All terms in this list:
Abhor: hate
Bilk: cheat, defraud
Engender: cause
knotty: complex, difficult to solve
Abasement: humiliation, degradation
Replete: full
Abrogate: cancel, deny, repeal
Harbinger: indicator, bringer of warning
Plaudit: statement giving strong praise
Ensconce: establish firmly in a position
Obdurate: stubborn
Reprieve: a respite; postponement of a sentence
Tawdry: of little value; gaudy
Blighted: damaged; destroyed; ruined
Lachrymose: tearful; sad
Obfuscate: deliberately make something difficult to understand
Repudiate: shun; eschew
Tedium: boredom
Abstemious: self denying; refraining from indulging
Blithe: free-spirited; carefree
Crepuscular: active at dawn and dusk
Rescind: retract; repeal
Abstruse: difficult to understand; obscure
Blunderbuss: 1. ancient weapon (type of gun); 2. a clumsy person
Envenom: to cause bitterness and bad feeling
Hedonism: self indulgence; pleasure-seeking
Laconic: using few words; brief; to the point
Acquiesce: to agree to; give in to
Bombast: arrogant, pompous language
Acrid: sharp; pungent (used of smells and tastes)
Epistle: a letter (form of communication)
Heresy: against orthodox opinion
Respite: a break; intermission
Acrophobia: fear of heights
Languid: tired; slow
Rigor: thoroughness
Legion: in large numbers
Degradation: deprivation; poverty; debasement
Torpor: dormancy; sluggishness; inactivity
Rife: common
Odious: hateful
Hyperbole: grossly exaggerated speech
Bulwark: fortification; barricade; wall
Torpid: inactive; lazy; stagnant
Obviate: avoid; make unnecessary
Espouse: promote; take up; support
Portent: a warning sign; omen
Obtuse: mentally dull
Hoary: old
Deference: respect
Broach: start to discuss; approach
Titter: giggle quietly
Portend: foretell
Obstreperous: noisy and boisterous
Histrionic: theatrical; exaggerated
Adulation: strong admiration; worship
Reticent: restrained; holding something back; uncommunicative
Pontificate: speak pompously or dogmatically
Largess: generosity
Err: make a mistake
Brevity: being brief
Adroit: skilful
Timorous: cowardly; fearful
Larceny: theft; robbery; stealing
Equivocate: speak ambiguously; avoid telling the truth
Polemical: causing debate or argument
Obsequious: servile; submissive
Hidebound: rigid in opinions
Epitomized: typified; characterized; personified
Braggart: someone who boasts
Acuity: sharpness (mental or visual)
Loquacious: talkative
Deride: ridicule; make fun of; mock
Salacious: lecherous; erotic
Opulent: wealthy; rich; magnificent
Immutable: unchanging; permanent
Exegesis: scholarly explanation or interpretation
Deprecate: criticize; denounce
Immoderate: excessive; extreme
Execrable: very, very bad
Depravity: moral corruption
Callow: immature
Trepidation: fear
Onus: burden
Illusory: deceptive; false; misleading
Exculpate: free someone from blame; pardon; acquit
Deplore: regret
Sacrosanct: very holy; inviolable
Onerous: burdensome; hard to undertake
Exceptionable: very bad (something which we should object to)
Saccharin: falsely sweet
Lithe: flexible; supple
Ignominy: shame
Liniment: soothing lotion
Allay: to lessen
Idiosyncrasy: a personal peculiarity; something unique to an individual
Delineation: demarcation; explanation; definition; outlining
Olfactory: concerned with the sense of smell
Iconoclast: person who opposes orthodoxy
Euphony: pleasant sounds
Burnish: polish
Tractable: obedient; dutiful; polite
Hypocritical: insincere
Deleterious: harmful
Burgeon: grow; flourish; put forth new shoots
Alacrity: eagerness; enthusiasm; quickness
Zenith: summit
Hallowed: worshipped; consecrated
Corrugated: highly folded
Taciturn: quiet; saying little
Relegate: dismiss to a lower position
Placate: pacify; soothe; calm
Hackneyed: common and over-used
Corpulent: fat
Sycophant: bootlicker; flatterer
Notoriety: infamy; known for wrong doing
Judicious: correct in judgment; wise
Gustatory: concerned with the sense of taste
Sybarite: lover of luxury
Pious: very religious
