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Words Meanings
abate become less in amount or intensity
abbreviate shorten
abduct take away to an undisclosed location against their will
abhor find repugnant
ability having the means or skills to do something
abominate find repugnant
abound exist in large quantities
abstain choose not to consume
abstemious marked by temperance in indulgence
abstract existing only in the mind
accent special importance or significance
acclaim enthusiastic approval
accumulate get or gather together
acquaintance personal knowledge or information about someone or something
acrimonious marked by strong resentment or cynicism
adapt make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose
adhesion the property of sticking together
admonish scold or reprimand; take to task
adobe sun-dried brick; used in hot dry climates
adolescence the period between the beginning of puberty and adulthood
aerate fill, combine, or supply with oxygen
aerie the lofty nest of a bird of prey, such as a hawk or eagle
affirm declare solemnly and formally as true
affluent having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value
aggressive characteristic of an enemy or one eager to fight
agile moving quickly and lightly
agitator one who agitates; a political troublemaker
agree consent or assent to a condition
alacrity liveliness and eagerness
alarmist a person who alarms others needlessly
alchemy a pseudoscientific forerunner of chemistry in medieval times
alert warn or arouse to a sense of danger
altimeter an instrument that measures the height above ground
altruism the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others

altruist someone who makes charitable donations intended to increase human well-being
altruistic showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others
ambiguity unclearness by virtue of having more than one meaning
amble walk leisurely
ammunition projectiles to be fired from a gun
anarchy a state of lawlessness and disorder
ancillary furnishing added support
anecdote short account of an incident
angelic relating to spiritual beings attendant upon God
angler a fisherman who uses a hook and line
anonym a fictitious name used when the person performs a particular social role
anthology a collection of selected literary passages
anthropology science of the origins and social relationships of humans
anticipate regard something as probable or likely
antifreeze a liquid added to the water in a cooling system
animosity a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility
antipathy a feeling of intense dislike
antiseptic thoroughly clean and free of disease-causing organisms
anxiety a vague unpleasant emotion in anticipation of a misfortune
apathy an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
ape any of various primates with short tails or no tail at all
aperture a natural opening in something
apostle an ardent early supporter of a cause or reform
appall strike with disgust or revulsion
applaud clap one's hands or shout to indicate approval
applause a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together
appliance a device or control that is very useful for a particular job
appraise consider in a comprehensive way
apprehend anticipate with dread or anxiety
apprehensive in fear or dread of possible evil or harm
apprise inform somebody of something
approbation official approval
archipelago a group of many islands in a large body of water
architect someone who creates plans to be used in making something
archivist a person in charge of collecting and cataloguing archives
arctic extremely cold
ardent characterized by intense emotion
aria an elaborate song for solo voice
aristocracy a privileged class holding hereditary titles
arrest take into custody
arrhythmic lacking a steady beat or accent
arrogance overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner
arrogant having or showing feelings of unwarranted importance
artifact a man-made object
ascertain learn or discover with confidence
ascetic someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
asphalt a dark bituminous substance found in natural beds
assess estimate the nature, quality, ability or significance of
assure inform positively and with certainty and confidence
asylum a shelter from danger or hardship
atheist someone who denies the existence of god
attribute a quality belonging to or characteristic of an entity
attic a floor consisting of open space at the top of a house
audacity aggressive boldness or unmitigated effrontery
audition perform in order to get a role
auspicious auguring favorable circumstances and good luck
austere of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor
austerity self-denial, especially refraining from worldly pleasures
autumnal of or characteristic of or occurring in the fall
aver declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
awestruck having a feeling of mixed reverence and wonder and dread
ballade a poem consisting of 3 stanzas and an envoy
balletomane a ballet enthusiast
bankruptcy a legal process for a corporation declared to be insolvent
banquet a ceremonial dinner party for many people
barren completely wanting or lacking
bawdy humorously vulgar
