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MAT Words
Words from the MAT Study Guide
680
General Vocab
Graduate
07/02/2009

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Term
abdicate
Definition
to denounce; to discard; to abandon
Term
aberration
Definition
something not typical; a deviation
Term
abhorrence
Definition
repugnance; detestation
Term
abjure
Definition
to renounce upon oath
Term
abnegation
Definition
self-denial
Term
abrogate
Definition
to break, as a treaty or law
Term
abscond
Definition
to depart secretly; to hide (oneself)
Term
absolve
Definition
to set free from an obligation or the consequences of guilt
Term
abstain
Definition
to refrain deliberately from an action or practice, usually as a form of self-denial
Term
abstemious
Definition
sparing or moderate, especially in eating or drinking
Term
abstruse
Definition
hard to understand or grasp; esoteric
Term
abut
Definition
to border on; to terminate at the boundary or point of contact
Term
abysmal
Definition
immeasurable; bottomless
Term
accolade
Definition
an award or honor; high praise
Term
acquiesce
Definition
to agree silently; to accept tacitly
Term
acrophobia
Definition
the fear of heights
Term
acumen
Definition
keenness
Term
adamant
Definition
unyielding; stubborn
Term
addle
Definition
to throw into confusion; to confound
Term
adjure
Definition
to command solemnly; to devise earnestly; to beg
Term
adroit
Definition
showing skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness
Term
adulation
Definition
excessive praise
Term
adumbrate
Definition
to intimate or foreshadow; to obscure
Term
aestivate
Definition
to spend the summer in an inactive state
Term
agglomeration
Definition
a collection in a mass, heap, or cluster; aggrandizement
Term
agoraphobia
Definition
the fear of open spaces
Term
alacrity
Definition
liveliness or eagerness; readiness
Term
allegory
Definition
a symbolic expression or description
Term
allusion
Definition
an indirect reference to something else; a hint
Term
alms
Definition
charity; something given to the poor (usually refers to small change)
Term
alpinism
Definition
mountain climbing
Term
altruistic
Definition
unselfish; concerned with the welfare of others
Term
ambergris
Definition
a product of sperm whales used in the manufacture of perfume
Term
amphora
Definition
an ancient two-handled Greek jar
Term
anathema
Definition
a ban or curse; a denunciation accompanied by excommunication
Term
andiron
Definition
a metal support used for holding logs in a hearth
Term
androphobia
Definition
the fear of men
Term
anneal
Definition
to toughen or to strengthen
Term
anodyne
Definition
a pain reliever
Term
anomaly
Definition
an aberration; a deviation; an irregularity
Term
antipathy
Definition
firm dislike; hatred
Term
antiseptic
Definition
free from germs, exceptionally clean
Term
antithesis
Definition
the direct opposite
Term
aphelion
Definition
the point in a planet's orbit that is farthest from the sun
Term
apocalyptic
Definition
of, or relating to, a revelation or discovery
Term
apocryphal
Definition
of doubtful authenticity; spurious
Term
apogee
Definition
the point in a satellite's orbit that is farthest from the center of the earth
Term
aquiline
Definition
hooked; like an eagle
Term
arachnophobia
Definition
the fear of spiders
Term
archon
Definition
the chief magistrate in ancient Athens; any ruler
Term
arid
Definition
dull; unimaginative; extremely dry
Term
arrogate
Definition
to claim or seize without justification; to usurp
Term
artifice
Definition
cleverness; ingenuity
Term
assiduous
Definition
diligent
Term
assuage
Definition
to ease the intensity of; to appease; to pacify
Term
astraphobia
Definition
the fear of lightning
Term
atrophy
Definition
a wasting away; degeneration
Term
attenuate
Definition
to lessen in amount, force, or value; to weaken
Term
austral
Definition
southern
Term
axiom
Definition
a self-evident rule or truth; a widely accepted saying
Term
azure
Definition
sky blue
Term
baleful
Definition
menacing; harmful
Term
balmy
Definition
soothing; mild
Term
banal
Definition
trite; commonplace
Term
bellicose
Definition
incline to start wars or fights
Term
beneficent
Definition
beneficial
Term
benign
Definition
gracious; favorable; not threatening to health
Term
bibliophile
Definition
one who loves books
Term
biennial
Definition
occuring every two years
Term
bifurcate
Definition
divided in two branches; forked
Term
blighted
Definition
withered or rotten; destroyed; frustrated
Term
blithe
Definition
happy; merry; cheerful
Term
bombastic
Definition
pompous; overblown; turgid
Term
boreal
Definition
northern
Term
boycott
Definition
to engage in a concerted refusal to have dealings with (a person, store, organization) as a sign of disapproval
Term
broach
Definition
to make known for the first time; to open up (a subject) for discussion
Term
bromidic
Definition
lacking origanility; trite
Term
brontophobia
Definition
the fear of thunder
Term
brook
Definition
to bear or tolerate; to put up with
Term
brusque
Definition
abrupt or short in manner or speech
Term
buccal
Definition
pertaining to the cheeks or side of the mouth
Term
bucolic
Definition
pastoral; relating to rural life
Term
buffoon
Definition
a clown or ludicrous figure; someone who amuses with jokes or tricks
Term
bulbous
Definition
rotund; round like a bulb
Term
bumptious
Definition
aggressive and assertive in an offensive way
