part6 Flashcards
requiem
mass for the dead; dirge
conglomeration
mass of material sticking together
foliage
masses of leaves; CF. defoliate
monumental
massive; impressively large; built as a monument
bout
match; short period of great activity; Ex. wrestling bout; bout of drinking/flu
inimitable
matchless; not able to be imitated
labyrinth
maze
scanty
meager; insufficient
repast
meal; feast; banquet
denotation
meaning; distinguishing by name; V. denote: indicate; refer to directly; mean; CF. connotation
expletive
meaningless word; interjection; profane oath; swear-word
niggardly
meanly stingy; parsimonious; N. niggard: stingy person
dint
means; effort; Ex. by dint of hard work
interim
meantime; Ex. in the interim; ADJ. taking place during an interim; Ex. interim paper
mete
measure; distribute; administer; Ex. mete out justice/punishment
venison
meat of a deer; CF. cow: beef; CF. pig: pork, ham, bacon; CF. calf: veal; CF. sheep: mutton; CF. lamb: lamb
carnivorous
meat-eating; N. carnivore; CF. herbivore
automaton
mechanism that imitates actions of humans; machine that works by itself
officious
meddlesome; excessively pushy in offering one’s services; overly eager in offering unwanted services or advices; Ex. officious bellboy
jaundice
medical condition in which the skin, the white part of the eyes, etc. turn yellow; V: affect with jaundice; affect with prejudice, envy, or hostility; bias
geriatrics
medical treatment and care of old age
opiate
medicine to induce sleep or deaden pain; something that relieves emotions or causes inaction; sleep-producing drug containing opium
alchemy
medieval chemistry
tryst
meeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between lovers to meet
rendezvous
meeting place; meeting at a set time or place; V.
smelt
melt (ore) for separating and removing the metal; melt or blend ores changing their chemical composition
molten
melted; Ex. molten lava
proletarian
member of the working class; blue collar guy; N. proletariat: working class (who have to work for wages)
memoir
memoirs; autobiography; biography
formidable
menacing; arousing fear; threatening; difficult to defeat; Ex. formidable foe/question
minatory
menacing; threatening
composure
mental calmness
delirium
mental disorder marked by confusion; uncontrolled excitement; ADJ. delirious
psychosis
mental disorder; ADJ. N. psychotic
acumen
mental keenness; sharpness of judgment; ability to judge quickly and well; Ex. business acumen
faculty
mental or bodily powers; teaching staff
capacity
mental or physical ability; role; position or duty; ability to accommodate; Ex. in my capacity as president
discerning
mentally quick and observant; having insight; perceptive; able to make good judgments; V. discern: perceive
quicksilver
mercury
euthanasia
mercy killing
mirth
merriment; laughter
jocund
merry
courier
messenger
herald
messenger; sign of something to come; V: announce; proclaim; Ex. unheralded researcher
die
metal block used for shaping metal or plastic; device for stamping or impressing; mold; CF. dice
rivet
metal pin used for fastening metal plates together; V: fasten with a rivet; engross
lode
metal-bearing vein(long deposit of an ore)
regime
method of system or government
metrical
metric; written in the form of poetry; Ex. metrical translation of Homer
bourgeois
middle class; selfishly materialistic; too interested in material possessions
euphemism
mild expression in place of an unpleasant one; ADJ. euphemistic
leniency
mildness; permissiveness; ADJ. lenient: not severe in judgment or punishment
regiment
military unit; V: subject to strict order; Ex. regimented society
quorum
minimal number of members necessary to conduct a meeting
misdemeanor
minor crime; misdeed; wrongdoing
skirmish
minor fight; minor battle in war; V.
quibble
minor objection or complaint; V: raise minor objections; carp; cavil
squabble
minor quarrel; bickering; V: engage in a minor quarrel; Ex. squabbling children
punctilious
minutely attentive (perhaps too much so) to fine points; stressing niceties of conduct or form; N. punctilio, punctiliousness: careful attention payed to every small exact detail
sundry
miscellaneous; various; several; N. sundries: small miscellaneous items
misadventure
mischance; ill luck; Ex. death by misadventure
urchin
mischievous child (usually a boy); CF. urchin: hedgehog; CF. porcupine: pig with spikes ?; CF. sea urchin
prank
mischievous trick
tightwad
miser; excessively frugal person
skinflint
miser; stingy person
wretch
miserable person; bad or despicable person; ADJ. wretched: miserable; bad; contemptible; vile
illusion
misleading vision or visual image; false idea or belief; CF. delusion
botch
mismanage; blow
bungle
mismanage; blunder; botch; blow; spoil by clumsy behavior
projectile
missile; fired or thrown object (such as stone or bullet)
erroneous
mistaken; wrong; incorrect
jumble
mix in a confused way
mingle
mix together in close association
shuffle
mix together; jumble; move (something) from one place to another; slide (the feet) along the ground while walking; Ex. shuffle papers from one pile to another; N.