Nonentity: a person of no importance; not famous
Benignity: compassion; gentleness; fondness
Jocular: in a joking manner
Guileless: frank; straightforward; honest
Embroil: involve in hostility or argument
Contumacious: stubborn
Wily: cunning
Surreptitiously: secretly; furtively; stealthily
Redress: put right something that was wrong
Phlegmatic: calm; imperturbable
Jingoistic: extremely patriotic; nationalistic
Contrition: sorrow and repentance
Surreptitious: secret; sneaky; stealthy
Redolent: smelling of; giving off odors
Philistine: uncultured person
Contrite: sorry
Emaciated: very thin; withered
Whet: sharpen
Superlative: extremely good; the best
Jaundiced: cynical; pessimistic
Gregarious: extroverted; sociable; outgoing
Consummate: complete; total; supremely good
Bellicose: war-like; aggressive
Whelp: young dog
Supercilious: proud and haughty
Petulant: sulky; peevish
Elucidate: make clear
Conspicuous: easily seen; prominent
Gratuitous: unwarranted
Belie: contradict
Recapitulate: summarize
Itinerant: nomadic; wandering from place to place
Gratis: free of charge; without payment
Egress: exit
Consecrate: dedicate
Beleaguer: besiege; attack
Subversive: rebellious; revolutionary
Recant: disclaim; retract statement
Peruse: read carefully
Nefarious: wicked; immoral; disreputable
Egregious: outstandingly, obviously bad
Pertinent: relevant
Nebulous: vague
Irreproachable: cannot be criticized; perfect
Congenital: present from birth
Beguile: mislead; lure
Subterfuge: a trick
Raze: destroy; demolish; tear down
Perspicacity: insight
Navigable: suitable for sailing
Glacial: hostile; unfriendly; cold; icy
Effusive: gushing; demonstrative
Waive: surrender; give up
Perspicacious: insightful; sharp; wise
Myriad: in large numbers
Effigy: a model of a person
Voracious: ravenous
Germinal: just growing; not developed; immature
Efface: wipe out; remove all trace of
Conflagration: big fire
Bastion: fortress; stronghold
Perpetuity: eternity
Munificent: generous; charitable
Ire: anger
Germane: relevant
Edifice: building; structure; construction
Condoning: overlooking; disregarding; ignoring
Voluble: talkative
Rancor: resentment; animosity; bad feeling
Irascible: easily angered
Eclectic: taking things from different sources
Condone: tacitly support; overlook
Bane: troublesome influence
Persnickety: fastidious; fussy
Inviolable: cannot be invaded
Banality: ordinariness; dullness
Vociferous: noisy; loud in speech
Strident: loud and harsh
Pernicious: destructive; harmful
Moribund: on the point of death
Invidious: arousing envy
Ebullient: very lively; cheerful; Garrulous - talkative
Banal: common; dull
Vivify: enliven
Stratagem: plot; plan; trick
Perjury: telling lies under oath
Moratorium: temporary prohibition or halt to activity
Inveterate: habitual
Garner: gather; collect
Conciliate: to bring together; end a dispute
Balk: hinder and prevent; hesitate over
Stolid: impassive; dull; indifferent
Intrepid: brave
Concatenation: linking into chains
Aversion: a dislike of
Vitriolic: corrosive; strongly attacking
Peripatetic: nomadic; moving from place to place
Intransigent: stubborn; unyielding
Dubious: doubtful
Concatenate: link together
Austere: severely plain
Perfunctory: superficial; cursory
Modicum: small amount
Intransigence: stubbornness
Gambol: frolic; leap; bound
Auspicious: favorable; promising to turn out well
Quandary: dilemma; puzzle
Perfidy: treachery
Mitigate: lessen; make less severe
Galleon: ancient type of sailing ship
Complacent: self-satisfied; smug
Virtuoso: an accomplished musician
Stevedore: dockworker
Peremptory: in a commanding manner
Interminable: never-ending
Drivel: nonsense
Attenuate: weaken
Quagmire: marsh; bog
Perdition: damnation
Furtive: hidden and secret
Collusion: plotting and planning
Staunch: loyal; faithful; dependable
Quaff: drink down quickly
Percipient: perceptive; insightful
Dotard: foolish old man
Dolt: stupid person
Staid: dull; sober; serious
Pusillanimous: cowardly
