Words from P to S Flashcards
pacifist
adj. opposed to war; noun someone opposed to violence as a means of settling disputes
painstaking
adj. characterized by extreme care and great effort
palliate
verb provide physical relief, as from pain; lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
palpable
adj. capable of being perceived by the senses or the mind; especially capable of being handled or touched or felt; can be felt by palpation
panache
noun a feathered plume on a helmet; distinctive and stylish elegance
panoply
noun a complete and impressive array
paradigm
noun the generally accepted perspective of a particular discipline at a given time
paradox
noun (logic) a statement that contradicts itself
paragon
noun an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept; model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
paramount
adj. having superior power and influence
parochial
adj. relating to or supported by or located in a parish; narrowly restricted in outlook or scope
parody
noun humorous or satirical mimicry; a composition that imitates somebody’s style in a humorous way
particular
adj. providing specific details or circumstances; unique or specific to a person or thing or category
partisan
adj. devoted to a cause or party; adhering or confined to a particular sect or denomination or party
passive
adj. lacking in energy or will; expressing that the subject of the sentence is the patient of the action denoted by the verb
pathos
noun a quality that arouses emotions (especially pity or sorrow); a style that has the power to evoke feelings
patience
noun good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence; a card game played by one person
patriot
noun one who loves and defends his or her country
patronizing
adj. (used of behavior or attitude) characteristic of those who treat others with condescension
paucity
noun an insufficient quantity or number
pause
noun temporary inactivity; a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something; verb cease an action temporarily; interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
pedantic
adj. marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects
pedestrian
adj. lacking wit or imagination; noun a person who travels by foot
peeved
adj. aroused to impatience or anger
pejorative
adj. expressing disapproval
penalty
noun (games) a handicap or disadvantage that is imposed on a competitor (or a team) for an infraction of the rules of the game; the disadvantage or painful consequences of an action or condition
penchant
noun a strong liking
penitent
adj. feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds
perceptible
adj. easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind; capable of being perceived by the mind or senses
perfectionist
noun a person who is displeased by anything that does not meet very high standards
perfidy
noun betrayal of a trust; an act of deliberate betrayal
perfunctory
adj. hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough; as a formality only
perilous
adj. fraught with danger
peripheral
adj. on or near an edge or constituting an outer boundary; the outer area; related to the key issue but not of central importance
permit
noun the act of giving a formal (usually written) authorization; a legal document giving official permission to do something; verb consent to, give permission; allow the presence of or allow (an activity) without opposing or prohibiting
pernicious
adj. working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way; exceedingly harmful
perpetual
adj. occurring so frequently as to seem ceaseless or uninterrupted; uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
perpetuate
verb cause to continue or prevail
persecution
noun the act of persecuting (especially on the basis of race or religion)
persevere
verb be persistent, refuse to stop
persist
verb stay behind; be persistent, refuse to stop
personal
adj. particular to a given individual; concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
personality
noun the complex of all the attributes
perspicacious
adj. acutely insightful and wise; mentally acute or penetratingly discerning
persuasive
adj. capable of convincing; tending or intended or having the power to induce action or belief
pertinent
adj. having precise or logical relevance to the matter at hand; being of striking appropriateness and pertinence
perturbed
adj. thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (`rattled’ is an informal term)
peruse
verb examine or consider with attention and in detail
pervasive
adj. spreading or spread throughout
pessimism
noun a general disposition to look on the dark side and to expect the worst in all things; the feeling that things will turn out badly
phenomenon
noun any state or process known through the senses rather than by intuition or reasoning; a remarkable development
philanthropy
noun voluntary promotion of human welfare
philistine
adj. of or relating to ancient Philistia or the culture of the Philistines; smug and ignorant and indifferent or hostile to artistic and cultural values
phlegmatic
adj. showing little emotion
picayune
adj. (informal) small and of little importance
piecemeal
adj. one thing at a time; adv. a little bit at a time
pilferer
noun a thief who steals without using violence
pioneer
noun someone who helps to open up a new line of research or technology or art
pitfall
noun an unforeseen or unexpected or surprising difficulty
placatory
adj. tending or intended to pacify by acceding to demands or granting concessions
placid
adj. living without undue worry; taking life easy
plagiarize
