WORD abnegate

PART OF SPEECH verb

MEANING to refuse or deny oneself; reject; renounce to relinquish or give up 1. a. Growth or increase in size by gradual external addition, fusion, or inclusion. b. Something contributing to such growth or increase: "the accretions of paint that had buried the door's details like snow" (Christopher Andreae). 2. Biology The growing together or adherence of parts that are normally separate. 3. Geology a. Slow addition to land by deposition of water-borne sediment. b. An increase of land along the shores of a body of water, as by alluvial deposit. 4. Astronomy An increase in the mass of a celestial object by the collection of surrounding interstellar gases and objects by gravity. 1. Made of or resembling adamant. 2. Having the hardness or luster of a diamond. 3. Unyielding; inflexible to put to rest; calm; quiet characterized by or showing goodwill; friendly; peaceable feelings of excessive pride conceit, self-love, vanity pride, pridefulness - a feeling of self-respect and personal worth approval; commendation. Official approval or sanction fitting; at the right time; to the purpose; opportunely

SENTENCES

accretion

noun

adamantine allay amicable amour propre (amoor-praw-pruh) approbation apropos (ap-ra-poh) ascetic au courant (oh K oo - rah n) austere avarice badger

adj verb adj noun noun adverb

If there is one dominant trait that emerges from this account, it is adamantine willpower to allay pain an amicable settlement

adj adj noun verb

characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self discipline and abstentation from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons up-to-date; au courant your summer wardrobe needs an injection of au fully aware or familiar; cognizant courant style he was known for his austerity and Severe or stern in disposition or appearance; somber and grave: authoritarianism insatiable greed for riches to harass or urge persistently; pester; nag. I had to badger him into coming with us. 1. Of a kind and gentle disposition. 2. Showing gentleness and mildness. See Synonyms at kind1. 3. Tending to exert a beneficial influence; favorable: a policy with benign consequences for the economy. See Synonyms at favorable. 4. Having little or no detrimental effect; harmless: a chemical additive that is environmentally benign. 5. Medicine Of no danger to health; not recurrent or progressive; not malignant: a benign tumor. stubborn and complete intolerance of any creed, belief, or opinion that differs from one's own to utter the cry of a sheep, goat, or calf or a sound resembling such a cry a person who lives luxuriously and enjoys good food and drink shortness of time or duration; briefness. to grow or develop quickly; flourish warning to raise irritating and trivial objections; find fault with the unnecessarily (usually fol. By 'at' or 'about') to adhere closely, stick, cling. To remain faithful. to split or divide by or as if by cutting blow. To cut off. convincing or believable by virtue of forcible, clear, or incisive presentation; telling to act together through a secret understanding, especially with evil or harmful intent to conspire in a fraud n., pl. -diums, -dia (-di ) 1. a brief treatment or account of a subject, esp. an extensive subject. 2. a summary, epitome, or abridgment. 3. a full list or inventory: a compendium of their complaints. modern existing, occurring or living at the same time; belonging to the same time At the same age or date Of the present time; modern 1. A favorable and especially unduly high opinion of one's own abilities or worth. 2. An ingenious or witty turn of phrase or thought. 3. a. A fanciful poetic image, especially an elaborate or exaggerated comparison. b. A poem or passage consisting of such an image. 4. a. The result of intellectual activity; a thought or an opinion. b. A fanciful thought or idea. 5. a. A fancy article; a knickknack. b. An extravagant, fanciful, and elaborate construction or structure: "An eccentric addition to the lobby is a life-size wooden horse, a 19th century conceit" (Mimi Sheraton). tr.v. conceited, conceiting, conceits 1. Chiefly British To take a fancy to. 2. Obsolete To understand; conceive. To regain or try to regain (friendship or goodwill) by pleasant behavior. tacit encouragement or assent to wrongdoing by another to give the meaning or intention of; explain; interpret deliberatly created rather than arising naturally to coil up; form into a twisted shape. To make complicated rolled up together or with one part over another a highly successful, unexpected stroke, act or move; a clever action or accomplishment to choose; select; pick to gather the choice things or parts from to collect; gather; pluck deserving blame or censure; blameworthy

benign

adj

bigotry bleat bon vivant brevity burgeon caveat cavil (ca-vuhl) cleave cleave cogent collude

noun verb noun noun verb verb verb(used without object) verb(used with object) adj verb

the brevity of human life he burgeoned into a fine actor he finds something to cavil at in everything I say to cleave to ones principles in spite of persecuation to cleave a branch from a tree. a congent argument

compendium

noun

comtemporary

adj

a contemporay novel

conceit smug

adject

conciliatory connivance construe contrived convolute coup (coo) cull culpable

noun verb verb adj noun verb adj

convoluted history

deference delineate demure despondency devolve diaspora

noun verb adj verb noun

respectful submission or yielding to the judgement, opinion, will etc to portray in words; describe or outline with precision. characterized by shyness and modesty; reserved affectedly or coyly decorous, sober, or sedate a state of low spirits caused by loss of hope or courage to transfer or delegate (a duty, responsibility, etc) to or upon another; pass on any group that has been dispersed outside its tradiational homeland. Any religious group living as a minority among people of the previaling religion adjective ruined, fallen in, broken-down, battered, neglected, crumbling, run-down, decayed, decaying, falling apart, beat-up (informal), shaky, shabby, worn-out, ramshackle, in ruins, rickety, decrepit, tumbledown, uncared for, gone to rack and ruin She lived in a dilapidated old cottage. Having fallen into a state of disrepair or deterioration, as through neglect; broken-down and shabby in her speech she delineated the city plan with great care the town librarian's demure exterior hides a spine of steel

dilapidated

adj

disparage disposition dissension earnest empirical ephemeral epicure epistemology eulogy evincing

verb noun noun adj adj adj. noun noun noun

to speak of or treat slightingly; depreciate; belittle a person's inherent qualities of mind and character strong disagreement; a contention or quarrel; discord difference in sentiment or opinion; disagreement serious in intention; seriously importnant, demanding; full seriousness derived from or guided by experience or experiment lasting a very short time; short-lived. Lasting but one day a person who cultivates a refined taste, especially in food and wine; connoissuer a branch of philosphy that investigates the origin, nature, methods, and the limits of human knowledge a speech or writing in praise of a person or thing, especially a set oration in honor of a deceased person to reveal the presense of (quality or feeling) 1. To remove the entrails of; disembowel. 2. To take away a vital or essential part of: a compromise that eviscerated the proposed bill. 3. Medicine a. To remove the contents of (an organ). b. To remove an organ, such as an eye, from (a patient). v.intr. Medicine To protrude through a wound or surgical incision. 1. Carried out or performed with little or no preparation; impromptu: an extemporaneous piano recital. 2. Prepared in advance but delivered without notes or text: an extemporaneous speech. 3. Skilled at or given to unrehearsed speech or performance: an accomplished extemporaneous speaker. 4. Provided, made, or adapted as an expedient; makeshift: an extemporaneous policy decision. tr.v. exasperated, exasperating, exasperates 1. To make very angry or impatient; annoy greatly. 2. To increase the gravity or intensity of: "a scene . . . that exasperates his rose fever and makes him sneeze" (Samuel Beckett). to urge, advise, or caution earnestly; admonish urgently; to egg on 1. To speak or write at length: expatiated on the subject until everyone was bored. 2. To wander freely. to state in detail; explain; interpret displaying a passionate intensity excessively particular or fastidious; difficult to please; fussy an excessively conservative and old-fashioned person, especially one who is intellecutually dull (usually preceded by Old) a glove with an extended cuff for the wrist Idiom - take up the gauntlet - to accept the challenge to fight. He was always willing to take the gauntlet for a good cause. person who overeats Slang - extremely enthusiastic and dedicated. to drink, or sometimes eat, greedily, frquently, or plentifully. made commonplace or trite; stale; banal a misunderstanding, disagreement, etc of a complicated or bitter nature, as between persons or nations An intricate and perplexing state of affairs; a complicated or difficult situation not showing proper respect of, pertaining to, or characterized by sudden or rash action, emotion, etc; impulsive To beset with insistent or repeated requests; entreat pressingly. penetrating, cutting, biting out of place; absurd. Not harmonious in character inconsistent having no control or inufficient voluntary control over urination or defecation lacking self-restraint; uncontrolled holding an indicated position, role, office. Etc Obligatory (usually followed by On or Upon) unable to stop or prevent unable to understand or interpret to accustom to hardship; difficulty; pain; etc to give vigor to; to fill with life and energy; energize using few words. Expressing much in few words, concise. 1. Given to or expressing lust; lecherous. 2. Exciting sexual desires; salacious. deserving praise and commendation

do not disparage his good manners

to speak in earnest the ephemeral joys of childhood an ephemeral flower

eviscerate

verb/adj

extemporaneous

adj

exasperate exhort expatiate (ex-pa-shee-eyt) expound fervently finicky fogy (foh-gee) verb verb verb adj adj noun

the board of directors were old fogies still living in the 19th century

gauntlet glutton gung ho guzzle hackneyed imbroglio impertinent impetuous importune incisive incongruous incontinent incumbent inexorable inscrutable inure invigorate laconic lascivious laudable

noun noun adj. verb adj noun

they spent that night guzzling beer the hackneyed images of his poetry

adj adj. adj adj. adj.

