cat vocabulary 1

8/8/2019 CAT Vocabulary 1

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abaft

(adv.)onortowardtherearofaship

Thepassengersmovedabaftoftheshipsoastoescapethefireinthefrontofthe

ship.

abandon

(v.;n)toleavebehind;togivesomethingup;freedom;enthusiasm;impetuosity

Afterfailingforseveralyears,heabandonedhisdreamofstartingagrocery

business.

Lucyembarkedonhernewadventurewithabandon.

abase

(v.)todegrade;humiliate;disgrace

Themotherspublicreprimandabasedthegirl. Theinsecurefather,afterfailingto

achievehisownlifelonggoals,abasedhischildrenwhenevertheyfailed.

abbreviate

(v.)to

shorten;

compress;

diminish

HisvacationtoJapanwasabbreviatedwhenheacquiredanillnesstreatableonly

intheUnitedStates.

abdicate

(v.)toreject,renounce,orabandon

Duetohispoorpaymentrecord,itmaybenecessarytoabdicateourrelationship

withthe

client.

aberrant

(adj.)

abnormal;

straying

from

the

normal

or

usual

path

Theaberrantflightpatternoftheairplanealarmedtheairtrafficcontrollers.

Hisaberrantbehaviorledhisfriendstoworrythedivorcehadtakenitstoll.

abeyance(n.)astateoftemporarysuspensionorinactivitySincethepower

failure,thetownhasbeeninabeyance.

abhor

(v.)tohate

Bythewayherjawtensedwhenhewalkedin,itiseasytoseethatsheabhorshim.


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Thedogabhorredcats,chasingandgrowlingatthemwheneverhehadthe

opportunity.

abject

(adj.)oftheworstorlowestdegree

TheHaldemanslivedinabjectpoverty,withbarelyaroofovertheirheads.

abjure

(v.)togiveup

Thelosingteammayabjuretotheteamthatiswinning.

abnegation

(n.)adenial

Thewomansabnegationofherlosswasapparentwhenshebegantolaugh.

abominate

(v.)toloathe;tohate

Randallabominatedallthetrafficheencounteredoneverymorningcommute.

Pleasedonotabominatetheguiltypersonuntilyouhearthecompleteexplanation.

abridge

(v.)toshorten;tolimit

Theeditorabridgedthestorytomakethebookeasiertodigest.

abrogate

(v.)tocancelbyauthority

Thejudgewouldnotabrogatethelaw.

abrupt

(adj.)happeningorendingunexpectedly

Theabruptendtotheirmarriagewasashocktoeveryone.


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abscond

(v.)togoawayhastilyorsecretly;tohide

Thenewly

wed

couple

will

abscond

from

the

reception

to

leave

on

the

honeymoon.

absolve

(v.)toforgive;toacquit

Thejudgewillabsolvethepersonofallcharges. Afterfeudingformanyyears,the

brothersabsolvedeachotherforthemanyargumentstheyhad.

abstemious

(adj.)sparinginuseoffoodordrinks

Ifwebecomestrandedinthesnowstorm,wewillhavetobeabstemiouswithour

foodsupply.

Inmanyabstemiousculturesthepeoplearesothinduetothebeliefthattoomuch

takenintothebodyleadstocontaminationofthesoul. abstinence(n.)theactor

processofvoluntarilyrefrainingfromanyactionorpractice;selfcontrol;chastityIn

preparationfortheOlympicgames,theathletespracticedabstinencefromred

meatand

junk

food,

adhering

instead

to

amenu

of

pasta

and

produce.

abstruse

(adj.)hardtounderstand;deep;recondite

Thetopicwassoabstrusethestudentwasforcedtostopreading.

Theconceptwastooabstrusefortheaveragestudenttograsp.

abysmal

(adj.)verydeep

Theabysmalwaterscontainedlittleplantlife.

accede

(v.)tocomplywith;toconsentto

Withdefeat

imminent,

the

rebel

army

acceded

to

hash

out

apeace

treaty.


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acclaim

(n.)loudapproval;applause

EdwardAlbeesbrilliantlywrittenBroadwayrevivalofADelicateBalancereceived

wideacclaim.

accolade

(n.)

approving

or

praising

mention;

asign

of

approval

or

respectRichaccoladeswerebestowedonthereturninghero. Accoladesflowed

intoherdressingroomfollowingtheopeningnighttriumph. accomplice(n.)co

conspirator;partner;partnerincrimeThebankrobbersaccomplicedrovetheget

awaycar. accretion(n.)growthbyaddition;agrowingtogetherbypartsWiththe

accretionofthenewmembers,theclubdoubleditsoriginalsize. Theadditionof

thenewdepartmentsaccountsfortheaccretionofthecompany.

accrue

(v.)anatural

growth;

aperiodic

increase

Overthecourseofhercollegecareer,shemanagedtoaccrueagreatdealof

knowledge.

Thesavingswereabletoaccrueasizableamountofinteresteachyear. During

hismanyyearsofcollectingstamps,hewasabletoaccruealargecollectionof

valuableitems. acerbic(adj.)tastingsour;harshinlanguageortemperToomuch

BayLeafwillmaketheeggplantacerbic. Thebabysmouthpuckeredwhenshe

wasgiventheacerbicmedicine. ThecolumnistsacerbiccommentsabouttheFirst

Ladydrew

astrong

denunciation

from

the

President.

acquiesce

(v.)toagreewithoutprotest

Thegroupacquiescedtothenewregulationseventhoughtheywereopposedto

them.

Afterahardfoughtbattle,theretailersfinallyacquiescedtothedraftregulations.

acrid

(adj.)sharp;bitter;foulsmelling

Althoughthesoupisahealthyfoodchoice,itissoacridnotmanypeoplechoose

toeatit.

Thefireattheplasticsfactorycausedanacridodortobeemittedthroughoutthe

surroundingneighborhood. acrimony(n.)sharpnessorbitternessinlanguageor

manner.The

acrimony

of

her

response

was

shocking.

adage

(n.)

an

old

saying

nowacceptedasbeingtruthfulTheadagedountoothersasyouwishthemtodo


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untoyouisstillwidelypracticed.

adamant

(adj.)notyielding,firm

Aftertakinganadamantstandtosellthehouse,themancalledtherealestate

agency.

Thegirlsparentswereadamantaboutnotallowinghertogoonadangerous

backpackingtrip.

addled

(adj.)rotten

Theeggwillbecomeaddledifitisleftunrefrigerated.

adept

(adj.)skilled;practiced

Theskilledcraftsmanwasquiteadeptatcreatingbeautifulvasesand

candleholders.

adjure

(v.)solemnlyordered

Thejurorswereadjuredbythejudgetomakeafairdecision.

adroit

(adj.)expertorskillful

Therepair

was

not

difficult

for

the

adroit

craftsman.

Thedriversadroitdrivingavoidedaseriousaccident.

adulation

(n.)praiseinexcess

Theadulationwasinresponsetotheheroicfeat.

Theadulation

given

to

the

movie

star

was

sickening.


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adulterate

(v.)tocorrupt,debase,ormakeimpure

Thedumpingofchemicalswilladulteratethepurenessofthelake.

adversary

(n.)anenemy;foe

Thepeacetreatyunitedtwocountriesthatwerehistoricallygreatadversaries.

adverse(adj.)negative;hostile;antagonistic;inimicalContrarytotheskiresorts

expectations,thewarmweathergeneratedadverseconditionsforaprofitable

weekend. advocate(v.;n.)topleadinfavorof;supporter;defenderAmnesty

Internationaladvocatesthecauseforhumanrights. MartinLutherKing,Jr.wasa

greatadvocate

of

civil

rights.

aesthetic

(adj.)

of

beauty;

pertaining

to

taste

in

art

andbeautyShefoundthatheraestheticsenseandthatoftheartistwereatodds.

Hisreviewmadeonewonderwhatkindofaesthetictastethecritichad.

affable

(adj.)friendly;amiable;goodnatured

Heraffablepuppylovedtoplaywithchildren. affiliate(v.)toconnectorassociate

with;toacceptasamemberThehikingclubaffiliatedwiththebirdwatchingclub.

affinity

(n.)aconnection;similarityofstructure

Thereisastrongemotionalaffinitybetweenthetwosiblings.

Itturnsoutthattheelementsbearastrongaffinitytoeachother.

aggrandize

(v.)tomakemorepowerful

Thekingwantedtoaggrandizehimselfandhiskingdom. aghast(adj.)astonished;

amazed;horrified;terrified;appalledStockholderswereaghastatthecompanys

revelation. Thelandlordwasaghastathiswaterbill.

agrarian

(adj.)oftheland

Manyagrarianpeoplearepoor.


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alacrity

(n.)eagerreadinessorspeed

Themanager

was

so

impressed

by

the

workers

alacrity;

he

suggested

a

promotion.

Onthefirstdayofhernewjob,therecentcollegegraduatewasabletoleaveearly

aftercompletingallofhertaskswithalacrity.

alchemist

(n.)apersonwhostudieschemistry

Thealchemists

laboratory

was

full

of

bottles

and

tubes

of

strange

lookingliquids.

alchemy

(n.)anymysteriouschangeofsubstanceornature

Themagicianusedalchemytochangethepowderintoaliquid

allegory

(n.)asymbolicdescription

ThebookcontainedmanyallegoriesonRussianhistory.

alleviate

(v.)tolessenormakeeasier

Theairports

monorail

alleviates

vehicular

traffic.

allocate

(v.)setaside;designate;assign

Therehavebeenfrontrowseatsallocatedtotheperformersfamily.

Thefarmerallocatedthreeacresofhisfieldstocorn.

allude


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(v.)toreferindirectlytosomething

Thestoryalludestopartoftheauthorslife.

Withoutstatingthatthedefendantwasanexconvict,theprosecutoralludedtothe

factby

mentioning

his

length

of

unemployment.

allure

(v.;

n.)

to

attract;

entice;

attraction;temptation;glamourTheromanticyoungmanalluredthebeautiful

womanbypreparingawonderfuldinner.

Singaporesallureisitsbustlingeconomy. allusion(n.)anindirectreference

(oftenliterary);ahintThementionofthepetsnakewasanallusiontothemans

sneakyways. Inmodernplaysallusionsareoftenmadetoancientdrama.

aloof

(adj.)distant

in

interest;

reserved;

cool

Eventhoughthenewcoworkerwasaloof,weattemptedtobefriendly. Thecalm

defendantremainedaloofwhenhewaswronglyaccusedoffabricatinghisstory.

altercation

(n.)controversy;dispute

Aseriousaltercationcausedthemarriagetoendinabitterdivorce. altruism(n.)

unselfishdevotion

to

the

welfare

of

others

After

the

organization

aided

the

catastrophevictims,itwasgivenanawardforaltruism.