Term
buoyant
Definition
(1) having the ability to float; (2) cheerful
Term
burnish
Definition
to make shiny or lustrous; to polish
Term
burnoose
Definition
a hooded Arabic cloak
Term
cassock
Definition
a loose robe worn by priests
Term
cabal
Definition
group united to plot, especially the overthrow of authority
Term
cache
Definition
(1) a hiding place (2) something hidden in a secure place
Term
cacophony
Definition
a harsh-sounding mixture of words, voices, or sounds
Term
caduceus
Definition
the emblem of the medical profession (a staff with intertwined snakes and wings at the top)
Term
cajole
Definition
to persuade a reluctant person to do something; to coax
Term
caliber
Definition
the diameter of the bore of a gun
Term
gauge
Definition
the size of a shotgun; measure of the interior diameter of the barrel
Term
calumny
Definition
a lie told to damage another's reputation; slander
Term
candid
Definition
frank
Term
canonical
Definition
orthodox; authoritative
Term
capitulate
Definition
to cease resisting; to surrender (often after negotations)
Term
capricious
Definition
unpredictable; governed by a whim
Term
captious
Definition
critical; fault-finding
Term
carp
Definition
to complain
Term
cashmere
Definition
a fine wool from a cashmere goat
Term
catharsis
Definition
purification of emotions, especially through art
Term
bathos
Definition
sentimentalism; overdone pathos; triteness; anticlimax
Term
pathos
Definition
something that evokes pity, compassion, or sorrow
Term
catholic
Definition
universal
Term
caustic
Definition
acrid; biting
Term
cavil
Definition
to raise trivial objections; to nitpick
Term
cerulean
Definition
resembling the blue of the sky
Term
chaff
Definition
waste material from the threshing of wheat
Term
dross
Definition
waste material from molten metal
Term
slag
Definition
scoria; refuse from the melting of metals or reduction of ore
Term
tailings
Definition
waste material from the preparation of ores or grains
Term
chartreuse
Definition
yellow-green
Term
chastise
Definition
to criticize harshly; to castigate
Term
chauvinism
Definition
excessive or blind patriotism
Term
chicanery
Definition
trickery; artful deception
Term
chimerical
Definition
fantastically visionary; wildly fanciful
Term
choleric
Definition
easily angered or irritated
Term
Cimmerian
Definition
(1) shrouded in gloom and darkness (2) a mythical people described by Homer as dwelling in gloom
Term
stygian
Definition
(1) dark and gloomy (2) relating to the Styx (in Greek mythology, the river of the underworld)
Term
circumlocution
Definition
an indirect expression; wordy or evasive language
Term
circumspect
Definition
considering all options; cautious
Term
clandestine
Definition
surreptitious; secret
Term
claustrophobia
Definition
the fear of closed places
Term
clemency
Definition
an act of leniency; mercy
Term
cloy
Definition
to satiate
Term
glut
Definition
to oversupply; to satiate
Term
coalesce
Definition
to grow together; to unite into a whole
Term
coda
Definition
a passage that concludes a musical or literary work
Term
cogent
Definition
pertinent; compelling; convincing
Term
cognizant
Definition
perceptive; observant
Term
colloquial
Definition
of or relating to conversation; characteristic of informal speech
Term
collusion
Definition
a secret agreement, especially for an illegal purpose
Term
compulsion
Definition
an impulse to perform an irrational act
Term
phobia
Definition
an inexplicable fear of something
Term
conjoin
Definition
to join or act together
Term
contentious
Definition
argumentative; quarrelsome
Term
contumacious
Definition
rebellious; stubbornly disobedient; renegade
Term
conundrum
Definition
a puzzle; a riddle
Term
cooper
Definition
a maker of casks or barrels
Term
corroborate
Definition
to confirm; to back up with evidence
Term
cowl
Definition
(1) a hood (2) a cover for an engine
Term
croupier
Definition
a collector and payer of bets at a casino
Term
culinary
Definition
having to do with the kitchen or cooking
Term
cynophobia
Definition
the fear of dogs
Term
cynosure
Definition
the center of interest
Term
dauntless
Definition
fearless
Term
debacle
Definition
a violent breakdown; a sudden overthrow
Term
debauchery
Definition
wild living; corruption by sensuality
Term
debilitate
Definition
to weaken
Term
debonair
Definition
suave; courteous; sophisticated
Term
deciduous
Definition
falling off or shedding at a certain season; ephemeral; not permanent
Term
declaim
Definition
to make a pompous speech
Term
decorous
Definition
proper; in good taste; correct
Term
defalcate
Definition
to embezzle; to abscond with money
Term
deleterious
Definition
harmful
Term
delineate
Definition
to describe; to portray; to sketch
Term
deliquesce
Definition
to melt away or dissolve; to become soft, especially with age
Term
delusion
Definition
a deception; a false psychotic belief regarding oneself or others
Term
demur
Definition
to object; to take excpetion
Term
denim
Definition
a durable, twilled, usually cotton fabric woven with white filling thread
Term
denouement
Definition
the unfolding or outcome of a series of events
Term
denounce
Definition
to express strong disapproval, especially publicly
Term
depraved
Definition
morally corrupt or evil
Term
deprecate
Definition
to play down; to belittle
Term
depredate
Definition
to lay waste; to plunder
Term
desiccate
Definition
to dry out
Term
despot