Penury: poverty
Mire: swamp; muddy ground
Insipid: dull; bland; boring
Astute: perceptive; sharp-witted
Purloin: steal
Milieu: environment
Insentient: unfeeling
Cogitate: think over something; ponder
Assuage: to calm
Spurious: false
Punctilious: paying attention to small details
Pellucid: transparently clear
Mettle: courage; bravery; valor
Inscrutable: mysterious; impenetrable
Fractious: irritable; difficult to control
Cogent: lucid; well argued
Assiduous: thorough; diligent
Puerile: childish
Pejorative: derogatory
Fortuitous: happening by chance
Diurnal: active in daytime
Coercion: force
Ascetic: without luxuries; severely simple
Veracity: truthfulness
Prudent: cautious; wise
Peerless: without equal
Innocuous: harmless; inoffensive
Fortitude: bravery
Venial: minor; unimportant
Specious: false
Innate: inherited; inborn
Forensic: concerned with argument or debate (esp. for legal evidence)
Dispassionate: neutral; objective
Coalesce: come together; merge
Artifice: deception; trickery
Venerate: revere; worship
Pedant: person who insists on strict adherence to rules or narrow learning
Mercurial: volatile; changeable
Inimical: hostile
Fly-by-night: unreliable; disreputable
Soporific: inducing sleep
Peccadillo: minor weakness; trivial offence
Mercenary: concerned only with money
Venal: corrupt; can be bribed
Protean: changeable
Paucity: shortage
Mendacious: given to lying
Ingénue: naïve, unsophisticated person
Flout: defy; reject
Disinterested: unbiased
Clemency: mercy
Vehement: forceful
Soothsayer: fortuneteller
Flippant: making jokes about serious matters
Clandestine: secret; covert; stealthy
Vehemence: violence; fervor; forcefulness
Prostration: 1. lying face down; 2. be overcome with extreme weakness
Discursiveness: long windedness; indirectness
Variegated: multicolored; speckled
Prosody: study of versification
Pathos: evoking sadness or pity
Clairvoyant: psychic; mystic
Solace: comfort for grief
Proscribe: forbid
Partisan: biased; one-sided; committed to one group
Inexpedient: not advisable
Flagrant: clearly wrong
Arable: can be cultivated
Prosaic: dull; boring; ordinary
Parsimony: stinginess; frugality; cost-cutting
Inexorable: relentless
Fitful: not continuous; stopping and starting
Discordancy: cacophony; harshness; jarring
Circumspect: cautious; considering all sides
Vacuous: empty; silly; meaningless
Smelt: refine an ore
Proponents: promoters; supporters
Parsimonious: economical; frugal; thrifty
Parry: ward off; avoid
Masochist: person who intentionally inflicts pain on himself
Inertia: inactivity; lethargy
Fickle: unpredictable; whimsical; easily swayed
Circumlocution: using too many words; long-windedness
Apocryphal: of doubtful origin
Proletarian: member of the working class
Martinet: person who believes in strict discipline
Inept: incompetent; unskilled; useless
Disapprobation: disapproval
Circuitous: indirect
Apathy: lack of interest or emotion
Utilitarian: useful
Profundity: depth
Parochial: narrow-minded; concerned only with local matters
Ineffable: cannot be expressed in words
Felicitous: apt
Usurp: take someone's position (usually by force)
Parity: equality
Marshal: to gather together
Fecund: fertile
Choleric: easily angered
Urbane: sophisticated; suave
Pariah: an outcast from society
Marred: damaged; spoiled
Chimerical: changeable; unstable
Fatuous: silly; foolish
Dilettante: person who dabbles in a subject without serious study
Chicanery: trickery
Uproarious: hilarious; hysterical; very funny
Serendipity: fortunate coincidence; unsought discovery
Prodigious: very large
Indolence: laziness
Fastidious: overly particular; finicky
Antediluvian: outdated; prehistoric; very old-fashioned
Upbraid: scold; tell off; reprimand
Sequester: isolate
Prodigal: wasteful; extravagant
Fanaticism: passion; excessive devotion
Dilatory: slow; falling behind with one's work
Chary: wary of; cautious about; reluctant to give
Antagonistic: opposed; hostile; aggressive