beatitude a state of supreme happiness
beetle insect having biting mouthparts
befitting appropriate to
bellwether sheep that leads the herd often wearing a bell
beneath in or to a place that is lower
benevolent showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding
berate censure severely or angrily
bibliography a list of writings with time and place of publication
bibulous given to or marked by the consumption of alcohol
billow a large sea wave
binoculars an optical instrument for simultaneous use by both eyes
bitter causing a sharp and acrid taste experience
bizarre conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
blaze a strong flame that burns brightly
blemish a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something
blithe carefree and happy and lighthearted
blizzard a storm with widespread snowfall accompanied by strong winds
blunt not sharp (used of a knife or other blade)
bluster be gusty, as of wind
boar an uncastrated male hog
bolster support and strengthen
bolt a screw that screws into a nut to form a fastener
boorish ill-mannered and coarse in behavior or appearance
boredom the feeling of being tired of something tedious
bough any of the larger branches of a tree
bourgeois being of the property-owning class
bowdlerize edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
brazen unrestrained by convention or propriety
brevity the attribute of being short or fleeting
bribe payment made to corrupt a person in a position of trust
bridge structure allowing passage across a river or other obstacle
brisk quick and energetic
brittle having little elasticity
bronze an alloy of copper and tin and sometimes other elements
brusque marked by rude or peremptory shortness
buck mature male of various mammals (especially deer or antelope)
buffet piece of furniture that stands at the side of a dining room
bulwark an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
buoy an anchored float that marks locations in a body of water
bursitis inflammation of a bursa; frequently in the shoulder
burst come open suddenly and violently
calcify become impregnated with calcium salts
caliber diameter of a tube or gun barrel
caliper an instrument for measuring the distance between two points
callow young and inexperienced
candor the quality of being honest and straightforward
capricious determined by chance or impulse rather than by necessity
capture seize as if by hunting, snaring, or trapping
a sculpture created by removing material (as wood or ivory or stone) in order to create a
carving desired shape
castigate inflict severe punishment on
catalyst substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction
celery widely cultivated herb with aromatic leaf stalks that are eaten raw or cooked
censor a person authorized to suppress unacceptable material
a series of (usually metal) rings or links fitted into one another to make a flexible
chain ligament
chaotic completely unordered and unpredictable and confusing
a carbonaceous material obtained by heating wood or other organic matter in the
charcoal absence of air
chariot a two-wheeled, horse-drawn vehicle
charlatan a flamboyant deceiver
chasten censure severely
chatter talk socially without exchanging too much information
chevron an inverted V-shaped charge
chide censure severely or angrily
choir a chorus that sings as part of a religious ceremony
choleric characterized by anger
chorus actors who comment on the action in a classical Greek play
churlish having a bad disposition; surly
cinnamon tropical Asian tree with aromatic yellowish-brown bark
consequence a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon
constellation a configuration of stars as seen from the earth
contaminate make impure
contrary exact opposition
contradictory not able to be true at the same time
controversial marked by or capable of arousing disagreement
conviction an unshakable belief in something without need for proof
cosmetology the practice of beautifying the face and hair and skin
cosmopolitan composed of people from many parts of the world
cosmos everything that exists anywhere
counselor someone who gives advice about problems
coup a sudden and decisive change of government by force
courteous characterized by courtesy and gracious good manners
courtroom a room in which a lawcourt sits
cover provide with a covering or cause to be covered
cower crouch or curl up
cozy enjoying or affording comforting warmth and shelter
cram crowd or pack to capacity
cramp a painful and involuntary muscular contraction
crane a long-necked wading bird
crater a bowl-shaped geological formation at the top of a volcano
cravat neckwear worn in a slipknot with long ends overlapping vertically in front
craving an intense desire for some particular thing
credulous showing a lack of judgment or experience
crimson a deep and vivid red color
cringe draw back, as with fear, pain, or embarrassment
criticize point out real or perceived flaws
crochet needlework by interlocking stitches with a hooked needle
crone an ugly, evil-looking old woman
crooked EE
croon sing softly
crude belonging to an early stage of technical development
cruise travel about for pleasure, relaxation, or sightseeing
culpable deserving blame or censure as being wrong or injurious

