Vocab

usher cause or mark the start of something new

propensity inclination, tendency

consternation dismay, depression

strenuous needing great effort and energy, arduous

impetus a moving force, impulse, stimulus

myopic shortsighted

congenital existing since or before birth

misgiving feeling of doubt

rambunctious rebellious

dilapidated old and in very bad condition

defoliate remove leaves from sth

bellicose aggressive

paltry insignificant

rescind cancel

lodge pay to live in a room in somebodys house

contiguous to adjacent, bordering, touching sth

cosign sb/sth to to put somebody/something in an unpleasant situation

denigrate to criticize somebody/something unfairly; to belittle

subjugate to defeat/ to gain control over

serendipity the fact of something interesting or pleasant happening by chance; randomness

savvy having common sense and good judgment

gorge a narrow valley between hills or mountains

renege go back on a promise

opprobrium harsh criticism or censure

paunch a fat stomach

deplorable deserving strong condemnation

insinuate suggest or hint (something bad or reprehensible) in an indirect and unpleasant way

dissimilitude dissimilarity or diversity

predicament a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation

perjorative degratory

tailback a line of vehicles that have stopped or are moving only very slowly

potshots a shot aimed unexpectedly or at random at someone or something with no chance of self defense

recrimination arguments between people who are blaming each other

gallop run very quickly

supple flexible

reticent not talking much; reserved

diffuse spread out, not concise; wordy

garrulous talkative; loquacious

voluble talking a great deal with ease; glib

contemptuous lacking respect; scornful

haughty having a great pride in oneself and dislike for others

ostentatious having to do with showing off; pretentious

supercilious looking down on others; proud and scornful

insipid lacking flavor or taste; unexciting

platitude quality of being dull; an obvious remark uttered as if it were original

congenial compatible; having kindred needs or tastes; sympathetic

convivial sociable, outgoing in a festive way, especially when pertaining to eating and drinking; fond of good company

gregarious sociable, outgoing

jocular liking to be with people, joke around with them and have fun

levity lightheartedness; gaiety; carefree disposition, particularly when not appropriate

cantankerous bad tempered; quarrelsome

captious made for the sake of quarreling; quibbling

polemical inclined to argue or debate; controversial

munificent very generous

prodigal wasteful; lavish

squander to spend money (or time) in a wasteful, uncaring fashion

austere having great economy; showing self control when it comes to foregoing luxuries, frills; stern in manner or appearance avarice greed

mercenary greedy for self gain; thinking only of money

parsimonious overly thrifty or miserly

penurious stingy; relating to great poverty, destitution

conflagration a huge fire, an inferno

iniquitous showing a lack of fairness; wicked; vicious

odious loathsome; evil; revolting in a disgusting way

pernicious very destructive or harmful, usually in an inconspicuous and relentless way

rancorous deeply hateful or spiteful; malicious

censure to criticize strongly

deprecate to show mild disapproval

phlegmatic hard to get excited or emotional; calm

languor weak or lifeless feeling

lassitude a tired feeling, usually resulting from depression or too much work

lethargic having little or no energy

soporific sleep inducing; sleepy

obsequious obeying or performing a service for someone in an overly attentive manner

slavish slave like; overly humble; involving very hard work

sycophant a self server who tries to gain the favor of others through the use of flattery or by being overattentive

ardent full of passion and emotion

effervescent lively; full of uplifted spirit; vivacious

adamant unwilling to bend; unyielding

hidebound strongly opinionated; narrow

intractable stubborn; hard to manage

obdurate resistant to persuasion or softening; stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing

recalcitrant stubborn; disobedient; defiant

cacophony lack of harmony; loud and unpleasant noise; a racket

din ongoing loud sound; noise

euphony pleasing sound

mellifluous sweet and smooth sounding

raucous coarse sounding; loud and unruly

strident shrill; high pitched

vociferous loud and noisy regarding one's own voice, especially shouting; demandingly clamorous

panegyrize to praise a person or event in a formal speech or in writing; to praise highly

abstemious holding back from eating or drinking too much

alimentary relating to food and nourishment

delectable delicious

emaciated very, very thin due to lack of adequate food

epicurean having to do with relishing the pleasure of eating and drinking ( epicure)

ravenous very hungry

chary cautious; wary

conscientious relating to doing what one knows is right; scrupulous

exacting requiring a great deal of care or effort; painstaking

gingerly very carefully

heedful paying careful attention to

scrupulous showing great care and honesty, based on personal belief of what is right and proper

itinerant wandering about; tending to move around, travel

peripatetic moving or walking about; itinerant

archaic old; from a much earlier time; antiquated

furtive sneaky

sly underhanded, furtive

surreptitious done or made in a secret, stealthy way

ascetic a person who refrains from indulging in earthly pleasures

charlatan a fraud; a quack or imposter

raconteur a skillful storyteller

frivolous not having substance or a sense of importance or seriousness; silly; trivial; trifling

peripheral only marginally connected to what is truly important; minor or incidental; relating to the field of vision

astute sharp minded; very clear

prudent careful, cautious, and wise

mercurial changable, volatile, whimsical

shrewd insightful; clever

acrid bitter, harsh

convalesce to recover from an illness

imprudent careless; rash

ponderous very heavy or bulky; dull or lifeless

candor honesty, sincerity

gratify to please or indulge

hamper to hinder; to prevent something from happening

intrepid fearless

querulous whining; complaining

vilify to slander or defame someone's name

aggregate a sum total or mixture

aviary an enclosed space for birds

eclectic taken from many different sources

excerpt a portion of a text or musical piece that is taken, or extracted, from the whole

spurious false; counterfeit; lacking logic

circumscribe To limit or restrict the scope of something; in geometry, to draw a figure around another, touching it without intersecting.