an impetuous decision, person Importune madhu an incisive tone of voice incongruous behaviour inconguous with their professed principles the incontinent hysteria of the fans the incumbent officers of the club a duty incumbent upon me

adj adj verb verb adj. adj

inured to cold a laconic reply

1. Easily understood; intelligible. 2. Mentally sound; sane or rational. 3. Translucent or transparent. See Synonyms at clear. adjective 1. clear, obvious, plain, evident, distinct, explicit, transparent, clear-cut, crystal clear, comprehensible, intelligible, limpid, pellucid His prose is always lucid and compelling. clear confused, vague, unclear, muddled, ambiguous, incomprehensible, unintelligible, equivocal, indistinct, clear as mud (informal) 2. clear-headed, sound, reasonable, sensible, rational, sober, all there, sane, compos mentis (Latin), in your right mind He wasn't very lucid; he didn't quite know where he was. clear-headed confused, vague, unclear, muddled, irrational, unperceptive to deprive of the use of some part of the body by wounding or the life; cripple the explosion maimed him for life any disorder or disease of the body, especially one that is chronic or deepseated social maladies; a malady of the spirit any undesirable or disordered condition 1. a. A collection of live wild animals on exhibition. b. An enclosure in which wild animals are kept. 2. A diverse or miscellaneous group. begging, practicing begging; living on alms Working or acting merely for money or other reward Hired to serve in a foreign army, guerialla organization noun: a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army 1. Bearing or manner, especially as it reveals an inner state of mind: 2. An appearance or aspect. a person or thing that is comparitively small or insignificant a suspention of activity suggesting an unhealthy mental state or attitude laible or subject to change or alteration. Other forms - Mutate the backside of the neck extremely wicked or villainous; iniquitous 1. The act of offering something, such as worship or thanks, to a deity. 2. Oblation a. The act of offering the bread and wine of the Eucharist. b. Something offered, especially the bread and wine of the Eucharist. 3. A charitable offering or gift. stubbornly refusing to change ones opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so. extemely unpleasant overly display of wealth a public speech or published text in praise of someone or something a sudden feeling of mental or emotional distress or longing

lucid (loo-cid)

adj

maim malady menagerie (muh-naj-uh-ree) mendicant mercenary

verb noun

noun adj. adj

mien minnow moratorium morbid mutable nape nefarious

noun noun noun adj. adj. adj

"He was a Vietnam veteran with a haunted mien" (James Traub). a moratorium on the testing of nuclear weapons a morbid interest in death the mutable ways of fortune a nefarious plot

oblation

noun

obstinate odious ostentation panegyric pang

adj.

a pang of remorse

noun a sudden, brief, sharp pain or physical sensation hunger pangs 1. Personal belongings. 2. The articles used in a particular activity; equipment: a photographer's paraphernalia . See Synonyms at equipment. 3. A married woman's personal property exclusive of her dowry, according to common law. characterized by or showing parsimony; frugal or stingy. Tightfisted. ostentatious in one's learning adv. 1. By a small amount at a time; in stages: articles acquired piecemeal. 2. In pieces; apart. adj. Accomplished or made in stages. feeling of irritation resulting from slight, esp. of one's pride a person who brings suit in a court( opposed to a defendant) after a year in the big city, I was ready to move any small and insignificant or inaccessible town or village back to podunk rather heavy or fat; stout; corpulent cause of a particular action an unpleasantly difficult, perplexing, or dangerous situation absurd; nonsensical; ludricrous; ridiculous; senseless employer obligation to promulgate a policy on the to make known by open declaration; publish; proclaim formally or put into operation misuse of alcohol and use of controlled substances to make favorably inclined; appease; conciliate a person who has changed from one opinion, religious belief, sect, to another; convert 1. Wise in handling practical matters; exercising good judgment or common sense. 2. Careful in regard to one's own interests; provident. 3. Careful about one's conduct; circumspect. lacking courage or resolution;cowardly proceeding from or indicating a cowardly spirit n. pl. raisons d'tre (rzn, r-z) Reason or justification for existing. to confirm by expressing consent, approval, or formal sanction; to ratify a constitutional amendment awakening memories of something similar; suggestive v. rent (rnt) or rended, rending, rends v.tr. 1. To tear or split apart or into pieces violently. See Synonyms at tear1. 2. To tear (one's garments or hair) in anguish or rage. 3. To tear away forcibly; wrest. 4. To pull, split, or divide as if by tearing: "Chip was rent between the impulse to laugh wildly and a bitterness that threatened hot tears" (Louis Auchincloss). 5. To pierce or disturb with sound: a scream rent the silence. 6. To cause pain or distress to: tales that rend the heart. v.intr. To become torn or split; come apart. his style of writing is reminiscent of Melville's

paraphernalia parsimonious pedantic

noun adj

piecemeal

piqued plaintiff podunk portly precipitance predicament preposterous promulgate propitiate (pruh-pish-ee-yet) proselyte prudent pusillanimous raison d etre (rey-zohn-de-truh) ratify reminiscence

noun noun noun noun adj. verb verb noun adj adj noun verb adj.

art is the artist's raison d etre

rend

noun

rebuke, reprove, admonish, rebuff reprimand resilience reticent reverie rigmarole rink rodomontade ruminate scruple sentient (sen-shunt) serendipity shenanigans shrivel smoking gun snafu splinter squabble verb to express sharp, stern disapproval of; reprove; reprimand noun adj noun noun noun noun verb noun the power or ability to return to the original state, form, etc., after being bent, compressed, etc. disposed to be silent or not to speak freely; reserved. Reluctant or restrained a state of being in ones' thoughts; a daydream an elaborate or complicated procedure confused, incoherent, foolish, or meaningless talk a smooth expanse of ice for ice-skating, often artificially prepared and inside a building or arena Pretentious boasting or bragging; bluster to think about seriously; to ponder over a moral or ethical consideration or standard that acts as a restraining force or inhibits certain actions having the power of perception by the senses; consious characterized by the sensation and consiousness noun: a person or thing that is sentient. The consious mind accidental discovery; blessing; fluke; happenstance mischief; prankishness mischievous or deceitful trick, practice to contract and wrinkle, as from great heat, cold, or dryness. To wither, make or become helpless or useless. indisputable proof or evidence of a crime a badly confused or ridiculously muddled situation in disorder, out of control, chaotic to throw into disorder, muddle a small, thin, sharp piece of wood, bone. Or like, split or broken off from the main body to engage in a petty quarrel; skirmish tr.v. subverted, subverting, subverts 1. To destroy completely; ruin: "schemes to subvert the liberties of a great community" (Alexander Hamilton). 2. To undermine the character, morals, or allegiance of; corrupt. 3. To overthrow completely: "Economic assistance ... must subvert the existing ... feudal or tribal order" (Henry A. Kissinger). See Synonyms at overthrow. obtained, done, made etc..by stealth; secret or unauthorized; clandestine; to faint; lose consiousness to enter a state of hysterical rapture or ecstacy tightly drawn; tense; not slack emotionally or mentally strained or tense: tense nerves. a private conversation between 2 people the state of being a trall (a person who is in bondage); bondage; slavery boastful; vainglorious slightly intoxicated or drunk an act of trangressing; violation of a law, command a very short time; an instant 1. Excessively ornate or complex in style or language; grandiloquent: turgid prose. - grandiloquent, grandiose, pretentious 2. Swollen or distended, as from a fluid; bloated: a turgid bladder; turgid veins. personal displeasure offense; annoyance; displeasure umbrage noun 1. Offense; resentment: took umbrage at their rudeness. 2. a. Something that affords shade. b. Shadow or shade. See Synonyms at shade. 3. A vague or indistinct indication; a hint. to waver in mind or opinion; to be indecisive or irresolute. To oscilatte or fluctuate Shilly-shally 1. Devoid of matter; empty. 2. a. Lacking intelligence; stupid. b. Devoid of substance or meaning; inane: a vacuous comment. c. Devoid of expression; vacant: "The narrow, swinelike eyes were open, no more vacuous in death than they had been in life" (Nicholas Proffitt). 3. Lacking serious purpose or occupation; idle. See Synonyms at empty. state of being frustrated, annoyed the teenagers swooned at the sight of the singing star they are sometimes reticent, because they think it is going to be too complicated the rigmarole of a formal dinner

adj noun noun informal verb noun noun adj verb noun verb

subvert

verb

surreptitious (sur-up-tish-us) swoon taut tete-a-tete thraldom thrasonical tipsy transgression trice turgid

adj verb adj noun adj adj. noun noun adj

he was the trall of morbid fantasies

in a trice

take umbrage at something (IDIOM) to feel that one has been insulted by something. The employee took umbrage at not getting a raise. Mary took umbrage at the suggestion that she was being unreasonable.

