part9 Flashcards
blotch
spot; blot; CF. blot+botch
fleck
spot; mark with flecks; N: small mark or spot
immaculate
spotless; flawless; absolutely clean
dappled
spotted
maculated
spotted; stained; CF. immaculate
smear
spread or cover with a sticky substance; N: mark made by smearing
deploy
spread out (troops) in an extended though shallow battle line; distribute (persons or forces) systematically or strategically
strew
spread randomly; sprinkle; scatter; Ex. flower girl strewing rose petals
suffuse
spread through or over (with a color or liquid); charge; Ex. A blush suffused her cheeks.
pervasive
spread throughout; V. pervade: (of smells, ideas, feelings) spread throughout; charge; permeate
incentive
spur; motive; something which encourages one to greater activity
espionage
spying
spat
squabble; minor dispute; minor quarrel
dissipate
squander; waste foolishly; scatter
pinch
squeeze between the thumb and a finger, or other edges; Ex. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. N: amount that can be held between the thumb and a finger
adjutant
staff officer assisting the commander; assistant
musty
stale (in odor or taste); spoiled by age; CF. moist
scotch
stamp out(put an end to); thwart; hinder; Ex. scotch the rumor; CF. cut; CF. È°µ¿À» ÁÙÀÌ´Â ÀǹÌ
philatelist
stamp-collector; N. philately: stamp collecting
withstand
stand up against; resist successfully
lounge
stand, sit, or lie in a lazy, relaxed way
stock
standard; kept regularly in stock or supply; typical; routine; common; Ex. stock sizes of paper; Ex. stock excuse/character; N: goods for sale in a shop; OP. unique
criteria
standards used in judging; CF. criterion
deadlock
standstill resulting from the opposition of two unrelenting forces; stalemate
nova
star that suddenly becomes much brighter and then returns to its original brightness
gawk
stare foolishly; look in open-mouthed awe
kindle
start a fire; ignite; inspire; arouse
inception
start; beginning
instigate
start; urge; provoke; incite; Ex. instigate a search/quarrel
stipulate
state as a necessary condition (of an agreement); make express conditions; specify; Ex. He stipulated payment in advance
aver
state confidently; declare as true
solitude
state of being alone; seclusion; ADJ. solitary: existing or living alone (esp. by choice); remote or secluded; single; sole; Ex. solitary life/inn; Ex. no solitary piece of proof
bereavement
state of being deprived of something valuable or beloved; state of being bereaved or bereft
immobility
state of being immovable
matrimony
state of being married
anonymity
state of being nameless; anonymousness; ADJ. anonymous
multiplicity
state of being numerous or multiple; large number; Ex. multiplicity of details; ADJ. multiple: of more than one element
parallelism
state of being parallel; similarity; analogy
partiality
state of being partial; inclination; favorable bias; special fondness; preference
inconsistency
state of being self-contradictory; lack of uniformity or steadiness; ADJ. inconsistent: displaying a lack of consistency; erratic; contradictory; incompatible
stupor
state of being stupefied; state of apathy; daze; lack of awareness
suspense
state of being undecided; anxiety or apprehension resulting from uncertainty
decrepitude
state of collapse or weakness caused by illness or old age
blues
state of depression or melancholy; style of slow, mournful music (evolved from southern Black American songs)
disarray
state of disorder; a disorderly or untidy state; Ex. with her clothes in disarray
affliction
state of distress; trial; cause of distress or suffering; V. afflict: inflict grievous suffering on
polarity
state of having two opposite qualities
responsiveness
state of reacting readily to appeals, orders, etc.; ADJ. responsive: readily reacting; Ex. responsive to treatment
turbulence
state of violent agitation; ADJ. turbulent: violently agitated or disturbed
assert
state strongly or positively; demand recognition of (rights, claims, etc.); make a claim to (by forceful action); Ex. assert one’s independence
understate
state with less truth than seems warranted by the facts; Ex. He understated the seriousness of the crime; N. understatement; OP. overstate
allege
state without proof
transient
staying for a short time; momentary; temporary; N: one that is transient
unfaltering
steadfast; firm; not changing
steadfast
steadily loyal; unswerving; steady
diligence
steadiness of effort; persistent hard work
filch
steal (things of small value)
plagiarize
steal another’s ideas or writings and pass them off as one’s own; Ex. ideas plagiarized from my article; N. plagiarism; CF. kidnap
pilfer
steal things of small value; filch; snitch
lurk
stealthily lie in waiting; slink; exist unperceived
furtive
stealthy; quiet and secret (trying to escape notice); sneaky; Ex. furtive glance
precipitous
steep; overhasty; precipitate
helm
steering wheel of a ship; position of control
stink
stench; V: emit a strong foul odor
trample
step heavily with the feet; crush under the feet
stamp
step on heavily (so as to crush or extinguish); put an end to; imprint or impress with a mark, design, or seal; shape with a die; characterize; Ex. machine stamping out car bodies; Ex. newspaper stamping him as a liar; N. stamping; implement used to stamp; impression stamped; mark; Ex. Her remarks bear the stamp of truth.
