504

Itinerant ## Footnote traveling from place to place to work - **[adj]**a laborer who moves from place to place as demanded by employment - **[n]** **itinerant** labor "an **itinerant** judge" "**itinerant** traders" An *itinerant* is a person who moves from place to place, typically for work, like the *itinerant* preacher who moves to a new community every few years. *Itinerant* is pronounced "eye-TIN-er-ant." It might remind you of *itinerary*, the traveler's schedule that lists flights, hotel check-in times, and other plans. It's no surprise that both words come from the Latin word *itinerare*, meaning "to travel." *Itinerant* was first used in the 16th century to describe circuit judges who traveled to faraway courtrooms. Today, almost anyone can be an itinerant.

Question 505

Jaded

Answer 505

Jaded ## Footnote exhausted - **[adj]**dulled by surfeit - **[adj]** my father's words had left me **jaded** and depressed"- William Styron" "the amoral, **jaded**, bored upper classes" If you've done something so much that it doesn't excite you anymore but just leaves you tired, consider yourself *jaded.* If someone says you look a little *jaded*, it just means that you look tired. The history of *jaded* is not clear, but perhaps it is related to the noun *jade,* an old term for a worn-out horse. Even if not, picturing a tired old horse may be a nice way to remember that *jaded* means dulled or tired from too much of something. The word can also mean cynical because of bad experiences with something, like a jaded journalist who doesn't see the person behind the politician.

Question 506

Jargon

Answer 506

Jargon ## Footnote specialized technical terminology characteristic of a particular subject - **[n]**a colorless (or pale yellow or smoky) variety of zircon - **[n]** *Jargon* usually means the specialized language used by people in the same work or profession. Internet advertising jargon includes the new words "click throughs" and "page views." This noun can also refer to language that uses long sentences and hard words. If you say that someone's speech or writing is full of *jargon*, this means you don't approve of it and think it should be simplified. In Middle English, this word referred to chattering, so its origin is probably imitative: it echoes the sound of chatter or meaningless words.

Question 507

Jaundiced

Answer 507

Jaundiced ## Footnote affected by jaundice which causes yellowing of skin etc - **[adj]**showing or affected by prejudice or envy or distaste - **[adj]** looked with a **jaundiced** eye on the growth of regimentation "takes a **jaundiced** view of societies and clubs" So you wake up in the morning and look in the mirror. To your surprise, and horror, instead of your usual rosy complexion, your skin is yellow and the whites of your eyes are yellow, too! You, my friend, are *jaundiced*. *Jaundice* is from the Greek, *ikteros*, which referred to both the disease and a rare, yellow bird. It was thought that someone with *jaundice* could stare at this yellow bird, and the *jaundice* would be magically transferred to the bird. *Jaundiced* can also refer to ideas or feelings being distorted by negative views or qualities, since yellow has been associated with bitterness and envy. Too bad there is no bird to get rid of that!

Question 508

Jaunt

Answer 508

Jaunt ## Footnote a journey taken for pleasure - **[n]**make a trip for pleasure - **[v]** Running out to get pizza to bring back before the big game? This short, quick, pleasurable trip could be called a *jaunt* (unless of course, you get your pizza from Italy, that’s called "time to get a closer pizza place"). *Jaunt* was used in the 17th century to describe a journey on a horse just long enough to tire the horse out. Nebraska has what they call a Junk Jaunt, which is a yard sale that includes up to 40 towns and stretches nearly 300 miles and draws up to 20,000 people. That’s more than enough to make any horse tired, but they call it a *jaunt* nevertheless.

Question 509

Jeopardize

Answer 509

Jeopardize ## Footnote pose a threat to; present a danger to - **[v]**put at risk - **[v]** * Jeopardize* means to put at risk or pose a threat. *Jeopardize* your career by posting silly pictures of yourself on Facebook. *Jeopardize* your friendships by posting silly pictures of your friends on Facebook. * Jeopardize* stems from the Old French *jeu parti*, which literally translates to a game with divided, or even, chances. An even chance of winning hardly seems a risky endeavor, but maybe our forefathers weren't big risk-takers. Whatever the reason, *jeopardize* has come to mean the act of putting yourself or something at risk, through circumstance or behavior. Think of double-jeopardy on the gameshow "Jeopardy" and you'll better understand what it means to jeopardize your savings.

Question 510

Jibe

Answer 510

Jibe ## Footnote shift from one side of the ship to the other - **[v]**an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect - **[n]**be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics - **[v]** To *jibe* with someone is to agree with them. *Jibe* can also mean "be compatible with or similar to." If two people *jibe*, they get along quite well. A *jibe* can also be an insulting remark as another way to spell *gibe*. If someone directs that kind of jibe at you, the best response is a really good comeback. And in nautical terminology, *jibe* refers to a particular manner of changing the course of a ship. How did this word come to have such different meanings? Your guess is as good as ours. Just try to remember that if you want to jibe with others, don’t insult them.

Question 511

Jocular

Answer 511

Jocular ## Footnote characterized by jokes and good humor - **[adj]**with humor - **[adv]** Do you like to make a lot of jokes? Are you often silly? Are you usually happy? If so, then you are a *jocular* person. Being *jocular* has to do with being both jokey and fun. A jocular suggestion is not a serious suggestion — it's a joke. Some people are more jocular than others: anyone who is ultra-serious and always frowning is not jocular. A comedian makes a job of being jocular. Class clowns can't stop being jocular, though the teacher might just see them as obnoxious. Being jocular is usually considered a good thing: it's not just about making a lot of jokes; it's about being happy and pleasant to be around.

Question 512

Jollity

Answer 512

Jollity ## Footnote feeling jolly and jovial and full of good humor - **[n]** Use the noun *jollity* to describe having fun and being in an extremely good mood, like the *jollity* you feel when you are with your best friends at your favorite amusement park. You can see the word *jolly* in *jollity* and that is a big clue that it means "full of cheer and good will." We might say that Jolly Old Saint Nicholas — Santa Claus — is the king of jollity. But you can join his court — you are the picture of jollity when you are laughing uncontrollably with good friends or whooping it up at a Country Western dance. We are talking mirth and merriment: that's jollity.

Question 513

Jurisprudence

Answer 513

Jurisprudence ## Footnote the branch of philosophy concerned with the law and the principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do - **[n]**the collection of rules imposed by authority - **[n]** the great problem for **jurisprudence** to allow freedom while enforcing order You want a word that’s a whole mouthful? Try *jurisprudence*, the study and philosophy of law. You want to study *jurisprudence*? Get ready for law school, where you’ll find even longer, more troubling words. The Latin-based word *jurisprudence* is made up of two parts, *juris* "of law" and *prudence* which goes back to mean "knowledge." If you study law, you study jurisprudence. You can modify it to show a specific type of law, so you will find terms such as medical, human rights, Islamic or American jurisprudence. Sometimes the word is used as a collective to mean the legal world. This is a new issue that jurisprudence will have to deal with.

Question 514

Juxtapose

Answer 514

Juxtapose ## Footnote place side by side - **[v]** The fauvists **juxtaposed** strong colors See the word "pose" in *juxtapose*? When you *juxtapose*, you are "posing" or positioning things side by side. The verb *juxtapose* requires contrasting things placed next to one other: "The collage *juxtaposed* pictures of Jane while she was growing up and as an adult." *Juxtapose* is used often when referring to contrasting elements in the arts. "The music *juxtaposed* the instrumentation of jazz with the harmonies of soul."

Question 515

Kindle

Answer 515

Kindle ## Footnote catch fire - **[v]**cause to start burning - **[v]**call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses) - **[v]** The dried grass of the prairie **kindled**, spreading the flames for miles "The setting sun **kindled** the sky with oranges and reds" When you start a fire burning, you can say you *kindle* the fire. Knowing how to *kindle* a campfire is an important survival skill. It can help keep you warm at night, and keep you from eating cold beans for dinner. The verb *kindle* not only means to start a fire, but also to catch fire. Another meaning for *kindle* is to arouse interest or passion. A dynamic music teacher could kindle the students' interest in learning an instrument. Or, romance can also be kindled: "As they danced together, a spark of romance *kindled* between them."

Question 516

Knotty

Answer 516

Knotty ## Footnote tangled in knots or snarls - **[adj]**used of old persons or old trees; covered with knobs or knots - **[adj]**making great mental demands; hard to comprehend or solve or believe - **[adj]** I faced the **knotty** problem of what to have for breakfast "a **knotty** problem" Whether it’s pine or problems, sometimes the word *knotty* can apply to both. *Knotty* can describe something that has a lot of knots, either literally or figuratively. The adjective *knotty* is a way to describe something that’s covered in knots. It can be used in a literal sense to refer to wood that is covered in hard, irregular knots — you’ve probably seen these circular, knobby imperfections that sometime appear on wood. The word can also be used figuratively to describe something that is intricate and difficult to solve, such as a knotty political problem involving two warring nations or a knotty legal issue involving complicated constitutional issues.

Question 517

Labile

Answer 517

Labile ## Footnote liable to change - **[adj]**(chemistry, physics, biology) readily undergoing change or breakdown - **[adj]** an emotionally **labile** person *Labile* is an adjective used to describe something that is easily or frequently changed. Radioactive elements, such as uranium or plutonium, are *labile*. It is this *lability* that makes them unstable and dangerous. From the Latin verb *lābī*, "to slide or slip," *labile* is often found in a technical context, especially in science, to refer to some sort of instability. For example, in chemistry, a compound that can be easily broken down by heat is called *labile*. The term can also be used in psychology to describe someone who is emotionally unstable.

Question 518

Labyrinth

Answer 518

Labyrinth ## Footnote complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost - **[n]**a complex system of interconnecting cavities; concerned with hearing and equilibrium - **[n]** A *labyrinth* is a structure with many connected paths or passages in which it is hard to find your way. In figurative use, a *labyrinth* is a complicated situation: our tax code is a *labyrinth* of rules and regulations. In Greek mythology, the *Labyrinth* was the structure built for King Minos of Crete to confine the Minotaur, a monster with the head of a bull and the body of a man. The word *maze* is a near synonym for *labyrinth*, and is also used figuratively, as in, "After war broke out, trying to figure out how to get a visa to leave the country was like navigating a *maze*, a veritable *labyrinth* of wrong turns and false hope."

Question 519

Laceration

Answer 519

Laceration ## Footnote the act of lacerating - **[n]**a torn ragged wound - **[n]** A *laceration* is a tear, cut, or gash. Your heart can also get a more figurative *laceration* when you see your love kissing another. Either way, ouch. A *laceration* implies that there is a tearing or jaggedness to the wound. A surgeon would not make a laceration on a patient, but an *incision*. Lacerations are reserved for things like barbed wire, errant nails, and fickle loves.

Question 520

Lachrymose

Answer 520

Lachrymose ## Footnote showing sorrow - **[adj]** A good place to see a display of *lachrymose* sorrow is at a funeral — people sobbing openly or sniffling quietly into their hankies. To be *lachrymose*, in other words, is to be tearful. *Lachrymose* is not a word used much in everyday speech; you wouldn't say, for example, "I feel a bit *lachrymose* today." No, you'd probably say, "I feel a bit weepy today." *Lachrymose* is generally confined to use as a written critical term, often meaning much the same as *sentimental.* Books and plays and films can all be lachrymose, if their intent is to induce shameless sniveling.

Question 521

Lackluster

Answer 521

Lackluster ## Footnote lacking brilliance or vitality - **[adj]**lacking luster or shine - **[adj]** a dull **lackluster** life "staring with **lackluster** eyes" *Lackluster* is a compound adjective that means what it sounds like: if something is *lackluster* it lacks luster; in other words, it is without brilliance, shine, or vitality. Think *dull*. Shakespeare gave us the compound *lackluster*, first using the term in his play *As You Like It*. In 2:7, the character Jacques says, "And then he drew a dial from his poke, And, looking on it with lack-lustre eye..." Since Shakespeare first coined this word, it has been used to describe anything "blah"; *lackluster* sales would worry shop owners and a lackluster prom dress might help you blend in with the wallpaper.

Question 522

Laconic

Answer 522

Laconic ## Footnote brief and to the point; effectively cut short - **[adj]** the **laconic** reply *Laconic* is an adjective that describes a style of speaking or writing that uses only a few words, often to express complex thoughts and ideas. A more *laconic* way to write that last sentence might be this: *laconic* means brief. There’s a friend of yours who doesn’t talk very much, and when he does, he says maybe three words and then becomes quiet again. You could describe that friend as laconic. The word comes from Laconia, a region in ancient Greece where the local Spartan rulers gave very short speeches. Being laconic can be bad when it sounds rude to be so brief, but it can be good if you’re in a rush to get somewhere.

Question 523

Lambaste

Answer 523

Lambaste ## Footnote censure severely or angrily - **[v]**beat with a cane - **[v]** To *lambaste* is to reprimand or berate someone severely. People *lambaste* those who have angered or disappointed them. Have you ever watched a basketball game and noticed a coach yelling like a maniac at a referee? That coach is lambasting the referee. Lambasting is also called chewing out, taking to task, scolding, reprimanding, berating, bawling out, and chiding. Parents lambaste disobedient kids. A boss might lambaste a worker who is late all the time. Lambasting is severe and goes way beyond criticizing. When you are lambasting, you are furious at someone and letting them know it.

Question 524

Lampoon

Answer 524

Lampoon ## Footnote ridicule with satire - **[v]**a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way - **[n]** When you make fun of something by imitating it in a humorous way, you're *lampooning* it. The writers at The Onion, Saturday Night Live and FunnyOrDie.com are all experts in the art of the *lampoon*. *Lampoon* can be both a verb and a noun. To *lampoon* is ridicule. A *lampoon* is a parody or satire. Imagine you were frustrated by having your allowance reduced, so you wrote a funny play portraying mom and dad as dictators extracting lots of unfair taxes from their people. That's *lampooning*. And it probably won't help your allowance situation.

Question 525

Languid

Answer 525

Languid ## Footnote lacking spirit or liveliness - **[adj]** a **languid** mood "a **languid** wave of the hand" Describe a slow-moving river or a weak breeze or a listless manner with the slightly poetic adjective, *languid.* *Languid* comes from the Latin verb, *languere* "to be weak or faint" and is a somewhat literary word for something that doesn't use much energy. If someone says goodbye to you with a languid wave of the hand, there's not too much movement involved. You can describe yourself as languid when you have that feeling of not being entirely awake — kind of lazy in the mind.

Question 526

Languish

Answer 526

Languish ## Footnote become feeble - **[v]**have a desire for something or someone who is not present - **[v]** The prisoner has be **languishing** for years in the dungeon To *languish* is to become pitiful or weak because you're sick, in love, or stuck somewhere. A prisoner might *languish* in jail, longing for her freedom. *Languish*, like *languid*, is from the Latin word *languere* which means to "be weak or faint." Your houseplants might *languish* in a dark dry corner. A Romantic poet might *languish* on a velvet couch with the back of her hand to her forehead. People in operas love to *languish*: The main character in *La Traviatta*, Violetta, *languishes* from longing and eventually tuberculosis.

Question 527

Larceny

Answer 527

Larceny ## Footnote the act of taking something from someone unlawfully - **[n]** * Larceny* is the legal term for stealing. Grand *larceny* is when you take something worth a lot of money, petty *larceny* when the stolen item is worth relatively little. * Larceny* is used when talking about stealing someone's property in regards to the law. If you illegally download music or plagiarize a text, that may be theft, but it is not larceny because there was no physical property involved. If you take a friend's yoyo and don't give it back, it's stealing — unless your friend calls the police and has you arrested on charges of larceny.

Question 528

Largess

Answer 528

Largess ## Footnote liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit - **[n]**a gift or money given (as for service or out of benevolence); usually given ostentatiously - **[n]**

Question 529

Lassitude

Answer 529

Lassitude ## Footnote a feeling of lack of interest or energy - **[n]**weakness characterized by a lack of vitality or energy - **[n]**a state of comatose torpor (as found in sleeping sickness) - **[n]** If you are feeling *lassitude*, you're weary and just can't be bothered. Couch potatoes make *lassitude* into an art form. *Lassitude* might sound like *latitude,* but the two words don't mean the same thing. *Latitude* describes the distance of a particular location from the equator. *Lassitude* is the weariness you'd experience after attempting to run a marathon around the equator. *Lassitude* can also describe a lack of interest, like deciding you'd rather lie on your couch rather than run that marathon along the equator.

Question 530

Latent

Answer 530

Latent ## Footnote potentially existing but not presently evident or realized - **[adj]**(pathology) not presently active - **[adj]** a **latent** fingerprint "**latent** talent" "**latent** infection" *Latent* is an adjective that you use to describe something that is capable of becoming active or at hand, though it is not currently so. The adjective *latent* is a tricky word to define because it refers to something there but not there. That is, *latent* means something that is capable of becoming active or at hand but has not yet achieved that state. The word arrived in Middle English from the Latin word *latēre* which means "to lie hidden." It can have somewhat negative connotations because it is often used in a medical context, as in a *latent* illness or infection, but it can also mean good things, such as someone discovering they have *latent* talents or capabilities.

Question 531

Laud

Answer 531

Laud ## Footnote praise, glorify, or honor - **[v]** To *laud* someone doesn't mean to give them knighthood, but to praise them extravagantly — usually in a very public manner. Being *lauded,* of course, can have the same tonic effect as having been made a lord. Fun fact: the word *laud* is related to the drug *laudanum,* a potent combo of alcohol and opium first invented in the sixteenth century. Its creator, the alchemist Parcelsus, clearly knowing the effect it had on people, took its name from the Latin word *laudere,* meaning "to praise." Not surprisingly, it remained one of the world's most lauded drugs until its use became strictly controlled in the early twentieth century.

Question 532

Lavish

Answer 532

Lavish ## Footnote very generous - **[adj]**characterized by extravagance and profusion - **[adj]**expend profusely; also used with abstract nouns - **[v]** distributed gifts with a **lavish** hand "the critics were **lavish** in their praise" "a **lavish** buffet" Lavish means generous and extravagant as an adjective and to give generously as a verb. If you don't like it when people *lavish* you with attention, you might appreciate a *lavish* spread of excellent food instead. *Lavish* comes from the Old French *lavache* meaning "deluge, torrent" referring to rain. When you see it, think of a shower of good things coming down on you as you never use *lavish* with something bad. Didn't your parents lavish you with praise and love when you were small? With *lavish* as an adjective, you can rephrase that question like this: Didn't your parents offer you lavish praise and love when you were little?

Question 533

Lax

Answer 533

Lax ## Footnote lacking in rigor or strictness - **[adj]**emptying easily or excessively - **[adj]**pronounced with muscles of the tongue and jaw relatively relaxed (e.g., the vowel sound in `bet') - **[adj]** such **lax** and slipshod ways are no longer acceptable "**lax** in attending classes" "a **lax** rope" That dad who buys beer for his teenage kids? His parenting style might be described as *lax*. A paperclip chain used as a bike lock? That would be an example of *lax* security. While contemplating the word *lax*, you may note that it's the same as the first syllable in *laxative*. This is not a coincidence: *lax* entered English as a noun describing a substance taken or administered to relax the bowels. Interestingly, the modern definition of *lax* is closer to the Latin source word, *laxus* — an adjective meaning "loose." Now, *lax* can refer to any phenomenon that is insufficiently stringent or so slack as to be basically ineffectual. For example, "The entire class performed incredibly well on the test, largely due to the sleepy professor's *lax* supervision."

Question 534

Leaven

Answer 534

Leaven ## Footnote a substance used to produce fermentation in dough or a liquid - **[n]**an influence that works subtly to lighten or modify something - **[n]**cause to puff up with a leaven - **[v]** *Leaven*, as a noun, is that which causes transformation. It’s the source of yeast that makes your bread rise, it’s the risen bread, and it’s anything that changes the nature of something else. Coming from the French verb *levare*, which means "to raise," leaven changes everything. It makes dough go from flat to loaf, and it’s also the term to describe the risen dough before it’s baked. And leaven can be anything that causes transformation — "Winning the lottery will be the *leaven* that allows you to travel the world." Additionally it’s a verb: "When you bake bread, you *leaven* the dough to make it rise."

Question 535

Legend

Answer 535

Legend ## Footnote a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events - **[n]**brief description accompanying an illustration - **[n]** A *legend* is a larger-than-life story that gets passed down from one generation to the next — like the *legends* of Beowulf, Robin Hood, or even Big Foot. *Legend* comes from the Latin *legere,* "to read." The Latin word was originally limited to written stories, but in English, *legend* lost that limitation. Often a legend lives on in the stories that people tell each other. A person can be a legend too. Anne Frank is a legend for keeping a diary of hidden life in war time, and a less famous person, like a long-serving local teacher, can be a legend to neighborhood kids.

Question 536

Lethargic

Answer 536

Lethargic ## Footnote deficient in alertness or activity - **[adj]** bullfrogs became **lethargic** with the first cold nights When you feel *lethargic*, you're sluggish or lacking energy. Being sleepy or hungry can make anyone *lethargic*. Being lethargic makes it hard to get anything done: you feel weak and sleepy. Whatever the reason, a lethargic person needs to snap out of it and get some energy, maybe by eating something or by taking a nap. Being lethargic also goes well with watching TV, since that takes almost no energy at all. When you feel lethargic, you don't have any energy to spare.

Question 537

Levee

Answer 537

Levee ## Footnote a pier that provides a landing place on a river - **[n]**a formal reception of visitors or guests (as at a royal court) - **[n]** A *levee* is an embankment, like a dam, constructed to prevent the overflow of a body of water. It can also mean a formal reception. How do these two words relate? Read on... In French, *lever* means to lift and *se lever* means to rise, literally "lift yourself." When the king rose from his bed and received visitors, that was a levee. When you raise up dirt or other materials to build a dam or levee, that's also a levee. Now, official levees don't involve kings––but you might hear of "a governor’s *levee* at the state capital." And *levee* can be used as a verb, meaning to make an embankment, or shore up.

Question 538

Levity

Answer 538

Levity ## Footnote a manner lacking seriousness - **[n]**feeling an inappropriate lack of seriousness - **[n]** Joking that your dead grandmother "never looked better" could inject some *levity*, or frivolity, into her funeral, but your relatives might find your joke inappropriate to the occasion. *Levity* literally means "lightness," and it's often an attempt to inject some lightness or humor into an otherwise somber situation. Telling your Aunt Edna a joke while she recuperates from a skiing accident could provide the levity needed to brighten her mood. Yet *levity* is often used to describe humor that's not appropriate to the occasion, like telling your Aunt the joke, "Two corpses walk into a bar..." after her husband has just died.

Question 539

Libertine

Answer 539

Libertine ## Footnote unrestrained by convention or morality - **[adj]**a dissolute person; usually a man who is morally unrestrained - **[n]** If you drink a lot, eat a lot, and live a wild and unrestrained life, you might be called a *libertine*. A *libertine* is someone who lives life unencumbered by morals. Although it can be use neutrally, often if someone calls you libertine, they disapprove of your lack of morality. The city of New Orleans, where the drinking age is 18 and prostitution is legal, might be called a libertine city. While not all of the people who live there are libertines, they tend to have libertine attitudes and views, and do not mind when tourists spend their money on libertine activity.

Question 540

Lien

Answer 540

Lien ## Footnote the right to take another's property if an obligation is not discharged - **[n]**a large dark-red oval organ on the left side of the body between the stomach and the diaphragm; produces cells involved in immune responses - **[n]** A *lien* is a claim against the property of someone who owes money. It's pronounced like "lean," which might also describe your meager finances if a *lien* has been placed on your home. When someone doesn't make payments on a loan, the bank may put a lien on that person's property, claiming ownership of that property until the overdue payment is received. The word *lien* derives from the Latin *ligāre*, which means "to bind," and you can see that "binding," or tying up a person's property, really does put the owner in a "bind."

Question 541

Limpid

Answer 541

Limpid ## Footnote clear and bright - **[adj]**transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity - **[adj]**(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable - **[adj]** **limpid** blue eyes "could see the sand on the bottom of the **limpid** pool" "writes in a **limpid** style" The adjective *limpid* describes something (often liquid) that is clear, serene and bright. Nature calendars often feature glamour shots of a *limpid* stream or a *limpid* lake. The adjective *limpid* may also describe language that is easily understandable. Your teacher might ask you to give an answer in a single limpid sentence. But he probably won't because *limpid* is a word that's fallen out of use. Maybe because it sounds too much like *limp*. Or maybe because it's associated with the king of all clichés: "Her eyes were like *limpid* pools."

Question 542

Lithe

Answer 542

Lithe ## Footnote moving and bending with ease - **[adj]** Have you ever seen people who can bend so easily, they can touch their heels to the back of their heads? That person is, in a word, *lithe*. *Lithe* comes to us from Old English and originally meant "mild, meek." As a meek person bends to the will of others, the meaning of *lithe* has broadened to flexible and even graceful. Think of a dancer or the ease of a sleek cat when you think of *lithe*. You can use it to describe a person or the way someone moves.

Question 543

Livid

Answer 543

Livid ## Footnote furiously angry - **[adj]**anemic looking from illness or emotion - **[adj]**(of a light) imparting a deathlike luminosity - **[adj]** willful stupidity makes him absolutely **livid**"a face **livid** with shock" ""lips...**livid** with the hue of death"- Mary W. Shelley" If you're *livid*, you're furious, in a black cloud of anger. The Latin root this word comes from means "bluish-gray" or "slate-colored," and you can also use *livid* to describe the color, such as a *livid* bruise or a *livid* sea. *Livid*, even when it means "bluish-gray," has the sense of something not quite right. If the sky is *livid*, there's something ominous about it. Similarly, if your skin is *livid*, there's something wrong — you're either covered with bruises or you're at death's door, anemic and ashen. But *livid* is used most often to describe fury. What if you waited in line 15 hours and the person in front of you got the last seat for the hottest concert of the summer? You'd be *livid*!

Question 544

Lofty

Answer 544

Lofty ## Footnote of imposing height; especially standing out above others - **[adj]**having or displaying great dignity or nobility - **[adj]**of high moral or intellectual value; elevated in nature or style - **[adj]** **lofty** mountains "**lofty** ships" "a noble and **lofty** concept" *Lofty* is a good word for describing something that's high above the ground, or someone who acts like she's high above everyone else. Dating from the 15th century, *lofty* originally meant "exalted," or spiritually high, but soon came to mean physically high as well. A towering mountain can be called "lofty." So can someone who walks around with her nose in the air and speaks in a fake English accent. Even if she's only five-foot-two.

Question 545

Loll

Answer 545

Loll ## Footnote be lazy or idle - **[v]**hang loosely or laxly - **[v]** His tongue **lolled** To *loll* means to hang around lazily without doing much at all. It's a great pleasure to *loll* about in the park instead of going to work. But your boss might have a problem with it. *Loll* means to droop, or hang loosely. We usually use it to describe the behavior of hanging loosely, like *lolling* about on the beach reading a book. Sometimes it’s the perfect word for a drooping object. If you take your dog for a long run in the hot sun, its tongue will loll out of its mouth. If you fall asleep on the bus ride home, your head might loll onto your neighbor’s shoulder.

Question 546

Longevity

Answer 546

Longevity ## Footnote the property of being long-lived - **[n]**duration of service - **[n]** her **longevity** as a star "had unusual **longevity** in the company" Something with *longevity* has the ability to last for a long time. While tortoises are not known for their quickness, their *longevity* is amazing. Just ask the Hare. At the root of *longevity* is the word *long*. So when you see *longevity*, think "a long time." In fact, this word has some serious longevity, since it's been around since the 1600s. *Longevity* is most commonly used to describe the length of one’s lifetime, but it can also mean a long duration, such as one’s longevity working for a certain company for an extended period of time.

Question 547

Lope

Answer 547

Lope ## Footnote run easily - **[v]**a slow pace of running - **[n]**a smooth three-beat gait; between a trot and a gallop - **[n]** Some words are fun to say: *lope* is one of them. It's also fun to think about, as it means to move with a casual, striding gait. Imagine a horse cantering along with an easy *lope*. A pleasant image indeed. Before 1825, the meaning of *lope* was in the line of a leap or springy jump. This comes from the Old Norse word *hlaupa*, which sounds like its English meaning, "to leap." This is similar to the Old Dutch *lopen*, "to run," and the Old English *hlēapan*, "leap," as well as the Scots *loup*, all related to the modern meaning: a long, striding gait with a little bounce to it.

Question 548

Loquacious

Answer 548

Loquacious ## Footnote full of trivial conversation - **[adj]** A *loquacious* person talks a lot, often about stuff that only they think is interesting. You can also call them chatty or gabby, but either way, they're *loquacious*. Whenever you see the Latin *loqu-*, you can be sure that the word has something to do with "talking." So a loquacious person is a person who talks a lot, and often too much. Sitting next to a loquacious person at a dinner party can make dinner a real drag. Of course, if you've got nothing to say, a loquacious person might make a good dinner companion, because they'll do all the talking. All you will have to do is smile and eat.

Question 549

Lucid

Answer 549

Lucid ## Footnote (of language) transparently clear; easily understandable - **[adj]**transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity - **[adj]** **lucid** directions "a **lucid** moment in his madness" "a **lucid** thinker" Something that's *lucid* is clear and understandable. *Lucid* writing is important in journalism, so that readers easily get the point of the article they're reading. When what you write or say is lucid, it's straightforward and its meaning is crystal clear. You can also use the adjective *lucid* to describe your mind or thoughts when you're thinking in a rational, sensible way: "I was worried about my grandmother's confusion yesterday, but she seems really *lucid* today." Another meaning is "translucent," or letting light shine through — which makes sense since *lucid* comes from the Latin *lucidus*, "light or clear," with its root of *lux*, "light."

Question 550

Ludicrous

Answer 550

Ludicrous ## Footnote incongruous;inviting ridicule - **[adj]**broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce - **[adj]** it is **ludicrous** to call a cottage a mansion "**ludicrous** green hair" * Ludicrous* things are funny, absurd, or nonsensical. If someone says something silly or far-fetched, you could say "That's *ludicrous*!" * Ludicrous* originally meant something that was funny, playful, or joking: a ludicrous comment was just a really funny comment. Over time, *ludicrous* took on a more negative flavor. Now a ludicrous statement might be funny, but it's also ridiculous, hard to believe, off the wall, or even stupid. When people say "That idea is ludicrous!" it usually means the idea could never happen: the notion is laughable. Saying Neil Armstrong was the third President would be a ludicrous statement.

Question 551

Lugubrious

Answer 551

Lugubrious ## Footnote excessively mournful - **[adj]** Funerals are *lugubrious*. So are rainy days and Mondays. Anything that makes you sad, gloomy, or mournful can be called *lugubrious*. *Lugubrious* comes from the Latin verb *lūgēre*, "to mourn." You can also listen to the sound of the word: *lugubrious* sounds slow, heavy, and sad. Sometimes, just the "feel" of a word is enough to clue you in to its meaning, and *lugubrious* is one of those words. I was feeling great when I got to the concert, but the lugubrious music left me in a terrible mood.

Question 552

Lumber

Answer 552

Lumber ## Footnote the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material - **[n]**move heavily or clumsily - **[v]**an implement used in baseball by the batter - **[n]** The heavy man **lumbered** across the room Do you move clumsily, heavily and slowly, without a shred of grace? Then it sounds like you might *lumber.* Sorry to hear that. Lots of other words and phrases are associated with our friend *lumber.* Particularly large or tall people are almost inevitably said to lumber, as the common phrase "lumbering giant," attests. You never hear of a tip-toeing giant, but some of them must. Lumberjack, meaning someone who cuts down trees, is another. Often *lumber*, in the sense of planks of wood, is interchangeable with the word *timber.*

Question 553

Luminary

Answer 553

Luminary ## Footnote a celebrity who is an inspiration to others - **[n]** he was host to a large gathering of **luminaries** In scientific writing, Stephen J. Hawking is a *luminary*. People look up to this well-known scientist and author for his knowledge and insight. Although *luminary* can mean an object or celestial body that gives off light, you'll often hear people talk about parties at which there were many luminaries in attendance. In this case, *luminary* means celebrity or well-known person in sports or politics, science or the arts. Think of them as being bright lights that make a party sparkle.

Question 554

Luscious

Answer 554

Luscious ## Footnote having strong sexual appeal - **[adj]**extremely pleasing to the sense of taste - **[adj]** Calling something *luscious* means it's juicy, delicious and otherwise incredibly pleasing to the senses. That goes for good looking people as well as a fine piece of chocolate cake. An adjective meaning richly appealing or scrumptious, *luscious* is actually believed to be a shortened version of *delicious*. Synonyms include *succulent*, *savory* and *enticing* — all words that can also be used to either describe a perfectly cooked steak or your crush's unbelievable, irresistible lips.

Question 555

Macerate

Answer 555

Macerate ## Footnote soften, usually by steeping in liquid, and cause to disintegrate as a result - **[v]**separate into constituents by soaking - **[v]**become soft or separate and disintegrate as a result of excessive soaking - **[v]**cause to grow thin or weak - **[v]** **macerate** peaches "the gizzards **macerates** the food in the digestive system" "the tissue **macerated** in the water" When you *macerate* something, you soften it by soaking it in a liquid, often while you're cooking or preparing food. To macerate strawberries, all you have to do is sprinkle sugar on them, which draws out their juices so they become soft and sweet and deliciously saucy. *Macerate* is sometimes also used to mean "cause to grow thin or weak," or in other words, to make someone feel like a soft, squishy strawberry.

Question 556

Machinations

Answer 556

Machinations ## Footnote a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends - **[n]** When a James Bond villain comes up with a plan to destroy the world, he doesn’t use a simple plan. No, he uses a *machination* — a complex plot that relies on numerous elements coming together to work. Not surprisingly, *machination* derives from the Medieval French *machina*, meaning "machine." And, like many a machine, a machination is subject to going wrong, often comically (see James Bond movies). Politicians love a good machination, and their machinations are frequently exposed in the press as scandals.

Question 557

Maculated

Answer 557

Maculated ## Footnote morally blemished; stained or impure - **[adj]**spotted or blotched - **[adj]**spot, stain, or pollute - **[v]**make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically - **[v]** If your little sister has a *maculate* appearance, she either needs a good wipe with a damp towel or you should take her to the doctor straight away. A fairly technical word little used now, *maculate* means "spotted" or "blotchy." There's another meaning for *maculate,* that of "having a blemished or impure moral character." Now your little sister doesn't have that, does she? You can also maculate something by either physically or metaphorically polluting it — like a river or a relationship.

Question 558

Maelstrom

Answer 558

Maelstrom ## Footnote a powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides) - **[n]** A *maelstrom* is a powerful whirlpool. A luckless ship might go down in one, conflicting ocean currents might cause one. You hear it more often metaphorically, to describe disasters where many competing forces are at play. When an economy or a government fails, the situation is often described as a *maelstrom*. Following some precipitous event, all the forces at play––banks, governments, consumers––are trying as hard as they can to protect themselves. This creates a maelstrom — a perfect storm, so to speak — that drags any potential for rescue down with it. *Maelstrom* comes from an obsolete Dutch phrase meaning "whirling stream."

Question 559

Magnate

Answer 559

Magnate ## Footnote a very wealthy or powerful businessman - **[n]** If you’re a hugely successful businessman, particularly if you’ve cornered the market in a particular area, you’re a *magnate*. *Magnates* are often larger than life characters. Donald Trump, he of the hair, is a classic real estate *magnate*. Historically, a magnate was a man of noble birth (from the Latin *magnus*, meaning "a nobleman," or at least someone distinguished by his achievements. In the twentieth century, the stock of a magnate has rather fallen. If you’re vulgar and loud-spoken as well as rich, you’re probably a magnate. Thanks to the legendary movie producer Samuel Goldwyn, all film studio heads are now "studio *magnates*."

Question 560

Maladroit

Answer 560

Maladroit ## Footnote not adroit - **[adj]** a **maladroit** movement of his hand caused the car to swerve "a **maladroit** translation" "**maladroit** propaganda" If you are clumsy, you are *maladroit*. But the word can mean all kinds of clumsy. Trip over your words? You are verbally *maladroit*. Stumble in social situations? You're socially *maladroit*. When someone is adroit, they are graceful and nimble; they show a lot of dexterity. *Maladroit* is the opposite of that. It means clumsy, but with a hint of overall incompetence. If someone calls you maladroit, or says that you are a maladroit, they're not being the least bit nice. They mean that you've bungled something up with your fumbling.

Question 561

Malady

Answer 561

Malady ## Footnote impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism - **[n]**any unwholesome or desperate condition - **[n]** what **maladies** afflict our nation? A *malady* is an illness, like a *malady* that keeps you home, sick in bed for days, or something that causes you to have trouble or to suffer, like jet lag — a *malady* that affects travelers. *Malady*, pronounced "mal-uh-DEE," comes from the Latin words *male*, meaning "bad or ill" and *habitus* for "have, hold." When you have a malady, it is like something bad is holding you, such as an illness — the common cold: a malady of winter. Some bad habits cause maladies, such as never having any money — the malady of people who spend freely, not thinking of the future.

Question 562

Malapropism

Answer 562

Malapropism ## Footnote the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar - **[n]** A *malapropism* occurs when you say one word but you mean another, like instead of saying a certain restaurant is prosperous, you say it is preposterous. As you can tell, *malapropisms* are often humorous, though sometimes the joke is on the speaker. The word *malapropism*, pronounced "mah-luh-PRAH-pih-zum," comes from the French phrase *mal à propos*, which means "ill-suited." Playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan must have been thinking of the French phrase when he created his character Mrs. Malaprop, who made audiences howl with laughter when she used the wrong word. Examples include saying "allegory" instead of "alligator," and "illiterate him from your memory" instead of "obliterate."

Question 563

Malediction

Answer 563

Malediction ## Footnote the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult) - **[n]** Darn you! "Go bury your head in the sand." "You ugly nincompoop!" Each of those nasty curses is a *malediction* (and, I’m sure, nothing *you* would ever say to another human being). A *malediction* is a curse. Not like the kind a witch puts on someone, but close. More like what the schoolyard bully says to hurt someone’s feelings. On purpose. *Malediction* has *male* in it, but it’s not a slur against men or boys. *Mal* comes from the Latin for "evil" and "diction," and as you may remember, has to do with what we say. So a *malediction* is an evil statement directed at someone else. Pretty nasty, if you ask me.

Question 564

Malefactor

Answer 564

Malefactor ## Footnote someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime - **[n]** A *malefactor* has done something illegal and has been or will be convicted, such as the *malefactor* who was videotaped stealing money from a cash register. To correctly pronounce *malefactor*, remember that the first syllable, *mal* rhymes with *pal*. A malefactor, however, is no friend you should have. *Mal-* comes from Latin and means "bad, evil," and *facere* means "to perform." A malefactor performs evil acts, or to put it a little less dramatically, does really bad things.

Question 565

Malevolent

Answer 565

Malevolent ## Footnote wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred - **[adj]**having or exerting a malignant influence - **[adj]** a gossipy **malevolent** old woman "failure made him **malevolent** toward those who were successful" "**malevolent** stars" If someone is *malevolent*, they wish evil on others. If you find yourself approaching someone with a *malevolent* look in her eye, best to run the other way. *Malevolent* comes from the Latin word *malevolens*, which means "ill-disposed, spiteful"; its opposite is *benevolent*, which means "wishing good things for others." A malevolent person might display satisfaction at someone else's problems. But it's not only individuals who can be malevolent. If you think that television violence influences viewers to violence, you see television as a malevolent force. The stress is on the second syllable: muh-LEV-uh-lent.

Question 566

Malign

Answer 566

Malign ## Footnote speak unfavorably about - **[v]**evil or harmful in nature or influence - **[adj]**having or exerting a malignant influence - **[adj]** prompted by **malign** motives "believed in witches and **malign** spirits" "gave him a **malign** look" If you *malign* someone, you badmouth them — just like the jilted girlfriend who tells the whole school her ex has bad breath and head lice. It's no surprise that *malign* comes from a Middle English word that means "to attack." Because when you malign someone you're attacking their character or reputation with a lot of trash talk. That would actually make it appropriate to then describe you as "a *malign* influence" — in other words, evil and full of malignant purpose.