magnate A wealthy and influential person in business or industry.

periphery the outside edge of something

verisimilitude seeming true

Opulent Very rich

despondent sad

indignant angry

aprehensive fearful

incredulous disbelieving, skeptical

conducive making a certain situation or outcome likely or possible

lampoon satirize

rectitude righteousness

apparatus group of machine

steadfast loyal

culminate summit

adorn decoratee

exhilarating exciting

ungainly clumsy

stipulate specify as an essential condition

malfeasance misconduct, especially by a public official

admonish to warn or reprimand

capricious whimsical, unpredictable

unassailable unable to be attacked or defeated

trenchant inclination, propensity

shirk to avoid or get out of doing work

tacit implicit

inert dormant, immobile

flippant casual, informal

diffident shy, not having confident in yourself

inveteracy state of being long established in a habit; tenacity

precocious talented beyond one's age

deride to ridicule, to insult

witting deliberate, intentional

equivocate to talk about something in a way that is deliberately not clear in order to avoid or hide the truth

preposterous ridiculous, senseless

expatriate to move from your own country, or to cause someone to move from their own country

chicanery trickery; deception

stringent strict, severe

indigent needy, impoverished

invigorate to make somebody feel healthy and full of energy

veracity truthfulness, honesty, accuracy

prefiguring Foreshadowing future events or representing them symbolically

entrenching to firmly establish or protect an idea or position, making it difficult to change.

arcane Known or understood by only a few; mysterious or secret.

ubiquitous present everywhere; omnipresent

affinity a natural liking or sympathy for someone or something.

demarcated marked the boundaries or limits

rejuvenate give new energy or

vigor revitalize

converge to come together from different directions to meet at one point.

incongruous not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings; out of place.

abbey n. The group of buildings which collectively form the dwelling place of a society of monks or nuns.

abbot n. The superior of a community of monks.

abbess n. The lady superior of a nunnery.

abeyance n. A state of suspension or temporary inaction.

abject adj. Sunk to a low condition.

ablution n. A washing or cleansing, especially of the body.

abnegate v. To renounce (a right or privilege).

aboriginal adj. Primitive; unsophisticated.

aboveboard adv. & adj. Without concealment, fraud, or trickery.

abrade v. To wear away the surface or some part of by friction.

abrasion n. That which is rubbed off.

abrogate v. To abolish, repeal.

abscess n. A Collection of pus in a cavity formed within some tissue of the body.

abscond v. To depart suddenly and secretly, as for the purpose of escaping arrest.

absolution n. Forgiveness, or passing over of offenses.

abstruse adj. Dealing with matters difficult to be understood.

abut v. To touch at the end or boundary line.

accost v. To speak to.

accouter v. To dress.

acerbity n. Sourness, with bitterness and astringency.

achromatic adj. Colorless,

acme n. The highest point, or summit.

acreage n. Quantity or extent of land, especially of cultivated land.

actuary n. An officer, as of an insurance company, who calculates and states the risks and premiums.

acumen n. Quickness of intellectual insight, or discernment; keenness of discrimination.

addendum n. Something added, or to be added.

addle v. To make inefficient or worthless; muddle.

adduce v. To bring forward or name for consideration.

adjudge v. To award or bestow by formal decision.

adjunct n. Something joined to or connected with another thing, but holding a subordinate place.

adjuration n. A vehement appeal.

adjutant adj. Auxiliary.

cerebrally

ado n. unnecessary activity or ceremony.

adroit adj. Having skill in the use of the bodily or mental powers.

adulterate v. To make impure by the admixture of other or baser ingredients.

adumbrate v. To represent beforehand in outline or by emblem.

advent n. The coming or arrival, as of any important change, event, state, or personage.

affectation n. A studied or ostentatious pretense or attempt.

afoot adv. In progress.

afresh adv. Once more, after rest or interval.

agglomerate v. To pile or heap together.

aggrandize v. To cause to appear greatly.

aggravate v. To make heavier, worse, or more burdensome.

aghast adj. Struck with terror and amazement.

agrarian adj. Pertaining to land, especially agricultural land.

aide de camp

alabaster n. A white or delicately tinted fine grained gypsum.

alacrity n. Cheerful willingness.

alcove n. A covered recess connected with or at the side of a larger room.

alder n. Any shrub or small tree of the genus Alumnus, of the oak family.

alderman n. A member of a municipal legislative body, who usually exercises also certain judicial functions.

allot v. To assign a definite thing or part to a certain person.

allotment n. Portion.

alluvion n. Flood.

almanac n. A series of tables giving the days of the week together with certain astronomical information.

altercate v. To contend angrily or zealously in words.

altitude n. Vertical distance or elevation above any point or base level, as the sea.

alto n. The lowest or deepest female voice or part.

altruism n. Benevolence to others on subordination to self interest.

amatory adj. Designed to excite love.

ambidextrous adj. Having the ability of using both hands with equal skill or ease.

ambrosial adj. Divinely sweet, fragrant, or delicious.

