"abed" "In bed."
"abeyance" "Suspension; temporary cessation"
"Abjure" "To renounce under oath." " 2. To renounce or reject solemnly; to recant; to reject; repudiate. 3. To abstain from; to shun."
"abominate" "To hate in the highest degree"
"Abscond" "To depart secretly" "to steal away and hide oneself -- used especially of persons who withdraw to avoid arrest or prosecution."
"acerbic" "Sharp, biting, or acid in temper, expression, or "
"acuity" "Acuteness of perception or vision; sharpness."
"affable" "Easy to speak to" "receiving others kindly and conversing with them in a free and friendly manner. 2. Gracious; benign."
"afficionado" "fan; devotee; lover"
"affray" "A tumultuous assault or quarrel; a brawl."
"agitprop" "Propaganda, esp. pro-communist political propag"
"apogee" "The farthest or highest point; culmination." "The point in the orbit of the moon or of an artificial satellite that is at the greatest distance from the center of the earth."
"Apposite" "Being of striking appropriateness and relevance" "veryapplicable; apt."
"arcanum" " A secret; a mystery"
"Arrogate " "To claim or seize without right or justific" "to appropriate.2. To claim on behalf of another; to ascribe."
"Aspersion" "A damaging or derogatory remark; slander." "2. The act of defaming or slandering.3. A sprinkling with water, especially in religious ceremonies."
"asseverate" "To affirm or declare positively or earnestly."
"autochthonous" "Aboriginal; indigenous; native." "Formed or originating in the place where found"
"Avaricious" "immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth; g"
"bedizen" "To dress or adorn in gaudy manner"
"benison" "Blessing; benediction"
"bibulous" "Of, marked by, or given to the consumption of alc" "Readily absorbing fluids or moisture."
"bilious" " Of or pertaining to bile" " 2. Marked by an excess secretion of bile. 3. Pertaining to, characterized by, or affected by gastric distress caused by a disorder of the liver. 4. Appearing as if affected by such a disorder. 5. Resembling bile, especially in color. 6. Of a peevish disposition; ill-tempered."
"blandishment" "Speech or action that flatters and tends to coax,"
"bombinate " "To buzz; to hum; to drone"
"Bonhomie" "Good nature; pleasant and easy manner."
"bowdlerize" "to remove | modify the parts (e.g., of a book) co" " To modify, as by shortening, simplifying, or distorting in style or content."
"Brio" "Enthusiastic vigor" "vivacity; liveliness; spirit.Though my judgment was no doubt affected by all the wine we\'d consumed, I remember being elated by our performance that night: our inspired spur-of-the-moment dialogue, the actors fleshing out their roles with such brio."
"Cavalcade" "A procession of riders or horse-drawn carriages" "2. Any procession. 3. A sequence; a series"
"Celerity" "quickness...rapidity"
"chimera" "An illusion or mental fabrication; a grotesque pr" "A fire-breathing she-monster represented as having a lion\'s head, a goat\'s body, and a serpent\'s tail. Any imaginary monster made up of grotesquely incongruous parts.An individual, organ, or part consisting of tissues of diverse genetic constitution, produced as a result of organ transplant, grafting, or genetic engineering."
"Clemency" "Disposition to forgive and spare, as offenders; m" "2. An act or instance of mercy or leniency.3. Mildness, especially of weather."
"cognoscenti" "an expert able to appreciate a field; especially "
"Collude" "To act in concert; to conspire; to plot."
"Comport" "To conduct or behave (oneself) in a particular ma" "intransitive verb: To be fitting; to accord; to agree -- usually followed by \'with\'."
"Condign" "Suitable to the fault or crime; deserved" "adequate.In a story as old as the Greeks, overweening pride broughtcondign disaster."
"conflate" "To bring together; to fuse together; to join or m"
"connoisseur" "an expert able to appreciate a field; especially "
"Contravene" " To act or be counter to; to violate." " To oppose in argument; to contradict."
"copse" " A thicket or grove of small trees"
"cosmopolite" " One who is at home in every place; a citizen of "
"cosset " "To treat as a pet; to pamper."
"Demagogue" "A leader who obtains power by means of impassione" "A leader of the common people in ancient times."
"demur" " 1. To object; to take exception. 2. To delay."
"Depredation" "An act of plundering or despoiling; a raid." "[Plural] Destructive operations; ravages."
"descry " "To catch sight of, especially something distant o"
"Desideratum" "Something desired or considered necessary."
"Desuetude" "The cessation of use." "discontinuance of practice or custom;disuse."
"Detritus" "Loose material that is worn away from rocks." "Hence, any fragments separated from the body to which they belonged; any product of disintegration; debris."
