1178 abate=to lessen to subside abdication=giving up control authority aberration=straying away from what is normal abet=help/encourage smb (in doing wrong) abeyance=suspended action abhor=to hate to detest abide=be faithful to endure abjure=promise or swear to give up abraded=rubbed off worn away by friction abrogate=repeal or annul by authority abscond=to go away suddenly (to avoid arrest) abstruse=difficult to comprehend obscure abut=border on abysmal=bottomless extreme acarpous=effete no longer fertile worn out acclaimed=Welcomed with shouts and approval accolade=praise approval accretion=the growing of separate things into one accrue=accumulate adamant=kind of stone inflexible admonitory=containing warning adorn=add beauty decorate adulteration=making unpure poorer in quality affable=polite and friendly affinity=close connection relationship aggravate=make worse irritate agile=active quick-moving agog=eager/excited ail=trouble be ill alacrity=eager and cheerful readiness alcove=recess/partially enclosed place ale=fermented alcoholic beverage similar to but heavier than beer aleck=one who considers himself smarter than others allegiance=duty support loyalty alleviate=make (pain) easier to bear alloy=to debase by mixing with something inferior aloof=reserved indifferent amalgamate=mix combine unite societies ambidextrous=able to use the left hand or the right equally well ambiguous=doubtful uncertain ambivalent=having both of two contrary meanings ambrosial=extremely pleasing to taste ameliorate=improve make better amortize=end (a debt) by setting aside money anguish=severe suffering animosity=strong dislike antidote=medicine used against a poison or a disease antithetical=direct opposing apartheid=brutal racial discrimination aplomb=self-confidence apostate=one who abandons long-held religious or political convictions apotheosis=deification glorification to godliness appease=make quiet or calm apprehensive=grasping understanding fear unhappy feeling about future apprise=give notice to inform approbation=approval apropos=appropriate to the situation apt apt=well-suited quick-witted arabesque=a complex ornate design arboreal=of connected with trees ardor=enthusiasm arduous=steep difficult ascent laborious argot=jargon slang arrant=in the highest degree arrogance=proud superior manner of behaviour articulate=speak distinctly connect by joints ascend=go or come up ascertain=get to know ascetic=practicing self-denial austere stark ascribe=consider to be the origin of or belonging to aseptic=surgically clean asperity=roughness harshness ill temper irritability aspersion=slander assail=with attack violently assiduous=diligent hard-working sedulous assuage=make something (pain desire) less asterisk=the mark * (e.g.. omitted letters) astringent=substance that shrinks astute=clever quick at seeing to get an advantage atonement=repayment death of Jesus attenuate=make thin. weaken enervate attune=bring into harmony audacious=daring foolishly bold impudent augury=omen sign august=majestic venerable auspicious=favorable successful prosperous austere=severely moral and strict simple and plain auxiliary=helping supporting aver=affirm assert prove justify aversion=strong dislike avid=eager greedy avow=admit. Declare openly baleful=harmful ominous causing evil balk=obstacle purposely to get on the way of baneful=causing harm or ruin pernicious destructive barrage=artificial obstacle built across a river barren=not good enough unable to have young ones without value bask=in enjoy warmth and light beatify=to bless make happy or ascribe a virtue to bedizen=to adorn especially in a cheap showy manner belabor=beat hard bellicose=belligerent pugnacious warlike belligerent=(person nation) waging war benefactor=person who has given help benevolence=wish or activity in doing good benign=kind and gentle mild (climate) bequest=arrangement to give something at death berate=scold sharply bereft=rob or dispossess of something (material) bewilder=puzzle confuse bigot=stubborn narrow-minded person bilge=bulge the protuberance of a cask blandishment=flattery coaxing blandness=polite manner comforting uninteresting blatant=noisy and rough blithe=cheerful casual carefree bogus=sham counterfeit not genuine boisterous=loud noisy rough lacking restraint bolster=give greatly needed support boorish=crude offensive rude brash=hasty rush cheeky saucy brass=yellow metal (mixing copper and zinc) brazen=made of brass breach=opening broken place breaking brittle=easily broken broach=bring up announce begin to talk about brook=to tolerate endure buoyant=able to float light-hearted burgeon=grow forth send out buds burnish=to polish rub to a shine cabal=a scheme or plot a group of plotters cadge=to beg to get by begging cajole=use flattery or deceit to persuade calipers=metal supports attached to the legs measuring instrument calumny=slander aspersion candid=frank straight-forward cant=insincere talk/jargon cantankerous=bad-tempered/quarrelsome canvass=discuss thoroughly sort of touting castigate=to chastise correct by punishing castigation=severe punishment catalyst=substance that causes speeding up caustic=biting sarcastic censure=expression of blame or disapproval a rebuke centurion=leader of a unit of 100 soldiers chary=cautious wary chastened=corrected punished chastisement=punishment chauvinist=a blindly devoted patriot chicanery=legal trickery/false argument