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Definition
to calm or pacify, put to rest; to lessen, diminish or relieve
ex.)to allay one's hunger |
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Definition
1. beast-like, sub-human in intelligence and sensibility
ex.)Darwin's revelations about our bestial beginnings
2. beastly, brutal, savagely cruel and depraved
ex.)bestial and barbaric acts |
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| convivial (con-viv-ee-al) |
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Definition
festive, sociable; having fun together, enjoyable; genial
ex.)a convivial gathering with the family |
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a small group of people with shared interests or tastes, especially one that is exclusive of other people; a circle of acquaintances
ex.)a coterie of kindred spirits |
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a person/thing closely resembling or corresponding to another; a complement
ex.)the prime minister is the counterpart to the president |
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Definition
to object or take exception to; raise doubts or show reluctance
ex.)normally she would have accepted the challenge, but she demurred |
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Definition
shameless boldness, impudence, insolent or impertinent behavior
ex.)have the effrontery to talk back |
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Definition
to decorate or adorn in order to improve and make more attractive
ex.)blue silk embellished with golden embroidery |
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Definition
short-lived; transient
ex.)achieved only an ephemeral popularity |
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Term
| felicitous (feh-liss-ah-tuhs) |
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Definition
1. well chosen or suited to the circumstances; apt and appropriate
2. pleasing and fortunate; marked by well-being or good fortune, happy
ex.)a felicitous turn of events |
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Definition
done slyly or stealthily, sneaky, shifty
ex.)a furtive glance |
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Definition
clothing, garments
ex.)ladies clothed in raiment bedecked with jewels |
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Definition
glaring; tastelessly showy or overdecorated in a vulgar or offensive way
ex.)the artist was horrified by his garish choice of colors |
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Definition
based on illusion; not real; misleading and deceptive; lacking or not based on reality
ex.)an illusory sense of security |
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Definition
needy; impoverished
ex.)the homeless and the indigent |
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Definition
unusually or disproportionately large; excessive; exceeding reasonable limits
ex.)he didn't deserve such inordinate praise |
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Definition
to cast overboard, get rid of as unnecessary or burdensome
ex.)the crew of the sinking freighter jettisoned most of the cargo in a desperate effort to keep the ship afloat |
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Definition
| a person who despises people |
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Definition
very persistent; holding firmly to a course of action or a set of beliefs; hard to get rid of; refusing to be put off or denied
ex.)as pertinacious as a bulldog |
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Term
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Definition
of little value or importance; petty; paltry; concerned with trifling matters, small-minded
ex.)the picayune squabbling of party politicians |
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Term
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Definition
the board or stone that lies under a door, sill; the place or point of entering or beginning, outset; the point at which a physiological or psychological effect is produced, brink
ex.)at the very threshold of consciousness |
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Term
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Definition
a ghostly apparition, specter
ex.)as pale as a wraith |
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