English

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abase To lower in position, estimation, or the like; degrade. + + + + + + +
abbess The lady superior of a nunnery.  + + + + + + +
abbey The group of buildings which collectively form the dwelling-place of a society of monks or nuns + + + + + + +
abbot The superior of a community of monks.  + + + + + + +
abdicate To give up (royal power or the like).  + + + + + + +
abdomen In mammals, the visceral cavity between the diaphragm and the pelvic floor; the belly.  + + + + + + +
abdominal Of, pertaining to, or situated on the abdomen.  + + + + + + +
abduction A carrying away of a person against his will, or illegally.  + + + + + + +
abed In bed; on a bed.  + + + + + + +
aberration Deviation from a right, customary, or prescribed course.  + + + + + + +
abet To aid, promote, or encourage the commission of (an offense).  + + + + + + +
abeyance A state of suspension or temporary inaction.  + + + + + + +
abhorrence The act of detesting extremely.  + + + + + + +
abhorrent Very repugnant; hateful.  + + + + + + +
abidance An abiding.  + + + + + + +
abject Sunk to a low condition.  + + + + + + +
abjure To recant, renounce, repudiate under oath.  + + + + + + +
able-bodied Competent for physical service.  + + + + + + +
ablution A washing or cleansing, especially of the body.  + + + + + + +
abnegate To renounce (a right or privilege).  + + + + + + +
abnormal Not conformed to the ordinary rule or standard.  + + + + + + +
abominable Very hateful.  + + + + + + +
abominate To hate violently.  + + + + + + +
abomination A very detestable act or practice.  + + + + + + +
aboriginal Primitive; unsophisticated.  + + + + + + +
aborigines The original of earliest known inhabitants of a country.  + + + + + + +
aboveboard Without concealment, fraud, or trickery.  + + + + + + +
abrade To wear away the surface or some part of by friction.  + + + + + + +
abrasion That which is rubbed off.  + + + + + + +
abridge To make shorter in words, keeping the essential features, leaning out minor particles.  + + + + + + +
abridgment A condensed form as of a book or play.  + + + + + + +
abrogate To abolish, repeal.  + + + + + + +
abrupt Beginning, ending, or changing suddenly or with a break.  + + + + + + +
abscess A Collection of pus in a cavity formed within some tissue of the body.  + + + + + + +
abscission The act of cutting off, as in a surgical operation.  + + + + + + +
abscond To depart suddenly and secretly, as for the purpose of escaping arrest.  + + + + + + +
absence The fact of not being present or available.  + + + + + + +
absent-minded Lacking in attention to immediate surroundings or business.  + + + + + + +
absolution Forgiveness, or passing over of offenses.  + + + + + + +
absolve To free from sin or its penalties.  + + + + + + +
absorb To drink in or suck up, as a sponge absorbs water.  + + + + + + +
absorption The act or process of absorbing.  + + + + + + +
abstain To keep oneself back (from doing or using something).  + + + + + + +
abstemious Characterized by self denial or abstinence, as in the use of drink, food.  + + + + + + +
abstinence Self denial.  + + + + + + +
abstruse Dealing with matters difficult to be understood.  + + + + + + +
absurd Inconsistent with reason or common sense.  + + + + + + +
abundant Plentiful.  + + + + + + +
abusive Employing harsh words or ill treatment.  + + + + + + +
abut To touch at the end or boundary line.  + + + + + + +
abyss Bottomless gulf.  + + + + + + +
academic Of or pertaining to an academy, college, or university.  + + + + + + +
academician A member of an academy of literature, art, or science.  + + + + + + +
academy Any institution where the higher branches of learning are taught.  + + + + + + +
accede To agree.  + + + + + + +
accelerate To move faster.  + + + + + + +
accept To take when offered.  + + + + + + +
access A way of approach or entrance; passage.  + + + + + + +
accessible Approachable.  + + + + + + +
accession Induction or elevation, as to dignity, office, or government.  + + + + + + +
accessory A person or thing that aids the principal agent.  + + + + + + +
acclaim To utter with a shout.  + + + + + + +
accommodate To furnish something as a kindness or favor.  + + + + + + +
accompaniment A subordinate part or parts, enriching or supporting the leading part.  + + + + + + +
accompanist One who or that which accompanies.  + + + + + + +
accompany To go with, or be associated with, as a companion.  + + + + + + +
accomplice An associate in wrong-doing.  + + + + + + +
accomplish To bring to pass. + + + + + + +
accordion A portable free-reed musical instrument.  + + + + + + +
accost To speak to.  + + + + + + +
account A record or statement of receipts and expenditures, or of business transactions.  + + + + + + +
accouter To dress.  + + + + + + +
accredit To give credit or authority to.  + + + + + + +
accumulate To become greater in quantity or number.  + + + + + + +
accuracy Exactness.  + + + + + + +
accurate Conforming exactly to truth or to a standard.  + + + + + + +
accursed Doomed to evil, misery, or misfortune.  + + + + + + +
accusation A charge of crime, misdemeanor, or error.  + + + + + + +
accusatory Of, pertaining to, or involving an accusation.  + + + + + + +
accuse To charge with wrong doing, misconduct, or error.  + + + + + + +
accustom To make familiar by use.  + + + + + + +
acerbity Sourness, with bitterness and astringency.  + + + + + + +
acetate A salt of acetic acid.  + + + + + + +
acetic Of, pertaining to, or of the nature of vinegar.  + + + + + + +
ache To be in pain or distress.  + + + + + + +
Achillean Invulnerable.  + + + + + + +
achromatic Colorless,  + + + + + + +
acid A sour substance.  + + + + + + +
acidify To change into acid.  + + + + + + +
acknowledge To recognize; to admit the genuineness or validity of.  + + + + + + +
acknowledgment Recognition.  + + + + + + +
acme The highest point, or summit.  + + + + + + +
acoustic Pertaining to the act or sense of hearing.  + + + + + + +
acquaint To make familiar or conversant.  + + + + + + +
acquiesce To comply; submit.  + + + + + + +
acquiescence Passive consent.  + + + + + + +
acquire To get as one's own.  + + + + + + +
acquisition Anything gained, or made one's own, usually by effort or labor.  + + + + + + +
acquit To free or clear, as from accusation.  + + + + + + +
acquittal A discharge from accusation by judicial action.  + + + + + + +
acquittance Release or discharge from indebtedness, obligation, or responsibility.  + + + + + + +
acreage Quantity or extent of land, especially of cultivated land.  + + + + + + +
acrid Harshly pungent or bitter.  + + + + + + +
acrimonious Full of bitterness.  + + + + + + +
acrimony Sharpness or bitterness of speech or temper.  + + + + + + +
actionable Affording cause for instituting an action, as trespass, slanderous words.  + + + + + + +
actuality Any reality.  + + + + + + +
actuary An officer, as of an insurance company, who calculates and states the risks and premiums.  + + + + + + +
actuate To move or incite to action.  + + + + + + +
acumen Quickness of intellectual insight, or discernment; keenness of discrimination.  + + + + + + +
acute Having fine and penetrating discernment.  + + + + + + +
adamant Any substance of exceeding hardness or impenetrability.  + + + + + + +
addendum Something added, or to be added.  + + + + + + +
addle To make inefficient or worthless; muddle.  + + + + + + +
adduce To bring forward or name for consideration.  + + + + + + +
adhere To stick fast or together.  + + + + + + +
adherence Attachment.  + + + + + + +
adherent Clinging or sticking fast.  + + + + + + +
adhesion The state of being attached or joined.  + + + + + + +
