transparent = permitting light to pass through freely; easily
detected; obvious; clear; Ex. transparent lie
virulent = (of a disease or poison) extremely harmful or
poisonous; (of a feeling) hostile; bitter; N. virulence; CF.
virus; CF. venom
bluster = blow in heavy gusts; threaten emptily; bully;
speak in a noisy or bullying manner; CF. breeze, gust, gale
capacious = spacious
conspiracy = treacherous plot; secret plan against the law
(by two or more people)
lectern = reading desk or stand for a public speaker
aria = operatic solo; a song sung by one person in an
opera or oratorio
unique = without an equal; single in kind
posterity = descendants; future generations; Ex. go down
to posterity; CF. posterior, anterior
pacifist = one opposed to force; antimilitarist; ADJ. N.
pacifism: opposition to war as a means of resolving disputes
insatiable = not easily satisfied; unquenchable; Ex. insatiable
appetite
exhilarating = invigorating and refreshing; cheering; V.
exhilarate: make cheerful and excited; Ex. exhilarated
by the ride in the sports car
bohemian = unconventional (in an artistic way)

agrarian = pertaining to land or its cultivation; Ex. agrarian
reform
visceral = felt in one.s inner organs; N. viscera: internal
body organs; CF. eviscerate
palate = roof of the mouth; sense of the taste
cleave = split or sever; cling to; remain faithful to; N.
cleavage; ADJ. cloven
detonation = explosion
levitate = rise and float in the air (especially by magical
means); CF. light
fit = sudden outburst of an illness or feeling; convulsion
caused by epilepsy
default = failure to act; failure to perform a task or be
present; V.
stampede = sudden frenzied rush (of panic-stricken animals
or people); V: participate in or cause stampede; Ex.
stampede before the price rises
factitious = artificial; produced artificially; sham; false;
Ex. factitious tears
bastard = illegitimate child
outlook = point of view; view from a particular place; expectation
for the future; prospect; Ex. outlook on life;
Ex. pleasing outlook; Ex. weather outlook

distraught = upset; distracted by anxiety; very anxious
and troubled almost to the point of madness; Ex. distraught
with grief/worry
recreant = disloyal; cowardly; N: disloyal and cowardly
person
disport = amuse; Ex. disport oneself; CF. divert
proxy = authorized agent; authority to act for another
leave-taking = farewell or departure
tender = offer formally; extend; Ex. tender one.s resignation/
the exact fare; N: formal offer; money; Ex. Legal tender; ADJ: young and vulnerable; sensitive to the touch; sore; soft; delicate; Ex. child of tender years; Ex. tender wound
brunt = main impact or shock (of an attack or blow); Ex.
brunt of the argument
junta = group of persons joined in political intrigue; cabal;
group of military officers ruling a country after seizing
power (by force)
materialism = preoccupation with physical comforts and
things; excessive regard for worldly concerns (rather
than spiritual matters)
analgesic = causing insensitivity to pain; N.
jurisprudence = science of law
dossier = file of documents on a subject or person; file; CF.
bundle of papers labeled on the back

deviate = turn away from (a principle, norm); move away
from an accepted standard; swerve; depart; diverge; N.
deviation; Ex. deviation of the path of light by a prism
slapdash = hasty and careless; haphazard;
sloppy(carelessly done)
maim = mutilate; injure lastingly; disable; cripple; Ex.
maimed for life
decapitate = behead
intractable = unruly; difficult to manage; Ex. intractable
problem/child
cordial = warmly friendly; gracious; heartfelt; Ex. cordial
welcome
unilateral = one-sided; involving or affecting only one
side; Ex. unilateral declaration
verbose = wordy; N. verbosity
tonsure = shaving of the head especially by person entering
religious orders; V.
masticate = chew
gestate = evolve as in prenatal growth; N. gestation: period
of development from conception until birth
rhetoric = art of effective communication; art of using language
effectively and persuasively; style of speaking or
writing; grandiloquent language; Ex. political rhetoric;
ADJ. rhetorical; CF. rhetorical question: question to
which no answer is expected as .Who knows it ?.
melancholy = gloomy; morose; blue; N. ADJ. melancholic;
CF. melancholia
retiring = shy and reserved (of a person); modest; Ex. her
retiring personality

ransack = search thoroughly; pillage (going through a
place); Ex. Enemy soldiers ransacked the town.
dorsal = relating to the back of an animal; Ex. dorsal fin
protean = able to take on many forms; versatile; CF. Proteus:
sea god to change his shape at will
conscientious = scrupulous; through and careful; Ex.
conscientious worker
gape = open widely; open the mouth wide; stare wonderingly
with the mouth open; CF. agape
perverse = purposely continuing to do something wrong;
stubbornly wrongheaded; perverted; directed away from what is right; wicked and unacceptable; Ex. Perverse satisfaction; Ex. Hannibal Lecter in a perverse
mood; N. perversity
nexus = connection
mercantile = concerning trade or merchants
inestimable = impossible to estimate; (apprec) invaluable;
of immeasurable worth
quixotic = idealistic but impractical; CF. Don Quixote
antipathy = aversion; dislike or opposition
chaste = morally pure; virginal; abstaining from illicit sexual
acts; modest; simple (of a style of writing); not
highly decorated; austere
incident = event; event that causes a crisis

immure = imprison; shut up in confinement; CF. wall
rhapsodize = speak or write in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic
manner; Ex. rhapsodize over the beauty of the
scenery
stupor = state of being stupefied; state of apathy; daze;
lack of awareness
deface = mar; disfigure
revert = relapse; backslide; turn back to; return to the former
owner; N. reversion
parquet = floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic
like matter; CF. strip: long narrow piece
fickle = changeable (in affections or friendship); faithless
inimical = (of someone) unfriendly; hostile; (of something)
harmful; detrimental; CF. enemy
consonant = harmonious; in agreement; N.
gauche = clumsy (in social behavior); coarse and uncouth
falsify = make (something written) false by changing
repine = fret; complain; be annoyed; Ex. repine over the
undone work
integral = complete; necessary for completeness; Ex. integral
part
ursine = bearlike; pertaining to a bear
miasma = swamp gas; heavy vaporous atmosphere often
emanating from decaying matter; pervasive corrupting influence; noxious atmosphere or influence

choreography = art of representing dances in written
symbols; arrangement of dances
furor = frenzy; great anger and excitement; CF. fury
obituary = death notice (esp. in a newspaper); ADJ.
dialectical = relating to the art of debate; mutual or reciprocal; Ex. dialectical situation; N. dialectic: art of arriving at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments
oratorio = dramatic poem set to music; long musical work
with singing but without acting; CF. cantata
sloth = slow moving tree-dwelling mammal; laziness;
ADJ. slothful: lazy; indolent
simian = monkeylike; N: ape or monkey
inter = bury; N. interment
supersede = replace; cause to be set aside; make obsolete;
N. supersession
coroner = public official who investigates any death
thought to be of other than natural causes
perspicuity = clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity
succulent = juicy; full of juice or sap; full of richness; N:
succulent plant such as a cactus

equinox = period of equal days and nights; the beginning
of spring and autumn; Ex. vernal/autumnal equinox; ADJ. equinoctial
vital = full of life; animated; vibrant and lively; critical; of
great importance; necessary to stay alive; of life; living;
breathing; N. vitality; V. vitalize
impugn = dispute or contradict (often in an insulting
way); attack as false or questionable; challenge; gainsay;
yen = strong desire; longing; urge; Ex. yen for travel
retrench = cut down; cut down expenses; economize
babble = chatter idly or foolishly; make continuous
sounds like water running gently over rounded stone;
gastronomy = art and science of preparing and serving
good food; CF. gastronome
ventriloquist = someone who can make his or her voice
seem to come from another person or thing (without moving lips or jaws); N. ventriloquism, ventriloquy
deplete = reduce; exhaust
necromancy = black magic; sorcery; dealings with the
dead; art that professes to communicate with the spirits
of the dead so as to predict the future; CF. necromancer;
CF. necro+divination; CF. necro-: death; Ex. necropolis
chasm = abyss; very deep crack
maternal = motherly; N. maternity: motherhood
daze = stun as with a blow or shock; bemuse; benumb; N.
caste = one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; social
stratification; prestige

