GRE Words Guest Speaker Notes

Vocabulary 4000 A a cappella without accompaniment à la carte priced separately a priori reasoning based on general principles aback unexpected abacus counting device abandon desert, forsake abase degrade abash humiliate, embarrass abate lessen abatement alleviation abbey monastery abbreviate shorten abdicate relinquish power or position abdomen belly abduct kidnap aberrant abnormal abet aid, encourage (typically of crime) abeyance postponement abhor detest abide submit, endure abject wretched abjure renounce ablate cut away ablution cleansing abode home abolish annul abominable detestable aboriginal indigenous abortive unsuccessful abound be plentiful abreast side-by-side abridge shorten abroad overseas abrogate cancel abrupt ending suddenly abscess infected and inflamed tissue abscond to run away (secretly) absolve acquit abstain refrain abstract theoretical, intangible abstruse difficult to understand abut touch, border on abysmal deficient, sub par abyss chasm academy school accede yield accentuate emphasize accession attainment of rank accessory attachment acclaim recognition, fame acclimate accustom oneself to a climate acclivity ascent, incline accolade applause accommodate adapt accomplice one who aids a lawbreaker accord agreement accost to approach and speak to someone accouter equip accredit authorize accrete grow larger accrue accumulate accumulate amass acerbic caustic (of speech) acme summit acolyte assistant acoustic pertaining to sound acquaint familiarize acquiesce agree passively acquit free from blame acrid pungent, caustic acrimonious caustic, bitter acrophobia fear of heights actuate induce, start acumen insight acute sharp, intense ad nauseam to a ridiculous degree ad-lib improvise improvise im·pro·vise [ímprə vz] (past and past participle im·pro·vised, present participle im·pro·vis·ing, 3rd person present singular im·pro·vis·es) transitive and intransitive verb 1. make something up on spot: to perform or compose something, especially a sketch, play, song, or piece of music, without any preparation or set text to follow 2. substitute: to make a substitute for something out of the materials that happen to be available at the time  If you don't have a hammer, we'll have to improvise. [Early 19th century. Directly or via French < Italian improvvisare < Latin improvisus "unforeseen" < providere (see provide)] -im·prov·i·sa·tion [im pròvvi záysh'n, ìmprəvi záysh'n], noun-im·prov·i·sa·tion·al, adjective-im·prov·i·sa·tion·al·ly, adverb-im·prov·i·sa·to·ri·al [im pròvvizə táwree əl], adjective-im·prov·i·sa·to·ry [im próvvizə tàwree, ìmprə vzə tàwree], adjective-im·pro·vis·er [ímprə vzər], noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "after the hurricane destroyed our house, we had to improvise for weeks" adage proverb adamant insistent adapt adjust to changing conditions adaptable pliable addendum appendix adduce offer as example adept skillful adhere stick to adherent supporter adieu farewell adipose fatty adjacent next to adjourn discontinue adjudicate judge adjunct addition administer manage admissible allowable admonish warn gently ado fuss Adonis beautiful man adroit skillful adulation applause adulterate contaminate, corrupt adumbration overshadow advent arrival adventitious accidental adversary opponent adverse unfavorable adversity hardship advise give counsel advocate urge aegis that which protects aerial pertaining to the air TeamLRN 464 GRE Prep Course aerobics exercise aesthetic pleasing to the senses, beautiful affable friendly affect influence affectation pretense affidavit sworn written statement affiliate associate affiliation connection affinity fondness affix fasten affliction illness affluent abundant, wealthy affray brawl affront insult aficionado devotee, ardent follower afoul entangled aft rear aftermath consequence agape wonder agenda plan, timetable agent provocateur agitator aggrandize exaggerate aggravate worsen aggregate total, collect aggressor attacker aggrieve mistreat aggrieved unjustly injured aghast horrified agile nimble agitate stir up agnate related on the father’s side agnostic not knowing whether God exists agrarian pertaining to farming agronomy science of crop production air discuss, broadcast airs pretension akimbo with hands on hips akin related al fresco outdoors alacrity swiftness albatross large sea bird albino lacking pigmentation alcove recess, niche alfresco outdoors alias assumed name alibi excuse alienate estrange, antagonize alight land, descend allay to reassure allege assert without proof allegiance loyalty allocate distribute allot allocate allude refer to indirectly ally unite for a purpose almanac calendar with additional information alms charity aloof arrogant altercation argument altitude height alto low female voice allegory fable allegro fast alleviate lessen, assuage alliteration repetition of the same sound altruism benevolence, generosity amalgamation mixture amass collect ambient surrounding, environment ambiguous unclear ambivalence conflicting emotions ambulatory able to walk ameliorate improve amenable agreeable amend correct amenities courtesies, comforts amenity pleasantness amiable friendly amid among amiss wrong, out of place amity friendship amnesty pardon amoral without morals amorous loving, sexual Quiz 1 (Matching) Match each word in the first column with its definition in the second column. 1. ABASE A. applause 2. ABSTAIN B. caustic 3. ACOLYTE C. shorten 4. ABEYANCE D. applause 5. ABRIDGE E. assistant 6. ACCOLADE F. postponement 7. ACRIMONIOUS G. refrain 8. ADDUCE H. exercise 9. ADULATION I. degrade 10. AEROBICS J. offer as example amorphous shapeless amortize pay by installments The sum of the surcharge duties and other revenue generated by the extraordinary measures are to be used by the Central Bank to amortize the monetary stabilization account. amphibious able to operate in water and land amphitheater oval-shaped theater amuck murderous frenzy amulet charm, talisman amuse entertain anachronistic out of historical order anaerobic without oxygen V ocabulary 4000 465 anagram a word formed by rearranging the letters of another word analgesic pain-soother analogous similar analogy point by point comparison anarchist terrorist anarchy absence of government anathema curse anecdote story aneurysm bulging in a blood vessel angst anxiety, dread animadversion critical remark animated exuberant animosity dislike There's a long history of animosity between the two nations animus hate annals historical records annex to attach annihilate destroy annotate to add explanatory notes annul cancel annular ring-shaped anodyne pain soothing anoint consecrate anomalous abnormal anonymity state of being anonymous antagonistic hostile antagonize harass antechamber waiting room antediluvian ancient, obsolete anthology collection anthrax disease antic caper, prank antipathy repulsion, hated "cats were his greatest antipathy" antipodal exactly opposite antiquated outdated, obsolete antiquity ancient times antithesis direct opposite apartheid racial segregation apathetic unconcerned apathy indifference ape mimic aperture opening apex highest point aphasia speechless aphorism maxim aplomb poise apocalyptic ominous, doomed apocryphal of doubtful authenticity apoplexy stroke apoplexy ap·o·plex·y [áppə plèksee] noun 1. angry fit: a fit of anger 2. stroke caused by brain hemorrhage: a cerebral stroke, usually caused by a hemorrhage in the brain (archaic) [14th century. Via French and Latin < Greek apoplēxia < apoplēssein "strike completely" < plēssein "to strike"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "The proud . . . members suffered collective apoplexy, and this year they are out for blood" (David Finch). / In 1685, Charles II died of apoplexy `` He has caused apoplexy with his books on class and war apostate one who abandons one’s faith apotheosis deification appall horrify apparition phantom appease pacify appellation title append affix apposite apt "the successful copywriter is a master of apposite and evocative verbal images" `` Recent events have made his central theme even more apposite. apprehensive anxious apprise inform approbation approval apropos appropriate apt suitable apt apt [apt] adjective 1. very appropriate: especially suited to the circumstances  an apt comment 2. likely: often doing something and likely to do it again  apt to get angry 3. quick to learn: enthusiastic and quick to learn new things  an apt pupil [14th century. Directly or via Old French < Latin aptus, past participle of apere "fit, fasten, join"] -apt·ly, adverb-apt·ness, noun The Latin word apere "to fit, fasten," from which apt is derived, is also the source of English adapt, attitude, and inept. Its Indo-European ancestor is in turn the source of English copulate and couple. Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "he is apt to ignore matters he considers unimportant" "he is apt to lose" "an apt pupil" "an apt reply" aptitude ability aquatic pertaining to water arbiter judge arbitrament final judgment arbitrary tyrannical, capricious arcane secret archaic antiquated archetype original model archipelago group of island archives public records ardent passionate ardor passion arduous hard argonauts gold-seekers, adventurers argot specialized vocabulary aria operatic song arid dry, dull aristocrat nobleman armada fleet of ships armistice truce arraign indict array arrangement arrears in debt arrogate seize without right arroyo gully arsenal supply artful skillful, cunning articulate well-spoken artifice trick artless naive, simple ascend rise ascendancy powerful state ascertain discover ascetic self-denying ascribe to attribute ascribe as·cribe [ə skrb] (past and past participle as·cribed, present participle as·crib·ing, 3rd person present singular as·cribes) transitive verb (formal) 1. give something as cause: to believe or say that something was caused by a particular thing  ascribed the defeat to a series of tactical errors 2. give somebody as author: to believe or say that something was originally written or said by a particular person  a poem no longer ascribed to Shakespeare 3. give something as characteristic: to believe that something belongs to or characterizes a person or group  to ascribe contentment to the unambitious [15th century. < Latin ascribere "add to in writing" < scribere "write"] -as·crib·a·ble, adjective Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "Other people ascribe his exclusion from the canon to an unsubtle form of racism" (Daniel Pinchbeck) `` was quick to ascribe jealousy to her critics `` to ascribe parts of a play to Shakespeare `` to ascribe beauty to youth`` Doctors ascribed the child's death to a hole in the heart `` He ascribed his success to the help of his friends aseptic sterile ashen pale asinine stupid askance to view with suspicion askew crooked aspersion slander asphyxiate suffocate aspirant contestant aspiration ambition assail attack assassin murderer assent agree assert affirm assess appraise assiduous hard-working assimilate absorb assonance partial rhyme assuage lessen (pain) astral pertaining to stars astringent causing contraction, severe astute wise asunder apart asylum place of refuge asymmetric uneven atavistic exhibiting the characteristics of one’s forebears atelier workshop atoll reef atomize vaporize atone make amends atrophy the wasting away of muscle TeamLRN 466 GRE Prep Course attenuate weaken attest testify attire dress attribute ascribe attrition deterioration, reduction atypical abnormal au courant well informed audacity boldness audient listening, attentive audition tryout augment increase augur predict august noble aura atmosphere, emanation auspices patronage, protection auspicious favorable austere harsh, Spartan authorize grant, sanction automaton robot autonomous self-governing auxiliary secondary avail assistance avant garde vanguard avarice greed avatar incarnation averse loath, reluctant avert turn away avian pertaining to birds avid enthusiastic avocation hobby avouch attest, guarantee avow declare avuncular like an uncle awry crooked axiom self-evident truth aye affirmative vote azure sky blue B babbittry smugness bacchanal orgy badger pester badinage banter bagatelle nonentity, trifle bailiwick area of concern or business baleen whalebone Quiz 2 (Matching) Match each word in the first column with its definition in the second column. 1. ANATHEMA A. hard 2. ANNIHILATE B. curse 3. ANOMALOUS C. gully 4. APATHETIC D. suffocate 5. ARCHAIC E. antiquated 6. ARDUOUS F. destroy 7. ARROYO G. abnormal 8. ASPHYXIATE H. unconcerned 9. ASTRINGENT I. make amends 10. ATONE J. causing contraction baleful hostile, malignant balk hesitate balky hesitant ballad song ballast counterbalance ballistics study of projectiles balm soothing ointment banal trite bandy exchange bane poison, nuisance barbarian savage bard poet baroque ornate barrister lawyer bask take pleasure in, sun basso low male voice bastion fort bathos sentimentality batten fasten, board up battery physical attack bauble trinket beatify sanctify beatitude state of bliss beckon lure becoming proper bedlam uproar befit to be suitable beget produce, procreate begrudge resent, envy beguile deceive, seduce behemoth monster behest command beholden in debt belabor assail verbally belated delayed, overdue beleaguer besiege belfry bell tower belie misrepresent belittle disparage bellicose warlike belligerent combative bellow shout bellwether leader, guide bemoan lament bemused bewildered benchmark standard benediction blessing benefactor patron benevolent kind benign harmless bent determined bequeath will bequest gift, endowment berate scold V ocabulary 4000 467 bereave rob bereft deprived of berserk crazed beseech implore beset harass, encircle besiege beleaguer, surround besmirch slander, sully bespeak attest bestial beast-like, brutal bestow offer, grant betrothed engaged bevy group bibliography list of sources of information bicameral having two legislative branches bicker quarrel biennial occurring every two years bilateral two-sided bilious ill-tempered bilk swindle biodegradable naturally decaying biopsy removing tissue for examination biped two-footed animal bistro tavern, cafe bivouac encampment blandish flatter, grovel blasé bored with life blasphemy insulting God bleak cheerless blight decay bliss happiness blithe joyous bloated swollen bode portend bogus forged, false bogy bugbear boisterous noisy bolt move quickly and suddenly bombast pompous speech bon vivant gourmet, epicure bona fide made in good faith bonanza a stroke of luck boon payoff boor vulgar person bootless unavailing booty loot botch bungle bourgeois middle class bovine cow-like boycott abstain in protest bracing refreshing brackish salty brandish display menacingly bravado feigned bravery bravura technically difficult brawn strength brevity shortness of expression brigand robber brink edge broach bring up a topic of conversation bromide cliché brook tolerate browbeat to bully brusque curt bucolic rustic buffet blow buffoon fool bulwark fortification buncombe empty, showy talk buoyant floatable burgeon sprout burlesque farce burly husky buttress support C cabal plot cabaret night club cache hiding place cachet prestige cacophony dissonance, harsh noise cadaver corpse cadaverous haggard cadence rhythm cadet a student of a military academy cadge beg cadre small group cajole encourage, coax calamity disaster calculating scheming caliber ability callous insensitive callow inexperienced calumny slander camaraderie fellowship canaille rabble canard hoax candid frank, unrehearsed candor frankness canine pertaining to dogs canon rule cant insincere speech cantankerous peevish cantata musical composition canvass survey capacious spacious capillary thin tube capital most significant, pertaining to wealth capitol legislative building capitulate surrender capricious fickle, impulsive "a capricious summer breeze" "a capricious refusal"; "authoritarian rulers are frequently capricious" caption title captious fond of finding fault in others captivate engross, fascinate carafe bottle carbine rifle carcinogenic causing cancer carcinoma tumor cardinal chief cardiologist one who studies the heart careen swerve carrion decaying flesh cartographer mapmaker cascade waterfall cashmere fine wool from Asia Cassandra unheeded prophet castigate criticize TeamLRN 468 GRE Prep Course castrate remove the testicles casuistry specious reasoning cataclysm catastrophe catastrophic disastrous categorical absolute, certain cathartic purgative, purifying Quiz 3 (Matching) Match each word in the first column with its definition in the second column. 1. BESMIRCH A. unheeded prophet 2. BICAMERAL B. peevish 3. BILATERAL C. pertaining to dogs 4. BOOTLESS D. plot 5. BRANDISH E. farce 6. BURLESQUE F. display menacingly 7. CABAL G. unavailing 8. CANINE H. two-sided 9. CANTANKEROUS I. having two legislative branches 10. CASSANDRA J. sully catholic universal, worldly caucus meeting cause célèbre celebrated legal case caustic scathing (of speech) cauterize to sear cavalier disdainful, nonchalant caveat warning caveat emptor buyer beware cavil quibble cavort frolic cede transfer ownership celestial heavenly celibate abstaining from sex cenotaph empty tomb censorious condemning speech censure condemn ceramics pottery cerebral pertaining to the brain cessation a stoping chafe abrade chagrin embarrassment chalice goblet champion defend chaperon escort charade pantomime charlatan quack chartreuse greenish yellow chary cautious chaste pure, virgin chasten castigate chateau castle cheeky brass, forward cherub cupid cherubic sweet, innocent chicanery trickery chide scold chimerical imaginary, dreamlike choleric easily angered chortle laugh, snort chronic continual chronicle a history chronology arrangement by time churl a boor chutzpah gall Cimmerian dim, unlit cipher zero circa about circuitous roundabout circumcise remove the foreskin circumlocution roundabout expression circumspect cautious circumvent evade citadel fortress citation summons to appear in court clamor noise clan extended family clandestine secret claustrophobia fear of enclosed places cleave split cleft split clemency forgiveness clique a small group cloister refuge clone duplicate clout influence cloven split cloy glut cloyed jaded co-opt preempt, usurp coagulate thicken coalesce combine coda concluding passage coddle pamper codicil supplement to a will coercion force coffer strong box cogent well-put, convincing cogitate ponder cognate from the same source cognizant aware cognomen family name cohabit live together cohere stick together cohort an associate coiffure hairdo collaborate work together collar seize collateral securities for a debt colloquial informal speech colloquy conference collusion conspiracy colonnade row of columns comatose stupor combine unite, blend V ocabulary 4000 469 commandeer seize for military use commemorate observe commend praise commensurate proportionate commiserate empathize commissary food store commission authorization to perform a task commodious spacious commodity product commodore naval officer communion fellowship commutation exchange, substitution commute lessen punishment compact covenant compassion kindness compatible well-matched, harmonious compatriot countryman compelling convincing compendium summary compensate make up for compensatory redeeming competence skillfulness compile collect complacent self-satisfied compliant submissive complicity guilt by association comport to conduct oneself composed cool, self-possessed compound augment comprehensive thorough comprise consist of compulsive obsessive compulsory obligatory compunction remorse concatenate link concave curving inward concede yield, grant concerted done together conch spiral shell conciliatory reconciling concise brief conclusive convincing, ending doubt concoct devise concomitant accompanying, concurrent concord accord concordat agreement concourse throng concubine mistress concur agree concurrent simultaneous condescend patronize, talk down to condiment seasoning condolence commiseration condone overlook wrong doing conducive helping conduit pipe confabulate discuss confection candy confederacy alliance confer bestow conference meeting confidant trusted friend confide trust another (with secrets) confiscate seize conflagration large fire confluence flowing together confound bewilder confront challenge confuse perplex confute disprove congeal solidify congenial friendly congenital inborn, existing from birth congeries pile congruence conformity coniferous bearing cones conjecture hypothesis conjugal pertaining to marriage conjure summon connive conspire connoisseur an expert, gourmet consanguineous related by blood conscientious honorable, upright conscription draft, enlistment consecrate make holy consecutive one after another consensus general agreement considered well thought out consign assign consolation comfort console comfort consolidate unite, strengthen consonant harmonious consort spouse consortium cartel conspicuous obvious conspire plot constellation arrangement of stars consternation anxiety, bewilderment constrained confined construe interpret consummate perfect contagion infectious agent contemplate meditate contempt disdain contend struggle contented satisfied contentious argumentative contiguous adjacent, abutting continence self-control contingent conditional contort twist contraband illicit goods contraction shrinkage contractual related to a contract contrariety opposition contrast difference, comparison contravene oppose contretemps unfortunate occurrence contrite apologetic contrive arrange, artificial controversial subject to dispute controvert dispute contumacy disobedience contusion bruise conundrum puzzle, enigma TeamLRN 470 GRE Prep Course convene assemble (a group) conventional customary, standard converge come together conversant familiar converse opposite convex curving outward convey communicate conviction strongly held belief convivial sociable, festive convocation gathering convoke convene, summon convoluted twisted, complicated copious abundant coquette a flirt cordial friendly cordon bond, chain cornucopia cone-shaped horn filled with fruit corollary consequence coronation crowning of a sovereign corporeal of the body corps group of people corpulent fat corroborate confirm cortege procession coruscate sparkle cosmopolitan worldly, sophisticated cosset coddle coterie small group countenance facial expression countermand overrule counterstrike strike back countervail counterbalance coup master stroke coup de grâce final stroke, a blow of mercy court-martial military trial courtesan prostitute courtier member of the king’s court covenant agreement, pact covert secret covet desire cower showing fear crass crude crave desire craven cowardly credence belief credenza buffet credulity gullibility credulous believing creed belief crescendo becoming louder crestfallen dejected crevice crack cringe cower criterion a standard used in judging critique examination, criticism croon sing cruet bottle crux gist, key cryptic mysterious Quiz 4 (Matching) Match each word in the first column with its definition in the second column. 1. COMMANDEER A. seize for military use 2. COMMUNION B. apologetic 3. COMPATRIOT C. perfect 4. CONCERTED D. accord 5. CONCORD E. done together 6. CONFLUENCE F. pile 7. CONGERIES G. flowing together 8. CONSONANT H. harmonious 9. CONSUMMATE I. countryman 10. CONTRITE J. fellowship cubism a style of painting cudgel club culinary pertaining to cooking cull pick out, select culminate climax culpable blameworthy culprit offender culvert drain cumbersome unwieldy cumulative accumulate cupidity greed curb restrain, block curmudgeon boor curriculum course of study curry seek favor by flattery cursory hasty curt abrupt, rude curtail shorten cyclone storm cynical scornful of the motives of others cynosure celebrity czar Russian emperor D dab touch lightly dais platform dally procrastinate dank damp dauntless courageous de facto actual de jure legally de rigueur very formal deadpan expressionless dearth scarcity debacle a rout, defeat V ocabulary 4000 471 debase degrade debauch corrupt debauchery indulgence debilitate weaken debonair sophisticated, affable debrief interrogate debunk refute, expose debutante a girl debuting into society decadence decay (e.g. moral) decant pour decapitate kill by beheading decathlon athletic contest deceive trick deciduous shedding leaves decimate destroy decipher decode decline decrease in number decommission take a ship out of service decorous seemly decorum protocol decree official order decrepitude enfeeblement decry castigate deduce conclude deduct subtract deem judge deface mar, disfigure defamation (noun) slander defame (verb) slander defeatist one who is resigned to defeat defer postpone deference courteously yielding to another deficit shortage defile pollute definitive conclusive, final deflect turn aside deflower despoil defraud swindle defray pay deft skillful defunct extinct degrade demean dehydrate dry out deign condescend deity a god delectable delicious delegate authorize delete remove deleterious harmful deliberate ponder delineate draw a line around, describe delinquent negligent, culpable delirium mental confusion, ecstasy delude deceive deluge a flood delve dig, explore (of ideas) demagogue a politician who appeals to base instincts demean degrade demeanor behavior demented deranged demise death demobilize disband demography study of human populations demoralize dishearten demote lower in rank demur take exception demure sedate, reserved denigrate defame denizen dweller denomination class, sect denote signify, stand for denouement resolution denounce condemn denude strip bare depart leave depict portray deplete exhaust deplore condemn deploy arrange forces deportment behavior deposition testimony depravity immorality deprecate belittle deprecate dep·re·cate [dépprə kàyt] (past and past participle dep·re·cat·ed, present participle dep·re·cat·ing, 3rd person present singular dep·re·cates) transitive verb 1. condemn something or somebody: to express condemnation of something or somebody  The spokesman deprecated the use of violence. 