knead
mix; work dough; mix and work into a uniform mass (with the hands); Ex. knead dough
promiscuous
mixed indiscriminately; indiscriminate; not choosing carefully; indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners; irregular, particularly sexually; Ex. promiscuous life/girl; N. promiscuity
garbled
mixed up; jumbled; distorted; V. garble: mix up or distort (a message) to such an extent as to make misleading or unintelligible
medley
mixture
alloy
mixture as of metals; something added that lowers in value or purity; V: mix; make less pure; lower in value or quality; spoil; CF. unalloyed: not in mixture with other maetals; pure; complete; unqualified; Ex. unalloyed happiness
compost
mixture of decaying organic matter used as fertilizer; V: put or make compost
miscellany
mixture of writings on various subjects; collection of various items
rabble
mob; noisy crowd
gibe
mock; make jeering remarks; N: jeering remarks
paragon
model of perfection; Ex. paragon of virtue
paradigm
model; example that serves as a model; pattern; list of all the inflectional forms of a word
temper
moderate; make less severe; tone down or restrain; toughen (steel) as by alternate heating and cooling
temperate
moderate; restrained; self-controlled; moderate in respect to temperature; CF. temperance: moderation and self-restraint; abstinence of alcoholic drinks; Ex. temperance society
sobriety
moderation (especially regarding indulgence in alcohol); seriousness
restraint
moderation or self-control; controlling force; restriction
unassuming
modest; Ex. the champion’s unassuming manner
lull
moment of calm; period of reduced activity; Ex. a lull in the rain; V: cause to become less active; cause to sleep or rest; Ex. lull the opponents into a false sense of security; CF. lullaby
potentate
monarch; sovereign
cloister
monastery or convent
alms
money or goods given to the poor
dowry
money or property brought by a bride to her husband at marriage
lucre
money; profit; Ex. filthy lucre
hybrid
mongrel; mixed breed; V. hybridize
simian
monkeylike; N: ape or monkey
mausoleum
monumental tomb; large stately tomb; CF. Mausolos
low
moo; make the sound of a cow
rectitude
moral correctness; moral uprightness; moral virtue; correctness of judgment
reprobate
morally disapproved person; person hardened in sin, devoid of a sense of decency; CF. disapproved by God ?
chaste
morally pure; virginal; abstaining from illicit sexual acts; modest; simple (of a style of writing); not highly decorated; austere
righteous
morally upright; just
phobia
morbid fear
saturnine
morose; gloomy; Ex. Do not be misled by his saturnine countenance.
morgue
mortuary; place where bodies are kept before burial or cremation
tessellated
mosaic; inlaid; Ex. tessellated pattern
optimum
most favorable; optimal; N: most favorable condition
definitive
most reliable; authorative and complete; that cannot be improved; conclusive; decisive; definite; Ex. definitive decision by the supreme court
maternal
motherly; N. maternity: motherhood
gesticulation
motion; gesture; V. gesticulate: make gestures (while speaking)
actuate
motivate; activate; cause to act
mercenary
motivated solely by money or gain; N.
lugubrious
mournful; sorrowful
orifice
mouthlike opening; small opening (esp. to a cavern or passage of the body); CF. mouth
mobile
movable; not fixed; N. mobility
shunt
move (a railway train) from one track to another; turn aside; divert; sidetrack; Ex. shunt traffic around an accident; N.
prance
move about in a spirited manner (proudly and confidently)
frisk
move about playfully; froric; ADJ. frisky: playful
wince
move back suddenly; shrink back; flinch; Ex. She winced as she touched the cold body.
accelerate
move faster
skulk
move furtively and secretly; Ex. He skulked through the less fashionable sections of the city.
slink
move furtively; ADJ. slinky: stealthy; furtive; sneaky (as in ambush)
waft
move gently (in air or in seas) by wind or waves; Ex. leaves wafting past the window
scurry
move hastily; hurry; move briskly
lumber
move heavily or clumsily; Ex. The bear lumbered through the woods; N: timber
maraud
move in search of plunder; Ex. marauding army
lag
move or develop more slowly; straggle; Ex. lag behind the rest; N.
waver
move or swing back and forth; be uncertain or unsteady in decision or movement; Ex. wavering between accepting and refusing
dart
move or throw suddenly and quickly
start
move suddenly or involuntarily; Ex. start at the sight of a snake
fumble
move the fingers and hands awkwardly (in search of something); mishandle or drop a ball that is in play; bungle; botch; spoil by mishandling; N.