dart = move or throw suddenly and quickly
scholarly = full of learning; erudite; like a scholar; Ex.
scholarly journal
cohesion = tendency to keep together
epoch = period of time
canard = unfounded false rumor; exaggerated false report
toss = throw lightly; move or lift (the head) with a sudden
motion; flip (a coin) to decide something
phalanx = formation of infantry carrying overlapping
shields and long spears; group of men packed together (for attack or defense)
bar = railing in a courtroom; legal profession; vertical line
dividing a staff into equal measures; Ex. prisoner at the
bar; V: shut in or out with bars; forbid; exclude; CF. barrister
lineaments = features especially of the face; distinctive
shape or contour of the face; CF. line
validate = make valid; confirm; ratify
compelling = overpowering; irresistible in effect; holding
one.s attention; that compels one to do something; Ex. a
compelling adventure story; V. compel

concentric = having a common center
pacify = soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace
to
friction = clash or conflict in opinion; rubbing against
scenario = plot outline; screenplay(script for a movie);
opera libretto; outline of possible future events
concession = an act of yielding; conceding; something
conceded; point, right, etc. given unwillingly; privilege
of maintaining a business in a certain place; Ex. oil concessions
in the North sea; CF. concessionaire
serenity = calmness; placidity; ADJ. serene
menial = suitable for servants; lowly; mean; N: someone
who does menial work (esp. servant in a house)
amputate = cut off part of body; prune (a limb)
incarcerate = imprison
presumptuous = going beyond what is right; excessively
forward; arrogant; taking liberties
blithe(blithesome) = gay; joyous
cognitive = having to do with knowing or perceiving related
to the mental processes; N. cognition: the mental
process of knowing
plaintive = expressing sorrow; mournful; Ex. plaintive
song
rivulet = small stream;
warranty = guarantee; assurance by seller

supposititious = assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical
despot = tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; CF. despotism
topple = become unsteady and fall down
apprise = inform
tardy = slow; sluggish; not on time; late; Ex. tardy arrival
sheer = pure; thin and transparent; very steep
optician = maker and seller of eyeglasses
deposition = testimony under oath; deposing; dethroning
legend = explanatory list of symbols on a map
aseptic = preventing infection; having a cleansing effect
farce = broad comedy; mockery; humorous play full of
silly things happening; ADJ. farcical
acrid = bitter (to the taste or smell); sharp; bitterly pungent
raconteur = story-teller; one who tells stories with wit and
skill
reduce = diminish; bring to a weaker or more difficult
condition; demote; lower in rank; separate into components
by analysis; Ex. reduced to the ranks; Ex. reduce
the house to rubble; N. reduction

inclusive = tending to include all; all-inclusive; Ex. inclusive
charge
waffle = speak equivocally about an issue; N.
sparse = not thick; thinly scattered; scanty
melee = fight
harrowing = agonizing; distressing; traumatic; V. harrow:
break up and level (soil) with a harrow; inflict great distress
on; agonize; N: farming machine to break up the
earth
partition = divide into parts
soluble = able to be dissolved in a liquid; able to be
worked out or solved
supercilious = haughty; arrogant; condescending; patronizing; CF. eyebrow, cilium
minute = extremely small; CF. minutes: official record of
the proceedings at a meeting
iridescent = exhibiting rainbowlike colors; Ex. iridescent
oil slick; N. iridescence
precise = exact
depreciate = lessen in value; belittle; represent as of little
value
immutable = unchangeable
winsome = charming (in a childlike way); agreeable; gracious;
engaging
optimist = person who looks on the bright side; N. optimism
inaugurate = begin formally; install in office; induct into
office by a formal ceremony; N. inauguration; ADJ. inaugural
irrelevant = not applicable; unrelated
quaint = odd in an old-fashioned way; odd; oldfashioned;
picturesque
studied = carefully contrived; calculated; unspontaneous;
deliberate; thoughtful; Ex. studied remark

clarion = shrill, trumpetlike sound; kind of trumpet used
in former times
traverse = go through or across
cherubic = angelic; innocent-looking; N. cherub; CF. seraph:
winged angel of the highest order
parasite = animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant; CF. para-: beside
decomposition = decay; V. decompose: decay; break and
separate into simple parts
industrious = diligent; hard-working; N. industry
metallurgical = pertaining to the art of removing metals
from ores; N. metallurgy: science that deals with extracting
metals from ores
dutiful(duteous) = (of people or their behavior) respectful;
obedient (filled with a sense of duty)
indices = signs; indications; Ex. indices of a student.s potential; CF. index: something that reveals or indicates; sign; Ex. cost-of-living index
disband = dissolve; disperse; (of a group) break up and
separate; Ex. The club has disbanded.
postulate = self-evident truth; something assumed without
proof; V: assume the truth of (as a basis of an argument)
genealogy = record of descent; lineage; ancestry; study of
ancestry
mellifluous = (of words or a voice) sweetly or smoothly
flowing; melodious; having a pleasant tune
leonine = like a lion
assimilate = absorb; take (food) into the body and digest
it; understand (knowledge) completely and be able to
use properly; cause to become homogeneous (the people
of a country or race in the wasy of behaving or thinking)
dally = trifle with; toy with; treat without the necessary
seriousness; procrastinate; waste time
queer = strange; eccentric; deviating from the normal
tribune = official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians
to protect their rights; protector of the people
fathom = comprehend; investigate; determine the depth
of; N. unit of measurement for the depth of water
promulgate = announce; proclaim a doctrine or law;
make known by official publication
lateral = of or coming from the side
onomatopoeia = words formed in imitation of natural
sounds
rudimentary = elementary; not developed; crude; N.
rudiment: fundamental element or principle; Ex. rudiments
of the language
gambol = romp; skip about; leap about playfully; frolic;

transpose = reverse the order or position of
momentum = quantity of motion of a moving body; impetus;
moving force
exploit = brave and successful act; deed or action, particularly a brave deed; CF. crossing the Atlantic ocean
sibylline = prophetic; oracular; N. sibyl: woman prophet
(in the ancient world)
serrated = having a sawtoothed edge; Ex. serrated leaf
cohere = stick together
wistful = sadly thoughtful (because of desires or memories);
sadly pensive; vaguely longing
gamely = in a spirited manner; with courage; Ex. fight
gamely against a superior boxer; ADJ. game
spurn = reject disdainfully; scorn; Ex. She spurned all offers
of help.
conservatory(conservatoire) = school of the fine arts (especially music or drama); glass-enclosed area; CF. conservancy
malcontent = person dissatisfied with existing state of affairs;
discontented person; ADJ: discontented
killjoy = grouch; spoilsport; one who intentionally spoils
the pleasure of others
discourse = serious speech, writing, or conversation; formal
discussion (either written or spoken); conversation; V.
bifurcated = divided into two branches; forked
lucrative = profitable; producing wealth
qualms = uneasy feelings; misgivings; uneasy fears especially
about matters of conscience; Ex. I have no qualms about giving this assignment to Helen.
fusion = union; coalition; V. fuse