ambulate v. To walk about

ameliorate v. To relieve, as from pain or hardship

amorous adj. Having a propensity for falling in love.

amorphous adj. Without determinate shape.

amphibious adj. Living both on land and in water.

amphitheater n. An edifice of elliptical shape, constructed about a central open space or arena.

amplitude n. Largeness.

anathema n. Anything forbidden, as by social usage.

anemia n. Deficiency of blood or red corpuscles.

anemometer n. An instrument for measuring the force or velocity of wind.

anew adv. Once more.

anhydrous adj. Withered.

animadversion n. The utterance of criticism or censure.

animadvert v. To pass criticism or censure.

animalcule n. An animal of microscopic smallness.

annalist n. Historian.

annals n. A record of events in their chronological order, year by year.

annex v. To add or affix at the end.

annuity n. An annual allowance, payment, or income.

annunciation n. Proclamation.

antecede v. To precede.

antechamber n. A waiting room for those who seek audience.

antedate v. To assign or affix a date to earlier than the actual one.

antemeridian adj. Before noon.

antemundane adj. Pertaining to time before the world's creation.

antenatal adj. Occurring or existing before birth.

anterior adj. Prior.

anteroom n. A room situated before and opening into another, usually larger.

antilogy n. Inconsistency or contradiction in terms or ideas.

antipathize v. To show or feel a feeling of antagonism, aversion, or dislike.

antiphon n. A response or alteration of responses, generally musical.

antiquary n. One who collects and examines old things, as coins, books, medals, weapons, etc.

antiseptic n. Anything that destroys or restrains the growth of putrefactive micro organisms.

antispasmodic adj. Tending to prevent or relieve non inflammatory spasmodic affections.

antistrophe n. The inversion of terms in successive classes, as in "the home of joy and the joy of home".

antonym n. A word directly opposed to another in meaning.

aperture n. Hole.

apex n. The highest point, as of a mountain.

aphorism n. Proverb.

apiary n. A place where bees are kept.

apogee n. The climax.

apostasy n. A total departure from one's faith or religion.

apostate adj. False.

apostle n. Any messenger commissioned by or as by divine authority.

apothecary n. One who keeps drugs for sale and puts up prescriptions.

apotheosis n. Deification.

apparent adj. Easily understood.

apparition n. Ghost.

appellation n. The name or title by which a particular person, class, or thing is called.

appertain v. To belong, as by right, fitness, association, classification, possession, or natural relation.

apposite adj. Appropriate.

apposition n. The act of placing side by side, together, or in contact.

appraise v. To estimate the money value of.

appreciable adj. Capable of being discerned by the senses or intellect.

apprehend v. To make a prisoner of (a person) in the name of the law.

approbation n. Sanction.

aqueduct n. A water conduit, particularly one for supplying a community from a distance.

arbor n. A tree.

arcade n. A vaulted passageway or street; a roofed passageway having shops, etc., opening from it.

archaism n. Obsolescence.

archipelago n. Any large body of water studded with islands, or the islands collectively themselves.

ardor n. Intensity of passion or affection.

armada n. A fleet of war vessels.

arraign v. To call into court, as a person indicted for crime, and demand whether he pleads guilty or not.

arrant adj. Notoriously bad.

arrear n. Something overdue and unpaid.

artless adj. Ingenuous.

ashen adj. Pale.

askance adv. With a side or indirect glance or meaning.

asperity n. Harshness or roughness of temper.

assailant n. One who attacks.

assay n. The chemical analysis or testing of an alloy ore.

assiduous adj. Diligent.

assonance n. Resemblance or correspondence in sound.

astringent adj. Harsh in disposition or character.

athwart adv. From side to side.

atomizer n. An apparatus for reducing a liquid to a fine spray, as for disinfection, inhalation, etc.

attache n. A subordinate member of a diplomatic embassy.

auburn adj. Reddish brown, said usually of the hair.

augur v. To predict.

aural adj. Of or pertaining to the ear.

auricle n. One of the two chambers of the heart which receives the blood from the veins.

auricular adj. Of or pertaining to the ear, its auricle, or the sense of hearing.

auriferous adj. Containing gold.

auspice n. favoring, protecting, or propitious influence or guidance.

autarchy n. Unrestricted power.

auxiliary n. One who or that which aids or helps, especially when regarded as subsidiary or accessory.

avalanche n. The fall or sliding of a mass of snow or ice down a mountain slope, often bearing with it rock.

avarice n. Passion for getting and keeping riches.

aver v. To assert as a fact.

avidity n. Greediness.

avocation n. A hobby or minor occupation.

awry adv. & adj. Out of the proper form, direction, or position.

aye adv. An expression of assent.

azalea n. A flowering shrub.

azure n. The color of the sky.

bailiff n. An officer of court having custody of prisoners under arraignment.

baize n. A single colored napped woolen fabric used for table

bale n. A large package prepared for transportation or storage.

baleful adj. Evil.

balsam n. A medical preparation, aromatic and oily, used for healing.

barograph n. An instrument that registers graphically and continuously the atmospheric pressure.

barometer n. An instrument for indicating the atmospheric pressure per unit of surface.

barring prep. Apart from.

baritone adj. Having a register higher than bass and lower than tenor.

bask v. To make warm by genial heat.

baste v. To cover with melted fat, gravy, while cooking.