creep
move with body close to the ground; move stealthily or slowly; N.
sneak
move, give, or take in a quiet, stealthy way; N: one who sneaks; ADJ. sneaky
amorous
moved by sexual love; loving; of sexual love; Ex. amorous advances
impetus
moving force; momentum; force of a moving body; incentive; stimulus; impulse
slack
moving slowly; sluggish; inactive; (of a rope) loose; negligent; lax; Ex. slack season; Ex. slack in one’s work; N. V.
undulating
moving with a wavelike motion; V. undulate; CF. und: wave
headfirst
moving with the head leading; headlong
motley
multi-colored (as of a garment worn by a jester); mixed; heterogeneous; CF. jester: one who jests (as a paid fool at medieval courts)
regicide
murder of a king or queen
brawny
muscular; having well-developed muscles
mawkish
mushy(sentimental) and gushy; icky-sticky sentimental; excessively and objectionably sentimental
overture
musical introduction to a long musical piece; first offer or proposal (to begin talks in the hope of reaching an agreement); Ex. overtures for peace
reprise
musical repetition; repeating of a piece of music; repeat performance; recurrent action; Ex. reprise in the finale; Ex. constant reprises
maim
mutilate; injure lastingly; disable; cripple; Ex. maimed for life
correlation
mutual relationship
reciprocal
mutual; given and received in return; exchangeable; interacting; Ex. reciprocal trade agreement
concerted
mutually agreed on; done together by agreement; Ex. concerted effort; CF. in concert: working together
internecine
mutually destructive
cryptic
mysterious; hidden; secret
occult
mysterious; secret; supernatural; beyond human comprehension; CF. mysterious to human ?; OP. bare
runic
mysterious; set down in an ancient alphabet; N. rune: one of the letters of an alphabet used by ancient Germanic peoples (cut on stone or wood); magic charm
centaur
mythical figure, half man and half horse
cleft
N: split
ingenuous
naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated; candid
title
name (of a book, film, etc.); mark of rank; formal appellation as of rank or office (such as Lord or General); right or claim to possession; championship; Ex. title as head of the family; Ex. title to the estate
appellation
name; title
recount
narrate or tell (a story); count over again
gorge
narrow canyon; steep rocky cleft; ravine (made by a stream which runs through it)
parochial
narrow in scope or outlook; provincial; related to parishes
isthmus
narrow neck of land connecting two larger bodies of land
rift
narrow opening in a large mass; break in a friendly relation; Ex. through a rift in the clouds; OP. reconcilation
interstice
narrow space between things
ravine
narrow valley with steep sides; gorge; CF. gully, canyon
philistine
narrow-minded person, uncultured and exclusively interested in material gain; uncultured person who is indifferent to artistic and cultural values; member of an ancient people in Palestine; OP. aesthete
insularity
narrow-mindedness; isolation; ADJ. insular: of an island; isolated; narrow-minded; CF. peninsula
commonwealth
nation governed by the people; republic; people of a nation
indigenous
native; Ex. plant indigenous to the New World
corollary
natural consequence (which naturally follows from something else)
habitat
natural home of a plant or animal; CF. habitation
propensity
natural inclination
sextant
navigation tool used to determine a ship’s latitude and longitude (by measuring the altitudes of stars)
impending
nearing; approaching; about to happen
propinquity
nearness (in space or relationship); proximity; kinship
proximity
nearness; ADJ. proximate
myopic
nearsighted; lacking foresight; N. myopia
dapper
neat and trim (in appearance); (of small men) neat in appearance and quick in movements; neat; spry
spruce
neat and trim in appearance; smart; Ex. Be spruce for your job interview; V.
deft
neat; skillful
natty
neatly or smartly dressed; dapper; smart; Ex. natty dresser
requisite
necessary requirement; something required; ADJ: required; necessary
tautological
needlessly repetitious; Ex. ``It was visible to the eye’’; N. tautology: needless repetition of the same sense; statement that is always true
dereliction
neglect of duty; abandonment
negligence
neglect; failure to take reasonable care; ADJ. negligent: neglectful; lax; not taking enough care
derelict
negligent; (of someone) neglectful of duty; (of something) deserted by an owner; abandoned; N: abandoned property; homeless or vagrant person
remiss
negligent; careless about a duty
whinny
neigh like a horse; CF. neigh: make the sound which horses make
titter
nervous giggle; nervous laugh; V.