adhere
stick fast; be a devotd follower; N. adhesion: adhering; devotion; loyality
protrude
stick out; jut; project; Ex. protruding teeth
cohere
stick together
glutinous
sticky; viscous; gluey
galvanize
stimulate or shock by an electric current; stimulate by shock; shock into action; stir up; coat with rust-resistant zinc by using electricity
parsimony
stinginess; excessive frugality; ADJ. parsimonious
pungent
stinging; acrid; sharp in taste or smell; (of speech or writing) caustic; N. pungency
acrimonious
stinging; caustic; bitter in words or manner; N. acrimony: bitter ill-natured animosity in speech or behavior
miserly
stingy; mean
proviso
stipulation; condition in an agreement; provision
stoke
stir up a fire or furnace; feed plentifully
agitate
stir up; disturb
foment
stir up; incite; instigate; promote the growth of (something evil or unpleasant)
suture
stitches sewn to hold the cut edges of a wound or incision; material used in sewing; V: sew together a wound
hoard
stockpile; accumulate for future use; N: supply stored for future use
stoic
stoical; impassive; unmoved by joy or grief; N. CF. stoicism
touchstone
stone used to test the fineness of gold alloys; criterion; standard
check
stop motion; curb or restrain
stem
stop or check (the flow of); Ex. stem the bleeding from the slashed artery; N: main axis of a plant; stalk
stanch
stop or check flow of blood; Ex. stanch the gushing wound
balk
stop short, as if faced with an obstacle, and refuse to continue; foil; stop or get in the way of; frustrate
cessation
stoppage
arsenal
storage place for military equipment
repository
storehouse
granary
storehouse for grain
inclement
stormy; unkind; unmerciful; CF. clement
tempestuous
stormy; violent; impassioned; N. tempest: violent storm
cantata
story set to music to be sung by a chorus (shorter than an oratorio)
allegory
story, play, or picture in which characters are used as symbols; fable
raconteur
story-teller; one who tells stories with wit and skill
portly
stout; corpulent
forthright
straightforward; direct; frank
queer
strange; eccentric; deviating from the normal
uncanny
strange; mysterious; Ex. uncanny knack
throttle
strangle; regulate the speed of with a throttle; N: valve that regulates the flow; CF. throat ?
subterfuge
stratagem(deceptive scheme); pretense; evasion; Ex. resort to a harmless subterfuge
ploy
strategem to gain an advantage; tactic; Ex. management ploy
maneuver(manoeuver)
strategic military or naval movement (done for training purposes); carefully planned process; stratagem; V: carry out a military maneuver; use maneuvers in gaining an end
straggle
stray or fall behind (a main group); spread out in a scattered group; Ex. straggling marathon racer; Ex. straggling branch
travail
strenuous work; toil; painful labor; labor of childbirth
prostrate
stretch out full on ground; make prostrate; enervate; Ex. prostrating illness; ADJ: lying face down; having lost all strength
tension
stretching; condition of being stretched; mental strain; strained relationship between groups or people
martinet
strict disciplinarian; person who demands total obedience to rules and orders; CF. Jean Martinet
buffet
strike forcefully; slap; batter; knock out; N: table with food set out for people to server themselves; meal at which people help themselves to food that’s been set
clap
strike the palms of the hands together with a sudden explosive sound; come together suddenly with a sharp sound; put or send promptly; Ex. clap the thief in jail; N: clapping; loud or explosive sound; CF. applause
clapper
striker (tongue) of a bell
percussion
striking one object against another sharply; Ex. percussion instrument; N: striking together of two bodies; sound caused by percussion
incandescent
strikingly bright; shining with intense heat; emitting visible light when heated; Ex. incandescent light bulb; CF. candle
divest
strip (as of clothes); deprive (as of rights); dispossess; N. divestiture(divestment)
defrock
strip a priest or minister of church authority; unfrock
flay
strip off skin; plunder; remove the skin from; criticize harshly
apoplexy
stroke; loss of consciousness caused by too much blood in the brain
saunter
stroll(go for a leisurely walk) slowly; N.