adieu inter. Good-by; farewell.  + + + + + + +
adjacency The state of being adjacent.  + + + + + + +
adjacent That which is near or bordering upon.  + + + + + + +
adjudge To award or bestow by formal decision.  + + + + + + +
adjunct Something joined to or connected with another thing, but holding a subordinate place.  + + + + + + +
adjuration A vehement appeal.  + + + + + + +
adjutant Auxiliary.  + + + + + + +
administrator One who manages affairs of any kind.  + + + + + + +
admissible Having the right or privilege of entry.  + + + + + + +
admittance Entrance, or the right or permission to enter.  + + + + + + +
admonish To warn of a fault.  + + + + + + +
admonition Gentle reproof.  + + + + + + +
ado unnecessary activity or ceremony.  + + + + + + +
adoration Profound devotion.  + + + + + + +
adroit Having skill in the use of the bodily or mental powers.  + + + + + + +
adulterant An adulterating substance.  + + + + + + +
adulterate To make impure by the admixture of other or baser ingredients.  + + + + + + +
adumbrate To represent beforehand in outline or by emblem.  + + + + + + +
advent The coming or arrival, as of any important change, event, state, or personage.  + + + + + + +
adverse Opposing or opposed.  + + + + + + +
adversity Misfortune.  + + + + + + +
advert To refer incidentally.  + + + + + + +
advertiser One who advertises, especially in newspapers.  + + + + + + +
advisory Not mandatory.  + + + + + + +
advocacy The act of pleading a cause.  + + + + + + +
advocate One who pleads the cause of another, as in a legal or ecclesiastical court.  + + + + + + +
aerial Of, pertaining to, or like the air.  + + + + + + +
aeronaut One who navigates the air, a balloonist.  + + + + + + +
aeronautics the art or practice of flying aircraft  + + + + + + +
aerostat A balloon or other apparatus floating in or sustained by the air.  + + + + + + +
aerostatics The branch of pneumatics that treats of the equilibrium, pressure, and mechanical properties.  + + + + + + +
affable Easy to approach.  + + + + + + +
affect To act upon  + + + + + + +
affectation A studied or ostentatious pretense or attempt.  + + + + + + +
affiliate Some auxiliary person or thing.  + + + + + + +
affirmative Answering yes; to a question at issue.  + + + + + + +
affix To fasten.  + + + + + + +
affluence A profuse or abundant supply of riches.  + + + + + + +
affront An open insult or indignity.  + + + + + + +
afire & + + + + + + +
afoot In progress.  + + + + + + +
aforesaid Said in a preceding part or before.  + + + + + + +
afresh Once more, after rest or interval.  + + + + + + +
afterthought A thought that comes later than its appropriate or expected time.  + + + + + + +
agglomerate To pile or heap together.  + + + + + + +
aggrandize To cause to appear greatly.  + + + + + + +
aggravate To make heavier, worse, or more burdensome.  + + + + + + +
aggravation The fact of being made heavier or more heinous, as a crime , offense, misfortune, etc.  + + + + + + +
aggregate The entire number, sum, mass, or quantity of something.  + + + + + + +
aggress To make the first attack.  + + + + + + +
aggression An unprovoked attack.  + + + + + + +
aggrieve To give grief or sorrow to.  + + + + + + +
aghast Struck with terror and amazement.  + + + + + + +
agile Able to move or act quickly, physically, or mentally.  + + + + + + +
agitate To move or excite (the feelings or thoughts).  + + + + + + +
agrarian Pertaining to land, especially agricultural land.  + + + + + + +
aide-de-camp An officer who receives and transmits the orders of the general.  + + + + + + +
ailment Slight sickness.  + + + + + + +
airy Delicate, ethereal.  + + + + + + +
akin Of similar nature or qualities.  + + + + + + +
alabaster A white or delicately tinted fine-grained gypsum.  + + + + + + +
alacrity Cheerful willingness.  + + + + + + +
albeit conj. Even though.  + + + + + + +
albino A person with milky white skin and hair, and eyes with bright red pupil and usually pink iris.  + + + + + + +
album A book whose leaves are so made to form paper frames for holding photographs or the like.  + + + + + + +
alchemy Chemistry of the middle ages, characterized by the pursuit of changing base metals to gold.  + + + + + + +
alcohol A volatile, inflammable, colorless liquid of a penetrating odor and burning taste.  + + + + + + +
alcoholism A condition resulting from the inordinate or persistent use of alcoholic beverages.  + + + + + + +
alcove A covered recess connected with or at the side of a larger room.  + + + + + + +
alder Any shrub or small tree of the genus Alumnus, of the oak family.  + + + + + + +
alderman A member of a municipal legislative body, who usually exercises also certain judicial functions. + + + + + + +
aldermanship The dignity, condition, office, or term of office of an alderman.  + + + + + + +
alias An assumed name.  + + + + + + +
alien One who owes allegiance to a foreign government.  + + + + + + +
alienable Capable of being aliened or alienated, as lands.  + + + + + + +
alienate To cause to turn away.  + + + + + + +
alienation Estrangement.  + + + + + + +
aliment That which nourishes.  + + + + + + +
alkali Anything that will neutralize an acid, as lime, magnesia, etc.  + + + + + + +
allay To calm the violence or reduce the intensity of; mitigate.  + + + + + + +
allege To assert to be true, especially in a formal manner, as in court.  + + + + + + +
allegory The setting forth of a subject under the guise of another subject of aptly suggestive likeness.  + + + + + + +
alleviate To make less burdensome or less hard to bear.  + + + + + + +
alley A narrow street, garden path, walk, or the like.  + + + + + + +
alliance Any combination or union for some common purpose.  + + + + + + +
allot To assign a definite thing or part to a certain person.  + + + + + + +
allotment Portion.  + + + + + + +
allude To refer incidentally, or by suggestion.  + + + + + + +
allusion An indirect and incidental reference to something without definite mention of it.  + + + + + + +
alluvion Flood.  + + + + + + +
ally A person or thing connected with another, usually in some relation of helpfulness.  + + + + + + +
almanac A series of tables giving the days of the week together with certain astronomical information.  + + + + + + +
aloof Not in sympathy with or desiring to associate with others.  + + + + + + +
altar Any raised place or structure on which sacrifices may be offered or incense burned.  + + + + + + +
alter To make change in.  + + + + + + +
alteration Change or modification.  + + + + + + +
altercate To contend angrily or zealously in words.  + + + + + + +
alternate One chosen to act in place of another, in case of the absence or incapacity of that other.  + + + + + + +
alternative Something that may or must exist, be taken or chosen, or done instead of something else.  + + + + + + +
altitude Vertical distance or elevation above any point or base-level, as the sea.  + + + + + + +
alto The lowest or deepest female voice or part.  + + + + + + +
altruism Benevolence to others on subordination to self-interest.  + + + + + + +
altruist One who advocates or practices altruism.  + + + + + + +
amalgam An alloy or union of mercury with another metal.  + + + + + + +
amalgamate To mix or blend together in a homogeneous body.  + + + + + + +
amateur Practicing an art or occupation for the love of it, but not as a profession.  + + + + + + +
amatory Designed to excite love.  + + + + + + +
ambidextrous Having the ability of using both hands with equal skill or ease.  + + + + + + +
ambiguous Having a double meaning.  + + + + + + +
ambitious Eagerly desirous and aspiring.  + + + + + + +
ambrosial Divinely sweet, fragrant, or delicious.  + + + + + + +