Shedisplayedsuchaltruismbygivingupallofherbelongingsandjoiningapeace

corpsinAfrica.

altruistic

(adj.)unselfish

Thealtruistic

volunteer

donated

much

time

and

energy

in

an

effort

to

raise

funds

forthechildrenshospital. amalgam(n.)amixtureorcombination(oftenofmetals)

Theartdisplaywasanamalgamofmodernandtraditionalpieces. Thatringis

madefromanamalgamofminerals;ifitwerepuregolditwouldneverholdits

shape.

amalgamate

(v.)tomix,merge,combine

Ifthe

economy

does

not

grow,

the

business

may

need

to

amalgamate

with

arival

company.


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Thethreepresidentsdecidedtoamalgamatetheirbusinessestobuildonestrong

company.

amass

(v.)tocollecttogether;accumulate

Overtheyearsthesailorhasamassedmanyreplicasofboats.

Thewomenamassedahugecollectionofpricelessdiamondsandpearls.

ambiguous

(adj.)notclear;uncertain;vague

Theambiguouslawdidnotmakeacleardistinctionbetweenthenewandoldland

boundary.

ambivalent

(adj.)undecided

Theambivalentjurycouldnotreachaunanimousverdict.

ameliorate

(v.)toimproveormakebetter

Aconsistentroutineofexercisehasshowntoamelioratehealth.

Wecanamelioratethefloodingproblembychangingthegrading.

amendment

(n.)apositive

change

Theamendmentinhiswaysshowedtherewasstillreasonforhope.

amiable

(adj.)friendly

Thenewcomerpickedthemostamiablepersontositnexttoduringthemeeting.

amiss(adj.;adv.)wrong;awry;wrongly;inadefectivemannerSeeingthathis

anorakwas

gone,

he

knew

something

was

amiss

.Its

new

muffler

aside,

the

car

wasbehavingamiss.


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amity

(n.)friendlyrelations

Theamity

between

the

two

bordering

nations

put

the

populations

at

ease.

amorphous(adj.)withnoshape;unorganized;havingnodeterminateformThe

amorphousgelseepedthroughthecracks. Theamorphousgroupquicklygotlost.

Thescientistcouldnotdeterminethesexoftheamorphousorganism. amortize

(v.)toputmoneyintoafundatfixedintervalsThecouplewasabletoamortize

theirmortgagesoonerthantheythought. anachronism(n.)somethingoutofplace

intime(e.g.,anairplanein1492)Theeditorrecognizedananachronisminthe

manuscriptwherethecharacterfromthe1500sboardedanairplane. Herealized

thatthefilmaboutcavemencontainedananachronismwhenhesawajetcut

acrossthe

horizon

during

ahunting

scene.

analogy

(n.)similarity;correlation;parallelism

Theteacherusedananalogytodescribethesimilaritiesbetweenthetwobooks.

Comparingthenewlydiscoveredviruswithonefoundlongago,thescientistmade

ananalogybetweenthetwoorganisms.

anaphylaxis

(n.)anallergicreaction

Theboyssevereanaphylaxistoaseriesofmedicationsmadewritingprescriptions

atrickyproposition. anarchist(n.)onewhobelievesthataformalgovernmentis

unnecessaryTheyellfromthecrowdcamefromtheanarchistprotestingthe

government.

Theanarchist

attempted

to

overthrow

the

established

democratic

government

of

thenewnationandreinstatechaosanddisarray.

anchorage

(n.)somethingthatcanbereliedon

Knowingtheneighborswererightnextdoorwasananchoragefortheelderly

woman.

anecdote


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(n.)ashortaccountofhappenings

Thespeakertoldananecdoteabouthowhelosthisshoeswhenhewasyoung.

animosity

(n.)afeelingofhatredorillwill

Animositygrewbetweenthetwofeudingfamilies.

anoint

(v.)tocrown;ordain;

Amemberofthemonarchywasanointedbytheking. anomaly(n.)anoddity,

inconsistency;adeviation

from

the

norm

An

anomaly

existed

when

the

report

listed

onestatistic,andthespokeswomanreportedanother.

InaparkinglotfullofBuicks,Chevys,andPlymouths,theJaguarwasananomaly.

anonymous

(adj.)nameless;unidentified

Notwishingtobeidentifiedbythepolice,heremainedanonymousbyreturningthe

moneyhe

had

stolen

by

sending

it

through

the

mail.

antagonism

(n.)hostility;opposition

Theantagonismwascreatedbyamisunderstanding. Therebelliousclancaptured

ahostagetodisplayantagonismtothenewpeacetreaty.

antipathy

(n.)astrongdislikeorrepugnance

Herantipathyforlargecrowdsconvincedhertodeclinetheinvitationtothecity.

Thevegetarianhadanantipathytowardmeat.

apathy

(n.)lackofemotionorinterest

Heshowedapathywhenhisrelativewasinjured. Thedisheartenedpeasants


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expressedapathytowardthenewlawwhichpromisednewhopeandprosperityfor

all. apocalyptic(adj.)pertainingtoadiscoveryornewrevelationSciencefiction

moviesseemtorelishapocalypticvisions. apocryphal(adj.)counterfeit;of

doubtfulauthorshiporauthenticityThemanwhosaidhewasadoctorwastruly

apocryphal.

appease

(v.)tosatisfy;tocalm

Amilkbottleusuallyappeasesacryingbaby.

apposite

(adj.)suitable;apt;relevant

Discussionofpovertywasappositetothecurriculum,sotheprofessorallowedit.

Withoutreenactingtheentirescenario,thesituationcanbeunderstoodifapposite

informationisgiven.

apprehensive

(adj.)fearful;aware;conscious

Thenervous

child

was

apprehensive

about

beginning

anew

school

year.

approbatory

(adj.)approvingorsanctioning

Thejudgeshowedhisacceptanceinhisapprobatoryremark.

arable

(adj.)suitable

(as

land)

for

plowing

Whenthelandwasdeemedarablethefarmerdecidedtoplow. arbiter(n.)one

whoisauthorizedtojudgeordecideThedecisionofwhowouldrepresentthe

peoplewasmadebythearbiter. arbitrary(adj.)basedononespreferenceor

judgmentRickadmittedhisdecisionhadbeenarbitrary,asheclaimedno

expertiseonthematter.

arcane

(adj.)obscure;

secret;

mysterious


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Withanarcaneexpression,theyoungboyleftthefamilywonderingwhatsortof

mischiefhehadcommitted.

Thewizardsdescriptionofhismagicwaspurposefullyarcanesothatotherswould

beunabletocopyit.

archetype

(n.)originalpatternormodel;prototype

Thismanwasthearchetypeforscoresoffictionalcharacters. Thescientistwas

carefulwiththearchetypeofherinventionsothatoncemanufacturingbegan,it

wouldbeeasytoreproduceit.

ardent

(adj.)withpassionateorintensefeelings

Thefansardentloveofthegamekeptthemreturningtowatchtheterribleteam.

arduous

(adj.)laborious,difficult;strenuous

Completingtheplansforthenewbuildingprovedtobeanarduousaffair. Building

ahouse

is

arduous

work,

but

the

result

is

well

worth

the

labor.

arid

(adj.)

extremely

dry,parched;barren,unimaginativeTheterrainwassoaridthatnotonespecies

ofplantcouldsurvive. Theirthirstbecameworseduetothearidconditionofthe

desert. aromatic(adj.)havingasmellwhichissweetorspicyThearomaticsmell

comingfromtheovenmadethemansmouthwater.

arrogant

(adj.)actingsuperiortoothers;conceited

Afterpurchasing

his

new,

expensive

sports

car,

the

arrogant

doctor

refused

to

allowanyonetoridewithhimtothecountryclub.

arrogate

(v.)toclaimordemandunduly

Theteenagerarrogatedthatheshouldbeabletousehisparentscarwhenever

hedesired. articulate(v.;adj.)toutterclearlyanddistinctly;clear,distinct;

expressedwithclarity;skillfulwithwordsItsevenmoreimportanttoarticulateyour

wordswhen

youre

on

the

phone.


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YoudidnthavetovoteforhimtoagreethatAdlaiStevensonwasarticulate.

Asalespersonmustbearticulatewhenspeakingtoacustomer.

artifice

(n.)skillinacraft

Theartificeofglassmakingtakesmanyyearsofpractice. ascetic(n.;adj.)one

wholeadsasimplelifeofselfdenial;rigorouslyabstinentThemonasteryisfilled

withasceticswhohavedevotedtheirlivestoreligion.

ThenunsleadanasceticlifedevotedtotheLord.

aseptic

(adj.)germfree

Itisnecessaryforanoperatingroomtobeaseptic.

askance

(adv.)asidewaysglanceofdisapproval

Thelookaskanceprovedtheguardsuspectedsomewrongdoing.

asperity

(n.)harshness

Themanusedasperitytofrightenthegirloutofgoing. Theasperityofthewinter

hadmosteverybodyyearningforspring. aspersion(n.)slanderousstatement;a

damagingorderogatorycriticismTheaspersiondamagedthecredibilityofthe

organization. Heblamedthelossofhisjobonanaspersionstatedbyhisco

workertohissuperior.

aspirant

(n.)apersonwhogoesafterhighgoals

Theaspirantwouldnotsettleforassistantdirectoronlythetopjobwasgood

enough. assay(n.)todeterminethequalityofasubstance. Havethesoil

assayed.

assess

(v.)toestimatethevalueof


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Sheassessedthepossiblerewardstoseeiftheprojectwasworthhertimeand

effort.

assiduous

(adj.)carefullyattentive;industrious

Itisnecessarytobeassiduousifapersonwishestomakethemostofhistimeat

work.

Heenjoyshavingassiduousemployeesbecausehecanexplainaprocedureonce

andhaveitperformedcorrectlyeverytime.

assuage

(v.)torelieve;ease;makelesssevere

Medicationshouldassuagethepain.

Themedicationhelpedassuagethepainofthewound. astringent(n.;adj.)a

substancethatcontractsbodilytissues;causingcontraction;tightening;stern,

austereAftertheoperationanastringentwasusedonhisskinsothatthe

stretchedareawouldreturntonormal.

Thedownturn

in

sales

caused

the

CEO

to

impose

astringent

measures.

Herastringentremarksatthepodiumwouldnotsoonbeforgotten.

astute

(adj.)cunning;sly;crafty

Theastutelawyersquestioningconvincedthejuryofthedefendantsguilt.

atrophy(v.;n.)towasteaway,asfromlackofuse;towither;failuretogrowAfew

monthsafter

he

lost

his

ability

to

walk,

his

legs

began

to

atrophy.

The

atrophy

of

themuscleswasduetotheinjury.

attenuate

(v.)tothinout;toweaken

Wateriscommonlyusedtoattenuatestrongchemicals.

Thechemistattenuatedthesolutionbyaddingwater.

atypical


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(adj.)somethingthatisabnormal

Theatypicalbehaviorofthewildanimalalarmedthehunters.

audacious

(adj.)fearless;bold

Theaudacioussoldierwentintobattlewithoutashield.

augment

(v.)toincreaseoraddto;tomakelarger

Theyneeded

more

soup

so

they

augmented

the

recipe.

