adj. having vertical parallel grooves (as in a pillar)

All that remained of the ancient building were the fluted columns. 

n. weakness, slight fault

We can overlook the foibles of our friends; no one is perfect. 

n. simultaneous firing or outburst (of missiles, questions, etc.)

Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture concludes with a thunderous fusillade of cannon fire. 

n. ornamental band on a wall

The frieze of the church was adorned with sculpture. 

v. discipline; punish in order to correct

Whom God loves, God chastens. 

n. framework and working parts of an automobile

The body had been ruined but the chassis was unharmed. 

adj. suitable to debate in courts of law

In her best forensic manner, the lawyer addressed the jury. 

v. insert improperly; palm off

I will not permit you to foist such ridiculous ideas upon the membership of this group. 

adj. prudent; cautious

Investigating before acting, she tried always to be circumspect. 

adj. fantastically improbable; highly unrealistic; imaginitive

As everyone expected, Ted's chimerical schem failed miserably. 

v. confuse

The teacher's sudden question flustered him and he stammered his reply. 

n. cutting off, seperation

When a leaf seperates from the parent plant, this is called an abscission. 

v. reject, mock

The headstrong youth flouted all authority; he refused to be curbed. 

adj. fluent, glib, talkative

An excessively voluble speaker suffers from logorrhea: he continually runs off at the mouth.

n. volubility 

n. uprightness, incorruptibility

Everyone took his probity for granted; the charges against him for embezzlement therefore shocked us all. 

adj. mischievous; humorous; tricky

He was a prankster who unfortunately often overlooked the damage he could cause with his waggish tricks.

n. wag 

v. proclaim a doctrine or law, make known by official publication

When Moses came  down from the mountaintop prepared to promulgate God's commandments, he was apalled to find his followers worshipping a golden calf.

v. lie

Some people believe that to prevaricate in a good cause is justifiable and regard the statement as a "white lie." 

n. turmoil, bewildering jumble

The existing welter of overlapping federal and state proclaims cries out for immediate reform. 

adj. clamourous, noisy

The crowd grew vociferous in its anger and threatened to take the law into its own hands. 

adj. abusive, scolding

He became more vituperative as he realized that we were not going to grant him his wish. 

adj. dissipated; wasteful; wildly immoral

Although surrounded by wild and profligate companions, she managed to retain some sense of decency.

also n., profligacy, n. 

n. excuse

She looked for a good pretext to get out of paying a visit to her aunt. 

adj. beyond that which is normal in nature

John's mother's total ability to tell when he was lying struck him as almost preternatural. 

adj. wasteful; reckless with money

Don't be so prodigal spending my money; when you've earned some money, you can waste as much of it as you want! also n. 

n. feeling something will happen; anticipatory fear; premonition

Saying goodbye in the airport, Jack had a sudden presentiment that this was the last time he would see Jill. 

v. appease

The natives offered sacrifices to propitiate the gods.