Word Meaning

abound

to exist in great numbers or quantities

annals

historical records

automaton

machine that behaves like a person

badger

to continually nag

compound

to add to

drudgery

dull, difficult work

eminent

of outstanding reputation

implore

beg for assistance

indiscriminate

carelessly chosen

interminable

unending

matron

a mature woman

paradox

seemingly self-contradictory situation

perceive

to come to an understanding of

prognosticate

to be able to tell what will happen in the future

realm

someone's special field

replete

completely filled with

steeped

to be completely soaked in something

technology

related to science of engineering

tinge

small amount of

voracious

desiring huge amount

to eat humble pie

admit to defeat

a pig in a poke

a blind item; poor purchase

a flash in the pan

a star today, a flop tomorrow

to pour oil on troubled waters

to try to make peace

accost

to greet first

adroit

clever

avid

enthusiastic

cajole

coax, wheedle

enhance

to make greater

fabricate

to make up a lie

felon

criminal

furtive

sly(secret)

gesticulate

to use lively gestures

hapless

unlucky

intrepid

courageous

irate

angry

laconic

concise, pithy

nuance

shade of difference

plethora

overabundance

pretext

an excuse

reticent

uncommunicative

rudimentary

basic, elementary

throng

great number of people

vigilant

alert

the sword of Damocles

any threatening danger

Pyrrhic victory

an expensive conquest

a wet blanket

spoilsport

to beard the lion

defy an opponent in his home

bristle

to have one's hair stand up

caustic

stinging

cessation

a pause

condolence

expression of sympathy

dupe

an easily fooled person

euphemism

saying something in a less direct way

inadvertent(unintended)

due to an oversight, negligent

incipient

just starting

incongruous

having inconsistent elements

infamous

evil

jostle

to push, to elbow

lackluster

lacking brightness

loathe

despise

mundane

earthly

ominous

menacing

reprimand

to scold severely

repudiate

disown, refuse to accept

stipulate

make a specific demand

tremulous

trembling

wrest

seize

crocodile tears

hypocritical sympathy

to carry the day

to win the honors

Skid Row

run down district

to go up in smoke

end fruitlessly

alacrity

quick willingness

aspirant

candidate for better job

belligerent

seeking war, hostile

belittle

speak of as unimportant

brash

insolent

castigate

punish, chastise

disdain (a strong feeling of dislike)

scorn

dregs

most worthless part

feint

pretense, sham

frenzy

frantic outburst

intimidate

to make afraid

laceration

rough cut

octogenarian

person of eighty

promulgate

make public, proclaim

pugnacious

combative

scoff

to mock

scurrilous

vulgar, using indecent language

solace

comfort

sordid

filthy, ignoble

tangible

able to be touched

to throw down the gauntlet

to offer a challenge

feeling no pain

under the influence of alcohol

Hobson’s choice

to have no say in a matter

to rule the roost

be the boss, lay down the laws

acrimonious

caustic, bitter

admonish

to scold, warn

clandestine

hidden, secret

concur

agree