Question 567

Malingerer

Answer 567

Malingerer ## Footnote someone shirking their duty by feigning illness or incapacity - **[n]** Have you ever pretended to be sick or hurt to get out of taking a test or doing a chore? Then you, my dear, are a *malingerer,* and should be ashamed of yourself. Shape up! Knowing that the prefix *mal* is from the Latin for "bad," we can tell right off that being a *malingerer* is not a good thing. This noun form of the verb *malinger* comes from the French *malingre* which means "sickly." (Obviously, it’s bad to pretend to be sick.) In Jack London’s *Call of the Wild*, the new dog, Pike, is referred to as "a clever *malingerer* and thief," giving a clear negative context to the word.

Question 568

Malleable

Answer 568

Malleable ## Footnote capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out - **[adj]**easily influenced - **[adj]** **malleable** metals such as gold A *malleable* personality is capable of being changed or trained, and a *malleable* metal is able to be pounded or pressed into various shapes. It's easier to learn when you're young and *malleable*. Similarly, there are *ductile* metals that can be hammered out into wire or thread; gold, silver, and platinum are examples. The adjective *malleable* dates back to Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin *malleābilis*, from *malleāre* "to hammer," from Latin *malleus* "a hammer."

Question 569

Mannered

Answer 569

Mannered ## Footnote having unnatural mannerisms - **[adj]** brief, **mannered** and unlifelike idiom If your grandmother describes you as *mannered,* she means you are very formal, observing all society’s mandates. She might mean this positively, approving of your actions, or negatively, thinking you too formal. *Manners* are the way we behave in society, how we speak and act with other people. Use *mannered* to say that someone has manners of a certain kind. You might be *well-mannered,* helping old ladies cross the street, while your brother is *ill-mannered,* throwing snowballs at passing cars. *Mild-mannered* means that your manners are gentle — kind and polite.

Question 570

Marred

Answer 570

Marred ## Footnote blemished by injury or rough wear - **[adj]** walls **marred** by graffiti If something is *marred*, it’s damaged due to a flaw. If the big football game on Sunday ends with a fight among fans of the opposing teams, commentators will say that the game was *marred* by violence. The verb *marred* can be traced back to the Old English word *merran*, meaning "to waste or spoil." *Marred* often carries with it the sense of spoiling perfection. It can be a flaw that makes something outstanding less than perfect, such as a movie star’s face marred by a scar or a career marred by controversy.

Question 571

Marshal

Answer 571

Marshal ## Footnote (in some countries) a military officer of highest rank - **[n]**a law officer having duties similar to those of a sheriff in carrying out the judgments of a court of law - **[n]**place in proper rank - **[v]**arrange in logical order - **[v]**make ready for action or use - **[v]** **marshal** the troops "**marshal** facts or arguments" "**marshal** resources" A federal *marshal* knocks on your door. You panic: a *marshal* is a law officer. What do you do? You *marshal* your thoughts, that is, put them in order. *Marshal* derives from the Old French *mareschal,* for stable officer. The stable officer had charge of the horses, tending to them, putting them in order, readying them for action. If you are a marshal, you're an officer. If you marshal yourself, you get yourself ready, preparing for action.

Question 572

Marsupial

Answer 572

Marsupial ## Footnote mammals of which the females have a pouch (the marsupium) containing the teats where the young are fed and carried - **[n]**of or relating to the marsupials - **[adj]** **marsupial** animals Like primates, *marsupials* are a type of mammal. One thing all members of this family have in common is a pouch. The most famous marsupial is the kangaroo, but there are many others, such as wallabies, opossums, koalas, and wombats. What makes marsupials different from primates or rodents (who are also mammals) is that the mothers have pouches to hold their young. This is because when marsupial babies are born, they're not quite ready for the world, so the pouch gives them a chance to grow and be safe before having to live on their own. When you think *marsupial*, think "pouch."

Question 573

Martinet

Answer 573

Martinet ## Footnote someone who demands exact conformity to rules and forms - **[n]** Use the noun *martinet* to describe someone is a stickler when it comes to following rules, such as the teacher who won't accept homework if it is written in a color other than blue. Pronounce *martinet* with the accent on the last syllable: "mar-ti-NET." Jean Martinet, the man for whom the word was coined, would insist you say his name correctly. He was a legendary drillmaster for the French army during the reign of Louis XIV. A hundred years later, in 1779, *martinet* came to mean any officer who was as strict and demanding in adhering to the rules as Martinet himself.

Question 574

Masochist

Answer 574

Masochist ## Footnote someone who obtains pleasure from receiving punishment - **[n]** If you call someone a *masochist*, you either mean that they take pleasure in pain, or — perhaps more commonly — that they just seem to. *Masochism* is an eponym — a word named for a person. Leopold von Sacher-Masoch was an Austrian writer in the nineteenth century who described the gratification he got from his own pain and humiliation. There are many self-proclaimed masochists out there today — and, one would have to imagine, at least as many *sadists*, those who enjoy inflicting pain on others (from the name of the Marquis de Sade). But these days you're most likely to hear the word used jokingly by someone who doesn't understand another's motivations for doing something painful or difficult: "You're still building that stone wall? What are you, some kind of masochist?"

Question 575

Maudlin

Answer 575

Maudlin ## Footnote effusively or insincerely emotional - **[adj]** **maudlin** expressions of sympathy You can use *maudlin* to describe something that brings tears to your eyes, or makes you feel very emotional. Tearjerkers like "Forrest Gump" and "Titanic" can be described as *maudlin*. *Maudlin* was a form of the name Mary Magdalene, a character from the Bible represented in paintings as a weeping sinner asking forgiveness from Jesus. Maudlin is often paired with *sentimental*, or even *schlocky*, to describe cry-fests, as in "I can't watch another second of that overly-sentimental, *maudlin* soap opera. Turn that schlock off."

Question 576

Maverick

Answer 576

Maverick ## Footnote someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action - **[n]**an unbranded range animal (especially a stray calf); belongs to the first person who puts a brand on it - **[n]**independent in behavior or thought - **[adj]** **maverick** politicians A *maverick* is a rebel, someone who shows a lot of independence. A *maverick* on a motorcycle might blaze his own trail, or show a *maverick* touch in a rough sport by wearing a helmet with the word "Mom" inside a heart. Samuel A. Maverick owned a lot of cattle, and he let them roam around Texas without a brand, or identification mark, seared into their skins. Samuel was a maverick for going against the common practice of tracking his animals, and his last name became part of the English language as both an adjective and a noun in the 19th century. Someone who acts very independently is a maverick, and individual actions that stand out are maverick, as in "her *maverick* jumping style on the ice was both wild and delicate."

Question 577

Meager

Answer 577

Meager ## Footnote deficient in amount or quality or extent - **[adj]** **meager** resources "**meager** fare" * Meager* means small and often applies to portions. *Meager* is the serving of chocolate cake your mother will allows you––or the amount of vegetables you actually want to eat before getting to that cake. * Meager* doesn't mean adequate––it means not enough. People with a limited supply of food may try to subsist on meager portions. People who make a meager amount of money probably have a hard time making rent. *Meager* and *emaciated* both derive from the Old French *maigre*. If you can remember that you will look emaciated if your diet is meager, you’ll use the word correctly.

Question 578

Meander

Answer 578

Meander ## Footnote to move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course - **[v]**an aimless amble on a winding course - **[n]**a bend or curve, as in a stream or river - **[n]** the path **meanders** through the vineyards To *meander* means to wander aimlessly on a winding roundabout course. If you want some time to yourself after school, you might meander home taking the time to window shop and look around. *Meander* comes from a river in modern-day Turkey, the Maiandros, which winds and wanders on its course. Today, a stream or a path meanders, as does a person who walks somewhere in a roundabout fashion. If your speech meanders, you don't keep to the point. It's hard to understand what your teacher is trying to impart if he keeps meandering off with anecdotes and digressions. Pronounce *meander* with three syllables not two — me-AN-der.

Question 579

Menagerie

Answer 579

Menagerie ## Footnote a collection of live animals for study or display - **[n]**the facility where wild animals are housed for exhibition - **[n]** A *menagerie* (pronounced muh-NA-juh-ree, with NA as in "national") is a collection of live animals that people visit, study, or keep as pets. If you really want a backyard *menagerie* of farm animals after visiting the petting zoo, take a long sniff and remember what comes with them. Pet lovers can have a menagerie of cats, dogs, and birds or exotic animals such as snakes, ferrets, and piranhas. Zoos have animal collections like the menagerie of sea creatures in the aquarium and the swinging apes in the jungle menagerie. And a science or medical center may have a menagerie of rats for studying behavior. If you want a menagerie, an ant farm is a good one: lots of animals in a container, always working, and never stinking up the place.

Question 580

Mendacious

Answer 580

Mendacious ## Footnote given to lying - **[adj]**intentionally untrue - **[adj]** a **mendacious** child "a **mendacious** statement" A *mendacious* person is one who tells lies habitually and intentionally. Don't get stuck at the water cooler or bus stop next to someone you consider *mendacious*! People may tell "white lies" if they forgot your birthday or really don't like your new haircut, but if you catch someone intentionally manipulating you with a falsehood, that person is just plain *mendacious*. So think of the most deceptive, insincere, perfidious, duplicitous, false person you've ever met, and then add the word *mendacious* to that list.

Question 581

Mercenary

Answer 581

Mercenary ## Footnote a person hired to fight for another country than their own - **[n]**profit oriented - **[adj]**serving for wages in a foreign army - **[adj]**marked by materialism - **[adj]** a **mercenary** enterprise "**mercenary** killers" You might not want to call a *mercenary* a "hireling" to his face, but a mercenary is, after all, a soldier who gets paid to fight where needed, sometimes taking a heroic stand and other times just wanting payment for fighting. The word *mercenary* comes from the Latin *mercēnārius,* "hireling," which defines someone who will do anything in exchange for money. In history, a mercenary was often a fighter who followed the next paycheck, but in recent decades it's also been used for fighters who pursue a good cause in areas where soldiers are in short supply. A synonym for mercenary is "soldier of fortune," and this phrase sometimes glorifies the mercenary, turning the meaning of "fortune" from "cash" to "luck in battle."

Question 582

Mercurial

Answer 582

Mercurial ## Footnote liable to sudden unpredictable change - **[adj]**relating to or containing or caused by mercury - **[adj]** **mercurial** twists of temperament "**mercurial** preparations" "**mercurial** sore mouth" * Mercurial* describes someone whose mood or behavior is changeable and unpredictable, or someone who is clever, lively, and quick. With a *mercurial* teacher, you never know where you stand. * Mercury* was the ancient Roman god of commerce and messenger of the gods, and the planet *Mercury* was named after the Roman god. In Middle English, this adjective meant "relating to the planet or god Mercury" and derives from Latin *mercuriālis,* from *Mercurius* "Mercury." A *mercurial* personality has the unpredictability associated with the god *Mercury* or, in astrology, is supposedly influenced by the planet.

Question 583

Meretricious

Answer 583

Meretricious ## Footnote tastelessly showy - **[adj]**based on pretense; deceptively pleasing - **[adj]**like or relating to a prostitute - **[adj]** a **meretricious** yet stylish book "**meretricious** praise" "a **meretricious** argument" Have you ever heard the phrase "fake it until you make it"? That is advice that encourages you to be *meretricious*, pretending to be something you aren't, like the *meretricious* flaunting of gigantic fake diamond earrings, pretending they are real — and that you can afford them. To correctly pronounce *meretricious*, accent the third syllable: "mer-uh-TRISH-us." Don't mistake something that is meretricious for having merit. In fact, it is just the opposite. From an expensive restaurant that looks expensively furnished but when the lights are turned up, you can see that "leather" chairs are just cheap vinyl or a woman who pretends her counterfeit handbags are designer originals, meretricious actions are meant to deceive.

Question 584

Meticulous

Answer 584

Meticulous ## Footnote marked by precise accordance with details - **[adj]**marked by extreme care in treatment of details - **[adj]** **meticulous** research "a **meticulous** craftsman" "almost worryingly **meticulous** in his business formalities" People who are *meticulous* can be pretty annoying, what with their extreme attention to detail. But if that person is, say, your surgeon or your accountant, you'll want them to be *meticulous*. The Latin root of *meticulous* is *metus*, which means "fear," so it's easy to see how eventually *meticulous* got its meaning. Someone who's *meticulous* is afraid of what will happen if they're not careful enough to get every detail right. "Detail oriented" and "perfectionist" are other ways of describing someone who cares deeply about the small things and about getting things exactly right, every time. Concert pianists must be meticulous, because audiences are always listening for wrong notes.

Question 585

Mettle

Answer 585

Mettle ## Footnote the courage to carry on - **[n]** *Mettle* is the courage to carry on. If someone wants to "test your *mettle*," they want to see if you have the heart to follow through when the going gets tough. Having the *mettle* to do something means you have guts. In short, you're a pretty impressive person. If you have the intellectual *mettle* to enter a political debate, not only do you know a lot about politics, but you have the spunk to show it off. *Metal* and *mettle* were used interchangeably meaning a solid material like gold, and the "stuff a person is made of" until everyone got confused and the words went their separate ways.

Question 586

Milieu

Answer 586

Milieu ## Footnote the environmental condition - **[n]** Whatever he carried on the inside after more than 25 years in prison, Nelson Mandela reentered society focusing on the *milieu,* or surrounding culture, of South Africans and not the prison *milieu* he had left behind. A *milieu* is both "surroundings" and everything that makes up the surroundings. Your milieu is your world, or the context you come from. Sometimes a milieu shapes a person, as when a "milieu of abuse and poverty," inspires someone to improve things for others. Milieu sounds a lot like "mildew" without the "d," but unless you grew up in a moldy bathtub, mildew probably has little to do with your *milieu,* or environment.

Question 587

Minatory

Answer 587

Minatory ## Footnote threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments - **[adj]** * Minatory* means threatening. When you petition the school for higher academic standards––i.e. harder grading from teachers––you may receive some *minatory* looks, or even hate note, from the kids in your school. * Minatory* derives from the Latin *menatorius*, "menace," and has nothing at all to do with the Greek legends of the Minotaur. But think of the Minotaur anyway––it was half-man, half-bull, lived inside a labyrinth, and could only be appeased if it was being sent young women to devour. If that's not threatening, or minatory, behavior, nothing is.

Question 588

Minion

Answer 588

Minion ## Footnote a servile or fawning dependant - **[n]** Your *minions*, if you are lucky enough to have any, are those people who are devoted to you and entirely dependent on you. If you borrow money from a bully and don't pay it back, he might send one of his *minions* after you. A *minion* is nothing more than a yes-man, a nameless faceless servant. It is a negative term implying that your only importance is from the person who orders you around. Corporate presidents may have minions to do their dirty work such as firing employees who have made a mistake. If a celebrity comes to town, minions will come ahead of time to make sure that everything is to the celebrity's liking.

Question 589

Minutiae

Answer 589

Minutiae ## Footnote a small or minor detail - **[n]** he had memorized the many **minutiae** of the legal code The tiny details of anything can be called *minutiae*. *Minutia* — which you'll usually see as *minutiae*, the plural version — is a little like trivia. Notice how *minutia* almost has the word *mini* in it? That's a good clue to the meaning, which is "small things or details." People who are sports fans tend to love minutiae — like what a player's batting average is, right down to the third decimal point. Anytime you're dealing with itty-bitty details, you're looking at minutiae.

Question 590

Mire

Answer 590

Mire ## Footnote a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot - **[n]**deep soft mud in water or slush - **[n]**a difficulty or embarrassment that is hard to extricate yourself from - **[n]**cause to get stuck as if in a mire - **[v]**soil with mud, muck, or mire - **[v]** the country is still trying to climb out of the **mire** left by its previous president "caught in the **mire** of poverty" "The mud **mired** our cart" A *mire* is mushy ground like quicksand, so if you feel yourself trapped in a sticky situation, consider yourself *mired*. One gets *mired* IN something — like in a dispute or in a love triangle. *Mire* still has its original, though less-used, sense of a slushy, muddy bit of land that gives way underfoot, also known as a *quagmire.* One of the most famous mires in literary history was the one haunted by the Hound of the Baskervilles in Conan Doyle's classic. Have the fibs you told your beloved come back to haunt you? You're stuck in a mire then, a treacherous situation it's going to be pretty hard to squirm out of.

Question 591

Misanthrope

Answer 591

Misanthrope ## Footnote someone who dislikes people in general - **[n]** A *misanthrope* is a person who hates or mistrusts other people. Your great aunt Edna who lashes out at anyone who approaches, convinced they'll steal the jewelry she keeps in her handbag on her lap? A *misanthrope* indeed. This is a formal word, derived from Greek *misanthrōpos* "hating mankind," from *misein* "to hate" plus *anthrōpos* "a man." From the same root, we get the English word *anthropology* "the study of humans." If you make a statement or do something that is particularly hostile or untrusting, you can call that *misanthropic*.

Question 592

Misconstrue

Answer 592

Misconstrue ## Footnote interpret in the wrong way - **[v]** She **misconstrued** my remarks *Misconstrue* means something is interpreted the wrong way. If you see your brother walking your best friend home, you may *misconstrue* the situation and think they're dating when really he's only picking up your birthday present. The verb *misconstrue* originates from the words *mis-*, meaning "wrong," and *construe*, meaning "construction." Combined they mean "to put a wrong construction on" — in other words, something is given the wrong interpretation. You may misconstrue your brother's intentions when he takes your bike without asking. Sometimes people can intentionally allow others to misconstrue something for personal gain. A politician may let voters misconstrue his voting record to get elected.

Question 593

Misnomer

Answer 593

Misnomer ## Footnote an incorrect or unsuitable name - **[n]** A *misnomer* is a wrong or unsuitable name. It’s a *misnomer* to call your grandmother "Grandfather," the same way it’s a *misnomer* to call a chair with four legs that doesn’t move unless you drag it across the floor, a rocking chair. From the Middle-French *misnomer* "to misname" evolved our English *misnomer*, a noun indicating a lack of fit when it comes to naming. Synonyms include, predictably, *misnamed*, but also *mistermed* and *miscalled*. You’ll notice the repetition of the *mis-* at the front of all those words. It comes from the French *mes-*, which means "wrongly."

Question 594

Misogynist

Answer 594

Misogynist ## Footnote a misanthrope who dislikes women in particular - **[n]** If you're someone who believes women belong in the kitchen and shouldn't be accorded the same respect as men, you might be a *misogynist*. A *misogynist* is a person who hates or doesn't trust women. *Misogynist* is from Greek *misogynḗs,* from the prefix *miso-* "hatred" plus *gynḗ* "a woman." The English suffix *-ist* means "person who does something." The prefix *mis-*, a variant of *miso-* before a vowel, appears in the opposite term *misandrist,* which is a person who hates or doesn't trust men. The corresponding nouns are *mysogyny* and *misandry*.

Question 595

Mitigate

Answer 595

Mitigate ## Footnote lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of - **[v]**make less severe or harsh - **[v]** **mitigating** circumstances Choose the verb, *mitigate,* when something lessens the unpleasantness of a situation. You can *mitigate* your parents' anger by telling them you were late to dinner because you were helping your elderly neighbor. The somewhat formal verb, *mitigate,* comes from the Latin roots *mītis* "soft" and *agere* "to do/act," which add up to "to soften." It is often used with words that indicate an outcome or something harmful. When you buy car insurance, you are trying to mitigate the risks involved with driving. Sunscreen is used to mitigate the effects of the sun on your skin.

Question 596

Modicum

Answer 596

Modicum ## Footnote a small or moderate or token amount - **[n]** England still expects a **modicum** of eccentricity in its artists"- Ian Jack" If you want to describe a small amount of something, try *modicum.* If you have a *modicum* of interest in something, you are a little bit interested. *Modicum* comes from the Latin *modicus,* for moderate, and *modus,* for measure. We often use it to mean "any at all," as if "If you had a *modicum* of sense (i.e. any sense at all), you'd be able to see that the pencil you've spent the last five minutes looking for is tucked behind your ear."

Question 597

Momentous

Answer 597

Momentous ## Footnote of very great significance - **[adj]** a **momentous** event *Momentous* describes an important event or moment in time. It is used for a time of great consequence or for a major accomplishment, and is almost always reserved for good things. The day Barack Obama was elected president was a *momentous* day for America. When a moment is so great you know you'll never forget it, you have just experienced something *momentous*. It can be personal — perhaps the day you were named prom queen; or something historic — like the day Elizabeth was named Queen of England. *Momentous* and momentary share the root word *moment* but *momentary* describes just one fleeting moment in time. A momentary occurrence can certainly be *momentous*, but it's not always the case.

Question 598

Monolithic

Answer 598

Monolithic ## Footnote imposing in size or bulk or solidity - **[adj]**characterized by massiveness and rigidity and total uniformity - **[adj]** the **monolithic** proportions of Stalinist architecture "a **monolithic** society" "a **monolithic** worldwide movement" When something is *monolithic* it's big, and made of one thing. A large piece of stone jutting from the earth is a *monolith*, and Detroit's economy when it depended entirely on the auto industry was *monolithic*. Broken into its roots *mono* and *lithic*, *monolithic* means simply "one stone." When *monolithic* is used to describe something societal — like a religion or an organization — it has a slightly negative connotation. This is because anything made up of different people with different beliefs and goals is unlikely to be able to maintain *monolithic* status for long without force or oppression.

Question 599

Moratorium

Answer 599

Moratorium ## Footnote suspension of an ongoing activity - **[n]**a legally authorized postponement before some obligation must be discharged - **[n]** A *moratorium* is the suspension of a particular activity––you could have a *moratorium* on fishing, baking, the use of candles, the wearing of matching socks. Generally, *moratoriums* go into effect when something becomes seen as being not okay for now, but might go back to being okay later. After the water fountain started to burble up green sludge, the principal put a *moratorium* on drinking any water at school until the fountains were fixed and the water tested.

Question 600

Moribund

Answer 600

Moribund ## Footnote being on the point of death; breathing your last - **[adj]**not growing or changing; without force or vitality - **[adj]** a **moribund** patient Something that is *moribund* is almost dead, like the *moribund* plant you didn't water for months, or so without change or growth that it seems dead, like a *moribund* town that seems trapped in the 1950s. In Latin, *mori* means "to die." You probably recognize this root in words like *mortal*, *mortician*, and *mortuary*. *Moribund* means "near death," but it can also mean something that is coming to an end, nearly obsolete, or stagnant. For example, as streaming videos over the Internet becomes a more and more popular way to watch movies and television shows, the DVD has become a *moribund* medium.

Question 601

Morose

Answer 601

Morose ## Footnote showing a brooding ill humor - **[adj]** a **morose** and unsociable manner A *morose* person is sullen, gloomy, sad, glum, and depressed — not a happy camper. When someone is morose, they seem to have a cloud of sadness hanging over them. This word is stronger than just *sad* — *morose* implies being extremely gloomy and depressed. We all can be morose at times, like after the death of a friend or family member. Whether you're morose due to an event or just because you're feeling blue, you should try skipping or whistling a little tune to perk things up.

Question 602

Mundane

Answer 602

Mundane ## Footnote found in the ordinary course of events - **[adj]**concerned with the world or worldly matters - **[adj]**belonging to this earth or world; not ideal or heavenly - **[adj]** **mundane** affairs "yet a **mundane** wonder of unimagined kind" An ordinary, unexciting thing can be called *mundane*: "Superman hid his heroic feats by posing as his *mundane* alter ego, Clark Kent." *Mundane*, from the Latin word *mundus*, "world," originally referred to things on earth. Such things were supposed to be uninteresting when compared to the delights of Heaven; hence the word's present meaning. Writing about reality TV shows, a *Newsweek* writer opined, "In reality bizarro-world, the *mundane* is presented as the spectacular" — in other words, people's everyday routines are now televised as entertainment.

Question 603

Munificent

Answer 603

Munificent ## Footnote very generous - **[adj]** a **munificent** gift "his father gave him a half-dollar and his mother a quarter and he thought them **munificent**" If you give your best friend a bracelet for her birthday, then you’re a good friend. If you give her a diamond bracelet, a racehorse, and an oil well, then you’re a *munificent* friend, meaning you are very lavish when it comes to giving gifts. (And it’s possible you may also be broke.) If you’re the generous type, you may already know that the word *munificent* traces back to the Latin word *unificus*, meaning "generous, bountiful, liberal," which in turn originated from the word *munus*, meaning "gift or service." Put those two concepts together and you have big-time gift giving on a lavish scale. Use the word *munificent* to describe instances of over-the-top generosity — think Oprah on a gift-giving binge at Christmastime.

Question 604

Muse

Answer 604

Muse ## Footnote reflect deeply on a subject - **[v]**the source of an artist's inspiration - **[n]** Euterpe was his **muse** As a verb, to *muse* is to consider something thoughtfully. As a noun, it means a person — especially a woman — who is a source of artistic inspiration. In mythology, the Muses were nine goddesses who symbolized the arts and sciences. Today, a muse is a person who serves as an artist's inspiration. Often filmmakers talk about a certain actor being a muse — meaning the actor inspired a movie. Writers, painters, musicians, and other artists have muses. *Muse* can also refer to thinking deeply. If you muse about something, you're giving it serious thought. You can't muse in five seconds. People muse on certain ideas for years.

Question 605

Mutinous

Answer 605

Mutinous ## Footnote consisting of or characterized by or inciting to mutiny - **[adj]**disposed to or in a state of mutiny - **[adj]** **mutinous** acts "**mutinous** thoughts" "a **mutinous** speech" A mutiny is a revolt, when the led no longer obey the leader. To be *mutinous* is to behave this way, like when the entire class rises up against a substitute teacher. Mutinous behavior is largely associated with the behavior of unhappy crews at sea. A mutinous crew can really mess up a ship captain's day, but then again serve as a fantastic source of material for books and movies. There's something inspiring about mutinous behavior — it shows a certain defiant independent spirit that is admirable, unless of course you're the leader being mutinied against.

Question 606

Myriad

Answer 606

Myriad ## Footnote a large indefinite number - **[n]**the cardinal number that is the product of ten and one thousand - **[n]**too numerous to be counted - **[adj]** he faced a **myriad** of details "**myriad** stars" If you've got *myriad* problems it doesn't mean you should call a *myriad* exterminator, it means you've got countless problems; loads of them; too many to count. Welcome to the club. *Myriad* is one of those words rarely used in speech but only in written form. You would usually use a phrase like "lots of" or "loads of" instead. I mean, you could say "I've got *myriad* problems," but everyone would probably just laugh at you, and rightly so. Originally from ancient Latin and Greek words meaning "ten thousand" — so perhaps you can put a number on myriad, after all.

Question 607

Nadir

Answer 607

Nadir ## Footnote an extreme state of adversity; the lowest point of anything - **[n]**the point below the observer that is directly opposite the zenith on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected - **[n]** If a highly forgetful person loses his phone, his wallet, and then his car keys in separate instances all in one day, you could say that he has reached an organizational *nadir*. This means "lowest point." This was originally strictly an astronomical term and is the opposite of the word *zenith,* which is the part of the sky located directly above a person’s head or, "high point." In fact, *nadir* is derived from the Arabic *nazir,* which means "opposite to." It is still used in astronomy to indicate the part of the celestial sphere located directly below an observer, but also more generally to describe the worst point of someone’s life or career.

Question 608

Nascent

Answer 608

Nascent ## Footnote being born or beginning - **[adj]** the **nascent** chicks "a **nascent** insurgency" *Nascent* describes the birth or beginning of something, for example a civilization, a trend, an idea, or an action. It can also imply a future promise, like the *nascent* government of a new country. You’re in the future looking back at the first time you learned the definition of the word *nascent*. Your nascent efforts to use the word felt awkward, but you quickly felt comfortable with it, especially after you learned how to pronounce it: "NAY-sent." Now you use the word all the time: "the *nascent* hopes of your little sister;" your "*nascent* hula hooping gang;" and "a *nascent* confidence in your vocabulary."

Question 609

Natty

Answer 609

Natty ## Footnote marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners - **[adj]** * Natty* means current in style, both of dress and manners. A *natty* dresser is someone who is very stylish and has a snappy attitude. He may even be wearing a *natty* fedora. * Natty* is an adjective that comes from the 18th century. Originally it was a slang term, perhaps related to the adjective *neat*. These days, if you say someone "looks neat," it might sound like they look clean, but it also can mean that they look fashionable and put together. That’s what *natty* means, too. Someone who is natty is wearing fashionable clothes and is generally hip.

Question 610

Navigable

Answer 610

Navigable ## Footnote able to be sailed on or through safely - **[adj]** **navigable** waters "a **navigable** channel" If you can get your ship through, then both the ship and the waterway are *navigable*. If people of average intelligence could wade their way through the federal tax code without help, the IRS would be navigable. Alas. On the other hand, the New York City subway system is quite navigable, as are any of its functioning trains. If one can get through a passageway or system, it is considered navigable. Likewise, if a truck, car, boat, plane, train, or other vessel can be steered then it, too, is navigable.

Question 611

Nebulous

Answer 611

Nebulous ## Footnote lacking definite form or limits - **[adj]**lacking definition or definite content - **[adj]**of or relating to or resembling a nebula - **[adj]** **nebulous** distinction between pride and conceit "**nebulous** reasons" Use the adjective *nebulous* for situations that are "hazy, indistinct" and also "cloudy" or "fuzzy." *Nebulous* comes from its Latin relative *nebulosus* and they mean "fuzzy," "hazy," and "without distinct outlines." They both come from the noun form, *nebula*, which is a "mist" or "fog." In astronomy, a nebula is a fuzzy cloud of gaseous matter and something nebulous is made up of such ingredients hydrogen and galactic dust.

Question 612

Nefarious

Answer 612

Nefarious ## Footnote extremely wicked - **[adj]** **nefarious** schemes Describe a person's actions as *nefarious* if they are evil or wicked. Batman and Superman are always fighting evildoers and stopping their *nefarious* plots. *Nefarious* comes from the Latin *nefas* "crime, impiety." If something is nefarious, it is criminal, evil, malicious and wicked. Thinking of superheroes can help you remember the meaning of the word, but it is often used in much less exciting circumstances. News reporters investigate corrupt politicians in order to uncover the nefarious activities. And, if you don't pay for your downloaded music, you have gotten it by nefarious means.

Question 613

Negate

Answer 613

Negate ## Footnote make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of - **[v]**deny the truth of - **[v]**prove negative; show to be false - **[v]**be in contradiction with - **[v]** This action will **negate** the effect of my efforts If something neutralizes the effect of something else, then you can say the effect is *negated*. Hanging a disco ball from your living room ceiling *negates* the sleek modern effect created by the contemporary furniture. If something is proved false or untrue, it has been *negated*. The discovery of one dinosaur jaw negated the conventional wisdom that all dinosaurs were vegetarians, since the tooth structure proved that guy definitely ate meat. The verb *negate* can also mean to counteract or counterbalance — so a really strong serve can negate your other weaknesses on the tennis court.

Question 614

Negligence

Answer 614

Negligence ## Footnote failure to act with the prudence that a reasonable person would exercise under the same circumstances - **[n]**the trait of neglecting responsibilities and lacking concern - **[n]** When you are careless or reckless and you don’t take care of a person, object or situation like you ought to, you are practicing *negligence*. "Her *negligence* of the house resulted in its being condemned by the city." The noun *negligence* comes from a Latin word that means "carelessness." *Negligence* can come in many forms: *negligence* of one's children can lead to foster care, *negligence* while driving can cause fatal accidents, *negligence* of work can lead to the loss of a job, and *negligence* of nutrition can cause health problems. There is culpability in *negligence*. *Negligence* is when one neglects to do things that should be done, and there are usually consequences.

Question 615

Neologism

Answer 615

Neologism ## Footnote a newly invented word or phrase - **[n]**the act of inventing a word or phrase - **[n]** A *neologism* is a made-up or new word. *Neologisms* can be fun-ti-ful, but the problem is making sure others understand what you mean. The word *neologism* was once a neologism itself. It was created by gluing the French prefix *neo-* onto the Greek *logos* or "word." People coin neologisms all the time, linguists track which ones stick, and eventually, we all feel they're old friends. Or maybe not: random samples from words coined in 2003 include: *adultolescence*, *pastability*, *pre-zactly*, and *neomaxizoomdweebie.*

Question 616

Neophyte

Answer 616

Neophyte ## Footnote any new participant in some activity - **[n]**a new convert being taught the principles of Christianity by a catechist - **[n]**a plant that is found in an area where it had not been recorded previously - **[n]** Look at the little freshies, said the football team captain to his friends. "Little *neophytes* come to learn how the big boys play....Let's get 'em!" *Neo-* means new, and *-phyte* is from the Greek *phuton* "plant"––like a baby plant, a *neophyte* is someone who is new to an activity. A political neophyte is someone who has just been elected and comes to Washington D.C. not understanding how the game of politics is played. A Frisbee neophyte is someone who has just thrown the disc for the first time.

Question 617

Nettle

Answer 617

Nettle ## Footnote any of numerous plants having stinging hairs that cause skin irritation on contact (especially of the genus Urtica or family Urticaceae) - **[n]**sting with or as with nettles and cause a stinging pain or sensation - **[v]**cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations - **[v]** If you know what a *nettle* is—that is, a barbed seed that gets stuck in your clothes and hair—then you'll have no trouble remembering the verb *nettle*: it means to annoy, bother, irritate, or bedevil. A kid sister, a mosquito, an angry boyfriend, or a hot, muggy day: all of these are examples of things that might *nettle* a person. When you nettle someone, you act like a nettle; you annoy, bother, and generally tick off a person. The person who nettles you can be called nettlesome, which means that they're acting like a nettle. I find that the very sound of his voice nettles me. The sound alone makes me wish he would just shut up.

Question 618

Nexus

Answer 618

Nexus ## Footnote the means of connection between things linked in series - **[n]**a connected series or group - **[n]** If you happen to be at the *nexus* of something, this noun means that you are right in the middle. A *nexus* is a noun that stands for something at the center or that which others are gathered around. The word entered English during the seventeenth century from the Latin word *nectere* and means "to bind, tie." In the field of cell biology, a *nexus* refers to "a specialized area of the cell membrane involved in intercellular communication and adhesion," and implies that the *nexus* of a cell facilitates communication among the various parts and allows it to work properly.

Question 619

Niggardly

Answer 619

Niggardly ## Footnote petty or reluctant in giving or spending - **[adj]** a **niggardly** tip While this looks like a certain racial slur, it's really just a way of saying meager, stingy or ungenerous. If you get a *niggardly* share of cake, it means someone gave you a very small piece. This word is so close to a nasty racial slur that people have gotten in trouble for using it correctly. The words are not related in any way, they just sound alike. If you use the word *niggardly*, and someone is taken aback or offended, they either misheard you or don't know what they are talking about. In this situation, aim for generosity. Don't be niggardly with patience and understanding of their ignorance.

Question 620

Noisome

Answer 620

Noisome ## Footnote causing or able to cause nausea - **[adj]**offensively malodorous - **[adj]** If you accidentally leave half a sandwich under your bed for a few days, cover your nose while you sleep because it will probably become quite *noisome*. This is a fancy way of saying that it will stink. Despite that first syllable, this adjective doesn’t have root origins in the word *noise,* but is related to the word *annoy*. Noisome can refer to anything unpleasant or anything that makes you nauseous. However, it is most often used to describe bad smells. So spray some air freshener, open the windows, and clean out under your bed!

Question 621

Nomadic

Answer 621

Nomadic ## Footnote migratory - **[adj]** the **nomadic** habits of the Bedouins A nomad is someone who lives by traveling from place to place. *Nomadic* thus means anything that involves moving around a lot. *Nomadic* hunter-gatherer tribes follow the animals they hunt, carrying tents with them. You don't have to be a nomad to live a nomadic lifestyle. People who work for the state department travel from foreign country to foreign country in four-year postings––they might call this nomadic. If you change schools a lot because of your parents' moves, you could say you've had a nomadic education.

Question 622

Nonchalance

Answer 622

Nonchalance ## Footnote the trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care; a casual lack of concern - **[n]** *Nonchalance* is a casual lack of concern, a relaxed state without anxiety or enthusiasm. Like how you'd act if the girl you've had a secret crush on since grade school asks you to the prom. (Or maybe not.) It's hard to achieve nonchalance. If you're like most people, there's always going to be something that will rattle you. And you can forget about behaving with chalance, because chalance isn't a word. Sometimes you hear people say that so-and-so acted with "studied *nonchalance*," which means to sort of fake it. Oddly, the word's origins go back to the Latin *calere*, which is the same word as the root of *calorie*. A calorie is a unit of energy, and to act with nonchalance is to refrain from showing too much energy or excitement, so actually, it makes sense.

Question 623

Nondescript

Answer 623

Nondescript ## Footnote lacking distinct or individual characteristics; dull and uninteresting - **[adj]**a person is not easily classified and not very interesting - **[n]** women dressed in **nondescript** clothes "a **nondescript** novel" *Nondescript* is a word used to describe something that isn't special or unusual in any way. You might have trouble finding a *nondescript* apartment building because it looks exactly like every other apartment building around it. You could use the word *nondescript* to describe your blind date if she was completely uninteresting and dull, both in looks and personality. Some houses are so nondescript that you have to drive by several times just to make sure it's the right one.

Question 624

Nonentity

Answer 624

Nonentity ## Footnote a person of no influence - **[n]**the state of not existing - **[n]** The noun *nonentity* refers to a person of no significance or importance. If you are a member of a sports team, but spend all your time sitting on the bench watching the rest of the team play, you will probably feel like a *nonentity*. Something that is an entity exists, and if you are considered a nonentity, you might as well not exist. A political nonentity has no power, and a social nonentity blends in with the wallpaper. Not only people are considered nonentities; groups or things can be nonentities too. If a nonentity beats a nationally ranked team, that's a real upset. The cereal brand that stays on the shelf and is ignored can also be considered a nonentity in the cereal market.

Question 625

Nostalgia

Answer 625

Nostalgia ## Footnote longing for something past - **[n]** Think of the noun, *nostalgia,* when you long for the good old days of the past. The noun *nostalgia* was invented by a Swiss doctor in the late 1600s. He put together the Greek *nostos* "homecoming" and *algos* "pain, distress" as a literal translation of the German *Heimweh* "homesickness." Originally, it was a medical diagnosis for mercenary soldiers. Today, it describes a bittersweet longing for the past. Think of the dreamy way your grandpa tells stories of his childhood — he's got nostalgia.

Question 626

Nostrum

Answer 626

Nostrum ## Footnote patent medicine whose efficacy is questionable - **[n]**hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases; once sought by the alchemists - **[n]** Though you try many medicines that claim to cure your cold, none of them work. They turn out to be *nostrums*, or ineffective drugs. *Nostrum* refers to a cure-all, a drug, or a medicine that is ineffectual. Before drugs were regulated by the government, there were many nostrums sold to the public. "Snake oil" is one of the most well-known. Said to cure any ailment from achy joints to hair loss, snake oil concoctions could contain a number of ingredients — including camphor, red pepper, and turpentine.

Question 627

Notoriety

Answer 627

Notoriety ## Footnote the state of being known for some unfavorable act or quality - **[n]** *Notoriety* is fame you get from doing something bad or being part of a misfortune or scandal. Just remember: *Notoriety*'s not al-righty. Charles Manson earned *notoriety* for his grisly crimes. In our celebrity culture, it's hard not to think that seizing your 15 minutes of fame is worth the shame of earning it through stupidity, scandal, or evil. (See: people's motives for going on reality television.) The rest of us can comfort ourselves with in our boringness that most people who become notorious fade from the public mind quickly.

