impressionistic (adjective) – Describing a highly personal, individual response to experience. Reflecting a style of painting of the late 19^th century that focuses on a personal or momentary view of something.

myopia (noun) – Lack of planning for the future; shortsightedness. Nearsightedness; a condition in which distant objects appear blurred.

perceptive (adjective) – Marked by understanding or awareness; sharp; sensitive

premonition (noun) – A feeling that something will happen in the future; an advance warning

subliminal (adjective) – Below the threshold of conscious thought; not detectable, but able to bring about a response

Lesson #4 - Starts, Stops and Delays

cessation (noun) – A bringing or coming to an end; a halt

commence (verb) – To begin

deter (verb) – To prevent or discourage from acting, by means of fear or doubt

hamper (verb) – To prevent from moving freely or making progress; to limit

(noun) – A large basket, usually with a cover

obstruction (noun) – Something that blocks or gets in the way; an obstacle

preclude (verb) – To make impossible or unlikely; to prevent

procrastinate (verb) – To delay; to put off doing something

scuttle (verb) – To run or move with short, hurried movements; to scurry

subside (verb) – To sink to a lower or more normal level. To become less active or intense.

thwart (verb) – To prevent from taking place; frustrate; block

archaic (adjective) – No longer used or applicable; ancient

argot (noun) – The informal, specialized vocabulary and expressions of a particular group

connotation (noun) – Ideas or meanings suggested by a word; associations that go beyond a

word’s literal meaning

denotation (noun) – The most direct or specific meaning of a word

idiom (noun) – an expression with a special meaning that cannot be understood from the meanings of the

individual words; a nonliteral expression

jargon (noun) – A specialized vocabulary of a profession or trade

pidgin (noun) – A simplified form of speech developed from two or more languages

semantics (noun) – The study of meaning and word interpretation

standard (adjective) – Conforming to the established language used by educated speakers

(noun) – Something established as a measure of quality

vernacular (noun) – Everyday language, rather than literary language

(noun) – The native language or dialect of a country, place,

or group

(adjective) – commonly spoken by a region or group

Lesson #2 - Words from Names

atlas (noun) – A book or bound collection of maps

epicure (noun) – A person with refined taste, especially in food and drink

galvanize (verb) – To stimulate or urge into action; to spur

jovial (adjective) – Jolly; filled with joy or good cheer

nemesis (noun) – A source of harm or ruin; an opponent that cannot be defeated. One who inflicts retribution

or vengeance

Pyrrhic victory (noun) – A victory that is offset by staggering losses or that comes at a huge price

quixotic (adjective) – Dedicated to unreachable goals; idealistic but not practical

saturnine (adjective) – Gloomy and sullen

Sisyphean (adjective) – Requiring endless effort; without result or success

solecism (noun) – A nonstandard or improper use of language; a mistake in manners or behavior

Lesson #7 - Eating and Food

bland (adjective) – Calming or soothing; not spicy or irritating; lacking flavor. Dull; plain to the point of being boring.

culinary (adjective) – Related to cooking or kitchens

cutlery (noun) – Utensils used for eating, such as knives, forks, and spoons. Cutting instruments and tools.

devour (verb) – To consume or eat up greedily or enthusiastically

morsel (noun) – A very small piece; a small treat

pungent (adjective) – Having a sharp, strong taste or smell. Strong, sharp, and penetrating.

quaff (verb) – To drink heartily and deeply

ravenous (adjective) – Extremely hungry

savory (adjective) – Pleasing to the taste or smell; appetizing. Flavorful; spicy or salty, but not sweet. Morally good or satisfactory; respectable.

simmer (verb) – To cook gently in liquid just at or below the boiling point. To be filled with pent up emotions.