cupid a symbol for love in the form of a cherubic naked boy with wings and a bow and arrow
curator the custodian of a collection, as a museum or library
curb the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess
cure a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain
(East Indian cookery) a pungent dish of vegetables or meats flavored with curry powder
curry and usually eaten with rice
cursory hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
curtail terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end
cynosure something that provides guidance
damp slightly wet
damsel a young unmarried woman
dapple a small contrasting part of something
darn repair a garment by weaving thread across a hole
dauntless invulnerable to fear or intimidation
debauch a wild gathering involving excessive drinking
decay the organic phenomenon of rotting
deceit the quality of being fraudulent
decimate kill one in every ten, as of mutineers in Roman armies
decrepit worn and broken down by hard use
defensive an attitude of excessive sensitivity to criticism
defy resist or confront with resistance
dejected affected or marked by low spirits
deliberate carefully thought out in advance
delinquent a young offender
deluge a heavy rain
demagogue a leader who seeks support by appealing to popular passions
desperado a bold outlaw
despondent without or almost without hope
deter turn away from by persuasion
devoid completely wanting or lacking
dexterous skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands
diaphanous so thin as to transmit light
diatribe thunderous verbal attack
dictatorial characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule
diffident showing modest reserve
diligent quietly and steadily persevering in detail or exactness
diminutive very small
a unit of measurement of the refractive power of a lens which is equal to the reciprocal
diopter of the focal length measured in meters; used by oculists
duplicity acting in bad faith
disarming act of reducing or depriving of weapons
discredit the state of being held in low esteem
discrete constituting a separate entity or part
disdain lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
disgruntled in a state of sulky dissatisfaction
dishevel disarrange or rumple; dishevel
disparage express a negative opinion of
dispel to cause to separate and go in different directions
disperse move away from each other
disseminate cause to become widely known
distressed feeling general unhappiness
docile easily handled or managed
doctrine a belief accepted as authoritative by some group or school
doe mature female of mammals of which the male is called `buck'
dogmatic pertaining to a code of beliefs accepted as authoritative
dolt a person who is not very bright
dominate be in control
doodle an aimless drawing
dour showing a brooding ill humor
dovetail a mortise joint formed by interlocking parts
downpour a heavy rain
drizzle very light rain; stronger than mist but less than a shower
dubious fraught with uncertainty or doubt
dusk the time of day immediately following sunset
dwindle become smaller or lose substance
eagerness a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something
easel an upright tripod for displaying something
ebullient joyously unrestrained
eclipse the phenomenon when one celestial body obscures another
ecosystem organisms interacting with their physical environment
a state of elated bliss
ecstasy
ecstatic feeling great rapture or delight
edify make understand
elephantine of great mass; huge and bulky
elevate raise from a lower to a higher position
elevation distance of something above a reference point
elicit call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
emaciate grow weak and thin or waste away physically
embezzlement the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property
emote give expression to, in a stage or movie role
empathy understanding and entering into another's feelings
empirical derived from experiment and observation rather than theory
encore an extra performance in response to audience demand
enervate weaken mentally or morally
engrossed giving or marked by complete attention to
enlighten give spiritual insight to
enormity the quality of extreme wickedness
envious painfully desirous of another's advantages
envisage form a mental image of something that is not present
epicurean devoted to pleasure
equine resembling a horse
equipoise equality of distribution
equivocal open to two or more interpretations
eradicate destroy completely, as if down to the roots
erroneous containing or characterized by error
erudite having or showing profound knowledge
eschew avoid and stay away from deliberately
espouse choose and follow a theory, idea, policy, etc.
esteemed having an illustrious reputation; respected
ethics motivation based on ideas of right and wrong
eulogy a formal expression of praise for someone who has died
evade avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing
evince give expression to
exacerbate make worse
exalt praise, glorify, or honor
excavate recover through digging
excite act as a stimulant
exculpate pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
exhume dig up for reburial or for medical investigation
exorbitant greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
exotic characteristic of another place or part of the world
expedient appropriate to a purpose
saw hand tool having a toothed blade for cutting
explosion the act of bursting
extemporaneouswith little or no preparation or forethought
exterminate kill on a large scale
extol praise, glorify, or honor
extravagant recklessly wasteful
falcon a diurnal bird of prey
fallacy a misconception resulting from incorrect reasoning
fallow left unplowed and unseeded during a growing season
familial relating to a social unit living together
famine a severe shortage of food resulting in starvation and death
fanciful indulging in or influenced by the imagination
fastidious giving careful attention to detail
fawn a young deer
fur dense coat of fine silky hairs on mammals
frown a facial expression of dislike or displeasure
funnel a conically shaped utensil with a narrow tube at one end
fur dense coat of fine silky hairs on mammals
furlong a unit of length equal to 220 yards
furtive secret and sly or sordid
futility uselessness as a consequence of having no practical result
gadget a device or control that is very useful for a particular job
garrulous full of trivial conversation
gauche lacking social polish
gauge an instrument for measuring and indicating a quantity
geyser a spring that discharges hot water and steam
giddy lacking seriousness; given to frivolity
up spatially or metaphorically from a lower to a higher position
glare be sharply reflected
glorify praise or honor
gluttonous given to excess in consumption of especially food or drink
gluttony habitual eating to excess
gourmet a person devoted to and knowledgeable about fine food
grandiloquent lofty in style
gregarious temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others
grimace contort the face to indicate a certain mental state
grin to draw back the lips and reveal the teeth, in a smile, grimace, or snarl
grind reduce to small pieces or particles by pounding or abrading
grip hold fast or firmly
groan an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
grovel show submission or fear
guffaw a burst of deep loud hearty laughter
gull aquatic bird having long pointed wings and short legs
gullible naive and easily deceived or tricked
gush flow forth in a sudden stream or jet
hail precipitation of ice pellets
halcyon a mythical bird said to breed at the winter solstice
halo a circle of light around the sun or moon
hamlet a community of people smaller than a village
haphazard dependent upon or characterized by chance
harbor a sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo
hardened converted to solid form (as concrete)
hassock a cushion for kneeling on (as when praying in church)
haughty having or showing arrogant superiority
haunt follow stealthily or pursue like a ghost
hawk diurnal bird of prey typically having short rounded wings and a long tail
hedonist someone motivated by desires for sensual pleasures
herd a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals
heredity the transmission of genetic factors to the next generation
hoard a secret store of valuables or money
hoax something intended to deceive
hog domestic swine
hoist raise or haul up with or as if with mechanical help
hone sharpen with a whetstone
hovel small crude shelter used as a dwelling
howling a long loud emotional utterance
hull dry outer covering of a fruit or seed or nut
humanitarian marked by devotion to popular welfare
humdrum tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
humid containing or characterized by a great deal of water vapor
hurdle a light movable barrier that competitors must leap over in certain races
hygienic tending to promote or preserve health
hymn a song of praise, especially a religious song
hypnotic of or relating to a state that resembles sleep
hypocrisy pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not have
iceberg a large mass of ice floating at sea
iconoclast someone who attacks cherished ideas or institutions
illicit contrary to accepted morality or convention
illusive based on or having the nature of a fantasy
immortality the state of eternal life
immune of the condition in which an organism can resist disease
impair make worse or less effective
impeach bring an accusation against
impetuous characterized by undue haste and lack of thought
implausible highly imaginative but unlikely
implicate bring into intimate and incriminating connection
imply express or state indirectly
impure combined with extraneous elements
inane devoid of intelligence
inconspicuous not prominent or readily noticeable
incredible beyond belief or understanding
indebted owing gratitude to another for help or favors
indecisive characterized by lack of resoluteness
indigenous originating where it is found
indulgent given to yielding to the wishes of someone
divisive dissenting with the majority opinion
ineffable defying expression or description
inert unable to move or resist motion
inevitable incapable of being avoided or prevented
inference drawing a conclusion on the basis of circumstantial evidence
inferior of or characteristic of low rank or importance
influx the process of flowing in
ingratitude a lack of gratitude
inimical not friendly
inimitable matchless
initiate set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for
innuendo an indirect and usually malicious implication
inquisitive given to questioning
insane afflicted with or characteristic of mental derangement
insensitive not noticing or caring about the feelings or needs of others
insipid lacking interest or significance or impact
instinct inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to stimuli
instrumental serving or acting as a means or aid
insular relating to or characteristic of or situated on an island
intellectual of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind
intelligible capable of being apprehended or understood
intermittently in a manner of stopping and starting at irregular intervals
interrogate pose a series of questions to
intimidate to compel or deter by or as if by threats
intricacy marked by elaborately complex detail
intrigue a crafty and involved plot to achieve your ends
intrinsic belonging to a thing by its very nature
invigorate give life or energy to
irk irritate or vex
irrepressible impossible to control
jack tool for exerting pressure or lifting
jaundiced affected by yellowing of the skin
jerky marked by abrupt starts and stops
jog give a slight push to
jogger someone who runs a steady slow pace (usually for exercise)
joust fight someone in a tournament on horseback
juvenile of or relating to children or young people
kiln a furnace for firing, burning or drying porcelain or bricks
kneel rest one's weight on one's knees
knight a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry
knot any of various fastenings formed by looping and tying a rope (or cord) upon itself or to an
lacerate cut or tear irregularly
lair the habitation of wild animals
lancelet small translucent lancet-shaped burrowing marine animal
lariat a long noosed rope used to catch animals
latent potentially existing but not presently evident or realized
laudatory full of or giving praise
laud praise, glorify, or honor
laurel a small aromatic tree with shiny dark green leaves
lax without rigor or strictness
leaden (of movement) slow and laborious
lean incline or bend from a vertical position
elegant refined and tasteful in appearance, behavior, or style
lessen decrease in size, extent, or range
liberty freedom of choice
liking a feeling of pleasure and enjoyment
limn make a portrait of
limousine large luxurious car; usually driven by a chauffeur
limpid clear and bright
lionize assign great social importance to
listless lacking zest or vivacity
liturgy a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship
lively full of life and energy
loathing hate coupled with disgust
lobster any of several edible marine crustaceans
lofty of imposing height; especially standing out above others
loft a large unpartitioned space over a commercial space
loiter linger, remain, or wait around for no apparent reason
loom a textile machine for weaving yarn into a textile
explicitly in a clearly expressed manner
lout an awkward stupid person
lucrative producing a sizeable profit
lull make calm or still
lumber the wood of trees prepared for use as building material
luminary a celebrity who is an inspiration to others
lump a compact mass
lute chordophone consisting of a plucked instrument having a pear-shaped body, a usually bent
luxuriant produced or growing in extreme abundance
malefactor someone who has been legally convicted of a crime
malinger avoid responsibilities and duties
malingerer someone shirking duty by feigning illness or incapacity
mammalian of or relating to the class Mammalia
manacle shackle that can be locked around the wrist
Words Meanings
mundane found in the ordinary course of events
scalpel a thin straight surgical knife
secular someone who is not a clergyman or a professional person
musket a muzzle-loading shoulder gun with a long barrel
scandalous giving offense to moral sensibilities
slave a person who is owned by someone
mutiny open rebellion against constituted authority
scanty lacking in amplitude or quantity
slipshod marked by great carelessness
mutinous characterized by a rebellion against authority
scarce deficient in quantity or number compared with the demand
terse brief and to the point
muzzle forward projecting part of the head of certain animals
scarcity a small and inadequate amount
stronghold a strongly fortified defensive structure
narrate provide commentary for a film, for example
scion a descendent or heir
stultify deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless
native belonging to one by birth
scold censure severely or angrily
pool a small body of standing water (rainwater) or other liquid
necromancy conjuring up the dead, especially for prophesying
scream utter a sudden loud cry
turquoise a shade of blue tinged with green
negotiate discuss the terms of an arrangement
scrupulous characterized by extreme care and great effort
trowel a small hand tool with a handle and flat metal blade
nexus the means of connection between things linked in series
scrutinize examine carefully for accuracy
confined being in captivity
Nicaragua a republic in Central America
scrutiny the act of examining something closely, as for mistakes
conform be similar, be in line with
niggle worry unnecessarily or excessively