Question 628

Novice

Answer 628

Novice ## Footnote someone new to a field or activity - **[n]**someone who has entered a religious order but has not taken final vows - **[n]** If you're a *novice* at snowboarding, you're just learning the sport. On the Internet, a *novice* might be called a newbie, but your parents would call one a beginner. *Novice* is derived from the Latin word *novus*, which means new. A *novice* is new to what they do, so a novice photographer is just learning how to take nice pictures. Other words related to *novice* are *novel* "new, unusual," and *innovate* "to invent, begin with new ideas." *Novice* can also mean a member of a Christian order who has not yet taken their vows.

Question 629

Noxious

Answer 629

Noxious ## Footnote injurious to physical or mental health - **[adj]** **noxious** chemical wastes "**noxious** ideas" Something *noxious* is harmful and could be even fatal — whether it is colorless, odorless, and invisible like carbon monoxide, or dark, strong-smelling, and obvious, like black smoke from a fire. People are called noxious too when they hurt others with cruelty or mental anguish. English and Latin roots for *noxious* are related to the meanings of "harm," "damage," and "injury." While *obnoxious* might come to mind when seeing the word *noxious,* *obnoxious* is a much less damaging adjective to describe someone annoying. Most uses for *noxious* involve real physical or emotional damage unless the word is used in exaggeration. Examples range from "the *noxious* gas fumes made the dog pass out" to "his cologne was so *noxious* I had to exit the elevator and take the stairs."

Question 630

Nuance

Answer 630

Nuance ## Footnote a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude - **[n]** without understanding the finer **nuances** you can't enjoy the humor Use *nuance* to refer to a very small difference in color, meaning, or feeling. What makes singers brilliant is not how loud they can sing a note, but how many *nuances* they can evoke through their approach. Pronounced "NOO-ahns," this noun was borrowed from French in the 18th century and derives ultimately from Latin *nūbēs* "a cloud." Think of clouds––subtle gradations in color to understand this word. When you say a work of art was nuanced, it means there was a lot to it, but incorporated subtly.

Question 631

Nugatory

Answer 631

Nugatory ## Footnote of no real value - **[adj]** a **nugatory** law Something *nugatory* has no real value; it’s worthless. All your excuses for why you didn’t turn the bath tap off when you left the apartment are *nugatory*; they don’t change the fact that the tub overflowed and leaked into the apartment below. An adjective meaning "trifling, of no value," *nugatory* comes from the Latin *nugatorius* "worthless, futile," which in turn came from the also Latin *nugatory* — "jester, trifle." It’s a word you probably don’t hear too often, but it’s a fun and descriptive one to use. Describe something with no force or importance as *nugatory*. "Whether this rug is red or green is *nugatory* to someone who is colorblind."

Question 632

Nullify

Answer 632

Nullify ## Footnote declare invalid - **[v]**show to be invalid - **[v]**make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of - **[v]** To *nullify* something means to make it invalid or ineffective. A peace treaty is an attempt to nullify aggression and division within a region. If you take a null, or a zero, and make it into an action you can take, and you’ve got *nullify* — the act of making something void or zero-like. If you have an argument with your friend, it might nullify the fun you had together that day. This word is particularly used in legal language — a divorce nullifies a marriage — or in business disputes where you are trying to nullify someone else’s actions or plans.

Question 633

Obdurate

Answer 633

Obdurate ## Footnote stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing - **[adj]**showing unfeeling resistance to tender feelings - **[adj]** the child's misery would move even the most **obdurate** heart *Obdurate* is a formal word meaning stubborn. If you want to major in English, but your parents are *obdurate* that you should go premed, they might go so far as to threaten not to pay your tuition. This adjective descends from Latin *obdurare* "to harden." A near synonym is *adamant*, from Latin *adamas* "hard metal, diamond." So both of these synonyms derive from the quality of hardness being associated with a stubborn personality.

Question 634

Obfuscate

Answer 634

Obfuscate ## Footnote make obscure or unclear - **[v]** Some people are experts at *obfuscating* the truth by being evasive, unclear, or obscure in the telling of the facts. The people who are good at *obfuscating* would include defense lawyers and teenagers asked about their plans for Saturday night. Although the verb *obfuscate* can be used in any case where something is darkened, less clear, or more obscure, it is most frequently used in reference to things like ideas, facts, issues, or the truth. The usual implied meaning is that this obfuscation is done deliberately. Politicians often obfuscate the truth about the issues to win support for their positions so they can win elections.

Question 635

Objective

Answer 635

Objective ## Footnote the goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable) - **[n]**belonging to immediate experience of actual things or events - **[adj]**serving as or indicating the object of a verb or of certain prepositions and used for certain other purposes - **[adj]**the lens or system of lenses in a telescope or microscope that is nearest the object being viewed - **[n]** **objective** benefits "an **objective** example" "there is no **objective** evidence of anything of the kind" If a police officer falls in love with a witness in a case, it might be hard for him to stay *objective* — that is, looking at things in a detached, impartial, fact-based way. The opposite of *objective* is *subjective*, "influenced by personal feelings or opinions." Of course, an objective view isn't always preferable to a subjective one; it would be hard to imagine an art critic who stayed objective. The word comes from the Latin *ob* "against" + *jacere* "to throw"; an objective view is one that considers only things that have been "thrown against" your eyes, so to speak. *Objective* has also been used as a noun meaning "a goal," as in "military *objectives*."

Question 636

Oblique

Answer 636

Oblique ## Footnote slanting or inclined in direction or course or position--neither parallel nor perpendicular nor right-angled - **[adj]**any grammatical case other than the nominative - **[n]** the **oblique** rays of the winter sun "acute and obtuse angles are **oblique** angles" "the axis of an **oblique** cone is not perpendicular to its base" If something is *oblique*, it has a slanting position or direction. In figurative use, *oblique* means indirect or purposely misleading. "What is two plus two?" "Fish!" as an answer is completely *oblique*. In math, this adjective refers to geometric lines or planes that are not parallel or perpendicular to a line or surface. A playground is positioned at an oblique angle to the ground. By correcting the clerk's "Mrs." with "That's Ms. now," the woman made an oblique reference to her change in marital status.

Question 637

Obliterate

Answer 637

Obliterate ## Footnote remove completely from recognition or memory - **[v]**do away with completely, without leaving a trace - **[v]**mark for deletion, rub off, or erase - **[v]**make undecipherable or imperceptible by obscuring or concealing - **[v]**reduced to nothingness - **[adj]** When you see *obliterate*, think of evil alien invaders that zap a planet with a destructive ray. In one blast, the planet and all of the people on it are vaporized. The planet is truly *obliterated*, or completely wiped out. A long time ago, *obliterate* had to do with blotting out words on a page. This is why you see the word *literate* in there. Today it means to erase or destroy completely so that there is nothing left. While you can still obliterate text, you can also obliterate hope, an opponent, or all traces of your presence. Whatever you obliterate is completely gone.

Question 638

Oblivious

Answer 638

Oblivious ## Footnote (followed by `to' or `of') lacking conscious awareness of - **[adj]**failing to keep in mind - **[adj]** **oblivious** of the mounting pressures for political reform "**oblivious** to the risks she ran" "**oblivious** old age" If you don't notice or aren't aware, it means that the adjective *oblivious* applies to you! When we think of the adjective *oblivious*, it is usually in situations that involve being totally unaware of what's staring us right in the face. It can also mean being forgetful and absent-minded. The cartoon character Mr. Magoo is a perfect example of someone who is *oblivious*; his eyesight is so bad that he always gets himself into various scrapes and mishaps. For example, Mr. Magoo mistakes an airplane for a theater and instead of watching a movie, he takes a seat on a departing airplane!

Question 639

Obscure

Answer 639

Obscure ## Footnote not clearly understood or expressed - **[adj]**difficult to find - **[adj]**reduce a vowel to a neutral one, such as a schwa - **[v]** an **obscure** turn of phrase ""an impulse to go off and fight certain **obscure** battles of his own spirit"-Anatole Broyard" "those who do not appreciate Kafka's work say his style is **obscure**" If something is *obscure*, it's vague and hard to see. Be careful if you're driving in heavy rain — the painted lines can be *obscure*. *Obscure* comes from Latin *obscurus*, which can mean "dark, dim," "unclear, hard to understand," or "insignificant, humble." We tend to use *obscure* in the metaphorical senses: an obscure sound is unclear, an obscure village is hidden away in the countryside, and an obscure poet is little known and probably insignificant. *Obscure* can also be used as a verb. If you get really nervous when you speak during a debate, your embarrassing twitches and shaking hands can obscure your argument.

Question 640

Obsequious

Answer 640

Obsequious ## Footnote attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery - **[adj]**attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner - **[adj]** **obsequious** shop assistants If you disapprove of the overly submissive way someone is acting — like the teacher's pet or a celebrity's assistant — call them by the formal adjective *obsequious*. There are many words in the English language for a person or an action that is overly obedient and submissive. Obsequious people are usually not being genuine; they resort to flattery and other fawning ways to stay in the good graces of authority figures. An obsequious person can be called a bootlicker, a brownnoser or a toady. You can also say that someone gives an obsequious bow, a gesture that means, "your wish is my command."

Question 641

Obsolete

Answer 641

Obsolete ## Footnote no longer in use - **[adj]** **obsolete** words Use the adjective *obsolete* for something that is out of date. As the Rolling Stones song "Out of Time" goes, "You're *obsolete*, my baby, my poor old-fashioned baby." *Obsolete* is from the Latin *obsolescere* "to fall into disuse," and it is a very handy adjective for anything that is no longer used, from words to factories to computer software to ways of thinking. Something that is obsolete has usually been displaced by a newer, shinier innovation. Compact discs made records and cassettes obsolete, and then downloadable digital music files made compact discs obsolete.

Question 642

Obstreperous

Answer 642

Obstreperous ## Footnote noisily and stubbornly defiant - **[adj]**boisterously and noisily aggressive - **[adj]** **obstreperous** boys "kept up an **obstreperous** clamor" *Obstreperous* means boisterous, noisy, aggressive, defiant. You’ve probably seen an *obstreperous* child in the grocery store, pulling away from her mother, screaming at the top of her lungs. If you’ve been to a large concert where the band doesn't come on stage for hours, you might have been part of an obstreperous crowd: increasingly impatient, with fights breaking out, things thrown up onto the stage, and demands being shouted, "Give us some music before the night is out!" Some people are kind and gentle with strangers, but around their own family turn obstreperous, shouting "You never loved me!" at their mom when she gives them the smaller of two cookies.

Question 643

Obtuse

Answer 643

Obtuse ## Footnote of an angle; between 90 and 180 degrees - **[adj]**lacking in insight or discernment - **[adj]**(of a leaf shape) rounded at the apex - **[adj]** too **obtuse** to grasp the implications of his behavior "he was either normally stupid or being deliberately **obtuse**" The adjective *obtuse* is good for describing someone slow on the uptake: "Don't be so *obtuse*: get with the program!" The adjective *obtuse* literally means "rounded" or "blunt," but when it's used for a person, it means "not quick or alert in perception" — in other words, not the sharpest tool in the shed. It's not just for dull people, but also dull angles: in geometry, an obtuse angle is one that is not so sharp (between 90 and 180 degrees).

Question 644

Obviate

Answer 644

Obviate ## Footnote do away with - **[v]**prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening - **[v]** To *obviate* means to eliminate the need for something or to prevent something from happening. If you want to *obviate* the possibility of a roach infestation, clean your kitchen regularly. The prefix *ob* means "to go against." That makes sense when you look at the words *obstruct* and *obstacle*, but how about *obstetrics*? Why does the name of the branch of medicine dealing with birth have the same root as words that mean "stop" or "get in the way"? Because a midwife stands opposite to, or against, the woman giving birth.

Question 645

Odious

Answer 645

Odious ## Footnote unequivocally detestable - **[adj]** consequences **odious** to those you govern"- Edmund Burke" If something is *odious* it's hateful. If you become a historian of slavery, you'll learn all the details of that *odious* trade. *Odious* is from the Latin noun *odium*, which means hatred. It is a strong word, so don't call someone odious unless you want to accuse someone of being loathsome or vile. Actions can also be called odious. A typical use is Shakespeare's in *Othello*: "You told a lie, an odious damned lie." Some synonyms are *hateful, contemptible, detestable,* and *abominable*.

Question 646

Officious

Answer 646

Officious ## Footnote intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner - **[adj]** bustling about self-importantly making an **officious** nuisance of himself Though *officious* sounds like official, it means being annoyingly eager to do more than is required. "The *officious* lunch lady made everyone's food choices her business, and made nasty comments when students chose cookies over carrots." *Officious* is a tricky word as it seems like it might mean something like office or official. Instead, it is a word to describe someone that acts more official than they actually are. People who are *officious* are busybodies. They want to make their opinions known and followed, despite not having any kind of real power.

Question 647

Ogle

Answer 647

Ogle ## Footnote look at with amorous intentions - **[v]** When you *ogle* someone, you look at them with love or desire in mind. And if you're a cartoon character, you might also be drooling. Though it's most often used to refer to the way people gaze at each other, the verb *ogle* can also be used when talking about any object of desire — like when you ogle those designer jeans or that red Ferrari. The word comes from the 1680s German word *oeglen*, meaning "look at." Men are known to *ogle* women much more frequently than women *ogle* men. Ever seen a scene in a movie where a pretty lady walks into a bar and all the men turn on their bar stools to watch her pass by? That's classic *ogling*.

Question 648

Olfactory

Answer 648

Olfactory ## Footnote of or relating to olfaction - **[adj]** Something *olfactory* has to do with the sense of smell. The odor from that factory is a symphony of *olfactory* delights. Not. Though we typically think of dogs as the olfactory champions of the world, what with their remarkable ability to sniff out practically anything, the true title belongs to the polar bear. Healthy, adult polar bears possess *olfactory* gifts that boggle the mind: they can smell a seal under the ice from over a kilometer away. One way to try to remember the meaning of the word *olfactory* is to think of *factory*. Your nose is the "factory" where odors are processed. What *visual* is to the eyes, *olfactory* is to the nose.

Question 649

Ominous

Answer 649

Ominous ## Footnote threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments - **[adj]**presaging ill fortune - **[adj]** **ominous** rumblings of discontent "a dead and **ominous** silence prevailed" If something looks or sounds *ominous*, be careful, a threat or an unpleasant event is at hand. If you see an *ominous* frown on your boss's face, you're in trouble! *Ominous,* and the related word *omen* both come from the 16th century Latin word *ōmen* "foreboding." However, unlike *omen,* which is a sign of something good or bad to come, *ominous* always describes something unpleasant or threatening. If the future looks ominous, you've got nothing to look forward to. Figuratively, an ominous sky or ominous clouds promise rain or a storm.

Question 650

Omnipotent

Answer 650

Omnipotent ## Footnote having unlimited power - **[adj]** If you want to describe someone who can do absolutely anything, reach for the adjective *omnipotent*. *Omnipotent* comes from the Latin words for total (*omni*) and power (*potent*). *Omnipotent* is frequently used for deities, but can apply to any exaggerated description of power. If you think that love rules the world, then to you, love is omnipotent. On the other hand, if you think that brute force wins, then maybe your idea of an omnipotent person is a mob boss. The stress is on the second syllable: om-NIP-uh-tent.

Question 651

Omniscient

Answer 651

Omniscient ## Footnote infinitely wise - **[adj]** To be *omniscient* is to know everything. This often refers to a special power of God. If you combine the Latin roots *omnis* (meaning "all") and *scientia* (meaning "knowledge"), you'll get *omniscient*, meaning "knowledge of all." It would be nice to be omniscient: then you would know absolutely everything in the world. Many religions have a god who is all-powerful and omniscient. This is how a god is supposed to know when you sinned, or what's going to happen in the future.

Question 652

Onerous

Answer 652

Onerous ## Footnote not easily borne; wearing - **[adj]** my duties weren't **onerous** If one teacher gives you three hours of homework a night, that's rough. But if all of your teachers do it, that makes the task of completing your homework an *onerous* one, to say the least. If something is *onerous*, it is very difficult to deal with or do. A near synonym is *burdensome*. In legal usage, *onerous* describes a contract or lease that has more obligations than advantages. *Onerous* derives from Middle English, from Old French *onereus*, from Latin *onerōsus*, from *onus* "burden." In English, an *onus* is a task or duty that is *onerous,* or very difficult.

Question 653

Onus

Answer 653

Onus ## Footnote an onerous or difficult concern - **[n]** Take the noun, *onus,* as a formal word for responsibility or obligation. If your teacher assigns *onus* as a vocabulary word, it puts the *onus* on you to find out what it means. *Onus* is a formal or sophisticated way to say "responsibility" or "duty." It sounds a little like the unrelated word *owner*, so think about the person with onus as owner of the responsibility. If the onus is on you to organize a fund raiser, you have to set the whole thing up. Have you ever heard the legal term *onus probandi*? It means the burden of proof, which requires the accuser to prove the case against the accused.

Question 654

Opaque

Answer 654

Opaque ## Footnote not transmitting or reflecting light or radiant energy; impenetrable to sight - **[adj]**not clearly understood or expressed - **[adj]** **opaque** windows of the jail "**opaque** to X-rays" Use the adjective *opaque* either for something that doesn't allow light to pass through (like a heavy curtain) or for something difficult to understand (like bureaucratic gobbledygook). *Opaque* is from a Latin word meaning "dark," and that was its original sense in English, but it now means literally "not transparent" or metaphorically "hard to understand; unclear": "Some of his sentences are really *opaque*." It used to be spelled *opake*, which made the pronunciation clearer, but we then borrowed the more opaque French spelling. Come to think of it, English spelling is often pretty opaque, which makes it hard for learners of the language to master.

Question 655

Ordain

Answer 655

Ordain ## Footnote invest with ministerial or priestly authority - **[v]**appoint to a clerical posts - **[v]**order by virtue of superior authority; decree - **[v]**issue an order - **[v]** The minister was **ordained** only last month "he was **ordained** in the Church" "The King **ordained** the persecution and expulsion of the Jews" An *ordained* minister is one who's been appointed to the job by a special church authority. If you've ever had to sit through a lecture about the evils of too much TV, you know that a person doesn't need to be *ordained* in order to preach. When you say that people have been ordained, you usually mean that they've been invested with special powers. After a priest has been ordained in the Catholic church, he can perform sacraments. Such priests are higher up in the church hierarchy than others, and those below them can be called their "subordinates," a word also related to *ordain*.

Question 656

Ornate

Answer 656

Ornate ## Footnote marked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative details - **[adj]** **ornate** rhetoric taught out of the rule of Plato"-John Milton" If something is *ornate* — whether it's a ball gown, a set of dishes, or a poem — it seems to be covered in ornaments. It's lavish, flowery, or heavily adorned. Look at the first four letters of *ornate*, and you'll spot the beginning of its close relative *ornament*. *Ornate* most often describes how something looks, but it doesn't have to be visual. The prose in Victorian love letters was more ornate than the email messages people send today. The ornate gilded mirrors and enormous chandeliers in the palace at Versailles were the height of fashion in Marie Antoinette's time, but home decor is simpler today. Now, it seems too ornate.

Question 657

Orthodox

Answer 657

Orthodox ## Footnote adhering to what is commonly accepted - **[adj]** an **orthodox** view of the world *Orthodox* practices or beliefs are generally accepted as true or correct. If you are an *orthodox* vegetarian, you never, ever eat meat––not like those people who have chicken once in awhile, or even––gasp!––bacon. When capitalized, *Orthodox* is the name of the Eastern Church, originally distinguished by its doctrinal differences from the other divisions of the Christian Church. *Orthodox* is also the name of the branch of Judaism that strictly follows traditional beliefs and customs, derived from *orthodox* in the earlier meaning of "strictly observant."

Question 658

Ossify

Answer 658

Ossify ## Footnote become bony - **[v]**cause to become hard and bony - **[v]**make rigid and set into a conventional pattern - **[v]** The tissue **ossified**"The disease **ossified** the tissue" "**ossified** teaching methods" *Ossify* means to become bony. When a baby is born, some of their "bones" are actually soft cartilage, which allows for growth. As the child grows, these soft areas *ossify* into actual bone. The knee cap, for example, begins to ossify between ages 3 and 6. From the literal "to become bony" meaning of *ossify*, we get the more figurative meaning: to become rigid or hardened. Although you and other young people may be willing to effect social changes, many older voters have ossified in their opinions. Convincing these rigid thinkers that these changes are good for the country will be quite the challenge. If your kids sneak food to their rooms, you may find ossified cheese under the beds. Even mice won't touch that!

Question 659

Ostentatious

Answer 659

Ostentatious ## Footnote intended to attract notice and impress others - **[adj]**(of a display) tawdry or vulgar - **[adj]** an **ostentatious** sable coat Reach for the adjective *ostentatious* when you want a flashy way to say — well, "flashy" or "showy." No one wants to be described as *ostentatious*, a word whose cousins include *pretentious*, *flamboyant*, and *gaudy*. It originates from the Latin word *ostentare*, "to display," but in English it's often used for displays of the crass or vulgar sort. A rapper's diamond-encrusted teeth might be an ostentatious display of "bling," and someone wailing especially loudly at a funeral of a distant acquaintance might be making an ostentatious show of sorrow.

Question 660

Oust

Answer 660

Oust ## Footnote remove from a position or office - **[v]**remove and replace - **[v]** The chairman was **ousted** after he misappropriated funds "The word processor has **ousted** the typewriter" A teacher may *oust* you from class if you are being disruptive, or you might *oust* your class president from her position if you beat her in the election. To *oust* is to "expel," "kick out," or "remove and replace." When you oust someone, you are "giving them the boot." A sports team is *ousted* from a tournament if they lose an elimination round. *Oust* often implies both removal and replacement. The automobile, for instance, ousted the horse as the preferred means of travel. Likewise, when a politician ousts someone from office they are taking that person’s place in office. And if you beat the all-time record in a hot-dog eating tournament, then you oust the previous record holder from their position.

Question 661

Overt

Answer 661

Overt ## Footnote open and observable; not secret or hidden - **[adj]** an **overt** lie "**overt** hostility" "**overt** intelligence gathering" *Overt* means open and done in plain sight. An *overt* attempt to get your teacher off-track might fail. Instead, try asking subtle questions about her kids, and she'll stay off topic all class. If you speak French, remember that *overt* is the same as the French *ouvert* "open." If you don't speak French, give up all hope of ever learning this word. Just kidding –– forgive the overt attempt at humor. English speakers, here's your trick for remembering the difference between *overt* and *covert*: *overt* = "open," *covert* = "covered."

Question 662

Overwrought

Answer 662

Overwrought ## Footnote deeply agitated especially from emotion - **[adj]** High on drama and lacking any emotional restraint, *overwrought* is an adjective that means deeply, excessively agitated or nervous. Say your favorite soap star gets killed off in episode 12. If you sob uncontrollably, tear at your hair, and refuse to leave the couch for a week, most would say your response was overwrought — in other words, a bit much. But it's not just emotions that can go over the top. The gaudy, golden McMansion covered in ornate Italian statuary where your soap star lives in real life? Totally overdone, or overwrought, with details.

Question 663

Paean

Answer 663

Paean ## Footnote (ancient Greece) a hymn of praise (especially one sung in ancient Greece to invoke or thank a deity) - **[n]**a formal expression of praise - **[n]** A *paean* is a hymn of praise or thanksgiving. You might sing a *paean* in church, where many hymns extol the greatness of God. *Paean* was originally a song of praise for Apollo, or Paian as he was sometimes called. You can now use *paean* to mean any song of praise, regardless of the deity, or to mean a formal expression of praise, like a eulogy. At your mother's birthday dinner, it might be nice for you and your brothers and sisters to write and sing a paean to her good-natured love and support of you over many years.

Question 664

Palatable

Answer 664

Palatable ## Footnote acceptable to the taste or mind - **[adj]** **palatable** food "a **palatable** solution to the problem" Something that is *palatable* is acceptable to one’s sense of taste—literally or figuratively. If it's palatable, then you can put up with it — whether it's leftovers or a mediocre made-for-TV movie. The palate is the roof of the mouth, the combination of structures that separates the mouth from the nose. Early anatomists believed that the sense of taste was located in the palate, and, just as taste is metaphorically expanded to include sensibilities beyond the experience of food and drink, so *palatable* can be used to describe phenomena beyond the culinary. And, while *palatable* can mean pleasing or agreeable, it generally means merely tolerable—edible, rather than delicious.

Question 665

Pallid

Answer 665

Pallid ## Footnote abnormally deficient in color as suggesting physical or emotional distress - **[adj]**(of light) lacking in intensity or brightness; dim or feeble - **[adj]**lacking in vitality or interest or effectiveness - **[adj]** the **pallid** face of the invalid "a **pallid** sky" "a **pallid** performance" Santa looks a little *pallid*, meaning that he has a pale complexion, from spending too much time at the North Pole. A few days in Hawaii might do wonders to add color to his pale, bearded face. *Pallid* means pale, or lacking color. It's often used together with *complexion* to describe someone who has a pale face, either due to a lack of sunshine or some kind of emotional distress. A reclusive author could be pallid from spending too much time indoors. His books can also be called pallid if they're lacking in color and excitement.

Question 666

Palpable

Answer 666

Palpable ## Footnote capable of being perceived; especially capable of being handled or touched or felt - **[adj]**can be felt by palpation - **[adj]** a barely **palpable** dust "felt sudden anger in a **palpable** wave" "the air was warm and close--**palpable** as cotton" When something is *palpable*, you can touch or handle it, even though the word is often used to describe things that usually can't be handled or touched, such as emotions or sensations. You probably won't see *palpable* used to describe, say, an egg or a doorknob or a motorcycle. *Palpable* is usually reserved for situations in which something invisible becomes so intense that it feels as though it has substance or weight. When the towers came down, the sense of sadness was so great, it was palpable.

Question 667

Panacea

Answer 667

Panacea ## Footnote hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases; once sought by the alchemists - **[n]** If someone offers you a pill that promises eternal life, don’t take the pill. It’s a *panacea*, a remedy that falsely claims to solve every problem ever. The Greek word *pan* means "all" (think of a *pan*orama, a view where you can see everywhere). The Greek word for "cure" is *akēs* (which looks like the word "aches"). Those are the roots of *panacea*, a cure for all aches. But a panacea doesn’t really cure everything; it just acts like it can. Use the word to describe an unbelievable solution, like a new law that will make everyone rich, or a robot that does your homework for you.

Question 668

Panegyric

Answer 668

Panegyric ## Footnote formally expressing praise - **[adj]**a formal expression of praise - **[n]** A formal, high-minded speech can be described with a formal, high-minded word — the word *panegyric*, which is a very elaborate tribute to someone. You could consider most eulogies as *panegyrics*. It stands to reason that the original use of the word *panegyris*, from which *panegyric* derives, was to describe a public gathering in honor of a Greek god. The Latin, L. *panegyricus*, altered slightly to mean "public eulogy," which around the 16th Century shifted to the French *panégyrique*, which meant "laudation." In any case, the word today stands for high praise given in a speech or tribute as highfalutin as the word itself sounds.

Question 669

Papyrus

Answer 669

Papyrus ## Footnote tall sedge of the Nile valley yielding fiber that served many purposes in historic times - **[n]**paper made from the papyrus plant by cutting it in strips and pressing it flat; used by ancient Egyptians and Greeks and Romans - **[n]**a document written on papyrus - **[n]** The word "paper" comes from *papyrus*, which is "the paper plant, or paper made from it." When the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans wanted to jot something down, they used *papyrus*. Papyrus plants used to grow all over the Nile Delta in Egypt, which is why it was so popular with the King Tut set. They used it to make everything from mattresses to sandals, but papyrus is mostly famous as the thick paper ancient Egyptians wrote important documents on, like, say, a note from Cleopatra. It also refers to the paper itself, like the recently discovered papyrus of Cleopatra, on which she wrote "make it happen." Yes ma'am.

Question 670

Paradigm

Answer 670

Paradigm ## Footnote a standard or typical example - **[n]**systematic arrangement of all the inflected forms of a word - **[n]**the class of all items that can be substituted into the same position (or slot) in a grammatical sentence (are in paradigmatic relation with one another) - **[n]** he framed the problem within the psychoanalytic **paradigm** A *paradigm* is a standard, perspective, or set of ideas. A *paradigm* is a way of looking at something. A paradigm is a new way of looking or thinking about something is needed. This word comes up a lot in the academic, scientific, and business worlds. A new paradigm in business could mean a new way of reaching customers and making money. In education, relaying on lectures is a paradigm: if you suddenly shifted to all group work, that would be a new paradigm. When you change paradigms, you're changing how you think about something.

Question 671

Paradox

Answer 671

Paradox ## Footnote (logic) a statement that contradicts itself - **[n]** `I always lie' is a **paradox** because if it is true it must be false Here's a mind-bender: "This statement is false." If you think it's true, then it must be false, but if you think it's false, it must be true. Now, that's a *paradox*! A paradox is a logical puzzler that contradicts itself in a baffling way. "This statement is false" is a classic example, known to logicians as "the liar's *paradox*." Paradoxical statements may seem completely self-contradictory, but they can be used to reveal deeper truths. When Oscar Wilde said, "I can resist anything except temptation," he used a paradox to point to our fundamental weakness to give in to tempting things (like chocolate or a pretty smile), all the while imagining that we can hold firm and resist them.

Question 672

Paragon

Answer 672

Paragon ## Footnote an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept - **[n]**model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal - **[n]** *Paragon* applies to someone who is a model of perfection in some quality or trait. We link *paragon* with other words that follow it, such as "*paragon* of virtue" or "*paragon* of patience." A *paragon* means someone or something that is the very best. The English noun *paragon* comes from the Italian word *paragone*, which is a touchstone, a black stone that is used to tell the quality of gold. You rub the gold on the touchstone and you can find out how good the gold is. You are hoping that it is the paragon of "goldness."

Question 673

Paramount

Answer 673

Paramount ## Footnote having superior power and influence - **[adj]** To the President, protecting our nation's security is of *paramount* importance — it's at the very top of his to-do list. *Paramount* goes way beyond "important." It's absolutely critical. Something that is of paramount importance has a great urgency to it. Getting your oil changed is important, but making sure your car's brakes are working before you drive down a steep, icy slope is absolutely paramount.

Question 674

Paranoia

Answer 674

Paranoia ## Footnote a psychological disorder characterized by delusions of persecution or grandeur - **[n]** Something that happens to a person's thinking can lead to *paranoia.* You may believe that your friends no longer like you, but it's just that your *paranoia* makes you suspicious of everyone. *Paranoia* is from the Greek *para-,* "beyond, irregular," and *noos,* "mind." It is an irregularity of the mind, a mental disorder that distorts a person's perception of what is real. Someone with paranoia may believe that other people are out to get them or are watching them all the time. Doctors who treat paranoia look for causes, and while patients can develop the disorder gradually and sometimes due to life circumstances, such as abuse or neglect, the use and abuse of drugs can also cause paranoia.

Question 675

Parasite

Answer 675

Parasite ## Footnote an animal or plant that lives in or on a host (another animal or plant); it obtains nourishment from the host without benefiting or killing the host - **[n]**a follower who hangs around a host (without benefit to the host) in hope of gain or advantage - **[n]** A creature that lives off another organism is a *parasite*. The *parasite* might not hurt the host, but it doesn't do anything to help it, either. If you call someone a *parasite*, you are really hurling an insult! The Ancient Greeks used the word *parasitos* to describe someone who ate at your table but never invited you back. Some telling synonyms include *leech*," *toady*, *sponge*, and *hanger-on*." Nice, huh? Some crafty birds, such as the cowbird or cuckoo, are called social *parasites*, laying their eggs in other birds' nests and expecting those mamas to raise their young for them. Unfortunately, there are some people like that, too.

Question 676

Parched

Answer 676

Parched ## Footnote dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight - **[adj]**toasted or roasted slightly - **[adj]** **parched** soil "**parched** corn was a staple of the Indian diet" Something *parched* is excessively dry and hot, in extreme need of water, like a desert, a neglected plant, or your throat after a five-kilometer run. Some foods, like corn, beans, or grains, may be *parched*, or toasted, to bring out their flavor and help preserve them. American Indians parched corn to make it keep and remain edible over the winter. They taught this to the new colonists, and *parched* corn later became a staple of explorers like Lewis and Clark, as well as soldiers during the Civil War. Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote of parched corn, "It crackled and crunched, and its taste was sweet and brown."

Question 677

Pariah

Answer 677

Pariah ## Footnote a person who is rejected (from society or home) - **[n]** A *pariah* is someone that has been soundly rejected by their community. Your constant gossiping might make you a *pariah* on campus. *Pariah* takes its name from a tribe in Southeast India. The pariahs were drummers, sorcerers, and servants who became untouchables in Indian society because of the unsanitary jobs they did. *Pariah* maintains this sense of untouchableness. Pariahs are not just unliked, they are avoided at all costs. Imagine how a once popular restaurant could gain pariah status if it fails health inspections three times in a row.

Question 678

Parity

Answer 678

Parity ## Footnote functional equality - **[n]**(obstetrics) the number of liveborn children a woman has delivered - **[n]** **parity** is often used to check the integrity of transmitted data "the **parity** of the mother must be considered" * Parity* refers to equality of an amount or value, and it's used most often to refer to finance. * Par* means "equality" — for example, something "not up to par" is not equal to what it should be. In a similar vein, *parity* means "equivalence." Farm parity is a system under which farm-produce prices are supported by the government to give farmers prices equal to a set level, thus supporting the farmers even if the market prices should fall.

Question 679

Parochial

Answer 679

Parochial ## Footnote relating to or supported by or located in a parish - **[adj]**narrowly restricted in outlook or scope - **[adj]** **parochial** schools "little sympathy with **parochial** mentality" If an issue or a matter is *parochial*, it is trivial or only concerns a local area. Likewise, a person with a *parochial* mentality is narrow-minded, or not open to new ideas. *Parochial* comes to English from Greek through Latin with the meaning "of a parish." As a parochial school is a school that is affiliated with a particular church, the connection is easy to see. In general though, *parochial* refers to a narrow or limited point of view — that is, an outlook that extends no further than the limits of the parish. You may feel that there is no room in your life for the parochial attitudes of the older generation. Let's hope you remain open-minded as you age!

Question 680

Parody

Answer 680

Parody ## Footnote a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way - **[n]**humorous or satirical mimicry - **[n]**make a parody of - **[v]**make a spoof of or make fun of - **[v]** A *parody* is a humorous or mocking imitation of something, using the same form as the original. To *parody* a poem, you have to write another poem. A parody is a form of humor that spoofs — or satirizes — something using the same form. For example, shows like "Saturday Night Live" and "The Daily Show" have parodied real newscasts by doing fake newscasts that look like the real thing. Whoever is President always gets parodied by various comedians and comedy writers. Anything in the public eye could be the victim of a parody.

Question 681

Parry

Answer 681

Parry ## Footnote impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball) - **[v]**avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues) - **[v]**(fencing) blocking a lunge or deflecting it with a circular motion of the sword - **[n]**a return punch (especially by a boxer) - **[n]** Here comes someone who only ever talks to you when he needs a favor. Quick, *parry*! When you *parry*, you avoid doing things. As the needy friend approaches, say, "I wish I had time to catch up!" and hurry off. Or, hide under a table. The word *parry* is often used to describe blocking or evading a movement, like parrying a punch, but it can also refer to an evasion that is verbal rather than physical. For example, if you are put on the spot and asked about something you’d rather avoid, you can *parry* to get out of it — change the subject or ask a question in return. When used in this way *parry* retains its sense of defending yourself through evasion.

Question 682

Parsimony

Answer 682

Parsimony ## Footnote extreme stinginess - **[n]**extreme care in spending money; reluctance to spend money unnecessarily - **[n]** *Parsimony* is a noun to us when you are watching your money very carefully. So you're not just saving your pennies for a rainy day — you're clipping coupons, re-using dryer sheets, and refusing to pay full price for anything. It's not a bad thing to engage in a little parsimony. Related to an ancient Latin word meaning "to spare," *parsimony* keeps your checking account in the black and your retirement plan well funded. But get a little too parsimonious and you might start to look like Uncle Scrooge — an old miser who learned the hard way that practicing extreme parsimony doesn't win you love and admiration.

Question 683

Partiality

Answer 683

Partiality ## Footnote an inclination to favor one group or view or opinion over alternatives - **[n]**a predisposition to like something - **[n]** * Partiality* is the habit of favoring something — taking its *part*. If your parents always seem to let your little sister off the hook while you get grounded, you could accuse them of *partiality* in their parenting. They favor your sister over you. * Partiality* is like bias. It means that your favorite person, type of food, or way of operating tends to get priority when you’re making up your mind. A synonym for *partiality* is favoritism. For this reason, anyone who’s not directly benefiting from your *partiality* will not appreciate it. It’s unfair!

Question 684

Partisan

Answer 684

Partisan ## Footnote a fervent and even militant proponent of something - **[n]**a pike with a long tapering double-edged blade with lateral projections; 16th and 17th centuries - **[n]** If something is prejudicial towards a particular point of view, you can call it *partisan*. You'll often hear of the *partisan* politics in the US — since politicians seem to be so devoted to either the Republican or Democratic parties. *Partisan* can be used to describe rabid supporters of any person or activity. In American English, however, it is most often used to refer to politics and the American two-party system of Democrats and Republicans. A bill introduced may have partisan support from the party that introduced the bill, or — more rarely it seems to American voters — the bill may even have bipartisan support. The prefix *bi* is added to show the support from both parties.

Question 685

Pastiche

Answer 685

Pastiche ## Footnote a work of art that imitates the style of some previous work - **[n]**a musical composition consisting of a series of songs or other musical pieces from various sources - **[n]** The next time you see a movie that you think is a cheap imitation of an older, better movie, you can sound like a film critic by dismissing the picture as a thoughtless *pastiche*. A pastiche is an artwork that copies the style of another work or that combines various, distinct styles together into one work. A pastiche can also be a musical medley, or the piecing together of various songs. *Pastiche* comes from the Italian word *pasticcio*, which can refer to a pie containing a mix of ingredients, such as meat and pasta.

Question 686

Pathos

Answer 686

Pathos ## Footnote a quality that arouses emotions (especially pity or sorrow) - **[n]**a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others - **[n]**a style that has the power to evoke feelings - **[n]** the film captured all the **pathos** of their situation *Pathos* is a quality that stirs emotions. A song with a lot of *pathos* hits you right in the heart. You ever notice how some songs or movies appeal to your brains, while others appeal to your feelings? The ones that are all about feeling are full of pathos, an appeal to emotions that originally meant "suffering" in Greek. Often, this word has to do specifically with pity and sympathy: when someone tells a story about people suffering that makes you feel for them, that's pathos.

Question 687

Patronize

Answer 687

Patronize ## Footnote assume sponsorship of - **[v]**treat condescendingly - **[v]** We **patronize** this store If you *patronize* a business, you shop there regularly. But if someone *patronizes* you, it's not so pleasant — they talk to you as if you were inferior or not very intelligent. *Patronize* comes from Latin *patronus* "protector, master," related to *pater* "father." So if you patronize a person, you talk down to them like a father might do to his child or a master to his apprentice. If you want to take an advanced class and your advisor warns you of all the hard work, you can tell him to stop patronizing you — you know a hard class involves hard work. This sounds much better than saying, "I'm not stupid!"

Question 688

Paucity

Answer 688

Paucity ## Footnote an insufficient quantity or number - **[n]** The word *paucity* means not enough of something. If you've got a *paucity* of good cheer, for example, you'd better cheer up! One good way to remember the meaning of *paucity* is that it's a bit like *pauper*, as in The Prince and the Pauper. The prince had too much money, and the pauper had a paucity. There are a lot of words that mean "little" or "small," but *paucity* is used when you mean specifically "not enough" or "too little." People in LA don't understand how New Yorkers can live with such a paucity of space. For what New Yorkers pay for a tiny apartment, Angelenos get a house and a yard.