baton n. An official staff borne either as a weapon or as an emblem of authority or privilege.

battalion n. A body of infantry composed of two or more companies, forming a part of a regiment.

batten n. A narrow strip of wood.

batter n. A thick liquid mixture of two or more materials beaten together, to be used in cookery.

bauble n. A trinket.

beatify v. To make supremely happy.

beatitude n. Any state of great happiness.

beau n. An escort or lover.

beck v. To give a signal to, by nod or gesture.

bedaub v. To smear over, as with something oily or sticky.

bedeck v. To cover with ornament.

bedlam n. Madhouse.

befog v. To confuse.

beget v. To produce by sexual generation.

belay v. To make fast, as a rope, by winding round a cleat.

belie v. To misrepresent.

belle n. A woman who is a center of attraction because of her beauty, accomplishments, etc.

bemoan v. To lament

benediction n. a solemn invocation of the divine blessing.

benefice n. A church office endowed with funds or property for the maintenance of divine service.

benison n. Blessing.

bequeath v. To give by will.

bereave v. To make desolate with loneliness and grief.

berth n. A bunk or bed in a vessel, sleeping car, etc.

beseech v. To implore.

beset v. To attack on all sides.

besmear v. To smear over, as with any oily or sticky substance.

bestrew v. To sprinkle or cover with things strewn.

bestride v. To get or sit upon astride, as a horse.

bethink v. To remind oneself.

betide v. To happen to or befall.

betimes adv. In good season or time.

betroth v. To engage to marry.

betrothal n. Engagement to marry.

bevel n. Any inclination of two surfaces other than 90 degrees.

bibulous adj. Fond of drinking.

biennial n. A plant that produces leaves and roots the first year and flowers and fruit the second.

bier n. A horizontal framework with two handles at each end for carrying a corpse to the grave.

bight n. A slightly receding bay between headlands, formed by a long curve of a coast line.

bilateral adj. Two sided.

biped n. An animal having two feet.

blase adj. Sated with pleasure.

blazon v. To make widely or generally known.

blemish n. A mark that mars beauty.

blithe adj. Joyous.

boatswain n. A subordinate officer of a vessel, who has general charge of the rigging, anchors, etc.

bodice n. A women's ornamental corset shaped laced waist.

bole n. The trunk or body of a tree.

boll n. A round pod or seed capsule, as a flax or cotton.

bombast n. Inflated or extravagant language, especially on unimportant subjects.

boorish adj. Rude.

borough n. An incorporated village or town.

bosom n. The breast or the upper front of the thorax of a human being, especially of a woman.

botanize v. To study plant life.

bountiful adj. Showing abundance.

Bowdlerize v. To expurgate in editing (a literary composition) by omitting words or passages.

bowler n. In cricket, the player who delivers the ball.

brae n. Hillside.

braggart n. A vain boaster.

brandish v. To wave, shake, or flourish triumphantly or defiantly, as a sword or spear.

bravado n. An aggressive display of boldness.

bray n. A loud harsh sound, as the cry of an ass or the blast of a horn.

braze v. To make of or ornament with copper brass.

brazier n. An open pan or basin for holding live coals.

breaker n. One who trains horses, dogs, etc.

breech n. The buttocks.

brethren n. pl. Members of a brotherhood, gild, profession, association, or the like.

bric a brac

bridle n. The head harness of a horse consisting of a head

brigade n. A body of troops consisting of two or more regiments.

brigand n. One who lives by robbery and plunder.

brimstone n. Sulfur.

brine n. Water saturated with salt.

bristle n. One of the coarse, stiff hairs of swine: used in brush making, etc.

brittle adj. Fragile.

brogan n. A coarse, heavy shoe.

brogue n. Any dialectic pronunciation of English, especially that of the Irish people.

brokerage n. The business of making sales and purchases for a commission; a broker.

bronchitis n. Inflammation of the bronchial tubes.

bronchus n. Either of the two subdivisions of the trachea conveying air into the lungs.

brooch n. An article of jewelry fastened by a hinged pin and hook on the underside.

browbeat v. To overwhelm, or attempt to do so, by stern, haughty, or rude address or manner.

brusque adj. Somewhat rough or rude in manner or speech.

bullock n. An ox.

bulrush n. Any one of various tall rush like plants growing in damp ground or water.

bulwark n. Anything that gives security or defense.

bumptious adj. Full of offensive and aggressive self conceit.

bungle v. To execute clumsily.

buoyancy n. Power or tendency to float on or in a liquid or gas.

burgher n. An inhabitant, citizen or freeman of a borough burgh, or corporate town.

burnish v. To make brilliant or shining.

bursar n. A treasurer.

bustle v. To hurry.

butte n. A conspicuous hill, low mountain, or natural turret, generally isolated.

cabal n. A number of persons secretly united for effecting by intrigue some private purpose.

cabalism n. Superstitious devotion to one's religion.

cadaverous adj. Resembling a corpse.

cadenza n. An embellishment or flourish, prepared or improvised, for a solo voice or instrument.

caitiff adj. Cowardly.

cajole v. To impose on or dupe by flattering speech.

callow adj. Without experience of the world.

calumny n. Slander.

came n. A leaden sash bar or grooved strip for fastening panes in stained

canary adj. Of a bright but delicate yellow.

canine adj. Characteristic of a dog.

cant v. To talk in a singsong, preaching tone with affected solemnity.

