Term
abridge
Word Group ~ Abbreviated Communication
Origin:
1350–1400; ME abreggen, abriggen < MF abreg(i)er < LL abbreviāre to shorten. See a- 4 , abbreviate |
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Definition
–verb (used with object), a⋅bridged, a⋅bridg⋅ing.
| 1. |
to shorten by omissions while retaining the basic contents: to abridge a reference book. |
| 2. |
to reduce or lessen in duration, scope, authority, etc.; diminish; curtail: to abridge a visit; to abridge one's freedom. |
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Term
compendium
Word Group ~ Abbreviated Communication
Origin:
1575–85; < L: gain, saving, shortcut, abridgment, equiv. to com- com- + pend- (s. of pendere to cause to hang down, weigh) + -ium -ium [image]
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Definition
| 1. |
a brief treatment or account of a subject, esp. an extensive subject; concise treatise: a compendium of medicine. |
| 2. |
a summary, epitome, or abridgment. |
| 3. |
a full list or inventory: a compendium of their complaints. |
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Term
cursory
Word Group ~ Abbreviated Communication
Origin:
1595–1605; < LL cursōrius running, equiv. to L cur(rere) to run + -sōrius, for -tōrius -tory 1 ; cf. course |
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Definition
–adjective
| going rapidly over something, without noticing details; hasty; superficial: a cursory glance at a newspaper article. |
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Term
curtail
Word Group ~ Abbreviated Communication
Origin:
1425–75; late ME curtailen to restrict (said of royal succession or inheritance), prob. a conflation of MF courtau(l)d (see curtal ) and ME taillen to cut |
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Definition
–verb (used with object)
to cut short; cut off a part of; abridge; reduce; diminish |
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Term
syllabus
Word Group ~ Abbreviated Communication
[image]Origin:
1650–60; < NL syllabus, syllabos, prob. a misreading (in mss. of Cicero) of Gk síttybās, acc. pl. of síttyba label for a papyrus roll |
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Definition
| 1. |
an outline or other brief statement of the main points of a discourse, the subjects of a course of lectures, the contents of a curriculum, etc. |
| 2. |
Law.
| a. |
a short summary of the legal basis of a court's decision appearing at the beginning of a reported case. |
| b. |
a book containing summaries of the leading cases in a legal field, used esp. by students. |
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| 3. |
(often initial capital letter[image]) Also called Syllabus of Errors. Roman Catholic Church. the list of 80 propositions condemned as erroneous by Pope Pius IX in 1864.
- An outline or a summary of the main points of a text, lecture, or course of study.
- Law A short statement preceding a report on an adjudged case and containing a summary of the court's rulings on each point involved.
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Term
synopsis
Word Group ~ Abbreviated Communication
Origin:
1605–15; < LL < Gk sýnopsis, equiv. to syn- syn- + op- (suppletive s. of horân to see; cf. autopsy ) + -sis -sis |
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Definition
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Term
terse
Word Group ~ Abbreviated Communication
Origin:
1595–1605; < L tersus, ptp. of tergēre to rub off, wipe off, clean, polish[image] |
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Definition
adjective ters⋅er, ters⋅est.
| 1. |
neatly or effectively concise; brief and pithy, as language. |
| 2. |
abruptly concise; curt; brusque |
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Term
apace
Word Group ~ Act Quickly
Origin:
1275–1325; ME a pas(e) at a (good) pace. See a- 1 , pace |
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Definition
–adverb
| with speed; quickly; swiftly |
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Term
abrupt
Word Group ~ Act Quickly
Origin:
1575–85; < L abruptus broken off (ptp. of abrumpere), equiv. to ab- ab- + -rup- break + -tus ptp. suffix |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
sudden or unexpected: an abrupt departure. |
| 2. |
curt or brusque in speech, manner, etc.: an abrupt reply. |
| 3. |
terminating or changing suddenly: an abrupt turn in a road. |
| 4. |
having many sudden changes from one subject to another; lacking in continuity or smoothness: an abrupt writing style. |
| 5. |
steep; precipitous: an abrupt descent. |
| 6. |
Botany. truncate (def. 4). |
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Term
headlong
Word Group ~ Act Quickly
Origin:
1350–1400; ME hedlong, earlier hedling. See head, -ling 2 |
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Definition
–adverb
| 1. |
with the head foremost; headfirst: to plunge headlong into the water. |
| 2. |
without delay; hastily: to plunge headlong into work. |
| 3. |
without deliberation; rashly: to rush headlong into battle. |
–adjective
| 4. |
undertaken quickly and suddenly; made precipitately; hasty: a headlong flight. |
| 5. |
rash; impetuous: a headlong denunciation. |
| 6. |
done or going with the head foremost: a headlong dive into the pool. |
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Term
impetuous
Word Group ~ Act Quickly
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < AF < LL impetuōsus, equiv. to L impetu(s) impetus + -ōsus -ous |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
of, pertaining to, or characterized by sudden or rash action, emotion, etc.; impulsive: an impetuous decision; an impetuous person. |
| 2. |
having great impetus; moving with great force; violent: the impetuous winds. |
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Term
precipitate
Word Group ~ Act Quickly
Origin:
1520–30; (v. and adj.) < L praecipitātus (ptp. of praecipitāre to cast down headlong), equiv. to praecipit- (s. of praeceps steep; see precipice ) + -ātus -ate 1 ; (n.) < NL praecipitātum a precipitate, n. use of neut. of praecipitātus |
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Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to hasten the occurrence of; bring about prematurely, hastily, or suddenly: to precipitate an international crisis. |
| 2. |
to cast down headlong; fling or hurl down. |
| 3. |
to cast, plunge, or send, esp. violently or abruptly: He precipitated himself into the struggle. |
| 4. |
Chemistry. to separate (a substance) in solid form from a solution, as by means of a reagent. |
–verb (used without object)
| 5. |
Meteorology. to fall to the earth's surface as a condensed form of water; to rain, snow, hail, drizzle, etc. |
| 6. |
to separate from a solution as a precipitate. |
| 7. |
to be cast or thrown down headlong. |
–adjective
| 8. |
headlong: a precipitate fall down the stairs. |
| 9. |
rushing headlong or rapidly onward. |
| 10. |
proceeding rapidly or with great haste: a precipitate retreat. |
| 11. |
exceedingly sudden or abrupt: a precipitate stop; a precipitate decision. |
| 12. |
done or made without sufficient deliberation; overhasty; rash: a precipitate marriage. |
–noun
| 13. |
Chemistry. a substance precipitated from a solution. |
| 14. |
moisture condensed in the form of rain, snow, etc. |
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Term
abet
Word Group ~ Assist
Origin:
1275–1325; ME abette (whence OF abeter, unless perh. the latter, of Gmc orig., be the source for the ME), OE *ābǣtan to hound on, equiv. to ā- a- 3 + bǣtan to bait, akin |
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Definition
–verb (used with object), a⋅bet⋅ted, a⋅bet⋅ting.
| to encourage, support, or countenance by aid or approval, usually in wrongdoing: to abet a swindler; to abet a crime. |
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Term
advocate
Word Group ~ Assist
Origin:
1300–50; < L advocātus legal counselor (orig. ptp. of advocāre to call to one's aid), equiv. to ad- ad- + voc- call (akin to vōx voice ) + -ātus -ate 1 ; r. ME avocat < MF[image] |
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Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly: He advocated higher salaries for teachers. |
–noun
| 2. |
a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc. (usually fol. by of): an advocate of peace. |
| 3. |
a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; intercessor. |
| 4. |
a person who pleads the cause of another in a court of law. |
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Term
ancillary
Word Group ~ Assist
Origin:
1660–70; < L ancill(a) (see ancilla ) + -ary; cf. L ancillāris having the status of a female slave, with -āris -ar 1 [image] |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
subordinate; subsidiary. |
–noun
| 3. |
something that serves in an ancillary capacity: Slides, records, and other ancillaries can be used with the basic textbook. |
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Term
bolster
Word Group ~ Assist
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME bolstre (n.), OE bolster; c. ON bolstr, D bolster, G Polster[image] |
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a long, often cylindrical, cushion or pillow for a bed, sofa, etc. |
| 2. |
anything resembling this in form or in use as a support. |
| 3. |
any pillow, cushion, or pad. |
| 4. |
Nautical.
| a. |
Also called bolster plate. a circular casting on the side of a vessel, through which an anchor chain passes. |
| b. |
a timber used as a temporary support. |
| c. |
a beam for holding lines or rigging without chafing. |
| d. |
a bag filled with buoyant material, fitted into a small boat. |
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| 5. |
Metalworking. an anvillike support for the lower die of a drop forge. |
| 6. |
Masonry.
| a. |
a timber or the like connecting two ribs of a centering. |
| b. |
a chisel with a blade splayed toward the edge, used for cutting bricks. |
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| 7. |
Carpentry. a horizontal timber on a post for lessening the free span of a beam. |
| 8. |
a structural member on which one end of a bridge truss rests. |
–verb (used with object)
| 9. |
to support with or as with a pillow or cushion. |
| 10. |
to add to, support, or uphold (sometimes fol. by up): They bolstered their morale by singing. He bolstered up his claim with new evidence. |
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Term
corroborate
Word Group ~ Assist
Origin:
1520–30; < L corrōborātus ptp. of corrōborāre to strengthen, equiv. to cor- cor- + rōbor(āre) to make strong (deriv. of rōbor, rōbur oak (hence, strength); see robust ) + -ātus -ate 1 [image]
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Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to make more certain; confirm: He corroborated my account of the accident. |
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Term
countenance
Word Group ~ Assist
Origin:
1250–1300; ME cuntenaunce behavior, bearing, self-control < AF cuntena(u)nce, OF contenance < L continentia; see continen
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
appearance, esp. the look or expression of the face: a sad countenance. |
| 3. |
calm facial expression; composure. |
| 4. |
approval or favor; encouragement; moral support. |
| 5. |
Obsolete. bearing; behavior. |
–verb (used with object)
| 6. |
to permit or tolerate: You should not have countenanced his rudeness. |
| 7. |
to approve, support, or encourage. |
—Idiom
| 8. |
out of countenance, visibly disconcerted; abashed: He was somewhat out of countenance at the prospect of an apology. |
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Term
espouse
Word Group ~ Assist
Origin:
1425–75; late ME < MF espouser < L spōnsāre to betroth, espouse[image] |
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Definition
–verb (used with object), -poused, -pous⋅ing.
| 1. |
to make one's own; adopt or embrace, as a cause. |
| 3. |
to give (a woman) in marriage. |
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Term
mainstay
Word Group ~ Assist
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
Nautical. the stay that secures the mainmast forward. |
| 2. |
a person or thing that acts as a chief support or part: Coffee is the mainstay of the country's economy. |
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Term
munificent
Word Group ~ Assist
Origin:
1575–85; back formation from L mūnificentia generosity, munificence, equiv. to mūnific(us) generous (muni-, comb. form of mūnus gift + -ficus -fic ) + -entia -ence [image] |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
extremely liberal in giving; very generous. |
| 2. |
characterized by great generosity: a munificent bequest. |
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Term
proponent
Word Group ~ Assist
Origin:
1580–90; < L prōpōnent- (s. of prōpōnēns). See propone, -ent [image]
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a person who puts forward a proposition or proposal. |
| 2. |
a person who argues in favor of something; an advocate. |
| 3. |
a personwho supports a cause or doctrine; adherent. |
| 4. |
a person who propounds a legal instrument, such as a will for probate. |
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Term
stalwart
Word Group ~ Assist
Origin:
1325–75; ME (Scots), var. of stalward, earlier stalwurthe; see stalworth [image] |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
strongly and stoutly built; sturdy and robust. |
| 2. |
strong and brave; valiant: a stalwart knight. |
| 3. |
firm, steadfast, or uncompromising: a stalwart supporter of the U.N. |
–noun
| 4. |
a physically stalwart person. |
| 5. |
a steadfast or uncompromising partisan: They counted on the party stalwarts for support in the off-year campaigns. |
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Term
sustenance
Word Group ~ Assist
Origin:
1250–1300; ME sustena(u)nce < AF; OF sostenance. See sustain, -ance [image] |
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
means of sustaining life; nourishment. |
| 3. |
the process of sustaining. |
| 4. |
the state of being sustained. |
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Term
bilious
Word Group ~ Bad Mood
Origin:
1535–45; < L bīliōsus. See bile, -ous [image]
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
Physiology, Pathology. pertaining to bile or to an excess secretion of bile. |
| 2. |
Pathology. suffering from, caused by, or attended by trouble with the bile or liver. |
| 3. |
peevish; irritable; cranky. |
| 4. |
extremely unpleasant or distasteful: a long scarf of bright, bilious green. |
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Term
dudgeon
Word Group ~ Bad Mood
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Definition
–noun
| a feeling of offense or resentment; anger: We left in high dudgeon. |
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Term
irascible
Word Group ~ Bad Mood
Origin:
1350–1400; ME irascibel < LL īrāscibilis, equiv. to L īrāsc- (s. of īrāscī to grow angry; equiv. to īr(a) ire + -ā- theme vowel + -sc- inchoative suffix + -ī inf. ending; see -esce ) + -ibilis -ible |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
easily provoked to anger; very irritable: an irascible old man. |
| 2. |
characterized or produced by anger: an irascible response |
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Term
pettish
Word Group ~ Bad Mood
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Definition
–adjective
| petulantly peevish: a pettish refusal. |
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Term
petulant
Word Group ~ Bad Mood
Origin:
1590–1600; < L petulant- (s. of petulāns) impudent, akin to petere to seek, head for[image] |
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Definition
–adjective
| moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, esp. over some trifling annoyance: a petulant toss of the head. |
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Term
pique
Word Group ~ Bad Mood
Origin:
1525–35; < MF pique (n.), piquer (v.) < VL *piccare to pick 1 ; see pickax, pike 2 , piqué[image]
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Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to affect with sharp irritation and resentment, esp. by some wound to pride: She was greatly piqued when they refused her invitation. |
| 2. |
to wound (the pride, vanity, etc.). |
| 3. |
to excite (interest, curiosity, etc.): Her curiosity was piqued by the gossip. |
| 4. |
to arouse an emotion or provoke to action: to pique someone to answer a challenge. |
| 5. |
Archaic. to pride (oneself) (usually fol. by on or upon). |
–verb (used without object)
| 6. |
to arouse pique in someone: an action that piqued when it was meant to soothe. |
–noun
| 7. |
a feeling of irritation or resentment, as from a wound to pride or self-esteem: to be in a pique. |
| 8. |
Obsolete. a state of irritated feeling between persons. |
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Term
querulous
Word Group ~ Bad Mood
Origin:
1490–1500; < L querulus, equiv. to quer(ī) to complain + -ulus -ulous [image] |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
full of complaints; complaining. |
| 2. |
characterized by or uttered in complaint; peevish: a querulous tone; constant querulous reminders of things to be done. |
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Term
umbrage
Word Group ~ Bad Mood
Origin:
1400–50; late ME < OF; see umbra, -age [image] |
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
offense; annoyance; displeasure: to feel umbrage at a social snub; to give umbrage to someone; to take umbrage at someone's rudeness. |
| 2. |
the slightest indication or vaguest feeling of suspicion, doubt, hostility, or the like. |
| 3. |
leaves that afford shade, as the foliage of trees. |
| 4. |
shade or shadows, as cast by trees. |
| 5. |
a shadowy appearance or semblance of something. |
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Term
waspish
Word Group ~ Bad Mood
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
like or suggesting a wasp, esp. in behavior. |
| 2. |
quick to resent a trifling affront or injury; snappish. |
| 3. |
irascibly or petulantly spiteful: waspish writing. |
| 4. |
having a slight or slender build. |
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Term
dilettante
Word Group ~ Beginner/Amateur
Origin:
1725–35; < It, n. use of prp. of dilettare < L dēlectāre to delight [image]
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a person who takes up an art, activity, or subject merely for amusement, esp. in a desultory or superficial way; dabbler. |
| 2. |
a lover of an art or science, esp. of a fine art. |
–adjective
| 3. |
of or pertaining to dilettantes. |
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Term
fledgling
Word Group ~ Beginner/Amateur
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a young bird just fledged. |
| 2. |
an inexperienced person. |
–adjective
| 3. |
young, new, or inexperienced: a fledgling diver. |
Also, especially British, fledgeling.