ambulance A vehicle fitted for conveying the sick and wounded.  + + + + + + +
ambulate To walk about  + + + + + + +
ambush The act or state of lying concealed for the purpose of surprising or attacking the enemy.  + + + + + + +
ameliorate To relieve, as from pain or hardship  + + + + + + +
amenable Willing and ready to submit.  + + + + + + +
Americanism A peculiar sense in which an English word or phrase is used in the United States.  + + + + + + +
amicable Done in a friendly spirit.  + + + + + + +
amity Friendship.  + + + + + + +
amorous Having a propensity for falling in love.  + + + + + + +
amorphous Without determinate shape.  + + + + + + +
amour A love-affair, especially one of an illicit nature.  + + + + + + +
ampere The practical unit of electric-current strength.  + + + + + + +
ampersand The character &; and.  + + + + + + +
amphibious Living both on land and in water.  + + + + + + +
amphitheater An edifice of elliptical shape, constructed about a central open space or arena.  + + + + + + +
amplitude Largeness.  + + + + + + +
amply Sufficiently.  + + + + + + +
amputate To remove by cutting, as a limb or some portion of the body.  + + + + + + +
amusement Diversion.  + + + + + + +
anachronism Anything occurring or existing out of its proper time.  + + + + + + +
anagram The letters of a word or phrase so transposed as to make a different word or phrase.  + + + + + + +
analogous Corresponding (to some other) in certain respects, as in form, proportion, relations.  + + + + + + +
analogy Reasoning in which from certain and known relations or resemblance others are formed.  + + + + + + +
analyst One who analyzes or makes use of the analytical method.  + + + + + + +
analyze To examine minutely or critically.  + + + + + + +
anarchy Absence or utter disregard of government.  + + + + + + +
anathema Anything forbidden, as by social usage.  + + + + + + +
anatomy That branch of morphology which treats of the structure of organisms.  + + + + + + +
ancestry One's ancestors collectively.  + + + + + + +
anecdote A brief account of some interesting event or incident.  + + + + + + +
anemia Deficiency of blood or red corpuscles.  + + + + + + +
anemic Affected with anemia.  + + + + + + +
anemometer An instrument for measuring the force or velocity of wind.  + + + + + + +
anesthetic Pertaining to or producing loss of sensation.  + + + + + + +
anew Once more.  + + + + + + +
angelic Saintly.  + + + + + + +
Anglophobia Hatred or dread of England or of what is English.  + + + + + + +
Anglo-Saxon The entire English race wherever found, as in Europe, the United States, or India.  + + + + + + +
angular Sharp-cornered.  + + + + + + +
anhydrous Withered.  + + + + + + +
animadversion The utterance of criticism or censure.  + + + + + + +
animadvert To pass criticism or censure.  + + + + + + +
animalcule An animal of microscopic smallness.  + + + + + + +
animate To make alive.  + + + + + + +
animosity Hatred.  + + + + + + +
annalist Historian.  + + + + + + +
annals A record of events in their chronological order, year by year.  + + + + + + +
annex To add or affix at the end.  + + + + + + +
annihilate To destroy absolutely.  + + + + + + +
annotate To make explanatory or critical notes on or upon.  + + + + + + +
annual Occurring every year.  + + + + + + +
annuity An annual allowance, payment, or income.  + + + + + + +
annunciation Proclamation.  + + + + + + +
anode The point where or path by which a voltaic current enters an electrolyte or the like.  + + + + + + +
anonymous Of unknown authorship.  + + + + + + +
antagonism Mutual opposition or resistance of counteracting forces, principles, or persons.  + + + + + + +
Antarctic Pertaining to the south pole or the regions near it.  + + + + + + +
ante In the game of poker, to put up a stake before the cards are dealt.  + + + + + + +
antecede To precede.  + + + + + + +
antecedent One who or that which precedes or goes before, as in time, place, rank, order, or causality.  + + + + + + +
antechamber A waiting room for those who seek audience.  + + + + + + +
antedate To assign or affix a date to earlier than the actual one.  + + + + + + +
antediluvian Of or pertaining to the times, things, events before the great flood in the days of Noah. + + + + + + +
antemeridian Before noon.  + + + + + + +
antemundane Pertaining to time before the world's creation.  + + + + + + +
antenatal Occurring or existing before birth.  + + + + + + +
anterior Prior.  + + + + + + +
anteroom A room situated before and opening into another, usually larger.  + + + + + + +
anthology A collection of extracts from the writings of various authors.  + + + + + + +
anthracite Hard coal.  + + + + + + +
anthropology The science of man in general.  + + + + + + +
anthropomorphous Having or resembling human form.  + + + + + + +
antic A grotesque, ludicrous, or fantastic action.  + + + + + + +
Antichrist Any opponent or enemy of Christ, whether a person or a power.  + + + + + + +
anticlimax A gradual or sudden decrease in the importance or impressiveness of what is said.  + + + + + + +
anticyclone An atmospheric condition of high central pressure, with currents flowing outward.  + + + + + + +
antidote Anything that will counteract or remove the effects of poison, disease, or the like.  + + + + + + +
antilogy Inconsistency or contradiction in terms or ideas.  + + + + + + +
antipathize To show or feel a feeling of antagonism, aversion, or dislike.  + + + + + + +
antiphon A response or alteration of responses, generally musical.  + + + + + + +
antiphony An anthem or other composition sung responsively.  + + + + + + +
antipodes A place or region on the opposite side of the earth.  + + + + + + +
antiquary One who collects and examines old things, as coins, books, medals, weapons, etc.  + + + + + + +
antiquate To make old or out of date.  + + + + + + +
antique Pertaining to ancient times.  + + + + + + +
antiseptic Anything that destroys or restrains the growth of putrefactive micro-organisms.  + + + + + + +
antislavery Opposed to human slavery.  + + + + + + +
antispasmodic Tending to prevent or relieve non-inflammatory spasmodic affections.  + + + + + + +
antistrophe The inversion of terms in successive classes, as in "the home of joy and the joy of home".  + + + + + + +
antitoxin A substance which neutralizes the poisonous products of micro-organisms.  + + + + + + +
antonym A word directly opposed to another in meaning.  + + + + + + +
anxious Distressed in mind respecting some uncertain matter.  + + + + + + +
apathy Insensibility to emotion or passionate feeling.  + + + + + + +
aperture Hole.  + + + + + + +
apex The highest point, as of a mountain.  + + + + + + +
aphorism Proverb.  + + + + + + +
apiary A place where bees are kept.  + + + + + + +
apogee The climax.  + + + + + + +
apology A disclaimer of intentional error or offense.  + + + + + + +
apostasy A total departure from one's faith or religion.  + + + + + + +
apostate False.  + + + + + + +
apostle Any messenger commissioned by or as by divine authority.  + + + + + + +
apothecary One who keeps drugs for sale and puts up prescriptions.  + + + + + + +
apotheosis Deification.  + + + + + + +
appall To fill with dismay or horror.  + + + + + + +
apparent Easily understood.  + + + + + + +
apparition Ghost.  + + + + + + +
appease To soothe by quieting anger or indignation.  + + + + + + +
appellate Capable of being appealed to.  + + + + + + +
appellation The name or title by which a particular person, class, or thing is called.  + + + + + + +
append To add or attach, as something accessory, subordinate, or supplementary.  + + + + + + +
appertain To belong, as by right, fitness, association, classification, possession, or natural relation.  + + + + + + +