cantata n. A choral composition.

canto n. One of the divisions of an extended poem.

cantonment n. The part of the town or district in which the troops are quartered.

capillary n. A minute vessel having walls composed of a single layer of cells.

capitulate v. To surrender or stipulate terms.

fortuitous happening by chance, especially a lucky chance

caprice n. A whim.

carcass n. The dead body of an animal.

caret n. A sign (^) placed below a line, indicating where omitted words, etc., should be inserted.

caricature n. a picture or description in which natural characteristics are exaggerated or distorted.

carnage n. Massacre.

carnal adj. Sensual.

carouse v. To drink deeply and in boisterous or jovial manner.

carrion n. Dead and putrefying flesh.

cartilage n. An elastic animal tissue of firm consistence.

cartridge n. A charge for a firearm, or for blasting.

caste n. The division of society on artificial grounds.

castigate v. To punish.

cataclysm n. Any overwhelming flood of water.

cataract n. Opacity of the lens of the eye resulting in complete or partial blindness.

catholicity n. Universal prevalence or acceptance.

caustic adj. Sarcastic and severe.

cauterize v. To burn or sear as with a heated iron.

centenary adj. Pertaining to a hundred years or a period of a hundred years.

cessation n. Discontinuance, as of action or motion.

cession n. Surrender, as of possessions or rights.

chagrin n. Keen vexation, annoyance, or mortification, as at one's failures or errors.

chameleon adj. Changeable in appearance.

chancery n. A court of equity, as distinguished from a common law court.

chasm n. A yawning hollow, as in the earth's surface.

chateau n. A castle or manor house.

chattel n. Any article of personal property.

chiffon n. A very thin gauze used for trimmings, evening dress, etc.

chivalry n. The knightly system of feudal times with its code, usages and practices.

choleric adj. Easily provoked to anger.

chromatic adj. Belonging, relating to, or abounding in color.

chronometer n. A portable timekeeper of the highest attainable precision.

clairvoyance n. Intuitive sagacity or perception.

clamorous adj. Urgent in complaint or demand.

clangor n. Clanking or a ringing, as of arms, chains, or bells; clamor.

clarion n. A small shrill trumpet or bugle.

close hauled adj. Having the sails set for sailing as close to the wind as possible.

clothier n. One who makes or sells cloth or clothing.

codicil n. A supplement adding to, revoking, or explaining in the body of a will.

collier n. One who works in a coal mine.

colossus n. Any strikingly great person or object.

comely adj. Handsome.

comestible adj. Fit to be eaten.

commingle v. To blend.

commissariat n. The department of an army charged with the provision of its food and water and daily needs.

commotion n. A disturbance or violent agitation.

complaisance n. Politeness.

complicity n. Participation or partnership, as in wrong doing or with a wrong

comport v. To conduct or behave (oneself).

compunction n. Remorseful feeling.

conceit n. Self flattering opinion.

concur v. To agree.

conduce v. To bring about.

conduit n. A means for conducting something, particularly a tube, pipe, or passageway for a fluid.

confectionery n. The candy collectively that a confectioner makes or sells, as candy.

confluence n. The place where streams meet.

congregate v. To bring together into a crowd.

coniferous adj. Cone bearing trees.

conjugate adj. Joined together in pairs.

connive v. To be in collusion.

connoisseur n. A critical judge of art, especially one with thorough knowledge and sound judgment of art.

connubial adj. Pertaining to marriage or matrimony.

consanguineous adj. Descended from the same parent or ancestor.

consign v. To entrust.

consonance n. The state or quality of being in accord with.

consort n. A companion or associate.

conspicuous adj. Clearly visible.

constable n. An officer whose duty is to maintain the peace.

consul n. An officer appointed to reside in a foreign city, chiefly to represent his country.

consulate n. The place in which a consul transacts official business.

contemptible adj. Worthy of scorn or disdain.

contiguity n. Proximity.

contiguous adj. Touching or joining at the edge or boundary.

continence n. Self restraint with respect to desires, appetites, and passion.

contingency n. Possibility of happening.

contingent adj. Not predictable.

contort v. To twist into a misshapen form.

contravene v. To prevent or obstruct the operation of.

contrite adj. Broken in spirit because of a sense of sin.

contrivance n. The act planning, devising, inventing, or adapting something to or for a special purpose.

contumacious adj. Rebellious.

contumacy n. Contemptuous disregard of the requirements of rightful authority.

contuse v. To bruise by a blow, either with or without the breaking of the skin.

convene v. To summon or cause to assemble.

convenience n. Fitness, as of time or place.

convex adj. Curving like the segment of the globe or of the surface of a circle.

convolve v. To move with a circling or winding motion.

convoy n. A protecting force accompanying property in course of transportation.

convulse v. To cause spasms in.

coquette n. A flirt.

cornice n. An ornamental molding running round the walls of a room close to the ceiling.

cornucopia n. The horn of plenty, symbolizing peace and prosperity.

corollary n. A proposition following so obviously from another that it requires little demonstration.

coronet n. Inferior crown denoting, according to its form, various degrees of noble rank less than sovereign.

corporeal adj. Of a material nature; physical.

corpulent adj. Obese.

corpuscle n. A minute particle of matter.

correlative adj. Mutually involving or implying one another.

corrigible adj. Capable of reformation.