retentive = holding; able to retain things (esp. facts in the
mind); having a good memory
desperate = having lost all hope; despairing; reckless and
violent because of loss of hope or despair; undertaken
as a last resort
manifesto = public declaration of principles; statement of
policy
covert = secret; hidden; implied; OP. overt
overweening = arrogant; presumptuous
extort = wring from; get money by threats, etc.; obtain by
force or threats; CF. extortionate: exorbitant
trifle = something of little importance or value; small
amount; Ex. a trifle; V: treat without seriousness; flirt
pungent = stinging; acrid; sharp in taste or smell; (of
speech or writing) caustic; N. pungency
encompass = surround; include; Ex. His activities encompass
publishing and computers.
surmise = guess; N.
graze = (of an animal) feed on growing grass; cause (an
animal) to feed on grass; scrape (esp. the skin) or touch
lightly in passing; brush; Ex. We can.t graze the cattle
till summer; N: surface wound
partiality = state of being partial; inclination; favorable
bias; special fondness; preference
reaper = one who harvests grain; Ex. the Grim Reaper; V.
reap: cut and gather (crop); harvest a crop
lull = moment of calm; period of reduced activity; Ex. a
lull in the rain; V: cause to become less active; cause to
sleep or rest; Ex. lull the opponents into a false sense of
security; CF. lullaby
politic = prudent; judicious; well judged; expedient; well
devised
papyrus = ancient paper made from stem of papyrus
plant
specious = seemingly reasonable but incorrect; misleading
(often intentionally)

odious = arousing strong dislike; hateful(causing hatred);
vile
maraud = move in search of plunder; Ex. marauding
army
meager = scanty; inadequate
ceremonious = marked by formality; extremely formal
and polite; CF. ceremony: conventional social courtesy
autonomous = self-governing; N. autonomy
vapid = lacking liveliness; dull and unimaginative; insipid
and flavorless; Ex. vapid lecture
propitiate = appease; conciliate; make peaceful; ADJ. propitiatory
fledgling(fledgeling) = inexperienced; N: young bird that
has acquired wing feathers and is learning to fly; inexperienced person
immaculate = spotless; flawless; absolutely clean
distinctive = clearly different from others of the same
Kind

obsequy = funeral ceremony
subdue = less intense; quieter; Ex. subdued lighting; Ex.
subdue: conquer; make less intense; quiet; Ex. subdue
one.s anger
dominate = control; rule; enjoy a commanding position
in;
inadvertently = unintentionally; by oversight; carelessly
antiquated = obsolete; old-fashioned; outdated
dregs = sediment in a liquid; lees; worthless residue
peer = one who has equal standing with another; nobleman;
V: look intently; N. peerage; CF. peeress
rabies = disease passed on by the bite of an infected animal
(causing madness and death)
rabid = of or suffering rabies; like a fanatic; extremely
zealous; furious; CF. rabies: hydrophobia
absolute = complete; totally unlimited; having complete
power; certain; not relative; Ex. absolute honesty/ruler;
CF. absolutism
illicit = illegal
inveigle = deceive; lead astray by deception; wheedle(
cajole); Ex. inveigle her into joining the club; CF.
interest dishonestly
prosperity = good fortune and financial success; physical
well-being
blare = loud or harsh roar or screech; dazzling blaze of
light
candor = frankness; open honesty; ADJ. candid
talisman = charm; object believed to give supernatural
powers to or protect its bearer
ubiquitous = being everywhere; omnipresent; N. ubiquity
multiplicity = state of being numerous or multiple; large
number; Ex. multiplicity of details; ADJ. multiple: of
more than one element
renovate = restore to good condition; renew
natal = connected with birth; CF. prenatal; CF. postnatal
nuptial = of marriage or the wedding ceremony; N; nuptials;
wedding ceremony
premonition = forewarning; presentiment; foreboding
tempestuous = stormy; violent; impassioned; N. tempest:
violent storm
ballast = heavy substance used to add stability or weight;
V. supply with ballast
accolade = award of merit; strong praise and approval
gentility = those of gentle birth; high social class; refinement;
quality of being genteel

exonerate = acquit; exculpate; free from blame or guilt
untoward = unexpected and adverse; unfortunate or unlucky; Ex. untoward encounter
ramp = slope; inclined plane or roadway (connecting two
levels)
juncture = crisis; point in time; joining point; joint; act of
joining
perspicuous = (of something) plainly expressed; easy to
understand; Ex. perspicuous comments
devoid = empty; lacking
prefigure = be a sign of; foreshadow
indicative = suggestive; implying; serving to indicate
denigrate = blacken; defame
lexicon = dictionary
sober = serious; solemn; not drunken; abstemious or temperate; V: make or become sober
bode = foreshadow; portend
reparation = compensation (for loss or wrong); amends;
Ex. make reparation for the damage; CF. repair

assail = assault
boost = lift by pushing up from below; increase; raise; N:
push upward; increase
diverge = vary; go in different directions from the same
point; ADJ. divergent: differing; deviating
indelible = not able to be erased
hoodwink = deceive; delude
fabricate = build; lie; make up (a story) in order to deceive;
Ex. fabricate the whole story; CF. fabric: underlying
structure; Ex. fabric of society
minuscule(miniscule) = extremely small
bigotry = stubborn intolerance
forthcoming = happening in the near future; ready; willing
to help; Ex. No answer was forthcoming.
seine = seine net; net for catching fish
enamored = in love; Ex. enamored of his own beauty; V.
enamor: inspire with love
stammer = speak with involuntarily pauses or repetitions
hale = healthy
regent = a person who governs in place of a ruler who is
ill, absent, or still a child; ADJ. Ex. the Prince regent
ingenue = ing´enue; young innocent girl
grudge = deep feeling of dislike; Ex. grudge fight; V.
lugubrious = mournful; sorrowful
remit = transmit (money) in payment; free someone from
a debt or punishment
glaring = (of something bad) highly conspicuous; harshly
bright; shining intensely and blindingly
convene = come together; assemble; call to meet; Ex. convene
the council

pulverize = crush or grind into very small particles
canny = shrewd in money matters; thrifty
influx = flowing into
overwrought = nervous or excited; extremely agitated;
hysterical; wrought-up; CF. wrought: made or done
clientele = body of customers
patent = obvious; easily seen; open for the public to read;
of or protected by a patent; Ex. patent to everyone; N.
wane = decrease in size or strength (after being full); grow
gradually to an end; Ex. The moon waxes and wanes
every month; N.
fetter = shackle; restrict the freedom of; N. chain or
shackle for the foot of a prisoner; CF. foot
regeneration = spiritual rebirth; Ex. regeneration of the
prisoners; V. regenerate: give or obtain new life; reform spiritually
pedagogy = teaching; art of education
jubilation = rejoicing; great joy
mete = measure; distribute; administer; Ex. mete out justice/
punishment
pulmonary = pertaining to the lungs
rift = narrow opening in a large mass; break in a friendly
relation; Ex. through a rift in the clouds; OP. reconciliation
undermine = weaken gradually; sap; dig a mine beneath
stultify = make stupid in mind; cause to appear or become
stupid or inconsistent; suppress; frustrate or hinder;
Ex. stultifying effect of uninteresting work; Ex.
stultify free expression
querulous = given to complaining; complaining; fretful;
whining
anodyne = drug that relieves pain or trouble;
comeuppance = deserts; well-deserved punishment or
misfortune; rebuke
largess = generous gift (given to people who do not have
enough)
endorse = approve; support; write one.s signature on the
back of; N. endorsement; CF. dorsal
pall = become boring; grow tiresome
frantic = wild; distraught as from fear or worry; Ex. frantic
with fear
voluptuous = sensual; of or giving sensual pleasure; indulging
in sensual pleasures; Ex. voluptuous lines; Ex.
voluptuous life of the Romans; N. voluptuary: voluptuous
person
clip = cut off with shears; fasten; N: something clipped off
(as a short extract from film); clasp or fastener
podiatrist = doctor who treats ailments of the feet; chiropodist;
N. podiatrics
philistine = narrow-minded person, uncultured and exclusively
interested in material gain; uncultured person
who is indifferent to artistic and cultural values; member
of an ancient people in Palestine; OP. aesthete

commensurate = equal in extent; of the same size
ethereal = like a spirit or fairy; unearthly light; heavenly;
unusually refined; Ex. She has an ethereal beauty; CF.
ether: upper air
archaic = antiquated; no longer used; belonging to the
past; N.
longevity = long life; long duration
pan = criticize harshly
quintessence = purest and highest embodiment; perfect
example; apotheosis; most essential element; Ex. quintessence of wit; ADJ. quintessential; CF. fifth essence
scanty = meager; insufficient
unseemly = unbecoming; not proper in behavior; indecent;
Ex. leave with unseemly haste
rebuff = reject bluntly; snub; beat back; Ex. She rebuffed
his invitation; N.