chisel=steel tool for shaping materials churl=bad-tempered person clamor=shout complain with a lot of noise clientele=customers clinch=come to grips/settle conclusively cling=to resist separation clot=half-solid lump formed from liquid cloture=closing device (in Parliament) to end a debate by voting coagulation=change to a thick and solid state coalescing=coming together and uniting into one substance coax=get smb to do something by kindness coda=passage that completes a piece of music coddle=treat with care and tenderness coerce=compel to force to make obedient coeval=of the same period coexisting cogent=strong convincing cogitate=think deeply mediate cognizant=being fully aware of cohort=a group or band of people colander=bowl-shaped vessel with many holes used to drain off water collusion=secret agreement for a deceitful purpose combustion=process of burning commemorate=keep the memory of commodious=having plenty of space for what is needed commuter=person who travels regularly complaisance=tending to comply obliging willingness to please compunction=feeling of regret for one's action conceal=hide keep secret conceit=over-high opinion of too much pride conciliatory=reconciling soothing comforting mollifying concord=agreement or harmony concur=agree in opinion happen together condense=increase in density strength make laconic Conduce=To bring about condone=forgive congeal=make or become stiff and solid conjoin=to join together connoisseur=a person with good judgement (e.g.. in art) connotation=suggestion in addition to consequential=pompous self important console=give comfort or sympathy to conspicuous=easily seen remarkable consternation=surprise and fear dismay constrain=compel constrict=make tight or smaller consume=get to the end of consummate=perfect/make perfect/complete contemn=to scorn or despise contentious=argumentative pugnacious combative quarrelsome contiguous=touching neighboring near contrite=filled with deep sorrow for wrongdoing contumacious=insubordinate rebellious conundrum=a riddle dilemma enigma conviction=convincing firm belief convoke=call together summon convoluted=complicated coiled twisted cordial=warm and sincere cordon=line (of police acting as a guard) cornucopia=abundant supply corporeal=physical of or for the body correlate=have a mutual relation corroboration=additional strengthening evidence countenance=to favor or approve of counterfeit=forgery countervail=counterbalance covert=disguised covetous=eagerly desirous cower=crouch shrink back coy=shy/modest (esp of a girl) crass=very great (es. stupidity) cravat=piece of linen worn as a necktie craven=cowardly crease=line made by crushing white line on the ground in cricket credulity=too great a readiness to believe things credulous=ready to believe things crush=press lose shape subdue overwhelm cryptic=secret with a hidden meaning cumbersome=burdensome heavy and awkward to carry curmudgeon=bad-tempered person curriculum=course of study cursory=quick hurried curtail=make shorter then was planned dainty=pretty/delicate(food)/difficult to please daunt=intimidate make fearful dawdler=person who is slow waste of time dearth=shortage debacle=a breakup overthrow sudden disaster decorum=propriety properness decree=order given by authority decry=disapprove of defer=postpone give way (to show respect) deferential=showing respect defiance=open disobedience or resistance delineate=to portray depict sketch out deluge=great flood heavy rush of water demagogue=person appealing not to reasons demur=to hesitate raise objections denigrate=blacken belittle sully defame denouement=an outcome or solution the unraveling of a plot deplete=use until none remains deposition=dethronement depositing deprave=make morally bad corrupt deprecate=protest against express disapproval of dereliction=deserting and leaving to fall into ruins derision=ridicule mockery deriding derivative=unoriginal obtained from another source derogatory=insulting tending to damage descry=catch sight of see something in the distance desiccant=substance used to absorb moisture desuetude=cessation of use disuse desultory=aimless haphazard digressing at random deter discourage hinder detraction=slandering verbal attack aspersion detumescence=diminishing or lessening of swelling deviance=being different in moral standards (from normal) dexterity=skill (esp. in handling) diaphanous=transparent gauzy diatribe=bitter and violent attack in words didactic=intended to instruct diffidence=shyness dilate=speak comprehensively become wider large disallow=refuse to allow or accept as a correct discern=see with an effort but clearly discomfit=confuse embarrass disconcert=upset the self-possession of discountenance=refuse to approve of discourse=speech lecture discredit=refuse to believe discreet=careful/prudent discrete=individually distinct disdain=look on with contempt disencumber=free from encumbrance disheveled=untidy disingenuous=sophisticated artful trying to deceive cunning disinter=dig up from the earth dislodge=move force from the place occupied dismal=sad gloomy miserable disparate=essentially different disproof=proof to the contrary dissemble=speak or behave so as to hide something (in mind) disseminate=distribute (esp. ideas) dissent=have a different opinion refuse to assent dissolution=disintegration looseness in morals distraught=distracted violently upset in mind divergence=getting