gust
strong abrupt rush of wind; V. CF. bluster
sturdy
strong and firm (in the body)
yen
strong desire; longing; urge; Ex. yen for travel
transport
strong emotion; rapture; Ex. in a transport/transports of; V: move to strong emotion; enrapture
stench
strong foul odor; reek; stink
penchant
strong inclination; strong liking (esp. for something that is disapproved of by other people); Ex. penchant for fast cars
wanderlust
strong longing to travel
forte
strong point or special talent in a person’s character
bulwark
strong wall built for defense; earthwork or other strong defense; person who defends
robust
strong; vigorous
drastic
strong; violent and severe; Ex. drastic changes/measures
bastion
stronghold; something seen as a source of protection; Ex. the last bastion of male chauvinism
reactionary
strongly opposed to social or political change; opposing progress; politically ultraconservative; N. OP. radical
flounder
struggle and thrash about; proceed clumsily or falter (as in water, mud, snow, etc.); proceed in confusion
scuffle
struggle confusedly; move off in a confused hurry; N. CF. scuffling twins ?
contend
struggle; compete; assert earnestly; state strongly
contumacious
stubborn and disobedient; resisting authority (esp. disobedient to an order made by a court)
bigotry
stubborn intolerance
obstinate
stubborn; hard to control or treat; Ex. obstinate cough; N. obstinacy
obdurate
stubborn; refusing to change one’s belief
wrongheaded
stubbornly wrong
cadet
student at a military school
anthropologist
student of the history and science of humankind
pore
study industriously; ponder; scrutinize; Ex. pore over the book; N.
archaeology
study of artifacts and relics of early mankind
ichthyology
study of fish; CF. ichthyo-: fish
ethnology
study of humankind; study of the different races of human beings; CF. anthropology
entomology
study of insects
philology
study of language or words
paleontology
study of prehistoric life or fossils; CF. paleo-: ancient or prehistoric; Ex. paleography: study of ancient written documents
penology
study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation
gerontology
study of the sociological phenomena associated with old age
etymology
study of word parts; study of the origins of words
gorge
stuff oneself (with food); glut; CF. gorgeous: dazzlingly beautiful
daze
stun as with a blow or shock; bemuse; benumb; N.
stupefy
stun; make numb (as with a drug); amaze
oaf
stupid awkward person; CF. elf
buffoon
stupid person; clown
asinine
stupid; Ex. asinine remarks
cuisine
style of cooking; Ex. French cuisine
urbane
suave; refined in manner; elegant
meek
submissive; patient and long-suffering
subaltern
subordinate
appurtenances
subordinate possessions; something added to a more important thing
authoritarian
subordinating the individual to the state; completely dominating another’s will; Ex. authoritarian regime/father
abate
subside or moderate
emetic
substance causing vomiting; ADJ.
humus
substance or rich soil formed by decaying vegetable matter; CF. soil
solvent
substance that dissolves another; ADJ: capable of dissolving another substance
antiseptic
substance that prevents infection in a wound; ADJ.
anesthetic
substance that removes sensation with or without loss of consciousness; N. anesthesia
propellant(propellent)
substance which propels or drives forward (such as an explosive charge or a rocket fuel)
substantive
substantial; essential; pertaining to the substance; substantial; considerable; Ex. substantive issues
surrogate
substitute; person or thing used in place of another; Ex. surrogate mother; ADJ.