Paragon: a perfect example
Charlatan: trickster who claims knowledge he doesn't have
Antagonism: hostility; strong opposition
Unscathed: unharmed; intact; without a scratch
Sensuous: appealing to the senses
Proclivity: tendency towards
Indelible: cannot be wiped out
Falter: hesitate; waver
Certitude: certainty
Malefactor: a wrong-doer
Diffident: lacking confidence
Unfrock: to remove a priest from his position
Scuttle: sink
Prevaricate: speak misleadingly and evasively
Panacea: remedy for all ills
Malediction: a curse
Extrinsic: irrelevant; on the outside
Didactic: intended to teach; instructive
Censure: blame
Annex: (n)a building which is an addition to an existing building
Unfetter: set free
Censorious: disapproving; critical
Pallid: pale
Maladroit: clumsy; unskillful
Celerity: speed
Underscore: emphasize
Presentiment: a feeling that something might happen
Palliative: a remedy that improves but doesn't cure
Magnate: powerful businessman
Extradite: deport from one country back to the home country
Cavalcade: procession of vehicles
Prescient: having fore-knowledge
Palisade: fence made of posts
Magnanimous: generous; big-hearted
Incipient: just beginning
Caustic: burning
Unctuous: oily; using excessive flattery
Prerogative: right or privilege
Maelstrom: whirlpool; storm in the ocean
Exposition: clear explanation
Analgesic: medicine to combat pain
Unalloyed: undiluted; total
Sardonic: mocking
Preeminent: famous; outstanding
Machinations: plots and plans
Catharsis: purging of pent-up emotions
Ubiquitous: found everywhere; omnipresent
Sanguine: optimistic; cheerful
Lynch: assassinate; kill; illegal hanging
Expedient: convenient; practical
Destitution: hardship; poverty; misery
Castigate: scold strongly
Tyro: novice; beginner
Sanguinary: bloodthirsty; bloody
Despondent: having no hope; miserable
Turpitude: depravity
Precocious: developing early
Lummox: clumsy person
Carping: constant criticism
Amelioration: improvement
Tumult: uproar; noise
Sanctimonious: hypocritically holy
Preclude: prevent or make impossible
Exonerates: acquits; absolves; removes blame
Desecration: spoiling something holy
Capitulate: surrender; give in to
Ameliorate: make better
Truncate: cut short
Salutary: something which teaches you a lesson; beneficial
Precipitous: done in a hurry
Impious: wicked; profane
Capacious: spacious
Truant: shirker; someone absent without permission
Salubrious: health-giving
Precipice: steep slope
Impecunious: having no money
Cantankerous: bad-tempered; quarrelsome
Ambivalence: lack of clarity; wavering; being undecided
Sinistral: left-handed (or counterclockwise) [dextral - right handed]
Pith: center; soft part of stem; essence
Impropriety: inappropriate behavior
Cataclysmic: violently disruptive [cataclysm (n)]
Calibrate: mark an accurate scale on a device
Teetotalism: total abstinence from alcohol
Shirk: avoid (esp. work)
Prudence: caution; wisdom
Nadir: lowest point
Indigent: poor; needy [indigence (n)]
Discountenance: disallow
Vagary: something unaccountable; freak
Enigmatic: puzzling [enigma (n)]
Dissident: person who disagrees [dissidence (n)]
Underwrite: give guarantee, insure
Orate: speak in a pompous manner
Ferrous: concerned with iron or its compounds
Prattle: mindless talk
Frieze: decorative border
Chorales: simple hymns
Jamb: door post
Fracas: fight; disturbance
Epithet: phrase used as a label or to express the essential nature of
Efficacy: effectiveness
Curmudgeon: grumpy person
Amortize: pay off a debt in installments
Agog: amazed; wide-eyed with enthusiasm
Seminal: essential; formative
Quotidian: daily; routine
Nexus: connection
Liturgy: form of worship
Limpid: transparently clear
Eschew: shun; avoid
Brook: 1. small stream; 2. tolerate
Sibyl: prophetess
Saw: 1. tool for cutting; 2. wise saying
Nostrum: remedy
Macerate: soften or break up by soaking; weaken
Lope: run with long strides
Incubus: encumbrance; nightmarish thing
Impugn: challenge; question someone’s honor etc.
