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Sat Vocabulary (4994 Cards)

5000 SAT vocabulary words

Source: http://www.freevocabulary.com/

Creator: gfreckleton

abase v To lower in position, estimation, or the like; degrade
abbess n The lady superior of a nunnery
abbey n The group of buildings which collectively form the dwelling-place of a society of monks or nuns
abbot n The superior of a community of monks
abdicate v To give up (royal power or the like)
abdomen n In mammals, the visceral cavity between the diaphragm and the pelvic floor; the belly
abdominal n Of, pertaining to, or situated on the abdomen
abduction n A carrying away of a person against his will, or illegally
abed adv In bed; on a bed
aberration n Deviation from a right, customary, or prescribed course
abet v To aid, promote, or encourage the commission of (an offense)
abeyance n A state of suspension or temporary inaction
abhorrence n The act of detesting extremely
abhorrent adj Very repugnant; hateful
abidance n An abiding
abject adj Sunk to a low condition
abjure v To recant, renounce, repudiate under oath
able-bodied adj Competent for physical service
ablution n A washing or cleansing, especially of the body
abnegate v To renounce (a right or privilege)
abnormal adj Not conformed to the ordinary rule or standard
abominable adj Very hateful
abominate v To hate violently
abomination n A very detestable act or practice
aboriginal adj Primitive; unsophisticated
aborigines n The original of earliest known inhabitants of a country
abrade v To wear away the surface or some part of by friction
abrasion n That which is rubbed off
abridge v To make shorter in words, keeping the essential features, leaning out minor particles
abridgment n A condensed form as of a book or play
abrogate v To abolish, repeal
abrupt adj Beginning, ending, or changing suddenly or with a break
abscess n A Collection of pus in a cavity formed within some tissue of the body
abscission n The act of cutting off, as in a surgical operation
abscond v To depart suddenly and secretly, as for the purpose of escaping arrest
absence n The fact of not being present or available
absent-minded adj Lacking in attention to immediate surroundings or business
absolution n Forgiveness, or passing over of offenses
absolve v To free from sin or its penalties
absorb v To drink in or suck up, as a sponge absorbs water
absorption n The act or process of absorbing
abstain v To keep oneself back (from doing or using something)
abstemious adj Characterized by self denial or abstinence, as in the use of drink, food
abstinence n Self denial
abstruse adj Dealing with matters difficult to be understood
absurd adj Inconsistent with reason or common sense
abundant adj Plentiful
abusive adj Employing harsh words or ill treatment
abut v To touch at the end or boundary line
abyss n Bottomless gulf
academic adj Of or pertaining to an academy, college, or university
academician n A member of an academy of literature, art, or science
academy n Any institution where the higher branches of learning are taught
accede v To agree
accelerate v To move faster
accept v To take when offered
access n A way of approach or entrance; passage
accessible adj Approachable
accession n Induction or elevation, as to dignity, office, or government
accessory n A person or thing that aids the principal agent
acclaim v To utter with a shout
accommodate v To furnish something as a kindness or favor
accompaniment n A subordinate part or parts, enriching or supporting the leading part
accompanist n One who or that which accompanies
accompany v To go with, or be associated with, as a companion
accomplice n An associate in wrong-doing
accomplish v To bring to pass
accordion n A portable free-reed musical instrument
accost v To speak to
account n A record or statement of receipts and expenditures, or of business transactions
accouter v To dress
accredit v To give credit or authority to
accumulate v To become greater in quantity or number
accuracy n Exactness
accurate adj Conforming exactly to truth or to a standard
accursed adj Doomed to evil, misery, or misfortune
accusation n A charge of crime, misdemeanor, or error
accusatory adj Of, pertaining to, or involving an accusation
accuse v To charge with wrong doing, misconduct, or error
accustom v To make familiar by use
acerbity n Sourness, with bitterness and astringency
acetate n A salt of acetic acid
acetic adj Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of vinegar
ache v To be in pain or distress
Achillean adj Invulnerable
achromatic adj Colorless,
acid n A sour substance
acidify v To change into acid
acknowledge v To recognize; to admit the genuineness or validity of
acknowledgment n Recognition
acme n The highest point, or summit
acoustic adj Pertaining to the act or sense of hearing
acquaint v To make familiar or conversant
acquiesce v To comply; submit
acquiescence n Passive consent
acquire v To get as one's own
acquisition n Anything gained, or made one's own, usually by effort or labor
acquit v To free or clear, as from accusation
acquittal n A discharge from accusation by judicial action
acquittance n Release or discharge from indebtedness, obligation, or responsibility
acreage n Quantity or extent of land, especially of cultivated land
acrid adj Harshly pungent or bitter
acrimonious adj Full of bitterness
acrimony n Sharpness or bitterness of speech or temper
actionable adj Affording cause for instituting an action, as trespass, slanderous words
actuality n Any reality
actuary n An officer, as of an insurance company, who calculates and states the risks and premiums
actuate v To move or incite to action
acumen n Quickness of intellectual insight, or discernment; keenness of discrimination
acute adj Having fine and penetrating discernment
adamant n Any substance of exceeding hardness or impenetrability
addendum n Something added, or to be added
addle v To make inefficient or worthless; muddle
adduce v To bring forward or name for consideration
adhere v To stick fast or together
adherence n Attachment
adherent adj Clinging or sticking fast
adhesion n The state of being attached or joined
adieu inter Good-by; farewell
adjacency n The state of being adjacent
adjacent n That which is near or bordering upon
adjudge v To award or bestow by formal decision
adjunct n Something joined to or connected with another thing, but holding a subordinate place
adjuration n A vehement appeal
adjutant adj Auxiliary
administrator n One who manages affairs of any kind
admissible adj Having the right or privilege of entry
admittance n Entrance, or the right or permission to enter
admonish v To warn of a fault
admonition n Gentle reproof
ado n unnecessary activity or ceremony
adoration n Profound devotion
adroit adj Having skill in the use of the bodily or mental powers
adulterant n An adulterating substance
adulterate v To make impure by the admixture of other or baser ingredients
adumbrate v To represent beforehand in outline or by emblem
advent n The coming or arrival, as of any important change, event, state, or personage
adverse adj Opposing or opposed
adversity n Misfortune
advert v To refer incidentally
advertiser n One who advertises, especially in newspapers
advisory adj Not mandatory
advocacy n The act of pleading a cause
advocate n One who pleads the cause of another, as in a legal or ecclesiastical court
aerial adj Of, pertaining to, or like the air
aeronaut n One who navigates the air, a balloonist
aeronautics n the art or practice of flying aircraft
aerostat n A balloon or other apparatus floating in or sustained by the air
aerostatics n The branch of pneumatics that treats of the equilibrium, pressure, and mechanical properties
affable adj Easy to approach
affect v To act upon
affectation n A studied or ostentatious pretense or attempt
affiliate n Some auxiliary person or thing
affirmative adj Answering yes; to a question at issue
affix v To fasten
affluence n A profuse or abundant supply of riches
affront n An open insult or indignity
afoot adv In progress
aforesaid adj Said in a preceding part or before
afresh adv Once more, after rest or interval
afterthought n A thought that comes later than its appropriate or expected time
agglomerate v To pile or heap together
aggrandize v To cause to appear greatly
aggravate v To make heavier, worse, or more burdensome
aggravation n The fact of being made heavier or more heinous, as a crime , offense, misfortune, etc
aggregate n The entire number, sum, mass, or quantity of something
aggress v To make the first attack
aggression n An unprovoked attack
aggrieve v To give grief or sorrow to
aghast adj Struck with terror and amazement
agile adj Able to move or act quickly, physically, or mentally
agitate v To move or excite (the feelings or thoughts)
agrarian adj Pertaining to land, especially agricultural land
aide-de-camp n An officer who receives and transmits the orders of the general
ailment n Slight sickness
airy adj Delicate, ethereal
akin adj Of similar nature or qualities
alabaster n A white or delicately tinted fine-grained gypsum
alacrity n Cheerful willingness
albeit conj Even though
albino n A person with milky white skin and hair, and eyes with bright red pupil and usually pink iris
album n A book whose leaves are so made to form paper frames for holding photographs or the like
alchemy n Chemistry of the middle ages, characterized by the pursuit of changing base metals to gold
alcohol n A volatile, inflammable, colorless liquid of a penetrating odor and burning taste
alcoholism n A condition resulting from the inordinate or persistent use of alcoholic beverages
alcove n A covered recess connected with or at the side of a larger room
alder n Any shrub or small tree of the genus Alumnus, of the oak family
alderman n A member of a municipal legislative body, who usually exercises also certain judicial functions
aldermanship n The dignity, condition, office, or term of office of an alderman
alias n An assumed name
alien n One who owes allegiance to a foreign government
alienable adj Capable of being aliened or alienated, as lands
alienate v To cause to turn away
alienation n Estrangement
aliment n That which nourishes
alkali n Anything that will neutralize an acid, as lime, magnesia, etc
allay v To calm the violence or reduce the intensity of; mitigate
allege v To assert to be true, especially in a formal manner, as in court
allegory n The setting forth of a subject under the guise of another subject of aptly suggestive likeness
alleviate v To make less burdensome or less hard to bear
alley n A narrow street, garden path, walk, or the like
alliance n Any combination or union for some common purpose
allot v To assign a definite thing or part to a certain person
allotment n Portion
allude v To refer incidentally, or by suggestion
allusion n An indirect and incidental reference to something without definite mention of it
alluvion n Flood
ally n A person or thing connected with another, usually in some relation of helpfulness
almanac n A series of tables giving the days of the week together with certain astronomical information
aloof adv Not in sympathy with or desiring to associate with others
altar n Any raised place or structure on which sacrifices may be offered or incense burned
alter v To make change in
alteration n Change or modification
altercate v To contend angrily or zealously in words
alternate n One chosen to act in place of another, in case of the absence or incapacity of that other
alternative n Something that may or must exist, be taken or chosen, or done instead of something else
altitude n Vertical distance or elevation above any point or base-level, as the sea
alto n The lowest or deepest female voice or part
altruism n Benevolence to others on subordination to self-interest
altruist n One who advocates or practices altruism
amalgam n An alloy or union of mercury with another metal
amalgamate v To mix or blend together in a homogeneous body
amateur adj Practicing an art or occupation for the love of it, but not as a profession
amatory adj Designed to excite love
ambidextrous adj Having the ability of using both hands with equal skill or ease
ambiguous adj Having a double meaning
ambitious adj Eagerly desirous and aspiring
ambrosial adj Divinely sweet, fragrant, or delicious
ambulance n A vehicle fitted for conveying the sick and wounded
ambulate v To walk about
ambush n The act or state of lying concealed for the purpose of surprising or attacking the enemy
ameliorate v To relieve, as from pain or hardship
amenable adj Willing and ready to submit
Americanism n A peculiar sense in which an English word or phrase is used in the United States
amicable adj Done in a friendly spirit
amity n Friendship
amorous adj Having a propensity for falling in love
amorphous adj Without determinate shape
amour n A love-affair, especially one of an illicit nature
ampere n The practical unit of electric-current strength
ampersand n The character &; and
amphibious adj Living both on land and in water
amphitheater n An edifice of elliptical shape, constructed about a central open space or arena
amplitude n Largeness
amply adv Sufficiently
amputate v To remove by cutting, as a limb or some portion of the body
amusement n Diversion
anachronism n Anything occurring or existing out of its proper time
anagram n The letters of a word or phrase so transposed as to make a different word or phrase
analogous adj Corresponding (to some other) in certain respects, as in form, proportion, relations
analogy n Reasoning in which from certain and known relations or resemblance others are formed
analyst n One who analyzes or makes use of the analytical method
analyze v To examine minutely or critically
anarchy n Absence or utter disregard of government
anathema n Anything forbidden, as by social usage
anatomy n That branch of morphology which treats of the structure of organisms
ancestry n One's ancestors collectively
anecdote n A brief account of some interesting event or incident
anemia n Deficiency of blood or red corpuscles
anemic adj Affected with anemia
anemometer n An instrument for measuring the force or velocity of wind
anesthetic adj Pertaining to or producing loss of sensation
anew adv Once more
angelic adj Saintly
Anglophobia n Hatred or dread of England or of what is English
Anglo-Saxon n The entire English race wherever found, as in Europe, the United States, or India
angular adj Sharp-cornered
anhydrous adj Withered
animadversion n The utterance of criticism or censure
animadvert v To pass criticism or censure
animalcule n An animal of microscopic smallness
animate v To make alive
animosity n Hatred
annalist n Historian
annals n A record of events in their chronological order, year by year
annex v To add or affix at the end
annihilate v To destroy absolutely
annotate v To make explanatory or critical notes on or upon
annual adj Occurring every year
annuity n An annual allowance, payment, or income
annunciation n Proclamation
anode n The point where or path by which a voltaic current enters an electrolyte or the like
anonymous adj Of unknown authorship
antagonism n Mutual opposition or resistance of counteracting forces, principles, or persons
Antarctic adj Pertaining to the south pole or the regions near it
ante v In the game of poker, to put up a stake before the cards are dealt
antecede v To precede
antecedent n One who or that which precedes or goes before, as in time, place, rank, order, or causality
antechamber n A waiting room for those who seek audience
antedate v To assign or affix a date to earlier than the actual one
antediluvian adj Of or pertaining to the times, things, events before the great flood in the days of Noah
antemeridian adj Before noon
antemundane adj Pertaining to time before the world's creation
antenatal adj Occurring or existing before birth
anterior adj Prior
anteroom n A room situated before and opening into another, usually larger
anthology n A collection of extracts from the writings of various authors
anthracite n Hard coal
anthropology n The science of man in general
anthropomorphous adj Having or resembling human form
antic n A grotesque, ludicrous, or fantastic action
Antichrist n Any opponent or enemy of Christ, whether a person or a power
anticlimax n A gradual or sudden decrease in the importance or impressiveness of what is said
anticyclone n An atmospheric condition of high central pressure, with currents flowing outward
antidote n Anything that will counteract or remove the effects of poison, disease, or the like
antilogy n Inconsistency or contradiction in terms or ideas
antipathize v To show or feel a feeling of antagonism, aversion, or dislike
antiphon n A response or alteration of responses, generally musical
antiphony n An anthem or other composition sung responsively
antipodes n A place or region on the opposite side of the earth
antiquary n One who collects and examines old things, as coins, books, medals, weapons, etc
antiquate v To make old or out of date
antique adj Pertaining to ancient times
antiseptic n Anything that destroys or restrains the growth of putrefactive micro-organisms
antislavery adj Opposed to human slavery
antispasmodic adj Tending to prevent or relieve non-inflammatory spasmodic affections
antistrophe n The inversion of terms in successive classes, as in "the home of joy and the joy of home"
antitoxin n A substance which neutralizes the poisonous products of micro-organisms
antonym n A word directly opposed to another in meaning
anxious adj Distressed in mind respecting some uncertain matter
apathy n Insensibility to emotion or passionate feeling
aperture n Hole
apex n The highest point, as of a mountain
aphorism n Proverb
apiary n A place where bees are kept
apogee n The climax
apology n A disclaimer of intentional error or offense
apostasy n A total departure from one's faith or religion
apostate adj False
apostle n Any messenger commissioned by or as by divine authority
apothecary n One who keeps drugs for sale and puts up prescriptions
apotheosis n Deification
appall v To fill with dismay or horror
apparent adj Easily understood
apparition n Ghost
appease v To soothe by quieting anger or indignation
appellate adj Capable of being appealed to
appellation n The name or title by which a particular person, class, or thing is called
append v To add or attach, as something accessory, subordinate, or supplementary
appertain v To belong, as by right, fitness, association, classification, possession, or natural relation
apposite adj Appropriate
apposition n The act of placing side by side, together, or in contact
appraise v To estimate the money value of
appreciable adj Capable of being discerned by the senses or intellect
apprehend v To make a prisoner of (a person) in the name of the law
apprehensible adj Capable of being conceived
approbation n Sanction
appropriate adj Suitable for the purpose and circumstances
aqueduct n A water-conduit, particularly one for supplying a community from a distance
aqueous adj Of, pertaining to, or containing water
arbiter n One chosen or appointed, by mutual consent of parties in dispute, to decide matters
arbitrary adj Fixed or done capriciously
arbitrate v To act or give judgment as umpire
arbor n A tree
arboreal adj Of or pertaining to a tree or trees
arborescent adj Having the nature of a tree
arboretum n A botanical garden or place devoted to the cultivation of trees or shrubs
arboriculture n The cultivation of trees or shrubs
arcade n A vaulted passageway or street; a roofed passageway having shops, etc, opening from it
archaic adj Antiquated
archaism n Obsolescence
archangel n An angel of high rank
archbishop n The chief of the bishops of an ecclesiastical province in the Greek, Roman, and Anglican church
archdeacon n A high official administrator of the affairs of a diocese
archaeology n The branch of anthropology concerned with the systematic investigation of the relics of man
archetype n A prototype
archipelago n Any large body of water studded with islands, or the islands collectively themselves
ardent adj Burning with passion
ardor n Intensity of passion or affection
arid adj Very dry
aristocracy n A hereditary nobility
aristocrat n A hereditary noble or one nearly connected with nobility
armada n A fleet of war-vessels
armful n As much as can be held in the arm or arms
armory n An arsenal
aroma n An agreeable odor
arraign v To call into court, as a person indicted for crime, and demand whether he pleads guilty or not
arrange v To put in definite or proper order
arrangement n The act of putting in proper order, or the state of being put in order
arrant adj Notoriously bad
arrear n Something overdue and unpaid
arrival n A coming to stopping-place or destination
arrogant adj Unduly or excessively proud, as of wealth, station, learning, etc
arrogate v To take, demand, or claim, especially presumptuously or without reasons or grounds
artful adj Characterized by craft or cunning
Arthurian adj Pertaining to King Arthur, the real or legendary hero of British poetic story
artifice n Trickery
artless adj Ingenuous
ascendant adj Dominant
ascension n The act of rising
ascent n A rising, soaring, or climbing
ascetic adj Given to severe self-denial and practicing excessive abstinence and devotion
ascribe v To assign as a quality or attribute
asexual adj Having no distinct sexual organs
ashen adj Pale
askance adv With a side or indirect glance or meaning
asperity n Harshness or roughness of temper
aspirant n One who seeks earnestly, as for advancement, honors, place
aspiration n An earnest wish for that which is above one's present reach
aspire v To have an earnest desire, wish, or longing, as for something high and good, not yet attained
assailant n One who attacks
assassin n One who kills, or tries to kill, treacherously or secretly
assassinate v To kill, as by surprise or secret assault, especially the killing of some eminent person
assassination n Murderer, as by secret assault or treachery
assay n The chemical analysis or testing of an alloy ore
assent v To express agreement with a statement or matter of opinion
assess v To determine the amount of (a tax or other sum to be paid)
assessor n An officer whose duty it is to assess taxes
assiduous adj Diligent
assignee n One who is appointed to act for another in the management of certain property and interests
assimilate v To adapt
assonance n Resemblance or correspondence in sound
assonant adj Having resemblance of sound
assonate v To accord in sound, especially vowel sound
assuage v To cause to be less harsh, violent, or severe, as excitement, appetite, pain, or disease
astringent adj Harsh in disposition or character
astute adj Keen in discernment
atheism n The denial of the existence of God
athirst adj Wanting water
athwart adv From side to side
atomizer n An apparatus for reducing a liquid to a fine spray, as for disinfection, inhalation, etc
atone v To make amends for
atonement n Amends, reparation, or expiation made from wrong or injury
atrocious adj Outrageously or wantonly wicked, criminal, vile, or cruel
atrocity n Great cruelty or reckless wickedness
attache n A subordinate member of a diplomatic embassy
attest v To certify as accurate, genuine, or true
attorney-general n The chief law-officer of a government
auburn adj Reddish-brown, said usually of the hair
audacious adj Fearless
audible adj Loud enough to be heard
audition n The act or sensation of hearing
auditory adj Of or pertaining to hearing or the organs or sense of hearing
augment v To make bigger
augur v To predict
aura n Pervasive psychic influence supposed to emanate from persons
aural adj Of or pertaining to the ear
auricle n One of the two chambers of the heart which receives the blood from the veins
auricular adj Of or pertaining to the ear, its auricle, or the sense of hearing
auriferous adj Containing gold
aurora n A luminous phenomenon in the upper regions of the atmosphere
auspice n favoring, protecting, or propitious influence or guidance
austere adj Severely simple; unadorned
autarchy n Unrestricted power
authentic adj Of undisputed origin
authenticity n The state or quality of being genuine, or of the origin and authorship claimed
autobiography n The story of one's life written by himself
autocracy n Absolute government
autocrat n Any one who claims or wields unrestricted or undisputed authority or influence
automaton n Any living being whose actions are or appear to be involuntary or mechanical
autonomous adj Self-governing
autonomy n Self-government
autopsy n The examination of a dead body by dissection to ascertain the cause of death
autumnal adj Of or pertaining to autumn
auxiliary n One who or that which aids or helps, especially when regarded as subsidiary or accessory
avalanche n The fall or sliding of a mass of snow or ice down a mountain-slope, often bearing with it rock
avarice n Passion for getting and keeping riches
aver v To assert as a fact
averse adj Reluctant
aversion n A mental condition of fixed opposition to or dislike of some particular thing
avert v To turn away or aside
aviary n A spacious cage or enclosure in which live birds are kept
avidity n Greediness
avocation n Diversion
avow v To declare openly
awaken v To arouse, as emotion, interest, or the like
aye adv An expression of assent
azalea n A flowering shrub
azure n The color of the sky
Baconian adj Of or pertaining to Lord Bacon or his system of philosophy
bacterium n A microbe
badger v To pester
baffle v To foil or frustrate
bailiff n An officer of court having custody of prisoners under arraignment
baize n A single-colored napped woolen fabric used for table-covers, curtains, etc
bale n A large package prepared for transportation or storage
baleful adj Malignant
ballad n Any popular narrative poem, often with epic subject and usually in lyric form
balsam n A medical preparation, aromatic and oily, used for healing
banal adj Commonplace
barcarole n A boat-song of Venetian gondoliers
barograph n An instrument that registers graphically and continuously the atmospheric pressure
barometer n An instrument for indicating the atmospheric pressure per unit of surface
barring prep Apart from
baritone adj Having a register higher than bass and lower than tenor
bask v To make warm by genial heat
bass adj Low in tone or compass
baste v To cover with melted fat, gravy, while cooking
baton n An official staff borne either as a weapon or as an emblem of authority or privilege
battalion n A body of infantry composed of two or more companies, forming a part of a regiment
batten n A narrow strip of wood
batter n A thick liquid mixture of two or more materials beaten together, to be used in cookery
bauble n A trinket
bawl v To proclaim by outcry
beatify v To make supremely happy
beatitude n Any state of great happiness
beau n An escort or lover
becalm v To make quiet
beck v To give a signal to, by nod or gesture
bedaub v To smear over, as with something oily or sticky
bedeck v To cover with ornament
bedlam n Madhouse
befog v To confuse
befriend v To be a friend to, especially when in need
beget v To produce by sexual generation
begrudge v To envy one of the possession of
belate v To delay past the proper hour
belay v To make fast, as a rope, by winding round a cleat
belie v To misrepresent
believe v To accept as true on the testimony or authority of others
belittle v To disparage
belle n A woman who is a center of attraction because of her beauty, accomplishments, etc
bellicose adj Warlike
belligerent adj Manifesting a warlike spirit
bemoan v To lament
benediction n a solemn invocation of the divine blessing
benefactor n A doer of kindly and charitable acts
benefice n A church office endowed with funds or property for the maintenance of divine service
beneficent adj Characterized by charity and kindness
beneficial adj Helpful
beneficiary n One who is lawfully entitled to the profits and proceeds of an estate or property
benefit n Helpful result
benevolence n Any act of kindness or well-doing
benevolent adj Loving others and actively desirous of their well-being
benign adj Good and kind of heart
benignant adj Benevolent in feeling, character, or aspect
benignity n Kindness of feeling, disposition, or manner
benison n Blessing
bequeath v To give by will
bereave v To make desolate with loneliness and grief
berth n A bunk or bed in a vessel, sleeping-car, etc
beseech v To implore
beset v To attack on all sides
besmear v To smear over, as with any oily or sticky substance
bestial adj Animal
bestrew v To sprinkle or cover with things strewn
bestride v To get or sit upon astride, as a horse
bethink v To remind oneself
betide v To happen to or befall
betimes adv In good season or time
betroth v To engage to marry
betrothal n Engagement to marry
bevel n Any inclination of two surfaces other than 90 degrees
bewilder v To confuse the perceptions or judgment of
bibliomania n The passion for collecting books
bibliography n A list of the words of an author, or the literature bearing on a particular subject
bibliophile n One who loves books
bibulous adj Fond of drinking
bide v To await
biennial n A plant that produces leaves and roots the first year and flowers and fruit the second
bier n A horizontal framework with two handles at each end for carrying a corpse to the grave
bigamist n One who has two spouses at the same time
bigamy n The crime of marrying any other person while having a legal spouse living
bight n A slightly receding bay between headlands, formed by a long curve of a coast-line
bilateral adj Two-sided
bilingual adj Speaking two languages
biograph n A bibliographical sketch or notice
biography n A written account of one's life, actions, and character
biology n The science of life or living organisms
biped n An animal having two feet
birthright n A privilege or possession into which one is born
bitterness n Acridity, as to the taste
blase adj Sated with pleasure
blaspheme v To indulge in profane oaths
blatant adj Noisily or offensively loud or clamorous
blaze n A vivid glowing flame
blazon v To make widely or generally known
bleak adj Desolate
blemish n A mark that mars beauty
blithe adj Joyous
blithesome adj Cheerful
blockade n The shutting up of a town, a frontier, or a line of coast by hostile forces
boatswain n A subordinate officer of a vessel, who has general charge of the rigging, anchors, etc
bodice n A women's ornamental corset-shaped laced waist
bodily adj Corporeal
boisterous adj Unchecked merriment or animal spirits
bole n The trunk or body of a tree
bolero n A Spanish dance, illustrative of the passion of love, accompanied by caste nets and singing
boll n A round pod or seed-capsule, as a flax or cotton
bolster v To support, as something wrong
bomb n A hollow projectile containing an explosive material
bombard v To assail with any missile or with abusive speech
bombardier n A person who has charge of mortars, bombs, and shells
bombast n Inflated or extravagant language, especially on unimportant subjects
boorish adj Rude
bore v To weary by tediousness or dullness
borough n An incorporated village or town
bosom n The breast or the upper front of the thorax of a human being, especially of a woman
botanical adj Connected with the study or cultivation of plants