bristling = rising like bristles; showing irritation
cadence = rhythmic rise and fall (of words or sounds);
beat; regular beat of sound; rhythm
outlaw = fugitive from the law (excluded from legal protection);
V: declare (someone) to be an outlaw; deprive of the protection of the law; declare illegal; Ex. Drinking has been outlawed.
gratis = free; without charge; ADJ.
stalemate = deadlock; situation in which further action is
blocked
avert = prevent; avoid; turn away (eyes or thought); Ex.
An accident was averted by his quick thinking; Ex. She
averted her eyes from the terrible sight.
bleak = cold or cheerless; frigid; unlikely to be favorable;
depressing
liquidate = settle accounts; pay off (a debt); clear up;
eliminate; kill or abolish
concordat = formal agreement
prance = move about in a spirited manner (proudly and
confidently)
conjecture = surmise; guess; V.





prodigal = wasteful; reckless with money; profuse; Ex. a
mind prodigal of ideas; N. prodigality
dingy = (of things and place) dirty and dull; Ex. dingy
street/curtain
ferocious = fierce; violent; N. ferocity
preen = make oneself tidy in appearance; feel selfsatisfaction
or pride; (of a bird) smooth or clean (feathers)
with the beak; Ex. preen oneself on; CF. prune
adorn = decorate
malingerer = one who feigns illness to escape duty; V.
malinger: feign illness to avoid work
crotchety = (of someone old) eccentric; odd; whimsical;
bad-tempered; N. crotchet: odd or whimsical notion
ancestry = family descent; ADJ. ancestral
quack = charlatan; impostor
inductive = pertaining to induction or proceeding from
the specific to the general
quietude = tranquillity; calmness
spartan = without attention to comfort; lacking luxury
and comfort; sternly disciplined; Ex. spartan living condition/
life
surreptitious = done secretly; secret; furtive; sneaky; hidden

tangible = able to be touched; real; concrete; palpable;
possible to realize or understand; Ex. tangible proof
numismatist = person who collects coins; N. numismatics:
study or collection of money, coins, and medals
supplant = take the place of unfairly; usurp; replace
progeny = children; offspring; descendants
list = tilt (as of a ship); lean over (to one side)
invoke = call and bring into use (a right or law); call
on/upon (a higher power or god) for help; ask for; beg
for; conjure (a spirit); Ex. invoke the veto power; Ex.
invoke one.s advisor/God
slither = slip or slide
precedent = something preceding in time which may be
used as an authority or guide for future action; V. precede;
CF. unprecedented
gaunt = lean and angular; thin and bony; emaciated; barren
dishearten = discourage
perceptive = insightful; showing a good ability at perceiving
and understanding; aware; wise; of perception
taunt = deride or provoke; challenge in derision; N.
polarity = state of having two opposite qualities
constituent = supporter; voter; member of a constituency;
component
excise = cut away; cut out; N: government tax on good
produced and used inside a country; N. excision
prey = target of a hunt; victim; V: hunt and eat as prey;
victimize; Ex. Cats prey on mice.
obsolete = outmoded; no longer used
vying = contending; CF. vie
impuissance = powerlessness; feebleness
distinct = clearly different; clearly noticed
healthful = conducive to good health; Ex. healthful
mountain air
unequivocal = plain; clear; obvious
profligate = wasteful (of money); dissipated; wildly immoral;
dissolute; N: profligate person; N. profligacy
opportunist = individual who sacrifices principles for expediency
by taking advantage of circumstances; N. opportunism




sovereign = ruler in a monarchy; ADJ: (of a country) independent and self-governing; having supreme power; supreme; excellent
myriad = very large number; ADJ. CF. ten thousand
unfledged = immature; not having the feathers necessary
to fly; CF. fledgling
rancid = having the odor of stale or decomposing fat; rank
pecuniary = pertaining to money
hurl = throw forcefully; shout out violently
founder = fail completely; sink; CF. flounder
sacrosanct = invioably sacred; most sacred; inviolable
conviction = judgment that someone is guilty of a crime;
strongly held belief
cornucopia = horn (or horn-shaped container) overflowing
with fruit and grain; symbol of abundance; horn of
plenty
disgorge = surrender something (stolen); eject; vomit; OP.
gorge
emend = correct (usually a text); N. emendation: correction
of errors; improvement
hindrance = block; obstacle; V. hinder
cistern = reservoir or water tank
cipher = nonentity; worthless person or thing; zero; secret
code; V.

ordain = decree or command; grant holy orders; predestine;
install as a minister, priest, or rabbi; N. ordainment;
CF. ordination
noisome = foul smelling; very unpleasant; unwholesome
semblance = outward appearance; guise; Ex. We called
in the troops to bring a/some semblance of order to the city.
assert = state strongly or positively; demand recognition
of (rights, claims, etc.); make a claim to (by forceful action);
Ex. assert one.s independence
calamity = disaster; misery
foil = defeat; frustrate; prevent from being successful;
thwart; CF. fail
invocation = prayer for help (used in invoking); calling
upon as a reference or support; act of invoking
retaliate = repay in kind (usually for bad treatment); V.
retaliate
complicity = participation; involvement (in a questionable
act or a crime)


nourishment = something that nourishes; food
orthodox = traditional; (of someone) conservative in belief;
adhering to an established doctrine
adherent = supporter; follower
hybrid = mongrel; mixed breed; V. hybridize
glaze = cover with a thin and shiny surface; apply a glaze
to; N: thin, smooth, shiny coating (as for pottery); Ex.
unglazed pottery
memorial = something, such as a monument or holiday,
intended to honor the memory of a person or event;
ADJ: commemorative
satiate = satisfy fully (physical needs such as hunger);
sate; N. satiety: condition of being satiated
righteous = morally upright; just
castigation = punishment; severe criticism or disapproval
incarnate = endowed with flesh; invested with bodily
form; personified; Ex. devil incarnate; V: give bodily
form to; embody
expeditious = done with speed; quick; N. expedition
homespun = domestic; made at home; spun or woven at
home; simple and ordinary; Ex. homespun philosophy
abscission = cutting off; separation
phoenix = symbol of immortality or rebirth; Ex. phoenix
rising from its ashes