"diablerie" "Sorcery; black magic; witchcraft"
"discrete" "Constituting a separate thing; distinct" " 2. Consisting of distinct or unconnected parts. 3. (Mathematics) Defined for a finite or countable set of values; not continuous."
"disport" "o amuse oneself in light or lively manner; to fro"
"disquisition" "A formal discourse on a subject"
"Dissolute" "Loose in morals and conduct" "marked by indulgence in sensual pleasures or vices."
"dolorous" "Marked by, causing, or expressing grief or sorrow"
"Doula" "A woman who assists during childbirth labor" "...and provides support to the mother, her child and the family after childbirth."
"dulcet" " Pleasing to the ear; melodious; harmonious" " 2. Generally pleasing, soothing, or agreeable. 3. (Archaic) Sweet to the taste."
"Ebullient " "Overflowing with enthusiasm or excitement; high-s" "Boiling up or over."
"egregious" "conspicuously bad or offensive or reprehensible"
"eldritch" "Strange; unearthly; weird; eerie."
"embonpoint" "Plumpness of person; stoutness"
"empyrean" "The highest heaven; heaven; paradise."
"Enervate" "To deprive of vigor, force, or strength." "to render feeble;to weaken.To reduce the moral or mental vigor of."
"enjoin " "To direct or impose with authority; to order" "To prohibit; to forbid"
"enunciate" "To utter articulately; to pronounce" " 2. To state or set forth precisely or systematically. 3. To announce; to proclaim; to declare."
"Erudite" "Characterized by excessive learning or knowledge;"
"Eschew " "To shun; to avoid" " (as something wrong or distasteful)."
"Esurient" "Hungry; voracious; greedy."
"Evanescent" "Liable to vanish or pass away like vapour; fleeti"
"excrescence" "Something (esp. something abnormal) growing out f"
"Exculpate" "To clear from alleged fault or guilt" "to prove to be guiltless; to relieve of blame; to acquit. "
"Exigent " "Requiring immediate aid or action; pressing; crit" "Requiring much effort or expense; demanding; exacting."
"exiguous" "Extremely scanty; meager."
"Expatiate" "To speak or write at length or in considerable de" "To move about freely; to wander."
"extant" "Still existing; not destroyed, lost, or extinct."
"extemporaneous" " unpremeditated; impromptu."
"extempore" "Without premeditation or preparation" "on the spur of the moment."
"Extol" "To praise highly; to glorify; to [1] exalt."
"Extricate" "To free or release from a difficulty or entangl" "to get free; to disengage."
"faineant " " Doing nothing or given to doing nothing; idle; l"
"Farrago" "A confused mixture; an assortment; a medley."
"fatidic" "Of, relating to, or characterized by prophecy; pr"
"fiat" "An arbitrary or authoritative command or order"
"Firmament" "The region of the air; the sky; the heavens." " The field or sphere of an interest or activity"
"flummery" " A name given to various sweet dishes made with m" " Empty compliment; unsubstantial talk or writing; mumbo jumbo; nonsense."
"foofaraw" " Excessive or flashy ornamentation or decoration" ". A fuss over a matter of little importance"
"forgo" "To abstain from; to do without"
"Forlorn" "Sad and lonely because deserted, abandoned, or lo" " 2. Bereft; forsaken. 3. Wretched or pitiful in appearance or condition. 4. Almost hopeless; desperate."
"foundling" "A deserted or abandoned infant; a child found wit"
"Friable" "Easily crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder"
"Frisson" "A moment of intense excitement; a shudder; "
"fulminate" "To issue or utter verbal attacks or censures mena" " 2. To explode; to detonate."
"Furbelow" "A pleated or gathered flounce on a woman\'s g" "Something showy or superfluous; a bit of showy ornamentation"
"gallimaufry" "A medley; a hodgepodge."
"galumph" "To move in a clumsy manner or with a heavy tread."
"gambol " "To dance and skip about in play; to frolic"
"gamine" " A girl who wanders about the streets; an urchin."
"gastronome" " A connoisseur of good food and drink."
"Gravitas" "High seriousness (as in a person\'s bearing or in "
"Gregarious" "Tending to form a group with others of the same k" "Seeking and enjoying the company of others."
"gustatory" "Of or pertaining to the sense of taste"
"hebetude" "Mental dullness or sluggishness."
"hector" "A bully"
"heterodox" "Holding unorthodox opinions or doctrines."
"hubris" "Overbearing pride or presumption"
"idyll" "A simple descriptive work, dealing with rustic li" "2. A narrative poem treating an epic, romantic, or tragic theme. 3. A lighthearted carefree episode or experience. 4. A romantic interlude."
"Importunate" "Expressing earnest entreaty; pleading."