Theywereabletoaugmenttheirsavingsoveraperiodoftime.

august

(adj.)tobeimposingormagnificent

Thepalacewasaugustingoldandcrystal.

auspicious

(adj.)beingofagoodomen;successful

Itwasauspiciousthatthesunshoneonthefirstdayofthetrip. Thecampaignhad

anauspiciousstart,foreshadowingthefuture. austere(adj.)havingasternlook;

havingstrictselfdisciplineTheoldwomanalwayshasanausterelookabouther.

Theaustereteacherassignedfivepagesofhomeworkeachday.

authentic

(adj.)real;genuine;trustworthy

Anauthenticdiamondwillcutglass.

authoritarian

(n.;adj.)actingasadictator;demandingobedienceTheauthoritarianmadeallof

therulesbutdidnoneofthework. FidelCastroisreluctanttogiveuphis

authoritarianrule. autocracy(n.)anabsolutemonarchy;governmentwhereone

personholds

power

The

autocracy

was

headed

by

ademanding

man.

She

was

extremelypowerhungryandthereforewantedhergovernmenttobeanautocracy.


17/177

autocrat

(n.)anabsoluteruler

Theautocrat

in

charge

of

the

government

was

aman

of

power

and

prestige.

Theautocratmadeeverydecisionanddividedthetasksamonghissubordinates.

avarice(n.)inordinatedesireforgainingandpossessingwealthThemansavarice

formoneykepthimatworkthroughtheeveningsandweekends.

Theavariceofthepresidentledtohisdownfall.

aver

(v.)to

affirm

as

true

Thewitnesswasabletoavertheidentityofthedefendant. awry(adj;adv.)

crooked(ly);uneven(ly);wrong;askewHearingtheexplosioninthelaboratory,the

scientistrealizedtheexperimenthadgoneawry.

azure

(adj.)theclearbluecolorofthesky

Theazure

sky

made

the

picnic

day

perfect.

baleful

(adj.)harmful,malign,detrimental

Aftershewasfired,sherealizeditwasabalefulmovetopointtheblameather

superior.

Thestrangeliquidcouldbebalefulifingested.

banal

(adj.)trite;withoutfreshnessororiginality

Attendingpartiesbecametriteafterafewweeks. Itwasabanalsuggestionto

havetheannualpicnicinthepark,sincethatwaswhereithadbeenforthepast

fiveyears.

baneful

(adj.)deadlyorcausingdistress,death


18/177

Notwearingaseatbeltcouldbebaneful.

baroque

(adj.)extravagant;

ornate;

embellished

Thebaroqueartworkwasmadeupofintricatedetailswhichkeptthemuseum

goersenthralled.

Thebaroquefurnishingsdidnotfitintheplain,modesthome.

bastion

(n.)afortifiedplaceorstrongdefense

Thestrengthofthebastionsavedthesoldiersinsideofit.

batten

(v.)togain

Theteamcouldonlybattenbydraftingthetopplayer.

bauble

(n.)ashowyyetuselessthing

Thewomanhadmanybaublesonherbookshelf.

beget

(v.)tobringintobeing

Thekingwishedtobegetanewheir.

beholden

(adj.)indebtedto

Thechildrenwerebeholdentotheirparentsforthecarloan.

behoove

(v.)tobeadvantageous;tobenecessary

Itwillbehoovethestudentstobuytheirtextbooksearly.


19/177

belittle

(v.)tomakesmall;tothinklightlyof

Theunsympathetic

friend

belittled

her

friends

problems

and

spoke

of

her

own

as

themostimportant.

bellicose

(adj.)quarrelsome;warlike

Thebellicoseguestwouldnotbeinvitedbackagain.

bemuse

(v.)topreoccupyinthought

Thegirlwasbemusedbyhertroubles.

benefactor

(n.)onewhohelpsothers;adonor

Ananonymousbenefactordonated$10,000tothechildrenshospital. beneficent

(adj.)conferring

benefits;

kindly;

doing

good

He

is

abeneficent

person,

always

takinginstrayanimalsandtalkingtopeoplewhoneedsomeonetolisten.

Abeneficentdonationhelpedtheorganizationmeetitsgoal.

benevolent

(adj.)kind;generous

Theprofessorprovedatoughquestioner,butabenevolentgrader.

Thebenevolentgentlemanvolunteeredhisservices.

benign

(adj.)mild;harmless

Alambisabenignanimal,especiallywhencomparedwithalion.

berate

(v.)scold;reprove;reproach;criticize


20/177

Thechildwasberatedbyherparentsforbreakingthechina. bereft(v.;adj.)tobe

deprivedof;tobeinasadmanner;hurtbysomeonesdeathThelossofhisjob

willleavethemanbereftofmanyluxuries. Thewidowerwasbereftformanyyears

afterhiswifesdeath.

beseech

(v.)toaskearnestly

Thesoldiersbeseechedtheciviliansforhelp.

besmirch

(v.)todirtyordiscolor

Thesootfromthechimneywillbesmirchcleancurtains.

bestial

(adj.)havingthequalitiesofabeast;brutal

Thebestialemployermadehisemployeesworkinanunheatedroom.

betroth

(v.)topromiseorpledgeinmarriage

Themanbetrothedhisdaughtertotheprince.

biased

(adj.)prejudiced;influenced;notneutral

Thevegetarianhadabiasedopinionregardingwhatshouldbeorderedfor

dinner.biennial

(adj.;

n.)

happening

every

two

years;

aplant

which

blooms

every

twoyearsThebiennialjournalsinfluenceseemedonlymagnifiedbyitsinfrequent

publication.

Shehaslivedhereforfouryearsandhasseenthebiennialsbloomtwice. bilateral

(adj.)pertainingtooraffectingbothsidesortwosides;havingtwosidesAbilateral

decisionwasmadesothatbothpartnersreapedequalbenefitsfromthesame

amountofwork.

Thebrainisabilateralorgan,consistingofaleftandrighthemisphere.

blasphemous(adj.)

irreligious;

away

from

acceptable

standards;

speaking

ill

of

usingprofanelanguageTheupperclassparentsthoughtthatitwasblasphemous


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fortheirsontomarryawaitress.

Hisblasphemousoutburstwasheardthroughouttheroom.

blatant

(adj.)obvious;unmistakable;crude;vulgar

Theblatantfoulwasreasonforejection.

Thedefendantwasblatantinhistestimony.

blighted

(adj.)causingfrustrationordestruction

Theblightedtornadoleftonlyonebuildingstandinginitswake. blithe(adj.)

happy;cheery;merry;acheerfuldispositionTheweddingwasablithecelebration.

Theblithechildwasapleasantsurprise.

bode

(v.)toforetellsomething

Thestorm

bode

that

we

would

not

reach

our

destination.

bombast

(n.)pompousspeech;pretentiouswords

Afterhedeliveredhisbombastatthepodium,hearrogantlyleftthemeeting.

Thepresenterendedhisbombastwithapredictionofhisfuturesuccess.

bombastic

(adj.)pompous;wordy;turgid

Thebombasticwomantalksalotaboutherself.

boor

(n.)arudeperson

Theboor

was

not

invited

to

the

party,

but

he

came

anyway.


22/177

breadth

(n.)thedistancefromonesidetoanother

Thetableclothwastoosmalltocoverthebreadthofthetable.

brevity

(n.)briefness;shortness

OnTop40AMradio,brevitywasthecoinoftherealm.

brindled

(adj.)mixedwithadarkercolor

Inordertogetmatchingpaintwemadeabrindledmixture.

broach

(v.)tointroduceintoconversation

Broachingthetouchysubjectwasdifficult.

brusque

(adj.)abruptinmannerorspeech

Hisbrusqueanswerwasneitheracceptablenorpolite. bucolic(adj.)havingtodo

withshepherdsorthecountryThebucolicsettinginspiredtheartist.

bumptious

(adj.)arrogant

Hewas

bumptious

in

manner

as

he

approached

the

podium

to

accept

his

anticipatedaward.

bungler

(n.)aclumsyperson

Theonewhobrokethecrystalvasewasatruebungler.

burgeon

(v.)togrowordevelopquickly


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Thetumorappearedtoburgeonmorequicklythannormal. Afterthefirstpunch

wasthrown,thedisputeburgeonedintoabrawl. burlesque(v.;n.)toimitateina

nonseriousmanner;acomicalimitationHisstumpspeechesweresohackneyed,

heseemedtobeburlesquingofhisroleasacongressman.

GeorgeBurnswasconsideredoneofthegreatpractitionersofburlesque.

burly

(adj.)strong;bulky;stocky

Thelumberjackwasaburlyman.

burnish

(v.)topolishbyrubbing

Thevaseneededtobeburnishedtorestoreitsbeauty.

cabal

(n.)agroupofpersonsjoinedbyasecret

Theveryideathattherecouldbeacabalcastsuspiciononthewholeoperation.

cache(n.)

stockpile;

store;

heap;

hiding

place

for

goods

The

town

kept

acache

of

saltonhandtomeltwinterssnowofftheroads.

Extrafoodiskeptinthecacheunderthepantry.

Thecacheforhisjewelrywashiddenunderthebed.

cacophonous

(adj.)soundingjarring

Thecacophonoussoundfromthebendingmetalsentshiversupourspines.

cacophony(n.)aharsh,inharmoniouscollectionofsounds;dissonanceThe

beautifulharmonyofthesymphonywaswellenjoyedafterthecacophonycoming

fromthestageastheorchestrawarmedup. Theamateurbandcreatedmore

cacophonythanbeautifulsound.

cajole

(v.)tocoaxwithinsinceretalk

Tocajolethedisgruntledemployee,themanagercoaxedhimwithliesandsweet


24/177

talk.

Thesalesmanwillcajolethecoupleintobuyingthestereo.

calamity

(n.)disaster

Thefireintheapartmentbuildingwasagreatcalamity.

caliber

(n.)quality

Thecaliberoftalentattheshowwasexcellent.

callow

(adj.)beingyoungorimmature

Withthecallowremarktheyoungmandemonstratedhisage. Althoughthegirl

couldbeconsideredanadult,theactionwasverycallow.

calumny

(n.)slander

Ifeltitnecessarytospeakagainstthecalumnyofthemansgoodreputation.

canard

(n.)afalsestatementorrumor

Thecanardwasreportedinascandaloustabloid.

candid

(adj.)honest;truthful;sincere

Peopletrustherbecauseshessocandid.

cant

(n.)insincereorhypocriticalstatementsofhighideals;thejargonofaparticular

grouporoccupationsThetheatermajorshaddifficultyunderstandingthecantof

thecomputer

scientists.


25/177

Theremarksbythedoctorwerecantandmeantonlyforhisassociates. caprice

(n.)asudden,unpredictableorwhimsicalchangeThecapricewithwhichthe

coupleapproachedthechangeofplanswasevidencetotheiryoungage.