Question 689

Peccadillo

Answer 689

Peccadillo ## Footnote a petty misdeed - **[n]** A *peccadillo* is a minor offense or sin. Parents recognize that their kids have a few *peccadilloes*: they don't always remember to say please and thank you, don't put their dirty clothes in the hamper, and worst of all, they keeping finding the chocolate stash! *Peccadillo* is based on the Spanish word *peccado*, meaning "sin," with a diminutive added, making *peccadillo* a small sin. How big a sin is a *peccadillo*? Well, that depends on who you ask. The person committing the offense is likely to try to pass off any number of transgressions and mistakes as peccadilloes. If you apologize and are forgiven, it's probably a peccadillo. If your transgression could get you fired, it's probably not!

Question 690

Pedagogy

Answer 690

Pedagogy ## Footnote the profession of a teacher - **[n]**the principles and methods of instruction - **[n]**the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill - **[n]** **pedagogy** is recognized as an important profession * Pedagogy* is another word for education, the profession and science of teaching. * Pedagogy* and *pedagogue* come from the Greek *paidos* "boy, child" plus *agogos* "leader." *Pedagogy* refers to the teaching profession as well as the science of education, for example as a college subject. This might be one reason that the word, *pedagogue,* is often used for a teacher who is overly interested in rules and details, hence the science of teaching, rather than actually getting through to his or her students.

Question 691

Pedant

Answer 691

Pedant ## Footnote a person who pays more attention to formal rules and book learning than they merit - **[n]** A *pedant* is an annoying person who is focused on minor details and book knowledge rather than ordinary common sense. In war, it can be dangerous to have a pedant as commander––he'll insist on textbook maneuvers instead of adapting to circumstances on the ground. This word was borrowed from French *pédant* or Italian *pedante* "teacher, schoolmaster," but its ultimate origin is unknown. One theory is that the original meaning of Italian *pedante* was "foot soldier," associated with the Italian word *pedagogo* "teacher" because teachers are always on their feet. Another theory is that Italian *pedante* was formed from the root of Greek *paideuein* "to teach," which happens to be the source of English *pedagogue* "teacher." In fact, a *pedagogue* is a pedantic teacher.

Question 692

Pedantic

Answer 692

Pedantic ## Footnote marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects - **[adj]** There's nothing wrong with focusing on the details, but someone who is *pedantic* makes a big display of knowing obscure facts and details. *Pedantic* means "like a pedant," someone who's too concerned with literal accuracy or formality. It's a negative term that implies someone is showing off book learning or trivia, especially in a tiresome way. You don't want to go antique-shopping with a pedantic friend, who will use the opportunity to bore you with his in-depth knowledge of Chinese porcelain kitty-litter boxes.

Question 693

Pedestrian

Answer 693

Pedestrian ## Footnote a person who travels by foot - **[n]**lacking wit or imagination - **[adj]** a **pedestrian** movie plot A *pedestrian* is someone traveling by foot. If you're walking, you might get angry at the drivers who don't stop so you can cross the street. But if you're driving, you might fight the urge to run those annoying *pedestrians* over! *Pedestrian* comes from the Latin *pedester* meaning "going on foot" but also "plain." As a noun, it's someone walking around — sidewalks are for pedestrians. As an adjective it means "lacking wit or imagination." If someone calls your new poem pedestrian, they mean it's dull. If you want to impress your friends while also making them feel worthless, mutter "these people are SO pedestrian," at a party, loud enough for everyone to hear.

Question 694

Peerless

Answer 694

Peerless ## Footnote eminent beyond or above comparison - **[adj]** a **peerless** scholar Do you ever feel like one of a kind? Then maybe you are *peerless*, a word for someone (or something) unique, excellent, and superior. *Peerless* is a variation of *peer* — a word for folks in the same boat as you, or at least the same class. A teacher's peers are other teachers, but if she's a much better teacher than anyone, you could call her a peerless teacher. One of the many compliments given to Michael Jordan is that he was peerless. Amazing, one-of-a-kind people like Picasso, Gandhi, and Shakespeare are considered peerless. The rest of us have a lot of peers.

Question 695

Pejorative

Answer 695

Pejorative ## Footnote expressing disapproval - **[adj]** Call a word or phrase *pejorative* if it is used as a disapproving expression or a term of abuse. Tree-hugger is a *pejorative* term for an environmentalist. Coming from the Latin word for "worse," *pejorative* is both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, it means disapproving or disparaging. Hack is a pejorative term for a bad writer. If you call someone a politician in the pejorative sense, you mean that they are scheming and out for personal gain. Terms of abuse such as jerk and negative euphemisms such as bottom feeder are pejoratives, words you use when you want to call someone a bad name.

Question 696

Pellucid

Answer 696

Pellucid ## Footnote transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity - **[adj]**(of language) transparently clear; easily understandable - **[adj]** a **pellucid** brook "**pellucid** prose" A sentence that teaches a new vocabulary word should always be *pellucid,* that is, its style and meaning should be easily understandable so that you can derive the definition from the sentence. You may have heard the word *lucid*, which means clear. Both *lucid* and *pellucid* derive from a Latin word that means "to shine through." Pellucid water is clear, a pellucid sky is a particularly intense shade of blue, pellucid prose is writing that's easy to understand, and pellucid singing is clear and light in tone.

Question 697

Penchant

Answer 697

Penchant ## Footnote a strong liking - **[n]** the Irish have a **penchant** for blarney A *penchant* is a strong preference or tendency. If you have a *penchant* for pizza, you either eat it daily, or wish you did. *Penchant* borrows from French, in which *penchant* literally means inclined. It goes back to the Latin *pendere*, for hanging, which is also the source of *pendant*. In both French and English, speakers have long used the idea of *inclination* metaphorically: a hillside can be inclined in one direction or another, and so can a person's thoughts. But in English, *penchant* is only for desires.

Question 698

Pensive

Answer 698

Pensive ## Footnote deeply or seriously thoughtful - **[adj]**showing pensive sadness - **[adj]** See that person staring out the window who looks so sad and lost in thought? He is *pensive*, the opposite of cheery and carefree. If you've studied Spanish, you know that the verb *pensar* means "to think." If you're pensive, you might simply be thinking hard about something. Having no expression or maybe even frowning can be a result of being so engrossed in your thoughts — it might not reflect a melancholy attitude. Remember this the next time you're about to ask a pensive person, "What's wrong?" It could very well be nothing.

Question 699

Penury

Answer 699

Penury ## Footnote a state of extreme poverty or destitution - **[n]** * Penury* means extreme poverty to the point of homelessness and begging in the streets. Economic downturns, job loss, shopping sprees, and weekends at the high rollers' table in Vegas can lead to *penury*. * Penury* comes from the Latin word *penuria*, which, though it sounds like something contagious, actually means scarcity. It's not a word that turns up often in casual conversation or even on nightly newscasts. You're more apt to spot it in a college textbook or maybe an editorial in *The New York Times*.

Question 700

Perceptive

Answer 700

Perceptive ## Footnote of or relating to perception - **[adj]**having the ability to perceive or understand; keen in discernment - **[adj]** **perceptive** faculties "a **perceptive** eye" "a **perceptive** observation" If someone calls you *perceptive*, they mean you are good at understanding things or figuring things out. *Perceptive* people are insightful, intelligent, and able to see what others cannot. *Perceive* means "to see"; so, *perceptive* is a word to describe someone who is good at seeing. *Perceptive* is derived from the Latin word *percipere* which means "to obtain or gather." A *perceptive* person is good at gathering information and using her senses to take in the world. If you are upset but trying to hide it, a *perceptive* person is the one who will notice.

Question 701

Perdition

Answer 701

Perdition ## Footnote (Christianity) the abode of Satan and the forces of evil; where sinners suffer eternal punishment - **[n]** Hurl'd headlong...To bottomless **perdition**, there to dwell"- John Milton" *Perdition* is mainly a religious concept from Christianity that means hell or eternal damnation. *Perdition* doesn't sound like a lot of fun. If you hear someone say "the fires of *perdition*," they're talking about the fires of Hell. Perdition refers to hell, and especially the religious idea of eternal damnation: suffering for an endless period of time after death. You can also use this word for a more earthly kind of suffering. Just as people say "I'm in hell!" when they're unhappy, you could say someone in a bad situation is caught in perdition. When you see the word *perdition*, think "Suffering!"

Question 702

Peremptory

Answer 702

Peremptory ## Footnote putting an end to all debate or action - **[adj]**not allowing contradiction or refusal - **[adj]**offensively self-assured or given to exercising usually unwarranted power - **[adj]** a **peremptory** decree "spoke in **peremptory** tones" "**peremptory** commands" *Peremptory* comments are like orders. If you say something in a *peremptory* manner, you want people to stop what they’re doing and do what you say. *Peremptory* comments put an end to a discussion, and that’s final! The word *peremptory* comes from the Latin *peremptorius* for "decisive, final." Trace it further and find that *peremptor* means "destroyer," from *perimpere* for "destroy, cut off." Basically, peremptory commands destroy the conversation. They are given with an air of authority, and they are often barked. In the courtroom, peremptory orders are not open to appeal; they’re final. Outside of the courtroom, a peremptory manner is just plain rude.

Question 703

Perennial

Answer 703

Perennial ## Footnote lasting three seasons or more - **[adj]**lasting an indefinitely long time; suggesting self-renewal - **[adj]**recurring again and again - **[adj]**(botany) a plant lasting for three seasons or more - **[n]** the common buttercup is a popular **perennial** plant "**perennial** happiness" "**perennial** efforts to stipulate the requirements" * Perennial* typically describes things that are permanent, constant, or repeated. If you fight with your parents every year over whether they really must invite your annoying cousins for Thanksgiving, you could call that a *perennial* conflict. * Perennial* typically describes things that are permanent, constant, or repeated: a *perennial* conflict. A *perennial* plant (also called a *perennial*) lasts more than two years because it produces flowers and seeds from the same root structure every year. *Perennial* is from Latin *perennis,* from the prefix *per-* "through" plus *annus* "year." Latin *annus* is also the source of our English word *annual*. An *annual* plant lives only one year or season.

Question 704

Perfunctory

Answer 704

Perfunctory ## Footnote hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough - **[adj]**as a formality only - **[adj]** **perfunctory** courtesy *Perfunctory* means done as part of a routine or duty. If you give someone a gift and they look at it like it's roadkill and say nothing about it but a *perfunctory* "thank you," you might not be giving them another one anytime soon. A person who does something in a perfunctory way shows little enthusiasm or interest in what they are doing. Many of our everyday greetings are *perfunctory*. For example, when we say hello and how are you, it's usually done out of habit. *Perfunctory* is from Latin *perfunctus,* from *perfungi* "to get through with, perform," formed from the Latin prefix *per-* "completely" plus *fungi* "to perform."

Question 705

Peripatetic

Answer 705

Peripatetic ## Footnote traveling especially on foot - **[adj]**of or relating to Aristotle or his philosophy - **[adj]** **peripatetic** country preachers If you're reading this on a treadmill or while taking a walk, you may know about the *peripatetic,* or walking, philosopher Aristotle, who taught while strolling with his students. Or, maybe you just like being a *peripatetic,* a walking wanderer. *Peri-* is the Greek word for "around," and *peripatetic* is an adjective that describes someone who likes to walk or travel around. *Peripatetic* is also a noun for a person who travels from one place to another or moves around a lot. If you walk in a circle, you are peripatetic, or walking, but you aren’t a peripatetic, or wanderer, unless you actually go somewhere.

Question 706

Peripheral

Answer 706

Peripheral ## Footnote on or near an edge or constituting an outer boundary; the outer area - **[adj]**(computer science) electronic equipment connected by cable to the CPU of a computer - **[n]** Russia's **peripheral** provinces "**peripheral** suburbs" "a **peripheral** interest" Scanners, printers, and speakers are *peripheral* devices for a computer because they aren't central to the working of the computer itself. Anything *peripheral* is on the margin, or outside, while main things, like a computer's processor, are not *peripheral*. Outside of computer jargon, *peripheral* is a common term in eye exams, which measure peripheral vision to see how far toward the outer right and left edges you can see. *Peripheral* also describes nerves from the body's peripheral system, which are secondary to the main system but branch off of it — like the wires between peripheral devices and a computer.

Question 707

Perjury

Answer 707

Perjury ## Footnote criminal offense of making false statements under oath - **[n]** *Perjury* is the act of deliberately lying under oath. A defendant in a murder trial commits *perjury* when he swears he never met the murder victim before, even though he had a two-year relationship with her. Although the word *perjury* contains *jury*, members of the jury aren't likely to commit perjury, because they're not under oath and haven't sworn to be truthful. A witness in a trial can commit perjury by willfully lying about facts related to the case. *Perjury* isn't just a little white lie. It's a crime that can land the person who commits it in jail.

Question 708

Pernicious

Answer 708

Pernicious ## Footnote exceedingly harmful - **[adj]**working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way - **[adj]** * Pernicious* means harmful and subtle, such as a poison gas that causes cancer in those exposed to it over the course of years. * Pernicious* comes from the Latin *perniciosus,* for destructive, which in turn comes from *pernicies,* for death or ruin. You might have heard your parents and teachers talk about the pernicious effects of watching too much TV and playing video games all day––they'll turn your brain to mush.

Question 709

Personable

Answer 709

Personable ## Footnote (of persons) pleasant in appearance and personality - **[adj]** If you're *personable*, you're friendly and get along well with other people. Being *personable* is part of what makes you the star of the sales team — people just seem to like you. Someone who's personable can be outgoing, charming, nice, bubbly, amiable, pleasing, or generous, but he doesn’t have to be all of those things — it just all needs to add up to being pleasant. You may be pleasant but not bubbly, and that’s personable. In fact, if you're too bubbly, you might stop being personable and become annoying, which is not personable.

Question 710

Perspicacious

Answer 710

Perspicacious ## Footnote mentally acute or penetratingly discerning - **[adj]**acutely insightful and wise - **[adj]** much too **perspicacious** to be taken in by so spurious an argument "much too **perspicacious** to be taken in by such a spurious argument" *Perspicacious* is an adjective that means "shrewd" and "wise." A *perspicacious* child can't be fooled when her parents try to keep a secret by talking in Pig Latin. The adjective *perspicacious* is a long word for a short definition: "keen" or "shrewd." This word is descended from the Latin word *perspicere*, which means "to look closely." In other words, if you look closely at something you are paying attention to it and know it well. A definition of *perspicacious* that is out of date but still relevant is "having keen eyesight" and people who can see clearly are also aware and attentive!

Question 711

Pertinent

Answer 711

Pertinent ## Footnote being of striking appropriateness and pertinence - **[adj]**having precise or logical relevance to the matter at hand - **[adj]** a list of articles **pertinent** to the discussion Something *pertinent* is relevant and on-point. If you give your best friend *pertinent* advice, that means the advice is appropriate for the situation. Something pertinent is related to the current topic or situation — and probably helpful too. If you're in math class and you make a comment about World War I, that's likely not pertinent. If you're in music class and you talk about a cello, that probably is pertinent. Pertinent things are appropriate and logical. In most situations, people like to get comments and questions that are pertinent — anything else can just seem like a distraction.

Question 712

Peruse

Answer 712

Peruse ## Footnote examine or consider with attention and in detail - **[v]** Please **peruse** this report at your leisure Traditionally, *peruse* has meant to read or examine something carefully. But informally, it can have the opposite meaning, to read something casually and quickly. To understand the two meanings, think about the way people like to talk about doing things thoroughly, even when they aren't. If you are visiting a library or a bookstore, you might find yourself *perusing* the shelves. Synonyms are *browse* and *skim*. *Peruse* is from Middle English *perusen* "to use up," from the Latin prefix *per-* "thoroughly" plus Middle English *usen* "to use."

Question 713

Pervasive

Answer 713

Pervasive ## Footnote spreading or spread throughout - **[adj]** the **pervasive** odor of garlic "an error is **pervasive** if it is material to more than one conclusion" When something is *pervasive*, it's everywhere. Common things are *pervasive* — like greed and cheap perfume. Ever notice how certain trends seem to spread all over the place? When something — like a hairstyle — is super-common, it's pervasive. Pervasive things can't be escaped. Playing video games is pervasive among kids. Talking about the weather is pervasive among adults. Ideas, diseases, habits, and all sorts of things can be pervasive. If you're sick of seeing something because you're seeing it again and again, it must be pervasive.

Question 714

Petrify

Answer 714

Petrify ## Footnote change into stone - **[v]**make rigid and set into a conventional pattern - **[v]**cause to become stonelike or stiff or dazed and stunned - **[v]** the wood **petrified** with time "slogans **petrify** our thinking" "The horror **petrified** his feelings" If you scare someone so much they can't move, you *petrify* them. *Petrify* is to make something like a stone or to literally turn to stone. At the heart of the word *petrify* is the Latin word *petra* which means "stone." In the scientific sense, wood petrifies in an environment without oxygen, say when it is buried by lava, and minerals such as silica enter the wood and fill the cells, making it hard as stone. More commonly, something petrifies a person or an animal when it scares them very much. During thunderstorms, the dog is so petrified that it hides under the bed. If you are in a store when it is being robbed, you might be petrified too.

Question 715

Petulant

Answer 715

Petulant ## Footnote easily irritated or annoyed - **[adj]** Choose the adjective, *petulant,* to describe a person or behavior that is irritable in a childish way. The adjective, *petulant,* is a disapproving term used to describe a bad-tempered child, an adult behaving like an angry child or behavior or this type. *Angry* or *annoyed* mean the same thing, but if you choose the word, *petulant,* you are indicating that it is unreasonable or unjustified. *Petulant* came to English in the late 16th century from the Latin *petulantem* "forward, insolent" but was not recorded to mean childishly irritable until the late 1700s.

Question 716

Philistine

Answer 716

Philistine ## Footnote a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits - **[n]**smug and ignorant and indifferent or hostile to artistic and cultural values - **[adj]** A *philistine* is a person who doesn’t think a lot and isn't interested in learning. Your uncle Marvin, who's only interested in eating, sleeping, and watching game shows, could be considered a *philistine*. In the late 17th century, during a conflict in Jena, Germany, between townspeople and students, someone referred to the townspeople as "*Philistines*." Since then, *philistine* has described someone who stands against learning and the arts. And if you don’t start reading the great Russian authors, someone might suggest that you have a philistine attitude toward literature — the word can also be used as an adjective describing a person or thing that displays indifference to the arts and intellectual pursuits.

Question 717

Phlegmatic

Answer 717

Phlegmatic ## Footnote showing little emotion - **[adj]** a **phlegmatic**...and certainly undemonstrative man Yes, *phlegmatic* has roots in that colorless, mucous stuff called phlegm, but people who are *phlegmatic* aren't called that because they have lots of mucous. They are just a little dull in expressing feelings or showing emotion. It may be their training more than their natural behavior, but those palace guards who wear the red coats and big hats and show absolutely no expression on their faces are phlegmatic. Attempts to make them laugh, smile, or twist their faces in irritation won’t work, because being phlegmatic is important to their role as stone-faced keepers of the palace. Phlegmatic people show less emotion on the outside — but who knows, they may be jumping up and down on the inside.

Question 718

Pied

Answer 718

Pied ## Footnote having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly - **[adj]** **pied** daisies * Pied* means colorfully jumbled. If you're looking at kittens, you may see solid black ones, solid white, or ones with lots of different patches of color. You'd call a patchy one *pied*. * Pied* was first used to refer to magpies’ black and white plumage. Later, *pied* came to refer to an order of friars known for their black and white robes, and even later, *pied* came to refer to a jumble of typefaces in a printed document. Now, *pied* can indicate anything having two or more colors. Someone with multicolored articles of clothing can be said to be pied, as in the Pied Piper of Hamlin.

Question 719

Pillage

Answer 719

Pillage ## Footnote steal goods; take as spoils - **[v]**the act of stealing valuable things from a place - **[n]**goods or money obtained illegally - **[n]** To *pillage* is a term of war that means to take everything of value from a place that you've conquered, but these days, *pillage* can be used to talk about anyone who takes what's not theirs. It wasn't enough just to win a battle. A conquering army had to *pillage* entire cities, taking everything of value that wasn't nailed down. Recently, several European families have won cases in international courts against museums displaying art that was looted by the Nazis during World War II. These families claim that the art was pillaged during the war and that, rather than being displayed on museum walls, it should be returned to its rightful owners.

Question 720

Pine

Answer 720

Pine ## Footnote a coniferous tree - **[n]**have a desire for something or someone who is not present - **[v]** I am **pining** for my lover If you *pine* for someone, you desperately want to see them, be with them, or perhaps smother them with kisses. If you're texting your ex-boyfriend over 50 times a day, there's a pretty good chance that you still *pine* for him. In Old English, *pine* meant "to torture or cause to experience pain," which seems quite fitting if you've known what it's like to pine for something or someone. The verb *pine* should not be confused with the noun *pine*, as in the evergreen tree. If you are from the Northeast and find yourself living in the Caribbean, you may pine for the sight of a pine tree, but the lovely weather should ease the pain.

Question 721

Pinnacle

Answer 721

Pinnacle ## Footnote (architecture) a slender upright spire at the top of a buttress of tower - **[n]**a lofty peak - **[n]**the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development - **[n]**surmount with a pinnacle - **[v]**raise on or as if on a pinnacle - **[v]** ...catapulted Einstein to the **pinnacle** of fame "**pinnacle** a pediment" "He did not want to be **pinnacled**" Going as far into the sky as you can go on foot, you'll reach the highest point, or *pinnacle,* of the Himalayas. A successful climb like that might also become the *pinnacle,* or peak, of your success. Two synonyms for *pinnacle* also start with the letter "p," "peak" and "point." A pinnacle can be a physical thing, like the top of a high mountain or the antenna on the very top of a building, or it can be a high point that can’t be measured with a ruler, like an achievement or a goal. Whatever the pinnacle is, reaching it is almost always a completion of something where you have gone the highest you can go. "Acme" is a great synonym for *pinnacle.*

Question 722

Pious

Answer 722

Pious ## Footnote having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity - **[adj]** **pious** readings If someone is deeply religious and visibly follows all the moral and ethical codes of his religion, he is *pious*. Don't become a priest if you're not prepared to live a *pious* life. *Pious* comes from the Latin *pius*, which means dutiful. It doesn't always have to be used to talk about organized religion. If someone believes deeply in something, and lets everyone see it through their behavior, then they are pious, whether they're pious Christians or pious environmentalists. It differs from its synonym *devout*, which implies deep religious sentiment, whereas *pious* emphasizes the public display of feeling.

Question 723

Pique

Answer 723

Pique ## Footnote a sudden outburst of anger - **[n]**tightly woven fabric with raised cords - **[n]** The verb *pique* means to make someone angry or annoyed. But when something *piques* your interest or curiosity, here the verb *pique* just means to arouse, stimulate, or excite. Both the noun and verb are pronounced "pēk" and were borrowed from a French word meaning "a prick, irritation," from Old French, from *piquer* "to prick." So you can see how something that pricks you could make you both excited and angry. But it's frustrating––enough to make you want to storm away from learning vocab. That storming away, by the by, might be called a "fit of *pique*."

Question 724

Pith

Answer 724

Pith ## Footnote soft spongelike central cylinder of the stems of most flowering plants - **[n]**the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience - **[n]**remove the pith from (a plant) - **[v]** *Pith* is the central idea or essence of something. If you’re in danger, you could exclaim, "I would greatly appreciate it if someone would provide assistance." Or, you could get right to the *pith* of your point by shouting, "Help!" In botanical terminology, *pith* refers to a spongy, central cylinder of tissue found inside the stems of most flowering plants. If you know a lot about plants, that fact should help you remember the primary definition of *pith*. If not, just take our word for it. You can think about the pith of an argument like the pith of a plant: both lie at the heart or core of something.

Question 725

Pivotal

Answer 725

Pivotal ## Footnote being of crucial importance - **[adj]** a **pivotal** event ""Its **pivotal** location has also exposed it to periodic invasions"- Henry Kissinger" High school graduation is a *pivotal* moment in most people's lives — an important point that signifies a shift in direction. You see the word *pivot* in *pivotal*. That is because when something is pivotal, it is central, and everything related to the topic turns or depends on it. An election can be a pivotal moment in a nation's history if the direction the country takes depends on it. Your belief in reincarnation may be pivotal to how you treat animals. *Pivotal* means important, but it has the sense of centrality and turning.

Question 726

Placate

Answer 726

Placate ## Footnote cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of - **[v]** When a husband shows up with flowers after he's fought with his wife, he's trying to *placate* her. If you *placate* someone, you stop them from being angry by giving them something or doing something that pleases them. If your little sister is mad that the dog ate her favorite teddy bear, you could placate her by buying her an ice cream cone. A near synonym for *placate* is *appease*. The origin of *placate* is Latin *placare* "to calm or soothe." The related Latin verb *placere* is the source of English *please*.

Question 727

Placebo

Answer 727

Placebo ## Footnote an innocuous or inert medication; given as a pacifier or to the control group in experiments on the efficacy of a drug - **[n]**(Roman Catholic Church) vespers of the office for the dead - **[n]** A patient's symptoms sometimes disappear just because they believe that they are being treated. Even when doctors give them a biologically inactive drug, otherwise known as a *placebo*, the patients swear they are cured. In clinical drug-trials, to rule out what is called the *placebo* effect, scientists give half of the trial participants a placebo. If a government replaces food stamps with a coloring book give-away, it might be dismissed by child advocates as nothing more than a placebo. *Placēbō* is Latin for "I'll please (you)," in other words, I'll keep you happy, even though I'm just giving you a placebo.

Question 728

Placid

Answer 728

Placid ## Footnote (of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves - **[adj]**not easily irritated - **[adj]** a ribbon of sand between the angry sea and the **placid** bay "not everyone shared his **placid** temperament" "remained **placid** despite the repeated delays" Call a body of water *placid* if it has a smooth surface and no waves. Call a person *placid* if they don't tend to make waves by causing a fuss. Coming from the Latin *placidus* "pleasing or gentle," *placid* is most commonly used to describe a person who is not easily irritated or a body of water such as a lake that does not have waves to disturb the surface. Synonyms of *placid* in both meanings include *calm,* *serene* and *tranquil.* In other uses, *placid* describes something with little disruption — like "a *placid* neighborhood."

Question 729

Plaintive

Answer 729

Plaintive ## Footnote expressing sorrow - **[adj]** *Plaintive* is an adjective for describing someone or something with a pleading, sorrowful, desperate tone. If you have ever heard the plaintive howl of a wolf, then you know what we are getting at here. A *plaint*, as in *complaint*, is an expression of sorrow or grief. This word has also been bent a little at the ends to become *plaintiff*, or *complainant*—the sufferer—in a lawsuit. So, whether you are hearing a plaintive tone in a courtroom, at a funeral, or in the wild (as in an animal's plaintive howl), you can be assured that someone or something desires something desperately.

Question 730

Platitude

Answer 730

Platitude ## Footnote a trite or obvious remark - **[n]** If an executive gives a speech that begins, "This business is all about survival of the fittest. You need to burn the midnight oil and take one for the team," his employees might get sick of listening to these meaningless clichés and tell him to cut the *platitudes.* The English language contains many old, worn-out clichés, or platitudes. Phrases like "ants in your pants" and "as American as apple pie" are so overused that they've almost lost their meaning. People rely on these tired old remarks when they can't think of anything original to say. Be warned: if you throw too many platitudes into your conversations, people are eventually going to get tired of listening to you.

Question 731

Plaudit

Answer 731

Plaudit ## Footnote enthusiastic approval - **[n]** he acknowledged the **plaudits** of the crowd As its sound might suggest, *plaudit* is indeed related to "applaud" and "applause." In fact it's really just a fancy way of saying "praise" or "acclamation." *Plaudit* is used more in a literary sense than in spoken English, and particularly applies to the reception of a work of art, most notably a play. In fact, the word comes from the Latin *plaudite,* loudly uttered by Roman actors at the end of a play and meaning "applaud!" Kind of like cue cards for game show audiences now.

Question 732

Plausible

Answer 732

Plausible ## Footnote apparently reasonable and valid, and truthful - **[adj]**given to or characterized by presenting specious arguments - **[adj]** a **plausible** excuse "a **plausible** liar" If something is *plausible*, it's reasonable or believable. Things that are *plausible* could easily happen. A woman becoming President is very *plausible*. A giraffe becoming President is not. Plausible things are not far-fetched at all. Things in fantasy stories — such as wizards, dragons, and unicorns — are not plausible. On the other hand, some things in science fiction stories might be plausible: who knows where spaceships will eventually go? If something really seems like it could happen, then it's plausible. One of the many tricky parts of life is figuring out what's plausible and what's not.

Question 733

Plethora

Answer 733

Plethora ## Footnote extreme excess - **[n]** * Plethora* means an abundance or excess of something. If you have 15 different people who want to take you on a date, you have a *plethora* of romantic possibilities. * Plethora* comes from the Greek for "fullness." Although it was originally used only in old-fashioned medicine to describe the condition of having too much blood, we use it to talk about any excessive supply. If you run a theater and all the seats are taken, that's a full house. But if the seats are full and people are standing in the aisles, you have a plethora of patrons. The stress is on the first syllable: PLETH-uh-ruh.

Question 734

Pliable

Answer 734

Pliable ## Footnote capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out - **[adj]**capable of being bent or flexed or twisted without breaking - **[adj]**able to adjust readily to different conditions - **[adj]**susceptible to being led or directed - **[adj]** they soaked the leather to made it **pliable** *Pliable* means bendable but not breakable. Wax is *pliable*, good leather is *pliable*. If you describe a person as *pliable*, it usually means that he's easily influenced, like a nightclub owner who takes orders from a crime boss. When Madame barks "Plier!" (rhymes with "okay") in ballet class, all the students obediently bend their knees into a graceful semi-crouch. *Plier* is French for bend and it's the root of the word *pliable*. The word *pliable* itself is quite pliable, an apt description for everything from building materials to a person's character.

Question 735

Plumage

Answer 735

Plumage ## Footnote the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds - **[n]** If you like the looks of the color and pattern formed by a bird’s feathers, then you like its *plumage*. The word *plumage* traces back to the French word *plume*, meaning feather, and it’s a way of referring to all the feathers that form the color and patterns of a particular bird. For example, birdwatchers study illustrations of birds so that they can recognize, say, a golden hawk in flight by its plumage.

Question 736

Plumb

Answer 736

Plumb ## Footnote exactly vertical - **[adj]**measure the depth of something - **[v]**completely; used as intensifiers - **[adv]** the tower of Pisa is far out of **plumb**"fell **plumb** in the middle of the puddle" To *plumb* a body of water, you measure its depth. To *plumb* a house, you connect all of its pipes. To make carpentry *plumb*, you get it exactly vertical. Originally, the verb *plumb* only meant "to measure the depth of water." These days, if you "*plumb* the depths" of something, you go in deep for knowledge and experience: your Heidegger seminar may plumb the depths of German Existentialism like Jacques Cousteau plumbed the depths of the ocean.

Question 737

Plummet

Answer 737

Plummet ## Footnote drop sharply - **[v]**the metal bob of a plumb line - **[n]** The stock market **plummeted** The verb *plummet* means "to drop sharply," like eagles that *plummet* toward earth, seeking prey, or school attendance that *plummets* when there is a flu outbreak. To correctly pronounce *plummet*, say "PLUH-met." This verb describes something that drops sharply or quickly, like a roller coaster that plummets down a hill, temperatures that plummet overnight, or sales of roses and candy that plummet after Valentine's Day. If something plummets, this doesn't mean it will stay down or low forever, just that it has experienced a sharp drop.

Question 738

Podium

Answer 738

Podium ## Footnote a platform raised above the surrounding level to give prominence to the person on it - **[n]** A *podium* is a raised platform like the kind Olympians stand on when they win a medal or like the overturned crate in the garage where you pretend to accept your Academy Award. Stepping up to a podium means taking center stage. A person might be receiving an honor or giving a speech and the added height of a podium makes that person the focus. If you wave a baton as the conductor of an orchestra or band, you'll need to stand on a podium so the musicians can see you. And, if you deliver a rousing message in a church you might use a podium, but probably shouldn't be waving a baton.

Question 739

Polemical

Answer 739

Polemical ## Footnote of or involving dispute or controversy - **[adj]** The adjective *polemical* describes something related to an argument or controversy. To keep the peace, avoid discussing politics at Thanksgiving, which usually deteriorates into a *polemical* argument with Uncle Bob. Better stick to football or apple versus pumpkin pie. *Polemical* is the adjective form of the noun *polemic*, which itself comes from the Greek word, *polemos*, meaning "war." Use *polemical* to describe a controversy or argument that could end up as a huge conflict, because *polemical* refers to a major disagreement. The word is often used to describe speech and writing — a polemical discussion or a polemical essay — that usually starts a war of words.

Question 740

Ponderous

Answer 740

Ponderous ## Footnote having great mass and weight and unwieldiness - **[adj]**slow and laborious because of weight - **[adj]**labored and dull - **[adj]** a **ponderous** stone "a **ponderous** burden" "**ponderous** weapons" When you call Frankenstein *ponderous*, it's not because he likes to *ponder* the great questions of life. It's because he moves like a Mack truck, only slower and less gracefully. *Ponderous* also describes a person's manner, or their manner of speaking. If it does, this is a person you will want to avoid. They're solemn, speak slowly about things that are boring, and get to the punchline of a joke about seven years after anyone with half a brain has figured it out for themselves.

Question 741

Portend

Answer 741

Portend ## Footnote indicate by signs - **[v]** * Portend* means to show a sign that something calamitous is about to happen. The teetering, tottering, pile of fine china piled up after the dinner party *portends* an imminent crash of broken plates and dishes. * Portend* is a verb warning of omens, or bad signs. Dark clouds rumbling in over a county fair in Kansas portend the thunderstorm and even tornado that is likely to ruin the festivities. *Portend* is a helpful way for authors to foreshadow dark events ahead in their stories.

Question 742

Portent

Answer 742

Portent ## Footnote a sign of something about to happen - **[n]** While you might love crows, your father will shudder when he sees them if he superstitiously believes they're a *portent* — a sign or warning — of death. A portent is an omen of something momentous, which can be good, but is more often negative. You can use *portent* to mean a magical foretelling or symbol, but you can also use it to talk about something real, the way you could describe big, dark storm clouds as a portent of a thunderstorm.

Question 743

Poseur

Answer 743

Poseur ## Footnote a person who habitually pretends to be something he is not - **[n]** Strike a pose, sang Madonna in her most famous song, "Vogue." But if the pose you're striking is fake, pretentious, or arrogant, you're a *poseur*. Be yourself: it's cooler. It's one thing to be smart, funny, or cool. It's another thing to pretend to be that way: that's the life of a poseur. (Say it in the French way: poh-ZUHR.) It's all too easy to spot a poseur from their ridiculous posing. Why poseurs think that they come across as anything other than fake is beyond me. They must be really insecure to think they need to pretend to be something they're not. Every once in a while, though, a poseur can fake it till they make it. Then they're no longer a poseur.

Question 744

Posterity

Answer 744

Posterity ## Footnote all future generations - **[n]**all of the offspring of a given progenitor - **[n]** we must secure the benefits of freedom for ourselves and our **posterity** *Posterity* is a noun meaning "future generations." These people of the future could be your children and great-great grandchildren, or any people who are born after you. If you save something "for posterity," you're hoping that years later people will appreciate it, like a time capsule you bury in the yard. The word comes from the Latin word for "post, after." It's also related to the word *posterior*, which means "behind, to come after in time." In legal terms, *posterity* refers to the offspring of a person and it often has to do with inheriting property and who is entitled to do so.

Question 745

Posthumous

Answer 745

Posthumous ## Footnote occurring or coming into existence after a person's death - **[adj]** a **posthumous** award "a **posthumous** book" "a **posthumous** daughter" If something happens after someone dies, it is described as *posthumous* — like the *posthumous* interest in the music of a singer who died "a nobody." The adjective *posthumous* comes from Latin — *post* means "after" and *humare*, "to bury." (You might also think of *humus*, which means "dirt" or "earth.") So something that is posthumous happens after a person is dead, like the posthumous discovery that your humble neighbor who lived very modestly was actually a multi-millionaire, or the posthumous publication of a book that the writer finished just before she died.

Question 746

Postulate

Answer 746

Postulate ## Footnote maintain or assert - **[v]**require as useful, just, or proper - **[v]**take as a given; assume as a postulate or axiom - **[v]**(logic) a proposition that is accepted as true in order to provide a basis for logical reasoning - **[n]** This intervention does not **postulate** a patient's consent Assume something or present it as a fact and you *postulate* it. Physicists *postulate* the existence of parallel universes, which is a little mind-blowing. Anyone who has suffered through geometry class is familiar with some of the greatest hits, like Euclid's postulate and the point-line-plane postulate. Those are propositions that have to be assumed for other mathematical statements to follow logically. As a verb (pronounced "POST-you-late") it describes the act of presenting an idea, theory, belief, or concept.

Question 747

Potable

Answer 747

Potable ## Footnote suitable for drinking - **[adj]**any liquid suitable for drinking - **[n]** If something is *potable* that means it's safe to drink. In developed countries, tap water is usually *potable*. Puddle water is not. I know you want to take a sip of that puddle water, but please, restrain yourself. *Potable* can also be a noun, meaning any drinkable liquid. The word comes from the Latin *potare*, meaning "to drink." Not only did the Romans come up with that word; they built some of the world's first aqueducts, above-ground channels that brought potable water from the mountains to the cities. Potable water is often in short supply after natural catastrophes like earthquakes and hurricanes, and its availability is often discussed on the news.

Question 748

Potent

Answer 748

Potent ## Footnote having or wielding force or authority - **[adj]**having great influence - **[adj]**having a strong physiological or chemical effect - **[adj]**(of a male) capable of copulation - **[adj]** providing the ground soldier with increasingly **potent** weapons "a **potent** toxin" "**potent** liquor" *Potent* means really strong, but not like a body builder. Use *potent* instead to describe things like intense smells, powerful magic potions, and very influential people. From the Latin *potentum*, meaning "powerful," *potent* is just that: having tremendous strength or influence in either a moral or physical sense. A potent question gets to the heart of the matter and sparks serious discussion. Really stiff drinks can be potent, as can your breath after a garlicky meal. And as the composer Igor Stravinsky once asked, "What force is more potent than love?"

Question 749

Pragmatic

Answer 749

Pragmatic ## Footnote concerned with practical matters - **[adj]**an imperial decree that becomes part of the fundamental law of the land - **[n]** not ideology but **pragmatic** politics To describe a person or a solution that takes a realistic approach, consider the adjective *pragmatic*. The four-year-old who wants a unicorn for her birthday isn't being very pragmatic. The opposite of *idealistic* is *pragmatic*, a word that describes a philosophy of "doing what works best." From Greek *pragma* "deed," the word has historically described philosophers and politicians who were concerned more with real-world application of ideas than with abstract notions. A pragmatic person is sensible, grounded, and practical — and doesn't expect a birthday celebration filled with magical creatures.

Question 750

Pragmatist

Answer 750

Pragmatist ## Footnote an adherent of philosophical pragmatism - **[n]**a person who takes a practical approach to problems and is concerned primarily with the success or failure of her actions - **[n]** If you have a friend whose head is always in the clouds, always dreaming, and taking risks without thinking of the consequences, you might say that she isn’t much of a *pragmatist*. A pragmatist is someone who is *pragmatic*, that is to say, someone who is practical and focused on reaching a goal. A pragmatist usually has a straightforward, matter-of-fact approach and doesn’t let emotion distract her. A pragmatist can also ignore her own ideals to get the job done, so in this way it can have a slightly negative meaning. The word is often used in reference to politicians to mean that they are either sensible or willing to cut corners for their cause.

Question 751

Prattle

Answer 751

Prattle ## Footnote speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly - **[v]**idle or foolish and irrelevant talk - **[n]** If your little sister won't stop talking about her latest crush and you don't want to hear it, you might say, "Stop prattling on about that loser!" To *prattle* is go on and on about something unimportant. *Prattle* can also be a noun. If your sister tattles about your comment regarding her prattling, you could defend yourself to your mother with: "I didn't mean to call Sophie's crush a loser, but she had driven me mad with her constant *prattle*." There are a lot of funny-sounding words with a meaning similar to *prattle* - *chatter, blether, blather, jabber, gabble, blabber*, and *babble*, to name a few.