2. △ Same as depreciate (sense 3) 3. comput declare obsolescence of something: to state that a computational method or computer feature is superseded [Early 17th century. < Latin deprecat-, past participle of deprecari, literally "pray against" < precari (see pray)] -dep·re·ca·tion [dèpprə káysh'n], noun-dep·re·ca·tor, noundeprecate or depreciate? To deprecate something is to condemn it as wrong in itself: We deprecate the use of public money for nonessential purposes. To depreciate something is to belittle or disparage it, even though it may not be wrong or bad in itself: They were constantly depreciating our attempts to speak Italian. This use is increasingly rare. Admittedly, self-deprecate goes a long way toward blurring the distinction, for it means "belittle yourself," not "condemn yourself"; in this sense it is well established, but it may be best regarded as the exception rather than the rule. Both words have more common synonyms: condemn, deplore, and disapprove of for deprecate, and belittle, disparage, and decry for depreciate. Depreciate is also commonly used intransitively (without an object), in financial contexts, to mean "lose value": The value of the yen has depreciated 20 percent in real terms. Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "The teacher should not deprecate his student's efforts" depredation preying on, plunder deprive take away deracinate uproot derelict negligent deride ridicule "He derided his student's attempt to solve the biggest problem in mathematics" derisive mocking derogatory degrading derrick crane desecrate profane desiccate dehydrate designate appoint desist stop desolate forsaken despicable contemptible despise loathe despondent depressed despot tyrant destitute poor desuetude disuse desultory without direction in life detached emotionally removed detain confine détente truce detention confinement deter discourage, prevent deterrent hindrance detract lessen detractor one who criticizes detrimental harmful detritus debris devastate lay waste deviate turn away from devise plan devoid empty devotee enthusiast, follower devout pious diabolical devilish dialectic pertaining to debate diaphanous sheer, translucent diatribe long denunciation dicey risky dichotomy a division into two parts dictate command dictum saying TeamLRN 472 GRE Prep Course didactic instructional diffident shy digress ramble dilapidated neglected dilate enlarge dilatory procrastinating dilemma a difficult choice dilettante amateur, dabbler diligent hard-working diminution reduction diocese district dire dreadful dirigible airship, blimp disabuse correct disaffect alienate disarray disorder disavow deny disband disperse disburse pay out discernible visible discerning observant disclaim renounce disconcert confuse Quiz 5 (Matching) Match each word in the first column with its definition in the second column. 1. DEBUNK A. decode 2. DECIPHER B. refute 3. DEDUCE C. conclusive 4. DEFINITIVE D. conclude 5. DEFUNCT E. to draw a line around 6. DELINEATE F. extinct 7. DENOMINATION G. belittle 8. DEPRECATE H. sect 9. DESOLATE I. pertaining to debate 10. DIALECTIC J. forsaken disconsolate inconsolable discord lack of harmony discourse conversation discreet prudent discrepancy difference discrete separate discretion prudence discriminating able to see differences discursive rambling disdain contempt disengage release, detach disfigure mar, ruin disgruntle disappointed dishevel muss disinclination unwillingness disingenuous deceptive disinter unearth disinterested impartial disjointed disconnected, incoherent dismal gloomy dismantle take apart dismay dread disparage belittle disparate various disparity difference dispassionate impartial dispatch send dispel cause to banish disperse scatter dispirit discourage disposition attitude dispossess take away possessions disputatious fond of arguing dispute debate disquietude anxiety disquisition elaborate treatise disrepute disgrace dissemble pretend disseminate distribute dissent disagree dissertation lecture dissidence disagreement dissipate scatter dissolute profligate, immoral dissolution disintegration dissonance discord dissuade deter distend swell distortion misinterpret, lie distract divert distrait preoccupied, absent-minded distraught distressed distrust suspect dither move without purpose diurnal daily diva prima donna diverge branch off diverse varying diversion pastime diversity variety divest strip, deprive dividend distributed profits divine foretell divisive causing conflict divulge disclose docile domesticated, trained dock curtail doctrinaire dogmatic document verify dodder tremble dogged persistent doggerel poor verse dogmatic certain, unchanging in opinion dolce sweetly doldrums dullness doleful sorrowful V ocabulary 4000 473 dolorous gloomy domicile home dominion authority don assume, put on donor contributor dormant asleep dossier file dotage senility doting attending double-entendre having two meanings one of which is sexually suggestive doughty resolute, unafraid dour sullen dowager widow doyen dean of a group draconian harsh dregs residue, riffraff drivel inane speech droll amusing drone speak in a monotonic voice dubious doubtful ductile stretchable dudgeon resentment, indignant humor duenna governess duet twosome dulcet melodious dupe one who is easily trick, victim duplicity deceit, treachery duress coercion dynamic energetic E ebb recede ebullient exuberant eccentric odd, weird ecclesiastical churchly echelon degree éclat brilliance eclectic from many sources ectoderm top layer of skin ecumenical universal edict order edifice building edify instruct editorialize express an opinion educe draw forth, evoke efface obliterate effeminate unmanly effervescence exuberance effete worn out efficacious effective efficacy effectiveness effigy likeness, mannequin effloresce to bloom effrontery insolence effulgent brilliant effusion pouring forth egocentric self-centered egregious grossly wrong egress exit ejaculate exclaim eke to supplement with great effort, strain elaboration detailed explanation elate raise spirits electorate voters eleemosynary pertaining to charity elegant refined, exquisite elegiac sad elephantine large elicit provoke elide omit elite upper-class ellipsis omission of words eloquent well-spoken elucidate make clear elude evade elusive evasive emaciated underfed, gaunt emancipate liberate emasculate castrate, dispirit embargo restriction embellish exaggerate embezzlement theft emblazon imprint, brand embody personify embrace accept embrangle embroil embroil involve embryonic rudimentary emend correct emergent appearing emeritus retired, but retaining title eminent distinguished, famous emissary messenger emote to display exaggerated emotion empathy compassion, sympathy employ use empower enable, grant emulate imitate enact decree, ordain enamored charmed, captivated enate related on the mother’s side encapsulate condense enchant charm enclave area enclosed within another region encomium praise encompass contain, encircle encore additional performance encroach trespass encumber burden encyclopedic comprehensive endear enamor endeavor attempt, strive endemic peculiar to a particular region endocrinologist one who studies glands of internal secretion endoderm within the skin endorse approve endowment property, gift endure suffer enervate weaken enfranchise liberate engaging enchanting, charming engender generate engrave carve into a material engross captivate engulf overwhelm enhance improve enigmatic puzzling TeamLRN 474 GRE Prep Course enjoin urge, order enlighten inform enlist join enmity hostility, hatred ennoble exalt ennui boredom enormity large, tragic ensemble musical group enshroud cover ensnare trap ensue follow immediately entail involve, necessitate enterprise undertaking enthrall mesmerize entice lure entomology the study of insects entourage assemblage entreat plead entrench fortify entrepreneur businessman enumerate count enviable desirable envision imagine envoy messenger eon long period of time ephemeral short-lived epic majestic epicure gourmet epidemic spreading rapidly epidemiology study of the spread of disease epigram saying episode incident epistemology the branch of philosophy dealing with knowledge epithet name, appellation epoch era epoxy glue equable even-tempered equanimity composure equine pertaining to horses equitable fair equivocate make intentionally ambiguous era period of time eradicate abolish ergo therefore erode wear away err mistake, misjudge errant wandering erratic constantly changing erroneous mistaken ersatz artificial erudite learned erupt burst forth escalate intensify escapade adventure escarpment a steep slope eschew avoid esoteric known by only a few esplanade boardwalk espouse advocate esteem respect esthetic artistic estimable meritorious estrange alienate eternal endless ethereal light, airy ethical conforming to accepted standards of behavior ethos beliefs of a group etiquette manners etymology study of words euphemism genteel expression euphoria elation euthanasia mercy-killing evade avoid evanescent fleeting, very brief evangelical proselytizing evasive elusive eventful momentous eventual ultimate, coming eventuate bring about evidential pertaining to evidence evince attest, demonstrate Quiz 6 (Matching) Match each word in the first column with its definition in the second column. 1. DORMANT A. exuberant 2. DOUGHTY B. puzzling 3. DUET C. comprehensive 4. EBULLIENT D. asleep 5. EFFEMINATE E. omission of words 6. ELLIPSIS F. unmanly 7. EMANCIPATE G. charm 8. ENCHANT H. liberate 9. ENCYCLOPEDIC I. twosome 10. ENIGMATIC J. resolute eviscerate disembowel evoke draw forth evolution gradual change ewe female sheep ex officio by virtue of position exacerbate worsen exact use authority to force payment exacting demanding, difficult exacting ex·act·ing [ig zákting] adjective 1. demanding attention: requiring concentration and strict attention to detail  an exacting task 2. demanding: demanding hard work and great effort  an exacting boss -ex·act·ing·ly, adverb-ex·act·ing·ness, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "certain highly specialized xerophytes are extremely exacting in their requirements" "an exacting instructor" "an exacting job" exalt glorify exasperate irritate excerpt selection, extract excision removal exclaim shout exclude shut out exclusive prohibitive excommunicate expel excruciate torture execrable abominable V ocabulary 4000 475 execute put into effect exegesis interpretation exemplary outstanding exempt excuse exhaustive thorough exhibitionist one who draws attention to himself exhort strongly urge exhume uncover exigency urgency exiguous scanty exile banish exodus departure, migration exonerate free from blame exorbitant expensive exorcise expel expanse extent of land expansive sweeping expedient advantageous expedite hasten expel drive out expertise knowledge, ability expiate atone expletive oath expliate atone explicate explain explicit definite, clear exploit utilize, milk expose divulge expostulate protest expound explain expropriate dispossess expunge erase exquisite beautifully made extant existing extemporize improvise extent scope extenuate mitigate extirpate seek out and destroy extol praise highly extort extract, force extract to pull out, exact extradite deport, deliver extraneous not essential extrapolate infer extremity farthest point extricate disentangle extroverted outgoing extrude force out exuberant joyous exude emit exult rejoice F fabrication a lie facade mask facet aspect facetious joking, sarcastic facile easy facilitate make easier facility skill facsimile duplicate faction clique, sect factious causing disagreement factitious artificial factotum handyman fallacious false fallacy false belief fallow unproductive, unplowed falsetto high male voice falter waver fanaticism excessive zeal fane temple fanfare publicity farcical absurd farrago mixture fascism totalitarianism fastidious meticulous fatal resulting in death fathom understand fatuity foolishness fatuous inane, stupid fauna animals faux pas false step, mistake fealty loyalty feasible likely to succeed feat deed febrile feverish, delirious feckless incompetent fecund fertile feign pretend felicity happiness felonious criminal femme fatale a woman who leads men to their destruction fend ward off feral untamed, wild ferment turmoil ferret rummage through fertile fruitful fervor intensity fester decay festive joyous festoon decorate fete to honor fetid stinking fetters shackles fey eccentric, whimsical fiasco debacle fiat decree fickle always changing one’s mind fictitious invented, imaginary fidelity loyalty figment falsehood, fantasy filch steal filial son filibuster long speech fillip stimulus finale conclusion finesse skill firebrand agitator firmament sky fiscal monetary fitful irregular fjord inlet flabbergasted amazed, bumdfounded flagellate whip flagrant outrageous flail whip fledgling just beginning, struggling flippant pert florid ruddy flout to show disregard for the law or rules TeamLRN 476 GRE Prep Course fluctuate waver, vary foible weakness, minor fault foil defeat foist palm off a fake foment instigate font source, fountainhead, set of type forage search for food foray raid forbear abstain force majeure superior force foreclose exclude forensic pertaining to debate foresight ability to predict the future forestall thwart forgo relinquish forsake abandon forswear deny forthright frank forthwith immediately fortify strengthen fortitude patience, courage fortuitous lucky foster encourage founder sink fracas noisy fight fragile easily broken fragmented broken into fragments fraternity brotherhood fraught filled frenetic harried, neurotic fret worry fritter squander frivolity playfulness frolic romp, play frond bending tree frugal thrifty fruitful productive fruition realization, completion fruitless unprofitable, barren fulminate denounce, menace fulsome excessive, insincere fuming angry furlough leave of absence furor commotion furtive stealthy fusillade bombardment futile hopeless Quiz 7 (Matching) Match each word in the first column with its definition in the second column. 1. EXHORT A. free from blame 2. EXONERATE B. strongly urge 3. EXPOSTULATE C. agitator 4. EXTRADITE D. untamed 5. EXULT E. debacle 6. FACTITIOUS F. inane 7. FATUOUS G. artificial 8. FERAL H. deport 9. FIASCO I. rejoice 10. FIREBRAND J. protest G gaffe embarrassing mistake gainful profitable gainsay contradict galvanize excite to action gambit plot gamut range gargantuan large garner gather garnish decorate garrote stranglehold garrulous talkative gauche awkward genealogy ancestry generic general genesis beginning genetics study of heredity genre kind, category genteel elegant genuflect kneel in reverence genuine authentic geriatrics pertaining to old age germane relevant ghastly horrible gibe heckle gingivitis inflammation of the gums gist essence glabrous without hair glaucoma disorder of the eye glean gather glib insincere manner glower stare angrily glut surplus, excess glutton one who eats too much gnarl deform gnome dwarf-like being goad encourage googol a very large number gorge stuff, satiate gorgon ugly person gormandize eat voraciously gory bloody gossamer thin and flimsy Gothic medieval gouge overcharge gracious kindness gradient incline, rising by degrees gradual by degrees grandiose impressive, large granular grainy grapple struggle gratis free gratitude thankfulness V ocabulary 4000 477 gratuitous unwarranted, uncalled for gratuity tip gravamen the essential part of an accusation gravity seriousness gregarious sociable grievous tragic, heinous grimace expression of disgust grisly gruesome grovel crawl, obey grudging reluctant guffaw laughter guile deceit gullible easily deceived gusto great enjoyment guttural throaty gyrate whirl H habitat natural environment habituate accustom hackneyed trite haggard gaunt halcyon serene hale healthy hallucination delusion hamper obstruct hapless unlucky harangue tirade harass torment harbinger forerunner harbor give shelter, conceal hardy healthy harlequin clown harp complain incessantly harridan hag harrowing distressing harry harass haughty arrogant haven refuge havoc destruction hearsay gossip hedonism the pursuit of pleasure in life heed follow advice heedless careless hegemony authority, domination hegira a journey to a more pleasant place heinous vile heliocentric having the sun as a center helix a spiral helots slaves herald harbinger herbivorous feeding on plants Herculean powerful, large hermetic airtight, sealed hermit one who lives in solitude herpetologist one who studies reptiles heterodox departing form established doctrines heuristic teaching device or method hew cut heyday glory days hiatus interruption hibernal wintry hidalgo nobleman hidebound prejudiced hideous horrible hie to hasten highbrow intellectual hirsute bearded histrionic overly dramatic holograph written entirely by hand homage respect homely plain homily sermon homogeneous uniform homonym words that are identical in spelling and pronunciation hone sharpen horde group hortatory inspiring good deeds hospice shelter hovel shanty, cabin hoyden tomboy hubris arrogance hue color humane compassionate humanities languages and literature humility humbleness hummock knoll, mound humus soil husbandry management hybrid crossbreed hydrophobia fear of water hygienic sanitary hymeneal pertaining to marriage hymn religious song hyperactive overactive hyperbole exaggeration hypertension elevated blood pressure hypocritical deceiving, two-faced hypoglycemic low blood sugar hypothermia low body temperature I ibidem in the same place ichthyology study of fish iconoclast one who rails against sacred institutions idiosyncrasy peculiarity idyllic natural, picturesque ignoble dishonorable ilk class, clan illicit unlawful illimitable limitless illusory fleeting illustrious famous imbibe drink imbue infuse TeamLRN 478 GRE Prep Course Quiz 8 (Matching) Match each word in the first column with its definition in the second column. 1. GRANDIOSE A. drink 2. GRIEVOUS B. pertaining to marriage 3. HALCYON C. arrogance 4. HARLEQUIN D. prejudiced 5. HEDONISM E. teaching device or method 6. HEURISTIC F. the pursuit of pleasure in life 7. HIDEBOUND G. clown 8. HUBRIS H. serene 9. HYMENEAL I. heinous 10. IMBIBE J. impressive immaculate spotlessly clean immaterial irrelevant immense huge immerse bathe imminent about to happen immobile still immolate sacrifice immunity exemption from prosecution immure build a wall around immutable unchangeable impair injure impale pierce impartial not biased impasse deadlock impassioned fiery, emotional impassive calm impeach accuse, charge impeccable faultless impecunious indigent impede hinder impediment obstacle impel urge, force impending approaching imperative vital, pressing imperceptible slight, intangible imperialism colonialism imperil endanger imperious domineering impertinent insolent imperturbable calm impervious impenetrable impetuous impulsive impetus stimulus, spark impinge encroach, touch implant instill implausible unlikely implement carry out, execute implicate incriminate implicit implied implore entreat implosion bursting inward impolitic unwise imponderable difficult to estimate import meaning, significance importune urgent request imposing intimidating imposition intrusion impotent powerless impound seize imprecation curse, inculcate impregnable invincible impresario promoter impressionable susceptible, easily influenced impressionism a style of painting imprimatur sanction impromptu spontaneous improvise invent impudence insolence impugn criticize impulse inclination impulsive to act suddenly impunity exemption from harm impute charge in toto in full, entirely inadvertent unintentional inadvisable not recommended inalienable that which cannot be taken away inane vacuous, stupid inanimate inorganic, lifeless inaudible cannot be heard inaugurate induct inborn innate incalculable immeasurable incandescent brilliant incantation chant incapacitate disable incarcerate imprison incarnate embody, personify incendiary inflammatory incense enrage incentive stimulus incessant unceasing incest sex among family members inchoate just begun incidental insignificant, minor incinerate burn incipient beginning incision cut incisive keen, penetrating incite foment, provoke incivility disdain inclement harsh inclusive comprehensive incognito disguised incommunicado unable to communicate with others incomparable peerless incompatibility inability to live in harmony V ocabulary 4000 479 inconceivable unthinkable incongruous out of place, absurd inconsiderate thoughtless inconspicuous not noticeable incontrovertible indisputable incorporate combine incorrigible unreformable incredulous skeptical increment step, increase incriminate accuse incubus nightmare inculcate instill, indoctrinate inculpate accuse incumbent obligatory incursion raid indecent offensive indecorous unseemly indelible permanent indemnity insurance indict charge indifferent unconcerned indigenous native indigent poor indignant resentment of injustice indiscreet lacking sound judgment, rash indiscriminate random indispensable vital, essential indistinct blurry, without clear features indolent lazy indomitable invincible indubitable unquestionable induce persuade indulge succumb to desire indurate harden industrious hard-working inebriate intoxicate ineffable inexpressible ineffectual futile ineluctable inescapable inept unfit inert inactive inestimable priceless inevitable unavoidable, predestined inexorable relentless infallible unerring infamous notorious infamy shame infantry foot soldiers infatuate immature love infer conclude infernal hellish infidel nonbeliever infidelity disloyalty infiltrate trespass infinitesimal very small infirmary clinic infirmity ailment inflammatory incendiary influx inflow infraction violation infringe encroach infuriate enrage infuse inspire, instill ingenious clever ingrate ungrateful person ingratiate pleasing, endearing ingress entering inherent innate, inborn inhibit restrain inimical adverse, hostile inimitable peerless iniquitous unjust, wicked iniquity sin initiate begin initiation induction ceremony injunction command inkling hint innate inborn innervate invigorate innocuous harmless innovative new, useful idea innuendo insinuation inopportune untimely inordinate excessive inquest investigation inquisition interrogation inquisitive curious Quiz 9 (Matching) Match each word in the first column with its definition in the second column. 1. INCONGRUOUS A. harden 2. INCONSPICUOUS B. relentless 3. INDECOROUS C. hostile 4. INDIGNANT D. interrogation 5. INDURATE E. out of place, absurd 6. INEXORABLE F. not noticeable 7. INIMICAL G. unseemly 8. INQUISITION H. resentment of injustice 9. INSOUCIANT I. nonchalant 10. INSUPERABLE J. insurmountable insatiable gluttonous inscribe engrave inscrutable cannot be fully understood insensate without feeling insidious treacherous insignia emblems insinuate allude insipid flat, dull insolent insulting TeamLRN 480 GRE Prep Course insolvent bankrupt insouciant nonchalant installment portion instant at once instigate incite insubordinate disobedient insufferable unbearable insular narrow-minded insuperable insurmountable insurgent rebellious insurrection uprising intangible not perceptible by touch integral essential integrate make whole integration unification integument a covering intelligentsia the intellectual elite intensive extreme inter bury intercede plead on behalf of another intercept prevent interdict prohibit interject interrupt interloper intruder interlude intermission interminable unending internecine mutually destructive interpolate insert interpose insert interregnum interval between two successive reigns interrogate question intersperse scatter interstate between states intervene interfere, mediate intestate leaving no will intimate allude to intractable unmanageable intransigent unyielding intrepid fearless intricate complex intrigue plot, mystery intrinsic inherent introspection self-analysis inundate flood inure accustom, habituate, harden invalidate disprove invective verbal insult inveigh to rail against inveigle lure inventive cleaver, resourceful inverse directly opposite inveterate habitual, chronic invidious incurring ill-will invincible cannot be defeated inviolate sacred invocation calling on God irascible irritable irate angry ironic oddly contrary to what is expected irrational illogical irrelevant unrelated, immaterial irreparable cannot be repaired irresolute hesitant, uncertain irrevocable cannot be rescinded isosceles having two equal sides itinerant wandering itinerary route J jabberwocky nonsense jaded spent, bored with one’s situation jargon specialized vocabulary jaundiced biased, embittered jeer mock jejune barren jest joke jilt reject jingoistic nationalistic, warmongering jocular humorous jostle push, brush against journeyman reliable worker joust combat between knights on horses jubilant in high spirits judicious prudent juggernaut unstoppable force jugular throat juncture pivotal point in time junoesque stately beauty junta small ruling group jurisdiction domain jurisprudence law justify excuse, mitigate juvenescent making young juxtapose to place side by side K kaleidoscope series of changing events keen of sharp mind ken purview, range of comprehension kindle arouse, inspire kindred similar kinetic pertaining to motion kismet fate kite bad check kitsch trashy art kleptomania impulse to steal knave con man knead massage knell sound of a bell Koran holy book of Islam kowtow behave obsequiously kudos acclaim L labyrinth maze lacerate tear, cut lachrymose tearful lackey servant laconic brief, terse lactic derived from milk lacuna a missing part, gap laggard loafer lagniappe bonus laity laymen lambent softly radiant lament mourn lamina layer lampoon satirize V ocabulary 4000 481 languish weaken lanyard short rope larceny theft largess generous donation lascivious lustful lassitude lethargy latent potential laudatory commendable laurels fame lave wash lavish extravagant lax loose, careless laxity carelessness layman nonprofessional lectern reading desk leery cautious legacy bequest legerdemain trickery legible readable legislate make laws legitimate lawful lenient forgiving lethargic drowsy, sluggish levee embankment, dam leviathan a monster levity frivolity liable responsible liaison relationship, affair libertarian one who believes in complete freedom libertine roué, rake libidinous lustful licentious lewd, immoral lien financial claim lieutenant one who acts in place of another ligature bond ligneous woodlike Lilliputian very small limerick poem limn portray, describe limpid transparent, clearly understood linchpin something that is indispensable lineage ancestry linguistics study of language liquidate eliminate lissome agile, supple listless lacking spirit or interest litany list lithe supple litigate contest litotes two negative statements that cancel to make a positive statement liturgy ceremony livid enraged loath reluctant loathe abhor lofty high logistics means of supplying troops logo symbol logy sluggish loquacious talkative lothario rake, womanizer lout goon lucid clearly understood lucrative profitable lucre money, profit ludicrous absurd "ludicrous green hair" "it is ludicrous to call a cottage a mansion" lugubrious sad luminous bright lupine wolf-like lure entice lurid ghastly luster gloss luxuriant lush lynch hang without trial M macabre gruesome Machiavellian politically crafty, cunning machination plot macrobiosis longevity macroscopic visibly large maelstrom whirlpool magisterial arbitrary, dictatorial magnanimous generous, kindhearted magnate a powerful, successful person magnitude size magnum opus masterpiece maim injure maladjusted disturbed maladroit clumsy malady illness malaise uneasiness, weariness malapropism comical misuse of a word malcontent one who is forever dissatisfied malediction curse malefactor evildoer malevolence bad intent, malice malfeasance wrong doing malice spite malign defame malignant virulent, pernicious malinger shirk malleable moldable, tractable malodorous fetid mammoth huge manacle shackle mandate command mandatory obligatory mandrill baboon mania madness manifest obvious, evident manifesto proclamation manifold multiple, diverse manslaughter killing someone without malice manumit set free manuscript unpublished book mar damage marauder plunderer marginal insignificant marionette puppet maroon abandon marshal array, mobilize martial warlike martinet disciplinarian martyr sacrifice, symbol masochist one who enjoys pain masticate chew TeamLRN 482 GRE Prep Course mastiff large dog mastodon extinct elephant maternal motherly maternity motherhood matriarch matron matriculate enroll matrix array matutinal early maudlin weepy, sentimental maul rough up mausoleum tomb maverick a rebel mawkish sickeningly sentimental mayhem mutilation mea culpa my fault meager scanty meander roam, ramble median middle mediocre average Quiz 10 (Matching) Match each word in the first column with its definition in the second column. 