vacillate

verb(used without object)

his tendency to vacillate makes him a poor leader

vacuous

adj

vexation vindicate vis--vis verb

to clear, as from an accusation, imputation. To afford justification for; justify. To uphold by argument to vindicate a claim face to face

wanton

1. Immoral or unchaste; lewd. 2. a. Gratuitously cruel; merciless. b. Marked by unprovoked, gratuitous maliciousness; capricious and unjust: wanton destruction. 3. Unrestrainedly excessive: wanton extravagance; wanton depletion of oil reserves. 4. Luxuriant; overabundant: wanton tresses. 5. Frolicsome; playful. 6. Undisciplined; spoiled. 7. Obsolete Rebellious; refractory. v. wantoned, wantoning, wantons v.intr. To act, grow, or move in a wanton manner; be wanton. v.tr. To waste or squander extravagantly. n. 1. One who is immoral, lewd, or licentious. 2. One that is playful or frolicsome. 3. One that is undisciplined or spoiled. noun The young of the dog, or the wolf, bear, lion, seal, etc A youth, n. 1. A sudden or capricious idea; a fancy. 2. Arbitrary thought or impulse: governed by whim. 3. A vertical horse-powered drum used as a hoist in a mine to move swiftly causing fear, apprehension, or panic. to establish(oneself) in the favor or good graces of others the quality of being incouciant; lack of care or concern; indifference injurious to health harmful; injurious favorable to or promoting health; healthful Opposite: insalubrious Noun: salubrity 1. Of or relating to a burial vault or a receptacle for sacred relics. 2. Suggestive of the grave; funereal. to endeavor to influence (a person) by flattering, or beguiling words or acts. To persuade by such words or acts To obtain by artful persuassions Noun: wheedler noun (mise-en-scnes) 1 theat a the process of arranging scenery and props; b the arrangement of the scenery and props; c the visual effect such an arrangement has. Also called stage setting. 2 cinematog the composition of each frame. 3 literary the setting in which an event takes place. a small amount o At least have a modicum of decency and close the curtain before you undress. shining brightly; radiant; gleaming adj 1 existing from the beginning; formed earliest o primordial matter. 2 biol relating to an early stage in growth. primordiality noun. primordially adverb. noun 1 anything that has little or no value. 2 a very small amount. 3 Brit a type of dessert that usually consists of a layer of sponge-cake soaked in sherry, followed by a layer of jelly and fruit, topped with custard and whipped cream. verb (trifled, trifling) 1 (usually trifle with) a to treat (someone, their feelings, etc) frivolously, insensitively or with a lack of seriousness or respect; b to talk or think about (a proposition, idea, project, etc) idly or not very seriously. 2 (usually trifle away) to spend or pass (time, energy, money, resources, etc) frivolously. trifler noun. a trifle slightly, rather; to a small extent o He's a trifle upset. astute adj having or showing intelligence and good judgement; wise or discerning. sagaciously adverb. sagacity /sB'gasNtN/ and sagaciousness noun. adj 1 sorry for something one has done. 2 resulting from a feeling of guilt o a contrite apology. contritely adverb. contrition /-'trNGBn/ noun 1 remorse. 2 Christianity deep sorrow for past sin and resolve to avoid future sin. Pl. Simulacra a slight. Unreal, or superficial likeness or semblance an effigy, image, or representation: a simulacrum of aphrodite. of or pertaining to time. Pertaining to or concerned with the present life or this world: worldly: temporal joys Enduring for a time only: temporary: transitory deleterious gases deleterious influences salubrious air he is covered by the heavens who has no sepulchral urn the plane made a white knuckle approach to the fogged-in airport he ingratiated himself with all the guests.

whelp

whim whisked white knuckle ingratiate (in-grey-shee-yet) insouciance (in-soo-see-uh ns) deleterious (del-i-teer-ee-uhs) salubrious (suh-loo-bree-uhs) sepulchral (suh-puhl-kruhl) wheedle (hweed-l)

noun

adj verb noun adj

adj

adj

verb

I always wheedler if I really need something

mise-en-scene (mee zah n sen)

noun

modicum refulgent

noun adj

primordial

adj

trifle

noun

sagacious

adj

contrition

adj

simulacrum

noun

temporal

adj

whey face pabulum (pab-yuh-luhm) woebegone saturnine

noun noun adj adj

noun a pale or white face. something that nourishes an animal or vegetable organism; food; nourishment Material for intellectual nourishment. showing or indicating woe (woe:grievous distress, affliction, or trouble) sluggish in temperament; gloomy; taciturn adj, formal 1 futile. 2 said eg of a word or expression, etc in a particular context: serving no purpose; unnecessary; superfluous. 3 lazy; idle. otiosity or otioseness noun. adj said of feelings, energy, etc: repressed or stifled; bursting to be released o pent-up emotions. noun, colloq, especially US 1 an exceptional example of its kind. 2 a one-liner; a punchline. 3 an unexpected turn of events. an evening party or social gathering, especially one held for a particular purpose adj. 1. Dangerously lacking in security or stability: a precarious posture; precarious footing on the ladder. 2. Subject to chance or unknown conditions: "His kingdom was still precarious; the Danes far from subdued" (Christopher Brooke). 3. Based on uncertain, unwarranted, or unproved premises: a precarious solution to a difficult problem. 4. Archaic Dependent on the will or favor of another. supplant; verb (usurped, usurping) 1 to take possession of (eg land) or assume (eg power, authority, a title, etc) by force, without right or unjustly. 2 to encroach on something (eg someone else's rights, territory, sphere of interest, etc). usurpation noun. usurper noun. verb (reprehended, reprehending) 1 to find fault with something. 2 to blame or reprove someone. reprehensible adj deserving blame or criticism. reprehensibly adverb. reprehension noun. reprehensory adj. anecdotist, narrator, storyteller a person who is skilled in relating stories and anecdotes interestingly in a jumbled, confused, or disorderly , manner; helter-skelter noun 1 applied to taste: sourness; bitterness. 2 applied to language or temper: harshness; sharpness. choler(noun), anger adj 1 easily made angry; irritable. 2 characterized by irritability o irascible nature. irascibility noun. irascibly adverb. prosaic adj dull or monotonous; ordinary. noun 1 a dull or stupid person. 2 tedious or monotonous talk or routine. noun 1 someone who argues with shrewd but intentionally fallacious reasoning. 2 in ancient Greece: one of a class of public teachers of rhetoric, philosophy, etc. verb (obliterated, obliterating) 1 to destroy something completely. 2 to cover and prevent (eg writing, etc) from being seen. obliteration noun. obliterative adj. verb (curtailed, curtailing) to reduce; to cut short. curtailer noun. curtailment noun. foolish, unintelligent, silly, stupid light, airy, tenous extremely delicate or refined - ethereal beauty heavenly or celestial - gone to his ethereal home heavenly the highest heaven, supposed by the ancients to contain the pure element of fire forms - defter, deftest

your advices serves as a pabulum her saturnine look in the movie mirrors that in several collections on the fall runways

otiose (oh-shee-ohs)

adj

pent-up

adj

zinger soiree (swah-rey)

noun

noun

a musical soiree

precarious

adj

idiom: on thin ice.

usurp

verb

reprehend

verb

raconteur rak-uhn-tur higgledy-piggledy acerbity

noun adverb noun

irascibility

adj

gradually, with her encouragment, he loses his irascibility

humdrum

adj

a prosaic mind

sophist

noun

obliterate

verb

curtail asinine ethereal (ih-theer-ee-uh l) empyrean (em-puh-ree-uhn) deft ensconce (en- skons) acquiesce (ak-wee-es)

verb adj adj

it is surprising that supposedly intelligent people can make such asinine statements

noun

adj dexterous, nimble, skillfull, clever - deft hands, deft mechanic verb to settle securely or snugly to cover or shelter, hide securely acquiesced, acquiescing. Advb: acquiescingly verb to assent tacitly, submit or comply silently or without protest; agree; consent to acquiesce halfheartedly in a business plan I found her in the library, ensconced in an armchair

