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Letter C
words that start with Letter C
469
General Vocab
9th Grade
10/11/2009

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Cards

Term
cabal
Definition
small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests
Term
cache
Definition
hiding place; V.
Term
cacophonous
Definition
discordant; inharmonious; N. cacophony: unpleasant mixture of loud sounds
Term
cadaver
Definition
corpse; dead human body
Term
cadaverous
Definition
like a corpse; pale
Term
cadence
Definition
rhythmic rise and fall (of words or sounds); beat; regular beat of sound; rhythm
Term
cadet
Definition
student at a military school
Term
cajole
Definition
persuade by praise or false promise; coax; wheedle
Term
calamity
Definition
disaster; misery
Term
calculated
Definition
deliberately planned; likely
Term
caldron(cauldron)
Definition
large kettle
Term
caliber
Definition
ability; quality; diameter of the inside of a round cylinder; Ex. work of very high caliber
Term
calligraphy
Definition
beautiful writing; excellent penmanship
Term
callous
Definition
hardened; unfeeling; without sympathy for the sufferings of others; unkind
Term
callow
Definition
youthful; immature; inexperienced
Term
callus
Definition
area of thick hard skin
Term
calorific
Definition
heat-producing; N. calorie
Term
calumny
Definition
malicious misrepresentation; slander
Term
camaraderie
Definition
good-fellowship; CF. comrade
Term
cameo
Definition
shell or jewel carved in relief; star's special appearance in a minor role in a film
Term
camp
Definition
group sharing a common cause or opinion
Term
canard
Definition
unfounded false rumor; exaggerated false report
Term
candor
Definition
frankness; open honesty; ADJ. candid
Term
canine
Definition
related to dogs; doglike
Term
canker
Definition
any ulcerous sore; ulcer; any evil; CF. cancer
Term
canny
Definition
shrewd in money matters; thrifty
Term
cant
Definition
insincere speech or expression of piety; jargon of thieves; special words used by a particular group of people
Term
cantankerous
Definition
ill-humored; irritable
Term
cantata
Definition
story set to music to be sung by a chorus (shorter than an oratorio)
Term
canter
Definition
slow gallop; V. CF. trot
Term
canto
Definition
division of a long poem
Term
canvass
Definition
determine or seek opinions, votes, etc.; go through (a region) to solicit votes or orders; conduct a survey; N.
Term
capacious
Definition
spacious
Term
capacity
Definition
mental or physical ability; role; position or duty; ability to accommodate; Ex. in my capacity as president
Term
capillary
Definition
having a very fine bore; resembling a hair; fine and slender; Ex. capillary attraction; N: very fine hairlike tube; CF. capillarity
Term
capitulate
Definition
surrender; give up all resistance
Term
caprice
Definition
whim; sudden change of mind without any real cause
Term
capricious
Definition
unpredictable; fickle
Term
capsize
Definition
(of a boat) turn over
Term
caption
Definition
title; chapter heading; text under illustration
Term
captious
Definition
faultfinding; too critical
Term
carafe
Definition
glass water bottle; decanter
Term
carapace
Definition
shell covering the back (of a turtle, tortoise, crab, etc.)
Term
carat(karat)
Definition
unit of weight for precious stones; measure of the purity of gold
Term
carcinogenic
Definition
causing cancer; N. carcinogen
Term
cardinal
Definition
chief; most important; N: priest; cardinal number: number that shows quantity rather thatn order
Term
cardiologist
Definition
doctor specializing in ailments of the heart
Term
careen
Definition
lurch; sway from side to side; move with irregular swinging movement; stagger
Term
career
Definition
rush wildly; go at full speed
Term
carefree
Definition
free from worries; having no problems
Term
caricature
Definition
distortion; burlesque
Term
carillon
Definition
a set of bells (often in a tower) capable of being played
Term
carnage
Definition
destruction of life; slaughter; killing of large numbers of people or animals
Term
carnal
Definition
fleshly; sensual; concerning the desires of the body
Term
carnivorous
Definition
meat-eating; N. carnivore; CF. herbivore
Term
carousal
Definition
drunken revel; V. carouse
Term
carping
Definition
petty criticism; fault-finding; fretful complaining; quibble
Term
carrion
Definition
rotting flesh of a dead body; CF. vulture
Term
cartographer
Definition
map-maker
Term
cascade
Definition
small waterfall
Term
caste
Definition
one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; social stratification; prestige
Term
castigation
Definition
punishment; severe criticism or disapproval
Term
castrate
Definition
remove the sex organs (of a male animal or person)
Term
casual
Definition
happening by chance; irregular; occasional; informal; showing or feeling little interest; Ex. casual reader/labor/remark
Term
casualty
Definition
serious or fatal accident; person killed or wounded in an accident or battle
Term
cataclysm
Definition
deluge; upheaval; earthquake; violent and sudden event or change
Term
catalyst
Definition
agent which brings about a chemical change while it remains unaffected and unchanged; CF. catalysis
Term
catapult
Definition
slingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from catapult
Term
cataract
Definition
great waterfall; eye abnormality (causing a gradual loss of eyesight)
Term
catastrophe
Definition
calamity ; disaster
Term
catcall
Definition
shout of disapproval or displeasure (made at the theater or a sports match); boo; V.
