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(n) harshness of temper; sharpness, bitterness; astringency of taste
"The professor's _______ic comments inhibited the freshmen from asking questions." |
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(v) to make greater, more powerful; richer, larger
"He sought publicity in order to __________ his reputation." |
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(n) a short, pithy statement of a principle; maxim
"Remember Franklin's _________ 'The empty drum makes the most noise.'" |
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(adj) having a severe look, manner; forbidding
"His _________ expressiondiscouraged our attempts at conversation." |
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(v) to start a discussion of; introduce, suggest
"Merely to __________ the subject of money sent him into a lecture on budgeting." |
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(v) to go around; elude
"Though many try, it is impossible to ___________ the red tape at registration." |
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(adj) satisfied, often self-satisfied or smug
"After three A's, she became __________, and her grade dropped to a B." |
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(adj) stubbornly perverse or rebellious; disobedient
"___________ teenagers sometimes can be encouraged to channel their aggressions into positive activities." |
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(n) an agreement between two or more individuals, often religious; compact, as between nations
"Marriage is a solemn __________ between a man and a woman." |
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(adj) very sorrowful or sad; mournful
"The __________ tolling of the bell announced another victim of the plague." |
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(n) use of force or threats; compulsion
"I agree to your terms, but only under _______." |
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(adj) not pertinent; irrelevant, not belonging
"Don't confuse the issue by bringing in __________ arguments." |
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(v) to set free; release or disentangle
"I could think of no way to __________ myself gracefully from the difficulty." |
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(adj) too particular or exacting; fastidious, fussy
"My mother is so ________ that the potatoes must be sliced exactly one-quarter inch thick." |
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(v) to stir up trouble; instigate (see also ferment)
"Though he seemed loyal in public, behind the scenes he was _______ing revolution." |
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(adj) happening by chance; accidental but fortunate occurence, unplanned
"The arrival of the mailman just as I was leaving was __________: he was bringing my paycheck." |
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(n) explosive shouts; denunciations
"The violent __________ against his former friend shocked the audience deeply." |
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(n) gap in sequence; opening; lacuna
"There was a long, embarrassing _________ after th speaker concluded and the master of ceremonies asked for questions." |
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(adj) never changing or varying; unalterable
"The planets move in _________ orbits." |
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(v) to assail by argument or criticism; challenge as false
"If you ________ my honesty, we cannot be friends." |
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