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Term
neophyte
Word Group ~ Beginner/Amateur
Origin:
1540–50; < LL neophytus newly planted < Gk neóphytos. See neo-, -phyte [image]
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a beginner or novice: He's a neophyte at chess. |
| 2. |
Roman Catholic Church. a novice. |
| 3. |
a person newly converted to a belief, as a heathen, heretic, or nonbeliever; proselyte. |
| 4. |
Primitive Church. a person newly baptized. |
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Term
novitiate
Word Group ~ Beginner/Amateur
Origin:
1590–1600; < ML, equiv. to novīti(us) novice + -ātus -ate 3 |
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
the state or period of being a novice of a religious order or congregation. |
| 2. |
the quarters occupied by religious novices during probation. |
| 3. |
the state or period of being a beginner in anything. |
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Term
proselyte
Word Group ~ Beginner/Amateur
Origin:
1325–75; ME < LL prosēlytus < Gk (Septuagint) pros[image]lytos, for *pros[image]lythos newcomer, proselyte, equiv. to prosēlyth- (suppletive s. of prosérchesthai to approach) + -os n. suffix[image]
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a person who has changed from one opinion, religious belief, sect, or the like, to another; convert. |
–verb (used without object), verb (used with object)
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Term
tyro
Word Group ~ Beginner/Amateur
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Definition
–noun, plural -ros.
| a beginner in learning anything; novice. |
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Term
burgeoning
Word Group ~ Beginning/Young
Origin:
1275–1325; (n.) ME burjon, burion; shoot, bud < AF burjun, burg(e)on; OF burjon < VL *burriōne(m), acc. of *burriō, deriv. of LL burra wool, fluff (cf. bourrée, bureau ), presumably from the down covering certain buds; (v.) ME burg(e)onen, borgen < AF, OF, deriv. of the n.[image] |
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Definition
–verb (used without object)
| 1. |
to grow or develop quickly; flourish: The town burgeoned into a city. He burgeoned into a fine actor. |
| 2. |
to begin to grow, as a bud; put forth buds, shoots, etc., as a plant (often fol. by out, forth). |
–verb (used with object)
| 3. |
to put forth, as buds. |
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Term
callow
Word Group ~ Beginning/Young
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME, OE calu bald; c. D kaal, G kahl bald, OCS golŭ bare |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
immature or inexperienced: a callow youth. |
| 2. |
(of a young bird) featherless; unfledged. |
–noun
| 3. |
a recently hatched worker ant. |
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Term
engender
Word Group ~ Beginning/Young
Origin:
1275–1325; ME < OF engendrer < L ingenerāre, equiv. to in- en- 1 + generāre to beget; see generate [image] |
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Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to produce, cause, or give rise to: Hatred engenders violence. |
–verb (used without object)
| 3. |
to be produced or caused; come into existence: Conditions for a war were engendering in Europe. |
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Term
inchoate
Word Group ~ Beginning/Amateur
Origin:
1525–35; < L inchoātus, var. of incohātus ptp. of incohāre to begin, start work on, perh. equiv. to in- -in-2 + coh(um) hollow of a yoke into which the pole is fitted + -ātus -ate 1 [image] |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
not yet completed or fully developed; rudimentary. |
| 2. |
just begun; incipient. |
| 3. |
not organized; lacking order: an inchoate mass of ideas on the subject. |
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Term
incipient
Word Group ~ Beginning/Amateur
Origin:
1580–90; < L incipient- (s. of incipiēns, prp. of incipere to take in hand, begin), equiv. to in- in- 2 + -cipi- (comb. form of capi- take) + -ent- -ent [image] |
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Definition
–adjective
| beginning to exist or appear; in an initial stage: an incipient cold. |
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Term
nascent
Word Group ~ Beginning/Young
Origin:
1615–25; < L nāscent- (s. of nāscēns), prp. of nāscī to be born, arise, equiv. to nā(tus) born (var. of gnātus) + -sc- inchoative suffix + -ent- -ent [image] |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
beginning to exist or develop: the nascent republic. |
| 2. |
Chemistry. (of an element) in the nascent state. |
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Term
audacious
Word Group ~ Bold
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
extremely bold or daring; recklessly brave; fearless: an audacious explorer. |
| 2. |
extremely original; without restriction to prior ideas; highly inventive: an audacious vision of the city's bright future. |
| 3. |
recklessly bold in defiance of convention, propriety, law, or the like; insolent; brazen. |
| 4. |
lively; unrestrained; uninhibited: an audacious interpretation of her role. |
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Term
courageous
Word Group ~ Bold
Origin:
1250–1300; ME corageous < AF curajous, OF corageus, equiv. to corage courage + -eus -eous |
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Definition
–adjective
| possessing or characterized by courage; brave: a courageous speech against the dictator. |
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Term
dauntless
Word Group ~ Bold
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
not to be daunted or intimidated; fearless; intrepid; bold: a dauntless hero. |
–noun
| 2. |
(initial capital letter[image]) Also called Douglas SBD. the principal U.S. Navy fleet bomber of early World War II, capable of carrying bombs or depth charges and particularly successful as a dive bomber. |
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Term
acerbic
Word Group ~ Biting (Wit or Temperament)
Origin:
1860–65; < L acerb(us) sour, unripe, bitterly harsh + -ic, irreg. for -ous [image] |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
sour or astringent in taste: Lemon juice is acerbic. |
| 2. |
harsh or severe, as of temper or expression: acerbic criticism. |
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Term
acidulous
Word Group ~ Biting (Wit or Temperament)
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|
Definition
–adjective
| 2. |
sharp; caustic: his acidulous criticism of the book. |
| 3. |
moderately acid or tart; subacid. |
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Term
acrimonious
Word Group ~ Biting (Wit or Temperament) |
|
Definition
–adjective
| caustic, stinging, or bitter in nature, speech, behavior, etc.: an acrimonious answer; an acrimonious dispute. |
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Term
asperity
Word Group ~ Biting (Wit or Temperament) |
|
Definition
–noun, plural -ties.
| 1. |
harshness or sharpness of tone, temper, or manner; severity; acrimony: The cause of her anger did not warrant such asperity. |
| 2. |
hardship; difficulty; rigor: the asperities of polar weather. |
| 3. |
roughness of surface; unevenness. |
| 4. |
something rough or harsh. |
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Term
caustic
Word Group ~ Biting (Wity or Temperament) |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue. |
| 2. |
severely critical or sarcastic: a caustic remark. |
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|
Term
mordacious
Word Group ~ Biting (wit or Temperament) |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
biting or given to biting. |
| 2. |
sharp or caustic in style, tone, etc. |
|
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|
Term
mordant
Word Group ~ Biting (Wit or Temperament) |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
sharply caustic or sarcastic, as wit or a speaker; biting. |
| 3. |
having the property of fixing colors, as in dyeing. |
–noun
| 4. |
a substance used in dyeing to fix the coloring matter, esp. a metallic compound, as an oxide or hydroxide, that combines with the organic dye and forms an insoluble colored compound or lake in the fiber. |
| 5. |
an adhesive substance for binding gold or silver leaf to a surface. |
| 6. |
an acid or other corrosive substance used in etching to eat out the lines, areas, etc. |
–verb (used with object)
| 8. |
to impregnate or treat with a mordant. |
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|
Term
trenchant
Word Group ~ Biting (Wit or Temperament) |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
incisive or keen, as language or a person; caustic; cutting: trenchant wit. |
| 2. |
vigorous; effective; energetic: a trenchant policy of political reform. |
| 3. |
clearly or sharply defined; clear-cut; distinct. |
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Term
banal
Word Group ~ Boring |
|
Definition
–adjective
| devoid of freshness or originality; hackneyed; trite: a banal and sophomoric treatment of courage on the frontier. |
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Term
fatuous
Word Group ~ Boring |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
foolish or inane, esp. in an unconscious, complacent manner; silly. |
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|
Term
hackneyed
Word Group ~ Boring |
|
Definition
–adjective
| made commonplace or trite; stale; banal: the hackneyed images of his poetry. |
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Term
insipid
Word Group ~ Boring |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
without distinctive, interesting, or stimulating qualities; vapid: an insipid personality. |
| 2. |
without sufficient taste to be pleasing, as food or drink; bland: a rather insipid soup. |
|
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|
Term
mundane
Word Group ~ Boring |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
of or pertaining to this world or earth as contrasted with heaven; worldly; earthly: mundane affairs. |
| 2. |
common; ordinary; banal; unimaginative. |
| 3. |
of or pertaining to the world, universe, or earth. |
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|
Term
pedestrian
Word Group ~ Boring |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a person who goes or travels on foot; walker. |
–adjective
| 2. |
going or performed on foot; walking. |
| 3. |
of or pertaining to walking. |
| 4. |
lacking in vitality, imagination, distinction, etc.; commonplace; prosaic or dull: a pedestrian commencement speech. |
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|
Term
platitude
Word Group ~ Boring |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a flat, dull, or trite remark, esp. one uttered as if it were fresh or profound. |
| 2. |
the quality or state of being flat, dull, or trite: the platitude of most political oratory. |
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|
Term
prosaic
Word Group ~ Boring |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
commonplace or dull; matter-of-fact or unimaginative: a prosaic mind. |
| 2. |
of or having the character or form of prose rather than poetry. |
|
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|
Term
quotidian
Word Group ~ Boring |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
daily: a quotidian report. |
| 2. |
usual or customary; everyday: quotidian needs. |
| 3. |
ordinary; commonplace: paintings of no more than quotidian artistry. |
| 4. |
(of a fever, ague, etc.) characterized by paroxysms that recur daily. |
–noun
| 5. |
something recurring daily. |
| 6. |
a quotidian fever or ague. |
|
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|
Term
trite
Word Group ~ Boring |
|
Definition
–adjective, trit⋅er, trit⋅est.
| 1. |
lacking in freshness or effectiveness because of constant use or excessive repetition; hackneyed; stale: the trite phrases in his letter. |
| 2. |
characterized by hackneyed expressions, ideas, etc.: The commencement address was trite and endlessly long. |
| 3. |
Archaic. rubbed or worn by use. |
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|
Term
Bacchanalian
Word Group ~ Carousal |
|
Definition
–noun, plural -li⋅a, -li⋅as.
| 1. |
(sometimes used with a plural verb[image]) a festival in honor of Bacchus. Compare Dionysia. |
| 2. |
(lowercase[image]) a drunken feast; orgy. |
|
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|
Term
debauchery
Word Group ~ Carousal |
|
Definition
–noun, plural -er⋅ies.
| 1. |
excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures; intemperance. |
| 2. |
Archaic. seduction from duty, allegiance, or virtue. |
|
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Term
depraved
Word Group ~ Carousal |
|
Definition
–adjective
| corrupt, wicked, or perverted. |
|
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Term
dissipated
Word Group ~ Carousal |
|
Definition
–adjective
| indulging in or characterized by excessive devotion to pleasure; intemperate; dissolute. |
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Term
iniquity
Word Group ~ Carousal
Origin:
1300–50; ME < L inīquitās unevenness, unfairness, equiv. to inīqu(us) uneven, unfair (in- in- 3 + -īquus, comb. form of aequus even, equal ) + -itās -ity [image] |
|
Definition
noun, plural -ties.
| 1. |
gross injustice or wickedness. |
| 2. |
a violation of right or duty; wicked act; sin. |
|
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|
Term
libertine
Word Group ~ Carousal
Origin:
1350–1400; ME libertyn < L lībertīnus of a freedman (adj.), freedman (n.), equiv. to lībert(us) freedman (appar. by reanalysis of liber-tās liberty as libert-ās) + -īnus -ine 1 [image] |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a person who is morally or sexually unrestrained, esp. a dissolute man; a profligate; rake. |
| 2. |
a freethinker in religious matters. |
| 3. |
a person freed from slavery in ancient Rome. |
–adjective
| 4. |
free of moral, esp. sexual, restraint; dissolute; licentious. |
| 5. |
freethinking in religious matters. |
| 6. |
Archaic. unrestrained; uncontrolled. |
|
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Term
libidinous
Word Group ~ Carousal
|
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
full of sexual lust; lustful; lewd; lascivious. |
| 2. |
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the libido. |
|
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|
Term
licentious
Word Group ~ Carousal
Origin:
1525–35; < L licentiōsus unrestrained. See license, -ous |
|
Definition
adjective
| 1. |
sexually unrestrained; lascivious; libertine; lewd. |
| 2. |
unrestrained by law or general morality; lawless; immoral. |
| 3. |
going beyond customary or proper bounds or limits; disregarding rules. |
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Term
reprobate
Word Group ~ Carousal
|
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a depraved, unprincipled, or wicked person: a drunken reprobate. |
| 2. |
a person rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation. |
–adjective
| 3. |
morally depraved; unprincipled; bad. |
| 4. |
rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation. |
–verb (used with object)
| 5. |
to disapprove, condemn, or censure. |
| 6. |
(of God) to reject (a person), as for sin; exclude from the number of the elect or from salvation. |
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|
Term
ribald
Word Group ~ Carousal
Origin:
1200–50; ME ribald, ribaud (n.) < OF ribau(l)d, equiv. to rib(er) to be licentious (< OHG rīben to copulate, be in heat, lit., rub) + -au(l)d, -alt < Frankish *-wald a suffix in personal names, deriv. of *walden to rule; cf. parallel development of -ard [image] |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
vulgar or indecent in speech, language, etc.; coarsely mocking, abusive, or irreverent; scurrilous. |
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|
Term
salacious
Word Group ~ Carousal
Origin:
1635–45; < L salāci- (s. of salāx) lustful (deriv. of salīre to jump, move spasmodically, spurt; see salient, saltation ) + -ous [image] |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 2. |
(of writings, pictures, etc.) obscene; grossly indecent |
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|
Term
sordid
Word Group ~ Carousal
|
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
morally ignoble or base; vile: sordid methods. |
| 2. |
meanly selfish, self-seeking, or mercenary. |
| 4. |
squalid; wretchedly poor and run-down: sordid housing. |
|
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|
Term
turpitude
Word Group ~ Carousal
Origin:
1480–90; < L turpitūdō, equiv. to turpi(s) base, vile + -tūdō -tude |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
vile, shameful, or base character; depravity. |
| 2. |
a vile or depraved act. |
|
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|
Term
capricious
Word Group ~ Changing Quickly
|
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
subject to, led by, or indicative of caprice or whim; erratic: He's such a capricious boss I never know how he'll react. |
| 2. |
Obsolete. fanciful or witty. |
|
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|
Term
mercurial
Word Group ~ Changing Quickly |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
changeable; volatile; fickle; flighty; erratic: a mercurial nature. |
| 2. |
animated; lively; sprightly; quick-witted. |
| 3. |
pertaining to, containing, or caused by the metal mercury. |
| 4. |
(initial capital letter[image]) of or pertaining to the god Mercury. |
| 5. |
(initial capital letter[image]) of or pertaining to the planet Mercury. |
|
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|
Term
volatile
Word Group ~ Changing Quickly
|
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
evaporating rapidly; passing off readily in the form of vapor: Acetone is a volatile solvent. |
| 2. |
tending or threatening to break out into open violence; explosive: a volatile political situation. |
| 3. |
changeable; mercurial; flighty: a volatile disposition. |
| 4. |
(of prices, values, etc.) tending to fluctuate sharply and regularly: volatile market conditions. |
| 5. |
fleeting; transient: volatile beauty. |
| 6. |
Computers. of or pertaining to storage that does not retain data when electrical power is turned off or fails. |
| 7. |
able to fly or flying. |
–noun
| 8. |
a volatile substance, as a gas or solvent. |
|
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|
Term
counterpart
Word Group ~ Copy |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a person or thing closely resembling another, esp. in function: Our president is the counterpart of your prime minister. |
| 3. |
Law. a duplicate or copy of an indenture. |
| 4. |
one of two parts that fit, complete, or complement one another. |
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|
Term
emulate
Word Group ~ Copy |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to try to equal or excel; imitate with effort to equal or surpass: to emulate one's father as a concert violinist. |
| 2. |
to rival with some degree of success: Some smaller cities now emulate the major capitals in their cultural offerings. |
| 3. |
Computers.
| a. |
to imitate (a particular computer system) by using a software system, often including a microprogram or another computer that enables it to do the same work, run the same programs, etc., as the first. |
| b. |
to replace (software) with hardware to perform the same task. |
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|
Term
facsimile
Word Group ~ copy
Origin:
1655–65; earlier fac simile make the like, equiv. to L fac (impv. of facere) + simile, n. use of neut. of similis like; see simile [image] |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
an exact copy, as of a book, painting, or manuscript. |
| 2. |
Also called fax. Telecommunications.
| a. |
a method or device for transmitting documents, drawings, photographs, or the like, by means of radio or telephone for exact reproduction elsewhere. |
| b. |
an image transmitted by such a method. |
|
–verb (used with object)
| 4. |
to reproduce in facsimile; make a facsimile of. |
–adjective
| 5. |
Also, fax. Telecommunications.
| a. |
(of an image) copied by means of facsimile: facsimile mail. |
| b. |
(of a method or device) used to produce a facsimile: facsimile transmission. |
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|
Term
factitious
Word Group ~ Copy
Origin:
1640–50; < L factīcius made by art, artificial. See fact, -itious [image]
|
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
not spontaneous or natural; artificial; contrived: factitious laughter; factitious enthusiasm. |
| 2. |
made; manufactured: a decoration of factitious flowers and leaves. |
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|
Term
paradigm
Word Group ~ Copy |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
Grammar.
| a. |
a set of forms all of which contain a particular element, esp. the set of all inflected forms based on a single stem or theme. |
| b. |
a display in fixed arrangement of such a set, as boy, boy's, boys, boys'. |
|
| 2. |
an example serving as a model; pattern. |
|
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|
Term
precursor
Word Group ~ Copy |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a person or thing that precedes, as in a job, a method, etc.; predecessor. |
| 2. |
a person, animal, or thing that goes before and indicates the approach of someone or something else; harbinger: The first robin is a precursor of spring. |
| 3. |
Chemistry, Biochemistry. a chemical that is transformed into another compound, as in the course of a chemical reaction, and therefore precedes that compound in the synthetic pathway: Cholesterol is a precursor of testosterone. |
| 4. |
Biology. a cell or tissue that gives rise to a variant, specialized, or more mature form. |
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|
Term
quintessence
Word Group ~ Copy
Origin:
1400–50; ME < ML quīnta essentia fifth essence[image] |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
the pure and concentrated essence of a substance. |
| 2. |
the most perfect embodiment of something. |
| 3. |
(in ancient and medieval philosophy) the fifth essence or element, ether, supposed to be the constituent matter of the heavenly bodies, the others being air, fire, earth, and water. |
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|
Term
simulated
Word Group ~ Copy |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to create a simulation, likeness, or model of (a situation, system, or the like): to simulate crisis conditions. |
| 2. |
to make a pretense of; feign: to simulate knowledge. |
| 3. |
to assume or have the appearance or characteristics of: He simulated the manners of the rich. |
|
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|
Term
vicarious
Word Group ~ Copy |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
performed, exercised, received, or suffered in place of another: vicarious punishment. |
| 2. |
taking the place of another person or thing; acting or serving as a substitute. |
| 3. |
felt or enjoyed through imagined participation in the experience of others: a vicarious thrill. |
| 4. |
Physiology. noting or pertaining to a situation in which one organ performs part of the functions normally performed by another. |
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|
Term
aspersion
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a damaging or derogatory remark or criticism; slander: casting aspersions on a campaign rival. |
| 2. |
the act of slandering; vilification; defamation; calumniation; derogation: Such vehement aspersions cannot be ignored. |
| 3. |
the act of sprinkling, as in baptism. |
| 4. |
Archaic. a shower or spray. |
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|
Term
belittle
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -tled, -tling.