verb take without referencing from someone else’s writing or speech; of intellectual property
plague
noun an annoyance; any large scale calamity (especially when thought to be sent by God)
plain
adj. lacking embellishment or ornamentation; free from any effort to soften to disguise
plasticity
noun the property of being physically malleable; the property of something that can be worked or hammered or shaped without breaking
platitude
noun a trite or obvious remark
plausible
adj. apparently reasonable and valid, and truthful; given to or characterized by presenting specious arguments
playful
adj. full of fun and high spirits
plethora
noun extreme excess
plight
noun a solemn pledge of fidelity; a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one
plodding
adj. (of movement) slow and laborious; noun the act of walking with a slow heavy gait
plummet
noun the metal bob of a plumb line; verb drop sharply
pluralistic
adj. of or relating to the philosophical doctrine of pluralism
poetic
adj. characterized by romantic imagery; characteristic of or befitting poetry
poignant
adj. keenly distressing to the mind or feelings; arousing affect
pointless
adj. lacking import; not having a point especially a sharp point
poisonous
adj. marked by deep ill will; deliberately harmful; not safe to eat
polemical
adj. of or involving dispute or controversy
policy
noun a plan of action adopted by an individual or social group; written contract or certificate of insurance; a line of argument rationalizing the course of action of a government
politicize
verb give a political character to
pollution
noun undesirable state of the natural environment being contaminated with harmful substances as a consequence of human activities; the act of contaminating or polluting; including (either intentionally or accidentally) unwanted substances or factors
polymath
noun a person of great and varied learning
popular
adj. (of music or art) new and of general appeal (especially among young people); carried on by or for the people (or citizens) at large
population
noun the act of populating (causing to live in a place); (statistics) the entire aggregation of items from which samples can be drawn
portentous
adj. of momentous or ominous significance; puffed up with vanity
portraying
noun a representation by picture or portraiture
positioning
adj. causing to fall into line or into position; noun the act of putting something in a certain place
positive
adj. formally laid down or imposed; characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
possibility
noun a possible alternative; a future prospect or potential
postponed
adj. put off to later
potentate
noun a ruler who is unconstrained by law
potion
noun a medicinal or magical or poisonous beverage
powerful
adj. having great power or force or potency or effect; displaying superhuman strength or power
practical
adj. having or put to a practical purpose or use; concerned with actual use or practice
pragmatic
adj. of or concerning the theory of pragmatism; concerned with practical matters
praise
noun an expression of approval and commendation; offering words of homage as an act of worship; verb express approval of
precarious
adj. affording no ease or reassurance; not secure; beset with difficulties
precede
verb furnish with a preface or introduction; move ahead (of others) in time or space
precedent
adj. preceding in time, order, or significance; noun an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
precipitate
adj. done with very great haste and without due deliberation; noun a precipitated solid substance in suspension or after settling or filtering; verb separate as a fine suspension of solid particles; hurl or throw violently; bring about abruptly
precise
adj. sharply exact or accurate or delimited; (of ideas, images, representations, expressions) characterized by perfect conformity to fact or truth ; strictly correct
preclude
verb make impossible, especially beforehand; keep from happening or arising; make impossible
precocious
adj. appearing or developing early; characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)
precursor
noun a person who goes before or announces the coming of another
predict
verb make a prediction about; tell in advance; indicate by signs
predilection
noun a predisposition in favor of something; a strong liking
preeminence
noun high status importance owing to marked superiority
prejudice
noun a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation; verb influence (somebody’s) opinion in advance
prematurely
adv. too soon; in a premature manner; (of childbirth) before the end of the normal period of gestation
prerequisite
adj. required as a prior condition or course of study; noun something that is required in advance
prerogative
noun a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)
prescient
adj. perceiving the significance of events before they occur
prescriptive
adj. pertaining to giving directives or rules
preserved
adj. kept intact or in a particular condition; prevented from decaying or spoiling and prepared for future use
prestigious
adj. exerting influence by reason of high status or prestige; having an illustrious reputation; respected
presumptuous
adj. excessively forward
preternatural
adj. surpassing the ordinary or normal; existing outside of or not in accordance with nature
pretext
noun something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason; an artful or simulated semblance
prevail
verb use persuasion successfully; prove superior
prevalent
adj. encountered generally especially at the present time
prevaricator