Question 752

Preamble

Answer 752

Preamble ## Footnote a preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution (usually explaining its purpose) - **[n]**make a preliminary introduction, usually to a formal document - **[v]** A *preamble* is a brief introduction to a speech, like the *Preamble* to the Constitution that starts out "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union...do ordain and establish this Constitution." *Preamble* comes from the Latin *praeambulus* which means "walking before." And that's what a *preamble* does — it "walks" before a speech, often explaining what's coming. It's like the White Rabbit introducing the Queen of Hearts in *Alice in Wonderland*. Since it goes before a speech, think of it as a *pre-ramble*. A *preamble* is usually used for formal documents; you wouldn't include one in a text to your best friend.

Question 753

Precarious

Answer 753

Precarious ## Footnote not secure; beset with difficulties - **[adj]**affording no ease or reassurance - **[adj]**fraught with danger - **[adj]** a **precarious** truce "the **precarious** life of an undersea diver" Grab for the adjective *precarious* when something is unstable, dangerous or difficult and likely to get worse. Are you totally broke and the people you owe money to keep calling? You're in a *precarious* financial situation! The Latin root of *precarious* means "obtained by asking or praying." This fits well as *precarious* always signals that help is needed desperately. If your life is precarious or you are in a precarious situation, things could become difficult, maybe even dangerous, for you. If your footing or hold on something is precarious, it is unstable or not firmly placed, so that you are likely to slip or lose your grip.

Question 754

Precedent

Answer 754

Precedent ## Footnote an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time - **[n]**(civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions - **[n]**a system of jurisprudence based on judicial precedents rather than statutory laws - **[n]**a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time) - **[n]**preceding in time, order, or significance - **[adj]** A *precedent* is something that sets a standard for future events. It's hard to say what the legal community would do without the word *precedent*, since so many legal judgments and decisions are based on what came before. Lawyers and judges often look for a precedent can be used as a guide for a similar case. This word is used elsewhere too. Your mom might not let you stay up late because it would set a bad precedent for future bedtimes. A teacher who lets kids chew gum is setting a precedent that gum-chewing will be OK in the future. People often refer to a precedent later on as a reference point for how things should be.

Question 755

Precept

Answer 755

Precept ## Footnote rule of personal conduct - **[n]**a doctrine that is taught - **[n]** he believed all the Christian **precepts** A *precept* is a rule or direction, often with some religious basis, dictating a way you should act or behave. *Precepts* are little life lessons that are usually passed down to children by authority figures such as parents, teachers, or religious figures. They are not as simple or practical as "eat your vegetables"; they tend to be more weighty and pretentious. In *Hamlet*, the character Polonius dished out a few choice precepts to his son Laertes: "neither a borrower nor a lender be" and "give every man thy ear, but few thy voice." Of course Laertes never lived long enough to benefit from Polonius's sage advice, since Hamlet offed him with his own poisoned blade.

Question 756

Precipice

Answer 756

Precipice ## Footnote a very steep cliff - **[n]** Cartoon characters often end up on a *precipice,* the edge of a steep cliff, where their chubby toes curl and cling as they totter and eventually fall, making a hole in the ground below and getting up again. Most real people avoid *precipices*. Unless you're a skilled climber or mountain-sport enthusiast, a precipice is a scary thing. Some imagine falling off and making the sharp drop, while others get dizzy just thinking about looking down. This makes sense, considering that the 17th-century English word *precipice* comes, through French, from Latin words meaning "headlong" and even "abrupt descent." In modern use, *precipice* also describes how it feels to fall, or fail, in areas of life that don't involve mountains, such as being "on the *precipice* of losing everything."

Question 757

Precipitate

Answer 757

Precipitate ## Footnote bring about abruptly - **[v]**fall from clouds - **[v]** The crisis **precipitated** by Russia's revolution "The bridge broke and **precipitated** the train into the river below" "Our economy **precipitated** into complete ruin" * Precipitate* usually means "bringing something on" or "making it happen" — and not always in a good way. An unpopular verdict might "*precipitate* violence" or one false step at the Grand Canyon could *precipitate* you down into the gorge. * Precipitate*, as a verb, can also mean specifically, "to fall from clouds," such as rain, snow, or other forms of precipitation. When used as an adjective, *precipitate* means "hasty" or "acting suddenly." If you decide to throw your class project in a trash masher just because someone in your class had a similar idea, then your actions might be described as precipitate. Or if you do that sort of thing regularly, you may be a precipitate person.

Question 758

Precipitous

Answer 758

Precipitous ## Footnote extremely steep - **[adj]**done with very great haste and without due deliberation - **[adj]** the **precipitous** rapids of the upper river "the **precipitous** hills of Chinese paintings" A sharp, steep drop — whether it's in a stock price, a roller coaster, or a star's popularity — could be described as a *precipitous* one. Put simply, *Precipitous* means perilously steep. Look closely and you'll spot most of the word *precipice* (a sheer, almost vertical cliff) in *precipitous*. Now imagine how you'd feel standing at the edge peering over, and you'll grasp the sense of impending danger that *precipitous* tends to imply. *Precipitous* declines in sales lead to bankruptcy. *Precipitous* mountainside hiking trails are not for the acrophobic. It can describe an ascent, but *precipitous* is most often used for things going literally or figuratively downhill.

Question 759

Preclude

Answer 759

Preclude ## Footnote make impossible, especially beforehand - **[v]**keep from happening or arising; make impossible - **[v]** Your role in the projects **precludes** your involvement in the competitive project To *preclude* something is to prevent it from happening. A muzzle *precludes* a dog from biting. This is a very formal word, but it has a simple meaning: when something is precluded, it can't happen. See the prefix *pre* in *preclude* and in *prevent*? It is signaling that these words are all about things done before another action would happen — to make it impossible. Staying away from water precludes the possibility of drowning, though it also precludes any chance of having fun swimming.

Question 760

Precocious

Answer 760

Precocious ## Footnote characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude) - **[adj]**appearing or developing early - **[adj]** a **precocious** child "a **precocious** achievement" "**precocious** flowers appear before the leaves as in some species of magnolias" That high school hoops phenom who plays like an NBA pro? The sixth grader who's already asking questions about organic chemistry? They're both *precocious* — meaning they're way beyond their years in skill or knowledge. When you look at the Latin roots of *precocious*, it all makes sense. When *pre* (meaning "before") joins *coquere* (meaning "to ripen"), you have something that is ripening prematurely. And in the case of *precocious*, you are usually describing young people who have some adult-like quality about them. Maybe it's their vast vocabulary, maybe it's their ease with Calculus, or maybe it's just applying lipstick.

Question 761

Predecessor

Answer 761

Predecessor ## Footnote one who precedes you in time (as in holding a position or office) - **[n]**something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone - **[n]** A *predecessor* is something that came before the current version. The person you replaced at work is your *predecessor*, just like Pac Man is the *predecessor* of modern video games. If you break the word *predecessor* down to its Latin roots, you get *pre*, meaning "beforehand," and *decessor*, which means "retiring officer." So that's how we get to our definition of "someone who has held an office or position before the present holder." But predecessors aren't just found in the business world: these days predecessors include our ancestors, earlier car models, and all kinds of other forerunners.

Question 762

Predicament

Answer 762

Predicament ## Footnote a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one - **[n]** finds himself in a most awkward **predicament** If you're engaged to get married, but suddenly fall in love with someone else, you have got yourself in quite a predicament. A *predicament* is a difficult, confusing, and unpleasant situation. The Greek word that predicament originally descends from means "a state of being." Which makes sense considering the words that sound like predicate are all about states of being––*predict*, or say what's going to happen in the future, and *predicate* the second part of a sentence that's led by the verb. Think of *predicament* as an unpleasant state of being.

Question 763

Predilection

Answer 763

Predilection ## Footnote a predisposition in favor of something - **[n]**a strong liking - **[n]** a **predilection** for expensive cars A *predilection* is a preference for or bias toward something. If you have a *predilection* for wool clothing, you should take up knitting. *Predilection* is based on the Latin verb *praediligere*, or to choose in advance, which breaks down to *prae*, in advance, and *diligere*, select. We often use predilection for tendencies that people seem to have been born with, also called *predispositions*. If you're a night owl, you probably have a predilection for cities, while morning people tend to prefer the country.

Question 764

Preeminent

Answer 764

Preeminent ## Footnote greatest in importance or degree or significance or achievement - **[adj]** a **preeminent** archeologist Calling someone *preeminent* means they're truly outstanding or better than everyone else — not in general, but in a specific field or specialty. Such as a *preeminent* geologist. The adjective *preeminent* was first recorded in the mid 15th century and has its roots in the Latin *praeeminentem*, which means "to project forward, rise above." And anything that's been described as preeminent certainly does rise above the rest. Preeminent scholars or universities or craftsmen are the best at what they do and are well known because of it.

Question 765

Prerogative

Answer 765

Prerogative ## Footnote a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right) - **[n]** suffrage was the **prerogative** of white adult males A *prerogative* is someone's special right or privilege. As Bobby Brown once sang, "I don't need permission / Make my own decisions / That's my *prerogative*." *Prerogative* goes back to a Latin root for a group having the right to vote first (*prae-* 'pre-' + *rogare* 'to ask') and thus came to mean "privileged rank." In current use, it refers to a right or privilege held by any person or group. A near synonym is *privilege*, which puts more emphasis on the fact that others do not have it. The self-justifying phrase "That's my prerogative" (for example, in reference to changing one's mind) is quite common.

Question 766

Presage

Answer 766

Presage ## Footnote a foreboding about what is about to happen - **[n]**a sign of something about to happen - **[n]**indicate by signs - **[v]** A *presage* is a sign that something bad is about to happen, like when you get that queasy feeling in your stomach because your mom found out you skipped band practice to go to the movies. *Presage*, pronounced "PREH-sige," can be a noun or a verb. As a noun, presage is a warning or omen of bad things to come, like a strange quiet and stillness in the air, presage to the coming tornado. As a verb, *presage* means "making a prediction or giving a warning of what's to come," like a terrible end-of-season football game's outcome game that *presaged* the struggles the team faced the next season.

Question 767

Prescience

Answer 767

Prescience ## Footnote the power to foresee the future - **[n]** Do you already know what happens tomorrow? Next week? Next year? If you can see into the future, then you have *prescience*. The word *prescience* might look like *pre* + *science*, but it really comes from the Latin word *praescientia*, which means "fore-knowledge" — or knowledge you know before anyone else. Don't assume it's a crystal ball kind of power that lets someone with prescience see the future. It's more like a state of mind or level of expertise that allows for excellent foresight and planning.

Question 768

Presentiment

Answer 768

Presentiment ## Footnote a feeling of evil to come - **[n]** the lawyer had a **presentiment** that the judge would dismiss the case Do you ever have the feeling that something bad is about to happen? That’s called a *presentiment*. The word *presentiment* comes from the Latin word *præsentire*, meaning "to sense beforehand." Some people call it a "gut feeling." For example, if you leave for a trip and something doesn't feel right, you may chalk it up to just being nervous. But later, when your flight is cancelled and you lose your luggage, you may remember that little twinge — the presentiment that something bad was about to happen.

Question 769

Presumptuous

Answer 769

Presumptuous ## Footnote excessively forward - **[adj]** the duchess would not put up with **presumptuous** servants When someone takes liberties, doing things too boldly, you can describe them with the adjective *presumptuous*. *Presumptuous* comes from the Latin verb *praesumere* which means to take for granted. It means taking for granted your access to someone or power to do something. It's a very satisfying word and effective word because it belittles someone at the same time as criticizing him. In Shakespeare's "Henry VI," Northumberland calls Warwick "presumptuous and proud" for trying to get rid of the king. It's usually pronounced with all four syllables, pre-ZUMP-choo-us, although pre-ZUMP-chus is acceptable as well.

Question 770

Pretentious

Answer 770

Pretentious ## Footnote making claim to or creating an appearance of (often undeserved) importance or distinction - **[adj]**intended to attract notice and impress others - **[adj]**(of a display) tawdry or vulgar - **[adj]** a **pretentious** country house "a **pretentious** fraud" "a **pretentious** scholarly edition" Use the adjective *pretentious* as a way to criticize people who try to act like they are more important or knowledgeable than they really are. You might not be surprised to learn that *pretentious* is related to the word *pretend*, and it is an adjective that fits the bill for describing someone who's only concerned with making an impressive appearance. If you don't want to be accused of being pretentious, just act naturally and don't put on airs!

Question 771

Preternatural

Answer 771

Preternatural ## Footnote existing outside of or not in accordance with nature - **[adj]**surpassing the ordinary or normal - **[adj]** Beyond his **preternatural** affability there is some acid and some steel" - George Will" *Preternatural* describes something that seems oddly abnormal and out of sync with everything else. If you hear a *preternatural* dog's barking, maybe it sounds like a police siren instead of a howl. Note that *preternatural* contains the word *natural*. *Preter* comes from the Latin word *praeter* which means "beyond"; so something preternatural is beyond nature. It is less commonly used than *unnatural* or *supernatural* but means the same thing. If you lift a truck off the ground and hold it above your head, people will marvel at you and say you have preternatural strength.

Question 772

Prevaricate

Answer 772

Prevaricate ## Footnote be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information - **[v]** When you *prevaricate*, you lie or mislead. Now, go ahead and tell me whether you already knew that meaning, and don’t *prevaricate* about it — give me the story straight! While *prevaricate* basically means to lie, it also has the sense of making it hard to know exactly what the lie was. You talk in a confusing way, go back and forth, and as deliberately as possible mislead someone. Government officials, bureaucrats, and sneaky types prevaricate in the hopes that it will be too difficult to figure out whether they've been doing something wrong. Don't prevaricate with your parents — it will definitely make you look guilty, but they just won't be sure of what!

Question 773

Primordial

Answer 773

Primordial ## Footnote having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state - **[adj]** **primordial** matter "**primordial** forms of life" * Primordial*, an adjective, describes something that has been around forever, like cockroaches. * Primordial* comes the Latin words *primus*, meaning "first" and *ordiri*, "to begin." So it is easy to see that this adjective means "first of all, original. When something is primordial, it has existed since the earliest time, like the primordial mud some scientists believe was the source of all life on Earth. Remember that is it a scientific term — don't call your teacher "primordial" just because she's been teaching at your school since it opened.

Question 774

Pristine

Answer 774

Pristine ## Footnote immaculately clean and unused - **[adj]**completely free from dirt or contamination - **[adj]** handed her his **pristine** white handkerchief "**pristine** mountain snow" If something is *pristine* it's immaculately clean or has never been used. So please check your shoes before walking on a *pristine* white carpet. A long, long time ago *pristine* was used to describe primitive or ancient things. It wasn’t until 1899 that the word grew to mean "unspoiled" or "pure." Ecologists strive to preserve pristine rain forests, just as vacationers are always looking for a pristine strip of beach to lounge on. A new car should arrive to you in pristine condition, and hopefully you'll do your best to keep it that way.

Question 775

Probity

Answer 775

Probity ## Footnote complete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles - **[n]** in a world where financial **probity** may not be widespread "he enjoys an exaggerated reputation for **probity**" Though *probity* sounds like what you might do with a sharp stick, it actually means being morally and ethically above reproach, having integrity. If you show fiscal probity, it means you are responsible and ethical with your money. The story of George Washington chopping down the cherry tree and refusing to lie about it is a story of probity. The story was first told by a pastor, who may have made the whole thing up according today's scholars, possibly to sell books –– no act of probity.

Question 776

Proclivity

Answer 776

Proclivity ## Footnote a natural inclination - **[n]** he has a **proclivity** for exaggeration A *proclivity* is a natural tendency to like something, such as your sister's *proclivity* for restaurants that serve hot, spicy food. When you have a proclivity, it feels automatic — you like what you like; you don't even have to think about it. The origin of the word *proclivity* supports this feeling. *Proclivity* comes from the Latin word *proclivis*, which literally means "sloping forward." You slide toward a proclivity — no effort is needed. You just give in to it, since you're headed in that direction naturally.

Question 777

Procrastinate

Answer 777

Procrastinate ## Footnote postpone doing what one should be doing - **[v]**postpone or delay needlessly - **[v]** He did not want to write the letter and **procrastinated** for days "He **procrastinated** the matter until it was almost too late" *Procrastinates* means putting off doing something until a future time. When people sit down to write term papers, they can find all kinds of clever ways to procrastinate: reorganizing the paperclips, calling everyone they know, typing "I am bored" fifty times in a row. The verb *procrastinate* is from Latin *prōcrāstināre*, from *prō-* "forward" plus *crāstinus* "of tomorrow," from *crās* "tomorrow." Some synonyms are *defer*, *postpone*, and *delay*, though these words often apply to more positive reasons for inaction. The reason for procrastination is often assumed to be laziness, or just that the task or action is unpleasant and difficult to begin.

Question 778

Prodigal

Answer 778

Prodigal ## Footnote recklessly wasteful - **[adj]**a recklessly extravagant consumer - **[n]** **prodigal** in their expenditures In the Bible, the *Prodigal* Son leaves home and wastes all his money, but when he returns, he feels sorry. Use the adjective *prodigal* to describe someone who spends too much money, or something very wasteful. *Prodigal* usually applies to the spending of money. In the Bible, the Prodigal Son leaves home and wastes all his money, but when he returns, he feels sorry. You could also use this word to describe something that is very abundant or generous in quantity, such as *prodigal* praise. *Prodigal* comes from Latin *prodigere* "to drive away, waste," from the prefix *prod-* "forth" plus *agere* "to drive."

Question 779

Prodigious

Answer 779

Prodigious ## Footnote so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe - **[adj]**far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree - **[adj]**of momentous or ominous significance - **[adj]** a **prodigious** storm "the young Mozart's **prodigious** talents" "a **prodigious** vision" Something exceptional, substantial, or great is *prodigious*. A blizzard includes *prodigious* wind and snow. A *prodigious* writer is one who can write a lot and do it well. *Prodigious* is a word for things that are impressive. If you have prodigious strength, you're very strong. If your cat had a prodigious litter of kittens, then you've got a houseful of kittens. This is a strong word that's also kind of formal. Save it for things that really blow you away because of their quality or quantity. A little drizzle isn't a prodigious rain, but a storm that floods a whole city certainly is.

Question 780

Profane

Answer 780

Profane ## Footnote grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred - **[adj]**not holy because unconsecrated or impure or defiled - **[adj]**not concerned with or devoted to religion - **[adj]**characterized by profanity or cursing - **[adj]**violate the sacred character of a place or language - **[v]** **profane** utterances against the Church "sacred and **profane** music" ""secular architecture", "children being brought up in an entirely **profane** environment" *Profane* is the sort of language that gets bleeped on TV but it's also whenever you deeply offend people with how little respect you show something (usually religious). The Latin root *profanus* means "unholy," and that's where it all started. If you take the Lord's name in vain, you've profaned Him and probably made your mom pretty angry too. Don't even try the curse words so vital to a truly great hip-hop track but perhaps not recommended for dinner with Grandma.

Question 781

Profound

Answer 781

Profound ## Footnote situated at or extending to great depth; too deep to have been sounded or plumbed - **[adj]**coming from deep within one - **[adj]**showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth - **[adj]**of the greatest intensity; complete - **[adj]**(of sleep) deep and complete - **[adj]** the **profound** depths of the sea "a **profound** sigh" "the differences are **profound**" When you need a word that's deeper than "deep," consider *profound*. *Profundus* meant literally "deep" in Latin, and *profound* had the same meaning when it entered English in the 14th century. But even then, it also meant "figuratively deep" — that is, very great or intense: "The new laws have had a *profound* impact." Of people, it means "very knowledgeable or insightful," but sometimes if a person tries to sound profound they're really just giving you superficial knowledge dressed up with big words.

Question 782

Prohibitive

Answer 782

Prohibitive ## Footnote tending to discourage (especially of prices) - **[adj]** the price was **prohibitive** If something's so expensive you can't touch it, it's *prohibitive*. That Ferrari in the showroom? You may want it, but its price is *prohibitive*. *Prohibitive* originally referred to something (often a law) that prohibits or forbids something, but came to mean conditions (often prices or taxes) so high or great they restrict or prevent something: "To some, the cost of child care is *prohibitive*." The stress is on the second syllable, just like the verb: pro-HIB-itive. If it's a matter of expense, a synonym is *exorbitant*.

Question 783

Proletarian

Answer 783

Proletarian ## Footnote belonging to or characteristic of the proletariat - **[adj]**a member of the working class (not necessarily employed) - **[n]** Working class, blue collar, plebeian and certainly not aristocratic — that's what the adjective *proletarian* means. *Proletarian* has roots in the Latin word *proles*, which means "offspring." That's because back in ancient Rome, a proletarian was a member of the proletariat, the class of society that had no wealth and didn't own property. The only thing these proletarians had to offer was their hard work and their children. Today's proletarians are a little better off; they're considered the working class and just might have better benefits through their unions than some white-collar workers out there.

Question 784

Proliferate

Answer 784

Proliferate ## Footnote grow rapidly - **[v]**cause to grow or increase rapidly - **[v]** Pizza parlors **proliferate** in this area "We must not **proliferate** nuclear arms" When something *proliferates*, it's growing, spreading or multiplying really quickly. Bunny rabbits have a habit of *proliferating*, as do dandelions in untended gardens and funny YouTube videos on the internet. *Proliferate* was originally a biological term used to describe the growth of cells and producing offspring. It wasn’t until 1961 that we started to use *proliferate* more generally to talk about everything from the spread of nuclear weapons to the wide growth of Walmart. Other similar words include *expand*, *reproduce*, *snowball*, and *spawn*.

Question 785

Prolific

Answer 785

Prolific ## Footnote intellectually productive - **[adj]**bearing in abundance especially offspring - **[adj]** a **prolific** writer "flying foxes are extremely **prolific**" "a **prolific** pear tree" Someone or something that is *prolific* is fruitful or highly productive. A *prolific* songwriter can churn out five hit tunes before breakfast. It is interesting to note that many of the words used to describe the adjective *prolific* are relayed in biological terms, such as "to give birth," "nourish," and "fertile." Other uses of the word pertain to having many ideas or an active and expressive mind, such as a "*prolific* writer." Clearly, people like to consider that the ideas or things that they make are in some way produced by them like flowers or fruit!

Question 786

Prolixity

Answer 786

Prolixity ## Footnote boring verbosity - **[n]** If someone likes to talk but they're really boring, they've got *prolixity.* It's not something to be proud of. *Prolixity* means about the same thing as long-windedness. If someone is yammering on and on and on — that's an example of prolixity. Part of *prolixity* seems good: we'd all like to be able to put words together easily. On the other hand, none of us want to be boring. That's a major downside to prolixity. *Prolixity* is similar to "wordiness" — using too many words, or too many long words — when a few would get the job done.

Question 787

Prominent

Answer 787

Prominent ## Footnote conspicuous in position or importance - **[adj]**having a quality that thrusts itself into attention - **[adj]** a **prominent** citizen "a new theory is the most **prominent** feature of the book" If you're looking for an adjective that means "sticking out above the rest; famous," consider *prominent*. A *prominent* person might be the big cheese, the head honcho, the top dog — not just any Joe Schmo. A *prominence* is anything that juts out, like a bone or a mountain ridge. *Prominent*, then, means "sticking out" either in a literal sense ("a prominent nose") or a figurative one ("a prominent figure in the industry"). The metaphorical sense of "famous" is the most common one today, though references to the "*prominent* posterior" of Jennifer Lopez might fit both definitions.

Question 788

Prone

Answer 788

Prone ## Footnote having a tendency (to); often used in combination - **[adj]**lying face downward - **[adj]** a child **prone** to mischief "failure-**prone**" The path of least resistance is where you'll find *prone*: it refers to whatever you're likely to do. The Latin root of this word is *pronare* which means to bend forward, and it's a handy way to remember both meanings. If you tend to wait to start your term paper until the night before it's due, you are prone to procrastination — you bend toward it. If you stay up so late you fall asleep face down in the book, you are now prone at your desk.

Question 789

Propensity

Answer 789

Propensity ## Footnote a natural inclination - **[n]**an inclination to do something - **[n]**a disposition to behave in a certain way - **[n]** the **propensity** of disease to spread A *propensity* is a natural tendency to behave in a certain way. We all have *propensities* — things we tend to do. Dogs have a *propensity* to bark, and many people have a *propensity* for getting annoyed by it. If you have a propensity for something, then it's something that comes naturally to you or something you just do a lot. Some people have a propensity to laugh. Other people have a propensity for making others laugh, or for being generous, or for getting angry. It's hard to change your propensities. Sometimes a propensity is a bad thing, as in a criminal with a propensity for theft or murder.

Question 790

Propitiate

Answer 790

Propitiate ## Footnote make peace with - **[v]** If you forgot flowers on your Mom's birthday, you can still *propitiate* her by sending a bouquet the next day. *Propitiate* means to appease someone or make them happy by doing a particular thing. Handy strategy for lovers, too. One of the most common uses of *propitiate* historically was in the sense of appeasing the Gods, often with a gift in the form of an animal or human sacrifice. Fortunately, for most people today flowers and candy will do the trick. But then again, some Moms can be tough to appease.

Question 791

Prosaic

Answer 791

Prosaic ## Footnote lacking wit or imagination - **[adj]**not challenging; dull and lacking excitement - **[adj]**not fanciful or imaginative - **[adj]** a **prosaic** and unimaginative essay *Prosaic* means ordinary or dull. Most of us lead a *prosaic* everyday life, sometimes interrupted by some drama or crisis. This adjective is from Latin *prosa* "prose," which is ordinary writing intended to communicate ideas and information. *Prose* is often contrasted with poetry, which usually has a more imaginative and original style.

Question 792

Proscribe

Answer 792

Proscribe ## Footnote command against - **[v]** To *proscribe* something is to forbid or prohibit it, as a school principal might *proscribe* the use of cell phones in class. *Proscribe* sounds similar to the word *prescribe*, but be careful: these words are essentially opposite in meaning. While *proscribe* means forbid, *prescribe* is used when a doctor recommends a medicine or remedy. Of course, if you want an excuse for not following your doctor’s orders, you could say you were confused about the meaning of these two words — but that would be lying, which is proscribed by most people’s value systems. And it would also be bad for your health.

Question 793

Prosody

Answer 793

Prosody ## Footnote the study of poetic meter and the art of versification - **[n]**(prosody) a system of versification - **[n]**the patterns of stress and intonation in a language - **[n]** * Prosody* is the rhythm and sounds used in poetry. Kids who can freestyle rap fit the *prosody* of their words to a rhythm that's already laid down. * Prosody* can also mean the study of the rhythms and sounds of language, and sometimes you can talk about the prosody of prose. It's about where the emphasis falls in the words and how those work together. When you read great writers like Alice Munro aloud, you will see that their prosody, as much as anything, is what carries the story forward.

Question 794

Protean

Answer 794

Protean ## Footnote taking on different forms - **[adj]** eyes...of that baffling **protean** grey which is never twice the same When Picasso is described as a *protean* genius, it means that not only was he brilliant, but he changed the way he worked many times. *Protean* means able to change shape. Proteus was a Greek god who could tell the future, but when he was asked a question he didn't want to answer, he would change shapes. With someone or something protean, you get all the power of shape-shifting, plus some of the menace of a god you cannot control.

Question 795

Protocol

Answer 795

Protocol ## Footnote forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats and heads of state - **[n]**(computer science) rules determining the format and transmission of data - **[n]** safety **protocols**"academic **protocol**" *Protocol* is most often used when talking about the rules of government or official agencies. It is derived from the French and refers to the correct rules of etiquette for diplomats. The term *protocol* is used in many areas besides diplomatic ones. School marching bands or college admissions offices follow protocols, and doctors use them to treat patients with specific conditions. In tech circles, a protocol is a set of standards that programmers follow so that their work can be decoded by other computers. The p in the http of a web address is short for *protocol*. Without this type of protocol, you would not able to read this page.

Question 796

Provincial

Answer 796

Provincial ## Footnote of or associated with a province **[adj]** (Roman Catholic Church) an official in charge of an ecclesiastical province acting under the superior general of a religious order **[n]** **provincial** government"deeply **provincial** and conformist""in that well-educated company I felt uncomfortably **provincial**" A *provincial* person comes from the backwaters. Someone from a small province outside of Provence, France, might seem a little more *provincial* and less worldly than someone from, say, Paris. Something or someone provincial belongs to a province, or region outside of the city. *Provincial* has a straightforward meaning when describing where someone is from, but it has some other shades of meaning too. Something provincial can be quaint and in a pleasing rural or country style, but it also can imply someone less sophisticated, as in someone with provincial, or simple, tastes. Individuals or groups of people who are considered narrow-minded are often labeled *provincial,* even if they're from the city.

Question 797

Prudent

Answer 797

Prudent ## Footnote careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment **[adj]** a **prudent** manager"**prudent** rulers""**prudent** hesitation" Describe an action as *prudent* if it is the wise thing to do under the existing circumstances. If you're getting in trouble, it is probably *prudent* to keep your mouth closed and just listen. If you show good and careful judgment when handling practical matters, you can be described as prudent. Similarly, a wise and well-thought-through decision or action can be called prudent. The word comes from a contracted form of the Latin *pr?vid?ns* from the verb ""to foresee."" The English word *provident* ""wise in planning for the future"" is the non-contracted descendent of the same Latin root.

Question 798

Prune

Answer 798

Prune ## Footnote cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of **[v]** dried plum **[n]** To *prune* means to clip, crop, cut back, and weed out. *Pruning* usually happens to overgrown trees and bushes, but can also be helpful for wild eyebrows and guest lists that are too long. You may have also heard of another form of *prune*: the kind you eat. But other than dried plums, the word is generally used in verb form to describe giving something a much needed trim. Gardeners prune plants, cutting back dead branches and weak parts so they can thrive and grow better. Companies prune budgets to cut back on unnecessary spending. And you might need to prune your baseball hat collection if you're running out of places to put them.

Question 799

Psychosis

Answer 799

Psychosis ## Footnote any severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost or highly distorted **[n]** If your Uncle Marvin starts talking to his furniture and sewing his own clothes out of newspapers, he may be suffering from *psychosis*, which is a serious psychiatric illness in which a person loses touch with reality. The Greek *psykhe*, or ""mind"" combines with the Latin suffix -*osis*, ""abnormal condition,"" to form the word *psychosis*. An ""abnormal condition of the mind"" sounds like it could describe a lot of mental conditions, and in fact *psychosis* is a broad term that covers many different disorders. The symptom that those who suffer from psychosis have in common is that they don't experience reality in the same way that most people do; they may hallucinate, or see and hear things that aren't really there.

Question 800

Puerile

Answer 800

Puerile ## Footnote displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity **[adj]** of or characteristic of a child **[adj]** **puerile** jokes"**puerile** breathing" Some people like their movies to have sophisticated humor and others prefer the more *puerile* humor of pratfalls or jokes about smelly underwear, inappropriate belching, and passing gas. Although the adjective, *puerile* can be used to describe anything related to childhood, more often than not, it is used in a derisive manner to comment on the immaturity, silliness, or juvenile nature of something or someone. So if you hear someone talk about *puerile* toys, they may merely be remarking on the toys of childhood, but it is more likely they are discussing whoopee cushions, fake dog poo, and the like.

Question 801

Pugnacious

Answer 801

Pugnacious ## Footnote tough and callous by virtue of experience **[adj]** ready and able to resort to force or violence **[adj]** **pugnacious** spirits...lamented that there was so little prospect of an exhilarating disturbance"- Herman Melville" *Pugnacious* means ready for a fight. If you're a first year teacher, you probably don't know how to deal with the *pugnacious* kids in every class. Learn some discipline or they'll end up fighting you, or each other. Your brother is a pugnacious thug--always ready to use his fists to settle arguments, and he has the strength to do so. That's the literal sense of *pugnacious.* You can use *pugnacious* figuratively, too. When two candidates face off in a debate during a close election, one or the other might be pugnacious. He looks to pick a fight with his opponent and is willing to say almost anything, no matter how outrageous, to make his opponent look bad.

Question 802

Punctilious

Answer 802

Punctilious ## Footnote marked by precise accordance with details **[adj]** **punctilious** in his attention to rules of etiquette A *punctilious* person pays attention to details. Are you always precisely on time? Is your room perfectly neat? Do you never forget a birthday or a library book's due date? Then you are one of the *punctilious* people. The adjective *punctilious*, pronounced ""punk-TIL-ee-us,"" is related to the Italian word *puntiglio*, meaning ""fine point."" For someone who is *punctilious* no point is too fine, no detail too small, to be overlooked. The word is often used to describe people, but it can be used more broadly to apply to observations, behavior, or anything else that is characterized by close attention to detail.

Question 803

Pundit

Answer 803

Pundit ## Footnote someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field **[n]** Beware the *pundit,* a supposed expert who imparts deep knowledge to us more ignorant folks. *Pundits* are often blowhards, mere hacks, and you might well want to take what they say with a pinch of salt. Why not call them simply *experts*? Because *pundit* is a lovely word that has a slightly mocking sense to it. Classic examples of the pundit are talk radio show hosts and professional sports commentators, all brilliant dispensers of hot air amongst the odd insight and statistic. Our modern day pundit is a far cry from the original meaning of the word, a ""learned man, master, or teacher,"" from the ancient Hindi word *payndit.*

Question 804

Purchase

Answer 804

Purchase ## Footnote obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction **[v]** the mechanical advantage gained by being in a position to use a lever **[n]** The family **purchased** a new car"they closed the **purchase** with a handshake""he could get no **purchase** on the situation" When you *purchase* a pair of shoes, you buy them. If you want to gain *purchase*, or favor, with new friends, you might tell them about your recent *purchase* of chocolate, and offer to share. *Purchase* can refer to the act of buying or the thing you bought. In 1803, the United States paid France approximately $15,000,000 for 800,000 acres of land which was called Louisiana, in a transaction known as the Louisiana Purchase. In this transaction, the purchase nearly doubled the size of the U.S. -- the territory purchased comprises about 23 percent of current US land.

Question 805

Pusillanimous

Answer 805

Pusillanimous ## Footnote lacking in courage and manly strength and resolution; contemptibly fearful **[adj]** You can describe someone who lacks courage as *pusillanimous*, such as a *pusillanimous* student who is too afraid to speak out against someone who is bullying others. Its Latin origin - *pusillus* and *animus* - tells us that *pusillanimous* means ""very small spirit."" If you are pusillanimous, pronounced ""pew-sill-AN-ih-mus,"" you don't have the spirit - or the confidence or drive - to step up when it matters. The pusillanimous person stays quiet, doesn't get involved, waits for someone else to take a stand - not out of laziness, but out of fear.

Question 806

Pyre

Answer 806

Pyre ## Footnote wood heaped for burning a dead body as a funeral rite **[n]** *Pyre* rhymes with *fire*. It's also a noun for a large pile of stuff for burning. Most times a *pyre* is part of a funeral - the body is burned on it. From the Greek *pura* or *pur*, meaning ""fire,"" *pyre* came into English in the 17th century. *Pyr* is also the Czech word for ""hot ashes."" Remember, a pyre isn't the fire itself but the stuff that helps the fire burn, as firewood at a campfire. People and animals are burned on a pyre as part of a traditional funeral ceremony in some countries.

Question 807

Quack

Answer 807

Quack ## Footnote the harsh sound of a duck **[n]** an untrained person who pretends to be a physician and who dispenses medical advice **[n]** The ducks **quacked**"a **quack** doctor" There are good *quacks* and bad *quacks*. A good *quack* is the sound a duck makes. A bad *quack* is someone pretending to be a doctor. (You'd be better off visiting the duck with your ailment.) If you ever get a chance to interview a celebrity duck, prepare to write the word *quack* in your notebook many, many times, because that's all that ducks can say. The way you spell animal sounds changes depending what language you speak. In English a duck quacks, but in Danish a duck ""raps,"" while Indonesian ducks ""wek,"" and Romanian ducks say ""mac."" And that ""MD"" who isn't really a doctor, but is good at pretending to be one? He's a quack. If you ever meet a quack that ""quacks,"" please run.

Question 808

Quaff

Answer 808

Quaff ## Footnote to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught **[v]** a hearty draft **[n]** To *quaff* is to gulp. You're in a desert; you haven't had water in days; you're wicked thirsty. Then you find an oasis! You lean over and *quaff* the water. If you're in a room with your favorite foods, you might stuff the food into your mouth. Quaffing is the same fun, but with beverages instead of foods. But just like with stuffing food, quaffing means you drink a little too much. Often, quaffing refers to alcoholic drinks, but it can mean any beverage in general, like milkshakes. Quaff a milkshake and you'll get a headache, but you'll have fun doing it.

Question 809

Quagmire

Answer 809

Quagmire ## Footnote a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot **[n]** A *quagmire* is a dangerous place, like the muddy shoreline of a pond. The more you try to climb out of a *quagmire*, the more you seem to slip. That's because as you step on the mud, it oozes everywhere. Long ago, *quag* was a synonym for ""bog"" or ""marsh,"" a swampy area where water seems to sit instead of drain out. *Mire* is another word to describe such a place. As a verb *mire* means ""stuck,"" like someone who is mired in quicksand or mired in work - both prevent you from going anywhere. In a quagmire, you get stuck physically - or, using its other meaning, in a situation that is hard to escape because there is no easy solution.

Question 810

Quaint

Answer 810

Quaint ## Footnote attractively old-fashioned (but not necessarily authentic) **[adj]** strange in an interesting or pleasing way **[adj]** very strange or unusual; odd or even incongruous in character or appearance **[adj]** houses with **quaint** thatched roofs"**quaint** dialect words""**quaint** streets of New Orleans, that most foreign of American cities" *Quaint* means strange and unusual in an old-fashioned and charming way. It's a word you'd use to describe a little store that sells tea cozies and antique tea services, or your grandmother's habit of calling the radio the ""wireless."" There is a commonly used sarcastic sense of quaint--when something is run down or shabby and you're trying to say something positive, you might substitute ""How...quaint"" for ""How...interesting."" In Middle English, this adjective meant clever or cunning. Its origin is Old French *queinte, cointe*, from Latin *cognitus* ""known,"" from *cogn?scere* ""to learn.""

Question 811

Quandary

Answer 811

Quandary ## Footnote state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options **[n]** a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one **[n]** How to define the word *quandary*? Wow, this is quite a dilemma. What to do, what to do? Hmmm. Looks like this moment itself is a *quandary*: a tough situation that will be really hard to resolve. If you're uncertain what to do because all of your options seem unpleasant, you're probably in a quandary. Some voters find themselves in a quandary when they dislike all of the candidates. A more common quandary is when you plan two events at the same time and can't decide which one to attend. Some synonyms are *predicament*, *dilemma*, *plight*, and *pickle* - and choosing which word to use is a quandary in itself.

Question 812

Quarantine

Answer 812

Quarantine ## Footnote isolation to prevent the spread of infectious disease **[n]** enforced isolation of patients suffering from a contagious disease in order to prevent the spread of disease **[n]** place into enforced isolation, as for medical reasons **[v]** My dog was **quarantined** before he could live in England If you contract something highly infectious, such as pinkeye, please *quarantine* yourself so that you don't infect others with it. This means you'll have to stay in isolation and avoid contact with other people. Starting in the 16th century, a quarantine lasted specifically 40 days. The word is in fact derived from the Latin *quadraginta,* which means ""forty."" Originally, this referred to the amount of time a widow could remain in her deceased husband's house, then referred to the period of time a ship had to wait off a country's port if its passengers were disease-stricken. Now, it can mean a period of isolation of any length, and can be used as both a verb and a noun.