apposite Appropriate.  + + + + + + +
apposition The act of placing side by side, together, or in contact.  + + + + + + +
appraise To estimate the money value of.  + + + + + + +
appreciable Capable of being discerned by the senses or intellect.  + + + + + + +
apprehend To make a prisoner of (a person) in the name of the law.  + + + + + + +
apprehensible Capable of being conceived.  + + + + + + +
approbation Sanction.  + + + + + + +
appropriate Suitable for the purpose and circumstances.  + + + + + + +
aqueduct A water-conduit, particularly one for supplying a community from a distance.  + + + + + + +
aqueous Of, pertaining to, or containing water.  + + + + + + +
arbiter One chosen or appointed, by mutual consent of parties in dispute, to decide matters.  + + + + + + +
arbitrary Fixed or done capriciously.  + + + + + + +
arbitrate To act or give judgment as umpire.  + + + + + + +
arbor A tree.  + + + + + + +
arboreal Of or pertaining to a tree or trees.  + + + + + + +
arborescent Having the nature of a tree.  + + + + + + +
arboretum A botanical garden or place devoted to the cultivation of trees or shrubs.  + + + + + + +
arboriculture The cultivation of trees or shrubs.  + + + + + + +
arcade A vaulted passageway or street; a roofed passageway having shops, etc., opening from it.  + + + + + + +
archaic Antiquated  + + + + + + +
archaism Obsolescence.  + + + + + + +
archangel An angel of high rank.  + + + + + + +
archbishop The chief of the bishops of an ecclesiastical province in the Greek, Roman, and Anglican church. + + + + + + +
archdeacon A high official administrator of the affairs of a diocese.  + + + + + + +
archaeology The branch of anthropology concerned with the systematic investigation of the relics of man.  + + + + + + +
archetype A prototype.  + + + + + + +
archipelago Any large body of water studded with islands, or the islands collectively themselves.  + + + + + + +
ardent Burning with passion.  + + + + + + +
ardor Intensity of passion or affection.  + + + + + + +
arid Very dry.  + + + + + + +
aristocracy A hereditary nobility  + + + + + + +
aristocrat A hereditary noble or one nearly connected with nobility.  + + + + + + +
armada A fleet of war-vessels.  + + + + + + +
armful As much as can be held in the arm or arms.  + + + + + + +
armory An arsenal.  + + + + + + +
aroma An agreeable odor.  + + + + + + +
arraign To call into court, as a person indicted for crime, and demand whether he pleads guilty or not. + + + + + + +
arrange To put in definite or proper order.  + + + + + + +
arrangement The act of putting in proper order, or the state of being put in order.  + + + + + + +
arrant Notoriously bad.  + + + + + + +
arrear Something overdue and unpaid.  + + + + + + +
arrival A coming to stopping-place or destination.  + + + + + + +
arrogant Unduly or excessively proud, as of wealth, station, learning, etc.  + + + + + + +
arrogate To take, demand, or claim, especially presumptuously or without reasons or grounds.  + + + + + + +
Artesian well A very deep bored well. water rises due to underground pressure  + + + + + + +
artful Characterized by craft or cunning.  + + + + + + +
Arthurian Pertaining to King Arthur, the real or legendary hero of British poetic story.  + + + + + + +
artifice Trickery.  + + + + + + +
artless Ingenuous.  + + + + + + +
ascendant Dominant.  + + + + + + +
ascension The act of rising.  + + + + + + +
ascent A rising, soaring, or climbing.  + + + + + + +
ascetic Given to severe self-denial and practicing excessive abstinence and devotion.  + + + + + + +
ascribe To assign as a quality or attribute.  + + + + + + +
asexual Having no distinct sexual organs.  + + + + + + +
ashen Pale.  + + + + + + +
askance With a side or indirect glance or meaning.  + + + + + + +
asperity Harshness or roughness of temper.  + + + + + + +
aspirant One who seeks earnestly, as for advancement, honors, place.  + + + + + + +
aspiration An earnest wish for that which is above one's present reach.  + + + + + + +
aspire To have an earnest desire, wish, or longing, as for something high and good, not yet attained.  + + + + + + +
assailant One who attacks.  + + + + + + +
assassin One who kills, or tries to kill, treacherously or secretly.  + + + + + + +
assassinate To kill, as by surprise or secret assault, especially the killing of some eminent person.  + + + + + + +
assassination Murderer, as by secret assault or treachery.  + + + + + + +
assay The chemical analysis or testing of an alloy ore.  + + + + + + +
assent To express agreement with a statement or matter of opinion.  + + + + + + +
assess To determine the amount of (a tax or other sum to be paid).  + + + + + + +
assessor An officer whose duty it is to assess taxes.  + + + + + + +
assets pl. Property in general, regarded as applicable to the payment of debts.  + + + + + + +
assiduous Diligent.  + + + + + + +
assignee One who is appointed to act for another in the management of certain property and interests.  + + + + + + +
assimilate To adapt.  + + + + + + +
assonance Resemblance or correspondence in sound.  + + + + + + +
assonant Having resemblance of sound.  + + + + + + +
assonate To accord in sound, especially vowel sound.  + + + + + + +
assuage To cause to be less harsh, violent, or severe, as excitement, appetite, pain, or disease.  + + + + + + +
astringent Harsh in disposition or character.  + + + + + + +
astute Keen in discernment.  + + + + + + +
atheism The denial of the existence of God.  + + + + + + +
athirst Wanting water.  + + + + + + +
athwart From side to side.  + + + + + + +
atomizer An apparatus for reducing a liquid to a fine spray, as for disinfection, inhalation, etc.  + + + + + + +
atone To make amends for.  + + + + + + +
atonement Amends, reparation, or expiation made from wrong or injury.  + + + + + + +
atrocious Outrageously or wantonly wicked, criminal, vile, or cruel.  + + + + + + +
atrocity Great cruelty or reckless wickedness.  + + + + + + +
attache A subordinate member of a diplomatic embassy.  + + + + + + +
attest To certify as accurate, genuine, or true.  + + + + + + +
attorney-general The chief law-officer of a government.  + + + + + + +
auburn Reddish-brown, said usually of the hair.  + + + + + + +
audacious Fearless.  + + + + + + +
audible Loud enough to be heard.  + + + + + + +
audition The act or sensation of hearing.  + + + + + + +
auditory Of or pertaining to hearing or the organs or sense of hearing.  + + + + + + +
augment To make bigger.  + + + + + + +
augur To predict.  + + + + + + +
Augustinian Pertaining to St. Augustine, his doctrines, or the religious orders called after him.  + + + + + + +
aura Pervasive psychic influence supposed to emanate from persons  + + + + + + +
aural Of or pertaining to the ear.  + + + + + + +
auricle One of the two chambers of the heart which receives the blood from the veins.  + + + + + + +
auricular Of or pertaining to the ear, its auricle, or the sense of hearing.  + + + + + + +
auriferous Containing gold.  + + + + + + +
aurora A luminous phenomenon in the upper regions of the atmosphere.  + + + + + + +
auspice favoring, protecting, or propitious influence or guidance.  + + + + + + +
austere Severely simple; unadorned.  + + + + + + +
autarchy Unrestricted power.  + + + + + + +
authentic Of undisputed origin.  + + + + + + +
authenticity The state or quality of being genuine, or of the origin and authorship claimed.  + + + + + + +
autobiography The story of one's life written by himself.  + + + + + + +
autocracy Absolute government.  + + + + + + +
autocrat Any one who claims or wields unrestricted or undisputed authority or influence.  + + + + + + +
automaton Any living being whose actions are or appear to be involuntary or mechanical.  + + + + + + +