noun a person who has lied or who lies repeatedly
prevent
verb prevent from doing something or being in a certain state; keep from happening or arising; make impossible
probability
noun a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible
probity
noun complete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles
problem
noun a question raised for consideration or solution; a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
processed
adj. subjected to a special process or treatment; prepared or converted from a natural state by subjecting to a special process
procrastinator
noun someone who postpones work (especially out of laziness or habitual carelessness)
prod
noun a pointed instrument that is used to prod into a state of motion; a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something; verb urge on; cause to act; poke or thrust abruptly; to push against gently
prodigal
adj. marked by rash extravagance; very generous
prodigious
adj. so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe; far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree
prodigy
noun an impressive or wonderful example of a particular quality; an unusually gifted or intelligent (young) person; someone whose talents excite wonder and admiration
productive
adj. producing or capable of producing (especially abundantly); yielding positive results
professional
adj. engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood;
proficient
adj. having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
profitable
adj. promoting benefit or gain; yielding material gain or profit
profiteer
noun someone who makes excessive profit (especially on goods in short supply); verb make an unreasonable profit, as on the sale of difficult to obtain goods
profligacy
noun dissolute indulgence in sensual pleasure; the trait of spending extravagantly
profound
adj. situated at or extending to great depth; too deep to have been sounded or plumbed; coming from deep within one
progenitor
noun an ancestor in the direct line
prognosis
noun a prediction of the course of a disease; a prediction about how something (as the weather) will develop
program
noun a performance (or series of performances) at a public presentation; a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished; a document stating the aims and principles of a political party; a radio or television show; an integrated course of academic studies; verb arrange a program of or for
progressive
adj. advancing in severity; favoring or promoting reform (often by government action)
prohibited
adj. forbidden by law; excluded from use or mention
prolific
adj. bearing in abundance especially offspring; intellectually productive
prominent
adj. conspicuous in position or importance; having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
promised
adj. assured by (usually) spoken agreement
promote
verb to rfurther the progress of; to raise to a higher rank
proof
adj. (used in combination or as a suffix) able to withstand; noun a trial photographic print from a negative
propagandist
adj. of or relating to or characterized by propaganda; noun a person who disseminates messages calculated to assist some cause or some government
propensity
noun a disposition to behave in a certain way; a natural inclination
prophetic
adj. foretelling events as if by supernatural intervention
propitious
adj. presenting favorable circumstances; likely to result in or show signs or success
proposed
adj. planned for the future
propound
verb put forward, as of an idea
propriety
noun correct or appropriate behavior
prosaic
adj. not challenging; dull and lacking excitement; lacking wit or imagination
prospect
noun the possibility of future success; a prediction of the course of a disease
prospectus
noun a formal written offer to sell securities (filed with the SEC) that sets forth a plan for a (proposed) business enterprise; a catalog listing the courses offered by a college or university
prosperity
noun the condition of prospering; having good fortune; an economic state of growth with rising profits and full employment
protected
adj. guarded from injury or destruction; kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss
protege
noun a person who receives support and protection from an influential patron who furthers the protege’s career
protest
noun a public (often organized) manifestation of dissent; a formal and solemn declaration of objection
proud
adj. feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride; having or displaying great dignity or nobility
province
noun the proper sphere or extent of your activities; the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
provincial
adj. characteristic of the provinces or their people; narrow-minded or unsophisticated
provoked
adj. incited, especially deliberately, to anger
proximity
noun the property of being close together
prudence
noun discretion in practical affairs; knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress
publicity
noun the quality of being open to public view; a message issued in behalf of some product or cause or idea or person or institution
publicized
adj. made known; especially made widely known
published
adj. prepared and printed for distribution and sale; formally made public
puerile
adj. of or characteristic of a child; displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity
pugnacious
adj. ready and able to resort to force or violence; tough and callous by virtue of experience
punctilious
adj. marked by precise accordance with details
pundit
noun someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
purifying
