Term
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Definition
1. a general pardon for political offenses
2. an act of forgiveness or of granting pardon for past offenses |
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Term
| nefarious [ ni-FAIR-ee-uh’ s ] |
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
1. (adj.) into separate parts or into pieces
2. (adj.) apart in position or direction
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
The hillock was rendered asunder by explosive charges and levelled by bulldozers. |
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Term
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Definition
1. to refute, contradict or prove to be false
2. to misrepresent or give a false impression
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
His nervous gesticulations belied the confidence with which he spoke. |
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Term
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Definition
[ noun, adjective, intransitive verb ]
1. (adj.) whimsically or amusingly comical or odd
2. (n.) a buffoon
3. (intr.v.) to jest
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
His droll rendition of the play was a hit. |
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Term
| miscreant [ MIS-kree-uh'nt ] |
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Definition
[ noun, adjective ]
1. (n.) a villain
2. (n.) a depraved person
3. (adj.) villainous or depraved
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
The miscreants stoned the shop and made off after breaking the glass showcase.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
They wear their pants below their behinds in solidarity with their friends, brothers, uncles or fathers who aren't allowed belts while incarcerated, though perhaps the low-hanging pants are a defiant gesture to society at large for continually presuming them to be miscreant. |
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Term
| mala fide [ MAH-lah FEE-de; Eng. MEY-luh’ FAHY-dee ] |
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Definition
[ adjective, adverb ]
in bad faith; false
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
Pakistan's mala fide intentions on the investigations into the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks is now clearly evident.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
Weightlifter Monika Devi has termed the actions of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) as “unreasonable and mala fide” and alleged that she failed to go to Beijing Olympics because of the “deliberate lapse” on the part of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). |
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Term
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Definition
[ noun, intransitive verb, transitive verb ]
1. (tr. v.) to bully or accomplish by a highhanded manner
2. (intr. v.) to make noisy menaces or employ a loud, arrogant or bullying manner
4. (n.) loud, arrogant talk with empty threats
5. (n.) a strong gusty wind
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
He blustered his way to the head of the queue and was the first to board the bus.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
Even trauma has been reduced to television drama; once the scenes are played out, our bluster slowly splutters into silence. |
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Term
| phalanx [ FEY-langks, FAL-angks ] |
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Definition
[ noun, intransitive verb ]
1. (n.) a battle array developed by Philip II of Macedon or formation of infantry carrying shields which overlap each other and long spears
2. (n.) a group united for a common cause
3. (n.) a bone of the finger or toe
4. (intr. v.) to distribute work in a print shop as evenly as possible
USAGE:
The general organised his infantry into a phalanx which proved to be impenetrable on the battlefield. |
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Term
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Definition
[ transitive verb ]
1. to pay out cash, as from a fund
2. to expend
3. to spread out or scatter
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
At the end of the day money was disbursed to the labourers. |
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Term
| comeuppance [ kuhm-UHP-uh' ns ] |
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Definition
a deserved punishment or penalty; just deserts
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
His comeuppance was applauded by one and all.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
Nixon, of course, got his comeuppance. |
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Term
| panegyric [ pan-i-JIR-ik, -JAHY-rik ] |
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Definition
speech or words in praise of a person or a thing
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
Shane Warne's panegyric to Sachin Tendulkar in his autobiography was heartening to all Indians.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
Indeed, parts of his book read as a panegyric to President Nazarbayev, with whom he became quite close. |
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Term
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Definition
[ noun, transitive verb ]
1. (n.) a public fray, brawl or fight
2. (tr.v.) to scare or frighten
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
The police were called to put an end to the affray. |
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Term
| disheveled [ di-SHEV-uh’ ld ] |
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Definition
[ adjective ]
unkempt or marked by disarray or disorder
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
His dishevelled appearance scared the children |
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Term
| raspy [ RAS-pee, RAH-spee ] |
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Definition
1. rough, grating or hash
2. irritable or easily annoyed
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
The children were scared of the old man because of his raspy voice. |
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Term
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Definition
[ noun, transitive verb ]
1. (tr.v.) to disagree
2. (tr.v.) to withhold approval
3. (n.) disagreement
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
The members dissented to ensure that no clear decision could be agreed upon. |
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Term
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Definition
[ adjective ]
1. inflicting punishment
2. punishing
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
Punitive action was taken against the errant secretary of the housing society. |
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Term
| malediction [ mal-i-DIK-shuh’ n ] |
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Definition
[ noun ]
1. the act of cursing or calling down some evil upon someone
2. a curse; imprecation
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
Superstitious rural folk still believe in the power of a tantrik's malediction. |
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Term
| onomatopoeia [ on-uh’-mat-uh’-PEE-uh’, mah-tuh’ ] |
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Definition
[ noun ]
the formation or use of words that imitate natural sounds like buzz, crack, splash, etc.
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
The word hiss can be said to be an onomatopoeia. |
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Term
| cauterize [ KAW-tuh'-rahyz ] |
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Definition
[ transitive verb ]
1. to burn or sear for curative purposes
2. to deaden feelings or moral scruples
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
They cauterized the bullet wound to stop the bleeding.