Thekingruledbycapriceasmuchaslaw.

capricious

(adj.)changeable;fickle

Thecapriciousbridetobehasadifferentchurchinmindforherweddingevery

fewdays.

captious

(adj.)disposed

to

find

fault

Acaptiousattitudeoftencausesdifficultiesinarelationship.

carteblanche

(n.)unlimitedauthority

Thedesignerwasgivencarteblanchetocreateanewlineforthefall.

cascade

(n;v.)waterfall;pour;rush;fall

Thehikersstoppedalongthepathtotakeinthebeautyoftherushingcascade.

Thewatercascadeddowntherocksintothepool.

Hetookaphotographofthelovelycascade.

Thedrapes

formed

acascade

down

the

window.

castigate

(v.)topunishthroughpubliccriticism

Themayorcastigatedthepolicechieffortherashofrobberies.

cataclysm

(n.)an

extreme

natural

force


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Theearthquakehasbeenthefirstcataclysminfiveyears. catalyst(n.)anything

whichcreatesasituationinwhichchangecanoccurThelowpressuresystemwas

thecatalystforthenoreaster. catharsis(n.)apurgingorrelievingofthebodyor

soulHeexperiencedatotalcatharsisafterthepriestabsolvedhissins. Admitting

hisguiltservedasacatharsisfortheman.

caustic

(adj.)eatingawayat;sarcasticwords

Thecausticchemicalsaredangerous.

Thegirlharmedhermotherwithhercausticremarks. Hiscausticsenseofhumor

doesntgooversowellwhenpeopledontknowwhattheyreinfor.

cavil

(v.)tobicker

Thechildrenareconstantlycaviling.

censor

(v.)toexamineanddeleteobjectionablematerial

Thechildren

were

allowed

to

watch

the

adult

movie

only

after

it

had

been

censored. censure(n.;v.)adisapproval;anexpressionofdisapproval;tocriticize

ordisapproveofHisremarksdrewthecensureofhisemployers. Acensureofthe

newshowupsetthedirectors.

Herparentscensuredherideaofdroppingoutofschool.

ceremonious

(adj.)veryformalorproper

Theblacktiedinnerwashighlyceremonious.

cessation

(n.)ceasing;astopping

Thecessationofabadhabitisoftendifficulttosustain. chafe(v.)toannoy,to

irritate;towearawayormakesorebyrubbingHisconstantteasingchafedher.

Hedoesnt

wear

pure

wool

sweaters

because

they

usually

chafe

his

skin.


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chaffing

(n.)banter;teasing

Thekingwasusedtohisjestersgoodnaturedchaffing. chagrin(n.)afeelingof

embarrassmentdue

to

failure

or

disappointment

To

the

chagrin

of

the

inventor,

the

machinedidnotwork. Sheturnedredfacedwithchagrinwhenshelearnedthat

hersonhadbeencaughtshoplifting.

charisma

(n.)appeal;magnetism;presence

Shehassuchcharismathateveryonelikesherthefirsttimetheymeether.

charlatan(n.)apersonwhopretendstohaveknowledge;animpostor;fakeThe

charlatandeceived

the

townspeople.

Itwasfinallydiscoveredthatthecharlatansittingonthethronewasnotthereal

king.

chary

(adj.)cautious;beingsparingingiving

Becharywhendrivingatnight.

Thecharymanhadfewfriends.

chaste

(adj.)virtuous;freeofobscenity

Becausethewomanbelievedinbeingchaste,shewouldnotletherdateintothe

house.

chastise

(v.)topunish;discipline;admonish

Thedeanchastisedthefirstyearstudentforcheatingontheexam.

cherish

(v.)tofeellovefor

Thebride

vowed

to

cherish

the

groom

for

life.


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chicanery

(n.)trickeryordeception

Theswindlerwastrainedinchicanery.

Anewsbroadcastisnoplaceforchicanery.

chimera

(n.)animpossiblefancy

Perhapshesawaflyingsaucer,butperhapsitwasonlyachimera. choleric(adj.)

cranky;cantankerous;easilymovedtofeelingdispleasureThecholericmanwas

continuallyupsetbyhisneighbors. Rollybecomescholericwhenhisviewsare

challenged.

chortle

(v.)tomakeagleeful,chucklingsound

Thechortlesemanatingfromtheaudienceindicateditwouldntbeastougha

crowdasthestandupcomichadexpected. churlishness(n.)crudeorsurly

behavior;behaviorofapeasantThefraternityschurlishnessranafoulofthedean

soffice. Thechurlishnessoftheteenagercausedhisemployertolosefaithin

him.circumlocution

(n.)

aroundabout

or

indirect

way

of

speaking;

not

to

the

point

ThemansspeechcontainedsomuchcircumlocutionthatIwasunsureofthepoint

hewastryingtomake.

Thechildmadealongspeechusingcircumlocutiontoavoidstatingthatitwasshe

whohadknockedoverthelamp. circumlocutory(adj.)beingtoolong,asina

descriptionorexpression;aroundabout,indirect,orungainlywayofexpressing

somethingItwasacircumlocutorydocumentarythatcouldhavebeencuttohalfits

runningtimetosaytwiceasmuch.

circumspect

(adj.)consideringallcircumstances

Acircumspectdecisionmustbemadewhensomanypeopleareinvolved.

citadel

(n.)afortresssetuphightodefendacity

Acitadel

sat

on

the

hill

to

protect

the

city

below.


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clandestine

(adj.)secret

Theclandestineplanmustbekeptbetweenthetwoofus!

clemency

(n.)mercytowardanoffender;mildness

Thegovernorgrantedtheprisonerclemency. Theweathersclemencymadefora

perfectpicnic. cloture(n.)aparliamentaryproceduretoenddebateandbeginto

voteCloturewasdeclaredastheparliamentariansreadiedtoregistertheirvotes.

cloying(adj.)toosugary;toosentimentalorflatteringAfteryearsofmarriagethe

husbandstillgavecloyinggiftstohiswife. Complimentingheronherweightloss,

clothingand

hairstyle

was

acloying

way

to

begin

asking

for

araise.

coagulate

(v.)

tobecomeasemisolid,softmass;toclotTheliquidwillcoagulateandclosethe

tubeifleftstanding.

coalesce

(v.)togrowtogether

Thebrideandgroomcoalescedtheirfundstoincreasetheircollateral.

Atthe

end

of

the

conference

the

five

groups

coalesced

in

one

room.

coda

(n.)inmusic,aconcludingpassage

Bytheendofthecoda,Iwasreadytoburstwithexcitementoverthethrilling

performance.

Theaudienceknewthattheconcertowasabouttoendwhentheyheardthe

orchestrabegin

playing

the

coda.

coddle

(v.)totreatwithtenderness

Ababyneedstobecoddled.

codify

(v.)to

organize

laws

or

rules

into

asystematic

collection

The

laws

were

codified

by

thosewhomtheyaffected. Theinterncodifiedallthecityslawsintoa


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computerizedfilingsystem. coffer(n.)achestwheremoneyorvaluablesarekept

Thecofferthatcontainedthejewelswasstolen. cogent(adj.)tothepoint;clear;

convincinginitsclarityandpresentationThelawyermakescompellingandcogent

presentations,whichevidentlyhelphimwin96percentofhiscases.

Hemade

ashort,

cogent

speech

which

his

audience

easily

understood.

cogitate

(v.)tothinkhard;ponder;meditate

Itisnecessarytocogitateondecisionswhichaffectlifegoals. Theroomwasquiet

whileeverystudentcogitatedduringthecalculusexam. cognate(adj.;n.)having

thesamefamily;apersonrelatedthroughancestryEnglishandGermanare

cognatelanguages. Thewomanwasacognatetotheroyalfamily. cognitive(adj.)

possessingthe

power

to

think

or

meditate;

meditative;

capable

of

perception

Cognitivethoughtmakeshumansadaptabletoaquicklychangingenvironment.

Oncethetoddlerwasabletosolvepuzzles,itwasobviousthathercognitive

abilitiesweredeveloping.

cognizant

(adj.)awareof;perceptive

Shebecame

alarmed

when

she

was

cognizant

of

the

man

following

her.

It

was

criticaltoestablishwhetherthedefendantwascognizantofhisrights. coherent

(adj.)stickingtogether;connected;logical;consistentThecoursewasasuccess

duetoitscoherentinformation. Ifhecouldntmakeacoherentspeech,howcould

herunforoffice?

cohesion

(n.)theactofholdingtogether

Thecohesion

of

the

group

increased

as

friendships

were

formed.

Thecohesionofdifferentmoleculesformsdifferentsubstances.

cohort

(n.)agroup;band

Thecohortofteensgatheredattheathleticfield.

collaborate


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(v.)toworktogether;cooperate

Thetwobuilderscollaboratedtogetthehousefinished. colloquial(adj.)havingto

dowithconversation;informalspeechThecolloquialreferenceindicatedthefree

spiritofthegroup. Whenyoulistentothedifferencebetweenspokencolloquial

conversationand

written

work,

you

realize

how

good

an

ear

anovelist

must

have

towriteauthenticdialogue.

collusion

(n.)secretagreementforanillegalpurpose

Theauthoritydiscoveredacollusionbetweenthedirectorandtreasurer.

comeliness(n.)beauty;attractivenessinappearanceorbehaviorThecomeliness

ofthewomanattractedeveryonesattention.

commiserate

(v.)toshowsympathyfor

Thehurricanevictimscommiseratedaboutthelossoftheirhomes.

commodious

(adj.)spaciousandconvenient;roomy

Thenewhomewassocommodiousthatmanynewpiecesoffurnitureneededto

bepurchased.

communal

(adj.)sharedorcommonownership

Thecommunalnatureoftheprojectmadeeveryonepitchintohelp.

compatible

(adj.)inagreementwith;harmonious

Whenrepairinganautomobile,itisnecessarytousepartscompatiblewiththat

makeandmodel.

complacent

(adj.)content;selfsatisfied;smug

TheCEOworriesregularlythathisfirmswinningwayswillmakeitcomplacent.


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Thecandidatewassocomplacentwithhispollnumbersthathevirtuallystopped

campaigning. complaisance(n.)thequalityofbeingagreeableoreagertoplease

Thecomplaisanceofthenewassistantmadeiteasyforthemanagerstogivehim

alotofworkwithoutworryingthathemaycomplain.

compliant

(adj.)complying;obeying;yielding

Compliantactionsshouldbereinforced.

