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WordSmart - All Words
WordSmart - All Words
707
English
Not Applicable
10/09/2011

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Cards

Term
abash
Definition
v - to make ashamed; to embarrass
Term
abate
Definition
v - to subside; to reduce
Term
abdicate
Definition
v - to step down from a position of power or responsibility
Term
aberration
Definition
n - something not typical; a deviation from the standard
Term
abhor
Definition
v - to hate very, very much
Term
abject
Definition
adj - hopeless; extremely sad or servile; defeated
Term
abnegate
Definition
v - to deny oneself of things; to reject; to renounce
Term
abortive
Definition
adj - unsuccessful
Term
abridge
Definition
v - to shorten, to condense
Term
absolute
Definition
adj - total, unlimited
Term
absolve
Definition
v - to forgive or free from blame; to free from sin; to free from obligation
Term
abstinent
Definition
adj - abstaining; voluntarily not doing something, especially something pleasant that is bad for you or has a bad reputation
Term
abstract
Definition
adj - theoretical; impersonal
Term
abstruse
Definition
adj - hard to understand
Term
abysmal
Definition
adj - extremely hopeless or wrteched; bottomless
Term
accolade
Definition
noun - an award; an honor
Term
accost
Definition
v - to approach and speak to someone aggressively
Term
acerbic
Definition
adj - sourl sever; like acid in temper, mood, or tone
Term
acquiesce
Definition
v - to comply passively; to accept; to assent; to agree
Term
acrid
Definition
adj - harshly pungent; bitter
Term
acrimonious
Definition
adj - full of spite; bitter; nasty
Term
acumen
Definition
noun - keenness of judgement; mental sharpness
Term
acute
Definition
adj - sharp; shrewd
Term
adamant
Definition
adj - stubborn; unyielding; completely; inflexible
Term
address
Definition
v - to speak to; to direct one's attention to
Term
adherent
Definition
noun - follower; supporter; believer
Term
admonish
Definition
v - to scold gently; to warn
Term
adroit
Definition
adj - skillful; dexterous; clever; shrewd; socially at ease.
Term
adulation
Definition
noun - wild or excessive admiration; flattery
Term
adulterate
Definition
v - to contaminate, to make impure
Term
adverse
Definition
adj - unfavorable; antagonistic
Term
aesthetic
Definition
adj - having to do with artistic beauty; artistic
Term
affable
Definition
adj - easy to talk tol friendly
Term
affectation
Definition
n - unnatural or artificial behavior, usually intended to impress
Term
affinity
Definition
n - sympathy; attraction; kinship; similarity
Term
affluent
Definition
adj - rich; prosperous
Term
agenda
Definition
n - a program; the things to be done
Term
aggregate
Definition
n - sum total; a collection of separate things mixed together
Term
agnostic
Definition
n - one who believes that the existence of a god can neither be proven nor disproven
Term
agrarian
Definition
adj - relating to land; relating to the management or farming of land
Term
alacrity
Definition
n - cheerful eagerness or readiness to respond
Term
allege
Definition
v - to assert without proof
Term
alleviate
Definition
v - to relieve, usually temporarily or incompletely; to make bearable; to lessen
Term
allocate
Definition
v - to distribute; to assign; to allot
Term
alloy
Definition
n -a combination of two or more things, usually metals
Term
allusion
Definition
n - an indirect reference (often to a literary work); a hint
Term
aloof
Definition
adj - uninvolved; standing off; keeping one's distance
Term
altruism
Definition
n - selflessness; generosity; devotion to the interests of others
Term
ambience
Definition
n - atmosphere; mood; feeling
Term
ambiguous
Definition
adj - unclear in meaning; confusing; capable of being interpreted in different ways
Term
ambivalent
Definition
adj - undecided; having opposed feelings simultaneously
Term
ameliorate
Definition
v - to make better or more tolerable
Term
amenable
Definition
adj - obedient; willing to give into to the wishes of another; agreeable
Term
amenity
Definition
n - pleasantness; attractive or comfortable feature
Term
amiable
Definition
adj - friendly; agreeable
Term
amnesty
Definition
n -an offical pardon for a group of people who have violated a law or policy
Term
amoral
Definition
adj - lacking a sense of right and wrong; neither good nor bad, neither moral nor immoral; without moral feelings
Term
amorous
Definition
adj - feeling loving, especially in a sexual sense; in love; relating to love
Term
amorphous
Definition
adj - shapeless, without a regular or stable shape; blob-like
Term
anachronism
Definition
n - something out of place in time or history; an incongruity
Term
analogy
Definition
n - a comparison of one thing to another; similarity
Term
anarchy
Definition
n - absence of government or control; lawlessness
Term
anecdote
Definition
n - a short account or a humorous or revealing incident
Term
anguish
Definition
n - agonizing physical or mental pain
Term
animosity
Definition
n - resentment; hostility; ill will
Term
anomaly
Definition
n - an aberration; an irregularity; a deviation
Term
antecedent
Definition
n - someone or something that went before; something that provides a model for something that came after it
Term
antipathy
Definition
n - a firm dislike; a dislike
Term
antithesis
Definition
n - the direct opposite
Term
apartheid
Definition
n - the former policy of racial segregation and oppression in the republic of South Africa
Term
apathy
Definition
n - lack of interest; lack of feeling
Term
aphorism
Definition
n - a brief, often witty saying; a prov
Term
apocalypse
Definition
n - a prophetic revelation, especially one concerning the end of the world
Term
apocryphal
Definition
n -of dubious authenticity; fictitious; spurious
Term
apotheosis
Definition
n - an elevation to divine status; the perfect example of something
Term
appease
Definition
v - to sooth; to pacify by giving in to
Term
appreciate
Definition
v - to increase in value
Term
apprehensive
Definition
adj - worried; anxious
Term
approbation
Definition
n - approval; praise
Term
appropriate
Definition
v - to take without permission; to set aside for a particular use
Term
aptitude
Definition
n - a capacity for learning; natural ability
Term
arbiter
Definition
n - one who decides; a judge
Term
arbitrary
Definition