Homiletics: art of preaching and giving sermons
Burlesque: 1. comic play; 2. lampoon
Waffle: talk nonsense
Tender: to offer
Seine: type of fishing net
Sedulity: thoroughness; perseverance [sedulous (a)]
Quisling: traitor
Maculated: spotted
Gerontocracy: government by the aged
Diatribe: tirade; violent denunciation; stream of criticism
Apposite: fitting; suitable
Abraded: worn away; eroded [abrade (v); abrasion (n)]
Syncopation: type of musical rhythm with missed beats
Sate: satisfy
Pundit: expert
Ironclad: cannot be altered; firm
Carrion: dead flesh; carcasses
Synapse: junction between two nerve cells
Fervent: passionate
Errant: 1. wandering; 2. wrong; 3. straying from accepted standards
Dote: be excessively fond of [doting (a)]
Dissemble: avoid the truth
Dally: waste time; flirt
Cloture: closure; terminating a debate by voting
Jibe: agree with; complement; match up with (in British usage jibe means mock)
Hawser: thick rope or cable
Fulminate: 1. attack loudly in words; denounce thunderously; 2. explode noisily
Discrete: separate; discontinuous (not to be confused with discreet - prudent; diplomatic]
Chauvinist: someone excessively patriotic [chauvinism (n)]
Assay: 1. try; 2. assess purity
Qualm: hesitation or fear
Improbity: lack of honesty or integrity
Hegemony: political domination; complete authority
Forbearing: tolerant [forbear (v); forbearance (n)]
Fallow: uncultivated
Desultory: aimless; inconsistent in effort
Conscript: 1. person enlisted compulsorily into the armed forces; 2. (v) to enlist compulsorily
Caulk: treat with substance such as tar to make water-tight
Stinting: holding back; limiting the supply (of supplies/money etc.) [stint (v)]
Somatic: concerned with the body
Rue: regret [rueful (a)]
Minutiae: small details
Foment: 1. stir up; 2. bathe with hot liquids (medical)
Abeyance: state of inactivity; disuse
Malign: slander
Indicted: accused (of crime)
Flail: 1. tool used to thresh grain; 2. to thresh (separate grain from chaff); 3. to wave arms about wildly
Flag: (v) 1. to lose energy; 2. to signal
Expatiate: speak or write at great length
Aver: affirm
Antipathy: hatred
Statute: law [statutory (a)]
Epaulet: shoulder decoration
Divest: remove; take off
Condescension: talking down to someone [condescending (a)]
Veritable: true; genuine [verity (n)]
Transcendental: supernatural; going beyond normal experience [transcendent (a)]
Supplicant: person who requests or begs for something [supplicate (v)]
Soliloquy: solo speech
Picayune: insignificant; of little value
Fledge: 1. grow feathers; 2. leave nest [fledgling (n) = an inexperienced person or a baby bird]
Arduous: hard
Tamp: to plug; press loose matter down tightly (e.g. pack explosives into a hole)
Steep: (v) to soak in water
Sinewy: vigorous; having well-developed muscles [a sinew is a tendon]
Lien: right to sell property held as a security; legal hold on job etc.
Gavel: judge’s hammer
Consternation: worry and concern
Abut: to adjoin
Abate: reduce in intensity
Abjure: renounce; swear to refrain from something
Blandishment: words used to coax or flatter [blandish (v)]
Boor: ill-mannered person [boorish (a)]
Feckless: feeble; helpless; lacking in initiative
Score: (n) written form of music
Quell: suppress
Gall: 1. bitterness (bad feeling); 2. confidence; 3. abnormal growth on a plant
Deign: condescend
Adumbrate: outline; indicate
Stipple: cover with dots of paint etc.