Theslavewascompliantwitheveryordertoavoidbeingwhipped.

comport

(v.)fittingin

Itwaseasytocomporttothenewgroupofemployees.

comprehensive

(adj.)allinclusive;complete;thorough

Itstheonlyhealthfacilityaroundtooffercomprehensivecare.

compromise

(v.)tosettlebymutualadjustment

Laborleadersandtheautomakerscompromisedbyagreeingtoastartingwageof

$16anhourinexchangeforconcessionsonhealthcarepremiums. concede(v.)

toacknowledge;admit;tosurrender;toabandononespositionAftermuch

wrangling,theconcededthattheministerhadapoint. Satisfiedwiththerecount,

themayorconcededgraciously.

conceit

(n.)anexaggeratedpersonalopinion

Themansbeliefthathewasthebestplayerontheteamwaspureconceit.

conciliation

(n.)anattempttomakefriendlyorplacate

Theattemptatconciliation


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conciliatory

(adj.)toreconcile

Thediplomat

sought

to

take

aconciliatory

approach

to

keep

the

talks

going.

concise

(adj.)infewwords;brief;condensed

Theconciseinstructionswereprintedontwopagesratherthanthecustomary

five. conclave(n.)anyprivatemeetingorclosedassemblyTheconclavewasto

meetintheexecutivesuite. condescend(v.)tocomedownfromonespositionor

dignityThearrogant,richmanwasusuallycondescendingtowardshisservants.

condone

(v.)tooverlook;toforgive

ThelovingandforgivingmothercondonedhersonslifeofcrimeIwillcondone

youractionsofnegligence.

confluence

(n.)athing

which

is

joined

together

Greatcitiesoftenlieattheconfluenceofgreatrivers. confound(v.)tolump

together,causingconfusion;todamnTheproblemconfoundedourabilitytosolve

it. Confoundyou,youscoundrel!

conglomeration

(n.)acollectionormixtureofvariousthings

Theconglomeration

is

made

up

of

four

different

interest

groups.

Thesoupwasaconglomerationofmeatsandvegetables.

conjoin

(v.)tocombine

Theclasseswillconjointodotheplay.

conjure


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(v.)tocalluponorappealto;tocausetobe,appear,comeThesmellofthedinner

conjuredimagesofchildhood. Themagicianconjuredarabbitoutofahat.

connivance

(n.)secret

cooperation

in

wrongdoing

Withtheguardsconnivance,theconvictwasabletomakehisescape.

connoisseur(n.)expert;authority(usuallyreferstoawineorfoodexpert)They

allowedhertochoosethewinefordinnersinceshewastheconnoisseur.

connotative(adj.)containingassociatedmeaningsinadditiontotheprimaryone

Alongwiththeprimarymeaningoftheword,thereweretwoconnotativemeanings.

Theconnotativemeaningoftheirmusicwasspelledoutinthevideo.

consecrate

(v.)todeclaresacred;todedicate

Wewillconsecratethepactduringtheceremony.

Theparkwasconsecratedtothememoryofthemissingsoldier.

consequential

(adj.)following

as

an

effect;

important

Hislongillnessandconsequentialabsencesethimbehindinhishomework.

Thedecisiontomovethecompanywillbeconsequentialtoitssuccess.

consort

(n.;v.)acompanion,spouse;toassociate

Anelderly

woman

was

seeking

aconsort.

Theywaiteduntildarktoconsortunderthemoonlight.

conspicuous

(adj.)easytosee;noticeable

Thediligentandhardworkingeditorthoughttheobviousmistakewas

conspicuous. consternation(n.)amazementorterrorthatcausesconfusionThe

lookof

consternation

on

the

childs

face

caused

her

father

to

panic.


35/177

constrain

(v.)toforce,compel;torestrain

Itmaybenecessarytoconstrainthewildanimalifitapproachesthetown.

Thestudentwasconstrainedtoremaininherseatuntiltheteachergaveher

permissiontoleave.

consummation

(n.)thecompletion;finish

Followingtheconsummationoffinalexams,mostofthestudentsgraduated.

contemporary(adj.)livingorhappeningatthesametime;modernContemporary

furniturewill

clash

with

your

traditional

sectional.

contempt

(n.)scorn;disrespect

Thegreedy,selfishbankerwasoftendiscussedwithgreatcontempt.

contentious

(adj.)quarrelsome

Thecontentiousstudentwasaskedtoleavetheclassroom. Theyhatehis

contentiousbehaviorbecauseeverysuggestiontheygiveendsinafight.

contest

(v.)toattempttodisproveorinvalidate

Iwillattempttocontestthecriminalchargesagainstme. contiguous(adj.)

touching;or

adjoining

and

close,

but

not

touching

There

are

many

contiguous

buildingsinthecitybecausethereisnoexcesslandtoallowspacebetweenthem.

contravene(v.)toactcontraryto;toopposeorcontradictThestoryofthe

accusedcontravenedthestoryofthewitness. TheUnitedNationsheldthatthe

EasternEuropeannationhadcontravenedthetreaty. contrite(adj.)regretful;

sorrowful;havingrepentanceRegrettinghisdecisionnottoattendcollege,the

contritemandidnotleadaveryhappylife.

Acontritehearthasfixeditswrongs.

contumacious


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(adj.)resistingauthority

Themanwasputinjailforcontumaciousactions. contusion(n.)abruise;aninjury

wheretheskinisnotbrokenThemanwasfortunatetoreceiveonlycontusions

fromthecrash.

conundrum

(n.)apuzzleorriddle

Ispenttwohourstryingtofigureouttheconundrum. Thelegendsaysthatto

enterthesecretpassageway,onemustanswertheancientconundrum.

conventional

(adj.)traditional;

common;

routine

Thebridewantedaconventionalweddingceremony,completewithwhitedresses,

manyflowers,andagrandreceptionparty. Conventionaltelephonesaregiving

waytovideophones. converge(v.)tomovetowardonepoint(opposite:diverge)It

wasobviousthatanaccidentwasgoingtooccurastheonlookerswatchedthetwo

carsconverge.

Thetworoadsconvergeatthecorner.

conviviality

(n.)afondnessforfestivenessorjoviality

Hisconvivialitymakeshimawelcomeguestatanysocialgathering.

convoke

(v.)acalltoassemble

Theteacher

convoked

her

students

in

the

auditorium

to

help

prepare

them

for

the

play.

copious

(adj.)abundant;ingreatquantities

Hercopiousnotestouchedoneverysubjectpresentedinthelecture.

corpulence

(n.)obesity


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Thecorpulenceofthemankepthimfromfittingintotheseat.

correlate

(v.)to

bring

into

mutual

relation

Theservicemanwasaskedtocorrelatethetwocomputerdemonstration

pamphlets.

corroborate

(v.)toconfirmthevalidity

Thewitnessmustcorroboratetheprisonersstoryifsheistobesetfree. coterie

(n.)aclique;

agroup

who

meet

frequently,

usually

socially

A

special

aspect

of

campuslifeisjoiningacoterie. Everydayafterschoolshejoinshercoterieonthe

playgroundandtheygooutforasoda.

covenant

(n.)abindingandsolemnagreement

Withtheexchangeofvows,thecovenantwascomplete.

covetous

(adj.)greedy;verydesirous

Lonnie,covetousofeducation,wenttoalmosteverylectureattheuniversity.

Covetousofherneighborspool,shedideverythingshecouldtomakethings

unpleasant..

cower

(v.)tohuddleandtremble

Thelostdogcowerednearthetree.

Thetellerscoweredinthecornerasthebanditransackedthebank. coy(adj.)

modest;bashful;pretendingshynesstoattractHercoymannersattractedtheman.

Hesnotreallythatshy,hesjustbeingcoy. crass(adj.)stupidordull;insensitive;

materialisticTomakelightofsomeonesweaknessiscrass. Theymadetheir

moneythe

old

fashioned

way,

but

still

they

were

accused

of

being

crass.


38/177

Myrespectforthemanwasloweredwhenhemadethecrassremark.

craven

(n.;adj.)coward;abjectperson;cowardly

Whilemanyfoughtfortheirrights,thecravensatshaking,offinacorner

somewhere.

Cravenmenwillnotstandupforwhattheybelievein.

culpable

(adj.)deservingblame;guilty

Theconvicted

criminal

still

denies

that

he

is

culpable

for

the

robbery.

curb

(n.)arestraintorframework

Acurbwasputupalongthestreettohelpdrainage.

curmudgeon

(n.)an

ill

tempered

person

Thecurmudgeonaskedthechildrennottoplaynearthehouse.

cursory

(adj.)hasty;slight

Thedetectivescursoryexaminationofthecrimescenecausedhimtooverlookthe

lesserclues.

cynic

(n.)onewhobelievesthatothersaremotivatedentirelybyselfishness.

Thecynicfeltthattheherosavedthemantobecomefamous

dais

(n.)araisedplatformatoneendofaroom


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Thedaiswasloweredtomakethespeakerlooktaller.

dally

(v.)to

loiter;

to

waste

time

Pleasedonotdallyorwewillmissourappointment.

dank

(adj.)dampandchilly

Thecellarbecameverydankduringthewintertime.

dauntless

(adj.)fearless;notdiscouraged

Thedauntlessrangerscaledthemountaintocompletetherescue.

dearth

(n.)scarcity;shortage

Aseries

of

coincidental

resignations

left

the

firm

with

adearth

of

talent.

Thedearthofthecoverageforcedhimtolookforanewinsuranceagent.

debacle

(n.)disaster;collapse;arout

TheSecuritiesandExchangeCommissionandthestockexchangesimplemented

numeroussafeguardstoheadoffanotherdebacleonWallStreet.

debase

(v.)tomakelowerinquality

TheFrenchareconcernedthatFranglais,ablendingofEnglishandFrench,will

debasetheirlanguage.

debauchery

(n.)indulgence

in

ones

appetites


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Thepreacherdecrieddebaucheryandurgedcharity.

debilitate

(v.)toenfeeble;towearout

Thephlebitisdebilitatedhimtothepointwherehewasunableeventowalk.

Theillnesswilldebilitatethemusclesinhislegs. debonair(adj.)havinganaffable

manner;carefree;genialOpeningthedoorforanotherisadebonairaction.

decadence

(n.)adeclineinmoralsorart

Somebelieve

the

decadence

of

Neros

rule

led

to

the

fall

of

the

empire.

deciduous

(adj.)shedding;temporary

Whentheleavesbegantofallfromthetreewelearnedthatitwasdeciduous.

decisiveness

(n.)an

act

of

being

firm

or

determined

Decisivenessisoneofthekeyqualitiesofasuccessfulexecutive. decorous(adj.)

showingdecorum;propriety,goodtasteThismovieprovidesdecorousrefugefrom

theviolenceandmayhemthatpermeatesthelatestcropofHollywoodfilms. The

decoroussuitwasmadeoffinematerial.

decry

(v.)todenounceorcondemnopenly

Thepastordecriedallformsofdiscriminationagainstanyminoritygroup. defamation

(n.)toharmanameorreputation;toslanderThecarpenterfeltthatthe

notoriousnessofhisformerpartnerbroughtdefamationtohisconstructionbusiness.

deference(n.)ayieldingofopinion;courteousrespectforToavoidaconfrontation,

themanshoweddeferencetohisfriend. Thedeferenceshowntotheelderlywoman

sopinionwasheartwarming.

deferential

(adj.)yielding

to

the

opinion

of

another


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AfterdebatingstudentslivingintheSixthWardformonths,themayorsdeferential

statementsindicatedthathehadcometosomeunderstandingwiththem.

defunct

(adj.)no

longer

living

or

existing

Themanlostalargesumofmoneywhenthecompanywentdefunct.

deign

(v.)condescend;stoop

Hesaidhewouldntdeigntodignifyherstatementwitharesponse. Firedfromhis

jobasaprogrammeranalyst,Joevowedhewouldneverdeigntomopfloorsevenif

hewere

down

to

his

last

penny.

deleterious

(adj.)harmful;hurtful;noxious

Deleteriousfumesescapedfromtheoverturnedtruck. deliberate(v.;adj.)to

considercarefully;weighinthemind;intentionalThejurydeliberatedforthreedays

beforereachingaverdict. Thebrothersdeliberateattempttogethissiblingblamed

forhismistakewasobvioustoall.

delineate

(v.)tooutline;todescribe

Shedelineatedherplansothateveryonewouldhaveabasicunderstandingofit.

deliquesce

(v.)todissolve

Thesnowdeliquescedwhenthetemperaturerose.

delusion

(n.)afalsebelieforopinion

ThehistoriansufferedfromthedelusionthathewasNapoleon.

demise

(n.)ceasingtoexistasindeath


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ThedemiseofGimbelsfollowedyearsofdecline.

demur

(v.;n.)

to

object;

objection;

misgiving

Shehatedanimals,sowhenthesubjectofbuyingacatcameup,shedemurred.