| to regard or portray as less impressive or important than appearances indicate; depreciate; disparage. |
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Term
berate
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -rat⋅ed, -rat⋅ing.
| to scold; rebuke: He berated them in public. |
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|
Term
calumny
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
noun, plural -nies.
| 1. |
a false and malicious statement designed to injure the reputation of someone or something: The speech was considered a calumny of the administration. |
| 2. |
the act of uttering calumnies; slander; defamation |
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|
Term
castigate
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -gat⋅ed, -gat⋅ing.
| 1. |
to criticize or reprimand severely. |
| 2. |
to punish in order to correct. |
|
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|
Term
decry
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -cried, -cry⋅ing.
| 1. |
to speak disparagingly of; denounce as faulty or worthless; express censure of: She decried the lack of support for the arts in this country. |
| 2. |
to condemn or depreciate by proclamation, as foreign or obsolete coins. |
|
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|
Term
defamation
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–noun
| the act of defaming; false or unjustified injury of the good reputation of another, as by slander or libel; calumny: She sued the magazine for defamation of character. |
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Term
denounce
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -nounced, -nounc⋅ing.
| 1. |
to condemn or censure openly or publicly: to denounce a politician as morally corrupt. |
| 2. |
to make a formal accusation against, as to the police or in a court. |
| 3. |
to give formal notice of the termination or denial of (a treaty, pact, agreement, or the like). |
| 4. |
Archaic. to announce or proclaim, esp. as something evil or calamitous. |
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|
Term
deride/derisive
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -rid⋅ed, -rid⋅ing.
| to laugh at in scorn or contempt; scoff or jeer at; mock. |
–adjective
| characterized by or expressing derision; contemptuous; mocking: derisive heckling. |
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Term
diatribe
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–noun
| a bitter, sharply abusive denunciation, attack, or criticism: repeated diatribes against the senator. |
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|
Term
disparage
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -aged, -ag⋅ing.
| 1. |
to speak of or treat slightingly; depreciate; belittle: Do not disparage good manners. |
| 2. |
to bring reproach or discredit upon; lower the estimation of: Your behavior will disparage the whole family. |
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|
Term
excoriate
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
| 1. |
to denounce or berate severely; flay verbally: He was excoriated for his mistakes. |
| 2. |
to strip off or remove the skin from: Her palms were excoriated by the hard labor of shoveling. |
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|
Term
gainsay
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -said, -say⋅ing.
| 1. |
to deny, dispute, or contradict. |
| 2. |
to speak or act against; oppose. |
|
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|
Term
harangue
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a scolding or a long or intense verbal attack; diatribe. |
| 2. |
a long, passionate, and vehement speech, esp. one delivered before a public gathering. |
| 3. |
any long, pompous speech or writing of a tediously hortatory or didactic nature; sermonizing lecture or discourse. |
–verb (used with object)
| 4. |
to address in a harangue. |
–verb (used without object)
| 5. |
to deliver a harangue. |
|
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|
Term
impugn
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to challenge as false (another's statements, motives, etc.); cast doubt upon. |
| 2. |
Archaic. to assail (a person) by words or arguments; vilify. |
| 3. |
Obsolete. to attack (a person) physically. |
|
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|
Term
inveigh
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
verb (used without object)
| to protest strongly or attack vehemently with words; rail (usually fol. by against): to inveigh against isolationism. |
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|
Term
lambaste
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -bast⋅ed, -bast⋅ing. Informal.
| 1. |
to beat or whip severely. |
| 2. |
to reprimand or berate harshly; censure; excoriate. |
|
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|
Term
objurgate
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
verb (used with object), -gat⋅ed, -gat⋅ing.
| to reproach or denounce vehemently; upbraid harshly; berate sharply. |
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|
Term
obloquy
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism
Origin:
1425–75; late ME < LL obloquium contradiction, equiv. to L obloqu(ī) to contradict (ob- ob- + loquī to speak) + -ium -ium [image] |
|
Definition
–noun, plural -quies.
| 1. |
censure, blame, or abusive language aimed at a person or thing, esp. by numerous persons or by the general public. |
| 2. |
discredit, disgrace, or bad repute resulting from public blame, abuse, or denunciation. |
|
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|
Term
opprobrium
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
the disgrace or the reproach incurred by conduct considered outrageously shameful; infamy. |
| 2. |
a cause or object of such disgrace or reproach. |
|
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|
Term
pillory
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism
|
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a wooden framework erected on a post, with holes for securing the head and hands, formerly used to expose an offender to public derision. |
–verb (used with object)
| 2. |
to set in the pillory. |
| 3. |
to expose to public derision, ridicule, or abuse: The candidate mercilessly pilloried his opponent. |
|
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|
Term
rebuke
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to express sharp, stern disapproval of; reprove; reprimand. |
–noun
| 2. |
sharp, stern disapproval; reproof; reprimand. |
|
|
|
Term
remonstrate
Word Group ~Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to say or plead in protest, objection, or disapproval. |
–verb (used without object)
| 3. |
to present reasons in complaint; plead in protest. |
|
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|
Term
reprehend
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| to reprove or find fault with; rebuke; censure; blame. |
|
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|
Term
reprove
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object), -proved, -proved or -prov⋅en, -prov⋅ing.
reprove in a sentence
Lara reproved her son for sticking each and every one of his fingers into the strawberry pie. |
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|
Term
revile
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to assail with contemptuous or opprobrious language; address or speak of abusively. |
–verb (used without object)
|
|
|
Term
tirade
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a prolonged outburst of bitter, outspoken denunciation: a tirade against smoking. |
| 2. |
a long, vehement speech: a tirade in the Senate. |
| 3. |
a passage dealing with a single theme or idea, as in poetry: the stately tirades of Corneille. |
|
|
|
Term
vituperate
Word Group ~ Criticize/Criticism |
|
Definition
–verb (used without object), verb (used with object), -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
| to use or address with harsh or abusive language; revile. |
|
|
|
Term
bereave
Word Group ~ Death/Mourning |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -reaved or -reft, -reav⋅ing.
| 1. |
to deprive and make desolate, esp. by death (usually fol. by of): Illness bereaved them of their mother. |
| 2. |
to deprive ruthlessly or by force (usually fol. by of): The war bereaved them of their home. |
| 3. |
Obsolete. to take away by violence. |
|
|
|
Term
cadaver
WG ~ Death/Mourning |
|
Definition
–noun
| a dead body, esp. a human body to be dissected; corpse. |
|
|
|
Term
defunct
WG ~ Death/Mourning |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
no longer in effect or use; not operating or functioning: a defunct law; a defunct organization. |
| 2. |
no longer in existence; dead; extinct: a defunct person; a defunct tribe of Indians. |
–noun
| 3. |
the defunct, the dead person referred to: the survivors of the defunct. |
|
|
|
Term
demise
WG ~ Death/Mourning
|
|
Definition
–noun
| 2. |
termination of existence or operation: the demise of the empire. |
| 3. |
Law.
| a. |
a death or decease occasioning the transfer of an estate. |
| b. |
a conveyance or transfer of an estate. |
|
| 4. |
Government. transfer of sovereignty, as by the death or deposition of the sovereign. |
–verb (used with object)
| 5. |
Law. to transfer (an estate or the like) for a limited time; lease. |
| 6. |
Government. to transfer (sovereignty), as by the death or abdication of the sovereign. |
–verb (used without object)
| 7. |
Law. to pass by bequest, inheritance, or succession. |
|
|
|
Term
dolorous
WG ~ Death/Mourning |
|
Definition
adjective
| full of, expressing, or causing pain or sorrow; grievous; mournful: a dolorous melody; dolorous news. |
|
|
|
Term
elegy
WG ~ Death/Mourning |
|
Definition
–noun, plural -gies.
| 1. |
a mournful, melancholy, or plaintive poem, esp. a funeral song or a lament for the dead. |
| 2. |
a poem written in elegiac meter. |
| 3. |
a sad or mournful musical composition. |
|
|
|
Term
knell
WG ~ Death/Mourning |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
the sound made by a bell rung slowly, esp. for a death or a funeral. |
| 2. |
a sound or sign announcing the death of a person or the end, extinction, failure, etc., of something: the knell of parting day. |
–verb (used without object)
| 4. |
to sound, as a bell, esp. a funeral bell. |
| 5. |
to give forth a mournful, ominous, or warning sound. |
–verb (used with object)
| 6. |
to proclaim or summon by, or as if by, a bell. |
|
|
|
Term
lament
WG ~ Death/Mourning |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to feel or express sorrow or regret for: to lament his absence. |
–verb (used without object)
| 3. |
to feel, show, or express grief, sorrow, or regret. |
–noun
| 5. |
an expression of grief or sorrow. |
| 6. |
a formal expression of sorrow or mourning, esp. in verse or song; an elegy or dirge. |
|
|
|
Term
macabre
WG ~ Death/Mourning |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
gruesome and horrifying; ghastly; horrible. |
| 2. |
of, pertaining to, dealing with, or representing death, esp. its grimmer or uglier aspect. |
| 3. |
of or suggestive of the allegorical dance of death. |
|
|
|
Term
moribund
WG ~ Death/Mourning
|
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
gruesome and horrifying; ghastly; horrible. |
| 2. |
of, pertaining to, dealing with, or representing death, esp. its grimmer or uglier aspect. |
| 3. |
of or suggestive of the allegorical dance of death. |
|
|
|
Term
obsequies
WG ~ Death/Mourning |
|
Definition
noun, plural -quies. Usually, obsequies.
| a funeral rite or ceremony. |
|
|
|
Term
sepulchral
WG ~ Death/Mourning |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
of, pertaining to, or serving as a tomb. |
| 2. |
of or pertaining to burial. |
| 3. |
proper to or suggestive of a tomb; funereal or dismal. |
| 4. |
hollow and deep: sepulchral tones. |
|
|
|
Term
wraith
WG ~ Death/Mourning |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
an apparition of a living person supposed to portend his or her death. |
|
|
|
Term
abnegate
WG ~ Denying of Self |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -gat⋅ed, -gat⋅ing.
| 1. |
to refuse or deny oneself (some rights, conveniences, etc.); reject; renounce. |
| 2. |
to relinquish; give up. |
|
|
|
Term
abstain
WG ~ Denying of Self |
|
Definition
–verb (used without object)
| 1. |
to hold oneself back voluntarily, esp. from something regarded as improper or unhealthy (usually fol. by from): to abstain from eating meat. |
| 2. |
to refrain from casting one's vote: a referendum in which two delegates abstained. |
|
|
|
Term
ascetic
WG ~ Denying of Self |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a person who dedicates his or her life to a pursuit of contemplative ideals and practices extreme self-denial or self-mortification for religious reasons. |
| 2. |
a person who leads an austerely simple life, esp. one who abstains from the normal pleasures of life or denies himself or herself material satisfaction. |
| 3. |
(in the early Christian church) a monk; hermit. |
–adjective Also, as⋅cet⋅i⋅cal.
| 4. |
pertaining to asceticism. |
| 5. |
rigorously abstinent; austere: an ascetic existence. |
| 6. |
exceedingly strict or severe in religious exercises or self-mortification. |
|
|
|
Term
spartan
WG ~ Denying of Self |
|
Definition
| |
suggestive of the ancient Spartans; sternly disciplined and rigorously simple, frugal, or austere. |
–noun
| 4. |
a native or inhabitant of Sparta. |
| 5. |
a person of Spartan characteristics. |
|
|
|
Term
stoic
WG ~ Denying of Self |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
of or pertaining to the school of philosophy founded by Zeno, who taught that people should be free from passion, unmoved by joy or grief, and submit without complaint to unavoidable necessity. |
| 2. |
(lowercase[image]) stoical. |
–noun
| 3. |
a member or adherent of the Stoic school of philosophy. |
| 4. |
(lowercase[image]) a person who maintains or affects the mental attitude advocated by the Stoics. |
|
|
|
Term
temperate
WG ~ Denying of Self |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
moderate or self-restrained; not extreme in opinion, statement, etc.: a temperate response to an insulting challenge. |
| 2. |
moderate as regards indulgence of appetite or passion, esp. in the use of alcoholic liquors. |
| 3. |
not excessive in degree, as things, qualities, etc. |
| 4. |
moderate in respect to temperature; not subject to prolonged extremes of hot or cold weather. |
| 5. |
Microbiology. (of a virus) existing in infected host cells but rarely causing lysis. |
|
|
|
Term
authoritarian
WG ~ Dictatorial |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
favoring complete obedience or subjection to authority as opposed to individual freedom: authoritarian principles; authoritarian attitudes. |
| 2. |
of or pertaining to a governmental or political system, principle, or practice in which individual freedom is held as completely subordinate to the power or authority of the state, centered either in one person or a small group that is not constitutionally accountable to the people. |
| 3. |
exercising complete or almost complete control over the will of another or of others: an authoritarian parent. |
–noun
| 4. |
a person who favors or acts according to authoritarian principles. |
|
|
|
Term
despotic
WG ~ Dicatatorial |
|
Definition
–adjective
| of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a despot or despotism; autocratic; tyrannical. |
|
|
|
Term
dogmatic
WG ~ Dictatorial |
|
Definition
adjective
| 1. |
of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a dogma or dogmas; doctrinal. |
| 2. |
asserting opinions in a doctrinaire or arrogant manner; opinionated. |
|
|
|
Term
hegemonic (hegemony)
WG ~ Dictatorial |
|
Definition
–noun, plural -nies.
| 1. |
leadership or predominant influence exercised by one nation over others, as in a confederation. |
| 2. |
leadership; predominance. |
| 3. |
(esp. among smaller nations) aggression or expansionism by large nations in an effort to achieve world domination. |
|
|
|
Term
imperious
WG ~ Dictatorial |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial; overbearing: an imperious manner; an imperious person. |
| 2. |
urgent; imperative: imperious need. |
|
|
|
Term
peremptory
WG ~ Dictatorial |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
leaving no opportunity for denial or refusal; imperative: a peremptory command. |
| 2. |
imperious or dictatorial. |
| 3. |
positive or assertive in speech, tone, manner, etc. |
| 4. |
Law.
| a. |
that precludes or does not admit of debate, question, etc.: a peremptory edict. |
| c. |
in which a command is absolute and unconditional: a peremptory writ. |
|
|
|
|
Term
tyrannical
WG ~ Dictatorial |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
of or characteristic of a tyrant. |
| 2. |
unjustly cruel, harsh, or severe; arbitrary or oppressive; despotic: a tyrannical ruler. |
|
|
|
Term
abstruse
WG ~ Difficult to Understand |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
hard to understand; recondite; esoteric: abstruse theories. |
| 2. |
Obsolete. secret; hidden. |
|
|
|
Term
ambiguous
WG ~ Difficult to Understand |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
open to or having several possible meanings or interpretations; equivocal: an ambiguous answer. |
| 2. |
Linguistics. (of an expression) exhibiting constructional homonymity; having two or more structural descriptions, as the sequence Flying planes can be dangerous. |
| 3. |
of doubtful or uncertain nature; difficult to comprehend, distinguish, or classify: a rock of ambiguous character. |
| 4. |
lacking clearness or definiteness; obscure; indistinct: an ambiguous shape; an ambiguous future. |
|
|
|
Term
arcane
WG ~ Difficult to Understand |
|
Definition
–adjective
| known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure; esoteric: She knew a lot about Sanskrit grammar and other arcane matters. |
|
|
|
Term
bemusing
WG ~ Difficult to Understand |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -mused, -mus⋅ing.
| to bewilder or confuse (someone). |
|
|
|
Term
cryptic
WG ~ difficult to Understand |
|
Definition
–adjective Also, cryp⋅ti⋅cal.