botanize v To study plant-life
botany n The science that treats of plants
bountiful adj Showing abundance
Bowdlerize v To expurgate in editing (a literary composition) by omitting words or passages
bowler n In cricket, the player who delivers the ball
boycott v To place the products or merchandise of under a ban
brae n Hillside
braggart n A vain boaster
brandish v To wave, shake, or flourish triumphantly or defiantly, as a sword or spear
bravado n An aggressive display of boldness
bravo interj Well done
bray n A loud harsh sound, as the cry of an ass or the blast of a horn
braze v To make of or ornament with brass
brazier n An open pan or basin for holding live coals
breach n The violation of official duty, lawful right, or a legal obligation
breaker n One who trains horses, dogs, etc
breech n The buttocks
brevity n Shortness of duration
bric-a-brac n Objects of curiosity or for decoration
bridle n The head-harness of a horse consisting of a head-stall, a bit, and the reins
brigade n A body of troops consisting of two or more regiments
brigadier n General officer who commands a brigade, ranking between a colonel and a major-general
brigand n One who lives by robbery and plunder
brimstone n Sulfur
brine n Water saturated with salt
bristle n One of the coarse, stiff hairs of swine: used in brush-making, etc
Britannia n The United Kingdom of Great Britain
Briticism n A word, idiom, or phrase characteristic of Great Britain or the British
brittle adj Fragile
broach v To mention, for the first time
broadcast adj Disseminated far and wide
brogan n A coarse, heavy shoe
brogue n Any dialectic pronunciation of English, especially that of the Irish people
brokerage n The business of making sales and purchases for a commission; a broker
bromine n A dark reddish-brown, non-metallic liquid element with a suffocating odor
bronchitis n Inflammation of the bronchial tubes
bronchus n Either of the two subdivisions of the trachea conveying air into the lungs
brooch n An article of jewelry fastened by a hinged pin and hook on the underside
brotherhood n Spiritual or social fellowship or solidarity
browbeat v To overwhelm, or attempt to do so, by stern, haughty, or rude address or manner
brusque adj Somewhat rough or rude in manner or speech
buffoon n A clown
buffoonery n Low drollery, coarse jokes, etc
bulbous adj Of, or pertaining to, or like a bulb
bullock n An ox
bulrush n Any one of various tall rush-like plants growing in damp ground or water
bulwark n Anything that gives security or defense
bumper n A cup or glass filled to the brim, especially one to be drunk as a toast or health
bumptious adj Full of offensive and aggressive self-conceit
bungle v To execute clumsily
buoyancy n Power or tendency to float on or in a liquid or gas
buoyant adj Having the power or tendency to float or keep afloat
bureau n A chest of drawers for clothing, etc
bureaucracy n Government by departments of men transacting particular branches of public business
burgess n In colonial times, a member of the lower house of the legislature of Maryland or Virginia
burgher n An inhabitant, citizen or freeman of a borough burgh, or corporate town
burnish v To make brilliant or shining
bursar n A treasurer
bustle v To hurry
butt v To strike with or as with the head, or horns
butte n A conspicuous hill, low mountain, or natural turret, generally isolated
buttress n Any support or prop
by-law n A rule or law adopted by an association, a corporation, or the like
cabal n A number of persons secretly united for effecting by intrigue some private purpose
cabalism n Superstitious devotion to one's religion
cabinet n The body of men constituting the official advisors of the executive head of a nation
cacophony n A disagreeable, harsh, or discordant sound or combination of sounds or tones
cadaverous adj Resembling a corpse
cadence n Rhythmical or measured flow or movement, as in poetry or the time and pace of marching troops
cadenza n An embellishment or flourish, prepared or improvised, for a solo voice or instrument
caitiff adj Cowardly
cajole v To impose on or dupe by flattering speech
cajolery n Delusive speech
calculable adj That may be estimated by reckoning
calculus n A concretion formed in various parts of the body resembling a pebble in hardness
callosity n The state of being hard and insensible
callow adj Without experience of the world
calorie n Amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water 1 degree centigrade
calumny n Slander
Calvary n The place where Christ was crucified
Calvinism n The system of doctrine taught by John Calvin
Calvinize v To teach or imbue with the doctrines of Calvinism
came n A leaden sash-bar or grooved strip for fastening panes in stained-glass windows
cameo n Any small engraved or carved work in relief
campaign n A complete series of connected military operations
Canaanite n A member of one of the three tribes that dwelt in the land of Canaan, or western Palestine
canary adj Of a bright but delicate yellow
candid adj Straightforward
candor n The quality of frankness or outspokenness
canine adj Characteristic of a dog
canon n Any rule or law
cant v To talk in a singsong, preaching tone with affected solemnity
cantata n A choral composition
canto n One of the divisions of an extended poem
cantonment n The part of the town or district in which the troops are quartered
capacious adj Roomy
capillary n A minute vessel having walls composed of a single layer of cells
capitulate v To surrender or stipulate terms
caprice n A whim
caption n A heading, as of a chapter, section, document, etc
captious adj Hypercritical
carcass n The dead body of an animal
cardiac adj Pertaining to the heart
cardinal adj Of prime or special importance
caret n A sign (^) placed below a line, indicating where omitted words, etc, should be inserted
caricature n a picture or description in which natural characteristics are exaggerated or distorted
carnage n Massacre
carnal adj Sensual
carnivorous adj Eating or living on flesh
carouse v To drink deeply and in boisterous or jovial manner
carrion n Dead and putrefying flesh
cartilage n An elastic animal tissue of firm consistence
cartridge n A charge for a firearm, or for blasting
caste n The division of society on artificial grounds
castigate v To punish
casual adj Accidental, by chance
casualty n A fatal or serious accident or disaster
cataclysm n Any overwhelming flood of water
cataract n Opacity of the lens of the eye resulting in complete or partial blindness
catastrophe n Any great and sudden misfortune or calamity
cathode n The negative pole or electrode of a galvanic battery
Catholicism n The system, doctrine, and practice of the Roman Catholic Church
catholicity n Universal prevalence or acceptance
cat-o-nine-tails n An instrument consisting of nine pieces of cord, formerly used for flogging in the army and navy
caucus n A private meeting of members of a political party to select candidates
causal adj Indicating or expressing a cause
caustic adj Sarcastic and severe
cauterize v To burn or sear as with a heated iron
cede v To pass title to
censor n An official examiner of manuscripts empowered to prohibit their publication
censorious adj Judging severely or harshly
census n An official numbering of the people of a country or district
centenary adj Pertaining to a hundred years or a period of a hundred years
centiliter n A hundredth of a liter
centimeter n A length of one hundredth of a meter
centurion n A captain of a company of one hundred infantry in the ancient Roman army
cereal adj Pertaining to edible grain or farinaceous seeds
ceremonial adj Characterized by outward form or ceremony
ceremonious adj Observant of ritual
cessation n Discontinuance, as of action or motion
cession n Surrender, as of possessions or rights
chagrin n Keen vexation, annoyance, or mortification, as at one's failures or errors
chameleon adj Changeable in appearance
chancery n A court of equity, as distinguished from a common-law court
chaos n Any condition of which the elements or parts are in utter disorder and confusion
characteristic n A distinctive feature
characterize v To describe by distinctive marks or peculiarities
charlatan n A quack
chasm n A yawning hollow, as in the earth's surface
chasten v To purify by affliction
chastise v To subject to punitive measures
chastity n Sexual or moral purity
chateau n A castle or manor-house
chattel n Any article of personal property
check v To hold back
chiffon n A very thin gauze used for trimmings, evening dress, etc
chivalry n The knightly system of feudal times with its code, usages and practices
cholera n An acute epidemic disease
choleric adj Easily provoked to anger
choral adj Pertaining to, intended for, or performed by a chorus or choir
Christ n A title of Jesus
christen v To name in baptism
Christendom n That part of the world where Christianity is generally professed
chromatic adj Belonging, relating to, or abounding in color
chronology n The science that treats of computation of time or of investigation and arrangement of events
chronometer n A portable timekeeper of the highest attainable precision
circulate v To disseminate
circumference n The boundary-line of a circle
circumlocution n Indirect or roundabout expression
circumnavigate v To sail quite around
circumscribe v To confine within bounds
circumspect adj Showing watchfulness, caution, or careful consideration
citadel n Any strong fortress
cite v To refer to specifically
claimant n One who makes a claim or demand, as of right
clairvoyance n Intuitive sagacity or perception
clamorous adj Urgent in complaint or demand
clan n A tribe
clandestine adj Surreptitious
clangor n Clanking or a ringing, as of arms, chains, or bells; clamor
clarify v To render intelligible
clarion n A small shrill trumpet or bugle
classify v To arrange in a class or classes on the basis of observed resemblance’s and differences
clearance n A certificate from the proper authorities that a vessel has complied with the law and may sail
clemency n Mercy
clement adj Compassionate
close-hauled adj Having the sails set for sailing as close to the wind as possible
clothier n One who makes or sells cloth or clothing
clumsy adj Awkward of movement
coagulate v To change into a clot or a jelly, as by heat, by chemical action, or by a ferment
coagulant adj Producing coagulation
coalescence n The act or process of coming together so as to form one body, combination, or product
coalition n Combination in a body or mass
coddle v To treat as a baby or an invalid
codicil n A supplement adding to, revoking, or explaining in the body of a will
coerce v To force
coercion n Forcible constraint or restraint, moral or physical
coercive adj Serving or tending to force
cogent adj Appealing strongly to the reason or conscience
cognate adj Akin
cognizant adj Taking notice
cohere v To stick together
cohesion n Consistency
cohesive adj Having the property of consistency
coincide v To correspond
coincidence n A circumstance so agreeing with another: often implying accident
coincident adj Taking place at the same time
collaborate v To labor or cooperate with another or others, especially in literary or scientific pursuits
collapse v To cause to shrink, fall in, or fail
collapsible adj That may or can collapse
colleague n An associate in professional employment
collective adj Consisting of a number of persons or objects considered as gathered into a mass, or sum
collector n One who makes a collection, as of objects of art, books, or the like
collegian n A college student
collide v To meet and strike violently
collier n One who works in a coal-mine
collision n Violent contact
colloquial adj Pertaining or peculiar to common speech as distinguished from literary
colloquialism n Form of speech used only or chiefly in conversation
colloquy n Conversation
collusion n A secret agreement for a wrongful purpose
colossus n Any strikingly great person or object
comely adj Handsome
comestible adj Fit to be eaten
comical adj Funny
commemorate v To serve as a remembrance of
commentary n A series of illustrative or explanatory notes on any important work
commingle v To blend
commissariat n The department of an army charged with the provision of its food and water and daily needs
commission v To empower
commitment n The act or process of entrusting or consigning for safe-keeping
committal n The act, fact, or result of committing, or the state of being
commodity n Something that is bought and sold
commotion n A disturbance or violent agitation
commute v To put something, especially something less severe, in place of
comparable adj Fit to be compared
comparative adj Relative
comparison n Examination of two or more objects with reference to their likeness or unlikeness
compensate v To remunerate
competence n Adequate qualification or capacity
competent adj Qualified
competitive adj characterized by rivalry
competitor n A rival
complacence n Satisfaction with one's acts or surroundings
complacent adj Pleased or satisfied with oneself
complaisance n Politeness
complaisant adj Agreeable
complement v To make complete
complex adj Complicated
compliant adj Yielding
complicate v To make complex, difficult, or hard to deal with
complication n An intermingling or combination of things or parts, especially in a perplexing manner
complicity n Participation or partnership, as in wrong-doing or with a wrong-doer
compliment v To address or gratify with expressions of delicate praise
component n A constituent element or part
comport v To conduct or behave (oneself)
composure n Calmness
comprehensible adj Intelligible
comprehension n Ability to know
comprehensive adj Large in scope or content
compress v To press together or into smaller space
compressible adj Capable of being pressed into smaller compass
compression n Constraint, as by force or authority
comprise v To consist of
compulsion n Coercion
compulsory adj Forced
compunction n Remorseful feeling
compute v To ascertain by mathematical calculation
concede v To surrender
conceit n Self-flattering opinion
conceive v To form an idea, mental image or thought of
concerto n A musical composition
concession n Anything granted or yielded, or admitted in response to a demand, petition, or claim
conciliate v To obtain the friendship of
conciliatory adj Tending to reconcile
conclusive adj Sufficient to convince or decide
concord n Harmony
concordance n Harmony
concur v To agree
concurrence n Agreement
concurrent adj Occurring or acting together
concussion n A violent shock to some organ by a fall or a sudden blow
condensation n The act or process of making dense or denser
condense v To abridge
condescend v To come down voluntarily to equal terms with inferiors
condolence n Expression of sympathy with a person in pain, sorrow, or misfortune
conduce v To bring about
conducive adj Contributing to an end
conductible adj Capable of being conducted or transmitted
conduit n A means for conducting something, particularly a tube, pipe, or passageway for a fluid
confectionery n The candy collectively that a confectioner makes or sells, as candy
confederacy n A number of states or persons in compact or league with each other, as for mutual aid
confederate n One who is united with others in a league, compact, or agreement
confer v To bestow
conferee n A person with whom another confers
confessor n A spiritual advisor
confidant n One to whom secrets are entrusted
confide v To reveal in trust or confidence
confidence n The state or feeling of trust in or reliance upon another
confident adj Assured
confinement n Restriction within limits or boundaries
confiscate v To appropriate (private property) as forfeited to the public use or treasury
conflagration n A great fire, as of many buildings, a forest, or the like
confluence n The place where streams meet
confluent n A stream that unites with another
conformance n The act or state or conforming
conformable adj Harmonious
conformation n General structure, form, or outline
conformity n Correspondence in form, manner, or use
confront v To encounter, as difficulties or obstacles
congeal v To coagulate
congenial adj Having kindred character or tastes
congest v To collect into a mass
congregate v To bring together into a crowd
coniferous adj Cone-bearing trees
conjecture n A guess
conjoin v To unite
conjugal adj Pertaining to marriage, marital rights, or married persons
conjugate adj Joined together in pairs
conjugation n The state or condition of being joined together
conjunction n The state of being joined together, or the things so joined
connive v To be in collusion
connoisseur n A critical judge of art, especially one with thorough knowledge and sound judgment of art
connote v To mean; signify
connubial adj Pertaining to marriage or matrimony
conquer v To overcome by force
consanguineous adj Descended from the same parent or ancestor
conscience n The faculty in man by which he distinguishes between right and wrong in character and conduct
conscientious adj Governed by moral standard
conscious adj Aware that one lives, feels, and thinks
conscript v To force into military service
consecrate v To set apart as sacred
consecutive adj Following in uninterrupted succession
consensus n A collective unanimous opinion of a number of persons
conservatism n Tendency to adhere to the existing order of things
conservative adj Adhering to the existing order of things
conservatory n An institution for instruction and training in music and declamation
consign v To entrust
consignee n A person to whom goods or other property has been entrusted
consignor n One who entrusts
consistency n A state of permanence
console v To comfort
consolidate v To combine into one body or system
consonance n The state or quality of being in accord with
consonant adj Being in agreement or harmony with
consort n A companion or associate
conspicuous adj Clearly visible
conspirator n One who agrees with others to cooperate in accomplishing some unlawful purpose
conspire v To plot
constable n An officer whose duty is to maintain the peace
constellation n An arbitrary assemblage or group of stars
consternation n Panic
constituency n The inhabitants or voters in a district represented in a legislative body
constituent n One who has the right to vote at an election
constrict v To bind
consul n An officer appointed to reside in a foreign city, chiefly to represent his country
consulate n The place in which a consul transacts official business
consummate v To bring to completion
consumption n Gradual destruction, as by burning, eating, etc, or by using up, wearing out, etc
consumptive adj Designed for gradual destruction
contagion n The communication of disease from person to person
contagious adj Transmitting disease
contaminate v To pollute
contemplate v To consider thoughtfully
contemporaneous adj Living, occurring, or existing at the same time
contemporary adj Living or existing at the same time
contemptible adj Worthy of scorn or disdain
contemptuous adj Disdainful
contender n One who exerts oneself in opposition or rivalry
contiguity n Proximity
contiguous adj Touching or joining at the edge or boundary
continence n Self-restraint with respect to desires, appetites, and passion
contingency n Possibility of happening
contingent adj Not predictable
continuance n Permanence
continuation n Prolongation
continuity n Uninterrupted connection in space, time, operation, or development
continuous adj Connected, extended, or prolonged without separation or interruption of sequence
contort v To twist into a misshapen form
contraband n Trade forbidden by law or treaty
contradiction n The assertion of the opposite of that which has been said
contradictory adj Inconsistent with itself
contraposition n A placing opposite
contravene v To prevent or obstruct the operation of
contribution n The act of giving for a common purpose
contributor n One who gives or furnishes, in common with others, for a common purpose
contrite adj Broken in spirit because of a sense of sin
contrivance n The act planning, devising, inventing, or adapting something to or for a special purpose
contrive v To manage or carry through by some device or scheme
control v To exercise a directing, restraining, or governing influence over
controller n One who or that which regulates or directs
contumacious adj Rebellious
contumacy n Contemptuous disregard of the requirements of rightful authority
contuse v To bruise by a blow, either with or without the breaking of the skin
contusion n A bruise
convalesce v To recover after a sickness
convalescence n The state of progressive restoration to health and strength after the cessation of disease
convalescent adj Recovering health after sickness
convene v To summon or cause to assemble
convenience n Fitness, as of time or place
converge v To cause to incline and approach nearer together
convergent adj Tending to one point
conversant adj Thoroughly informed
conversion n Change from one state or position to another, or from one form to another
convertible adj Interchangeable
convex adj Curving like the segment of the globe or of the surface of a circle
conveyance n That by which anything is transported
convivial adj Devoted to feasting, or to good-fellowship in eating or drinking
convolution n A winding motion
convolve v To move with a circling or winding motion
convoy n A protecting force accompanying property in course of transportation
convulse v To cause spasms in
convulsion n A violent and abnormal muscular contraction of the body
copious adj Plenteous
coquette n A flirt
cornice n An ornamental molding running round the walls of a room close to the ceiling
cornucopia n The horn of plenty, symbolizing peace and prosperity
corollary n A proposition following so obviously from another that it requires little demonstration
coronation n The act or ceremony of crowning a monarch
coronet n Inferior crown denoting, according to its form, various degrees of noble rank less than sovereign
corporal adj Belonging or relating to the body as opposed to the mind
corporate adj Belonging to a corporation
corporeal adj Of a material nature; physical
corps n A number or body of persons in some way associated or acting together
corpse n A dead body
corpulent adj Obese
corpuscle n A minute particle of matter
correlate v To put in some relation of connection or correspondence
correlative adj Mutually involving or implying one another
corrigible adj Capable of reformation
corroborate v To strengthen, as proof or conviction
corroboration n Confirmation
corrode v To ruin or destroy little by little
corrosion n Gradual decay by crumbling or surface disintegration
corrosive n That which causes gradual decay by crumbling or surface disintegration
corruptible adj Open to bribery
corruption n Loss of purity or integrity
cosmetic adj Pertaining to the art of beautifying, especially the complexion
cosmic adj Pertaining to the universe
cosmogony n A doctrine of creation or of the origin of the universe
cosmography n The science that describes the universe, including astronomy, geography, and geology
cosmology n The general science of the universe
cosmopolitan adj Common to all the world
cosmopolitanism n A cosmopolitan character
cosmos n The world or universe considered as a system, perfect in order and arrangement
counter-claim n A cross-demand alleged by a defendant in his favor against the plaintiff
counteract v To act in opposition to
counterbalance v To oppose with an equal force
countercharge v To accuse in return
counterfeit adj Made to resemble something else
counterpart n Something taken with another for the completion of either
countervail v To offset
counting-house n A house or office used for transacting business, bookkeeping, correspondence, etc
countryman n A rustic
courageous adj Brave
course n Line of motion or direction
courser n A fleet and spirited horse
courtesy n Politeness originating in kindness and exercised habitually
covenant n An agreement entered into by two or more persons or parties
covert adj Concealed, especially for an evil purpose
covey n A flock of quails or partridges
cower v To crouch down tremblingly, as through fear or shame
coxswain n One who steers a rowboat, or one who has charge of a ship's boat and its crew under an officer
crag n A rugged, rocky projection on a cliff or ledge
cranium n The skull of an animal, especially that part enclosing the brain
crass adj Coarse or thick in nature or structure, as opposed to thin or fine
craving n A vehement desire
creak n A sharp, harsh, squeaking sound
creamery n A butter-making establishment
creamy adj Resembling or containing cream
credence n Belief
credible adj Believable
credulous adj Easily deceived
creed n A formal summary of fundamental points of religious belief
crematory adj A place for cremating dead bodies
crevasse n A deep crack or fissure in the ice of a glacier
crevice n A small fissure, as between two contiguous surfaces
criterion n A standard by which to determine the correctness of a judgment or conclusion
critique n A criticism or critical review
crockery n Earthenware made from baked clay
crucible n A trying and purifying test or agency
crusade n Any concerted movement, vigorously prosecuted, in behalf of an idea or principle
crustacean adj Pertaining to a division of arthropods, containing lobsters, crabs, crawfish, etc
crustaceous adj Having a crust-like shell
cryptogram n Anything written in characters that are secret or so arranged as to have hidden meaning
crystallize v To bring together or give fixed shape to
cudgel n A short thick stick used as a club
culinary adj Of or pertaining to cooking or the kitchen
cull v To pick or sort out from the rest
culpable adj Guilty
culprit n A guilty person
culvert n Any artificial covered channel for the passage of water through a bank or under a road, canal
cupidity n Avarice
curable adj Capable of being remedied or corrected
curator n A person having charge as of a library or museum
curio n A piece of bric-a-brac
cursive adj Writing in which the letters are joined together
cursory adj Rapid and superficial
curt adj Concise, compressed, and abrupt in act or expression
curtail v To cut off or cut short
curtsy n A downward movement of the body by bending the knees
cycloid adj Like a circle
cygnet n A young swan
cynical adj Exhibiting moral skepticism
cynicism n Contempt for the opinions of others and of what others value
cynosure n That to which general interest or attention is directed
daring adj Brave
darkling adv Blindly
Darwinism n The doctrine that natural selection has been the prime cause of evolution of higher forms
dastard n A base coward
datum n A premise, starting-point, or given fact
dauntless adj Fearless
day-man n A day-laborer
dead-heat n A race in which two or more competitors come out even, and there is no winner
dearth n Scarcity, as of something customary, essential ,or desirable
death's-head n A human skull as a symbol of death
debase v To lower in character or virtue
debatable adj Subject to contention or dispute
debonair adj Having gentle or courteous bearing or manner
debut n A first appearance in society or on the stage
decagon n A figure with ten sides and ten angles
decagram n A weight of 10 grams
decaliter n A liquid and dry measure of 10 liters
decalogue n The ten commandments
Decameron n A volume consisting of ten parts or books
decameter n A length of ten meters
decamp v To leave suddenly or unexpectedly
decapitate v To behead
decapod adj Ten-footed or ten-armed
decasyllable n A line of ten syllables
deceit n Falsehood
deceitful adj Fraudulent
deceive v To mislead by or as by falsehood
decency n Moral fitness
decent adj Characterized by propriety of conduct, speech, manners, or dress
deciduous adj Falling off at maturity as petals after flowering, fruit when ripe, etc
decimal adj Founded on the number 10
decimate v To destroy a measurable or large proportion of
decipher v To find out the true words or meaning of, as something hardly legible
decisive ad Conclusive
declamation n A speech recited or intended for recitation from memory in public
declamatory adj A full and formal style of utterance
declarative adj Containing a formal, positive, or explicit statement or affirmation
decorate v To embellish
decorous adj Suitable for the occasion or circumstances
decoy n Anything that allures, or is intended to allures into danger or temptation
decrepit adj Enfeebled, as by old age or some chronic infirmity
dedication n The voluntary consecration or relinquishment of something to an end or cause
deduce v To derive or draw as a conclusion by reasoning from given premises or principles
deface v To mar or disfigure the face or external surface of
defalcate v To cut off or take away, as a part of something
defamation n Malicious and groundless injury done to the reputation or good name of another
defame v To slander
default n The neglect or omission of a legal requirement
defendant n A person against whom a suit is brought
defensible adj Capable of being maintained or justified
defensive adj Carried on in resistance to aggression
defer v To delay or put off to some other time
deference n Respectful submission or yielding, as to another's opinion, wishes, or judgment
defiant adj Characterized by bold or insolent opposition
deficiency n Lack or insufficiency
deficient adj Not having an adequate or proper supply or amount
definite adj Having an exact signification or positive meaning
deflect v To cause to turn aside or downward
deforest v To clear of forests
deform v To disfigure
deformity n A disfigurement
defraud v To deprive of something dishonestly
defray v To make payment for
degeneracy n A becoming worse
degenerate v To become worse or inferior
degradation n Diminution, as of strength or magnitude
degrade v To take away honors or position from
dehydrate v To deprive of water
deify v To regard or worship as a god
deign v To deem worthy of notice or account
deist n One who believes in God, but denies supernatural revelation
deity n A god, goddess, or divine person
deject v To dishearten
dejection n Melancholy
delectable adj Delightful to the taste or to the senses
delectation n Delight
deleterious adj Hurtful, morally or physically
delicacy n That which is agreeable to a fine taste
delineate v To represent by sketch or diagram
deliquesce v To dissolve gradually and become liquid by absorption of moisture from the air
delirious adj Raving
delude v To mislead the mind or judgment of
deluge v To overwhelm with a flood of water
delusion n Mistaken conviction, especially when more or less enduring
demagnetize v To deprive (a magnet) of magnetism
demagogue n An unprincipled politician
demeanor n Deportment
demented adj Insane
demerit n A mark for failure or bad conduct
demise n Death
demobilize v To disband, as troops
demolish v To annihilate
demonstrable adj Capable of positive proof
demonstrate v To prove indubitably
demonstrative adj Inclined to strong exhibition or expression of feeling or thoughts
demonstrator n One who proves in a convincing and conclusive manner
demulcent n Any application soothing to an irritable surface
demurrage n the detention of a vessel beyond the specified time of sailing
dendroid adj Like a tree
dendrology n The natural history of trees