Lesson #8 - Damage and Deterioration

blight (verb) – To have a negative effect on; to ruin.

cataclysm (noun) – An intense and violent disaster or change

decomposition (noun) – The process of rotting, breaking down, or disintegration

eradication (noun) – The act of tearing out by the roots, or of eliminating as if tearing out by the roots

havoc (noun) – Widespread destruction and devastation. Chaos and disorder.

mar (verb) – To inflict damage or spoil the quality of

obliterate (verb) – To wipe out completely; to do away with, leaving no trace

pugnacious (adjective) – Combative; eager to fight

pulverize (verb) – To pound, crush, or grind into powder or dust

stagnant (adjective) – Stale and foul because of lack of movement. Lacking progress or vitality.

Lesson #15 - Words from Spanish

aficionado (noun) – An enthusiastic fan or admirer

bravado (noun) – False bravery; a boastful display of courage

embargo (noun) – A government order preventing trade with another country

flotilla (noun) – A small fleet of boats or ships

hacienda - (noun) – A large estate or ranch; the main house of such a ranch

incommunicado (adjective) – Without a way to communicate

junta (noun) – A group of military leaders who seize and hold power over a country. A council or small governing body, especially in Central America and in South America

peccadillo (noun) – A small fault, often habitual

peon (noun) – An unskilled laborer or farm worker. A person low in a hierarchy; a person of low status.

renegade (noun) – An outlaw, rebel, deserter, or traitor

(adjective) – Abandoning a cause, group, or principle

Lesson #16 - Size and Amount

appreciable (adjective) – Noticeable; able to be perceived or estimated

breadth (noun) – Width; distance from side to side. A wide range.

copious (adjective) – Plentiful, abundant

gargantuan (adjective) – Gigantic; of immense size, volume, or capacity

innumerable (adjective) –Too many to count

inordinate (adjective) – Exceeding reasonable limits

negligible (adjective) – Not enough to be worth consider; insignificant

paucity (noun) – Smallness of number; fewness; scarcity

pittance (noun) – A very small amount; an inadequate wage

proliferate (verb) – To multiply, increase, or spread rapidly

Lesson #29 - Medicine

capillary (noun) – Any of the tiny blood vessels that connect the

smallest arteries to the smallest veins

(adjective) – Small and slender, with a very small internal

diameter

convalescence (noun) – Gradual return to health and strength after an illness or other problem

enervate (verb) – To weaken; to destroy strength

epidemiology (noun) – The branch of medicine that deals with the causes, spread, and control of disease in populations

epidermis - (noun) – The protective outer skin of vertebrates

infirmity (noun) – A physical disability or weakness

malady (noun) – A disease, ailment, or disorder

pallor (noun) – Extreme or unnatural paleness

susceptible (adjective) – Likely to be infected or made ill. Easily influenced or affected; sensitive.

virulent - (adjective) – Capable of causing infection; very harmful or poisonous. Strongly and bitterly hateful.

Lesson #30 - Puzzles

ambiguous (adjective) – Unclear; having more than one interpretation

baffle (verb) – To confuse

cogitate (verb) – To think carefully about; to ponder

convoluted (adjective) – Twisted or complicated

enigma (noun) – A mystery; a puzzling situation

insoluble (adjective) – Difficult or impossible to solve or explain. Incapable of being dissolved.

intricate (adjective) – Complicated, complex, or difficult to understand

labyrinth (noun) – A maze or winding network

quandary (noun) –State of uncertainty or puzzlement

tactic (noun) – A strategy or maneuver

Lesson #27 - The Roots –polis- and –urb-

cosmopolitan (adjective) – Sophisticated; possessing knowledge of many countries and topics. Composed of people or elements from many parts of the world.

geopolitics (noun) – The study of the relationships among politics, geography, economics, and population

impolitic (adjective) – Not displaying good judgment or wisdom; foolish; imprudent

interurban (adjective) – Connecting or joining urban areas

megalopolis - (noun) – A single continuous region made up of several large cities and their surrounding areas

metropolitan (adjective) – Related to a major city. Related to a city and its surrounding suburbs and towns.