USAGE EXAMPLE 2 :
If the news industry doesn't attend to the killing of its own, then who will, and how will the flow of blood be cauterized? |
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Term
| doldrums [ DOHL-druh'mz ] |
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Definition
1. stagnation or a state where there is no activity
2. a slump or a period of depression
3. a region of the ocean near the equator, characterized by light winds or squalls.
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
The company was in the doldrums after missing out on the huge contract. |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
1. a splendid display
2. all the arms and armour of a warrior
3. any complete covering |
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Term
panjandrum [ pan-JAN-druh’ m ]
[ noun ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
a person who has or claims to have tremendous importance or influence
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
The BJP's panjandrums will have to sit down and analyse the impact of Varun Gandhi's speech at the recent parliamentary hustings. |
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Term
befuddle [ bi-FUHD-l ]
[ transitive verb ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. to confuse or perplex, as with glib statements or arguments
2. to stupefy or muddle with or as if with alcoholic drink |
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Term
quibble [ KWIB-uh’ l ]
[ noun, intransitive verb ] |
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Definition
1. (intr. v.) to avoid or try to escape the truth by raising petty and irrelevant objections
2. (intr. v.) to criticise or bicker for trivial reasons
3. (n.) an evasion from the truth or relevant point
4. (n.) a petty objection or unnecessary criticism |
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Term
acclimate [ AK-luh'-meyt, uh'-KLAHY-mit ]
[ intransitive verb, transitive verb ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. (tr.v.) to adapt or get accustomed to
2. (intr.v.) to conform, adjust or adapt to |
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Term
cede [ seed ]
[ transitive verb ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. to surrender or yield
2. to grant or transfer to |
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Term
euphony [ YOO-fuh'-nee ]
[ noun ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. an agreeable sound or the pleasing effect of a succession of words to the ear
2. agreeableness in the phonetic quality of words
3. a pleasant or harmonious combination of sounds |
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Term
ursine [ ur-SAHYN ]
[ adjective ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. bearlike
2. pertaining to a bear
3. characteristic of bears
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
The safari guide told us to stick together as anyone who got separated from the tour group would be in danger of being mauled by an ursine inhabitant of that area. |
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Term
quell [ kwel ]
[ transitive verb ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. pacify or allay
2. suppress or subdue forcibly; to end or crush down |
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Term
malevolent [ muh’-LEV-uh’-luh’ nt ]
[ adjective ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. having or displaying ill-will, hatred; disposed to causing harm or evil to others; malicious
2. having an evil, malicious influence
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
His malevolent attitude towards those who were more successful revealed a very mediocre character. |
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Term
entice [ en-TAHYS ]
[ transitive verb ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
to allure, tempt or attract by exciting hope
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
The offer of a special discount enticed her to join the club. |
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Term
chortle [ CHAWR-tl ]
[ noun, verb ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. (v.) to chuckle gleefully
2. (v.) to express one's happiness with a gleeful chuckle |
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Term
allegory [ AL-uh'-gawr-ee, -gohr-ee ]
[ noun ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. figurative representation of an abstract idea by means of concrete characters, events or symbols
2. an emblem or symbolic representation
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
His books were famous for the way in which the allegory of mysticism was depicted. |
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Term
podiatrist [ puh'-DAHY-uh'-trist ]
[ noun ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. a person qualified to diagnose and treat foot disorders
2. a foot doctor |
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Term
rusticate [ RUHS-ti-keyt ]
[ intransitive verb, transitive verb ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. (intr. v.) to live in the country
2. (tr. v.) to suspend from university
3. (tr. v.) to send to the country
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
He wanted to leave the city and rusticate for some time in the hope that the fresh country air would do him some good. |
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Term
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Definition
MEANING :
1. (intr. v.) to stagger or walk unsteadily or sway as if about to fall
2. (intr. v.) to seem about to collapse
3. (n.) the act of staggering or walking with an unsteady gait
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
One of the workers tottered and collapsed under the weight of the bricks he was carrying. |
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Term
Make a clean breast of- to confess
Cheek of jowl- close together
Fell out- to quarrel
Run of the mill- common
Run down- to speak ill
To cover the waterfront- discuss every part of a subject
play your cards close to your chest -be secretive about it |
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Definition
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Term
herpetologist [ hur-pi-TOL-uh'-jist ]
[ noun ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. one who studies reptiles and amphibians |
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Term
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Definition
| If you love someone selflessly, with no expectations, you have respect and regards for that person, you just want that person to be happy. This kind of love is called agape. You can say that this love is spiritual (unworldly, unearthly) in nature. Agape also means love of god towards mankind or human race. Another shade of agape, entirely different from this one is to look at something/someone with your mouth open due to something that was unexpected, awesome, surprising, shocking, starling, stunning, astonishing and amazing. For example if you see someone solving entire CAT paper in 15 minutes you may agape at him/her. |
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Term
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Definition
| Have you ever wondered how child love his/her parents! Complete innocence. They are so innocent that they sometimes don't even know the meaning of innocence. This love shown by child for his/her parents is called Filial love. |
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Term