prosperous
successful; rich; affluent; well-to-do; well-off
nurse
suckle; take care of (as a nurse); bear in mind; Ex. nursing mother; Ex. nurse a hope/grudge against someone
whim
sudden capricious idea; fancy
d'eb\^acle
sudden disastrous downfall or defeat; complete disaster
spate
sudden flood or rush; Ex. spate of accidents
stampede
sudden frenzied rush (of panic-stricken animals or people); V: participate in or cause stampede; Ex. stampede before the price rises
fit
sudden outburst of an illness or feeling; convulsion caused by epilepsy
pang
sudden sharp feeling of pain
quirk
sudden sharp turn or twist; startling twist; caprice; idiosyncrasy; peculiarity of behavior; Ex. by a quirk of fate
revulsion
sudden strong feeling of disgust; sudden violent change of feeling; negative reaction; Ex. revulsion from the scenes of torture
sustain
suffer (harm or loss); experience; support; prop; maintain; keep in existence; nourish (to maintain life); Ex. sustain the family/the trapped miners
blighted
suffering from a disease; destroyed
dyspeptic
suffering from indigestion; N. dyspepsia: indigestion; difficulty in digesting food
bilious
suffering from indigestion; sick from having too much bile; irritable; easily irritated
tribulation
suffering; ordeal; distress; trial
imply
suggest a meaning not expressed; signify
connotation
suggested or implied meaning of an expression; V. connote
reminiscent
suggestive of something (in the past); of reminiscence
indicative
suggestive; implying; serving to indicate
expedient
suitable (for a particular purpose although not necessarily morally correct); practical; politic(prudent); N: something expedient
potable
suitable for drinking; drinkable
menial
suitable for servants; lowly; mean; N: someone who does menial work (esp. servant in a house)
forensic
suitable to debate or courts of law; of or used in legal proceedings and the tracking of criminals; Ex. forensic science/medicine
pertinent
suitable; to the point; relevant
dour
sullen; gloomy; stubborn
aggregate
sum; total; ADJ. V: gather into a mass or whole; accumulate; add up to; Ex. aggregate 100 dollars
recapitulate
summarize
vertex
summit; highest point; PL. vertices
aureole
sun’s corona; halo; bright circle of light
redundant
superfluous; more than is necessary; verbose; excessively wordy; repetitious
supererogatory
superfluous; more than needed or demanded
curator
superintendent; manager (in charge of a museum or a library)
preponderance
superiority of power, quantity, etc.; V. preponderate: be greater in power, weight, or importance; ADJ. preponderant
codicil
supplement to the body of a will; later addition to a will
litany
supplicatory prayer; prayer in which the priest calls out and the people replies in the same words
stint
supply; allotted amount of work; assigned portion of work; limitation; Ex. two-year stint in the army; Ex. without stint
alimentary
supplying nourishment
substantiate
support (a claim) with evidence; establish with evidence; verify
champion
support militantly; fight for; N: person who fights for or supports strongly (a principle, movement, person, etc.)
fulcrum
support on which a lever rests or pivots
pedestal
support or base as for a pillar or statue
prop
support placed under or against something; V.
patronize
support; act superior toward; treat in a condescending manner; be a customer of; N. patron: one that supports; regular customer; N. patronage; CF. boycott
advocacy
support; active pleading on behalf of someone or something
buttress
support; prop up; N. stationary structure to support wall; Ex. flying buttress
bolster
support; reinforce
proponent
supporter; backer; opposite of opponent
adherent
supporter; follower
constituent
supporter; voter; member of a constituency; component
strut
supporting bar; CF. airplane wingÀ̳ª building µîÀ» support
reputed
supposed; Ex. reputed father of the child; V. repute: consider; N. repute: reputation; esteem
putative
supposed; reputed; generally regarded as such; Ex. putative father of the child
stifle
suppress; extinguish; inhibit; smother or suffocate
quell
suppress; put an end to; put down forcibly; extinguish; quiet; Ex. ``Army Quells Rebellion’’ in newspaper; CF. kill
self-righteous
sure of one’s own righteousness; moralistic
finish
surface texture; completeness of execution
conjecture
surmise; guess; V.
extradition
surrender of prisoner by one state to another; Ex. extradition treaty; V. extradite
disgorge
surrender something (stolen); eject; vomit; OP. gorge
capitulate
surrender; give up all resistance
encircle
surround
engulf
surround and swallow up
hem
surround tightly so that movement is impossible; Ex. hem in; N.
besiege
surround with armed forces; harass (with requests); annoy continually
encompass
surround; include; Ex. His activities encompass publishing and computers.
reconnaissance
survey of enemy by soldiers; reconnoitering; V. reconnoiter: make a preliminary inspection of (esp. to gather military information)
relic
surviving remnant (from an extinct culture); memento; keepsake; relics: corpse; Ex. ancient relics; Ex. relics of his travel; Ex. His relics are buried at X.