politico (noun) – A politician, especially one who is active in organized party politics

polity (noun) – The form of government of a country or other organization

urbane (adjective) – Having refined, polite, and elegant manners

urbanite - (noun) – A city dweller

Lesson #28 - Pride

arrogant (adjective) – Thinking oneself to be superior; self-important

diffident (adjective) – Lacking confidence; shy and timid

egocentric (adjective) – Self-centered; interested only in one’s own activities or needs; selfish

esteem (noun) – High regard; respect

(verb) – To look upon with respect, admiration, or honor

flaunt (verb) – To show something off; to exhibit shamelessly. To wave grandly.

gloat (verb) – To express self-satisfaction over your own success or someone else’s misfortune

humility (noun) – Modesty; humbleness; a feeling of not being important or superior

modest (adjective) – Having only a moderate estimation of oneself; not vain. Free from showiness; unlikely to call attention to one’s self. Proper or conventional in speech, behavior, or dress.

pompous (adjective) –Having exaggerated dignity, seriousness, or self-importance; pretentious

swagger (verb) – To walk in an overconfident way; to strut. To brag, boast, or otherwise behave arrogantly.

Lesson #25 - The Roots –gno-, -cog-, and –sci-

cognition (noun) – The mental process of knowing, including awareness, reasoning, and judgment

cognizant (adjective) – Fully informed; aware or conscious of something

connoisseur (noun) – A knowledgeable person who appreciates high quality, especially in such areas as the arts

or fine dining.

conscientious (adjective) – Careful, thorough, and hard working. Guided by conscience; principled or ethical.

diagnosis - (noun) – The identification of a disease or other condition

incognito (adjective) – With one’s identity concealed

notoriety (noun) – Fame for something negative; infamy

omniscient (adjective) – Having total knowledge; knowing everything

prognosis (noun) – A forecast or prediction. A prediction of the outcome of a disease, or the likelihood of the

recovery from a disease.

unconscionable - (adjective) – Immoral; unprincipled; not restrained by conscience. Beyond prudence or

reason; excessive.

Lesson #26 - The Root –fac-

affectation (noun) – Artificial behavior done to impress others; action for appearance’s sake

beneficiary (noun) – A person or an institution receiving help or an advantage. A person receiving money or

property from a will or an insurance policy.

de facto (adjective) – Real or actual

efficacy (noun) – Effectiveness; the power to produce a result

faction (noun) – A unified group within a larger group, usually in disagreement or conflict with the larger group

factoid (noun) – A piece of false information accepted as true because it has been repeated in the media. A

brief, unimportant fact.

factotum (noun) – An employee who has a wide range of duties

manufacture (verb) – To make, create, produce, or turn out usually as part of an industrial process.

(noun) – The act of making something

officiate (verb) – To serve in a position of authority, or to conduct a meeting or a ceremony. To referee or umpire.

prolific (adjective) – Producing offspring or fruit. Producing many works or results.

Lesson #23 - The Root –pon-

composite (noun) – Something put together from many different parts

(adjective) – Put together from many different parts

depose (verb) – To forcefully remove from office or power. To take testimony from a witness in a lawsuit.

exposition (noun) – The systematic explanation of a subject. A public exhibition.

imposition (noun) – Something that is newly required. A burden or unfair demand.

imposter - (noun) – A person who assumes a false identity

juxtaposition (noun) – Placement side by side or close by

opposition (noun) – A resistance; a disagreement

proponent (noun) – A person who argues in support of something; an advocate or a supporter

proposition (noun) – A plan suggested for acceptance; a proposal

repository - (noun) – A safe place for storage. A person who stores or is a source of information or knowledge

Lesson #24 - The Root –tract-

detract (verb) – To reduce the value, importance, or quality of something; to take away something desirable

distraction (noun) –Something that draws attention away

distraught (adjective) – Extremely worried and upset; emotionally agitated

entreaty (noun) – A heartfelt plea or request

extract (verb) – To pull or draw out

(noun) – A substance drawn out of something

intractable (adjective) – Difficult to manage or control; stubborn. Difficult to remedy, cure or make better.

protracted (adjective) – Drawn out in time; made longer

retract (verb) – To pull back. To withdraw a statement or promise.

tract (noun) – An area of land. A pamphlet or leaflet, usually one with a political or religious theme.

traction (noun) – Grip or hold; friction between something and the surface on which it moves. The act of drawing or pulling a load.