1. LACHRYMOSE A. trickery 2. LAGGARD B. roué 3. LASCIVIOUS C. very small 4. LEGERDEMAIN D. tearful 5. LIBERTINE E. loafer 6. LILLIPUTIAN F. lustful 7. LOQUACIOUS G. talkative 8. MACHIAVELLIAN H. comical misuse of a word 9. MAGISTERIAL I. arbitrary, dictatorial 10. MALAPROPISM J. politically crafty, cunning medley mixture megalith ancient stone monument melancholy reflective, gloomy melee riot mellifluous sweet sounding melodious melodic memento souvenir memoir autobiography memorabilia things worth remembering memorandum note menagerie zoo mendacity untruth mendicant beggar menial humble, degrading mentor teacher mercantile commercial mercenary calculating, venal mercurial changeable, volatile metamorphosis a change in form mete distribute meteoric swift meteorology science of weather methodical systematic, careful meticulous extremely careful, precise metier occupation metonymy the substitution of a phrase for the name itself mettle courage, capacity for bravery miasma toxin mien appearance, bearing migrate travel milieu environment militant combative militate work against milk extract millennium thousand-year period minatory threatening mince chop, moderate minion subordinate minstrel troubadour minuscule small minute very small minutiae trivia mirage illusion mire marsh mirth jollity misanthrope hater of mankind misappropriation use dishonestly misbegotten illegitimate miscarry abort miscegenation intermarriage between races miscellany mixture of items misconstrue misinterpret miscreant evildoer misgiving doubt misnomer wrongly named misogyny hatred of women misshapen deformed missive letter mitigate lessen the severity mnemonics that which aids the memory mobilize assemble for action mobocracy rule by mob modicum pittance modish chic module unit mogul powerful person molest bother mollify appease molten melted momentous of great importance monocle eyeglass monolithic large and uniform monologue long speech monstrosity distorted, abnormal form moot disputable V ocabulary 4000 483 moral ethical morale spirit, confidence morass swamp, difficult situation moratorium postponement mordant biting, sarcastic mores moral standards moribund near death morose sullen morphine painkilling drug morsel bite, piece mortify humiliate mosque temple mote speck motif theme motive reason motley diverse mottled spotted motto slogan, saying mountebank charlatan mousy drab, colorless muckraker reformer muffle stifle, quiet mulct defraud multifarious diverse, many-sided multitude throng mundane ordinary munificent generous murmur mutter, mumble muse ponder muster to gather one’s forces mutability able to change mute silent mutilate maim mutiny rebellion mutter murmur, grumble muzzle restrain myopic narrow-minded myriad innumerable myrmidons loyal followers mystique mystery, aura mythical fictitious N nadir lowest point narcissism self-love narrate tell, recount nascent incipient natal related to birth nativity the process of birth naturalize grant citizenship ne’er-do-well loafer, idler nebulous indistinct necromancy sorcery nefarious evil negate cancel negligible insignificant nemesis implacable foe neologism newly coined expression neonatal newborn neophyte beginner nepotism favoritism nervy brash nether under nettle irritate neurotic disturbed neutralize offset, nullify nexus link nicety euphemism niche nook niggardly stingy nimble spry nirvana bliss noctambulism sleepwalking nocturnal pertaining to night nocturne serenade noisome harmful nomad wanderer nomenclature terminology nominal slight, in name only nominate propose nominee candidate nonchalant casual noncommittal neutral, circumspect nondescript lacking distinctive features nonentity person of no significance nonesuch paragon, one in a thousand nonpareil unequaled, peerless nonpartisan neutral, uncommitted nonplus confound notable remarkable, noteworthy noted famous notorious wicked, widely known nouveau riche newly rich nova bright star novel new, unique novice beginner noxious toxic nuance shade, subtlety nub crux nubile marriageable nugatory useless, worthless nuisance annoyance Quiz 11 (Matching) Match each word in the first column with its definition in the second column. 1. MISCELLANY A. peerless 2. MISSIVE B. to gather one’s forces 3. MOOT C. newly coined expression 4. MOUNTEBANK D. self-love 5. MULTIFARIOUS E. loyal followers 6. MUSTER F. letter 7. MYRMIDONS G. diverse 8. NARCISSISM H. charlatan 9. NEOLOGISM I. disputable 10. NONPAREIL J. mixture of items TeamLRN 484 GRE Prep Course nullify void nullity nothingness numismatics coin collecting nurture nourish, foster nymph goddess O oaf awkward person obdurate unyielding obeisance homage, deference obelisk tall column, monument obese fat obfuscate bewilder, muddle obituary eulogy objective (adj.) unbiased objective (noun) goal objectivity impartiality oblation offering, sacrifice obligatory required oblige compel obliging accommodating, considerate oblique indirect obliquity perversity obliterate destroy oblong elliptical, oval obloquy slander obscure vague, unclear obsequious fawning, servile obsequy funeral ceremony observant watchful obsolete outdated obstinate stubborn obstreperous noisy, unruly obtain gain possession obtrusive forward, meddlesome obtuse stupid obviate make unnecessary Occident the West occlude block occult mystical octogenarian person in her eighties ocular optic, visual ode poem odious despicable odoriferous pleasant odor odyssey journey offal inedible parts of a butchered animal offertory church collection officiate supervise officious forward, obtrusive offset counterbalance ogle flirt ogre monster, demon oleaginous oily oligarchy aristocracy olio medley ominous threatening omnibus collection, compilation omnipotent all-powerful omniscient all-knowing onerous burdensome onslaught attack ontology the study of the nature of existence onus burden opaque nontransparent operative working operetta musical comedy opiate narcotic opine think opportune well-timed oppress persecute oppressive burdensome opprobrious abusive, scornful opprobrium disgrace oppugn assail opt decide, choose optimum best condition optional elective opulence wealth opus literary work or musical composition oracle prophet oration speech orator speaker orb sphere orchestrate organize ordain appoint orderly neat ordinance law ordnance artillery orient align orison prayer ornate lavishly decorated ornithology study of birds orthodox conventional oscillate waver ossify harden ostensible apparent, seeming ostentatious pretentious ostracize ban otherworldly spiritual otiose idle ouster ejection outmoded out-of-date outré eccentric outset beginning ovation applause overrule disallow overture advance, proposal overweening arrogant, forward overwhelm overpower overwrought overworked, highstrung ovum egg, cell P pachyderm elephant pacifist one who opposes all violence pacify appease pact agreement paean a song of praise pagan heathen, ungodly page attendant pageant exhibition, show pains labor painstaking taking great care palatial grand, splendid palaver babble, nonsense Paleolithic stone age paleontologist one who studies fossils V ocabulary 4000 485 pall to become dull or weary palliate assuage pallid pale, sallow palpable touchable palpitate beat, throb palsy paralysis paltry scarce pan criticize panacea cure-all panache flamboyance pandemic universal pandemonium din, commotion pander cater to people’s baser instincts panegyric praise pang pain panoply full suit of armor panorama vista pant gasp, puff pantomime mime pantry storeroom papyrus paper parable allegory paradigm a model paragon standard of excellence parameter limit paramount chief, foremost paramour lover paranoid obsessively suspicious, demented paranormal supernatural parapet rampart, defense paraphernalia equipment paraphrase restatement parcel package parchment paper pare peel parenthetical in parentheses pariah outcast parish fold, church parity equality parlance local speech parlay increase parley conference parochial provincial parody imitation, ridicule parole release paroxysm outburst, convulsion parrot mimic parry avert, ward off parsimonious stingy parson clergyman partake share, receive partial incomplete partiality bias parting farewell, severance Quiz 12 (Matching) Match each word in the first column with its definition in the second column. 1. ORDNANCE A. a model 2. ORTHODOX B. local speech 3. OUTMODED C. convulsion 4. PALAVER D. stingy 5. PANEGYRIC E. farewell, severance 6. PARADIGM F. artillery 7. PARLANCE G. conventional 8. PAROXYSM H. out-of-date 9. PARSIMONIOUS I. babble 10. PARTING J. praise partisan supporter partition division parvenu newcomer, social climber pasquinade satire passé outmoded passim here and there pastel pale pasteurize disinfect pastoral rustic patent obvious paternal fatherly pathetic pitiful pathogen agent causing disease pathogenic causing disease pathos emotion patrician aristocrat patrimony inheritance patronize condescend patronymic a name formed form the name of a father patter walk lightly paucity scarcity paunch stomach pauper poor person pavilion tent pawn (noun) tool, stooge pawn (verb) pledge pax peace peaked wan, pale, haggard peal reverberation, outburst peccadillo a minor fault peculate embezzle peculiar unusual peculiarity characteristic pedagogical pertaining to teaching pedagogue dull, formal teacher pedant pedagogue pedantic bookish peddle sell pedestrian common pedigree genealogy peerage aristocracy peevish cranky pejorative insulting pell-mell in a confused manner TeamLRN 486 GRE Prep Course pellucid transparent pen write penance atonement penchant inclination pend depend, hang pending not decided penitent repentant pensive sad penurious stingy penury poverty peon common worker per se in itself perceptive discerning percolate ooze, permeate perdition damnation peregrination wandering peremptory dictatorial perennial enduring, lasting perfectionist purist, precisionist perfidious treacherous (of a person) perforate puncture perforce by necessity perfunctory careless perigee point nearest to the earth perilous dangerous peripatetic walking about periphery outer boundary perish die perishable decomposable perjury lying permeate spread throughout permutation reordering pernicious destructive peroration conclusion perpendicular at right angles perpetrate commit perpetual continuous perpetuate cause to continue perpetuity eternity perplex puzzle, bewilder perquisite reward, bonus persecute harass persevere persist, endure persona social facade personable charming personage official, dignitary personify embody, exemplify personnel employees perspicacious keen perspicacity discernment, keenness persuasive convincing pert flippant, bold pertain to relate pertinacious persevering pertinent relevant perturbation agitation peruse read carefully pervade permeate pessimist cynic pestilence disease petite small petition request petrify calcify, shock petrology study of rocks pettifogger unscrupulous lawyer petty trivial petulant irritable, peevish phantasm apparition phenomena unusual natural events philanthropic charitable philanthropist altruist philatelist stamp collector philippic invective Philistine barbarian philosophical contemplative phlegmatic sluggish phobia fear phoenix rebirth physic laxative, cathartic physique frame, musculature picaresque roguish, adventurous picayune trifling piecemeal one at a time pied mottled, brindled piety devoutness pilfer steal pillage plunder pillory punish by ridicule pine languish pinnacle highest point pious devout, holy piquant tart-tasting, spicy pique sting, arouse interest piscine pertaining to fish piteous sorrowful, pathetic pithy concise pitiable miserable, wretched pittance alms, driblet pittance trifle pivotal crucial pixilated eccentric, possessed placard poster placate appease placid serene plagiarize pirate, counterfeit plaintive expressing sorrow platitude trite remark platonic nonsexual plaudit acclaim pleasantry banter, persiflage plebeian common, vulgar plebiscite referendum plenary full plentiful abundant pleonasm redundancy, verbosity plethora overabundance pliable flexible pliant supple, flexible plight sad situation plucky courageous plumb measure plummet fall plutocrat wealthy person plutonium radioactive material poach steal podgy fat podium stand, rostrum pogrom massacre, mass murder poignant pungent, sharp polemic a controversy polity methods of government poltroon dastard V ocabulary 4000 487 polychromatic many-colored polygamist one who has many wives ponder muse, reflect ponderous heavy, bulky pontiff bishop pontificate to speak at length pootroon coward porcine pig-like porous permeable, spongy porridge stew portend signify, augur portent omen portly large portmanteau suitcase posit stipulate posterior rear, subsequent posterity future generations posthaste hastily posthumous after death postulate supposition, premise potent powerful potentate sovereign, king potion brew potpourri medley potter aimlessly busy pragmatic practical "a pragmatic approach to the problem" `` "not ideology but pragmatic politics" prate babble prattle chatter preamble introduction precarious dangerous, risky precedent an act that serves as an example precept principle, law "he believed all the Christian precepts" precinct neighborhood precipice cliff precipitate cause precipitous steep précis summary precise accurate, detailed preclude prevent precocious advanced preconception prejudgment, prejudice precursor forerunner predacious plundering predecessor one who proceeds predestine foreordain predicament quandary predicate base predilection inclination predisposed inclined preeminent supreme preempt commandeer preen groom prefabricated ready-built prefect magistrate preference choice preferment promotion prelate primate, bishop preliminary introductory prelude introduction premeditate plan in advance premonition warning prenatal before birth preponderance predominance prepossessing appealing, charming preposterous ridiculous prerequisite requirement prerogative right, privilege presage omen prescribe urge presentable acceptable, wellmannered preside direct, chair pressing urgent prestidigitator magicians prestige reputation, renown presume deduce presumptuous assuming presuppose assume pretense affectation, excuse pretentious affected, inflated preternatural abnormal, unnatural pretext excuse prevail triumph prevailing common, current prevalent widespread prevaricate lie prick puncture priggish pedantic, affected prim formal, prudish primal first, beginning primate head, master primogeniture first-born child primp groom princely regal, generous prismatic many-colored, sparkling pristine pure, unspoiled privation hardship privy aware of private matters probe examine probity integrity problematic uncertain proboscis snout procedure method proceeds profit proclaim announce proclivity inclination procreate beget proctor supervise procure acquire procurer pander prod urge prodigal wasteful prodigious marvelous, enormous prodigy a person with extraordinary ability or talent profane blasphemous profess affirm proffer bring forward proficient skillful profiteer extortionist profligate licentious, prodigal profound deep, knowledgeable profusion overabundance progenitor ancestor progeny children prognosis forecast prognosticate foretell progressive advancing, liberal proletariat working class proliferate increase rapidly prolific fruitful, productive prolix long-winded prologue introduction TeamLRN 488 GRE Prep Course Quiz 13 (Matching) Match each word in the first column with its definition in the second column. 1. PHOENIX A. cliff 2. PILLORY B. inclination 3. PITTANCE C. warning 4. PLAUDIT D. acclaim 5. PLETHORA E. overabundance 6. POGROM F. after death 7. POSTHUMOUS G. massacre 8. PRECIPICE H. rebirth 9. PREDILECTION I. punish by ridicule 10. PREMONITION J. trifle prolong lengthen in time promenade stroll, parade promethean inspirational promiscuous sexually indiscreet promontory headland, cape prompt induce prompter reminder promulgate publish, disseminate prone inclined, predisposed propaganda publicity propellant rocket fuel propensity inclination prophet prognosticator prophylactic preventive propinquity nearness propitiate satisfy propitious auspicious, favorable proponent supporter, advocate proportionate commensurate proposition offer, proposal propound propose proprietor manager, owner propriety decorum prosaic uninspired, flat proscenium platform, rostrum proscribe prohibit proselytize recruit, convert prosody study of poetic structure prospective expected, imminent prospectus brochure prostrate supine protagonist main character in a story protean changing readily protégé ward, pupil protocol code of diplomatic etiquette proton particle protract prolong protuberance bulge provender food proverb maxim proverbial well-known providence foresight, divine protection provident having foresight, thrifty providential fortunate province bailiwick, district provincial intolerant, insular provisional temporary proviso stipulation provisory conditional provocation incitement provocative titillating provoke incite prowess strength, expertise proximity nearness proxy substitute, agent prude puritan prudence discretion prudent cautious prudish puritanical prurient lewd pseudo false pseudonym alias psychic pertaining the psyche or mind psychopath madman psychotic demented puberty adolescence puckish impish, mischievous puerile childish pugilism boxing pugnacious combative puissant strong pulchritude beauty pulp paste, mush pulpit platform, priesthood pulsate throb pulverize crush pun wordplay punctilious meticulous pundit politically astute person pungent sharp smell or taste punitive punishing puny weak, small purblind obtuse, stupid purgative cathartic, cleansing purgatory limbo, netherworld purge cleanse, remove puritanical prim purlieus environs, surroundings purloin steal purport claim to be purported rumored purposeful determined pursuant following, according purvey deliver purview range, understanding pusillanimous cowardly putative reputed putrefy decay putsch a sudden attempt to overthrow a government V ocabulary 4000 489 pygmy dwarf pyrotechnics fireworks pyrrhic a battle won with unacceptable losses Q quack charlatan quadrennial occurring every four years quadrille square dance quadruped four foot animal quaff drink quagmire difficult situation quail shrink, cower quaint old-fashioned qualified limited qualms misgivings quandary dilemma quantum quantity, particle quarantine detention, confinement quarry prey, game quarter residence quash put down, suppress quasi seeming, almost quaver tremble quay wharf queasy squeamish queer odd quell suppress, allay quench extinguish, slake querulous complaining questionnaire interrogation queue line quibble bicker quicken revive, hasten quiddity essence quiescent still, motionless quietus a cessation of activity quill feather, pen quip joke quirk eccentricity quiver tremble quixotic impractical, romantic quizzical odd quorum majority quota a share or proportion quotidian daily R rabble crowd rabid mad, furious racketeer gangster raconteur story teller radical revolutionary raffish rowdy rail rant, harangue raiment clothing rake womanizer rally assemble rambunctious boisterous ramification consequence rampage run amuck rampant unbridled, raging ramrod rod rancid rotten rancor resentment randy vulgar Quiz 14 (Matching) Match each word in the first column with its definition in the second column. 1. PROTEAN A. bulge 2. PROTUBERANCE B. changing readily 3. PROVISIONAL C. steal 4. PUNDIT D. majority 5. PURLOIN E. temporary 6. PURPORT F. a cessation of activity 7. QUAVER G. line 8. QUEUE H. tremble 9. QUIETUS I. claim to be 10. QUORUM J. politically astute person rankle cause bitterness, resentment rant rage, scold rapacious grasping, avaricious rapidity speed rapier sword rapine plunder rapport affinity, empathy rapprochement reconciliation rapture bliss rash hasty, brash rasp scrape ratify approve ration allowance, portion rationale justification ravage plunder ravish captivate, charm raze destroy realm kingdom, domain realpolitik cynical interpretation of politics reap harvest rebuff reject rebuke criticize rebus picture puzzle rebuttal reply, counterargument recalcitrant stubborn recant retract recapitulate restate, summarize recede move back receptacle container receptive open to ideas recidivism habitual criminal activity TeamLRN 490 GRE Prep Course recipient one who receives reciprocal mutual, return in kind recital performance recitation recital, lesson reclusive solitary recoil flinch, retreat recollect remember recompense repay reconcile adjust, balance recondite mystical, profound reconnaissance surveillance reconnoiter to survey recount recite recoup recover recourse appeal, resort recreant cowardly recrimination countercharge, retaliation recruit draftee rectify correct recumbent reclining recuperation recovery recur repeat, revert redeem buy back, justify redeemer savior redemption salvation redolent fragrant redoubt fort redoubtable formidable, steadfast redress restitution redundant repetitious reek smell reel stagger referendum vote refined purified, cultured reflux ebb refraction bending, deflection refractory obstinate refrain abstain refurbish remodel refute disprove regal royal regale entertain regalia emblems regime a government regiment infantry unit regrettable lamentable regurgitate vomit rehash repeat reign rule, influence rein curb reincarnation rebirth reiterate repeat rejoice celebrate rejoinder answer, retort rejuvenate make young again relapse recurrence (of illness) relegate assign to an inferior position relent soften, yield relentless unstoppable relic antique relinquish release relish savor remedial corrective remiss negligent remit forgive, send payment remnant residue, fragment remonstrance protest remorse guilt remuneration compensation renaissance rebirth renascent reborn rend to tear apart render deliver, provide rendezvous a meeting rendition version, interpretation renege break a promise renounce disown renown fame rent tear, rupture reparation amends, atonement repartee witty conversation repatriate to send back to the native land repellent causing aversion repent atone for repercussion consequence repertoire stock of works repine fret replenish refill replete complete replica copy replicate duplicate repose rest reprehensible blameworthy repress suppress reprieve temporary suspension reprimand rebuke reprisal retaliation reprise repetition reproach blame reprobate miscreant reprove rebuke repudiate disavow repugnant distasteful repulse repel repulsive repugnant repute esteem reputed supposed requiem rest, a mass for the dead requisite necessary requisition order requite to return in kind rescind revoke reserve self-control reside dwell residue remaining part resigned accepting of a situation resolute determined resilience ability to recover from an illness resolution determination resolve determination resonant reverberating resort recourse resound echo resourceful inventive, skillful respectively in order respire breathe respite rest resplendent shining, splendid restitution reparation, amends restive nervous, uneasy resurgence revival resurrection rebirth V ocabulary 4000 491 resuscitate revive retain keep retainer advance fee retaliate revenge retch vomit reticent reserved retiring modest, unassuming retort quick reply retrench cut back, economize retribution reprisal retrieve reclaim retrograde regress retrospective reminiscent revamp recast reveille bugle call revel frolic, take joy in revelry merrymaking revenue income revere honor reverent respectful reverie daydream Quiz 15 (Matching) Match each word in the first column with its definition in the second column. 