farther apart from a point divestiture=taking off getting rid of giving up divulge=make known something secret doggerel=trivial poorly constructed verse dogmatic=positive certain arbitrary without room for discussion dolt=stupid fellow dormant=in a state of inactivity but awaiting development dote=show much fondness center one's attention drawl=slow way of speaking droll=jesting drone=male bee person who isn't self-employed drowsiness=feeling sleepy half asleep dubious=feeling doubt dud=no use person something that fails dulcet=melodious harmonious dupe=cheat make a fool of duplicity=deliberate deception duress=threats to compel smb dwarf=person or smb much below the usual size dynamo=a generator something that produces electric current earthenware=dishes made of baked clay ebullience=exuberance outburst of feeling ebullient=overflowing with enthusiasm showing excitement ecumenical=representing the whole Christian world edacious=voracious devouring eddy=circular or spiral movement (e.g.. of wind) edible=fit to be eaten/not poisonous effete=infertile worn out weak efficacy=production of a desired result effluvia=outflow in a stream of particles a noxious odor or vapor effrontery=boldness impudence arrogance egress=way out exit elaborate=worked out with much care in great detail elegy=a lament a melancholy composition elicit=draw out eloquence=fluent speaking skillful use of language emaciate=make thin and weak embellish=make beautiful embezzle=use in a wrong way for one's own benefit emote=stir up excite empirical=relying on experiment encapsulate=enclose in capsule encomium=warm or glowing praise eulogy panegyric encumbrance=burden things that get on the way of endearing=making dear or liked endemic=epidemic epiphany=A Christian feast celebrating the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi. endorse=write one's name on the back of enduring=lasting enervate=weaken deprive of strength attenuate engender=cause produce give rise to engrave=impress deeply engrossing=taken up all the time or attention writing in large or formal engulf=swallow up enigma=something that is puzzling enmity=hatred being an enemy ensign=flag/badge entangle=put into difficulties enthral=please greatly/enslave (fig) entice=tempt or persuade entreat=ask earnestly enunciate=pronounce (words)/express a theory enzyme=catalyst epicurean=devoted to pleasure (sensuous enjoyment) epistle=letter epithet=adjective epitome=brief summary representative example a typical model equable=steady regular equanimity=calmness of temperament equilibrium=state of being balanced equipoise=equal distribution of weight equilibrium equivocal=having a double or doubtful meaning suspicious equivocate=try to deceive by equivocal language eradicate=get rid of pull up by the roots erratic=irregular in behaviour or opinion erudite=learned scholarly eschew=avoid esoteric=abstruse intended only for a small circle of espouse=marry give one's support to eulogy=formal praise panegyric euphoria=elation state of pleasant excitement euthanasia=easy and painless death evasive=tending to evade evince=to show clearly to indicate evoke=call up bring out excoriation=severe criticism exculpate=to clear from a charge of guilt exhaustive=complete thorough exigency=emergency an urgent situation exoneration=set smb clear free (e.g.. from blame) exorbitant=much too high or great expatiate=to roam wander freely expedient=likely to be useful for a purpose expiation=ending expiring exploit=brilliant achievement develop use selfishly expostulate=argue earnestly to dissuade correct or protest expurgate=to remove obscenity purify censor exscind=to cut out cut away extant=still in existence extempore=without previous thought or preparation extenuate=reduce the strength of lessen seriousness partially excuse extinct=no longer active extinguish=end the existence of/wipe or put out extirpate=to destroy exterminate cut out exscind extol=praise highly extort=obtain by threats violence extralegal=outside the law extricable=that can be freed extrovert=cheerful person exuberance=state of growing vigorously being full of life facetious=humorous funny jocular facile=easily done fagged=too tired, exhausted fallacious=based on error falter=waver/move in an uncertain manner fatuous=without sense foolish self-satisfaction fawn=young deer try to win smb's favor feckless=lacking purpose or vitality ineffective careless fecund=fertile feint=pretend felicitous=apt suitably expressed well chosen apropos felon=person guilty of murder ferment=substance become excited ferocity=savage cruelty ferret=discover by searching search fervid=showing earnest feeling fervor=warmth of feelings earnestness fetid=stinking fetter=to shackle put in chains feud=bitter quarrel over a long period of time fidelity=loyalty accuracy fidget=move restlessly make nervous figurehead=carved image on the prow of a ship finesse=delicate way of dealing with a situation finical=too fussy about food clothing etc. finicky=finical fission=splitting or division (esp. of cells) fixate=stare at flak=criticism/anti-aircraft guns flamboyant=brightly colored florid flaunting=show off complacently flax=pale yellow (hair) a plant fledged=able to fly trained experienced fleet=number of ships quick-moving flinch=draw move back wince flop=fail/move/fall clumsily florid=very much ornamented naturally red (e.g.. of face) flout=reject mock to go against (as in