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Extreme mental and physical sluggishness
After surgery, the patient's torpor lasted several hours until the anesthesia wore off
Synonyms: apathy; languor |
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Digressing; diverting
Your argument is interesting, bit it's tangential to the matter at hand, so I suggest we get back to the point
Synonyms: digressive; extraneous; inconsequential; irrelevant; peripheral |
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Done without using words
Although not a word was said, everyone in the room knew that a tacit agreement had been made about what course of action to take
Synonyms: implicit; implied; undeclared; unsaid; unuttered |
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Silent; not talkative
The clerk's taciturn nature earned him the nickname Silent Bob
Synonyms: laconic; reticent |
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Gaudy, cheap, or showy
The performer changed into her tawdry, spangled costume and stepped out onto the stage to do her show
Synonyms: flashy; loud; meretricious |
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Earthly; down-to-earth; commonplace
Many "extraterrestrial" objects turn out to be terrestrial in origina, as when flying saucers turn out to be normal airplanes
Synonym: earthbound; mundane; sublunary; tellurian; terrene |
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Claw of an animal, especially a bird of prey
A vulture holds its prey in it talons while it dismembers it with its beak
Synonyms: claw; nail |
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Book, usually large and academic
The teacher was forced to refer to various tomes to find the answer to the advanced student's question
Synonyms: codex; volume |
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Long, harsh speech or verbal attack
Observers were shocked at the manager's tirade over such a minor mistake
Synonyms: diatribe; fulmination; harangue; obloquy; revilement; vilification |
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One who flatters in the hope of gaining favors
The king was surrounded by toadies who rushed to agree with whatever outrageous thing he had
Synonyms: parasite; sycophant |
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Temporary; lasting a brief time
The reporter lived a transitory life, staying in one place only long enough to cover the current story
Synonyms: ephemeral; evanescent; fleeting; impermanent; momentary |
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Acute, sharp, or incisive; forceful; effective
Tyrone's trenchant observations in class made him the professor's favorite student
Synonyms: biting; caustic; cutting; keen |
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Beginner; novice
An obvious tyro at salsa, Millicent received no invitations to dance
Synonyms: apprectice; fledgling; greenhorn; neophyte; tenderfoot |
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Swollen as from a fluid; bloated
In the process of osmosis, water passes through the walls of turgid cells, ensuring that they never contain too much water
Synonyms: distended |
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