outlandish outre (oo-trey) conjecture obfuscate extraneous decadence denigrate adj noun verb adj noun verb passing the bounds of what is usual or considered proper; unconventional; bizzare the formation or expression of an opinion or theory without sufficient evidence for proof an opinion or theory so formed or expressed. Guessed, speculation to confuse, bewilder, or stupefy to make obscure or unclear introduced or coming from without; not belonging or proper to a thing to pertinent; irrelevant the act or process of falling into an inferior condition or state; deterioration; decay. Moral degradation or decay; turpitude unrestrained or excessive self indulgence to damagingly of; criticize in a derogatory manner; sully; defame adv - trenchantly 1. Forceful, effective, and vigorous: a trenchant argument. See Synonyms at incisive. 2. Caustic; cutting: trenchant criticism. 3. Distinct; clear-cut. erase to wipe out, do away with, expunge. To rub out, erase, or obliterate 1. Of little value or importance; paltry. See Synonyms at trivial. 2. Petty; mean. 1. A setting forth of meaning or intent. 2. a. A statement or rhetorical discourse intended to give information about or an explanation of difficult material. b. The art or technique of composing such discourses. 3. Music a. The first part of a composition in sonata form that introduces the themes. b. The opening section of a fugue. 4. The part of a play that provides the background information needed to understand the characters and the action. 5. An act or example of exposing. 6. A public exhibition or show, as of artistic or industrial developments. v. plodded, plodding, plods v.intr. 1. To move or walk heavily or laboriously; trudge: "donkeys that plodded wearily in a circle round a gin" (D.H. Lawrence). 2. To work or act perseveringly or monotonously; drudge: plodding through a mountain of paperwork. v.tr. To trudge along or over. n. 1. The act of moving or walking heavily and slowly. 2. The sound made by a heavy step. to appopriate fradulently to ones own use, as money or property entrusted to ones care Latin: seize the day, enjoy the present, as opposed to placing all the hope in the future. adj adj carefully or elegantly done; operated, or designed well-groomed unknown, unperceived, without ones' knowledge (usually followed by 'to') adj said of language, a speaker, humour, etc: humorous in an obscene, vulgar or indecently disrespectful way. noun someone who speaks, behaves, etc in such a way. ribaldry noun ribald language or behaviour. settled or confirmed in a habot, practice, feeling someone who marries or has an affair with a much younger person avoiding activity, lazy lack of respect, rudeness a persons face or facial expression to drop in a photo unexpectedly...to hop in a picture right before it is taken. the ability to produce a desired or intended result to explain something in depth. physical or mental effort Uninterested because of frequent exposure or indulgence. excessive pride or self confidence; arrogance - hubristic; hubristically not corrigible; bad beyond correction or reform to indicate in advance; to foreshadow or presage, as an omen does. visibly noticeable or obvious. to destroy something completely. to defeat, crush or humiliate someone, especially in an argument, debate, sporting contest, etc. public shame, disgrace or dishonour. a particular style or way of using words very dangerous brilliant or splendid in appearance. A strong uneasiness caused by a sense of guilt attractively lively and animated, especially with reference to a person. to prevent or hinder someone or something. the act of punishing or taking vengeance for sin or wrongdoing. 1 to praise (eg God) highly. 2 to fill someone with great joy. 3 to give a higher rank or position to someone or something. 1 to act in a gracious manner towards those one regards as inferior. 2 to be gracious enough to do something, especially as though it were a favour. a medical parlance the street uprising may portend a general uprising unbeknown to him, repeated use of cocaine has brought about dramatic changes in both the structure and function of his brain. to efface ones unhappy memories generally the feds dont seem to bring picayune cases to court

an extraneous remark; an extraneous decoration some historians hold that the fall of Rome can be attributed to internal decadence to denigrate someones character

trenchant

adj

efface picayune (pik-ee-yoon)

verb

adj

exposition

noun

plod

verb

embezzle carpe diem (kah-re-pe-dee-em) soigne (swahn-yey) unbeknown

verb

makes it illegal to steal or embezzle any govt. property or to commit robbery of govt.

rebald inveterate cradle snatcher indolent impertinence/impudent countenance photobomb-ing efficacy expound exertion blas hubris/vanity incorrigible portend conspicuous annihilate ignominy parlance perilous resplendent compunction vivacious thwart retribution exalt condescend

adj, noun adj

an inveterate gambler

adjective noun adjective verb adjective verb noun noun adjective adjective noun adjective verb noun verb verb

vindictive

adjective

1 feeling or showing spite or hatred. 2 seeking revenge. Absolve; Exonerate 1 to clear someone of blame or criticism. 2 to show something to have been worthwhile or justified o The year's results vindicated their cautious planning. 3 to maintain or uphold (a point of view, cause, etc). the concurrent adherence to two opposite or conflicting views, feelings, etc about someone or something. to make efforts to vomit badges or emblems of office, honour or membership. 1 to picture something in the mind. 2 to consider as likely in the future o We envisage a pay rise in the autumn. verb (prattled, prattling) tr & intr to chatter or utter childishly or foolishly. noun childish or foolish chatter. 1 to warn. 2 to scold or tell someone off firmly but mildly. 3 to advise or urge. not strict; or severe, careless, or negligent 1 the use of more words than are needed to express something. 2 a superfluous word or words. pleonastic adj. pleonastically adverb. a long loose garment worn by monks and nuns. 1 a child prodigy. 2 someone who shows great talent and achieves remarkable success early in life. heretic /'hDrBtNk/ noun 1 someone who believes in and endorses heresy. 2 someone who has views and opinions that conflict with those of the majority. heretical adj. heretically adverb.

vindicate

verb

ambivalence retch insignia envisage prattle admonish lax pleonasm religious habit wunderkind verb adjective noun noun noun verb noun verb

heresy

noun

1 an opinion or belief contrary to the authorized teaching of the religious community to which one ostensibly belongs. 2 an opinion opposed to the conventional or traditional belief; heterodoxy.

pudgy

adjective

repugnent

adjective

malodorous vagary gullible vicissitude

adjective noun adjective noun

short and fat or think an infant's pudgy fingers 1 distasteful; disgusting. 2 (usually repugnant with something) said of things: inconsistent or incompatible with something else. repugnance noun. repugnantly adverb. 1 literally foul-smelling. 2 said eg of conduct, business affairs, etc: highly unsavoury or improper; offensive. an unpredictable and erratic act or turn of events. easily tricked or fooled. an unpredictable change of fortune or circumstance. Favoritism shown to old friends without regard for their qualifications, as in political appointments to office. crony (krn) n. pl. cronies A longtime close friend or companion. characterized by melancholy; longing; yearning pensive, especially in a melancholy way 1 (yearn for or after something or to do something) to feel a great desire for it; to long for it. 2 to feel compassion. 1 to spend time in hardship or discomfort. 2 to grow weak; to lose energy or vitality. 3 to look sorrowful. 4 to pine. 1 a fall of pitch in the voice. 2 the rising and falling of the voice in speaking. 3 rhythm or beat. 4 music a succession of notes that closes a musical passage. to transfer or delegate (a duty, responsibility, etc) to or upon another; pass on

cronyism

noun

wistful yearn

adjective verb

languish

verb

cadence devolve enjoin peremptory

noun verb verb adjective

formal to order or command someone to do something.

1 said of an order: made in expectation of immediate compliance o a peremptory summons. 2 said of a tone or manner: arrogantly impatient. 3 said of a statement, conclusion, etc: allowing no denial or discussion; dogmatic. 1 rudely brief; dismissive; abrupt. 2 concise. noun, formal obstinate refusal to obey; resistance to authority. contumacious /-'meNGBs/ adj. contumaciously adverb. 1 intrans said of a plant or animal species: to reproduce rapidly. 2 intrans to increase in numbers; to multiply. 3 to reproduce (cells, etc) rapidly. verb (corroborated, corroborating) to confirm (eg someone's statement), especially by providing evidence. corroboration noun. corroborative adj. corroborator noun. 1 daily. 2 during the day. 3 said of animals: active during the day. 4 said of flowers: open during the day. diurnally adverb.

the responsibility devolved on me Idiom

curt comtumacy

adjective noun

proliferate

verb

corroborate

verb

diurnal

adjective

rectitude

noun

frugal

adjective

riposte delude

noun verb

1 rightness; correctness of behaviour or judgement. 2 honesty; moral integrity. rectitudinous /-'tju:dNnBs/ adj 1 showing moral correctness. 2 over-obviously righteous. adj 1 thrifty; economical; not generous; careful, particularly in financial matters. 2 not large; costing little o a frugal meal. frugality /-'galNtN/ noun. frugally adverb. a quick, sharp return in speech or action; counterstroke: a brilliant riposte to an insult. verb (deluded, deluding) to deceive or mislead. See also delusion. deludable adj. deluder noun.

impugn (im-pyoon)

verb (impugned, impugning) to call into question or raise doubts about (the honesty, integrity, etc of someone or something); to criticize or challenge. impugnable adj. impugnment noun. noun 1 something attached or added to something else but not an essential part of it. 2 a person who is below someone else in rank. 3 grammar a word or clause that adds information about the subject, etc of a sentence.
compelling. verb (coerced, coercing) (often coerce someone into something) to force or compel them to do it, using threats, etc. coercible adj. coercion /koL'M:GBn/ noun. coercive adj. coercively adverb. noun someone who has no permanent home or place of work. adj 1 wandering; roving. 2 uncertain; unsettled. vagrancy noun. vagrantly adverb. verb (repudiated, repudiating) 1 to deny or reject something as unfounded o repudiate the suggestion. 2 to refuse to recognize or have anything to do with (a person); to disown. 3 to refuse or cease to acknowledge (a debt, obligation, authority, etc). repudiable adj. repudiation noun. repudiative adj. repudiator noun. noun 1 abundance; profusion. 2 completeness; fullness. "something for something" how education has become such as a quid pro quo for better economic futures One thing in return for another. Something that is given or taken in return for something else; substitute noun (quiddities) hardness is a quiddity of diamond 1 the essence of something; the distinctive qualities, etc that make a thing what it is. 2 a quibble; a trifling detail or point. 1 said eg of a child: unusually advanced in mental development, speech, behaviour, etc. 2 said of behaviour, achievements, etc: indicating advanced development. precociously adverb. precociousness or precocity /prN'kKsNtN/ noun. adj mocking or scornful; sneering. noun 1 on clothing, etc: a single design or symbol. 2 a shape repeated many times within a pattern. Also called motive. 3 in the arts: something that is often repeated throughout a work or works, eg a passage of music in a symphony, or a theme in a novel. slang a scornful term of abuse for a person.