Term
catechism
Definition
book for religious instruction in question-and-answer form; religious instruction by question and answer; V. catechize
Term
categorical
Definition
without exceptions; made without any doubt in mind; unqualified; absolute
Term
cater
Definition
provide food and drink (for); cater to: try to satisfy (desires of a bad kind)
Term
catharsis
Definition
purging or cleansing of any passage of the body; purging and weakening of strong emotions as a result of experiencing a dramatic work of art
Term
cathartic
Definition
purgative; medicine that causes the bowels to empty; ADJ.
Term
catholic
Definition
(of likings and interests) universal; general; broad; including many different parts; wide-ranging liberal; Ex. catholic opinions/tastes
Term
caucus
Definition
private meeting of a group of people in a political party to select officers or determine policy; CF. the Caucus club of Boston
Term
caulk(calk)
Definition
make watertight (by blocking up cracks as in a ship)
Term
causal
Definition
implying a cause-and-effect relationship; N. causality
Term
caustic
Definition
burning; corrosive; able to burn by chemical action; sarcastically biting; (of remarks) intended to hurt; bitter; harmful; OP. harmless
Term
cauterize
Definition
burn (a wound or snakebite, etc.) with hot iron or caustic substance to stop bleeding and prevent infection
Term
cavalcade
Definition
procession of riders or horse-drawn carriages; parade; CF. cavalry
Term
cavalier
Definition
casual and offhand; arrogant; N: knight
Term
cavil
Definition
quibble; make frivolous objections; find fault unnecessarily
Term
cede
Definition
yield (title or territory) to (esp. after losing a war); surrender formally; N. cession
Term
celerity
Definition
speed; rapidity
Term
celestial
Definition
heavenly
Term
celibate
Definition
abstaining from sexual intercourse; unmarried; N. celibacy
Term
cemetery
Definition
place for burying the dead
Term
censor
Definition
(in ancient Rome) overseer of morals (also taking the census); person who eliminates inappropriate matter; V.
Term
censorious
Definition
severely critical
Term
censure
Definition
blame; criticize; express strong disapproval; N: severe criticism; strong disapproval
Term
centaur
Definition
mythical figure, half man and half horse
Term
centigrade
Definition
denoting a widely used temperature scale (basically same as Celsius)
Term
centrifugal
Definition
radiating; departing from the center
Term
centrifuge
Definition
machine that separates substances by whirling them
Term
centripetal
Definition
tending toward the center
Term
centurion
Definition
Roman army officer (commanding a company of about 100 soldiers)
Term
cerebral
Definition
pertaining to the brain or intellect; intellectual rather than emotional; CF. cerebrum
Term
cerebration
Definition
thought; working of the brain
Term
ceremonious
Definition
marked by formality; extremely formal and polite; CF. ceremony: conventional social courtesy
Term
certitude
Definition
certainty
Term
cessation
Definition
stoppage
Term
cession
Definition
yielding to another; ceding
Term
chafe
Definition
warm by rubbing; make sore by rubbing; N.
Term
chaff
Definition
worthless products of an endeavor; husk(outer seed cover) separated from grain; Ex. separate the wheat from the chaff
Term
chaffing
Definition
bantering; joking
Term
chagrin
Definition
annoyance and disappointment; vexation (caused by humiliation or injured pride)
Term
chalice
Definition
goblet; consecrated cup
Term
chameleon
Definition
lizard that changes color in different situations
Term
champion
Definition
support militantly; fight for; N: person who fights for or supports strongly (a principle, movement, person, etc.)