autonomous Self-governing.  + + + + + + +
autonomy Self-government.  + + + + + + +
autopsy The examination of a dead body by dissection to ascertain the cause of death.  + + + + + + +
autumnal Of or pertaining to autumn.  + + + + + + +
auxiliary One who or that which aids or helps, especially when regarded as subsidiary or accessory.  + + + + + + +
avalanche The fall or sliding of a mass of snow or ice down a mountain-slope, often bearing with it rock. + + + + + + +
avarice Passion for getting and keeping riches.  + + + + + + +
aver To assert as a fact.  + + + + + + +
averse Reluctant.  + + + + + + +
aversion A mental condition of fixed opposition to or dislike of some particular thing.  + + + + + + +
avert To turn away or aside.  + + + + + + +
aviary A spacious cage or enclosure in which live birds are kept.  + + + + + + +
avidity Greediness.  + + + + + + +
avocation Diversion.  + + + + + + +
avow To declare openly.  + + + + + + +
awaken To arouse, as emotion, interest, or the like.  + + + + + + +
awry & + + + + + + +
aye An expression of assent.  + + + + + + +
azalea A flowering shrub.  + + + + + + +
azure The color of the sky.  + + + + + + +
Baconian Of or pertaining to Lord Bacon or his system of philosophy.  + + + + + + +
bacterium A microbe.  + + + + + + +
badger To pester.  + + + + + + +
baffle To foil or frustrate.  + + + + + + +
bailiff An officer of court having custody of prisoners under arraignment.  + + + + + + +
baize A single-colored napped woolen fabric used for table-covers, curtains, etc.  + + + + + + +
bale A large package prepared for transportation or storage.  + + + + + + +
baleful Malignant.  + + + + + + +
ballad Any popular narrative poem, often with epic subject and usually in lyric form.  + + + + + + +
balsam A medical preparation, aromatic and oily, used for healing.  + + + + + + +
banal Commonplace.  + + + + + + +
barcarole A boat-song of Venetian gondoliers.  + + + + + + +
barograph An instrument that registers graphically and continuously the atmospheric pressure.  + + + + + + +
barometer An instrument for indicating the atmospheric pressure per unit of surface.  + + + + + + +
barring prep. Apart from.  + + + + + + +
baritone Having a register higher than bass and lower than tenor.  + + + + + + +
bask To make warm by genial heat.  + + + + + + +
bass Low in tone or compass.  + + + + + + +
baste To cover with melted fat, gravy, while cooking.  + + + + + + +
baton An official staff borne either as a weapon or as an emblem of authority or privilege.  + + + + + + +
battalion A body of infantry composed of two or more companies, forming a part of a regiment.  + + + + + + +
batten A narrow strip of wood.  + + + + + + +
batter A thick liquid mixture of two or more materials beaten together, to be used in cookery.  + + + + + + +
bauble A trinket.  + + + + + + +
bawl To proclaim by outcry.  + + + + + + +
beatify To make supremely happy.  + + + + + + +
beatitude Any state of great happiness.  + + + + + + +
beau An escort or lover.  + + + + + + +
becalm To make quiet.  + + + + + + +
beck To give a signal to, by nod or gesture.  + + + + + + +
bedaub To smear over, as with something oily or sticky.  + + + + + + +
bedeck To cover with ornament.  + + + + + + +
bedlam Madhouse.  + + + + + + +
befog To confuse.  + + + + + + +
befriend To be a friend to, especially when in need.  + + + + + + +
beget To produce by sexual generation.  + + + + + + +
begrudge To envy one of the possession of.  + + + + + + +
belate To delay past the proper hour.  + + + + + + +
belay To make fast, as a rope, by winding round a cleat.  + + + + + + +
belie To misrepresent.  + + + + + + +
believe To accept as true on the testimony or authority of others.  + + + + + + +
belittle To disparage.  + + + + + + +
belle A woman who is a center of attraction because of her beauty, accomplishments, etc.  + + + + + + +
bellicose Warlike.  + + + + + + +
belligerent Manifesting a warlike spirit.  + + + + + + +
bemoan To lament  + + + + + + +
benediction a solemn invocation of the divine blessing.  + + + + + + +
benefactor A doer of kindly and charitable acts.  + + + + + + +
benefice A church office endowed with funds or property for the maintenance of divine service.  + + + + + + +
beneficent Characterized by charity and kindness.  + + + + + + +
beneficial Helpful.  + + + + + + +
beneficiary One who is lawfully entitled to the profits and proceeds of an estate or property.  + + + + + + +
benefit Helpful result.  + + + + + + +
benevolence Any act of kindness or well-doing.  + + + + + + +
benevolent Loving others and actively desirous of their well-being.  + + + + + + +
benign Good and kind of heart.  + + + + + + +
benignant Benevolent in feeling, character, or aspect.  + + + + + + +
benignity Kindness of feeling, disposition, or manner.  + + + + + + +
benison Blessing.  + + + + + + +
bequeath To give by will.  + + + + + + +
bereave To make desolate with loneliness and grief.  + + + + + + +
berth A bunk or bed in a vessel, sleeping-car, etc.  + + + + + + +
beseech To implore.  + + + + + + +
beset To attack on all sides.  + + + + + + +
besmear To smear over, as with any oily or sticky substance.  + + + + + + +
bestial Animal.  + + + + + + +
bestrew To sprinkle or cover with things strewn.  + + + + + + +
bestride To get or sit upon astride, as a horse.  + + + + + + +
bethink To remind oneself.  + + + + + + +
betide To happen to or befall.  + + + + + + +
betimes In good season or time.  + + + + + + +
betroth To engage to marry.  + + + + + + +
betrothal Engagement to marry.  + + + + + + +
bevel Any inclination of two surfaces other than 90 degrees.  + + + + + + +
bewilder To confuse the perceptions or judgment of.  + + + + + + +
bibliomania The passion for collecting books.  + + + + + + +
bibliography A list of the words of an author, or the literature bearing on a particular subject.  + + + + + + +
bibliophile One who loves books.  + + + + + + +
bibulous Fond of drinking.  + + + + + + +
bide To await.  + + + + + + +
biennial A plant that produces leaves and roots the first year and flowers and fruit the second.  + + + + + + +
bier A horizontal framework with two handles at each end for carrying a corpse to the grave.  + + + + + + +
bigamist One who has two spouses at the same time.  + + + + + + +
bigamy The crime of marrying any other person while having a legal spouse living.  + + + + + + +
bight A slightly receding bay between headlands, formed by a long curve of a coast-line.  + + + + + + +
bilateral Two-sided.  + + + + + + +
bilingual Speaking two languages.  + + + + + + +
biograph A bibliographical sketch or notice.  + + + + + + +
biography A written account of one's life, actions, and character.  + + + + + + +
biology The science of life or living organisms.  + + + + + + +
biped An animal having two feet.  + + + + + + +
birthright A privilege or possession into which one is born.  + + + + + + +
bitterness Acridity, as to the taste.  + + + + + + +
blase Sated with pleasure.  + + + + + + +
blaspheme To indulge in profane oaths.  + + + + + + +
blatant Noisily or offensively loud or clamorous.  + + + + + + +
blaze A vivid glowing flame.  + + + + + + +
blazon To make widely or generally known.  + + + + + + +
bleak Desolate.  + + + + + + +
blemish A mark that mars beauty.  + + + + + + +
blithe Joyous.  + + + + + + +
blithesome Cheerful.  + + + + + + +
blockade The shutting up of a town, a frontier, or a line of coast by hostile forces.  + + + + + + +
boatswain A subordinate officer of a vessel, who has general charge of the rigging, anchors, etc.  + + + + + + +
bodice A women's ornamental corset-shaped laced waist.  + + + + + + +
bodily Corporeal.  + + + + + + +