sculptor an artist who creates sculptures

congenital present at birth but not necessarily hereditary
nomadic migratory
Scylla (Greek mythology) a sea nymph transformed into a sea monster who lived on one side of a narrow strait; dro
congested overfull as with blood
nonchalant marked by blithe unconcern
sectary a member of a sect
Congress the legislature of the United States government
giggle laugh nervously
notorious known widely and usually unfavorably
connive form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner
nova a star that ejects some of its material in the form of a cloud and become more luminous in the process
sedulous marked by care and persistent effort
consequence a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon
novelty originality by virtue of being refreshingly new
seize take hold of; grab
folly the trait of acting stupidly or rashly
novice someone new to a field or activity
seminal containing seeds of later development
fodder coarse food composed of plants or leaves and stalks
nugatory of no real value
senility the state of being infirm with age
forensic used in the investigation of facts or evidence in court
obfuscate make obscure or unclear
sentimentality falsely emotional in a maudlin way
forte an asset of special worth or utility
oblivion the state of being disregarded or forgotten
serenade a song played outside the house of a woman
fortitude strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity
serene not agitated
frantic marked by uncontrolled excitement or emotion
serrated notched like a saw with teeth pointing toward the apex
frigate a medium size square-rigged warship of the 18th and 19th centuries
oblivious lacking conscious awareness of
servile submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior
monarchy autocracy governed by a ruler who usually inherits authority
obsequious attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
shabby showing signs of wear and tear
morass a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
obsolete no longer in use
shroud burial garment in which a corpse is wrapped
morose showing a brooding ill humor
obstacle something that stands in the way and must be surmounted
shrink wither, as with a loss of moisture
mortar a vessel in which substances can be ground with a pestle
occlude block passage through
siesta a nap in the early afternoon (especially in hot countries)
moss tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants
occult supernatural forces and events and beings collectively
simmer boil slowly at low temperature
mourn feel sadness
occupy live in (a certain place)
simultaneous occurring or operating at the same time
mumble talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
oddly in a strange manner
simulated reproduced or made to resemble; imitative in character
sabotage a deliberate act of destruction or disruption
odoriferous emitting a smell, especially an unpleasant smell
sinewy consisting of tendons or resembling a tendon
salient having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
opaque not transmitting or reflecting light or radiant energy
singly apart from others
salvage rescuing a ship or its crew from a shipwreck or a fire
opera a drama set to music
skeptic someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs
sanction official permission or approval
opponent someone who offers resistance
skeptical marked by or given to doubt
sauerkraut shredded cabbage fermented in brine
oppressive weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
skirmish a minor short-term fight
savanna a flat grassland in tropical or subtropical regions
ordinance an authoritative rule
skull the bony skeleton of the head of vertebrates
scalp the skin that covers the top of the head
ore a mineral that contains metal valuable enough to be mined
skyrocket shoot up abruptly, like a rocket
whir sound of something in rapid motion
oriole American songbird; male is black and orange or yellow
slake satisfy, as thirst
whish move with a whishing sound
ornamental serving an esthetic rather than a useful purpose
slaughter the killing of animals, as for food
wicked having committed unrighteous acts
out moving or appearing to move away from a place, especially one that is enclosed or hidden
break destroy the integrity of
witness someone who sees an event and reports what happened
pacify ease the anger, agitation, or strong emotion of
sled a vehicle mounted on runners and pulled by horses or dogs
wrench a sharp strain on muscles or ligaments
palace the official home of a king, queen, or other exalted person
slender having little width in proportion to the length or height
yawn an involuntary intake of breath through a wide open mouth
pal a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
eolithic of or relating to the earliest period of the Stone Age
yearling a racehorse that is about one year old
palisade a strong fence made of stakes driven into the ground
slop deep soft mud in water or slush
paltry contemptibly small in amount
slovenly negligent of neatness especially in dress and person
panegyric formally expressing praise
sluggish moving slowly
clarinet a single-reed instrument with a straight tube
panhandle beg for money from people on the street
slurp eat or drink noisily
cloister residence that is a place of religious seclusion
paramount having superior power and influence
sly marked by skill in deception
clone a genetically identical organism derived from a single cell
parched dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight
smash hit violently
clown a person who amuses others by ridiculous behavior
parchment a superior paper resembling sheepskin
snipe Old or New World straight-billed game bird of the sandpiper family; of marshy areas; similar to the woodcoc
clump a grouping of a number of similar things