Term
championship
Definition
position of champion; defense or support; competition held to determine a champion
Term
chancellor
Definition
legal official of high rank; CF. chancellery(chancellory): position of a chancellor
Term
chant
Definition
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
Term
chaotic
Definition
in utter disorder
Term
chapel
Definition
small church (in a prison, college, or hospital)
Term
chaperon
Definition
older person who accompanies and supervises a young unmarried woman
Term
chaplain
Definition
clergyman attached to a chapel
Term
char
Definition
make or become black by burning; reduce or be reduced to carbon or charcoal(black substance made by burning wood) by incomplete combustion
Term
charisma
Definition
divine gift; great popular charm or appeal; magnetism
Term
charlatan
Definition
quack; pretender to knowledge (esp. in medicine)
Term
charm
Definition
quality of pleasing; amulet; action or formula thought to have magical power; spell; V: attract; cast a spell on; bewitch
Term
chary
Definition
cautious; unwilling to take risks; sparing or restrained about giving; OP. bold
Term
chase
Definition
ornament a metal surface by indenting; follow rapidly to catch
Term
chasm
Definition
abyss; very deep crack
Term
chassis
Definition
framework and working parts of an automobile; framework to which components are attached
Term
chaste
Definition
morally pure; virginal; abstaining from illicit sexual acts; modest; simple (of a style of writing); not highly decorated; austere
Term
chasten
Definition
discipline; punish in order to correct; CF. castigate
Term
chastise
Definition
punish as by beating; criticize severely
Term
chauvinist
Definition
blindly devoted patriot; zealous adherent of a group, cause, or sex; ADJ. chauvinistic; CF. chauvinism; Nicolas Chauvin
Term
check
Definition
stop motion; curb or restrain
Term
checkered(chequered)
Definition
marked by great changes in fortune; with many changes of fortuene; CF. checked: having a pattern of squares
Term
cherubic
Definition
angelic; innocent-looking; N. cherub; CF. seraph: winged angel of the highest order
Term
chicanery
Definition
trickery; deception
Term
chide
Definition
scold; rebuke (someone who has done wrong)
Term
chimerical
Definition
fantastically improbable; highly unrealistic; N. chimera: unreal fancy; fire-breathing female creature
Term
chip
Definition
lose a small piece from the surface or edge; N: small piece broken off something; CF. French fry; Potato chip/crisp
Term
chisel
Definition
swindle or cheat; N: wedgelike tool for cutting
Term
chivalrous
Definition
courteous; faithful; brave; N. chivalry
Term
choice
Definition
delicate; of very fine quality
Term
choir
Definition
group of people who sing together (esp. during religious services); place for choir
Term
choleric
Definition
hot-tempered; bad-tempered; irritable; easily angered; CF. cholera
Term
chore
Definition
daily domestic task (such as cleaning, cooking, and shopping); unpleasant task
Term
choreography
Definition
art of representing dances in written symbols; arrangement of dances
Term
chortle
Definition
chuckle with delight; N.
Term
chorus
Definition
phrase repeated throughout a song or poem
Term
chronic
Definition
long established as a disease
Term
chronicle
Definition
report; record (in chronological order)
Term
chuckle
Definition
laugh quietly
Term
churlish
Definition
boorish; rude; N. churl: boor; yahoo
Term
ciliated
Definition
having minute hairs; CF. cilium; CF. cilia: eyelash
Term
cipher
Definition
nonentity; worthless person or thing; zero; secret code; V.
Term
circlet
Definition
small ring; band of gold, silver, jewel, etc. (worn on the head, arms, or neck as decoration)
Term
circuit
Definition
closed circular line around an area; circumference; regularly repeated journey from place to place
Term
circuitous
Definition
roundabout
Term
circumlocution
Definition
indirect or roundabout expression (by using an uncecessarily large number of words esp. when trying to avoid answering a difficult question directly)
Term
circumscribe
Definition
limit; confine; draw a line around
Term
circumspect
Definition
prudent; cautious; acting after careful thought
Term
circumvent
Definition
outwit; defeat by behaving more cleverly; outsmart; baffle; avoid; get around
Term
cistern
Definition
reservoir or water tank
Term
citadel
Definition
fortress
Term
cite
Definition
quote; commend; Ex. cited for bravery in an official record
Term
civil
Definition
having to do with citizens; not military or religious; courteous and polite; Ex. married in a civil ceremony; Ex. civil strife/disorder/law; N. civility; CF. civic
Term
clairvoyant
Definition
having foresight; fortuneteller; N. clairvoyance
Term
clamber
Definition
climb by crawling with difficulties; scramble
Term
clamor
Definition
loud continous noise; continuous demand or complaint made by a large number of people; V: make a clamor; express (a demand) continually and loudly; ADJ. clamorous
Term
clandestine
Definition
secret
Term
clangor
Definition
loud resounding noise; sound of repeated clanging
Term
clap
Definition
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
Term
clapper
Definition
striker (tongue) of a bell
Term
clarion
Definition
shrill, trumpetlike sound; kind of trumpet used in former times
Term
clasp
Definition
hold firmly within arms
Term
claustrophobia
Definition
fear of being locked in
Term
clavicle
Definition
collarbone
Term
cleave
Definition
split or sever; cling to; remain faithful to; N. cleavage; ADJ. cloven
Term
cleft
Definition
N: split
Term
clemency
Definition
disposition to be lenient in deciding punishments; mildness as of the weather; ADJ. clement
Term
clich\'e
Definition
phrase dulled in meaning by repetition; platitude; ADJ. clich\'ed
Term
clientele
Definition
body of customers
Term
climactic
Definition
relating to the highest point; N. climax; CF. climatic
Term
clime
Definition
climate
Term
clip
Definition
cut off with shears; fasten; N: something clipped off (as a short extract from film); clasp or fastener
Term
clipper
Definition
sailing vessel built for great speed
Term
clique
Definition
small exclusive group of people
Term
cloister
Definition
monastery or convent
Term
clot
Definition
half-solid lump formed from a liquid (or blood); V.