"impregnable " "Not capable of being stormed or taken by "
"Inchoate" "In an initial or early stage" "just begun.Imperfectly formed or formulated."
"incipient " "Beginning to exist or appear."
"incontrovertible" "indisputable; unquestionable."
"Indolent" "Avoiding labor and exertion; habitually idle; laz" "2. Conducive to or encouraging laziness or inactivity.3. Causing little or no pain.4. Slow to heal, develop, or grow."
"Indomitable" "Incapable of being subdued or overcome; unconquer"
"Ineluctable" "Impossible ot avoid or evade; inevitable."
"irascible" "Prone to anger; easily provoked to anger"
"Jocund" "Full of or expressing high-spirited merriment; li"
"ken" " Perception; understanding; knowledge" " 2. The range of vision. 3. View; sight."
"Lachrymose" "Given to shedding tears; suffused with tears; tea" "Causing or tending to cause tears."
"languid" " Drooping or flagging from or as if from exhaus" "weary; heavy. 2. Promoting or indicating weakness or heaviness. 3. Slow; lacking vigor or force."
"Lassitude" "Lack of vitality or energy; weariness" "listlessness."
"Lenity" "The state or quality of being lenient; mildness; "
"Levity" "Lightness of manner or speech, esp. when excessiv" "frivolity.2. Lack of steadiness or constancy; changeableness."
"Lissome" "Limber; supple; flexible." "Light and quick in action; nimble; agile; active."
"Logorrhea" "Excessive talkativeness or wordiness."
"Loquacious" "Very talkative; full of excessive talk; wordy."
"lubricious" " Lustful; lewd" "Having a slippery or smooth quality."
"ludic" "Of or relating to play; characterized by play; pl"
"malapropos" "Unseasonable; unsuitable; inappropriate"
"Malediction" "A curse or execration."
"Maudlin" "Tearfully or excessively sentimental."
"Mellifluous" " flowing sweetly or smoothly" " Flowing as with honey as, a mellifluous voice."
"Mendacious" "Given to deception or falsehood" "lying; untruthful; as, a mendacious person. False; untrue; as, a mendacious statement. "
"Meretricious" "Loud; gawdy; vulgar."
"mien" "Manner or bearing" "...especially as expressive of mood, attitude, or personality; demeanor. 2. Aspect; appearance."
"mulct" "A fine or penalty" "To punish for an offense or misdemeanor by imposing a fine or demanding a forfeiture.To obtain by fraud or deceptionTo defraud; to swindle."
"nascent" "Beginning to exist or having recently come in"
"nefarious" "Wicked in the extreme; iniquitous"
"Nescience " "Lack of knowledge or awareness; ignorance."
"nimiety" "The state of being too much; excess"
"Nonagenarian" "A ninety year old person; someone whose age is in"
"Obloquy " "Strongly condemnatory or abusive language or utte" "The condition of disgrace suffered as a result of public blame, abuse, or condemnation; ill repute."
"paean" "A joyous song of praise, triumph, or thanksgiving"
"panjandrum" " An important personage or pretentious official"
"pantheon" "A temple dedicated to all the gods" " 2. The collective gods of a people; as, a goddess of the Greek pantheon. 3. A public building commemorating and dedicated to the famous dead of a nation. 4. A group of highly esteemed persons."
"Peccadillo" "A slight offense; a petty fault."
"pecuniary" "Relating to money; monetary"
"Pellucid " "Transparent; clear; not opaque." "Easily understandable."
"Perfunctory" "Done merely to carry out a duty" "performed mechanically orroutinely.2. Lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; indifferent."
"Philter" "A potion or charm supposed to cause the person ta" "A potion or charm believed to have magic power."
"plenary" "Full in all respects; complete; absolute" "Fully attended by all qualified members"
"pleonasm" "The use of more words than r necessary to express"
"Polyglot" "Containing or made up of several languages" "Writing, speaking, or versed in many languages"
"popinjay" "A vain and talkative person"
"postprandial " "Happening or done after a meal."
"potable" "Fit to drink; suitable for drinking; drinkable"
"precipice" "The brink of a hazardous situation."
"predilection" "A predisposition to choose or like; an establishe"
"Preposterous" "Absurd; ridiculous"
"prink" "To dress up; to deck for show."
"Probity" "Complete and confirmed integrity; uprightness."
"Proclivity" "A natural inclination; predisposition. "
"Prolix" "Extending to a great length; unnecessarily long; " "Tending to speak or write at excessive length."
"Pronunciamento" "A formal announcement or declaration." "A proclamation or manifesto.A pronouncement."
"Propitious" "Presenting favorable circumstances or conditions." "Favorably inclined; gracious; benevolent."