adj - random, capricious
Term
arcane
Definition
adj - mysterious known to only a select few
Term
archaic
Definition
adj - extremely old; ancient; outdated
Term
archetype
Definition
n - an original model or pattern
Term
ardent
Definition
adj - passionate; enthusiastic
Term
arduous
Definition
adj - hard; difficult
Term
aristocratic
Definition
adj - of noble birth; snobbish
Term
artful
Definition
adj - crafty; wily; sly
Term
artifice
Definition
n - a clever trick; cunning
Term
ascendancy
Definition
n - supremacy; domination
Term
ascetic
Definition
adj - hermit-like; practicing self-denial
Term
assiduous
Definition
adj - hardworking; busy; quite diligent
Term
assimilate
Definition
v - to take in; to absorb; to learn thoroughly
Term
assuage
Definition
v - to soothe; to pacify; to ease the pain of; to relieve
Term
astute
Definition
adj - shrewd; keen in judgment
Term
atheist
Definition
n - one of who not believe in the existence of any god or divine being
Term
attrition
Definition
n - a gradual wearing away; weakening, or loss; a natural or unexpected decrease in numbers or size
Term
audacity
Definition
n - boldness; reckless daring; impertinence
Term
augment
Definition
v - to make bigger; to add; to increase
Term
auspicious
Definition
adj - favorable; promising; pointing to a good result
Term
austere
Definition
adj - unadorned; stern; forbidding; without excess
Term
autocratic
Definition
adj - ruling with absolute authority; extremely bossy
Term
autonomous
Definition
adj - acting independently
Term
avarice
Definition
n - greed; excessive love of riches
Term
avow
Definition
v - to claim; to declare boldly; to admit
Term
avuncular
Definition
adj - like an uncle, especially a nice uncle
Term
awry
Definition
adj - off course; twisted to one side
Term
axiom
Definition
n - a self-evident rule or truth; a widely accepted saying
Term
banal
Definition
adj - unoriginal; ordinary
Term
bane
Definition
n - poison; torment; cause of harm
Term
bastion
Definition
n - stronghold; fortress; fortified place
Term
beget
Definition
v - to give birth; to create; to lead; to cause
Term
belabor
Definition
v - to go over repeatedly or to an absurd extent
Term
beleaguer
Definition
v - to surround; to besiege; to harass
Term
belie
Definition
v - to give a false impression of; to contradict
Term
belittle
Definition
v - to make seem little; to put someone down
Term
belligerent
Definition
adj - combative; quarrelsome; waging war
Term
bemused
Definition
adj - confused, bewildered
Term
benefactor
Definition
n - one who provides help, especially in the form of a gift or donation
Term
benevolent
Definition
adj - generous; kind; doing good deeds
Term
benign
Definition
adj - gentle; not harmful; kind; mild
Term
bequest
Definition
n - something left to someone in a will
Term
bereaved
Definition
adj - deprived or left desolate, especially through death
Term
beset
Definition
v - to harass; to surround
Term
blasphemy
Definition
n - irreverence; an insult to something held sacred; profanity
Term
blatant
Definition
adj - unpleasantly or offensively noisy; glaring
Term
blight
Definition
n - a disease in plants; anything that injures or destroys
Term
blithe
Definition
adj - carefree; cheerful
Term
bourgeois
Definition
adj - middle class, usually in a pejorative sense; boringly conventional
Term
bovine
Definition
adj - cow related; cowlike
Term
brevity
Definition
n - briefness
Term
broach
Definition
v - to open up a subject for discussion, often a delicate subject
Term
bucolic
Definition
adj - charmingly rural; rustic; country-like
Term
bureaucracy
Definition
n - a system of government administration consisting of numerous bureaus or offices, especially one run according to inflexible and inefficient rules; any large administrative system characterized by inefficiency, lots of rules, and red tape
Term
burgeon
Definition
v - to expand; to flourish
Term
burlesque
Definition
n - a ludicrous, mocking, lewd imitation
Term
cacophony
Definition
n - harsh sounding mixture of words, voices, or sounds
Term
cadence
Definition
n - rhythm, the rise and fall of sounds
Term
cajole
Definition
v - to persuade someone to do something he or she doesn't want to do
Term
callow
Definition
adj - immature
Term
candor
Definition
n - truthfulness; sincere honesty
Term
cant/cent/chant
Definition
to sing
Term
capitalism
Definition
n - an economic system in which businesses are owned by private citizens (not by the government) and in which the resulting products and services are sold with relatively little government control
Term
capitulate
Definition
v - to surrender; to give up or give in
Term
capricious
Definition
adj - unpredictable; likely to change at any moment
Term
caricature
Definition
n - a portrait or description that is usually distorted or exaggerated, often to prove some point about its subject
Term
castigate
Definition
v - to criticize severely; to chastise
Term
catalyst
Definition
n - in chemistry, something that changes the rate of a chemical reaction without itself being changed; anyone or anytrhing that makes something happen without being directly involved in it
Term
categorical
Definition
adj - unconditional; absolute
Term
catharsis
Definition
n - purification that brings emotional relief or renewal
Term
catholic
Definition
adj - universal; embracing everything
Term
caustic
Definition
adj - like acid; corrosive
Term
celibacy
Definition
n - abstinence from sex
Term
censure
Definition
v - to condemn severely for doing something bad
Term
cerebral
Definition
adk - brainy; intellectually refined
Term
chagrin
Definition
n - humiliation; embarrassed disappointment
Term
charisma
Definition
n - a magical-seeming ability to attract followers or inspire loyalty
Term
charlatan
Definition
n - fraud; quack; con man
Term
chasm
Definition
n - a deep, gaping hole; a gorge
Term
chicanery
Definition
n - trickery; deceitfulness; artifice; especially legal or political
Term
chimera
Definition
n - an illusion; a foolish fancy
Term
choleric
Definition
adj - hot-tempered; quick to anger
Term
chronic
Definition
constant; lasting a long time; inveterate
Term
chronicle
Definition
n - a record of events in order of time; a history
Term
circuitous
Definition
adj - roundabout; not following a direct path
Term
circumlocution
Definition
n - an indirect expression; use of wordy or evasive language