Term
clout
Definition
great influence (especially political or social); hard blow with fist
Term
clown
Definition
act stupidly; play the fool; N.
Term
cloying
Definition
distasteful (because excessive); excessively sweet or sentimental; V. cloy: become unpleasant through too much sweetness or excess
Term
coagulate
Definition
congeal; thicken; clot; N. coagulant
Term
coalesce
Definition
combine; fuse; N. coalescence
Term
coalition
Definition
partnership; league; union of separate political parties
Term
coax
Definition
persuade by flattery
Term
coda
Definition
concluding section of a musical or literary composition
Term
coddle
Definition
treat gently; indulge excessively; pamper; mollycoddle; baby; cook in water just below boiling point; Ex. coddled eggs
Term
codicil
Definition
supplement to the body of a will; later addition to a will
Term
codify
Definition
arrange (laws or rules) as a code; classify; N. code: system of words used instead of ordinary writing; collection of laws, rules, established social customs
Term
coercion
Definition
use of force to get someone to object; compelling; V. coerce
Term
coeval
Definition
living at the same time as; existing during the same period of time; contemporary; of the same age
Term
cog
Definition
tooth projecting from a wheel
Term
cogent
Definition
convincing
Term
cogitate
Definition
think over; ponder
Term
cognate
Definition
having a common origin; related linguistically; allied by blood; similar or akin in nature; Ex. cognate languages; N.
Term
cognitive
Definition
having to do with knowing or perceiving related to the mental processes; N. cognition: the mental process of knowing
Term
cognizance
Definition
knowledge; ADJ. cognizant; having knowledge; aware
Term
cohabit
Definition
live together
Term
cohere
Definition
stick together
Term
cohesion
Definition
tendency to keep together
Term
cohorts
Definition
group of people who share some common quality; armed band; a group of between 300 and 600 soldiers under one commander (in the ancient Rome)
Term
coiffure
Definition
hairstyle
Term
coin
Definition
make coins; invent or fabricate (a word or phrase); N. coinage: word or phrase recently invented
Term
coincidence
Definition
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
Term
colander
Definition
utensil with perforated bottom used for straining
Term
collaborate
Definition
work together; cooperate treasonably with the enemy
Term
collage
Definition
work of art put together from fragments
Term
collate
Definition
examine and compare in order to verify authenticity; arrange in order (the sheets of a book before they are bound)
Term
collateral
Definition
security given for loan; ADJ: secondary; descended from the same person but through different sons or daughters
Term
collation
Definition
a light meal; collating
Term
collected
Definition
composed; calm; self-possessed
Term
colloquial
Definition
pertaining to conversational or common speech; informal; N. colloquialism: colloquial expression
Term
colloquy
Definition
informal discussion; conversation
Term
collusion
Definition
conspiring in a fraudulent scheme to cheat or deceive others; V. collude
Term
colossal
Definition
huge
Term
colossus
Definition
gigantic statue; person or thing of great size or importance
Term
coma
Definition
deep prolonged unconsciousness caused by disease, poison, or a severe blow
Term
comatose
Definition
in a coma; extremely sleepy
Term
combustible
Definition
easily burned; N. CF. combustion
Term
comeback
Definition
retort; quick clever reply; return to former status
Term
comely
Definition
attractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appearance
Term
comestible
Definition
something fit to be eaten
Term
comeuppance
Definition
deserts; well-deserved punishment or misfortune; rebuke
Term
comity
Definition
courtesy; civility; Ex. comity of nations
Term
commandeer
Definition
take (private property) for military use without needing permission or giving payment; draft for military purposes
Term
commemorate
Definition
honor the memory of; serve as a memorial to; Ex. commemorate the 100th anniversary/those who died in the war
Term
commemorative
Definition
remembering; honoring the memory of; Ex. commemorative stamp
Term
commensurate
Definition
equal in extent; of the same size
Term
commiserate
Definition
feel or express pity or sympathy for
Term
commodious
Definition
spacious and comfortable
Term
commonplace
Definition
ordinary; N: something ordinary or common; trite remark
Term
commonwealth
Definition
nation governed by the people; republic; people of a nation
Term
communal
Definition
held in common; public; of a group of people; of a commune
Term
commune
Definition
small (often rural) community whose members share work and income; V: exchange thoughts or feelings; Ex. commune with nature
Term
compact
Definition
agreement; contract; ADJ: tightly packed; firm; brief; concise; Ex. compact statement
Term
compartment
Definition
one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided
Term
compassion
Definition
sympathy for the suffering of others; ADJ. compassionate
Term
compatible
Definition
harmonious; in harmony with; able to exist together
Term
compelling
Definition
overpowering; irresistible in effect; holding one's attention; that compels one to do something; Ex. a compelling adventure story; V. compel
Term
compendium
Definition
brief, comprehensive summary; ADJ. compendious
Term
compensatory
Definition
making up for; repaying
Term
compilation
Definition
listing of information in tabular or book form; compiling
Term
compile
Definition
assemble; gather; accumulate; make (a report or a book) from facts and information found in various places; Ex. compile a dictionary
Term
complacency
Definition
self-satisfaction; smugness; ADJ. complacent
Term
complaisant
Definition
trying to please; obliging; willing to please others
Term
complement
Definition
complete; consummate; make perfect; N.