Shesaidyes,buthedetectedademurinhervoice.

Shewasnominatedtositonthecommittee,butshedemurred. Thecouncil

presidentcalledforavote,andhearingnodemur,askedforacountbytheclerk.

denigrate(v.)todefame,toblackenorsully;tobelittleAfterfindingoutherevil

secret,heannouncedittothecouncilanddenigratedherinpublic.

Herattempttodenigratethemansnamewasnotsuccessful.

denounce

(v.)tospeakoutagainst;condemn

Astudentrallywascalledtodenouncetheuseofdrugsoncampus.

depict

(v.)toportray;describe

Themuraldepictsthelifeofatypicalurbandweller.

deplete

(v.)toreduce;toempty,exhaust

Havingtopaytheentirebillwilldepletethefamilyssavings. deposition(n.)a

removalfrom

office

or

power;

atestimony

Failing

to

act

lawfully

could

result

in

his

deposition. Shemetwithherlawyerthismorningtoreviewherdeposition.

depravity

(n.)moralcorruption;badness

Drugsandmoneycauseddepravitythroughouttheoncedecorouscommunity.

Thedepravityoftheoldmanwasboundtolandhiminjailoneday. deprecate(v.)to

expressdisapproval

of;

to

protest

against

The

environmentalists

deprecated

the

papercompaniesforcuttingdownancientforests.


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Theorganizationwilldeprecatetheopeningofthesewageplant.

depredation

(n.)aplundering

or

laying

waste

Thepharaohsoncerichtombwasemptyaftercenturiesofdepredationfromgrave

robbers.

deride

(v.)tolaughatwithcontempt;tomock

Nomatterwhathesaid,hewasderided.

Itisimpolitetoderidesomeoneevenifyoudislikehim.

derision

(n.)theactofmocking;ridicule,mockery

Adayofderisionfromthebosslefttheemployeefeelingdepressed.

Constantderisionfromclassmatesmadehimquitschool.

derisive

(adj.)showingdisrespectorscornfor

Thederisivecommentwasaimedatthemanslifelongenemy.

derogatory

(adj.)belittling;uncomplimentary

Hewasupsetbecausehisannualreviewwasfullofderogatorycomments.

descant

(v.)lengthytalkingorwriting

Themanwilldescantonthesubjectifyougivehimtoomuchspeakingtime.

desecrate

(v.)toprofane;violatethesanctityof


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Theteenagersattempttodesecratethechurchdisturbedthecommunity.

desist

(v.)to

stop

or

cease

Thejudgeorderedthemantodesistfromcallinghisexwifeinthemiddleofthenight.

desolate

(adj.)tobeleftaloneormadelonely

DrivingdownthedesolateroadhadKelvinworriedthathewouldntreachagas

stationintime.

despoil

(v.)totakeeverything;plunder

TheHunsdespoiledvillageaftervillage.

despotism

(n.)tyranny;absolutepowerorinfluence

Therulersdespotismwentuncontestedfor30years.

destitute

(adj.)poor;povertystricken

OneBangladeshibankmakesloanstodestitutecitizenssothattheymayovercome

theirpoverty.

Manyof

the

citys

sections

are

destitute.

desultory

(adj.)

moving

in

arandom,

directionlessmannerThetheftswereoccurringinadesultorymannermakingthem

difficulttotrack. detached(adj.)separated;notinterested;standingaloneDetached

frommodernconveniences,theislandersliveasimple,unhurriedlife.

deter

(v.)toprevent;todiscourage;hinder

Hedeterredtherabbitsbyputtingdowngarlicaroundthegarden.

determinate


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(adj.)distinctlimits

Thenewlawswereverydeterminateasfaraswhatwasallowedandwhatwasnot

allowed.

devoid

(adj.)lacking;empty

Theinterplanetaryprobeindicatedthattheplanetwasdevoidofanyatmosphere.

dexterous

(adj.)skillful,quickmentallyorphysically

Thedexterousgymnastwastheepitomeofgraceonthebalancebeam.

diatribe

(n.)abitterorabusivespeech

Duringthedivorcehearingsshedeliveredadiatribefulloftheemotionpushingher

awayfromherhusband.

Thediatribe

was

directed

towards

adisrespectful

supervisor.

dichotomy

(n.)adivisionintotwopartsorkinds

Thedichotomywithinthepartythreatenstosplitit. Thedichotomybetweenchurch

andstaterendersschoolprayerunconstitutional. dictum(n.)aformalstatementof

eitherfactoropinionComputerprogrammershaveadictum:garbagein,garbage

out.

didactic

(adj.)instructive;dogmatic;preachy

Ourteachersdidactictechniqueboostedourscores.

Thedidacticactivistwasnotonetobeswayed.

diffidence

(n.)ahesitationinassertingoneself


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Ashypersonmayhavegreatdiffidencewhenforcedwithaproblem.

diffident

(adj.)timid;

lacking

self

confidence

Thedirectorislookingforaselfassuredactor,notadiffidentone. Herdiffident

sistercouldntworkupthecouragetoaskforthesale. diffuse(adj.)spreadout;

verbose(wordy);notfocusedThetoyswerediscoveredinadiffusemannerafterthe

birthdayparty. Hismonologuewassodiffusethatallhispointswerelost. digress

(v.)strayfromthesubject;wanderfromtopicItisimportanttonotdigressfromthe

planofaction.

dilettante

(n.)anadmirerofthefinearts;adabbler

Thoughsheplayedthepianooccasionally,shewasmoreofadilettante.

diligence

(n.)hardwork

Anythingcanbeaccomplishedwithdiligenceandcommitment. diminutive(adj.;n.)

smallerthan

average;

asmall

person;

aword,

expressing

smallness,

formed

when

a

suffixisaddedTheylivedinadiminutivehouse.

Thediminutivewomancouldnotseeoverthecounter.

din

(n.)anoisewhichisloudandcontinuous

Thedinofthejackhammersreverberatedthroughouttheconcretecanyon.

dint

(n.)strength

Thedintofthebridgecouldholdtrucksweighingmanytons. dirge(n.)ahymnfora

funeral;asongorpoemexpressinglamentThemournerssangatraditionalIrish

dirge.

disapprobation

(n.)disapproval


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HerdisapprobationofherdaughtersfiancZdividedthefamily.

disarray

(n.)(state

of)

disorder

Thethiefleftthehouseindisarray.

disavow

(v.)todeny;torefusetoacknowledge

Theactorhasdisavowedtherumor.

discerning

(adj.)distinguishingonethingfromanother;havinggoodjudgmentHehasa

discerningeyeforknowingtheoriginalfromthecopy. Beingdiscerningabouta

customerscharacterisakeyqualificationforaloanofficer.

discomfit

(v.)tofrustratetheexpectationsof

Theclose

game

discomfited

the

number

one

player.

discord

(n.)disagreement;lackofharmony

Therewasdiscordamidstthejury,andthereforeadecisioncouldnotbemade.

discourse(v.)toconverse;tocommunicateinanorderlyfashionThescientists

discoursedonaconferencecallforjustfiveminutesbutwereabletosolvethree

majorproblems.

Theintervieweediscoursedsofluently,shewashiredonthespot. discreet(adj.)

showinggoodjudgmentinconduct;prudentWeconfidedoursecretinMarybecause

weknewshedbediscreet. discrete(adj.)separate;individuallydistinct;composed

ofdistinctpartsTherewerefourdiscreteaspectstothearchitectureofthehome.

Thecitizenscommitteemaintainedthatroadwideninganddrainagewerehardly

discreteissues.

discriminate

(v.)distinguish;

demonstrate

bias


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Beingachef,hediscriminatedcarefullyamongingredients. Reelingfromthefact

thatseniormanagershadbeencaughtontapemakingoffensiveremarks,theCEO

saidhewouldnottolerateanyofhisfirmsemployeesdiscriminatingagainstanyone

foranyreason. disdain(n.;v.)intensedislike;lookdownupon;scornSheshowed

greatdisdaintowardanyonewhodidnotagreewithher. Shedisdainsthevery

groundyou

walk

upon.

disentangle

(v.)tofreefromconfusion

Weneedtodisentangleourselvesfromthedizzyingvarietyofchoices.

disheartened

(adj.)discouraged;

depressed

Afterfailingtheexam,thestudentbecamedisheartenedandwonderedifhewould

evergraduate. disingenuous(adj.)notfrankorcandid;deceivinglysimple(opposite:

ingenious)Thedirectorusedadisingenuousremarktomakehispointtothestudent.

Healwaysgivesaquick,disingenuousresponse;younevergetastraightanswer.

disinterested(adj.)neutral;unbiased(alternatemeaning;uninterested)A

disinterestedpersonwasneededtoserveasarbitratoroftheargument.

Henever

takes

sides;

hes

always

disinterested.

disparage

(v.)tobelittle;undervalue;todiscredit

Aftershefiredhimsherealizedthatshehaddisparagedthevalueofhisassistance.

Thelawyerwillattempttodisparagethetestimonyofthewitness.

disparate

(adj.)unequal;dissimilar;different

Theycamefromdisparatebackgrounds,onearealestatemagnate,theothera

custodian.

Thedisparatenumbersofplayersmadethegameasureblowout.

disparity

(n.)differenceinform,character,ordegree


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Thereisagreatdisparitybetweenalightsnackandagreatfeast.

dispassionate

(adj.)lack

of

feeling;

impartial

Shewasaveryemotionalpersonandcouldnotworkwithsuchadispassionate

employer.

disperse

(v.)toscatter;separate

Thepilotsdispersedthefooddropsoverawideareaofdevastation.

Teargaswasusedtodispersethecrowd.

disputatious

(adj.)argumentative;inclinedtodisputes

Hisdisputatiousstreakeventuallyworedownhisfellowparliamentmembers.