corrode = destroy orwear away gradually by chemical action
(over a long period)
nirvana = in Buddhist teachings, the ideal state in which
the individual loses himself in the attainment of an impersonal beatitude
ribald = marked by vulgar lewd humor; wanton; profane;
N. ribaldry: ribald language or joke
elastic = able to spring back into shape; quick to recover
(as from disappointment); able to adapt to change; Ex. elastic plans; N: elastic material
biennial = every two years
pugilist = boxer; CF. pugilism: boxing
eulogy = expression of praise, often on the occasion of
someone.s death; V. eulogize
limp = walk lamely; ADJ: lacking firmness; weak
coy = shy (flirtatiously); showing a (pretended) lack of
self-confidence;
import = significance; importance; meaning
disinclination = unwillingness
scale = climb up; ascend; remove or come off in scales;
N: flake of epidermis; ascending or descending series of
musical tones
precipitous = steep; overhasty; precipitate
torpor = lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy; ADJ. torpid:
lethargic; lazy; inactive; (of an animal) dormant; hibernating
bliss = complete happiness; ADJ. blissful
buffoonery = clowning
autocratic = having absolute unchecked power; dictatorial;
N. autocrat, autocracy
denomination = religious group; unit in a system; name
or designation; CF. denominator: common trait or characteristic
rickety = (of buildings) likely to break or fall apart; of
rickets; CF. rickets; CF. vitamin D
drone = talk dully; buzz or murmur like a bee; N.
impertinent = insolent; rude; not pertinent; N. impertinence
enjoin = command; order; forbid
commonwealth = nation governed by the people; republic;
people of a nation
idle = not working; not employed or busy; lazy; without
purpose; useless; lacking substance; baseless; not based
on truth; Ex. idle worker; Ex. talk idly; V.
exhort = urge (by strong argument or advice); Ex. The
general exhorted his men to fight bravely; N. exhortation
rout = put to rout; stampede; drive out; N: complete defeat
and disorderly retreat
tundra = rolling treeless plain in Siberia and arctic North
America
indisputable = too certain to be disputed; beyond doubt
indulgent = humoring; yielding; lenient; showing indulgence
arable = fit for growing crops; Ex. arable land
imprudent = lacking caution; not prudent; injudicious
impel = drive or force onward; drive to take action; urge
to action
scrupulous = conscientious; extremely thorough; Ex.
scrupulous worker
rigid = hard and unbending; stiff and unyielding; fixed in
behavior or views; strict; rigorous; Ex. rigid rule
versatile = having many talents; capable of working in
many fields; having many uses or functions; N. versatility
mediocre = ordinary; commonplace; neither good nor
bad

fresco = painting on wet plaster (usually fresh)
masochist = person who enjoys his own pain; CF.
masochism
progenitor = ancestor
odoriferous = giving off an odor
asperity = sharpness; roughness; severity (of temper or
weather); Ex. asperities of a Russian winter
salient = prominent; projecting beyond a line; conspicuous;
Ex. salient features
brook = tolerate; endure; Ex. brook no interference; N:
small stream
ductile = malleable; pliable; (of metals) easily pulled into
shape; flexible; (of someone) easily influenced or controlled
subversive = tending to overthrow or ruin; V. subvert:
overthrow completely (an established system); destroy
completely; CF. undermine
monotony = sameness leading to boredom; monotonousness;
ADJ. monotonous; CF. monotone
inkling = hint; slight indication

horde = crowd; swarm
pandemonium = wild tumult(commotion); wild noisy
disorder; CF. Paradise Lost
impropriety = improperness; unsuitableness
ostracize = banish from a group; exclude from public favor;
ban; Ex. His friends ostracized him. N. ostracism
ravine = narrow valley with steep sides; gorge; CF. gully,
canyon
vigilant = watchful; on the alert; watchfully awake; alert
to spot danger; N. vigilance
sway = swing from side to side; influence (someone) to
change one.s opinion; N.
ascertain = find out for certain; make certain
eccentric = irregular; odd; unconventional; whimsical;
bizarre; not concentric
rasp = (of a sound) grate on (eg. nerves); make a harsh
noise; have an unpleasant effect; rub with something
rough; Ex. The cat.s tongue rasped my hand.
recast = reconstruct (a sentence, story, statue, etc.); fashion
again
effervescence = inner excitement or exuberance; showing
high spirits; emitting bubbles forming inside; bubbling
from fermentation or carbonation; ADJ. effervescent; V.
effervesce
succumb = yield (to something overwhelming); give in;
die; Ex. succumb to the illness
encipher = encode; convert a message into code; put into
cipher
complaisant = trying to please; obliging; willing to please
others
negligible = so small, trifling, or unimportant as to be
easily disregarded

gerontocracy = government ruled by old people
rarefied = made less dense (of a gas); V. rarefy: make less
dense; N. rarefaction
madrigal = pastoral song; song for several singers without
instruments
multilingual = having many languages; fluent in several
languages
adept = expert at; very skilled
suffocate = die or kill from lack of air; suppress
deadlock = standstill resulting from the opposition of two
unrelenting forces; stalemate
laconic = brief and to the point; using few words; terse
fake = not genuine; N: one that is not genuine; impostor;
sham; V: counterfeit; Ex. fake the results of the experiment/
the signature
apparition = ghost; phantom
scurrilous = abusive; obscene; indecent; Ex. scurrilous remark
consanguineous(consanguine) = having a common ancestor
diabolical = diabolic; devilish; fiendish
wither = (of a plant) dry up from loss of moisture; lose
freshness; shrivel; decay

abase = lower; degrade; humiliate; make humble; make
(oneself) lose self-respect
nonchalance = indifference; lack of concern; composure;
ADJ. nonchalant: unconcerned; cool; indifferent; Ex.
nonchalant attitude to his debts
bargain = agreement between two groups or people;
something for sale at a price advantageous to the buyer;
V: negotiate; trade; Ex. bargaining power
appellation = name; title
awry = distorted; crooked; bent; Ex. Our plans have gone
awry.
diversion = act of turning aside; pastime; V. divert: turn
aside from a course; distract; amuse
retrieve = recover; put right; find and bring in; regain; Ex.
retrieve the situation
baffle = frustrate; perplex
bluff = pretense (of strength); deception; high cliff; ADJ:
rough but good-natured
trunk = main wooden stem of a tree; human body excluding
the head and limbs; torso; prehensile nose of an elephant
blasa´e = bored with pleasure or dissipation; uninterested
or bored
sophist = teacher of philosophy; quibbler; employer of
fallacious reasoning; N. sophism: plausible but fallacious argument
dire = warning of disaster; disastrous; (of needs and dangers)
very great; urgent; Ex. dire prediction/need of food
sextant = navigation tool used to determine a ship.s latitude
and longitude (by measuring the altitudes of stars)
prudent = cautious; careful; prudential
seamy = sordid; base; filthy; unwholesome; Ex. seamy
side of city life
constituency = voters represented by an elected official;
district so represented; group of supporters (or constituents)
hindmost = furthest behind; farthest to the rear
bog = soft wet land; V: hinder or be hindered; Ex. bogged
down in the mud
recluse = hermit; loner; ADJ. reclusive
ventilate = admit fresh air into to replace stale air
constraint = restraint; compulsion; repression of feelings;
reticence; V. constrain: hold back; restrain; compel;
oblige; confine forcibly; imprison

cohorts = group of people who share some common quality;
armed band; a group of between 300 and 600 soldiers
under one commander (in the ancient Rome)
labile = likely to change; unstable; Ex. emotionally labile;
N. lability
panegyric = formal praise; encomium; Ex. I don.t deserve
such panegyrics.
apothecary = druggist; pharmacist
requisition = formal demand or request; Ex. requisition
for more computing equipment; V.
ample = enough; abundant; spacious; large in size; Ex.
ample opportunity/garden; N. amplitude: quality of
being ample; abundance; largeness of space
unassuaged = unsatisfied; not soothed
exigency = urgent situation; ADJ. exigent
voodoo = religion practiced chiefly in Haiti
furrow = long shallow trench made by a plow; deep wrinkle
in the skin; V.