Term
complementary
Definition
serving to complete something
Term
compliance
Definition
conformity in fulfilling requirements; readiness to yield; disposition to yield to others; V. comply
Term
compliant
Definition
readily acting in accordance with a rule, order, or the wishes or others; yielding; comforming to requirements
Term
complicity
Definition
participation; involvement (in a questionable act or a crime)
Term
component
Definition
element; ingredient
Term
comport
Definition
bear one's self; behave; Ex. comport oneself; N. comportment
Term
compost
Definition
mixture of decaying organic matter used as fertilizer; V: put or make compost
Term
composure
Definition
mental calmness
Term
compound
Definition
combine; produce by combining; increase; make worse by adding to or increasing; exacerbate; Ex. compound an error; ADJ: consisting of two or more parts; N: combination of two or more parts; area enclosed by a wall containing a group of buildings;
Term
comprehend
Definition
include; understand
Term
comprehensive
Definition
broad; including a lot or everything; thorough; inclusive
Term
compress
Definition
force into less space; squeeze; contract; put into fewer words; N: thick mass of cloth pressed to part of the body to stop bleeding or swelling, reduce fever, etc.
Term
comprise
Definition
include; consist of
Term
compromise
Definition
adjust or settle by making mutual concessions; endanger the interests or reputation of; put into danger, disrepute, or a dishonorable position; Ex. compromise one's principle; N.
Term
compulsion
Definition
compelling; strong desire that is difficult to control; irresistible impulse
Term
compulsive
Definition
resulting from compulsion
Term
compulsory
Definition
obligatory; that must be done
Term
compunction
Definition
remorse; strong uneasiness caused by guilt
Term
compute
Definition
reckon; calculate
Term
concatenate
Definition
link as in a chain
Term
concave
Definition
hollow; curved inwards; OP. convex
Term
concede
Definition
admit; acknowledge as being true (often reluctantly); yield; grant; Ex. concede a goal
Term
conceit
Definition
vanity or self-love; too high opinion of one's own value; extravagant metaphor (in poetry)
Term
concentric
Definition
having a common center
Term
conception
Definition
beginning; forming of an idea; fertilization; V. conceive: form an idea in the mind; devise; become pregnant; CF. inception
Term
concerted
Definition
mutually agreed on; done together by agreement; Ex. concerted effort; CF. in concert: working together
Term
concession
Definition
an act of yielding; conceding; something conceded; point, right, etc. given unwillingly; privilege of maintaining a business in a certain place; Ex. oil concessions in the North sea; CF. concessionaire
Term
conciliatory
Definition
reconciling; soothing; V. conciliate: reconcile; soothe; win the friendly feelings (by removing anger)
Term
concise
Definition
brief and compact
Term
conclave
Definition
private secret meeting
Term
conclusive
Definition
decisive; ending all debate
Term
concoct
Definition
prepare by mixing or combining; make up in concert; devise (something false) so as to deceive; Ex. concoct an elaborate excuse for being late; N. concoction
Term
concomitant
Definition
that which accompanies; Ex. Deafnes is a frequent concommitant of old age; ADJ: existing or happening together with something else
Term
concord
Definition
harmony; accord
Term
concordat
Definition
formal agreement
Term
concur
Definition
agree; coincide; happen at the same time
Term
concurrent
Definition
happening at the same time; in agreement
Term
condescend
Definition
(derog.) bestow courtesies with a superior air; descend to the level of one considered inferior
Term
condign
Definition
adequate; (of punishment) severe and well deserved
Term
condiments
Definition
seasonings; spices
Term
condole
Definition
express condolences; N. condolence: sympathy for someone who has experienced great sorrow
Term
condone
Definition
overlook; forgive; give tacit approval; excuse
Term
conducive
Definition
helpful; contributive; V. conduce; Ex. conduce to/towards
Term
conduit
Definition
aqueduct; passageway for fluids
Term
confidant(confidante)
Definition
trusted friend (to whom one tells one's secret)
Term
confide
Definition
tell in confidence (to a person one trusts); be confident about
Term
confidence
Definition
self-assurance; calm unworried feeling based on a strong belief in one's abilities; strong belief in the ability of a person or plan; trust or faith in a person or thing; something confided; secret; Ex. confidence in your ability; Ex. I'm telling yo
Term
confidential
Definition
spoken or written in secret; trusted with private matters; Ex. confidential secretary
Term
confine
Definition
shut in an enclosed space; restrict; keep within limits; N. confinement
Term
confiscate
Definition
seize; take possession of (private property) by official order (usu. as a punishment); commandeer
Term
conflagration
Definition
great fire
Term
confluence
Definition
flowing together; the place where two rivers flow together; crowd; gathering together
Term
conformist
Definition
person who uncritically conforms to the customs of a group; OP. nonconformist: one who does not conform to accepted beliefs of norms
Term
conformity
Definition
harmony; agreement with established rules or customs; similarity; Ex. behave in conformity with; V. conform: be similar; act in agreement; comply; Ex. conform to the rule; CF. conformance
Term
confound
Definition
confuse; puzzle
Term
congeal
Definition
freeze; coagulate
Term
congenial
Definition
pleasant; friendly; in agreement with one's tastes and nature; Ex. congenial weather
Term
congenital
Definition
existing at birth
Term
conglomerate
Definition
corporation made up of several different companies in diversified fields; mass of various material gathered together; rock consisting of small stones held together by clay; V.