Term
circumscribe
Definition
v - to draw a line around; to set the limits; to define; to restrict
Term
circumspect
Definition
adj - cautious
Term
circumvent
Definition
v - to frustrate as though by surrounding
Term
civil
Definition
adj - polite; civilized; courteous
Term
clemency
Definition
n - mercy; forgiveness; mildness
Term
cliché
Definition
n - an overused saying or idea
Term
clique
Definition
n - an exclusive group bound together by some shared quality or interest
Term
coalesce
Definition
v - to come together as one; to fuse; to unite
Term
coerce
Definition
v - to force someone to do or not do do something
Term
cogenial
Definition
adj - agreeably suitable; pleasant
Term
cogent
Definition
adj - powerful convincing
Term
cognitive
Definition
adj - dealing with how we know the world around us through our senses; mental
Term
cognizant
Definition
adj - aware; conscious
Term
coherent
Definition
adj - holding together; making sense
Term
colloquial
Definition
adj - conversational; informal in language
Term
collusion
Definition
n - conspiracy; secret cooperation
Term
commensurate
Definition
adj - equal; proportionate
Term
compelling
Definition
adj - forceful; causing to yield
Term
compendium
Definition
n - a summary; an abridgment
Term
complacent
Definition
adj - self-satisfied; overly pleased with oneself; contented to a fault
Term
complement
Definition
v - to complete or fill up; to be the perfect counterpart
Term
complicity
Definition
n - participation in wrongdoing; the act of being an accomplice
Term
comprehensive
Definition
adj - covering or including everything
Term
comprise
Definition
v - to consist of
Term
conciliatory
Definition
adj - making peace; attempting to resolve a dispute through goodwill
Term
concise
Definition
adj - brief and to the point; succinct
Term
concord
Definition
n - harmony; agreement
Term
concurrent
Definition
adj - happening at the same time; parallel
Term
condescend
Definition
v - to stoop to someone else's level, usually in an offensive way; to patronize
Term
condone
Definition
v - to overlook; to permit to happen
Term
conducive
Definition
adj - promoting
Term
confluence
Definition
n - a flowing together, especially of rivers; the place where they begin to flow together
Term
congenital
Definition
adj - describing a trait or condition acquired between conception and birth; innate
Term
conjecture
Definition
v - to guess; to deduce or infer on slight evidence
Term
conjure
Definition
v - to summon or bring into being as if by magic
Term
connoisseur
Definition
n - an expert, particularly in matters of art or taste
Term
consecrate
Definition
v - to make or declare sacred
Term
consensus
Definition
n - unanimity or general agreement
Term
consonant
Definition
adj - harmonious; in agreement
Term
construe
Definition
v - to interpret
Term
consummate
Definition
adj - perfectly complete; supremely skillful
Term
contentious
Definition
adj - argumentative; quarrelsome
Term
contiguous
Definition
adj - side by side, adjoining
Term
contingent
Definition
adj - dependent; possible
Term
contrite
Definition
adj - admiring guilt; especially feeling remorseful
Term
contrived
Definition
adj - artificial; labored
Term
conventional
Definition
adj - common; customary; unexceptional
Term
convivial
Definition
adj - fond of partying; festive
Term
copious
Definition
adj - abundant; plentiful
Term
corollary
Definition
n - something that follows; a natural consequence
Term
corroborate
Definition
v - to confirm; to back up with evidence
Term
cosmopolitan
Definition
adj - at home in many places or situational internationally sophisticated
Term
countenance
Definition
n - face; facial expressions; especially an encouraging one
Term
coup
Definition
n - a brilliant victory or accomplishment; the violent overthrow of a government by a small internal group
Term
covenant
Definition
n - a solemn agreement; a contract; a pledge
Term
covert
Definition
adj - secret; hidden
Term
covet
Definition
v - to wish for enviously
Term
credulous
Definition
adj - eager to believe; gullible
Term
criterion
Definition
n - standard; basis for judgment
Term
cryptic
Definition
adj - mysterious; mystifying
Term
culinary
Definition
adj - relating to cooking or the kitchen
Term
culminate
Definition
v - to climax; to reach the full effect
Term
culpable
Definition
adj - deserving blame; guilty
Term
cursory
Definition
adj - hasty; superficial
Term
curtail
Definition
v - to shorten, to cut short
Term
cynic
Definition
n - one who deeply distrusts human nature; one who believes humans are motivated by only selfishness
Term
daunt
Definition
v - to make fearful; to intimidate
Term
dearth
Definition
n - lack; scarcity
Term
debacle
Definition
n - violent breakdown; sudden overthrow; overwhelming defeat
Term
debauchery
Definition
n - wild living; excessive intemperance
Term
debilitate
Definition
v - to weaken; to cripple
Term
decadent
Definition
adj - decaying or decayed, especially in terms of morals
Term
decimate
Definition
v - to kill or destroy a large part of
Term
decorous
Definition
adj - proper, in good taste, orderly
Term
deduce
Definition
v - to conclude from evidence; to infer
Term
defame
Definition
v - to libel or slander; to ruin the good name of
Term
deference
Definition
n - submission to another's will; respect; courtesy
Term
definitive
Definition
adj - conclusive; providing the last word
Term
degenerate
Definition
v - to break down; to deteriorate
Term
deleterious
Definition
adj - harmful
Term
delineate
Definition
v - to describe accurately; to draw in outline
Term
delude
Definition
v - to deceive
Term
deluge
Definition
n - a flood; an inundation
Term
demagogue
Definition
n - leader of the people, but more a rabble rouser
Term
denizen
Definition
n - inhabitant
Term
depravity
Definition
n - extreme wickedness or corruption
Term
deprecate
Definition
v - to express disapproval of
Term
deride
Definition
v - to ridicule; to laugh at contemptuously
Term
derogatory
Definition
adj - disapproving; degrading
Term
desiccate
Definition
v - to dry out
Term
despondent
Definition
adj - extremely depressed; full of despair
Term
despot
Definition
n - an absolute ruler; an autocrat
Term
destitute
Definition
adj - extremely poor; utterly lacking
Term
desultory
Definition
adj - without a plan or purpose; disconnected; random
Term
