wilton vocab (m-q)

marginal

marginal

relating to or situated at the edge or margin of something.

malcontents

a person who is dissatisfied and rebellious.

mediated

intervene between people in a dispute in order to bring about an agreement or reconciliation.

median

the middle number in a sorted list of numbers.

mandate

an official order or commission to do something.

malady

a disease or ailment.

malevolent

having or showing a wish to do evil to others.

malignant

(of a disease) very virulent or infectious.

manifesto

a public declaration of policy and aims, especially one issued before an election by a political party or candidate.

merger

a combination of two things, especially companies, into one.

mercenaries

a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army.

martyr

a person who is killed because of their religious or other beliefs.

meander

(of a river or road) follow a winding course.

melee

a confused fight, skirmish, or scuffle.

menagerie

a collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition.

marauders

a person who marauds; a raider.

maladjusted

failing or unable to cope with the demands of a normal social environment.

maritime

connected with the sea, especially in relation to seafaring commercial or military activity.

mediocre

of only moderate quality; not very good.

meticulous

showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.

narcissism

excessive interest in or admiration of oneself and one's physical appearance.

nautical

of or concerning sailors or navigation; maritime.

nefarious

wicked; Evil

negate

To make ineffective

nemesis

an enemy

neophyte

An amateur; Someone new to a skill, subject, or belief

nepotism

The practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives or friends

neurotic

Abnormally sensitive, obsessive, or anxious.

nihilism

The rejection of all religious and moral principles, in the belief that life is meaningless.

nirvana

A state of being that is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self; Final goal of Buddhism

nocturnal

Active at night

nomad

A member of a people who travel from place to place with no permanent home.

nomenclature

Devising or choosing of names for things

nonpartisan

Not biased, especially toward any particular political group

nostalgia

A sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past.

objective

a thing aimed at or sought; a goal.

obliterate

destroy utterly; wipe out.

obscure

not discovered or known about; uncertain

obsolete

no longer produced or used; out of date.

obtrusive

noticeable or prominent in an unwelcome or intrusive way.

obtuse

annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand.

octave

a series of eight notes occupying the interval between (and including) two notes, one having twice or half the frequency of vibration of the other.

ogle

stare at in a lecherous manner.

ominous

giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious.

omnipotent

(of a deity) having unlimited power; able to do anything.

omnivorous

(of an animal or person) feeding on food of both plant and animal origin.

oncology

the study and treatment of tumors.

opportunist

a person who exploits circumstances to gain immediate advantage rather than being guided by consistent principles or plans.

optimum

most conducive to a favorable outcome; best.

opaque

not able to be seen through; not transparent.

panorama

an unbroken view of the whole region surrounding an observer

palpable

so intense as to seem almost tangible.

pacify

quell the anger, agitation or, excitement

parable

a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson

paramount

more important than others

pandemic

an outbreak of a disease

parody

an imitation with deliberate exaggeration

palatable

pleasant to taste

palatial

resembling a palace

passe

no longer fashionable

panacea

a solution for all problems

paradox

self contradictory

pariah

an outcast

panache

flamboyant confidence of style or manner

paltry

small or meager

quail

a small specific bird

quaint

attractively unusual or old fashioned

quandary

a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation

quarantine

a state, period, or place of isolation from being exposed to infectious or contagious disease

quasi

seemingly; apparently but not really

quell

putting an end to a rebellion or other disorder by force

querulous

complaining in a whining manner

query

a question, especially one addressed to an official or organization

queue

a line or sequence of people or vehicle awaiting their turn to be attended to or to proceed

quid pro quo

a favor or advantage granted or expected in return for something.

quiescent

in a state or period of inactivity or dormancy

quip

a witty remark

quirk

a peculiar behavioral habit

quixotic

exceedingly idealistic

quintessential

representing the most perfect of typical example of a quality or class