Term
conglomeration
Definition
mass of material sticking together
Term
congruence
Definition
correspondence of parts; harmonious relationship; CF. congruity
Term
congruent
Definition
in agreement; harmonious; corresponding; coinciding exactly; CF. congruous
Term
conifer
Definition
pine tree (usu. evergreen); cone-bearing tree; ADJ. coniferous; CF. deciduous; CF. evergreen
Term
conjecture
Definition
surmise; guess; V.
Term
conjugal
Definition
pertaining to marriage
Term
conjure
Definition
cause to appear by magic; summon (a devil or a spirit) by magical power; practice magic (esp. by very quick movement of the hands); evoke; conjure up: bring into the mind; Ex. The magician conjured a rabbit out of his hat.
Term
connivance
Definition
pretense of ignorance of something wrong; assistance; permission to offend; V. connive: feign ignorance (of a wrong); cooperate secretly in an illegal action; conspire
Term
connoisseur
Definition
person competent to act as a judge of art, etc. (whose judgments are respected); a lover of an art
Term
connotation
Definition
suggested or implied meaning of an expression; V. connote
Term
connubial
Definition
pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state
Term
consanguineous(consanguine)
Definition
having a common ancestor
Term
consanguinity
Definition
kinship; relationship by birth
Term
conscientious
Definition
scrupulous; through and careful; Ex. conscientious worker
Term
conscript
Definition
draftee; person forced into military service; V.
Term
consecrate
Definition
dedicate; sanctify; declare as sacred; Ex. consecrate one's life to helping the poor
Term
consensus
Definition
general agreement; opinion reached by a group
Term
consequential
Definition
self-important; significant; consequent; following as a result; Ex. consequential air; CF. subsequent
Term
conservatory(conservatoire)
Definition
school of the fine arts (especially music or drama); glass-enclosed area; CF. conservancy
Term
consign
Definition
send to a person or place for sale; deliver officially; entrust; put into the care of another; set apart (for a special purpose); N. consignment; CF. consignor, consignee
Term
consistency
Definition
absence of contradictions; uniformity; degree of thickness or firmness; Ex. consistency of thick cream; CF. viscous
Term
console
Definition
lessen sadness or disappointment; give comfort; allay the sorrow of; N. consolation
Term
consolidation
Definition
unification; process of becoming firmer or stronger; V. consolidate: merge; strengthen
Term
consonance
Definition
harmony; agreement
Term
consonant
Definition
harmonious; in agreement; N.
Term
consort
Definition
associate with; keep company; N: husband or wife (or a ruler)
Term
conspiracy
Definition
treacherous plot; secret plan against the law (by two or more people)
Term
conspire
Definition
take part in a conspiracy; (of events) work together; combine; Ex. Events conspired to produce great difficulties.
Term
consternation
Definition
great shock; dismay
Term
constituency
Definition
voters represented by an elected official; district so represented; group of supporters (or constituents)
Term
constituent
Definition
supporter; voter; member of a constituency; component
Term
constitution
Definition
constituting; system of laws; composition of something; physical makeup or structure of a person; Ex. men with strong constitutions
Term
constraint
Definition
restraint; compulsion; repression of feelings; reticence; V. constrain: hold back; restrain; compel; oblige; confine forcibly; imprison
Term
construe
Definition
explain; interpret; Ex. construe her silence as meaning that she agreed; CF. misconstrue
Term
consummate
Definition
complete; V.
Term
contagion
Definition
infection (by contact); ADJ. contagious; CF. infectious: that can be passed by infection in the air
Term
contaminate
Definition
pollute
Term
contempt
Definition
scorn; disdain; ADJ. contemptuous; CF. contemptible
Term
contend
Definition
struggle; compete; assert earnestly; state strongly
Term
contention
Definition
assertion; claim; thesis; struggling; competition
Term
contentious
Definition
quarrelsome; controversial; likely to cause arguments
Term
contest
Definition
dispute; argue about the rightness of; compete for; try to win; Ex. contest the election results; Ex. contest a seat in Parliament; N.