| 1. |
mysterious in meaning; puzzling; ambiguous: a cryptic message. |
| 2. |
abrupt; terse; short: a cryptic note. |
| 3. |
secret; occult: a cryptic writing. |
| 4. |
involving or using cipher, code, etc. |
| 5. |
Zoology. fitted for concealing; serving to camouflage. |
–noun
| 6. |
a cryptogram, esp. one designed as a puzzle. |
|
|
|
Term
enigmatic
WG ~ Difficult to Understand |
|
Definition
–adjective
| resembling an enigma; perplexing; mysterious. |
|
|
|
Term
esoteric
WG ~ Difficult to Understand |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; recondite: poetry full of esoteric allusions. |
| 2. |
belonging to the select few. |
| 3. |
private; secret; confidential. |
| 4. |
(of a philosophical doctrine or the like) intended to be revealed only to the initiates of a group: the esoteric doctrines of Pythagoras. |
|
|
|
Term
inscrutable
WG ~ Difficult to Understand |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
incapable of being investigated, analyzed, or scrutinized; impenetrable. |
| 2. |
not easily understood; mysterious; unfathomable: an inscrutable smile. |
| 3. |
incapable of being seen through physically; physically impenetrable: the inscrutable depths of the ocean. |
|
|
|
Term
obscure
WG ~ Difficult to Understand
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < OF oscur, obscur < L obscūrus dark |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
(of meaning) not clear or plain; ambiguous, vague, or uncertain: an obscure sentence in the contract. |
| 2. |
not clear to the understanding; hard to perceive: obscure motivations. |
| 3. |
(of language, style, a speaker, etc.) not expressing the meaning clearly or plainly. |
| 4. |
indistinct to the sight or any other sense; not readily seen, heard, etc.; faint. |
| 5. |
inconspicuous or unnoticeable: the obscure beginnings of a great movement. |
| 6. |
of little or no prominence, note, fame, or distinction: an obscure French artist. |
| 7. |
far from public notice, worldly affairs, or important activities; remote; retired: an obscure little town. |
| 8. |
lacking in light or illumination; dark; dim; murky: an obscure back room. |
| 9. |
enveloped in, concealed by, or frequenting darkness. |
| 10. |
not bright or lustrous; dull or darkish, as color or appearance. |
| 11. |
(of a vowel) having the reduced or neutral sound usually represented by the schwa (ə). |
–verb (used with object)
| 12. |
to conceal or conceal by confusing (the meaning of a statement, poem, etc.). |
| 13. |
to make dark, dim, indistinct, etc. |
| 14. |
to reduce or neutralize (a vowel) to the sound usually represented by a schwa (ə). |
|
|
|
Term
opaque
WG ~ Difficult to Understand |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to light; not allowing light to pass through. |
| 2. |
not transmitting radiation, sound, heat, etc. |
| 3. |
not shining or bright; dark; dull. |
| 4. |
hard to understand; not clear or lucid; obscure: The problem remains opaque despite explanations. |
| 5. |
dull, stupid, or unintelligent. |
–noun
| 6. |
something that is opaque. |
| 7. |
Photography. a coloring matter, usually black or red, used to render part of a negative opaque. |
–verb (used with object)
| 8. |
Photography. to cover up blemishes on (a negative), esp. for making a printing plate. |
| 9. |
to cause to become opaque. |
|
|
|
Term
paradoxical
WG ~ Difficult to Understand |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth. |
| 2. |
a self-contradictory and false proposition. |
| 3. |
any person, thing, or situation exhibiting an apparently contradictory nature. |
| 4. |
an opinion or statement contrary to commonly accepted opinion. |
|
|
|
Term
perplexing
WG ~ Difficult to Understand |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to cause to be puzzled or bewildered over what is not understood or certain; confuse mentally: Her strange response perplexed me. |
| 2. |
to make complicated or confused, as a matter or question. |
| 3. |
to hamper with complications, confusion, or uncertainty. |
|
|
|
Term
recondite
WG ~ Difficult to Understand
Origin:
1640–50; earlier recondit < L reconditus recondite, hidden (orig. ptp. of recondere to hide), equiv. to re- re- + cond(ere) to bring together (con- con- + -dere to put) + -itus -ite 2 [image] |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
dealing with very profound, difficult, or abstruse subject matter: a recondite treatise. |
| 2. |
beyond ordinary knowledge or understanding; esoteric: recondite principles. |
| 3. |
little known; obscure: a recondite fact. |
|
|
|
Term
turbid
WG ~ Difficult to Understand |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
not clear or transparent because of stirred-up sediment or the like; clouded; opaque; obscured: the turbid waters near the waterfall. |
| 2. |
thick or dense, as smoke or clouds. |
| 3. |
confused; muddled; disturbed. |
|
|
|
Term
defile
WG ~ Disgusting/Offensive |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -filed, -fil⋅ing.
| 1. |
to make foul, dirty, or unclean; pollute; taint; debase. |
| 2. |
to violate the chastity of. |
| 3. |
to make impure for ceremonial use; desecrate. |
| 4. |
to sully, as a person's reputation. |
|
|
|
Term
fetid
WG ~ Disgusting/Offensive |
|
Definition
–adjective
| having an offensive odor; stinking. |
|
|
|
Term
invidious
WG ~ Disgusting/Offensive |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
calculated to create ill will or resentment or give offense; hateful: invidious remarks. |
| 2. |
offensively or unfairly discriminating; injurious: invidious comparisons. |
| 3. |
causing or tending to cause animosity, resentment, or envy: an invidious honor. |
|
|
|
Term
noisome
WG ~ Disgusting/Offensive |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
offensive or disgusting, as an odor. |
| 2. |
harmful or injurious to health; noxious. |
|
|
|
Term
odious
WG ~ Disgusting/Offensive |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
deserving or causing hatred; hateful; detestable. |
| 2. |
highly offensive; repugnant; disgusting. |
|
|
|
Term
putrid
WG ~ Disgusting/Offensive |
|
Definition
adjective
| 1. |
in a state of foul decay or decomposition, as animal or vegetable matter; rotten. |
| 2. |
of, pertaining to, or attended by putrefaction. |
| 3. |
having the odor of decaying flesh. |
| 4. |
thoroughly corrupt, depraved, or evil. |
| 5. |
of very low quality; rotten. |
|
|
|
Term
rebarbative
WG ~ Disgusting/Offensive
Origin:
1890–95; < F, fem. of rébarbatif, deriv. of rébarber to be unattractive, equiv. to ré- re- + barbe beard (< L barba) + -atif -ative [image] |
|
Definition
–adjective
| causing annoyance, irritation, or aversion; repellent. |
|
|
|
Term
articulate
WG ~ Easy to Understand
|
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
uttered clearly in distinct syllables. |
| 2. |
capable of speech; not speechless. |
| 3. |
using language easily and fluently; having facility with words: an articulate speaker. |
| 4. |
expressed, formulated, or presented with clarity and effectiveness: an articulate thought. |
| 5. |
made clear, distinct, and precise in relation to other parts: an articulate form; an articulate shape; an articulate area. |
| 6. |
(of ideas, form, etc.) having a meaningful relation to other parts: an articulate image. |
| 7. |
having parts or distinct areas organized into a coherent or meaningful whole; unified: an articulate system of philosophy. |
| 8. |
Zoology. having joints or articulations; composed of segments. |
–verb (used with object)
| 9. |
to utter clearly and distinctly; pronounce with clarity. |
| 10. |
Phonetics. to make the movements and adjustments of the speech organs necessary to utter (a speech sound). |
| 11. |
to give clarity or distinction to: to articulate a shape; to articulate an idea. |
| 12. |
Dentistry. to subject to articulation. |
| 13. |
to unite by a joint or joints. |
| 14. |
to reveal or make distinct: an injection to articulate arteries so that obstructions can be observed by x-ray. |
–verb (used without object)
| 15. |
to pronounce clearly each of a succession of speech sounds, syllables, or words; enunciate: to articulate with excessive precision. |
| 16. |
Phonetics. to articulate a speech sound. |
| 17. |
Anatomy, Zoology. to form a joint. |
| 18. |
Obsolete. to make terms of agreement. |
–noun
| 19. |
a segmented invertebrate. |
|
|
|
Term
cogent
WG ~ Easy to Understand |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
convincing or believable by virtue of forcible, clear, or incisive presentation; telling. |
| 2. |
to the point; relevant; pertinent. |
|
|
|
Term
eloquent
WG ~ Easy to Understand |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
having or exercising the power of fluent, forceful, and appropriate speech: an eloquent orator. |
| 2. |
characterized by forceful and appropriate expression: an eloquent speech. |
| 3. |
movingly expressive: looks eloquent of disgust. |
|
|
|
Term
evident
WG ` Easy to Understand |
|
Definition
adjective
| plain or clear to the sight or understanding: His frown made it evident to all that he was displeased. It was evident that the project was a total failure. |
|
|
|
Term
limpid
WG ~ Easy to Understand |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
clear, transparent, or pellucid, as water, crystal, or air: We could see to the very bottom of the limpid pond. |
| 2. |
free from obscurity; lucid; clear: a limpid style; limpid prose. |
| 3. |
completely calm; without distress or worry: a limpid, emotionless existence. |
|
|
|
Term
lucid
WG ~ Easy to Understand
Origin:
1575–85; < L lūcidus, equiv. to lūc-, s. of lūx light 1 + -idus -id 4 [image]
|
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
easily understood; completely intelligible or comprehensible: a lucid explanation. |
| 2. |
characterized by clear perception or understanding; rational or sane: a lucid moment in his madness. |
| 4. |
clear; pellucid; transparent. |
|
|
|
Term
pellucid
WG ~ Easy to Understand |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
allowing the maximum passage of light, as glass; translucent. |
| 2. |
clear or limpid: pellucid waters. |
| 3. |
clear in meaning, expression, or style: a pellucid way of writing. |
|
|
|
Term
aberrant
WG ~ Eccentric/Dissimilar |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
departing from the right, normal, or usual course. |
| 2. |
deviating from the ordinary, usual, or normal type; exceptional; abnormal. |
–noun
| 3. |
an aberrant person, thing, group, etc. |
|
|
|
Term
anachronism
WG ~ Eccentric/Dissimilar |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
something or someone that is not in its correct historical or chronological time, esp. a thing or person that belongs to an earlier time: The sword is an anachronism in modern warfare. |
| 2. |
an error in chronology in which a person, object, event, etc., is assigned a date or period other than the correct one: To assign Michelangelo to the 14th century is an anachronism. |
|
|
|
Term
anomalous
WG ~ Eccentric/Dissimilar |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
deviating from or inconsistent with the common order, form, or rule; irregular; abnormal: Advanced forms of life may be anomalous in the universe. |
| 2. |
not fitting into a common or familiar type, classification, or pattern; unusual: He held an anomalous position in the art world. |
| 3. |
incongruous or inconsistent. |
|
|
|
Term
iconoclast
WG ~ Eccentric/Dissimilar |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a breaker or destroyer of images, esp. those set up for religious veneration. |
| 2. |
a person who attacks cherished beliefs, traditional institutions, etc., as being based on error or superstition. |
|
|
|
Term
discrete
WG ~ Eccentric/Dissimilar |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
apart or detached from others; separate; distinct: six discrete parts. |
| 2. |
consisting of or characterized by distinct or individual parts; discontinuous. |
| 3. |
Mathematics.
| a. |
(of a topology or topological space) having the property that every subset is an open set. |
| b. |
defined only for an isolated set of points: a discrete variable. |
| c. |
using only arithmetic and algebra; not involving calculus: discrete methods. |
|
|
|
|
Term
eclectic
WG ~ Eccentric/Dissimilar |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
selecting or choosing from various sources. |
| 2. |
made up of what is selected from different sources. |
| 3. |
not following any one system, as of philosophy, medicine, etc., but selecting and using what are considered the best elements of all systems. |
| 4. |
noting or pertaining to works of architecture, decoration, landscaping, etc., produced by a certain person or during a certain period, that derive from a wide range of historic styles, the style in each instance often being chosen for its fancied appropriateness to local tradition, local geography, the purpose to be served, or the cultural background of the client. |
|
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|
Term
esoteric
WG ~ Eccentric/Dissimilar |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; recondite: poetry full of esoteric allusions. |
| 2. |
belonging to the select few. |
| 3. |
private; secret; confidential. |
| 4. |
(of a philosophical doctrine or the like) intended to be revealed only to the initiates of a group: the esoteric doctrines of Pythagoras. |
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|
Term
abash
WG ~ Embarrass
Origin:
1275–1325; ME abaishen < dial. OF abacher, OF abaissier to put down, bring low (see abase ), perh. conflated with AF abaiss-, long s. of abair, OF esba(h)ir to gape, marvel, amaze (es- ex- 1 + -ba(h)ir, alter. of baer to open wide, gape < VL *batāre; cf. bay 2 , bay 3 )[image]
|
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| to destroy the self-confidence, poise, or self-possession of; disconcert; make ashamed or embarrassed: to abash someone by sneering. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a feeling of vexation, marked by disappointment or humiliation. |
–verb (used with object)
| 2. |
to vex by disappointment or humiliation: The rejection of his proposal chagrined him deeply. |
| 3. |
Obsolete. shagreen (def. 1). |
|
|
|
Term
compunction
WG ~ Embarrass |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a feeling of uneasiness or anxiety of the conscience caused by regret for doing wrong or causing pain; contrition; remorse. |
| 2. |
any uneasiness or hesitation about the rightness of an action |
|
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|
Term
contrition
WG ~ Embarrass |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
sincere penitence or remorse. |
| 2. |
Theology. sorrow for and detestation of sin with a true purpose of amendment, arising from a love of God for His own perfections (perfect contrition), or from some inferior motive, as fear of divine punishment (imperfect contrition). |
|
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|
Term
diffidence
WG ~ Embarrass |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy. |
| 2. |
restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
| to atone for; make amends or reparation for: to expiate one's crimes. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a minor weakness or failing of character; slight flaw or defect: an all-too-human foible. |
| 2. |
the weaker part of a sword blade, between the middle and the point (opposed to forte ). |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
-noun
1.
|
lack of social grace, sensitivity, or acuteness; awkwardness; crudeness; tactlessness. |
| 2. |
an act, movement, etc., that is socially graceless, awkward, or tactless. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to feel sorrow over; repent of; regret bitterly: to rue the loss of opportunities. |
| 2. |
to wish that (something) had never been done, taken place, etc.: I rue the day he was born. |
–verb (used without object)
| 3. |
to feel sorrow, repentance, or regret. |
–noun
| 4. |
sorrow; repentance; regret. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
characterized by equity or fairness; just and right; fair; reasonable: equitable treatment of all citizens. |
| 2. |
Law.
| a. |
pertaining to or valid in equity. |
| b. |
pertaining to the system of equity, as distinguished from the common law. |
|
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun, plural -ties.
| 1. |
the quality of being fair or impartial; fairness; impartiality: the equity of Solomon. |
| 2. |
something that is fair and just. |
| 3. |
Law.
| a. |
the application of the dictates of conscience or the principles of natural justice to the settlement of controversies. |
| b. |
a system of jurisprudence or a body of doctrines and rules developed in England and followed in the U.S., serving to supplement and remedy the limitations and the inflexibility of the common law. |
| c. |
an equitable right or claim. |
| d. |
an equity of redemption. |
|
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| equivalent, as in value, force, effect, or signification: His angry speech was tantamount to a declaration of war. |
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|
Term
apocryphal
WG ~ Falsehood |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
of doubtful authorship or authenticity. |
| 2. |
Ecclesiastical.
| a. |
(initial capital letter[image]) of or pertaining to the Apocrypha. |
| b. |
of doubtful sanction; uncanonical. |
|
| 3. |
false; spurious: He told an apocryphal story about the sword, but the truth was later revealed. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| 1. |
a false or baseless, usually derogatory story, report, or rumor. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun, plural -er⋅ies.
| 1. |
trickery or deception by quibbling or sophistry: He resorted to the worst flattery and chicanery to win the job. |
| 2. |
a quibble or subterfuge used to trick, deceive, or evade. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to give a false or misleading appearance to; conceal the truth or real nature of: to dissemble one's incompetence in business. |
| 2. |
to put on the appearance of; feign: to dissemble innocence. |
| 3. |
Obsolete. to let pass unnoticed; ignore. |
–verb (used without object)
| 4. |
to conceal one's true motives, thoughts, etc., by some pretense; speak or act hypocritically. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun, plural -ties for 1.
| 1. |
deceitfulness in speech or conduct; speaking or acting in two different ways concerning the same matter with intent to deceive; double-dealing. |
| 2. |
a twofold or double state or quality. |
|
|
|
Term
equivocate
WG ~ Falsehood |
|
Definition
–verb (used without object), -cat⋅ed, -cat⋅ing.
| to use ambiguous or unclear expressions, usually to avoid commitment or in order to mislead; prevaricate or hedge: When asked directly for his position on disarmament, the candidate only equivocated. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
containing error; mistaken; incorrect; wrong: an erroneous answer. |
| 2. |
straying from what is moral, decent, proper, etc. |
|
|
|
Term
ersatz
WG ~ Falsehood
Origin:
1870–75; < G Ersatz a substitute (deriv. of ersetzen to replace)[image] |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
serving as a substitute; synthetic; artificial: an ersatz coffee made from grain. |
–noun
| 2. |
an artificial substance or article used to replace something natural or genuine; a substitute. |
|
|
|
Term
fallacious
WG ~ Falsehood |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
containing a fallacy; logically unsound: fallacious arguments. |
| 2. |
deceptive; misleading: fallacious testimony. |
| 3. |
disappointing; delusive: a fallacious peace. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
adjective
| 1. |
pretended; sham; counterfeit: feigned enthusiasm. |
| 2. |
assumed; fictitious: a feigned name. |
| 3. |
disguised: a feigned voice. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| insidious cunning in attaining a goal; crafty or artful deception; duplicity. |
|
|
|
Term
mendacious/mendacity
WG ~ Falsehood |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
telling lies, esp. habitually; dishonest; lying; untruthful: a mendacious person. |
| 2. |
false or untrue: a mendacious report. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun, plural -dies.
| 1. |
deliberate breach of faith or trust; faithlessness; treachery: perfidy that goes unpunished. |
| 2. |
an act or instance of faithlessness or treachery. |
|
|
|
Term
prevaricate
WG ~ Falsehood |
|
Definition
–verb (used without object), -cat⋅ed, -cat⋅ing.
| to speak falsely or misleadingly; deliberately misstate or create an incorrect impression; lie. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
apparently good or right though lacking real merit; superficially pleasing or plausible: specious arguments. |
| 2. |
pleasing to the eye but deceptive. |
| 3. |
Obsolete. pleasing to the eye; fair. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
not genuine, authentic, or true; not from the claimed, pretended, or proper source; counterfeit. |
| 2. |
Biology. (of two or more parts, plants, etc.) having a similar appearance but a different structure. |
| 3. |
of illegitimate birth; bastard. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of marriage: conjugal vows. |
| 2. |
pertaining to the relation of husband and wife. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| having the same ancestry or descent; related by blood. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a staff with a cleft end for holding wool, flax, etc., from which the thread is drawn in spinning by hand. |
| 2. |
a similar attachment on a spinning wheel. |
| 3. |
Archaic.