adjunct

noun

coerce

verb

vagrant

noun

repudiate

verb

plenitude

noun

quid pro quo (kwid pro kwoh)

noun

quiddity

noun

precocious sardonic

adjective adjective

motif (moh-teef)

noun

louse

noun

louse something up slang to spoil or ruin it.

random; lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order

desultory adjective desultory mind; responses

adj jumping from one thing to another with no plan, purpose or logical connection. desultorily adverb. desultoriness noun.
dilettante noun noun (dilettantes or dilettanti /-ti:/) often derog someone who has an interest in a subject, especially art, literature or science, but does not study it very seriously or in depth. dilettantish adj. dilettantism noun. verb (bedevilled, bedevilling; US bedeviled, bedeviling) 1 to cause continual difficulties or trouble to someone or something o The project was bedevilled by problems. 2 to throw something or someone into utter confusion. bedevilment noun. [19c; 18c meaning 'to treat in a devilishly malignant way'.] adj 1 being of doubtful authenticity. 2 said of a story, etc: unlikely to be true; mythical. 3 (Apocryphal) belonging, relating or referring to the Apocrypha. apocryphally adverb.

bedevil

verb

apocryphal

adjective

he told an apocryphal story about the sword,

but the truth was later revealed.

implacable

adjective

derived from the word Placate - verb (placated, placating) to pacify or appease (someone who is angry, etc). placation noun. placatory adj.

propensity eschew pine curmudgeon desideratum

noun noun verb noun noun

adj not able to be calmed, satisfied or placated. implacability or implacableness noun. implacably adverb. noun (propensities) a tendency or inclination o a propensity for chocolate o a propensity to drink too much.
verb (eschewed, eschewing) formal to avoid, keep away from, or abstain from something. eschewal noun. verb (pined, pining) intrans 1 (also pine for someone or something) to long or yearn for them or it. 2 (also pine away) to waste away from grief or longing. noun a bad-tempered or mean person. curmudgeonly adj. noun (desiderata /-tB/) formal something much wanted or required. noun an attack, usually in the form of satirical prose or verse, on someone or on the style or content of their writing. verb (lampooned, lampooning) to use a lampoon to attack or laugh at someone or their writing. lampooner noun. lampoonery noun. lampoonist noun. adj, formal or literary 1 like marble; cold, smooth, white, etc. 2 made of marble. marmoreally adverb. noun 1 (often the upshot) the final outcome or ultimate effect; the result or consequence, often of a particular course of action or series of events. 2 archery the final shot in a match. noun a foolish or unintelligent person. not meant to be taken seriously or literally amusing, humurous Lacking serious intent verb (snubbed, snubbing) 1 to insult by openly ignoring, rejecting or otherwise showing contempt. 2 to bring (a boat, unbroken horse, etc) to a sudden stop by means of a rope secured to a stake or post. noun an act of snubbing. adj short and flat; blunt. See also snub nose. snubbing noun, adj. snubbingly adverb. snubby adj. tr.v. imputed, imputing, imputes 1. To relate to a particular cause or source; attribute the fault or responsibility to: imputed the rocket failure to a faulty gasket; kindly imputed my clumsiness to inexperience. 2. To assign as a characteristic; credit: the gracefulness so often imputed to cats. See Synonyms at attribute. verb (coaxes, coaxed, coaxing) 1 (often coax someone into or out of something) to persuade them, using flattery, promises, kind words, etc. 2 to get something by coaxing. 3 to manipulate something patiently o I coaxed the key into the lock. coaxer noun. coaxingly adverb. noun 1 fear; nervousness; unease; apprehension. 2 trembling, especially involuntary trembling of the limbs associated with certain paralyses. trepidatory adj. mercenary /'mM:sBnBrN, -sBnrN/ adj 1 derog excessively concerned with the desire for personal gain, especially money. 2 hired for money. noun (mercenaries) a soldier available for hire by a country or group. repose1 /rN'poLz/ noun 1 a state of rest, calm or peacefulness. 2 composure. verb (reposed, reposing) 1 intrans to rest. 2 to lay (oneself, one's head, etc) down to rest. 3 intrans, formal to lie dead. 4 (usually repose on something) formal to be based on it. reposed adj. reposedly /rN'poLzNdlN/ adverb. reposedness /rN'poLzNdnBs/ noun. reposeful adj. reposefully adverb. [15c: from French reposer, from Latin repausare to stop.] repose2 /rN'poLz/ verb (reposed, reposing) 1 to place (confidence, trust, etc) in a someone or something. 2 to place (an object) somewhere. [15c: from Latin reponere, repositum to replace, restore, store up.]

propensity to drink eschew material interests in life

the successful application of steam power to farm work, is a desideratum - especially steam plow

lampoon

noun

marmoreal

adjective

marmoreal skin

upshot simpleton facetious (fuh-see-shus)

noun noun adjective

a facetious remark

snub

verb

impute

verb

coax

verb

trepidation

noun

mercenary

noun

repose

noun

acumen; discernment; shrewd; astute perspicacity noun perspicacious /pM:spN'keNGBs/ adj shrewd; astute; perceptive or discerning. perspicaciously adverb. perspicacity /-'kasNtN/ noun. verb (avowed, avowing) to state openly; to declare or admit. avowable adj. avowed /B'vALd/ adj. avowedly /B'vALNdlN/ adverb. avower noun. adj (haughtier, haughtiest) very proud; arrogant or contemptuous. haughtily adverb. haughtiness noun. verb (obtruded, obtruding) 1 intrans to be or become unpleasantly noticeable or prominent. 2 (usually obtrude something on or upon someone) to push oneself or one's opinions, etc forward, especially when they are unwelcome. obtruder noun. obtrusion /Bb'tru:FBn/ noun. verb (perused, perusing) 1 to read through (a book, magazine, etc) carefully. 2 to browse through something casually. 3 to examine or study (eg someone's face) attentively. perusal noun. peruser noun. adj rude or insulting; showing a lack of respect. insolence noun. insolently adverb. adj 1 awesomely impressive. 2 said of problems, etc: enormous; difficult to overcome. formidability noun. formidableness noun. formidably adverb. in good order; well-arranged; trim or tidy Advb: in a shipshape manner to have a restless or incessant longing (often followed by After, for, or an infinitive) dandy a man who is excessively vain and concerned about his dress,appearance and manners 1. A miserable, unfortunate, or unhappy person. 2. A person regarded as base, mean, or despicable: "a stony adversary, an inhuman wretch" (Shakespeare). 1. Expressed or performed with emphasis: responded with an emphatic "no." 2. Forceful and definite in expression or action. 3. Standing out in a striking and clearly defined way. j. succincter, succinctest 1. Characterized by clear, precise expression in few words; concise and terse: a succinct reply; a succinct style. 2. Archaic Encircled as if by a girdle; girded. 1. Worn out; wearied: "My father's words had left me jaded and depressed" (William Styron). 2. Dulled by surfeit; sated: "the sickeningly sweet life of the amoral, jaded, bored upper classes" (John Simon). 3. Cynically or pretentiously callous. tr.v. imbued, imbuing, imbues 1. To inspire or influence thoroughly; pervade: work imbued with the revolutionary spirit. See Synonyms at charge. 2. To permeate or saturate. 3. To stain or dye deeply. 1. The condition of being temporarily set aside; suspension: held the plan in abeyance. 2. Law A condition of undetermined ownership, as of an estate that has not yet been assigned. Adj: abeyant 1. a. An evil spirit; a demon. b. The Devil; Satan. c. A diabolically evil or wicked person. 2. Informal One who is addicted to something: a dope fiend. 3. Informal One who is completely absorbed in or obsessed with a given job or pastime: a crosswordpuzzle fiend. 4. Informal One who is particularly adept at something: a fiend with computers. A woman's private sitting room, dressing room, or bedroom 1. The act of listening. 2. Medicine The act of listening for sounds made by internal organs, as the heart and lungs, to aid in the diagnosis of certain disorders. adj. glibber, glibbest 1. Performed with a natural, offhand ease: was fascinated by his unfailingly glib conversation. 2. Characterized by fluency of speech or writing that often suggests insincerity, superficiality, or a lack of concern. glib adjective glibly adv. glibness n. Synonyms: glib, slick, smooth-tongued These adjectives mean being, marked by, or engaging in ready but often insincere or superficial discourse: a glib denial; a slick commercial; a smooth-tongued hypocrite.