adj. freeing from noxious matter; acting like an antiseptic
purveyor
noun someone who supplies provisions (especially food)
puzzlement
noun confusion resulting from failure to understand
quackery
noun medical practice and advice based on observation and experience in ignorance of scientific findings; the dishonesty of a charlatan
qualitative
adj. involving distinctions based on qualities; relating to or involving comparisons based on qualities
quarantine
noun isolation to prevent the spread of infectious disease; enforced isolation of patients suffering from a contagious disease in order to prevent the spread of disease
quarrel
noun an arrow that is shot from a crossbow; has a head with four edges; an angry dispute
querulous
adj. habitually complaining
questionable
adj. able to be refuted; subject to question
quiescent
adj. causing no symptoms; being quiet or still or inactive
quizzical
adj. perplexed (as if being expected to know something that you do not know); playfully vexing (especially by ridicule)
quotidian
adj. found in the ordinary course of events
raconteur
noun a person skilled in telling anecdotes
radical
noun an proponent of social reform; adj. far-reaching or thorough in nature
raiment
noun especially fine or decorative clothing; verb provide with clothes or put clothes on
rancor
noun a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
random
adj. lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance; taken haphazardly
range
noun a variety of different things or activities
rapacious
adj. excessively greedy and grasping; devouring or craving food in great quantities
rare
adj. not widely distributed; not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
rashly
adv. in a hasty and foolhardy manner
ratification
noun making something valid by formally ratifying or confirming it
rationalism
noun the doctrine that reason is the right basis for regulating conduct; (philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge is acquired by reason without resort to experience
read
noun something that is read; verb to hear and understand
realistic
adj. aware or expressing awareness of things as they really are; of or relating to the philosophical doctrine of realism
reason
noun the capacity for rational thought or inference or discrimination; a fact that logically justifies some premise or conclusion
reasonable
adj. marked by sound judgment; showing reason or sound judgment
rebel
verb to rise in opposition
rebut
verb prove to be false or incorrect; overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof
recalcitrant
adj. marked by stubborn resistance to authority; stubbornly resistant to authority or control
recall
noun the act of removing an official by petition; the process of remembering (especially the process of recovering information by mental effort)
recant
verb formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
received
adj. widely accepted as true or worthy; conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
reception
noun the act of receiving; (American football) the act of catching a pass in football
recessive
adj. (of genes) producing its characteristic phenotype only when its allele is identical; of or pertaining to a recession
reciprocal
adj. concerning each of two or more persons or things; especially given or done in return
recognize
verb perceive to be the same; be fully aware or cognizant of
recollect
verb recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection; keep in mind for attention or consideration
recompense
noun the act of compensating for service or loss or injury; payment or reward (as for service rendered); verb make payment to; compensate
reconcile
verb come to terms; bring into consonance or accord
recondite
adj. difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
reconnaissance
noun the act of reconnoitring (especially to gain information about an enemy or potential enemy)
record
noun the sum of recognized accomplishments; an extreme attainment; the best (or worst) performance ever attested (as in a sport)
recounting
noun an act of narration
recrimination
noun mutual accusations
rectitude
noun righteousness as a consequence of being honorable and honest
redemptive
adj. bringing about salvation or redemption from sin; of or relating to or resulting in redemption
reducing
noun becoming slimmer or lesser in quantity
redundant
adj. repetition of same sense in different words; more than is needed, desired, or required
refined
adj. (used of persons and their behavior) cultivated and genteel; freed from impurities by processing
reflective
adj. devoted to matters of the mind; capable of physically reflecting light or sound
refract
verb determine the refracting power of (a lens); subject to refraction
refund
noun the act of returning money received previously; money returned to a payer
refuse
noun food that is discarded (as from a kitchen); verb show unwillingness towards
regal
adj. belonging to or befitting a supreme ruler
register
noun an official list or record; verb to detect or show automatically
regressive
adj. opposing progress; returning to a former less advanced state; (of taxes) adjusted so that the rate decreases as the amount of income increases
regularly
adv. in a regular manner; in a regular way without variation
regulated
adj. controlled or governed according to rule or principle or law; marked by system or regularity or discipline
rehabilitation
noun the restoration of someone to a useful place in society; the treatment of physical disabilities by massage and electrotherapy and exercises
rehearse
verb engage in a rehearsal (of)