boisterous Unchecked merriment or animal spirits.  + + + + + + +
bole The trunk or body of a tree.  + + + + + + +
bolero A Spanish dance, illustrative of the passion of love, accompanied by caste nets and singing.  + + + + + + +
boll A round pod or seed-capsule, as a flax or cotton.  + + + + + + +
bolster To support, as something wrong.  + + + + + + +
bomb A hollow projectile containing an explosive material.  + + + + + + +
bombard To assail with any missile or with abusive speech.  + + + + + + +
bombardier A person who has charge of mortars, bombs, and shells.  + + + + + + +
bombast Inflated or extravagant language, especially on unimportant subjects.  + + + + + + +
boorish Rude.  + + + + + + +
bore To weary by tediousness or dullness.  + + + + + + +
borough An incorporated village or town.  + + + + + + +
bosom The breast or the upper front of the thorax of a human being, especially of a woman.  + + + + + + +
botanical Connected with the study or cultivation of plants.  + + + + + + +
botanize To study plant-life.  + + + + + + +
botany The science that treats of plants.  + + + + + + +
bountiful Showing abundance.  + + + + + + +
Bowdlerize To expurgate in editing (a literary composition) by omitting words or passages.  + + + + + + +
bowler In cricket, the player who delivers the ball.  + + + + + + +
boycott To place the products or merchandise of under a ban.  + + + + + + +
brae Hillside.  + + + + + + +
braggart A vain boaster.  + + + + + + +
brandish To wave, shake, or flourish triumphantly or defiantly, as a sword or spear.  + + + + + + +
bravado An aggressive display of boldness.  + + + + + + +
bravo Well done.  + + + + + + +
bray A loud harsh sound, as the cry of an ass or the blast of a horn.  + + + + + + +
braze To make of or ornament with brass.  + + + + + + +
brazier An open pan or basin for holding live coals.  + + + + + + +
breach The violation of official duty, lawful right, or a legal obligation.  + + + + + + +
breaker One who trains horses, dogs, etc.  + + + + + + +
breech The buttocks.  + + + + + + +
brethren pl. Members of a brotherhood, gild, profession, association, or the like.  + + + + + + +
brevity Shortness of duration.  + + + + + + +
bric-a-brac Objects of curiosity or for decoration.  + + + + + + +
bridle The head-harness of a horse consisting of a head-stall, a bit, and the reins.  + + + + + + +
brigade A body of troops consisting of two or more regiments.  + + + + + + +
brigadier General officer who commands a brigade, ranking between a colonel and a major-general.  + + + + + + +
brigand One who lives by robbery and plunder.  + + + + + + +
brimstone Sulfur.  + + + + + + +
brine Water saturated with salt.  + + + + + + +
bristle One of the coarse, stiff hairs of swine: used in brush-making, etc.  + + + + + + +
Britannia The United Kingdom of Great Britain.  + + + + + + +
Briticism A word, idiom, or phrase characteristic of Great Britain or the British.  + + + + + + +
brittle Fragile.  + + + + + + +
broach To mention, for the first time.  + + + + + + +
broadcast Disseminated far and wide.  + + + + + + +
brogan A coarse, heavy shoe.  + + + + + + +
brogue Any dialectic pronunciation of English, especially that of the Irish people.  + + + + + + +
brokerage The business of making sales and purchases for a commission; a broker.  + + + + + + +
bromine A dark reddish-brown, non-metallic liquid element with a suffocating odor.  + + + + + + +
bronchitis Inflammation of the bronchial tubes.  + + + + + + +
bronchus Either of the two subdivisions of the trachea conveying air into the lungs.  + + + + + + +
brooch An article of jewelry fastened by a hinged pin and hook on the underside.  + + + + + + +
brotherhood Spiritual or social fellowship or solidarity.  + + + + + + +
browbeat To overwhelm, or attempt to do so, by stern, haughty, or rude address or manner.  + + + + + + +
brusque Somewhat rough or rude in manner or speech.  + + + + + + +
buffoon A clown.  + + + + + + +
buffoonery Low drollery, coarse jokes, etc.  + + + + + + +
bulbous Of, or pertaining to, or like a bulb.  + + + + + + +
bullock An ox.  + + + + + + +
bulrush Any one of various tall rush-like plants growing in damp ground or water.  + + + + + + +
bulwark Anything that gives security or defense.  + + + + + + +
bumper A cup or glass filled to the brim, especially one to be drunk as a toast or health.  + + + + + + +
bumptious Full of offensive and aggressive self-conceit.  + + + + + + +
bungle To execute clumsily.  + + + + + + +
buoyancy Power or tendency to float on or in a liquid or gas.  + + + + + + +
buoyant Having the power or tendency to float or keep afloat.  + + + + + + +
bureau A chest of drawers for clothing, etc.  + + + + + + +
bureaucracy Government by departments of men transacting particular branches of public business.  + + + + + + +
burgess In colonial times, a member of the lower house of the legislature of Maryland or Virginia.  + + + + + + +
burgher An inhabitant, citizen or freeman of a borough burgh, or corporate town.  + + + + + + +
burnish To make brilliant or shining.  + + + + + + +
bursar A treasurer.  + + + + + + +
bustle To hurry.  + + + + + + +
butt To strike with or as with the head, or horns.  + + + + + + +
butte A conspicuous hill, low mountain, or natural turret, generally isolated.  + + + + + + +
buttress Any support or prop.  + + + + + + +
by-law A rule or law adopted by an association, a corporation, or the like.  + + + + + + +
cabal A number of persons secretly united for effecting by intrigue some private purpose.  + + + + + + +
cabalism Superstitious devotion to one's religion.  + + + + + + +
cabinet The body of men constituting the official advisors of the executive head of a nation.  + + + + + + +
cacophony A disagreeable, harsh, or discordant sound or combination of sounds or tones.  + + + + + + +
cadaverous Resembling a corpse.  + + + + + + +
cadence Rhythmical or measured flow or movement, as in poetry or the time and pace of marching troops.  + + + + + + +
cadenza An embellishment or flourish, prepared or improvised, for a solo voice or instrument.  + + + + + + +
caitiff Cowardly.  + + + + + + +
cajole To impose on or dupe by flattering speech.  + + + + + + +
cajolery Delusive speech.  + + + + + + +
calculable That may be estimated by reckoning.  + + + + + + +
calculus A concretion formed in various parts of the body resembling a pebble in hardness.  + + + + + + +
callosity The state of being hard and insensible.  + + + + + + +
callow Without experience of the world.  + + + + + + +
calorie Amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water 1 degree centigrade.  + + + + + + +
calumny Slander.  + + + + + + +
Calvary The place where Christ was crucified.  + + + + + + +
Calvinism The system of doctrine taught by John Calvin.  + + + + + + +
Calvinize To teach or imbue with the doctrines of Calvinism.  + + + + + + +
came A leaden sash-bar or grooved strip for fastening panes in stained-glass windows.  + + + + + + +
cameo Any small engraved or carved work in relief.  + + + + + + +
campaign A complete series of connected military operations.  + + + + + + +
Canaanite A member of one of the three tribes that dwelt in the land of Canaan, or western Palestine.  + + + + + + +
canary Of a bright but delicate yellow.  + + + + + + +
candid Straightforward.  + + + + + + +
candor The quality of frankness or outspokenness.  + + + + + + +
canine Characteristic of a dog.  + + + + + + +
canon Any rule or law.  + + + + + + +
cant To talk in a singsong, preaching tone with affected solemnity.  + + + + + + +
cantata A choral composition.  + + + + + + +
canto One of the divisions of an extended poem.  + + + + + + +