authoritarian = subordinating the individual to the state;
completely dominating another.s will; Ex. authoritarian
regime/father
ruddy = reddish; (of the face) reddish and healthylooking
rig = fix or manipulate; manipulate dishonestly for personal
gain; Ex. rig the election
consort = associate with; keep company; N: husband or
wife (or a ruler)
kaleidoscope = tube in which patterns made by the reflection
in mirrors of colored pieces of glass, etc. produce interesting
symmetrical effects; series of changing events;
Ex. kaleidoscope of European history; CF. beautiful
deluge = flood; rush; V.
devout = pious; deeply religious; sincere; earnest; Ex. my
devout hope
defection = desertion
conclusive = decisive; ending all debate
headlong = hasty; rash; headfirst; ADV.
antique = made in an earlier period and usu. valuable; N:
object that was made in an earlier period and that is rare
or valuable
handsome = large in quantity; generous; Ex. handsome
reward
pitfall = hidden danger; concealed trap
dilettante = aimless follower of an art or a field of knowledge
(not taking it seriously); amateur; dabbler; CF. delight
inordinate = beyond reasonable limits; unrestrained; excessive;
Ex. inordinate demands
macabre = gruesome; grisly; ghastly; CF. of death
commemorate = honor the memory of; serve as a memorial
to; Ex. commemorate the 100th anniversary/those who died in the war
belabor = harp on; dwell on tediously; explain or go over
excessively or to a ridiculous degree; assail verbally; beat severely; attack physically
quiescent = dormant; temporarily inactive; at rest; N. quiescence
complacency = self-satisfaction; smugness; ADJ. complacent
confiscate = seize; take possession of (private property)
by official order (usu. as a punishment); commandeer
hierarchy = arrangement by rank or standing; authoritarian
body divided into ranks; body of persons having authority
notable = conspicuous; worthy of note; remarkable; important;
distinguished; noted
shard = fragment generally of broken pottery (glass, clay
bowl, or cup)

codify = arrange (laws or rules) as a code; classify; N.
code: system of words used instead of ordinary writing;
collection of laws, rules, established social customs
conflagration = great fire
subliminal = below the threshold of conscious perception;
Ex. subliminal advertisement
duplicity = double-dealing; hypocrisy; being dishonest
and deceitful; ADJ. duplicitous
epithet = word or phrase characteristically used to describe
a person or thing; descriptive phrase to characterize a person (often contemptous)
peon = landless agricultural worker; bond servant; menial
worker; N. peonage
thematic = of a theme; relating to a unifying motif or idea
plight = difficult condition; condition or state (esp. a bad
state or condition); predicament



bestow = confer
addendum = addition; appendix to book; something that
is added (as at the end of a speech or book)
anonymity = state of being nameless; anonymousness;
ADJ. anonymous
maritime = bordering on(adjacent to) the sea; nautical; of
the ships or the sea; Ex. Maritime Provinces
solicit = entreat; request earnestly; seek to obtain; Ex. solicit
votes; CF. solicitor: one who solicits; chief law officer
fatuous = smugly and unconsciously foolish; inane; silly;
N. fatuity, fatuousness
ingrained = deeply established; firmly rooted; Ex. ingrained
dirt/prejudice
inclement = stormy; unkind; unmerciful; CF. clement
biting = sharply painful to the body or mind; Ex. biting
wind/remarks
pronounced = distinct; very noticeable; Ex. pronounced
limp
abstain = refrain; withhold from participation; intentionally
not
meditation = reflection; thought; V. meditate
unguent = ointment
sift = put through a sieve to separate fine from coarse particles;
sort or examine carefully

flaunt = display ostentatiously; Ex. .Honey, if you.ve got
it, flaunt it !.
chaperon = older person who accompanies and supervises
a young unmarried woman
conspire = take part in a conspiracy; (of events) work together;
combine; Ex. Events conspired to produce great
difficulties.
clemency = disposition to be lenient in deciding punishments; mildness as of the weather; ADJ. clement
nostrum = questionable medicine; quack medicine; CF.
our (remedy)
scrutinize = examine closely and critically; N. scrutiny
archetype = prototype; primitive pattern
trite = hackneyed; commonplace

unfetter = liberate; free from chains; V. unfetter
incarnation = act of assuming a human body and human
nature; one who personifies something; personification;
Ex. previous incarnation/reincarnation
palette = board on which painter mixes pigments(
coloring matters)
erudite = (of a person or book) learned; full of learning;
scholarly; N. erudition
askew = crookedly; slanted; at an angle
ostensible = apparent; appearing as such; professed(
pretended); pretended; Ex. ostensible purpose
of the expedition
cringe = shrink back as if in fear; cower
perennial = something long-lasting; perennial plant; ADJ:
lasting through the year or many years; lasting for a
long time; enduring
generate = cause; produce; create
appraise = estimate value of; N. appraisal
executioner = person administering capital punishment
imperil = put in danger
uncanny = strange; mysterious; Ex. uncanny knack
sonnet = 14-line poetic verse form with a fixed rhyme pattern
compromise = adjust or settle by making mutual concessions;
endanger the interests or reputation of; put into
danger, disrepute, or a dishonorable position; Ex. compromise
one.s principle; N.

slight = insult to one.s dignity; snub; V: treat as if of small
importance; insult; snub; ADJ. small in size; of small importance
tout = promote or publicize (one.s goods or service);
praise excessively (as a form of advertisement); CF. advertise
repugnance = disgust; strong dislike; loathing; ADJ. repugnant: arousing disgust; repulsive
cue = word or signal (as in a play to prompt another actor.s
speech or entrance); reminder or hint; V: give a cue to
soliloquy = talking to oneself (esp. in a play); CF. monologue:
soliloquy; long speech by one person (often monopolizing
a conversation)
fruition = bearing of fruit; fulfillment; realization; Ex.
come to/be brought to fruition
termination = end; V. terminate
intermittent = periodic; on and off; stopping and starting
at intervals

introspective = looking within oneself; N. introspection:
self-examination
contravene = contradict; oppose; violate (a rule, law, or
custom); N. contravention
daunt = intimidate; frighten; discourage; dishearten
apogee = highest point; the point farthest from the earth;
OP. perigee
mar = spoil the appearance of
temperament = characteristic frame of mind; disposition;
emotional excess; ADJ. temperamental: of temperament;
having frequent changes of temper; Ex. temperamental
dislike of sports; Ex. temperamental actress
misadventure = mischance; ill luck; Ex. death by misadventure
flick = light stroke as with a whip; V: move with a light
quick blow; strike with a light quick blow (as from a
whip); Ex. flick the switch
plenitude = abundance; plenty; great amount; completeness;
fullness; CF. plenary, plenty
preposterous = absurd; completely unreasonable; ridiculous
benefactor = gift giver; patron; person who does good or
who gives money for a good purpose
suspense = state of being undecided; anxiety or apprehension
resulting from uncertainty
gobble = eat very quickly

slight = insult to one.s dignity; snub; V: treat as if of small
importance; insult; snub; ADJ. small in size; of small importance
tout = promote or publicize (one.s goods or service);
praise excessively (as a form of advertisement); CF. advertise
repugnance = disgust; strong dislike; loathing; ADJ. repugnant: arousing disgust; repulsive
cue = word or signal (as in a play to prompt another actor.s
speech or entrance); reminder or hint; V: give a cue to
soliloquy = talking to oneself (esp. in a play); CF. monologue:
soliloquy; long speech by one person (often monopolizing
a conversation)
fruition = bearing of fruit; fulfillment; realization; Ex.
come to/be brought to fruition
termination = end; V. terminate
intermittent = periodic; on and off; stopping and starting
at intervals

eclectic = selective; composed of elements drawn from
disparate sources; selecting individual elements from a
variety of sources; N. eclecticism
mangle = tear or cut to pieces; mutilate or disfigure; Ex.
badly mangled bodies
waver = move or swing back and forth; be uncertain or
unsteady in decision or movement; Ex. wavering between
accepting and refusing
buccaneer = pirate
placid = peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake
inscrutable = difficult to understand; impenetrable; not
readily understood; mysterious
gaudy = flashy; showy
pigment = coloring matter (usually powder to be mixed
with water or oil)
skittish = inconstant; capricious; frivolous; not serious;
Ex. charming but skittish young woman; CF. skit
precept = practical rule guiding conduct; Ex. mother.s
precept
contumacious = stubborn and disobedient; resisting authority
(esp. disobedient to an order made by a court)
solace = comfort in sorrow or trouble; consolation; V:
comfort or console in time of sorrow or trouble
affliction = state of distress; trial; cause of distress or suffering;
V. afflict: inflict grievous suffering on