denizen n Inhabitant
denominate v To give a name or epithet to
denomination n A body of Christians united by a common faith and form of worship and discipline
denominator n Part of a fraction which expresses the number of equal parts into which the unit is divided
denote v To designate by word or mark
denouement n That part of a play or story in which the mystery is cleared up
denounce v To point out or publicly accuse as deserving of punishment, censure, or odium
dentifrice n Any preparation used for cleaning the teeth
denude v To strip the covering from
denunciation n The act of declaring an action or person worthy of reprobation or punishment
deplete v To reduce or lessen, as by use, exhaustion, or waste
deplorable adj Contemptible
deplore v To regard with grief or sorrow
deponent adj Laying down
depopulate v To remove the inhabitants from
deport v To take or send away forcibly, as to a penal colony
deportment n Demeanor
deposition n Testimony legally taken on interrogatories and reduced to writing, for use as evidence in court
depositor n One who makes a deposit, or has an amount deposited
depository n A place where anything is kept in safety
deprave v To render bad, especially morally bad
deprecate v To express disapproval or regret for, with hope for the opposite
depreciate v To lessen the worth of
depreciation n A lowering in value or an underrating in worth
depress v To press down
depression n A falling of the spirits
depth n Deepness
derelict adj Neglectful of obligation
deride v To ridicule
derisible adj Open to ridicule
derision n Ridicule
derivation n That process by which a word is traced from its original root or primitive form and meaning
derivative adj Coming or acquired from some origin
derive v To deduce, as from a premise
dermatology n The branch of medical science which relates to the skin and its diseases
derrick n An apparatus for hoisting and swinging great weights
descendant n One who is descended lineally from another, as a child, grandchild, etc
descendent adj Proceeding downward
descent n The act of moving or going downward
descry v To discern
desert v To abandon without regard to the welfare of the abandoned
desiccant n Any remedy which, when applied externally, dries up or absorbs moisture, as that of wounds
designate v To select or appoint, as by authority
desist v To cease from action
desistance n Cessation
despair n Utter hopelessness and despondency
desperado n One without regard for law or life
desperate adj Resorted to in a last extremity, or as if prompted by utter despair
despicable adj Contemptible
despite prep In spite of
despond v To lose spirit, courage, or hope
despondent adj Disheartened
despot n An absolute and irresponsible monarch
despotism n Any severe and strict rule in which the judgment of the governed has little or no part
destitute adj Poverty-stricken
desultory adj Not connected with what precedes
deter v To frighten away
deteriorate v To grow worse
determinate adj Definitely limited or fixed
determination n The act of deciding
deterrent adj Hindering from action through fear
detest v To dislike or hate with intensity
detract v To take away in such manner as to lessen value or estimation
detriment n Something that causes damage, depreciation, or loss
detrude v To push down forcibly
deviate v To take a different course
devilry n Malicious mischief
deviltry n Wanton and malicious mischief
devious adj Out of the common or regular track
devise v To invent
devout adj Religious
dexterity n Readiness, precision, efficiency, and ease in any physical activity or in any mechanical work
diabolic adj Characteristic of the devil
diacritical adj Marking a difference
diagnose v To distinguish, as a disease, by its characteristic phenomena
diagnosis n Determination of the distinctive nature of a disease
dialect n Forms of speech collectively that are peculiar to the people of a particular district
dialectician n A logician
dialogue n A formal conversation in which two or more take part
diaphanous adj Transparent
diatomic adj Containing only two atoms
diatribe n A bitter or malicious criticism
dictum n A positive utterance
didactic adj Pertaining to teaching
difference n Dissimilarity in any respect
differentia n Any essential characteristic of a species by reason of which it differs from other species
differential adj Distinctive
differentiate v To acquire a distinct and separate character
diffidence n Self-distrust
diffident adj Affected or possessed with self-distrust
diffusible adj Spreading rapidly through the system and acting quickly
diffusion n Dispersion
dignitary n One who holds high rank
digraph n A union of two characters representing a single sound
digress v To turn aside from the main subject and for a time dwell on some incidental matter
dilapidated pa Fallen into decay or partial ruin
dilate v To enlarge in all directions
dilatory adj Tending to cause delay
dilemma n A situation in which a choice between opposing modes of conduct is necessary
dilettante n A superficial amateur
diligence n Careful and persevering effort to accomplish what is undertaken
dilute v To make more fluid or less concentrated by admixture with something
diminution n Reduction
dimly adv Obscurely
diphthong n The sound produced by combining two vowels in to a single syllable or running together the sounds
diplomacy n Tact, shrewdness, or skill in conducting any kind of negotiations or in social matters
diplomat n A representative of one sovereign state at the capital or court of another
diplomatic adj Characterized by special tact in negotiations
diplomatist n One remarkable for tact and shrewd management
disagree v To be opposite in opinion
disallow v To withhold permission or sanction
disappear v To cease to exist, either actually or for the time being
disappoint v To fail to fulfill the expectation, hope, wish, or desire of
disapprove v To regard with blame
disarm v To deprive of weapons
disarrange v To throw out of order
disavow v To disclaim responsibility for
disavowal n Denial
disbeliever n One who refuses to believe
disburden v To disencumber
disburse v To pay out or expend, as money from a fund
discard v To reject
discernible adj Perceivable
disciple n One who believes the teaching of another, or who adopts and follows some doctrine
disciplinary adj Having the nature of systematic training or subjection to authority
discipline v To train to obedience
disclaim v To disavow any claim to, connection with, or responsibility to
discolor v To stain
discomfit v To put to confusion
discomfort n The state of being positively uncomfortable
disconnect v To undo or dissolve the connection or association of
disconsolate adj Grief-stricken
discontinuance n Interruption or intermission
discord n Absence of harmoniousness
discountenance v To look upon with disfavor
discover v To get first sight or knowledge of, as something previously unknown or unperceived
discredit v To injure the reputation of
discreet adj Judicious
discrepant adj Opposite
discriminate v To draw a distinction
discursive adj Passing from one subject to another
discussion n Debate
disenfranchise v To deprive of any right privilege or power
disengage v To become detached
disfavor n Disregard
disfigure v To impair or injure the beauty, symmetry, or appearance of
dishabille n Undress or negligent attire
dishonest adj Untrustworthy
disillusion v To disenchant
disinfect v To remove or destroy the poison of infectious or contagious diseases
disinfectant n A substance used to destroy the germs of infectious diseases
disinherit v To deprive of an inheritance
disinterested adj Impartial
disjunctive adj Helping or serving to disconnect or separate
dislocate v To put out of proper place or order
dismissal n Displacement by authority from an office or an employment
dismount v To throw down, push off, or otherwise remove from a horse or the like
disobedience n Neglect or refusal to comply with an authoritative injunction
disobedient adj Neglecting or refusing to obey
disown v To refuse to acknowledge as one's own or as connected with oneself
disparage v To regard or speak of slightingly
disparity n Inequality
dispel v To drive away by or as by scattering in different directions
dispensation n That which is bestowed on or appointed to one from a higher power
displace v To put out of the proper or accustomed place
dispossess v To deprive of actual occupancy, especially of real estate
disputation n Verbal controversy
disqualify v To debar
disquiet v To deprive of peace or tranquillity
disregard v To take no notice of
disreputable adj Dishonorable or disgraceful
disrepute n A bad name or character
disrobe v To unclothe
disrupt v To burst or break asunder
dissatisfy v To displease
dissect v To cut apart or to pieces
dissection n The act or operation of cutting in pieces, specifically of a plant or an animal
dissemble v To hide by pretending something different
disseminate v To sow or scatter abroad, as seed is sown
dissension n Angry or violent difference of opinion
dissent n Disagreement
dissentient n One who disagrees
dissentious adj Contentious
dissertation n Thesis
disservice n An ill turn
dissever v To divide
dissimilar adj Different
dissipate v To disperse or disappear
dissipation n The state of being dispersed or scattered
dissolute adj Lewd
dissolution n A breaking up of a union of persons
dissolve v To liquefy or soften, as by heat or moisture
dissonance n Discord
dissonant adj Harsh or disagreeable in sound
dissuade v To change the purpose or alter the plans of by persuasion, counsel, or pleading
dissuasion n The act of changing the purpose of or altering the plans of through persuasion, or pleading
disyllable n A word of two syllables
distemper n A disease or malady
distend v To stretch out or expand in every direction
distensible adj Capable of being stretched out or expanded in every direction
distention n Expansion
distill v To extract or produce by vaporization and condensation
distillation n Separation of the more volatile parts of a substance from those less volatile
distiller n One occupied in the business of distilling alcoholic liquors
distinction n A note or designation of honor, officially recognizing superiority or success in studies
distort v To twist into an unnatural or irregular form
distrain v To subject a person to distress
distrainor n One who subjects a person to distress
distraught adj Bewildered
distrust n Lack of confidence in the power, wisdom, or good intent of any person
disunion n Separation of relations or interests
diurnal adj Daily
divagation n Digression
divergent adj Tending in different directions
diverse adj Capable of various forms
diversion n Pastime
diversity n Dissimilitude
divert v To turn from the accustomed course or a line of action already established
divertible adj Able to be turned from the accustomed course or a line of action already established
divest v To strip, specifically of clothes, ornaments, or accouterments or disinvestment
divination n The pretended forecast of future events or discovery of what is lost or hidden
divinity n The quality or character of being godlike
divisible adj Capable of being separated into parts
divisor n That by which a number or quantity is divided
divulge v To tell or make known, as something previously private or secret
divulgence n A divulging
docile adj Easy to manage
docket n The registry of judgments of a court
doe n The female of the deer
dogma n A statement of religious faith or duty formulated by a body claiming authority
dogmatic adj Making statements without argument or evidence
dogmatize v To make positive assertions without supporting them by argument or evidence
doleful adj Melancholy
dolesome adj Melancholy
dolor n Lamentation
dolorous adj Expressing or causing sorrow or pain
domain n A sphere or field of action or interest
domesticity n Life in or fondness for one's home and family
domicile n The place where one lives
dominance n Ascendancy
dominant adj Conspicuously prominent
dominate v To influence controllingly
domination n Control by the exercise of power or constituted authority
domineer v To rule with insolence or unnecessary annoyance
donate v To bestow as a gift, especially for a worthy cause
donator n One who makes a donation or present
donee n A person to whom a donation is made
donor n One who makes a donation or present
dormant adj Being in a state of or resembling sleep
doublet n One of a pair of like things
doubly adv In twofold degree or extent
dowry n The property which a wife brings to her husband in marriage
drachma n A modern and an ancient Greek coin
dragnet n A net to be drawn along the bottom of the water
dragoon n In the British army, a cavalryman
drainage n The means of draining collectively, as a system of conduits, trenches, pipes, etc
dramatist n One who writes plays
dramatize v To relate or represent in a dramatic or theatrical manner
drastic adj Acting vigorously
drought n Dry weather, especially when so long continued as to cause vegetation to wither
drowsy adj Heavy with sleepiness
drudgery n Hard and constant work in any menial or dull occupation
dubious adj Doubtful
duckling n A young duck
ductile adj Capable of being drawn out, as into wire or a thread
duet n A composition for two voices or instruments
dun v To make a demand or repeated demands on for payment
duplex adj Having two parts
duplicity n Double-dealing
durance n Confinement
duration n The period of time during which anything lasts
duteous adj Showing submission to natural superiors
dutiable adj Subject to a duty, especially a customs duty
dutiful adj Obedient
dwindle v To diminish or become less
dyne n The force which, applied to a mass of one gram for 1 second, would give it a velocity of 1 cm/s
earnest adj Ardent in spirit and speech
earthenware n Anything made of clay and baked in a kiln or dried in the sun
eatable adj Edible
ebullient adj Showing enthusiasm or exhilaration of feeling
eccentric adj Peculiar
eccentricity n Idiosyncrasy
eclipse n The obstruction of a heavenly body by its entering into the shadow of another body
economize v To spend sparingly
ecstasy n Rapturous excitement or exaltation
ecstatic adj Enraptured
edible adj Suitable to be eaten
edict n That which is uttered or proclaimed by authority as a rule of action
edify v To build up, or strengthen, especially in morals or religion
editorial n An article in a periodical written by the editor and published as an official argument
educe v To draw out
efface v To obliterate
effect n A consequence
effective adj Fit for a destined purpose
effectual adj Efficient
effeminacy n Womanishness
effeminate adj Having womanish traits or qualities
effervesce v To bubble up
effervescent adj Giving off bubbles of gas
effete adj Exhausted, as having performed its functions
efficacious adj Effective
efficacy n The power to produce an intended effect as shown in the production of it
efficiency n The state of possessing adequate skill or knowledge for the performance of a duty
efficient adj Having and exercising the power to produce effects or results
efflorescence n The state of being flowery, or a flowery appearance
efflorescent adj Opening in flower
effluvium n A noxious or ill-smelling exhalation from decaying or putrefying matter
effrontery n Unblushing impudence
effulgence n Splendor
effuse v To pour forth
effusion n an outpouring
egoism n The theory that places man's chief good in the completeness of self
egoist n One who advocates or practices egoism
egotism n Self-conceit
egotist n One given to self-mention or who is constantly telling of his own views and experiences
egregious adj Extreme
egress n Any place of exit
eject v To expel
elapse v To quietly terminate: said of time
elasticity n That property of matter by which a body tends to return to a former shape after being changed
electrolysis n The process of decomposing a chemical compound by the passage of an electric current
electrotype n A metallic copy of any surface, as a coin
elegy n A lyric poem lamenting the dead
element n A component or essential part
elicit v To educe or extract gradually or without violence
eligible adj Qualified for selection
eliminate v To separate and cast aside
Elizabethan adj Relating to Elizabeth, queen of England, or to her era
elocution n The art of correct intonation, inflection, and gesture in public speaking or reading
eloquent adj Having the ability to express emotion or feeling in lofty and impassioned speech
elucidate v To bring out more clearly the facts concerning
elude v To evade the search or pursuit of by dexterity or artifice
elusion n Evasion
emaciate v To waste away in flesh
emanate v To flow forth or proceed, as from some source
emancipate v To release from bondage
embargo n Authoritative stoppage of foreign commerce or of any special trade
embark v To make a beginning in some occupation or scheme
embarrass v To render flustered or agitated
embellish v To make beautiful or elegant by adding attractive or ornamental features
embezzle v To misappropriate secretly
emblazon v To set forth publicly or in glowing terms
emblem n A symbol
embody v To express, formulate, or exemplify in a concrete, compact or visible form
embolden v To give courage to
embolism n An obstruction or plugging up of an artery or other blood-vessel
embroil v To involve in dissension or strife
emerge v To come into view or into existence
emergence n A coming into view
emergent adj Coming into view
emeritus adj Retired from active service but retained to an honorary position
emigrant n One who moves from one place to settle in another
emigrate v To go from one country, state, or region for the purpose of settling or residing in another
eminence n An elevated position with respect to rank, place, character, condition, etc
eminent adj High in station, merit, or esteem
emit v To send or give out
emphasis n Any special impressiveness added to an utterance or act, or stress laid upon some word
emphasize v To articulate or enunciate with special impressiveness upon a word, or a group of words
emphatic adj Spoken with any special impressiveness laid upon an act, word, or set of words
employee n One who works for wages or a salary
employer n One who uses or engages the services of other persons for pay
emporium n A bazaar or shop
empower v To delegate authority to
emulate v To imitate with intent to equal or surpass
enact v To make into law, as by legislative act
enamor v To inspire with ardent love
encamp v To pitch tents for a resting-place
encomium n A formal or discriminating expression of praise
encompass v To encircle
encore n The call for a repetition, as of some part of a play or performance
encourage v To inspire with courage, hope, or strength of mind
encroach v To invade partially or insidiously and appropriate the possessions of another
encumber v To impede with obstacles
encyclical adj Intended for general circulation
encyclopedia n A work containing information on subjects, or exhaustive of one subject
endanger v To expose to peril
endear v To cause to be loved
endemic adj Peculiar to some specified country or people
endue v To endow with some quality, gift, or grace, usually spiritual
endurable adj Tolerable
endurance n The ability to suffer pain, distress, hardship, or stress of any kind without succumbing
energetic adj Working vigorously
enervate v To render ineffective or inoperative
enfeeble v To debilitate
enfranchise v To endow with a privilege, especially with the right to vote
engender v To produce
engrave v To cut or carve in or upon some surface
engross v To occupy completely
enhance v To intensify
enigma n A riddle
enjoin v To command
enkindle v To set on fire
enlighten v To cause to see clearly
enlist v To enter voluntarily the military service by formal enrollment
enmity n Hatred
ennoble v To dignify
enormity n Immensity
enormous adj Gigantic
enrage v To infuriate
enrapture v To delight extravagantly or intensely
enshrine v To keep sacred
ensnare v To entrap
entail v To involve; necessitate
entangle v To involve in difficulties, confusion, or complications
enthrall v To bring or hold under any overmastering influence
enthrone v To invest with sovereign power
enthuse v To yield to or display intense and rapturous feeling
enthusiastic adj Full of zeal and fervor
entirety n A complete thing
entomology n The branch of zoology that treats of insects
entreaty n An earnest request
entree n The act of entering
entrench v To fortify or protect, as with a trench or ditch and wall
entwine v To interweave
enumerate v To name one by one
epic n A poem celebrating in formal verse the mythical achievements of great personages, heroes, etc
epicure n One who cultivates a delicate taste for eating and drinking
Epicurean adj Indulging, ministering, or pertaining to daintiness of appetite
epicycle n A circle that rolls upon the external or internal circumference of another circle
epicycloid n A curve traced by a point on the circumference of a circle which rolls upon another circle
epidemic n Wide-spread occurrence of a disease in a certain region
epidermis n The outer skin
epigram n A pithy phrasing of a shrewd observation
epilogue n The close of a narrative or dramatic poem
epiphany n Any appearance or bodily manifestation of a deity
episode n An incident or story in a literary work, separable from yet growing out of it
epitaph n An inscription on a tomb or monument in honor or in memory of the dead
epithet n Word used adjectivally to describe some quality or attribute of is objects, as in "Father Aeneas"
epitome n A simplified representation
epizootic adj Prevailing among animals
epoch n A interval of time, memorable for extraordinary events
epode n A species of lyric poems
equalize v To render uniform
equanimity n Evenness of mind or temper
equestrian adj Pertaining to horses or horsemanship
equilibrium n A state of balance
equitable adj Characterized by fairness
equity n Fairness or impartiality
equivalent adj Equal in value, force, meaning, or the like
equivocal adj Ambiguous
equivocate v To use words of double meaning
eradicate v To destroy thoroughly
errant adj Roving or wandering, as in search of adventure or opportunity for gallant deeds
erratic adj Irregular
erroneous adj Incorrect
erudite adj Very-learned
erudition n Extensive knowledge of literature, history, language, etc
eschew v To keep clear of
espy v To keep close watch
esquire n A title of dignity, office, or courtesy
essence n That which makes a thing to be what it is
esthetic adj Pertaining to beauty, taste, or the fine arts
estimable adj Worthy of respect
estrange v To alienate
estuary n A wide lower part of a tidal river
et cetera Latin And so forth
eugenic adj Relating to the development and improvement of race
eulogize v To speak or write a laudation of a person's life or character
eulogy n A spoken or written laudation of a person's life or character
euphemism n A figure of speech by which a phrase less offensive is substituted
euphonious adj Characterized by agreeableness of sound
euphony n Agreeableness of sound
eureka Greek I have found it
evade v To avoid by artifice
evanesce v To vanish gradually
evanescent adj Fleeting
evangelical adj Seeking the conversion of sinners
evangelist n A preacher who goes from place to place holding services
evasion n Escape
eventual adj Ultimate
evert v To turn inside out
evict v To dispossess pursuant to judicial decree
evidential adj Indicative
evince v To make manifest or evident
evoke v To call or summon forth
evolution n Development or growth
evolve v To unfold or expand
exacerbate v To make more sharp, severe, or virulent
exaggerate v To overstate
exasperate v To excite great anger in
excavate v To remove by digging or scooping out
exceed v To go beyond, as in measure, quality, value, action, power, skill, etc
excel v To be superior or distinguished
excellence n Possession of eminently or unusually good qualities
excellency n A title of honor bestowed upon various high officials
excellent adj Possessing distinguished merit
excerpt n An extract or selection from written or printed matter
excess n That which passes the ordinary, proper, or required limit, measure, or experience
excitable adj Nervously high-strung
excitation n Intensified emotion or action
exclamation n An abrupt or emphatic expression of thought or of feeling
exclude v To shut out purposely or forcibly
exclusion n Non-admission
excrescence n Any unnatural addition, outgrowth, or development
excretion n The getting rid of waste matter
excruciate v To inflict severe pain or agony upon
excursion n A journey
excusable adj Justifiable
execrable adj Abominable
execration n An accursed thing
executor n A person nominated by the will of another to execute the will
exegesis n Biblical exposition or interpretation
exemplar n A model, pattern, or original to be copied or imitated
exemplary adj Fitted to serve as a model or example worthy of imitation
exemplify v To show by example
exempt adj Free, clear, or released, as from some liability, or restriction affecting others
exert v To make an effort
exhale v To breathe forth
exhaust v To empty by draining off the contents
exhaustible adj Causing or tending to cause exhaustion
exhaustion n Deprivation of strength or energy
exhaustive adj Thorough and complete in execution
exhilarate v To fill with high or cheerful spirits
exhume v To dig out of the earth (what has been buried)
exigency n A critical period or condition
exigent adj Urgent
existence n Possession or continuance of being
exit n A way or passage out
exodus n A going forth or departure from a place or country, especially of many people
exonerate v To relieve or vindicate from accusation, imputation, or blame
exorbitance n Extravagance or enormity
exorbitant adj Going beyond usual and proper limits
exorcise v To cast or drive out by religious or magical means
exotic adj Foreign
expand v To increase in range or scope
expanse n A continuous area or stretch
expansion n Increase of amount, size, scope, or the like
expatriate v To drive from one's own country
expect v To look forward to as certain or probable
expectancy n The act or state of looking forward to as certain or probable
expectorate v To cough up and spit forth
expediency n Fitness to meet the requirements of a particular case
expedient adj Contributing to personal advantage
expedite v To hasten the movement or progress of
expeditious adj Speedy
expend v To spend
expense n The laying out or expending or money or other resources, as time or strength
expiate v To make satisfaction or amends for
explicate v To clear from involvement
explicit adj Definite
explode v To cause to burst in pieces by force from within
explosion n A sudden and violent outbreak
explosive adj Pertaining to a sudden and violent outbreak
exposition n Formal presentation
expository adj Pertaining to a formal presentation
expostulate v To discuss
exposure n An open situation or position in relation to the sun, elements, or points of the compass
expressive adj Full of meaning
expulsion n Forcible ejection
extant adj Still existing and known
extemporaneous adj Done or made without much or any preparation
extempore adv Without studied or special preparation
extensible adj Capable of being thrust out
extension n A reaching or stretching out, as in space, time or scope
extensive adj Extended widely in space, time, or scope
extensor n A muscle that causes extension
extenuate v To diminish the gravity or importance of
exterior n That which is outside
external n Anything relating or belonging to the outside
extinct adj Being no longer in existence
extinguish v To render extinct
extol v To praise in the highest terms
extort v To obtain by violence, threats, compulsion, or the subjection of another to some necessity
extortion n The practice of obtaining by violence or compulsion
extradite v To surrender the custody of
extradition n The surrender by a government of a person accused of crime to the justice of another government
extrajudicial adj Happening out of court
extraneous adj Having no essential relation to a subject
extraordinary adj Unusual
extravagance n Undue expenditure of money
extravagant adj Needlessly free or lavish in expenditure
extremist n One who supports extreme measures or holds extreme views
extremity n The utmost point, side, or border, or that farthest removed from a mean position
extricate v Disentangle
extrude v To drive out or away
exuberance n Rich supply
exuberant adj Marked by great plentifulness
fabricate v To invent fancifully or falsely
fabulous adj Incredible
facet n One of the small triangular plane surfaces of a diamond or other gem
facetious adj Amusing
facial adj Pertaining to the face
facile adj Not difficult to do
facilitate v To make more easy
facility n Ease
facsimile n An exact copy or reproduction
faction n A number of persons combined for a common purpose
factious adj Turbulent
fallacious adj Illogical
fallacy n Any unsound or delusive mode of reasoning, or anything based on such reasoning
fallible adj Capable of erring
fallow n Land broken up and left to become mellow or to rest
famish v To suffer extremity of hunger or thirst
fanatic n A religious zealot
fancier n One having a taste for or interest in special objects
fanciless adj Unimaginative
fastidious adj Hard to please
fathom n A measure of length, 6 feet
fatuous adj Idiotic
faulty adj Imperfect
faun n One of a class of deities of the woods and herds represented as half human, with goats feet
fawn n A young deer
fealty n Loyalty
feasible adj That may be done, performed, or effected; practicable
federate v To league together
feint n Any sham, pretense, or deceptive movement
felicitate v To wish joy or happiness to, especially in view of a coming event
felicity n A state of well-founded happiness
felon n A criminal or depraved person
felonious adj Showing criminal or evil purpose
felony n One of the highest class of offenses, and punishable with death or imprisonment
feminine adj Characteristic of woman or womankind
fernery n A place in which ferns are grown
ferocious adj Of a wild, fierce, and savage nature
ferocity n Savageness
fervent adj Ardent in feeling
fervid adj Intense
fervor n Ardor or intensity of feeling
festal adj Joyous
festive adj Merry
fete n A festival or feast
fetus n The young in the womb or in the egg
feudal adj Pertaining to the relation of lord and vassal
feudalism n The feudal system
fez n A brimless felt cap in the shape of a truncated cone, usually red with a black tassel
fiasco n A complete or humiliating failure
fickle adj Unduly changeable in feeling, judgment, or purpose
fictitious adj Created or formed by the imagination
fidelity n Loyalty
fiducial adj Indicative of faith or trust
fief n A landed estate held under feudal tenure
filibuster n One who attempts to obstruct legislation
finale n Concluding performance
finality n The state or quality of being final or complete
finally adv At last
financial adj Monetary
financier n One skilled in or occupied with financial affairs or operations
finery n That which is used to decorate the person or dress
finesse n Subtle contrivance used to gain a point
finite adj Limited
fiscal adj Pertaining to the treasury or public finances of a government
fishmonger n One who sells fish
