abdicateTo give up (royal power or the like).

abhorto hate to detest

abominableVery hateful.

abridgeTo make shorter in words, keeping the essential features, leaning out minorparticles.

absolveTo free from sin or its penalties.

abstinenceSelf denial.

abyssBottomless gulf.

academicOf or pertaining to an academy, college, or university.

accordagreement

adagewise saying; proverb

adamantAny substance of exceeding hardness or impenetrability.

adeptexpert at; very skilled

adjunctSomething joined to or connected with another thing, but holding a subordinateplace.

admiringappreciative; full of admiration

adverseOpposing or opposed.

aggravateTo make heavier, worse, or more burdensome.

ailtrouble be ill

akinOf similar nature or qualities.

allegeTo assert to be true, especially in a formal manner, as in court.

aloofNot in sympathy with or desiring to associate with others.

altruisticunselfishly generous; concerned for others; N. altiruism: unselfish concern for thewelfare of others; unselfishness; OP. egoism

ambiguousHaving a double meaning.

ambivalenthaving both of two contrary meanings

amiableagreeable; lovable; warmly friendly

amorphousWithout determinate shape.

analyticalable or inclined to separate things into their constituent elements in order to studyor examine them, draw conclusions, or solve problems

animosityHatred.

aridVery dry.

aspirantOne who seeks earnestly, as for advancement, honors, place.

assailableto attack somebody vigorously with words or actions

assertstate strongly or positively; demand recognition of (rights, claims, etc.); make aclaim to (by forceful action); Ex. assert one's independence

assessTo determine the amount of (a tax or other sum to be paid).

astuteKeen in discernment.

audibleLoud enough to be heard.

authenticOf undisputed origin.

banalCommonplace.

barrageartificial obstacle built across a river

belligerentManifesting a warlike spirit.

benevolenceAny act of kindness or well-doing.

benignGood and kind of heart.

bewilderTo confuse the perceptions or judgment of.

biasedunable or unwilling to form a fair or objective opinion about somebody orsomething

brashhasty rush cheeky saucy

briga building or part of a building that is used as a prison in a U.S. militaryinstallation

browbeatTo overwhelm, or attempt to do so, by stern, haughty, or rude address or manner.

burlystrong and with a broad sturdy frame

cacophonyA disagreeable, harsh, or discordant sound or combination of sounds or tones.

candorThe quality of frankness or outspokenness.

capriciouswhimsical, fickle, changeable

cautioushaving or showing care, thoughtfulness, restraint, and lack of haste

cholericEasily provoked to anger.

circulateTo disseminate.

clandestineSurreptitious.

claritythe quality of being clearly expressed

coalescecombine; fuse; N. coalescence

concedeTo surrender.

condescendTo come down voluntarily to equal terms with inferiors.

condoneforgive

confoundconfuse; puzzle

congealTo coagulate.

congenialHaving kindred character or tastes.

consensusA collective unanimous opinion of a number of persons.

contemptuousDisdainful.

contentiousargumentative, quarrelsome

contiguousTouching or joining at the edge or boundary.

contradictto argue against the truth or correctness of somebody’s statement or claim

contritiondeep and genuine feelings of guilt and remorse

conventionalordinary; typical; not nuclear; Ex. conventional weapons

corpulentObese.

correlationmutual relationship

counselsomebody whose advice is sought, or who acts as an official adviser

creviceA small fissure, as between two contiguous surfaces.

cumulativegrowing by addition; accumulative

debilitatingreducing somebody’s strength or energy

debunkexpose as false, exaggerated, worthless, etc.; ridicule

decomposeto rot; to break something down, or be broken down, into smaller or simpler parts

decreeorder given by authority

deficientNot having an adequate or proper supply or amount.

deftneat; skillful

deleteriousHurtful, morally or physically.

delusionMistaken conviction, especially when more or less enduring.

despairUtter hopelessness and despondency.

deteriorateTo grow worse.

dexterityReadiness, precision, efficiency, and ease in any physical activity or in anymechanical work.

diluteTo make more fluid or less concentrated by admixture with something.

dingy(of things and place) dirty and dull; Ex. dingy street/curtain

disparageTo regard or speak of slightingly.

distortTo twist into an unnatural or irregular form.

dormantBeing in a state of or resembling sleep.

dreadto feel extremely frightened or worried about something that may happen in thefuture

dubiousDoubtful.

egotistOne given to self-mention or who is constantly telling of his own views andexperiences.

egressAny place of exit.

elaborateworked out with much care in great detail

elongateto make something longer, or become longer

embroiderdecorate with needlework; ornament (a story) with fancy or fictitious details;embellish

emulateTo imitate with intent to equal or surpass.

epochA interval of time, memorable for extraordinary events.

equivalentEqual in value, force, meaning, or the like.