1. REGIME A. daydream 2. REJOINDER B. quick reply 3. REMUNERATION C. uneasy 4. RENDEZVOUS D. necessary 5. RENT E. miscreant 6. REPROBATE F. rupture 7. REQUISITE G. a meeting 8. RESTIVE H. compensation 9. RETRIBUTION I. retort 10. REVERIE J. a government revert return revile denounce, defame revision new version revive renew revoke repeal revulsion aversion rhapsody ecstasy rhetoric elocution, grandiloquence rheumatism inflammation ribald coarse, vulgar rickety shaky, ramshackle ricochet carom, rebound rife widespread, abundant riffraff dregs of society rifle search through and steal rift a split, an opening righteous upright, moral rigor harshness rime crust riposte counterthrust risible laughable risqué off-color, racy rivet engross robust vigorous rogue scoundrel roister bluster romp frolic roseate rosy, optimistic roster list of people rostrum podium roué libertine rouse awaken rout vanquish rubicund ruddy ruck the common herd rudiment beginning rue regret ruffian brutal person ruminate ponder rummage hunt runel stream ruse trick rustic rural S Sabbath day of rest sabbatical vacation saber sword sabotage treason, destruction saccharine sugary, overly sweet tone sacerdotal priestly sack pillage sacrament rite sacred cow idol, taboo sacrilege blasphemy sacrosanct sacred saddle encumber sadist one who takes pleasure in hurting others safari expedition saga story sagacious wise sage wise person salacious licentious salient prominent saline salty sallow sickly complected sally sortie, attack salutary good, wholesome salutation salute, greeting salvation redemption salve medicinal ointment salvo volley, gunfire sanctify consecrate sanctimonious self-righteous sanction approval sanctuary refuge sang-froid coolness under fire sanguinary gory, murderous sanguine cheerful TeamLRN 492 GRE Prep Course sans without sapid interesting sapient wise sarcophagus stone coffin sardonic scornful sartorial pertaining to clothes satanic pertaining to the Devil satchel bag sate satisfy fully satiate satisfy fully satire ridicule saturate soak saturnine gloomy satyr demigod, goat-man saunter stroll savanna grassland savant scholar savoir-faire tact, polish savor enjoy savory appetizing savvy perceptive scabrous difficult scant inadequate, meager scapegoat one who takes blame for others scarify criticize scathe injure, denounce scepter a rod, staff scheme plot schism rift scintilla speck scintillate sparkle scion offspring scoff jeer scone biscuit scorn disdain, reject scoundrel unprincipled person scour clean scourge affliction scruples misgivings scrupulous principled, fastidious scrutinize examine closely scurf dandruff scurrilous abusive, insulting scurry move quickly scuttle to sink (a ship) scythe long, curved blade sear burn sebaceous like fat secede withdraw secluded remote, isolated seclusion solitude sectarian denominational secular worldly, nonreligious secure make safe sedation state of calm sedentary stationary, inactive sedition treason seduce lure sedulous diligent seedy rundown, ramshackle seemly proper, attractive seethe fume, resent seismic pertaining to earthquakes seismology study of earthquakes self-effacing modest semantics study of word meanings semblance likeness seminal fundamental semper fidelis always loyal senescence old age senescent aging seniority privilege due to length of service sensational outstanding sensible wise sensory relating to the senses sensualist epicure sensuous appealing to the senses sententious concise sentient conscious sentinel watchman sepulcher tomb sequacious dependent sequel continuation, epilogue sequester segregate seraphic angelic serendipity making fortunate discoveries serene peaceful serpentine winding serried saw-toothed serum vaccine servile slavish servitude forced labor sessile permanently attached session meeting settee seat, sofa sever cut in two severance division shallot onion sham pretense shambles disorder shard fragment sheen luster sheepish shy shibboleth password shirk evade (work) sliver fragment shoal reef shoring supporting shortcomings deficiencies shrew virago shrewd clever shrill high-pitched shun avoid shunt turn aside shyster unethical lawyer sibilant a hissing sound sibling brother or sister sickle semicircular blade sidereal pertaining to the stars sidle move sideways siege blockade sierra mountain range sieve strainer signatory signer signet a seal silhouette outline silo storage tower simian monkey simile figure of speech simper smile, smirk simulacrum likeness V ocabulary 4000 493 sinecure position with little responsibility sinewy fibrous, stringy singe burn just the surface of something singly one by one singular unique sinister evil sinistral left-handed siphon extract sire forefather, to beget siren temptress site location skeptical doubtful skinflint miser skirmish a small battle skittish excitable skulk sneak about skullduggery trickery slake quench slander defame slate list of candidate slaver drivel, fawn slay kill sleight dexterity slew an abundance slither slide slogan motto sloth laziness slovenly sloppy smattering superficial knowledge smelt refine metal smirk smug look smite strike, afflict smock apron snare trap snide sarcastic snippet morsel snivel whine snub ignore snuff extinguish sobriety composed sobriquet nickname socialite one who is prominent in society sociology study of society sodality companionship sodden soaked sojourn trip solace consolation solder fuse, weld solecism ungrammatical construction solemn serious, somber solemnity seriousness solicit request solicitous considerate, concerned soliloquy monologue solstice furthest point soluble dissolvable solvent financially sound somatic pertaining to the body somber gloomy somnambulist sleepwalker somnolent sleepy sonnet poem sonorous resonant, majestic sop morsel, compensation sophistry specious reasoning soporific sleep inducing soprano high female voice sordid foul, ignoble sorority sisterhood soubrette actress, ingenue souse a drunk sovereign monarch spar fight spasmodic intermittent spate sudden outpouring spawn produce specimen sample specious false but plausible spectacle public display spectral ghostly spectrum range speculate conjecture speleologist one who studies caves Quiz 16 (Matching) Match each word in the first column with its definition in the second column. 1. SCRUPLES A. figure of speech 2. SCYTHE B. proper, attractive 3. SEEMLY C. long, curved blade 4. SENTENTIOUS D. left-handed 5. SERENDIPITY E. pertaining to the stars 6. SHIBBOLETH F. signer 7. SIDEREAL G. making fortunate discoveries 8. SIGNATORY H. password 9. SIMILE I. misgivings 10. SINISTRAL J. concise spew eject spindle shaft spindly tall and thin spinster old maid spire pinnacle spirited lively spirituous alcohol, intoxicating spite malice, grudge spittle spit splay spread apart spleen resentment, wrath splenetic peevish splurge indulge spontaneous extemporaneous sporadic occurring irregularly TeamLRN 494 GRE Prep Course sportive playful spry nimble spume foam spurious false, counterfeit spurn reject squalid filthy squall rain storm squander waste squelch crush, stifle stagnant stale, motionless staid demure, sedate stalwart pillar, strong stamina vigor, endurance stanch loyal stanchion prop stanza division of a poem stark desolate startle surprise stately impressive, noble static inactive, immobile statue regulation staunch loyal stave ward off steadfast loyal stealth secrecy, covertness steeped soaked stenography shorthand stentorian loud sterling high quality stern strict stevedore longshoreman stifle suppress stigma mark of disgrace stiletto dagger stilted formal, stiff stimulate excite stint limit, assignment stipend payment stipulate specify, arrange stodgy stuffy, pompous stoic indifferent to pain or pleasure stoke prod, fuel stole long scarf stolid impassive stout stocky strait distress stratagem trick stratify form into layers stratum layer striate to stripe stricture censure strife conflict striking impressive, attractive stringent severe, strict strive endeavor studious diligent stultify inhibit, enfeeble stunted arrested development stupefy deaden, dumfound stupendous astounding stupor lethargy stylize formalize stymie hinder, thwart suave smooth sub rosa in secret "held a meeting sub rosa to avoid general criticism" "a sub-rosa report" subcutaneous beneath the skin "subcutaneous implant" subcutaneous tissue; a subcutaneous implant `` a subcutaneous injection `` subdue conquer subdue sub·due [səb d] (past and past participle sub·dued, present participle sub·du·ing, 3rd person present singular sub·dues) transitive verb 1. bring somebody under forcible control: to bring a person or group of people under control using force 2. soften something: to soften something, or make something less intense  idealism subdued by experience 3. repress emotions: to repress or control feelings  worked hard to subdue her irritation [14th century. Via Old French souduire "seduce" < Latin subducere "draw up" < ducere "to lead"] -sub·du·a·ble, adjective-sub·du·er, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "subdue one's appetites" / subdued my excitement about the upcoming holiday `` Farmers subdued the arid lands of Australia 11 They admit they have not been able to subdue the rebels 11 He forced himself to subdue and overcome his fears 11 After months of fighting the rebels were subdued 11 subdued voices; He seems subdued today subjugate suppress "The rich landowners subjugated the peasants working the land" Their costly attempt to subjugate the citizens lasted 10 years sublet subcontract sublet sub·let [sub lét] transitive and intransitive verb (past and past participle sub·let, present participle sub·let·ting, 3rd person present singular sub·lets) rent property under sublease: to rent a property to or as a subsidiary tenant noun (plural sub·lets) property rented under sublease: a property, especially an apartment, that is rented from somebody who is renting it from somebody else Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "We sublet our apartment over the summer" sublimate to redirect forbidden impulses (usually sexual) into socially accepted activities sublimate sub·li·mate [súbblə màyt] verb (past and past participle sub·li·mat·ed, present participle sub·li·mat·ing, 3rd person present singular sub·li·mates) 1. transitive verb psychology redirect: to channel impulses or energies regarded as unacceptable, especially sexual desires, toward an activity that is more socially acceptable, often a creative activity 2. transitive and intransitive verb chemistry Same as sublimev (sense 1) (sense 2) noun (plural sub·li·mates) chemistry substance formed from sublimation: a chemical substance formed as a result of sublimation [15th century. < Latin sublimat-, past participle of sublimare "elevate" < sublimis "elevated"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. The erotic impulse is sublimated into art sublime lofty, excellent sublime sub·lime [sə blm] adjective (comparative sub·lim·er, superlative sub·lim·est) 1. beautiful: so awe-inspiringly beautiful as to seem almost heavenly  the composer at his most sublime 2. morally worthy: of the highest moral or spiritual value 3. complete: complete or utter  in sublime ignorance 4. excellent: excellent or particularly impressive (informal)  a sublime pasta creation noun something sublime: something that is sublime  going from the sublime to the ridiculous verb (past and past participle sub·limed, present participle sub·lim·ing, 3rd person present singular sub·limes) 1. transitive and intransitive verb chemistry convert solid substance to gas: to convert a substance directly from a solid to a gas or from a gas to a solid without an intermediate liquid phase, or undergo this process 2. transitive and intransitive verb chemistry convert then reconvert: to convert a solid directly into a gas and then back to a solid again without an intermediate liquid phase, or undergo this process 3. transitive verb make something pure: to make something such as an emotion finer or purer [14th century. < Latin sublimis "elevated"] -sub·lime·ly, adverb-sub·lime·ness, noun-sub·lim·i·ty [sə blímmətee], noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "the sublime beauty of the night" "their hearts were jocund and sublime" "sublime iodine"; "some salts sublime when heated" sublunary earthly "transcendental motives for sublunary actions"; "fleeting sublunary pleasures" submit yield subordinate lower in rank subsequent succeeding, following subservient servile, submissive subservient sub·ser·vi·ent [səb súrvee ənt] adjective 1. too eager to obey: too submissive or eager to follow the wishes or orders of others 2. of lesser importance: in a position of secondary importance 3. instrumental in something: helping to achieve something or bring something about [Mid-17th century. < Latin subservient-, present participle of subservire "serve under" < servire (see serve)] -sub·ser·vi·ence, noun-sub·ser·vi·ent·ly, adverb Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "editors and journalists who express opinions in print that are opposed to the interests of the rich are dismissed and replaced by subservient ones" / "she has become submissive and subservient" / Her willingness to be subservient to her children isolated her / The individual's needs are seen as subservient to the group's subside diminish subside sub·side [səb sd] (past and past participle sub·sid·ed, present participle sub·sid·ing, 3rd person present singular sub·sides) intransitive verb 1. diminish in intensity: to become less active or intense 2. drop to lower level: to sink to a low or lower level 3. sink to bottom: to sink to the bottom of a liquid 4. gradually sit or lie down: to sink into a sitting or lying position, e.g. out of exhaustion (formal) [Mid-17th century. < Latin subsidere "settle down" < sidere "settle"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "The pain subsided" "the valleys subside" "the mud subsides when the waters become calm" "She subsided into the chair" subsidiary subordinate subsidize financial assistance substantiate verify "The painting substantiates the feelings of the artist" "our ideas must be substantiated into actions" "The president's trip will substantiate good relations with the former enemy country" substantive substantial substantive adjective [súbstəntiv] 1. with practical importance: having practical importance, value, or effect  a substantive agreement 2. substantial: substantial in amount or quantity  a substantive meal 3. essential: relating to the substance of something 4. independent: continuing independently 5. grammar used like noun: relating to or used like a noun 6. grammar expressing existence: expressing existence, as with the verb "to be" 7. law relating to legal principles: relating to the essential principles that a court applies in its work, not to the rules of procedure and practice 8. industry directly attaching as dye color: attaching as a color directly to a material being dyed without the use of a fixing substance 9. military permanent: describes a rank or appointment that is permanent noun [súbstəntiv, səb stántiv] (plural sub·stan·tives) grammar noun: a noun, or a word or group of words used like a noun [15th century. Directly or via French < late Latin substantivus < Latin substantia (see substance)] -sub·stan·ti·val [sùbstən tv'l], adjective-sub·stan·tive·ly, adverb Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "substantive law" subterfuge cunning, ruse "he wasn't sick--it was just a subterfuge" subterranean underground subterranean sub·ter·ra·ne·an [sùbtə ráynee ən] or sub·ter·ra·ne·ous [sùbtə ráynee əss] adjective 1. underground: existing or situated below ground level 2. secret: existing or carried on in secret [Early 17th century. < Latin subterraneus "underground" < terra "earth, land"] -sub·ter·ra·ne·an·ly, adverb Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "subterranean passages" "subterranean motives for murder" subvert undermine "subvert the ruling class" "Do school counselors subvert young children?" "we must not let our civil liberties be subverted by the current crisis" / "schemes to subvert the liberties of a great community" (Alexander Hamilton) / "Economic assistance ... must subvert the existing ... feudal or tribal order" (Henry A. Kissinger) / an alleged plot to subvert the state / an attempt to subvert culture from within / That boy is a subversive influence in this class succor help, comfort O Almighty God, hear us, we beseech Thee, and bring succor and guidance to those we are about to bring to Your divine notice / The Waning of the Welfare State: The End of Comprehensive State Succor / After the Battle of Gravelotte--Sisters of Mercy arriving on the battle field to succor the wounded. succulent juicy, delicious "succulent roast beef"; "succulent plants with thick fleshy leaves" / a succulent bit of gossip / succulent early vegetables / a succulent peach / A cactus is a type of succulent succumb yield, submit succumb suc·cumb [sə kúm] (past and past participle suc·cumbed, present participle suc·cumb·ing, 3rd person present singular suc·cumbs) intransitive verb 1. give in: to be unable to resist or oppose something 2. die from something: to die from an illness or injury [15th century. Directly or via French < Latin succumbere "lie under" < cumbere "lie"] Word Key: Synonyms See yield. Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Don't succumb to the temptation to have just one cigarette / She succumbed to temptation and ate the chocolate / I was determined not to succumb to the virus suffice adequate "A 'B' grade doesn't suffice to get me into medical school" suffrage vote suffrage suf·frage [súffrij] (plural suf·frages) noun 1. right to vote: the right to vote in public elections 2. act of voting: a vote or the act of voting (archaic) 3. religion short prayer: a short prayer on behalf of somebody, especially a prayer said as part of a Christian litany [14th century. Directly or via French < Latin suffragium "support, a vote"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. suffuse pervade, permeate "artifacts suggestive of an ancient society" "a suggestive nod"; "suggestive poses" suggestive thought-provoking, risqué sullen sulky, sour sullen sul·len [súllən] adjective 1. hostilely silent: showing bad temper or hostility by a refusal to talk, behave sociably, or cooperate cheerfully 2. cloudy and dull: dull and gray because of clouds, fog, or haze (literary)  sullen prairie skies 3. slow-moving: moving slowly (literary)  a sullen stream [14th century. < Anglo-Norman sulein "alone" < sol "sole, single" < Latin solus] -sul·len·ly, adverb-sul·len·ness, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "a sullen crowd" sully stain sully sul·ly [súllee] (past and past participle sul·lied, present participle sul·ly·ing, 3rd person present singular sul·lies) transitive verb 1. spoil: to spoil or detract from something, especially somebody's reputation, that has previously been pure and honorable, or become spoiled or tarnished  a reputation sullied by scandal 2. make dirty: to make something dirty [Late 16th century. Origin ?] -sul·lied, adjective Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. sultry sweltering; Sexually exciting or gratifying; Characterized by oppressive heat and humidity sultry sul·try [súltree] adjective 1. hot and damp: oppressively hot and damp 2. sensual: giving a suggestion of underlying passion and sensuality [Late 16th century. < obsolete sulter "swelter." Origin ?] -sul·tri·ly, adverb-sul·tri·ness, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "a sultry look"; "a sultry dance" "the summer was sultry and oppressive" summon call for, arraign summon sum·mon [súmmən] (past and past participle sum·moned, present participle sum·mon·ing, 3rd person present singular sum·mons) verb 1. transitive verb call somebody into court: to order somebody to appear in court by serving a summons 2. transitive verb send for somebody: to send or be a signal for somebody to come  We were summoned to his presence. 3. transitive verb convene group: to call together a formal or official body  They summoned a meeting to debate the issue. 4. transitive verb call upon somebody: to request or require somebody to do something  She summoned him to help her. 5. intransitive verb manage to get something: to gather the resources, especially courage or strength, to cope with or do something  trying to summon up the courage to tell him the news [13th century. Via French < Latin summonere "remind secretly" < sub- "under" + monere "warn"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "summon a lawyer" "Summon all your courage" sumptuous opulent, luscious sumptuous sump·tu·ous [súmpchoo əss] adjective 1. splendid: magnificent or grand in appearance 2. extravagant: entailing great expense [15th century. Via French < Latin sumptuosus < sumptus "expense" < past participle of sumere "spend" < emere "take"] -sump·tu·ous·ly, adverb-sump·tu·ous·ness, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. sunder split sundry various sundry sun·dry [súndree] adjective various: assorted, but considered as a single category or group, usually for the sake of convenience  and other sundry items See also sundries – miscellaneous things [ Old English syndrig "separate, distinct" < W Germanic] all and sundry everyone without exception (takes a plural verb) Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "sundry sciences commonly known as social" / a purse containing keys, wallet, and sundry items / She could ring for food and drink, laundry and sundry services superb excellent supercilious arrogant "his mother eyed my clothes with a supercilious air" "curled his lip in a supercilious smile" supererogatory wanton, superfluous "it was supererogatory of her to gloat" superfluous overabundant superfluous su·per·flu·ous [sə púrfloo əss] adjective 1. more than necessary: in excess of what is needed  a lot of superfluous detail 2. inessential: not essential  superfluous to the discussion [14th century. Directly or via French < Latin superfluus < superfluere "overflow" < super "over, above" + fluere "to flow"] -su·per·flu·ous·ly, adverb-su·per·flu·ous·ness, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "delete superfluous (or unnecessary) words" superimpose cover, place on top of superimpose su·per·im·pose [spərim pṓz] (past and past participle su·per·im·posed, present participle su·per·im·pos·ing, 3rd person present singular su·per·im·pos·es) transitive verb 1. lay something over something: to place something such as a transparent image on or over something else, often with the result that both things appear simultaneously, although one may partially obscure the other 2. add onto something: to add a feature or element without incorporating it  superimpose one culture on another -su·per·im·po·si·tion [spərimpə zísh'n], noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "can you superimpose the two images?" superintend supervise During the interval, he superintended a prize draw / An adult should be present to superintend the children's activities / He placed his estate under the superintendence of a manager / the superintendent of a hospital superlative superior superlative su·per·la·tive [soo púrlətiv] adjective 1. excellent: of the highest quality or degree 2. grammar highest in degree of comparison: expressing the highest degree of grammatical comparison of an adjective or adverb  The superlative form of an adjective or adverb typically has the ending "-est." noun (plural su·per·la·tives) 1. grammar grammatical form: the grammatical form of an adjective or adverb that expresses the highest degree of comparison  Put "tiny" into the superlative and you get "tiniest." 