reinforce
verb make stronger; strengthen and support with rewards
reiterate
verb to say, state, or perform again
rejected
adj. something or someone judged unacceptable; rebuffed (by a lover) without warning
rejuvenate
verb become young again; make younger or more youthful; develop youthful topographical features; cause (a stream or river) to erode, as by an uplift of the land; return to life; get or give new life or energy
relaxed
adj. made less tense or rigid; without strain or anxiety
relevant
adj. having a bearing on or connection with the subject at issue
relinquish
verb relinquish to the power of another; yield to the control of another; release, as from one’s grip
relish
noun the taste experience when a savoury condiment is taken into the mouth; spicy or savory condiment; vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment; verb derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
reluctant
adj. not eager; unwilling to become involved
remember
verb recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection; keep in mind for attention or consideration
reminiscence
noun a mental impression retained and recalled from the past; the process of remembering (especially the process of recovering information by mental effort)
remonstrance
noun the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
remorseful
adj. feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses
remote
adj. far apart in nature; inaccessible and sparsely populated
renounce
verb cast off or disown; turn away from; give up; leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily; give up, such as power, as of monarchs and emperors, or duties and obligations
reparation
noun something done or paid in expiation of a wrong; (usually plural) compensation exacted from a defeated nation by the victors
repeal
noun the act of abrogating; an official or legal cancellation; verb annul by recalling or rescinding
repeated
adj. recurring again and again
repentant
adj. feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds
repetitive
adj. characterized by repetition; persistently continual
replace
verb substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected); put something back where it belongs; switch seemingly equivalent items
replica
noun copy that is not the original; something that has been copied
represented
adj. represented accurately or precisely
repressive
adj. restrictive of action
reprimand
noun an act or expression of criticism and censure; verb rebuke formally; censure severely or angrily
reproved
adj. punished especially by reproof or reprimand
repudiate
verb refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid; reject as untrue, unfounded, or unjust
reputable
adj. having a good reputation
reputation
noun the general estimation that the public has for a person; notoriety for some particular characteristic
rescind
verb annul by recalling or rescinding
research
noun systematic investigation to establish facts; a search for knowledge
resentment
noun a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
reserve
noun the trait of being uncommunicative; not volunteering anything more than necessary; something kept back or saved for future use or a special purpose
residual
adj. relating to or indicating a remainder; noun (often plural) a payment that is made to a performer or writer or director of a television show or commercial that is paid for every repeat showing
resign
verb accept as inevitable; part with a possession or right
resilient
adj. recovering readily from adversity, depression, or the like; elastic; rebounds readily
resist
verb withstand the force of something; stand up or offer resistance to somebody or something; refuse to comply; express opposition through action or words
resolute
adj. firm in purpose or belief; characterized by firmness and determination; characterized by quickness and firmness
respite
noun a pause from doing something (as work); a pause for relaxation
restitution
noun getting something back again; the act of restoring something to its original state
restore
verb give or bring back; bring back into original existence, use, function, or position; return to its original or usable and functioning condition; return to life; get or give new life or energy; restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
restricted
adj. the lowest level of official classification for documents; restricted in meaning; (as e.g. man' in a tall man’)
result
noun a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem; a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon; verb issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end; have as a result or residue
resurgence
noun bringing again into activity and prominence
resuscitate
verb cause to regain consciousness; return to consciousness
retaliate
verb make a counterattack and return like for like, especially evil for evil; take revenge for a perceived wrong
retentive
adj. having the power, capacity, or quality of retaining water; good at remembering
reticent
adj. reluctant to draw attention to yourself; temperamentally disinclined to talk
retired
adj. no longer active in your work or profession; discharged as too old for use or work; especially with a pension
retracted
adj. drawn back and in
retrenchment
noun the reduction of expenditures in order to become financial stable; entrenchment consisting of an additional interior fortification to prolong the defense
retrograde
adj. of amnesia; affecting time immediately preceding trauma; moving from east to west on the celestial sphere; or
revealed