Definition
a ruler with absolute power
Term
desultory
Definition
lacking plan, regularity, or purpose; random
Term
dexterous
Definition
mentally skillful; artful; clever
Term
dialectic
Definition
logical argumentation
Term
diametric
Definition
completely opposed; at opposite extremes
Term
diaphanous
Definition
sheer; extremely delicate
Term
diatribe
Definition
a bitter denunciation
Term
dichotomy
Definition
division, especially into two contradictory groups
Term
didactic
Definition
intended to teach, moralize, or preach
Term
diffident
Definition
shy; lacking in self-confidence
Term
dilatory
Definition
tending to cause delay
Term
dilettante
Definition
one who is involved in a variety of things, none of them seriosuly; dabbler
Term
diminution
Definition
a decrease; a lessening
Term
dint
Definition
a force; a power
Term
disavow
Definition
to deny
Term
discomfit
Definition
to confuse; to deject; to frustrate; to deceive
Term
discourse
Definition
to converse; to discuss formally
Term
disingenuous
Definition
lacking in forthrightness
Term
disinterested
Definition
unbiased
Term
dissemble
Definition
to feign or pretend
Term
dissenter
Definition
one who goes against an opinion; nonconformist
Term
dissuade
Definition
to persuade someone not to do something
Term
djellabah
Definition
a loose-fitting gown worn in North Africa
Term
doctrinaire
Definition
characterized by or given to the expression of opinions very strongly or positively as if they were facts
Term
doggerel
Definition
comic, loose verse
Term
dolt
Definition
a stupid person
Term
doughty
Definition
fearless; valiant
Term
draconian
Definition
sever (as a code of laws); cruel
Term
dray
Definition
a vehicle used to haul goods
Term
teamster
Definition
a person who drives a truck as an occupation
Term
ductile
Definition
malleable
Term
dunce
Definition
a dull-witted or stupid person
Term
duplicity
Definition
concealment of one's true intentions by misleading words or actions; deception
Term
ebullient
Definition
lively; enthusiastic; boiling up
Term
eclectic
Definition
selecting from many sources what seems to be the best; catholic
Term
ecumenical
Definition
(1) having to do with a body of churches (2) worldwide or general in extent or application
Term
edification
Definition
instruction; improvement; enlightenment
Term
efface
Definition
to make indistinct by wearing away; to erase or remove
Term
effervescent
Definition
lively; bubbly
Term
effete
Definition
exhausted; worn-out
Term
effluvium
Definition
a disagreeable or noxious vapor; escaping gas
Term
effusive
Definition
overflowing; very demonstrative
Term
egregious
Definition
conspicuously bad; flagrant
Term
egress
Definition
(1) exit (2) to go out from
Term
elan
Definition
dash; vigorous spirit
Term
elegy
Definition
a lament for the dead
Term
elucidate
Definition
to shed light upon; to make clear
Term
emanate
Definition
to send out; to emit
Term
eminent
Definition
prominent; famous; standing above others in some quality or position
Term
endue
Definition
to provide; to endow
Term
enervate
Definition
to exhaust, weaken, or unnerve
Term
engender
Definition
to bring into being; to produce
Term
enigma
Definition
a baffling situation; something that is hard to explain or solve
Term
ephemeral
Definition
lasting a short time; transient
Term
epiphany
Definition
a sudden, and often divine, enlightenment, or realization
Term
epitome
Definition
a typical or ideal example
Term
equivocal
Definition
ambiguous; deliberately confusing; able to be interpreted in more than one way
Term
erratic
Definition
unpredictable; wandering; arbitrary
Term
eschew
Definition
to avoid; to shun
Term
euphemism
Definition
(1) the substitution of a positive expression for something that may be interpreted as negative or distasteful (2) the expression that is substituted
Term
evanescent
Definition
fleeting; hardly visible; ephemeral
Term
exacerbate
Definition
to make more violent or more severe
Term
exculpate
Definition
to exonerate; to clear of guilt or blame
Term
exigent
Definition
urgent; requiring prompt action; taxing
Term
expedite
Definition
to speed up; to hasten
Term
explicate
Definition
to explain
Term
expunge
Definition
to strike out; to obliterate or erase
Term
facetious
Definition
humorous; not serious
Term
factitious
Definition
artificial; sham
Term
fagoting
Definition
a type of embroidery
Term
fallacious
Definition
erroneous; deceiving; misleading
Term
fallible
Definition
capable of making a mistake or error
Term
fastidious
Definition
hard to please; fickle
Term
fatuous
Definition
silly; inane
Term
fealty
Definition
allegiance
Term
feasible
Definition
practical; workable
Term
feckless
Definition
worthless; feeble
Term
fecund
Definition
fruitful; fertile
Term
fervid
Definition
very hot; intense in feeling or emotion; impassioned
Term
fetid
Definition
having an offensive odor
Term
vapid
Definition
flat; uninteresting; insipid
Term
fetish
Definition
(1) a charm; a talisman; an amulet; an object thought to deflect evil or bring luck (2) a fixation; an object of obsessive desire; a preoccupation
Term
fiduciary
Definition
a trustee
Term
fitful
Definition
irregular; spasmodic
Term
flaccid
Definition
limp; flabby
Term
flag
Definition
to weaken; to slow down
Term
flagon
Definition
a flask with a handle and lid
Term
tureen
Definition
a casserole or bowl used to serve soup
Term
foible
Definition
a minor flaw or shortcoming in character; a weakness