overwrought
nervous or excited; extremely agitated; hysterical; wrought-up; CF. wrought: made or done
aerie
nest of a large bird of prey
noncommittal
neutral; refusing commitment to a particular opinion; unpledged; undecided
shoot
new growth from a plant
neologism
new or newly coined word or phrase
agility
nimbleness; ability to move quickly
outmoded
no longer in fashion or use; no longer stylish; old-fashioned
patrician
noble; aristocratic; N: person of high rank; aristocrat; CF. member of the governing classes in ancient Rome; CF. plebian
uproar
noisy confusion
bacchanal
noisy party with a lot of drinking
altercation
noisy quarrel
brawl
noisy quarrel
cipher
nonentity; worthless person or thing; zero; secret code; V.
amoral
nonmoral; having no understanding of right and wrong
drivel
nonsense; foolishness; V: talk nonsense
gibberish
nonsense; nonsensical or unintelligible talk or writing; babbling
solecism
nonstandard grammatical construction; construction that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically; violation of social etiquette
alcove
nook; recess
irreparable
not able to be corrected or repaired; impossible to repair
indelible
not able to be erased
intangible
not able to be perceived by touch; vague
impenetrable
not able to be pierced or entered; beyond understanding; impossible to understand; Ex. impenetrable mystery
impassable
not able to be traveled or crossed
passive
not active; acted upon; receiving an action without acting in return; accepting without resistance
irrelevant
not applicable; unrelated
impersonal
not being a person; not showing personal feelings; Ex. impersonal force/manner/organization
impartial
not biased; fair; N. impartiality
optional
not compulsory; left to one’s choice; N. option: act of choosing; choice; freedom or power to choose; something available as a choice; Ex. have no option; Ex. two options
unceremonious
not done politely without due formalities
unearthly
not earthly; supernatural; weird; ghostly
insatiable
not easily satisfied; unquenchable; Ex. insatiable appetite
ineffectual
not effective; not having a desired effect; weak
extraneous
not essential; irrelevant; superfluous; external; coming from the outside; Ex. extraneous details/noise/to the subject
incidental
not essential; minor; N: something incidental
evasive
not frank; trying to hide the truth; eluding; evading; V. evade: avoid (a duty or responsibility) or escape from by deceit
tentative
not fully worked out or developed; provisional; experimental; uncertain; hesitant; not definite or positive; Ex. tentative agreement/reply
fake
not genuine; N: one that is not genuine; impostor; sham; V: counterfeit; Ex. fake the results of the experiment/the signature
homely
not good-looking; unattractive
discordant
not harmonious; conflicting
asymmetric
not identical on both sides of a dividing central line
objective
not influenced by emotions; fair; N: goal; aim
unwitting
not knowing; unaware; unintentional; Ex. She was their unwitting accomplice; Ex. unwitting insult; CF. wit: know
figurative
not literal but metaphorical; using a figure(impression) of speech
disingenuous
not naive; not candid; sophisticated; worldly wise; OP. ingenuous
exotic
not native; from another part of the world; strange; intriguingly unusual; Ex. exotic flower/dress
synthetic
not natural; artificial; resulting from synthesis; Ex. synthetic fiber; N.
atypical
not normal; not typical
heedless
not noticing; disregarding
unassailable
not open to attack; impregnable; not subject to question
extemporaneous
not planned; impromptu; extempore
impenitent
not repentant
unrequited
not requited; not reciprocated; Ex. unrequited love
mat
not shiny; matte; having a dull finish; N: flat piece of material used as a floor covering; V.
incommodious
not spacious; inconvenient
exempt
not subject to a duty or obligation; free from a duty; V.
sparse
not thick; thinly scattered; scanty
inalienable
not to be taken away; nontransferable; Ex. inalienable rights
intolerant
not willing to accept ways of thinking different from one’s own; CF. tolerant; CF. tolerate
impolitic
not wise; not expedient; not politic
idle
not working; not employed or busy; lazy; without purpose; useless; lacking substance; baseless; not based on truth; Ex. idle worker; Ex. talk idly; V.