adj. no longer concealed; uncovered as by opening a curtain; `discovered’ is archaic and primarily a theater term
revelation
noun an enlightening or astonishing disclosure
reverential
adj. feeling or manifesting veneration
reversal
noun a change from one state to the opposite state; a decision to reverse an earlier decision; turning in an opposite direction or position; a major change in attitude or principle or point of viewturning in the opposite direction; an unfortunate happening that hinders or impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating
revising
noun editing that involves writing something again
revitalize
verb give new life or vigor to; restore strength
revived
adj. restored to consciousness or life or vigor; given fresh life or vigor or spirit
revolting
adj. highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust
revolution
noun the overthrow of a government by those who are governed; a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving
revolutionary
adj. markedly new or introducing radical change; advocating or engaged in revolution
reward
noun an act performed to strengthen approved behavior; benefit resulting from some event or action; a recompense for worthy acts or retribution for wrongdoing; verb act or give recompense in recognition of someone’s behavior or actions; strengthen and support with rewards; bestow honor or rewards upon
rhetoric
noun study of the technique and rules for using language effectively (especially in public speaking); using language effectively to please or persuade
rigorous
adj. demanding strict attention to rules and procedures; rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard
risk
noun a venture undertaken without regard to possible loss or injury; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune; verb expose to a chance of loss or damage; take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
ritualistic
adj. of or characterized by or adhering to ritualism
rival
noun the contestant you hope to defeat; verb be the rival of, be in competition with; be equal to in quality or ability
roam
verb move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
robust
adj. rough and crude; physically strong
romanticize
verb act in a romantic way; make romantic in style; interpret romantically
rousing
adj. rousing to activity or heightened action as by spurring or goading; capable of arousing enthusiasm or excitement
rudimentary
adj. being in the earliest stages of development; not fully developed in mature animals
ruffled
adj. having decorative ruffles or frills; shaken into waves or undulations as by wind
ruggedness
noun the quality of being topologically uneven; the quality of being difficult to do
ruminate
verb chew the cuds; reflect deeply on a subject
sagacious
adj. skillful in statecraft or management; acutely insightful and wise
salient
adj.having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
salutary
adj. tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health
salvage
noun the act of rescuing a ship or its crew or its cargo from a shipwreck or a fire; the act of saving goods or property that were in danger of damage or destruction
sanctimonious
adj. excessively or hypocritically pious
sanction
noun a mechanism of social control for enforcing a society’s standards; official permission or approval; verb give religious sanction to, such as through on oath; give authority or permission to; give sanction to
sanguine
adj. confidently optimistic and cheerful; inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life
satellite
adj. surrounding and dominated by a central authority or power; noun man-made equipment that orbits around the earth or the moon; any celestial body orbiting around a planet or star; a person who follows or serves another
satire
noun witty language used to convey insults or scorn
satisfaction
noun act of fulfilling a desire or need or appetite; the contentment you feel when you have done something right
savanna
noun a flat grassland in tropical or subtropical regions
scandalous
adj. giving offense to moral sensibilities and injurious to reputation
scant
adj. less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so; verb limit in quality or quantity
scarce
adj. deficient in quantity or number compared with the demand; not enough; hard to find
scathing
adj. marked by harshly abusive criticism
scattering
adj. spreading by diffusion; noun a light shower that falls in some locations and not others nearby
scheduling
noun setting an order and time for planned events
scope
noun an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control; electronic equipment that provides visual images of varying electrical quantities
scorned
adj. treated with contempt
scrupulous
adj. having scruples; arising from a sense of right and wrong; principled; characterized by extreme care and great effort
scrutiny
noun a prolonged intense look; the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
seclusion
noun the act of secluding yourself from others; the quality of being secluded from the presence or view of others
secretive
adj. inclined to secrecy or reticence about divulging information
sedentary
adj. requiring sitting or little activity
sedulous
adj. marked by care and persistent effort
seek
verb inquire for; go to or towards; try to get or reach; try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of; make an effort or attempt
seized
adj. taken without permission or consent especially by public authority
selective
adj. tending to select; characterized by careful choice; characterized by very careful or fastidious selection
self-centered.