| a. |
a woman or women collectively. |
|
–adjective
| 4. |
Sometimes Offensive. noting, pertaining to, characteristic of, or suitable for a woman; female. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
noun
| marriage within a specific tribe or similar social unit. Compare exogamy (def. 1). |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
of, pertaining to, or befitting a son or daughter: filial obedience. |
| 2. |
noting or having the relation of a child to a parent. |
| 3. |
Genetics. pertaining to the sequence of generations following the parental generation, each generation being designated by an F followed by a subscript number indicating its place in the sequence. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a person who kills his or her brother. |
| 2. |
the act of killing one's brother. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a biologically related ancestor: a progenitor of the species. |
| 2. |
a person or thing that first indicates a direction, originates something, or serves as a model; predecessor; precursor: the progenitor of modern painting. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 2. |
Also, cion. a shoot or twig, esp. one cut for grafting or planting; a cutting. |
|
|
|
Term
ardor/ardent
WG ~ Favoring/Not Impartial |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
great warmth of feeling; fervor; passion: She spoke persuasively and with ardor. |
| 2. |
intense devotion, eagerness, or enthusiasm; zeal: his well-known ardor for Chinese art. |
–adjective
| 1. |
having, expressive of, or characterized by intense feeling; passionate; fervent: an ardent vow; ardent love. |
| 2. |
intensely devoted, eager, or enthusiastic; zealous: an ardent theatergoer. an ardent student of French history. |
| 3. |
vehement; fierce: They were frightened by his ardent, burning eyes. |
| 4. |
burning, fiery, or hot: the ardent core of a star. |
|
|
|
Term
doctrinaire
WG ~ Favoring/Not Impartial |
|
Definition
| 1. |
a person who tries to apply some doctrine or theory without sufficient regard for practical considerations; an impractical theorist. |
–adjective
| 2. |
dogmatic about others' acceptance of one's ideas; fanatical: a doctrinaire preacher. |
| 3. |
merely theoretical; impractical. |
| 4. |
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a doctrinaire. |
|
|
|
Term
fervid
WG ~ Favoring/Not Impartial |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
heated or vehement in spirit, enthusiasm, etc.: a fervid orator. |
| 2. |
burning; glowing; intensely hot. |
|
|
|
Term
partisan
WG ~ Favoring/Not Impartial |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
an adherent or supporter of a person, group, party, or cause, esp. a person who shows a biased, emotional allegiance. |
| 2. |
Military. a member of a party of light or irregular troops engaged in harassing an enemy, esp. a member of a guerrilla band engaged in fighting or sabotage against an occupying army. |
–adjective
| 3. |
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of partisans; partial to a specific party, person, etc.: partisan politics. |
| 4. |
of, pertaining to, or carried on by military partisans or guerrillas. |
|
|
|
Term
tendentious
WG ~ Favoring/Not Impartial |
|
Definition
–adjective
| having or showing a definite tendency, bias, or purpose: a tendentious novel. |
|
|
|
Term
zealot
WG ~ Favoring/Not Impartial |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a person who shows zeal. |
| 2. |
an excessively zealous person; fanatic. |
| 3. |
(initial capital letter[image]) a member of a radical, warlike, ardently patriotic group of Jews in Judea, particularly prominent from a.d. 69 to 81, advocating the violent overthrow of Roman rule and vigorously resisting the efforts of the Romans and their supporters to heathenize the Jews. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -solved, -solv⋅ing.
| 1. |
to free from guilt or blame or their consequences: The court absolved her of guilt in his death. |
| 2. |
to set free or release, as from some duty, obligation, or responsibility (usually fol. by from): to be absolved from one's oath. |
| 4. |
Ecclesiastical.
| a. |
to grant or pronounce remission of sins to. |
| b. |
to remit (a sin) by absolution. |
| c. |
to declare (censure, as excommunication) removed. |
|
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -quit⋅ted, -quit⋅ting.
| 1. |
to relieve from a charge of fault or crime; declare not guilty: They acquitted him of the crime. The jury acquitted her, but I still think she's guilty. |
| 2. |
to release or discharge (a person) from an obligation. |
| 3. |
to settle or satisfy (a debt, obligation, claim, etc.). |
| 4. |
to bear or conduct (oneself); behave: He acquitted himself well in battle. |
| 5. |
to free or clear (oneself): He acquitted himself of suspicion. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -pat⋅ed, -pat⋅ing.
| to clear from a charge of guilt or fault; free from blame; vindicate. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
verb (used with object), -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
| 1. |
to clear, as of an accusation; free from guilt or blame; exculpate: He was exonerated from the accusation of cheating. |
| 2. |
to relieve, as from an obligation, duty, or task. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
verb (used with object), -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
| to atone for; make amends or reparation for: to expiate one's crimes. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
| 1. |
to relieve or lessen without curing; mitigate; alleviate. |
| 2. |
to try to mitigate or conceal the gravity of (an offense) by excuses, apologies, etc.; extenuate. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
the setting right of what is wrong: redress of abuses. |
| 2. |
relief from wrong or injury. |
| 3. |
compensation or satisfaction for a wrong or injury. |
–verb (used with object)
| 4. |
to set right; remedy or repair (wrongs, injuries, etc.). |
| 5. |
to correct or reform (abuses, evils, etc.). |
| 6. |
to remedy or relieve (suffering, want, etc.). |
| 7. |
to adjust evenly again, as a balance. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -cat⋅ed, -cat⋅ing.
| 1. |
to clear, as from an accusation, imputation, suspicion, or the like: to vindicate someone's honor. |
| 2. |
to afford justification for; justify: Subsequent events vindicated his policy. |
| 3. |
to uphold or justify by argument or evidence: to vindicate a claim. |
| 4. |
to assert, maintain, or defend (a right, cause, etc.) against opposition. |
| 5. |
to claim for oneself or another. |
| 6. |
Roman and Civil Law. to regain possession, under claim of title of property through legal procedure, or to assert one's right to possession. |
| 7. |
to get revenge for; avenge. |
| 8. |
Obsolete. to deliver from; liberate. |
|
|
|
Term
chortle
WG ~ Funny
Origin:
b. chuckle and snort; coined by Lewis Carroll in Through the Looking-Glass (1871)[image] |
|
Definition
–verb (used without object)
–verb (used with object)
| 2. |
to express with a gleeful chuckle: to chortle one's joy. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
amusing in an odd way; whimsically humorous; waggish. |
–noun
| 2. |
a droll person; jester; wag. |
–verb (used without object)
| 3. |
Archaic. to jest; joke. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
not meant to be taken seriously or literally: a facetious remark. |
| 3. |
lacking serious intent; concerned with something nonessential, amusing, or frivolous: a facetious person. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness; characterized by levity: The audience was shocked by his flippant remarks about patriotism. |
| 2. |
Chiefly Dialect. nimble, limber, or pliant. |
| 3. |
Archaic. glib; voluble. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used without object)
| 1. |
to utter mocking or scoffing words; jeer. |
–noun
| 3. |
a taunting or sarcastic remark. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
adjective
| given to, characterized by, intended for, or suited to joking or jesting; waggish; facetious: jocular remarks about opera stars. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun, plural -ties.
| 1. |
lightness of mind, character, or behavior; lack of appropriate seriousness or earnestness. |
| 2. |
an instance or exhibition of this. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
adjective
| causing laughter because of absurdity; provoking or deserving derision; ridiculous; laughable: a ludicrous lack of efficiency. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun, plural -ler⋅ies.
| 1. |
good-humored ridicule; banter. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a quick, sharp return in speech or action; counterstroke: a brilliant riposte to an insult. |
| 2. |
Fencing. a quick thrust given after parrying a lunge. |
–verb (used without object)
| 4. |
to reply or retaliate. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used without object)
| 1. |
to smile in a silly, self-conscious way. |
–noun
| 3. |
a silly, self-conscious smile. |
|
|
|
Term
abatement
WG ~ Gaps/Openings |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
the act or state of abating or the state of being abated; reduction; decrease; alleviation; mitigation. |
| 2. |
suppression or termination: abatement of a nuisance; noise abatement. |
| 3. |
an amount deducted or subtracted, as from the usual price or the full tax. |
| 4. |
Law.
| a. |
a reduction of a tax assessment. |
| b. |
the termination of a nuisance. |
| c. |
a wrongful entry on land made by a stranger, after the owner's death and before the owner's heir or devisee has obtained possession. |
| d. |
a decrease in the legacies of a will when the assets of an estate are insufficient to pay all general legacies in full. |
|
|
|
|
Term
aperture
WG ~ Gaps/Openings |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
an opening, as a hole, slit, crack, gap, etc. |
| 2. |
Also called aperture stop. Optics. an opening, usually circular, that limits the quantity of light that can enter an optical instrument. |
|
|
|
Term
fissure
WG ~ Gaps/Openings |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a narrow opening produced by cleavage or separation of parts. |
| 3. |
Anatomy. a natural division or groove in an organ, as in the brain. |
–verb (used with object)
| 4. |
to make fissures in; cleave; split. |
–verb (used without object)
| 5. |
to open in fissures; become split. |
|
|
|
Term
hiatus
WG ~ Gaps/Openings |
|
Definition
–noun, plural -tus⋅es, -tus.
| 1. |
a break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action, etc. |
| 2. |
a missing part; gap or lacuna: Scholars attempted to account for the hiatus in the medieval manuscript. |
| 4. |
Grammar, Prosody. the coming together, with or without break or slight pause, and without contraction, of two vowels in successive words or syllables, as in see easily. |
| 5. |
Anatomy. a natural fissure, cleft, or foramen in a bone or other structure. |
|
|
|
Term
interregnum
WG ~ Gaps/Openings |
|
Definition
| 1. |
an interval of time between the close of a sovereign's reign and the accession of his or her normal or legitimate successor. |
| 2. |
any period during which a state has no ruler or only a temporary executive. |
| 3. |
any period of freedom from the usual authority. |
| 4. |
any pause or interruption in continuity. |
|
|
|
Term
interstice
WG ~ Gaps/Openings |
|
Definition
| 2. |
a small or narrow space or interval between things or parts, esp. when one of a series of alternating uniform spaces and parts: the interstices between the slats of a fence. |
| 3. |
Roman Catholic Church. the interval of time that must elapse, as required by canon law, before promotion to a higher degree of orders. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
orifice
WG ~ Gaps/Openings
|
|
Definition
–noun
| an opening or aperture, as of a tube or pipe; a mouthlike opening or hole; mouth; vent. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
an opening made by rending or tearing; slit; fissure. |
| 2. |
a breach of relations or union between individuals or groups; schism. |
|
|
|
Term
respite
WG ~ Gaps/Openings |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a delay or cessation for a time, esp. of anything distressing or trying; an interval of relief: to toil without respite. |
| 2. |
temporary suspension of the execution of a person condemned to death; reprieve. |
–verb (used with object)
| 3. |
to relieve temporarily, esp. from anything distressing or trying; give an interval of relief from. |
| 4. |
to grant delay in the carrying out of (a punishment, obligation, etc.). |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
an opening made by splitting, cleaving, etc.; fissure; cleft; chink. |
| 2. |
an open space, as in a forest or cloud mass, or a clear interval. |
| 3. |
a break in friendly relations: a rift between two people; a rift between two nations. |
| 4. |
a difference in opinion, belief, or interest that causes such a break in friendly relations. |
| 5. |
Geology.
| b. |
a graben of regional extent. |
|
| 6. |
the plane or direction along which a log or mass of granite can most easily be split. |
| 7. |
wood or a piece of wood that has been split radially from a log. |
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
|
|
|
Term
altruistic
WG ~ Generous/Kind |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others (opposed to egoistic ). |
| 2. |
Animal Behavior. of or pertaining to behavior by an animal that may be to its disadvantage but that benefits others of its kind, often its close relatives |
|
|
|
Term
beneficent
WG ~ Generous/Kind |
|
Definition
–adjective
| doing good or causing good to be done; conferring benefits; kindly in action or purpose. |
|
|
|
Term
clement
WG ~ Generous/Kind |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
mild or merciful in disposition or character; lenient; compassionate: A clement judge reduced his sentence. |
| 2. |
(of the weather) mild or temperate; pleasant. |
|
|
|
Term
largess
WG ~ Generous/Kind |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
generous bestowal of gifts. |
| 2. |
the gift or gifts, as of money, so bestowed. |
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Term
magnanimous
WG ~ Generous/Kind |
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Definition
| 1. |
generous in forgiving an insult or injury; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness: to be magnanimous toward one's enemies. |
| 2. |
high-minded; noble: a just and magnanimous ruler. |
| 3. |
proceeding from or revealing generosity or nobility of mind, character, etc.: a magnanimous gesture of forgiveness. |
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Term
munificent
WG ~ Generous/Kind |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
extremely liberal in giving; very generous. |
| 2. |
characterized by great generosity: a munificent bequest. |
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Term
philanthropic
WG ~ Generous/kind |
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Definition
–adjective
| of, pertaining to, engaged in, or characterized by philanthropy; benevolent: a philanthropic foundation. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| characterized by avarice; greedy; covetous. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
inordinately or wrongly desirous of wealth or possessions; greedy. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
working or acting merely for money or other reward; venal. |
| 2. |
hired to serve in a foreign army, guerrilla organization, etc. |
–noun
| 3. |
a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| of, like, or befitting a miser; penurious; stingy; |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
extremely stingy; parsimonious; miserly. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
given to seizing for plunder or the satisfaction of greed. |
| 2. |
inordinately greedy; predatory; extortionate: a rapacious disposition. |
| 3. |
(of animals) subsisting by the capture of living prey; predacious. |
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Term
venal
WG ~ Greedy
Origin:
1645–55; < L vēnālis, equiv. to vēn(um) (acc.) for sale (cf. vend ) + -ālis -al 1 [image] |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
willing to sell one's influence, esp. in return for a bribe; open to bribery; mercenary: a venal judge. |
| 2. |
able to be purchased, as by a bribe: venal acquittals. |
| 3. |
associated with or characterized by bribery: a venal administration; venal agreements. |
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Term
asperity
WG ~ Hard Hearted |
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Definition
noun, plural -ties.
| 1. |
harshness or sharpness of tone, temper, or manner; severity; acrimony: The cause of her anger did not warrant such asperity. |
| 2. |
hardship; difficulty; rigor: the asperities of polar weather. |
| 3. |
roughness of surface; unevenness. |
| 4. |
something rough or harsh. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
full of menacing or malign influences; pernicious. |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
adjective
| 1. |
fierce; cruel; dreadful; savage. |
| 2. |
destructive; deadly: fell poison; fell disease. |
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Term
malevolent
WG ~ Hardhearted |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
wishing evil or harm to another or others; showing ill will; ill-disposed; malicious: His failures made him malevolent toward those who were successful. |
| 2. |
evil; harmful; injurious: a malevolent inclination to destroy the happiness of others. |
| 3. |
Astrology. evil or malign in influence. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
sharply caustic or sarcastic, as wit or a speaker; biting. |
| 3. |
having the property of fixing colors, as in dyeing. |
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Term
sardonic
WG ~ Hardhearted |
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Definition
–adjective
| characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking; cynical; sneering: a sardonic grin. |
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Term
scathing
WG ~ Hardhearted |
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Definition
adjective
| 1. |
bitterly severe, as a remark: a scathing review of the play. |
| 2. |
harmful, injurious, or searing. |
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Term
truculent
WG ~ Hardhearted |
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Definition
adjective
| 1. |
fierce; cruel; savagely brutal. |
| 2. |
brutally harsh; vitriolic; scathing: his truculent criticism of her work. |
| 3. |
aggressively hostile; belligerent. |
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Term
vitriolic
WG ~ Hardhearted |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
of, pertaining to, or resembling vitriol. |
| 2. |
obtained from vitriol. |
| 3. |
very caustic; scathing: vitriolic criticism. |
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Term
vituperation
WG ~ Hardhearted |
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Definition
–noun
| verbal abuse or castigation; violent denunciation or condemnation. |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
destructive; pernicious: a baneful superstition. |
| 2. |
deadly; poisonous: baneful herbs. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
injurious to health: deleterious gases. |
| 2. |
harmful; injurious: deleterious influences. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
adverse in tendency or effect; unfavorable; harmful: a climate inimical to health. |
| 2. |
unfriendly; hostile: a cold, inimical gaze. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
harmful, hurtful, or detrimental, as in effect: injurious eating habits. |
| 2. |
doing or involving injury or wrong, as to another: injurious behavior. |
| 3. |
insulting; abusive; defamatory; offensive: an injurious statement. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
intended to entrap or beguile: an insidious plan. |
| 2. |
stealthily treacherous or deceitful: an insidious enemy. |
| 3. |
operating or proceeding in an inconspicuous or seemingly harmless way but actually with grave effect: an insidious disease. |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| deliberately faithless; treacherous; deceitful: a perfidious lover. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
causing insidious harm or ruin; ruinous; injurious; hurtful: pernicious teachings; a pernicious lie. |
| 2. |
deadly; fatal: a pernicious disease. |
| 3. |
Obsolete. evil; wicked. |
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Term
cacophony
wg ~ harsh-sounding |
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Definition
–noun, plural -nies.
| 1. |
harsh discordance of sound; dissonance: a cacophony of hoots, cackles, and wails. |
| 2. |
a discordant and meaningless mixture of sounds: the cacophony produced by city traffic at midday. |
| 3. |
Music. frequent use of discords of a harshness and relationship difficult to understand. |
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Term
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a loud, confused noise; a continued loud or tumultuous sound; noisy clamor. |
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Term
dissonant
wg ~ harsh-sounding |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
disagreeing or harsh in sound; discordant. |
| 2. |
out of harmony; incongruous; at variance. |
| 3. |
Music. characterized by dissonance. |
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Term
raucous
wg ~ harsh-sounding |
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Definition
adjective
| 1. |
harsh; strident; grating: raucous voices; raucous laughter. |
| 2. |
rowdy; disorderly: a raucous party. |
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Term
strident
wg ~ harsh-sounding |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
making or having a harsh sound; grating; creaking: strident insects; strident hinges. |
| 2. |
having a shrill, irritating quality or character: a strident tone in his writings. |
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Term
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a feeling of extreme repugnance or aversion; utter loathing; abomination. |
| 2. |
something or someone extremely repugnant or loathsome. |
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Term
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Definition
–noun, plural -mas.
| 1. |
a person or thing detested or loathed: That subject is anathema to him. |
| 2. |
a person or thing accursed or consigned to damnation or destruction. |
| 3. |
a formal ecclesiastical curse involving excommunication. |
| 4. |
any imprecation of divine punishment. |
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Term
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
an active hostility or opposition, as between unfriendly or conflicting groups: the antagonism between the liberal and the conservative parties. |
| 2. |
an opposing force, principle, or tendency: Her plan to become an actress met with the antagonism of her family. |
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Term
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Definition
–noun, plural -thies.
| 1. |
a natural, basic, or habitual repugnance; aversion. |
| 2. |
an instinctive contrariety or opposition in feeling. |
| 3. |
an object of natural aversion or habitual dislike |
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Term
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Definition
–noun
| 2. |
a person or thing detested. |
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Term
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Definition
–noun, plural -ties.