going against tradition) fluke=lucky stroke fluster=make nervous or confused foible=defect of character (a person is wrongly proud) foil=prevent from carrying out contrast foment=put something warm (to lessen the pain) foolproof=incapable of failure or error foppish=like a man who pays too much attention to his clothes forage=food for horses and cattle forbear=refrain from be patient ancestor forbearance=patience willingness to wait ford=shallow place in a river (to cross) forestall=prevent by taking action in advance preempt forfeit=suffer the loss of something forge=workshop for the shaping of metal to shape metal lead forgery=counterfeit forswear=renounce disallow repudiate foster=nurture care for fracas=noisy quarrel fragile=easily injured broken or destroyed fragrant=sweet-smelling frantic=wildly excited with joy pain anxiety frenetic=frantic frenzied fret=worry irritation wear away fringe=edge ornamental border part of hair over the forehead froward=intractable not willing to yield or comply stubborn frugal=careful economical fulmination=bitter protest fulsome=disgusting offensive due to excessiveness gainsay=to deny to oppose garble=make unfair selection from facts garner=to gather and save to store up garrulity=talkativeness garrulous=too talkative gaucherie=socially awkward tactless behavior germane=relevant pertinent to gist=the point general sense glean=gather facts in small quantities glib=ready and smooth but not sincere glimmer=weak/unsteady light gloat=over look at with selfish delight glut=supply to much fill to excess gnaw=waste away bite steadily goad=something urging a person to action gorge=eat greedily/narrow opening with a stream gossamer=soft light delicate material gouge=tool for cutting grooves in wood gourmand=a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess grandiloquent=using pompous words grave=serious requiring consideration graze=touch or scrape lightly in passing gregarious=living in societies liking the company grievous=causing grief or pain serious dire grave grovel=crawl humble oneself guile=deceit cunning gullible=easily gulled gush=burst out suddenly/talk ardently gust=outburst of feeling sudden rain wind fire etc. hack=cut roughly hired horse halcyon=calm and peaceful hallow=to make holy consecrate harangue=a long passionate speech harbinger=something or smb that foretells the coming of harrow=to distress create stress or torment haughty=arrogant conceited heed=attention/give notice to heinous=odious (of crime) heresy=belief contrary to what is generally accepted hermetic=sealed by fusion heterogeneous=made up of different kinds hew=make by hard work cut (by striking) highbrow=(person) with superior tastes hirsute=hairy shaggy hoax=mischievous trick played on smb for a joke hoi=polloi the masses the rabble hollow=not soled with hole holster=leather case for a pistol homiletics=act of preaching hone=stone used for sharpening tools hoodwink=trick mislead hospitable=liking to give hospitality hubris=arrogant pride hush=make or become silent husk=worthless outside part of anything hypocrisy=falsely making oneself appear to be good iconoclast=person who attacks popular beliefs idiosyncrasy=personal mannerism idolatry=excessive admiration of idyll=a carefree episode or experience ignoble=dishonorable common undignified ignominious=shameful dishonorable undignified disgraceful illicit=unlawful forbidden imbroglio=complicated and embarrassing situation immaculate=pure faultless imminent=likely to come or happen soon immutable=that cannot be changed impair=worsen diminish in value impassive=unmoved feeling no sign of passion impecunious=having little or no money impede=hinder get in the way of impediment=something that hinders (e.g. stammer) impending=imminent being about to happen expected imperative=urgent essential imperious=commanding haughty arrogant impermeable=that cannot be permeated imperturbable=calm not capable of being excited impervious=not allowing to pass through (of materials) imperviousness=haughty arrogant commanding impetuous=having sudden energy impulsive thrusting ahead forceful impiety=lack of reverence or dutifulness implacable=incapable of being placated unpleasable implicate=show that smb has a share implicit=implied though not plainly expressed implosion=collapse bursting inward importune=beg urgently solicit (of a prostitute) imprecation=an invocation of evil a curse impromptu=without preparation impudent=rash indiscreet impugned=challenged to be doubted impute=to attribute to a cause or source ascribe inadvertent=not paying proper attention inane=silly senseless inasmuch=since because incense=make angry incessant=often repeated continual inchoate=not yet fully formed rudimentary elementary incipient=beginning incise=engrave make a cut in incite=stir up rouse inclined=directing the mind in a certain direction incongruous=out of place not in harmony or agreement incorrigibility=cannot be cured or corrected incredulous=skeptical unwilling to believe inculcate=fix firmly by repetition incumbents=official duties incursion= a raid a sudden attack indefatigability=not easily exhaustible tirelessness indelible=that cannot be rubbed out indigence=poverty indigenous=native indistinct=not easily heard seen clearly marked indolence=laziness indomitable=not easily discouraged or subdued indulge=gratify give way to satisfy allow oneself indulgent=inclined to indulge