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| -----Describing a stereotypical and formulaic character in a novel or film-----Examples of stock characters include "The Blonde Bimbo", "The Perfect Girl", and "The Popular Jock." |
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| -----General acceptance or use, prevalence-----The coach's idea that coaches should treat their players with respect is gaining currency, but many coaches still rely on tirades to motivate their players. |
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| -----A strong tendency; a leaning; an inclination-----Picasso's artistic bent guided him to create works of art. |
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| -----To attempt to gain the favor or support of a person of group-----Candidates from both political parties are working hard to court young voters. |
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| -----To successfully travel through, around, or over an obstacle/terrain-----Frodo negotiated a series of obstacles before reaching the Crack of Doom in Mordor. |
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| -----To soften; moderate; mitigate-----Virginia successfully persuaded Happy to temper his anger. |
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| -----Undistinguished; ordinary; conventional-----Similar to hackneyed or banal. We try to avoid using pedestrian statements like "this is not the end but the beginning". |
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| -----Describing an arrogant attitude/haughty disregard for others-----Marie Antoinette's cavalier attitude inflamed great hatred in her people. |
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| -----An official approval/disapproval for an action-----College Board imposes strict sanctions on students who forget to turn off cell phones off during the SAT. |
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| -----To reduce the quality or value of something; to jeopardize or place at risk-----Don't ever compromise your dignity for money. That's just lame. |
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| -----To direct or guide along a desired course-----Tony channeled his creative energies into building a high-tech suit of armor. |
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| -----Harshly critical-----Simon Cowell often delivers scathing criticisms of others on American Idol. |
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| -----Marked by inactivity; a state of quiet repose-----Mt. Vesuvius looked quiescent, but in fact it erupted in CE 79, transforming Pompeii into a ghost town. |
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| -----Tentative; temporary; for the time being-----When you're first learning to drive, you're issued a provisional driver's license. |
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| -----Sensational; shocking; ghastly-----Two newspaper publishers tried to outdo each other by publishing sensational headlines and lurid stories. |
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| truculent, pugnacious (adj) |
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| -----Defiantly aggressive; eager to fight-----The truculent Americans demanded that President McKinley call for a declaration of war. |
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| -----To appease; to conciliate; to regain the favor or goodwill-----President McKinley recognized the inevitable and propitiated both Roosevelt and the public after the terrible incident. |
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| -----A vigorous spirit; a great enthusiasm-----The Rough Riders were full of elan as they invaded Cuba. |
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| -----Something performed in a spiritless, mechanical, and routine manner-----A perfunctory kiss probably means that a relationship is lacking in passion. |
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| -----Self-assurance; confident composure; admirable poise-----He finished the test with aplomb. |
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| -----Hard to understand; impenetrably dense and obscure-----The editor went through all the passages and deleted sentences that were full of opacity. |
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| -----Characterized by acting in a cowardly manner-----Shaggy from Scooby-Doo is known for his craven behavior. |
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| -----Corrupt, dishonest, open to bribery-----The renegades were venal traitors who accepted bribes from Xerxes to betray Sparta. |
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| -----Immoral; dissolute; debauched-----The licentious reign of King Malcolm was decried by the public. |
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| -----Harmful; injurious to physical, mental, or moral health-----China's lax environmental policies and repressive political system are noxious to its citizens' physical and moral well-being. |
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