Thechildwassodisputatiousheneededtoberemovedfromtheroom. dissemble

(v.)to

pretend;

to

feign;

to

conceal

by

pretense

The

man

dissembled

his

assets

shamelesslytoavoidpayingalimony. Agent007hasamarvelousabilityto

dissemblehisrealintentions.

disseminate

(v.)tocirculate;scatter

Hewashiredtodisseminatenewspaperstoeveryoneinthetown.

Thepreacher

traveled

across

the

country

to

disseminate

his

message.

dissent

(v.)todisagree;differinopinion

Theyagreedthatsomethinghadtobedone,butdissentedonhowtodoit.

dissonance(n.)musicaldiscord;aminglingofinharmonioussounds;nonmusical;

disagreement;lackofharmonyMuchtwentiethcenturymusicisnotlikedbyclassical

musicloversbecauseofthedissonanceitholdsandtheharmoniesitlacks. The

dissonanceof

his

composition

makes

for

some

rough

listening.


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dissonant

Despiteseveralintenserehearsals,thevoicesofthechoirmemberscontinuedtobe

dissonant.

Thedissonantnatureofthemanstemperamentmadethewomanfearfulto

approachhimwiththenewidea.

distant

(adj.)havingseparationsorbeingreserved

Rolondasfriendshavebecomemoredistantinrecentyears.

distention

(n.)inflationorextension

Thebulgeinthecarpetwascausedbythedistentionofthewoodunderneath. dither

(v.;n.)toactindecisively;aconfusedconditionSheditheredeverytimeshehadto

makeadecision. Havingtotaketwotestsinonedayleftthestudentinadither.

diverge

(v.)separate,

split

Thepathdivergesattheoldbarn,oneforkleadingtothehouse,andtheother

leadingtothepond.

Thewide,longriverdivergedintotwodistinctseparaterivers,neveragaintojoin.

diverse

(adj.)different;varied

ThecourseofferingsweresodiverseIhadatoughtimechoosing.

divestiture

(n.)beingstripped

Whenitwasfoundtheteamcheated,therewasadivestitureoftheircrown.

docile

(adj.)manageable;obedient;gentle


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Weneededtochooseadocilepetbecausewehadntthepatienceforalotof

training. document(n.;v.)officialpapercontaininginformation;tosupport;

substantiate;verifyTheyneededawrittendocumenttoprovethatthetransaction

occurred. Facinganaudit,shehadtodocumentallherclientcontacts. doggerel

(n.)verse

characterized

by

forced

rhyme

and

meter

Contrary

to

its

appearance,

doggerelcancontainsomeweightymessages.

dogma

(n.)acollectionofbeliefs

Thedogmaofthevillagewasbasedonsuperstition.

dogmatic

(adj.)stubborn;biased;opinionated

Theirdogmaticdeclarationclarifiedtheirposition.

Thedogmaticstatementhadnotyetbeenprovenbyscience. Thestudents

dogmaticpresentationannoyedhisclassmatesaswellashisinstructor.

dormant

(adj.)as

ifasleep

Theanimalslaydormantuntilthespringthaw.

doting

(adj.)excessivelyfondof

Withgreatjoy,thedotingfatherheldthetoddler.

doughty

(adj.)braveandstrong

Thedoughtyfiremansavedthewomanslife.

dowdy

(adj.)shabbyinappearance

Thedowdy

girl

had

no

buttons

on

her

coat

and

the

threads

were

falling

apart.

dubious(adj.)doubtful;uncertain;skeptical;suspiciousManypeoplearedubious


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aboutthepossibilityofintelligentlifeonotherplanets.

Thenewinformationwasdubiousenoughtoreopenthecase.

duplicity

(n.)deception

Sheforgavehisduplicitybutdivorcedhimanyway.

duress

(n.)imprisonment;theuseofthreats

Hisduresswassupposedtolast1015years.

Thepolicewomanputthemanunderduressinordertogetaconfession. TheLabor

Departmentinspectorneededtoestablishwhethertheplantworkershadbeenheld

underduress.

earthy

(adj.)unrefined

Theearthylookingtablewasbare.

ebullience

(n.)anoverflowingofhighspirits;effervescence

Sheemanatedebullienceassheskippedandsangdownthehallwayafterlearning

ofherpromotion.

eccentric

(adj.)odd;

peculiar;

strange

Peopleliketotalkwiththeeccentricartistsincehehassuchdifferentviewson

everydaysubjects.

Wearingpolkadotpantsandanecklacemadeofrecycledbottletopsisconsidered

eccentric.

ecclesiastic

(adj.)pertaining

or

relating

to

achurch


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Ecclesiasticobligationsincludeattendingmass. eclectic(adj.)pickingfromvarious

possibilities;madeupofmaterialfromvarioussourcesYouhaveeclectictaste.

Theeclecticcollectionoffurnituredidnotmatch.

economical

(adj.)notwasteful;thrifty

Withhereconomicalsenseshewasabletosavethecompanythousandsofdollars.

edifice

(n.)alargebuilding

Theedifice

rose

20

stories

and

spanned

two

blocks.

edify

(v.)

to

build

or

establish;

toinstructandimprovethemindAccordingtotheirschedule,theconstruction

companywilledifythefoundationofthebuildinginoneweek.

Theteachersworkedtoedifytheirstudentsthroughlessonsanddiscussion.

educe

(v.)todrawout;toinferfrominformation

Becauseshe

is

so

dour,

Iwas

forced

to

educe

aresponse.

Ieducefromthereportthattheexperimentwasasuccess.

efface

(v.)toerase;tomakeinconspicuous

Hidinginthewoods,thesoldierwaseffacedbyhiscamouflageuniform. effeminate

(adj.)havingqualitiesattributedtoawoman;delicateAhighpitchedlaughmadethe

manseem

effeminate.

effervescence

(n.)

liveliness;

spirit;

enthusiasm;

bubbliness

Hereffervescencewascontagious;shemadeeveryonearoundherhappy.

Theeffervescenceofchampagneiswhatmakesitdifferentfromwine.

effigy

(n.)theimageorlikenessofaperson

Demonstratorscarriedeffigiesofthedictatortheywantedoverthrown. effluvium(n.)

anoutflow

of

vapor

of

invisible

particles;

anoxious

odor

The

effluvium

from

the

exhausthadabadsmell. Itwasdifficulttodeterminefromwheretheeffluviumissued.


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effrontery

(n.)arrogance

Theeffrontery

of

the

young

man

was

offensive.

effusive

(adj.)pouringoutorforth;overflowing

Theeffusivecurrentsrushthroughthebrokendam. egocentric(adj.)selfcentered,

viewingeverythinginrelationtooneselfTheegocentricprofessorcouldnotaccept

thestudentsopinionsasvalid.

egress

(n.)awayout;exit

Thedoorwayprovidedanegressfromthechamber.

elaboration

(n.)actofclarifying;addingdetails

Themayor

called

for

an

elaboration

on

the

ordinances

first

draft.

elegy

(n.)

apoem

oflamentandpraiseforthedeadUponconclusionoftheelegy,thecasketwas

closed. ellipsis(n.)omissionofwordsthatwouldmakethemeaningclearThe

accidentalellipsisconfusedallthosewhoheardthespeech.

eloquence

(n.)theabilitytospeakwell

Thespeakerseloquencewasattributedtohisarticulatemannerofspeaking.

elucidate

(v.)tomakeclear;toexplain

Inthepapersconclusion,itspurposewaselucidatedinonesentence.

elusive

(adj.)hardtocatch

Eventheexperienced,oldfishermanadmittedthatthetroutintheriverwerequite


55/177

elusive.

emanate

(v.)toemit

Happinessemanatesfromthelovinghome.

embarkation

(v.)toengageorinvestin

Theembarkationintoselfemploymentwasanewstartforthewoman.

embellish

(v.)toimprovebyaddingdetails

Addingbeadstoagarmentwillembellishit.

eminence

(n.)aloftyplace;superiority

Aftertoilingintheshadowsforyears,atlastsheachievedeminence. Theeminence

ofthe

institution

can

be

seen

in

the

impact

of

its

research.

emollient

(adj.)

softening

orsoothingtotheskin;havingpowertosoftenorrelaxlivingtissuesWhenhands

becomedry,itmaybenecessarytosoothethemwithanemollientlotion.

emulate

(v.)totrytoequalorexcel

Theneophyteteacherwashopingtoemulatehermentor.

enamored

(adj.)filledwithloveanddesire

Theyoungcoupleareenamoredwitheachother.

encomium

(n.)formalexpressionofhighpraise

Thesitcom

actress

gave

her

co

stars

along

encomium

as

she

accepted

her

Emmy.


56/177

encroach

(v.)totrespassorintrude

Itisunlawfultoencroachonanothersprivateproperty. encumber(v.)toholdback;

tohinder;

to

burden,

load

down

The

review

of

the

ethics

committee

encumbered

the

dealfrombeingfinalized.

Abracewillencumberthegirlsmovement. endemic(adj.)nativetoaparticulararea;

constantlypresentinaparticularcountryorlocalityTheendemicfaunawasofgreat

interesttotheanthropologist. AfastpacedstyleisendemictothosewholiveinNew

YorkCity.

endorse

(v.)support;

to

approve

of;

recommend

Theentirecommunityendorsedthepoliticianwhopromisedlowertaxesandabetter

schoolsystem. enervate(v.)toweaken;todepriveofnerveorstrengthThe

sicknessenervatesitsvictimsuntiltheycannolongergetoutofbed.

enfeeble

(v.)tomakeweak

Theillness

will

enfeeble

anyone

who

catches

it.

enfranchised

(v.)

to

free

from

obligation;toadmittocitizenshipTheplayerwasenfranchisedwhenthedealwas

calledoff. Therecentimmigrantswereenfranchisedwhentheytooktheiroathto

theirnewcountry.

engender

(v.)tobringabout;beget;tobringforth

Thegroupattemptedtoengenderchangestothelaw. enhance(v.)toimprove;

compliment;make

more

attractive

The

new

fuel

enhanced

the

performance

of

the

rocketsengines.

enigma

(n.)mystery;secret;perplexity

Toallofthesearchers,themissingchildslocationremainedagreatenigma.

enigmatic

(adj.)baffling


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Theenigmaticmurderplaguedthedetective.

ennui

(n.)boredom;

apathy

Ennuisetinwhenthechildrenrealizedtheyhadalreadyplayedwithallthetoys.

eon

(n.)anindefinitelylongperiodoftime

Thestarmayhaveexistedforeons.

ephemeral

(adj.)veryshortlived;lastingonlyashorttime

Livingalonegavehimanephemeralhappiness,soontobereplacedwithutter

loneliness. epicure(n.)apersonwhohasgoodtasteinfoodanddrinkAsan

epicure,Lanceischoosyabouttherestaurantshevisits.

epigram

(n.)awitty

or

satirical

poem

or

statement

Thepoetwroteanepigramabouttheupcomingelection. epilogue(n.)closing

sectionofaplayornovelprovidingfurthercomment. Theepiloguetoldusthe

destinyofthecharacters.

epiphany

(n.)anappearanceofasupernaturalbeing

Theman

bowed

to

the

epiphany.

epitaph

(n.)aninscriptiononamonument;inhonorormemoryofadeadpersonTheepitaph

describedtheactionsofabraveman.

epitome

(n.)model;typification;representation

Thewomanchosentoleadthedancerswastheepitomeoftruegrace. equanimity


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(n.)thequalityofremainingcalmandundisturbedEquanimitycanbereachedwhen

stressisremovedfromlife. equinox(n.)precisetimewhendayandnightisofequal

lengthOntheequinoxwehadtwelvehoursofnightandday.

equivocal

(adj.)doubtful;uncertain

Scientificevidencewasneededbeforetheequivocalhypothesiswasacceptedbythe

doubtingresearchers.

equivocations

(n.)apurposelymisleadingstatement

Theequivocations

by

the

man

sent

the

search

team

looking

in

the

wrong

direction.

eradication(n.)theactofannihilating,destroying,orerasingSomehavetheorized

thattheeradicationofthedinosaurswasduetoaradicalchangeinclimate.

errant

(adj.)rovinginsearchofadventure

Theyoungmansetoutacrosscountryonanerrantexpedition.

erratic

(adj.)unpredictable;irregular

Hiserraticbehaviorwasattributedtotheshockingnewshehadreceived.