avow

verb

haughty

adjective

obtrude

verb

peruse

verb

insolent

verb

formidable

adjective

shipshape hanker fop

adjective verb noun

wretch

noun

emphatic

adjective

succinct (suk-singkt)

adjective

jaded

adjective

imbue

verb

abeyance

noun

fiend

noun

boudoir (bow-dwarh) auscultation

noun noun

festoon

noun

1. A string or garland, as of leaves or flowers, suspended in a loop or curve between two points. 2. A representation of such a string or garland, as in painting or sculpture. tr.v. festooned, festooning, festoons 1. To decorate with or as if with festoons; hang festoons on. 2. To form or make into festoons. .tr. To say or plead in protest, objection, or reproof. v.intr. To reason or plead in protest; present an objection. See Synonyms at object. n. A jumble of loud, usually discordant sounds. See Synonyms at noise. v. dinned, dinning, dins v.tr. 1. To stun with deafening noise. 2. To instill by wearying repetition: dinned the Latin conjugations into the students' heads. v.intr. To make a loud noise. The absence of pleasure or the ability to experience it. Adj: anhedonic 1. Dependent on chance, luck, or an uncertain outcome: an aleatory contract between an oil prospector and a landowner. 2. Of or characterized by gambling: aleatory contests. 3. also aleatoric (l--trk, -tr-) Music Using or consisting of sounds to be chosen by the performer or left to chance; indeterminate: An object placed inside the piano added an aleatory element to the piece. intr.v. sniveled or snivelled, sniveling or snivelling, snivels 1. To sniffle. 2. To complain or whine tearfully. 3. To run at the nose. n. 1. The act of sniffling or sniveling. 2. Nasal mucus. n. 1. a. A false publication, as in writing, print, signs, or pictures, that damages a person's reputation. b. The act of presenting such material to the public. 2. The written claims presented by a plaintiff in an action at admiralty law or to an ecclesiastical court. tr.v. libeled or libelled, libeling or libelling, libels adj. stolider, stolidest Having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; impassive: "the incredibly massive and stolid bureaucracy of the Soviet system" (John Kenneth Galbraith). tr.v. assuaged, assuaging, assuages 1. To make (something burdensome or painful) less intense or severe: assuage her grief. See Synonyms at relieve. 2. To satisfy or appease (hunger or thirst, for example). 3. To pacify or calm: assuage their chronic insecurity. tr.v. adduced, adducing, adduces To cite as an example or means of proof in an argument. v. driveled or drivelled, driveling or drivelling, drivels v.intr. 1. To slobber; drool. 2. To flow like spittle or saliva. 3. To talk stupidly or childishly. v.tr. 1. To allow to flow from the mouth. 2. To say (something) stupidly. n. 1. Saliva flowing from the mouth. 2. Stupid or senseless talk. intr.v. temporized, temporizing, temporizes 1. To act evasively in order to gain time, avoid argument, or postpone a decision: "Colonial officials . . . ordered to enforce unpopular enactments, tended to temporize, to find excuses for evasion" (J.H. Parry). 2. To engage in discussions or negotiations, especially so as to achieve a compromise or gain time. 3. To yield to current circumstances or necessities; act to suit the time. temporization (-pr--zshn) n. temporizer n.

remonstrate

verb

din

noun

anhedonia

noun

aleatory

adjective

snivel

verb

libel

noun

stolid

adjective

assuage

verb

adduce

verb

drivel

verb

temporize

verb

narcolepsy

noun

n. pl. narcolepsies A disorder characterized by sudden and uncontrollable, though often brief, attacks of deep sleep, sometimes accompanied by paralysis and hallucinations. n. 1. a. A formation of troops in which each unit is positioned successively to the left or right of the rear unit to form an oblique or steplike line. b. A flight formation or arrangement of craft in this manner. c. A similar formation of groups, units, or individuals. 2. A subdivision of a military or naval force: a command echelon. 3. A level of responsibility or authority in a hierarchy; a rank: a job in the company's lower echelon. tr. & intr.v. echeloned, echeloning, echelons To arrange or take place in an echelon. intr.v. ratiocinated, ratiocinating, ratiocinates To reason methodically and logically.

echelon (esh-e-lon)

noun

ratiocinate

verb ratiocination n. ratiocinator n.

clerisy sance (sey-ahns) brooch

noun noun

noun

pooh-pooh (poo-poo)

verb

Educated people considered as a group; the literati. n 1. (Spirituality, New Age, Astrology & Self-help / Alternative Belief Systems) a meeting at which spiritualists attempt to receive messages from the spirits of the dead 2. a meeting of a society a clasp or ornament having a pin at the back for passing through the clothing and a catch for securing the point of the pin tr.v. pooh-poohed, pooh-poohing, pooh-poohs Informal To express contempt for or impatience about; make light of: "British actors have long pooh-poohed others may pooh-pooh the suggestions the Method" (Stephen Schiff). To dismiss lightly having the qualities of a devil; devilish; fiendish; outrageously wicked

diabolic

adjective diabolical noun (repartees) 1 the practice or skill of making spontaneous witty replies. 2 a quick witty reply or retort. 3 conversation with many such replies. adj 1 difficult to find or catch. 2 difficult to understand or remember. 3 avoiding the issue or the question. elusively adverb. elusiveness noun. verb (nonplussed, nonplussing; US nonplused, nonplusing) to puzzle; to disconcert. To render utterly perplexed; puzzle completely a minor weakness or failing of character; slight flaw or defect adj 1 heavy with moisture; saturated; thoroughly soaked. 2 said eg of bread: doughy; not thoroughly baked. 3 made lifeless or sluggish, especially through excessive consumption of alcohol o a drink-sodden brain. adj 1 weak or worn out because of old age. 2 in a very poor state because of age or long use. decrepitude /dN'krDpNtGu:d/ noun a decrepit or worn-out state. a man who hates women adj. Strikingly appropriate and relevant. See Synonyms at relevant. closely or significantly related; relevant; pertinent; intr.v. ensued, ensuing, ensues 1. To follow as a consequence or result. See Synonyms at follow. 2. To take place subsequently. to refrain or abstain from; desist from to keep aback; withheld adj. 1. Drowsy; sleepy. 2. Inducing or tending to induce sleep; soporific. Soporific. Soporiferous. - something the induces sleep.

repartee

noun

his answers were filled with hilarious repartee

elusive

adjective

nonplus foible

verb noun personal foible

sodden

adjective

decrepit misogynist apposite germane ensue (en-soo) forbear

adjective noun adjective adjective verb noun

please keep your statements germane to the issue. in the pause that ensued, Mr. Carter took from this pocket a small book the father could not forbear weeping aloud

somnolent

adjective

logomachy (loh-gom-uh-kee)

noun

a dispute about or concerning words but it must be seen for what it is - a logomachy an argument or debate marked by the reckless or incorrect use of words; meaningless battle of words over labels and not a disagreement with the underlying policy logomachic; logomachical;logomachist to confront boldly to approach, especially with a greeting, question or a remark (of prostitutues, procurers) to solicit for sexual purposes gladly; willingly adjective: content, willing: they were fain to go. the beggar accosted me for money

accost

verb

fain

adverb adj. 1. Marked by a disposition to find and point out trivial faults: a captious scholar. 2. Intended to entrap or confuse, as in an argument: a captious question. adj. 1. Lying; untruthful: a mendacious child. 2. False; untrue: a mendacious statement. to throw (a person or thing) out of a window Either of two movable flaps on the wings of an airplane that can be used to control the plane's rolling and banking movements. n. pl. milieus or milieux (-ly) An environment or a setting. verb (supplicated, supplicating) tr & intr 1 (usually supplicate for something) to humbly and earnestly request it. 2 (usually supplicate someone for something) to humbly and earnestly request them for it. supplicant noun. supplicating adj. supplicatingly adverb. supplication noun. supplicatory adj. a clasp for holding a woman's or girl's hair in place a loud, confused noise; noisy clamour to soil, tarnish, discolor to detract from the honour or luster of:

he fain would accept She found the new professor to be captious, marking all the grammatical errors in her essays while ignoring the points she had tried to make.

captious

adjective

mendacious defenestrate aileron milieu

adjective verb noun noun

airplane

supplicate

verb

barrette din besmirch (bih-smurch)

noun noun verb

engines are loud, and its constant din to besmirch someone's good name

covet

verb

v. coveted, coveting, covets v.tr. 1. To feel blameworthy desire for (that which is another's). See Synonyms at envy. 2. To wish for longingly. See Synonyms at desire. v.intr. To feel immoderate desire for that which is another's. covetable adj. coveter n. covetingly adv.

glower

verb

to look or stare with sullen dislike; discontent, or anger n. 1. A visible trace, evidence, or sign of something that once existed but exists or appears no more. 2. Biology A rudimentary or degenerate, usually nonfunctioning, structure that is the remnant of an organ or part that was fully developed or functioning in a preceding generation or an earlier stage of development. adj 1 exceeding the normal; uncanny; extraordinary. 2 supernatural. preternaturally adverb. verb (deigned, deigning) intrans to do something reluctantly and in a way that shows that one considers the matter hardly important or beneath one's dignity o didn't even deign to reply. A person who makes elaborate, fraudulent, and often voluble claims to skill or knowledge; a quack or fraud.