Question 813

Quarry

Answer 813

Quarry ## Footnote animal hunted or caught for food **[n]** a surface excavation for extracting stone or slate **[n]** **quarry** marble Both meanings of *quarry* have to do with going after something. An animal being hunted is called *quarry*, and when you dig a hole in the earth looking for rocks, both the digging and the hole are called *quarry* as well. Gross fact: *Quarry* derives from the Latin *cor* ""heart,"" because hunters used to drape the entrails of their chosen *quarry* on their dogs' backs. The origin in a word for ""heart"" can help you remember both *quarries*: a rock *quarry* is searching down toward the heart of the earth; a stag's heart is considered a hunter's greatest prize.

Question 814

Quarry

Answer 814

Quarry ## Footnote animal hunted or caught for food **[n]** a surface excavation for extracting stone or slate **[n]** **quarry** marble Both meanings of *quarry* have to do with going after something. An animal being hunted is called *quarry*, and when you dig a hole in the earth looking for rocks, both the digging and the hole are called *quarry* as well. Gross fact: *Quarry* derives from the Latin *cor* ""heart,"" because hunters used to drape the entrails of their chosen *quarry* on their dogs' backs. The origin in a word for ""heart"" can help you remember both *quarries*: a rock *quarry* is searching down toward the heart of the earth; a stag's heart is considered a hunter's greatest prize.

Question 815

Quell

Answer 815

Quell ## Footnote suppress or crush completely **[v]** overcome or allay **[v]** **quell** my hunger Meaning to suppress or overcome, *quell* is what you have to do with nerves before a big test and fears before going skydiving. When it first came into existence, the verb *quell* actually meant "to murder." That's a big more serious than our modern definition, but you can use that old definition to help you imagine offing your worries or putting a permanent end to criticism. These days *quell* is often used to mean ""pacify,"" as in the police quelling an angry mob or a mom quelling a kid's temper tantrum.

Question 816

Querulous

Answer 816

Querulous ## Footnote habitually complaining **[adj]** * Querulous* means "having a tendency to complain" or, more directly put, "whiny." Sure, no one can be happy all the time, but that's no excuse for being *querulous*. * Querulous* may remind you of the word *query*, which means "question." However, the two words are not closely related. It's perfectly reasonable to make a query; just don't be querulous if you don't like the answer you get. Querulous does share its origins with the word *quarrel*, which means "argument" -- and that's what's likely to happen if you complain too much.

Question 817

Quibble

Answer 817

Quibble ## Footnote evade the truth of a point or question by raising irrelevant objections **[v]** argue over petty things **[v]** an evasion of the point of an argument by raising irrelevant distinctions or objections **[n]** Let's not **quibble** over pennies A *quibble* is a small argument or fight. As a verb, it means to pick a mini-fight over something that doesn't really matter. ""Let's not *quibble* over price,"" people will say, usually when they plan to gouge you. It's better to watch figure skating with the sound off, rather than listening to the announcers quibble over a not-fully-rotated knee or the slightly diminished altitude of a jump. Sometimes a quibble between neighbors over two feet of property can escalate into a major feud.

Question 818

Quirk

Answer 818

Quirk ## Footnote a strange attitude or habit **[n]** twist or curve abruptly **[v]** a narrow groove beside a beading **[n]** She **quirked** her head in a peculiar way A *quirk* is a unique, odd, and sometimes charming trait that makes a person stand out from the crowd. Country comedian Minnie Pearl was known for her *quirk* of wearing a $1.98 price tag dangling from her hat. A *quirk* can be an adorable little habit, like wearing flowery dresses and big sun bonnets or bow ties every day. Someone who has one or many *quirks* is said to be *quirky* - a little odd, but usually in a fun way. When it's not being used to describe people's unusual traits, *quirk* can mean a quick curve, or a groove, that runs along or separates the molding in a building.

Question 819

Quisling

Answer 819

Quisling ## Footnote someone who collaborates with an enemy occupying force **[n]** A *quisling* is a traitor, especially one who collaborates with an enemy occupying force for personal gain. The term arose because in World War II, Vidkun Quisling, a Norwegian politician, volunteered to help the occupying Nazis rule Norway for Germany. Quisling was tried for treason and executed at the end of the war, and his name became synonymous with traitor and collaborator. The word *quisling* is not commonly used in the United States, however, probably because the American term for a traitor is ""Benedict Arnold,"" the name of a Revolutionary War turncoat.

Question 820

Quixotic

Answer 820

Quixotic ## Footnote not sensible about practical matters; idealistic and unrealistic **[adj]** as **quixotic** as a restoration of medieval knighthood Use *quixotic* for someone or something that is romantic and unrealistic, or possessed by almost impossible hopes. Your *quixotic* task is easy to understand, if difficult to achieve: establish world peace. What a wonderful word *quixotic* is! While it is most often used to mean equally impractical and idealistic, it also has the sense of romantic nobility. Its source is from the great Spanish novel ""Don Quixote,"" whose title character is given to unrealistic schemes and great chivalry. In the middle of a recession and high unemployment, it would be quixotic to imagine that you could quit your job and find another easily.

Question 821

Quotidian

Answer 821

Quotidian ## Footnote found in the ordinary course of events **[adj]** there's nothing quite like a real...train conductor to add color to a **quotidian** commute"- Anita Diamant" *Quotidian* is a fancy way of saying ""daily"" or ""ordinary."" *Quotidian* events are the everyday details of life. When you talk about the quotidian, you're talking about the little things in life: everyday events that are normal and not that exciting. Going to the store, doing chores, working or going to school, and brushing your teeth are all quotidian. If you take a spaceship to Mars, that would be unusual and extraordinary: the opposite of quotidian.

Question 822

Raconteur

Answer 822

Raconteur ## Footnote a person skilled in telling anecdotes **[n]** *Raconteurs* are gifted storytellers, able to spin amusing tales from everyday life. Who is the biggest *raconteur* in your group? He or she's the one who always tells the best stories - or jumps in when another storyteller isn't being vivid enough. Do you make going to the store to buy groceries a fascinating experience? Do you offer witty observations of the people you pass on the street? If so, you're a raconteur, someone who can regale his or her listeners with riveting stories, usually funny, sometimes dramatic. *Raconteur* comes from the French word ""raconter,"" meaning ""to recount."" Note its ""eur"" ending, signaling its French origin.

Question 823

Ramble

Answer 823

Ramble ## Footnote move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment **[v]** continue talking or writing in a desultory manner **[v]** an aimless amble on a winding course **[n]** You *ramble* when your talking or your walking goes on and on and on. And on. You're in no hurry to make a point or get to your destination - if there is one at all. The word *ramble* comes from similar roots as *roam.* They both mean *wander,* but they're often used a little differently. You might roam around on vacation to relax or find adventure. If you're a shark, you roam the deep sea for food. On the other hand, if the person on the plane next to you chatters nervously and can't stop, you wish they wouldn't ramble on like that.

Question 824

Rancor

Answer 824

Rancor ## Footnote a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will **[n]** The word *rancor* is best when you're not just talking about anger, you're talking about deep, twisted bitter type of anger in your heart. The open *rancor* in political discussion prevents cooperation between political parties. The most helpful way to remember *rancor* with all its dark, miserable bitterness is to think of how *rancor* rhymes with canker, as in canker sore, the horrible painful burning on your lip. Or, you might want to remind yourself that *rancor* has its roots in the word rancid meaning ""rotten."" *Rancor* refers particularly to the sort of ill-will associated with resentment, envy, slow-brewing anger, and a very personal sort of hatred.

Question 825

Rant

Answer 825

Rant ## Footnote talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner **[v]** a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion **[n]** pompous or pretentious talk or writing **[n]** A *rant* is an argument that is fueled by passion, not shaped by facts. When the shouting starts on talk radio, or when a blog commenter resorts to ALL CAPS - you're almost certainly encountering an instance of *ranting*. *Rant* comes from the Dutch *ranten*, ""to talk nonsense."" *Rave* is a close synonym - in fact, ""to *rant* and rave"" is a popular expression. When *rant* is used as a noun, it means something like *tirade*. The first recorded usage of *rant* is from the end of the sixteenth century, in Shakespeare's *The Merry Wives of Windsor*. By the middle of the turbulent seventeenth century, the name *Ranters* was used as a catchall pejorative for various groups of radical Christian dissenters.

Question 826

Ratify

Answer 826

Ratify ## Footnote approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation **[v]** All parties **ratified** the peace treaty To *ratify* a treaty or contract is to officially approve it by signing or voting for it. You and your brothers and sisters might devise a plan for a family vacation to Disney World, but it would need to be ratified by your parents. You are most likely to hear the word *ratify* when talking about laws. In the US, Congress writes bills, but they need to be *ratified* before they become law. An amendment to the U.S. Constitution must be *ratified* by three-fourths of the states, either passed by the state legislatures or by state conventions.

Question 827

Raucous

Answer 827

Raucous ## Footnote unpleasantly loud and harsh **[adj]** disturbing the public peace; loud and rough **[adj]** a **raucous** party * Raucous* means unpleasantly loud, or behaving in a noisy and disorderly way. It can be hard to give an oral report in the front of a classroom when the kids in the back are being *raucous*. * Raucous* is often used to refer to loud laughter, loud voices, or a loud party, all of which can be harsh or unpleasant. Near synonyms are *strident* and *rowdy*. This adjective is from Latin *raucus* ""hoarse."" Think of raucous as people whose hoarseness can't come on too soon.

Question 828

Raze

Answer 828

Raze ## Footnote tear down so as to make flat with the ground **[v]** * Raze* means to tear an object down to the ground. Before Donald Trump can *raze* that family's home to build another skyscraper, he's going to have to cut them a big check. * Raze* is most often used to refer to knocking buildings down for construction projects, but it can also describe tearing down other objects. You can raze the sand dunes in order to make the beach perfectly flat. *Raze* comes from the word *rasen*, meaning ""to scrape or erase,"" and it sounds similar to the word *erase*, which can help you remember its meaning. If you *raze* something, in a way it has been erased - it no longer exists in its previous form.

Question 829

Rebus

Answer 829

Rebus ## Footnote a puzzle where you decode a message consisting of pictures representing syllables and words **[n]** A *rebus* is a puzzle that uses symbols or pictures to represent the sounds of words. A picture of an eye, a heart, and a ewe might be used to say ""I love you."" Isn't that sweet? A rebus uses pictures and symbols to convey a message in what may be considered a fun code. The letters *ICU* might be used to stand for the sentence "I see you." The word *rebus* could be depicted with the letters *RE* followed by a picture of a school bus. Some children's books use rebuses as a way of introducing kids to the reading process, but rebuses can also be quite challenging, even for the adult mind.

Question 830

Rebuttal

Answer 830

Rebuttal ## Footnote the speech act of refuting by offering a contrary contention or argument **[n]** (law) a pleading by the defendant in reply to a plaintiff's surrejoinder **[n]** When two people debate, one of them makes an argument, and the other follows with a *rebuttal,* which, plainly put, is the ""no, you're wrong and this is why"" argument. We often associate rebuttals with arguments made in the courtroom or public debates that occur around election time, but the word can really apply to any situation in which an argument is put forth and someone disagrees, and explains why. Sports fans, for instance, like to argue about the likely winner of an upcoming game and when you make a case for why your friend is wrong, you are offering a rebuttal of his argument.

Question 831

Recant

Answer 831

Recant ## Footnote formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure **[v]** If you're someone who speaks before you think, you may need to *recant*, or take back, that overly honest assessment of your friend's new haircut. *Recant* comes from two Latin roots: the prefix *re-*, meaning ""back,"" and the verb *cantare*, meaning ""to sing."" It has been suggested that *recant* was first used when someone reversed a charm, curse, or some other type of magical spell that would have been chanted or sung. Regardless of whether this is true or not, we suggest that you refrain from singing when you need to recant - unless you've been casting nasty spells on people.

Question 832

Recapitulate

Answer 832

Recapitulate ## Footnote summarize briefly **[v]** repeat stages of evolutionary development during the embryonic phase of life **[v]** Let's **recapitulate** the main ideas To *recapitulate* means to go back and summarize. At the end of an oral report, you might say, ""So, to *recapitulate*, I've made three points,"" and then you name them. *Recapitulate* is a long, scary-looking word that actually means something simple and easy. It comes from the Latin *re-* ""again"" and *capitulum* ""chapter,"" which comes from the word *caput* ""head."" Think of *recapitulating*--or *recapping*, for short--as putting nice little caps on all the bottles you've opened up--tightening everything up.

Question 833

Recluse

Answer 833

Recluse ## Footnote one who lives in solitude **[n]** withdrawn from society; seeking solitude **[adj]** A *recluse* lives alone, works alone, eats alone, and generally stays away from other people. Anti-social old hermits are *recluses*, as are a lot of students during exam time. In the early 13th century, a *recluse* was a person who shut out the world to go meditate on religious issues. But nowadays recluses can think about whatever they want while they're sitting in solitude - they're simply people who shy away from social interaction and live secluded lives. Or think of the Brown Recluse spider, who likes to hide out in dark old boots or undisturbed corners of the basement.

Question 834

Recondite

Answer 834

Recondite ## Footnote difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge **[adj]** some **recondite** problem in historiography It's rather difficult to penetrate the meaning of *recondite*. Fitting, because it's an adjective that basically means hard for the average mind to understand. If it's really hard to comprehend, then it's safe to say it's recondite. In the same family as ""abstruse,"" ""esoteric"" and ""totally deep, man,"" *recondite* is a very serious word that you could use to describe obscure philosophy books, high level mathematical theory, and the series finale of The Sopranos - you know, things that make your brain hurt.

Question 835

Reconnaissance

Answer 835

Reconnaissance ## Footnote the act of reconnoitring (especially to gain information about an enemy or potential enemy) **[n]** an exchange of fire occurred on a **reconnaissance** mission * Reconnaissance* is checking out a situation before taking action. Often it's used as a military term, but you could also do *reconnaissance* on a new employee before you hire her, or a resort before you take a vacation. * Reconnaissance* is a noun, and it technically means "the act of reconnoitering." Whoa. Never heard that word before? *Reconnoitering* is just a fancy way of saying that you're checking something out - sometimes in a sneaky way. If you like a girl in your Spanish class, you might ask a friend to do some reconnaissance to find out what she's like. The word comes from the French *reconnaître*, which means "recognize."

Question 836

Recumbent

Answer 836

Recumbent ## Footnote lying down; in a position of comfort or rest **[adj]** Bikes on which you recline rather than sit upright are *recumbent*. *Recumbent* means to leaning back in a reclining position. *Recumbent* starts like *recline*, which is an easy way to remember it. Your dad's position in his favorite La-Z-Boy reclining chair? Recumbent. Your position when you lay back on lounge chair at the pool? Also recumbent - and in both cases, these are both positions of comfort.

Question 837

Recuperate

Answer 837

Recuperate ## Footnote restore to good health or strength **[v]** get over an illness or shock **[v]** regain a former condition after a financial loss **[v]** regain or make up for **[v]** The patient is **recuperating**"The company managed to **recuperate**""**recuperate** one's losses" To *recuperate* is to get something back that you have lost - could be good health, or money lost in a bad investment. When you *recuperate*, you heal and recover. *Recuperate* comes from the Latin word *recuperare* "to take back," so when you recuperate you gain something back that was yours before - health or money. *Recuperate* is usually something people do after an illness. If you break your knee playing rugby in college, you might go home to recuperate. If you don't want to sound fancy, just say you're recovering. It also means to get money back, so you can also try to recuperate your losses by staying in the poker game.

Question 838

Redolent

Answer 838

Redolent ## Footnote having a strong pleasant odor **[adj]** serving to bring to mind **[adj]** the pine woods were more **redolent**"- Jean Stafford""the hall was **redolent** of floor wax""air **redolent** with the fumes of beer and whiskey" When something is *redolent* of something, it makes you think of that thing by making a pretty strong impression on you. He had a shifty eye *redolent* of years of lying and petty crime. People used to use *redolent* of something with a strong, distinctive odor. Now, think of it as ""stinks of"" - but in a fancy way. If you're touring an old castle, you might say that the worn carpet and handsome woodwork are *redolent* of the place's former glory, though otherwise it's a dump.

Question 839

Redress

Answer 839

Redress ## Footnote make reparations or amends for **[v]** a sum of money paid in compensation for loss or injury **[n]** act of correcting an error or a fault or an evil **[n]** The verb *redress* is used when you are supposed to fix a problem and make amends. You want your parents to *redress* the fact that you don't have a pet. Your parents offer to get a hamster, but instead, you say you want a monkey. *Redress* can be used as both a noun and a verb. In the noun form, it is the compensation for setting something right. As a verb it means to correct, right a wrong, or make restitution for something. The union organizers wanted the company to redress the fact that workers weren't getting lunch breaks.

Question 840

Redundant

Answer 840

Redundant ## Footnote more than is needed, desired, or required **[adj]** repetition of same sense in different words **[adj]** yet another book on heraldry might be thought **redundant**"skills made **redundant** by technological advance"""at the risk of being **redundant** I return to my original proposition"- J.B.Conant" The word *redundant* applies to things that are unnecessary or could be left out. Calling a blank sheet of paper empty is *redundant*. Teachers often tell students to avoid being redundant - meaning avoid saying something twice or more. Have you ever heard someone tell a story and repeat the same thing over and over? The repeated parts are redundant. Sometimes being redundant can make things clear, but it can also be annoying. *Redundant* can apply to anything that's overflowing or unnecessary. If a business has two stores on the same street, one is redundant. When you hear *redundant*, think ""Too much!""

Question 841

Refute

Answer 841

Refute ## Footnote overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof **[v]** prove to be false or incorrect **[v]** The speaker **refuted** his opponent's arguments The verb *refute* is to prove that something is wrong. When the kids you're babysitting swear they brushed their teeth, you can *refute* their claim by presenting the dry toothbrushes. Evidence and arguments are used to refute something. So are facts. For example, if children who eat chocolate before going to bed go straight to sleep, that refutes the idea that sugar keeps them up. *Refute* comes from the Latin *refutare* for ""to check, suppress."" A near synonym is *confute*, but save *refute* as an everyday word for proving something is false.

Question 842

Regale

Answer 842

Regale ## Footnote provide with choice or abundant food or drink **[v]** You may have heard it said that the fastest way to a person's heart is through his stomach. So, if you need to please or impress someone, *regale* them - that is, treat them to lavish food and drink. While food is reliable way to regale someone, *regale* can also involve providing forms of entertainment such as music or storytelling. *Regale* is akin to the word *gala*, meaning "a festive party," and *gallant*, which can mean "spirited and adventurous" (though *gallant* can also mean "noble and brave"). If you regale someone with a gala attended by partygoers who are gallant, in either sense of the word, everyone should have a pretty good time.

Question 843

Relegate

Answer 843

Relegate ## Footnote assign to a lower position; reduce in rank **[v]** assign to a class or kind **[v]** refer to another person for decision or judgment **[v]** expel, as if by official decree **[v]** People argue about how to **relegate** certain mushrooms"She likes to **relegate** difficult questions to her colleagues" * Relegate* means assign to a lower position. If the quarterback of the football team stops making decent throws he might be *relegated* to the position of benchwarmer, while another kid is given the chance to play. * Relegate* rhymes with *delegate*--both words derive from the Latin *legare* ""send."" *Relegate* means to send someone down in rank. *Delegate* means to send someone in your place to complete a task. In the workplace, managers who can't figure out how to delegate may get relegated to a lesser rank.

Question 844

Remorse

Answer 844

Remorse ## Footnote a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed) **[n]** *Remorse*, a noun, is what you feel if you regret your actions or wish for another outcome. The noun *remorse* has a very vivid origin. It comes from the Latin roots *re* for ""again"" and *mordere* ""to bite."" So, if you feel *remorse*, it means that your conscience is working on you, your past actions are biting you back, and making you feel very regretful. Synonyms for this word are ""penitence,"" ""rue,"" and ""contrition."" If you took a cookie from the cookie jar and ate it you can't return it; all you can feel is *remorse* for what you did!

Question 845

Renege

Answer 845

Renege ## Footnote fail to fulfill a promise or obligation **[v]** the mistake of not following suit when able to do so **[n]** To *renege* is to go back on your word or fail to keep a promise. Not quite lying, *reneging* is more a sin of omission - failing to do what you said you would. The Latin *neg?re* means ""to deny,"" so by reneging on your word, you are denying someone whatever you promised them. In card games, you are said to renege if you play against the rules. To renege may be wrong, but it's not necessarily a punishable offense (unless you put that promise legally binding in writing). Still, it certainly doesn't make you look good!

Question 846

Renown

Answer 846

Renown ## Footnote the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed **[n]** *Renown* is fame and acclaim - the kind of celebrity that most people only dream about. *Renown* is not only about celebrity, though, it also means to be highly respected in one's field. Actors, musicians, and artists practice their art, sometimes for many years, to gain the kind of *renown*, or fame, that will launch their faces onto the covers of magazines and make their name known in every household. Greta Garbo, Luciano Pavarotti, and Salvador Dali all became *renowned* in their respective fields. They won numerous awards, and who isn't familiar with their names? Even things or places can achieve *renown* if they offer something worth celebrating. An ice cream parlor can become renowned for its incredible mint chip ice cream, or a bank can be renowned for its excellent customer service.

Question 847

Rent

Answer 847

Rent ## Footnote a payment or series of payments made by the lessee to an owner for use of some property, facility, equipment, or service **[n]** the return derived from cultivated land in excess of that derived from the poorest land cultivated under similar conditions **[n]** the act of rending or ripping or splitting something **[n]** We **rented** our apartment to friends while we were abroad"Let's **rent** a car" To *rent* something is to pay money to use it, live in it, or borrow it. If you're not sure which musical instrument you'll stick with and enjoy playing, it's best to *rent* a few to try out before buying. *Rent* is both a verb and a noun for talking about things you don't own. If you rent a house or an apartment, you pay money to live there, and the money you pay also is rent. You can rent just about anything, from skates at a roller park to furniture to fill the home you rent. One common thing about what you rent, though, is that you don't and won't own it. To rent is to pay for using something temporarily.

Question 848

Repine

Answer 848

Repine ## Footnote express discontent **[v]** The verb *repine* describes expressing gloom or discontent. Brooding, fretful, and sad - these are the traits of people who *repine* at their circumstances in life. Early American poet Anne Bradstreet used *repine* in her well-known poem, ""Upon the Burning of Our House July 10th 1666,"" describing how the speaker got over the loss: ""And when I could no longer look, / I blest His grace that gave and took, / That laid my goods now in the dust. / Yea, so it was, and so 'twas just. / It was his own; it was not mine. / Far be it that I should *repine*.""

Question 849

Replete

Answer 849

Replete ## Footnote filled to satisfaction with food or drink **[adj]** (followed by `with')deeply filled or permeated **[adj]** fill to satisfaction **[v]** it is **replete** with misery * Replete* means full, often in a satisfying way. ""The library was *replete* with bound first volumes, and Lucy, a bookworm, was happier there than any place else."" * Replete* shares a root with the word *plenty*. When you have plenty of cookies and cake, you can say your table is *replete* with goodies. Another cousin of *replete* is *replenish*. When your cabinets are bare, you go to the store to replenish them. When you unpack your groceries, your pantry is *replete* with essentials.

Question 850

Reprehensible

Answer 850

Reprehensible ## Footnote bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure **[adj]** adultery is as **reprehensible** for a husband as for a wife *Reprehensible* means deserving of blame or strong criticism. It is a strong word--your mother might forgive you for doing something bad, but something *reprehensible*? That's worse. Near synonyms are *blameworthy* and *culpable*. Antonyms are *blameless* and *praiseworthy*. The adjective *reprehensible* is from Middle English, from Latin *reprehensus,* from *reprehendere* plus the suffix *-ibilis* ""deserving of, capable of."" If someone is *reprehended*, they are blamed or strongly criticized.

Question 851

Reprieve

Answer 851

Reprieve ## Footnote postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution **[v]** relieve temporarily **[v]** A *reprieve* is a break in or cancellation of a painful or otherwise lousy situation. If you're being tortured, a *reprieve* is a break from whatever's tormenting you. For some, a night at the opera is a night of punishing boredom during which the only reprieve is the intermission. For others, it's baseball that feels like torture. The seventh-inning stretch is the only reprieve from a night of endless waiting. Often, you'll hear *reprieve* used when a court or governor decides not to execute a prisoner. That prisoner is given a reprieve and will be allowed to live. He probably won't get a reprieve from prison, though, unless he's found innocent.

Question 852

Repudiate

Answer 852

Repudiate ## Footnote refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid **[v]** cast off **[v]** The woman **repudiated** the divorce settlement"**repudiate** a debt""She **repudiated** the accusations" To *repudiate* something is to reject it, or to refuse to accept or support it. If you grow up religious, but *repudiate* all organized religion as an adult, you might start spending holidays at the movies, or just going to work. This verb usually refers to rejecting something that has authority, such as a legal contract, doctrine, or claim. In connection with debts or other obligations, *repudiate* is used in the specialized sense ""to refuse to recognize or pay."" If referring to a child or a lover, *repudiate* is used in the sense ""to disown, cast off."" This verb is derived from Latin *repudiare* ""to put away, divorce.""

Question 853

Rescind

Answer 853

Rescind ## Footnote cancel officially **[v]** If get a call saying a company has decided to *rescind* your job offer, it's back to the classifieds for you. *Rescind* is an official reversal. Things that are *rescinded:* policies, court decisions, regulations, and official statements. What all these examples have in common is that they are on the record. Also, *rescind* usually refers to promises instead of tangible objects. You can't *rescind* a shirt a friend has borrowed from you, but you can *rescind* your offer to loan them your jeans.

Question 854

Resignation

Answer 854

Resignation ## Footnote the act of giving up (a claim or office or possession etc.) **[n]** acceptance of despair **[n]** he submitted his **resignation** as of next month *Resignation* can either mean to step down from a job or office, or to accept an unpleasant but inevitable situation. You could even feel *resignation* as you announce your *resignation*. Once you've announced or handed in your formal resignation to a job, organization, or political office, you're finished. You've formally quit or stepped down. If you've left the position due to budget cuts, you'll probably leave with a feeling of resignation - acknowledging that there's absolutely nothing you can do about it.

Question 855

Resolution

Answer 855

Resolution ## Footnote finding a solution to a problem **[n]** analysis into clear-cut components **[n]** (music) a dissonant chord is followed by a consonant chord **[n]** the trait of being resolute **[n]** they never did achieve a final **resolution** of their differences"it was his unshakeable **resolution** to finish the work""he always wrote down his New Year's **resolutions**" The noun *resolution* has a few related meanings having to do with being firmly determined about something. If you lack determination, you'll never fulfill your New Year's *resolutions*. *Resolution* is the noun form of the verb *resolve*, which comes from Latin *resolvere*, ""to loosen, undo, settle."" We can still see this meaning in *resolution*, in the sense of ""an explanation"" or ""a solution""; when a problem, conflict or mystery reaches its resolution, it has been ""undone,"" so to speak. Another common meaning is ""determination, resolve"": ""Jose approached the task with *resolution*."" A related sense is ""a decision to do something"": ""My *resolution* is to go to the gym three times a week.""

Question 856

Resolve

Answer 856

Resolve ## Footnote find the solution **[v]** make clearly visible **[v]** understand the meaning of **[v]** he **resolved** never to drink again"can this image be **resolved**?" To *resolve* is to settle or make a decision about something - often formal. A college's board of directors might resolve to recruit more minority students. As a noun, *resolve* refers to a strong determination to do something. If you make a New Year's *resolution* to exercise every day, you'll need plenty of resolve to stick with your program. The verb descends from Middle English *resolven* ""to dissolve,"" from Latin *resolvere* ""to untie."" In English, the obsolete sense of ""to dissolve"" can be seen in this line from Shakespeare: ""O, that this too too solid flesh would melt, thaw, and *resolve* itself into a dew.""

Question 857

Resolve

Answer 857

Resolve ## Footnote find the solution **[v]** make clearly visible **[v]** understand the meaning of **[v]** he **resolved** never to drink again"can this image be **resolved**?" To *resolve* is to settle or make a decision about something - often formal. A college's board of directors might resolve to recruit more minority students. As a noun, *resolve* refers to a strong determination to do something. If you make a New Year's *resolution* to exercise every day, you'll need plenty of resolve to stick with your program. The verb descends from Middle English *resolven* ""to dissolve,"" from Latin *resolvere* ""to untie."" In English, the obsolete sense of ""to dissolve"" can be seen in this line from Shakespeare: ""O, that this too too solid flesh would melt, thaw, and *resolve* itself into a dew.""

Question 858

Resonant

Answer 858

Resonant ## Footnote characterized by resonance **[adj]** serving to bring to mind **[adj]** a **resonant** voice * Resonant* describes sound that is deep and rich. It also can mean deeply evocative. A *resonant* speech moves you by bringing to mind all that is good in the world: family, friends, laughter. * Resonant* comes from the Latin *re*, meaning again, and *sonare*, meaning to sound--or literally to sound again or echo. So *resonant's* meanings all have that sense of reverberating or echoing. Not only does it mean echoing or evoking meaning, but it also refers to sound that echoes through a room. Don't confuse the spellings of resonant (the adjective) and resonate (the verb).

Question 859

Respite

Answer 859

Respite ## Footnote a pause from doing something (as work) **[n]** a pause for relaxation **[n]** a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort **[n]** an interruption in the intensity or amount of something **[n]** the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment **[n]** A *respite* is a break from something that's difficult or unpleasant. If you're cramming for exams, take an occasional walk to give yourself a *respite* from the intensity. *Respite* may look like it rhymes with *despite*, but this word has a stress on its first syllable (RES-pit). It comes from the Latin word *respectus*, meaning refuge, but we almost always use *respite* to describe a time, not a place, of relief. If you've been fighting with your partner, a visit from a friend might offer a brief respite from the argument, but the fight will pick up again when she leaves.

Question 860

Resplendent

Answer 860

Resplendent ## Footnote having great beauty and splendor **[adj]** Someone or something that is *resplendent* has great beauty and is a pleasure to behold. ""She was there, at the base of the stairs, *resplendent* in her flowing gown and jewels."" When people or things are *resplendent*, they are dazzling, splendiferous, glorious, or lovely. The adjective *resplendent* comes from a Latin word that means "to shine brightly." The gilded entranceway was *resplendent* in the golden glow of the afternoon light. When he flashed his *resplendent* smile, she was helpless against his charms.

Question 861

Reticent

Answer 861

Reticent ## Footnote reluctant to draw attention to yourself **[adj]** cool and formal in manner **[adj]** temperamentally disinclined to talk **[adj]** *Reticent* means either quiet or restrained. If you're *reticent* about your feelings, you like to keep them to yourself, and you're probably quiet in rowdy groups where everyone is talking over each other. The original meaning of *reticent* describes someone who doesn't like to talk. Be careful in your context, however. *Reticent* can refer to someone who is restrained and formal, but it can also refer to someone who doesn't want to draw attention to herself or who prefers seclusion to other people. Don't confuse *reticent* with *reluctant,* which means unwilling.

Question 862

Retraction

Answer 862

Retraction ## Footnote a disavowal or taking back of a previous assertion **[n]** the act of pulling or holding or drawing a part back **[n]** the **retraction** of the landing gear"**retraction** of the foreskin"

Question 863

Rife

Answer 863

Rife ## Footnote excessively abundant **[adj]** most frequent or common **[adj]** If your supervisor at work describes your new position as "*rife* with opportunities for advancement," then rejoice! That means your position offers many opportunities for advancement. Not to be confused with the word *ripe* ("fully grown or developed"), the adjective *rife* means "abundant" or "frequently occurring." When used in a sentence, *rife* can follow the word that it's describing, as in "development was *rife* during his administration" or "speculation was *rife* before the announcement." More commonly, however, *rife* comes before the word it modifies and is used with the preposition *with*, as in "the class was *rife* with enthusiasm" or "her story was *rife* with inconsistencies."

Question 864

Rigor

Answer 864

Rigor ## Footnote excessive sternness **[n]** something hard to endure **[n]** the quality of being valid and rigorous **[n]** the **rigors** of boot camp When a private school boasts of its academic *rigor*, it means its students learn a lot and work really hard. *Rigor* means thoroughness and exhaustiveness--the gold standard for a good teacher. You may have heard of ""*rigor* mortis""--which is a medical term describing the stiffness of a body after death. *Rigor* used to mean stiffness outside of the corpse context, i.e., sternness. The word changes meaning along with our changing standards for what we want teachers to be.

Question 865

Riveting

Answer 865

Riveting ## Footnote capable of arousing and holding the attention **[adj]** A rivet is a fastener that holds something closed or down, and something *riveting* keeps you glued to your seat and grabs your attention. Sometimes a movie is so *riveting* that not even free popcorn refills can lure you away. *Riveting* is an adjective for things that really draw you in, like a book you read in one sitting or a song you turn up so you can hear every lyric. Beautiful scenes are riveting, but terrible and ugly things are also riveting, like the site of an accident you can't stop looking at. Words from a teacher or actor have a riveting effect when they're full of impact and interest, and when you exaggerate a story for your best friend, that's riveting too.

Question 866

Robust

Answer 866

Robust ## Footnote sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction **[adj]** marked by richness and fullness of flavor **[adj]** rough and crude **[adj]** a **robust** body"a **robust** perennial""the experiment yielded **robust** results" Use *robust* to describe a person or thing that is healthy and strong, or strongly built. This adjective also commonly describes food or drink: a *robust* wine has a rich, strong flavor. If your school has a robust sports program, it means they offer lots of different kinds of sports and that a lot of kids participate. If you have a robust speaking voice, it means you have a voice that's deep and loud and strong. *Robust* is from Latin *robustus* ""of oak, hard, strong,"" from *robur* ""oak tree, strength.""

Question 867

Roster

Answer 867

Roster ## Footnote a list of names **[n]** If you see your name on the *roster* of players for the new softball team, then congratulations! Better start practicing, because you're on the list of players who made the team. The word *roster* originally meant a list of the names, duties, and schedule of members of the military. That meaning is still in use, but today, a roster is more likely to be a list of players on your favorite team, a list of artists whose artwork appears regularly in a certain gallery, or a list of participants, such as an airline that posts its roster of flight crew members for the red-eye to Phoenix.

Question 868

Ruminate

Answer 868

Ruminate ## Footnote reflect deeply on a subject **[v]** chew the cuds **[v]** cows **ruminate** When you *ruminate*, it means you are thinking very deeply about something. You're likely to be so lost in thought that you stare off into space and don't hear people when they call your name. Another meaning of *ruminate* is to ""chew the cud,"" which can mean ""to turn it over and over in your mind."" Or, if you're a cow, to turn food over and over in your stomachs in order to digest it. Whether you're a human or a cow, if you ruminate, it will take a LONG time.

Question 869

Runic

Answer 869

Runic ## Footnote relating to or consisting of runes **[adj]** **runic** inscription *Runic* writing consists of ancient characters that are tough to decipher. These days the word might better fit a doctor's signature or a confusing instruction manual. Runes were the symbols used by Germanic people for writing in the Middle Ages. In those days, writing was rare, and people tended to look at it is as magical and a little threatening. Runic inscriptions continue to have an air of mystery about them, because they're so hard to read.

Question 870

Ruse

Answer 870

Ruse ## Footnote a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture) **[n]** Movie bank robbers always seem to pull some kind of *ruse*, a deceptive trick or tactic like hiding the money underneath the bank while they drive off in the getaway car to avoid capture by the police. You'd use a *ruse* if you were up to something sneaky and were trying to get away with it without being discovered. The wife planning a surprise birthday party for her husband could send him out to the supermarket as a *ruse*, a trick so she could sneak one hundred of his closest friends into the house without him noticing.

Question 871

Sacrosanct

Answer 871

Sacrosanct ## Footnote must be kept sacred **[adj]** You might be enraged at the idea of doing homework on a Saturday if you consider your weekends *sacrosanct* - meaning they are too special or important to interrupt. *Sacrosanct* is often used to describe religious rituals and traditions, which isn't surprising considering that this adjective comes from the Latin word for something that is protected by a religious sanction. A church, for example, might consider its Sunday service to be sacrosanct - a very important and holy ritual that cannot be changed or canceled. It's a bad idea to criticize or change any custom or tradition that people consider sacrosanct - they won't be happy about it.

Question 872

Sagacious

Answer 872

Sagacious ## Footnote acutely insightful and wise **[adj]** skillful in statecraft or management **[adj]** observant and thoughtful, he was given to asking **sagacious** questions"an astute and **sagacious** statesman" Use the formal adjective, *sagacious,* to describe someone who is wise and insightful like an advisor to the president or a Supreme Court justice. Someone like an inspirational leader or an expert in a field who seeks knowledge and has foresight can be described as sagacious. If you comment on something at a deeper level, you are making a sagacious observation. The word is a descendent of Latin *sagus* ""prophetic"" and is related to the Old English word *seek*. Synonyms include *discerning*, *insightful* and another formal word *perspicacious*.

Question 873

Sage

Answer 873

Sage ## Footnote a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics who is renowned for profound wisdom **[n]** any of various plants of the genus Salvia; a cosmopolitan herb **[n]** Use the word *sage* for someone or something wise and judicious. Thanks to the *sage* advice of your friend, you didn't write your teacher an angry e-mail! Although you might think of a wizard when you hear the word *sage*, really it means a wise man. Today you see it used to refer to someone who has insight in a particular field. If someone is a policy sage, he knows just what advice to give politicians to make them understand the issue and respond successfully to it. In a totally unrelated use, there is also a plant called sage that is useful in home remedies and cooking.

Question 874

Salacious

Answer 874

Salacious ## Footnote suggestive of or tending to moral looseness **[adj]** characterized by lust **[adj]** **salacious** limericks"a **salacious** rooster of a little man" Something *salacious* is full of juicy details - but they're the kind of raunchy, lusty, dirty details you probably don't want to hear. Implying a certain kind of moral looseness, *salacious* is often used to describe nasty gossip, obscene reports and steamy tales. Salacious things are usually not fit for general public consumption and probably need some kind of parental guidance warning. Think of the tawdry accounts of some politician's affair with a staffer, or a particularly sex-filled reality show on TV.

Question 875

Sallow

Answer 875

Sallow ## Footnote unhealthy looking **[adj]** any of several Old World shrubby broad-leaved willows having large catkins; some are important sources for tanbark and charcoal **[n]** The illness has **sallowed** her face *Sallow* means unhealthy in appearance--often yellow in color--and is almost invariably used to describe someone's complexion. His smile was as engaging as ever, but from his *sallow* complexion, I knew he was sick. Usually we say that when someone is sick they turn ""green."" You could also say their skin takes on a *sallow* look, and you'd mean the same thing. *Sallow* also describes the way someone looks if they have lost blood or are pale from fever.

Question 876

Salubrious

Answer 876

Salubrious ## Footnote promoting health; healthful **[adj]** favorable to health of mind or body **[adj]** the **salubrious** mountain air and water"- C.B.Davis""not the most **salubrious** campsite""one of the less **salubrious** suburbs" *Salubrious* is a fancy way to describe something that's good for you or is generally favorable to mind or body, but it need not be limited to describing healthy foods or liquids. We salute each other with the cheer, ""To your health!"" as we chug down something that probably isn't that good for us. But if it were salubrious, it would be. The two words, *salute* and *salubrious* stem from the same *salus*, meaning ""welfare, health." Maybe next time, raise a glass of wheatgrass instead of vino!

Question 877

Salutary

Answer 877

Salutary ## Footnote tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health **[adj]** the **salutary** influence of pure air Use *salutary* to describe something that's good for your health, like the *salutary* benefits of exercise, laughter, and getting enough sleep every night. When you look at the word *salutary*, you might expect it to have something to do with showing respect to military personnel, perhaps by saluting. In fact, *salutary* and *salute* do share a Latin root: *salus*, which means ""good health."" When you salute someone, or say ""Salud!"" before clinking glasses and taking a first sip, you're essentially giving your salutary wish - in other words, hoping a person enjoys good health.