2. grammar superlative adjective or adverb: a superlative form of an adjective or adverb  the difference between a comparative and a superlative 3. somebody or something excellent: somebody or something of the highest quality 4. exaggerated praise: an exaggerated description or way of referring to somebody or something, usually expressing admiration  heaping superlatives on their performance [14th century. Via French < Latin superlativus < past participle of superferre "carry above" < super "over, above" + ferre "carry"] -su·per·la·tive·ly, adverb-su·per·la·tive·ness, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "the critics lavished superlatives on it" "so many highest superlatives achieved by man" "'fastest' is the superlative of the adjective 'fast'"; "'least famous' is the superlative degree of the adjective 'famous'"; "'most surely' is the superlative of the adverb 'surely'" supernumerary subordinate supernumerary su·per·nu·mer·ar·y [spər nmə rèrree] adjective 1. extra: exceeding the usual number 2. human resources substituting: employed as a substitute or extra worker noun (plural su·per·nu·mer·ar·ies) 1. somebody or something extra: somebody or something in addition to the usual number 2. theater actor with walk-on part: an actor who appears on stage, but has no lines to speak 3. human resources substitute employee: somebody employed as a substitute or extra worker [Early 17th century. < late Latin supernumerarius < Latin super "over, above" + numerus "number"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "supernumerary ornamentation"; "extra ribs as well as other supernumerary internal parts" "reducing staff is difficult because our employees include no supernumeraries" supersede supplant Madness follows, and the birth of a son who will supersede him supervene ensue, follow supervene upon supervise oversee supine lying on the back; Offering no resistance supine su·pine [s pn] adjective 1. lying on back: lying on the back and with the face upward 2. palm upward: having the palm of the hand facing upward or away from the body 3. failing to act: utterly passive or inactive, especially in a situation where a vigorous reaction is called for noun (plural su·pines) grammar type of Latin noun: a Latin noun formed from a past participle stem and having only accusative and ablative inflections [15th century. < Latin supinus "lying on the back"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "No other colony showed such supine, selfish helplessness in allowing her own border citizens to be mercilessly harried" / a statue of a supine dog / a willing and supine executive supplant replace "the computer has supplanted the slide rule" / The word processor has largely supplanted electric typewriters /He may be supplanted by a younger man / he easily supplanted his rival supplication prayer supplication sup·pli·ca·tion [sùpplə káysh'n] (plural sup·pli·ca·tions) noun (formal) 1. appeal made to somebody in authority: a humble and sincere appeal to somebody who has the power to grant a request 2. addressing of requests: the addressing of humble and sincere appeals to somebody with the power to grant them -sup·pli·cate [súpplə kàyt], transitive and intransitive verb Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. A supplication made to the Privy Counsel / An answer unto the Catholiques supplication / He had closed the door, and stood with his back against it, and heard the despairing supplication of Fantine / Letter to Bugenhagen: Supplication of Souls: And Letter Against Frith suppress subdue "suppress a nascent uprising" "suppress a yawn"; "this drug can suppress the haemorrhage" surfeit overabundance surfeit sur·feit [súrfət] noun 1. excessive number: an excessive number or quantity of something, especially so much of it that people become sickened, repelled, or bored by it 2. overindulgence: overindulgence, or a bout of overindulgence, in something, especially food or drink 3. disgust or revulsion: disgust or revulsion resulting from overindulgence (literary) transitive verb (past and past participle sur·feit·ed, present participle sur·feit·ing, 3rd person present singular sur·feits) give somebody surfeit: to give somebody a surfeit of something [13th century. < Old French, past participle of surfaire "overdo" < faire "do" (see affair)] -sur·feit·er, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Rationing had put an end to a surfeit of biscuits long ago / A surfeit of suspects / They are as sick that surfeit with too much as they that starve with nothing / have a surfeit of ♦ surfeit oneself surly rude, crass surly sur·ly [súrlee] (comparative sur·li·er, superlative sur·li·est) adjective bad-tempered: bad-tempered, unfriendly, rude, and somewhat threatening  a person with a surly manner [Late 16th century. Alteration of obsolete sirly "lordly, imperious" < sir] -sur·li·ness, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "a surly waiter" surmise to guess "I surmised that the butler did it" / He surmised that he had discovered one of the illegal streets / His surmise proved correct. surmount overcome surmount sur·mount [sur mównt] (past and past participle sur·mount·ed, present participle sur·mount·ing, 3rd person present singular sur·mounts) transitive verb 1. overcome difficulty: to deal with a difficulty successfully 2. get to top of something: to get over the top of a physical obstacle (formal) 3. be placed atop something: to be positioned on top of something or rise above it (formal)  the statues surmounting the parapet 4. put something atop something else: to place something on top of or above something (formal)  surmount the parapet with a row of statues [14th century. < French surmonter "climb over" < monter "mount" (see mount1)] -sur·mount·a·bil·i·ty [sur mòwntə bíllətee], noun-sur·mount·a·ble [sur mówntəb'l], adjective-sur·mount·er [sur mówntər], noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "The scarf surmounted the gown" surname family name surpass exceed, excel "her performance surpasses that of any other student I know" "One line of soldiers surpassed the other" surreal dreamlike Even with most facilities shut down ... a few mavericks managed to slip into the park to sample the almost surreal emptiness before the shutdown ended." (Peter H. King). / "the incongruous imagery in surreal art and literature" / "as irrational and surreal as a dream" surreptitious secretive "a surreptitious glance at his watch" "surreptitious mobilization of troops" surrogate substitute "surrogate father" / a surrogate pleasure / Leningrad was the third alien city to offer him a surrogate home surveillance close watch susceptible vulnerable suspend stop temporarily sustenance food sustenance sus·te·nance [sústənənss] noun 1. nourishment: something, especially food, that supports life  There isn't much sustenance in a small chocolate bar. 2. livelihood: a means of supporting somebody financially 3. condition of being provided for: the condition of being provided with the necessities of life"I have hardly a penny in the world - I am staying with my aunt for my bare sustenance." (Thomas Hardy Far from the Madding Crowd 1874) [13th century. < Anglo-Norman sustenaunce < sustenir (see sustain)] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "they were in want of sustenance" susurrant whispering "susurrant voices" suture surgical stitch SUTURE SCISSOR SURGICAL SUTURE "suture the wound after surgery" svelte slender the latest svelte swank fashionable swank swank [swangk] adjective (comparative swank·er, superlative swank·est) 1. grand: extremely elegant or fashionable (informal) 2. U.S. very showy: extremely pretentious and ornate noun elegance: the quality of being very chic or smart in style or appearance intransitive verb (past and past participle swanked, present participle swank·ing, 3rd person present singular swanks) show off: to behave or swagger in an arrogant, conceited, or pretentious way [Early 19th century. Origin ?] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "a swank apartment" swarthy dark (as in complexion) "a smile on his swarthy face" He had a broad swarthy face V ocabulary 4000 495 swatch strip of fabric; A representative portion; a sample quoted swatches of the speech in his article / "I . . . drove through this hilly swatch of field and forest that wraps around the east and north of town" (Jean Anderson) sweltering hot "a sweltering room"; "sweltering athletes" "we were sweltering at the beach" swivel a pivot He swivelled round to face Sarah / a slight swivel of the hips / He swivelled his chair round to face the desk sybarite pleasure-seeker sycophant flatterer, flunky sycophant syc·o·phant [síkəfənt, síkə fànt, skəfənt] (plural syc·o·phants) noun fawning flatterer: a servile or obsequious person who flatters somebody powerful for personal gain [Mid-16th century. Via Latin sycophanta < Greek sukophantēs "informer" < sukon "fig, obscene gesture" + -phantes "shower" (< phanein "to show")] -syc·o·phan·cy, noun-syc·o·phan·tic [sìkə fántik, skə fántik], adjective-syc·o·phan·ti·cal·ly [skə fántikəlee], adverb Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. a dictator surrounded by sycophants syllabicate divide into syllables syllabus schedule sylph a slim, graceful girl Miss Nelson as the Mountain Sylph sylvan rustic sylvan syl·van [sílvən] or sil·van [sílvən] adjective 1. of forest: relating to, typical of, or found in a forest (literary) 2. wooded: covered in or full of trees (literary) 3. rural: characteristic of the countryside, especially in an idyllic way noun (plural syl·vans) (plural sil·vans) inhabitant of forest: a person, animal, or spirit that lives in a forest Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "a shady sylvan glade" symbiotic cooperative, working in close association Accomplices: Doorstops, Dropcatchers and other Symbiotic Gadgets / Almost all of these unions are affiliated with an umbrella organization, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), which has a symbiotic relationship with the government / Eukaryotism and Symbiosis: Intertaxonic Combination Versus Symbiotic Adaptation / Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation in Plants / symmetry harmony, congruence symposium panel (discussion) symptomatic indicative "a rash symptomatic of scarlet fever"; "symptomatic of insanity"; "a rise in crime symptomatic of social breakdown" / "symptomatic relief"; "symptomatic treatment"; "a symptomatic classification of diseases" synagogue temple A Gay Synagogue in New York / Conflict of the Church and the Synagogue / Orthodox Worship: A Living Continuity With the Temple, the Synagogue syndicate cartel syndicate noun [síndəkət] (plural syn·di·cates) 1. group of businesses: an association of businesses jointly contributing capital to a major project 2. business that sells news materials: a business or agency that sells news stories or photographs to the media 3. group of newspapers under same owner: a group of newspapers that have the same owner 4. group of people: a group of people who combine to carry out a business, enterprise, or some other common purpose 5. crime association of gangsters: an association of gangsters that controls an area of organized crime 6. politics council of syndics: a council or body of syndics 7. politics jurisdiction of government official: the office or jurisdiction of a government official, especially a civil magistrate, in some European countries verb [síndə kàyt] (past and past participle syn·di·cat·ed, present participle syn·di·cat·ing, 3rd person present singular syn·di·cates) 1. transitive verb sell something for multiple publication: to sell something such as an article or a comic strip for publication in a number of newspapers or magazines simultaneously 2. transitive verb U.S. sell TV programs to independent stations: to sell television or radio programs directly to independent stations 3. transitive verb control something as syndicate: to control or manage something as a syndicate 4. intransitive verb come together as syndicate: to come together to form a syndicate [Early 17th century. Via French < medieval Latin syndicatus < late Latin syndicus (see syndic)] -syn·di·ca·tion [sindi káysh'n], noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "The banks syndicated" syndrome set of symptoms syndrome syn·drome [sín drm] (plural syn·dromes) noun 1. group of identifying signs and symptoms: a group of signs and symptoms that together are characteristic or indicative of a specific disease or other disorder 2. things that form pattern: a group of things or events that form a recognizable pattern, especially of something undesirable [Mid-16th century. Via modern Latin < Greek sundromē "running together" < dramein "run"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "every word has a syndrome of meanings" / the syndrome of conspicuous consumption in wealthy suburbs / The syndrome strikes those whose immune systems are below par synod council synod syn·od [sínnəd] (plural syn·ods) noun 1. church council: a special council of church members that holds regular meetings to discuss religious issues 2. assembly or council: an assembly or council held for the discussion of issues (formal) [14th century. Via late Latin < Greek sunodos "meeting" < hodos "way"] -syn·od·al [sínnəd'l, si nódd'l], adjective Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. A Digest and Index of the Minutes of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America / Making the Missouri Synod Functional Again / Prophetic voice for the kingdom : the impact of Alvin Daniel Mattson upon the social consciousness of the Augustana Synod synopsis brief summary synthesis combination systole heart contraction extrasystole is a premature systole resulting in a momentary cardiac arrhythmia T tabernacle temple tabernacle tab·er·na·cle [tábbər nàk'l] (plural tab·er·na·cles) noun 1. Tab·er·na·clebible tent for carrying Ark of Covenant: in the Bible, a portable tent used as a sanctuary for the Ark of the Covenant by the Israelites during the Exodus 2. Tab·er·na·clejudaism Jewish Temple: the Jewish Temple, regarded as representing the presence of God 3. judaism Same as sukkah 4. religion evangelical place of worship: a place of worship, especially in some evangelical Christian denominations 5. christianity container for holy bread and wine: a box or case in which the consecrated bread and wine of Communion are kept 6. architecture niche for icon: a canopied recess or niche for an icon 7. nautical socket for mast: a support for the foot of a ship's mast 8. human body: the human body considered as a place temporarily housing the soul or principle of life (literary) [13th century. Directly or via French < Latin tabernaculum "tent" < taberna "hut"] -tab·er·nac·u·lar [tàbbər nákyələr], adjective Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. table postpone tableau scene, backdrop tableau tab·leau [tá bl, ta blṓ] (plural tab·leaux [tá blz, ta blṓz] or tab·leaus) noun 1. picturesque display: a vivid and wide-ranging description or display 2. striking visual scene: a visually dramatic scene or situation that suddenly arises 3. theater Same as tableau vivant [Late 17th century. Via French < Old French tablel "small table" < table (see table)] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. The movie was a tableau of a soldier's life / "New public figures suddenly abound in the hitherto faceless totalitarian tableaux" (John McLaughlin) / a nativity tableau taboo prohibition taboo ta·boo [tə b] or ta·bu [tə b] adjective 1. socially or culturally prohibited: forbidden to be used, mentioned, or approached because of social or cultural rather than legal prohibitions 2. unacceptable: not acceptable or healthful (humorous)  Sweets and fats are strictly taboo. 3. religion sacred and prohibited: set apart as sacred and at the same time forbidden to be used noun (plural ta·boos) (plural ta·bus) 1. prohibition: a prohibition or rejection of some types of behavior or language because they are considered socially unacceptable 2. forbidden behavior: a subject or behavior that is forbidden or disapproved of because it is considered socially unacceptable 3. religion prohibition on grounds of being sacred: the practice, especially in some Polynesian societies, of regarding some things, people, or types of behavior as sacred and therefore forbidden to be used, made contact with, or engaged in transitive verb (past and past participle ta·booed, present participle ta·boo·ing, 3rd person present singular ta·boos) (past and past participle ta·bued, present participle ta·bu·ing, 3rd person present singular ta·bus) 1. forbid or discourage something: to prohibit or disapprove of some types of behavior or language because they are considered socially unacceptable 2. religion prohibit something because sacred: to regard some things, people, or types of behavior as sacred and therefore forbidden to be used, made contact with, or engaged in [Late 18th century. < Polynesian tabu] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "a taboo subject" / taboo words / Not all men respect the taboo against bedding a friend's woman / Cancer is a taboo subject tabulate arrange Results for the test program haven't been tabulated yet tacit understood without being spoken "a tacit agreement" / indicated tacit approval by smiling and winking / Management has given its tacit approval to the plan /a tacit admission that a mistake had been made / Tacit Knowledge and New Technology / Trends and Tacit Assumptions in Vision Research / Some Explicit Thoughts On Tacit Learning taciturn untalkative A taciturn man, he replied to my questions in monosyllables tactful sensitive "she was tactful enough not to shatter his illusion"; "a tactful remark eased her embarrassment" / "a tactful way of correcting someone" tactics strategy tactile tangible tactile tac·tile [tákt'l, ták tl] adjective 1. of touch: relating to or used for the sense of touch 2. tangible: capable of being perceived by the sense of touch 3. pleasant to touch: pleasing or interesting to the sense of touch 4. habitually touching people: inclined to touch people a lot, e.g. while talking to them 5. arts apparently three-dimensional: giving an illusion of physical solidity and tangibility [Early 17th century. Directly or via French < Latin tactilis < tactus (see tact)] -tac·tile·ly, adverb-tac·til·i·ty [tak tíllətee], noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "a tactile reflex" "tactile qualities" taint pollute taint taint [taynt] transitive verb (past and past participle taint·ed, present participle taint·ing, 3rd person present singular taints) 1. pollute something: to pollute or contaminate something with something undesirable or dangerous 2. corrupt somebody morally: to corrupt somebody morally, or detract from somebody's reputation by associating him or her with something reprehensible 3. flavor something: to unintentionally give a scent or flavor of one thing to another 4. spoil something: to make something such as fruit or vegetables rotten  The peaches are tainted. noun (plural taints) 1. imperfection detracting from quality: an imperfection that detracts from the quality of somebody or something  a taint on her reputation 2. something that pollutes: something that detracts from the purity or cleanliness of something [Late 16th century. Partly < Anglo-Norman teint "colored, dyed" < Latin tingere "moisten, dye," partly < Old French ataint "convicted," past participle of ateindre (see attain)] -taint·less, adjective Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. oil has tainted the water / a taint on someone's reputation / They said that the elections had been tainted by corruption / Rancid oil will taint the flavor / Her government never really shook off the taint of corruption / The meat has been tainted / the taint of decay / tainted food; The nation is tainted with evil and corruption talion punishment tally count tally 1 tal·ly [tállee] verb (past and past participle tal·lied, present participle tal·ly·ing, 3rd person present singular tal·lies) 1. transitive and intransitive verb agree: to agree, correspond, or come to the same amount, or cause two or more things to do this 2. transitive verb count something: to count or reckon items 3. transitive verb register something in account: to register something in an account of items 4. transitive and intransitive verb keep score: to keep a record of a score or account 5. transitive and intransitive verb sports leisure make score: to gain a point, run, goal, or other score in a contest 6. transitive verb put label or tag on something: to put an identifying label or tag on something noun (plural tal·lies) 1. record of items: a record or account of items such as things bought or points scored  keep a tally 2. sports leisure single score: a single score in a contest, e.g. a run or a touchdown 3. identifying label or mark: something that identifies something, e.g. a label or mark 4. counterpart: something that corresponds to or is the counterpart of something else 5. mark representing number: a mark or marks representing a number, especially a set of four short vertical lines crossed by a diagonal fifth line used for numbering things in fives [15th century. Via Anglo-Norman < Latin talea "twig, cutting"] -tal·li·er, noun The Latin word talea "twig, cutting," from which tally is derived, is also the source ofEnglish detail, entail, retail, and tailor. Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "their first tally came in the 3rd inning" / The report tallies with your description of the accident / the two stories don't tally / They do not keep a tally of visitors to the palace / The figures didn't seem to tally / When the final numbers are tallied, sales will probably have fallen / He kept a tally of all the work he did / Their stories tally; His story tallies with mine talon claw tandem two or more things together tandem tan·dem [tándəm] noun (plural tan·dems) 1. Canada U.K. Australia New Zealand cycling Same as tandem bicycle 2. horse-drawn carriage: a two-wheeled carriage drawn by two horses harnessed one behind the other 3. horse team harnessed in single file: a team of two horses harnessed one behind the other 4. arrangement in single file: a setup in which two things are arranged one behind the other 5. vehicle with axles close together: a vehicle with two axles close together adverb one behind another: with one behind the other  We'll ride tandem. adjective of two together: describes sports activities undertaken by two people together, usually positioned one behind the other, especially when one person is a novice  tandem parachute jumping [Late 18th century. < Latin, "at length" (< tam "so" + demonstrative suffix -dem), humorously interpreted as "in a straight line"] in tandem 1. in partnership or cooperation 2. with one behind the other Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "ride tandem on a bicycle built for two"; "riding horses down the path in tandem" Quiz 17 (Matching) Match each word in the first column with its definition in the second column. 1. STAVE A. distress 2. STEVEDORE B. diligent 3. STRAIT C. ward off 4. STUDIOUS D. longshoreman 5. SUBJUGATE E. various 6. SUBTERFUGE F. overabundant 7. SUNDRY G. suppress 8. SUPERFLUOUS H. cunning 9. SUPINE I. dreamlike 10. SURREAL J. lying on the back tang strong taste tang 1 tang [tang] noun (plural tangs) 1. strong taste: a distinctively sharp strong taste 2. pungent smell: a smell that has a sharp biting quality 3. suggestion: a slight hint or flavor of a particular thing  a cake with a tang of lemon 4. sharp end going into handle: the sharp part at one end of a chisel, knife blade, or other similar tool that secures it to the handle or shaft transitive verb (past and past participle tanged, present participle tang·ing, 3rd person present singular tangs) 1. supply something with tang: to put a tang on something such as a knife or chisel 2. give tang to something: to mark something with a sharp distinctive smell or taste  mountain breezes tanged with the scent of pine [14th century. < N Germanic] -tang·y, adjective Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. the tang of the sea / the tang of peat fires / a tang of cloves in the apple pie / She could smell the salty tang of the sea / Some liked its strong, fruity tang / His criticism seemed to have acquired a tang of friendliness / The air had a salty tang tangential peripheral "a tangential remark" "tangential forces" tangible touchable tangible tan·gi·ble [tánjəb'l] adjective 1. able to be touched: able to be touched or perceived through the sense of touch  a tangible coldness 2. actual: capable of being understood and evaluated, and therefore regarded as real  There is no tangible evidence to support this claim. 3. able to be realized: capable of being given a physical existence  tangible financial benefits noun (plural tan·gi·bles) something tangible: something that has a physical form, especially a financial asset (often used in the plural) [Late 16th century. Directly or via French < late Latin tangibilis "that may be touched" < Latin tangere "to touch"] -tan·gi·bil·i·ty [tànjə bíllətee], noun-tan·gi·bly [tánjəblee], adverb Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "skin with a tangible roughness" "tangible evidence" "tangible property like real estate"; "tangible assets such as machinery" tantalize tease He would tantalize the dog with food. / The expensive clothes in the shop-window tantalized her / tantalizing smells in the kitchen. tantamount equivalent tantamount tan·ta·mount [tántə mòwnt] adjective the same as: equivalent to a particular thing in effect, outcome, or value, especially something unpleasant  an answer that was tantamount to a refusal [Mid-17th century. < Anglo-French tant amunter "amount to as much" < Old French tant "as much" + amonter "to amount"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "his statement was tantamount to an admission of guilt" taper candle taper ta·per [táypər] transitive and intransitive verb (past and past participle ta·pered, present participle ta·per·ing, 3rd person present singular ta·pers) 1. get or make narrower: to become narrower at one end, especially gradually, or make something do this 2. reduce gradually: to become smaller in size or amount, or less important, especially gradually, or make something do this  Sales of the first album are beginning to taper off. noun (plural ta·pers) 1. slim candle: a slim candle that is narrower at the top than at the bottom 2. strip for transferring flame: a strip of wood or waxed paper used for taking a flame to light something else 3. narrowing of shape: a gradual narrowing in the shape of something  a spire with a pronounced taper 4. dim light: a faint source of light, e.g. from a small candle [Pre-12th century. Alteration of Latin papyrus "papyrus," whose pith was used for candle wicks] -ta·per·ing, adjective-ta·per·ing·ly, adverb Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "Interested tapered off" "The candles are tapered" tariff tax on imported or exported goods tarn small lake tarnish taint "The silver was tarnished by the long exposure to the air" tarry linger tarry tar·ry [tárree] (past and past participle tar·ried, present participle tar·ry·ing, 3rd person present singular tar·ries) intransitive verb 1. remain: to stay temporarily at a place 2. linger: to delay a departure or arrival, especially in an idle way 3. wait: to wait in expectation of somebody or something [13th century. Origin ?] -tar·ri·er, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Two old boys tarried on the street corner discussing cattle taurine bull-like taut tight "taut sails" "her nerves were taut as the strings of a bow" / nerves taut with anxiety / a taut movie script / When muscles are taut or cold, there is more chance of injury / The clothes line is pulled taut and secured / She started to lose the taut air of anxiety / a taut thriller about the hijacking of a school bus / Keep the string taut while you tie a knot in it / The ropes were tautened tautological repetitious "the phrase 'a beginner who has just started' is tautological" tawdry gaudy "tawdry ornaments"/ tawdry secrets / tawdry jewellery technology body of knowledge tedious boring, tiring teem swarm, abound "The plaza is teeming with undercover policemen" temerity boldness patients who have the temerity to challenge their doctor temperate moderate tempest storm "it was only a tempest in a teapot" "a tempest swept over the island" tempestuous agitated tempestuous tem·pes·tu·ous [tem péschoo əss] adjective 1. emotionally turbulent: frequently turbulent and giving rise to many emotions  a tempestuous relationship 2. with storms: having or affected by frequent or violent storms  tempestuous seas -tem·pes·tu·ous·ly, adverb-tem·pes·tu·ous·ness, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. tempestuous