Quixotic: impractically idealistic
Inefficacious: ineffective
Expostulate: offer strong objections; remonstrate
Exigency: urgent matter; pressing need
Imperturbability: quality of being calm and not easily disturbed [imperturbable (a)]
Meretricious: falsely attractive; tawdry
Augury: prediction, looking for omens [auger (v)]
Glib: slick; superficial esp. in speech
Incise: cut into [incision (n); incisive (a)]
Ostracism: shunning; social isolation [ostracize (v)]
Penchant: inclination; leaning; tendency; predilection
Rarefy: make less dense [rarefaction (n)]
Repine: fret; be discontented
Stipulate: specify [stipulation (n)]
Duplicity: cunning; deception; double dealing
Veneration: worship; respect [venerable (a), venerate (v)]
Sullied: made dirty or impure [opposite unsullied; sully (v)]
Squalid: dirty and demeaning
Resolve: firmness (n)
Prescience: foreknowledge
Travesty: parody; ridiculous error
Stanch: to stop
Propitiate: appease; try to gain favor [propitiation (n)]
Predilection: leaning; interest; talent
Mitigation: making less severe [mitigate (v)]
Gambit: opening move; transaction
Filibuster: delaying tactics
Diaphanous: transparent; thin and delicate
Feint: pretended attack; a move intended to deceive
Inured: hardened; habituated
Mettlesome: spirited [mettle (n)]
Puissance: power
Recondite: obscure
Stygian: very dark
Touting: advertising; supporting [tout (v)]
Virtuosity: skill, expertise [virtuoso (n); virtuosi (n.pl)]
Volubility: excessive talkativeness [voluble (a)]
Caret: punctuation mark signifying omission
Contiguous: adjacent; touching; abutting [contiguity (n)]
Damp: (used of vibration) reduce in extent
Ellipsis: omission of essential words
Extirpation: wiping out; complete destruction [extirpate (v)]
Foppish: behaving or dressing like a dandy; excessively concerned with fashion
Gaffe: blunder; social mistake
Hortatory: encouraging; exhorting
Opprobrious: expressing great scorn [opprobrium (n)]
Recumbent: reclining; lying down
Culpability: guilt [culpable = blameworthy]
Discernment: judgment; perceptiveness
Encomium: praise
Inveigle: coax; cajole; wheedle; entice
Minatory: threatening
Runic: mysterious; magical
Atavism: reappearance of ancestral traits; regression [atavistic (a)]
Wag: (n) a witty person
Usury: lending money at high interest rates
Toy: (v) to play with
Scotch: (v) to prevent; stop; disable
Proliferate: grow and spread [proliferation (n)]
Indecorous: unseemly; inappropriate (of behavior)
Facetious: not intended to be taken seriously
Descry: to see (esp. at a distance); catch sight of
Arbitrator: mediator; person appointed to judge a dispute [arbitrate (v)]
Pique: 1. annoyance (n); 2. to stimulate interest; to annoy (v)
Indigence: poverty
Hallow: respect; worship
Fallible: capable of making mistakes [fallibility (n)]
Equivocal: ambiguous; open to interpretation - [equivocate (v), equivocation (n)]
Analogue: 1. something similar; 2. output proportional to input (engineering)
Pied: multicolored
Accretion: accumulation of matter; growth produced by adding from the outside
Churlishness: rudeness; ill-mannered behavior
Demagogue: mob leader (who appeals to base instincts) [demagogy/demagoguery (n)]
Effrontery: daring; audacity (has a negative connotation)
Idyll: story or incident in peaceful or ideal setting [idyllic (a)]
Interregnum: interval between reigns or governments
Nugatory: of minor significance; futile
Sinecure: job which pays salary but requiring little effort
Lacuna: gap; missing part [plural = lacunae]
Impeding: hindering [impede (v); impediment (n)]
Façade: 1. front elevation of building, 2. false appearance or demeanor
Disinter: dig up [opposite inter = bury]
Cant: insincere talk
Aberration: deviation from the normal
Unprepossessing: unattractive
Tare: 1. weed; 2. allowance made for container when weighing
Slight: 1. minor (a); 2. perceived insult (v) and (n)
Presage: forewarn of; indicate
Panegyric: speech praising someone; laudatory words
Neophyte: new convert; tyro
Enervate: weaken
Dilettantism: dabbling esp. in the arts [dilettante (n) = person who dabbles]
Umbrage: 1. shadow; 2. offence; sense of injury
Skiff: small boat
Scabbard: cover for a sword
Propensity: tendency; inclination
Prone: 1. vulnerable to; 2. horizontal