fissure n A crack or crack-like depression
fitful adj Spasmodic
fixture n One who or that which is expected to remain permanently in its position
flag-officer n The captain of a flag-ship
flagrant adj Openly scandalous
flamboyant adj Characterized by extravagance and in general by want of good taste
flatulence n Accumulation of gas in the stomach and bowels
flection n The act of bending
fledgling n A young bird
flexible adj Pliable
flimsy adj Thin and weak
flippant adj Having a light, pert, trifling disposition
floe n A collection of tabular masses of floating polar ice
flora n The aggregate of plants growing without cultivation in a district
floral adj Pertaining to flowers
florid adj Flushed with red
florist n A dealer in flowers
fluctuate v To pass backward and forward irregularly from one state or degree to another
fluctuation n Frequent irregular change back and forth from one state or degree to another
flue n A smoke-duct in a chimney
fluent adj Having a ready or easy flow of words or ideas
fluential adj Pertaining to streams
flux n A state of constant movement, change, or renewal
foggy adj Obscure
foible n A personal weakness or failing
foist v To palm off
foliage n Any growth of leaves
folio n A sheet of paper folded once, or of a size adapted to folding once
folk-lore n The traditions, beliefs, and customs of the common people
fondle v To handle tenderly and lovingly
foolery n Folly
foot-note n A note of explanation or comment at the foot of a page or column
foppery n Dandyism
foppish adj Characteristic of one who is unduly devoted to dress and the niceties of manners
forbearance n Patient endurance or toleration of offenses
forby adv Besides
forcible adj Violent
forecourt n A court opening directly from the street
forejudge v To judge of before hearing evidence
forepeak n The extreme forward part of a ship's hold, under the lowest deck
foreshore n That part of a shore uncovered at low tide
forebode v To be an omen or warning sign of, especially of evil
forecast v To predict
forecastle n That part of the upper deck of a ship forward of the after fore-shrouds
foreclose v To bar by judicial proceedings the equitable right of a mortgagor to redeem property
forefather n An ancestor
forego v To deny oneself the pleasure or profit of
foreground n That part of a landscape or picture situated or represented as nearest the spectator
forehead n The upper part of the face, between the eyes and the hair
foreign adj Belonging to, situated in, or derived from another country
foreigner n A citizen of a foreign country
foreknowledge n Prescience
foreman n The head man
foreordain v To predetermine
foreordination n Predestination
forerun v To go before as introducing or ushering in
foresail n A square sail
foresee v To discern beforehand
foresight n Provision against harm or need
foretell v To predict
forethought n Premeditation
forfeit v To lose possession of through failure to fulfill some obligation
forfend v To ward off
forgery n Counterfeiting
forgo v To deny oneself
formation n Relative disposition of parts
formidable adj Difficult to accomplish
formula n Fixed rule or set form
forswear v To renounce upon oath
forte n A strong point
forth adv Into notice or view
forthright adv With directness
fortify v To provide with defensive works
fortitude n Patient courage
foursome adj Consisting of four
fracture n A break
fragile adj Easily broken
frailty n Liability to be broken or destroyed
fragile adj Capable of being broken
frankincense n A gum or resin which on burning yields aromatic fumes
frantic adj Frenzied
fraternal adj Brotherly
fraudulence n Deceitfulness
fraudulent adj Counterfeit
fray v To fret at the edge so as to loosen or break the threads
freemason n A member of an ancient secret fraternity originally confined to skilled artisans
freethinker n One who rejects authority or inspiration in religion
free trade n Commerce unrestricted by tariff or customs
frequency n The comparative number of any kind of occurrences within a given time or space
fresco n The art of painting on a surface of plaster, particularly on walls and ceilings
freshness n The state, quality, or degree of being fresh
fretful adj Disposed to peevishness
frightful adj Apt to induce terror or alarm
frigid adj Lacking warmth
frigidarium n A room kept at a low temperature for preserving fruits, meat, etc
frivolity n A trifling act, thought, saying, or practice
frivolous adj Trivial
frizz v To give a crinkled, fluffy appearance to
frizzle v To cause to crinkle or curl, as the hair
frolicsome adj Prankish
frontier n The part of a nation's territory that abuts upon another country
frowzy adj Slovenly in appearance
frugal adj Economical
fruition n Fulfillment
fugacious adj Fleeting
fulcrum n The support on or against which a lever rests, or the point about which it turns
fulminate v To cause to explode
fulsome adj Offensive from excess of praise or commendation
fumigate v To subject to the action of smoke or fumes, especially for disinfection
functionary n An official
fundamental adj Basal
fungible adj That may be measured, counted, or weighed
fungous adj Spongy
fungus n A plant destitute of chlorophyll, as a mushroom
furbish v To restore brightness or beauty to
furlong n A measure, one-eighth of a mile
furlough n A temporary absence of a soldier or sailor by permission of the commanding officer
furrier n A dealer in or maker of fur goods
further adj More distant or advanced
furtherance n Advancement
furtive adj Stealthy or sly, like the actions of a thief
fuse v To unite or blend as by melting together
fusible adj Capable of being melted by heat
futile adj Of no avail or effect
futurist n A person of expectant temperament
gauge n An instrument for measuring
gaiety n Festivity
gaily adv Merrily
gait n Carriage of the body in going
gallant adj Possessing a brave or chivalrous spirit
galore adj Abundant
galvanic adj Pertaining or relating to electricity produced by chemical action
galvanism n Current electricity, especially that arising from chemical action
galvanize v To imbue with life or animation
gamble v To risk money or other possession on an event, chance, or contingency
gambol n Playful leaping or frisking
gamester n A gambler
gamut n The whole range or sequence
garnish v In cookery, to surround with additions for embellishment
garrison n The military force stationed in a fort, town, or other place for its defense
garrote v To execute by strangling
garrulous adj Given to constant trivial talking
gaseous adj Light and unsubstantial
gastric adj Of, pertaining to, or near the stomach
gastritis n Inflammation of the stomach
gastronomy n The art of preparing and serving appetizing food
gendarme n In continental Europe, particularly in France, a uniformed and armed police officer
genealogy n A list, in the order of succession, of ancestors and their descendants
genealogist n A tracer of pedigrees
generality n The principal portion
generalize v To draw general inferences
generally adv Ordinarily
generate v To produce or cause to be
generic adj Noting a genus or kind; opposed to specific
generosity n A disposition to give liberally or to bestow favors heartily
genesis n Creation
geniality n Warmth and kindliness of disposition
genital adj Of or pertaining to the animal reproductive organs
genitive adj Indicating source, origin, possession, or the like
genteel adj Well-bred or refined
gentile adj Belonging to a people not Jewish
geology n The department of natural science that treats of the constitution and structure of the earth
germane adj Relevant
germinate v To begin to develop into an embryo or higher form
gestation n Pregnancy
gesticulate v To make gestures or motions, as in speaking, or in place of speech
gesture n A movement or action of the hands or face, expressive of some idea or emotion
ghastly adj Hideous
gibe v To utter taunts or reproaches
giddy adj Affected with a whirling or swimming sensation in the head
gigantic adj Tremendous
giver n One who gives, in any sense
glacial adj Icy, or icily cold
glacier n A field or stream of ice
gladden v To make joyous
glazier n One who cuts and fits panes of glass, as for windows
glimmer n A faint, wavering, unsteady light
glimpse n A momentary look
globose adj Spherical
globular adj Spherical
glorious adj Of excellence and splendor
glutinous adj Sticky
gluttonous adj Given to excess in eating
gnash v To grind or strike the teeth together, as from rage
Gordian knot n Any difficulty the only issue out of which is by bold or unusual manners
gourmand n A connoisseur in the delicacies of the table
gosling n A young goose
gossamer adj Flimsy
gourd n A melon, pumpkin, squash, or some similar fruit having a hard rind
graceless adj Ungracious
gradation n A step, degree, rank, or relative position in an order or series
gradient adj Moving or advancing by steps
granary n A storehouse for grain after it is thrashed or husked
grandeur n The quality of being grand or admirably great
grandiloquent adj Speaking in or characterized by a pompous or bombastic style
grandiose adj Having an imposing style or effect
grantee n The person to whom property is transferred by deed
grantor n The maker of a deed
granular adj Composed of small grains or particles
granulate v To form into grains or small particles
granule n A small grain or particle
grapple v To take hold of
gratification n Satisfaction
gratify v To please, as by satisfying a physical or mental desire or need
gratuitous adj Voluntarily
gravity n Seriousness
gregarious adj Not habitually solitary or living alone
grenadier n A member of a regiment composed of men of great stature
grief n Sorrow
grievance n That which oppresses, injures, or causes grief and at the same time a sense of wrong
grievous adj Creating affliction
grimace n A distortion of the features, occasioned by some feeling of pain, disgust, etc
grindstone n A flat circular stone, used for sharpening tools
grisly adj Fear-inspiring
grotesque adj Incongruously composed or ill-proportioned
grotto n A small cavern
ground n A pavement or floor or any supporting surface on which one may walk
guess n Surmise
guile n Duplicity
guileless adj Frank
guinea n An English monetary unit
guise n The external appearance as produced by garb or costume
gullible adj Credulous
gumption n Common sense
gusto n Keen enjoyment
guy n Stay-rope
guzzle v To swallow greedily or hastily; gulp
gynecocracy n Female supremacy
gynecology n The science that treats of the functions and diseases peculiar to women
gyrate v To revolve
gyroscope n An instrument for illustrating the laws of rotation
habitable adj Fit to be dwelt in
habitant n Dweller
habitual adj According to usual practice
habitude n Customary relation or association
hackney v To make stale or trite by repetition
haggard adj Worn and gaunt in appearance
halcyon adj Calm
hale adj Of sound and vigorous health
handwriting n Penmanship
hanger-on n A parasite
happy-go-lucky adj Improvident
harangue n A tirade
harass v To trouble with importunities, cares, or annoyances
harbinger n One who or that which foreruns and announces the coming of any person or thing
hard-hearted adj Lacking pity or sympathy
hardihood n Foolish daring
harmonious adj Concordant in sound
havoc n Devastation
hawthorn n A thorny shrub much used in England for hedges
hazard n Risk
head first adv Precipitately, as in diving
head foremost adv Precipitately, as in diving
heartrending adj Very depressing
heathenish adj Irreligious
heedless adj Thoughtless
heifer n A young cow
heinous adj Odiously sinful
hemorrhage n Discharge of blood from a ruptured or wounded blood-vessel
henchman n A servile assistant and subordinate
henpeck v To worry or harass by ill temper and petty annoyances
heptagon n A figure having seven sides and seven angles
heptarchy n A group of seven governments
herbaceous adj Having the character of a herb
herbarium n A collection of dried plants scientifically arranged for study
herbivorous adj Feeding on herbs or other vegetable matter, as animals
hereditary adj Passing naturally from parent to child
heredity n Transmission of physical or mental qualities, diseases, etc, from parent to offspring
heresy n An opinion or doctrine subversive of settled beliefs or accepted principles
heretic n One who holds opinions contrary to the recognized standards or tenets of any philosophy
heritage n Birthright
hernia n Protrusion of any internal organ in whole or in part from its normal position
hesitancy n A pausing to consider
hesitant adj Vacillating
hesitation n Vacillation
heterodox adj At variance with any commonly accepted doctrine or opinion
heterogeneity n Unlikeness of constituent parts
heterogeneous adj Consisting of dissimilar elements or ingredients of different kinds
heteromorphic adj Deviating from the normal form or standard type
hexangular adj Having six angles
hexapod adj Having six feet
hexagon n A figure with six angles
hiatus n A break or vacancy where something necessary to supply the connection is wanting
hibernal adj Pertaining to winter
Hibernian adj Pertaining to Ireland, or its people
hideous adj Appalling
hilarious adj Boisterously merry
hillock n A small hill or mound
hinder v To obstruct
hindmost adj Farthest from the front
hindrance n An obstacle
hirsute adj Having a hairy covering
hoard v To gather and store away for the sake of accumulation
hoarse adj Having the voice harsh or rough, as from a cold or fatigue
homage n Reverential regard or worship
homogeneity n Congruity of the members or elements or parts
homogeneous adj Made up of similar parts or elements
homologous adj Identical in nature, make-up, or relation
homonym n A word agreeing in sound with but different in meaning from another
homophone n A word agreeing in sound with but different in meaning from another
honorarium n A token fee or payment to a professional man for services
hoodwink v To deceive
horde n A gathered multitude of human beings
hosiery n A stocking
hospitable adj Disposed to treat strangers or guests with generous kindness
hospitality n The practice of receiving and entertaining strangers and guests with kindness
hostility n Enmity
huckster n One who retails small wares
humane adj Compassionate
humanitarian n A philanthropist
humanize v To make gentle or refined
humbug n Anything intended or calculated to deceive or mislead
humiliate v To put to shame
hussar n A light-horse trooper armed with saber and carbine
hustle v To move with haste and promptness
hybrid adj Cross-bred
hydra n The seven- or nine-headed water-serpent slain by Hercules
hydraulic adj Involving the moving of water, of the force exerted by water in motion
hydrodynamics n The branch of mechanics that treats of the dynamics of fluids
hydroelectric adj Pertaining to electricity developed water or steam
hydromechanics n The mechanics of fluids
hydrometer n An instrument for determining the density of solids and liquids by flotation
hydrostatics n The branch of science that treats of the pressure and equilibrium of fluids
hydrous adj Watery
hygiene n The branch of medical science that relates to improving health
hypercritical adj Faultfinding
hypnosis n An artificial trance-sleep
hypnotic adj Tending to produce sleep
hypnotism n An artificially induced somnambulistic state in which the mind readily acts on suggestion
hypnotize v To produce a somnambulistic state in which the mind readily acts on suggestions
hypocrisy n Extreme insincerity
hypocrite n One who makes false professions of his views or beliefs
hypodermic adj Pertaining to the area under the skin
hypotenuse n The side of a right-angled triangle opposite the right angle
hypothesis n A proposition taken for granted as a premise from which to reach a conclusion
hysteria n A nervous affection occurring typically in paroxysms of laughing and crying
ichthyic adj Fish-like
ichthyology n The branch of zoology that treats of fishes
ichthyosaurs n A fossil reptile
icily adv Frigidly
iciness n The state of being icy
icon n An image or likeness
iconoclast n An image-breaker
idealize v To make to conform to some mental or imaginary standard
idiom n A use of words peculiar to a particular language
idiosyncrasy n A mental quality or habit peculiar to an individual
idolize v To regard with inordinate love or admiration
ignoble adj Low in character or purpose
ignominious adj Shameful
Iliad n A Greek epic poem describing scenes from the siege of Troy
illegal adj Not according to law
illegible adj Undecipherable
illegitimate adj Unlawfully begotten
illiberal adj Stingy
illicit adj Unlawful
illimitable adj Boundless
illiterate adj Having little or no book-learning
ill-natured adj Surly
illogical adj Contrary to the rules of sound thought
illuminant n That which may be used to produce light
illuminate v To supply with light
illumine v To make bright or clear
illusion n An unreal image presented to the senses
illusive adj Deceptive
illusory adj Deceiving or tending to deceive, as by false appearance
imaginable adj That can be imagined or conceived in the mind
imaginary adj Fancied
imbibe v To drink or take in
imbroglio n A misunderstanding attended by ill feeling, perplexity, or strife
imbrue v To wet or moisten
imitation n That which is made as a likeness or copy
imitator n One who makes in imitation
immaculate adj Without spot or blemish
immaterial adj Of no essential consequence
immature adj Not full-grown
immeasurable adj Indefinitely extensive
immense adj Very great in degree, extent, size, or quantity
immerse v To plunge or dip entirely under water or other fluid
immersion n The act of plunging or dipping entirely under water or another fluid
immigrant n A foreigner who enters a country to settle there
immigrate v To come into a country or region from a former habitat
imminence n Impending evil or danger
imminent adj Dangerous and close at hand
immiscible adj Separating, as oil and water
immoral adj Habitually engaged in licentious or lewd practices
immortalize v To cause to last or to be known or remembered throughout a great or indefinite length of time
immovable adj Steadfast
immune adj Exempt, as from disease
immutable adj Unchangeable
impair v To cause to become less or worse
impalpable adj Imperceptible to the touch
impartial adj Unbiased
impassable adj That can not be passed through or over
impassible adj Not moved or affected by feeling
impassive adj Unmoved by or not exhibiting feeling
impatience n Unwillingness to brook delays or wait the natural course of things
impeccable adj Blameless
impecunious adj Having no money
impede v To be an obstacle or to place obstacles in the way of
impel v To drive or urge forward
impend v To be imminent
imperative adj Obligatory
imperceptible adj Indiscernible
imperfectible adj That can not be perfected
imperil v To endanger
imperious adj Insisting on obedience
impermissible adj Not permissible
impersonal adj Not relating to a particular person or thing
impersonate v To appear or act in the character of
impersuadable adj Unyielding
impertinence n Rudeness
imperturbable adj Calm
impervious adj Impenetrable
impetuosity n Rashness
impetuous adj Impulsive
impetus n Any impulse or incentive
impiety n Irreverence toward God
impious adj Characterized by irreverence or irreligion
implausible adj Not plausible
impliable adj Capable of being inferred
implicate v To show or prove to be involved in or concerned
implicit adj Implied
imply v To signify
impolitic adj Inexpedient
importation n The act or practice of bringing from one country into another
importunate adj Urgent in character, request, or demand
importune v To harass with persistent demands or entreaties
impotent adj Destitute of or lacking in power, physical, moral, or intellectual
impoverish v To make indigent or poor
impracticable adj Not feasible
impregnable adj That can not be taken by assault
impregnate v To make pregnant
impromptu n Anything done or said on the impulse of the moment
improper adj Not appropriate, suitable, or becoming
impropriety n The state or quality of being unfit, unseemly, or inappropriate
improvident adj Lacking foresight or thrift
improvise v To do anything extemporaneously or offhand
imprudent adj Heedless
impudence n Insolent disrespect
impugn v To assail with arguments, insinuations, or accusations
impulsion n Impetus
impulsive adj Unpremeditated
impunity n Freedom from punishment
impure adj Tainted
impute v To attribute
inaccessible adj Difficult of approach
inaccurate adj Not exactly according to the facts
inactive adj Inert
inadequate adj Insufficient
inadmissible adj Not to be approved, considered, or allowed, as testimony
inadvertent adj Accidental
inadvisable adj Unadvisable
inane adj Silly
inanimate adj Destitute of animal life
inapprehensible adj Not to be understood
inapt adj Awkward or slow
inarticulate adj Speechless
inaudible adj That can not be heard
inborn adj Implanted by nature
inbred adj Innate
incandescence n The state of being white or glowing with heat
incandescent adj White or glowing with heat
incapacitate v To deprive of power, capacity, competency, or qualification
incapacity n Want of power to apprehend, understand, and manage
incarcerate v To imprison
incendiary n Chemical or person who starts a fire-literally or figuratively
incentive n That which moves the mind or inflames the passions
inception n The beginning
inceptive adj Beginning
incessant adj Unceasing
inchmeal adv Piecemeal
inchoate adj Incipient
inchoative n That which begins, or expresses beginning
incidence n Casual occurrence
incident n A happening in general, especially one of little importance
incidentally adv Without intention
incinerate v To reduce to ashes
incipience n Beginning
incipient adj Initial
incisor n A front or cutting tooth
incite v To rouse to a particular action
incitement n That which moves to action, or serves as an incentive or stimulus
incoercible adj Incapable of being forced, constrained, or compelled
incoherence n Want of connection, or agreement, as of parts or ideas in thought, speech, etc
incoherent adj Not logically coordinated, as to parts, elements, or details
incombustible adj That can not be burned
incomparable adj Matchless
incompatible adj Discordant
incompetence n General lack of capacity or fitness
incompetent adj Not having the abilities desired or necessary for any purpose
incomplete adj Lacking some element, part, or adjunct necessary or required
incomprehensible adj Not understandable
incompressible adj Resisting all attempts to reduce volume by pressure
inconceivable adj Incomprehensible
incongruous adj Unsuitable for the time, place, or occasion
inconsequential adj Valueless
inconsiderable adj Small in quantity or importance
inconsistent adj Contradictory
inconstant adj Changeable
incontrovertible adj Indisputable
inconvenient adj Interfering with comfort or progress
indefensible adj Untenable
indefinitely adv In a vague or uncertain way
indelible adj That can not be blotted out, effaced, destroyed, or removed
indescribable adj That can not be described
indestructible adj That can not be destroyed
indicant adj That which points out
indicator n One who or that which points out
indict v To find and declare chargeable with crime
indigence n Poverty
indigenous adj Native
indigent adj Poor
indigestible adj Not digestible, or difficult to digest
indigestion n Difficulty or failure in the alimentary canal in changing food into absorptive nutriment
indignant adj Having such anger and scorn as is aroused by meanness or wickedness
indignity n Unmerited contemptuous conduct or treatment
indiscernible adj Not perceptible
indiscreet adj Lacking wise judgment
indiscriminate adj Promiscuous
indispensable adj Necessary or requisite for the purpose
indistinct adj Vague
indivertible adj That can not be turned aside
indivisible adj Not separable into parts
indolence n Laziness
indolent adj Habitually inactive or idle
indomitable adj Unconquerable
induct v To bring in
indulgence n The yielding to inclination, passion, desire, or propensity in oneself or another
indulgent adj Yielding to the desires or humor of oneself or those under one's care
inebriate v To intoxicate
inedible adj Not good for food
ineffable adj Unutterable
inefficient adj Not accomplishing an intended purpose
inefficiency n That which does not accomplish an intended purpose
ineligible adj Not suitable to be selected or chosen
inept adj Not fit or suitable
inert adj Inanimate
inestimable adj Above price
inevitable adj Unavoidable
inexcusable adj Not to be justified
inexhaustible adj So large or furnishing so great a supply as not to be emptied, wasted, or spent
inexorable adj Unrelenting
inexpedient adj Unadvisable
inexpensive adj Low-priced
inexperience n Lack of or deficiency in experience
inexplicable adj Such as can not be made plain
inexpressible adj Unutterable
inextensible adj Of unchangeable length or area
infallible adj Exempt from error of judgment, as in opinion or statement
infamous adj Publicly branded or notorious, as for vice, or crime
infamy n Total loss or destitution of honor or reputation
inference n The derivation of a judgment from any given material of knowledge on the ground of law
infernal adj Akin to or befitting hell or its occupants
infest v To be present in such numbers as to be a source of annoyance, trouble, or danger
infidel n One who denies the existence of God
infidelity n Disloyalty
infinite adj Measureless
infinity n Boundless or immeasurable extension or duration
infirm adj Lacking in bodily or mental strength
infirmary n A place for the reception or treatment of the sick
infirmity n A physical, mental, or moral weakness or flaw
inflammable adj Easily set on fire or excited
inflammation n A morbid process in some part of the body characterized by heat, swelling, and pain
inflexible adj That can not be altered or varied
influence n Ability to sway the will of another
influential adj Having the power to sway the will of another
influx n Infusion
infrequence n Rareness
infrequent adj Uncommon
infringe v To trespass upon
infuse v To instill, introduce, or inculcate, as principles or qualities
infusion n The act of imbuing, or pouring in
ingenious adj Evincing skill, originality, or cleverness, as in contrivance or arrangement
ingenuity n Cleverness in contriving, combining, or originating
ingenuous adj Candid, frank, or open in character or quality
inglorious adj Shameful
ingraft v To set or implant deeply and firmly
ingratiate v To win confidence or good graces for oneself
ingratitude n Insensibility to kindness
ingredient n Component
inherence n The state of being permanently existing in something
inherent adj Intrinsic
inhibit v To hold back or in
inhospitable adj Not disposed to entertain strangers gratuitously
inhuman adj Savage
inhume v To place in the earth, as a dead body
inimical adj Adverse
iniquity n Gross wrong or injustice
initiate v To perform the first act or rite
inject v To introduce, as a fluid, by injection
injunction n Mandate
inkling n A hint
inland adj Remote from the sea
inlet n A small body of water leading into a larger
inmost adj Deepest within
innocuous adj Harmless
innovate v To introduce or strive to introduce new things
innuendo n Insinuation
innumerable adj Countless
inoffensive adj Causing nothing displeasing or disturbing
inopportune adj Unsuitable or inconvenient, especially as to time
inquire v To ask information about
inquisition n A court or tribunal for examination and punishment of heretics
inquisitive adj Given to questioning, especially out of curiosity
inquisitor n One who makes an investigation
inroad n Forcible encroachment or trespass
insatiable adj That desires or craves immoderately or unappeasably
inscribe v To enter in a book, or on a list, roll, or document, by writing
inscrutable adj Impenetrably mysterious or profound
insecure adj Not assured of safety
insensible adj Imperceptible
insentient adj Lacking the power of feeling or perceiving
inseparable adj That can not be separated
insidious adj Working ill by slow and stealthy means
insight n Intellectual discernment
insignificance n Lack of import or of importance
insignificant adj Without importance, force, or influence
insinuate v To imply
insipid adj Tasteless
insistence n Urgency
insistent adj Urgent
insolence n Pride or haughtiness exhibited in contemptuous and overbearing treatment of others
insolent adj Impudent
insomnia n Sleeplessness
inspector n An official appointed to examine or oversee any matter of public interest or importance
instance n A single occurrence or happening of a given kind
instant n A very brief portion of time
instantaneous adj Done without perceptible lapse of time
instigate v To provoke
instigator n One who incites to evil
instill v To infuse
instructive adj Conveying knowledge
insufficiency n Inadequacy
insufficient adj Inadequate for some need, purpose, or use
insular adj Pertaining to an island
insulate v To place in a detached state or situation
insuperable adj Invincible
insuppressible adj Incapable of being concealed
insurgence n Uprising
insurgent n One who takes part in forcible opposition to the constituted authorities of a place
insurrection n The state of being in active resistance to authority
intangible adj Not perceptible to the touch
integrity n Uprightness of character and soundness of moral principle
intellect n The faculty of perception or thought
intellectual adj Characterized by intelligence
intelligence n Capacity to know or understand
intelligible adj Comprehensible
intemperance n Immoderate action or indulgence, as of the appetites
intension n The act of stringing or stretching, or state of being strained
intensive adj Adding emphasis or force
intention n That upon which the mind is set
interact v To act reciprocally
intercede v To mediate between persons
intercept v To interrupt the course of
intercession n Entreaty in behalf of others
intercessor n A mediator
interdict n Authoritative act of prohibition
interim n Time between acts or periods
interlocutor n One who takes part in a conversation or oral discussion
interlude n An action or event considered as coming between others of greater length
intermediate adj Being in a middle place or degree or between extremes
interminable adj Having no limit or end
intermission n A recess
intermit v To cause to cease temporarily
intermittent adj A temporary discontinuance
interpolation n Verbal interference
interpose v To come between other things or persons
interposition n A coming between
interpreter n A person who makes intelligible the speech of a foreigner by oral translation
interrogate v To examine formally by questioning
interrogative adj Having the nature or form of a question
interrogatory n A question or inquiry
interrupt v To stop while in progress
intersect v To cut through or into so as to divide
intervale n A low tract of land between hills, especially along a river
intervene v To interfere for some end
intestacy n The condition resulting from one's dying not having made a valid will
intestate adj Not having made a valid will
intestine n That part of the digestive tube below or behind the stomach, extending to the anus
intimacy n Close or confidential friendship
intimidate v To cause to become frightened
intolerable adj Insufferable
intolerance n Inability or unwillingness to bear or endure