dextrous
Definition
adj - skillful; adroit
Term
dialectical
Definition
adj - relating to discussions; relating to the rules and methods of reasoning; approaching truth in the middle of opposing extremes
Term
dictum
Definition
n - an authoritative saying; an adage; a maxim; a prov
Term
didactic
Definition
adj - intended to teach; morally instructive; pedantic
Term
diffident
Definition
adj - timid; lacking in self-confidence
Term
digress
Definition
v - to stray from the main subject
Term
dilettante
Definition
n - someone with superficial knowledge of the arts; an amateur; a dabbler
Term
discern
Definition
v - to have insight; to see things clearly; to discriminate; to differentiate
Term
discreet
Definition
adj - prudent; judiciously reserved
Term
discrete
Definition
adj - unconnected; separate; distinct
Term
discriminate
Definition
v - to notice or point out the difference between two or more things; to discern; to differentiate
Term
disdain
Definition
n - arrogant scorn; contempt
Term
disinterested
Definition
adj - not taking sides; unbiased
Term
disparage
Definition
v - to belittle; to say uncomplimentary things about, usually in a somewhat indirect way
Term
disparate
Definition
adj - different; incompatible; unequal
Term
disseminate
Definition
v - to spread the seeds of something; to scatter; to make widely known
Term
dissolution
Definition
n - the breaking up or dissolving of something into parts; disintegration
Term
distend
Definition
v - to swell; to extend a great deal
Term
distinguish
Definition
v - to tell apart; to cause to stand out
Term
docile
Definition
adj - easily taught; obedient; easy to handle
Term
doctrinaire
Definition
adj - inflexible committed to a doctrine or theory without regard to its practicality; dogmatic
Term
dogmatic
Definition
adj - arrogantly assertive of unproven ideas
Term
domestic
Definition
adj - having to do with the household of a family; not foreign
Term
dormant
Definition
adj - inactive; as though asleep; asleep
Term
dubious
Definition
adj - full of doubt; uncertain
Term
duplicity
Definition
n - the act of being two-faced; double-dealing; deception
Term
ebullient
Definition
adj - boiling; bubbling with excitement; exuberant
Term
eccentric
Definition
adj - not conventional; a little kooky; irregular
Term
eclectic
Definition
adj - choosing the best from many sources; drawn from many sources
Term
edify
Definition
v - to enlighten; to instruct, especially in moral or religious matters
Term
efface
Definition
v - to erase; to run away the features of
Term
effusion
Definition
n - a pouring forth
Term
egalitarian
Definition
adj - believing in the social and economic equality of all people
Term
egocentric
Definition
adj - selfish; believing that one is the center of everything
Term
egregious
Definition
adj - extremely bad; flagrant
Term
elicit
Definition
v - to bring out; to call forth
Term
elliptical
Definition
adj - oval; missing a word or words; obscure
Term
elusive
Definition
adj - hard to pin down; evasive
Term
emigrate
Definition
v - to leave the country permanently; to expatriate
Term
eminent
Definition
adj - well-known and respected; standing out from all the others in quality or accomplishment; outstanding
Term
empirical
Definition
adj - relying on experience or observation; not merely theoretical
Term
emulate
Definition
v - to strive to equal or excel, usually through imitation
Term
encroach
Definition
v - to make gradual or stealthy inroads into; to trespass
Term
endemic
Definition
adj - native; restricted to a particular region or era; indigenous
Term
enervate
Definition
v - to reduce the strength or energy of, especially to do so gradually
Term
enfranchise
Definition
v - to grant the privileges of citizenship, especially the right to vote
Term
engender
Definition
v - to bring into existence; to create; to cause
Term
enigma
Definition
n - a mystery
Term
enormity
Definition
n - extreme evil; a hideous offense; immensity
Term
ephemeral
Definition
adj - lasting a very short time
Term
epigram
Definition
n - a brief and usually witty or satirical saying
Term
epitome
Definition
n - a brief summary that captures the meaning of the whole; the perfect example of something; paradigm
Term
equanimity
Definition
n - composure; calm
Term
equitable
Definition
adj - fair
Term
equivocal
Definition
adj - ambiguous; intentionally confusing; capable of being interpreted in more than one way
Term
erudite
Definition
adj - scholarly; deeply learned
Term
esoteric
Definition
adj - hard to understand; understood by only a select few; particular
Term
espouse
Definition
v - to support; to advocate
Term
ethereal
Definition
adj - heavenly; as light and insubstantial as a gas or ether
Term
euphemism
Definition
n - a pleasant or inoffensive expression used in a place of an unpleasant or offensive one
Term
evanescent
Definition
adj - fleeting; vanishing; happening for only the briefest period
Term
exacerbate
Definition
v - to make worse
Term
exacting
Definition
adj - extremely demanding; difficult; requiring great skill or care
Term
exalt
Definition
v - to raise high; to glorify
Term
exasperate
Definition
v - to annoy thoroughly; to make very angry; to try the patience of
Term
exemplify
Definition
v - to illustrate by example; to serve as a good example
Term
exhaustive
Definition
adj - thorough; rigorous; complete painstaking
Term
exhort
Definition
v - to urge strongly; to give a serious warning to
Term
exigency
Definition
n - an emergency; an urgency
Term
existential
Definition
adj - having to do with existence; having to do with the body of thought called existentialism, which basically holds that human beings are responsible for their own actions but its otherwise too complicated to summarize in a single sentence
Term
exonerate
Definition
v - to free completely from blame; to exculpate
Term
expatriate
Definition
v - to throw (someone) out of his or her native land; to move away from one's native land; to emigrate
Term
expedient
Definition
adj - providing an immediate advantage; serving one;s immediate self-interest; practical
Term
expedite
Definition
v - to speed up or ease the progress of
Term
explicit
Definition
adj - clearly and directly expressed
Term
extol
Definition
v - to praise highly; to laud
Term
extraneous
Definition
adj - unnecessary; irrelevant; extra
Term
extrapolate
Definition