pending
not yet decided or settled; impending; Ex. pending decision; PREP. while awaiting; until; Ex. delay the decision pending his return
indentation
notch; deep recess; V. indent; CF. tooth
marked
noticeable; targeted for vengeance or attack; Ex. marked improvement/man
egregious
notorious; conspicuously bad or shocking
infamous
notoriously bad; notorious; well known for being bad; Ex. infamous behavior; N: infamy: infamous act; evil fame or reputation
nurture
nourish; feed; educate; rear; care for while it is growing or developing; foster; cultivate; N: something that nourishes; rearing
nutrient
nourishing substance; ADJ: providing nourishment
effluvium
noxious(harmful) smell
score
number of points; written form of a musical composition; reason; group of 20; notch or incision; Ex. full/vocal score; Ex. Don’t worry on that score; V: mark with lines or notches; Ex. score the paper to make it easy to fold
amenable
obedient; compliant; readily managed; responsive; willing to be led; answerable or accountable legally; responsible; able to be tested by; Ex. amenable to sensible suggestions; Ex. He is very amenable; Ex. amenable to the usual tests
docile
obedient; easily managed; submissive
demur
object (because of doubts, scruples); raise an objection (showing qualms); hesitate; Ex. demur at the idea of working on Sunday
fetish(fetich)
object believed to have spiritual powers; object of excessive attention or reverence; CF. fetishism
artifacts
object made by human beings, either hand-made or mass-produced
cynosure
object of general attention; person or thing that is a center of attention; CF. Ursa Minor
missile
object to be thrown or projected
lot
object used in making a determination at random; fate; piece of land
exceptionable
objectionable; likely to cause dislike; offensive; CF. unexceptionable: entirely acceptable
beholden
obligated; indebted; owing thanks; obliged or indebted from gratitude
mandatory
obligatory; compulsory; of a mandate
incumbent
obligatory; imposed as an obligation; currently holding an office; N: person who holds an office
compulsory
obligatory; that must be done
accommodate
oblige or help someone; adjust or bring into harmony; adapt; make enough space for; ADJ. accommodative; CF. accomodating: helpful and obliging
abstruse
obscure; profound; difficult to understand
oblivion
obscurity; condition of being completely forgotten; forgetfulness
phenomena
observable facts; subjects of scientific investigation; SG. phenomenon: observable fact; very unusual person, thing, or event; marvel; wonder; CF. phenomenons; ADJ. phenomenal: very unusual; extraordinary; of a phenomenon; Ex. phenomenal strength
antiquated
obsolete; old-fashioned; outdated
hamper
obstruct; prevent the free movement of; N: ½Ä·áÇ°À̳ª ÀǺ¹ µîÀ» ´ã´Â ¹Ù±¸´Ï
wrest
obtain by pulling violently; pull away; take by violence; Ex. wrest victory from their grasp
procurement
obtaining; V. procure: obtain by effort; obtain (a prostitute) for another
patent
obvious; easily seen; open for the public to read; of or protected by a patent; Ex. patent to everyone; N.
engross
occupy fully; absorb
subordinate
occupying a lower rank; inferior; submissive; N. V: put in a lower rank or class
recurrent
occurring again and again
seasonable
occurring at the proper time or season; opportune; Ex. seasonable intervention in the dispute
sporadic
occurring irregularly; intermittent
quaint
odd in an old-fashioned way; odd; old-fashioned; picturesque
erratic
odd; irregular in movement or behavior; unpredictable
eccentricity
oddity; idiosyncrasy
redolent
odorous; fragrant; suggestive (of an odor); Ex. redolent of onions/mystery
marginal
of a margin; barely within a limit; Ex. marginal effect/writing ability
feline
of a member of the cat family; N.
seasonal
of a particular season; Ex. seasonal rise in employment
peripheral
of a periphery; marginal; outer; of minor importance; not central; Ex. peripheral nerve/interest
pivotal
of a pivot; central; critical; crucial
polar
of a pole; characterized by opposite extremes; Ex. polar opposites
prophetic
of a prophet or prophecy; having to do with predicting the future; N. prophecy; V. prophesy; N. prophet
schematic
of a schema or scheme; relating to an outline or diagram; using a system of symbols; N. schema: diagrammatic representation; outline
sectarian
of a sect; narrow-minded; parochial; N: member of a sect; narrow-minded person
thematic
of a theme; relating to a unifying motif or idea
titular
of a title; in name only; nominal; having the title of an office without the obligations; Ex. titular head of the company
airy
of air; high in the air; lofty; immaterial; unreal
oracular
of an oracle; prophetic; uttered as if with divine authority; mysterious or ambiguous; hard to understand; N. oracle: wiser person; prophecy made by an oracle
piebald
of different colors; mottled; spotted in different colors (esp. in black and white); Ex. piebald horse; CF. pie+bald
vitreous
of glass; pertaining to or resembling glass; V. vitrify: change into glass; CF. petrify
well-bred
of good upbringing; well-mannered and refined
mystic
of hidden meaning and spiritual power; Ex. mystic ceremonies; N. CF. mysticism
humble
of low rank or position; modest; having a low opinion of oneself and a high opinion of others; unassuming; not proud; V. humiliate: make humble; cause to feel ashamed or to lose the respect of others
nuptial
of marriage or the wedding ceremony; N; nuptials; wedding ceremony
septic
of or causing sepsis; putrid; producing putrefaction; N. sepsis: poisoning of part of the body (producing pus)
lateral
of or coming from the side
slavish
of or like a slave; servile; showing no originality; copied very closely; Ex. slavish devotion/copy of the original