cosmopolitan adj. Common to all the world.

countervail v. To offset.

courser n. A fleet and spirited horse.

covenant n. An agreement entered into by two or more persons or parties.

covey n. A flock of quails or partridges.

cower v. To crouch down tremblingly, as through fear or shame.

coxswain n. One who steers a rowboat, or one who has charge of a ship's boat and its crew under an officer.

crag n. A rugged, rocky projection on a cliff or ledge.

cranium n. The skull of an animal, especially that part enclosing the brain.

crass adj. Coarse or thick in nature or structure, as opposed to thin or fine.

creak n. A sharp, harsh, squeaking sound.

credence n. Belief.

credulous adj. Easily deceived.

creed n. A formal summary of fundamental points of religious belief.

crevasse n. A deep crack or fissure in the ice of a glacier.

crockery n. Earthenware made from baked clay.

crucible n. A trying and purifying test or agency.

crustacean adj. Pertaining to a division of arthropods, containing lobsters, crabs, crawfish, etc.

cryptogram n. Anything written in characters that are secret or so arranged as to have hidden meaning.

cudgel n. A short thick stick used as a club.

cull v. To pick or sort out from the rest.

culvert n. Any artificial covered channel for the passage of water through a bank or under a road, canal.

cupidity n. Extreme greed for wealth or material gain..

curator n. A person having charge as of a library or museum.

curio n. A piece of bric a

curt adj. Concise, compressed, and abrupt in act or expression.

curtsy n. A downward movement of the body by bending the knees.

cygnet n. A young swan.

cynosure n. That to which general interest or attention is directed.

dastard n. A base coward.

datum n. A premise, starting point, or given fact.

dead heat n. A race in which two or more competitors come out even, and there is no winner.

dearth n. Scarcity, as of something customary, essential ,or desirable.

debonair adj. Having gentle or courteous bearing or manner.

decamp v. To leave suddenly or unexpectedly.

deciduous adj. Falling off at maturity as petals after flowering, fruit when ripe, etc.

declension n. The change of endings in nouns and decoy n. Anything that allures, or is intended to allures into danger or temptation.

decrepit adj. Enfeebled, as by old age or some chronic infirmity.

defalcate v. To cut off or take away, as a part of something.

defiant adj. Characterized by bold or insolent opposition.

defray v. To make payment for.

deject v. To dishearten.

deliquesce v. To dissolve gradually and become liquid by absorption of moisture from the air.

delirious adj. Raving.

deluge v. To overwhelm with a flood of water.

demagogue n. An unprincipled politician.

demented adj. Insane.

demerit n. A mark for failure or bad conduct.

demonstrable adj. Capable of positive proof.

demulcent n. Any application soothing to an irritable surface

demurrage n. the detention of a vessel beyond the specified time of sailing.

dendroid adj. Like a tree.

denominate v. To give a name or epithet to.

dentifrice n. Any preparation used for cleaning the teeth.

denude v. To strip the covering from.

deplore v. To regard with grief or sorrow.

deponent adj. Laying down.

deposition n. Testimony legally taken on interrogatories and reduced to writing, for use as evidence in court.

depreciate v. To lessen the worth of.

derelict adj. Neglectful of obligation.

derrick n. An apparatus for hoisting and swinging great weights.

desert v. To abandon without regard to the welfare of the abandoned

desiccant n. Any remedy which, when applied externally, dries up or absorbs moisture, as that of wounds.

desperado n. One without regard for law or life.

despond v. To lose spirit, courage, or hope.

desultory adj. Not connected with what precedes.

detrude v. To push down forcibly.

devise v. To invent.

dexterity n. Readiness, precision, efficiency, and ease in any physical activity or in any mechanical work.

diacritical adj. Marking a difference.

diaphanous adj. Transparent.

diatribe n. A bitter or malicious criticism.

dictum n. A positive utterance.

didactic adj. Pertaining to teaching.

diffusible adj. Spreading rapidly through the system and acting quickly.

digraph n. A union of two characters representing a single sound.

dilettante n. A superficial amateur.

diminution n. Reduction.

discrepant adj. Opposite.

discursive adj. Passing from one subject to another.

disengage v. To become detached.

dishabille n. Undress or negligent attire.

disjunctive adj. Helping or serving to disconnect or separate.

dissertation n. Thesis.

dissever v. To divide.

dissipate v. To disperse or disappear.

dissolute adj. Lewd.

distend v. To stretch out or expand in every direction.

distrain v. To subject a person to distress.

diurnal adj. Daily.

divest v. To strip, specifically of clothes, ornaments, or accouterments or disinvestment.

divulge v. To tell or make known, as something previously private or secret.

docile adj. Easy to manage.

docket n. The registry of judgments of a court.

doe n. The female of the deer.

dogmatic adj. Making statements without argument or evidence.

doleful adj. Melancholy.

dolor n. Lamentation.

domicile n. The place where one lives.

doublet n. One of a pair of like things.

doubly adv. In twofold degree or extent.

dowry n. The property which a wife brings to her husband in marriage.

drachma n. A modern and an ancient Greek coin.

dragnet n. A net to be drawn along the bottom of the water.

drudgery n. Hard and constant work in any menial or dull occupation.

ductile adj. Capable of being drawn out, as into wire or a thread.

dun v. To make a demand or repeated demands on for payment.

duplex adj. Having two parts.

dwindle v. To diminish or become less.