ineffable=to great to be described in words ineluctable=certain inevitable inept=unskillful said or done at the wrong time ineptitude=quality of being unskillful inferno=hell infuriate=fill with fury or rage infuse=put pour fill ingenuous=naive young artless frank honest sincere ingest=take in by swallowing inimical=harmful or friendly inimitable=defying imitation unmatchable innocuous=causing no harm inscrutable=incapable of being discovered or understood insensible=unconscious unresponsive unaffected insinuate=suggest unpleasantly make a way for something gently insipid=without taste or flavor insouciant=unconcerned carefree insularity=narrow-mindedness isolated insurrection=rising of people to open resistance to interdict=prohibit forbid interim=as an installment intersperse=place here and there intransigence=unwillingness to compromise stubbornness intractability intransigent=uncompromising intrepid=fearless brave undaunted introspection=examining one's own thoughts and feelings inundate=flood cover by overflowing inured=accustomed to adapted invective=abusive language curses inveigh=to attack verbally denounce deprecate inveterate=deep-rooted. long-established invincible=too strong to be defeated involute=complex irascible=irritable easily angered irate=angry ire=anger irksome=tiresome irresolute=hesitating undecided irrevocable=final and unalterable itinerate=to travel from place to place to peregrinate jabber=talk excitedly utter rapidly jagged=notched, rough jibe=gibe make fun of jocular=meant as a joke judicious=sound in judgment wise knit=draw together unite firmly labyrinthine=to entangle the state of affairs lachrymose=causing tears tearful lackluster=(of eyes) dull lament=show feel great sorrow lassitude=weariness tiredness latent=present but not yet active developed or visible laudatory=expressing or giving praise lavish=giving or producing freely liberally or generously legacy=something handed down from ancestors levee=formal reception/embankment levity=lack of seriousness libel=statement that damages reputation liberality=free giving generosity libertine=immoral person lien=legal claim until a debt on it is repaid limn=paint portray limp=lacking strength walking unevenly lionize=treat as a famous person lithe=bending twisting loll=rest to sit or stand in a lazy way hang (dog's tongue) lope=move along with long strides loquacious=talkative garrulous lucubrate=write in scholarly fashion luculent=easily understood lucid clear lugubrious=mournful excessively sad lull=become quiet or less active lumber=move in a clumsy/noisy way luminary=star light-giving body lurk=be out of view ready to attack lustrous=being bright polished macabre=gruesome suggesting death macerate=make or become soft by soaking in water machination=plot scheme (esp. evil) maladroit=tactless clumsy malapropism=misuse of a word (for one that resembles it) malevolence=wishing to do evil malign=injurious speak ill of smb tell lie malinger=to fake illness or injury in order to shirk a duty malleable=yielding easily shaped moldable adapting manacle=chains for the hands or feet massacre=cruel killing of a large number of people matriculation=be admitted enter a university as a student maudlin=sentimental in a silly or tearful way maul=hurt by rough handling maverick=rebel nonconformist mellifluous=sweetly flowing mendacity=dishonesty mendicant=a beggar mercurial=quick changeable in character fleeting meretricious=attractive on the surface but of little value mesmerize=hypnotize meticulous=giving great attention to details mettle=quality of endurance or courage mettlesome=courageous high-spirited middling=fairly good but not very good minatory=menacing threatening mince=pronounce or speak affectedly euphemize misanthrope=person who hates mankind mischievous=harmful causing mischief miser=person who loves wealth and spends little misogynist=one who hates women/females mite=Avery small amount, portion, or particle moderation=quality of being limited not extreme mollify=make calmer or quieter molt=moult lose hair feathers before new growing morbid=diseased unhealthy (e.g.. about ideas) morose=ill-tempered unsocial muffler=cloth worn round the neck/silencer multifarious=varied motley greatly diversified mundane=worldly as opposed to spiritual commonplace everyday myriad=very great number nadir=lowest weakest point nascent=coming into existence emerging nebulous=cloud-like hazy vague indistinct negligent=taking too little care neophyte=person who has been converted to a belief nexus=a connection tie or link nibble=show some inclination to accept (an offer) noisome=offensive disgusting (smell) nonchalant=not having interest nonplused=greatly surprised nostrum=a quack remedy an untested cure noxious=harmful nugatory=trifling/worthless obdurate=hardened and unrepenting stubborn inflexible obfuscate=to darken make obscure muddle oblivious=unaware having no memory obloquy=abusively detractive language sharp criticism vituperation obsequious=too eager to obey or serve obstreperous=noisy loud obtain=to be established accepted or customary obtrusive=projecting prominent undesirably noticeable obtuse=blunt/stupid obviate=to make unnecessary get rid of occluded=blocked up odious=repulsive hateful odium=contempt dislike aversion odor=smell favor reputation officious=too eager or ready to help offer advice ominous=threatening onerous=needing effort burdensome