Term
context
Definition
writings preceding and following the passage quoted; circumstance in which an event occurs
Term
contiguous
Definition
adjacent to; touching upon
Term
continence
Definition
self-restraint; sexual chastity; sexual abstinence; voluntary control over bladder and bowel functions; ADJ. continent
Term
contingent
Definition
dependent on something uncertain or in the future; conditional; happening by chance; accidental; N: a group of soldiers, ships to a larger force; CF. contingency: future event that may or may not occur; possibility; Ex. prepare for every contingency
Term
contortions
Definition
twistings; distortions; V. contort: twist violently out of shape; CF. contortionist
Term
contraband
Definition
illegal trade; smuggling; smuggled goods; ADJ.
Term
contravene
Definition
contradict; oppose; violate (a rule, law, or custom); N. contravention
Term
contrite
Definition
penitent; repentant; N. contrition
Term
contrivance
Definition
something contrived; machine or apparatus; clever deceitful plan; scheme
Term
contrive
Definition
invent or fabricate in a clever way (by improvisation); manage; Ex. contrive to attract his attention
Term
contrived
Definition
unnatural and forced; artificial; not spontaneous; Ex. The ending was rather contrived.
Term
controvert
Definition
oppose with arguments; attempt to refute; contradict; ADJ. controversial; N. controversy
Term
contumacious
Definition
stubborn and disobedient; resisting authority (esp. disobedient to an order made by a court)
Term
contusion
Definition
bruise
Term
conundrum
Definition
riddle; difficult problem
Term
convene
Definition
come together; assemble; call to meet; Ex. convene the council
Term
convention
Definition
social or moral custom; established practice; formal meeting; international agreement
Term
conventional
Definition
ordinary; typical; not nuclear; Ex. conventional weapons
Term
converge
Definition
approach; tend to meet; come together
Term
conversant
Definition
familiar with; having knowledge of
Term
converse
Definition
opposite; ADJ.
Term
convert
Definition
one who has adopted a different religion or opinion; V: change into another form; (persuade to) adopt a particular religion or belief
Term
convex
Definition
curving outward
Term
conveyance
Definition
vehicle; transfer; act of conveying; Ex. public conveyance
Term
conviction
Definition
judgment that someone is guilty of a crime; strongly held belief
Term
convivial
Definition
pleasantly merry; festive; joyous; gay; characterized by joviality; jovial
Term
convoke
Definition
call together; Ex. convoke Parliament; N. convocation
Term
convoluted
Definition
coiled around; twisted; involved; complicated; intricate; complex; N. convolution: twist; one of the convex folds of the surface of the brain
Term
convulsion
Definition
violent uncontrollable shaking movement (caused by illness); V. convulse; ADJ. convulsive
Term
copious
Definition
plentiful
Term
coquette
Definition
flirt; flirtatious woman; woman who tries to attract the admiration of men without sincere feelings; V.
Term
cordial
Definition
warmly friendly; gracious; heartfelt; Ex. cordial welcome
Term
cordon
Definition
extended line of men or fortifications to prevent access or egress; V.
Term
cornice
Definition
projecting molding on building (usually above columns or pillars);
Term
cornucopia
Definition
horn (or horn-shaped container) overflowing with fruit and grain; symbol of abundance; horn of plenty
Term
corollary
Definition
natural consequence (which naturally follows from something else)
Term
coroner
Definition
public official who investigates any death thought to be of other than natural causes
Term
corporeal
Definition
bodily (rather than spiritual); of a bodily form; material; tangible
Term
corpulent
Definition
very fat; N. corpulence
Term
corpus
Definition
collection (of writings or information); Ex. the corpus of Shakespear's works; Cf. corpse
Term
corpuscle
Definition
red or white cell in the blood
Term
correlate
Definition
either of the correlated things; V.