vulnerable
susceptible to wounds or attack; N. vulnerability
abeyance
suspended action
sustenance
sustaining; means of livelihood, support, food, nourishment; something that maintains life; food
bravado
swagger; assumed air of defiance; false show of bravery
miasma
swamp gas; heavy vaporous atmosphere often emanating from decaying matter; pervasive corrupting influence; noxious atmosphere or influence
swathe
swath; wrap around; bandage; Ex. one’s head swathed in bandages
sentimental
swayed by sentiment; appealing to the sentiments
euphony
sweet sound; ADJ. euphonious
dulcet
sweet sounding; pleasing to the ear; melodious
billowing
swelling out in waves; surging
natation
swimming
chisel
swindle or cheat; N: wedgelike tool for cutting
bilk
swindle; cheat
sway
swing from side to side; influence (someone) to change one’s opinion; N.
eddy
swirling current of water, air, etc.; V.
sidetrack
switch (a railroad car) to a siding; divert from a main issue; N. CF. siding: short section of railroad track connected by switches with a main track
turgid
swollen; distended (as from liquid)
phoenix
symbol of immortality or rebirth; Ex. phoenix rising from its ashes
compassion
sympathy for the suffering of others; ADJ. compassionate
ideology
system of ideas characteristic of a group or culture
creed
system of religious or ethical belief
scheme
systematic plan; plot; clever dishonest plan; orderly arrangement of elements; Ex. health insurance scheme; Ex. a scheme to escape taxes; Ex. a color scheme; Ex. a story with no scheme; V: contrive a scheme
methodical
systematic; N. method: systematic method of procedure
distract
take (one’s attention) off something; upset emotionally; make anxious; ADJ. distracted
commandeer
take (private property) for military use without needing permission or giving payment; draft for military purposes
dismantle
take apart; disassemble
presume
take for granted; assume; act overconfidently; take liberties; presume on/upon: take unfair advantage of (someone’s kindness or connection); N. presumption
lap
take in food or drink with one’s tongue; splash gently; Ex. waves lapping the shore; N: front area from the waist to the knees of a seated person
doff
take off; OP. don
conspire
take part in a conspiracy; (of events) work together; combine; Ex. Events conspired to produce great difficulties.
luxuriate
take pleasure in great comfort
expropriate
take possession of (often for public use and without payment)
supplant
take the place of unfairly; usurp; replace
avenge
take vengence for something or on behalf of someone; Ex. They avenged his death by burning the village; Ex. He swore to avenge his brother; Ex. They avenged themselves on their enemy.
retroactive
taking effect before its enactment (as a law) or imposition (as a tax); (of a law) having effect on the past as well as the future
embezzlement
taking for one’s own use in violation of trust; stealing (of money placed in one’s care)
painstaking
taking pains; showing hard work; taking great care; very careful and through
resumption
taking up again; recommencement; V. resume: begin or take up again; take or occupy again; Ex. Kindly resume your seats.
flair
talent
expatiate
talk at length; speak or write in detail
drone
talk dully; buzz or murmur like a bee; N.
prattle
talk idly; babble; N. CF. prate
prate
talk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly
blowhard
talkative boaster; braggart
loquacious
talkative; N. loquacity
soliloquy
talking to oneself (esp. in a play); CF. monologue: soliloquy; long speech by one person (often monopolizing a conversation)
obelisk
tall column tapering(becoming gradually narrower toward the end) and ending in a pyramid
palpable
tangible; (of something bad) easily perceptible; obvious; Ex. palpable blunder
prey
target of a hunt; victim; V: hunt and eat as prey; victimize; Ex. Cats prey on mice.
quip
taunt; clever sarcastic remark; V.
brindled
tawny or grayish with streaks or spots (of animals)
tribute
tax levied by a ruler; payment made by one nation to another in acknowledgment of submission; mark of respect (such as praise or gift); Ex. pay tribute to
tithe
tax of one-tenth (contributed to a church); V: pay a tithe
inculcate
teach (ideas or principles); instill
sophist
teacher of philosophy; quibbler; employer of fallacious reasoning; N. sophism: plausible but fallacious argument
pedagogue
teacher; CF. child leader
pedagogy
teaching; art of education
doctrine
teachings in general; particular principle (religious, legal, etc.) taught; dogma; tenet; ADJ. doctrinal
rent
tear made by rending; rip; split
rip
tear or be torn quickly and violently; Ex. The sail ripped under the force of the wind; N.
mangle
tear or cut to pieces; mutilate or disfigure; Ex. badly mangled bodies
gouge
tear out; cut out (as if with a gouge); Ex. gouge his eyes out; N: chisel for cutting out hollow areas in wood
tantalize
tease; excite by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach; torture with disappointment; CF. Tantalus: Greek mythological figure
badinage
teasing conversation; banter; joking talk
prolixity
tedious wordiness; verbosity; ADJ. prolix: wordy; verbose; diffuse
confide
tell in confidence (to a person one trusts); be confident about
bivouac
temporary encampment; camp without tents; V.