Term
foment
Definition
to instigate, incite, or arouse
Term
foray
Definition
(1) to ravage for spoils; to pillage (2) sudden, sometimes brief, invasion
Term
forbear
Definition
an ancestor or forefather
Term
fortuitous
Definition
happening by chance; unplanned
Term
fractious
Definition
unruly; quarrelsome
Term
franchise
Definition
the right to vote; a special privilege granted to a few; the right to market certain goods in a particular region
Term
fraught
Definition
laden; charged
Term
frenetic
Definition
frantic; frenzied
Term
froward
Definition
habitually disobedient; not willing to compromise
Term
frugal
Definition
economical; thrifty; sparing
Term
fuchsia
Definition
vivid reddish purple
Term
fugacious
Definition
disappearing after a short time; short-lived; evanescent
Term
fulminate
Definition
to denounce; to send forth invectives; to explode
Term
fulsome
Definition
(1) abundant; copious (2) morally offensive; disgusting
Term
furtive
Definition
sly; shifty
Term
gainsay
Definition
to deny; to contradict
Term
galvanize
Definition
(1) to stimulate or excite (2) to coat with zinc
Term
gamut
Definition
the entire range
Term
garner
Definition
to collect; to accumulate
Term
garrote
Definition
to strangle and rob
Term
garrulous
Definition
wordy: extremely talkative; gabby
Term
gauche
Definition
lacking social grace; crude; awkward
Term
gaunt
Definition
excessively thin; lean
Term
gelding
Definition
a castrated male horse
Term
genre
Definition
an artistic category or type
Term
genuflect
Definition
to go down on one's knee; to kneel, usually in obedience or respect
Term
germane
Definition
closely related; relevant; fitting
Term
glabrous
Definition
smooth; referring to a surface without hair or projections
Term
hirsute
Definition
roughly hairy
Term
goad
Definition
to urge, egg on, or incite to do something
Term
gorgon
Definition
one of three snake-haired sisters whose glance turned the beholder into stone
Term
gourmand
Definition
one who eats and drinks excessively; glutton
Term
gratuitous
Definition
not required by the circumstances; unwarranted; unnecessary
Term
gregarious
Definition
liking companionship; sociable
Term
griffin
Definition
a mythical animal having the head and wings of an eagle and the body and legs of a lion
Term
chimera
Definition
(1) a fire-breathing monster with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a serpent (2) illusion or mental fabrication
Term
minotaur
Definition
a monster, half man and half bull, confined in a labyrinth
Term
guffaw
Definition
a loud, boisterous burst of laughter
Term
guile
Definition
deceitful cunning; cleverness
Term
gulch
Definition
a deep pit; a ravine
Term
hackneyed
Definition
overused; trite; commonplace
Term
haiku
Definition
a type of unrhymed Japanese poem consisting of three lines
Term
halycon
Definition
peaceful; tranquil
Term
harangue
Definition
a ranting speech without much real meaning
Term
harbinger
Definition
someone or something that forewshadows what is to come
Term
Hellene
Definition
a native or inhabitant of Greece
Term
heretic
Definition
one who goes against an established religion or belief; nonconformist
Term
hermeneutics
Definition
the study of principles of interpretation
Term
hermetic
Definition
sealed off from external influence; airtight; abstruse or occult
Term
herpetophobia
Definition
the fear of snakes
Term
hiatus
Definition
a gap or interruption in time or in a continuum
Term
hibernate
Definition
to spend the winter in a dormant, inactive state
Term
hierarchy
Definition
a graded or ranked classification determined on the basis of age, economic status, or class
Term
hoary
Definition
gray or white with age
Term
homily
Definition
an inspirational discourse; a sermon
Term
homogeneous
Definition
of uniform structure or composition
Term
homophones
Definition
words that sound alike but have different meanings
Term
homonyms
Definition
homophones; also, words that are spelled the same but have different meanings
Term
hone
Definition
to sharpen
Term
hyaline
Definition
transparent or almost so; glassy
Term
hybrid
Definition
anything that is the product of at least two different sources
Term
hydroponics
Definition
cultivation of plants in liquid nutrients
Term
hyperbole
Definition
an exaggeration
Term
hypertrophy
Definition
an exaggerated increase or complexity
Term
hypocritical
Definition
pretending to have qualities or virtues that are not possessed; dissembling
Term
hypothetical
Definition
based on conjecture; conditional
Term
empirical
Definition
based on expertise, observation, or experimental evidence
Term
iconoclast
Definition
one who destroys religious images or attacks established beliefs
Term
vandal
Definition
one who destroys property
Term
idyllic
Definition
carefree and lighthearted; peaceful
Term
igneous
Definition
referring to rock formed from molten magma; volcanic
Term
metamorphic
Definition
referring to rock formed from sedimentary rock and changed through pressure or heat
Term
ignominious
Definition
infamous; despicable
Term
imbue
Definition
to permeate or influence
Term
imminent
Definition
about to happen (usually referring to something threatening)
Term
immiscible
Definition
incapable of being mixed
Term
immutable
Definition
not susceptible to change
Term
impassive
Definition
apathetic; expressionless
Term
impecunious
Definition
having little or no money
Term
impermeable