cantonment The part of the town or district in which the troops are quartered.  + + + + + + +
capacious Roomy.  + + + + + + +
capillary A minute vessel having walls composed of a single layer of cells.  + + + + + + +
capitulate To surrender or stipulate terms.  + + + + + + +
caprice A whim.  + + + + + + +
caption A heading, as of a chapter, section, document, etc.  + + + + + + +
captious Hypercritical.  + + + + + + +
captivate To fascinate, as by excellence. eloquence, or beauty.  + + + + + + +
carcass The dead body of an animal.  + + + + + + +
cardiac Pertaining to the heart.  + + + + + + +
cardinal Of prime or special importance.  + + + + + + +
caret A sign (^) placed below a line, indicating where omitted words, etc., should be inserted.  + + + + + + +
caricature a picture or description in which natural characteristics are exaggerated or distorted.  + + + + + + +
carnage Massacre.  + + + + + + +
carnal Sensual.  + + + + + + +
carnivorous Eating or living on flesh.  + + + + + + +
carouse To drink deeply and in boisterous or jovial manner.  + + + + + + +
carrion Dead and putrefying flesh.  + + + + + + +
cartilage An elastic animal tissue of firm consistence.  + + + + + + +
cartridge A charge for a firearm, or for blasting.  + + + + + + +
caste The division of society on artificial grounds.  + + + + + + +
castigate To punish.  + + + + + + +
casual Accidental, by chance.  + + + + + + +
casualty A fatal or serious accident or disaster.  + + + + + + +
cataclysm Any overwhelming flood of water.  + + + + + + +
cataract Opacity of the lens of the eye resulting in complete or partial blindness.  + + + + + + +
catastrophe Any great and sudden misfortune or calamity.  + + + + + + +
cathode The negative pole or electrode of a galvanic battery.  + + + + + + +
Catholicism The system, doctrine, and practice of the Roman Catholic Church.  + + + + + + +
catholicity Universal prevalence or acceptance.  + + + + + + +
cat-o-nine-tails An instrument consisting of nine pieces of cord, formerly used for flogging in the army and navy.  + + + + + + +
caucus A private meeting of members of a political party to select candidates.  + + + + + + +
causal Indicating or expressing a cause.  + + + + + + +
caustic Sarcastic and severe.  + + + + + + +
cauterize To burn or sear as with a heated iron.  + + + + + + +
cede To pass title to.  + + + + + + +
censor An official examiner of manuscripts empowered to prohibit their publication.  + + + + + + +
censorious Judging severely or harshly.  + + + + + + +
census An official numbering of the people of a country or district.  + + + + + + +
centenary Pertaining to a hundred years or a period of a hundred years.  + + + + + + +
centiliter A hundredth of a liter.  + + + + + + +
centimeter A length of one hundredth of a meter.  + + + + + + +
centurion A captain of a company of one hundred infantry in the ancient Roman army.  + + + + + + +
cereal Pertaining to edible grain or farinaceous seeds.  + + + + + + +
ceremonial Characterized by outward form or ceremony.  + + + + + + +
ceremonious Observant of ritual.  + + + + + + +
cessation Discontinuance, as of action or motion.  + + + + + + +
cession Surrender, as of possessions or rights.  + + + + + + +
chagrin Keen vexation, annoyance, or mortification, as at one's failures or errors.  + + + + + + +
chameleon Changeable in appearance.  + + + + + + +
chancery A court of equity, as distinguished from a common-law court.  + + + + + + +
chaos Any condition of which the elements or parts are in utter disorder and confusion.  + + + + + + +
characteristic A distinctive feature.  + + + + + + +
characterize To describe by distinctive marks or peculiarities.  + + + + + + +
charlatan A quack.  + + + + + + +
chasm A yawning hollow, as in the earth's surface.  + + + + + + +
chasten To purify by affliction.  + + + + + + +
chastise To subject to punitive measures.  + + + + + + +
chastity Sexual or moral purity.  + + + + + + +
chateau A castle or manor-house.  + + + + + + +
chattel Any article of personal property.  + + + + + + +
check To hold back.  + + + + + + +
chiffon A very thin gauze used for trimmings, evening dress, etc.  + + + + + + +
chivalry The knightly system of feudal times with its code, usages and practices.  + + + + + + +
cholera An acute epidemic disease.  + + + + + + +
choleric Easily provoked to anger.  + + + + + + +
choral Pertaining to, intended for, or performed by a chorus or choir.  + + + + + + +
Christ A title of Jesus  + + + + + + +
christen To name in baptism.  + + + + + + +
Christendom That part of the world where Christianity is generally professed.  + + + + + + +
chromatic Belonging, relating to, or abounding in color.  + + + + + + +
chronology The science that treats of computation of time or of investigation and arrangement of events.  + + + + + + +
chronometer A portable timekeeper of the highest attainable precision.  + + + + + + +
cipher To calculate arithmetically. (also a noun meaning zero or nothing)  + + + + + + +
circulate To disseminate.  + + + + + + +
circumference The boundary-line of a circle.  + + + + + + +
circumlocution Indirect or roundabout expression.  + + + + + + +
circumnavigate To sail quite around.  + + + + + + +
circumscribe To confine within bounds.  + + + + + + +
circumspect Showing watchfulness, caution, or careful consideration.  + + + + + + +
citadel Any strong fortress.  + + + + + + +
cite To refer to specifically.  + + + + + + +
claimant One who makes a claim or demand, as of right.  + + + + + + +
clairvoyance Intuitive sagacity or perception.  + + + + + + +
clamorous Urgent in complaint or demand.  + + + + + + +
clan A tribe.  + + + + + + +
clandestine Surreptitious.  + + + + + + +
clangor Clanking or a ringing, as of arms, chains, or bells; clamor.  + + + + + + +
clarify To render intelligible.  + + + + + + +
clarion A small shrill trumpet or bugle.  + + + + + + +
classify To arrange in a class or classes on the basis of observed resemblance’s and differences.  + + + + + + +
clearance A certificate from the proper authorities that a vessel has complied with the law and may sail.  + + + + + + +
clemency Mercy.  + + + + + + +
clement Compassionate.  + + + + + + +
close-hauled Having the sails set for sailing as close to the wind as possible.  + + + + + + +
clothier One who makes or sells cloth or clothing.  + + + + + + +
clumsy Awkward of movement.  + + + + + + +
coagulate To change into a clot or a jelly, as by heat, by chemical action, or by a ferment.  + + + + + + +
coagulant Producing coagulation.  + + + + + + +
coalescence The act or process of coming together so as to form one body, combination, or product.  + + + + + + +
coalition Combination in a body or mass.  + + + + + + +
coddle To treat as a baby or an invalid.  + + + + + + +
codicil A supplement adding to, revoking, or explaining in the body of a will.  + + + + + + +
coerce To force.  + + + + + + +
coercion Forcible constraint or restraint, moral or physical.  + + + + + + +
coercive Serving or tending to force.  + + + + + + +
cogent Appealing strongly to the reason or conscience.  + + + + + + +
cognate Akin.  + + + + + + +
cognizant Taking notice.  + + + + + + +
cohere To stick together.  + + + + + + +
cohesion Consistency.  + + + + + + +
cohesive Having the property of consistency.  + + + + + + +
coincide To correspond.  + + + + + + +
coincidence A circumstance so agreeing with another: often implying accident.  + + + + + + +
coincident Taking place at the same time.  + + + + + + +
collaborate To labor or cooperate with another or others, especially in literary or scientific pursuits.  + + + + + + +
collapse To cause to shrink, fall in, or fail.  + + + + + + +
collapsible That may or can collapse.  + + + + + + +