makeshift
temporary expedient or substitute (in the case of urgent need); Ex. makeshift shelter
incursion
temporary invasion; CF. excursion: short journey
remission
temporary moderation (of disease symptoms); remitting of a debt or punishment; cancelation of a debt; pardon; Ex. The disease went into remission; Ex. Christians pray for the remission of sins.
scaffold
temporary platform for workers (to work at heights above the ground); bracing framework; platform for execution
sojourn
temporary stay; V: stay for a time
homeostasis
tendency of a system or organism to maintain relative stability or internal equilibrium; CF. homeo-: constant; Ex. homeotherm
incredulity
tendency to disbelief
cohesion
tendency to keep together
egotism
tendency to speak or write of oneself excessively; conceit; self-importance
pathos
tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings; Ex. pathos that runs through the novel
inclined
tending or leaning toward; bent; V. incline: slant; dispose; be disposed; tend
evocative
tending to call up (emotions, memories)
malignant
tending to cause death; highly injurious; aggressively malevolent; Ex. malignant tumor
salutary
tending to improve; beneficial; wholesome; Ex. The punishment had a salutary effect on the boy; CF. health
inclusive
tending to include all; all-inclusive; Ex. inclusive charge
subversive
tending to overthrow or ruin; V. subvert: overthrow completely (an established system); destroy completely; CF. undermine ?
centripetal
tending toward the center
provisional
tentative; temporary
nomenclature
terminology(system of specialized words); system of names or naming things
terminology
terms used in a science or art; study of nomenclature
awful
terrible; very bad
enclave
territory enclosed within an alien land
cow
terrorize; intimidate
attest
testify; bear witness
deposition
testimony under oath; deposing; dethroning
libretto
text of an opera or oratorio; CF. book
permeable
that can be permeated; penetrable; porous; allowing liquids or gas to pass through; V. permeate: spread or flow throughout; charge
unimpeachable
that cannot be impeached; beyond doubt or question; blameless and exemplary
concomitant
that which accompanies; Ex. Deafnes is a frequent concommitant of old age; ADJ: existing or happening together with something else
unction
the act of anointing with oil; Ex. extreme unction
Bacchanalia
the ancient Roman festival in honor of Bacchus
coincidence
the chance occurrence, at the same time, of two or more seemingly connected events; V. coincide: happen at the same time; be in agreement; CF. coincident; CF. coincidental
molecule
the smallest particle (one or more atoms) of a substance that has all the properties of that substance
ambivalence
the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes or opinions
Occident
the West
histrionic
theatrical; excessively dramatic or emotional; affected; of actors or acting; N. histrionics: histrionic behavior
larceny
theft; Ex. petit larceny
motif
theme; recurrent thematic element in a musical or literary work; single or repeated pattern; figure
abstract
theoretical; not concrete; nonrepresentational
pachyderm
thick-skinned animal
emaciated
thin and wasted (from hunger or illness)
gruel
thin liquid porridge
veneer
thin surface layer (of good quality wood, glued to a base of inferior material); cover; surface show; fa\c{c}ade; V.
wispy
thin; slight; barely discernible
tenuous
thin; slim; rare
counterpart
thing that completes another; things very much alike; thing that has the same purpose in a different system
jetsam
things thrown from a ship (to lighten the ship)
cogitate
think over; ponder
devise
think up; invent; plan; bequeath; N: bequest
tertiary
third in order or rank
sodden
thoroughly soaked; dull or stupid as if from drink
gentility
those of gentle birth; high social class; refinement; quality of being genteel
cerebration
thought; working of the brain
millennium
thousand-year period (as in the New Testament); hoped-for period of happiness and prosperity
menace
threat; V: threaten
ominous
threatening; of an evil omen
trident
three-pronged spear
frugality
thrift; economy; ADJ. frugal: practicing economy; costing little; inexpensive
improvident
thriftless; not providing for the future
palpitate
throb; beat rapidly; flutter; tremble; Ex. Her heart began to palpitate.