"Protean " "Displaying considerable variety or diversity." "Readily assuming different shapes or forms."
"punctilious" "Strictly attentive to the details of form in acti"
"purblind" "Having greatly reduced vision" " 2. Lacking in insight or discernment."
"Pusillanimous" "Weak; timid"
"putsch" " A secretly planned & suddenly executed attempt t"
"Quondam" "Having been formerly; former; sometime." "A quondam flower child, she spent seven years at the RoyalCollege of Art, before becoming a lecturer at EdinburghSchool of Art."
"Quotidian" "Occuring or returning daily." "Of an everyday character; ordinary; commonplace."
"Raconteur" "One who excels in telling stories and anecdotes."
"Ratiocination" "The process of reasoning."
"Recalcitrant" "Stubbornly resistant to and defiant of authority "
"recherche" "Uncommon; exotic; rare" " 2. Exquisite; choice. 3. Excessively refined; affected. 4. Pretentious; overblown."
"redoubt" "A small and usually temporary defensive fortifica" "2. A defended position or protective barrier. 3. A secure place of refuge or defense; a stronghold."
"redoubtable" "Arousing fear or alarm; formidable" "Illustrious; eminent; worthy of respect or honor."
"redound" " To have a consequence or effect" " 2. To return; to rebound; to reflect. 3. To become added or transferred; to accrue."
"refractory" "Stubbornly disobedient; unmanageable" "2. Resisting ordinary treatment or cure. 3. Difficult to melt or work; capable of enduring high temperature."
"remunerate" "To pay an equivalent to for any service, loss, or" "to recompense. 2. To compensate for; to make payment for."
"renege" "To go back on a promise or commitment"
"repine" "To feel or express discontent; To long for someth"
"repletion" "The condition of being completely filled or suppl"
"Reticent" "Inclined to keep silent; reserved; uncommunicativ" " 2. Restrained or reserved in style. 3. Reluctant; unwilling."
"rodomontade" "Vain boasting; empty bluster; pretentious, bra"
"Roister" "To engage in boisterous merrymaking; to revel."
"salad days" "A time of youthful inexperience, innocence, or in"
"Salubrious" "Favorable to health; promoting health."
"sanctum" "A sacred place." " A place of retreat where one is free from intrusion."
"sang-froid" "Freedom from agitation or excitement of mind" "coolness in trying circumstances; calmness. "
"sedition" " Conduct or language inciting resistance to "
"sentient" " Capable of perceiving by the senses; conscious."
"serendipity" "The faculty or phenomenon of making fortunate acc"
"Seriatime" "In a series, one after another."
"sinecure" "An office or position that requires little or no "
"soi-disant" "Self-styled; so-called."
"Somniferous" "Causing or inducing sleep."
"Spoonerism" "The transposition of usually initial sounds in a "
"Subterfuge" "A deceptive device or stratagem." " In the end, however, all the stealth and subterfuge were for naught, as the young publicity agent couldn\'t keep the secret."
"surly" "Ill-humored; churlish in manner or mood; sullen a" " Menacing or threatening in appearance, as of weather conditions; ominous."
"surreptitious" "Done, made, or gotten by stealth"
"Sybarite" "A person devoted to luxury and pleasure."
"Taciturn" " Habitually silent; not inclined to talk"
"tatterdemalion" "A person dressed in tattered or ragged clothing; "
"Temerarious" "Recklessly or presumptuously daring; rash."
"tenet" "Any opinion, principle, which a person holds or m"
"tintinnabulation" "A tinkling sound, as of a bell or bells."
"traduce" "to represent as blamable; to vilify."
"transmute" "To change from one nature, form, substance, or st"
"troglodyte" "A member of a primitive people that lived in cav"
"turbid" " Muddy; thick with or as if with roiled sediment" " 2. Thick; dense; dark; -- used of clouds, air, fog, smoke, etc. 3. Disturbed; confused; disordered."
"Tyro" "A beginner in learning; a novice."
"Unctuous" "Of the nature or quality of an unguent or ointmen" "2. Having a smooth, greasy feel, as certain minerals. 3. Insincerely or excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech; marked by a false or smug earnestness or agreeableness."
"unguent" "A salve for sores, burns, or the like; an ointmen"
"urbane" "Polished and smooth in manner; polite, refined, a"
"Varicolored " "Having a variety of colors; of various colors."
"Vociferous" "Making a loud outcry." "clamorous; noisy."
"volte-face" "An about-face; a reversal, as in policy or opinio"
"Voluble" "Characterized by a ready flow of speech." " 2. Easily rolling or turning; rotating. 3. (Botany) Having the power or habit of turning or twining."
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