astringent = binding; causing contraction (stopping
bleeding); harsh or severe; stringent; Ex. astringent
criticism
quotidian = daily; commonplace; customary; Ex. quotidian
routine
stanza = division of a poem (composed of two or more
lines)
sentinel = sentry; lookout
saga = Scandinavian myth; any legend; long heroic narrative
aristocracy = hereditary nobility; privileged class; government by nobility; N. aristocrat
innuendo = indirect or subtle (derogatory) hint; insinuation;
Ex. sexual innuendo
rag = scrap of cloth; ADJ. ragged: old and torn;
seeming unfinished and imperfect; Ex. ragged debut/performance
conducive = helpful; contributive; V. conduce; Ex. conduce
to/towards
agape = openmouthed
lampoon = ridicule; N: written attack ridiculing or satirizing
a person, group, or institution
forte = strong point or special talent in a person.s character
supple = flexible; limber; pliant
demerit = fault; bad quality
callus = area of thick hard skin
defoliate = destroy leaves; deprive of leaves (by the use
of chemicals); N. defoliant
credence = belief
flip = send (something) spinning, often into the air, by
striking with a light quick blow; turn over; Ex. flip over
prognosis = forecasted course of a disease; prediction; CF.
prognostic
flounder = struggle and thrash about; proceed clumsily or
falter (as in water, mud, snow, etc.); proceed in confusion
skiff = small light sailboat or rowboat
demoniac(demoniacal) = fiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil
supernatural being; devil
ruse = trick to deceive; stratagem
sequester = isolate; segregate; seclude; retire from public
life
transgression = violation of a law; sin; V. transgress: go
beyond (a limit); violate; do wrong
analogous = comparable; similar

analgesia = condition of being unable to feel pain
resign = give up (a position, right, or claim); submit (oneself)
passively
pang = sudden sharp feeling of pain
incontinent = lacking self-restraint; not continent; licentious
stickler = perfectionist; person who insists things be exactly
Right
inclined = tending or leaning toward; bent; V. incline:
slant; dispose; be disposed; tend
episodic = (of a story or play) loosely connected; made up
of separate and loosely connected parts; N. episode: incident
in the course of an experience
seasonable = occurring at the proper time or season; opportune; Ex. seasonable intervention in the dispute

sonic = of sound or its speed in air; CF. subsonic, supersonic
leaven = add leaven to; cause to rise or grow lighter; enliven;
N: agent, such as yeast, that causes dough to rise
(by fermentation); element that lightens or enlivens
suborn = persuade to act unlawfully (especially to commit
perjury); N. subornation
pare = cut away the outer covering or skin of (with a
knife); trim; Ex. pare apples/expenses
misdemeanor = minor crime; misdeed; wrongdoing
tendentious = promoting a particular point of view; biased;
having an aim; designed to further a cause; Ex.
tendentious rather than truth-seeking; CF. tend: move
in a certain direction
throes = violent anguish
nova = star that suddenly becomes much brighter and
then returns to its original brightness
savor = enjoy; have a distinctive flavor, smell, or quality;
N: taste or smell; distinctive quality
apolitical = having an aversion or lack of concern for political
affairs
emancipate = set free; liberate
bovine = cowlike; placid and dull; slow-thinking; calm
expletive = meaningless word; interjection; profane oath;
swear-word

tribulation = suffering; ordeal; distress; trial
cater = provide food and drink (for); cater to: try to satisfy
(desires of a bad kind)
sartorial = pertaining to tailors or tailoring; Ex. a man of
great sartorial elegance; CF. sartor: tailor
slur = slander; insult to one.s character or reputation; V.
quarry = person or animal of pursuit; victim; object of a
hunt; prey
queue = line (of waiting people or vehicles)
funereal = sad; solemn; suitable for a funeral
genre = particular variety of art or literature
amphibian = able to live both on land and in water; N.
ineluctable = irresistible; not to be escaped; unavoidable
appall = dismay; shock deeply


solstice = point or time at which the sun is farthest from
the equator
amalgamate = (of societies or groups) combine; unite in
one body
auspicious = favoring success; giving signs of future success;
Cf. auspices
pediatrician = physician specializing in children.s diseases;
N. pediatrics
elucidate = explain; make clear; clarify; enlighten; CF. lucid
foolhardy = rash; reckless; foolishly daring
erroneous = mistaken; wrong; incorrect
title = name (of a book, film, etc.); mark of rank; formal
appellation as of rank or office (such as Lord or General);
right or claim to possession; championship; Ex.
title as head of the family; Ex. title to the estate
fallible = liable to err
alimony = payments made regularly to an ex-spouse after
divorce
hirsute = hairy; having a lot of hair
militia = army composed of ordinary citizens rather than
professional soldiers
sheaf = bundle of stalks of grain; any bundle of things tied
together
rusticate = banish to the country; dwell in the country
ardor = heat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent

myopic = nearsighted; lacking foresight; N. myopia
tortuous = winding; full of curves; Ex. tortuous mountain
road
cross = bad-tempered; showing ill-humor; angry
murmur = low, indistinct, continuous sound; V. CF. mumble
fret = be annoyed or vexed; Ex. fret over your poor
grades; N: irritation of mind; ADJ. fretful
gaffe = social blunder
divest = strip (as of clothes); deprive (as of rights); dispossess;
N. divestiture(divestment)
beatitude = blessedness; state of great happiness
sinecure = well-paid position with little responsibility;
CF. sine cure: without care; CF. San Serif
squat = short and thick; stocky; Ex. ugly squat tower; V.
N.
unintimating = unfrightening
provocative = arousing anger or sexual interest; annoying;
Ex. provocative in tight jeans; V. provoke: incite to
anger; cause (an unpleasant action or feeling); N. provocation
discomfit = frustrate; put to rout; defeat; disconcert; embarrass; perturb
tarry = linger; delay in starting or going; dawdle
prosperous = successful; rich; affluent; well-to-do; welloff
apotheosis = elevation to godhood; an ideal example of
Something



bard = poet
larder = pantry; place where food is kept
cleft = N: split
rider = amendment or clause added to a legislative bill
jostle = shove; bump; push against (someone) rather
roughly; Ex. jostled by the crowds
coquette = flirt; flirtatious woman; woman who tries to
attract the admiration of men without sincere feelings;
V.
exhume = dig out of the ground; remove from a grave
crypt = secret recess or vault usually used for burial; underground
room (under a church)
resurrect = revive
zenith = point directly overhead in the sky; summit;
acme; highest point
stamina = power of endurance; strength; staying power
blurt = utter impulsively from nervousness or excitement
extrapolation = projection; conjecture; V. extrapolate: infer
(unknown information) from known information
vagabond = wanderer (without a permanent home);
tramp
check = stop motion; curb or restrain
sophisticated = worldly wise and urbane; refined; complex;
N. sophistication; V. sophisticate