intolerant adj Bigoted
intoxicant n Anything that unduly exhilarates or excites
intoxicate v To make drunk
intracellular adj Occurring or situated within a cell
intramural adj Situated within the walls of a city
intrepid adj Fearless and bold
intricacy n Perplexity
intricate adj Difficult to follow or understand
intrigue n A plot or scheme, usually complicated and intended to accomplish something by secret ways
intrinsic adj Inherent
introductory adj Preliminary
introgression n Entrance
intromit v To insert
introspect v To look into
introspection n The act of observing and analyzing one's own thoughts and feelings
introversion n The act of turning or directing inward, physically or mentally
introvert v To turn within
intrude v To come in without leave or license
intrusion n The act of entering without warrant or invitation; encroachment
intuition n Instinctive knowledge or feeling
inundate v To fill with an overflowing abundance
inundation n Flood
inure v To harden or toughen by use, exercise, or exposure
invalid adj Having no force, weight, or cogency
invalid n One who is disabled by illness or injury
invalidate v To render of no force or effect
invaluable adj Exceedingly precious
invariable adj Unchangeable
invasion n Encroachment, as by an act of intrusion or trespass
invective n An utterance intended to cast censure, or reproach
inveigh v To utter vehement censure or invective
inventive adj Quick at contrivance
inverse adj Contrary in tendency or direction
inversion n Change of order so that the first shall become last and the last first
invert v To turn inside out, upside down, or in opposite direction
investigator n One who investigates
investor n One who invests money
inveterate adj Habitual
invidious adj Showing or feeling envy
invigorate v To animate
invincible adj Not to be conquered, subdued, or overcome
inviolable adj Incapable of being injured or disturbed
invoke v To call on for assistance or protection
involuntary adj Unwilling
involution n Complication
involve v To draw into entanglement, literally or figuratively
invulnerable adj That can not be wounded or hurt
inwardly adv With no outward manifestation
iota n A small or insignificant mark or part
irascible adj Prone to anger
irate adj Moved to anger
ire n Wrath
iridescence n A many-colored appearance
iridescent adj Exhibiting changing rainbow-colors due to the interference of the light
irk v To afflict with pain, vexation, or fatigue
irksome adj Wearisome
irony n Censure or ridicule under cover of praise or compliment
irradiance n Luster
irradiate v To render clear and intelligible
irrational adj Not possessed of reasoning powers or understanding
irreducible adj That can not be lessened
irrefragable adj That can not be refuted or disproved
irrefrangible adj That can not be broken or violated
irrelevant adj Inapplicable
irreligious adj Indifferent or opposed to religion
irreparable adj That can not be rectified or made amends for
irrepressible adj That can not be restrained or kept down
irresistible adj That can not be successfully withstood or opposed
irresponsible adj Careless of or unable to meet responsibilities
irreverence n The quality showing or expressing a deficiency of veneration, especially for sacred things
irreverent adj Showing or expressing a deficiency of veneration, especially for sacred things
irreverential adj Showing or expressing a deficiency of veneration, especially for sacred things
irreversible adj Irrevocable
irrigant adj Serving to water lands by artificial means
irrigate v To water, as land, by ditches or other artificial means
irritable adj Showing impatience or ill temper on little provocation
irritancy n The quality of producing vexation
irritant n A mechanical, chemical, or pathological agent of inflammation, pain, or tension
irritate v To excite ill temper or impatience in
irruption n Sudden invasion
isle n An island
islet n A little island
isobar n A line joining points at which the barometric pressure is the same at a specified moment
isochronous adj Relating to or denoting equal intervals of time
isolate v To separate from others of its kind
isothermal adj Having or marking equality of temperature
itinerant adj Wandering
itinerary n A detailed account or diary of a journey
itinerate v To wander from place to place
jargon n Confused, unintelligible speech or highly technical speech
jaundice n A morbid condition, due to obstructed excretion of bile or characterized by yellowing of the skin
jeopardize v To imperil
Jingo n One of a party in Great Britain in favor of spirited and demonstrative foreign policy
jocose adj Done or made in jest
jocular adj Inclined to joke
joggle n A sudden irregular shake or a push causing such a shake
journalize v To keep a diary
jovial adj Merry
jubilation n Exultation
judgment n The faculty by the exercise of which a deliberate conclusion is reached
judicature n Distribution and administration of justice by trial and judgment
judicial adj Pertaining to the administration of justice
judiciary n That department of government which administers the law relating to civil and criminal justice
judicious adj Prudent
juggle v To play tricks of sleight of hand
jugglery n The art or practice of sleight of hand
jugular adj Pertaining to the throat
juicy adj Succulent
junction n The condition of being joined
juncture n An articulation, joint, or seam
junta n A council or assembly that deliberates in secret upon the affairs of government
juridical adj Assumed by law to exist
jurisdiction n Lawful power or right to exercise official authority
jurisprudence n The science of rights in accordance with positive law
juror n One who serves on a jury or is sworn in for jury duty in a court of justice
joust v To engage in a tilt with lances on horseback
justification n Vindication
juvenile adj Characteristic of youth
juxtapose v To place close together
keepsake n Anything kept or given to be kept for the sake of the giver
kerchief n A square of linen, silk, or other material, used as a covering for the head or neck
kernel n A grain or seed
kiln n An oven or furnace for baking, burning, or drying industrial products
kiloliter n One thousand liters
kilometer n A length of 1,000 meters
kilowatt n One thousand watts
kimono n A loose robe, fastening with a sash, the principal outer garment in Japan
kind-hearted adj Having a kind and sympathetic nature
kingling n A petty king
kingship n Royal state
knavery n Deceitfulness in dealing
knead v To mix and work into a homogeneous mass, especially with the hands
knickknack n A small article, more for ornament that use
knight errant n One of the wandering knights who in the middle ages went forth in search of adventure
knighthood n Chivalry
laborious adj Toilsome
labyrinth n A maze
lacerate v To tear rudely or raggedly
lackadaisical adj Listless
lactation n The secretion of milk
lacteal adj Milky
lactic adj Pertaining to milk
laddie n A lad
ladle n A cup-shaped vessel with a long handle, intended for dipping up and pouring liquids
laggard adj Falling behind
landholder n Landowner
landlord n A man who owns and lets a tenement or tenements
landmark n A familiar object in the landscape serving as a guide to an area otherwise easily lost track of
landscape n A rural view, especially one of picturesque effect, as seen from a distance or an elevation
languid adj Relaxed
languor n Lassitude of body or depression
lapse n A slight deviation from what is right, proper, or just
lascivious adj Lustful
lassie n A little lass
latent adj Dormant
latency n The state of being dormant
later adv At a subsequent time
lateral adj Directed toward the side
latish adj Rather late
lattice n Openwork of metal or wood, formed by crossing or interlacing strips or bars
laud v To praise in words or song
laudable adj Praiseworthy
laudation n High praise
laudatory adj Pertaining to, expressing, or containing praise
laundress n Washerwoman
laureate adj Crowned with laurel, as a mark of distinction
lave v To wash or bathe
lawgiver n A legislator
lawmaker n A legislator
lax adj Not stringent or energetic
laxative adj Having power to open or loosen the bowels
lea n A field
leaflet n A little leaf or a booklet
leaven v To make light by fermentation, as dough
leeward n That side or direction toward which the wind blows
left-handed adj Using the left hand or arm more dexterously than the right
legacy n A bequest
legalize v To give the authority of law to
legging n A covering for the leg
legible adj That may be read with ease
legionary n A member of an ancient Roman legion or of the modern French Legion of Honor
legislate v To make or enact a law or laws
legislative adj That makes or enacts laws
legislator n A lawgiver
legitimacy n Accordance with law
legitimate adj Having the sanction of law or established custom
leisure n Spare time
leniency n Forbearance
lenient adj Not harsh
leonine adj Like a lion
lethargy n Prolonged sluggishness of body or mind
levee n An embankment beside a river or stream or an arm of the sea, to prevent overflow
lever n That which exerts, or through which one may exert great power
leviathan n Any large animal, as a whale
levity n Frivolity
levy v To impose and collect by force or threat of force
lewd adj Characterized by lust or lasciviousness
lexicographer n One who makes dictionaries
lexicography n The making of dictionaries
lexicon n A dictionary
liable adj Justly or legally responsible
libel n Defamation
liberalism n Opposition to conservatism
liberate v To set free or release from bondage
licentious adj Wanton
licit adj Lawful
liege adj Sovereign
lien n A legal claim or hold on property, as security for a debt or charge
lieu n Stead
lifelike adj Realistic
lifelong adj Lasting or continuous through life
lifetime n The time that life continues
ligament n That which binds objects together
ligature n Anything that constricts, or serves for binding or tying
light-hearted adj Free from care
ligneous adj Having the texture of appearance of wood
likelihood n A probability
likely adj Plausible
liking n Fondness
limitation n A restriction
linear adj Of the nature of a line
liner n A vessel belonging to a steamship-line
lingo n Language
lingua n The tongue
lingual adj Pertaining to the use of the tongue in utterance
linguist n One who is acquainted with several languages
linguistics n The science of languages, or of the origin, history, and significance of words
liniment n A liquid preparation for rubbing on the skin in cases of bruises, inflammation, etc
liquefacient adj Possessing a liquefying nature or power
liquefy v To convert into a liquid or into liquid form
liqueur n An alcoholic cordial sweetened and flavored with aromatic substances
liquidate v To deliver the amount or value of
liquor n Any alcoholic or intoxicating liquid
listless adj Inattentive
literacy n The state or condition of knowing how to read and write
literal adj Following the exact words
literature n The written or printed productions of the human mind collectively
lithe adj Supple
lithesome adj Nimble
lithograph n A print made by printing from stone
lithotype n In engraving, an etched stone surface for printing
litigant n A party to a lawsuit
litigate v To cause to become the subject-matter of a suit at law
litigious adj Quarrelsome
littoral adj Of, pertaining to, or living on a shore
liturgy n A ritual
livelihood n Means of subsistence
livid adj Black-and-blue, as contused flesh
loam n A non-coherent mixture of sand and clay
loath adj Averse
loathe v To abominate
locative adj Indicating place, or the place where or wherein an action occurs
loch n A lake
locomotion n The act or power of moving from one place to another
lode n A somewhat continuous unstratified metal- bearing vein
lodgment n The act of furnishing with temporary quarters
logic n The science of correct thinking
logical adj Capable of or characterized by clear reasoning
logician n An expert reasoner
loiterer n One who consumes time idly
loneliness n Solitude
longevity n Unusually prolonged life
loot v To plunder
loquacious adj Talkative
lordling n A little lord
lough n A lake or loch
louse n A small insect parasitic on and sucking the blood of mammals
lovable adj Amiable
low-spirited adj Despondent
lowly adv Rudely
lucid adj Mentally sound
lucrative adj Highly profitable
ludicrous adj Laughable
luminary n One of the heavenly bodies as a source of light
luminescent adj Showing increase of light
luminescence n Showing increase
luminosity n The quality of giving or radiating light
luminous adj Giving or radiating light
lunacy n Mental unsoundness
lunar adj Pertaining to the moon
lunatic n An insane person
lune n The moon
lurid adj Ghastly and sensational
luscious adj Rich, sweet, and delicious
lustrous adj Shining
luxuriance n Excessive or superfluous growth or quantity
luxuriant adj Abundant or superabundant in growth
luxuriate v To live sumptuously
lying n Untruthfulness
lyre n One of the most ancient of stringed instruments of the harp class
lyric adj Fitted for expression in song
macadamize v To cover or pave, as a path or roadway, with small broken stone
machinery n The parts of a machine or engine, taken collectively
machinist n One who makes or repairs machines, or uses metal-working tools
macrocosm n The whole of any sphere or department of nature or knowledge to which man is related
madden v To inflame with passion
Madonna n A painted or sculptured representation of the Virgin, usually with the infant Jesus
magician n A sorcerer
magisterial adj Having an air of authority
magistracy n The office or dignity of a magistrate
magnanimous adj Generous in treating or judging others
magnate n A person of rank or importance
magnet n A body possessing that peculiar form of polarity found in nature in the lodestone
magnetize v To make a magnet of, permanently, or temporarily
magnificence n The exhibition of greatness of action, character, intellect, wealth, or power
magnificent adj Grand or majestic in appearance, quality, or action
magnitude n Importance
maharaja n A great Hindu prince
maidenhood n Virginity
maintain v To hold or preserve in any particular state or condition
maintenance n That which supports or sustains
maize n Indian corn: usually in the United States called simply corn
makeup n The arrangements or combination of the parts of which anything is composed
malady n Any physical disease or disorder, especially a chronic or deep-seated one
malaria n A fever characterized by alternating chills, fever, and sweating
malcontent n One who is dissatisfied with the existing state of affairs
malediction n The calling down of a curse or curses
malefactor n One who injures another
maleficent adj Mischievous
malevolence n Ill will
malevolent adj Wishing evil to others
malign v To speak evil of, especially to do so falsely and severely
malignant adj Evil in nature or tending to do great harm or mischief
malleable adj Pliant
mallet n A wooden hammer
maltreat v To treat ill, unkindly, roughly, or abusively
man-trap n A place or structure dangerous to human life
mandate n A command
mandatory adj Expressive of positive command, as distinguished from merely directory
mane n The long hair growing upon and about the neck of certain animals, as the horse and the lion
man-eater n An animal that devours human beings
maneuver v To make adroit or artful moves: manage affairs by strategy
mania n Insanity
maniac n a person raving with madness
manifesto n A public declaration, making announcement, explanation or defense of intentions, or motives
manlike adj Like a man
manliness n The qualities characteristic of a true man, as bravery, resolution, etc
mannerism n Constant or excessive adherence to one manner, style, or peculiarity, as of action or conduct
manor n The landed estate of a lord or nobleman
mantel n The facing, sometimes richly ornamented, about a fireplace, including the usual shelf above it
mantle n A cloak
manufacturer n A person engaged in manufacturing as a business
manumission n Emancipation
manumit v To set free from bondage
marine adj Of or pertaining to the sea or matters connected with the sea
maritime adj Situated on or near the sea
maroon v To put ashore and abandon (a person) on a desolate coast or island
martial adj Pertaining to war or military operations
Martian adj Pertaining to Mars, either the Roman god of war or the planet
martyrdom n Submission to death or persecution for the sake of faith or principle
marvel v To be astonished and perplexed because of (something)
masonry n The art or work of constructing, as buildings, walls, etc, with regularly arranged stones
masquerade n A social party composed of persons masked and costumed so as to be disguised
massacre n The unnecessary and indiscriminate killing of human beings
massive adj Of considerable bulk and weight
masterpiece n A superior production
mastery n The attainment of superior skill
material n That of which anything is composed or may be constructed
materialize v To take perceptible or substantial form
maternal adj Pertaining or peculiar to a mother or to motherhood
matinee n An entertainment (especially theatrical) held in the daytime
matricide n The killing, especially the murdering, of one's mother
matrimony n The union of a man and a woman in marriage
matrix n That which contains and gives shape or form to anything
matter of fact n Something that has actual and undeniable existence or reality
maudlin adj Foolishly and tearfully affectionate
mausoleum n A tomb of more than ordinary size or architectural pretensions
mawkish adj Sickening or insipid
maxim n A principle accepted as true and acted on as a rule or guide
maze n A labyrinth
mead n A meadow
meager adj scanty
mealy-mouthed adj Afraid to express facts or opinions plainly
meander v To wind and turn while proceeding in a course
mechanics n The branch of physics that treats the phenomena caused by the action of forces
medallion n A large medal
meddlesome adj Interfering
medial adj Of or pertaining to the middle
mediate v To effect by negotiating as an agent between parties
medicine n A substance possessing or reputed to possess curative or remedial properties
medieval adj Belonging or relating to or descriptive of the middle ages
mediocre adj Ordinary
meditation n The turning or revolving of a subject in the mind
medley n A composition of different songs or parts of songs arranged to run as a continuous whole
meliorate v To make better or improve, as in quality or social or physical condition
mellifluous adj Sweetly or smoothly flowing
melodious adj Characterized by a sweet succession of sounds
melodrama n A drama with a romantic story or plot and sensational situation and incidents
memento n A souvenir
memorable adj Noteworthy
menace n A threat
menagerie n A collection of wild animals, especially when kept for exhibition
mendacious adj Untrue
mendicant n A beggar
mentality n Intellectuality
mentor n A wise and faithful teacher, guide, and friend
mercantile adj Conducted or acting on business principles; commercial
mercenary adj Greedy
merciful adj Disposed to pity and forgive
merciless adj Cruel
meretricious adj Alluring by false or gaudy show
mesmerize v To hypnotize
metal n An element that forms a base by combining with oxygen, is usually hard, heavy, and lustrous
metallurgy n The art or science of extracting a metal from ores, as by smelting
metamorphosis n A passing from one form or shape into another
metaphor n A figure of speech in which one object is likened to another, by speaking as if the other
metaphysical adj Philosophical
metaphysician n One skilled in metaphysics
metaphysics n The principles of philosophy as applied to explain the methods of any particular science
mete v To apportion
metempsychosis n Transition of the soul of a human being at death into another body, whether human or beast
meticulous adj Over-cautious
metonymy n A figure of speech that consists in the naming of a thing by one of its attributes
metric adj Relating to measurement
metronome n An instrument for indicating and marking exact time in music
metropolis n A chief city, either the capital or the largest or most important city of a state
metropolitan adj Pertaining to a chief city
mettle n Courage
mettlesome adj Having courage or spirit
microcosm n The world or universe on a small scale
micrometer n An instrument for measuring very small angles or dimensions
microphone n An apparatus for magnifying faint sounds
microscope n An instrument for assisting the eye in the vision of minute objects or features of objects
microscopic adj Adapted to or characterized by minute observation
microscopy n The art of examing objects with the microscope
midsummer n The middle of the summer
midwife n A woman who makes a business of assisting at childbirth
mien n The external appearance or manner of a person
migrant adj Wandering
migrate v To remove or pass from one country, region, or habitat to another
migratory adj Wandering
mileage n A distance in miles
militant adj Of a warlike or combative disposition or tendency
militarism n A policy of maintaining great standing armies
militate v To have weight or influence (in determining a question)
militia n Those citizens, collectively, who are enrolled and drilled in temporary military organizations
Milky Way n The galaxy
millet n A grass cultivated for forage and cereal
mimic v To imitate the speech or actions of
miniature adj Much smaller than reality or that the normal size
minimize v To reduce to the smallest possible amount or degree
minion n A servile favorite
ministration n Any religious ceremonial
ministry n A service
minority n The smaller in number of two portions into which a number or a group is divided
minute adj Exceedingly small in extent or quantity
minutia n A small or unimportant particular or detail
mirage n An optical effect looking like a sheet of water in the desert
misadventure n An unlucky accident
misanthropic adj Hating mankind
misanthropy n Hatred of mankind
misapprehend v To misunderstand
misbehave v To behave ill
misbehavior n Ill or improper behavior
mischievous adj Fond of tricks
miscount v To make a mistake in counting
miscreant n A villain
misdeed n A wrong or improper act
misdemeanor n Evil conduct, small crime
miser n A person given to saving and hoarding unduly
mishap n Misfortune
misinterpret v To misunderstand
mislay v To misplace
mismanage v To manage badly, improperly, or unskillfully
misnomer n A name wrongly or mistakenly applied
misogamy n Hatred of marriage
misogyny n Hatred of women
misplace v To put into a wrong place
misrepresent v To give a wrong impression
misrule v To misgovern
missal n The book containing the service for the celebration of mass
missile n Any object, especially a weapon, thrown or intended to be thrown
missive n A message in writing
mistrust v To regard with suspicion or jealousy
misty adj Lacking clearness
misunderstand v To Take in a wrong sense
misuse v To maltreat
mite n A very small amount, portion, or particle
miter n The junction of two bodies at an equally divided angle
mitigate v To make milder or more endurable
mnemonics n A system of principles and formulas designed to assist the recollection in certain instances
moat n A ditch on the outside of a fortress wall
mobocracy n Lawless control of public affairs by the mob or populace
moccasin n A foot-covering made of soft leather or buckskin
mockery n Ridicule
moderation n Temperance
moderator n The presiding officer of a meeting
modernity n The state or character of being modern
modernize v To make characteristic of the present or of recent times
modification n A change
modify v To make somewhat different
modish adj Fashionable
modulate v To vary in tone, inflection, pitch or other quality of sound
mollify v To soothe
molt v To cast off, as hair, feathers, etc
momentary adj Lasting but a short time
momentous adj Very significant
momentum n An impetus
monarchy n Government by a single, sovereign ruler
monastery n A dwelling-place occupied in common by persons under religious vows of seclusion
monetary adj Financial
mongrel n The progeny resulting from the crossing of different breeds or varieties
monition n Friendly counsel given by way of warning and implying caution or reproof
monitory n Admonition or warning
monocracy n Government by a single person
monogamy n The habit of pairing, or having but one mate
monogram n A character consisting of two or more letters interwoven into one, usually initials of a name
monograph n A treatise discussing a single subject or branch of a subject
monolith n Any structure or sculpture in stone formed of a single piece
monologue n A story or drama told or performed by one person
monomania n The unreasonable pursuit of one idea
monopoly n The control of a thing, as a commodity, to enable a person to raise its price
monosyllable n A word of one syllable
monotone n The sameness or monotony of utterance
monotonous adj Unchanging and tedious
monotony n A lack of variety
monstrosity n Anything unnaturally huge or distorted
moonbeam n A ray of moonlight
morale n A state of mind with reference to confidence, courage, zeal, and the like
moralist n A writer on ethics
morality n Virtue
moralize v To render virtuous
moratorium n An emergency legislation authorizing a government suspend some action temporarily
morbid adj Caused by or denoting a diseased or unsound condition of body or mind
mordacious adj Biting or giving to biting
mordant adj Biting
moribund adj On the point of dying
morose adj Gloomy
morphology n the science of organic forms
motley adj Composed of heterogeneous or inharmonious elements
motto n An expressive word or pithy sentence enunciating some guiding rule of life, or faith
mountaineer n One who travels among or climbs mountains for pleasure or exercise
mountainous adj Full of or abounding in mountains
mouthful n As much as can be or is usually put into the or exercise
muddle v To confuse or becloud, especially with or as with drink
muffle v To deaden the sound of, as by wraps
mulatto n The offspring of a white person and a black person
muleteer n A mule-driver
multiform adj Having many shapes, or appearances
multiplicity n the condition of being manifold or very various
mundane adj Worldly, as opposed to spiritual or celestial
municipal adj Of or pertaining to a town or city, or to its corporate or local government
municipality n A district enjoying municipal government
munificence n A giving characterized by generous motives and extraordinary liberality
munificent adj Extraordinarily generous
muster n An assemblage or review of troops for parade or inspection, or for numbering off
mutation n The act or process of change
mutilate v To disfigure
mutiny n Rebellion against lawful or constituted authority
myriad n A vast indefinite number
mystic n One who professes direct divine illumination, or relies upon meditation to acquire truth
mystification n The act of artfully perplexing
myth n A fictitious narrative presented as historical, but without any basis of fact
mythology n The whole body of legends cherished by a race concerning gods and heroes
nameless adj Having no fame or reputation
naphtha n A light, colorless, volatile, inflammable oil used as a solvent, as in manufacture of paints
Narcissus n The son of the Athenian river-god Cephisus, fabled to have fallen in love with his reflection
narrate v To tell a story
narration n The act of recounting the particulars of an event in the order of time or occurrence
narrative n An orderly continuous account of the successive particulars of an event
narrator n One who narrates anything
narrow-minded adj Characterized by illiberal views or sentiments
nasal adj Pertaining to the nose
natal adj Pertaining to one's birth
nationality n A connection with a particular nation
naturally adv According to the usual order of things
nausea n An affection of the stomach producing dizziness and usually an impulse to vomit
nauseate v To cause to loathe
nauseous adj Loathsome
nautical adj Pertaining to ships, seamen, or navigation
naval adj Pertaining to ships
navel n The depression on the abdomen where the umbilical cord of the fetus was attached
navigable adj Capable of commercial navigation
navigate v To traverse by ship
nebula n A gaseous body of unorganized stellar substance
necessary adj Indispensably requisite or absolutely needed to accomplish a desired result
necessitate v To render indispensable
necessity n That which is indispensably requisite to an end desired
necrology n A list of persons who have died in a certain place or time
necromancer n One who practices the art of foretelling the future by means of communication with the dead
necropolis n A city of the dead
necrosis n the death of part of the body
nectar n Any especially sweet and delicious drink
nectarine n A variety of the peach
needlework n Embroidery
needy adj Being in need, want, or poverty
nefarious adj Wicked in the extreme
negate v To deny
negation n The act of denying or of asserting the falsity of a proposition
neglectful adj Exhibiting or indicating omission
negligee n A loose gown worn by women
negligence n Omission of that which ought to be done
negligent adj Apt to omit what ought to be done
negligible adj Transferable by assignment, endorsement, or delivery
negotiable v To bargain with others for an agreement, as for a treaty or transfer of property
Nemesis n A goddess; divinity of chastisement and vengeance
neocracy n Government administered by new or untried persons
neo-Darwinsim n Darwinism as modified and extended by more recent students
neo-Latin n Modernized Latin
neopaganism n A new or revived paganism
Neolithic adj Pertaining to the later stone age
neology n The coining or using of new words or new meanings of words
neophyte adj Having the character of a beginner
nestle v To adjust cozily in snug quarters
nestling adj Recently hatched
nettle v To excite sensations of uneasiness or displeasure in
network n Anything that presents a system of cross- lines
neural adj Pertaining to the nerves or nervous system
neurology n The science of the nervous system
neuter adj Neither masculine nor feminine
neutral adj Belonging to or under control of neither of two contestants
nevertheless conj Notwithstanding
Newtonian adj Of or pertaining to Sir Isaac Newton, the English philosopher
nihilist n An advocate of the doctrine that nothing either exists or can be known
nil n Nothing
nimble adj Light and quick in motion or action
nit n The egg of a louse or some other insect
nocturnal adj Of or pertaining to the night
noiseless adj Silent
noisome adj Very offensive, particularly to the sense of smell
noisy adj Clamorous
nomad adj Having no fixed abode
nomic adj Usual or customary
nominal adj Trivial
nominate v To designate as a candidate for any office
nomination n The act or ceremony of naming a man or woman for office
nominee n One who receives a nomination
non-existent n That which does not exist
non-resident adj Not residing within a given jurisdiction
nonchalance n A state of mind indicating lack of interest
non-combatant n One attached to the army or navy, but having duties other than that of fighting
nondescript adj Indescribable
nonentity n A person or thing of little or no account
nonpareil n One who or that which is of unequaled excellence
norm n A model