Term
correlation
Definition
mutual relationship
Term
corroborate
Definition
confirm; support; strengthen
Term
corrode
Definition
destroy or wear away gradually by chemical action (over a long period)
Term
corrosive
Definition
eating away by chemicals or disease; (of language) fierce
Term
corrugated
Definition
wrinkled; ridged
Term
cosmic
Definition
pertaining to the universe; vast
Term
coterie
Definition
group that meets socially; select circle; close group of people with shared interests
Term
countenance
Definition
approve; support; tolerate; Ex. countenance his rude behavior; N: face; appearance
Term
countermand
Definition
cancel; revoke (an order)
Term
counterpart
Definition
thing that completes another; things very much alike; thing that has the same purpose in a different system
Term
coup
Definition
highly successful action or sudden attack; coup(s) d'\'etat; CF. coup de gr\^ace: deathblow or shot which kills
Term
couple
Definition
join; unite; OP. uncouple
Term
courier
Definition
messenger
Term
court
Definition
attempt to gain; seek; woo; risk; behave so as to invite; attempt to gain the favor of by attention; Ex. court disaster
Term
covenant
Definition
binding agreement between two groups or people; compact; V: enter into a covenant; promise
Term
covert
Definition
secret; hidden; implied; OP. overt
Term
covetous
Definition
avaricious; desirous of (someone else's possessions); V. covet: desire eagerly (someone else's possessions)
Term
cow
Definition
terrorize; intimidate
Term
cower
Definition
shrink quivering as from fear; cringe
Term
coy
Definition
shy (flirtatiously); showing a (pretended) lack of self-confidence; modest; coquettish; CF. job offer
Term
cozen
Definition
cheat; hoodwink; swindle
Term
crabbed
Definition
sour; bad-tempered; peevish; difficult to read as handwriting
Term
craft
Definition
skill (esp. with one's hands); skill in deceiving people; guile; ADJ. crafty: cleverly deceitful; cunning
Term
crass
Definition
very unrefined; grossly insensible; crude and undiscriminating; Ex. crass behavior
Term
crave
Definition
desire; want intensely
Term
craven
Definition
cowardly
Term
credence
Definition
belief
Term
credential
Definition
evidence concerning one's authority; written proof of a person's position; Ex. The new ambassador presented his credentials to the court.
Term
credo
Definition
creed
Term
credulity
Definition
belief on slight evidence; gullibility; naivet\'e; ADJ. credulous
Term
creed
Definition
system of religious or ethical belief
Term
creep
Definition
move with body close to the ground; move stealthily or slowly; N.
Term
cremate
Definition
incinerate (a corpse); N. crematory, crematorium
Term
crescendo
Definition
increase in the volume or intensity as in a musical passage; climax; CF. crescent
Term
crest
Definition
top (as of a hill or wave); showy feathers on the head of a bird
Term
crestfallen
Definition
dejected; dispirited
Term
crevice
Definition
crack; fissure
Term
cringe
Definition
shrink back as if in fear; cower
Term
crinkle
Definition
wrinkle
Term
criteria
Definition
standards used in judging; CF. criterion
Term
crochet
Definition
make (a piece of needlework) by looping thread with a hooked needle; N. CF. crotchet
Term
crone
Definition
hag; ugly old woman
Term
cross
Definition
bad-tempered; showing ill-humor; angry
Term
crossbreed
Definition
hybridize; N: hybrid; CF. interbreed; CF. inbreed
Term
crotchety
Definition
(of someone old) eccentric; odd; whimsical; bad-tempered; N. crotchet: odd or whimsical notion
Term
crust
Definition
hard outer covering (as of earth or snow)
Term
crux
Definition
essential or main point; Ex. the crux of the problem; ADJ. crucial: of deciding importance
Term
crypt
Definition
secret recess or vault usually used for burial; underground room (under a church)
Term
cryptic
Definition
mysterious; hidden; secret
Term
cubicle
Definition
small chamber used for sleeping or work
Term
cue
Definition
word or signal (as in a play to prompt another actor's speech or entrance); reminder or hint; V: give a cue to
Term
cuisine
Definition
style of cooking; Ex. French cuisine
Term
culinary
Definition
relating to cooking or kitchen
Term
cull
Definition
pick out from others (to kill the weakest members); reject; select; collect (information); N.
Term
culmination
Definition
highest point; climax; V. culminate in: reach the highest point in; end in; Ex. a series of minor clashes culminating in war
Term
culpable
Definition
deserving blame; blameworthy
Term
culprit
Definition
one guilty of a crime
Term
culvert
Definition
artificial channel for water; drain crossing under a road
Term
cumbersome
Definition
heavy and awkward to carry or wear; burdensome; Ex. cumbersome parcel/uniform
Term
cumulative
Definition
growing by addition; accumulative
Term
cunning
Definition
clever in deceiving; sly; N: cleverness in deceiving; deceit
Term
cupidity
Definition
greed (for wealth); CF. cupid; CF. Cupid
Term
curator
Definition
superintendent; manager (in charge of a museum or a library)
Term
curb
Definition
chain or strap used with a bit to restrain a horse; something that checks; V: check; restrain
Term
curfew
Definition
regulation requiring all people to leave the streets at stated times; signal (as a bell) announcing the hour of a curfew
Term
curmudgeon
Definition
churlish, miserly individual; bad-tempered old person
Term
cursive
Definition
(of writing) flowing; running; having the successive letters joined
Term
cursory
Definition
casual; hastily done with little attention to detail
Term
curtail
Definition
shorten; reduce
Term
cynical
Definition
skeptical or distrustful of human motives; N. cynicism; CF. cynic: person who believes all people are motivated by selfishness
Term
cynosure
Definition
object of general attention; person or thing that is a center of attention; CF. Ursa Minor
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