v - to project or deduce from something known; to infer
Term
extricate
Definition
v - to free from difficulty
Term
extrovert
Definition
n - an open, outgoing person; a person whose attention is focused on others rather than on himself or herself
Term
exult
Definition
v - to rejoice; to celebrate
Term
fabrication
Definition
n - a lie; something made up
Term
facetious
Definition
adj - humorous; not serious; clumsily humorous
Term
facile
Definition
adj - fluent; skillful in a superficial way; easy
Term
faction
Definition
n - a group, usually a small part of a larger group, united around some cause; disagreement within an organization
Term
farcical
Definition
adj - absurd; ludicrous
Term
fastidious
Definition
adj - meticulous; demanding; finicky
Term
fatalist
Definition
n - someone who believes that future events are already determined and that humans are powerless to change them
Term
fatuous
Definition
adj - foolish; silly; idiotic
Term
fauna
Definition
n - animals
Term
fecund
Definition
adj - fertile; productive
Term
felicity
Definition
n - happiness; skillfulness, especially at expressing thing; adeptness
Term
fer
Definition
to bring, to carry, to bear
Term
fervor
Definition
n - a great warmth or earnestness; ardor; zeal
Term
fetter
Definition
v - to restrain; to hamper
Term
fidelity
Definition
n - faithfulness; loyalty
Term
figurative
Definition
adj - based on figures of speech; expressing something in terms usually used for something else; metaphorical
Term
finesse
Definition
n - skillful maneuvering; subtlety; craftiness
Term
flagrant
Definition
adj - glaringly bad; notorious; scandalous
Term
flaunt
Definition
v - to show off; to display ostentatiously
Term
flout
Definition
v - to disregard something out of disrespect
Term
foible
Definition
n - a minor character flaw
Term
foment
Definition
v - to stir up; to instigate
Term
forbear
Definition
v - to refrain from; to abstain
Term
forego
Definition
v - to do without; to forbear
Term
forsake
Definition
v - to abandon; to renounce; to relinquish
Term
fortuitous
Definition
adj - accidental; occurring by chance
Term
founder
Definition
v - to fail; to collapse; to sink
Term
fraternal
Definition
adj - like brothers
Term
frenetic
Definition
adj - frantic; frenzied
Term
frugal
Definition
adj - economical, penny-pinching
Term
furtive
Definition
adj - secretive; sly
Term
futile
Definition
adj - useless; hopeless
Term
garrulous
Definition
adj - talkative; chatty
Term
gauche
Definition
adj - unskillful; awkward; maladroit
Term
genre
Definition
n - a type or category, especially of art or writing
Term
genteel
Definition
adj - refined; polite; aristocratic; affecting refinement
Term
gesticulate
Definition
v - to make gestures, especially when speaking or in place of speaking
Term
glut
Definition
n - surplus; an overabundance
Term
grandiloquent
Definition
adj - pompous; using a lot of big, fancy words in an attempt to sound impressive
Term
grandiose
Definition
adj - absurdly exaggerated
Term
gratuitous
Definition
adj - given freely (said of something bad); unjustified; unprovoked; uncalled for
Term
gravity
Definition
n - seriousness
Term
gregarious
Definition
adj - sociable; enjoying the company of others
Term
guile
Definition
n - cunning; duplicity; artfulness
Term
hackneyed
Definition
adj - overused; trite; stale
Term
hapless
Definition
adj - unlucky
Term
harbinger
Definition
n - a forerunner; a signal of
Term
hedonism
Definition
n - the pursuit of pleasure as a way of life
Term
hegemony
Definition
n - leadership, especially of one nation over another
Term
heresy
Definition
n - any belief that is strongly opposed to established beliefs
Term
hermetic
Definition
adj - impervious to external influence; airtight
Term
heyday
Definition
n - golden age; prime
Term
hiatus
Definition
n - a break or interruption, often from work
Term
hierarchy
Definition
n - an organization based on rank or degree; pecking order
Term
histrionic
Definition
adj - overly dramatic; theatrical
Term
homily
Definition
n - a sermon
Term
homogenous
Definition
adj - uniform; made entirely of one thing
Term
husbandry
Definition
n - thrifty management of resources; livestock farming
Term
hyperbole
Definition
n - an exaggeration used as a figure of speech; exaggeration
Term
hypothetical
Definition
adj - uncertain; unproven
Term
iconoclast
Definition
n - one who attacks popular beliefs or institutions
Term
ideology
Definition
n - a system of social or political ideas
Term
idiosyncrasy
Definition
n - a peculiarity; an eccentricity
Term
idyllic
Definition
adj - charming in a rustic way; naturally peaceful
Term
ignominy
Definition
n - deep disgrace
Term
illicit
Definition
adj - illegal; not permitted
Term
immigrate
Definition
v - to move permanently to a new country
Term
imminent
Definition
adj - just about to happen
Term
immutable
Definition
adj - unchangeable
Term
impartial
Definition
adj - fair; not favoring one side or the other; unbiased
Term
impeccable
Definition
adj - flawless; entirely without sin
Term
imperial
Definition
adj - like an emperor or empire
Term
impervious
Definition
adj - not allowing anything to pass through; impenetrable
Term
impetuous
Definition
adj - impulsive; extremely impatient
Term
implement
Definition
v - to carry out
Term
impotent
Definition
adj - powerless; helpless; unable to perform sexual intercourse
Term
impugn
Definition
v - to attack, especially to attack the truth or integrity of something
Term
inane
Definition
adj - silly senseless
Term
inaugurate
Definition
v - to begin officially; to induct formally into office
Term
incandescent
Definition
adj - brilliant; giving off heat or light
Term
incantation
Definition
n - a chant; the repetition of statements or phrases in a way reminiscent of a chant
Term
incense
Definition
v - to make very angry
Term
incessant
Definition
adj - unceasing
Term
incipient
Definition
adj - beginning; emerging
Term
incisive
Definition
adj - cutting right into the heart of the matter
Term
incongruous
Definition
adj - not harmonious; not consistent; not appropriate; not fitting in
Term
incorrigible
Definition
adj - incapable of being reformed
Term
increment
Definition
n -an increase; one in a series of increases
Term
indifferent
Definition
adj - not caring one way or the other; apathetic; mediocre
Term
indigenous
Definition
