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)