opaqueness=dullness/not allowing light to pass through opprobrious=showing scorn or reproach ossify=to turn to bone to settle rigidly into an idea ostensible=seeming appearing as such professed ostentation=display to obtain admiration or envy ostracism=shut out from society refuse to meet talk overhaul=examine thoroughly to learn about the condition overweening=presumptuously arrogant overbearing immoderate being a jerk paean=song of praise or triumph palate=roof of the mouth sense of taste palatial=magnificent palliate=lessen the severity of palpability=can be felt touched understood palpitate=tremble beat rapidly and irregularly panegyric=formal praise eulogy paradigm=a model example or pattern parenthesis=sentence within another one something separated pariah=an outcast a rejected and despised person parley=negotiation, discussion between enemies parsimonious=too economical miserly partisan=one-sided committed to a party biased or prejudiced patron=regular customer person who gives support paucity=scarcity a lacking of peccadillo=small sin small weakness in one's character pedantic=bookish showing off learning pedestrian=commonplace trite unremarkable pellucid=transparent easy to understand penchant=strong inclination a liking penitent=feeling or showing regret penurious=poor/stingy penury=extreme poverty peregrination=traveling about wandering peremptory=urgent imperative unchallengeable ending debate perfidious=treacherous faithless perfidy=treachery breaking of faith perfunctory=done as a duty without care perilous=dangerous peripatetic=wandering perish=be destroyed decay perjury=willful false statement unlawful act permeate=spread into every part of pernicious=harmful injurious perpetrate=be guilty commit (a crime) personable=pleasing in appearance attractive perspicacity=quick judging and understanding pertain=belong as a part have reference pest=destructive thing or a person who is nuisance petrified=taken away power (to think feel act) petrify=to make hard rocklike petrous=like a rock hard stony petulant=unreasonably impatient philistine=a smug ignorant person one who lacks knowledge phlegmatic=calm sluggish temperament unemotional picaresque=involving clever rogues or adventurers pied=of mixed colors pinch=be too tight take between the thumb and finger pine=waste away through sorrow or illness pious=dutiful to parents devoted to religion piquant=agreeably pungent stimulating pique=hurt the pride or self-respect stir (curiosity) pitfall=covered hole as a trap unsuspected danger pith=essential part force soft liquid substance pivotal=of great importance (others depend on it) placate=soothe pacify calm plaintive=mournful melancholy sorrowful plaque=flat metal on a wall as a memorial platitude=a trite or banal statement unoriginality plea=request plead=address a court of law as an advocate plethora=glut pliant=pliable easily bent shaped or twisted plod=continue doing something without resting pluck=pull the feathers off pick (e.g.. flowers) plumb=get to the root of plummet=fall plunge steeply plunge=move quickly suddenly and with force poignant=deeply moving keen poncho=large piece of cloth ponderous=heavy bulky dull portent=omen marvelous threatening precarious=uncertain risky dangerous precepts=rules establishing standards of conduct preclude=prevent make impossible precursory=preliminary anticipating predilection=special liking mental preference predominate=have more power than others preen=tidy/show self-satisfaction premature=doing or happening something before the right time preponderance=greatness in number strength weight presage=warning sign presumption=arrogance preternatural=not normal or usual prevalent=common prevaricate=to equivocate to stray from the truth prim neat=formal pristine=primitive unspoiled pure as in earlier times unadulterated probity=uprightness incorruptibility principle proclivity=inclination procrastination=keeping on putting off prodigal=wasteful reckless with money prodigious=enormous wonderful profane=worldly having contempt for God profligacy=shameless immorality profligate=wasteful prodigal licentious extravagant profundity=depth profuse=abundant/lavish proliferate=grow reproduce by rapid multification prolix=tiring because too long prone=prostrate inclined to (undesirable things) propagation=increasing the number spreading extending propinquity=nearness in time or place affinity of nature propitiatory=conciliatory appeasing mitigating propitious=auspicious presenting favorable circumstances prosaic=everyday mundane commonplace trite pedestrian proscribe=denounce as dangerous protracted=prolonged provident=frugal looking to the future provisional=of the present time only provoke=make angry vax prudence=careful forethought prudish=easily shocked excessively modest prune=dried plum silly person pry=get something inquire too curiously pucker=wrinkle pugnacious=fond of in the habit of fighting puissance=strength punctilious=precise paying attention to trivialities pundit=pedant authority on a subject pungency=sharpness stinging quality purvey=provide supply pusillanimous=cowardly craven putrefaction=becoming rotten pyre=large pile of wood for burning quack=person dishonestly claiming to something quaff=drink deeply quail=lose courage turn frightened qualm=feeling of doubt temporary feeling of sickness quandary=state of doubt or perplexity quell=suppress subdue quibble=try to