normalcy n The state of being normal
Norman adj Of or peculiar to Normandy, in northern France
nostrum n Any scheme or recipe of a charlatan character
noticeable adj Perceptible
notorious adj Unfavorably known to the general public
novellette n A short novel
novice n A beginner in any business or occupation
nowadays adv In the present time or age
nowhere adv In no place or state
noxious adj Hurtful
nuance n A slight degree of difference in anything perceptible to the sense of the mind
nucleus n A central point or part about which matter is aggregated
nude adj Naked
nugatory adj Having no power or force
nuisance n That which annoys, vexes, or irritates
numeration n The act or art of reading or naming numbers
numerical adj Of or pertaining to number
nunnery n A convent for nuns
nuptial adj Of or pertaining to marriage, especially to the marriage ceremony
nurture n The process of fostering or promoting growth
nutriment n That which nourishes
nutritive adj Having nutritious properties
oaken adj Made of or from oak
oakum n Hemp-fiber obtained by untwisting and picking out loosely the yarns of old hemp rope
obdurate adj Impassive to feelings of humanity or pity
obelisk n A square shaft with pyramidal top, usually monumental or commemorative
obese adj Exceedingly fat
obesity n Excessive fatness
obituary adj A published notice of a death
objective adj Grasping and representing facts as they are
objector n One who objects, as to a proposition, measure, or ruling
obligate v To hold to the fulfillment of duty
obligatory adj Binding in law or conscience
oblique adj Slanting; said of lines
obliterate v To cause to disappear
oblivion n The state of having passed out of the memory or of being utterly forgotten
oblong adj Longer than broad: applied most commonly to rectangular objects considerably elongated
obnoxious adj Detestable
obsequies n Funeral rites
obsequious adj Showing a servile readiness to fall in with the wishes or will of another
observance n A traditional form or customary act
observant adj Quick to notice
observatory n A building designed for systematic astronomical observations
obsolescence n The condition or process of gradually falling into disuse
obsolescent adj Passing out of use, as a word
obsolete adj No longer practiced or accepted
obstetrician n A practitioner of midwifery
obstetrics n The branch of medical science concerned with the treatment and care of women during pregnancy
obstinacy n Stubborn adherence to opinion, arising from conceit or the desire to have one's own way
obstreperous adj Boisterous
obstruct v To fill with impediments so as to prevent passage, either wholly or in part
obstruction n Hindrance
obtrude v To be pushed or to push oneself into undue prominence
obtrusive adj Tending to be pushed or to push oneself into undue prominence
obvert v To turn the front or principal side of (a thing) toward any person or object
obviate v To clear away or provide for, as an objection or difficulty
occasion n An important event or celebration
Occident n The countries lying west of Asia and the Turkish dominions
occlude v To absorb, as a gas by a metal
occult adj Existing but not immediately perceptible
occupant n A tenant in possession of property, as distinguished from the actual owner
occurrence n A happening
octagon n A figure with eight sides and eight angles
octave n A note at this interval above or below any other, considered in relation to that other
octavo n A book, or collection of paper in which the sheets are so folded as to make eight leaves
octogenarian adj A person of between eighty and ninety years
ocular adj Of or pertaining to the eye
oculist n One versed or skilled in treating diseases of the eye
oddity n An eccentricity
ode n The form of lyric poetry anciently intended to be sung
odious adj Hateful
odium n A feeling of extreme repugnance, or of dislike and disgust
odoriferous adj Having or diffusing an odor or scent, especially an agreeable one
odorous adj Having an odor, especially a fragrant one
off adj Farther or more distant
offhand adv Without preparation
officiate v To act as an officer or leader
officious adj Intermeddling with what is not one's concern
offshoot n Something that branches off from the parent stock
ogre n A demon or monster that was supposed to devour human beings
ointment n A fatty preparation with a butter-like consistency in which a medicinal substance exists
olfactory adj of or pertaining to the sense of smell
olive-branch n A branch of the olive-tree, as an emblem of peace
ominous adj Portentous
omission n Exclusion
omnipotence n Unlimited and universal power
Omnipotent adj Possessed of unlimited and universal power
omniscience n Unlimited or infinite knowledge
omniscient adj Characterized by unlimited or infinite knowledge
omnivorous adj Eating or living upon food of all kinds indiscriminately
onerous adj Burdensome or oppressive
onrush n Onset
onset n An assault, especially of troops, upon an enemy or fortification
onslaught n A violent onset
onus n A burden or responsibility
opalescence n The property of combined refraction and reflection of light, resulting in smoky tints
opaque adj Impervious to light
operate v To put in action and supervise the working of
operative adj Active
operator n One who works with or controls some machine or scientific apparatus
operetta n A humorous play in dialogue and music, of more than one act
opinion n A conclusion or judgment held with confidence, but falling short of positive knowledge
opponent n One who supports the opposite side in a debate, discussion, struggle, or sport
opportune adj Especially fit as occurring, said, or done at the right moment
opportunist n One who takes advantage of circumstances to gain his ends
opportunity n Favorable or advantageous chance or opening
opposite adj Radically different or contrary in action or movement
opprobrium n The state of being scornfully reproached or accused of evil
optic n Pertaining to the eye or vision
optician n One who makes or deals in optical instruments or eye-glasses
optics n The science that treats of light and vision, and all that is connected with sight
optimism n The view that everything in nature and the history of mankind is ordered for the best
option n The right, power, or liberty of choosing
optometry n Measurement of the powers of vision
opulence n Affluence
opulent adj Wealthy
oral adj Uttered through the mouth
orate v To deliver an elaborate or formal public speech
oration n An elaborate or formal public speech
orator n One who delivers an elaborate or formal speech
oratorio n A composition for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra, generally taken from the Scriptures
oratory n The art of public speaking
ordeal n Anything that severely tests courage, strength, patience, conscience, etc
ordinal n That form of the numeral that shows the order of anything in a series, as first, second, third
ordination n A consecration to the ministry
ordnance n A general name for all kinds of weapons and their appliances used in war
orgies n Wild or wanton revelry
origin n The beginning of that which becomes or is made to be
original adj Not copied nor produced by imitation
originate v To cause or constitute the beginning or first stage of the existence of
ornate adj Ornamented to a marked degree
orthodox adj Holding the commonly accepted faith
orthodoxy n Acceptance of the common faith
orthogonal adj Having or determined by right angles
orthopedic adj Relating to the correcting or preventing of deformity
orthopedist n One who practices the correcting or preventing of deformity
oscillate v To swing back and forth
osculate v To kiss
ossify v to convert into bone
ostentation n A display dictated by vanity and intended to invite applause or flattery
ostracism n Exclusion from intercourse or favor, as in society or politics
ostracize v To exclude from public or private favor
ought v To be under moral obligation to be or do
oust v To eject
out-and-out adv Genuinely
outbreak n A sudden and violent breaking forth, as of something that has been pent up or restrained
outburst n A violent issue, especially of passion in an individual
outcast n One rejected and despised, especially socially
outcry n A vehement or loud cry or clamor
outdo v To surpass
outlandish adj Of barbarous, uncouth, and unfamiliar aspect or action
outlast v To last longer than
outlaw n A habitual lawbreaker
outlive v To continue to exist after
out-of-the-way adj Remotely situated
outpost n A detachment of troops stationed at a distance from the main body to guard against surprise
outrage n A gross infringement of morality or decency
outrageous adj Shocking in conduct
outreach v To reach or go beyond
outride v To ride faster than
outrigger n A part built or arranged to project beyond a natural outline for support
outright adv Entirely
outskirt n A border region
outstretch v To extend
outstrip v To go beyond
outweigh v To surpass in importance or excellence
overdo v To overtax the strength of
overdose n An excessive dose, usually so large a dose of a medicine that its effect is toxic
overeat v To eat to excess
overhang n A portion of a structure which projects or hangs over
overleap v To leap beyond
overlord n One who holds supremacy over another
overpass v To pass across or over, as a river
overpay v To pay or reward in excess
overpower v To gain supremacy or victory over by superior power
overproduction n Excessive production
overreach v To stretch out too far
overrun v To infest or ravage
oversee v To superintend
overseer n A supervisor
overshadow v To cast into the shade or render insignificant by comparison
overstride v To step beyond
overthrow v To vanquish an established ruler or government
overtone n A harmonic
overture n An instrumental prelude to an opera, oratorio, or ballet
overweight n Preponderance
pacify v To bring into a peaceful state
packet n A bundle, as of letters
pact n A covenant
pagan n A worshiper of false gods
pageant n A dramatic representation, especially a spectacular one
palate n The roof of the mouth
palatial adj Magnificent
paleontology n The branch of biology that treats of ancient life and fossil organisms
palette n A thin tablet, with a hole for the thumb, upon which artists lay their colors for painting
palinode n A retraction
pall v To make dull by satiety
palliate v To cause to appear less guilty
pallid adj Of a pale or wan appearance
palpable n perceptible by feeling or touch
palsy n Paralysis
paly adj Lacking color or brilliancy
pamphlet n A brief treatise or essay, usually on a subject of current interest
pamphleteer v To compose or issue pamphlets, especially controversial ones
panacea n A remedy or medicine proposed for or professing to cure all diseases
Pan-American adj Including or pertaining to the whole of America, both North and South
pandemic adj Affecting a whole people or all classes, as a disease
pandemonium n A fiendish or riotous uproar
panegyric n A formal and elaborate eulogy, written or spoken, of a person or of an act
panel n A rectangular piece set in or as in a frame
panic n A sudden, unreasonable, overpowering fear
panoply n A full set of armor
panorama n A series of large pictures representing a continuous scene
pantheism n The worship of nature for itself or its beauty
Pantheon n A circular temple at Rome with a fine Corinthian portico and a great domed roof
pantomime n Sign-language
pantoscope n A very wide-angled photographic lens
papacy n The official head of the Roman Catholic Church
papyrus n The writing-paper of the ancient Egyptians, and later of the Romans
parable n A brief narrative founded on real scenes or events usually with a moral
paradox n A statement or doctrine seemingly in contradiction to the received belief
paragon n A model of excellence
parallel v To cause to correspond or lie in the same direction and equidistant in all parts
parallelism n Essential likeness
paralysis n Loss of the power of contractility in the voluntary or involuntary muscles
paralyze v To deprive of the power to act
paramount adj Supreme in authority
paramour n One who is unlawfully and immorally a lover or a mistress
paraphernalia n Miscellaneous articles of equipment or adornment
paraphrase v Translate freely
pare v To cut, shave, or remove (the outside) from anything
parentage n The relation of parent to child, of the producer to the produced, or of cause to effect
Pariah n A member of a degraded class; a social outcast
parish n The ecclesiastical district in charge of a pastor
Parisian adj Of or pertaining to the city of Paris
parity n Equality, as of condition or rank
parlance n Mode of speech
parley v To converse in
parliament n A legislative body
parlor n A room for reception of callers or entertainment of guests
parody v To render ludicrous by imitating the language of
paronymous adj Derived from the same root or primitive word
paroxysm n A sudden outburst of any kind of activity
parricide n The murder of a parent
parse v To describe, as a sentence, by separating it into its elements and describing each word
parsimonious adj Unduly sparing in the use or expenditure of money
partible adj Separable
participant n One having a share or part
participate v To receive or have a part or share of
partition n That which separates anything into distinct parts
partisan adj Characterized by or exhibiting undue or unreasoning devotion to a party
passible adj Capable of feeling of suffering
passive adj Unresponsive
pastoral adj Having the spirit or sentiment of rural life
paternal adj Fatherly
paternity n Fatherhood
pathos n The quality in any form of representation that rouses emotion or sympathy
patriarch n The chief of a tribe or race who rules by paternal right
patrician adj Of senatorial or noble rank
patrimony n An inheritance from an ancestor, especially from one's father
patriotism n Love and devotion to one's country
patronize v To exercise an arrogant condescension toward
patronymic adj Formed after one's father's name
patter v To mumble something over and over
paucity n Fewness
pauper n One without means of support
pauperism n Dependence on charity
pavilion n An open structure for temporary shelter
payee n A person to whom money has been or is to be paid
peaceable adj Tranquil
peaceful adj Tranquil
peccable adj Capable of sinning
peccadillo n A small breach of propriety or principle
peccant adj Guilty
pectoral adj Pertaining to the breast or thorax
pecuniary adj Consisting of money
pedagogics n The science and art of teaching
pedagogue n A schoolmaster
pedagogy n The science and art of teaching
pedal n A lever for the foot usually applied only to musical instruments, cycles, and other machines
pedant n A scholar who makes needless and inopportune display of his learning
peddle v To go about with a small stock of goods to sell
pedestal n A base or support as for a column, statue, or vase
pedestrian n One who journeys on foot
pediatrics n The department of medical science that relates to the treatment of diseases of childhood
pedigree n One's line of ancestors
peddler n One who travels from house to house with an assortment of goods for retail
peerage n The nobility
peerless adj Of unequaled excellence or worth
pellucid adj Translucent
penalty n The consequences that follow the transgression of natural or divine law
penance n Punishment to which one voluntarily submits or subjects himself as an expression of penitence
penchant n A bias in favor of something
pendant n Anything that hangs from something else, either for ornament or for use
pendulous adj Hanging, especially so as to swing by an attached end or part
pendulum n A weight hung on a rod, serving by its oscillation to regulate the rate of a clock
penetrable adj That may be pierced by physical, moral, or intellectual force
penetrate v To enter or force a way into the interior parts of
penetration n Discernment
peninsular adj Pertaining to a piece of land almost surrounded by water
penitence n Sorrow for sin with desire to amend and to atone
penitential adj Pertaining to sorrow for sin with desire to amend and to atone
pennant n A small flag
pension n A periodical allowance to an individual on account of past service done by him/her
pentagram n A figure having five points or lobes
pentavalent adj Quinqeuvalent
pentad n The number five
pentagon n A figure, especially, with five angles and five sides
pentahedron n A solid bounded by five plane faces
pentameter n In prosody, a line of verse containing five units or feet
pentathlon n The contest of five associated exercises in the great games and the same contestants
penultimate adj A syllable or member of a series that is last but one
penurious adj Excessively sparing in the use of money
penury n Indigence
perambulate v To walk about
perceive v To have knowledge of, or receive impressions concerning, through the medium of the body senses
perceptible adj Cognizable
perception n Knowledge through the senses of the existence and properties of matter or the external world
percipience n The act of perceiving
percipient n One who or that which perceives
percolate v To filter
percolator n A filter
percussion n The sharp striking of one body against another
peremptory adj Precluding question or appeal
perennial adj Continuing though the year or through many years
perfectible adj Capable of being made perfect
perfidy n Treachery
perforate v To make a hole or holes through
perform v To accomplish
perfumery n The preparation of perfumes
perfunctory adj Half-hearted
perhaps adv Possibly
perigee n The point in the orbit of the moon when it is nearest the earth
periodicity n The habit or characteristic of recurrence at regular intervals
peripatetic adj Walking about
perjure v To swear falsely to
perjury n A solemn assertion of a falsity
permanence n A continuance in the same state, or without any change that destroys the essential form or nature
permanent adj Durable
permeate v To pervade
permissible adj That may be allowed
permutation n Reciprocal change, different ordering of same items
pernicious adj Tending to kill or hurt
perpendicular adj Straight up and down
perpetrator n The doer of a wrong or a criminal act
perpetuate v To preserve from extinction or oblivion
perquisite n Any profit from service beyond the amount fixed as salary or wages
persecution n Harsh or malignant oppression
perseverance n A persistence in purpose and effort
persevere v To continue striving in spite of discouragements
persiflage n Banter
persist v To continue steadfast against opposition
persistence n A fixed adherence to a resolve, course of conduct, or the like
personage n A man or woman as an individual, especially one of rank or high station
personal adj Not general or public
personality n The attributes, taken collectively, that make up the character and nature of an individual
personnel n The force of persons collectively employed in some service
perspective n The relative importance of facts or matters from any special point of view
perspicacious adj Astute
perspicacity n Acuteness or discernment
perspicuous adj Lucid
perspiration n Sweat
perspire v To excrete through the pores of the skin
persuade v To win the mind of by argument, eloquence, evidence, or reflection
persuadable adj capable of influencing to action by entreaty, statement, or anything that moves the feelings
pertinacious adj Persistent or unyielding
pertinacity n Unyielding adherence
pertinent adj Relevant
perturb v To disturb greatly
perturbation n Mental excitement or confusion
perusal n The act of reading carefully or thoughtfully
pervade v To pass or spread through every part
pervasion n The state of spreading through every part
pervasive adj Thoroughly penetrating or permeating
perverse adj Unreasonable
perversion n Diversion from the true meaning or proper purpose
perversity n Wickedness
pervert n One who has forsaken a doctrine regarded as true for one esteemed false
pervious adj Admitting the entrance or passage of another substance
pestilence n A raging epidemic
pestilent adj Having a malign influence or effect
pestilential adj having the nature of or breeding pestilence
peter v To fail or lose power, efficiency, or value
petrify v To convert into a substance of stony hardness and character
petulance n The character or condition of being impatient, capricious or petulant
petulant adj Displaying impatience
pharmacopoeia n A book containing the formulas and methods of preparation of medicines for the use of druggists
pharmacy n The art or business of compounding and dispensing medicines
phenomenal adj Extraordinary or marvelous
phenomenon n Any unusual occurrence
philander v To play at courtship with a woman
philanthropic adj Benevolent
philanthropist n One who endeavors to help his fellow men
philanthropy n Active humanitarianism
philately n The study and collection of stamps
philharmonic adj Fond of music
philogynist n One who is fond of women
philologist n An expert in linguistics
philology n The study of language in connection with history and literature
philosophize v To seek ultimate causes and principles
philosophy n The general principles, laws, or causes that furnish the rational explanation of anything
phlegmatic adj Not easily roused to feeling or action
phonetic adj Representing articulate sounds or speech
phonic adj Pertaining to the nature of sound
phonogram n A graphic character symbolizing an articulate sound
phonology n The science of human vocal sounds
phosphorescence n The property of emitting light
photoelectric adj Pertaining to the combined action of light and electricity
photometer n Any instrument for measuring the intensity of light or comparing the intensity of two lights
photometry n The art of measuring the intensity of light
physicist n A specialist in the science that treats of the phenomena associated with matter and energy
physics n The science that treats of the phenomena associated with matter and energy
physiocracy n The doctrine that land and its products are the only true wealth
physiognomy n The external appearance merely
physiography n Description of nature
physiology n The science of organic functions
physique n The physical structure or organization of a person
picayune adj Of small value
piccolo n A small flute
piece n A loose or separated part, as distinguished from the whole or the mass
piecemeal adv Gradually
pillage n Open robbery, as in war
pillory n A wooden framework in which an offender is fastened to boards and is exposed to public scorn
pincers n An instrument having two lever-handles and two jaws working on a pivot
pinchers n An instrument having two jaws working on a pivot
pinnacle n A high or topmost point, as a mountain-peak
pioneer n One among the first to explore a country
pious adj Religious
pique v To excite a slight degree of anger in
piteous adj Compassionate
pitiable adj Contemptible
pitiful adj Wretched
pitiless adj Hard-hearted
pittance n Any small portion or meager allowance
placate v To bring from a state of angry or hostile feeling to one of patience or friendliness
placid adj Serene
plagiarism n The stealing of passages from the writings of another and publishing them as one's own
planisphere n A polar projection of the heavens on a chart
plasticity n The property of some substances through which the form of the mass can readily be changed
platitude n A written or spoken statement that is flat, dull, or commonplace
plaudit n An expression of applause
plausible adj Seeming likely to be true, though open to doubt
playful adj Frolicsome
playwright n A maker of plays for the stage
plea n An argument to obtain some desired action
pleasant adj Agreeable
pleasurable adj Affording gratification
plebeian adj Common
pledgee n The person to whom anything is pledged
pledgeor n One who gives a pledge
plenary adj Entire
plenipotentiary n A person fully empowered to transact any business
plenitude n Abundance
plenteous adj Abundant
plumb n A weight suspended by a line to test the verticality of something
plummet n A piece of lead for making soundings, adjusting walls to the vertical
pluperfect adj Expressing past time or action prior to some other past time or action
plural adj Containing or consisting of more than one
plurality n A majority
plutocracy n A wealthy class in a political community who control the government by means of their money
pneumatic adj Pertaining to or consisting of air or gas
poesy n Poetry
poetaster n An inferior poet
poetic adj Pertaining to poetry
poetics n The rules and principles of poetry
poignancy n Severity or acuteness, especially of pain or grief
poignant adj Severely painful or acute to the spirit
poise n Equilibrium
polar adj Pertaining to the poles of a sphere, especially of the earth
polemics n The art of controversy or disputation
pollen n The fine dust-like grains or powder formed within the anther of a flowering plant
pollute v To contaminate
polyarchy n Government by several or many persons of what- ever class
polycracy n The rule of many
polygamy n the fact or condition of having more than one wife or husband at once
polyglot adj Speaking several tongues
polygon n A figure having many angles
polyhedron n A solid bounded by plane faces, especially by more than four
polysyllable adj Having several syllables, especially more than three syllables
polytechnic adj Pertaining to, embracing, or practicing many arts
polytheism n The doctrine or belief that there are more gods than one
pommel v To beat with something thick or bulky
pomposity n The quality of being marked by an assumed stateliness and impressiveness of manner
pompous adj Marked by an assumed stateliness and impressiveness of manner
ponder v To meditate or reflect upon
ponderous adj Unusually weighty or forcible
pontiff n The Pope
populace n The common people
populous adj Containing many inhabitants, especially in proportion to the territory
portend v To indicate as being about to happen, especially by previous signs
portent n Anything that indicates what is to happen
portfolio n A portable case for holding writing-materials, drawings, etc
posit v To present in an orderly manner
position n The manner in which a thing is placed
positive adj Free from doubt or hesitation
posse n A force of men
possess v To own
possession n The having, holding, or detention of property in one's power or command
possessive adj Pertaining to the having, holding, or detention of property in one's power or command
possessor n One who owns, enjoys, or controls anything, as property
possible adj Being not beyond the reach of power natural, moral, or supernatural
postdate v To make the date of any writing later than the real date
posterior n The hinder part
postgraduate adj Pertaining to studies that are pursued after receiving a degree
postscript n Something added to a letter after the writer's signature
potency n Power
potent adj Physically powerful
potentate n One possessed of great power or sway
potential n Anything that may be possible
potion n A dose of liquid medicine
powerless adj Impotent
practicable adj Feasible
prate v To talk about vainly or foolishly
prattle v To utter in simple or childish talk
preamble n A statement introductory to and explanatory of what follows
precarious adj Perilous
precaution n A provision made in advance for some possible emergency or danger
precede v To happen first
precedence n Priority in place, time, or rank
precedent n An instance that may serve as a guide or basis for a rule
precedential adj Of the nature of an instance that may serve as a guide or basis for a rule
precession n The act of going forward
precipice n A high and very steep or approximately vertical cliff
precipitant adj Moving onward quickly and heedlessly
precipitate v To force forward prematurely
precise adj Exact
precision n Accuracy of limitation, definition, or adjustment
preclude v To prevent
precocious adj Having the mental faculties prematurely developed
precursor n A forerunner or herald
predatory adj Prone to pillaging
predecessor n An incumbent of a given office previous to another
predicament n A difficult, trying situation or plight
predicate v To state as belonging to something
predict v To foretell
prediction n A prophecy
predominance n Ascendancy or preponderance
predominant adj Superior in power, influence, effectiveness, number, or degree
predominate v To be chief in importance, quantity, or degree
preeminence n Special eminence
preempt v To secure the right of preference in the purchase of public land
preemption n The right or act of purchasing before others
preengage v To preoccupy
preestablish v To settle or arrange beforehand
preexist v To exist at a period or in a state earlier than something else
preexistence n Existence antecedent to something
preface n A brief explanation or address to the reader, at the beginning of a book
prefatory adj Pertaining to a brief explanation to the reader at the beginning of a book
prefer v To hold in higher estimation
preferable adj More desirable than others
preference n An object of favor or choice
preferential adj Possessing, giving, or constituting preference or priority
preferment n Preference
prefix v To attach at the beginning
prehensible adj Capable of being grasped
prehensile adj Adapted for grasping or holding
prehension n The act of laying hold of or grasping
prejudice n A judgment or opinion formed without due examination of the facts
prelacy n A system of church government
prelate n One of a higher order of clergy having direct authority over other clergy
prelude n An introductory or opening performance
premature adj Coming too soon
premier adj First in rank or position
premise n A judgment as a conclusion
premonition n Foreboding
preoccupation n The state of having the mind, attention, or inclination preoccupied
preoccupy v To fill the mind of a person to the exclusion of other subjects
preordain v To foreordain
preparation n An act or proceeding designed to bring about some event
preparatory adj Having to do with what is preliminary
preponderant adj Prevalent
preponderate v To exceed in influence or power
prepossession n A preconceived liking
preposterous adj Utterly ridiculous or absurd
prerogative adj Having superior rank or precedence
presage v To foretell
prescience n Knowledge of events before they take place
prescient adj Foreknowing
prescript adj Prescribed as a rule or model
prescriptible adj Derived from authoritative direction
prescription n An authoritative direction
presentient adj Perceiving or feeling beforehand
presentiment n Foreboding
presentment n Semblance
preservation n Conservation
presumption n That which may be logically assumed to be true until disproved
presumptuous adj Assuming too much
pretension n A bold or presumptuous assertion
pretentious adj Marked by pretense, conceit, or display
preternatural adj Extraordinary
pretext n A fictitious reason or motive
prevalence n Frequency
prevalent adj Of wide extent or frequent occurrence
prevaricate v To use ambiguous or evasive language for the purpose of deceiving or diverting attention
prevention n Thwarting
prickle v To puncture slightly with fine, sharp points
priggish adj Conceited
prim adj Stiffly proper
prima adj First
primer n An elementary reading-book for children
primeval adj Belonging to the first ages
primitive adj Pertaining to the beginning or early times