Question 878

Sanctimonious

Answer 878

Sanctimonious ## Footnote excessively or hypocritically pious **[adj]** a sickening **sanctimonious** smile The *sanctimonious* person sounds like a hypocrite when he preaches to a friend about the evils of drugs, while he drinks one beer after another. *Sanctimonious* is a twist on the words *sanctity* and *sacred*, which mean holy or religious. A sanctimonious person might think he's holy, but their attitude comes across more like ""holier-than-thou."" Though sanctimonious people might try to act like saints, their actions are far from pure or holy, which just makes them sound like hypocrites.

Question 879

Sanction

Answer 879

Sanction ## Footnote official permission or approval **[n]** formal and explicit approval **[n]** the act of final authorization **[n]** a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society's standards **[n]** give authority or permission to **[v]** it had the **sanction** of the church *Sanction* has two nearly opposite meanings: to sanction can be to approve of something, but it can also mean to punish, or speak harshly to. Likewise, a sanction can be a punishment or approval. Very confusing--the person who invented this word should be publicly sanctioned! See if you can guess the meaning of sanction in the following contexts. Before invading Iraq, the US and its allies first imposed sanctions on the country, refusing to supply the country with much-needed trade items. Did you guess sanction=punishment? You were right! But by trading with China at the same time, the US quietly sanctioned that nation's known instances of human rights abuses. Did you guess sanction=approval? You're right again!

Question 880

Sanguinary

Answer 880

Sanguinary ## Footnote accompanied by bloodshed **[adj]** marked by eagerness to resort to violence and bloodshed **[adj]** this bitter and **sanguinary** war""went after the collaborators with a **sanguinary** fury that drenched the land with blood"-G.W.Johnson" When something is *sanguinary* it involves a lot of blood or, at least, the pursuit of blood. Vampire movies are *sanguinary*: Romper Room is not. If you're familiar with French, then you'll recognize the French word for ""blood,"" *sang*, in *sanguinary*. And if you do, then you'll have no trouble remembering the meaning, ""having a bloodthirsty quality."" Movies have become increasingly sanguinary. Why all the blood and gore? What happened to good old-fashioned suspense?

Question 881

Sanguine

Answer 881

Sanguine ## Footnote confidently optimistic and cheerful **[adj]** inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life **[adj]** a fresh and **sanguine** complexion If you're *sanguine* about a situation, that means you're optimistic that everything's going to work out fine. *Sanguine* is from Latin *sanguis* ""blood"" and originally meant ""bloody"" - in medieval medicine it described someone whose ruddy complexion was a sign of an optimistic outlook. That was back when people thought that ""bodily humors"" like blood were responsible for your attitudes. Now that we no longer believe in humors, *sanguine* has settled down as a fancy way to say someone is cheerfully confident. Experts are frequently described as feeling sanguine about a political or economic situation - or not sanguine, if they think we're going to hell in a handbasket.

Question 882

Sap

Answer 882

Sap ## Footnote a watery solution of sugars, salts, and minerals that circulates through the vascular system of a plant **[n]** excavate the earth beneath **[v]** To *sap* something is to drain or deplete something over time. If you *sap* a maple tree, you drain the liquid inside it to make maple syrup. But if you *sap* a person of strength, you've rendered him defenseless. Whether used as a noun or verb, *sap* is rarely a good thing. If your energy or will is sapped, it's not meant lightly; it means you have been exhausted of all your reserve energy, you're reduced to a shell. If someone calls you ""a *sap*,"" it suggests you lack strength and character. And if you get sap - the sticky liquid inside a tree - on your hands, good luck getting it off in the middle of a forest without a bar of soap and running water. Yuck.

Question 883

Sardonic

Answer 883

Sardonic ## Footnote disdainfully or ironically humorous; scornful and mocking **[adj]** his rebellion is the bitter, **sardonic** laughter of all great satirists"- Frank Schoenberner" If someone is being scornful and mocking in a humorous way, call her *sardonic*. If you want to write comic sketches for late-night talk shows, work on being *sardonic*. *Sardonic* comes from the Greek adjective *Sardonios*, which actually describes a plant from a place called Sardinia that supposedly made your face contort into a horrible grin...right before you died from its poison. The Greeks used *sardonic* for laughter, but we only use it when someone's humor is also mocking or ironic.

Question 884

Sate

Answer 884

Sate ## Footnote fill to satisfaction **[v]** I am **sated** Sometimes you're so hungry you feel like you could eat a ten-course meal. Other times it takes just a small salad to *sate* your appetite, or to satisfy your hunger. The verb *sate* comes from the Old English *sadian*, "to satiate," and can be applied to any situation regarding the satisfaction of a need or an appetite. If you have been craving something sweet, your craving might be sated by a bag of jellybeans. However, if it seems like you can never get enough jellybeans, your appetite for sweets might be described as *insatiable*, a word used to describe a person or entity whose appetites - literally or figuratively - are impossible to satisfy.

Question 885

Satiate

Answer 885

Satiate ## Footnote fill to satisfaction **[v]** overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself **[v]** supplied (especially fed) to satisfaction **[adj]** If you just can't get enough popcorn, even the jumbo tub at the movie theater may not be enough to *satiate*, or satisfy, your desire. *Satiate* is often used in situations in which a thirst, craving, or need is satisfied. However, when *satiate* is used to describe eating, it can take on a more negative, or even disgusted, tone. If you comment that the diners at the world's largest all-you-can eat buffet were satiated, you might not mean that they were merely satisfied. You could be implying that they've been gluttons, and that they are now overstuffed with fried chicken wings and mac and cheese.

Question 886

Savant

Answer 886

Savant ## Footnote someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field **[n]** You know that girl in your school with a GPA over 100? She is a *savant* in the making. A *savant* is someone over-the-top smart, a scholar. It might take a *savant* only five minutes to do an entire math test. *Savant* is the French word for ""learned"" and it goes back to the Latin word ""to be wise"", *sapere*. There are *savants* who are wise and learned, and then there are *idiot savants*, who are brilliant in very specific areas, but not in others, like an idiot savant who knows absolutely everything about the American Civil War but has no ability with learning a foreign language.

Question 887

Savor

Answer 887

Savor ## Footnote the taste experience when a savoury condiment is taken into the mouth **[n]** have flavor; taste of something **[v]** give taste to **[v]** taste appreciatively **[v]** derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in **[v]** **savor** the soup Whether it's a feeling of joy or a piece of pecan pie - when you *savor* something, you enjoy it to the fullest. When you savor something, you enjoy it so much that you want to make it last forever. With that in mind, *savor* carries a connotation of doing something slowly. If you savor that flourless chocolate tart, then you eat it slowly, bit by bit, deliberately picking every last crumb off the plate. The word is often applied to eating, but you can savor any pleasurable experience, whether it's the winning touchdown or your moment in the spotlight.

Question 888

Scabbard

Answer 888

Scabbard ## Footnote a sheath for a sword or dagger or bayonet **[n]** A *scabbard* is a sheath for a sword, dagger, or other type of knife. Some cooks wear their French knives in a *scabbard* so they'll be ready to chop no matter where they are in the kitchen. You've probably seen a *scabbard* in an older movie. The hero sheaths his sword in a long wooden, metal or leather scabbard hanging from his belt. The origins of the word, however, are not that manly. *Scabbard* comes from an old Germanic compound meaning ""blade protector.""

Question 889

Scale

Answer 889

Scale ## Footnote an ordered reference standard **[n]** the ratio between the size of something and a representation of it **[n]** (music) a series of notes differing in pitch according to a specific scheme (usually within an octave) **[n]** a thin flake of dead epidermis shed from the surface of the skin **[n]** judging on a **scale** of 1 to 10"This bike **scales** only 25 pounds""**scale** the gold" How much do you love pizza? Rate it on a *scale* of one to ten, with one being blech and ten being amazing. A *scale* is a series that climbs up or down in a step-wise fashion. To *scale* something is to climb it, as in ""scale a ladder,"" where you work your way up step by step. Think of a musical scale: do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do, and then think of a scale you weigh yourself on--it counts up the pounds one after another after another. *Scale* can be a ratio too--when maps are drawn ""to scale,"" that means one mile of real road might translate to one inch of road on the map. Even fish scales can be understood this way--they repeat the same shape row after row after row.

Question 890

Scapegoat

Answer 890

Scapegoat ## Footnote someone who is punished for the errors of others **[n]** The Bible depicts a ritual in which a goat is sent out into the desert bearing the faults of the people of Israel. The word *scapegoat* first occurred in the earliest English translation of the Bible, and it has come to mean any individual punished for the misdeeds of others. When a politician gets caught lying, he or she might use an assistant as a scapegoat. Somehow the lie will wind up being the assistant's fault. Your mom might tell you to use her as a scapegoat if you need to. So if your friends want you to go to a wild party and you don't want to, you should tell them your mom won't let you. That way, they will be mad at her and not at you. A fall guy is similar to a scapegoat, but it is mostly used if your scheme has been found out and one of your group of schemers must take the consequences.

Question 891

Scrupulous

Answer 891

Scrupulous ## Footnote characterized by extreme care and great effort **[adj]** having scruples; arising from a sense of right and wrong; principled **[adj]** **scrupulous** attention to details"less **scrupulous** producers sent bundles that were deceptive in appearance" *Scrupulous* means very careful to do things properly and correctly, such as paying friends back for money borrowed right away, or not returning a pair of shoes after they've been worn outdoors. A *scrupulous* person is full of *scruples,* which are concerns about doing things that are morally right. Such a person is hesitant or doubtful, and might have trouble deciding what is morally right or wrong. The adjective *scrupulous* is from Latin *scr?pul?sus*, from *scr?pulus* ""scruple."" A near synonym is *punctilious*.

Question 892

Scrutinize

Answer 892

Scrutinize ## Footnote examine carefully for accuracy with the intent of verification **[v]** to look at critically or searchingly, or in minute detail **[v]** he **scrutinized** his likeness in the mirror If you want to examine something closely and go over every single detail, then you should *scrutinize* it. Like the way your mom probably assesses your outfit before you leave the house for school. *Scrutinizing* is very different from glancing or gazing. It's even more than a long, hard look. To *scrutinize* something, you have to look at it really critically, investigating every nook and cranny. Often things are scrutinized to verify if they're correct or authentic. So it makes perfect sense that this verb is rooted in the Latin word *scrutari*, which means "to search."

Question 893

Scurvy

Answer 893

Scurvy ## Footnote a condition caused by deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) **[n]** of the most contemptible kind **[adj]** a **scurvy** trick If you are a pirate who doesn't get to shore very often to shop for fresh fruits and veggies, you might suffer from *scurvy*, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. Scurvy has some alarming symptoms: your gums become soft and tender and your teeth fall out. Scurvy has become a rarity in most parts of the world, but in regions where food is scarce and malnutrition common, it's still a problem. The unpleasant associations of the word also make it a colorful (and archaic) way to describe something low-down and miserable, as in ""that was a *scurvy* trick you played on me, you dastardly cur!""

Question 894

Scuttle

Answer 894

Scuttle ## Footnote an entrance equipped with a hatch; especially a passageway between decks of a ship **[n]** container for coal; shaped to permit pouring the coal onto the fire **[n]** to move about or proceed hurriedly **[v]** When you *scuttle*, you move with quick anxious steps, like a bug running for cover when a light is turned on. Use the word *scuttle* when you want to describe running or fast walking that's characterized by short, hasty steps, like someone or something that tries to hurry - a person who is late for work scuttling through a crowd of slow-moving pedestrians - but can't. It is also found in these well-known lines from T.S. Eliot's poem ""The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock"": ""I should have been a pair of ragged claws / Scuttling across the floors of silent seas.""

Question 895

Sedulous

Answer 895

Sedulous ## Footnote marked by care and persistent effort **[adj]** **sedulous** pursuit of legal and moral principles A *sedulous* person is someone who works hard and doesn't give up easily. If you make repeated and *sedulous* attempts to fix a leaky pipe and it only makes things worse, it might be time to go online and find the number of a plumber. There are a couple of words that basically mean the same thing as *sedulous* but are a little more common, namely *assiduous*, *painstaking*, and *diligent*. Like *sedulous*, all of these adjectives can be turned into adverbs by adding the suffix *ly*: ""He *assiduously* tried to fix the pipe, but to no avail.""

Question 896

Seemly

Answer 896

Seemly ## Footnote according with custom or propriety **[adj]** **seemly** behavior You don't want to seem anything less than *seemly*, especially in the presence of the Queen. Only *seemly* behavior is allowed when she's around. Seemly behavior is polite, decent, upright, and appropriate. You'll need to get schooled in the ways of more seemly people before you can be allowed in the fanciest restaurant in town. At the moment, your ratty clothes, smelly feet, and bad manners can only be described as ""unseemly"" - which is, of course, the opposite of *seemly*. One way to remember the meaning of *seemly* is to think of how you'd like to ""seem"" to others. Chances are the answer is something like *seemly*. Unless you enjoy seeming like a big mess.

Question 897

Seine

Answer 897

Seine ## Footnote a large fishnet that hangs vertically, with floats at the top and weights at the bottom **[n]** fish with a seine; catch fish with a seine **[v]**

Question 898

Seminal

Answer 898

Seminal ## Footnote pertaining to or containing or consisting of semen **[adj]** containing seeds of later development **[adj]** **seminal** fluid"**seminal** ideas of one discipline can influence the growth of another" Call something *seminal* when it's so original, so groundbreaking and awesome that it will influence everything that comes after it. Picasso probably produced more than a few *seminal* works of art, for example. Technically, *seminal* means something related to semen or seeds. But these days people more often use the word to describe something that plants the seed for creative growth. An innovative piece of music or literature, a fresh new idea, or an invention that changes everything could each be called *seminal*. Synonyms include *critical*, *fundamental*, *original*, and *primary*.

Question 899

Seminary

Answer 899

Seminary ## Footnote a theological school for training ministers or priests or rabbis **[n]** a private place of education for the young **[n]** What do ministers, priests, rabbis, and children have in common? They all might attend a school that has the word *seminary* in its name. A *seminary* is a school, especially one where people train to be religious leaders. *Seminary* comes from the Latin word *seminarium*, meaning ""plant nursery,"" which can be interpreted as, ""breeding ground."" Like a greenhouse that provides ideal conditions for seeds to grow into hearty plants, a seminary was first a place for young men to become priests. *Seminary* typically describes religious institutions but it can apply to nonreligious schools as well.

Question 900

Sensuous

Answer 900

Sensuous ## Footnote taking delight in beauty **[adj]** the **sensuous** joy from all things fair Anything that is pleasing to the senses can be called *sensuous*. The feel of a soft cashmere sweater on your skin, the taste of dark chocolate, even the smell of your favorite person - all of these can be *sensuous* experiences. *Sensuous* describes anything that feels, tastes, smells, looks, or sounds good. Eating delicious food or relaxing in a warm bath are sensuous activities. But something intellectually satisfying, like doing a crossword puzzle or solving a math problem, is not exactly sensuous, even if you really like doing it. Use *sensuous* to describe stuff that makes your five senses happy.

Question 901

Sentinel

Answer 901

Sentinel ## Footnote a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event **[n]** A *sentinel* is a guard, a lookout, a person keeping watch. It's often a soldier, but not always. If you're watching a pot, waiting for it to boil, you're standing *sentinel* over it. (Incidentally, it won't boil until you leave.) Etymologists think *sentinel* stems from the Old Italian words *sentina*, meaning ""vigilance,"" and *sentire*, ""to watch."" It's a close cousin of *sentry*, which means the same thing. You can use *sentinel* as a noun or a verb. A kid in a snowball war might be the sentinel, patrolling the entrance to the fort. Wolves stand sentinel over their kill, stepping aside only for the alpha male, who always eats first.

Question 902

Sequester

Answer 902

Sequester ## Footnote keep away from others **[v]** set apart from others **[v]** take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority **[v]** requisition forcibly, as of enemy property **[v]** undergo sequestration by forming a stable compound with an ion **[v]** He **sequestered** himself in his study to write a book"The dentist **sequesters** the tooth he is working on""the estate was **sequestered**" The word *sequester* describes being kept away from others. If your sister tells you to stay out of the way so she can cook dinner for her new boyfriend, you might *sequester* yourself in your room. Legal types may be familiar with the word *sequester* since it's often used in relation to a jury for an important trial. In that case, members of the jury are *sequestered*, meaning they aren't allowed to watch the news or read articles that could influence their judgment. However, *sequester* can describe anyone who is isolated or hidden away from others, like a pop star *sequestered* in a hotel room, protected from fans' mania below.

Question 903

Sere

Answer 903

Sere ## Footnote (used especially of vegetation) having lost all moisture **[adj]** the desert was edged with **sere** vegetation You can describe something that is dried up, withered, or without moisture with the adjective *sere*. The desert climate, for example, is *sere*, as is your skin after a day in the wind. Sere's shriveled and withered meaning crops up in things like Shakespeare's Macbeth (My way of life Is fall'n into the sere, the yellow leaf; 5:III), or in archaic reference to Sere-month (August), but it isn't frequently used in normal modern conversation. The variant spelling of sere is sear, which has other meanings that see more modern use.

Question 904

Serendipity

Answer 904

Serendipity ## Footnote good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries **[n]** If you find good things without looking for them, *serendipity* - unexpected good luck - has brought them to you. *Serendipity* does not come from Latin or Greek, but rather was created by a British nobleman in the mid 1700s from an ancient Persian fairy tale. The meaning of the word, good luck in finding valuable things unintentionally, refers to the fairy tale characters who were always making discoveries through chance. You can thank serendipity if you find a pencil at an empty desk just at you walk into an exam and realize that you forgot yours.

Question 905

Serrated

Answer 905

Serrated ## Footnote notched like a saw with teeth pointing toward the apex **[adj]** A *serrated* edge is jagged. When a knife is described as having a *serrated* blade, its edge is lined with small teeth, similar to a saw's. It will cut tomatoes, bread, and meat more effectively than a smooth-edged blade. The adjective *serrated* comes from the Latin word *serratus*, meaning "notched like a saw." Most often, it is swords and knives that are described as serrated, but some leaves, like those of the Ash and Maple trees, as well as certain flower petals, like carnations and some tulips, also have serrated edges. Great White sharks have serrated teeth so they can more easily rip the flesh of their prey. Yum.

Question 906

Servile

Answer 906

Servile ## Footnote submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior **[adj]** relating to or involving slaves or appropriate for slaves or servants **[adj]** spoke in a **servile** tone"the incurably **servile** housekeeper""**servile** tasks such as floor scrubbing and barn work" If you want to get someone to like you, don't offer to fetch them a Coke, rub their feet, or do their homework. They won't like you any better, and your *servile* attitude will only cost you their respect. To remember *servile*, just think of the word *servant*--they both derive from the Latin *servus* ""slave."" In fact, *servile* also means anything characteristic of a slave. ""After winning the lottery, the ex-slave shed first his servile clothes, later his servile manner. The transformation was complete.""

Question 907

Shard

Answer 907

Shard ## Footnote a broken piece of a brittle artifact **[n]** If you break a mirror, the thin sharp pieces you want to avoid are *shards*. A *shard* is simply a broken piece of metal, glass, stone, or pottery with sharp edges. Don't confuse *shard* with shred, meaning to cut into strips, or chard, a leafy green vegetable. You could use a shard of metal to shred chard into salad, but be careful that you don't cut your hands to shreds!

Question 908

Shirk

Answer 908

Shirk ## Footnote avoid (one's assigned duties) **[v]** avoid dealing with **[v]** The derelict soldier **shirked** his duties"She **shirks** her duties" To *shirk* your responsibilities is to avoid dealing with them - like when you watch four consecutive hours of infomercials instead of facing your homework. A verb is an action word, so it's ironic that the verb *shirk* suggests inaction in the avoidance of work. To *shirk* carries with it a negative connotation of laziness. When Eleanor Roosevelt was asked how she conquered her shyness to become a powerful public figure, she responded, ""I faced each problem as it came along. . . . I never tried to *shirk*. I tried never to evade an issue. When I found I had something to do - I just did it."" Ah, Eleanor, why can't we all be a bit more like you?

Question 909

Sidereal

Answer 909

Sidereal ## Footnote of or relating to the stars or constellations **[adj]** (of divisions of time) determined by daily motion of the stars **[adj]** **sidereal** bodies"the **sidereal** system""**sidereal** time" Far out, man. I mean really far out - as in related to the distant stars of the universe. That's what *sidereal* means. *Sidereal* is an adjective that first popped up in the 17th century, and stems from the Latin word *sidereus*, which means ""star."" Anything that's sidereal has something to do with stars and constellations. And if you measure the days and weeks by the movement of the stars across the sky, that's called sidereal astronomy or sidereal time. But if you've got someplace to be, you'd be better off with a good calendar and a wristwatch.

Question 910

Sinecure

Answer 910

Sinecure ## Footnote an office that involves minimal duties **[n]** a benefice to which no spiritual or pastoral duties are attached **[n]** If you have a cushy job - one that pays, but involves minimal work - then you have a *sinecure*. ""Because he was the brother of the CEO, he was offered a *sinecure* in the company: he showed up each day and collected a pay check, but others actually did his work."" The noun *sinecure* comes from the Latin root words *sine cura* meaning ""without care."" It originally was used to describe a church position that did not include caring for the souls of parishioners, but that meaning is considered archaic now. The word is now usually associated with political appointments.

Question 911

Sinewy

Answer 911

Sinewy ## Footnote consisting of tendons or resembling a tendon **[adj]** (of meat) full of sinews; especially impossible to chew **[adj]** (of a person) possessing physical strength and weight; rugged and powerful **[adj]** Something muscular, with a tight and stretched toughness, is *sinewy.* Tennis players' lean arms have a *sinewy* beauty, all the muscles showing as they hit their smoking serves. A *sinew* is a tendon that attaches muscles to bones, and something *sinewy* has a lot of sinew or shows a lot of built-up tissues. If you're a carpenter or a piano player, you probably have well-exercised, sinewy hands and fingers. Lines in nature, such as tree limbs and roots, can be sinewy too. Being sinewy is attractive when it's in good health, but it can also make you look too stretched or thin, even scrawny. Tough meat can be sinewy and unchewable.

Question 912

Skiff

Answer 912

Skiff ## Footnote any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor **[n]** A *skiff* is a small boat. If you decide to purchase a *skiff* instead of giant yacht, you're probably someone who prefers the quiet, simple life. (Or maybe you just didn't want to spend the money on a yacht.) A skiff may be powered by oars, sails, or a motor, but in any of these cases, a typical skiff can carry only a few passengers. *Skiff* originally referred to a small boat attached to a large ship; the skiff would have been used for communication with and transportation to other large ships and the shore. Winslow Homer, a 19th-century American artist, often portrayed skiffs in his depictions of marine scenes.

Question 913

Skirmish

Answer 913

Skirmish ## Footnote a minor short-term fight **[n]** engage in a skirmish **[v]** A *skirmish* is a small fight - more a dust-up than a full-out battle - and it can refer to a physical fight or just a battle of words. It is definitely confrontational, though. Think of a skirmish as kind of a mini-battle, although a military skirmish can end with casualties. Still, although such an encounter can be serious, even the very word *skirmish* sounds slight, like a stirring of dust in the breeze. Shakespeare referred to the combative nature of his characters Beatrice and Benedick, in ""Much Ado About Nothing,"" as ""a kind of merry war betwixt Signior Benedick and her: they never meet but there's a *skirmish* of wit between them.""

Question 914

Slake

Answer 914

Slake ## Footnote satisfy (thirst) **[v]** make less active or intense **[v]** cause to heat and crumble by treatment with water **[v]** When you *slake* something, such as a desire or a thirst, you satisfy it. A big glass of lemonade on a hot summer day will *slake* your thirst. The word *slake* traces back to the Old English word *slacian*, meaning to "become less eager." If you *slake* something, like thirst, you become less eager to drink. In other words, you are less thirsty. Like *satisfy* and *quench*, close relatives of *slake* in meaning, the word is used to indicate that a craving is made less intense by getting whatever it is that you crave.

Question 915

Slight

Answer 915

Slight ## Footnote (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with `a') at least some **[adj]** lacking substance or significance **[adj]** being of delicate or slender build **[adj]** pay no attention to, disrespect **[v]** a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval) **[n]** there's **slight** chance that it will work"there's a **slight** chance it will work""**slight** evidence" If you *slight* someone, you deliberately ignore her, or treat her with indifference. If your best friend walks past you in the hall without so much of a word, she has *slighted* you. All the meanings of *Slight* stem from the old Norse for small, or flimsy. If you have a slight build, you're slim with small bones. A slight deviation from your plan, is a tiny adjustment. As a verb, *slight* means to ignore or be indifferent toward someone; it's also the noun for the act of ignoring. If you directed a movie and the starlet doesn't thank you in her award acceptance speech, you'll be offended at the slight.

Question 916

Sluggard

Answer 916

Sluggard ## Footnote an idle slothful person **[n]** Do you know anyone lazy or slothful? Then you know a *sluggard*: an idle or sluggish person. If you know that *sluggish* means slow-moving, then you have a clue to the meaning of *sluggard*. A sluggard is a lazy, sleepy, slow-moving person. A sluggard is likely to oversleep and even snooze through class or work. If you're alert and hard-working, no one will ever call you a sluggard or a slug. Being a sluggard is a great way to fail a class, lose a job, or just fall behind in general.

Question 917

Solace

Answer 917

Solace ## Footnote comfort in disappointment or misery **[n]** the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment **[n]** the act of consoling; giving relief in affliction **[n]** give moral or emotional strength to **[v]** If something eases your disappointment or grief, consider it a *solace*. If you're sad, you might find *solace* in music or in talking to your friends. It is no surprise that *consolation* and *solace* are similar in meaning as they share a root in the Latin verb *s?l?r?* ""to comfort."" In fact, *solace*, *consolation* and *comfort* are synonyms meaning relief from grief or disappointment. When you go to sleepover camp, your parents will miss you, but they'll find solace in knowing that you are having fun.

Question 918

Solicit

Answer 918

Solicit ## Footnote make a solicitation or entreaty for something; request urgently or persistently **[v]** make a solicitation or petition for something desired **[v]** incite, move, or persuade to some act of lawlessness or insubordination **[v]** make amorous advances towards **[v]** approach with an offer of sexual favors **[v]** Henry IV **solicited** the Pope for a divorce"My neighbor keeps **soliciting** money for different charities""She is too shy to **solicit**" * Solicit* means to ask for. It is what those people on the street are doing, when they ask, ""Do you have a moment to talk about the destruction of the planet?"" They are *soliciting* donations for their cause. * Solicit* has an official sounding impressiveness to it--doesn't *soliciting* donations sound better than begging for money? It can also have a more sinister cast. ""When the teacher left the room, two girls *solicited* their friends to throw all the textbooks out the windows, injuring members of the cheer squad below - where they were *soliciting* signatures for a petition banning smoking in the football locker rooms.""

Question 919

Solicitous

Answer 919

Solicitous ## Footnote full of anxiety and concern **[adj]** showing hovering attentiveness **[adj]** **solicitous** parents"**solicitous** about the future""**solicitous** about her health" When you hear the word *solicitous*, think of your mom - attentive, caring and concerned. It's nice when your waiter gives you good service, but if he or she is *solicitous*, the hovering might annoy you. *Solicitous* comes from the Latin roots *sollus* ""entire"" and *citus* ""set in motion."" If someone is solicitous, they are entirely set in motion caring for you. Your neighbors are solicitous if they try to help your family out all the time. Use this word too if you're eager to do something. A good student will be solicitous to appear interested in what the teacher says - even when it's not that interesting.

Question 920

Soliloquy

Answer 920

Soliloquy ## Footnote speech you make to yourself **[n]** a (usually long) dramatic speech intended to give the illusion of unspoken reflections **[n]** Ever see someone talking to himself while on a stage? That's what you call a *soliloquy* - a character's speech voicing his or her own thoughts as if to himself. Shakespeare's plays are full of *soliloquies*. The noun, *soliloquy,* comes from the Latin roots, *solus* ""alone"" plus *loqui* ""speak"" meaning ""a talking to oneself."" A soliloquy is a speech a character gives of his thoughts and reflections. Some of the most famous lines in drama are taken from soliloquies. Take ""to be or not to be..."" and ""Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, Creeps in this petty pace..."" as two examples of lines from soliloquies that have tortured high school students around the globe. Not the Globe Theater, Silly.

Question 921

Somatic

Answer 921

Somatic ## Footnote affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit **[adj]** a **somatic** symptom or somatic illness * Somatic* is a fancy word that just means dealing with the body. You may be tired of hearing your great-grandfather's *somatic* complaints, but give him a break - his body has been working for 80 years! * Soma* means body in Latin, so *somatic* means of the body and is most often used in connection with one's health. You may be more familiar with the related word, psychosomatic, which describes a physical condition or illness caused by the mind rather than a virus or a sprain. If you don't want to go to school so much that you begin to feel sick, that is psychosomatic. But sometimes, your somatic symptoms mean you really do have a cold!

Question 922

Somnambulist

Answer 922

Somnambulist ## Footnote someone who walks about in their sleep **[n]** If you ever find yourself standing in the backyard in your pajamas at 4:00 in the morning and wondering how you got there, you may be a *somnambulist* - someone who walks in her sleep. In Roman mythology, Somnus was the god of sleep; the Greeks called him Hypnos. His mother was Night (Nix) and his brother was Death (Thanatos). He lived in a dark cave and presumably never had to get up in time for school.

Question 923

Sophomoric

Answer 923

Sophomoric ## Footnote a second-year undergraduate **[n]** used of the second year in United States high school or college **[adj]** the **sophomore** class"his **sophomore** year" A *sophomore* is in their second year, either in high school or college. Once you became a *sophomore*, thinking you now knew everything, you pitied the freshmen for their confusion over how to write college papers. *Sophomore* comes from the word *sophism* which means ""a bad argument that's clever but false,"" and that's sometimes how sophomores in college act. They're not bright-eyed newcomers anymore, and think they know a lot, but really they've much to learn. We also use the word for other seconds: a band's second album is usually called their sophomore album.

Question 924

Soporific

Answer 924

Soporific ## Footnote sleep inducing **[adj]** inducing mental lethargy **[adj]** a drug that induces sleep **[n]** Something that is *soporific* is sleep-inducing. Certain medicines, but also extreme coziness, can have a *soporific* effect. In the 1680's, *soporific*, which doubles as both adjective and noun, was formed from the French *soporifique*. That word, in turn, came from the Latin *sopor* "deep sleep." Beloved *Peter Rabbit* author Beatrix Potter once noted that, "It is said that the effect of eating too much lettuce is '*soporific*'.""

Question 925

Specious

Answer 925

Specious ## Footnote plausible but false **[adj]** based on pretense; deceptively pleasing **[adj]** a **specious** claim Use *specious* to describe an argument that seems to be good, correct, or logical, but is not so. We live on the earth, therefore the earth must be the center of the universe has been proven to be a *specious* theory of the solar system. *Specious* is pronounced ""SPEE-shuhs."" Something that is *specious* is attractive in a deceptive way, and if you follow the word's etymology, you'll see why. In Middle English, this adjective meant ""attractive,"" from Latin *speci?sus* ""showy, beautiful,"" from *speci?s* ""appearance, kind, sort."" Latin *speci?s* is also the source of English *species*.

Question 926

Sporadic

Answer 926

Sporadic ## Footnote recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances **[adj]** a city subjected to **sporadic** bombing raids *Sporadic* is an adjective that you can use to refer to something that happens or appears often, but not constantly or regularly. The mailman comes every day but the plumber visits are *sporadic*--he comes as needed. A specialized use of *sporadic* is to describe a disease that appears only occasionally in random cases, and is therefore not an *epidemic*. English borrowed the word *sporadic* from Greek *sporadikós* ""scattered."" A very near synonym is *intermittent*.

Question 927

Spurious

Answer 927

Spurious ## Footnote plausible but false **[adj]** intended to deceive **[adj]** born out of wedlock **[adj]** **spurious** inferences"a **spurious** work of art"""the dominions of both rulers passed away to their **spurious** or doubtful offspring"- E.A.Freeman" Something false or inauthentic is *spurious*. Don't trust *spurious* ideas and stories. *Spurious* statements often are lies, just as a *spurious* coin is a counterfeit coin - a fake. Anytime you see the word *spurious*, you're dealing with things that can't be trusted or accepted at face value. A spurious claim is one that's not backed up by the facts. A spurious argument relies on faulty reasoning - and maybe some lies. Politicians often accuse each other of saying things that are spurious and meant to deceive the voters. As long as you're honest, clear, and not trying to trick anyone, nobody can say you're being spurious.

Question 928

Squalid

Answer 928

Squalid ## Footnote foul and run-down and repulsive **[adj]** morally degraded **[adj]** a **squalid** overcrowded apartment in the poorest part of town"**squalid** living conditions""the **squalid** atmosphere of intrigue and betrayal" * Squalid* things appear neglected, or morally repulsive in nature, like a frat house after a semester of hard partying and zero cleanup. * Squalid* comes from the Latin word *squalare*, meaning to "be covered with a rough, scaly layer." A few word evolutions later and we have *squalid*, a word that describes something distasteful, dirty, unattractive, and as unkempt in appearance as the dry, scaly skin of an armadillo, or a room filled with pizza boxes, flickering light bulbs, and stained wallpaper. Squalid behavior is dirty, too, like cheating on a test and lying about it.

Question 929

Stagnant

Answer 929

Stagnant ## Footnote not growing or changing; without force or vitality **[adj]** not circulating or flowing **[adj]** **stagnant** water There is a tone to the word *stagnant* that sounds like what it is: lacking movement, stale, and inactive, especially with exaggerated pronunciation, ""staaaagnant."" *Stagnant* came into use in the 17th century as a description for water or air that wasn't moving or circulating, like in a scum-covered pond or a closed-off room. Often things that are stagnant also have a smell from sitting too long in one place. Not that this happens to everyone, but sitting in front of a TV playing video games without moving more than the fingers can make a person stagnant, sometimes with an accompanying odor.

Question 930

Staid

Answer 930

Staid ## Footnote characterized by dignity and propriety **[adj]** Something that is *staid* is dignified, respectable - possibly even boring, like a *staid* dinner party that is heavy on the important guests but light on the laughs. *Staid* is pronounced just like ""stayed"" - in fact, it comes from *stay*, meaning ""fixed"" or ""permanent."" Something that is staid is sedate, slightly dull, and tends to stay the same. Whether it's a middle-class lifestyle, a conservative law firm, your unadventurous aunt, or an old navy plaid sofa, the word *staid* can be used to describe anything that maintains a respectable self-restraint and takes no chances.

Question 931

Stanch

Answer 931

Stanch ## Footnote stop the flow of a liquid **[v]** Use the verb *stanch* to describe stopping a liquid from spreading, like a bandage that *stanches* bleeding or thick towels that *stanch* the flow of water across the kitchen floor when you drop a full glass of water. The vowel sound in *stanch* most frequently sounds like *on*: ""stonch."" *Stanch* can also be pronounced to rhyme with *branch*. Though it's a verb mostly commonly associated with keeping blood from flowing from a wound, the origin is likely the Latin word *stagnum*, meaning ""pond, pool."" This word is related to *stagnate*, describing water that has no movement.

Question 932

Stanza

Answer 932

Stanza ## Footnote a fixed number of lines of verse forming a unit of a poem **[n]** *Stanzas* are the building blocks of formal poetry, like paragraphs in a story or verses in a song. They usually have the same number of lines each time, and often use a rhyming pattern that repeats with each new *stanza*. Shakespeare was the master of the stanza. His sonnets had three stanzas that were each four lines long, and then a two-line stanza at the end, all with a very particular rhyme and rhythm pattern. Poems with stanzas always have some sort of structure to them, but not all poetry uses stanzas, for example - free verse tends to be wild poetry without structural rules.

Question 933

Statute

Answer 933

Statute ## Footnote an act passed by a legislative body **[n]** enacted by a legislative body **[adj]** **statute** law A *statute* is a formal law or rule. Whether it's enacted by a government, company, or other organization, a *statute* is typically written down. Local governments can pass all kinds of *statutes*, or written laws, to govern their citizens. A city's government might try to restrict the consumption of alcoholic beverages in public, or make it illegal to pet cats on the weekends. Of course, silly statutes like no cat-petting on weekends can be pretty hard to pass.

Question 934

Stickler

Answer 934

Stickler ## Footnote someone who insists on something **[n]** a **stickler** for promptness A *stickler* is someone who insists that things are done in a certain way. Say you're getting married and want to write your own vows, but your partner's mother demands that you have a traditional ceremony. The mother is a *stickler* for tradition. *Stickler* has its origins in a word meaning umpire, which may allude to a stickler's bossy nature. Difficult problems or puzzles are called sticklers. It is helpful when remembering the definition of *stickler* that it has the word "stick" in it. So someone who "sticks" to the rules is a stickler.

Question 935

Stifle

Answer 935

Stifle ## Footnote impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of **[v]** joint between the femur and tibia in a quadruped; corresponds to the human knee **[n]** conceal or hide **[v]** **Stifle** your curiosity To *stifle* is to cut off, hold back, or smother. You may *stifle* your cough if you don't want to interrupt a lecture or you may *stifle* the competition if you fear losing. The verb *stifle* means "to choke, suffocate, drown." It can describe a claustrophobic feeling, like getting smothered by kisses from your great aunt. At its most extreme, *stifle* means to kill by cutting off respiration. The metaphoric sense of *stifle* didn't develop until well after the word was first recorded as a verb: ""I can always tell - but never let on for fear of damaging his ego - that my boyfriend attempts to *stifle* tears during sappy parts of movies; his eyes well up at the corners and he'll sniffle uncontrollably, claiming allergies.""

Question 936

Stipple

Answer 936

Stipple ## Footnote engrave by means of dots and flicks **[v]** apply (paint) in small dots or strokes **[v]** make by small short touches that together produce an even or softly graded shadow, as in paint or ink **[v]** produce a mottled effect **[v]** The sunlight **stippled** the trees If you *stipple* something, that means you add tiny dots of color or texture, such as using a special painting tool to *stipple* a plain wall with dots of a different color to make it look more interesting. The verb *stipple* came into English from the Dutch word *stippelen*, meaning ""to spot or dot." Artist stipple paint onto their canvases and from the distance, the dots look like a field of flowers. You can also stipple metal, by poking it with a tool that creates little circular dents - that look like dots - to give it an artistic look.

Question 937

Stipulate

Answer 937

Stipulate ## Footnote specify as a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement **[v]** make an oral contract or agreement in the verbal form of question and answer that is necessary to give it legal force **[v]** give a guarantee or promise of **[v]** The will **stipulates** that she can live in the house for the rest of her life"The contract **stipulates** the dates of the payments""They **stipulated** to release all the prisoners" To *stipulate* something means to demand that it be part of an agreement. So when you make a contract or deal, you can *stipulate* that a certain condition must be met. Anytime you draw up a legal agreement, you can stipulate a requirement that has to be met for that agreement to be complete. This stipulation might put some sort of limit on the agreement. For example, if you run a fencing company and offer a sale, you can stipulate that to get the sale price, the fence must be ordered by a certain date. Your customer, in turn, might stipulate that the work must be finished before the ground freezes.

Question 938

Stoic

Answer 938

Stoic ## Footnote seeming unaffected by pleasure or pain; impassive **[adj]** someone who is seemingly indifferent to emotions **[n]** **stoic** courage"**stoic** patience" Being *stoic* is being calm and almost without any emotion. When you're *stoic*, you don't show what you're feeling and you also accept whatever is happening. The noun *stoic* is a person who's not very emotional. The adjective *stoic* describes any person, action, or thing that seems emotionless and almost blank. Mr. Spock, from the oldest *Star Trek* show, was a great example of a stoic person: he tried to never show his feelings. Someone yelling, crying, laughing, or glaring is not stoic. Stoic people calmly go with the flow and don't appear to be shook up by much.