Lesson #19 - Attention

disregard (verb) – To ignore, to pay no attention to

(noun) - Lack of proper attention or respect

enthrall (verb) – To capture someone’s attention; to charm; to fascinate

heedless (adjective) – Not paying attention; thoughtless

oblivious (adjective) –Lacking awareness

preoccupy (verb) – To hold attention completely

rapt (adjective) – Deeply absorbed in something; engrossed

receptive (adjective) – Ready or willing to accept something

scrutinize (verb) – To examine carefully, with close attention to details

tacit (adjective) – Not spoken; understood from actions or statements

vigilant - (adjective) – Watchful; on the alert

Lesson #20 - Thinking and Believing

dogmatic (adjective) – Firmly stating personal opinions as truth

epiphany (noun) – The sudden realization of or insight into an essential truth

pensive (adjective) – Deeply, often sadly, thoughtful

philosophy (noun) – The study of reality based on logical reasoning rather than on observation or experimentation. A personal set of opinions and values by which one lives.

plausible (adjective) –Appearing to be true or reasonable

ponder (verb) – To think about carefully and thoroughly

postulate (verb) – To assume the truth of something, especially as the

basis for study or argument

(noun) - A basic principle; something accepted without proof

rationality (noun) – Logic and reasoning

reverie (noun) – A daydream; daydreaming; deep thought

stratagem (noun) – A cunning scheme made to trick or deceive

Lesson #17 - Accident and Purpose

arbitrary (adjective) – Based upon impulse or random chance, rather than on reason

coincidental (adjective) – Happening or existing at the same time by accident

contrive (verb) – To cleverly plan, plot, or design

deliberation (noun) –Slow, careful thought

fortuitous - (adjective) – Happening by lucky accident

haphazard (adjective) – Without plan or order; chosen randomly

premeditated (adjective) – Planned or arranged in advance

prophetic (adjective) – Foreseeing or predicting the future

spontaneity (noun) – The quality of following personal impulse rather than outside influences or planning

unwittingly - (adjective) – Unknowingly; without awareness

Lesson #18 - Boldness

assert (verb) – To state or express firmly

ferocity (noun) – Fierceness

flout (verb) – To disobey openly; to defy

foolhardy (adjective) – Unwisely bold; rash

headstrong (adjective) –Determined to have one’s own way; stubbornly and often recklessly willful

incisive (adjective) – Clear and sharp in analysis or expression

outspoken (adjective) – Frank and unreserved in speech; candid. Spoken in a frank, unreserved, or candid way.

undaunted (adjective) – Not discouraged by danger or difficulty

vehement (adjective) – Showing intense emotion or passion; forceful

vibrant (adjective) – Pulsing with energy; vigorous. Having bright colors.
Lesson #13 - Truth and Value

appraisal (noun) – Evaluation or estimation of worth

base (adjective) – Low or inferior in position or quality

candid (adjective) – Frank; honest; expressing one’s honest opinion. Not posed or rehearsed.

criterion (noun) – A standard of judgment

dexterity - (noun) – Skill and grace in physical movement. Cleverness.

legitimate (adjective) – Lawful; proper and acceptable. Genuine.

mediocre (adjective) – Moderate to inferior in quality; ordinary

meritorious (adjective) – Worthy; deserving of praise

truism (noun) – A statement of self-evident truth; a saying that, while true, has been overused

validate (verb) – To establish or confirm the truth or legality of something

Lesson #14 - Communication

circumlocution (noun) – The use of unnecessarily wordy or indirect language

cogent (adjective) – Logical and convincing; appealing to reason

discourse (noun) – Formal speech or writing

(verb) – To speak or write formally, and at length

falter (verb) – To hesitate or stammer in speech. To move or function in an unsteady way.