Thekittenserraticbehaviorwasattributedtotheownerscruelmethodofdisciplining

hispet.

erroneous

(adj.)untrue;inaccurate;notcorrect

Thereporterserroneousstorywascorrectedbyanewarticlethatstatedthetruth.

erudite(adj.)havingawideknowledgeacquiredthroughreadingThewomanwasso

erudite,shecouldrecitepointsonmostanysubject.

eschew

(v.)toshun;toavoid

Eschewthetrafficandyoumayarriveontime. esoteric(adj.)understoodbyonlya


59/177

chosenfew;confidentialTheesotericlanguagewasonlyknownbytheselectgroup.

Wehavehadanumberofesotericconversations.

estimable

(adj.)deserving

respect

Theestimableherowasgivenaparade.

ethereal

(adj.)verylight;airy;heavenly;notearthly

Theetherealqualityofthemusichadahypnoticeffect. Thedancerworean

etherealoutfitwhichmadeherlooklikeanangel. ethnic(adj.)pertainingtoracesor

peoplesand

their

origin

classification,

or

characteristics

Ethnic

foods

from

five

continentsweresetuponthetable.

eulogy

(n.)wordsofpraise,especiallyforthedead

Theeulogywasaremembranceofthegoodthingsthemanaccomplishedinhis

lifetime. euphemism(n.)theuseofawordorphraseinplaceofonethatis

distastefulTheannouncerusedaeuphemismwhenhewantedtocomplain.

euphony

(n.)pleasantcombinationofsounds

Thegentlysingingbirdscreatedabeautifuleuphony. Theeuphonycreatedbythe

orchestrawasduetoyearsofpractice. evanescent(adj.)vanishingquickly;

dissipatinglikeavaporTheevanescentmiragecouldonlybeseenatacertainangle.

evasion

(n.)theavoidingofaduty

Thecompanywaschargedwithtaxevasion,astheydidnotpayallthattheyowed.

evoke

(v.)tocallforth;provoke

Seeingheronlydaughtergetmarriedevokedtearsofhappinessfromthemother.

Announcementoftheresultsevokedacheerfromthecrowd.


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exculpate

(v.)tofreefromguilt

Thetherapy

session

will

exculpate

the

man

from

his

guilty

feelings.

execute

(v.)toputtodeath;kill;tocarryout;fulfill

Theevil,murderousmanwasexecutedforkillingseveralinnocentchildren.

Iexpectedhimtoexecutemyordersimmediately.

exemplary

(adj.)servingasanexample;outstanding

Thehonorstudentsexemplarybehaviormadehimarolemodeltotheyounger

children.

Employeesofthemontharechosenfortheirexemplaryservicetothefirm.

exhaustive

(adj.)thorough;complete

Ittookanexhaustiveeffort,usingmanyconstructionworkers,tocompletethenew

homebythedeadline.

exhume

(v.)tounearth;toreveal

Thescientists

exhumed

the

body

from

the

grave

to

test

the

bodys

DNA.

The

next

episodewillexhumetherealbetrayer. exigent(adj.)asituationcallingforimmediate

attention;needingmorethanisreasonableTheexigentrequestformoreassistance

wasansweredquickly. Thebankseemedtofeelthatanotherextensionontheirloan

paymentwastooexigentarequesttohonor.

exonerate

(v.)todeclareorproveblameless

Hopefully,the

judge

will

exonerate

you

of

any

wrongdoing.

exorbitant

(adj.)

going

beyondwhatisreasonable;excessivePayinghundredsofdollarsforthedressisan


61/177

exorbitantamount.

exotic

(adj.)unusual;striking;foreign

Manypeopleaskedthenameofherexoticperfume. ThemenuofauthenticTurkish

cuisineseemedexotictothem,consideringtheywereonlyaccustomedtoAmerican

food. expedient(adj.)convenientinobtainingaresult;guidedbyselfinterestThe

mayorchosethemoreexpedientpathratherthanthemorecorrectone.

Thereisnoexpedientmethodateenagerwillnotresorttoinordertogetthekeysto

acaroftheirown.

expedite

(v.)tohastentheactionof

Wecanexpeditethebanktransactionifwetellthemitisanemergency.

explicit

(adj.)specific;definite

Theexplicitrecipegavedirectionsformakingaverycomplicateddessert.

exposition

(n.)settingforthfacts

Theexpositionbythewitnesssubstantiatedthestorygivenbytheprisoner.

expunge

(v.)toblotout;todelete

Bleachmaybeusedtoexpungethestain.

extant

(adj.)existing;refersespeciallytobooksordocumentsSomeofmyancestorsletters

remainextant. extemporize(v.)toimprovise;tomakeitupasyougoalongItwas

necessaryforthemusiciantoextemporizewhenhismusicfelloffthestand.

extol

(v.)togivegreatpraise


62/177

Thefatherwillextolthesuccessofhissontoeveryonehemeets.

extraneous

(adj.)irrelevant;

not

related;

not

essential

Duringthelong,boringlecture,mostpeopleagreedthatmuchoftheinformationwas

extraneous.

extricable

(adj.)capableofbeingdisentangled

Theknotswerecomplicated,butextricable.

exultation

(n.)theactofrejoicing

Exultationwasevidentbythepartyingandrevelry. facetious(adj.)jokinginan

awkwardorimpropermannerHisfacetioussarcasmwasinappropriateduringhisfirst

staffmeeting.

facilitate

(v.)makeeasier;simplify

Thenewrampbythedoorsentrancefacilitatedaccesstothebuildingforthosein

wheelchairs.

facsimile

(n.)copy;reproduction;replica

Thefacsimile

of

the

elaborate

painting

was

indistinguishable

from

the

original.

faction(n.)anumberofpeopleinanorganizationworkingforacommoncause

againstthemainbodyAfactionofthestudentbodysupportedthepresidentsview.

fallacious

(adj.)misleading

Ausedcarsalesmanprovidedfallaciousinformationthatcausedthenaivemanto

purchasetheold,brokencar.

fallible


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(adj.)liabletobemistakenorerroneous

Bynotdifferentiatingthemselvesfromthepopularband,thegroupwasespecially

fallible.

fanatic

(n.)enthusiast;extremist

Theterroristgroupwascomprisedoffanaticswhowantedtodestroythosewho

disagreedwiththem.

fastidious

(adj.)difficult

to

please;

dainty

Thefastidiousgirlwouldnotacceptanyoffersassuitable. Thewomanwas

extremelyfastidious,asevidentinheroccasionalfaintingspells. fathom(v.;n.)to

understand;anauticalunitofdepthItwasdifficulttofathomthereasonforclosing

theinstitution. Thesubmarinecruisedat17fathomsbelowthesurface.

fatuous

(adj.)lackinginseriousness;vainandsilly

Thefatuousprankwasmeanttoaddcomedytothesituation.

Hisfatuouspersonalitydemandsthathestopinfrontofeverymirror.

fealty

(n.)loyalty

Thebaronwasgivenlandinexchangeforhisfealtytotheking.

feasible

(adj.)reasonable;practical

Increasedexerciseisafeasiblemeansofweightloss.

fecund

(adj.)productive

Theconstructioncrewhadafecunddayandwereabletoleaveearly.


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feign

(v.)pretend

Itis

not

uncommon

for

achild

to

feign

illness

in

order

to

stay

home

from

school.

feint

(v.;n.)topretendtothrowapunch,asinboxing;afakeshowintendedtodeceive

Thefighterfeintedalefthookjustbeforehewentfortheknockout.

ferment

(v.)toexciteoragitate

Therallycrywasmeanttofermentandconfusetheopponent. ferret(v.;n.)toforce

outofhiding;tosearchfor;asmall,weasellikemammalThepolicewillferretthe

fugitiveout

of

his

hiding

place.

Ispentthemorningferretingformykeys

Ihaveapetferret.

fervent

(adj.)passionate;intense

Theyhave

afervent

relationship

that

keeps

them

together

every

minute

of

every

day.

fervid

(adj.)intenselyhot;fervent;impassioned

Herfervidskinalertedthedoctortoherfever.

Thefervidsermonofthepreacherswayedhiscongregation.

fervor

(n.)passion;intensityoffeeling

Thecrowdwasfulloffervorasthecandidateenteredthehall. fester(v.)tobecome

moreandmorevirulentandfixedHisangerfestereduntilnoonecouldchangehis

mind.

fetid

(adj.)having

asmell

of

decay


65/177

Thefetidsmellledustobelievesomethingwasdecayinginthebasement. fetish(n.)

anythingtowhichonegivesexcessivedevotionTheclayfigureofafertilitygoddess

wasafetishfromanancientcivilization.

fetter

(n.)achaintobindthefeet

Afetterkeptthedogchainedtothefence.

fickle

(adj.)changeable;unpredictable

Heisquitefickle;justbecausehewantssomethingtodaydoesnotmeanhewillwant

ittomorrow.

Becausethemanwasficklehecouldnotbetrustedtomakeacompetentdecision.

fidelity

(n.)faithfulness;honesty

Hisfidelitywasprovenwhenheturnedinthelostmoney.

figment

(n.)somethingmadeupinthemind

Theunicornonthehillwasafigmentofhisimagination. finesse(n.)theabilityto

handlesituationswithskillanddiplomacyTheexecutorwiththemostfinessewas

chosentomeetwiththediplomats.

finite

(adj.)measurable;

limited;

not

everlasting

Itwasdiscovereddecadesagothattheuniverseisnotfinit

cat vocabulary 1

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