Hack: 1. chop roughly; 2. person who writes to earn money, 3. hired horse
Expiate: atone; make amends for
Dross: something worthless; impurities left after refining
Dawdler: slow person who falls behind others [dawdle (v)]
Armada: fleet of ships
Renege: go back on promise or retract statement
Precipitate: 1. hurried (a); 2. insoluble product of a reaction in chemistry (n), 3. to instigate or speed up an action (v)
Phenomenology: branch of science concerned with things as they are perceived; not directly derived from theory
Pedantic: over-insistent on matters of book-learning [pedant (n)]
Lassitude: lack of energy; weariness
Epigram: short, witty saying
Derision: mockery [deride (v)]
Conniving: cunning; scheming [connive (v)]
Apprehension: slight fear; sense of something unfavorable
Quibble: 1. (v) to argue about minor matters; to play on words when finding fault; 2. (n) a minor verbal point in an argument
Anodized: electroplated; coated with thin layer of metal
Aphoristic: expressed tersely [aphorism (n) = short statement; maxim]
Canonical: orthodox [canon (n) = set of accepted works]
Commensurate: equal in significance
Dexterity: skill, esp. with hands [dexterous (a)]
Impugned: challenged; called into question
Probity: uprightness; honesty
Raconteur: person who relates a story
Solicitous: kindly; expressing care and concern
Amalgamate: join; consolidate [amalgamation (n)]
Baleful: evil
Coerce: force [coercion (n); coercing (a)]
Inchoate: undeveloped; nascent
Iniquitous: evil; unjust [iniquity (n)]
Libertine: dissolute person; prodigal
Millinery: hats and hat-making
Natty: neat; dapper; smart
Sidereal: of or related to stars
Avaricious: greedy for money
Extirpate: wipe out totally
Halcyon: peaceful and happy; calm (esp. of summer weather)
Maudlin: sad; sentimental; inclined to weep
Refulgent: glowing; radiant
Subliminal: below the threshold of consciousness
Testiness: irritability; irascibility [testy (a)]
Vituperate: attack bitterly
Platitude: unoriginal, obvious saying
Mince: 1. chop into small pieces; 2. walk with tiny steps, 3. speak in an affected manner
Inerrancy: infallibility; inability to make mistakes [inerrant (a)]
Fusillade: long burst of gunfire
Emollient: softening (a); something which softens (n)
Centurion: roman soldier (commander of a company of 100 soldiers)
Apostrophe: 1. punctuation mark; 2. appeal to someone not present (a figure of speech)
Alleviated: made less severe [alleviation (n); alleviate (v)]
Xenophobe: person afraid of foreigners
Shard: fragment of pottery
Extant: still in existence (opposite of extinct)
Whittle: 1. carve with knife; 2. reduce step by step
Cumbersome: bulky; difficult to carry [encumber = to burden]
Diaphanous: transparent; thin and delicate
Dispatch: 1. send (v); 2. speed; celerity (n)
Epistemology: theory of knowledge
Froward: stubborn; wayward; disobedient
Supine: lying flat on one’s back
Throwback: exhibiting primitive, or ancestral, traits
Untoward: unexpected
Verisimilar: true to life; giving the appearance of reality
Abysmal: very deep; very bad
Approbation: approval [opp. disapprobation]
Bent: (n) inclination; aptitude
Cadge: get by begging
Debacle: disaster
Extemporize: speak without preparation or rehearsal [extemporaneous (a)]
Incumbents: occupiers of a job or position
Lambaste: attack verbally
Noisome: disgusting
Pastiche: work (usually artistic) which imitates, or is composed of parts taken from varied sources
Arboreal: living in trees; concerned with trees
Centrifuge: device to separate substances by spinning them at high speed
Cloistered: isolated
Disabuse: make someone aware of an error in thinking
Intemperate: excessive; immoderate [intemperance (n)]
Lugubrious: sad; gloomy
Nonplussed: confused
Pedagogy: science of education; teaching
Satiate: satisfy; fill completely [satiable (a); satiation (n)]
Slake: quench; satisfy
Artless: without effort; without trickery; simple
Rent: torn (past participle of the verb to rend)
Perennial: long-lasting
Misconstrue: put a wrong interpretation on something
Hapless: unlucky
Faddish: whimsical; following a fashion
Exact: (v) to demand; extort
Exacerbated: made worse [exacerbate (v); exacerbation (n)]
Corroborate: give supporting evidence [corroboration (n)]
Vulpine: like a fox [compare with bovine (cow-like); porcine (pig-like), etc.]