pulsate
throb; beat regularly; vibrate regularly
hurl
throw forcefully; shout out violently
embroil
throw into confusion; involve in strife, dispute, or quarrel; entangle; CF. imbroglio
toss
throw lightly; move or lift (the head) with a sudden motion; flip (a coin) to decide something
jettison
throw overboard (from a ship or plane)
fulminate
thunder; explode; issue a severe denunciation
frustrate
thwart; defeat; prevent from accomplishing a purpose
stymie
thwart; present an obstacle; stump
titillate
tickle; excite pleasantly; Ex. not to titillate the audience but to enlighten it
tether
tie (an animal) with a rope or tether; N: rope or chain to which an animal is tied; limit of one’s endurance; Ex. the end of one’s tether
taut
tight; strained; tense; ready; OP. slack
list
tilt (as of a ship); lean over (to one side)
respite
time for rest; interval of relief; delay in punishment; reprieve
yore
time long past; Ex. in the days of yore
heyday
time of greatest success or power; prime
opportune
timely; well-chosen
puny
tiny; weak; insignificant
gratuity
tip
apex
tip; summit; climax; highest point
weary
tired after long work; V.
jaded
tired or uninterested by surfeit; fatigued; surfeited; worn out; wearied; Ex. jaded appetite
indefatigable
tireless; untiring; showing no sign of getting tired
harping
tiresome dwelling on a subject; V. harp: dwell on(think or speak a lot about) tediously
rubric
title or heading (in red print); directions for religious ceremony; protocol
caption
title; chapter heading; text under illustration
stigma
token of disgrace; brand; V. stigmatize: mark with a stigma; characterize as disgraceful
memento
token; reminder of the past; keepsake; Ex. memento of your visit
brook
tolerate; endure; Ex. brook no interference; N: small stream
knell
tolling of a bell especially to indicate a funeral, disaster, etc.; sound of the funeral bell; V.
sepulcher
tomb; V: place in a sepulcher; ADJ. sepulchral
modulate
tone down in intensity; change the intensity or tone of; regulate; change from one musical key to another; Ex. modulate from E to G
indisputable
too certain to be disputed; beyond doubt
fathomless
too deep to be measured or understood; unfathomable
far-fetched
too improbable to be believed; implausible; Ex. far-fetched story
finicky
too particular; fussy; difficult to please; too concerned with unimportant details or quality; Ex. finicky about her food
pestle
tool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard bowl or mortar
cog
tooth projecting from a wheel
crest
top (as of a hill or wave); showy feathers on the head of a bird
overthrow
topple; N.
tatter
torn piece of cloth; ADJ. tattered: (of clothes) old and torn; (of a person) dressed in old torn clothes
laceration
torn ragged wound; V. lacerate: tear (the skin as with broken glass); wound
fiasco
total failure; CF. bottle
gross
total; fragrant; clearly wrong; (of people’s behavior) coarse; corpulent; Ex. gross insolence/behavior; V: earn as a total amount; N: 12 dozens
explicit
totally clear; definite; outspoken
tickle
touch (the body) lightly so as to cause laughter; please
petulant
touchy; peevish; ill-tempered
scintilla
trace; minute amount; shred; least bit; Ex. There is not a scintilla of truth; CF. spark
vestige
trace; remains; Ex. vestiges of some ancient religion
brand
trademark; mark burned on the hide of an animal; mark burned into the flesh of criminals; mark of disgrace; V: mark with a brand; give a lasting bad name; stigmatize; Ex. The press branded him a liar.
barterer
trader; V. barter: trade; exchange good for other goods rather than money
orthodox
traditional; (of someone) conservative in belief; adhering to an established doctrine
wake
trail of ship or other object through water; path of something that has gone before; Ex. hunger followed in the wake of the war
turncoat
traitor
quisling
traitor who aids invaders; CF. Vidkun Quisling
equable
tranquil; of even calm temper; (of temperature) steady; uniform
quietude
tranquillity; calmness
transmute
transform; change; convert to something different
transitory
transient; impermanent; fleeting; N. transitoriness
remit
transmit (money) in payment; free someone from a debt or punishment
pellucid
transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in meaning; easy to understand
peddle
travel about selling (wares); CF. foot
trek
travel; journey; V: make a long difficult journey
conspiracy
treacherous plot; secret plan against the law (by two or more people)
perfidious
treacherous; disloyal; N. perfidy: treachery
insidious
treacherous; stealthy; sly; working or spreading harmfully in a stealthy manner; Ex. insidious spreading of dry rot
exchequer
treasury; Ex. Chancellor of the exchequer
lionize
treat (a person) as a celebrity
coddle
treat gently; indulge excessively; pamper; mollycoddle; baby; cook in water just below boiling point; Ex. coddled eggs
disdain
treat with scorn or contempt
indignity
treatment or situation that causes shame or loss of dignity, respect; offensive or insulting treatment; humiliating or degrading treatment; Ex. I suffered the indignity of having to say that in front of them.