avoid by sophistication quiescence=state of being passive/motionless quiescent=at rest dormant torpid quirk=habit or action peculiar to smb or something quixotic=generous unselfish quotidian=banal everyday rabble=mob crowd the lower classes of populace raconteur=person who tells anecdotes raffish=low vulgar base tawdry ramify=to be divided or subdivided to branch out rancorous=feeling bitterness spitefulness rant=use extravagant language rapacious=greedy (esp for money) rarefy=to make thin to make less dense to purify or refine rave=act with excessive enthusiasm reactionary=opposing progress rebuff=snub recalcitrant=disobedient recant=take back as being FALSE give up recast=cast or fashion anew recidivism=relapse into antisocial or criminal behavior reciprocity=granting of privileges in return for similar recitals=a number of performance of music recluse=person who lives alone and avoids people recompense=make payment to reward punish reconcile=settle a quarrel restore peace recondite=little known abstruse recreancy=cowardice a cowardly giving up recuperate=become strong after illness loss exhaustion redeem=get back by payment compensate redoubtable=formidable causing fear refine=make or become pure cultural refractory=stubborn unmanageable untractable refulgent=shining brilliant regale=to delight or entertain to feast regicide=crime of killing a king reiterate=say or do again several times rejuvenation=becoming young in nature or appearance relapse=fall back again reminiscent=viewing the past remonstrate=to protest object render=deliver provide represent renovate=restore something to better condition renowned=celebrated famous repast=meal repel=refuse to accept/cause dislike repine=at be discontented with reproach=scold upbraid reprobate=person hardened in sin one devoid of decency repudiate=disown refuse to accept or pay repulsive=causing a feeling of disgust requite=repay give in return rescind=repeal/annul/cancel resigned=unresisting submissive resilience=quality of quickly recovering the original shape resort=to frequently visit restive=refusing to move reluctant to be controlled resuscitation=coming back to consciousness retard=check hinder reticent=reserved untalkative silent taciturn retrospective=Looking back on past revere=have deep respect for reverent=feeling or showing deep respect riddle=puzzling person or thing rift=split crack dissension rivet=fix take up secure metal pin roll=call calling of names rotund=rich and deep plump and round ruffian=violent cruel man rumple=make rough sagacious=having sound judgment perceptive wise like a sage salacious=obscene salubrious=healthful salutary=remedial wholesome causing improvement sanctimony=self-righteousness hypocritical with FALSE piety sanction=approval (by authority) penalty sanguine=cheerful confident optimistic sanity=health of mind soundness of judgment sash=long strip worn round the waist satiate=satisfy fully saturnine=gloomy dark sullen morose savant=person of great learning savor=taste flavor something sawdust=tiny bits of wood scabbard=sheath for the blade scent=smell (especially pleasant) scorch=become discolored/dry up/go at high speed scribble=write hastily scurvy=mean contemptible secular=material (not spiritual) living outside monasteries sedulous=persevering seminal=like a seed constituting a source originative sententious=short and pithy full of maxims/proverbs sequence=succession connected line of sere=make hard and without feeling sermon=reproving a person for his faults serrated=having a toothed edge serration=having a toothed edge servile=like a slave lacking independence sever=break off severance=severing shallow=little depth not earnest shard=piece of broken earthenware sheath=cover for the blade of a weapon or a tool shrewd=astute showing sound judgement shrill=sharp piercing shun=keep away from avoid shunt=send from one track to another lay aside evade discussion sidestep=step to one side simper=(give a) silly/self-conscious smile sinuous=winding undulating serpentine skiff=small boat skit=short piece of humorous writing slack=sluggish dull not tight slake=to assuage to satisfy allay slate=king of blue-grey stone propose criticize sluggard=lazy slow-moving person slur=join sounds/words (indistinct) smolder=burn slowly without flame snare=trap snub=treat with contempt soar=rise fly high sober=self-controlled sobriety=quality or condition of being sober sodden=soaked saturated soggy=heavy with water solvent=of the power of forming a solution somatic=of the body soot=black powder in smoke sophisticated=complex subtle refined sophistry=fallacious reasoning faulty logic sophomoric=self-assured though immature affected bombastic overblown soporific=producing sleep sordid=wretched comfortless contemptible spear=weapon with a metal point on a long shaft specious=illogical of questionable truth or merit splenetic=bad-tempered irritable splice=join (two ends) sponge=porous rubber for washing live at once expense spurious=false counterfeit spurn=have nothing to do reject or refuse squalid=foul filthy squander=spend wastefully squat=crouch/settle without permission stanch=to stop the flow of a fluid steeply=rising or falling sharply stentorian=extremely loud and powerful stickler=person who insists on importance of something stigma=mark of shame or disgrace stigmatize=describe smb scornfully sting=something sharp stingy=spending using unwillingly