avuncular
of or like an uncle
arboreal
of or living in trees
demotic
of or pertaining to the people
rabid
of or suffering rabies; like a fanatic; extremely zealous; furious; CF. rabies: hydrophobia
palatial
of or suitable for a palace; magnificent
psychic
of psyche; mental; of or possessing extraordinary mental powers
sonic
of sound or its speed in air; CF. subsonic, supersonic
substantial
of substance; material; solid; essential or fundamental; ample; considerable; well-to-do; wealthy
vulgar
of the common people; deficient in refinement; not refined; coarse; Ex. vulgar display of wealth; N. vulgarism: vulgarity; crudely indecent word; CF. vulgarian: vulgar person; boor; lout
psychosomatic
of the influence of the mind on the body (esp. with respect to disease)
juridical
of the law and its administration; CF. judicial: of courts of law; CF. judiciary
galvanic
of the production of electricity by the action of an acid on a metal; having the effect of an electric shock; Ex. galvanic cell; galvanic effect; CF. Luigi Galvani
homogeneous
of the same kind; uniform in composition throughout
superficial
of the surface; not deep; shallow; not thorough; trivial; Ex. superficial analysis/knowledge
earthly
of this earth; terrestrial; worldly; not divine; possible; Ex. no earthly reason
temporal
of time; not lasting forever; limited by time; temporary; secular; worldly
rank
offensive in odor or flavor
obnoxious
offensive; disagreeable; Ex. obnoxious smell
tender
offer formally; extend; Ex. tender one’s resignation/the exact fare; N: formal offer; money; Ex. legal tender; ADJ: young and vulnerable; sensitive to the touch; sore; soft; delicate; Ex. child of tender years; Ex. tender wound
immolate
offer or kill as a sacrifice (by fire)
auxiliary
offering or providing help; additional or subsidiary; N: helper; assistant
functionary
official (who performs a particular function)
tribune
official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians to protect their rights; protector of the people
license
official or legal permission; latitude of action or speech; excessive freedom that causes harm or damage; V.
gazette
official periodical publication; newspaper
magistrate
official with power to administer the law
unctuous
oily; bland; insincerely suave
unguent
ointment
senility
old age; feeblemindedness of old age; ADJ. senile: resulting from old age; showing the weakness of body or mind from old age; Ex. senile dementia
chaperon
older person who accompanies and supervises a young unmarried woman
pass'e
old-fashioned; past the prime
augury
omen; prophecy; sign of coming events; V. augur: predict; foretell; be a sign of (something in future)
ellipsis
omission of words from a text; mark used to indicate an omission (when the meaning can be understood without them); PL. ellipses
terrestrial
on or relating to the earth
humanitarian
one devoted to the promotion of human welfare; CF. humanism
culprit
one guilty of a crime
invalid
one incapacitated(disabled) by a chronic illness; ADJ: incapacitated by illness; not valid; null; V: allow to leave (a military force) because of ill-health
marsupial
one of a family of mammals that nurse their offspring in a pouch(pocket of skin or leather); CF. kangaroo, opossum, wombat
caste
one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; social stratification; prestige
compartment
one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided
pacifist
one opposed to force; antimilitarist; ADJ. N. pacifism: opposition to war as a means of resolving disputes
piecemeal
one part at a time; gradually; in stages; Ex. read a novel piecemeal
stereotype
one regarded as embodying a set image or type; fixed and unvarying representation; standardized mental picture often reflecting prejudice; Ex. stereotype of the happy slave; V: make a stereotype of; represent by a stereotype; Ex. It is wrong to stereotype people; Ex. stereotyped answer
sleeper
one that achieves unexpected success; something originally of little value or importance that in time becomes very valuable
outcast
one that has been excluded from a society; ADJ.
tenant
one that pays rent to use property owned by another
introvert
one who is introspective or inclined to think more about oneself; ADJ. introverted
apostate
one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs; N. apostasy
hedonist
one who believes that pleasure is the sole aim in life; CF. hedonism: practice of living one’s life purely for pleasure
mason
one who builds or works with stone or brick; N. masonry: work of a mason; stonework or brickwork
saboteur
one who commits sabotage; destroyer of property; N. sabotage: destruction of property (usually carried out secretly)
nihilist
one who considers traditional beliefs to be groundless and existence meaningless; absolute skeptic; revolutionary terrorist; CF. nihilism: belief that nothing has meaning or value; belief that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement
malingerer
one who feigns illness to escape duty; V. malinger: feign illness to avoid work
optometrist
one who fits glasses to remedy visual defects
soothsayer
one who foretells the future
reaper
one who harvests grain; Ex. the Grim Reaper; V. reap: cut and gather (crop); harvest a crop
convert
one who has adopted a different religion or opinion; V: change into another form; (persuade to) adopt a particular religion or belief
peer
one who has equal standing with another; nobleman; V: look intently; N. peerage; CF. peeress
polygamist
one who has more than one spouse at a time; CF. bigamy; CF. polyandry
misanthrope
one who hates mankind; misanthropist
plumber
one who installs and repairs pipes and plumbing(pipes)
bully
one who is habitually cruel to weaker people; V.