ejaculation = exclamation; abrupt ejection (to discharge
sperm); V. ejaculate
terse = concise; abrupt; pithy
vintner = wine merchant; winemaker; seller of wine
labyrinth = maze
detain = keep waiting; prevent from leaving or going; N.
detention
self-indulgence = excessive indulgence of one.s own desire
philology = study of language or words
recapitulate = summarize
odorous = having an odor
rustle = make slight sounds like silk moving or being
rubbed together
licentious = amoral; lewd and lascivious; unrestrained
physiognomy = face (as showing the character and the
mind); art of judging human character from facial features
awful = terrible; very bad
ravenous = extremely hungry; voracious
earmark = set aside (money or time) for a particular purpose
unaccountable = unexplicable; impossible to account for;
unreasonable or mysterious
behoove(behove) = be suited to; be incumbent upon; be
right and necessary; Ex. It behooves one to do.
badger = pester; annoy continually with demands; persuade
by asking again and again; Ex. The children badgered
me into taking them into the cinema; N: a kind of mountain animal
rumble = make or move with a deep rolling sound (as
thunder or stomach)

vigor = active strength; energy; enthusiasm; ADJ. vigorous
gourmet = connoisseur of food and drink; epicure
precocious = advanced in development; N. precocity
smug = self-satisfied; complacent
seethe = be violently disturbed; boil; (of a liquid) move
about wildly as if boiling; Ex. The nation was seething
with discontent.
equilibrium = balance of opposing forces; balance of the
mind; equanimity
inextricable = from which it is impossible to get free; that
cannot be untied; Ex. inextricable troubles; Ex. inextricable
two histories
composure = mental calmness
inviolable = secure from corruption, attack, or violation(
or profanation); unassailable; Ex. inviolable
oath/rights; N. inviolability
avid = greedy; extremely eager for; Ex. avid learner; N.
avidity
aureole = sun.s corona; halo; bright circle of light
holster = leather pistol case (that hangs on a belt around
the waist)
blunt = having a dull edge; abrupt and frank in speech or
manner; brusque; V: make or become blunt
championship = position of champion; defense or support;
competition held to determine a champion
incline = slope; slant; Ex. steep incline
cog = tooth projecting from a wheel
apprehensive = fearful; discerning
actuate = motivate; activate; cause to act
gerontology = study of the sociological phenomena associated with old age

fawning = courting favor by cringing and flattering; V.
fawn: exhibit affection as a dog; seek favor or attention by obsequiousness
allegory = story, play, or picture in which characters are
used as symbols; fable
retain = keep; maintain possession of; employ (esp. a
lawyer or advisor); N. retainer: servant; fee paid to retain an advisor
mimicry = imitation
extrinsic = external; not essential or inherent; extraneous;
OP. intrinsic
duration = length of time something lasts
truism = self-evident truth
absolve = pardon (an offense)
arsenal = storage place for military equipment
centrifugal = radiating; departing from the center
alms = money or goods given to the poor
shrew = scolding woman; very small mouselike animal
sordid = filthy; foul; base; vile; Ex. sordid bed/story
franchise = right or privilege granted by authority; right
to vote; license to sell a product in a particular territory
enhance = increase; make greater (as in value, reputation,
or usefulness); improve
anesthetic = substance that removes sensation with or
without loss of consciousness; N. anesthesia
decadence = decay; fall to a lower level (of morality, civilization, or art); ADJ. decadent

innocuous = harmless
minatory = menacing; threatening
insurrection = rebellion; uprising
evanescent = fleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V.
evanesce
hoard = stockpile; accumulate for future use; N: supply
stored for future use
stealth = action of moving secretly or unseen; slyness;
sneakiness; secretiveness; ADJ. stealthy
incognito = with identity concealed; using an assumed
name; ADJ.
deflect = turn aside; turn away from a straight course
refectory = dining hall; room where meals are served (in
a school)
exacerbate = worsen; aggravate; embitter
diverse = differing in some characteristics (from each
other); various; N. diversity: variety; dissimilitude; lack
of resemblance
ovation = enthusiastic applause
plane = carpenter.s tool for smoothing and leveling
wood; V. CF. flat
verbatim = word for word; in the same words; repeating
the actual words exactly
flagrant = conspicuously wicked, bad, or offensive; blatant;
outrageous
impale = pierce (with a sharp point); Ex. impaled by the
spear

comport = bear one.s self; behave; Ex. comport oneself;
N. comportment
reprobation = severe disapproval; CF. approbation
arch- = chief; first; Ex. archbishop
incendiary = arsonist; ADJ: causing fire; of arson; Ex. Incendiary bomb
glossary = brief explanation of words used in the text
helm = steering wheel of a ship; position of control
pretext = excuse
solvent = able to pay all depths; N. solvency
nauseous = causing nausea; feeling nausea
valor = bravery; ADJ. valiant: possessing valor; brave
impasse = predicament(dangerous condition) from
which there is no escape; situation allowing for no
further progress
foreboding = premonition of evil; feeling of coming evil;
V. forebode: be a warning of (something unpleasant)
copious = plentiful
overturn = turn over; capsize; topple

prolong = lengthen; extend; draw out
herd = group of animals; crowd; one who looks after a
herd; Ex. shepherd/goatherd; Ex. herd instinct; Ex.
herdsman; V: come together in a herd; look after a herd;
Ex. herd cattle
equanimity = calmness of temperament; composure
lethal = deadly
apoplexy = stroke; loss of consciousness caused by too
much blood in the brain
fauna = animals of a period or region; CF. flora
appreciate = be thankful for; increase in worth; be thoroughly
conscious of; ADJ. appreciable: enough to be
felt; Ex. appreciable difference
intransigence = refusal of any compromise; stubbornness;
ADJ. intransigent: uncompromising
intellect = higher mental powers; person of great intellectual
ability
credulity = belief on slight evidence; gullibility; naivet´e;
ADJ. credulous
damn = condemn; criticize severely; condemn to everlasting
punishment; doom; bring to ruin; N. damnation
embark = commence; go on board a boat; begin a journey
exult = rejoice
concerted = mutually agreed on; done together by agreement;
Ex. concerted effort; CF. in concert: working together

ignoble = unworthy; not noble; dishonorable; Ex. ignoble
Deed
career = rush wildly; go at full speed
zeal = eager enthusiasm (to a cause or ideal); ADJ. zealous
miscellany = mixture of writings on various subjects; collection of various items
acquittal = deliverance from a charge; V. acquit: free from
a charge or accusation; discharge from a duty; conduct
(oneself) in a specified manner
evocative = tending to call up (emotions, memories)
titter = nervous giggle; nervous laugh; V.
glut = overstock; fill beyond capacity (with food); fill to
excess; N: oversupply
devious = roundabout; erratic; deviating from the
straight course; not straightforward; not completely
honest; Ex. devious route
imperturbable = unshakably calm; placid
husbandry = frugality; thrift; economy; agriculture; farming;
Ex. animal husbandry; CF. husbandman
ingrate = ungrateful person (not expressing thanks)

conundrum = riddle; difficult problem
premeditate = plan in advance; Ex. premeditated murder
pillage = plunder
pen = fenced enclosure for animals; confining space; Ex.
sheep pen; V: confine in a pen; enclose
spangle = small shiny metallic piece sewn to clothing for
ornamentation
avantgarde = group of artists whose work is based on the
newest ideas and methods; CF. vanguard
convention = social or moral custom; established practice;
formal meeting; international agreement
debilitate = weaken (esp. through heat, hunger, illness);
enfeeble
speck = small piece or mark; Ex. speck of dust in the eye
unctuous = oily; bland; insincerely suave
effete = having lost one.s original power; barren; worn
out; exhausted
epaulet(epaulette) = ornament worn on the shoulder (of
a uniform, etc.)
clipper = sailing vessel built for great speed
oculist = physician who specializes in treatment of the
eyes
rabble = mob; noisy crowd
habituate = accustom or familiarize; addict
broil = cook by direct heat; N.
ingratiate = become popular with; bring (oneself) in favor
of another; Ex. ingratiate himself with the boss
accommodate = oblige or help someone; adjust or bring
into harmony; adapt; make enough space for; ADJ. accommodative;
CF. accomodating: helpful and obliging
cognizance = knowledge; ADJ. cognizant; having knowledge;
aware