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Definition
| Have you ever had crush on someone? Please don't say no...that would be a lame lie. When you have crush on someone, you have a lower degree of madness in you. Intense feeling of love, affection and philia. This kind of feeling is called ardor. But again ardor is platonic (free from physical desire). If a boy and a girl always be together, like each other or even love each other but have no physical desire towards each other then this kind of relation is called platonic relation. |
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Term
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Definition
| These words means the same and have two shades. One is to have the feeling of fondness for someone. Other is the feeling of sexual desire. Other words that have same meaning as the second shade is carnality, prurience, eros and concupiscence. |
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Term
genteel [ jen-TEEL ]
[ adjective ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. well-bred or belonging to polite society
2. delicate, elegant or refined
3. tending to affected and somewhat prudish refinement
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
From the graceful manner in which he behaved, it was evident that he was of genteel birth. |
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Term
commune [ v. kuh-MYOON; n. KOM-yoon ]
[ noun, intransitive verb ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. (intr. v.) to converse intimately
2. (intr. v.) to be in rapport with nature
3. (n.) an interchange of ideas
4. (n.) a close-knit group of people who share common interests
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
He communed with people from all walks of life making him very popular. |
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Term
nimble [ NIM-buh’ l ]
[ adjective ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. quick or agile in movement or action
2. quick and clever in understanding or quick-witted
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
For a large man, he was surprisingly nimble on his feet. |
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Term
behoove [ bi-HOOV ]
[ intransitive verb, transitive verb ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. (tr.v.) to be necessary or proper for
2. (intr.v.) to be necessary, advantageous or proper
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
Polite manners are behooved for success in the service industry. |
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Term
dulcet [ DUHL-sit ]
[ noun ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. melodious or pleasing to one's ears
2. agreeable or soothing
3. sweet
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
Her dulcet tone made people want to listen to her. |
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Term
rebate [ n.REE-beyt; v. REE-beyt, ri-BEYT ]
[ noun, intransitive verb, transitive verb ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. (n.) the return or refund of a part
2. (n.) a deduction from the total amount to be paid
3. (tr. v.) to deduct or return some of the payment
4. (tr. v.) to lessen
5. (intr. v.) to allow for a discount
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
To get rid of excess stock the supermarket offered a rebate on all purchases which were over a thousand rupees. |
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Term
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Definition
[ transitive verb ]
MEANING :
1. to refer to indirectly or casually
2. to contain an indirect or casual reference to something
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
She alluded the fact that she was related to the CEO. |
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Term
disingenuous [ dis-in-JEN-yoo-uh’ s ]
[ adjective ]
MEANING :
1. calculating, not sincere or candid
2. sly or misleading
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
His disingenuous dealings led him to be labelled a criminal. |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. calculating, not sincere or candid
2. sly or misleading
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
His disingenuous dealings led him to be labelled a criminal. |
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Term
overwrought [ OH-ver-RAWT, oh-ver- ]
[ adjective ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. extremely nervous or excited
2. extremely fatigued or over-worked
3. very elaborate
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
The overwrought employee fell asleep as soon as his head touched the pillow. |
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Term
marmoset [ MAHR-muh’-zet, -set ]
[ noun ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
a monkey belonging to the family Callithricidae, native to Central and South America, with clawed digits, soft furry hair and long tails
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
Some marmoset species are endangered and hunting them is banned throughout Central and South America. |
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Term
amenable [ uh'-MEE-nuh'-buh' l, uh'-MEN-uh'- ]
[ adjective ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. responsible, accountable or answerable to a higher authority
2. submissive, willing or ready to yield easily
3. open to criticism or testing
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
His amenable disposition made his superiors like him. |
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Term
coiffure [ kwah-FYOO'R; Fr. kwa-FYR ]
[ noun, transitive verb ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. (n.) a style of arranging the hair
2. (n.) a fashionable hairstyle
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
She had an elegant coiffure, perfectly manicured nails and was dressed in a beautiful evening gown with matching Cinderella like glass slippers. |
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Term
raconteur [ rak-uh’ n-TUR; Fr. r*a*-kawn*-TŒR ]
[ noun ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
one who skilfully and wittily relates anecdotes and stories
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
His skills as a raconteur made him extremely popular with children. |
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Term
malingerer [ muh'-LING-ger-uh' ]
[ noun ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. a person who pretends to be sick in order to avoid work
2. one who shirks responsibility by feigning illness
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
The malingerer was discharged from the hospital after the matron caught him dipping the thermometer in the hot tea. |
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Term
benignant [ bi-NIG-nuh' nt ]
[ adjective ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. kind and gracious, especially to inferiors
2. beneficial or benign
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
She was a benignant lady who was loved by her employees. |
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Term
preeminent [ pree-EM-uh'-nuh'nt ]
[ adjective ] |
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Definition
MEANING :
1. outstanding or a cut above the others
2. superior to or better than
USAGE EXAMPLE 1 :
He is a preeminent actor and most of the new entrants into the profession try to emulate him. |
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