bigot
one who is intolerant (in matters of religion or politics)
agnostic
one who is skeptical of the existence or knowability of a god or any ultimate reality
zealot
one who is zealous; fanatic; person who shows excessive zeal
hireling
one who serves for hire (usually used contemptuously); one who works solely for compensation; Ex. hireling politician
spoilsport
one who spoils the pleasure of others
herpetologist
one who studies reptiles; CF. herpetology: branch of zoology that deals with reptiles and amphibians
dermatologist
one who studies the skin and its diseases
supplicant
one who supplicates; ADJ.
martyr
one who voluntarily suffers death for his or her religion or cause; great sufferer; Ex. martyr to his rheumatism
vigilante
one who without authority assumes law enforcement powers
apologist
one who writes in defense of a cause or institution; N. apologia
ego
one’s opinion of oneself; self-esteem
unilateral
one-sided; involving or affecting only one side; Ex. unilateral declaration
partisan
one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party (with dislike of any others); N: strong supporter of a party; guerrilla
tangential
only slightly connected; not central; peripheral; digressing; showing divergence; CF. tangent
overt
open to view; public; not secret; CF. covert
gape
open widely; slack-jawed in wonder ; open the mouth wide; stare wonderingly with the mouth open; CF. agape
gambit
opening in chess in which a piece is sacrificed; action made to produce a future advantage
aperture
opening; hole; adjustable opening in a camera that limits the amount of light
agape
openmouthed
manipulate
operate with one’s hands; control or play upon (people, forces, etc.) artfully; maneuver; Ex. how to manipulate publicity and men; ADJ. manipulative
diva
operatic singer; prima donna
aria
operatic solo; a song sung by one person in an opera or oratorio
heresy
opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary to accepted religion; ADJ. heretical; CF. heretic
thesis
opinion put forward and supported by reasoned arguments
dogmatic
opinionated; holding stubbornly to one’s opinion; arbitrary; doctrinal
adversary
opponent; enemy
controvert
oppose with arguments; attempt to refute; contradict; ADJ. controversial; N. controversy
inverse
opposite
converse
opposite; ADJ.
tyranny
oppression; cruel government; ADJ. tyrannical: of a tyrant or tyranny; despotic; V. tyrannize: treat tyrannically; oppress
sanguine
optimistic; cheerful; hopeful; of the color of blood; red
mandate
order; charge; authoritative command; power to govern another country; power to given to a government; region under administration; V: give a mandate to; place under a mandate; Ex. mandated territory
mediocre
ordinary; commonplace; neither good nor bad
pedestrian
ordinary; dull; unimaginative(lacking in imagination); going on foot; Ex. pedestrian prose; N.
commonplace
ordinary; N: something ordinary or common; trite remark
conventional
ordinary; typical; not nuclear; Ex. conventional weapons
institute
organization for a special purpose; V: establish
prototype
original work used as a model by others
chase
ornament a metal surface by indenting; follow rapidly to catch
emblazon
ornament richly (a shield or flag); N. emblazonment
epaulet(epaulette)
ornament worn on the shoulder (of a uniform, etc.)
brooch
ornamental clasp; pin
frieze
ornamental horizontal band on a wall
rococo
ornate; highly decorated; N. CF. 18th century
flamboyant
ornate; highly elaborate; richly colored; ostentatious; showy; CF. flame
pretentious
ostentatious; showy; pompous; making unjustified claims; overambitious; Ex. pretentious films that claim to be art
upshot
outcome; final result
hue
outcry; loud cry or clamor; strong protest; Ex. hue and cry against the new rule
perimeter
outer boundary; length of the outer boundary; circumference
zest
outer skin of an orange used for giving a special taste to food; spice; interest; flavor; spirited enjoyment; Ex. add a certain zest to the affair; Ex. zest for life
obsolete
outmoded; no longer used
outstrip
outrun; surpass; outdo
periphery
outside edge especially of a round surface; perimeter; Ex. periphery of the town
outwit
outsmart; defeat by behaving more cleverly
preeminent
outstanding; superior
guise
outward appearance; costume; Ex. in a new guise
semblance
outward appearance; guise; Ex. We called in the troops to bring a/some semblance of order to the city.