eratime a period of time made distinctive by a significant development, feature,event, or personality

eradicateTo destroy thoroughly.

evacuateto empty a dangerous or potentially dangerous place of people

evanescentFleeting.

exasperateTo excite great anger in.

excavateTo remove by digging or scooping out.

exclusionNon-admission.

exileunwilling absence from your own country or home, whether enforced by agovernment or court as a punishment, or imposed for political or religious reasons

exquisitedelicate; very finely made; extremely beautiful; Ex. exquisite piece of jewelry

extinctBeing no longer in existence.

extolTo praise in the highest terms.

exuberantMarked by great plentifulness.

facetOne of the small triangular plane surfaces of a diamond or other gem.

fathomA measure of length, 6 feet.

felicityA state of well-founded happiness.

feral(of an animal) not domestic; wild

fissionsplitting or division (esp. of cells)

flagdroop; grow feeble; decline in vigor or strength; ADJ. flagging; CF. unflagging

fluctuateTo pass backward and forward irregularly from one state or degree to another.

founderperson who establishes (an organization or business)

frankopen, honest, and sometimes forceful in expressing true feelings and opinions

fringeedge ornamental border part of hair over the forehead

frugalEconomical.

fundamentalBasal.

fusionunion; coalition; V. fuse

garrulousGiven to constant trivial talking.

gauntlean and angular; thin and bony; emaciated; barren

genreparticular variety of art or literature

gluttonsomeone who eats too much; ADJ. gluttonous: given to gluttony; greedy; CF.gluttony: habit of eating too much

hackneyedCommonplace; trite

hoarywhite with age

hovelshack; small wretched house

huecolor; aspect; Ex. opinions of every hue

idiosyncrasyA mental quality or habit peculiar to an individual.

illuminateTo supply with light.

immaculateWithout spot or blemish.

impassepredicament(dangerous condition) from which there is no escape; situationallowing for no further progress

impedimentsmth that hinders (e.g. stammer)

imperiousInsisting on obedience.

imperviousImpenetrable.

implorebeg

implyTo signify.

incompetentNot having the abilities desired or necessary for any purpose.

incumbentobligatory; imposed as an obligation; currently holding an office; N: person whoholds an office

indictmenta formal accusation of a serious crime, presented to a grand jury

indifferentunmoved or unconcerned by; having no interest in; mediocre; neither good nor bad

indignantHaving such anger and scorn as is aroused by meanness or wickedness.

ingenuityCleverness in contriving, combining, or originating.

innateInborn

inquirya formal investigation to determine the facts of a case; a request for information

inscribeTo enter in a book, or on a list, roll, or document, by writing.

insinuationsomething unpleasant artfully and indirectly suggested to another person

insipidTasteless.

insolentImpudent.

intangibleNot perceptible to the touch.

integratemake whole; combine; make into one unit

integrityUprightness of character and soundness of moral principle.

irateMoved to anger.

ironicResulting in an unexpected and contrary manner

itinerantWandering.

jeerto shout or laugh at somebody or something as an expression of disgust, scorn, orother displeasure

jestplayful remark or act; V. act or speak playfully

jubilantfeeling or expressing great delight over a success, achievement, or victory

juxtaposeTo place close together.

keenfinely tuned and able to sense minor differences, distinctions, or details; intenseand lively; very eager and willing

kineticproducing motion; of motion

ladencarrying a load, usually a heavy load

lamentshow feel great sorrow

languidRelaxed.

lingerloiter or dawdle; be slow in leaving; delay going; continue or persist; be slow todisappear; Ex. The smell lingered for days.

lividBlack-and-blue, as contused flesh.

lush(of a plant or grass) growing very well

marspoil the appearance of

mercurialquick changeable in character fleeting

mergeto combine or unite with something to form a single entity, or make two or morethings do this

meticulousOver-cautious.

mirthmerriment; laughter

nimbleLight and quick in motion or action.

nonchalantnot having interest

notoriousUnfavorably known to the general public.

noviceA beginner in any business or occupation.

nullhaving no value or importance

obdurateImpassive to feelings of humanity or pity.

objectiveGrasping and representing facts as they are.

obscuredark; vague; unclear; not well known; Ex. obscure meaning/village; V: darken;cover; make unclear; Ex. obscure the moon/meaning

obsoleteNo longer practiced or accepted.

obstinatestubborn; hard to control or treat; Ex. obstinate cough; N. obstinacy

opulentWealthy.

orationAn elaborate or formal public speech.

ostentatiousShowy; pretentious; too fancy

pactA covenant.

paramountSupreme in authority.

parchdry out

pardonedforegive someone of wrongdoing

parodyTo render ludicrous by imitating the language of.

pedanticbookish showing off learning

pedestrianOne who journeys on foot.