parry impede the movement of

soak submerge in a liquid
partisan a fervent and even militant proponent of something
soccer a football game in which two teams of 11 players try to kick or head a ball into the opponents' goal
cluster a grouping of a number of similar things

pass go across or through

sonnet a verse form of 14 lines with a fixed rhyme scheme

coarse rough to the touch

passive lacking in energy or will
soothe cause to feel better
coax influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
patent a document granting an inventor sole rights to an invention
soothing affording physical relief
cocoon silky envelope spun by the larvae of many insects
pathetic deserving or inciting pity
sophist someone whose reasoning is subtle and often specious
patron someone who supports or champions something
sophisticated having worldly knowledge and refinement
collapse break down, literally or metaphorically
petulant easily irritated or annoyed
soprano the highest female voice; the voice of a boy before puberty
colt a young male horse under the age of four
paucity an insufficient quantity or number
spat a quarrel about petty points
comatose in a state of deep and usually prolonged unconsciousness
pebble a small smooth rounded rock
spatter dash a liquid upon or against
combustible capable of igniting and burning
peerage the peers of a kingdom considered as a group
spatula a hand tool with a thin flexible blade
compile get or gather together
pellucid transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity
spawn the mass of eggs deposited by fish or amphibians or mollusks
complacent contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions
penetration the act of entering into or through something
speculation continuous contemplation on a subject of a deep nature
flounder walk with great difficulty
peninsula a large mass of land projecting into a body of water
sphinx one of a number of large stone statues with the body of a lion and the head of a man that were built by the
composure steadiness of mind under stress
penury a state of extreme poverty or destitution
spire a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building
concise expressing much in few words
perdition the place or state in which one suffers eternal punishment
splice join the ends of
concomitant following or accompanying as a consequence
perfidious tending to betray
splinter a small thin sharp bit or wood or glass or metal
condemn express strong disapproval of
perforate make a hole into or between, as for ease of separation
sporadic recurring in scattered or unpredictable instances
condone excuse, overlook, or make allowances for
persecute cause to suffer

spurious plausible but false

feasible capable of being done with means at hand
persuasive intended or having the power to induce action or belief
squander spend thoughtlessly; throw away

feast a ceremonial dinner party for many people

pesticide a chemical used to kill destructive insects or animals
squeal utter a high-pitched cry, characteristic of pigs
feeble pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness
petty small and of little importance
stabilize support and make steadfast
feline of or relating to cats
phlegmatic showing little emotion
stag a male deer, especially an adult male red deer
felon someone who has been legally convicted of a crime
phoenix a legendary bird that burned to death and emerged reborn
staircase a way of access consisting of a set of steps
felonious involving or being or having the nature of a crime
pickup the act or process of picking up or collecting from various places
stallion uncastrated adult male horse
feminine associated with women and not with men
pilfer make off with belongings of others
stammer speak haltingly
fervent characterized by intense emotion
pinto a spotted or calico horse or pony
starred marked with an asterisk
fiasco a complete failure or collapse
pioneer one the first colonists or settlers in a new territory
steed (literary) a spirited horse for state or war
fickle liable to sudden unpredictable change
piteous deserving or inciting a feeling of sympathy and sorrow
steer be a guiding or motivating force or drive
finicky exacting especially about details
pithy concise and full of meaning
stifle impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of
flaccid drooping without elasticity
pitiful deserving or inciting compassion