adj - native; originating in that area
Term
indigent
Definition
adj - poor
Term
indignant
Definition
adj - angry, especially as a result of something unjust or unworthy; insulted
Term
indolent
Definition
adj - lazy
Term
indulgent
Definition
adj - lenient; yielding to desire
Term
ineffable
Definition
adj - incapable of being expressed or described
Term
inept
Definition
adj - clumsy; incompetent; gauche
Term
inert
Definition
adj - inactive; sluggish; not reacting chemically
Term
inexorable
Definition
adj - relentless; inevitable; unavoidable
Term
infamous
Definition
adj - shamefully wicked; having an extremely bad reputation; disgraceful
Term
infatuated
Definition
adj - foolish; foolishly passionate or attracted; made foolish; foolishly in love
Term
infer
Definition
v - to conclude; to deduce
Term
infinitesimal
Definition
adj - very, very, very small; infinitely small
Term
ingenuous
Definition
adj - frank; without deception; simple; artless; charmingly naive
Term
inherent
Definition
adj - part of the essential nature of something; intrinsic
Term
injunction
Definition
n - a command or order, especially a court order
Term
innate
Definition
adj - existing since birth; inborn; inherent
Term
innocuous
Definition
adj - harmless; banal
Term
inordinate
Definition
adj - excessive; unreasonable
Term
insatiable
Definition
adj - hard or impossible to satisfy; greedy; avaricious
Term
insidious
Definition
adj - treacherous, sneaky
Term
insinuate
Definition
v - to hint; to creep in
Term
insipid
Definition
adj - dull; bland; banal
Term
insolent
Definition
adj - arrogant; insulting
Term
instigate
Definition
v - to provoke; to stir up
Term
insular
Definition
adj - like an island; isolated
Term
insurgent
Definition
n - a rebel; someone who revolts against the government
Term
integral
Definition
adj - essential
Term
integrate
Definition
v - to combine two or more things into a whole
Term
intractable
Definition
adj - uncontrollable; stubborn; disobedient
Term
intransigent
Definition
adj - uncompromising, stubborn
Term
intrinsic
Definition
adj - part of the essential nature of something; inherent
Term
introspective
Definition
adj - tending to think about oneself; examining one's feelings
Term
inundate
Definition
v - to flood; to overwhelm; to cover completely with water
Term
invective
Definition
n - insulting or abusive speech
Term
inveterate
Definition
adj - habitual; firm in habit; deeply rooted
Term
irascible
Definition
adj - easily angered or provoked; irritable
Term
ironic
Definition
adj - meaning the opposite of what you seem to say; using words to mean something other than what they seem to mean
Term
irrevocable
Definition
adj - irreversible
Term
itinerant
Definition
v - moving from place to place
Term
join/junct
Definition
to meet, to join
Term
judicious
Definition
adj - exercising sound judgment
Term
juxtapose
Definition
v - to place side by side
Term
kinetic
Definition
adj - having to do with motion; lively; active
Term
labyrinth
Definition
n - a maze; something like a maze
Term
laconic
Definition
adj - using few words, especially to the point of seeming rude
Term
lament
Definition
v - to mourn
Term
lampoon
Definition
v - to satirize; to mock; to parody
Term
languish
Definition
v - to become weak, listless, or depressed
Term
largess
Definition
n - generous giving of gifts; generosity; philanthropy
Term
latent
Definition
adj - present but not visible or apparent; potential
Term
laud
Definition
v - to praise; to applaud; to extol; to celebrate
Term
legacy
Definition
n - something handed down from the past; a bequest
Term
lethargy
Definition
sluggishness; laziness; drowsiness; indifference
Term
levity
Definition
n - lightness; frivolity; unseriousness
Term
libel
Definition
n - a written or published falsehood that injures the reputation of, or defames, someone
Term
litigate
Definition
v - to try in court; to engage in legal proceedings
Term
loquacious
Definition
adj - talking a lot or too much
Term
lucid
Definition
adj - clear; easy to understand
Term
lugubrious
Definition
adj - exaggerated mournful
Term
luminous
Definition
adj - giving off light; glowing; bright
Term
machination
Definition
n - scheming activity for an evil purpose
Term
magnanimous
Definition
adj - forgiving; unresentful; noble in spirit; generous
Term
magnate
Definition
n - a rich, powerful, or very successful businessperson
Term
malaise
Definition
n - a feeling of depression, uneasiness, or queasiness
Term
malfeasance
Definition
n - an illegal act, especially by a public official
Term
malignant
Definition
adj - causing harm
Term
malinger
Definition
v - to pretend to be sick to avoid doing work
Term
malleable
Definition
adj - easy to shape or bend
Term
mandate
Definition
n - a command or authorization to do something; the will of the voters as expressed by the results an election
Term
manifest
Definition
adj - visible; evident
Term
manifesto
Definition
n - a public declaration of beliefs or principles, usually political ones
Term
marshal
Definition
v - to arrange in order; to gather together for the purpose of doing something
Term
martial
Definition
adj - warlike; having to do with combat
Term
martyr
Definition
n - someone who gives up his or her life in pursuit of a case, especially a religious one; one who suffers for a cause; one who makes a show of suffering in order to arouse sympathy
Term
matriculate
Definition
v - to enroll, especially at a college
Term
maudlin
Definition
adj - silly and overly sentimental
Term
maverick
Definition
n - a nonconformist; a rebel
Term
maxim
Definition
n - a fundamental principle; an old saying
Term
mediate
Definition
v - to help settle differences
Term
mellifluous
Definition
adj - sweetly flowing
Term
mendacious
Definition
adj - lying; dishonest
Term
mendicant
Definition
n - a beggar
Term
mentor
Definition
n - a teacher, tutor, counselor, or coach; especially in business, an experienced person who shows an inexperienced person the ropes
Term
mercenary
Definition
n - a hired solder; someone who will do anything for money
Term
mercurial
Definition
adj - emotionally unpredictable; rapidly changing in mood
Term
metamorphosis
Definition
n - a magical change in form; a striking or sudden change
Term
microcosm
Definition
n - the world in miniature
Term
milieu
Definition
adj - very tiny
Term
miniscule
Definition
adj - very tiny