principal adj Most important
principality n The territory of a reigning prince
principle n A general truth or proposition
priory n A monastic house
pristine adj Primitive
privateer n A vessel owned and officered by private persons, but carrying on maritime war
privilege n A right or immunity not enjoyed by all, or that may be enjoyed only under special conditions
privity n Knowledge shared with another or others regarding a private matter
privy adj Participating with another or others in the knowledge of a secret transaction
probate adj Relating to making proof, as of a will
probation n Any proceeding designed to ascertain or test character, qualification, or the like
probe v To search through and through
probity n Virtue or integrity tested and confirmed
procedure n A manner or method of acting
proceed v To renew motion or action, as after rest or interruption
proclamation n Any announcement made in a public manner
procrastinate v To put off till tomorrow or till a future time
procrastination n Delay
proctor n An agent acting for another
prodigal n One wasteful or extravagant, especially in the use of money or property
prodigious adj Immense
prodigy n A person or thing of very remarkable gifts or qualities
productive adj Yielding in abundance
profession n Any calling or occupation involving special mental or other special disciplines
professor n A public teacher of the highest grade in a university or college
proffer v To offer to another for acceptance
proficiency n An advanced state of acquirement, as in some knowledge, art, or science
proficient adj Possessing ample and ready knowledge or of skill in any art, science, or industry
profile n An outline or contour
profiteer n One who profits
profligacy n Shameless viciousness
profligate adj Abandoned to vice
profuse adj Produced or displayed in overabundance
progeny n Offspring
progression n A moving forward or proceeding in course
prohibition n A decree or an order forbidding something
prohibitionist n One who favors the prohibition by law of the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages
prohibitory adj Involving or equivalent to prohibition, especially of the sale of alcoholic beverages
projection n A prominence
proletarian n A person of the lowest or poorest class
prolific adj Producing offspring or fruit
prolix adj Verbose
prologue n A prefatory statement or explanation to a poem, discourse, or performance
prolong v To extend in time or duration
promenade v To walk for amusement or exercise
prominence n The quality of being noticeable or distinguished
prominent adj Conspicuous in position, character, or importance
promiscuous adj Brought together without order, distinction, or design (for sex)
promissory adj Expressing an engagement to pay
promontory n A high point of land extending outward from the coastline into the sea
promoter n A furtherer, forwarder, or encourager
promulgate v To proclaim
propaganda n Any institution or systematic scheme for propagating a doctrine or system
propagate v To spread abroad or from person to person
propel v To drive or urge forward
propellant adj Propelling
propeller n One who or that which propels
prophecy n Any prediction or foretelling
prophesy v To predict or foretell, especially under divine inspiration and guidance
propitious adj Kindly disposed
proportionate adj Being in proportion
propriety n Accordance with recognized usage, custom, or principles
propulsion n A driving onward or forward
prosaic adj Unimaginative
proscenium n That part of the stage between the curtain and the orchestra
proscribe v To reject, as a teaching or a practice, with condemnation or denunciation
proscription n Any act of condemnation and rejection from favor and privilege
proselyte n One who has been won over from one religious belief to another
prosody n The science of poetical forms
prospector n One who makes exploration, search, or examination, especially for minerals
prospectus n A paper or pamphlet containing information of a proposed undertaking
prostrate adj Lying prone, or with the head to the ground
protagonist n A leader in any enterprise or contest
protection n Preservation from harm, danger, annoyance, or any other evil
protective adj Sheltering
protector n A defender
protege n One specially cared for and favored by another usually older person
Protestant n A Christian who denies the authority of the Pope and holds the right of special judgment
protomartyr n The earliest victim in any cause
protocol n A declaration or memorandum of agreement less solemn and formal than a treaty
protoplasm n The substance that forms the principal portion of an animal or vegetable cell
prototype n A work, original in character, afterward imitated in form or spirit
protract v To prolong
protrude v To push out or thrust forth
protrusion n The act of protruding
protuberance n Something that swells out from a surrounding surface
protuberant adj Bulging
protuberate v To swell or bulge beyond the surrounding surface
proverb n A brief, pithy saying, condensing in witty or striking form the wisdom of experience
provident adj Anticipating and making ready for future wants or emergencies
providential adj Effected by divine guidance
provincial adj Uncultured in thought and manner
proviso n A clause in a contract, will, etc, by which its operation is rendered conditional
provocation n An action or mode of conduct that excites resentment
prowess n Strength, skill, and intrepidity in battle
proximately adv Immediately
proxy n A person who is empowered by another to represent him or her in a given matter
prudence n Caution
prudential adj Proceeding or marked by caution
prudery n An undue display of modesty or delicacy
prurient adj Inclined to lascivious thoughts and desires
pseudapostle n A pretended or false apostle
pseudonym n A fictitious name, especially when assumed by a writer
pseudonymity n The state or character of using a fictitious name
psychiatry n The branch of medicine that relates to mental disease
psychic adj Pertaining to the mind or soul
psychopathic adj Morally irresponsible
psychotherapy n The treatment of mental disease
pudgy adj Small and fat
puerile adj Childish
pugnacious adj Quarrelsome
puissant adj Possessing strength
pulmonary adj Pertaining to the lungs
punctilious adj Strictly observant of the rules or forms prescribed by law or custom
punctual adj Observant and exact in points of time
pungent adj Affecting the sense of smell
pungency n The quality of affecting the sense of smell
punitive adj Pertaining to punishment
pupilage n The state or period of being a student
purgatory n An intermediate state where souls are made fit for paradise or heaven by expiatory suffering
purl v To cause to whirl, as in an eddy
purloin v To steal
purport n Intent
purveyor n one who supplies
pusillanimous adj Without spirit or bravery
putrescent adj Undergoing decomposition of animal or vegetable matter accompanied by fetid odors
pyre n A heap of combustibles arranged for burning a dead body
pyromania n An insane propensity to set things on fire
pyrotechnic adj Pertaining to fireworks or their manufacture
pyx n A vessel or casket, usually of precious metal, in which the host is preserved
quackery n Charlatanry
quadrate v To divide into quarters
quadruple v To multiply by four
qualification n A requisite for an employment, position, right, or privilege
qualify v To endow or furnish with requisite ability, character, knowledge, skill, or possessions
qualm n A fit of nausea
quandary n A puzzling predicament
quantity n Magnitude
quarantine n The enforced isolation of any person or place infected with contagious disease
quarrelsome adj Irascible
quarter n One of four equal parts into which anything is or may be divided
quarterly adj Occurring or made at intervals of three months
quartet n A composition for four voices or four instruments
quarto n An eight-page newspaper of any size
quay n A wharf or artificial landing-place on the shore of a harbor or projecting into it
querulous adj Habitually complaining
query v To make inquiry
queue n A file of persons waiting in order of their arrival, as for admittance
quibble n An utterly trivial distinction or objection
quiescence n Quiet
quiescent adj Being in a state of repose or inaction
quiet adj Making no noise
quietus n A silencing, suppressing, or ending
quintessence n The most essential part of anything
quintet n Musical composition arranged for five voices or instruments
quite adv Fully
Quixotic adj Chivalrous or romantic to a ridiculous or extravagant degree
rabid adj Affected with rabies or hydrophobia
racy adj Exciting or exhilarating to the mind
radiance n Brilliant or sparkling luster
radiate v To extend in all directions, as from a source or focus
radical n One who holds extreme views or advocates extreme measures
radix n That from or on which something is developed
raillery n Good-humored satire
ramify v To divide or subdivide into branches or subdivisions
ramose adj Branch-like
rampant adj Growing, climbing, or running without check or restraint
rampart n A bulwark or construction to oppose assault or hostile entry
rancor n Malice
rankle v To produce irritation or festering
rapacious adj Disposed to seize by violence or by unlawful or greedy methods
rapid adj Having great speed
rapine n The act of seizing and carrying off property by superior force, as in war
rapt adj Enraptured
raptorial adj Seizing and devouring living prey
ration v To provide with a fixed allowance or portion, especially of food
rationalism n The formation of opinions by relying upon reason alone, independently of authority
raucous adj Harsh
ravage v To lay waste by pillage, rapine, devouring, or other destructive methods
ravenous adj Furiously voracious or hungry
ravine n A deep gorge or hollow, especially one worn by a stream or flow of water
reaction n Tendency towards a former, or opposite state of things, as after reform, revolution, or inflation
reactionary adj Pertaining to, of the nature of, causing, or favoring reaction
readily adv Without objection or reluctance
readjust v To put in order after disarrangement
ready adj In a state of preparedness for any given purpose or occasion
realism n The principle and practice of depicting persons and scenes as they are believed really to exist
rearrange v To arrange again or in a different order
reassure v To give new confidence
rebellious adj Insubordinate
rebuff n A peremptory or unexpected rejection of advances or approaches
rebuild v To build again or anew
rebut v To oppose by argument or a sufficient answer
recant v To withdraw formally one's belief (in something previously believed or maintained)
recapitulate v To repeat again the principal points of
recapture v To capture again
recede v To move back or away
receivable adj Capable of being or fit to be received - often money
receptive adj Having the capacity, quality, or ability of receiving, as truths or impressions
recessive adj Having a tendency to go back
recidivist n A confirmed criminal
reciprocal adj Mutually interchangeable or convertible
reciprocate v To give and take mutually
reciprocity n Equal mutual rights and benefits granted and enjoyed
recitation n The act of reciting or repeating, especially in public and from memory
reck v To have a care or thought for
reckless adj Foolishly headless of danger
reclaim v To demand or to obtain the return or restoration of
recline v To cause to assume a leaning or recumbent attitude or position
recluse n One who lives in retirement or seclusion
reclusory n A hermitage
recognizance n An acknowledgment entered into before a court with condition to do some particular act
recognize v To recall the identity of (a person or thing)
recoil v To start back as in dismay, loathing, or dread
recollect v To recall the knowledge of
reconcilable adj Capable of being adjusted or harmonized
reconnoiter v To make a preliminary examination of for military, surveying, or geological purposes
reconsider v To review with care, especially with a view to a reversal of previous action
reconstruct v To rebuild
recourse n Resort to or application for help in exigency or trouble
recover v To regain
recreant n A cowardly or faithless person
recreate v To refresh after labor
recrudescence n The state of becoming raw or sore again
recrudescent adj Becoming raw or sore again
recruit v To enlist men for military or naval service
rectify v To correct
rectitude n The quality of being upright in principles and conduct
recuperate v To recover
recur v To happen again or repeatedly, especially at regular intervals
recure v To cure again
recurrent adj Returning from time to time, especially at regular or stated intervals
redemption n The recovery of what is mortgaged or pledged, by paying the debt
redolent adj Smelling sweet and agreeable
redolence n Smelling sweet and agreeable
redoubtable adj Formidable
redound n Rebound
redress v To set right, as a wrong by compensation or the punishment of the wrong-doer
reducible adj That may be reduced
redundance n Excess
redundant adj Constituting an excess
reestablish v To restore
refer v To direct or send for information or other purpose
referrer n One who refers
referable adj Ascribable
referee n An umpire
refinery n A place where some crude material, as sugar or petroleum, is purified
reflectible adj Capable of being turned back
reflection n The throwing off or back of light, heat, sound, or any form of energy that travels in waves
reflector n A mirror, as of metal, for reflecting light, heat, or sound in a particular direction
reflexible adj Capable of being reflected
reform n Change for the better
reformer n One who carries out a reform
refract v To bend or turn from a direct course
refractory adj Not amenable to control
refragable adj Capable of being refuted
refringency n Power to refract
refringent adj Having the power to refract
refusal n Denial of what is asked
refute v To prove to be wrong
regale v To give unusual pleasure
regality n Royalty
regenerate v To reproduce
regent n One who is lawfully deputized to administer the government for the time being in the name of the ruler
regicide n The killing of a king or sovereign
regime n Particular conduct or administration of affairs
regimen n A systematized order or course of living with reference to food, clothing and personal habits
regiment n A body of soldiers
regnant adj Exercising royal authority in one's own right
regress v To return to a former place or condition
regretful adj Feeling, expressive of, or full of regret
rehabilitate v To restore to a former status, capacity, right rank, or privilege
reign v To hold and exercise sovereign power
reimburse v To pay back as an equivalent of what has been expended
rein n A step attached to the bit for controlling a horse or other draft-animal
reinstate v To restore to a former state, station, or authority
reiterate v To say or do again and again
rejoin v To reunite after separation
rejuvenate v To restore to youth
rejuvenescence n A renewal of youth
relapse v To suffer a return of a disease after partial recovery
relegate v To send off or consign, as to an obscure position or remote destination
relent v To yield
relevant adj Bearing upon the matter in hand
reliance n Dependence
reliant adj Having confidence
relinquish v To give up using or having
reliquary n A casket, coffer, or repository in which relics are kept
relish v To like the taste or savor of
reluctance n Unwillingness
reluctant adj Unwilling
remembrance n Recollection
reminiscence n The calling to mind of incidents within the range of personal knowledge or experience
reminiscent adj Pertaining to the recollection of matters of personal interest
remiss adj Negligent
remission n Temporary diminution of a disease
remodel v Reconstruct
remonstrance n Reproof
remonstrant adj Having the character of a reproof
remonstrate v To present a verbal or written protest to those who have power to right or prevent a wrong
remunerate v To pay or pay for
remuneration n Compensation
Renaissance n The revival of letters, and then of art, which marks the transition from medieval to modern time
rendezvous n A prearranged place of meeting
rendition n Interpretation
renovate v To restore after deterioration, as a building
renunciation n An explicit disclaimer of a right or privilege
reorganize v To change to a more satisfactory form of organization
reparable adj Capable of repair
reparation n The act of making amends, as for an injury, loss, or wrong
repartee n A ready, witty, or apt reply
repeal v To render of no further effect
repel v To force or keep back in a manner, physically or mentally
repellent adj Having power to force back in a manner, physically or mentally
repentance n Sorrow for something done or left undone, with desire to make things right by undoing the wrong
repertory n A place where things are stored or gathered together
repetition n The act of repeating
repine v To indulge in fretfulness and faultfinding
replenish v To fill again, as something that has been emptied
replete adj Full to the uttermost
replica n A duplicate executed by the artist himself, and regarded, equally with the first, as an original
repository n A place in which goods are stored
reprehend v To find fault with
reprehensible adj Censurable
reprehension n Expression of blame
repress v To keep under restraint or control
repressible adj Able to be kept under restraint or control
reprieve v To grant a respite from punishment to
reprimand v To chide or rebuke for a fault
reprisal n Any infliction or act by way of retaliation on an enemy
reprobate n One abandoned to depravity and sin
reproduce v To make a copy of
reproduction n The process by which an animal or plant gives rise to another of its kind
reproof n An expression of disapproval or blame personally addressed to one censured
repudiate v To refuse to have anything to do with
repugnance n Thorough dislike
repugnant adj Offensive to taste and feeling
repulse n The act of beating or driving back, as an attacking or advancing enemy
repulsive adj Grossly offensive
repute v To hold in general opinion
requiem n A solemn mass sung for the repose of the souls of the dead
requisite adj Necessary
requital n Adequate return for good or ill
requite v To repay either good or evil to, as to a person
rescind v To make void, as an act, by the enacting authority or a superior authority
reseat v To place in position of office again
resemblance n Similarity in quality or form
resent v To be indignant at, as an injury or insult
reservoir n A receptacle where a quantity of some material, especially of a liquid or gas, may be kept
residue n A remainder or surplus after a part has been separated or otherwise treated
resilience n The power of springing back to a former position
resilient adj Having the quality of springing back to a former position
resistance n The exertion of opposite effort or effect
resistant adj Offering or tending to produce resistance
resistive adj Having or exercising the power of resistance
resistless adj Powerless
resonance n The quality of being able to reinforce sound by sympathetic vibrations
resonance adj Able to reinforce sound by sympathetic vibrations
resonate v To have or produce resonance
resource n That which is restored to, relied upon, or made available for aid or support
respite n Interval of rest
resplendent adj Very bright
respondent adj Answering
restitution n Restoration of anything to the one to whom it properly belongs
resumption n The act of taking back, or taking again
resurgent adj Surging back or again
resurrection n A return from death to life
resuscitate v To restore from apparent death
retaliate v To repay evil with a similar evil
retch v To make an effort to vomit
retention n The keeping of a thing within one's power or possession
reticence n The quality of habitually keeping silent or being reserved in utterance
reticent adj Habitually keeping silent or being reserved in utterance
retinue n The body of persons who attend a person of importance in travel or public appearance
retort n A retaliatory speech
retouch v To modify the details of
retrace v To follow backward or toward the place of beginning, as a track or marking
retract v To recall or take back (something that one has said)
retrench v To cut down or reduce in extent or quantity
retrieve v To recover something by searching
retroactive adj Operative on, affecting, or having reference to past events, transactions, responsibilities
retrograde v To cause to deteriorate or to move backward
retrogression n A going or moving backward or in a reverse direction
retrospect n A view or contemplation of something past
retrospective adj Looking back on the past
reunite v To unite or join again, as after separation
revelation n A disclosing, discovering, or making known of what was before secret, private, or unknown
revere v To regard with worshipful veneration
reverent adj Humble
reversion n A return to or toward some former state or condition
revert v To return, or turn or look back, as toward a former position or the like
revile v To heap approach or abuse upon
revisal n Revision
revise v To examine for the correction of errors, or for the purpose of making changes
revocation n Repeal
revoke v To rescind
rhapsody n Rapt or rapturous utterance
rhetoric n The art of discourse
rhetorician n A showy writer or speaker
ribald adj Indulging in or manifesting coarse indecency or obscenity
riddance n The act or ridding or delivering from something undesirable
ridicule n Looks or acts expressing amused contempt
ridiculous adj Laughable and contemptible
rife adj Abundant
righteousness n Rectitude
rightful adj Conformed to a just claim according to established laws or usage
rigmarole n Nonsense
rigor n Inflexibility
rigorous adj Uncompromising
ripplet n A small ripple, as of water
risible adj capable of exciting laughter
rivulet n A small stream or brook
robust adj Characterized by great strength or power of endurance
rondo n A musical composition during which the first part or subject is repeated several times
rookery n A place where crows congregate to breed
rotary adj Turning around its axis, like a wheel, or so constructed as to turn thus
rotate v To cause to turn on or as on its axis, as a wheel
rote n Repetition of words or sounds as a means of learning them, with slight attention
rotund adj Round from fullness or plumpness
rudimentary adj Being in an initial, early, or incomplete stage of development
rue v To regret extremely
ruffian adj A lawless or recklessly brutal fellow
ruminant adj Chewing the cud
ruminate v To chew over again, as food previously swallowed and regurgitated
rupture v To separate the parts of by violence
rustic adj Characteristic of dwelling in the country
ruth n Sorrow for another's misery
sacrifice v To make an offering of to deity, especially by presenting on an altar
sacrificial adj Offering or offered as an atonement for sin
sacrilege n The act of violating or profaning anything sacred
sacrilegious adj Impious
safeguard v To protect
sagacious adj Able to discern and distinguish with wise perception
salacious adj Having strong sexual desires
salience n The condition of standing out distinctly
salient adj Standing out prominently
saline adj Constituting or consisting of salt
salutary adj Beneficial
salutation n Any form of greeting, hailing, or welcome, whether by word or act
salutatory n The opening oration at the commencement in American colleges
salvage n Any act of saving property
salvo n A salute given by firing all the guns, as at the funeral of an officer
sanctimonious adj Making an ostentatious display or hypocritical pretense of holiness or piety
sanction v To approve authoritatively
sanctity n Holiness
sanguinary adj Bloody
sanguine adj Having the color of blood
sanguineous adj Consisting of blood
sapid adj Affecting the sense of taste
sapience n Deep wisdom or knowledge
sapient adj Possessing wisdom
sapiential adj Possessing wisdom
saponaceous adj Having the nature or quality of soap
sarcasm n Cutting and reproachful language
sarcophagus n A stone coffin or a chest-like tomb
sardonic adj Scornfully or bitterly sarcastic
satiate v To satisfy fully the appetite or desire of
satire n The employment of sarcasm, irony, or keenness of wit in ridiculing vices
satiric adj Resembling poetry, in which vice, incapacity ,or corruption is held up to ridicule
satirize v To treat with sarcasm or derisive wit
satyr n A very lascivious person
savage n A wild and uncivilized human being
savor v To perceive by taste or smell
scabbard n The sheath of a sword or similar bladed weapon
scarcity n Insufficiency of supply for needs or ordinary demands
scholarly adj Characteristic of an erudite person
scholastic adj Pertaining to education or schools
scintilla n The faintest ray
scintillate v To emit or send forth sparks or little flashes of light
scope n A range of action or view
scoundrel n A man without principle
scribble n Hasty, careless writing
scribe n One who writes or is skilled in writing
script n Writing or handwriting of the ordinary cursive form
Scriptural adj Pertaining to, contained in, or warranted by the Holy Scriptures
scruple n Doubt or uncertainty regarding a question of moral right or duty
scrupulous adj Cautious in action for fear of doing wrong
scurrilous adj Grossly indecent or vulgar
scuttle v To sink (a ship) by making holes in the bottom
scythe n A long curved blade for mowing, reaping, etc
seance n A meeting of spirituals for consulting spirits
sear v To burn on the surface
sebaceous adj Pertaining to or appearing like fat
secant adj Cutting, especially into two parts
secede v To withdraw from union or association, especially from a political or religious body
secession n Voluntary withdrawal from fellowship, especially from political or religious bodies
seclude v To place, keep, or withdraw from the companionship of others
seclusion n Solitude
secondary adj Less important or effective than that which is primary
secondly adv In the second place in order or succession
second-rate adj Second in quality, size, rank, importance, etc
secrecy n Concealment
secretive adj Having a tendency to conceal
sedate adj Even-tempered
sedentary adj Involving or requiring much sitting
sediment n Matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid
sedition n Conduct directed against public order and the tranquillity of the state
seditious adj Promotive of conduct directed against public order and the tranquillity of the state
seduce v To entice to surrender chastity
sedulous adj Persevering in effort or endeavor
seer n A prophet
seethe v To be violently excited or agitated
seignior n A title of honor or respectful address, equivalent to sir
seismograph n An instrument for recording the phenomena of earthquakes
seize v To catch or take hold of suddenly and forcibly
selective adj Having the power of choice
self-respect n Rational self-esteem
semblance n Outward appearance
semicivilized adj Half-civilized
semiconscious adj Partially conscious
semiannual adj Recurring at intervals of six months
semicircle n A half-circle
seminar n Any assemblage of pupils for real research in some specific study under a teacher
seminary n A special school, as of theology or pedagogics
senile adj Peculiar to or proceeding from the weakness or infirmity of old age
sensation n A condition of mind resulting from spiritual or inherent feeling
sense n The signification conveyed by some word, phrase, or action
sensibility n Power to perceive or feel
sensitive adj Easily affected by outside operations or influences
sensorium n The sensory apparatus
sensual adj Pertaining to the body or the physical senses
sensuous adj Having a warm appreciation of the beautiful or of the refinements of luxury
sentence n A related group of words containing a subject and a predicate and expressing a complete thought
sentience n Capacity for sensation or sense-perception
sentient adj Possessing the power of sense or sense-perception
sentinel n Any guard or watch stationed for protection
separable adj Capable of being disjoined or divided
separate v To take apart
separatist n A seceder
septennial adj Recurring every seven years
sepulcher n A burial-place
sequacious adj Ready to be led
sequel n That which follows in consequence of what has previously happened
sequence n The order in which a number or persons, things, or events follow one another in space or time
sequent adj Following in the order of time
sequester v To cause to withdraw or retire, as from society or public life
sequestrate v To confiscate
sergeant n A non-commissioned military officer ranking next above a corporal
sergeant-at-arms n An executive officer in legislative bodies who enforces the orders of the presiding officer
sergeant-major n The highest non-commissioned officer in a regiment
service n Any work done for the benefit of another
serviceable adj Durable
servitude n Slavery
severance n Separation
severely adv Extremely
sextet n A band of six singers or players
sextuple adj Multiplied by six
sheer adj Absolute
shiftless adj Wanting in resource, energy, or executive ability
shrewd adj Characterized by skill at understanding and profiting by circumstances
shriek n A sharp, shrill outcry or scream, caused by agony or terror
shrinkage n A contraction of any material into less bulk or dimension
shrivel v To draw or be drawn into wrinkles
shuffle n A mixing or changing the order of things
sibilance n A hissing sound
sibilant adj Made with a hissing sound
sibilate v To give a hissing sound to, as in pronouncing the letter s
sidelong adj Inclining or tending to one side
sidereal adj Pertaining to stars or constellations
siege n A beleaguerment
significance n Importance
significant adj Important, especially as pointing something out
signification n The meaning conveyed by language, actions, or signs
similar adj Bearing resemblance to one another or to something else
simile n A comparison which directs the mind to the representative object itself
similitude n Similarity
simplify v To make less complex or difficult
simulate v Imitate
simultaneous adj Occurring, done, or existing at the same time
sinecure n Any position having emoluments with few or no duties
singe v To burn slightly or superficially
sinister adj Evil
sinuosity n The quality of curving in and out
sinuous adj Curving in and out
sinus n An opening or cavity
siren n A sea-nymph, described by Homer as dwelling between the island of Circe and Scylla
sirocco n hot winds from Africa
sisterhood n A body of sisters united by some bond of sympathy or by a religious vow
skeptic n One who doubts any statements
skepticism n The entertainment of doubt concerning something
skiff n Usually, a small light boat propelled by oars
skirmish n Desultory fighting between advanced detachments of two armies
sleight n A trick or feat so deftly done that the manner of performance escapes observation
slight adj Of a small importance or significance
slothful adj Lazy
sluggard n A person habitually lazy or idle
sociable adj Inclined to seek company
socialism n A theory of civil polity that aims to secure the reconstruction of society
socialist adj One who advocates reconstruction of society by collective ownership of land and capital