Sere: withered; old
Rebus: puzzle in which pictures give clues
Prolixity: wordiness [prolix (a)]
Diaphanous: transparent; thin and delicate
Comeliness: beauty; prettiness [comely (a)]
Doff: take off (esp. of a hat)
Don: put on (esp. of clothes)
Erudition: learning; scholarly knowledge [erudite (a)]
Plaintive: sad; mournful
Suborn: bribe
Tendentious: dogmatic; biased
Tortuous: indirect; winding
Verbiage: excessive or meaningless wordiness
Atonement: making amends for sin or crime [atone (v)]
Complaisance: flexibility; willingness to please [complaisant (a)]
Daguerreotype: forerunner of the photograph
Fawn: behave in a sycophantic way; grovel [fawning (a)]
Gregariousness: sociability; liking for crowds [gregarious (a)]
Nascent: emerging; newly formed
Paean: praise; tribute (esp. in song)
Scurvy: 1. disease due to lack of vitamin C; 2. contemptible; rascally
Tutelary: serving as a guardian [tutelage (n)]
Modest: 1. bashful; unpretentious; 2. not excessive
Hyperbole: exaggeration [hyperbolic (a)]
Gainsay: contradict
Empirical: found by experiment or practice
Denigrate: decry; criticize; belittle
Coterie: clique; small group with common interests
Vitiate: weaken; sap energy
Undergird: support; strengthen
Minion: underling; servant
Luminary: eminent person
Intractability: stubbornness; resistance [intractable (a)]
Deferential: showing respect [deference (n); defer (v)]
Diaphanous: transparent; thin and delicate
Reproof: scolding; criticism [reprove (v)]
Abscission: cutting; process causing leaves to fall off
Contentious: causing argument [contention (n); contend (v)]
Debilitating: weakening [debilitate (v)]
Foible: quirk; minor weakness
Importune: beg; solicit [importunate (a)]
Pertain: be relevant to [pertinent (a)]
Slew: glut; excess
Toady: sycophant; flatterer
Torrid: hot and steamy
Veracious: true [veracity (n)]
Hyperbole: exaggeration [hyperbolic (a)]
Cornucopia: symbol (horn filled with fruit etc.) denoting natural abundance
Caprices: whimsies; fancies
Admonitory: scolding [admonition (n)]
Acolyte: disciple; follower or attendant
Vicissitude: unexpected change in fortune or circumstances
Syllogism: type of logical reasoning
Sedulous: persevering; eager and thorough
Pluck: (n) courage
Mannered: stylized; pretentious
Limerick: short amusing poem
Inscrutability: quality of being difficult to comprehend [inscrutable (a)]
Diaphanous: transparent; thin and delicate
Asperity: using harsh or critical tone
Blowhard: boastful person
Disingenuous: crafty
Evanescent: short-lived [evanescence (n)]
Intangible: cannot be touched; abstract [intangibility (n)]
Labile: changing rapidly; unstable
Malapropism: use of similar sounding but incorrect word
Posture: (v) to put on an act
Proximate: immediate; nearest
Pugnacious: aggressive, ready to fight [pugnacity (n)]
Foreshadowed: indicated a future event [foreshadow (v)]
Gaucherie: awkwardness [gauche (a)]
Hyperbole: exaggeration [hyperbolic (a)]
Heterodox: unorthodox
Friends with BookmarkOS