they both glower at first and make a predictably odd couple

vestige (ves-tij)

noun

vestigial organ

preternatural

adjective

deign

verb

charlatan

noun charlatanic (-tnk), charlatanical adj. charlatanism, charlatanry n. to think or infer without certain or strong evidence; conjecture; guess adj. 1. Having no adverse effect; harmless. 2. Not likely to offend or provoke to strong emotion; insipid. adj. 1. Accompanied by bloodshed. 2. Eager for bloodshed; bloodthirsty. 3. Consisting of blood. adj. 1. Capable of being handled, touched, or felt; tangible: "Anger rushed out in a palpable wave through his arms and legs" (Herman Wouk). 2. Easily perceived; obvious: "There was a palpable sense of expectation in the court" (Nelson DeMille). See Synonyms at perceptible. 3. Medicine That can be felt by palpating: a palpable tumor. v. partook (-tk), partaken (-tkn), partaking, partakes v.intr. 1. To take or have a part or share; participate. 2. To take or be given part or portion: The guests partook of a delicious dinner. 3. To have part of the quality, nature, or character of something. v.tr. To take or have a part in; share in. n. pl. anathemas 1. A formal ecclesiastical ban, curse, or excommunication. 2. A vehement denunciation; a curse: "the sound of a witch's anathemas in some unknown tongue" (Nathaniel Hawthorne). 3. One that is cursed or damned. 4. One that is greatly reviled, loathed, or shunned: "Essentialisma belief in natural, immutable sex differencesis anathema to postmodernists, for whom sexuality itself, along with gender, is a 'social construct'" (Wendy Kaminer). n. pl. duplicities 1. a. Deliberate deceptiveness in behavior or speech. b. An instance of deliberate deceptiveness; double-dealing. 2. The quality or state of being twofold or double. Meaning 1: n. An artificial obstruction, such as a dam or irrigation channel, built in a watercourse to increase its depth or to divert its flow. Meaning 2: n. 1. a. A heavy curtain of artillery fire directed in front of friendly troops to screen and protect them. b. A rapid, concentrated discharge of missiles, as from small arms. 2. An overwhelming, concentrated outpouring, as of words: a barrage of criticism. tr.v. barraged, barraging, barrages To direct a barrage at. adj. shoddier, shoddiest 1. Made of or containing inferior material. 2. a. Of poor quality or craft. b. Rundown; shabby. 3. Dishonest or reprehensible: shoddy business practices. 4. Conspicuously and cheaply imitative. n. pl. shoddies 1. a. Woolen yarn made from scraps or used clothing, with some new wool added. b. Cloth made from or containing such yarn. 2. Something of inferior quality; a cheap imitation.

surmise innocuous

verb adjective

sanguinary

adjective

palpable

adjective

partake

verb

anathema

noun

duplicituos

noun

barrage

noun

shoddy

adjective

vitriolic

adjective

tatterdemalion

poignant (poi-uhnt)

adjective

chortle

verb

pasquinade (pas-kwuh-neyd)

noun

stricture

noun

coalesce

verb

aloof

adj. 1. Of, similar to, or derived from a vitriol. 2. Bitterly scathing; caustic: vitriolic criticism. n. A person wearing ragged or tattered clothing; a ragamuffin. adj. Ragged; tattered. adj 1 painful to the feelings o a poignant reminder. 2 deeply moving; full of pathos. 3 said of words or expressions: sharp; penetrating. 4 sharp or pungent in smell or taste. poignancy noun. poignantly adverb. n. A snorting, joyful laugh or chuckle. intr. & tr.v. chortled, chortling, chortles To utter a chortle or express with a chortle. n. A satire or lampoon, especially one that ridicules a specific person, traditionally written and posted in a public place. tr.v. pasquinaded, pasquinading, pasquinades To ridicule with a pasquinade; satirize or lampoon. n. 1. A restraint, limit, or restriction. 2. An adverse remark or criticism; censure. 3. Pathology An abnormal narrowing of a duct or passage. intr.v. coalesced, coalescing, coalesces 1. To grow together; fuse. 2. To come together so as to form one whole; unite: The rebel units coalesced into one army to fight the invaders. See Synonyms at mix. adj. Distant physically or emotionally; reserved and remote: stood apart with aloof dignity. adv. At a distance but within view; apart. Aloofness. Aloofness n. pl. nexus or nexuses 1. A means of connection; a link or tie: "this nexus between New York's . . . real-estate investors and its . . . politicians" (Wall Street Journal). 2. A connected series or group. 3. The core or center: "The real nexus of the money culture [was] Wall Street" (Bill Barol). a. 1. Pertaining to nativities; calculated by astrologers; showing position of stars at one's birth. n. 1. A birthday poem. 2. One skilled in genethliacs. n. One that indicates or foreshadows what is to come; a forerunner. tr.v. harbingered, harbingering, harbingers To signal the approach of; presage. v. purloined, purloining, purloins v.tr. To steal, often in a violation of trust. See Synonyms at steal. v.intr. To commit theft. estivate also aestivate (st-vt) intr.v. estivated also aestivated, estivating also aestivating, estivates also aestivates 1. To spend the summer, as at a special place. 2. Zoology To pass the summer in a dormant or torpid state. verb (bequeathed, bequeathing) 1 to leave (personal property) in a will. 2 to pass on or give to posterity. noun a bow, act or other expression of obedience or respect. obeisant adj. A crafty stratagem; a subterfuge. See Synonyms at wile.
n. 1. a. An opening, a tear, or a rupture. b. A gap or rift, especially in or as if in a solid structure such as a dike or fortification. 2. A violation or infraction, as of a law, a legal obligation, or a promise. 3. A breaking up or disruption of friendly relations; an estrangement. 4. A leap of a whale from the water. 5. The breaking of waves or surf.

nexus

noun

genethliac

noun

harbinger

noun

purloin

verb

estivate

verb

opposite of hibernate

bequeath obeisance ruse

verb noun noun

breach

persnickety

adjective

covet

verb

mewl

verb

adj Informal 1. excessively precise and attentive to detail; fussy 2. (of a task) requiring close attention; exacting [originally Scottish, of unknown origin] pernicketiness US, persnicketiness n v. coveted, coveting, covets v.tr. 1. To feel blameworthy desire for (that which is another's). See Synonyms at envy. 2. To wish for longingly. See Synonyms at desire. v.intr. To feel immoderate desire for that which is another's. intr.v. mewled, mewling, mewls To cry weakly; whimper.

v. commiserated, commiserating, commiserates v.tr. To feel or express sorrow or pity for; sympathize with. v.intr. To feel or express sympathy: commiserated over their failure. commiserate verb commiserable adj commiseration n commiserative adj commiseratively adv commiserator n intr.v. gloated, gloating, gloats To feel or express great, often malicious, pleasure or self-satisfaction: Don't gloat over your rival's misfortune. n. 1. The act of gloating. 2. A feeling of great, often malicious, pleasure or self-satisfaction. v. twiddled, twiddling, twiddles v.tr. To turn over or around idly or lightly; fiddle with: "Couples are twiddling swizzle sticks while waiting for their tables" (Bryan Miller). v.intr. 1. To trifle with something. 2. To be busy about trifles. 3. To twirl or rotate without purpose. n. The act or an instance of twiddling. Idiom: twiddle (one's) thumbs To do little or nothing; be idle. n. 1. a. A homeless person, especially a forsaken or orphaned child. b. An abandoned young animal. 2. Something found and unclaimed, as an object cast up by the sea. adj harmful; destructive; deadly. perniciously adverb. perniciousness noun. adj. Of, characterized by, or producing a hissing sound like that of (s) or (sh): the sibilant consonants; a sibilant bird call. n. A sibilant speech sound, such as English (s), (sh), (z), or (zh). tr.v. arraigned, arraigning, arraigns 1. Law To call (an accused person) before a court to answer the charge made against him or her by indictment, information, or complaint. 2. To call to account; accuse: "Johnson arraigned the modern politics of this country as entirely devoid of all principle" (James Boswell). tr.v. disheveled or dishevelled, disheveling or dishevelling, dishevels 1. a. To loosen and let fall (hair or clothing) in disarray. b. To disarrange the hair or clothing of. 2. To throw into disorder. n. A long narrow pillow or cushion. tr.v. bolstered, bolstering, bolsters 1. To support or prop up with or as if with a long narrow pillow or cushion. 2. To buoy up or hearten: Visitors bolstered the patient's morale. Bolsterer n. pl. placebos or placeboes 1. a. A substance containing no medication and prescribed or given to reinforce a patient's expectation to get well. b. An inactive substance or preparation used as a control in an experiment or test to determine the effectiveness of a medicinal drug. 2. Something of no intrinsic remedial value that is used to appease or reassure another. 3. (pl-chb) Roman Catholic Church The service or office of vespers for the dead. tr.v. devoured, devouring, devours 1. To eat up greedily. See Synonyms at eat. 2. To destroy, consume, or waste: Flames devoured the structure in minutes. 3. To take in eagerly: devour a novel. 4. To prey upon voraciously: was devoured by jealousy. v. indurated, indurating, indurates v.tr. 1. To make hard; harden: soil that had been indurated by extremes of climate. 2. To inure, as to hardship or ridicule. 3. To make callous or obdurate: "It is the curse of revolutionary calamities to indurate the heart" (Helen Maria Williams). v.intr. 1. To grow hard; harden. 2. To become firmly fixed or established. adj. (nd-rt, -dy-) Hardened; obstinate; unfeeling. adv (Christian Religious Writings / Bible) out of the depths of misery or dejection awkwardly tall and spindly; lank and loosely built . Listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest; boredom: "The servants relieved their ennui with gambling and gossip about their masters" (John Barth).