sociology n The philosophical study of society
Sol n The sun
solace n Comfort in grief, trouble, or calamity
solar adj Pertaining to the sun
solder n A fusible alloy used for joining metallic surfaces or margins
soldier n A person engaged in military service
solecism n Any violation of established rules or customs
solicitor n One who represents a client in court of justice; an attorney
solicitude n Uneasiness of mind occasioned by desire, anxiety, or fear
soliloquy n A monologue
solstice n The time of year when the sun is at its greatest declination
soluble adj Capable of being dissolved, as in a fluid
solvent adj Having sufficient funds to pay all debts
somber adj Gloomy
somniferous adj Tending to produce sleep
somnolence n Oppressive drowsiness
somnolent adj Sleepy
sonata n An instrumental composition
sonnet n A poem of fourteen decasyllabic or octosyllabiclines expressing two successive phrases
sonorous adj Resonant
soothsayer n One who claims to have supernatural insight or foresight
sophism n A false argument understood to be such by the reasoner himself and intentionally used to deceive
sophistical adj Fallacious
sophisticate v To deprive of simplicity of mind or manner
sophistry n Reasoning sound in appearance only, especially when designedly deceptive
soprano n A woman's or boy's voice of high range
sorcery n Witchcraft
sordid adj Of degraded character or nature
souvenir n A token of remembrance
sparse adj Thinly diffused
Spartan adj Exceptionally brave; rigorously severe
spasmodic adj Convulsive
specialize v To assume an individual or specific character, or adopt a singular or special course
specialty n An employment limited to one particular line of work
specie n A coin or coins of gold, silver, copper, or other metal
species n A classificatory group of animals or plants subordinate to a genus
specimen n One of a class of persons or things regarded as representative of the class
specious adj Plausible
spectator n One who beholds or looks on
specter n Apparition
spectrum n An image formed by rays of light or other radiant energy
speculate v To pursue inquiries and form conjectures
speculator n One who makes an investment that involves a risk of loss, but also a chance of profit
sphericity n The state or condition of being a sphere
spheroid n A body having nearly the form of a sphere
spherometer n An instrument for measuring curvature or radii of spherical surfaces
spinous adj Having spines
spinster n A woman who has never been married
spontaneous adj Arising from inherent qualities or tendencies without external efficient cause
sprightly adj Vivacious
spurious adj Not genuine
squabble v To quarrel
squalid adj Having a dirty, mean, poverty-stricken appearance
squatter n One who settles on land without permission or right
stagnant adj Not flowing: said of water, as in a pool
stagnate v To become dull or inert
stagnation n The condition of not flowing or not changing
stagy adj Having a theatrical manner
staid adj Of a steady and sober character
stallion n An uncastrated male horse, commonly one kept for breeding
stanchion n A vertical bar, or a pair of bars, used to confine cattle in a stall
stanza n A group of rimed lines, usually forming one of a series of similar divisions in a poem
statecraft n The art of conducting state affairs
static adj Pertaining to or designating bodies at rest or forces in equilibrium
statics n The branch of mechanics that treats of the relations that subsist among forces in order
stationary adj Not moving
statistician n One who is skilled in collecting and tabulating numerical facts
statuesque adj Having the grace, pose, or quietude of a statue
statuette n A figurine
stature n The natural height of an animal body
statute n Any authoritatively declared rule, ordinance, decree, or law
stealth n A concealed manner of acting
stellar adj Pertaining to the stars
steppe n One of the extensive plains in Russia and Siberia
sterling adj Genuine
stifle v To smother
stigma n A mark of infamy or token of disgrace attaching to a person as the result of evil-doing
stiletto n A small dagger
stimulant n Anything that rouses to activity or to quickened action
stimulate v To rouse to activity or to quickened action
stimulus n Incentive
stingy adj Cheap, unwilling to spend money
stipend n A definite amount paid at stated periods in compensation for services or as an allowance
Stoicism n The principles or the practice of the Stoics-being very even tempered in success and failure
stolid adj Expressing no power of feeling or perceiving
strait n A narrow passage of water connecting two larger bodies of water
stratagem n Any clever trick or device for obtaining an advantage
stratum n A natural or artificial layer, bed, or thickness of any substance or material
streamlet n Rivulet
stringency n Strictness
stringent adj Rigid
stripling n A mere youth
studious adj Having or showing devotion to the acquisition of knowledge
stultify v To give an appearance of foolishness to
stupendous adj Of prodigious size, bulk, or degree
stupor n Profound lethargy
suasion n The act of persuading
suave adj Smooth and pleasant in manner
subacid adj Somewhat sharp or biting
subaquatic adj Being, formed, or operating under water
subconscious adj Being or occurring in the mind, but without attendant consciousness or conscious perception
subjacent adj Situated directly underneath
subjection n The act of bringing into a state of submission
subjugate v To conquer
subliminal adj Being beneath the threshold of consciousness
sublingual adj Situated beneath the tongue
submarine adj Existing, done, or operating beneath the surface of the sea
submerge v To place or plunge under water
submergence n The act of submerging
submersible adj Capable of being put underwater
submersion n The act of submerging
submission n A yielding to the power or authority of another
submittal n The act of submitting
subordinate adj Belonging to an inferior order in a classification
subsequent adj Following in time
subservience n The quality, character, or condition of being servilely following another's behests
subservient adj Servilely following another's behests
subside v To relapse into a state of repose and tranquillity
subsist v To be maintained or sustained
subsistence n Sustenance
substantive adj Solid
subtend v To extend opposite to
subterfuge n Evasion
subterranean adj Situated or occurring below the surface of the earth
subtle adj Discriminating
subtrahend n That which is to be subtracted
subversion n An overthrow, as from the foundation
subvert v To bring to ruin
succeed v To accomplish what is attempted or intended
success n A favorable or prosperous course or termination of anything attempted
successful adj Having reached a high degree of worldly prosperity
successor n One who or that which takes the place of a predecessor or preceding thing
succinct adj Concise
succulent adj Juicy
succumb v To cease to resist
sufferance n Toleration
sufficiency n An ample or adequate supply
suffrage n The right or privilege of voting
suffuse v To cover or fill the surface of
suggestible adj That can be suggested
suggestive adj Stimulating to thought or reflection
summary n An abstract
sumptuous adj Rich and costly
superabundance n An excessive amount
superadd v To add in addition to what has been added
superannuate v To become deteriorated or incapacitated by long service
superb adj Sumptuously elegant
supercilious adj Exhibiting haughty and careless contempt
superficial adj Knowing and understanding only the ordinary and the obvious
superfluity n That part of anything that is in excess of what is needed
superfluous adj Being more than is needed
superheat v To heat to excess
superintend v To have the charge and direction of, especially of some work or movement
superintendence n Direction and management
superintendent n One who has the charge and direction of, especially of some work or movement
superlative n That which is of the highest possible excellence or eminence
supernatural adj Caused miraculously or by the immediate exercise of divine power
supernumerary adj Superfluous
supersede v To displace
supine adj Lying on the back
supplant v To take the place of
supple adj Easily bent
supplementary adj Being an addition to
supplicant n One who asks humbly and earnestly
supplicate v To beg
supposition n Conjecture
suppress v To prevent from being disclosed or punished
suppressible adj Capable of being suppressed
suppression n A forcible putting or keeping down
supramundane adj Supernatural
surcharge n An additional amount charged
surety n Security for payment or performance
surfeit v To feed to fullness or to satiety
surmise v To conjecture
surmount v To overcome by force of will
surreptitious adj Clandestine
surrogate n One who or that which is substituted for or appointed to act in place of another
surround v To encircle
surveyor n A land-measurer
susceptibility n A specific capability of feeling or emotion
susceptible adj Easily under a specified power or influence
suspense n Uncertainty
suspension n A hanging from a support
suspicious adj Inclined to doubt or mistrust
sustenance n Food
swarthy adj Having a dark hue, especially a dark or sunburned complexion
Sybarite n A luxurious person
sycophant n A servile flatterer, especially of those in authority or influence
syllabic adj Consisting of that which is uttered in a single vocal impulse
syllabication n Division of words into that which is uttered in a single vocal impulse
syllable n That which is uttered in a single vocal impulse
syllabus n Outline of a subject, course, lecture, or treatise
sylph n A slender, graceful young woman or girl
symmetrical adj Well-balanced
symmetry n Relative proportion and harmony
sympathetic adj Having a fellow-feeling for or like feelings with another or others
sympathize v To share the sentiments or mental states of another
symphonic adj Characterized by a harmonious or agreeable mingling of sounds
symphonious adj Marked by a harmonious or agreeable mingling of sounds
symphony n A harmonious or agreeable mingling of sounds
synchronism n Simultaneousness
syndicate n An association of individuals united for the prosecution of some enterprise
syneresis n The coalescence of two vowels or syllables, as e'er for ever
synod n An ecclesiastical council
synonym n A word having the same or almost the same meaning as some other
synopsis n A syllabus or summary
systematic adj Methodical
tableau n An arrangement of inanimate figures representing a scene from real life
tacit adj Understood
taciturn adj Disinclined to conversation
tack n A small sharp-pointed nail
tact n Fine or ready mental discernment shown in saying or doing the proper thing
tactician n One who directs affairs with skill and shrewdness
tactics n Any maneuvering or adroit management for effecting an object
tangency n The state of touching
tangent adj Touching
tangible adj Perceptible by touch
tannery n A place where leather is tanned
tantalize v To tease
tantamount adj Having equal or equivalent value, effect, or import
tapestry n A fabric to which a pattern is applied with a needle, designed for ornamental hangings
tarnish v To lessen or destroy the luster of in any way
taut adj Stretched tight
taxation n A levy, by government, of a fixed contribution
taxidermy n The art or process of preserving dead animals or parts of them
technic adj Technical
technicality n Something peculiar to a particular art, trade, or the like
technique n Manner of performance
technography n The scientific description or study of human arts and industries in their historic development
technology n The knowledge relating to industries and manufactures
teem v To be full to overflowing
telepathy n Thought-transference
telephony n The art or process of communicating by telephone
telescope v To drive together so that one slides into the another like the sections of a spy-glass
telltale adj That gives warning or information
temerity n Recklessness
temporal adj Pertaining to or concerned with the affairs of the present life
temporary adj Lasting for a short time only
temporize v To pursue a policy of delay
tempt v To offer to (somebody) an inducement to do wrong
tempter n An allurer or enticer to evil
tenacious adj Unyielding
tenant n An occupant
tendency n Direction or inclination, as toward some objector end
tenet n Any opinion, principle, dogma, or doctrine that a person believes or maintains as true
tenor n A settled course or manner of progress
tense adj Strained to stiffness
tentative adj Done as an experiment
tenure n The term during which a thing is held
tercentenary adj Pertaining to a period of 300 years
termagant adj Violently abusive and quarrelsome
terminal adj Pertaining to or creative of a boundary, limit
terminate v To put an end or stop to
termination n The act of ending or concluding
terminus n The final point or goal
terrify v To fill with extreme fear
territorial adj Pertaining to the domain over which a sovereign state exercises jurisdiction
terse adj Pithy
testament n A will
testator n The maker of a will
testimonial n A formal token of regard, often presented in public
thearchy n Government by a supreme deity
theism n Belief in God
theocracy n A government administered by ecclesiastics
theocrasy n The mixed worship of polytheism
theologian n A professor of divinity
theological adj Based on or growing out of divine revelation
theology n The branch of theological science that treats of God
theoretical adj Directed toward knowledge for its own sake without respect to applications
theorist n One given to speculating
theorize v To speculate
thereabout adv Near that number, quantity, degree, place, or time, approximately
therefor adv For that or this
thermal adj Of or pertaining to heat
thermoelectric adj Denoting electricity produced by heat
thermoelectricity n Electricity generated by differences of temperature,
thesis n An essay or treatise on a particular subject
thoroughbred adj Bred from the best or purest blood or stock
thoroughfare n A public street or road
thrall n One controlled by an appetite or a passion
tilth n Cultivation
timbre n The quality of a tone, as distinguished from intensity and pitch
timorous adj Lacking courage
tincture n A solution, usually alcoholic, of some principle used in medicine
tinge n A faint trace of color
tipsy adj Befuddled with drinks
tirade n Harangue
tireless adj Untiring
tiresome adj Wearisome
Titanic adj Of vast size or strength
toilsome adj Laborious
tolerable adj Moderately good
tolerance n Forbearance in judging of the acts or opinions of others
tolerant adj Indulgent
tolerate v To passively permit or put up with
toleration n A spirit of charitable leniency
topography n The art of representing on a map the physical features of any locality or region with accuracy
torpor n Apathy
torrid adj Excessively hot
tortious adj Wrongful
tortuous adj Abounding in irregular bends or turns
torturous adj Marked by extreme suffering
tractable adj Easily led or controlled
trait n A distinguishing feature or quality
trajectory n The path described by a projectile moving under given forces
trammel n An impediment
tranquil adj Calm
tranquilize v To soothe
tranquility n Calmness
transalpine adj Situated on the other side of the Alps
transact v To do business
transatlantic adj Situated beyond or on the other side of the Atlantic
transcend v To surpass
transcendent adj Surpassing
transcontinental adj Extending or passing across a continent
transcribe v To write over again (something already written)
transcript n A copy made directly from an original
transfer v To convey, remove, or cause to pass from one person or place to another
transferable adj Capable of being conveyed from one person or place to another
transferee n The person to whom a transfer is made
transference n The act of conveying from one person or place to another
transferrer n One who or that which conveys from one person or place to another
transfigure v To give an exalted meaning or glorified appearance to
transfuse v To pour or cause to pass, as a fluid, from one vessel to another
transfusible adj Capable of being poured from one vessel to another
transfusion n The act of pouring from one vessel to another
transgress v To break a law
transience n Something that is of short duration
transient n One who or that which is only of temporary existence
transition n Passage from one place, condition, or action to another
transitory adj Existing for a short time only
translate v To give the sense or equivalent of in another language or dialect
translator n An interpreter
translucence n The property or state of allowing the passage of light
translucent adj Allowing the passage of light
transmissible adj That may e sent through or across
transmission n The act of sending through or across
transmit v To send trough or across
transmute v To change in nature, substance, or form
transparent adj Easy to see through or understand
transpire v To come to pass
transplant v To remove and plant in another place
transposition n The act of reversing the order or changing the place of
transverse adj Lying or being across or in a crosswise direction
travail n Hard or agonizing labor
travesty n A grotesque imitation
treacherous adj Perfidious
treachery n Violation of allegiance, confidence, or plighted faith
treasonable adj Of the nature of betrayal, treachery, or breech of allegiance
treatise n An elaborate literary composition presenting a subject in all its parts
treble adj Multiplied by three
trebly adv Triply
tremendous adj Awe-inspiring
tremor n An involuntary trembling or shivering
tremulous adj Characterized by quivering or unsteadiness
trenchant adj Cutting deeply and quickly
trepidation n Nervous uncertainty of feeling
trestle n An open braced framework for supporting the horizontal stringers of a railway-bridge
triad n A group of three persons of things
tribune n Any champion of the rights and liberties of the people: often used as the name for a newspaper
trickery n Artifice
tricolor adj Of three colors
tricycle n A three-wheeled vehicle
trident n The three-pronged fork that was the emblem of Neptune
triennial adj Taking place every third year
trimness n Neatness
trinity n A threefold personality existing in the one divine being or substance
trio n Three things grouped or associated together
triple adj Threefold
triplicate adj Composed of or pertaining to three related things or parts
triplicity n The state of being triple or threefold
tripod n A three-legged stand, usually hinged near the top, for supporting some instrument
trisect v To divide into three parts, especially into three equal parts
trite adj Made commonplace by frequent repetition
triumvir n One of three men united coordinately in public office or authority
trivial adj Of little importance or value
troublesome adj Burdensome
truculence n Ferocity
truculent adj Having the character or the spirit of a savage
truism n A statement so plainly true as hardly to require statement or proof
truthful adj Veracious
turgid adj Swollen
turpitude n Depravity
tutelage n The act of training or the state of being under instruction
tutelar adj Protective
tutorship n The office of a guardian
twinge n A darting momentary local pain
typical adj Characteristic
typify v To serve as a characteristic example of
typographical adj Pertaining to typography or printing
typography n The arrangement of composed type, or the appearance of printed matter
tyrannical adj Despotic
tyranny n Absolute power arbitrarily or unjustly administrated
tyro n One slightly skilled in or acquainted with any trade or profession
ubiquitous adj Being present everywhere
ulterior adj Not so pertinent as something else to the matter spoken of
ultimate adj Beyond which there is nothing else
ultimatum n A final statement or proposal, as concerning terms or conditions
ultramundane adj Pertaining to supernatural things or to another life
ultramontane adj Beyond the mountains, especially beyond the Alps (that is, on their Italian side)
umbrage n A sense of injury
unaccountable adj Inexplicable
unaffected adj Sincere
unanimous adj Sharing the same views or sentiments
unanimity n The state or quality of being of one mind
unavoidable adj Inevitable
unbearable adj Unendurable
unbecoming adj Unsuited to the wearer, place, or surroundings
unbelief n Doubt
unbiased adj Impartial, as judgment
unbridled adj Being without restraint
uncommon adj Rare
unconscionable adj Ridiculously or unjustly excessive
unconscious adj Not cognizant of objects, actions, etc
unction n The art of anointing as with oil
unctuous adj Oily
undeceive v To free from deception, as by apprising of the real state of affairs
undercharge v To make an inadequate charge for
underexposed adj Insufficiently exposed for proper or full development, as negatives in photography
undergarment n A garment to be worn under the ordinary outer garments
underman v To equip with less than the full complement of men
undersell v To sell at a lower price than
undersized adj Of less than the customary size
underhanded adj Clandestinely carried on
underlie v To be the ground or support of
underling n A subordinate
undermine v To subvert in an underhand way
underrate v To undervalue
understate v To fail to put strongly enough, as a case
undervalue v To underestimate
underworld n Hades
underwrite v To issue or be party to the issue of a policy of insurance
undue adj More than sufficient
undulate v To move like a wave or in waves
undulous adj Resembling waves
unfavorable adj Adverse
ungainly adj Clumsy
unguent n Any ointment or lubricant for local application
unicellular adj Consisting of a single cell
univalence n Monovalency
unify v To cause to be one
unique adj Being the only one of its kind
unison n A condition of perfect agreement and accord
unisonant adj Being in a condition of perfect agreement and accord
Unitarian adj Pertaining to a religious body that rejects the doctrine of the Trinity
unlawful adj Illegal
unlimited adj Unconstrained
unnatural adj Artificial
unnecessary adj Not essential under the circumstances
unsettle v To put into confusion
unsophisticated adj Showing inexperience
unspeakable adj Abominable
untimely adj Unseasonable
untoward adj Causing annoyance or hindrance
unutterable adj Inexpressible
unwieldy adj Moved or managed with difficulty, as from great size or awkward shape
unwise adj Foolish
unyoke v To separate
up-keep n Maintenance
upbraid v To reproach as deserving blame
upcast n A throwing upward
upheaval n Overthrow or violent disturbance of established order or condition
upheave v To raise or lift with effort
uppermost adj First in order of precedence
uproarious adj Noisy
uproot v To eradicate
upturn v To throw into confusion
urban adj Of, or pertaining to, or like a city
urbanity n Refined or elegant courtesy
urchin n A roguish, mischievous boy
urgency n The pressure of necessity
usage n Treatment
usurious adj Taking unlawful or exorbitant interest on money loaned
usurp v To take possession of by force
usury n The demanding for the use of money as a loan, a rate of interest beyond what is allowed by law
utilitarianism n The ethical doctrine that actions are right because they are useful or of beneficial tendency
utility n Fitness for some desirable practical purpose
utmost n The greatest possible extent
vacate v To leave
vaccinate v To inoculate with vaccine virus or virus of cowpox
vacillate v To waver
vacuous adj Empty
vacuum n A space entirely devoid of matter
vagabond n A wanderer
vagrant n An idle wanderer
vainglory n Excessive, pretentious, and demonstrative vanity
vale n Level or low land between hills
valediction n A bidding farewell
valedictorian n Student who delivers an address at graduating exercises of an educational institution
valedictory n A parting address
valid adj Founded on truth
valorous adj Courageous
vapid adj Having lost sparkling quality and flavor
vaporizer n An atomizer
variable adj Having a tendency to change
variance n Change
variant n A thing that differs from another in form only, being the same in essence or substance
variation n Modification
variegate v To mark with different shades or colors
vassal n A slave or bondman
vaudeville n A variety show
vegetal adj Of or pertaining to plants
vegetarian n One who believes in the theory that man's food should be exclusively vegetable
vegetate v To live in a monotonous, passive way without exercise of the mental faculties
vegetation n Plant-life in the aggregate
vegetative adj Pertaining to the process of plant-life
vehement adj Very eager or urgent
velocity n Rapid motion
velvety adj Marked by lightness and softness
venal adj Mercenary, corrupt
vendible adj Marketable
vendition n The act of selling
vendor n A seller
veneer n Outside show or elegance
venerable adj Meriting or commanding high esteem
venerate v To cherish reverentially
venereal adj Pertaining to or proceeding from sexual intercourse
venial adj That may be pardoned or forgiven, a forgivable sin
venison n The flesh of deer
venom n The poisonous fluid that certain animals secrete
venous adj Of, pertaining to, or contained or carried in a vein or veins
veracious adj Habitually disposed to speak the truth
veracity n Truthfulness
verbatim adv Word for word
verbiage n Use of many words without necessity
verbose adj Wordy
verdant adj Green with vegetation
verification n The act of proving to be true, exact, or accurate
verify v To prove to be true, exact, or accurate
verily adv In truth
verity n Truth
vermin n A noxious or troublesome animal
vernacular n The language of one's country
vernal adj Belonging to or suggestive of the spring
versatile adj Having an aptitude for applying oneself to new and varied tasks or to various subjects
version n A description or report of something as modified by one's character or opinion
vertex n Apex
vertical adj Lying or directed perpendicularly to the horizon
vertigo n Dizziness
vestige n A visible trace, mark, or impression, of something absent, lost, or gone
vestment n Clothing or covering
veto n The constitutional right in a chief executive of refusing to approve an enactment
vicarious adj Suffered or done in place of or for the sake of another
viceroy n A ruler acting with royal authority in place of the sovereign in a colony or province
vicissitude n A change, especially a complete change, of condition or circumstances, as of fortune
vie v To contend
vigilance n Alert and intent mental watchfulness in guarding against danger
vigilant adj Being on the alert to discover and ward off danger or insure safety
vignette n A picture having a background or that is shaded off gradually
vincible adj Conquerable
vindicate v To prove true, right, or real
vindicatory adj Punitive
vindicative adj Revengeful
vinery n A greenhouse for grapes
viol n A stringed instrument of the violin class
viola n A musical instrument somewhat larger than a violin
violator n One who transgresses
violation n Infringement
violoncello n A stringed instrument held between the player's knees
virago n A bold, impudent, turbulent woman
virile adj Masculine
virtu n Rare, curious, or beautiful quality
virtual adj Being in essence or effect, but not in form or appearance
virtuoso n A master in the technique of some particular fine art
virulence n Extreme poisonousness
virulent adj Exceedingly noxious or deleterious
visage n The face, countenance, or look of a person
viscount n In England, a title of nobility, ranking fourth in the order of British peerage
vista n A view or prospect
visual adj Perceptible by sight
visualize v To give pictorial vividness to a mental representation
vitality n The state or quality of being necessary to existence or continuance
vitalize v To endow with life or energy
vitiate v To contaminate
vituperable adj Deserving of censure
vivacity n Liveliness
vivify v To endue with life
vivisection n The dissection of a living animal
vocable n a word, especially one regarded in relation merely to its qualities of sound
vocative adj Of or pertaining to the act of calling
vociferance n The quality of making a clamor
vociferate v To utter with a loud and vehement voice
vociferous adj Making a loud outcry
vogue n The prevalent way or fashion
volant adj Flying or able to fly
volatile adj Changeable
volition n An act or exercise of will
volitive adj Exercising the will
voluble adj Having great fluency in speaking
voluptuous adj having fullness of beautiful form, as a woman, with or without sensuous or sensual quality
voracious adj Eating with greediness or in very large quantities
vortex n A mass of rotating or whirling fluid, especially when sucked spirally toward the center
votary adj Consecrated by a vow or promise
votive adj Dedicated by a vow
vulgarity n Lack of refinement in conduct or speech
vulnerable adj Capable of receiving injuries
waif n A homeless, neglected wanderer
waistcoat n A vest
waive v To relinquish, especially temporarily, as a right or claim
wampum n Beads strung on threads, formerly used among the American Indians as currency
wane v To diminish in size and brilliancy
wantonness n Recklessness
warlike adj Belligerent
wavelet n A ripple
weak-kneed adj Without resolute purpose or energy
weal n Well-being
wean v To transfer (the young) from dependence on mother's milk to another form of nourishment
wearisome adj Fatiguing
wee adj Very small
well-bred adj Of good ancestry
well-doer n A performer of moral and social duties
well-to-do adj In prosperous circumstances
whereabouts n The place in or near which a person or thing is
whereupon adv After which
wherever adv In or at whatever place
wherewith n The necessary means or resources
whet v To make more keen or eager
whimsical adj Capricious
whine v To utter with complaining tone
wholly adv Completely
wield v To use, control, or manage, as a weapon, or instrument, especially with full command
wile n An act or a means of cunning deception
winsome adj Attractive
wintry adj Lacking warmth of manner
wiry adj Thin, but tough and sinewy
witchcraft n Sorcery
witless adj Foolish, indiscreet, or silly
witling n A person who has little understanding
witticism n A witty, brilliant, or original saying or sentiment
wittingly adv With knowledge and by design
wizen v To become or cause to become withered or dry
wizen-faced adj Having a shriveled face
working-man n One who earns his bread by manual labor
workmanlike adj Like or befitting a skilled workman
workmanship n The art or skill of a workman
wrangle v To maintain by noisy argument or dispute
wreak v To inflict, as a revenge or punishment
wrest v To pull or force away by or as by violent twisting or wringing
wretchedness n Extreme misery or unhappiness
writhe v To twist the body, face, or limbs or as in pain or distress
writing n The act or art of tracing or inscribing on a surface letters or ideographs
wry adj Deviating from that which is proper or right
yearling n A young animal past its first year and not yet two years old
zealot n One who espouses a cause or pursues an object in an immoderately partisan manner
zeitgeist n The intellectual and moral tendencies that characterize any age or epoch
zenith n The culminating-point of prosperity, influence, or greatness
zephyr n Any soft, gentle wind
zodiac n An imaginary belt encircling the heavens within which are the larger planets