gales / a tempestuous relationship / tempestuous love affair / the couple's tempestuous relationship / adverse winds and tempestuous weather tempo speed tempo tem·po [témpō] (plural tem·pi [témpee] or tem·pos) noun 1. music's speed: the speed at which a musical composition or passage is performed 2. pace: the pace or rate of something  the tempo of urban life [Mid-17th century. Via Italian < Latin tempus "time"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "the tempo and the feeling of modern life" (Robert L. Heilbroner). / Both teams played with quality, pace and tempo / Elgar supplied his work with precise indications of tempo temporal pertaining to time temporal 1 tem·po·ral [témpərəl, témprəl] adjective 1. relating to time: relating to measured time 2. brief: lasting only a short time 3. religion of this world: relating to life in the world, not to spiritual life 4. christianity relating to laity: relating to the laity, not to the clergy in the Christian Church 5. grammar relating to tenses: relating to grammatical tenses or the expression of time in a language [14th century. Directly or via French < Latin temporalis < tempus "time"] -tem·po·ral·ly, adverb Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "temporal matters of but fleeting moment" "temporal processing"; "temporal dimensions"; "temporal and spacial boundaries"; "music is a temporal art" "temporal bone" "temporal possessions of the church" "temporal joys"; "our temporal existence" tempt entice tempt tempt [tempt] (past and past participle tempt·ed, present participle tempt·ing, 3rd person present singular tempts) transitive verb 1. incite desire in somebody: to cause desire or craving to arise in somebody  I was tempted by that chocolate cake! 2. incite somebody to transgression: to persuade or attempt to persuade somebody to do something considered wrong 3. be inviting to somebody: to be inviting or attractive to somebody  The sightseeing tour tempted us. 4. risk something: to risk the possible destructive powers of something  tempt fate [13th century. Via Old French tempter < Latin temptare "feel, try, test"] -tempt·a·ble, adjective Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "We were tempted by the delicious-looking food" "the window displays tempted the shoppers" "St. Anthony was tempted in the desert" tenable defensible, valid tenable ten·a·ble [ténnəb'l] adjective 1. with reasonable supporting arguments: justified in a fair or rational way and able to be defended because there is sufficient evidence or reason 2. able to be occupied: capable of being occupied or held, usually by a particular person or for a particular period of time (formal) 3. military capable of being defended in battle: able to be held successfully against an enemy attack [Late 16th century. < French tenir "to hold"] -ten·a·bil·i·ty [tènnə bíllətee], noun-ten·a·ble·ness [ténnəb'lnəss], noun-ten·a·bly, adverb Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. a tenable theory / a tenable outpost / This argument is simply not tenable tenacious persistent tenacious te·na·cious [tə náyshəss] adjective 1. determined or stubborn: tending to stick firmly to any decision, plan, or opinion without changing or doubting it 2. tightly held: difficult to loosen, shake off, or pull away from  his tenacious grip 3. persistent: persisting for a long time and difficult to change, destroy, or get rid of  a tenacious head cold 4. able to remember many things: capable of absorbing and retaining a large store of information and of recalling details accurately 5. sticky or clinging: sticking or clinging to something else, especially a surface  tenacious burrs 6. engineering not easily disconnected: holding together tightly or fused solidly [Early 17th century. < Latin tenac- "holding fast" < tenere "to hold"] -te·na·cious·ly, adverb-te·na·cious·ness, noun-te·nac·i·ty [tə nássətee], noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "tenacious memory" "a mind not gifted to discover truth but tenacious to hold it"; "men tenacious of opinion" "tenacious burrs" tendentious biased tendentious ten·den·tious [ten dénshəss] or ten·den·cious [ten dénshəss] adjective trying to influence opinion: written or spoken with personal bias in order to promote a cause or support a viewpoint [Early 20th century. < tendency] -ten·den·tious·ly, adverb-ten·den·tious·ness, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "a tendentious account of recent elections"; "distinguishing between verifiable fact and tendentious assertion" tenement decaying apartment building tenet doctrine tenet ten·et [ténnət] (plural ten·ets) noun something accepted as important truth: an established fundamental belief, especially one relating to religion or politics  a basic tenet of Christianity [Late 16th century. < Latin, "he or she holds," form of tenere "to hold"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. tensile stretchable "tensile stress"; "tensile pull" "made of highly tensile steel alloy" tentative provisional tenuous thin, insubstantial tenuous ten·u·ous [ténnyoo əss] adjective 1. weak and unconvincing: not based on anything significant or substantial, and therefore unlikely to stand up to rigorous examination  That's an extremely tenuous argument. 2. extremely delicate and fine: thin and fine, and therefore easily broken (literary) 3. science diluted: thin or diluted in consistency [Late 16th century. < Latin tenuis "thin, fine"] -te·nu·i·ty [te n ətee], noun-ten·u·ous·ly [ténnyoo əsslee], adverb-ten·u·ous·ness [ténnyoo əssnəss], noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "a tenuous fluid" "a tenuous thread" "a tenuous argument" / Links between the provinces were seen to be tenuous / She was holding onto life by a tenuous thread tenure status given after a period of time "She was tenured after she published her book" / a teacher granted tenure on a faculty / Lack of security of tenure meant that many became homeless / his short tenure of the Labour leadership tepid lukewarm tepid tep·id [téppid] adjective 1. lukewarm: slightly warm  tepid water 2. unenthusiastic: showing little enthusiasm or warmth  tepid applause [14th century. < Latin tepidus < tepere "be warm"] -te·pid·i·ty [tə píddətee], noun-tep·id·ly [téppidlee], adverb-tep·id·ness [téppidnəss], noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "tepid bath water" terminal final terminology nomenclature ternary triple "a ternary operation" terpsichorean related to dance "her terpsichorean activities" terrain the feature of land terrapin turtle terrestrial earthly terse concise terse terse [turss] (comparative ters·er, superlative ters·est) adjective 1. abrupt: brief and unfriendly, often conveying annoyance  a terse exchange between the two delegates 2. concise: concise and economically phrased [Early 17th century. < Latin tersus "wiped off, clean," past participle of tergere "wipe"] -terse·ly, adverb-terse·ness, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "short and terse and easy to understand" testament covenant "he stated his political testament" "his easy victory was a testament to his skill" testy petulant testy tes·ty [téstee] (comparative tes·ti·er, superlative tes·ti·est) adjective impatient or irritable: impatient and easily upset or annoyed [14th century. < Anglo-Norman testif < Latin testa "tile, shell, (in late Latin) head"] -tes·ti·ly, adverb-tes·ti·ness, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. a testy cab driver; a testy refusal to help / Ben's getting a little testy in his old age. tether tie down tether teth·er [téər] noun (plural teth·ers) rope attached to animal: a rope or chain attached to an animal and attached to something at the other end, restricting the animal's movement transitive verb (past and past participle teth·ered, present participle teth·er·ing, 3rd person present singular teth·ers) tie animal with tether: to tie something, especially an animal, with a rope or chain in order to restrict its movement [14th century. < Old Norse tjóðr < Germanic, "fasten"] at the end of your tether having reached the limit of your patience, strength, or endurance Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "tether horses" theatrics histrionics theologian one who studies religion thesaurus book of synonyms thesis proposition, topic thesis the·sis [thssiss] (plural the·ses [th sz]) noun 1. proposition: a proposition advanced as an argument 2. essay subject: a subject for an essay 3. lengthy academic paper: a dissertation based on original research, especially as work toward an academic degree 4. statement: an unproved statement, especially one serving as a premise in an argument 5. music downbeat: the downbeat of a bar of music 6. poetry stressed syllable: a long syllable, on which the stress naturally falls, in classical Greek and Latin poetry. See also arsis (sense 1) 7. poetry unstressed syllable: a short unstressed syllable in modern accentual poetry. See also arsis (sense 2) 8. philosophy first stage of dialectic: the first of three stages in Hegelian dialectic [14th century. Via Latin < Greek, "proposition, stressed beat"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. thespian actor thespian thes·pi·an [théspee ən] noun (plural thes·pi·ans) actor: somebody who acts on the stage adjective of theater: relating to the theater or the profession of acting (literary) [Early 19th century. < Thespis, Greek poet (6th century bc), regarded as the father of Greek tragedy] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "the movie director had thespian cooperation" / thespian talents thews muscles thorny difficult "the thorny question of states' rights" a thorny situation; thorny issues / the thorny issue of immigration policy / thorny hawthorn trees thrall slave thrall thrall [thrawl] (plural thralls) noun (literary) 1. domination: a condition of being controlled by a more powerful person or force  Millions are now in thrall to the factitious excitements of reality television. 2. somebody whose life is controlled: somebody whose life is completely controlled by a more powerful person or a moral or intellectual force 3. somebody controlled by something: somebody who is controlled by a particular physical or mental need  a thrall to alcohol [Pre-12th century. < Old Norse þrǽll < Germanic, "run"] -thrall·dom, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. threadbare tattered threadbare thread·bare [thréd bèr] adjective 1. worn away to reveal threads: so heavily used that the soft part of the fabric has been worn away to reveal the threads beneath 2. overused so no longer convincing: having been used so often as to be no longer convincing  the same old threadbare excuses 3. meager: not large, varied, or substantial enough to be satisfactory  eked out a threadbare existence 4. shabbily dressed: wearing worn-out shabby clothes -thread·bare·ness, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "repeating threadbare jokes" "threadbare rugs" thrive prosper "The deer population in this town is thriving" "The new student is thriving" throes anguish throe throe [thrō] noun (plural throes) pang: a spasm of pain throes, plural noun 1. effects of pangs: the effects of severe physical pain 2. effects of upheaval: the effects of an upheaval or struggle [12th century. Origin ?] in the throes of something in the process of doing something, usually something difficult or unpleasant Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "death throes" "the throes of dying"; "the throes of childbirth" "a country in the throes of economic collapse" throng crowd commuters thronging the subway platform / An official pushed through the throng / the multitudes that throng around the Pope / They throng the beaches in July and August / The crowds thronged into the mall / Throngs of people gathered to see the queen/ People thronged the streets to see the president throttle choke TeamLRN 496 GRE Prep Course thwart to foil thwart thwart [thwawrt] verb (past and past participle thwart·ed, present participle thwart·ing, 3rd person present singular thwarts) 1. transitive verb frustrate something: to prevent somebody or somebody's plan from being successful 2. transitive and intransitive verb place or be placed across: to place one thing across another, or be placed across something (archaic) adjective extending across: situated or extending across something noun (plural thwarts) crosswise seat in boat: a crosswise seat or transverse member on a rowboat, canoe, or similar small boat prep, adverb Same as athwart(archaic) [13th century. < Old Norse þvert] -thwart·ed·ly [thwáwrtədlee], adverb-thwart·er, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. They thwarted her plans / they thwarted the plan / They were doing all they could to thwart the terrorists / He doesn't like to be thwarted / All his attempts to become rich were thwarted tiara crown tidings news, information tidings tid·ings [tdingz] plural noun news: news or information (literary)  I bring you glad tidings. [ Old English tīdung, alteration of Old Norse tíðendi "events"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. tiff fight tiff tiff [tif] noun (plural tiffs) 1. quarrel: a minor quarrel 2. ill humor: a brief period of bad temper intransitive verb (past and past participle tiffed, present participle tiff·ing, 3rd person present singular tiffs) argue: to have a minor quarrel with somebody [Early 18th century. Probably suggesting the sound of escaping gas] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. She was walking home after a tiff with her boyfriend / She's had a tiff with her boy-friend timbre tonal quality, resonance timbre tim·bre [támbər, tNbrə] (plural tim·bres) noun 1. speech sound quality: the quality of a speech sound that comes from its tone rather than its pitch or volume 2. musical tone quality: the quality or color of tone of an instrument or voice [Mid-19th century. Via French, originally "drum, bell hit with a hammer" < Greek tumpanon "drum"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. “the timbre of her soprano was rich and lovely" timorous fearful, timid "timorous little mouse"; "in a timorous tone" tincture trace, vestige, tint tincture tinc·ture [tíngkchər] noun (plural tinc·tures) 1. alcohol solution: a solution of a plant extract or chemical in alcohol  tincture of iodine 2. tinge or color: a tint or slight coloration 3. tiny amount of something: a hint or small amount of something 4. heraldry heraldic color: a color, metal, or fur used in heraldry transitive verb (past and past participle tinc·tured, present participle tinc·tur·ing, 3rd person present singular tinc·tures) 1. add tint to something: to give something a hint of color 2. imbue something: to suffuse something with a quality or property  praise tinctured with criticism [14th century. < Latin tinctura "dyeing" < tinctus (see tint)] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "a tincture of condescension" "The heavy traffic tinctures the air with carbon monoxide" "The leaves were tinctured with a bright red" tinsel tawdriness tinsel tin·sel [tínssəl] noun 1. glittering material: a thin strip of glittering metal foil, paper, or plastic, used for decoration 2. something showy: something worthless that appears glamorous transitive verb (past and past participle tin·seled or tin·selled, present participle tin·sel·ing or tin·sel·ling, 3rd person present singular tin·sels) 1. put tinsel on something: to decorate something with tinsel or other glittering material 2. make something showy: to give something a gaudy flashy quality adjective 1. made of tinsel: made of or decorated with tinsel 2. gaudy: appearing glamorous but in fact worthless [15th century. < French étincelé "sparkling" (especially with metallic thread), later form of Old French estincele "spark" < Latin scintilla] -tin·sel·ly, adjective Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "all the tinsel of self-promotion" "his tinseled image of Hollywood" "snow flakes tinseled the trees" "tinseled velvet" tirade scolding speech She launched into a tirade against the authorities titan accomplished person titanic huge titer laugh nervously tithe donate one-tenth tithe tithe [tī] noun (plural tithes) 1. somebody's financial support for church: one tenth of somebody's income or produce paid voluntarily or as a tax for the support of a church or its clergy 2. obligation of supporting church financially: the obligation to pay a tithe to a church or its clergy 3. assessment or contribution: a voluntary contribution or tax payment, especially when it constitutes one tenth of somebody's income 4. small part of something: one tenth or a small part of something verb (past and past participle tithed, present participle tith·ing, 3rd person present singular tithes) 1. transitive and intransitive verb pay one tenth of income: to contribute or pay one tenth of your income or produce, especially to support a church 2. transitive verb collect tenth of income of somebody: to assess or collect the payment of one tenth of the income of somebody [ Old English tēoþa "tenth, tithe"] -tith·a·ble, adjective-tith·er, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "The church was tithed" "The wool was tithed" "He tithed his income to the Church" "Although she left the church officially, she still tithes" titian auburn titian ti·tian [tísh'n] or Ti·tian [tísh'n] adjective auburn: of a gold-tinged auburn color  titian hair [Late 19th century. After Titian, who used the color frequently] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. titillate arouse A titillating story appeared in the usually conservative magazine" / "Once you decide to titillate instead of illuminate . . . you create a climate of expectation that requires a higher and higher level of intensity" (Bill Moyers) / to titillate the most jaded of palates titular in name only, figurehead "of titular rank" "performed well in the titular (or title) role"; "the titular theme of the book" "titular dignitaries" / “the titular head of his party" toady fawner, sycophant toady toad·y [tṓdee] noun (plural toad·ies) somebody servile and ingratiating: a self-serving person who behaves in a servile sycophantic manner, fawning on and flattering people with power or influence intransitive verb (past and past participle toad·ied, present participle toad·y·ing, 3rd person present singular toad·ies) behave ingratiatingly: to behave in a servile sycophantic manner, fawning on and flattering people with power or influence in order to achieve an advantage [Early 19th century. Shortening of toadeater "toady"] -toad·y·ish, adjective-toad·y·ism, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Life was too short to become a toady to a megalomaniac / came backstage, cooing and toadying to him tocsin alarm bell, signal toil drudgery "A bit of the blackest and coarsest bread is . . . the sole recompense and the sole profit attaching to so arduous a toil" (George Sand) / to toil up a hill / the toils of fortune had ensnared him / Boys toiled in the hot sun to finish the wall. / He had his head down as he toiled up the hill / It is only toil which gives meaning to things / He toiled all day in the fields / He toiled along the road with all his luggage / He slept well after his hours of toil tome large book tonal pertaining to sound "Chinese is a tonal language" topography science of map making Quiz 18 (Matching) Match each word in the first column with its definition in the second column. 1. SWATCH A. to foil 2. SYNOD B. anguish 3. TACIT C. concise 4. TALON D. provisional 5. TAURINE E. agitated 6. TEMPESTUOUS F. bull-like 7. TENTATIVE G. claw 8. TERSE H. understood without being spoken 9. THROES I. council 10. THWART J. strip of fabric torment harass torment transitive verb [tawr mént] (past and past participle tor·ment·ed, present participle tor·ment·ing, 3rd person present singular tor·ments) 1. inflict pain on somebody or something: to inflict torture, pain, or anguish on a person or animal 2. tease somebody: to tease a person or animal persistently noun [táwr mènt] (plural tor·ments) 1. torture: severe mental anguish or physical pain 2. cause of anguish: a source of severe mental anguish or physical pain 3. cause of annoyance: a source of annoyance or anxiety [13th century. Via Old French < Latin tormentum "catapult, torment" < torquere "to twist"] -tor·ment·ed·ly [tawr méntədlee], adverb-tor·ment·ing·ly [tawr méntinglee], adverb Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "the torments of the damned" "The children tormented the stuttering teacher" "The sinners will be tormented in Hell, according to the Bible" / stop tormenting the dog / He spent days in torment while they searched for her / the torments of being a writer / times, memories returned to torment her / My older brother used to torment me by singing it to me / He was in torment. / She was tormented with worry/toothache torpid lethargic, inactive "a mind grown torpid in old age" "torpid frogs" torrid scorching, passionate torrid tor·rid [táwrid] adjective 1. full of passion: full of passion, especially sexual passion 2. scorching hot: describes weather that is hot and dry enough to scorch land 3. scorched: describes land that has been scorched by extremely hot and dry weather 4. rapid: rapidly moving  predicted a slowing of the economy from its torrid pace [Late 16th century. Directly or via French < Latin torridus < torrere "scorch"] -tor·rid·i·ty [taw ríddətee], noun-tor·rid·ly [táwrədlee], adverb-tor·rid·ness [táwrədnəss], noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "a torrid love affair" "a torrid dance"; "torrid jazz bands"; "hot trumpets and torrid rhythms" "the torrid noonday sun" torsion twisting torus doughnut shaped object totter stagger "The drunk man tottered over to our table" / They saw Gavroche totter, then he fell / totter along ♦ totter to its fall ♦ totter to it's fall ♦ totter to one's grave / Together they totter about touchstone standard "the qualities of courage and vision that are the touchstones of leadership" (Henry A. Kissinger) / Job security has become the touchstone of a good job tousled disheveled "a bed with tousled sheets"; "his brown hair was tousled, thick, and curly" "The strong wind tousled my hair" tout praise, brag tout tout [towt] verb (past and past participle tout·ed, present participle tout·ing, 3rd person present singular touts) 1. transitive verb praise somebody or something: to praise or recommend somebody or something enthusiastically (usually passive)  was touted as the next champion 2. intransitive verb attract customers: to try to attract customers or support, especially in an aggressive or persistent way  street traders touting for business 3. transitive verb try to sell something: to advertise or offer something for sale  tout merchandise on the Internet 4. intransitive verb spy on racehorses: to spy on racehorses in training to get information to sell to bettors 5. transitive and intransitive verb sell information about racehorses: to sell information about racehorses to bettors noun (plural touts) 1. somebody who sells information about racehorses: somebody who obtains information about racehorses and sells it to bettors 2. aggressive seller: an aggressive salesperson [14th century. Ultimately < Germanic, "poke out, project"] -tout·er, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "This product was touted as a revolutionary invention" / street vendors who were touting pedestrians / "For every study touting the benefits of hormone therapy, another warns of the risks" (Yanick Rice Lamb). / "The administration of the nation's literary affairs falls naturally into the hands of touts and thieves" (Lewis H. Lapham). / He was being touted as the most interesting thing in pop. / He visited several foreign countries to tout for business / a ticket tout / The taxi-driver drove around touting for custom toxicologist one who studies poisons tractable docile, manageable "tractable young minds"; "the natives...being...of an intelligent tractable disposition" / He could easily manage his tractable younger brother traduce slander tranquilize calm, anesthetize transcribe write a copy transfigure transform, exalt "The treatment and diet transfigured her into a beautiful young woman"; "Jesus was transfigured after his resurrection" transfix impale We were all transfixed by the images of war transfuse insert, infuse "transfuse love of music into the students" / transfused a love of learning to her children. / a glade that was transfused with sunlight. / a blush transfused her face / She was given a blood transfusion transgression trespass, offense "the boy was punished for the transgressions of his father" / The same transgressions should be visited with equal severity on both man and woman" (Elizabeth Cady Stanton) / tales of the candidate's alleged past transgressions transient fleeting, temporary transient tran·sient [tránshənt, tránənt, tránzee ənt] adjective 1. short in duration: lasting for only a short time and quickly coming to an end, disappearing, or changing  a transient emotion  transient sunlight on an otherwise cloudy day 2. not permanently settled in place: staying in a place for only a short period of time  transient workers 3. philosophy Same as transeunt noun (plural tran·sients) 1. somebody staying briefly: somebody who stays in a place only briefly, e.g. a migrant laborer or hotel guest 2. electrical engineering brief disturbance in electrical circuit: an oscillation or brief disturbance in a system, e.g. a sudden pulse of current or voltage in an electrical circuit [Late 16th century. Alteration of Latin transiens (stem transeunt-), present participle of transire "pass away, go across" < ire "go"] -tran·sience, noun-tran·sien·cy, noun-tran·sient·ly, adverb Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "youth's transient beauty" "transient labourers" transitory fleeting transitory tran·si·to·ry [tránzə tàwree] adjective not permanent or lasting: not permanent or lasting, but existing only for a short time  a transitory infatuation -tran·si·to·ri·ly [trànzə táwrəlee], adverb-tran·si·to·ri·ness, noun Word Key: Synonyms See temporary. Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "love is transitory but it is eternal" translucent clear, lucid transpire happen transpire tran·spire [tran spr] (past and past participle tran·spired, present participle tran·spir·ing, 3rd person present singular tran·spires) verb 1. transitive verb come to light: to become known or be disclosed  It later transpired that they had been furious at what had happened. 2. △intransitive verb happen: to take place  What transpired after they left remains a secret. 3. transitive and intransitive verb physiology give off vapor through skin: to give off water vapor through the pores of the skin 4. transitive and intransitive verb botany lose water vapor: to lose water vapor from a plant's surface, especially through minute surface pores stomata [15th century. Directly or via French transpirer < medieval Latin transpirare "breathe through" < Latin spirare "breathe"] -tran·spir·a·ble, adjective-tran·spi·ra·tion [trànspə ráysh'n], noun-tran·spi·ra·to·ry, adjective The use of transpire to mean "happen," as in the sentence Tell me what transpired at the meeting, is sometimes criticized, although it has been in common use for several centuries and conveys something of the sense inherent in its uncontroversial meaning "become known or be disclosed": It transpired that the President had known about the plan all along. Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "plants transpire" "It transpired that she had worked as spy in East Germany" "Several important events transpired last week" transpose interchange trauma injury I'd been through the trauma of losing a house / spinal trauma / travail work, drudgery He did whatever he could to ease their travail traverse cross traverse verb [trə vúrss] (past and past participle tra·versed, present participle tra·vers·ing, 3rd person present singular tra·vers·es) 1. transitive verb move across area: to travel or move across, over, or through an area or a place  traverse the countryside 2. transitive and intransitive verb go back and forth across something: to move backward and forward across something  Volunteers traversed the field looking for clues. 3. transitive verb reach across something: to extend or reach across something  the bridge traversing the river 4. transitive and intransitive verb climbing move at angle across something: to move at an angle across a rock face while ascending or descending it 5. transitive and intransitive verb skiing zigzag down slope: to ski in diagonal runs following a zigzag course down a slope 6. transitive and intransitive verb swivel gun: to swivel something, especially a gun, from side to side on a pivot, or be swiveled in this way 7. intransitive verb fencing slide blade toward opponent's hilt: in fencing, to slide the blade of a sword toward an opponent's hilt while at the same time applying pressure to his or her blade 8. transitive verb thwart somebody or something: to thwart or obstruct somebody or something (literary) 9. transitive verb law deny allegations: to deny the opposing party's allegations as set out in the pleading in a lawsuit, formally and, usually, in their entirety 10. transitive verb law join issue: to join issue with somebody on an indictment noun [trávvərss, trə vúrss] (plural tra·vers·es) 1. movement across area: a movement or journey across, over, or through something 2. route taken: a route or way across, over, or through something 3. climbing movement across rock face: a horizontal or oblique movement across a rock face in climbing 4. skiing zigzag skiing run: a diagonal zigzag skiing run down a ski slope 5. construction crossbeam: something that is set across a gap or lies crosswise, e.g. a structural member of a building 6. buildings gallery: a gallery or loft that crosses from side to side inside a building 7. buildings barrier within building: a railing, curtain, screen, or partition forming a barrier within a building 8. military barrier across trench: a defensive barrier of earth across a trench 9. obstruction: something that thwarts or obstructs somebody or something (literary) 10. mathematics Same as transversal 11. zigzag course of vessel: the zigzag course of a sailing vessel in contrary winds 12. mechanical engineering lateral movement of machine part: the horizontal movement of a machine part such as a lathe or grinding tool as it moves across the work piece 13. law denial of allegations: a formal denial of the opposing party's allegations as set out in their pleading in a lawsuit 14. civil engineering survey using intersecting straight lines: a survey made using a series of intersecting straight lines of known length whose angles of intersection are measured for recording on a map or in a table of data adjective [trávvərss, trə vúrss] crosswise: lying across something [14th century. Via French traverser < late Latin tra(ns)versare < Latin transversus, past participle of transvertere "turn across" < vertere "to turn"] -tra·vers·a·ble, adjective-tra·vers·al, noun-tra·vers·er, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "Rivers traverse the valley floor" travesty caricature, farce travesty trav·es·ty [trávvəstee] noun (plural trav·es·ties) 1. false representation: a distorted or debased version of something  It was a kangaroo court, a travesty of justice. 2. arts grotesque imitation: a literary or artistic work, usually meant as a parody, that ridicules something serious by imitating it in a grotesque or distorted manner transitive verb (past and past participle trav·es·tied, present participle trav·es·ty·ing, 3rd person present singular trav·es·ties) make travesty of something: to imitate or ridicule something in a grotesque or distorted manner [Mid-17th century. < French travesti "dressed in disguise" < travestir "disguise, ridicule" < Italian travestire < Latin trans- "across" + vestire "clothe, dress" (see vest)] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. If he couldn't prepare his case properly the trial would be a travesty treatise book, dissertation Locke's treatise on Civil Government / He wrote a treatise on methods of education trek journey trek trek [trek] intransitive verb (past and past participle trekked, present participle trek·king, 3rd person present singular treks) 1. make long difficult journey: to make a long difficult journey, especially on foot and often over rough or mountainous terrain 2. go slowly or laboriously: to go somewhere slowly or with difficulty  I had to trek across town to the other bookstore. 3. South Africa go by ox wagon: to travel in a wagon pulled by an ox noun (plural treks) 1. long difficult journey: a long difficult journey, especially on foot and often over rough or mountainous terrain 2. South Africa stage of journey: a journey or stage of a journey, especially a migration by ox wagon [Mid-19th century. Via Afrikaans < Dutch trekken "draw, pull, travel"] -trek·ker, noun Star Trek, a television series created in 1966 by U.S. writer and producer Gene Roddenberry (1921-1991). The adventures of the Starship Enterprise, a 23rd-century spacecraft on a mission "to boldly go where no man has gone before," initially ran for 79 episodes. The popularity of the series later gave rise to numerous movie spinoffs, the follow-up television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, and Enterprise, and a worldwide network of dedicated fans known as Trekkies. Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "We spent the summer trekking in the foothills of the Himalayas" "They trekked towards the North Pole with sleds and skis" trenchant incisive, penetrating trenchant trench·ant [trénchənt] adjective 1. incisive: direct, incisive, and deliberately hurtful  trenchant criticism 2. energetic: effective and relevant in the pursuit or achievement of a goal  trenchant opinions [14th century. < Old French, "cutting" < trenchier (see trench)] -trench·an·cy, noun-trench·ant·ly, adverb Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "trenchant criticism" / "a trenchant argument" / "trenchant distinctions between right and wrong" trepidation fear It was with some trepidation that I viewed the prospect triad group of three the triad of responsibilities: teaching, research and service tribunal court an industrial tribunal / The tribunal found that he had been unfairly dismissed / The case was dealt with by a tribunal / the tribunal of public opinion tributary river "a tributary colony" / The River Thames has many tributaries; (also adjective ) tributary streams trite commonplace, insincere "his remarks were trite and commonplace"; "the trite metaphor 'hard as nails'" / a trite comment / The movie is teeming with trite and obvious ideas / His poetry is full of trite descriptions of nature troglodyte cave dweller troglodyte trog·lo·dyte [trógglə dt] (plural trog·lo·dytes) noun 1. cave dweller: somebody living in a cave, especially somebody who belonged to a prehistoric cave-dwelling community 2. somebody living in seclusion: a solitary person who lives alone, especially somebody who is antisocial or unconventional [Late 15th century. Via Latin Troglodyta < Greek Trōglodutai "ones who enter a hole," alteration of Trōgodutai, an Ethiopian people] -trog·lo·dyt·ic [trògglə díttik], adjective Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. trollop harlot He behaved towards her as though she was a trollop troublous disturbed "these are troublous times" trounce thrash "The children were severely trounced" / I was out to trounce on every digression and indiscretion conducted (or should I say semiconducted) in this performance" (Robert Maxwell Stern). / Australia trounced France by sixty points to four / Our football team was trounced troupe group of actors troupe of travelling actors / a circus troupe truckle yield , A low bed to be slid under a higher bed truculent fierce, savage "a truculent speech against the new government" / She turned from truculent tot to sullen teenager trudge march, slog We had to trudge up the track back to the station / We were reluctant to start the long trudge home / He trudged wearily up the hill truism self-evident truth truncate shorten "a truncate leaf" "truncate a series" "truncate a word"; "Erosion has truncated the ridges of the mountains" truncheon club a marshal's truncheon / He swung his truncheon at him, knocking him to the ground / tryst meeting, rendezvous A Tryst at an Ancient Earthwork / They would meet quietly as if they had known each other and had made their tryst, perhaps at one of the gates or in some more secret place / To bide tryst ♦ tryst place / to meet at or arrange a tryst tumbler drinking glass tumefy swell tumefy tu·me·fy [tmə f] (past and past participle tu·me·fied, present participle tu·me·fy·ing, 3rd person present singular tu·me·fies) transitive and intransitive verb swell up: to swell, or cause tissue to swell [Late 16th century. Via French tuméfier < Latin tumefacere "make swollen" < tumere "swell" + facere "make"] -tu·me·fa·cient [tmə fáysh'nt, tyoòmə fáyshi ənt], adjective Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. tumult commotion tumult tu·mult [t mùlt] noun 1. noisy commotion: a violent or noisy commotion 2. emotional upheaval: a psychological or emotional upheaval or agitation [14th century. Directly or via French tumulte < Latin tumultus "commotion" < tumere "swell"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. I spend much time in a tumult of anger and disbelief" (Scott Turow). / recent tumult in global financial markets / Round one ended to a tumult of whistles, screams and shouts / He could hear a great tumult in the street / The crowd gave him a tumultuous welcome; tumultuous applause turbid muddy, clouded turbid tur·bid [túrbid] adjective 1. muddy: opaque and muddy as when particles and sediment are stirred up 2. foggy: dense and cloudy or dark 3. confused: confused and muddled  turbid thought processes [Early 17th century. < Latin turbidus "troubled" < turba "disorder"] -tur·bid·i·ty [tur bíddətee], noun-tur·bid·ly [túrbidlee], adverbturbid or turgid? The two words are unrelated in form but can both describe water in their literal meanings (either "opaque and muddy" in the case of turbid or "swollen and overflowing" in the case of turgid), and can both describe literary styles in their figurative meanings. Turgid is the more common and means "pompous and overcomplicated" (as in turgid prose), whereas turbid means "confused and muddled" (as in turbid reasoning). Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. turbid water / turbid feelings / turbid fog turgid swollen turgid tur·gid [túrjid] adjective 1. pompous and overcomplicated: pompous, boring, and overcomplicated  a turgid speech 2. overflowing: swollen and overflowing 3. medicine distended: swollen or distended by a buildup of fluid [Early 17th century. < Latin turgidus < turgere "swell"] -tur·gid·i·ty [tur jíddətee], noun-tur·gid·ly [túrjidlee], adverb See turbid. Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. a turgid bladder; turgid veins / He used to make dull, turgid and boring speeches / The common faults of American language are an ambition of effect, a want of simplicity, and a turgid abuse of terms turpitude depravity "the various turpitudes of modern society" / a beacon of morality in a sea of turpitude / "the various turpitudes of modern society" / Militia usually concern themselves more with petty crime and instances of moral turpitude than with political activism, although some rural militia may be used for security against insurgents / a case of gross moral turpitude tussle fight They ended up tussling with the security staff / Officials tussled over who had responsibility for it / The referee booked him for a tussle with the goalie / a legal tussle over who gets custody of the children / I don't know your feelings, big guy. But to me, a tussle like that is good for the soul / The Tussle Between the Citizens and Foreigners in Assam tussock cluster of glass tutelage guardianship tutelage tu·te·lage [tt'lij] noun 1. teaching: instruction and guidance provided by somebody such as a tutor  Under her tutelage, he became a first-rate sailor. 2. supervision by tutor: the condition of being supervised or protected by a tutor or guardian 3. condition of being tutor: the condition of being a tutor or guardian [Early 17th century. < Latin tutela "guardianship" < tut-, past participle of tueri "watch over"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This period of tutelage was indispensable for the territories / Political tutelage and democracy in Turkey The free party and its aftermath / under the tutelage of their mother-in-law / under the tutelage of the perpetrator / With the exception of Napoleon's 4-year tutelage of parts of Slovenia and Croatia--the "Illyrian Provinces"--Slovenia was part of the Hapsburg empire from the 14th century until 1918. / under the tutelage of twain two "Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet." (Rudyard Kipling The Ballad of East and West) / For in the space of time wherein we clambered up one mile and bounded down the same on our return, we could have trudged the twain on the level. / twinge pain "twinges of conscience" / a twinge of guilt. / I would have twinges of guilt occasionally / He felt a twinge (of pain) in his neck; a twinge of regret tyrannical dictatorial tyrannical ty·ran·ni·cal [ti ránnik'l] or ty·ran·nic [ti ránnik] adjective 1. ruling unjustly: ruling with absolute power over a population cruelly kept submissive and fearful 2. authoritarian: cruelly or irrationally insisting on complete obedience and giving harsh punishment to those who disobey [Mid-16th century. < French tyrannique < Greek turannikos < turannos "tyrant"] -ty·ran·ni·cal·ly, adverb-ty·ran·ni·cal·ness, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. a tyrannical government / a tyrannical supervisor / He killed his tyrannical father with a blow to the head / "tyrannous disregard of human rights" tyranny oppression tyranny tyr·an·ny [tírrənee] (plural tyr·an·nies) noun 1. cruel use of power: cruelty and injustice in the exercise of power or authority over others 2. oppressive government: oppressive government by one or more people who exercise absolute power cruelly and unjustly 3. state ruled by tyrant: a country or state under the power of an oppressive ruler 4. cruel act: a cruel or oppressive act, especially one committed by a person wielding great power [14th century. Via French < late Latin tyrannia < Latin tyrannus "tyrant"] -tyr·an·nous, adjective Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "I have sworn . . . eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man" (Thomas Jefferson). / the teacher's tyranny / the tyranny of the clock / I'm the sole victim of her tyranny tyro beginner tyro ty·ro [trō] (plural ty·ros) or ti·ro [trō] (plural ti·ros) noun beginner: somebody who is just beginning to learn something [Early 17th century. Via medieval Latin, "squire" < Latin tiro "young soldier, recruit"] -ty·ron·ic [tī rónnik], adjective Word Key: Synonyms See beginner. Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. A tyro takes a trip / U ubiquitous omnipresent, pervasive ulterior hidden, covert "looked too closely for an ulterior purpose in all knowledge" "a suggestion ulterior to the present discussion"; "without...any purpose, immediate or ulterior" "without ulterior argument" ultimatum demand An ultimatum has been issued to him to withdraw his troops from our territory ululate howl, wail umbrage resentment umbrage um·brage [úmbrij] noun 1. offense: resentment or annoyance arising from some offense  took umbrage 2. giver of shade: something that gives shade, e.g. a tree (literary) [15th century. < Old French < Latin umbra "shadow"] The Latin word umbra "shadow," from which umbrage is derived, is also the source ofEnglish adumbrate, penumbra, somber, sombrero, and umbrella. Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. took umbrage at their rudeness / He takes umbrage against anyone who criticises him. / unabashed shameless, brazen "a tinseled charm and unabashed sentimentality" / unabashed disgust / He seems unabashed by his recent defeat unabated ceaseless "the winds are unabated"; "the popularity of his books among young people continued unabated" unaffected natural, sincere "entirely unaffected by each other's writings"; "fibers remained apparently unaffected by the treatment" / "an unaffected grace" unanimity agreement All decisions would require unanimity unassuming modest "unassuming to a fault, sceptical about the value of his work" / She has a gentle, unassuming manner unavailing useless, futile "an unavailing attempt" unawares suddenly, unexpectedly unawares un·a·wares [ùnnə wérz] adverb 1. unexpectedly: without any warning or anticipation  His question caught me unawares.  You took me completely unawares. 2. without intending to: without planning or intending to do something  He took the wrong coat, unawares. [Mid-16th century. < unaware + -s, adverbial suffix] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "came upon the diamond unawares" "rain caught them unawares"; "sorrow comes to all, and to the young it comes with bittered agony because it takes them unawares" unbecoming unfitting "language unbecoming to a lady" / an unbecoming dress / conduct unbecoming an officer / an unbecoming hat / manners unbecoming a lady / an unbecoming dress hurriedly stitched from cheap cloth / Those involved had performed acts unbecoming of university students unbridled unrestrained "unbridled rage" / an unbridled pony / a tale of lust and unbridled passion uncanny mysterious, inexplicable uncanny un·can·ny [un kánnee] (comparative un·can·ni·er, superlative un·can·ni·est) adjective 1. eerie: too strange or unlikely to seem merely natural or human 2. keen: unexpectedly accurate or precise  an uncanny resemblance to the president -un·can·ni·ly, adverb-un·can·ni·ness, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "stumps...had uncanny shapes as of monstrous creatures" "his uncanny sense of direction" / an uncanny accuracy / I had this uncanny feeling that Alice was warning me / The hero bears an uncanny resemblance to Kirk Douglas / She looks so like her sister that it's quite uncanny unconscionable unscrupulous "an unconscionable liar" "unconscionable spending" uncouth uncultured, crude "an untutored and uncouth human being"; "an uncouth soldier--a real tough guy" V ocabulary 4000 497 Quiz 19 (Matching) Match each word in the first column with its definition in the second column. 1. TIDINGS A. incisive 2. TITER B. omnipresent 3. TITULAR C. lethargic 4. TORPID D. figurehead 5. TRADUCE E. unrestrained 6. TRENCHANT F. news 7. UBIQUITOUS G. laugh nervously 8. ULULATE H. ceaseless 9. UNABATED I. wail 10. UNBRIDLED J. slander unctuous insincere unctuous unc·tu·ous [úngkchoo əss] adjective 1. excessively ingratiating: attempting to charm or convince somebody in an unpleasantly suave, smug, or smooth way 2. oily, fatty, or greasy: resembling or containing oil, fat, or grease 3. soft and rich: soft and rich in texture and easily workable, especially through containing a high proportion of organic material [14th century. < medieval Latin unctuosus < Latin unctus "anointing" < unguere "smear, anoint"] -unc·tu·os·i·ty [ùngkchoo óssətee], noun-unc·tu·ous·ly [úngkchoo əsslee], adverb-unc·tu·ous·ness [úngkchoo əssnəss], noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "the unctuous Uriah Heep" / "the unctuous, complacent court composer who is consumed with envy and self-loathing" (Rhoda Koenig). / unctuous soil / the kind of unctuous tone that I've heard at diplomatic parties / Goose fat gives the most unctuous flavour undermine weaken undermine un·der·mine [ùndər mn, úndər mn] (past and past participle un·der·mined, present participle un·der·min·ing, 3rd person present singular un·der·mines) transitive verb 1. erode something: to weaken something by removing or wearing away material from its base or from beneath it  The chalk cliffs are being gradually undermined by the waves. 2. weaken something gradually: to diminish or weaken something gradually  undermined her confidence 3. subvert somebody or something: to weaken, discredit, or destroy somebody or something by covert and malicious action  The leaked memos undermined the administration's credibility. 4. tunnel under something: to dig a tunnel underneath something, especially a fortification, in order to plant explosives or make it collapse Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Water has undermined the stone foundations / Late hours can undermine one's health / their insults undermined her confidence / They are accused of trying to undermine the government / This will undermine their chances of success / The road was being undermined by a stream / Constant hard work had undermined his health underpin support underpin un·der·pin [ùndər pín] (past and past participle un·der·pinned, present participle un·der·pin·ning, 3rd person present singular un·der·pins) transitive verb 1. support from below: to support a weakened wall or structure by propping it up from below 2. act as support for: to act as a support or foundation for something (often passive)  the hard facts that underpin these assumptions Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "the public awareness that must underpin a sustained and concerted development effort for Africa and its youth" (Barber B. Conable). / to underpin a wall / underscore emphasize understudy a stand-in He was an understudy to Charlie Chaplin on a tour of the USA / He was ill, so his understudy had to take the part underworld criminal world underwrite agree to finance, guarantee underwrite un·der·write [úndər rt, ùndər rt] (past un·der·wrote [úndər rt, ùndər rṓt], past participle un·der·writ·ten [úndər rìtt'n, ùndər rítt'n], present participle un·der·writ·ing, 3rd person present singular un·der·writes) verb 1. transitive and intransitive verb subsidize something: to agree to provide funds for something and to cover any losses  The tour was underwritten by an electronics company. 2. transitive and intransitive verb issue insurance: to insure somebody or something by accepting liability for designated losses, or to be in the business of doing this 3. transitive and intransitive verb agree to buy unsold securities: to guarantee the sale of an issue of securities at a fixed price 4. transitive verb lend support to somebody or something: to give support to somebody or something, especially by signing a document 5. transitive verb write beneath other writing: to write something, or add a signature, underneath other written matter [15th century. After Latin subscribere "write underneath, sign"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. underwrite a theatrical production / a special agency to underwrite small business loans undue unjust, excessive "an undue loan" "undue influence"; "I didn't want to show undue excitement"; "accused of using undue force" "desire for undue private profit" "his dress stops just short of undue elegance" "I was grateful, without showing undue excitement" (Katherine Mansfield). / It might give them undue influence over the coming negotiations undulate surge, fluctuate - UNDULATE LEAF "The curtains undulated" "The singer's voice undulated" / leaves with undulate margins / an undulate leaf / the waves undulating like oceanic dunes unduly excessive unduly un·du·ly [un dlee] adverb excessively: to a very great extent, or to an excessive, improper, or unjustifiable degree  We were not unduly concerned. Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "she was unduly pessimistic about her future" / unduly familiar with strangers / He appealed to firms not to increase their prices unduly unequivocal unambiguous, categorical "unequivocal evidence"; "took an unequivocal position"; "an unequivocal success"; "an unequivocal promise"; "an unequivocal statement" "the plain and unequivocal language of the laws" unexceptionable beyond criticism "two unexceptionable witnesses"; "a judge's ethics should be unexceptionable" unfailing steadfast, unfaltering "the unfailing sign of an amateur"; "an unfailing test" "an unfailing source of good stories"; "a subject of unfailing interest" "unfailing loyalty"; "unfailing good spirits" unfathomable puzzling, incomprehensible unfathomable ocean depths / unfathomable theories / the unfathomable depths / How unfathomable and odd is life! / Her eyes were black, unfathomable unflagging untiring, unrelenting "unflagging pursuit of excellence" "unflagging courtesy" unflappable not easily upset "unflappable in a crisis" / Professional life-savers need to be calm and unflappable unfrock discharge unfurl open up, spread out "unfurl a banner" ungainly awkward "a gawky lad with long ungainly legs"; "what an ungainly creature a giraffe is" / "the cello, a rather ungainly instrument for a girl" uniformity sameness unilateral action taken by only one party "unilateral paralysis"; "a unilateral decision" / "a unilateral advantage in defense" / unilateral disarmament / a unilateral genealogy unimpeachable exemplary "an unimpeachable source" "an unimpeachable reputation" unison together "marching in unison" "the two spoke in unison" "singing in unison" unkempt disheveled unkempt un·kempt [un kémpt] adjective 1. needing grooming: tangled and matted and in need of combing or grooming 2. messy and neglected: messy or disorderly as a result of neglect 3. unpolished: lacking in polish or elegance [14th century. < un- + kempt, past participle of kemb "comb" < Old English cemban < Germanic] -un·kempt·ness, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "wild unkempt hair" "an unkempt garden"; "native vistas and unkempt rambling paths" / unkempt appearance / "wild unkempt hair" / His hair was unkempt and filthy / an unkempt old man unmitigated complete, harsh "unmitigated suffering"; "an unmitigated horror"; "an unmitigated lie" unmoved firm, steadfast "always appeared completely unmoved and imperturbable" / share price remained unmoved / She carried on criticizing me in this vein, but I was unmoved / She appealed to the authorities but they were unmoved / The great mound of cargo was unmoved / He was unmoved by her tears unprecedented without previous occurrence "an unprecedented expansion in population and industry" / unprecedented economic growth. / Such a move is unprecedented / The scheme has been hailed as an unprecedented success / Such an action by a prime minister is unprecedented unremitting relentless "unremitting demands of hunger" / boarding school, where I spent six years of unremitting misery thanks to his unremitting efforts unsavory distasteful, offensive "an unsavory reputation"; "an unsavory scandal" unscathed unhurt escaped the hurricane unscathed / He emerged unscathed apart from a severely bruised finger unseat displace "The Republicans are trying to unseat the liberal Democrat" unseemly unbecoming, improper "unseemly to use profanity" / It would be unseemly for judges to receive pay increases unstinting generous "called for unstinting aid to Britain" / unstinting approval / hard work and unstinting support / The task was made easier by the unstinting help extended to me unsullied spotless, Spotlessly clean and fresh, (of reputation) free from blemishes "the unsullied snow of mountains" "his unsullied name" / the combined talents of intellect, experience and unsullied reputation unsung neglected unsung un·sung [un súng] adjective 1. not praised or honored: not given the praise or honor that is due 2. not sung: not sung or not to be sung Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "unsung heroes of the war" untenable cannot be achieved untenable un·ten·a·ble [un ténnəb'l] adjective not defendable: lacking the qualities such as sound reasoning or high ground that make defense possible  an untenable position -un·ten·a·bil·i·ty [un tènnə bíllətee], noun-un·ten·a·ble·ness, noun-un·ten·a·bly, adverb Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. untoward perverse untoward un·to·ward [un táwrd, untə wáwrd] adjective 1. inappropriate: not appropriate or fitting  untoward rudeness 2. unexpected: unusual or unexpected  an untoward piece of luck 3. causing misfortune: causing misfortune or disadvantage  several untoward events -un·to·ward·ly, adverb-un·to·ward·ness, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. an untoward piece of luck, untoward rudeness, several untoward events, / "moved to curb their untoward ribaldry" / "made a place for themselves under the most untoward conditions" unwarranted unjustified "unwarranted jealousy" "unwarranted limitations of personal freedom" unwieldy awkward "we set about towing the unwieldy structure into the shelter"; "almost dropped the unwieldy parcel" "unwieldy rules and regulations" "heaved his unwieldy figure out of his chair" unwitting unintentional "an unwitting mistake may be overlooked" "an unwitting subject in an experiment" "his rudeness was unwitting" upshot result So the upshot is we're going for lunch on Friday / What was the final upshot of that affair? urbane refined, worldly "maintained an urbane tone in his letters" / In conversation, he was suave and urbane ursine bear-like ursine baboon ♦ ursine dasyure ♦ ursine howler ♦ ursine seal / usurp seize, to appropriate "he usurped my rights" "gloom had usurped mirth at the party after the news of the terrorist act broke" usury overcharge The Jews were forbidden to exact usury / Decrees abolishing usury, utilitarian pragmatic "utilitarian steel tables" "plain utilitarian kitchenware" utopia paradise We weren't out to design a contemporary utopia. / Utopian schemes utter complete "He uttered a curse" "He uttered strange sounds that nobody could understand" "utter counterfeit currency" "utter nonsense" "utter seriousness" uxorious a doting husband V vacillate waver "the line on the monitor vacillated" vacuous inane "vacuous comments" "a vacuous space" / a vacuous remark / a vacuous stare vagary whim the vagaries of the weather / "the vagaries of the weather"; "his wealth fluctuates with the vagaries of the stock market"; "he has dealt with human vagaries for many years" vain unsuccessful "vain about her clothes" "a vain attempt" / a vain attempt to escape / We searched in vain for a solution. vainglorious conceited The Dewey Parade as the vainglorious Teddy saw it / The vainglorious war valediction farewell speech She raised her hand in valediction valiant brave "a valiant attempt to prevent the hijack"; "a valiant soldier" validate affirm valor bravery "he received a medal for valor" vanguard leading position vanguard van·guard [ván grd] (plural van·guards) noun 1. leading position or people: the leading position of a movement, field, or cultural trend, or the people who are foremost in a movement, field, or cultural trend 2. advance troops: the military divisions of an army or navy that lead the advance into battle [15th century. Shortening of French avant-garde < avant "before" + garde "guard"] -van·guard·ism, noun-van·guard·ist, noun Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. the vanguard of modern literature / Students have been in the vanguard of revolutionary change in China / We're in the vanguard of the movement for reform vanquish conquer She had had to wrench herself forcibly away from Katharine, and every step vanquished her desire" (Virginia Woolf). / a happy ending in which the hero vanquishes the monsters / You must vanquish your fears vapid vacuous, insipid "vapid beer"; "vapid tea" "a vapid conversation"; "a vapid smile"; "a bunch of vapid schoolgirls" variance discrepancy vassal subject the vassal's oath of homage to his lord / A great vassal was in vassalage to a king and a rear vassal to a great vassal vaunt brag An unattempted lady could not vaunt of her chastity / Men of real merit, whose noble and glorious deeds we are ready to acknowledge are not yet to be endured when they vaunt their own actions. vehement adamant "vehement dislike" "vehement deluges of rain"; "vehement clapping"; "a vehement defence" venal mercenary, for the sake of money "a venal police officer" / a venal magistrate / a venal civilization / a venal contract / venal and totally corrupt politicians vendetta grudge, feud This cartoonist has a personal vendetta against the President / There has been a bitter vendetta between the two families for many years. / veneer false front, façade "veneer the furniture to protect it" / a thin veneer of civility / a veneer of friendliness / a veneer of gentility / He was able to fool people with his veneer of intellectuality / bath panels fitted with a mahogany veneer venerable revered "a venerable sage with white hair and beard" / venerable old man with white hair / venerable tomes / venerable relics venial excusable "venial sin" "a venial error" / a venial offense. / If he had faults, they were venial ones venom poison, spite venture risk, speculate "We ventured into the world of high-tech and bought a supercomputer" venturesome bold, risky "a venturesome investor" / a venturesome entrepreneur who was determined to succeed / "a venturous spirit" venue location veracity truthfulness They questioned the veracity of our claims / a report of doubtful veracity / We have total confidence in the veracity of our research / He was shocked to find his veracity being questioned. veranda porch verbatim word for word verbatim ver·ba·tim [vər báytim] adjective using identical words: corresponding word for word with something else adverb in identical words: repeated, written down, or copied word for word [15th century. < medieval Latin < Latin verbum "word"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "repeated their dialogue verbatim" "he repeated her remarks verbatim" verbose wordy "verbose speakers"; "verbose and ineffective instructional methods" verdant green, lush a small verdant garden with a view over Paris / Those old ages are like the landscape that shows best in the purple distance, all verdant and smooth, and bathed in mellow light. verdict decision Power companies are being asked for their verdict on wind power as an energy source / Oh, is that a professional opinion or is that the verdict of a rodent exterminator / No verdict was returned / As I was saying, Alex, you can be instrumental in changing the public verdict / It's when the jury cant agree on a verdict / I also know that anyone who disputes the verdict of an Inquisitor is guilty of heresy / The Final Verdict on the Dr. Sam Sheppard Murder Case / He appealed his case to the Supreme Court; however, at year's end, the Supreme Court had not reached a verdict / The original al-Shoura resumed publication in August 2000; at year's end, the Supreme Court had still not issued a verdict / Those cases that reached a verdict during the year were decided fairly and were not unduly prejudicial to journalists or publishers / A jury verdict cannot be appealed. / A verdict on the case had not been announced by year's end / Ethnic bias did not appear to be a factor in the crime or the verdict / The Supreme Court upheld the verdict drawing attention to the difference between a complete closedown of all activities (bandh) and a general strike (hartal). / If one side fails to implement the verdict of the arbitration panel, the other may appeal to a state court with a request to enforce the decision. / The jury brought in a verdict of guilty. / The competitors are still waiting for the verdict of the judges. / The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict. vernacular common speech "a vernacular term"; "vernacular speakers" / There are hundreds of independent vernacular and English-language newspapers available / a new vernacular cable television channel / the editor of the vernacular daily newspaper / Major vernacular newspapers / black English Vernacular ♦ vernacular disease ♦ vernacular tongue / a vernacular poet / this architect has re-created a true English vernacular / a vernacular disease / in the legal vernacular / vernaculars of New York City / To use the vernacular of the day, Peter was square. / dialects such as black vernacular English / vernacular speech/language / They spoke to each other in the vernacular of the region vertigo dizziness He had a dreadful attack of vertigo at the top of the tower / Keep her back from the edge of the cliff – she suffers from vertigo / The Vertigo is gonna grow / Poor woman, a case of vertigo, I guess / Vertigo may be treated with the drug diazepam / A sensation of dizziness or vertigo (spinning). / Symptoms include vertigo, double vision, and poor muscular coordination vestige trace There wasn't a vestige of truth in what she wrote. / a vestige of truth no vestige of the meal / the last vestiges of a great and ancient kingdom / She had lost every vestige of her puppy fat. / Not a vestige of it was to be seen/ The cessation of the war by the complete triumph of the patriot cause has removed, it is hoped, all cause of dissension with one party and all vestige of force of the other veto reject "The President vetoed the bill" "Mother vetoed the trip to the chocolate store" / My teacher vetoed the idea / her parents vetoed her trip / the presidential veto / De Gaulle vetoed Britain's application to join the EEC / congressmen who tried to override the president's veto of the bill / They vetoed your suggestion / the chairman's (power of) veto vex annoy "vex the subject of the death penalty" / "a vexing problem" viable capable of surviving "viable seeds"; "a viable foetus" / a viable proposition viaduct waterway Now here is a little peninsula and here is a viaduct leading over to the mainland / viand food viand vi·and [v ənd] (plural vi·ands) noun (formal) 1. provisions: a store or collection of food, especially the food that makes up a meal or a feast (often used in the plural) 2. item of food: an item of food [14th century. Via French viande "food" (now "meat") < Latin vivenda "things for living" < vivere "to live"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. It isn't so much really extraordinary as it is a favorite viand in whatever marinade you serve me / The kids enjoyed it for some reason and well, actually put the bowl out in spite of the other viands available / This viand was an upgrade as prescribed by my beloved sister in place of the Beef with Four Vegetables viand on the set menu. This one is pretty tender and sweet, a tasty treat for someone as hungry as us. It should be eaten while it’s still a bit hot rather than taken after trying all the rest of the viands, I should know because it was already too late when I found out / vicious evil vicissitude changing fortunes "the project was subject to the usual vicissitudes of exploratory research" / So great a vicissitude in his life could not at once be received as real. / victuals food "The population was victualed during the war" / The fleet carries victuals only for six weeks / Removing victuals and groceries from the improvised truck at campfire near Henrietta, Oklahoma / These circumstances, added to the refreshment I had received by their victuals and drink, which were very nourishing, disposed me to sleep / The country cookbook; cooking, canning, and preserving victuals for country home, farm, camp & trailer, with notes on rustic hospitality vie compete The two candidates are vying for the support of the New York voters / The two parents vied with each other in their attempts to gain the children's love vigil watch, sentry duty vigil vig·il [víjjəl] noun (plural vig·ils) 1. night watch: a period spent in doing something through the night, e.g., watching, guarding, or praying 2. festival eve: the eve of some festivals and holy days, spent in prayer vig·ils, plural noun religious services at night: religious services or prayers at night, especially on the eve of a festival or holy day [13th century. Via Old French vigile < medieval Latin vigilia "eve of a holy day" < Latin, "watchfulness" < vigil "awake, alert"] Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. But glory will not distract him from his vigil. / Vigil in the North / Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors / The vigil continued far into the night, and until the gray dawn streaked the sky. Credit: Library of Congress / The Seventh Fleet cruiser keeps a vigil close offshore, to provide heavy gunfire in support of Marine operations inland. / The palace vigil and protests resulted in politically motivated killings, injuries, violence, arson, and destruction / In December members of Congress held a candlelight vigil to remember their peers who had been kidnaped and killed / In such a case, the revenue authorities exercise a strict overall vigil over operations / keep vigil ♦ on the vigil of ♦ Podophthalmus vigil ♦ vigil candle ♦ vigil light. vigilant on guard vigilant vig·i·lant [víjjələnt] adjective watchful: watchful and alert, especially to guard against danger, difficulties, or errors [15th century. < Latin vigilant-, present participle of vigilare "keep awake" < vigil "awake, alert"] -vig·i·lant·ly, adverb Word Key: Synonyms See cautious. Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. "the vigilant eye of the town watch" TeamLRN 498 GRE Prep Course vignette scene Anniversary Vignette / Vignette of History / The vignette below the main image depicts the 19 August 1812 action between USS Constitution / A vignette portrait of Rear Admiral George Dewey is featured in the lower left / vigor vitality Well, look at me. I'm old, lacking in vigor, my mind's in a turmoil / 'Use your vigor to keep your figure / When Socialism comes into power, the Roman Church will advocate Socialism with the same vigor it is now favoring feudalism and slavery./ Action is the highest perfection and drawing forth of the utmost power, vigor, and activity of man's nature / The method of the enterprising is to plan with audacity and execute with vigor/ But so much the more malign and wild does the ground become with bad seed and untilled, as it has the more of good earthly vigor. / Perfect freedom is as necessary to the health and vigor of commerce as it is to the health and vigor of citizenship. vilify defame "The Nazi propaganda vilified the Jews" vindicate free from blame vin·di·cate [víndi kàyt] (past and past participle vin·di·cat·ed, present participle vin·di·cat·ing, 3rd person present singular vin·di·cates) transitive verb 1. show somebody to be blameless: to clear somebody or something of blame, guilt, suspicion, or doubt 2. justify somebody or something: to show that somebody or something is justified or correct 3. uphold something: to defend or maintain something such as a cause or rights [Mid-16th century. < Latin vindicat-, past participle of vindicare "claim, set free, avenge" < vindic- "avenger"] -vin·di·ca·ble, adjective -vin·di·ca·tor, noun -vin·di·ca·to·ry [víndikə tàwree], adjective "vindicate a claim" "vindicate the rights of the citizens" "You must vindicate yourself and fight this libel" "Our society permits people to sue for libel so that they may vindicate their reputations" / vindicate one's claim / his promotion vindicated his unconventional attitude / director said he had been vindicated by the expert's report / Subsequent events vindicated his policy vindictive revengeful vin·dic·tive [vin díktiv] adjective 1. vengeful: looking for revenge or done through a desire for revenge 2. spiteful: feeling, showing, or done through a desire to hurt somebody 3. law meant to punish: describes damages awarded by a court that are set higher than the amount necessary to compensate the victim, in order to punish the defendant [Early 17th century. < Latin vindicta "revenge"] -vin·dic·tive·ly, adverb -vin·dic·tive·ness, noun "more vindictive than jealous love"; "punishments...essentially vindictive in their nature" "a vindictive man will look for occasions for resentment" virile manly "a virile and ever stronger free society"; "a new and virile leadership" virtuoso highly skilled artist "a virtuoso performance" / Of course, I'm not a virtuoso / I must congratulate you on your virtuoso performance, my boy. virulent deadly, poisonous "a virulent insect bite" visage facial expression "a stern visage" viscid thick, gummy viscid egg ♦ viscid mushroom visitation a formal visit "a visitation of the plague" "the commissioner made visitations to all the precinct stations"; "the recent visitation of the bishop to his diocese" vital necessary "vital for a healthy society"; "of vital interest" vitiate spoil, ruin to vitiate a contract / electoral abuses which could vitiate the entire voting process / His otherwise admirable character is vitiated by his pride. vitreous glassy "the vitreous chamber" "vitreous rocks"; "vitreous silica" "hard vitreous china used for plumbing fixtures" vitriolic scathing "a vitriolic critique" vituperative abusive "her vituperative railing" / one of journalism's most vituperative critics vivacious lively "a charming and vivacious hostess"; "a vivacious folk dance" vivid lifelike, clear "a vivid description" "a vivid recollection" “a bird with vivid plumage" "vivid green" / a vivid imagination / a vivid image vocation occupation the levels of knowledge and skill required for success in many vocations / He had a sense of vocation about his work as a doctor. / Nursing is her vocation; Many people regard teaching as a vocation. vociferous adamant, clamoring "a vociferous mob" vogue fashion, chic "leather is the latest vogue" / in vogue volant agile vo·lant [vṓlənt] adjective 1. able to fly: flying or having the power of flight 2. nimble: moving quickly, lightly, and easily (literary) 3. heraldry having wings spread: in heraldry, having the wings outspread as in flight [Early 16th century. < French, present participle of voler "fly" < Latin volare] Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain / The Room in the Dragon Volant / volatile unstable volition free will "the exercise of their volition we construe as revolt" "followed my father of my own volition" voluble talkative "she is an extremely voluble young woman who engages in soliloquies not conversations" voluminous bulky, extensive voracious hungry votary fan, aficionado vo·ta·ry [vṓtəree] (plural vo·ta·ries) or vo·ta·rist [vṓtərist] (plural vo·ta·rists) noun 1. monk or nun: somebody who has sworn to dedicate his or her life to religious worship or service 2. devotee: a dedicated follower of something such as a religion or cause [Mid-16th century. < Latin vot-, past participle of vovere "vow"] "monasteries of votaries" "a votary of Aphrodite" "the cultured votary of science" vouchsafe confer, bestow Vouchsafe, divine perfection of a woman, / she vouchsafed no reply he vouchsafed me no encouragement / he vouchsafed to come yesterday / He vouchsafed them a little more brandy vulgarity obscenity vulnerable susceptible vulpine fox-like Sometimes one came near to my window, attracted by my light, barked a vulpine curse at me, and then retreated. / "vulpine cunning" W wager bet waggish playful "Muskrat Castle as the house has been facetiously named by some waggish officer" waive forego She waived her right to remain silent. / They decided to waive the restrictions wallow indulge "Wallow in luxury"; "wallow in your sorrows" "pigs were wallowing in the mud" "wallow in your success!" "a good wallow in the water" wan pale "the wan stars"; "the wan light of dawn" "her wan face suddenly flushed" "a wan smile" wane dissipate, wither "Interest in the project waned" want need, poverty wanton lewd, abandoned wanton violence and destruction / wanton indulgence/ "wanton behaviour" "wanton one's money away" warrant justification "The emergency does not warrant all of us buying guns" "The dealer warrants all the cars he sells"; "I warrant this information" "as a sweetener they offered warrants along with the fixed-income securities" wary guarded wary of hidden rocks in the water / a wary approach / "they were wary in their movements"; "a wary glance at the black clouds"; "taught to be wary of strangers" wastrel spendthrift a wastrel who squandered his entire fortune / Her husband is a workshy, good-for-nothing wastrel. waylay ambush Any College, that wished to secure some specially clever young man, had to waylay him at the Station, and hunt him through the streets./ The trucks are being waylaid by bandits./ He was forever waylaying me for chats in the corridor./ He was waylaid by a crowd of angry demonstrators wean remove from nursing, break a habit "she weaned her baby when he was 3 months old and started him on powdered milk"; "The kitten was weaned and fed by its owner with a bottle" weaning her gradually off the medication / children weaned on computer games and videos weir dam welter confusion, hodgepodge "The shipwrecked survivors weltered in the sea for hours" "welter in work" wheedle coax whet stimulate "whet my appetite" / The thought of easy money whetted my enthusiasm for the undertaking. whiffle vacillate Whiffle Squeek whimsical capricious He gave me that whimsical smile of his. / She distrusted his whimsical nature. / "the victim of whimsical persecutions" wield control "wield power and authority" "The burglar wielded an axe" / the immense economic power wielded by large companies willful deliberate "willful disobedience" wily shrewd "a wily old attorney" wince cringe "She winced when she heard his pompous speech" windfall bonus, boon Managing an Unexpected Windfall winnow separate "The wind was winnowing her hair"; "the wind winnowed the grass" "winnow the finalists from the long list of applicants" winsome charming winsome manner wistful yearning wither shrivel wizened shriveled woe anguish wont custom woo court, seek favor wraith ghost wrath anger, fury wreak inflict wrest snatch wretched miserable writ summons writhe contort wry twisted X xenophillic attraction to strangers xenophobia fear of foreigners xylophone musical percussion instrument Y yarn story yearn desire strongly yen desire yore long ago Young Turks reformers Z zeal earnestness, passion zealot fanatic zenith summit zephyr gentle breeze In days of yore / You have really got a yen to hurt this girl, haven’t you? "with a wry Scottish wit" / "a wry neck" "wrest the knife from his hands"; "wrest a meaning from the old text"; "wrest power from the old government" "wreak havoc" / a storm that wreaked vast destruction "China is wooing Russia" He is wont to be rather quick of temper when tired. / It is her wont to surf the Internet every night. Woe betide him if he turns up late for work again. For never was a story of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo / For each time he falls, he shall rise again, and woe to the wicked! / Consigned to flames of woe. / The pain of war cannot exceed the woe of aftermath "a wizened little man with frizzy grey hair" "the sensitive and wistful response of a poet to the gentler phases of beauty"