penitentfeeling or showing regret

penuriousExcessively sparing in the use of money.

piousReligious.

placateTo bring from a state of angry or hostile feeling to one of patience or friendliness.

placateTo bring from a state of angry or hostile feeling to one of patience or friendliness.

plausibleSeeming likely to be true, though open to doubt.

plightdifficult condition; condition or state (esp. a bad state or condition); predicament

plumagefeathers of a bird;

plunderrob a place or steal goods

polymorphousan animal, plant or chemical that has several different forms

posteritydescendants; future generations; Ex. go down to posterity; CF. posterior, anterior

preambleA statement introductory to and explanatory of what follows.

premiseA judgment as a conclusion.

presumetake for granted; assume; act overconfidently; take liberties; presume on/upon:take unfair advantage of (someone's kindness or connection); N. presumption

procureacquire something

profaneworldly having contempt for God

prolificProducing offspring or fruit.

propheticof a prophet or prophecy; having to do with predicting the future; N. prophecy; V.prophesy; N. prophet

prosperoussuccessful; rich; affluent; well-to-do; well-off

prudentcautious; careful; prudential

pugnaciousQuarrelsome.

pungentAffecting the sense of smell.

quandaryA puzzling predicament.

quibbleAn utterly trivial distinction or objection.

quivercase for arrows

ramblewander aimlessly (physically or mentally); digress

rancidhaving the odor of stale or decomposing fat; rank

rancorousfeeling bitterness spitefulness

ratifyapprove formally; confirm; verify

ravenousFuriously voracious or hungry.

recalcitrantobstinate, refusing to obey authority, noncompliant

recedeTo move back or away.

recreationan activity that a person takes part in for pleasure or relaxation rather than as work

recuperateTo recover.

refrainabstain from; resist; forbear; N: chorus

reminiscenceThe calling to mind of incidents within the range of personal knowledge orexperience.

remotedistant in manner; aloof

rendezvousA prearranged place of meeting.

repudiateTo refuse to have anything to do with.

repugnantOffensive to taste and feeling.

retrospectA view or contemplation of something past.

revereTo regard with worshipful veneration.

revileTo heap approach or abuse upon.

riftsplit crack dissension

robustCharacterized by great strength or power of endurance.

routput to rout; stampede; drive out; N: complete defeat and disorderly retreat

rueTo regret extremely.

rusetrick to deceive; stratagem

sageperson celebrated for wisdom; wise person; ADJ: wise

salvesoothing ointment

sanctimoniousMaking an ostentatious display or hypocritical pretense of holiness or piety.

sarcasticmocking

scorna strong feeling of contempt; disdain

scullsingle oar at back of boat; light racing boat

sedateEven-tempered.

shrewdCharacterized by skill at understanding and profiting by circumstances.

shunkeep away from avoid

skepticalDoubtful; unbelieving

skitshort piece of humorous writing

slanderdefamation; utterance of false and malicious statements; V. ADJ. slanderous

somberGloomy.

sporadichappening from time to time, not constant or regular, occasional

squalidHaving a dirty, mean, poverty-stricken appearance.

staidOf a steady and sober character.

starkharsh; forbidding in its bareness and lack of any ornament, relieving feature, orpleasant prospect

stifleTo smother.

subjectiveinfluenced by personal feelings; occurring or taking place within the mind; unreal;Ex. subjective sensation of the ghostly presence

sublimeextreme astounding

superfluousBeing more than is needed.

surrogateOne who or that which is substituted for or appointed to act in place of another.

sustainsuffer (harm or loss); experience; support; prop; maintain; keep in existence;nourish (to maintain life); Ex. sustain the family/the trapped miners

temperamentcharacteristic frame of mind; disposition; emotional excess; ADJ. temperamental:of temperament; having frequent changes of temper; Ex. temperamental dislike ofsports; Ex. temperamental actress

tenaciousUnyielding.

tepidlukewarm

thriftycareful about money; economical; N. thrift

timidshy easily frightened

toilhard work; work hard

tomelarge volume; book

translucentAllowing the passage of light.

trystmeeting arranged by lovers; arrangement between lovers to meet

uniformunchanging; consistent; like another

variegated(esp. of a flower or leaf) many-colored

vendto sell something from a vending machine or on the street

venerateTo cherish reverentially.

vigoractive strength; energy; enthusiasm; ADJ. vigorous

virtuosoA master in the technique of some particular fine art.

vivid(of light or color) bright and distinct; evoking lifelike mental images; Ex. vivid redhair/description

volatileChangeable.

waneTo diminish in size and brilliancy.

warlocka male sorcerer or wizard

whimsicalCapricious.

wilycrafty; cunning; artful; N. wile: deceitful stratagem

writheTo twist the body, face, or limbs or as in pain or distress.