stilted artificially formal

flaw an imperfection in an object or machine
placid free from disturbance by heavy waves
straighten make straight or straighter
fledged having developed feathers or plumage
plainspoken using simple and direct language
strain exert much effort or energy
flesh the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate
plaintive expressing sorrow
strait a narrow channel joining two larger bodies of water
flint a hard kind of stone
strip take off or remove
flip turn upside down, or throw so as to reverse
plausible apparently reasonable and valid, and truthful
stroll a leisurely walk, usually in some public place
flirt talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
inedible not suitable for food
Pleistocene from two million to 11 thousand years ago
flock a group of birds
plutocracy a political system governed by the wealthy people
strut to walk with a lofty proud gait
minaret a slender tower with balconies, especially on a mosque
stick a long thin implement resembling a length of wood
flurry a rapid active commotion
poignant keenly distressing to the mind or feelings
stumble miss a step and fall or nearly fall
foal a young horse
poke thrust abruptly
sty a pen for swine
foe an armed adversary
polygamy having more than one spouse at a time
suave having a sophisticated charm

foible a minor weakness or peculiarity in someone's character

pork meat from a domestic hog or pig
subjugate make subservient; force to submit or subdue
follower someone who travels behind or pursues another
portly fairly fat
subpoena a writ issued to compel the attendance of a witness
maniac an insane person
posterior located at or near the end of a structure
subservient compliant and obedient to authority
martinet someone who demands exact conformity to rules and forms
praise an expression of approval and commendation
substantial real; having a material or factual existence
maudlin effusively or insincerely emotional
pram a baby carriage with four wheels
subterranean being or operating under the surface of the earth
maverick someone who exhibits independence in thought and action
prattle speak about unimportant matters rapidly and incessantly
succinct briefly giving the gist of something
precision the quality of being reproducible in amount or performance
summon ask to come
meager deficient in amount or quality or extent
preclude make impossible, especially beforehand
superfluous more than is needed, desired, or required
medley a musical composition consisting of a series of songs
predetermine establish beforehand
supplant take the place or move into the position of
medieval relating to or belonging to the Middle Ages
premature too soon or too hasty
supple moving and bending with ease
mediocre moderate to inferior in quality
premises land and the buildings on it
meek humble in spirit or manner
perpetual continuing forever or indefinitely
melancholy a constitutional tendency to be gloomy and depressed
preserve keep in safety and protect from harm, loss, or destruction
susceptible yielding readily to or capable of
mendicant a pauper who lives by begging
pretentious creating an appearance of importance or distinction
sustained continued at length without interruption or weakening
mentor a wise and trusted guide and advisor
preternatural existing outside of or not in accordance with nature
swagger walk with a lofty proud gait
merciful showing or giving forgiveness
prevail be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
swallow pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking
mercurial liable to sudden unpredictable change
prevalent most frequent or common
sweat salty fluid secreted by glands in the skin
meticulous marked by precise accordance with details
primitive characteristic of an earlier ancestral type
swift moving very fast
mettle the courage to carry on
procrastinate postpone doing what one should be doing
swirl turn in a twisting or spinning motion
mildew a fungus that produces a superficial (usually white) growth on organic matter
prodigal recklessly wasteful
sybarite a person addicted to luxury and pleasures of the senses
mill a facility for manufacturing
profligate unrestrained by convention or morality
systematic characterized by order and planning
rival the contestant you hope to defeat
profound situated at or extending to great depth
tactile of or relating to or proceeding from the sense of touch
minatory threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
profusion the property of being extremely abundant
tango a ballroom dance of Latin-American origin
miscreant a person without moral scruples
tawdry tastelessly showy
moat ditch dug as a fortification and usually filled with water
proliferate grow rapidly
tedious so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
modest marked by simplicity; having a humble opinion of yourself
prolific intellectually productive
teeming abundantly filled with especially living things
molasses thick dark syrup produced by boiling down juice from sugar cane; especially during sugar refining
teetotaler a total abstainer
remembrance the ability to recall past occurrences
Prometheus the Titan who stole fire from Olympus and gave it to mankind
temptation the act of influencing by exciting hope or desire
remit send in payment
promote assign to a higher position
temper a characteristic state of feeling
replete filled to satisfaction with food or drink
proponent a person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
temple a place of worship
reptile a cold-blooded vertebrate including snakes and lizards
proprietorship an unincorporated business owned by a single person who is responsible for its liabilities and entitled to its p
tempt dispose or incline or entice to
repulsive offensive to the mind
prosaic lacking wit or imagination
tenacity persistent determination
reservation the act of setting aside for some future occasion
prosecute conduct legal proceedings against a defendant
tenant someone who pays rent to use property owned by someone else
resolute firm in purpose or belief
down spatially or metaphorically from a higher to a lower level
proselyte a new convert; especially a gentile converted to Judaism
resolve find a solution or answer