Question 939

Stoke

Answer 939

Stoke ## Footnote stir up or tend; of a fire **[v]** To *stoke* is to poke a fire and fuel it so that it burns higher. It can also mean ""incite""--a principal's impassive silence in the face of requests for more tater tots might *stoke* the flames of student anger. When a surfer says, ""I am so *stoked*,"" it means they are excited--the fire of enthusiasm is burning hotter. It's interesting to reflect on how many words in our language have to do with the tending of fires, an activity that has become much less common in recent human history.

Question 940

Strident

Answer 940

Strident ## Footnote unpleasantly loud and harsh **[adj]** conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry **[adj]** being sharply insistent on being heard **[adj]** of speech sounds produced by forcing air through a constricted passage (as `f', `s', `z', or `th' in both `thin' and `then') **[adj]** **strident** demands"**strident** demands" Feminists are often characterized by people who don't like them as *strident*. *Strident* describes their voices, raised in anger, as loud and harsh. Being a *strident* feminist isn't very ladylike. But making less money than a man when you do the same work is worse. *Strident* is related to the Latin word *strix* ""screech owl."" This is a kind of owl that doesn't hoot. It screeches in a *strident* way. Don't confuse strident with *striding*, which means walking quickly, with a wide step. If you're angry at your brother, you might come striding into his room and begin making a strident case for why he has done you wrong.

Question 941

Stringent

Answer 941

Stringent ## Footnote demanding strict attention to rules and procedures **[adj]** **stringent** safety measures That teacher's demands are *stringent* - she wants the homework typed in her favorite font, on special paper, and each essay must be exactly 45 lines! While the word *stringent* might seem foreign, if you're afflicted with pimples, you'll know the word *astringent*. An astringent causes your skin to tighten like it's shrinking your pores. This tightening, constricting feel describes *stringent* with regard to rules. Stringent safety procedures prevent accidents in a dangerous work environment. And restaurants must adhere to stringent health regulations.

Question 942

Strut

Answer 942

Strut ## Footnote to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others **[v]** a proud stiff pompous gait **[n]** brace consisting of a bar or rod used to resist longitudinal compression **[n]** He **struts** around like a rooster in a hen house When you *strut*, you walk with a proud swagger that has a little arrogance thrown in, like the prance of a running back who has just flown past the 250-pound linebackers and planted the ball in the end zone. You can't strut and be shy about it - when you strut, you know people are watching you. The big boss in a gangster film, a model on the runway, and the rap artist whose album has just gone platinum all know how to strut. The noun form of *strut* has a little less flash and refers to a vertical or horizontal support that holds something up, like the long steel bars holding up a building.

Question 943

Strut

Answer 943

Strut ## Footnote to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others **[v]** a proud stiff pompous gait **[n]** brace consisting of a bar or rod used to resist longitudinal compression **[n]** He **struts** around like a rooster in a hen house When you *strut*, you walk with a proud swagger that has a little arrogance thrown in, like the prance of a running back who has just flown past the 250-pound linebackers and planted the ball in the end zone. You can't strut and be shy about it - when you strut, you know people are watching you. The big boss in a gangster film, a model on the runway, and the rap artist whose album has just gone platinum all know how to strut. The noun form of *strut* has a little less flash and refers to a vertical or horizontal support that holds something up, like the long steel bars holding up a building.

Question 944

Stygian

Answer 944

Stygian ## Footnote dark and dismal as of the rivers Acheron and Styx in Hades **[adj]** hellish **[adj]** upon those roseate lips a **Stygian** hue"-Wordsworth"""Hence loathed Melancholy.../In **Stygian** cave forlorn"- Milton"

Question 945

Subliminal

Answer 945

Subliminal ## Footnote below the threshold of conscious perception **[adj]** Each of your five senses constantly sends new information to your brain. And there's another way your brain receives information: through *subliminal* messages. The unconscious mind picks up on things you don't even realize. Faint humming might make you irritated. Red lights can raise your blood temperature. Usually, subliminal methods are used to control people, like flashing words quickly during a television program. If you're worried, there's not much you can do, because *subliminal* literally means "below the threshold" or surface of your conscious mind, and you probably will never even notice that you're being controlled. Try reading only the capital letters of this definition for an example of a subliminal message.

Question 946

Suborn

Answer 946

Suborn ## Footnote incite to commit a crime or an evil deed **[v]** induce to commit perjury or give false testimony **[v]** procure (false testimony or perjury) **[v]** He **suborned** his butler to cover up the murder of his wife"The President tried to **suborn** false witnesses" One of the reasons Mafia bosses are so good at avoiding prison is that they know how to *suborn* witnesses and jurors - that is, to bribe people to lie. After all, it wouldn't be nice if an accident were to happen on the way to court, right? Technically speaking, *suborn* doesn't just mean induce someone to conveniently ""forget"" something in the witness stand, or otherwise get creative with their imagination. An inducement to any kind of crime is suborning, but by far the most common use is in the legal sense above. Or ""witness tampering,"" as the cops call it.

Question 947

Subpoena

Answer 947

Subpoena ## Footnote a writ issued by court authority to compel the attendance of a witness at a judicial proceeding; disobedience may be punishable as a contempt of court **[n]** serve or summon with a subpoena **[v]** The witness and her records were **subpoenaed** A *subpoena* is a document that requires its recipient to appear in court as a witness. If you receive a *subpoena*, it doesn't mean you've done anything wrong; it just means you may have information that's needed by the court. *Subpoena* can also be a verb: You can subpoena someone by giving them a subpoena. If you receive a subpoena but fail to carry out its instructions, you're in big trouble. This fact is suggested by the Latin roots of this word: the prefix *sub-* means ""under"" and *poena* means ""penalty."" One nice thing about a subpoena is that it's not a summons; if you get one of those, it means you're being sued.

Question 948

Substantiate

Answer 948

Substantiate ## Footnote establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts **[v]** represent in bodily form **[v]** solidify, firm, or strengthen **[v]** make real or concrete; give reality or substance to **[v]** The painting **substantiates** the feelings of the artist"The president's trip will **substantiate** good relations with the former enemy country""our ideas must be **substantiated** into actions" To *substantiate* is to give support to a claim. We'd really like to believe in the Tooth Fairy; however, more evidence is needed to *substantiate* her existence (besides that quarter in your pocket). *Substantiate* is related to the word *substantial*, which means ""solid."" So, to substantiate a claim is to make it solid or believable. If the evidence given in support of an argument is weak and unconvincing, that evidence can be described as insubstantial. Of course, in special cases like the Tooth Fairy, having substantial evidence doesn't seem to matter; fans just keep on believing.

Question 949

Subterfuge

Answer 949

Subterfuge ## Footnote something intended to misrepresent the true nature of an activity **[n]** he wasn't sick--it was just a **subterfuge** If you want to surprise your mom with a sweatshirt, but don't know her size, it might take an act of *subterfuge*, like going through her closet, to find it out. *Subterfuge* is the use of tricky actions to hide, or get something. It's pronounced ""SUB-ter-fyooj."" As a countable noun, a *subterfuge* is a tricky action or device: She employed a very clever *subterfuge* to get the information she needed. *Subterfuge* is from French, from Old French *suterfuge*, from Late Latin *subterfugium*, from Latin *subterfugere* ""to escape,"" from *subter* ""secretly, under"" plus *fugere* ""to flee.""

Question 950

Subversive

Answer 950

Subversive ## Footnote in opposition to a civil authority or government **[adj]** a radical supporter of political or social revolution **[n]** You might want to call someone *subversive* if they are sneakily trying to undermine something, from the social structure of your high school to an entire system of government. You can use *subversive* as a noun or an adjective without changing it one whit. Note the prefix *sub* meaning ""underneath"" with the remainder coming from the Latin *vertere* ""to turn."" Think about a subversive as a sneaky kind of revolutionary who tries to turn the system from underneath. Art or literature is considered subversive if it attempts to undermine the morals and traditions of a society.

Question 951

Succinct

Answer 951

Succinct ## Footnote briefly giving the gist of something **[adj]** **succinct** comparisons Something that is *succinct* is short and clear. If you're going to be interviewed on television about your new book and only have a five minute slot, you'll need to come up with a *succinct* version of your story. *Succinct*, meaning ""short and to the point,"" is from the Latin *succingere*, ""to tuck up."" Often after you write a long essay, you realize you probably could have said the same thing in one or two succinct pages. If something is too succinct, we might call it *terse*. Another synonym is *concise*, which implies that unnecessary material has been removed. It's the opposite of *wordy*.

Question 952

Suffragist

Answer 952

Suffragist ## Footnote an advocate of the extension of voting rights (especially to women) **[n]** Before 1920, women did not have the right to vote in the U.S. The *suffragist* movement fought for these rights, and the people who were part of that movement were *suffragists*. The word *suffrage* means the right to vote in elections. It does not have to do with suffering. In America, the individual states determine who may vote. However, the U.S. Constitution states in the 19th Amendment that women shall not be denied the vote based upon their sex. Suffragists fought hard to bring this constitutional amendment about. Back then, female suffragists were known as suffragettes.

Question 953

Supercilious

Answer 953

Supercilious ## Footnote having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy **[adj]** expressive of contempt **[adj]** his mother eyed my clothes with a **supercilious** air"curled his lip in a **supercilious** smile" *Supercilious* people think very highly of themselves, more highly than of others. Think of them as a ""super silly ass,"" and you'll remember the basic sense of *supercilious*. You might expect Nobel Prize winners to be supercilious. After all, they've reached the very heights of their profession. But Dagmar was incredibly humble and fun to talk to: she was anything but a ""super silly ass."" Most often, it's people who have no right to be arrogant, rude, and holier-than-thou who behave in the most supercilious way. It's the people who really are exceptional who don't feel the need to behave *superciliously*, because they've got nothing to prove. Most supercilious people are just insecure.

Question 954

Supine

Answer 954

Supine ## Footnote lying face upward **[adj]** offering no resistance **[adj]** No other colony showed such **supine**, selfish helplessness in allowing her own border citizens to be mercilessly harried"- Theodore Roosevelt" One can be described as *supine* when lying face up (""his favorite yoga poses were always the *supine* ones""); or, if one is very passive or lethargic (""*supine* in the face of their threats and insults""). The adjective *supine* comes from a Latin word, *supinus*, which means "thrown backwards" or "inactive." Whenever a person or animal is lying on its back, belly-up, it is *supine*. When your hand is open, palm-up, it is also *supine*. *Supine* can even describe a person who gives insufficient resistance, or who is lazy and ineffectual. ""When Jack refused to object to the landlord's repeated - and gouging - rent increases, he was *supine*.""

Question 955

Surly

Answer 955

Surly ## Footnote inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace **[adj]** a **surly** waiter * Surly* describes behavior nobody wants to be around. Think of the irritable old guy who lives on your street and always seems to be simmering with some sullen nasty anger, whose every utterance he spits out with a rude snarl. He's the poster boy for *surly*. * Surly* behavior is always frowned upon, but the word's origins are in the behavior of English nobility. *Surly's* roots are in *sirly*, as in *sir*, meaning arrogant, haughty and superior. Its current meaning implies all that and more, none of it appealing. To be rude, snotty, sullen, mean and cranky can be added to the list. Generally speaking, if you find yourself in a *surly* mood, avoid your friends and loved ones.

Question 956

Surreptitious

Answer 956

Surreptitious ## Footnote marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed **[adj]** conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods **[adj]** a **surreptitious** glance at his watch"**surreptitious** mobilization of troops" When someone behaves in a *surreptitious* way, they're being secretive. They're doing something that they don't want to be seen doing. While *surreptitious* means secret, it has the added sense of ""sneaky"" or ""hidden."" During the Jewish Passover meal of Seder, an adult will *surreptitiously* place a piece of matzoh somewhere in the house for the children to hunt for later in the meal. You'll see *surreptitious* applied mostly to actions, rather than to things or ideas. We do things surreptitiously. The members of the secret society hold surreptitious meetings because, well, they're a secret society. I was very surreptitious in how I organized the surprise party: she never knew!

Question 957

Susceptible

Answer 957

Susceptible ## Footnote (often followed by `of' or `to') yielding readily to or capable of **[adj]** easily impressed emotionally **[adj]** **susceptible** to colds"**susceptible** of proof" If you are *susceptible* to something such as infections or earaches, it means you are likely to become sick with these things. Have you ever received something you don't want? Well, with *susceptible* meaning ""likely to be influenced or affected by"" that is probably going to be the case. If you're susceptible to flattery, and someone wants something from you, all they have to do is give you a compliment or two and you'll do what they want. Material that's susceptible to cracking won't be in good condition for long.

Question 958

Sybarite

Answer 958

Sybarite ## Footnote a person addicted to luxury and pleasures of the senses **[n]** If you know someone who's totally addicted to luxurious things and all of life's pleasures, call them a *sybarite*. Unless she's inviting you over for champagne brunches and showering you with gifts - in which case you should keep your mouth shut. *Sybarite* was first recorded in the 1600s, meaning a "person devoted to pleasure." The literal translation of this noun is "inhabitant of Sybaris," which was an ancient Greek town full of citizens who loved nice things. Today, the word still has the same two meanings: it's either a person who could be described as addicted to pleasures and luxury (like a *hedonist*), or an actual person who lives in Sybaris.

Question 959

Sycophant

Answer 959

Sycophant ## Footnote a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage **[n]** A *sycophant* is a person who tries to win favor from wealthy or influential people by flattering them. Also known as brown-nosers, teacher's pets or suck-ups. *Sycophant* is from Latin *sycophanta,* from Greek *sykophant?s,* from *sykon* ""fig"" and *phainein* ""to show, make known."" The original sense was that of an informer, a person who gives information about criminal activities. ""Showing the fig"" was a vulgar gesture made by sticking the thumb between two fingers. The gesture was used to taunt an opponent or to make an accusation against someone.

Question 960

Syllogism

Answer 960

Syllogism ## Footnote deductive reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises **[n]** A *syllogism* is a type of logical reasoning where the conclusion is gotten from two linked premises. Here's an example: An apple is a fruit. All fruit is good. Therefore apples are good. Used properly, syllogism can be a good way of reasoning, but it's very easy to make sloppy syllogisms by messing up the middle term that links the premises together, as in: ""President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was an Aquarius. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was great. Therefore all Aquariuses are great."" Because so many are made poorly, the syllogism has a bad reputation. Poor, misleading, or tricky reasoning is often called "mere syllogism."

Question 961

Taciturn

Answer 961

Taciturn ## Footnote habitually reserved and uncommunicative **[adj]** Someone who is *taciturn* is reserved, not loud and talkative. The word itself refers to the trait of reticence, of seeming aloof and uncommunicative. A *taciturn* person might be snobby, naturally quiet, or just shy. Having its origin in the Latin *tacitus*, "silent," *taciturn* came to be used in mid-18th-century English in the sense "habitually silent." Taciturnity is often considered a negative trait, as it suggests someone uncommunicative and too quiet. Jane Austen wrote, "We are each of an unsocial, *taciturn* disposition, unwilling to speak, unless we expect to say something that will amaze the whole room, and be handed down to posterity with all the éclat of a proverb."

Question 962

Tactile

Answer 962

Tactile ## Footnote of or relating to or proceeding from the sense of touch **[adj]** producing a sensation of touch **[adj]** a **tactile** reflex"**tactile** qualities" *Tactile* has to do with the sense of touch. There's a huge *tactile* difference between smooth glass and rough sandpaper. Anything to do with touch can be described as tactile. Even notice how a dog would rather sleep on a soft blanket than a rubbery leather couch? That's because dogs have tactile preferences: the softer the better. Different textures of food are tactile â€" they feel different in your mouth, aside from how they taste. You deal with the world of tactile things every day â€" you use your tactile sense whenever you touch anything.

Question 963

Talisman

Answer 963

Talisman ## Footnote a trinket or piece of jewelry usually hung about the neck and thought to be a magical protection against evil or disease **[n]** A *talisman* is a charm that is supposed to ward off evil or illness. Your rabbit's foot key chain may be your lucky *talisman*, but it wasn't so lucky for that rabbit, of course. The word *talisman* has been around in English since the 1630s and it has roots in both Arabic and Greek words. A talisman is usually worn around the neck but could exist in other forms, like a ring or inscribed stone. You can think of a talisman as a good luck charm, but people tend to take talismans more seriously â€" as if they are empowered with magic to ward off evil spirits.

Question 964

Talon

Answer 964

Talon ## Footnote a sharp hooked claw especially on a bird of prey **[n]** A *talon* is a large, hooked claw. Although *talons* are usually associated with eagles, hawks and other birds of prey, you can also use the word to describe the flesh-tearing claws or fingernails of raptors, werewolves or even enraged preschoolers. *Talons* typically belong to predators â€" the word implies bloody attack. An owl uses *talons* to stab and kill its prey. A chicken, however, uses claws to pick at its feathers and scratch around in the dirt. You can also pull *talons* into the conversation to be funny or sarcastic: “Hey! Get your *talons* off that piece of cake. It’s mine.”

Question 965

Tangible

Answer 965

Tangible ## Footnote perceptible by the senses especially the sense of touch **[adj]** capable of being perceived; especially capable of being handled or touched or felt **[adj]** capable of being treated as fact **[adj]** (of especially business assets) having physical substance and intrinsic monetary value **[adj]** skin with a **tangible** roughness"**tangible** evidence""**tangible** property like real estate" When you can touch something, it's *tangible*: "I need *tangible* proof that aliens exist â€" I want to shake their little green hands!" *Tangible* is from Latin *tangere* "to touch," and it simply means something that can be touched or felt, though it can be used in metaphorical senses: "*tangible* assets" have a value that can be precisely measured, and "*tangible* grief" can be clearly sensed by an onlooker. So you might not need to physically touch something for it to be tangible, but it has to be grounded in the real world of facts: "Has the teen pop star demonstrated any *tangible* ability to sing?"

Question 966

Tawdry

Answer 966

Tawdry ## Footnote tastelessly showy **[adj]** cheap and shoddy **[adj]** **tawdry** ornaments *Tawdry* means cheap, shoddy, or tasteless. It can be used to describe almost anything from clothes to people to even events or affairs. You know that shiny black slip you picked up for nothing at a garage sale and used as the skirt of your lion-tamer Halloween costume? It's a bit tawdry. But it would really be tawdry if you wore it on a regular day out. Tawdry things often have a hint of desperation and immorality â€" like tawdry extramarital affairs or tawdry tales. With tawdry decorations and jewelry, think of gaudy as quality has been exchanged for lots of flash and shine.

Question 967

Tedium

Answer 967

Tedium ## Footnote the feeling of being bored by something tedious **[n]** dullness owing to length or slowness **[n]** You can call the state of being really bored while doing something repetitive, *tedium*. You may loathe the *tedium* of eating dinner with the family â€" after all, what is more boring than talking to mom and dad, especially if you could be texting friends? The noun *tedium* comes from the Latin root word *taedere*, meaning to weary of, and that's still what *tedium* means today: bored and weary of it all. The noun can also mean a tedious period of time â€" school concerts and assemblies are always two hours of tedium. *Tedious* is a related adjective form of the word. In order to relieve the tedium of homework, you should pick less tedious tasks, try fencing or painting to add some excitement to the day.

Question 968

Temper

Answer 968

Temper ## Footnote a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling **[n]** the elasticity and hardness of a metal object; its ability to absorb considerable energy before cracking **[n]** adjust the pitch (of pianos) **[v]** whether he praised or cursed me depended on his **temper** at the time"his **temper** was well known to all his employees""his **temper** sparked like damp firewood" * Temper* can refer to a tendency to become unreasonably angry. If you’re not sure whether you have a *temper*, ask your friends â€" but don’t get mad if you dislike what they have to say. * Temper* has a number of related yet distinct meanings. In addition to describing a tendency to anger, *temper* can also refer to one’s mood in general; if you use the word in this sense, you might describe someone's temper as "angry" or "mild." *Temper* can also be used as a verb meaning “to restrain.” If you have a nasty temper, you might try tempering your temper by counting to ten whenever you’re tempted to throw a "temper tantrum," or fit.

Question 969

Temperate

Answer 969

Temperate ## Footnote not extreme **[adj]** (of weather or climate) free from extremes; mild; or characteristic of such weather or climate **[adj]** not extreme in behavior **[adj]** **temperate** in his response to criticism"a **temperate** region""the **temperate** zones" *Temperate* means mild, moderate. If you're a *temperate* person, you are calm, reasonable. If you live in a *temperate* climate it's warm and sunny, but not too hot. Like other words that sound similar, *temperate* has to do with measurement and range. Temperatures measure how hot and cold things are and someone with a temper is hot-headed or intemperate, the opposite of this word. A temperate person's life motto is summed up by Goldilocks: not too hot and not too cold, just right.

Question 970

Tenacious

Answer 970

Tenacious ## Footnote stubbornly unyielding **[adj]** sticking together **[adj]** good at remembering **[adj]** a mind not gifted to discover truth but **tenacious** to hold it"- T.S.Eliot""men **tenacious** of opinion""**tenacious** burrs" Use *tenacious* to mean "not easily letting go or giving up," like a clingy child who has a *tenacious* grip on his mother's hand. A strong grip or an unyielding advocate might both be described as *tenacious*, a word whose synonyms include *resolute*, *firm*, and *persistent*. The word comes from the Latin root *tenax*, which means "holding fast." The basketball commentator Marv Albert, impressed by a defender's skill, once uttered the sound bite, "That's some tenacious D!" ("D" is short for "defense.") The musicians Jack Black and Kyle Gass borrowed the phrase for the name of their comedy-rock band, Tenacious D.

Question 971

Tendentious

Answer 971

Tendentious ## Footnote having or marked by a strong tendency especially a controversial one **[adj]** a **tendentious** account of recent elections"distinguishing between verifiable fact and **tendentious** assertion" If you are writing a report on climate change, and ignore evidence that the earth is warming, the paper might be called *tendentious*. *Tendentious* means promoting a specific, and controversial, point of view. When something is tendentious, it shows a bias towards a particular point of view, especially one that people disagree about. It shares a root with the word, tendency, which means leaning towards acting a certain way. If you have the tendency to talk in a tendentious manner about politics, people might tend to avoid you at parties.

Question 972

Tender

Answer 972

Tender ## Footnote easy to cut or chew **[adj]** given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality **[adj]** young and immature **[adj]** (used of boats) inclined to heel over easily under sail **[adj]** **tender** beef"a **tender** heart""a **tender** smile" If you're *tender*, it means you're fragile, sensitive, easily bruised or gentle. Young, easily cut beef and a sentimental heart can both be called *tender*. The many meanings attributed to *tender* developed over time. In the early 13th century, the word meant soft or easily injured. About a hundred years later, its meaning expanded to include kind and loving. Skip forward another century, and *tender* could also imply a lack of maturity.

Question 973

Tentative

Answer 973

Tentative ## Footnote unsettled in mind or opinion **[adj]** under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon **[adj]** drew a few **tentative** conclusions"just a **tentative** schedule" Choose the adjective, *tentative* to describe something you are unsure or hesitant about. On Monday, you can make *tentative* plans for the weekend but it's too early to commit to one party or another. *Tentative*, from the Latin *tentātīvus* "testing, trying," always describes something that is uncertain. If you make a tentative appointment, write it down in pencil, not pen, because it might have to be changed. Here the opposite of *tentative* is *definite* or *set*. If someone gives you a tentative smile or nod, the person feels hesitant or unsure about something. In this case, its opposite is *confident*.

Question 974

Tenuous

Answer 974

Tenuous ## Footnote very thin in gauge or diameter **[adj]** having thin consistency **[adj]** lacking substance or significance **[adj]** a **tenuous** thread"a **tenuous** fluid""a **tenuous** argument" If something is *tenuous* it's thin, either literally or metaphorically. If you try to learn a complicated mathematical concept by cramming for 45 minutes, you will have a *tenuous* grasp of that concept, at best. *Tenuous* comes from the Latin word *tenuis*, for thin, and is related to our word *tender*. Something can be physically tenuous, like a spiderweb or ice on a pond. We more often use it in a metaphorical sense, to talk about weak ideas. Tenuous arguments won't win any debate tournaments. Synonyms for *tenuous*, also used physically or metaphorically, are *flimsy* and *shaky*.

Question 975

Terse

Answer 975

Terse ## Footnote brief and to the point; effectively cut short **[adj]** short and **terse** and easy to understand *Terse* means brief, or using very few words. If your teacher tells you to make your writing in your essay style *terse* and to the point, he's saying use as few words as you can and be simple and clear. A *terse* reply or command may seem rude or unfriendlyâ€"â€"but the word *terse* itself doesn't mean unfriendly or rude. Synonyms are *succinct* or *concise*, though these words have a more positive tone. The adjective *terse* is from Latin *tersus* "clean, neat," from *tergere* "to rub off, wipe, polish." Polished language is neatly concise.

Question 976

Therapeutic

Answer 976

Therapeutic ## Footnote tending to cure or restore to health **[adj]** relating to or involved in therapy **[adj]** a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain **[n]** a **therapeutic** agent"**therapeutic** diets""**therapeutic** approach to criminality" Whether you’re talking about a *therapeutic* drug or a *therapeutic* exercise plan, something that is *therapeutic* helps to heal or to restore health. The adjective *therapeutic* can be traced all the way back to the Greek word *therapeutikos* (from *therapeuein*, meaning “to attend” or “to treat”). Although the word relates to healing or soothing, *therapeutic* isn’t reserved only for drugs or medical treatments. You’ve probably heard particular activities referred to as *therapeutic*, which just means that doing that activity makes you feel rejuvenated. You might consider shopping for shoes, for example, to be a therapeutic activity â€" at least until the credit card bill arrives.

Question 977

Thwart

Answer 977

Thwart ## Footnote hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of **[v]** a crosspiece spreading the gunnels of a boat; used as a seat in a rowboat **[n]** A villain's worst nightmare is the superhero who always seems to *thwart* his efforts, preventing him from carrying out his plans to take over the world. *Thwart* is a word you'll hear in a lot of action movies, and usually it's the hero who is trying to thwart the evil plan of some super-villain. Yet even mere mortals can be thwarted in their efforts; the word simply means to prevent someone from carrying out his or her plans. An aggressive driver can thwart your attempt to snag a parking space at a crowded mall by pulling into the space before you. An aggressive shopper at that same mall can thwart your efforts to buy the last Dancing Snoopy doll by grabbing it off the shelf first.

Question 978

Timorous

Answer 978

Timorous ## Footnote timid by nature or revealing timidity **[adj]** **timorous** little mouse"in a **timorous** tone" A *timorous* person is timid or shy, like your *timorous* friend who likes to hang out with close pals but gets nervous around big groups of new people. The adjective *timorous* is actually the Latin word for ”fearful.” But *timorous* is a specific kind of fearfulness â€" the kind that strikes people before giving a speech, or walking into a crowded place where people are socializing. Also called "shy" or "timid," timorous people often become more comfortable when they see a familiar face in the crowd.

Question 979

Tirade

Answer 979

Tirade ## Footnote a speech of violent denunciation **[n]** A *tirade* is a speech, usually consisting of a long string of violent, emotionally charged words. Borrow and lose your roommate’s clothes one too many times, and you can bet you’ll be treated to a heated *tirade*. The noun *tirade* is related to the Italian word *tirata*, which means "volley." So imagine a very angry person lobbing harsh words and strings of profanity in your direction when you want to remember what *tirade* means. Although, *tirades* don't necessarily have to include bad words â€" any long, drawn out speech or epic declaration can be called a *tirade*.

Question 980

Titter

Answer 980

Titter ## Footnote laugh nervously **[v]** a nervous restrained laugh **[n]** A *titter* is an awkward laugh at something that you shouldn’t be laughing at, like during dinner when Uncle Marvin makes a joke about your mother’s new hairstyle. If you try to hide your laugh, it’s probably a *titter*. A laugh that you can’t keep in but also can’t let out, that’s a titter. It usually happens in situations where you shouldn’t be laughing, like listening to your English teacher talk about a date he went on the night before, or when someone tells you a joke in a library. A titter is kinder than a snicker, less noticeable than a giggle, quieter than a chuckle, and way less fun than a chortle. Life’s a joke, laugh it up!

Question 981

Toady

Answer 981

Toady ## Footnote a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage **[n]** try to gain favor by cringing or flattering **[v]** You can call the kid who is always really nice to the teacher in hopes of getting a good grade a brown-noser or, if you want to sound clever, a *toady*. The word *toady* has a gross, yet engaging history. Back when medicine was more trickery than science, traveling medicine men would come to a town. Their assistant would eat a toad (you read that right) that was assumed poisonous so that the medicine man could "heal" him. Who would want that job, right? So toad-eater, later shortened to toady, came to mean a person who would do anything to please his boss.

Question 982

Tome

Answer 982

Tome ## Footnote a (usually) large and scholarly book **[n]** A *tome* is a large book. If you're pre-med, chances are you're going to have one heck of a *tome* for your biology class. *Tome* is often used to refer to a book that is not only really large but also unusually important. If you generally carry more than one *tome* to class, invest in a bag with wheels so you don't hurt your back. A tome is big and heavy. "Wow! This tome weighs a ton!" Whatever you do, don't leave your tome at homeâ€"you'll wind up in detention! You can also use *tome* sarcastically to describe a book that clearly isn't large or important. But sarcasm is for advanced users only.

Question 983

Torpor

Answer 983

Torpor ## Footnote a state of motor and mental inactivity with a partial suspension of sensibility **[n]** inactivity resulting from lethargy and lack of vigor or energy **[n]** he fell into a deep **torpor** * Torpor* is a state of mental and physical inactivity. "After a huge Thanksgiving meal, my family members fall into a *torpor*; no one can even pick up the TV remote." * Torpor* can be used in everyday speech, but it's also a scientific term for a state of deep sleep that allows animals to conserve energy. Certain species of bats, birds, and frogs rely on *torpor* for survival during tough times. While humans don't technically belong to this group of animals, they certainly appear to, especially after a large meal and on most Monday mornings.

Question 984

Tortuous

Answer 984

Tortuous ## Footnote marked by repeated turns and bends **[adj]** highly complex or intricate and occasionally devious **[adj]** not straightforward **[adj]** a **tortuous** road up the mountain"**tortuous** legal procedures""**tortuous** negotiations lasting for months" *Tortuous* means twisting or complicated. "James Bond drove his custom BMW 120 mph on the road that was *tortuous* in its twists and turns. He had to stop the evil madman's plan for world domination that was so *tortuous* even 007 could not understand it." From Latin *torquere* "to twist," *tortuous* means something with twists and turns â€"â€" a path, an argument, a story. It is important not to confuse it with *torturous*, which means characterized by great pain. "The contemporary string quartet was *tortuous* in its tonal shifts, but only *torturous* at the point where the violinist ran her nails up and down a chalkboard."

Question 985

Tractable

Answer 985

Tractable ## Footnote ``` easily managed (controlled or taught or molded) **[adj]** readily reacting to suggestions and influences **[adj]** ``` **tractable** young minds"the natives...being...of an intelligent **tractable** disposition"- Samuel Butler" If your little brother quietly obeys your instructions and waits for you at the food court while you and your friends wander around the mall, he's probably a *tractable* child, meaning he's obedient, flexible, and responds well to directions. Note the similarity between *tractable* and *tractor*. Both come from the Latin word *tractare*, which originally meant "to drag about." You can think of a tractable person as someone who can be dragged about easily, like a plow being dragged by a tractor.

Question 986

Transcribe

Answer 986

Transcribe ## Footnote write out from speech, notes, etc. **[v]** make a phonetic transcription of **[v]** rewrite in a different script **[v]** convert the genetic information in (a strand of DNA) into a strand of RNA, especially messenger RNA **[v]** **Transcribe** the oral history of this tribe"The anthropologist **transcribed** the sentences of the native informant" If someone asks you to *transcribe* something, they want you to listen to it and write down what was said, word for word. Speeches, interviews, and trials are often *transcribed* for records. From the Latin *transcribere*, which means “to copy, write over, or transfer,” the verb *transcribe* means just that: to write out a copy. You might want to transcribe a recording of an interview onto paper, or maybe you need to transcribe all the notes you collected from an important meeting. If you can remember that *trans* means “over” and that a *scribe* is a writer, you shouldn’t forget this word. Fun fact: to *transcribe* poorly is to *transcribble*.

Question 987

Transient

Answer 987

Transient ## Footnote lasting a very short time **[adj]** of a mental act; causing effects outside the mind **[adj]** youth's **transient** beauty"**transient** laborers" Use the adjective *transient* to describe something that always changes or moves around, like how a teenage girl can have a temporary crush on one boy one week and another boy the next week. *Transient* is most often used to modify nouns like *nature, threat, source* and *cause*, which suggests that the word often shows up in formal contexts, such as analysis of finance or global terrorism. But it can also be used for anything that moves quickly from one thing to another, like a transient feeling or facial expression. *Transient* is also a noun meaning "a person who moves from place to place; a homeless person." The word comes from Latin *transire*, "to pass over," so you can think of it as describing things that are quickly passed over.

Question 988

Traverse

Answer 988

Traverse ## Footnote travel across **[n]** a horizontal beam that extends across something **[n]** a horizontal crosspiece across a window or separating a door from a window over it **[n]** taking a zigzag path on skis **[n]** travel across or pass over **[v]** The verb *traverse* means to travel across an extended area. "Her dream was to *traverse* the country by car, so she could meet new people and see all the kitschy sites â€" like the giant roadside tire in Michigan or the shoe house in Pennsylvania." The verb *traverse* can also mean "to span," to span a physical space or time. "The bridge *traversed* the river, linking the two cities." *Traverse* can be used for any crossing, but it often is used when implying the crossing will be difficult. "She was exhausted from traveling in the snowy conditions, but she still had to *traverse* an icy bridge before she would arrive safely home."

Question 989

Travesty

Answer 989

Travesty ## Footnote a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way **[n]** a comedy characterized by broad satire and improbable situations **[n]** make a travesty of **[v]** A *travesty* is a cheap mockery, usually of something or someone serious, such as a *travesty* of justice. A *travesty* is a silly imitation, like a tall young man dressed up like a little old lady. *Travesty* and *transvestite* both come from French *travesti* meaning "dressed in disguise," so it helps to remember the definition of *travesty* by thinking of that football player in drag. A *travesty* can be more than that, though. A *travesty* of justice, for example, is a court case that makes a mockery of the system, or so you might think if the verdict isn't in your favor. There are lots of examples in literature: the book *Don Quixote* is a *travesty* of Medieval Romance.

Question 990

Trepidation

Answer 990

Trepidation ## Footnote a feeling of alarm or dread **[n]** When plain old "fear" isn't enough to get across a deep feeling of dread about something on the horizon, use the more formal word *trepidation*. It was with a certain *trepidation* that I attended an advance screening of Rob Zombie's *Halloween* in Hollywood last night," wrote a film reviewer. Some dictionaries note that *trepidation* carries connotations of apprehension about an upcoming threat. In most cases, though, you can get by with the simpler word *fear* â€" why use three syllables when you could make do with one? The word comes from the Latin verb *trepidare*, "to tremble."

Question 991

Trilogy

Answer 991

Trilogy ## Footnote a set of three literary or dramatic works related in subject or theme **[n]** If you’ve just started a *trilogy* of books, you’ll be reading for a while. A *trilogy* is something that has three parts, so you'll have three books to read. You can see the *tri-*, meaning "three," in *trilogy*. The word originates from the Greek word *trilogia*, meaning "series of three related tragedies performed at Athens at the festival of Dionysus." Today, you can use *trilogy* to describe three of anything, such as a trilogy of movies that has the same characters, settings, and themes.

Question 992

Trinket

Answer 992

Trinket ## Footnote cheap showy jewelry or ornament on clothing **[n]** The word *trinket* refers to an inexpensive, flashy ornament or piece of jewelry. A rhinestone brooch to pin to your jacket is a showy *trinket* that won't break the bank. Trinkets aren't always made to be worn like jewelry. The word *trinket* can also refer to novelty items such as silly magnets with sayings on them or keepsake spoons. If you've ever stopped into a store at the airport that sells goods like keychains, mugs, and buttons, then you've seen trinkets. Trinkets are often purchased on a vacation â€" they're small enough to stick into your pockets before you board the plane home.

Question 993

Trite

Answer 993

Trite ## Footnote repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse **[adj]** the **trite** metaphor `hard as nails' When you want to indicate that something is silly or overused, you would call it *trite*. A love song with lyrics about holding hands in the sunshine? Totally *trite*. *Trite* has a Latin root, the past participle of *terere*, meaning "wear out." An old-fashioned or outdated definition of the word is "frayed or worn out by use," and you can see how the meaning for an object that is worn out can be applied to an idea that has been used to the point of being meaningless. The antonym of this word is *original*.

Question 994

Truncate

Answer 994

Truncate ## Footnote make shorter as if by cutting off **[v]** approximate by ignoring all terms beyond a chosen one **[v]** replace a corner by a plane **[v]** terminating abruptly by having or as if having an end or point cut off **[adj]** **truncate** a word"Erosion has **truncated** the ridges of the mountains""**truncate** a series" The verb *truncate* means to cut off or shorten. You can *truncate* a board that is too long using a power saw, a chain saw, or perhaps even a karate kick. The word *truncate* is from a Latin word, *truncare*, which means "to maim or to cut off." Although this brings to mind a more grisly image ("*truncate* a limb in an accident"), you can actually truncate things that are not related to anatomy. You could truncate an essay by omitting a paragraph or two, or you could even truncate your vacation in Belize by heading home early.

Question 995

Tumult

Answer 995

Tumult ## Footnote a state of commotion and noise and confusion **[n]** violent agitation **[n]** the act of making a noisy disturbance **[n]** If a principal steps into a classroom and is greeted by a *tumult* of voices, with the teacher shouting for her kids' attention, he will not be pleased. A *tumult* is a state of noisy confusion. Very often a crowd of people will cause a *tumult*. But your mind can also be in *tumult*, which means that you are very confused by strong emotions. If you want an adjective to describe these types of confused situations, use *tumultuous*. *Tumult* is from the Latin *tumultus* "an uproar," which is related to the Latin verb *tumÄ"re* "to swell."

Question 996

Turpitude

Answer 996

Turpitude ## Footnote a corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice **[n]** the various **turpitudes** of modern society If you are guilty of *turpitude*, you should be ashamed of yourself. *Turpitude* is a word that represents depraved behavior. Prisons are filled with criminals who have engaged in acts of moral *turpitude*. *Turpitude* comes from the Latin word *turpitudo*, which means "repulsiveness." Corrupt politicians get booted out of office for acts of turpitude, like taking bribes in exchange for lucrative government contracts. *Turpitude* often follows the word *moral*, and acts of moral turpitude are usually crimes that are unusually sick or corrupt.

Question 997

Tutelary

Answer 997

Tutelary ## Footnote providing protective supervision; watching over or safeguarding **[adj]** **tutelary** gods The adjective *tutelary* describes something that is supervising or guarding something else, like the *tutelary* duties of a babysitter who makes sure the kids don't hurt themselves at the playground. To correctly pronounce *tutelary*, say "TOO-tuh-leh-ree." *Tutelary* comes from the Latin word *tutus*, meaning "watch over." You see this root in words like *tutor* and *tutorial*, which also involve watching over, though in a more specific sense that applies primarily to instructing. *Tutelary*'s suffix *-ary* means "having to do with." So something that is tutelary has to do with keeping watch, like the tutelary presence of a parent supervising a child, or even a tutelary god in an ancient society.

Question 998

Tyro

Answer 998

Tyro ## Footnote someone new to a field or activity **[n]** A *tyro* is a beginner, a new recruit, or someone who is just learning something. If you are the new guy at the job and you're wearing a big dorky badge that says "Trainee" on it, you are a *tyro*. *Tyro* isn't used much these days but it's similar to *newbie*, *novice*, or *recruit*. We have all been tyros at some point, but it doesn't necessarily prevent us from hazing the new kid, the next-generation tyro. *Tyro* can also be used as an adjective to describe someone new to a particular scene â€" such as "the *tyro congressman*" or "the *tyro quarterback*."