| a feeling or condition of hostility; hatred; ill will; animosity; antagonism. |
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Term
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Definition
–noun
| strong dislike or disgust; intense aversion. |
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Term
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
desire to inflict injury, harm, or suffering on another, either because of a hostile impulse or out of deep-seated meanness: the malice and spite of a lifelong enemy. |
| 2. |
Law. evil intent on the part of a person who commits a wrongful act injurious to others. |
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Term
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
intense hatred or dislike, esp. toward a person or thing regarded as contemptible, despicable, or repugnant. |
| 2. |
the reproach, discredit, or opprobrium attaching to something hated or repugnant: He had to bear the odium of neglecting his family. |
| 3. |
the state or quality of being hated. |
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Term
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Definition
–noun
| bitter, rankling resentment or ill will; hatred; malice. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
conferring benefit; advantageous; helpful: the beneficial effect of sunshine. |
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Term
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Definition
adjective
| favorable to or promoting health; healthful: salubrious air. |
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Term
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Definition
adjective
| 1. |
favorable to or promoting health; healthful. |
| 2. |
promoting or conducive to some beneficial purpose; wholesome. |
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Term
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Definition
noun
| 1. |
a trembling; vibration. |
| 2. |
a state of flustered excitement or fear. |
–verb (used without object)
| 3. |
to act irresolutely; vacillate. |
| 4. |
North England. to tremble with excitement or fear. |
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Term
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Definition
| 2. |
to vary or vacillate between differing beliefs, opinions, conditions, etc.: He oscillates regularly between elation and despair. |
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Term
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Definition
–verb (used without object)
| 2. |
to ride a seesaw; teetertotter. |
–verb (used with object)
| 3. |
to tip (something) up and down; move unsteadily. |
–noun
| 4. |
a seesaw motion; wobble. |
| 5. |
a seesaw; teetertotter. |
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Term
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Definition
–verb (used without object), -lat⋅ed, -lat⋅ing.
| 1. |
to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute: His tendency to vacillate makes him a poor leader. |
| 2. |
to sway unsteadily; waver; totter; stagger. |
| 3. |
to oscillate or fluctuate. |
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Term
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Definition
verb (used without object)
| 1. |
to sway to and fro; flutter: Foliage wavers in the breeze. |
| 2. |
to flicker or quiver, as light: A distant beam wavered and then disappeared. |
| 3. |
become unsteady; begin to fail or give way: When she heard the news her courage wavered. |
| 4. |
to shake or tremble, as the hands or voice: Her voice wavered. |
| 5. |
to feel or show doubt, indecision, etc.; vacillate: He wavered in his determination. |
| 6. |
(of things) to fluctuate or vary: Prices wavered. |
| 7. |
to totter or reel: The earth quaked and the tower wavered. |
–noun
| 8. |
an act of wavering, fluttering, or vacillating. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
of the nature of or involving antithesis. |
| 2. |
directly opposed or contrasted; opposite. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
like a churl; boorish; rude: churlish behavior. |
| 2. |
of a churl; peasantlike. |
| 4. |
difficult to work or deal with, as soil. |
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Term
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Definition
–noun
| a bad-tempered, difficult, cantankerous person. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
easily provoked to anger; very irritable: an irascible old man. |
| 2. |
characterized or produced by anger: an irascible response. |
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Term
misanthropic
wg ~ hostile |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a misanthrope. |
| 2. |
characterized by misanthropy. |
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Term
credulous
wg ~ innocent/inexperienced |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
willing to believe or trust too readily, esp. without proper or adequate evidence; gullible. |
| 2. |
marked by or arising from credulity: a credulous rumor. |
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Term
gullible
wg ~ innocent/inexperienced |
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Definition
–adjective
| easily deceived or cheated. |
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Term
ingenuous
wg ~ innocent/inexperienced |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
free from reserve, restraint, or dissimulation; candid; sincere. |
| 2. |
artless; innocent; naive. |
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Term
naive
wg ~ innocent/inexperienced |
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Definition
adjective
| 1. |
having or showing unaffected simplicity of nature or absence of artificiality; unsophisticated; ingenuous. |
| 2. |
having or showing a lack of experience, judgment, or information; credulous: She's so naive she believes everything she reads. He has a very naive attitude toward politics. |
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Term
disingenuous
wg ~ insincere |
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Definition
–adjective
| lacking in frankness, candor, or sincerity; falsely or hypocritically ingenuous; insincere: Her excuse was rather disingenuous. |
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Term
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Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to give a false or misleading appearance to; conceal the truth or real nature of: to dissemble one's incompetence in business. |
| 2. |
to put on the appearance of; feign: to dissemble innocence. |
| 3. |
Obsolete. to let pass unnoticed; ignore. |
–verb (used without object)
| 4. |
to conceal one's true motives, thoughts, etc., by some pretense; speak or act hypocritically. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
offensive to good taste, esp. as being excessive; overdone or gross: fulsome praise that embarrassed her deeply; fulsome décor. |
| 2. |
disgusting; sickening; repulsive: a table heaped with fulsome mounds of greasy foods. |
| 3. |
excessively or insincerely lavish: fulsome admiration. |
| 4. |
encompassing all aspects; comprehensive: a fulsome survey of the political situation in Central America. |
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Term
ostensible
wg ~ insincere |
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Definition
adjective
| 1. |
outwardly appearing as such; professed; pretended: an ostensible cheerfulness concealing sadness. |
| 2. |
apparent, evident, or conspicuous: the ostensible truth of their theories. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
characterized by excessive piousness or moralistic fervor, esp. in an affected manner; excessively smooth, suave, or smug. |
| 2. |
of the nature of or characteristic of an unguent or ointment; oily; greasy. |
| 3. |
having an oily or soapy feel, as certain minerals. |
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Term
appraise
wg ~ investigate |
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Definition
–verb (used with object), -praised, -prais⋅ing.
| 1. |
to estimate the monetary value of; determine the worth of; assess: We had an expert appraise the house before we bought it. |
| 2. |
to estimate the nature, quality, importance, etc.: He tried to appraise the poetry of John Updike. |
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Term
ascertain
wg ~ investigate |
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Definition
verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to find out definitely; learn with certainty or assurance; determine: to ascertain the facts. |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to examine or analyze: to assay a situation; to assay an event. |
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Term
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Definition
–verb (used with object), -scried, -scry⋅ing.
| 1. |
to see (something unclear or distant) by looking carefully; discern; espy: The lookout descried land. |
| 2. |
to discover; perceive; detect. |
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Term
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Definition
–verb (used with object), -rused, -rus⋅ing.
| 1. |
to read through with thoroughness or care: to peruse a report. |
| 3. |
to survey or examine in detail. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
having or showing a disposition to avoid exertion; slothful: an indolent person. |
| 2. |
Pathology. causing little or no pain; inactive or relatively benign: an indolent ulcer that is not painful and is slow to heal. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
having no inherent power of action, motion, or resistance (opposed to active ): inert matter. |
| 2. |
Chemistry. having little or no ability to react, as nitrogen that occurs uncombined in the atmosphere. |
| 3. |
Pharmacology. having no pharmacological action, as the excipient of a pill. |
| 4. |
inactive or sluggish by habit or nature. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
without interest, vigor, or determination; listless; lethargic: a lackadaisical attempt. |
| 2. |
lazy; indolent: a lackadaisical fellow. |
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Term
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Definition
adjective
| 1. |
lacking in vigor or vitality; slack or slow: a languid manner. |
| 2. |
lacking in spirit or interest; listless; indifferent. |
| 3. |
drooping or flagging from weakness or fatigue; faint. |
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Term
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Definition
adjective
| 1. |
lacking in vigor or vitality; slack or slow: a languid manner. |
| 2. |
lacking in spirit or interest; listless; indifferent. |
| 3. |
drooping or flagging from weakness or fatigue; faint. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
of, pertaining to, or affected with lethargy; drowsy; sluggish. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
not easily excited to action or display of emotion; apathetic; sluggish. |
| 2. |
self-possessed, calm, or composed. |
| 3. |
of the nature of or abounding in the humor phlegm. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| being at rest; quiet; still; inactive or motionless: a quiescent mind |
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Term
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Definition
adjective
| sluggardly; indolent; lazy. |
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Term
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Definition
adjective
| 2. |
slow; dull; apathetic; lethargic. |
| 3. |
dormant, as a hibernating or estivating animal. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
associated with something by chance rather than as an integral part; extrinsic. |
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Term
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Definition
noun
| a small object worn to ward off evil, harm, or illness or to bring good fortune; protecting charm. |
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Term
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Definition
adjective
| 1. |
promising success; propitious; opportune; favorable: an auspicious occasion. |
| 2. |
favored by fortune; prosperous; fortunate. |
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Term
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Definition
adjective
| 1. |
happening or produced by chance; accidental: a fortuitous encounter. |
| 2. |
lucky; fortunate: a series of fortuitous events that advanced her career. |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
the best or most favorable point, degree, amount, etc., as of temperature, light, and moisture for the growth or reproduction of an organism. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
of the nature of a portent; momentous. |
| 2. |
ominously significant or indicative: a portentous defeat. |
| 3. |
marvelous; amazing; prodigious. |
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Term
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Definition
verb (used with object) -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
| to make favorably inclined; appease; conciliate. |
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Term
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Definition
adjective
| 1. |
presenting favorable conditions; favorable: propitious weather. |
| 2. |
indicative of favor; auspicious: propitious omens. |
| 3. |
favorably inclined; disposed to bestow favors or forgive: propitious gods. |
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Term
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Definition
adjective
| 1. |
of, pertaining to, or resulting from divine providence: providential care. |
| 2. |
opportune, fortunate, or lucky: a providential event. |
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Term
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Definition
–noun, plural -mans.
| 1. |
a stone, ring, or other object, engraved with figures or characters supposed to possess occult powers and worn as an amulet or charm. |
| 3. |
anything whose presence exercises a remarkable or powerful influence on human feelings or actions. |
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Term
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Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to caution, advise, or counsel against something. |
| 2. |
to reprove or scold, esp. in a mild and good-willed manner: The teacher admonished him about excessive noise. |
| 3. |
to urge to a duty; remind: to admonish them about their obligations. |
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Term
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Definition
–verb (used without object)
| 1. |
to raise irritating and trivial objections; find fault with unnecessarily (usually fol. by at or about): He finds something to cavil at in everything I say. |
–verb (used with object)
| 2. |
to oppose by inconsequential, frivolous, or sham objections: to cavil each item of a proposed agenda. |
–noun
| 3. |
a trivial and annoying objection. |
| 4. |
the raising of such objections. |
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Term
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Definition
verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to explain, worry about, or work at (something) repeatedly or more than is necessary: He kept belaboring the point long after we had agreed. |
| 2. |
to assail persistently, as with scorn or ridicule: a book that belabors the provincialism of his contemporaries. |
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Term
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Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to prescribe (a course of action) with authority or emphasis: The doctor enjoined a strict diet. |
| 2. |
to direct or order to do something: He was enjoined to live more frugally. |
| 3. |
Law. to prohibit or restrain by an injunction. |
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Term
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Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to urge, advise, or caution earnestly; admonish urgently. |
–verb (used without object)
| 2. |
to give urgent advice, recommendations, or warnings. |
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Term
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a scolding or a long or intense verbal attack; diatribe. |
| 2. |
a long, passionate, and vehement speech, esp. one delivered before a public gathering. |
| 3. |
any long, pompous speech or writing of a tediously hortatory or didactic nature; sermonizing lecture or discourse. |
–verb (used with object)
| 4. |
to address in a harangue. |
–verb (used without object)
| 5. |
to deliver a harangue. |
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Term
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Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 4. |
(lowercase[image]) to treat with insolence; bully; torment: The teacher hectored his students incessantly. |
–verb (used without object)
| 5. |
(lowercase[image]) to act in a blustering, domineering way; be a bully. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a strict disciplinarian, esp. a military one. |
| 2. |
someone who stubbornly adheres to methods or rules. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to say or plead in protest, objection, or disapproval. |
–verb (used without object)
| 3. |
to present reasons in complaint; plead in protest. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
the act of reproving, censuring, or rebuking. |
| 2. |
an expression of censure or rebuke. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| having an offensive odor; stinking. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
offensive or disgusting, as an odor. |
| 2. |
harmful or injurious to health; noxious. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
harmful or injurious to health or physical well-being: noxious fumes. |
| 2. |
morally harmful; corrupting; pernicious: a noxious plan to spread dissension. |
|
|
|
Term
askance
wg ~ not straight line |
|
Definition
–adverb
| 1. |
with suspicion, mistrust, or disapproval: He looked askance at my offer. |
| 2. |
with a side glance; sidewise; obliquely. |
|
|
|
Term
awry
wg ~ not straight line |
|
Definition
–adverb, adjective
| 1. |
with a turn or twist to one side; askew: to glance or look awry. |
| 2. |
away from the expected or proper direction; amiss; wrong: Our plans went awry. |
|
|
|
Term
careen
wg ~ not straight line |
|
Definition
–verb (used without object)
| 1. |
(of a vehicle) to lean, sway, or tip to one side while in motion: The car careened around the corner. |
| 2. |
(of a ship) to heel over or list. |
| 4. |
South Midland U.S. to lean or bend away from the vertical position: The barn was careening a little. |
|
|
|
Term
carom
Wg ~ not straight line |
|
Definition
noun
| 1. |
Billiards, Pool. a shot in which the cue ball hits two balls in succession. |
| 2. |
any strike and rebound, as a ball striking a wall and glancing off. |
|
|
|
Term
circuitous
wg ~ not straight line |
|
Definition
–adjective
| roundabout; not direct: a circuitous route; a circuitous argument. |
|
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|
Term
circumvent
wg ~ not straight line |
|
Definition
verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to go around or bypass: to circumvent the lake; to circumvent the real issues. |
| 2. |
to avoid (defeat, failure, unpleasantness, etc.) by artfulness or deception; avoid by anticipating or outwitting: He circumvented capture by anticipating their movements. |
| 3. |
to surround or encompass, as by stratagem; entrap: to circumvent a body of enemy troops |
|
|
|
Term
gyrate
wg ~ not straight line |
|
Definition
–verb (used without object)
| 1. |
to move in a circle or spiral, or around a fixed point; whirl. |
|
|
|
Term
labyrinth
wg ~ not straight line |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
an intricate combination of paths or passages in which it is difficult to find one's way or to reach the exit. |
| 2. |
a maze of paths bordered by high hedges, as in a park or garden, for the amusement of those who search for a way out. |
| 3. |
a complicated or tortuous arrangement, as of streets or buildings. |
| 4. |
any confusingly intricate state of things or events; a bewildering complex. |
| 5. |
(initial capital letter[image]) Classical Mythology. a vast maze built in Crete by Daedalus, at the command of King Minos, to house the Minotaur. |
| 6. |
Anatomy.
| a. |
the internal ear, consisting of a bony portion (bony labyrinth) and a membranous portion (membranous labyrinth). |
| b. |
the aggregate of air chambers in the ethmoid bone, between the eye and the upper part of the nose. |
|
| 7. |
a mazelike pattern inlaid in the pavement of a church. |
| 8. |
a loudspeaker enclosure with air chambers at the rear for absorbing sound waves radiating in one direction so as to prevent their interference with waves radiated in another direction. |
|
|
|
Term
meander
wg ~ not straight line |
|
Definition
–verb (used without object)
| 1. |
to proceed by or take a winding or indirect course: The stream meandered through the valley. |
| 2. |
to wander aimlessly; ramble: The talk meandered on. |
–verb (used with object)
| 3. |
Surveying. to define the margin of (a body of water) with a meander line. |
–noun
| 4. |
Usually, meanders. turnings or windings; a winding path or course. |
| 5. |
a circuitous movement or journey. |
| 6. |
an intricate variety of fret or fretwork. |
|
|
|
Term
oblique
wg ~ not straight line |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
neither perpendicular nor parallel to a given line or surface; slanting; sloping. |
| 2. |
(of a solid) not having the axis perpendicular to the plane of the base. |
| 3. |
diverging from a given straight line or course. |
| 4. |
not straight or direct, as a course. |
|
|
|
Term
serrated
wg ~ not stright line |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
having a notched edge or sawlike teeth, esp. for cutting; serrate: the serrated blade of a bread knife. |
|
|
|
Term
sidle
wg ~ not straight line |
|
Definition
–verb (used without object)
| 1. |
to move sideways or obliquely. |
| 2. |
to edge along furtively. |
|
|
|
Term
sinuous
wg ~ not straight line |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
having many curves, bends, or turns; winding: a sinuous path. |
| 2. |
indirect; devious: sinuous questions. |
| 3. |
characterized by a series of graceful curving motions: a sinuous dance. |
| 4. |
Botany. sinuate, as a leaf. |
|
|
|
Term
undulating
wg ~ not straight line |
|
Definition
–verb (used without object)
| 1. |
to move with a sinuous or wavelike motion; display a smooth rising-and-falling or side-to-side alternation of movement: The flag undulates in the breeze. |
| 2. |
to have a wavy form or surface; bend with successive curves in alternate directions. |
|
|
|
Term
vortex
wg ~ not straight line |
|
Definition
| 1. |
a whirling mass of water, esp. one in which a force of suction operates, as a whirlpool. |
| 2. |
a whirling mass of air, esp. one in the form of a visible column or spiral, as a tornado. |
| 3. |
a whirling mass of fire, flame, etc. |
| 4. |
a state of affairs likened to a whirlpool for violent activity, irresistible force, etc. |
| 5. |
something regarded as drawing into its powerful current everything that surrounds it: the vortex of war. |
| 6. |
(in Cartesian philosophy) a rapid rotatory movement of cosmic matter about a center, regarded as accounting for the origin or phenomena of bodies or systems of bodies in space. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| (of speech, writing, etc.) high-sounding; high-flown; inflated; pretentious. |
|
|
|
Term
circumlocution
wg ~ overblown |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words than necessary to express an idea. |
| 2. |
a roundabout expression. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
excessively talkative in a rambling, roundabout manner, esp. about trivial matters. |
| 2. |
wordy or diffuse: a garrulous and boring speech. |
|
|
|
Term
grandiloquent
wg ~ overblown |
|
Definition
adjective
| speaking or expressed in a lofty style, often to the point of being pompous or bombastic. |
|
|
|
Term
loquacious
wg ~ overblown |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
talking or tending to talk much or freely; talkative; chattering; babbling; garrulous: a loquacious dinner guest. |
| 2. |
characterized by excessive talk; wordy: easily the most loquacious play of the season. |
|
|
|
Term
periphrastic
wg ~ overblown |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
circumlocutory; roundabout. |
| 2. |
Grammar. noting a construction of two or more words having the same syntactic function as an inflected word, as of Mr. Smith in the son of Mr. Smith, which is equivalent to Mr. Smith's in Mr. Smith's son. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
adjective
| 1. |
extended to great, unnecessary, or tedious length; long and wordy. |
| 2. |
(of a person) given to speaking or writing at great or tedious length. |
|
|
|
Term
rhetoric
wg ~ overblown/wordy |
|
Definition
noun
| 1. |
(in writing or speech) the undue use of exaggeration or display; bombast. |
| 2. |
the art or science of all specialized literary uses of language in prose or verse, including the figures of speech. |
| 3. |
the study of the effective use of language. |
| 4. |
the ability to use language effectively. |
| 5. |
the art of prose in general as opposed to verse. |
| 6. |
the art of making persuasive speeches; oratory. |
| 7. |
(in classical oratory) the art of influencing the thought and conduct of an audience. |
| 8. |
(in older use) a work on rhetoric. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
swollen; distended; tumid. |
| 2. |
inflated, overblown, or pompous; bombastic: turgid language |
|
|
|
Term
verbose
wg ~ overblown/wordy |
|
Definition
adjective
| characterized by the use of many or too many words; wordy: a verbose report. |
|
|
|
Term
ameliorate
wg ~ pacify/satisfy |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object), -rat⋅ed, -rat⋅ing.