literate (adjective) – Able to read and write; knowledgeable; educated. Knowledgeable; well expressed.

prattle (noun) – Foolish, annoying talk

(verb) – To talk foolishly; to chatter

raconteur (noun) – A person who tells stories and relates incidents, with skill and wit

sophistry (noun) – Clever arguments that are misleading or incorrect

utterance (noun) – Something that is said

verbose (adjective) – Using or containing too many words; excessively wordy

Lesson #11 - Ability

acme (noun) – The highest point of achievement

adept (adjective) – Very skillful

aptitude (noun) – Natural ability; talent. Quickness in understanding; intelligence.

astute (adjective) – Having shrewd judgment; observant, clever, and cunning

finesse (verb) – To achieve a goal or handle a situation with subtle

skill

(noun) – Refinement, delicacy, and skill. Subtle, skillful

handling of a potentially difficult situation.

painstaking (adjective) – Marked by or requiring great care; demanding or extended or extreme effort, or diligence

precocious (adjective) – Showing unusually early development or maturity

prodigy (noun) – A person, often young, with exceptional talents or powers

resourceful (adjective) – Effective and imaginative in solving problems; practical

virtuoso (noun) – A very skilled musician or other type of artist; an expert or master artist

Lesson #12 - The Usual and Unusual

idiosyncrasy (noun) – An unusual habit of one particular person

innocuous (adjective) – Harmless; not likely to offend anyone

obtrusive (adjective) – Unpleasantly noticeable; bold. Thrusting out.

orthodox (adjective) – Doing and believing what is commonly accepted or customary. Following established faiths and beliefs.

prevalent (adjective) – Widely or commonly existing or practiced

prosaic (adjective) – Dull; ordinary; lacking in imagination and spirit

quaint (adjective) – Charmingly odd, especially in an old-fashioned way

rarity (noun) – Something that is very infrequent or scarce

singular (adjective) – Being the only one of a kind; unique. Being beyond what is ordinary or usual; remarkable.

trite (adjective) – Overused and therefore lacking in interest

Lesson #9 - Beginnings

broach (verb) – To bring up a subject for discussion

convene (verb) – To assemble formally; to come together officially

debut (verb) – To make a first public appearance

(noun) – A first public appearance. A formal presentation of a young woman into society.

embark (verb) – To board a plane or ship. To start a major effort; to set out on an adventure.

generate (verb) – To create; to bring into being

incipient (adjective) – Beginning to exist or appear

initiative (noun) – A beginning or an introductory step; an opening move. The ability or wish to start

something; enterprise; determination.

innovation (noun) – Something newly introduced or created

novice (noun) – A beginner

overture (noun) – A piece of music intended to introduce a longer work. An act or offer showing readiness for a relationship or to negotiate.

Lesson #10 - Honesty and Deception

devious (adjective) – Meant to trick; not straightforward; shifty. Departing from the correct or accepted way. Departing from the straight or direct course; roundabout.

duplicity (noun) – Deliberate deception in behavior and speech

fictitious (adjective) – False or fake; adopted or assumed in order to deceive. Imaginary; unreal; relating to fiction.

guile (noun) – Sly intelligence; craftiness with the intention to deceive.

gullible (adjective) – Easily deceived or fooled

hypocritical (adjective) – Giving a false appearance; saying one thing but doing another

masquerade (verb) – To disguise oneself; to put on a false or

deceptive appearance

(noun) – A disguise or false appearance; a scheme or

charade

overt (adjective) – Open and observable; not hidden or secret

reputable (adjective) – Having a good reputation; well thought of; honorable or trustworthy

veracity (noun) – Truthfulness or accuracy; conformity to fact or truth