Definition
impervious; not permitting passage through
Term
impolitic
Definition
unwise; injudicious
Term
imprecate
Definition
to curse
Term
improvident
Definition
not providing for the future; careless
Term
prescient
Definition
having foresight or foreknowledge of the future
Term
impugn
Definition
to attack, especially as false or lacking integrity
Term
inanition
Definition
a loss of vitality from lack of food and water
Term
incarnadine
Definition
blood red
Term
inchoate
Definition
beginning; insipient; only imperfectly formed
Term
incipient
Definition
just beginning; in the early stages; commencing
Term
incisive
Definition
keen; direct; decisive
Term
incommodious
Definition
troublesome; inconvenient
Term
incongruous
Definition
not like the others in a group; out of place; incompatible
Term
incontrovertible
Definition
unquestionable; indisputable
Term
incorrigible
Definition
unruly; delinquent
Term
inculcate
Definition
to teach and impress by repetition
Term
indemnify
Definition
(1) to secure against loss (2) to compensate for hurt or loss
Term
indigenous
Definition
having originated naturally in a particular environment
Term
indigent
Definition
impoverished
Term
induction
Definition
(1) an initiation into military service (2) reasoning from parts to whole
Term
ordination
Definition
an initiation into religious service
Term
ineluctable
Definition
inescapable; inevitable
Term
inimical
Definition
hostile; unfriendly
Term
iniquitous
Definition
vicious; wicked
Term
innuendo
Definition
a veiled allusion; insinuation
Term
insurgent
Definition
a person who revolts against established authority
Term
intractable
Definition
hard to manage; unruly; obstinate
Term
intransigent
Definition
stubborn; uncompromising
Term
intrepid
Definition
fearless
Term
inure
Definition
to accustom to accept something undesirable; to habituate
Term
invective
Definition
insulting or abusive language
Term
invidious
Definition
offensive; envious; obnoxious
Term
irascible
Definition
easily angered; choleric; malevolent
Term
jalousie
Definition
a type of blind or shutter having adjustable slats or louvers and usually made of glass
Term
jargon
Definition
specialized terminology of a certain group; a lingo
Term
jejune
Definition
immature; juvenile
Term
jenny
Definition
a female donkey
Term
jettison
Definition
to sacrifice cargo to lighten a ship or vehicle
Term
jetty
Definition
a projection or structure extending into a body of water
Term
jezebel
Definition
a shameless, brazen woman
Term
jocose
Definition
humorous; witty
Term
jocular
Definition
habitually happy or cheerful
Term
judicious
Definition
wise; sagacious; prudent
Term
junk
Definition
(1) trash; something that is not worth saving (2) a type of Chinese ship
Term
junta
Definition
a political group or committee, especially after a revolution
Term
juxtapose
Definition
to place right next to something
Term
kaleidoscope
Definition
(1) a succession of changing patterns or scenes (2) a changing pattern or scene
Term
kindle
Definition
to activate or inspire; to arouse
Term
kindred
Definition
(1) relatives; kinship (2) similar in nature, like
Term
kinetic
Definition
related to motion
Term
knave
Definition
a sly, deceitful man or boy
Term
kudos
Definition
praise; compliments
Term
labyrinth
Definition
a place full of intricate passageways; something extremely complex or intricate
Term
laconic
Definition
concise
Term
lambent
Definition
flickering; softly bright or radiant, as a candle
Term
lampoon
Definition
harsh, satirical writing, usually attacking an individual
Term
lascivious
Definition
lewd; lustful; wanton
Term
lassitude
Definition
fatigue; weariness
Term
laudable
Definition
worthy of praise
Term
lethargic
Definition
slow moving; sluggish
Term
levity
Definition
lightness; lack of seriousness; frivolity
Term
libertine
Definition
a person who is not restrained by convention or morality
Term
licentious
Definition
lacking moral restraints, expecially sexual ones; lustful
Term
ligneous
Definition
woodlike
Term
limpid
Definition
clear and simple in style; transparent; serene and untroubled
Term
lucid
Definition
clear, sane; translucent; luminous
Term
pellucid
Definition
reflecting light evenly; easy to understand
Term
litigate
Definition
to try in court; to contest in law
Term
littoral
Definition
relating to the shore or coastal region
Term
loggia
Definition
a roofed, open gallery, like a porch
Term
loquacious
Definition
talkative
Term
lucre
Definition
monetary gain; profit
Term
ludicrous
Definition
laughable; ridiculous
Term
lugubrious
Definition
gloomy; sorrowful
Term
lurid
Definition
(1) gruesome; shocking (2) ghastly pale
Term
magenta
Definition
deep purplish red
Term
malefactor
Definition
an evil-doer; a criminal
Term
malfeasance
Definition
wrongdoing; official misconduct
Term
malignant
Definition
evil; injurious; tending to produce death
Term
mandatory
Definition
necessary; obligatory
Term
marred
Definition
injured; blemished; damaged
Term
martinet
Definition
a strict disciplinarian
Term
masticate
Definition
to chew
Term
maudlin
Definition
foolishly sentimental or morose
Term
maverick
Definition
a rebel; a nonconformist
Term
megalomaniac
Definition
one who exhibits delusions of omnipotence or grandeur
Term
mercurial
Definition
quickly changing; inconstant
Term
meretricious
Definition
attractive only on the surface; superficial; pretentious
Term
meticulous
Definition