| to make or become better, more bearable, or more satisfactory; improve; meliorate. |
|
|
|
Term
appease
wg ~ pacify/satisfy |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -peased, -peas⋅ing.
| 1. |
to bring to a state of peace, quiet, ease, calm, or contentment; pacify; soothe: to appease an angry king. |
| 2. |
to satisfy, allay, or relieve; assuage: The fruit appeased his hunger. |
| 3. |
to yield or concede to the belligerent demands of (a nation, group, person, etc.) in a conciliatory effort, sometimes at the expense of justice or other principles. |
|
|
|
Term
assuage
wg ~ pacify/satisfy |
|
Definition
verb (used with object), -suaged, -suag⋅ing.
| 1. |
to make milder or less severe; relieve; ease; mitigate: to assuage one's grief; to assuage one's pain. |
| 2. |
to appease; satisfy; allay; relieve: to assuage one's hunger. |
| 3. |
to soothe, calm, or mollify: to assuage his fears; to assuage her anger |
|
|
|
Term
defer
wg ~ pacify/satisfy |
|
Definition
verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to put off (action, consideration, etc.) to a future time: The decision has been deferred by the board until next week. |
| 2. |
to exempt temporarily from induction into military service. |
–verb (used without object)
| 3. |
to put off action; delay. |
|
|
|
Term
mitigate
wg ~ pacify/satisfy |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to lessen in force or intensity, as wrath, grief, harshness, or pain; moderate. |
| 2. |
to make less severe: to mitigate a punishment. |
| 3. |
to make (a person, one's state of mind, disposition, etc.) milder or more gentle; mollify; appease. |
–verb (used without object)
| 4. |
to become milder; lessen in severity. |
|
|
|
Term
mollify
wg ~ satisfy/pacify |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -fied, -fy⋅ing.
| 1. |
to soften in feeling or temper, as a person; pacify; appease. |
| 2. |
to mitigate or reduce; soften: to mollify one's demands. |
|
|
|
Term
placate
wg ~ satisfy/pacify |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -cat⋅ed, -cat⋅ing.
| to appease or pacify, esp. by concessions or conciliatory gestures: to placate an outraged citizenry. |
|
|
|
Term
satiate
wg ~ satisfy/pacify |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to supply with anything to excess, so as to disgust or weary; surfeit. |
| 2. |
to satisfy to the full; sate. |
|
|
|
Term
slake
wg ~ satisfy/pacify |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to allay (thirst, desire, wrath, etc.) by satisfying. |
| 2. |
to cool or refresh: He slaked his lips with ice. |
| 3. |
to make less active, vigorous, intense, etc.: His calm manner slaked their enthusiasm. |
|
|
|
Term
sooth
wg ~ satisfy/pacify |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
truth, reality, or fact. |
–adjective
| 2. |
soothing, soft, or sweet. |
|
|
|
Term
euphonious
pleasant-sounding |
|
Definition
–adjective
| pleasant in sound; agreeable to the ear; characterized by euphony: a sweet, euphonious voice. |
|
|
|
Term
harmonious
pleasant-sounding |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
marked by agreement in feeling, attitude, or action: a harmonious group. |
| 2. |
forming a pleasingly consistent whole; congruous: harmonious colors. |
| 3. |
pleasant to the ear; tuneful; melodious. |
|
|
|
Term
melodious
wg ~ pleasant-sounding
|
|
Definition
adjective
| 1. |
of the nature of or characterized by melody; tuneful. |
| 2. |
producing melody; sweet-sounding; musical. |
|
|
|
Term
sonorous
wg ~ pleasant-sounding |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
giving out or capable of giving out a sound, esp. a deep, resonant sound, as a thing or place: a sonorous cavern. |
| 2. |
loud, deep, or resonant, as a sound. |
| 3. |
rich and full in sound, as language or verse. |
| 4. |
high-flown; grandiloquent: a sonorous speech. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
without means of subsistence; lacking food, clothing, and shelter. |
| 2. |
deprived of, devoid of, or lacking (often fol. by of): destitute of children. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| having little or no money; penniless; poor. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
lacking food, clothing, and other necessities of life because of poverty; needy; poor; impoverished. |
| 2. |
Archaic.
| a. |
deficient in what is requisite. |
| b. |
destitute (usually fol. by of). |
|
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to welcome or salute with shouts or sounds of joy and approval; applaud: to acclaim the conquering heroes. |
| 2. |
to announce or proclaim with enthusiastic approval: to acclaim the new king. |
–verb (used without object)
| 3. |
to make acclamation; applaud. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
any award, honor, or laudatory notice: The play received accolades from the press. |
| 2. |
a light touch on the shoulder with the flat side of the sword or formerly by an embrace, done in the ceremony of conferring knighthood. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -dized, -diz⋅ing.
| 1. |
to widen in scope; increase in size or intensity; enlarge; extend. |
| 2. |
to make great or greater in power, wealth, rank, or honor. |
| 3. |
to make (something) appear greater. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| a formal expression of high praise; eulogy: An encomium by the President greeted the returning hero. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -gized, -giz⋅ing.
| 2. |
to speak or write a eulogy about. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -tolled, -tol⋅ling.
| to praise highly; laud; eulogize: to extol the beauty of Naples. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used without object)
| 1. |
to seek notice or favor by servile demeanor: The courtiers fawned over the king. |
| 2. |
(of a dog) to behave affectionately. |
|
|
|
Term
laud/laudatory
wg ~ praise |
|
Definition
–noun
| 2. |
a song or hymn of praise. |
|
|
|
Term
venerate/veneration
wg ~ praise |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
| to regard or treat with reverence; revere. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
one of a group of ancient Roman officials charged with observing and interpreting omens for guidance in public affairs. |
–verb (used with object)
| 3. |
to divine or predict, as from omens; prognosticate. |
| 4. |
to serve as an omen or promise of; foreshadow; betoken: Mounting sales augur a profitable year. |
–verb (used without object)
| 5. |
to conjecture from signs or omens; predict. |
| 6. |
to be a sign; bode: The movement of troops augurs ill for the peace of the area. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| 1. |
Usually, auspices. patronage; support; sponsorship: under the auspices of the Department of Education. |
| 2. |
Often, auspices. a favorable sign or propitious circumstance. |
| 3. |
a divination or prognostication, originally from observing birds |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| 3. |
supernatural; unreal; enchanted: elves, fairies, and other fey creatures. |
| 4. |
being in unnaturally high spirits, as were formerly thought to precede death. |
| 5. |
whimsical; strange; otherworldly: a strange child with a mysterious smile and a fey manner. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a person who goes ahead and makes known the approach of another; herald. |
| 2. |
anything that foreshadows a future event; omen; sign: Frost is a harbinger of winter. |
| 3. |
a person sent in advance of troops, a royal train, etc., to provide or secure lodgings and other accommodations. |
–verb (used with object)
| 4. |
to act as harbinger to; herald the coming of. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a presentiment or foreboding. |
| 2. |
something that portends or foreshadows a future event; an omen, prognostic, or warning indication. |
| 3. |
prophetic significance; augury. |
| 4. |
foresight; prescience. |
| 5. |
Archaic. a forecast or prediction. |
–verb (used with object)
| 6. |
to have a presentiment of. |
| 7. |
to portend, foreshow, or foreshadow: The incidents may presage war. |
–verb (used without object)
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| knowledge of things before they exist or happen; foreknowledge; foresight. |
- Of or relating to prescience.
- Possessing prescience.
|
|
|
Term
prognosticate
wg ~ predict |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to forecast or predict (something future) from present indications or signs; prophesy. |
| 2. |
to foretoken; presage: birds prognosticating spring. |
–verb (used without object)
| 3. |
to make a forecast; prophesy |
|
|
|
Term
discomfort
wg ~ prevent/obstruct |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
an absence of comfort or ease; uneasiness, hardship, or mild pain. |
| 2. |
anything that is disturbing to or interferes with comfort. |
–verb (used with object)
| 3. |
to disturb the comfort or happiness of; make uncomfortable or uneasy. |
|
|
|
Term
encumber
wg ~ prevent/obstruct |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to impede or hinder; hamper; retard: Red tape encumbers all our attempts at action. |
| 2. |
to block up or fill with what is obstructive or superfluous: a mind encumbered with trivial and useless information. |
| 3. |
to burden or weigh down: She was encumbered with a suitcase and several packages. |
| 4. |
to burden with obligations, debt, etc. |
|
|
|
Term
fetter
wg ~ prevent/obstruct |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a chain or shackle placed on the feet. |
| 2. |
Usually, fetters. anything that confines or restrains: Boredom puts fetters upon the imagination. |
|
|
|
Term
forfend
wg ~ prevent/obstruct |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to defend, secure, or protect. |
| 2. |
to fend off, avert, or prevent. |
|
|
|
Term
hinder
wg ~ prevent/obstruct |
|
Definition
verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to cause delay, interruption, or difficulty in; hamper; impede: The storm hindered our progress. |
| 2. |
to prevent from doing, acting, or happening; stop: to hinder a man from committing a crime. |
–verb (used without object)
| 3. |
to be an obstacle or impediment. |
|
|
|
Term
impede
wg ~ prevent/obstruct |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -ped⋅ed, -ped⋅ing.
| to retard in movement or progress by means of obstacles or hindrances; obstruct; hinder. |
|
|
|
Term
inhibit
wg ~ prevent/obstruct |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to restrain, hinder, arrest, or check (an action, impulse, etc.). |
| 3. |
Psychology. to consciously or unconsciously suppress or restrain (psychologically or sociologically unacceptable behavior). |
| 4. |
Chemistry. to decrease the rate of action of or stop (a chemical reaction). |
|
|
|
Term
occlude
wg ~ prevent/obstruct |
|
Definition
verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to close, shut, or stop up (a passage, opening, etc.). |
| 2. |
to shut in, out, or off. |
|
|
|
Term
astute
wg ~ smart/learned |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
of keen penetration or discernment; sagacious: an astute analysis. |
| 2. |
clever; cunning; ingenious; shrewd: an astute merchandising program; an astute manipulation of facts. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
careful; cautious; prudent: a canny reply. |
| 2. |
astute; shrewd; knowing; sagacious: a canny negotiator. |
|
|
|
Term
erudite
wg ~ smart/learned |
|
Definition
–adjective
| characterized by great knowledge; learned or scholarly: an erudite professor; an erudite commentary. |
|
|
|
Term
perspicacious
wg ~ smart/learned |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
having keen mental perception and understanding; discerning: to exhibit perspicacious judgment. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
having keen mental perception and understanding; discerning: to exhibit perspicacious judgment. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
adjective
| sorrowful; mournful; melancholy: a doleful look on her face. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
adj.
- Of, relating to, or involving elegy or mourning or expressing sorrow for that which is irrecoverably past: an elegiac lament for youthful ideals.
- Of or composed in elegiac couplets.
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
desolate or dreary; unhappy or miserable, as in feeling, condition, or appearance. |
| 2. |
lonely and sad; forsaken. |
| 3. |
expressive of hopelessness; despairing: forlorn glances. |
| 4. |
bereft; destitute: forlorn of comfort. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to feel or express sorrow or regret for: to lament his absence. |
–verb (used without object)
| 3. |
to feel, show, or express grief, sorrow, or regret. |
–noun
| 5. |
an expression of grief or sorrow. |
| 6. |
a formal expression of sorrow or mourning, esp. in verse or song; an elegy or dirge. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| mournful, dismal, or gloomy, esp. in an affected, exaggerated, or unrelieved manner: lugubrious songs of lost love. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
noun
| 1. |
a gloomy state of mind, esp. when habitual or prolonged; depression. |
| 2. |
sober thoughtfulness; pensiveness. |
| 3. |
Archaic.
| a. |
the condition of having too much black bile, considered in ancient and medieval medicine to cause gloominess and depression. |
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Term
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Definition
adjective
| 1. |
gloomily or sullenly ill-humored, as a person or mood. |
| 2. |
characterized by or expressing gloom. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| expressing sorrow or melancholy; mournful: a plaintive melody. |
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Term
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Definition
–noun, plural -dies.
| a poem, speech, or song of lamentation, esp. for the dead; dirge; funeral song |
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Term
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Definition
adjective
| not to be appeased, mollified, or pacified; inexorable: an implacable enemy. |
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Term
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Definition
adjective
| 1. |
unyielding; unalterable: inexorable truth; inexorable justice. |
| 2. |
not to be persuaded, moved, or affected by prayers or entreaties: an inexorable creditor. |
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Term
intractable
wg ~ stubborn |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
not easily controlled or directed; not docile or manageable; stubborn; obstinate: an intractable disposition. |
| 2. |
(of things) hard to shape or work with: an intractable metal. |
| 3. |
hard to treat, relieve, or cure: the intractable pain in his leg. |
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Term
intransigent
wg ~ stubborn |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
refusing to agree or compromise; uncompromising; inflexible. |
–noun
| 2. |
a person who refuses to agree or compromise, as in politics. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
unmoved by persuasion, pity, or tender feelings; stubborn; unyielding. |
| 2. |
stubbornly resistant to moral influence; persistently impenitent: an obdurate sinner. |
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Term
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Definition
adjective
| 1. |
firmly or stubbornly adhering to one's purpose, opinion, etc.; not yielding to argument, persuasion, or entreaty. |
| 2. |
characterized by inflexible persistence or an unyielding attitude; inflexibly persisted in or carried out: obstinate advocacy of high tariffs. |
| 3. |
not easily controlled or overcome: the obstinate growth of weeds. |
| 4. |
not yielding readily to treatment, as a disease. |
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Term
recalcitrant
wg ~ stubborn |
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Definition
adjective
| 1. |
resisting authority or control; not obedient or compliant; refractory. |
| 2. |
hard to deal with, manage, or operate. |
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Term
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Definition
adjective
| 1. |
hard or impossible to manage; stubbornly disobedient: a refractory child. |
| 2. |
resisting ordinary methods of treatment. |
| 3. |
difficult to fuse, reduce, or work, as an ore or metal. |
–noun
| 4. |
a material having the ability to retain its physical shape and chemical identity when subjected to high temperatures. |
| 5. |
refractories, bricks of various shapes used in lining furnaces. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
resisting pressure; resistant. |
| 2. |
persistently opposing; recalcitrant. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
unfavorable or unfortunate: Untoward circumstances forced him into bankruptcy. |
| 2. |
improper: untoward social behavior. |
| 3. |
Archaic. froward; perverse. |
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Term
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Definition
verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to irritate; annoy; provoke: His noisy neighbors often vexed him. |
| 2. |
to torment; trouble; distress; plague; worry: Lack of money vexes many. |
| 3. |
to discuss or debate (a subject, question, etc.) with vigor or at great length: to vex a question endlessly without agreeing. |
| 4. |
to disturb by motion; stir up; toss about. |
| 5. |
to afflict with physical pain. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| of or like a compendium; containing the substance of a subject, often an exclusive subject, in a brief form; concise: a compendious history of the world. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective, -er, -est.
| 1. |
rudely brief in speech or abrupt in manner. |
| 2. |
brief; concise; terse; laconic. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective
| using few words; expressing much in few words; concise: a laconic reply. |
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Term
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Definition
–adjective, pith⋅i⋅er, pith⋅i⋅est.
| 1. |
brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression; full of vigor, substance, or meaning; terse; forcible: a pithy observation. |
| 2. |
of, like, or abounding in pith. |
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Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
expressed in few words; concise; terse. |
| 2. |
characterized by conciseness or verbal brevity. |
| 3. |
compressed into a small area, scope, or compass. |
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Term
|
Definition
adjective
| 1. |
inclined to silence; reserved in speech; reluctant to join in conversation. |
| 2. |
dour, stern, and silent in expression and manner. |
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Term
anachronism
wg ~ time/order/duration |
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
something or someone that is not in its correct historical or chronological time, esp. a thing or person that belongs to an earlier time: The sword is an anachronism in modern warfare. |
| 2. |
an error in chronology in which a person, object, event, etc., is assigned a date or period other than the correct one: To assign Michelangelo to the 14th century is an anachronism. |
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Term
antecede
wg ~ time/order/duration |
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Definition
verb (used with object), -ced⋅ed, -ced⋅ing.
