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