extremely concerned with details; well organized
Term
miasma
Definition
a depleting or corrupting influence or atmosphere
Term
millennium
Definition
a thousand years
Term
miscreant
Definition
a heretic; a villain; one who commits illegal acts
Term
misogynistic
Definition
characterized by hatred of women
Term
mitigate
Definition
to soften; to lessen the severity of
Term
moot
Definition
questionable; debatable
Term
mordant
Definition
biting in manner or style; incisive
Term
motility
Definition
movement
Term
munificent
Definition
lavish; generous; liberal
Term
nadir
Definition
(1) the lowest point (2) a point in the sky opposite the zenith
Term
naiad
Definition
a water nymph
Term
napery
Definition
table linens
Term
necromancy
Definition
magic; witchcraft
Term
chiromancy
Definition
palmistry
Term
necrophobia
Definition
the fear of death
Term
necropolis
Definition
a cemetery
Term
nefarious
Definition
wicked; vile
Term
nexus
Definition
a connection or link
Term
niggardly
Definition
stingy
Term
noisome
Definition
offensive; harmful
Term
nomenclature
Definition
a standardized system of symbols for a particular subject, usually art or science
Term
nonfeasance
Definition
failure to perform an act that should have been completed
Term
notorious
Definition
widely and unfavorably known
Term
nuance
Definition
a subtle distinction, variation, or quality
Term
nugatory
Definition
inconsequential; trifling
Term
nullify
Definition
to void legally; to make of no consequence
Term
numismatist
Definition
one who studies and collects coins and tokens
Term
nuncupative
Definition
not written; oral
Term
nyctophobia
Definition
the fear of darkness
Term
obdurate
Definition
persistent; unyielding
Term
obfuscate
Definition
to confuse
Term
objurgate
Definition
to denounce harshly; to declaim; to castigate
Term
obliterate
Definition
to destroy completely; to cause to disappear
Term
obloquy
Definition
(1) abusive language (2) bad repute
Term
obscurant
Definition
tending to make obscure
Term
obsequious
Definition
obedient; subservient
Term
sycophant
Definition
a servile, self-seeking flatterer
Term
obtrude
Definition
to force, usually oneself or one's ideas on another without request
Term
ocher
Definition
earthy yellow or red
Term
ochlophobia
Definition
the fear of crowds
Term
officious
Definition
meddling; interfering
Term
olfactory
Definition
relating to the sense of smell
Term
oligarchy
Definition
form of government in which control is placed in the hands of a few, especially associated with corruption
Term
omnipotent
Definition
all-powerful
Term
omnipresent
Definition
being all places at once
Term
omniscient
Definition
knowing everything
Term
omnivore
Definition
one who eats both animals and vegetables
Term
onomatopoeia
Definition
the use of words whose sounds convey their meanings (e.g., buzz, hiss)
Term
ontogeny
Definition
the development of an organism
Term
onus
Definition
a burden; an obligation
Term
ophidiophobia
Definition
the fear of snakes
Term
opprobrium
Definition
disgrace due to a shameful act
Term
opus
Definition
a major work, especially a set of musical compositions
Term
ornithophobia
Definition
the fear of birds
Term
oscillate
Definition
to swing back and forth; to vary
Term
osmosis
Definition
diffusion through a membrane
Term
ossify
Definition
to become hard as a bone
Term
ostentatious
Definition
showy; pretentious
Term
oviparous
Definition
producing eggs that hatch outside the maternal body
Term
palindrome
Definition
a word, sentence, or number that reads the same backward and forward
Term
palliate
Definition
to cover up with excuses; to estenuate
Term
panegyric
Definition
high praise; a tribute; an encomium
Term
paradigm
Definition
an example; a pattern; an archetype
Term
paradox
Definition
(1) something true that appears to be false (2) something false that appears to be logical
Term
pariah
Definition
an outcast
Term
parry
Definition
(1) to ward off (2) to escape by dodging
Term
parsimony
Definition
the quality of being careful with money, thrift
Term
partisan
Definition
one who is committed to a particular person, cause, or idea
Term
parvenu
Definition
one recently risen to an unaccustomed position and not yet possessing the requisite dignity or characteristics; upstart
Term
paucity
Definition
a small amount; a scarcity
Term
pecuniary
Definition
having to do with money
Term
pedantic
Definition
characterized by an ostentatious display of learning
Term
pedometer
Definition
an instrument used to measure the distance walked
Term
penultimate
Definition
next to last
Term
peremptory
Definition
precluding a right of action, delay, or debate; admitting of no contradiction
Term
perfidious
Definition
faithless; disloyal; treacherous
Term
peripatetic
Definition
wandering; itinerant
Term
peruse
Definition
to read carefully; to study
Term
pervade
Definition
to spread throughout
Term
petulant
Definition
ill-tempered; irritable; fractious
Term
philatelist
Definition
one who studies and collects stamps
Term
philistine
Definition
(1) characterized by material rather than spiritual or artistic values (2) narrow-minded or uninformed with respect to a specific topic area
Term
piscatorial
Definition
of or relating to fish
Term
platen
Definition
(1) a roller on a typewriter (2) a flat plate
Term
platitude
Definition
the state of being dull, banal, or trite
Term
plethora
Definition
a superfluity; an excess
Term
plumb
Definition