gloat

verb

twiddle

verb

waif

noun

pernicious

adjective

sibilant

adjective

arraign

verb

dishevel

verb

bolster

noun

placebo

noun

devour

verb

indurate

verb

de profundis gangly ennui (ahn-wee)

adverb adjective noun

ken

noun

abound

verb

swathe

verb

sequester

n. 1. Perception; understanding: complex issues well beyond our ken. 2. a. Range of vision. b. View; sight. v. kenned or kent (knt), kenning, kens Scots v.tr. 1. To know (a person or thing). 2. To recognize. v.intr. To have knowledge or an understanding. v.i. abounded, abounding. 1. to occur or exist in great quantities or numbers: a stream in which trout abound. 2. to be rich or well supplied (usu. fol. by in): The region abounds in coal. 3. to be filled; teem (usu. fol. by with): The ship abounds with rats. tr.v. swathed, swathing, swathes 1. To wrap or bind with or as if with bandages. 2. To enfold or constrict. n. A wrapping, binding, or bandage. v. sequestered, sequestering, sequesters v.tr. 1. To cause to withdraw into seclusion. 2. To remove or set apart; segregate. See Synonyms at isolate. 3. Law a. To take temporary possession of (property) as security against legal claims. b. To requisition and confiscate (enemy property). n. also premiss (prms) 1. A proposition upon which an argument is based or from which a conclusion is drawn. 2. Logic a. One of the propositions in a deductive argument. b. Either the major or the minor proposition of a syllogism, from which the conclusion is drawn. 3. premises Law The preliminary or explanatory statements or facts of a document, as in a deed. 4. premises a. Land and the buildings on it. b. A building or part of a building. v. premised, premising, premises v.tr. 1. To state in advance as an introduction or explanation. 2. To state or assume as a proposition in an argument. v.intr. To make a premise. tr.v. proscribed, proscribing, proscribes 1. To denounce or condemn. 2. To prohibit; forbid. See Synonyms at forbid. 3. a. To banish or outlaw (a person). b. To publish the name of (a person) as outlawed. tr.v. ascribed, ascribing, ascribes 1. To attribute to a specified cause, source, or origin: "Other people ascribe his exclusion from the canon to an unsubtle form of racism" (Daniel Pinchbeck). See Synonyms at attribute. 2. To assign as a quality or characteristic: was quick to ascribe jealousy to her critics. An unfounded or false, deliberately misleading fabrication, a false report, rumour or hoax. to go or move quickly or in haste to send hurring along to change in curd to go wrong;turn bad or fail idiom: curdle the/one's blood: to fill the person with fear or horror. A scream that curdled the blood. a predilection for Bach

premise

noun

proscribe

verb

ascribe

verb

canard scurry curdle predilection interstice noun noun

squelch

verb

heckle

noun

a tendency to think favorably of something in particular; partiality; preference an intervening space. A small or narrow space or interval between things or parts an interval of time v. squelched, squelching, squelches v.tr. 1. To crush by or as if by trampling; squash. 2. To put down or silence, as with a crushing retort: squelch a rumor. 3. To suppress or inhibit: a protein that squelches gene transcription. v.intr. To produce a splashing, squishing, or sucking sound, as when walking through ooze. n. 1. A squishing sound. 2. A crushing reply. 3. An electric circuit that cuts off a radio receiver when the signal is too weak for reception of anything but noise. tr.v. heckled, heckling, heckles 1. To try to embarrass and annoy (someone speaking or performing in public) by questions, gibes, or objections; badger. 2. To comb (flax or hemp) with a hatchel. Heckler

codger (koj-er) mince

noun verb

an eccentric man, especially one who is old to cut or chop into very small pieces to soften, moderate, or weaken idiom: not mince words/matters: to speak directly and frankly; be blunt or outspoken. He was angry and didnt mince words.

rambunctious

adjective

adj, colloq said of an animal or a person: 1 difficult to control. 2 boisterous; exuberant. rambunctiously adverb. rambunctiousness noun. n. A simplified form of speech that is usually a mixture of two or more languages, has a rudimentary grammar and vocabulary, is used for communication between groups speaking different languages, and is not spoken as a first or native language. Also called contact language. pidginization n. pidginize v. tr.v. affronted, affronting, affronts 1. To insult intentionally, especially openly. See Synonyms at offend. 2. a. To meet defiantly; confront. b. Obsolete To meet or encounter face to face. n. 1. An open or intentional offense, slight, or insult: Such behavior is an affront to society. 2. Obsolete A hostile encounter or meeting. (Yiddish) the entire family network of relatives by blood or marriage (and sometimes close friends); "she invited the whole mishpocha" Characterized by or having great physical beauty and appeal. 4 secret, difficult to understand, and extremely intricate and complex; tortuous. 5 said eg of attitudes or policies: rigidly hierarchic; inflexible. verb (kvetched, kvetching) intrans to complain or whine, especially incessantly. noun (also kvetcher) a complainer; a fault-finder. [1960s: Yiddish, from German quetsche crusher.] noun, slang a nickname. verb (supplanted, supplanting) to take the place of someone, often by force or unfair means. supplantation /sHplA:n'teNGBn/ noun. supplanter noun. a shy or retiring person to have an inclination to do something, propensity Very satisfactory or acceptable; fine noun someone who has taught himself or herself to do something. autodidactic /-'daktNk/ adj. A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation that pays returns to its investors from their own money or the money paid by subsequent investors, rather than from profit earned by the individual or organization running the operation 1 to make (a story, etc) more interesting by adding details which may not be true. 2 to beautify something with decoration.

pidgin

affron

mishpocha pulchritudinous byzantine kvetch moniker supplant shrinking violet penchant copacetic autodidact ponzi scheme embellish interloper

Lay at the door Knee jerk reaction to call a spade a spade a drop in the bucket cross the rubicon apropos of not for all the tea in China talk the hind leg of a donkey I'll be a monkey's uncle! read someone the riot act

with a fine-tooth comb

a bone of contention on the nose neck of the woods all wool and yard wide dyed in the wool pull the wool over ones eyes

enjoin someone from something enjoin something on someone

wet behind the ears by and large get someone's goat

to let grass grow under one's feet on an even keel

Blame something on someone else an immediate unthinking emotional reaction produced by an event or statement to which the reacting person is highly sensitive to call something by its right name; to speak frankly about something, even if it is unpleasant. (Considered offensive by some. Use only with discretion.) Well, I believe it's time to call a spade a spade. We are just avoiding the issue. Let's call a spade a spade. The man is a liar. a very small or an unimportant amout to take a decisive, irrevocable step. with reference to; in respect or regard not even if you rewarded me with all the tea in China; not for anything at all. No I won't do itnot for all the tea in China. if you say that someone can talk the hind leg off a donkey, you mean that they talk a lot His father could talk the hind leg off a donkey. The term monkey's uncle, most notably seen in the idiom "(well) I'll be a monkey's uncle", is used to express complete surprise, amazement or disbelief to reprimand; censure: to give a sharp warning if you examine something with a fine-tooth comb, you examine every part of it very carefully I'd advise you to examine your insurance policy with a fine-tooth comb to make sure you're covered if you take your car abroad. something that people argue about for a long time The main bone of contention was deciding who would take care of the children after the divorce. a matter of disagreement Legal costs have continued to be a bone of contention between the two Exactly; precisely: predicted the final score on the nose. informal: neighbourhood, area or vicinity genuine; excellent; sincere inveterate, confirmed to deceive or delude

law to forbid them to do it, by means of an injunction. to demand behaviour of a certain kind from them o enjoin politeness on one's children. immature; nave; green: for the most part Fig. to irritate someone; to annoy and arouse someone to anger. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get your goat. Jean got Sally's goat and Sally made quite a fuss about it.

Fig. to do nothing; to stand still. Mary doesn't let the grass grow under her feet. She's always busy. Bob is too lazy. He's letting the grass grow under his feet. calm and not likely to change suddenly My main priority is to keep my life on an even keel for the sake of my two boys.

apropos of the preceding statement

the principal read them the riot act for their behaviour at the assembly

next time you're in the neck of the woods, drop in. he was a real friend, all wool and yard wide a dyed in the wool sinner the boy thought that by hiding the broken dish he could pull the wool over his mother's eyes.

she was too wet behind the ears to bear such responsibilities By and large, the play was a success.