earthenware n. Anything made of clay and baked in a kiln or dried in the sun.

ebullient adj. Showing enthusiasm or exhilaration of feeling.

economize v. To spend sparingly.

edify v. To build up, or strengthen, especially in morals or religion.

educe v. To draw out.

effervesce v. To bubble up.

effete adj. Exhausted, as having performed its functions.

effluvium n. A noxious or ill smelling exhalation from decaying or putrefying matter.

effrontery n. Unblushing, shameless.

effulgence n. Splendor.

effuse v. To pour forth.

egress n. Any place of exit.

elegy n. A lyric poem lamenting the dead.

elude v. To evade the search or pursuit of by dexterity or artifice.

emaciate v. To waste away in flesh.

emanate v. To flow forth or proceed, as from some source.

emancipate v. To release from bondage.

embargo n. Authoritative stoppage of foreign commerce or of any special trade.

emblazon v. To set forth publicly or in glowing terms.

embolism n. An obstruction or plugging up of an artery or other blood vessel.

emeritus adj. Retired from active service but retained to an honorary position.

emporium n. A bazaar or shop.

encamp v. To pitch tents for a resting place.

encomium n. A formal or discriminating expression of praise.

encroach v. To invade partially or insidiously and appropriate the possessions of another.

endemic adj. Peculiar to some specified country or people.

enervate v. To render ineffective or inoperative.

enfeeble v. To make weak..

engender v. To produce.

enkindle v. To set on fire.

enrapture v. To delight extravagantly or intensely.

ensnare v. To entrap.

enthrall v. To bring or hold under any overmastering influence.

entomology n. The branch of zoology that treats of insects.

entrails n. pl. The internal parts of an animal.

entreaty n. An earnest request.

enumerate v. To name one by one.

epicure n. One who cultivates a delicate taste for eating and drinking.

epicycle n. A circle that rolls upon the external or internal circumference of another circle.

epicycloid n. A curve traced by a point on the circumference of a circle which rolls upon another circle.

epidermis n. The outer skin.

epigram n. A pithy phrasing of a shrewd observation.

epiphany n. Any appearance or bodily manifestation of a deity.

epitaph n. An inscription on a tomb or monument in honor or in memory of the dead.

epithet n. Word used adjectivally to describe some quality or attribute of is objects, as in "Father Aeneas".

epizootic adj. Prevailing among animals.

epoch n. A interval of time, memorable for extraordinary events.

epode n. A species of lyric poems.

equanimity n. Evenness of mind or temper.

equestrian adj. Pertaining to horses or horsemanship.

equilibrium n. A state of balance.

equivocal adj. Ambiguous.

errant adj. Roving or wandering, as in search of adventure or opportunity for gallant deeds.

erroneous adj. Incorrect.

erudite adj. Very learned.

eschew v. To keep clear of.

espy v. To keep close watch.

esquire n. A title of dignity, office, or courtesy.

estuary n. A wide lower part of a tidal river.

eulogy n. A spoken or written laudation of a person's life or character.

evanesce v. To vanish gradually.

evince to make manifest or evident.

excrescence n. Any unnatural addition, outgrowth, or development.

execrable adj. Abominable.

execration n. An accursed thing.

exhilarate v. To fill with high or cheerful spirits.

exhume v. To dig out of the earth (what has been buried).

exigent adj. Urgent.

exodus n. A going forth or departure from a place or country, especially of many people.

exorbitance n. Extravagance or enormity.

expedient adj. Contributing to personal advantage.

expiate v. To make satisfaction or amends for.

expostulate v. To discuss.

extemporaneous adj. Done or made without much or any preparation.

extenuate v. To diminish the gravity or importance of.

extort v. To obtain by violence, threats, compulsion, or the subjection of another to some necessity.

extradite v. To surrender the custody of.

extraneous adj. Having no essential relation to a subject.

exuberance n. Rich supply.

facetious adj. Amusing.

facile adj. Not difficult to do.

facsimile n. An exact copy or reproduction.

fallow n. Land broken up and left to become mellow or to rest.

famish v. To suffer extremity of hunger or thirst.

fatuous adj. Idiotic

faun n. One of a class of deities of the woods and herds represented as half human, with goats feet.

fawn n. A young deer.

fealty n. Loyalty.

feint n. Any sham, pretense, or deceptive movement.

felicitate v. To wish joy or happiness to, especially in view of a coming event.

ferocity n. Savageness.

feudal adj. Pertaining to the relation of lord and vassal.

fez n. A brimless felt cap in the shape of a truncated cone, usually red with a black tassel.

fidelity n. Loyalty.

fief n. A landed estate held under feudal tenure.

finery n. That which is used to decorate the person or dress.

finesse n. Subtle contrivance used to gain a point.

fiscal adj. Pertaining to the treasury or public finances of a government.

fishmonger n. One who sells fish.

fissure n. A crack or crack like depression.

fitful adj. Spasmodic.

flagrant adj. Openly scandalous.

flamboyant adj. Characterized by extravagance and in general by want of good taste.

flatulence n. Accumulation of gas in the stomach and bowels.

flection n. The act of bending.

fledgling n. A young bird.

floe n. A collection of tabular masses of floating polar ice.

florid adj. Flushed with red.

flue n. A smoke duct in a chimney.

foist v. To palm off.

foliage n. Any growth of leaves.