(1) a lead weight used to find the true vertical (2) to measure the depth of; to fathom
Term
polemic
Definition
strong argument in refutation of another; disputation; practice of engaging in controversy
Term
poltroon
Definition
a coward
Term
potlatch
Definition
(1) a ceremonial feast, with gifts, of northwest coast Indians (2) a festival or celebration
Term
precipitous
Definition
steep
Term
precocious
Definition
exhibiting maturity at an early age
Term
prescience
Definition
the anticipation of upcoming events; foresight
Term
prevaricate
Definition
to deviate from the truth; to lie
Term
probity
Definition
honesty; uprightness; rectitude
Term
profusion
Definition
a great amount; an abundance
Term
prognosticate
Definition
to forecast; to prophesy
Term
propinquity
Definition
closeness; proximity
Term
proxy
Definition
a person authorized to act for another
Term
pseudonym
Definition
a fictitous or pen name
Term
surname
Definition
(1) a family name (2) an added name or nickname
Term
puce
Definition
dark red
Term
puerile
Definition
childish; juvenile
Term
pundit
Definition
an expert; an authority; a critic; a savant
Term
purloin
Definition
to steal
Term
purview
Definition
a range of authority, competence, or responsibility; scope
Term
pusillanimous
Definition
cowardly; fearful
Term
Pyrrhic
Definition
usually referring to a victory won at excessively high cost
Term
quaff
Definition
to drink heartily
Term
quagmire
Definition
a bog; a difficult or entrapping situation; a predicament
Term
qualm
Definition
(1) a sudden onset of illness, especially of nausea (2) a feeling of unease about a point of conscience
Term
quandary
Definition
a state of confusion or doubt
Term
quell
Definition
to suppress
Term
querulous
Definition
complaining; whining
Term
quintescence
Definition
the essence of something in its most concentrated form; the purest representative from a certain category
Term
quisling
Definition
a traitor
Term
quittance
Definition
a release from debt or obligation
Term
quixotic
Definition
foolishly impractical and idealistic; capricious
Term
quizzical
Definition
(1) eccentric; odd (2) inquisitive; questioning
Term
quondam
Definition
former; sometime
Term
quorom
Definition
the minimum number of a group that must be present to conduct business legally
Term
quotidian
Definition
daily
Term
rancorous
Definition
with ill-will; with enmity
Term
raze
Definition
to demolish completely; to destroy
Term
recalcitrant
Definition
obstinately defiant of authority; resistant
Term
recidivism
Definition
repeated relapse, as in tendency to repeat criminal activity
Term
reciprocal
Definition
(1) mutual; shared; common (2) inversely related
Term
recondite
Definition
obscure; concealed; incomprehensible; esoteric
Term
recumbent
Definition
lying down; leaning; resting
Term
recusant
Definition
marked by refusal to obey authority
Term
redolent
Definition
having a pleasing scent; fragrant
Term
refurbish
Definition
to freshen or make new; to renovate
Term
relegate
Definition
to assign to a place of insignificance; to banish
Term
relume
Definition
to light or light again; to rekindle; to reestablish
Term
remonstrate
Definition
to object; to protest
Term
reprehend
Definition
to voice disapproval of
Term
reprobate
Definition
a villain; an immoral person
Term
repugnant
Definition
distasteful; abhorrent; obnoxious
Term
rescind
Definition
to take away; to remove
Term
resilient
Definition
able to recover easily from hardship or misfortune; flexible
Term
revile
Definition
to use abusive speech; to rail; to scold
Term
ribald
Definition
rude or offensive; indecent
Term
risible
Definition
capable of laughing or provoking laughter
Term
rookery
Definition
a breeding place among rocks for mammals or birds
Term
roseate
Definition
overoptimistic; cheerful
Term
rotund
Definition
round; plump; chubby
Term
ruminate
Definition
to reflect on something; to ponder
Term
saboteur
Definition
one who willfully hinders, through destruction or obstruction, industrial production of a nation's war effort
Term
fifth column
Definition
supporters of an enemy that engage in sabotage within defense lines or national boundaries
Term
sagacious
Definition
wise; astute; perspicacious
Term
salubrious
Definition
healthy; promoting well-being; salutary
Term
sanctimonious
Definition
(1) devout; holy (2) hypocritically devout or holy
Term
sanction
Definition
to authorize or approve
Term
sanguine
Definition
hopeful
Term
sardonic
Definition
disdainful; sarcastic
Term
satiric
Definition
using ridicule or sarcasm to convey criticism; lampooning
Term
saturnine
Definition
gloomy; sullen; morose
Term
savant
Definition
one with detailed knowledge in a specialized field
Term
prodigy
Definition
highly talented child
Term
virtuoso
Definition
one who is highly skilled in the practice of an art, especially music
Term
scintilla
Definition
a minute trace or jot; an iota
Term
tittle
Definition
a particle
Term
sectarian
Definition
of or relatinng to a sect or a smaller group within a larger group that adopts only certain beliefs; narrow-minded
Term
sequester
Definition
(1) to set apart from others; to segregate (2) to confiscate
Term
sidereal
Definition
related to the stars; astral
Term
sophmoric
Definition
believing one's level of knowledge and maturity to be higher than it actually is
Term
soporific
Definition
marked by, or causing, sleepiness or lethargy; drowsy
Term
sordid