| to go before, in time, order, rank, etc.; precede: Shakespeare antecedes Milton. |
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Term
anterior
wg ~ time/order/duration |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
situated before or at the front of; fore (opposed to posterior ). |
| 2. |
going before in time or sequence; preceding; earlier: events anterior to the outbreak of war. |
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Term
archaic
wg ~ time/order/duration |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
marked by the characteristics of an earlier period; antiquated: an archaic manner; an archaic notion. |
| 2. |
(of a linguistic form) commonly used in an earlier time but rare in present-day usage except to suggest the older time, as in religious rituals or historical novels. Examples: thou; wast; methinks; forsooth. |
| 3. |
forming the earliest stage; prior to full development: the archaic period of psychoanalytic research. |
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Term
diurnal
wg ~ time/order/duration |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
of or pertaining to a day or each day; daily. |
| 2. |
of or belonging to the daytime (opposed to nocturnal ). |
| 3. |
Botany. showing a periodic alteration of condition with day and night, as certain flowers that open by day and close by night. |
| 4. |
active by day, as certain birds and insects (opposed to nocturnal ). |
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Term
eon
wg ~ time/order/duration |
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
an indefinitely long period of time; age. |
| 2. |
the largest division of geologic time, comprising two or more eras. |
| 3. |
Astronomy. one billion years. |
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Term
ephemeral
wg ~ time/order/duration |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
lasting a very short time; short-lived; transitory: the ephemeral joys of childhood. |
| 2. |
lasting but one day: an ephemeral flower. |
–noun
| 3. |
anything short-lived, as certain insects. |
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Term
epoch
wg ~ time/order/duration |
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a particular period of time marked by distinctive features, events, etc.: The treaty ushered in an epoch of peace and good will. |
| 2. |
the beginning of a distinctive period in the history of anything: The splitting of the atom marked an epoch in scientific discovery. |
| 3. |
a point of time distinguished by a particular event or state of affairs; a memorable date: His coming of age was an epoch in his life. |
| 4. |
Geology. any of several divisions of a geologic period during which a geologic series is formed. Compare age (def. 12). |
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Term
fortnight
wg ~ time/order/duration
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME fourtenight, contr. of OE fēowertēne niht. See fourteen, night |
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Definition
–noun
| the space of fourteen nights and days; two weeks. |
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Term
millennium
wg ~ time/order/duration |
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Definition
| 1. |
a period of 1000 years. |
| 2. |
the millennium, the period of a thousand years during which Christ will reign on earth. Rev. 20:1–7. |
| 3. |
a period of general righteousness and happiness, esp. in the indefinite future. |
| 4. |
a thousandth anniversary. |
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Term
penultimate
wg ~ time/order/duration |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
next to the last: the penultimate scene of the play. |
| 2. |
of or pertaining to a penult. |
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Term
synchronous
wg ~ time/order/duration |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
occurring at the same time; coinciding in time; contemporaneous; simultaneous. |
| 2. |
going on at the same rate and exactly together; recurring together. |
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Term
temporal
wg ~ time/order/duration |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
of or pertaining to time. |
| 2. |
pertaining to or concerned with the present life or this world; worldly: temporal joys. |
| 3. |
enduring for a time only; temporary; transitory (opposed to eternal ). |
| 4. |
Grammar.
| a. |
of, pertaining to, or expressing time: a temporal adverb. |
| b. |
of or pertaining to the tenses of a verb. |
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| 5. |
secular, lay, or civil, as opposed to ecclesiastical. |
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Term
|
Definition
adjective
| 1. |
cowardly; contemptibly timid; pusillanimous. |
—Idiom
| 4. |
cry craven, to yield; capitulate; give up. |
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Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; timid; shy. |
| 2. |
restrained or reserved in manner, conduct, etc. |
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Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
lacking courage or resolution; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid. |
| 2. |
proceeding from or indicating a cowardly spirit. |
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Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 2. |
unfaithful, disloyal, or traitorous. |
–noun
| 4. |
an apostate, traitor, or renegade. |
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Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
full of fear; fearful: The noise made them timorous. |
| 2. |
subject to fear; timid. |
| 3. |
characterized by or indicating fear: a timorous whisper. |
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Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
tremulous fear, alarm, or agitation; perturbation. |
| 2. |
trembling or quivering movement; tremor. |
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Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
the state or quality of being frank, open, and sincere in speech or expression; candidness: The candor of the speech impressed the audience. |
| 2. |
freedom from bias; fairness; impartiality: to consider an issue with candor. |
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Term
|
Definition
–noun, plural -ties.
| 1. |
History/Historical.
| b. |
the obligation or the engagement to be faithful to a lord, usually sworn to by a vassal. |
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| 2. |
fidelity; faithfulness. |
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Term
|
Definition
–noun
| plainness of speech; candor; openness. |
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Term
|
Definition
adjective
| 1. |
not disputable or deniable; uncontestable. indisputable evidence. |
| 2. |
unquestionably real, valid, or the like. |
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Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
according to law; lawful: the property's legitimate owner. |
| 2. |
in accordance with established rules, principles, or standards. |
| 3. |
born in wedlock or of legally married parents: legitimate children. |
| 4. |
in accordance with the laws of reasoning; logically inferable; logical: a legitimate conclusion. |
| 5. |
resting on or ruling by the principle of hereditary right: a legitimate sovereign. |
| 6. |
not spurious or unjustified; genuine: It was a legitimate complaint. |
| 7. |
of the normal or regular type or kind. |
| 8. |
Theater. of or pertaining to professionally produced stage plays, as distinguished from burlesque, vaudeville, television, motion pictures, etc.: an actor in the legitimate theater. |
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Term
|
Definition
–noun
| integrity and uprightness; honesty. |
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Term
|
Definition
–adjective, -cer⋅er, -cer⋅est.
| 1. |
free of deceit, hypocrisy, or falseness; earnest: a sincere apology. |
| 2. |
genuine; real: a sincere effort to improve; a sincere friend. |
| 3. |
pure; unmixed; unadulterated. |
| 4. |
Obsolete. sound; unimpaired. |
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Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
habitually speaking the truth; truthful; honest: a veracious witness. |
| 2. |
characterized by truthfulness; true, accurate, or honest in content: a veracious statement; a veracious account. |
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Term
verity
wg ~ truth
Origin:
1325–75; ME < L vēritās, equiv. to vēr(us) true + -itās -ity |
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Definition
–noun, plural -ties for 2.
| 1. |
the state or quality of being true; accordance with fact or reality: to question the verity of a statement. |
| 2. |
something that is true, as a principle, belief, idea, or statement: the eternal verities. |
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Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
the act of departing from the right, normal, or usual course. |
| 2. |
the act of deviating from the ordinary, usual, or normal type. |
| 3. |
deviation from truth or moral rectitude. |
| 4. |
mental irregularity or disorder, esp. of a minor or temporary nature; lapse from a sound mental state. |
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Term
|
Definition
–noun, plural -lies.
| 1. |
a deviation from the common rule, type, arrangement, or form. |
| 2. |
someone or something anomalous: With his quiet nature, he was an anomaly in his exuberant family. |
| 3. |
an odd, peculiar, or strange condition, situation, quality, etc. |
| 4. |
an incongruity or inconsistency. |
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Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a breaker or destroyer of images, esp. those set up for religious veneration. |
| 2. |
a person who attacks cherished beliefs, traditional institutions, etc., as being based on error or superstition. |
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Term
idiosyncrasy
wg ~ unusual |
|
Definition
–noun, plural -sies.
| 1. |
a characteristic, habit, mannerism, or the like, that is peculiar to an individual. |
| 2. |
the physical constitution peculiar to an individual. |
| 3. |
a peculiarity of the physical or the mental constitution, esp. susceptibility toward drugs, food, etc. Compare allergy (def. 1). |
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Term
ambulatory
wg ~ walking about |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
of, pertaining to, or capable of walking: an ambulatory exploration of the countryside. |
| 2. |
adapted for walking, as the limbs of many animals. |
| 3. |
moving about or from place to place; not stationary: an ambulatory tribe. |
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Term
itinerant
wg ~ walking about |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
traveling from place to place, esp. on a circuit, as a minister, judge, or sales representative; itinerating; journeying. |
| 2. |
characterized by such traveling: itinerant preaching. |
| 3. |
working in one place for a comparatively short time and then moving on to work in another place, usually as a physical or outdoor laborer; characterized by alternating periods of working and wandering: an itinerant farm hand. |
–noun
| 4. |
a person who alternates between working and wandering. |
| 5. |
a person who travels from place to place, esp. for duty or business. |
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|
Term
peripatetic
wg ~ walking about
Origin:
1400–50; late ME < L peripatēticus < Gk peripatētikós of Aristotle and his school, lit., walking about, equiv. to peripatē- (verbid s. of peripateîn to walk about, equiv. to peri- peri- + pateîn to walk; akin to path ) + -tikos -tic [image] |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
walking or traveling about; itinerant. |
| 2. |
(initial capital letter[image]) of or pertaining to Aristotle, who taught philosophy while walking in the Lyceum of ancient Athens. |
| 3. |
(initial capital letter[image]) of or pertaining to the Aristotelian school of philosophy. |
–noun
| 4. |
a person who walks or travels about. |
| 5. |
(initial capital letter[image]) a member of the Aristotelian school. |
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Term
discursive
wg ~ wandering |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
passing aimlessly from one subject to another; digressive; rambling. |
| 2. |
proceeding by reasoning or argument rather than intuition. |
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Term
|
Definition
–verb (used without object), -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
| 1. |
to enlarge in discourse or writing; be copious in description or discussion: to expatiate upon a theme. |
| 2. |
Archaic. to move or wander about intellectually, imaginatively, etc., without restraint. |
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Term
|
Definition
–verb (used without object)
| 5. |
to wander or go in search of provisions. |
| 6. |
to search about; seek; rummage; hunt: He went foraging in the attic for old mementos. |
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|
Term
peregrination
wg ~ wandering |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
travel from one place to another, esp. on foot. |
| 2. |
a course of travel; journey. |
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|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a temporary stay: during his sojourn in Paris. |
–verb (used without object)
| 2. |
to stay for a time in a place; live temporarily: to sojourn on the Riviera for two months. |
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|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to debase or make impure by adding inferior materials or elements; use cheaper, inferior, or less desirable goods in the production of (any professedly genuine article): to adulterate food. |
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|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to deprive of force or strength; destroy the vigor of; weaken. |
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Term
exacerbate
wg ~ weaken (worsen) |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -bat⋅ed, -bat⋅ing.
| 1. |
to increase the severity, bitterness, or violence of (disease, ill feeling, etc.); aggravate. |
| 2. |
to embitter the feelings of (a person); irritate; exasperate. |
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|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to restrain, hinder, arrest, or check (an action, impulse, etc.). |
| 3. |
Psychology. to consciously or unconsciously suppress or restrain (psychologically or sociologically unacceptable behavior). |
| 4. |
Chemistry. to decrease the rate of action of or stop (a chemical reaction). |
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|
|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
| to anticipate and prevent or eliminate (difficulties, disadvantages, etc.) by effective measures; render unnecessary: to obviate the risk of serious injury. |
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|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -fied, -fy⋅ing.
| 1. |
to make, or cause to appear, foolish or ridiculous. |
| 2. |
to render absurdly or wholly futile or ineffectual, esp. by degrading or frustrating means: Menial work can stultify the mind. |
| 3. |
Law. to allege or prove (oneself or another) to be of unsound mind |
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|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -mined, -min⋅ing.
| 1. |
to injure or destroy by insidious activity or imperceptible stages, sometimes tending toward a sudden dramatic effect. |
| 2. |
to attack by indirect, secret, or underhand means; attempt to subvert by stealth. |
| 3. |
to make an excavation under; dig or tunnel beneath, as a military stronghold. |
| 4. |
to weaken or cause to collapse by removing underlying support, as by digging away or eroding the foundation. |
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|
|
Term
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -at⋅ed, -at⋅ing.
| 1. |
to impair the quality of; make faulty; spoil. |
| 2. |
to impair or weaken the effectiveness of. |
| 3. |
to debase; corrupt; pervert. |
| 4. |
to make legally defective or invalid; invalidate: to vitiate a claim. |
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|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| a traditional saying expressing a common experience or observation; proverb. |
|
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|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| a terse saying embodying a general truth, or astute observation, as “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” (Lord Acton). |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
noun
| a short, pithy, instructive saying; a terse remark or aphorism. |
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|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a self-evident truth that requires no proof. |
| 2. |
a universally accepted principle or rule. |
| 3. |
Logic, Mathematics. a proposition that is assumed without proof for the sake of studying the consequences that follow from it. |
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|
|
Term
|
Definition
| 3. |
a platitude or trite saying. |
| 4. |
a person who is platitudinous and boring. |
|
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|
Term
|
Definition
| 1. |
an authoritative pronouncement; judicial assertion. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
any witty, ingenious, or pointed saying tersely expressed. |
| 2. |
epigrammatic expression: Oscar Wilde had a genius for epigram. |
| 3. |
a short, often satirical poem dealing concisely with a single subject and usually ending with a witty or ingenious turn of thought. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
a flat, dull, or trite remark, esp. one uttered as if it were fresh or profound. |
| 2. |
the quality or state of being flat, dull, or trite: the platitude of most political oratory. |
|
|
|
Term
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
abounding in pithy aphorisms or maxims: a sententious book. |
| 2. |
given to excessive moralizing; self-righteous. |
| 3. |
given to or using pithy sayings or maxims: a sententious poet. |
| 4. |
of the nature of a maxim; pithy. |
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|
|
Term
|
Definition
–noun
| a self-evident, obvious truth. |
|
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|
Term
abeyance
wg ~ retreat/withdrawal |
|
Definition
–noun
| 1. |
temporary inactivity, cessation, or suspension: Let's hold that problem in abeyance for a while |
|
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|
Term
abjure
wg ~ retreat/withdrawal |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -jured, -jur⋅ing.
| 1. |
to renounce, repudiate, or retract, esp. with formal solemnity; recant: to abjure one's errors. |
| 2. |
to renounce or give up under oath; forswear: to abjure allegiance. |
|
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|
Term
abnegation
wg ~ retreat/withdrawal |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -gat⋅ed, -gat⋅ing.
| 1. |
to refuse or deny oneself (some rights, conveniences, etc.); reject; renounce. |
| 2. |
to relinquish; give up. |
|
|
|
Term
abortive
wg ~ retreat/withdrawal |
|
Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
failing to succeed; unsuccessful: an abortive rebellion; an abortive scheme. |
| 3. |
imperfectly developed; rudimentary. |
| 4. |
Medicine/Medical.
| a. |
producing or intended to produce abortion; abortifacient. |
| b. |
acting to halt progress of a disease. |
|
| 5. |
Pathology. (of the course of a disease) short and mild without the usual, pronounced clinical symptoms. |
| 6. |
Botany. (of seeds or pollen grains) imperfect; unable to germinate. |
|
|
|
Term
abrogate
wg ~ retreat/withdrawal |
|
Definition
–verb (used with object), -gat⋅ed, -gat⋅ing.
| 1. |
to abolish by formal or official means; annul by an authoritative act; repeal: to abrogate a law. |
| 2. |
to put aside; put an end to. |
|
|
|
Term
decamp
wg ~ retreat/withdrawal |
|
Definition
–verb (used without object)
| 1. |
to depart from a camp; to pack up equipment and leave a camping ground: We decamped before the rain began. |
| 2. |
to depart quickly, secretly, or unceremoniously: The band of thieves decamped in the night |
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Term
demur
wg ~ retreat/withdrawal |
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Definition
–verb (used without object)
| 1. |
to make objection, esp. on the grounds of scruples; take exception; object: They wanted to make him the treasurer, but he demurred. |
| 2. |
Law. to interpose a demurrer. |
| 3. |
Archaic. to linger; hesitate. |
–noun
| 4. |
the act of making objection. |
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Term
recant
wg ~ retreat/withdrawal |
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Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to withdraw or disavow (a statement, opinion, etc.), esp. formally; retract. |
–verb (used without object)
| 2. |
to withdraw or disavow a statement, opinion, etc., esp. formally |
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Term
recidivism
wg ~ retreat/withdrawal |
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Definition
–noun
| 1. |
repeated or habitual relapse, as into crime. |
| 2. |
Psychiatry. the chronic tendency toward repetition of criminal or antisocial behavior patterns. |
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Term
remission
wg ~ retreat/withdrawal |
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Definition
–noun
| 2. |
pardon; forgiveness, as of sins or offenses. |
| 3. |
abatement or diminution, as of diligence, labor, intensity, etc. |
| 4. |
the relinquishment of a payment, obligation, etc. |
| 5. |
Medicine/Medical.
| a. |
a temporary or permanent decrease or subsidence of manifestations of a disease. |
| b. |
a period during which such a decrease or subsidence occurs: The patient's leukemia was in remission. |
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Term
renege
wg ~ retreat/withdrawal |
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Definition
–verb (used without object)
| 1. |
Cards. to play a card that is not of the suit led when one can follow suit; break a rule of play. |
| 2. |
to go back on one's word: He has reneged on his promise. |
–verb (used with object)
| 3. |
Archaic. to deny; disown; renounce. |
–noun
| 4. |
Cards. an act or instance of reneging. |
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Term
rescind
wg ~ retreat/withdrawal |
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Definition
–verb (used with object)
| 1. |
to abrogate; annul; revoke; repeal. |
| 2. |
to invalidate (an act, measure, etc.) by a later action or a higher authority. |
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Term
retrograde
wg ~ retreat/withdrawal |
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Definition
–adjective
| 1. |
moving backward; having a backward motion or direction; retiring or retreating. |
| 2. |
inverse or reversed, as order. |
–verb (used without object)
| 7. |
to move or go backward; retire or retreat. |
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