stint=to be thrifty to set limits stipple=paint with dots stipulate=state or put forward as a necessary condition stolid=showing no emotion impassive stray=wander lose one's way streak=long thin move very fast striated=striped grooved or banded stride=walk with long steps strut=a supporting bar stygian=hence dark gloomy stymie=to hinder obstruct or block subdue=overcome bring under control sublime=extreme astounding submerge=put under water liquid sink out of sight suborn=induce by bribery or something to commit perjury subpoena=written order requiring a person to appear in a low court substantiation=giving facts to support (statement) subsume=include under a rule succor=assistance relief in time of distress suffice=be enough suffocate=cause or have difficulty in breathing sullied=to be stained or discredited summarily=briefly without delay sumptuous=magnificent sundry=various miscellaneous separate supercilious=disdainful characterized by haughty scorn superfluous=more then is needed or wanted superimpose=put something on the top supersede=take the place of supine=lying on the back slow to act passive suppliant=asking humbly beseeching supplicate=make a humble petition to suppress=prevent from being known put an end to surcharge=additional load/charge surfeit=satiate feed to fulness or to excess susceptibility=sensitiveness swerve=change direction suddenly sycophant=person who flatter to the rich and powerful synopsis=summary or outline taciturn=untalkative silent tadpole=form of a frog when it leaves the egg talon=claw of a bird of prey tamp=tap or drive down by repeated light blows tamper=interfere with tangential=suddenly changeable tarnished=lost brightness tassel=bunch of threads taunt=contemptuous reproach hurtful remark taut=tightly stretched tautology=a repetition a redundancy tawdry=cheap gaudy showy tacky teetotal=oppose to alcohol telltale=That gives warning or information temerity=boldness brashness intrepidness temperance=abstinence from alcohol self-control moderation temperate=showing self-control tenacity=firmness persistency adhesiveness tending to hang on tenuous=insubstantial flimsy weak tepid=lukewarm terse=brief and to the point testiness=witness/evidence thrift=care economy thriving prosperous thwart=obstruct/frustrate timid=shy easily frightened timorous=fearful timid afraid toady=obsequious flatterer tonic=something giving strength or energy topple=be unsteady and overturn torment=severe pain or suffering torpid=sleeping sluggish lethargic dormant torque=twisting force causing rotation tortuous=devious/not straightforward tout=person who worries others to buy something to use his service tractable=easily controlled or guided transgress=break go beyond (a limit) transient=temporary fleeting transitory=brief travesty=parody/imitation trenchant=forceful effective vigorous extremely perceptive incisive trepidation=alarm excited state of mind trickle=flow in drops trifling=unimportant trite=not new truce=(agreement) stop of fighting for a time truculence=aggressiveness ferocity trudge=walk heavily turbid=muddy having the sediment stirred up turbulence=being uncontrolled violent turgid=excessively ornate swollen or bloated turmoil=trouble disturbance turpitude=wickedness shamefulness turquoise=greenish-blue precious stone tyro=tiro beginner ubiquitous=present everywhere ulterior=situated beyond umbrage=offense resentment uncouth=rough awkward underbid=make a lower bid then smb else undermine=weaken gradually at the base make something under undulate=to move in wavelike fashion fluctuate unearth=discover and bring to light unencumbered=easy-going trifle unfeigned=not pretended sincere unscathed=unharmed unhurt untoward=unfortunate inconvenient upbraid=scold reproach urbane=elegant refined in manners vacillation=being uncertain hesitating vagary=strange act or idea vain=without use result conceited valiant=brave valorous=brave vanquish=conquer variegate=To mark with different shade or colors veer=change direction venal=ready to do something dishonest veneer=surface appearance covering the TRUE nature veneration=regard with deep respect veracity=truth verdant=fresh and green verisimilitude=appearing TRUE or real veritable=real rightly named verve=spirit vigor enthusiasm vestige=trace or sign vex=annoy distress trouble vigilance=watchfulness self-appointed group who maintain order vigilant=member of a vigilance committee vigorous=strong energetic vilify=slander say evil things vindictive=having a desire to revenge virago=a loud domineering woman a scold or nag visceral=of the internal organs of the body viscous=sticky/semi-fluid vitiate=lower the quality weaken the strength vituperate=curse abuse in words vivacious=lively high-spirited volatile=changeable inconstant fickle unstable explosive volubility=fluency verbosity easy use of spoken language voluble=fluent waffle=talk vaguely and without much result waft=scent waving movement carry lightly through wag=merry person warmonger=person who stirs up war warrant=authority written order guarantee wean=to turn away (from a habit) weigh=measure hoe heavy something is welter=turmoil a bewildering jumble wend=to go proceed whimsical=full of odd and fanciful ideas wince=show bodily or mental pain woo=try to win writ=written order xenophile (zen-uh-fahyl)=a person who is attracted to foreign peoples, cultures, or customs yarn=tale story fibers for knitting