Definition
wretched; vile; foul
Term
spelunker
Definition
one who studies and explores caves as a hobby
Term
splenetic
Definition
hot-tempered; easily angered
Term
spurious
Definition
false; forged; counterfeit
Term
staid
Definition
sedate; serious; grave
Term
sterile
Definition
unimaginative; unfruitful; bare
Term
stolid
Definition
dull; unemotional; immovable
Term
stoma
Definition
a minute opening in outside surface of a plant for the passage of gases
Term
striated
Definition
referring to muscle with alternate light and dark bands, as opposed to smooth muscle
Term
strident
Definition
loud; harsh; grating
Term
superfluous
Definition
more than necessary; extra
Term
surmise
Definition
to imagine; to make inferences based on insufficient evidence
Term
surreptitious
Definition
secret; covert
Term
sybaritic
Definition
voluptuous; sensual
Term
sycophant
Definition
servile flatterer; parasite
Term
synthesis
Definition
the combination of parts to form a whole, or of thesis and antithesis to form a higher truth
Term
tacit
Definition
unspoken; implied
Term
taciturn
Definition
silent; having little inclination to talk
Term
tactile
Definition
perceptible by touch; tangible
Term
tangenital
Definition
touching only the edge; marginally relevant
Term
tangerine
Definition
a deep orange to almost scarlet mandarin orange
Term
tawdry
Definition
appearing gaudy or cheap
Term
temerity
Definition
audacity; effrontery; boldness
Term
temporal
Definition
referring to time, as opposed to eternity; secular
Term
tenet
Definition
a doctrine upheld by members of an organization
Term
termagant
Definition
a shrew; a nagging woman, a virago; an ogress; a harpy
Term
terrestrial
Definition
having to do with the earth
Term
terse
Definition
(1) polished; refined (2) short and to the point; concise
Term
therapeutic
Definition
used in the treatment of diseases or disorders; curative
Term
timbre
Definition
the quality of a sound or tone, distinctive of a particular voice or instrument
Term
timorous
Definition
fearful; timid
Term
tirade
Definition
a long, intemperate speech; diatribe
Term
torpid
Definition
dormant; lacking energy; lethargic; apathetic; dull
Term
vapid
Definition
lacking vitality; flat; uninteresting
Term
torque
Definition
(1) a twisting or turning force (2) to cause to rotate or twist
Term
torrid
Definition
oppressively hot
Term
tort
Definition
a civil wrong for which the injured party is entitled to compensation
Term
tractable
Definition
docile; malleable; obedient
Term
transient
Definition
lasting only a short time; changing; ephemeral; transitory
Term
trenchant
Definition
(1) caustic; penetrating (2) separate; distinct
Term
triskaidekaphobia
Definition
the fear of the number 13
Term
truculent
Definition
cruel; brutal; belligerent
Term
turbid
Definition
muddy
Term
turpitude
Definition
baseness; corruption; depravity
Term
umbrage
Definition
(1) a feeling of offense or annoyance (2) a shadow; a hint; a suspicion
Term
unctuous
Definition
oily; smug; suave
Term
undulate
Definition
to move in wavelike motions; to fluctuate
Term
unduly
Definition
excessive
Term
unequivocal
Definition
clear; obvious; certain
Term
ungainly
Definition
hard to handle; unwieldy; clumsy
Term
ungulate
Definition
hooflike; referring to hoofed animals
Term
urbane
Definition
polished; polite or finished in manner
Term
utopian
Definition
referring to paradise or an impossible ideal
Term
uxoricide
Definition
the murder of one's wife
Term
vacillate
Definition
to waver; to fluctuate; to oscillate
Term
vacuous
Definition
stupid; lacking intelligence
Term
vagrancy
Definition
the state of being homeless (legally, a misdemeanor)
Term
vapid
Definition
insipid; spiritless
Term
venal
Definition
corruptible
Term
venerate
Definition
to honor
Term
venial
Definition
forgivable
Term
verbose
Definition
wordy
Term
viable
Definition
(1) capable of living (2) able to stand or develop independently
Term
vicarious
Definition
experienced through another medium; experienced through imaginary participation in the events of another's life
Term
vilify
Definition
to slander; to verbally abuse; to defame
Term
virago
Definition
a loud, overbearing woman; a termagant
Term
viscous
Definition
thick; having a gummy consistency
Term
vitriolic
Definition
caustic; biting
Term
viviparous
Definition
producing living young, as most mammals, some reptiles, and a few fishes
Term
volatile
Definition
easily aroused; explosive
Term
volition
Definition
choice or decision; will
Term
voracious
Definition
ravenous; gluttonous; insatiable
Term
vulpine
Definition
foxlike; crafty
Term
wan
Definition
pale; sickly
Term
wanton
Definition
flirtatious; lascivious
Term
whet
Definition
to stimulate; to incite; to make more intense, especially an appetite
Term
wizened
Definition
shrunken and wrinkled with age
Term
wright
Definition
a worker, especially in wood; used in combination with another word
Term
wroth
Definition
intensely angry; incensed
Term
xanthic
Definition
yellowish
Term
xenophobia
Definition
the fear of strangers
Term
yean
Definition
to give birth, used of sheeps or goats
Term
yore
Definition
time long past
Term
yowl
Definition
to cry out loudly; to wail
Term
zealot
Definition
one who is enthusiastic, sometimes fanatical, about a cause
Term
zenith
Definition
(1) the highest point (2) the highest point reached by a celestial body
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