trappings
outward decorations; ornaments (as an outward sign of rank)
manifestation
outward demonstration; manifesting; indication of the presence of something; Ex. manifestation of his pronounced musical bent
token
outward sign; Ex. a token of our gratitude
circumvent
outwit; defeat by behaving more cleverly; outsmart; baffle; avoid; get around
amphitheater
oval building with tiers of seats; CF. arena
garish
overbright in color; unpleasantly bright; gaudy
gouge
overcharge (with high price); extort from; Ex. gouge the public; CF. usury
surmount
overcome
exuberance
overflowing abundance; joyful enthusiasm; flamboyance; lavishness; ADJ. exuberant: high-spirited and lively; growing abundantly and strongly
condone
overlook; forgive; give tacit approval; excuse
compelling
overpowering; irresistible in effect; holding one’s attention; that compels one to do something; Ex. a compelling adventure story; V. compel
bureaucracy
overregulated administrative system marked by red tape; ADJ. bureaucratic
touchy
oversensitive; easily offended; irasible; delicate; needing delicate handling; Ex. touchy situation
simplistic
oversimplified
glut
overstock; fill beyond capacity (with food); fill to excess; N: oversupply
insurmountable
overwhelming; unbeatable; insuperable
rave
overwhelmingly favorable review; V: talk wildly as if mad; Ex. raving lunatic
appease
pacify or soothe; Ex. appease a crying baby; N. appeasement
placate
pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease
stipple
paint or draw with dots or short strokes
varnish
paint used to coat a surface with a glossy film; glossy coating produced by using this substance; Ex. nail varnish; V.
monochrome
painting in only one color; ADJ.
fresco
painting on wet plaster (usually fresh)
mauve
pale purple
pallid
pale; wan; Ex. pallid complexion
mollycoddle
pamper; coddle; baby; indulge excessively
brochure
pamphlet
mime
pantomime(act without dialogue); mimicry; mimer; V: mimic; pantomime
larder
pantry; place where food is kept
palimpsest
parchment or piece of writing material used for second time after original writing has been erased
amnesty
pardon (allowed by government to political criminals)
absolve
pardon (an offense)
whittle
pare; cut away thin bits (from wood); fashion in this way; reduce gradually; trim
vicar
parish priest; representative
spoof
parody
proscenium
part of stage in front of curtain; front arch of a stage
terminal
part that forms the end; railroad or bus station; ADJ. forming an end; ending in death; fatal; Ex. terminal cancer
penumbra
partial shadow (in an eclipse); CF. almost shadow
complicity
participation; involvement (in a questionable act or a crime)
filing
particle removed by a file
genre
particular variety of art or literature
translucent
partly transparent
accomplice
partner in crime
coalition
partnership; league; union of separate political parties
faction
party; clique (within a large group); dissension
infiltrate
pass into or through; penetrate or enter (an organization) sneakily; Ex. infiltrate the troops into enemy territory; CF. infiltrator
weather
pass safely through (a storm or difficult period); endure the effects of weather or other forces
seep
pass slowly through small openings; ooze; trickle; N. seepage
pastry
paste of flour and water (eaten when baked)
plaster
paste that hardens to a smooth solid and is used for coating walls; V.
madrigal
pastoral song; song for several singers without instruments
ecliptic
path of the sun and the planets
trajectory
path taken by a projectile; Ex. trajectory of a bullet
forbearance
patience; forgiveness; V. forbear: refrain from (in a generous and forgiving way); be patient; Ex. forbear to send him to prison
resignation
patiently submissiveness; statement that one is quitting a job; ADJ. resigned: acquiescent
recess
pause; temporary cessation; alcove; secret inner place; Ex. parliament in recess; V. CF. recessive
heed
pay attention to; N: close attention
stipend
pay for services
disburse
pay out (as from a fund); N. disbursement; CF. purse
expenditure
payment or expense; expending; something expended; output; Ex. receipt for the expenditure; Ex. expenditure of all the energy
alimony
payments made regularly to an ex-spouse after divorce
placid
peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake
amicable
peaceful; politely friendly; not quarrelsome; Ex. amicable settlement
pinnacle
peak; highest point; acme; Ex. pinnacle of fame
acme
peak; pinnacle; highest point
podium
pedestal; raised platform
voyeur
Peeping Tom; person who derives sexual gratification from observing the sexual acts of others
pseudonym
pen name; fictitious name assumed by an author; ADJ. pseudonymous