adj. limited to or caring only about yourself and your own needs
self-destructive
adj. dangerous to yourself or your interests
self-evident
adj. obvious without proof or argument
sell
noun the activity of persuading someone to buy; verb persuade somebody to accept something
semantics
noun the study of language meaning
sensible
adj. aware intuitively or intellectually of something sensed; readily perceived by the senses
sensitive
adj. of or pertaining to classified information or matters affecting national security; hurting
sentiment
noun tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion; a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
serendipity
noun good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries
serene
adj. completely clear and fine; not agitated
servile
adj. submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior; relating to or involving slaves
setback
noun an unfortunate happening that hinders or impedes; something that is thwarting or frustrating
shallow
adj. lacking physical depth; not deep or strong; not affecting one deeply
shattering
adj. seemingly loud enough to break something; violently rattling or clattering; noun the act of breaking something into small pieces
sheepish
adj. showing a sense of shame; like or suggestive of a sheep in docility or stupidity or meekness or timidity
sheltered
adj. protected from danger or bad weather
shocking
adj. giving offense to moral sensibilities and injurious to reputation; glaringly vivid and graphic; marked by sensationalism
short-lived
adj. lasting a very short time
sierra
noun a Spanish mackerel of western North America; a range of mountains (usually with jagged peaks and irregular outline)
similar
adj. marked by correspondence or resemblance; (of words) expressing closely related meanings
simulator
noun a machine that simulates an environment for the purpose of training or research
simultaneous
adj. occurring or operating at the same time
sincere
adj. open and genuine; not deceitful; characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
sinecure
noun an office that involves minimal duties; a benefice to which no spiritual or pastoral duties are attached
sinuously
adv. in a sinuous manner
skeptic
noun someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs
skew
adj. having an oblique or slanting direction or position; verb turn or place at an angle
skittish
adj. unpredictably excitable (especially of horses)
slovenly
adj. negligent of neatness especially in dress and person; habitually dirty and unkempt
slumped
adj. with shoulders drooping
small
adj. limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent; slight or limited; especially in degree or intensity or scope
smugness
noun an excessive feeling of self-satisfaction
soar
noun the act of rising upward into the air; verb go or move upward; fly upwards or high in the sky; rise rapidly; fly a plane without an engine; fly by means of a hang glider
social
adj. marked by friendly companionship with others; living together or enjoying life in communities or organized groups
sojourner
noun a temporary resident
solace
noun comfort in disappointment or misery; the act of consoling; giving relief in affliction
solicitous
adj. showing hovering attentiveness; full of anxiety and concern
solitary
adj. remote or secluded; being the only one; single and isolated from others
somber
adj. grave or even gloomy in character; lacking brightness or color; dull
somnolent
adj. inclined to or marked by drowsiness
sonorous
adj. full and loud and deep
soothe
verb cause to feel better; give moral or emotional strength to
sophistry
noun a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone
soporific
adj. sleep inducing; inducing mental lethargy
source
noun a facility where something is available; anything that provides inspiration for later work
sovereign
adj. greatest in status or authority or power; (of political bodies) not controlled by outside forces
spare
adj. thin and fit; kept in reserve especially for emergency use
sparse
adj. not dense
spartan
adj. resolute in the face of pain or danger or adversity; of or relating to or characteristic of Sparta or its people
spate
noun the occurrence of a water flow resulting from sudden rain or melting snow; a sudden forceful flow
spawn
noun the mass of eggs deposited by fish or amphibians or molluscs; verb lay spawn; call forth
specialized
adj. marked by or characteristic of specialization in a mechanical or scientific subject; developed or designed for a special activity or function
specificity
noun the quality of being specific rather than general; the quality of being specific to a particular organism
speculation
noun a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence); an investment that is very risky but could yield great profits
spellbinding
adj. attracting and holding interest as if by a spell
spiritualism
noun the belief that the spirits of dead people can communicate with people who are still alive (especially via a medium); (theology) any doctrine that asserts the separate existence of God
splinter
noun a small thin sharp bit or wood or glass or metal; verb break up into splinters or slivers; divide into slivers or splinters; withdraw from an organization or communion
spoke
noun support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim; one of the crosspieces that form the steps of a ladder
sponsorship
noun the act of sponsoring (either officially or financially)
spontaneous
adj. happening or arising without apparent external cause; said or done without having been planned or written in advance
spoof
noun a composition that imitates somebody’s style in a humorous way; verb make a parody of
sprawling
adj. spreading out carelessly (as if wandering) in different directions; noun an ungainly posture with arms and legs spread about
spread
adj. prepared or arranged for a meal; especially having food set out; distributed or spread over a considerable extent
spurious
adj. intended to deceive; born out of wedlock
squalid
adj. foul and run-down and repulsive; morally degraded
stability
noun the quality or attribute of being firm and steadfast; a stable order
stable
adj. maintaining equilibrium; not taking part readily in chemical change
stagnant
adj. not growing or changing; without force or vitality; not circulating or flowing
stalemate
noun a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
starkness
noun the quality of being complete or utter or extreme; an extreme lack of furnishings or ornamentation
startling
adj. so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
stature