foolery n. Folly.

foppery n. Dandyism.

foppish adj. Characteristic of one who is unduly devoted to dress and the niceties of manners.

forebode v. To be an omen or warning sign of, especially of evil.

forego v. To deny oneself the pleasure or profit of.

foreground n. That part of a landscape or picture situated or represented as nearest the spectator.

foreknowledge n. the fact of knowing something before it takes place

foreordain v. To predetermine.

foreordination n. Predestination.

forerun v. To go before as introducing or ushering in.

foresail n. A square sail.

forfend v. To ward off.

forgery n. Counterfeiting.

forte n. A strong point.

fortitude n. Patient courage.

fray v. To fret at the edge so as to loosen or break the threads.

fresco n. The art of painting on a surface of plaster, particularly on walls and ceilings.

fretful adj. Crankiness.

frigid adj. Lacking warmth.

frizz v. To give a crinkled, fluffy appearance to.

frolicsome adj. Prankish.

frowzy adj. Slovenly in appearance.

fruition n. Fulfillment.

fugacious adj. Fleeting.

fulcrum n. The support on or against which a lever rests, or the point about which it turns.

fulminate v. To cause to explode.

fulsome adj. Offensive from excess of praise or commendation.

fumigate v. To subject to the action of smoke or fumes, especially for disinfection.

fungible adj. That may be measured, counted, or weighed.

fungous adj. Spongy.

gaiety n. Festivity.

gaily adv. Merrily.

gait n. Carriage of the body in going.

gallant adj. Possessing a brave or chivalrous spirit.

galore adj. Abundant.

gambol n. Playful leaping or frisking.

gamut n. The whole range or sequence.

garnish v. In cookery, to surround with additions for embellishment.

garrison n. The military force stationed in a fort, town, or other place for its defense.

garrote v. To execute by strangling.

gaseous adj. Light and unsubstantial.

gastric adj. Of, pertaining to, or near the stomach.

gendarme n. In continental Europe, particularly in France, a uniformed and armed police officer.

genealogy n. A list, in the order of succession, of ancestors and their descendants.

genealogist n. A tracer of pedigrees.

surmise to guess, to suppose

magnanimity kindness, generosity

succinct brief, concise, terse, laconic

confound to confuse and surprise somebody, to amaze

acclimate get used to

outstrip to get ahead of

stymie prevent

intransigent refusing to compromise, irreconcilable; stubborn

supplant to replace, to overthrow

encumbrance burden

abjure to formally declare one's abandonment of; to renounce

reprove to show disapproval, to reproach, to rebuke

clandestine discreet

recourse a source of help in a difficult situation

uncouth rude or socially unacceptable, coarse

belligerent hostile and aggressive

forgo to decide not to have or do something that you would like to have or do

malleable/pliable asily influenced or changed

burgeon to grow and flourish

lionize to treat somebody as a famous or important person

ossify to become or make something fixed and unable to change

esoteric intended for or understood by only a small group

inept unskilled, clumsy

tenable capable of being held or defended

mollify to appease, to calm down, to soften

perennial continuing for a very long time

negate to nullify, to invalidate

acquisitive greedy

irascible short-tempered, irritable

merriment jollity, mirth, happiness

sanguine cheerful, optimistic

halcyon (of a period of time in the past) peaceful and happy

intersperse to scatter among or between other things

repudiate to reject

relinquish to give up, ≈ to succumb

purport to profess, to claim

prowess great skill or ability

aplomb self confidence or assurance

expurgate to purge, to purify

pertinent relevant

exculpate to remove blame, to vindicate, to exonerate

acquiesce to accept reluctantly

impetuous rash, impulsive

inundate to flood, overflow; to overwhelm by numbers or size

slovenly untidy, dirty, careless

avant-garde Ahead of the times, especially in the arts

progenitor ancestor

defer to postpone

vanity feelings of excessive pride

imperturbable calm, not able to be upset or agitated

assuage to make something unpleasant less severe

auspicious favorable

exasperate to annoy somebody very much

mirthful merry or amusing

embellish to decorate; to adorn

unswerving steadfast, constant, consistent

acrimonious angry and bitter

beguiling charm or enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way

redoubtable formidable

propel to cause to move towards; push

illusory not real, although seeming to be

redress to correct something that is unfair or wrong

shabby showing signs of wear and tear

fervor intense and passionate feeling

trepidation fear that something bad will happen

prerogative a special right or privilege

beckon to signal or summon, as by nodding or waving

attuned to familiar with

curtail To cut short or reduce

ascertain find (something) out for certain; make sure of

intermittent not continuous; happening at intervals

forestall to prevent; delay

reproof blame or disapproval; rebuke

malodorous bad smell; stinky

wistful having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing

rebuff to reject bluntly

disquisition a long or elaborate essay or discussion on a particular subject

dreary making you feel sad; dull; depressing

exquisite beautifully made

felicity great happiness

reproach to find fault with, blame

arbitrate to settle a disagreement between two people or groups

subside/abate to become calmer, quieter or less intense

ramify to spread out and form branches

sequester to seperate; to isolate; to hide

absolve to clear from blame, responsibility; to exonerate

demagoguery stirring up discontent among the masses

consecrate to make or declare sacred

ostracism isolation, exclusion, keeping out #inclusion

venality willing to things that are not honest or moral in return for money; corruption

untenable not able to be defended