quiver
tremble; shake; N.
tremor
trembling; slight quiver (as of the earth or from nervous agitation)
tremulous
trembling; wavering
ruse
trick to deceive; stratagem
hoax
trick which makes someone take action; practical joke; Ex. hoax mail; V.
gull
trick; deceive; hoodwink; N: person who is easily tricked; dupe
feint
trick; shift; sham blow; feigned attack to draw away defensive action; V.
chicanery
trickery; deception
dally
trifle with; toy with; treat without the necessary seriousness; procrastinate; waste time
trivia
trifles; unimportant matters
bauble
trinket; cheap jewel; trifle
stumble
trip and almost fall; proceed unsteadily; act falteringly; N.
junket
trip especially one taken for pleasure by an official at public expense
jaunt
trip; short journey
platitude
trite remark; commonplace statement; ADJ. platitudinous
trifling
trivial; unimportant
petty
trivial; unimportant; very small; small-minded; petty-minded
typhoon
tropical hurricane or cyclone
fuss:
trouble or worry over trifles; make nervous; pay too much attention to; N: needless concern or worry (about a trivial thing); anxious nervous condition; display of attention; Ex. make a fuss over the baby
torso
trunk of statue with head and limbs missing; human trunk
confidant(confidante)
trusted friend (to whom one tells one’s secret)
veracity
truthfulness; adherence to the truth
complaisant
trying to please; obliging; willing to please others
kaleidoscope
tube in which patterns made by the reflection in mirrors of colored pieces of glass, etc. produce interesting symmetrical effects; series of changing events; Ex. kaleidoscope of European history; CF. beautiful
chant
tune(melody) in which a number of words are sung on the same note; V: sing (a chant); utter (a slogan) in the manner of a chant
warren
tunnels in which rabbits live; overcrowded living area; crowded conditions in which people live
deflect
turn aside; turn away from a straight course
deviate
turn away from (a principle, norm); move away from an accepted standard; swerve; depart; diverge; N. deviation; Ex. deviation of the path of light by a prism
deify
turn into a god; make a god of; idolize; Ex. Kings were deified; CF. deity
vaporize
turn into vapor (steam, gas, fog, etc.)
overturn
turn over; capsize; topple
resort
turn to for help; Ex. resort to violence; N.
petrify
turn to stone; cause to become stonelike; stun or paralyze
invert
turn upside down or inside out; reverse the position or condition of
wring
twist (to extract liquid); extract by twisting; wrench painfully (necks or hands)
writhe
twist in coils; contort in pain
distort
twist out of shape; give a false account of; misrepresent; N. distortion
warp
twist out of shape; N.
wrench
twist; pull; strain; Ex. He wrenched the gun out of her hands.
gnarled
twisted
torque
twisting force; force producing rotation
sinuous
twisting; winding; bending in and out; not morally honest
contortions
twistings; distortions; V. contort: twist violently out of shape; CF. contortionist
bicameral
two-chambered as a legislative body
despot
tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; CF. despotism
unsightly
ugly; unpleasant to look at
speechless
unable for the moment to speak (because of strong feeling); Ex. speechless with anger
indubitable
unable to be doubted; which cannot be doubted; unquestionable
irrepressible
unable to be restrained or held back; impossible to hold back
doctrinaire
unable to compromise about points of doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding; marked by inflexible attachment to a doctrine without regard to its practical difficulties
unwonted
unaccustomed; unusual; Ex. He arrived with unwonted punctuality.
irrevocable
unalterable; irreversible; impossible to revoke
unprepossessing
unattractive
inevitable
unavoidable
unseemly
unbecoming; not proper in behavior; indecent; Ex. leave with unseemly haste
infidel
unbeliever (with respect to a particular religion)
irresolute
uncertain how to act; weak; lacking in resolution; indecisive; N. irresolution
indeterminate
uncertain; not clearly fixed; indefinite
immutable
unchangeable
ambiguous
unclear or doubtful in meaning; having more than one possible interpretation
invincible
unconquerable
indomitable
unconquerable; unyielding
insensible
unconscious; unresponsive; insensitive; unaware; imperceptible; Ex. insensible of his danger/to pain; Ex. insensible change; CF. not the opposite of sensible