Term
misanthropic
Definition
adj - hating mankind
Term
mitigate
Definition
v - to moderate the effect of something
Term
mollify
Definition
v - to soften; to soothe; to pacify
Term
monolithic
Definition
adj - massive, solid, uniform, and unyielding
Term
moribund
Definition
adj - dying
Term
morose
Definition
adj - gloomy; sullen
Term
mortify
Definition
adj - to humiliate
Term
mundane
Definition
adj - ordinary; pretty boring; not heavenly and eternal
Term
munificent
Definition
adj - very generous; lavish
Term
myopia
Definition
adj - nearsightedness; lack of foresight
Term
myriad
Definition
n - a huge number
Term
narcissism
Definition
n - excessive love of one's body or oneself
Term
nebulous
Definition
adj - vague; hazy; indistinct
Term
nefarious
Definition
adj - evil; flagrantly wicked
Term
neologism
Definition
n - a new word or phrase; a new usage of a word
Term
nepotism
Definition
n - showing favoritism to friends or family in business and politics
Term
nihilism
Definition
n - the belief that there are no values or morals in the universe
Term
nominal
Definition
adj - in name only; insignificant; A OK (during rocket launches)
Term
nostalgia
Definition
n - sentimental longing for the past; homesickness
Term
notorious
Definition
adj - famous for something bad
Term
novel
Definition
adj - new; original
Term
noxious
Definition
adj - harmful; offensive
Term
nuance
Definition
n - a subtle difference or distinction
Term
ob/oc/of/op
Definition
toward, to, against, completely, over
Term
obdurate
Definition
adj - stubborn and insensitive
Term
obfuscate
Definition
v - to darken; to confuse; to make confusing
Term
oblique
Definition
adj - indirect; at an angle
Term
oblivion
Definition
n - total forgetfulness; the state of being forgotten
Term
obscure
Definition
adj - unknown; hard to understand; dark
Term
obsequious
Definition
adj - fawning; subservient; sucking up to
Term
obtuse
Definition
adj - insensitive; blockheaded
Term
officious
Definition
adj - annoyingly eager to help or advise
Term
onerous
Definition
adj - burdensome; oppressive
Term
opaque
Definition
adj - impossible to see through; impossible to understand
Term
opulent
Definition
adj - luxurious
Term
orthodox
Definition
adj - conventional; adhering to established principles or doctrines, especially in religion; by the book
Term
ostensible
Definition
adj - apparent (but misleading); professed
Term
ostentatious
Definition
adj - excessively conspicuous; showing off
Term
pacify
Definition
v - to calm someone down; to placate
Term
painstaking
Definition
adj - extremely careful; taking pains
Term
palliate
Definition
v - to relieve or alleviate something without getting ride of the problem; to assuage; to mitigate
Term
palpable
Definition
adj - capable of being touched; obvious; tangible
Term
paltry
Definition
adj - insignificant; worthless
Term
panacea
Definition
n - something that curves everything
Term
paradigm
Definition
n - a model or example
Term
paradox
Definition
n - a true statement or phenomenon that nonetheless seems to contradict itself; an untrue statement or phenomenon that nonetheless seems logical
Term
parochial
Definition
adj - narrow or confined in point of view; provincial
Term
parody
Definition
n - a satirical imitation
Term
parsimonious
Definition
adj - stingy
Term
partisan
Definition
n - one who supports a particular person, cause, or idea
Term
patent
Definition
adj - obvious
Term
paternal
Definition
adj - fatherly; fatherlike
Term
pathology
Definition
n - the science of diseases
Term
patriarch
Definition
n - the male head of a family or tribe
Term
patrician
Definition
n - a person of noble birth; an aristocrat
Term
patronize
Definition
v - to treat as an inferior; to condescend to
Term
paucity
Definition
n - scarcity
Term
peccadillo
Definition
n - a minor offense
Term
pedantic
Definition
adj - boringly scholarly or academic
Term
pedestrian
Definition
adj - unimaginative; banal
Term
pejorative
Definition
adj - negative; disparaging
Term
penchant
Definition
n - a strong like or liking for something; a predilection
Term
penitent
Definition
adj - sorry; repentant; contrite
Term
pensive
Definition
adj - thoughtful and sad
Term
peremptory
Definition
adj - final; categorical; dictatorial
Term
perennial
Definition
adj - continual; happening again and again year after year
Term
perfidy
Definition
n - treachery
Term
perfunctory
Definition
adj - unenthusiastic; careless
Term
peripatetic
Definition
adj - wandering; traveling continually; itinerant
Term
periphery
Definition
n - the outside edge of something
Term
perjury
Definition
n - lying under oath
Term
permeate
Definition
v - to spread or seep through; to penetrate
Term
pernicious
Definition
adj - deadly; extremely evil
Term
perquisite
Definition
n - a privilege that goes along with a job; a "perk"
Term
pertinent
Definition
adj - relevant; dealing with the matter at hand
Term
perturb
Definition
v - to disturb greatly
Term
peruse
Definition
v - to read carefully
Term
qualify
Definition
v - to modify or restrict
Term
qualitative
Definition
adj - having to do with the quality or qualities of something (as opposed to the quantity)
Term
querulous
Definition
adj - complaining; grumbling; whining
Term
quixotic
Definition
adj - romantic or idealistic to a foolish or impractical degree
Term
ramification
Definition
n - a consequence; a branching out
Term
rancor
Definition
n - bitter, long-lasting ill will or resentment
Term
rapacious
Definition
adj - greedy; plundering; avaricious
Term
rebuke
Definition
v - to criticize sharply
Term
rebut
Definition
v - to contradict; to argue in opposition to; to prove to be false
Term
recalcitrant
Definition
adj - stubbornly defiant of authority or control; disobedient
Term
recant
Definition
v - to publicly take back and deny (something previously said or believed); to openly confess error
Term
reciprocal
Definition
adj - mutual; shared; interchangeable
Term
reclusive
Definition
adj - hermitlike; withdrawn from society
Term
recondite
Definition
adj - hard to understand; over one's head
Term
recrimination
Definition
n - a bitter counteraccusation, or the act of making a bitter counteraccusation
Term
redolent
Definition
adj - fragrant
Term
redundant
Definition
adj - unnecessarily repetitive; excessive; excessively wordy
Term
refute
Definition
v - to prove to be false; to disprove