noun (of a standing person) the distance from head to foot; high level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement
status
noun the relative position or standing of things or especially persons in a society; a state at a particular time
steadfast
adj. firm and dependable especially in loyalty; marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
stealth
noun avoiding detection by moving carefully
stilted
adj. artificially formal
stimulate
verb cause to be alert and energetic; act as a stimulant
stimulus
noun any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action
stipulate
verb make an oral contract or agreement in the verbal form of question and answer that is necessary to give it legal force; specify as a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement
stirred
adj. set into a usually circular motion in order to mix or blend; emotionally aroused
stoic
adj. seeming unaffected by pleasure or pain; impassive; pertaining to Stoicism or its followers
stolid
adj. having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
straightforward
adj. pointed directly ahead; free from ambiguity
straitlaced
adj. exaggeratedly proper
streamlined
adj. made efficient by stripping off nonessentials; designed or arranged to offer the least resistant to fluid flow
strengthen
verb gain strength; make strong or stronger
strenuous
adj. characterized by or performed with much energy or force; taxing to the utmost; testing powers of endurance
strident
adj. being sharply insistent on being heard; unpleasantly loud and harsh
stringent
adj. demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
stunted
adj. inferior in size or quality
stupefying
adj. shocking with surprise and consternation; making physically stupid or dull or insensible
stymie
noun a thwarting and distressing situation; verb hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
subdued
adj. quieted and brought under control; lacking in light; not bright or harsh
subject
adj. likely to be affected by something (especially something unpleasant); being under the power or sovereignty of another or others
subliminal
adj. below the threshold of conscious perception
subordination
noun the quality of obedient submissiveness; the grammatical relation of a modifying word or phrase to its head
subservient
adj. compliant and obedient to authority; abjectly submissive; characteristic of a slave or servant
subsidize
verb support through subsidies; secure the assistance of by granting a subsidy, as of nations or military forces
subsistence
noun minimal (or marginal) resources for subsisting; the state of existing in reality; having substance
substantial
adj. having substance or capable of being treated as fact; not imaginary; having a firm basis in reality and being therefore important, meaningful, or considerable; “substantial equivalents”
substantiated
adj. supported or established by evidence or proof
subterfuge
noun something intended to misrepresent the true nature of an activity
subvert
verb destroy completely; cause the downfall of; of rulers
success
noun an attainment that is successful; an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
successor
noun a thing or person that immediately replaces something or someone; a person who inherits some title or office
succinct
adj. briefly giving the gist of something
succulent
adj. full of juice;
suffrage
noun a legal right guaranteed by the 15th amendment to the US constitution; guaranteed to women by the 19th amendment
suggestion
noun the sequential mental process in which one thought leads to another by association; an idea that is suggested; a proposal offered for acceptance or rejection; persuasion formulated as a suggestion; the act of inducing hypnosis; a just detectable amount
sullenness
noun a sullen moody resentful disposition; a gloomy ill-tempered feeling
sundry
adj. consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds (even to the point of incongruity)
supercilious
adj. expressive of contempt; having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
superficial
adj. being or affecting or concerned with a surface; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually; of little substance or significance
superfluous
adj. more than is needed, desired, or required; serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
superior
adj. (often followed by to') above being affected or influenced by; (sometimes followed by to’) not subject to or influenced by
supersede
verb take the place or move into the position of
supplant
verb take the place or move into the position of
support
noun a military operation (often involving new supplies of men and materiel) to strengthen a military force or aid in the performance of its mission; the act of bearing the weight of or strengthening
suppress
verb to put down by force or authority; put out of one’s consciousness
surly
adj. inclined to anger or bad feelings with overtones of menace
surmise
noun a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence; verb infer from incomplete evidence
surrender
noun the delivery of a principal into lawful custody; the act of surrendering (under agreed conditions)
surreptitious
adj. conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods; marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
survive
verb continue to live; endure or last; continue in existence after (an adversity, etc.)
susceptible
adj. (often followed by of' or to’) yielding readily to or capable of; easily impressed emotionally
suspect
adj. not as expected; noun someone who is under suspicion
suspense
noun an uncertain cognitive state; excited anticipation of an approaching climax
suspicious
adj. not as expected; openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
sustenance
noun the act of sustaining life by food or providing a means of subsistence; a source of materials to nourish the body
sweeping
adj. ignoring distinctions; taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
symbiotic
adj. used of organisms (especially of different species) living together but not necessarily in a relation beneficial to each
sympathy
noun an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion; sharing the feelings of others (especially feelings of sorrow or anguish)
symptom
noun anything that accompanies X and is regarded as an indication of X’s existence; (medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease
syncopated
adj. stressing a normally weak beat
synthesize
verb combine so as to form a more complex, product; combine and form a synthesis
systematic
adj. characterized by order and planning; not haphazard