tether restraint consisting of a rope used to restrain an animal
resonate sound with resonance
protagonist the principal character in a work of fiction
theorist someone who constructs hypotheses
retaliate make a counterattack and return like for like
provenance where something originated or was nurtured
thorn a small sharp-pointed tip resembling a spike on a stem or leaf
retaliation action taken in return for an injury or offense
provocation a means of arousing or stirring to action
threefold three times as great or many
reticent reluctant to draw attention to yourself
provoke provide the needed stimulus for
tincture a substances that colors metals
retort a quick reply to a question or remark
prudent marked by sound judgment
tiptoe walk on one's toes
reverence a feeling of profound respect for someone or something
puck a vulcanized rubber disk used in ice hockey
tirade a speech of violent denunciation
reversal the act of switching the order or place of
pudding any of various soft sweet desserts thickened usually with flour and baked or boiled or steamed
topcoat a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter
revisit visit again
puerile displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity
torpid in a condition of biological rest or suspended animation
ridicule language or behavior intended to mock or humiliate
pugilist someone who fights with his fists for sport
rigid incapable of or resistant to bending
pugnacity a natural disposition to be hostile
torpor a state of motor and mental inactivity
rind the natural outer covering of food
pungent strong and sharp to the sense of taste
torture infliction of suffering to punish or obtain information
vulnerable capable of being wounded or hurt
pursue follow in an effort to capture
tranquil free from disturbance by heavy waves
roe eggs of female fish
putt strike a golf ball lightly
rue feel sorry for; be contrite about
quack the harsh sound of a duck
transitive designating a verb that requires a direct object
rupture the act of making a sudden noisy break
quaint attractively old-fashioned
trauma an emotional wound or shock having long-lasting effects
rustic characteristic of rural life
quill the hollow spine of a feather
treachery an act of deliberate betrayal
ruthless without mercy or pity
quizzical perplexed
tread put down or press the foot, place the foot
verbiage overabundance of words
rabble a disorderly crowd of people
trench any long ditch cut in the ground
verbose using or containing too many words
radiance an attractive combination of good health and happiness
trespass enter unlawfully on someone's property
verbosity an expressive style that uses excessive or empty words
radioactive exhibiting or caused by emissions in nuclear decay
trickle run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream
verdant characterized by abundance of verdure
ragamuffin a dirty shabbily clothed urchin
triplet one of three offspring born at the same time from the same pregnancy
vernal suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh
raisin dried grape
trivial (informal) small and of little importance
vessel an object used as a container, especially for liquids
rally gather or bring together
veteran a person who has served in the armed forces
rankle gnaw into; make resentful or angry
trot ride at a gait faster than a walk
viable capable of life or normal growth and development
rapacious living by preying on other animals
trout any of various game and food fishes of cool fresh waters mostly smaller than typical salmons
vicious having the nature of evildoing
rattle make short successive sounds
snake limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
vigor forceful exertion
rebel someone who exhibits independence in thought and action
truculent defiantly aggressive
vigorous characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
rebellion organized opposition to authority
tumult a state of commotion and noise and confusion
violate fail to agree with; go against
rebuff a deliberate discourteous act
turbulent characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination
violin bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings a
loquaciousness the quality of being wordy and talkative
rebuke an act or expression of criticism and censure
viper a venomous Old World snake
recital a public instance of repeating something prepared in advance
unclogged freed of obstructions
vise a holding device attached to a workbench
reckless marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
underling an assistant subject to the authority or control of another
vitality the property of being able to survive and grow
reclusive withdrawn from society; seeking solitude
unruffled free from emotional agitation or nervous tension
vixen a female fox
rectify make right or correct
unscrupulous without principles
volley rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
unyielding stubbornly unmoving
recuperate restore to good health or strength
upbraid express criticism towards
venison meat from a deer used as food
recapture the act of taking something back
urbane showing a high degree of refinement
warden the chief official in charge of a prison
redundant more than is needed, desired, or required
vacillating uncertain in purpose or action
regicide the act of killing a king
varsity a team representing a college or university
weird strikingly odd or unusual
regiment army unit smaller than a division
vascular relating to vessels that conduct and circulate fluids
whelp young of any of various canines such as a dog or wolf
regroup organize anew, as after a setback
whip an instrument with a handle and a flexible lash
relapse deteriorate in health
venom toxin secreted by animals
rely have confidence or faith in
one side of a narrow strait; drowned and devoured sailors who tried to escape Charybdis (a whirlpool) on the other side of the strait
luminous in the process
d or hidden
areas; similar to the woodcocks

the opponents' goal

a man that were built by the ancient Egyptians
ring sugar refining
s liabilities and entitled to its profits

oiled or steamed
ypical salmons

s instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow
er side of the strait