Term
reiterate
Definition
v - to say again; to repeat
Term
relegate
Definition
v - to banish; to send away
Term
relentless
Definition
adj - continuous; unstoppable
Term
relinquish
Definition
v - to release or let go of; to surrender; to stop doing
Term
remonstrate
Definition
v - to argue against; to protest; to raise objections
Term
renaissance
Definition
n - a rebirth or revival
Term
renounce
Definition
v - to give up formally or resign; to disown; to have nothing to do with anymore
Term
strife
Definition
n - bitter conflict; discord; a struggle or clash
Term
stringent
Definition
adj - strict; restrictive
Term
stymie
Definition
v - to thwart; to get in the way of; to hinder
Term
subjugate
Definition
v - to subdue and dominate; to enslave
Term
sublime
Definition
adj - awesome; extremely exalted; lofty; majestic
Term
subordinate
Definition
adj - lower in importance, position, or rank; secondary
Term
substantive
Definition
adj - having substance; real; essential; solid; substantial
Term
subtle
Definition
adj - not obvious; able to make fine distinctions; ingenious; crafty
Term
subversive
Definition
adj - corrupting; overthrowing; undermining; insurgent
Term
succinct
Definition
adj - brief and to the point; concise
Term
succumb
Definition
v - to yield or submit; to die
Term
supercilious
Definition
adj - haughty; patronizing
Term
superficial
Definition
adj - on the surface only; shallow; not thorough
Term
superfluous
Definition
adj - extra; unnecessary; redundant
Term
surfeit
Definition
n - excess; an excessive amount; excess or overindulgence in eating or drinking
Term
surreptitious
Definition
adj - sneaky; secret
Term
surrogate
Definition
adj - substitute
Term
sycophant
Definition
n - one who sucks up to others
Term
synthesis
Definition
n - the combining of parts to form a whole
Term
tacit
Definition
adj - implied; not spoken
Term
taciturn
Definition
adj - untalkative by nature
Term
tangential
Definition
adj - only superficially related to the matter at hand; not especially relevant; peripheral
Term
tangible
Definition
adj - touchable; palpable
Term
tantamount
Definition
adj - equivalent to
Term
tautological
Definition
adj - redundant; circular
Term
temerity
Definition
n - boldness; recklessness; audacity
Term
temperate
Definition
adj - mild; moderate; restrained
Term
tenable
Definition
adj - defensible, as in one's position in an argument; capable of being argued successfully; valid
Term
tenacious
Definition
adj - persistent; stubborn; not letting go
Term
tenet
Definition
n - a shared principle or belief
Term
tentative
Definition
adj - experimental; temporary; uncertain
Term
tenuous
Definition
adj - flimsy; extremely thin
Term
terse
Definition
adj - using no unnecessary words; succinct
Term
theology
Definition
n - the study of god or religion
Term
tirade
Definition
n - a prolonged, bitter speech
Term
torpor
Definition
n - sluggishness; inactivity; apathy
Term
touchstone
Definition
n - a standard; a test of authenticity or quality
Term
tout
Definition
v - to praise highly; to brag publicly about
Term
transcend
Definition
v - to go beyond or above; to surpass
Term
transgress
Definition
v - to violate (a law); to sin
Term
transient
Definition
adj - not staying for a long time; temporary
Term
trepidation
Definition
n - fear; apprehension; nervous trembling
Term
turpitude
Definition
n - shameful wickedness; depravity
Term
ubiquitous
Definition
adj - being everywhere at the same time
Term
unconscionable
Definition
adj - not controlled by conscience; unscrupulous
Term
unctuous
Definition
adj - oily, both literally and figuratively; insincere
Term
uniform
Definition
adj - consistent; unchanging; the same for everyone
Term
unremitting
Definition
adj - unceasing; unabated; relentless
Term
unwitting
Definition
adj - unintentional; ignorant; not aware
Term
urbane
Definition
adj - poised; sophisticated; refined
Term
usurp
Definition
v - to seize wrongfully
Term
utilitarian
Definition
adj - stressing usefulness or utility above all other qualities; pragmatic
Term
utopia
Definition
n - an ideal society
Term
vacillate
Definition
v - to be indecisive; to waver
Term
vapid
Definition
adj - without liveliness; dull; spiritless
Term
vehement
Definition
adj - intense; forceful; violent
Term
venal
Definition
adj - capable of being bribed; willing to do anything for money; corrupt
Term
venerate
Definition
v - to revere; to treat something holy especially because of great age
Term
veracity
Definition
n - truthfulness
Term
vose
Definition
adj - using too many words; not succinct; circumlocutory
Term
verisimilitude
Definition
n - similarity to reality; the appearance of truth; looking like real thing
Term
vernacular
Definition
n - everyday speech; slang; idiom
Term
vestige
Definition
n - a remaining bit of something; a last trace
Term
vex
Definition
v - to annoy; to pester; to confuse
Term
viable
Definition
adj - capable of living; workable
Term
vicarious
Definition
adk - experienced, performed, or suffered through someone else; living through the experiences of another as though they were one's own experiences
Term
vicissitude
Definition
n - upheaval; natural change; change in fortune
Term
vilify
Definition
v - to say vile things about; to defame
Term
vindicate
Definition
v - to clear from all blame or suspicion; to justify
Term
vindictive
Definition
adj - seeking revenge
Term
virtuoso
Definition
n - a masterful musician; a masterful practitioner in some other field
Term
virulent
Definition
adj - extremely poisonous; malignant; full of hate
Term
visionary
Definition
n - a dreamer; someone with impractical goals or ideas about the future
Term
vitiate
Definition
v - to make impure; to pollute
Term
vitriolic
Definition
adj - caustic; full of bitterness
Term
vocation
Definition
n - an occupation; a job
Term
vociferous
Definition
adj - loud; noisy
Term
volatile
Definition
adj - quick to evaporate; highly unstable; explosive
Term
volition
Definition
n - will; conscious choice
Term
wanton
Definition
adj - malicious; unjustifiable; unprovoked; egregious
Term
willful
Definition
adj - deliberate; obstinate; insistent on having one's way
Term
wistful
Definition
adj - yearning; sadly longing
Term
zealous
Definition
adj - enthusiastically devoted to something; fervent
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