colleague An associate in professional employment.  + + + + + + +
collective Consisting of a number of persons or objects considered as gathered into a mass, or sum.  + + + + + + +
collector One who makes a collection, as of objects of art, books, or the like.  + + + + + + +
collegian A college student.  + + + + + + +
collide To meet and strike violently.  + + + + + + +
collier One who works in a coal-mine.  + + + + + + +
collision Violent contact.  + + + + + + +
colloquial Pertaining or peculiar to common speech as distinguished from literary.  + + + + + + +
colloquialism Form of speech used only or chiefly in conversation.  + + + + + + +
colloquy Conversation.  + + + + + + +
collusion A secret agreement for a wrongful purpose.  + + + + + + +
colossus Any strikingly great person or object.  + + + + + + +
comely Handsome.  + + + + + + +
comestible Fit to be eaten.  + + + + + + +
comical Funny.  + + + + + + +
commemorate To serve as a remembrance of.  + + + + + + +
commentary A series of illustrative or explanatory notes on any important work.  + + + + + + +
commingle To blend.  + + + + + + +
commissariat The department of an army charged with the provision of its food and water and daily needs.  + + + + + + +
commission To empower.  + + + + + + +
commitment The act or process of entrusting or consigning for safe-keeping.  + + + + + + +
committal The act, fact, or result of committing, or the state of being  + + + + + + +
commodity Something that is bought and sold.  + + + + + + +
commotion A disturbance or violent agitation.  + + + + + + +
commute To put something, especially something less severe, in place of.  + + + + + + +
comparable Fit to be compared.  + + + + + + +
comparative Relative.  + + + + + + +
comparison Examination of two or more objects with reference to their likeness or unlikeness.  + + + + + + +
compensate To remunerate.  + + + + + + +
competence Adequate qualification or capacity.  + + + + + + +
competent Qualified.  + + + + + + +
competitive characterized by rivalry.  + + + + + + +
competitor A rival.  + + + + + + +
complacence Satisfaction with one's acts or surroundings.  + + + + + + +
complacent Pleased or satisfied with oneself.  + + + + + + +
complaisance Politeness.  + + + + + + +
complaisant Agreeable.  + + + + + + +
complement To make complete.  + + + + + + +
complex Complicated.  + + + + + + +
compliant Yielding.  + + + + + + +
complicate To make complex, difficult, or hard to deal with.  + + + + + + +
complication An intermingling or combination of things or parts, especially in a perplexing manner.  + + + + + + +
complicity Participation or partnership, as in wrong-doing or with a wrong-doer.  + + + + + + +
compliment To address or gratify with expressions of delicate praise.  + + + + + + +
component A constituent element or part.  + + + + + + +
comport To conduct or behave (oneself).  + + + + + + +
composure Calmness.  + + + + + + +
comprehensible Intelligible.  + + + + + + +
comprehension Ability to know.  + + + + + + +
comprehensive Large in scope or content.  + + + + + + +
compress To press together or into smaller space.  + + + + + + +
compressible Capable of being pressed into smaller compass.  + + + + + + +
compression Constraint, as by force or authority.  + + + + + + +
comprise To consist of.  + + + + + + +
compulsion Coercion.  + + + + + + +
compulsory Forced.  + + + + + + +
compunction Remorseful feeling.  + + + + + + +
compute To ascertain by mathematical calculation.  + + + + + + +
concede To surrender.  + + + + + + +
conceit Self-flattering opinion.  + + + + + + +
conceive To form an idea, mental image or thought of.  + + + + + + +
concerto A musical composition.  + + + + + + +
concession Anything granted or yielded, or admitted in response to a demand, petition, or claim.  + + + + + + +
conciliate To obtain the friendship of.  + + + + + + +
conciliatory Tending to reconcile.  + + + + + + +
conclusive Sufficient to convince or decide.  + + + + + + +
concord Harmony.  + + + + + + +
concordance Harmony.  + + + + + + +
concur To agree.  + + + + + + +
concurrence Agreement.  + + + + + + +
concurrent Occurring or acting together.  + + + + + + +
concussion A violent shock to some organ by a fall or a sudden blow.  + + + + + + +
condensation The act or process of making dense or denser.  + + + + + + +
condense To abridge.  + + + + + + +
condescend To come down voluntarily to equal terms with inferiors.  + + + + + + +
condolence Expression of sympathy with a person in pain, sorrow, or misfortune.  + + + + + + +
conduce To bring about.  + + + + + + +
conducive Contributing to an end.  + + + + + + +
conductible Capable of being conducted or transmitted.  + + + + + + +
conduit A means for conducting something, particularly a tube, pipe, or passageway for a fluid.  + + + + + + +
confectionery The candy collectively that a confectioner makes or sells, as candy.  + + + + + + +
confederacy A number of states or persons in compact or league with each other, as for mutual aid.  + + + + + + +
confederate One who is united with others in a league, compact, or agreement.  + + + + + + +
confer To bestow.  + + + + + + +
conferee A person with whom another confers.  + + + + + + +
confessor A spiritual advisor.  + + + + + + +
confidant One to whom secrets are entrusted.  + + + + + + +
confide To reveal in trust or confidence.  + + + + + + +
confidence The state or feeling of trust in or reliance upon another.  + + + + + + +
confident Assured.  + + + + + + +
confinement Restriction within limits or boundaries.  + + + + + + +
confiscate To appropriate (private property) as forfeited to the public use or treasury.  + + + + + + +
conflagration A great fire, as of many buildings, a forest, or the like.  + + + + + + +
confluence The place where streams meet.  + + + + + + +
confluent A stream that unites with another.  + + + + + + +
conformance The act or state or conforming.  + + + + + + +
conformable Harmonious.  + + + + + + +
conformation General structure, form, or outline.  + + + + + + +
conformity Correspondence in form, manner, or use.  + + + + + + +
confront To encounter, as difficulties or obstacles.  + + + + + + +
congeal To coagulate.  + + + + + + +
congenial Having kindred character or tastes.  + + + + + + +
congest To collect into a mass.  + + + + + + +
congregate To bring together into a crowd.  + + + + + + +
coniferous Cone-bearing trees.  + + + + + + +
conjecture A guess.  + + + + + + +
conjoin To unite.  + + + + + + +
conjugal Pertaining to marriage, marital rights, or married persons.  + + + + + + +
conjugate Joined together in pairs.  + + + + + + +
conjugation The state or condition of being joined together.  + + + + + + +
conjunction The state of being joined together, or the things so joined.  + + + + + + +
connive To be in collusion.  + + + + + + +
connoisseur A critical judge of art, especially one with thorough knowledge and sound judgment of art.  + + + + + + +
connote To mean; signify.  + + + + + + +
connubial Pertaining to marriage or matrimony.  + + + + + + +
conquer To overcome by force.  + + + + + + +
consanguineous Descended from the same parent or ancestor.  + + + + + + +
conscience The faculty in man by which he distinguishes between right and wrong in character and conduct.  + + + + + + +
conscientious Governed by moral standard.  + + + + + + +
conscious Aware that one lives, feels, and thinks.  + + + + + + +
conscript To force into military service.  + + + + + + +
consecrate To set apart as sacred.  + + + + + + +
consecutive Following in uninterrupted succession.  + + + + + + +
consensus A collective unanimous opinion of a number of persons.  + + + + + + +
conservatism Tendency to adhere to the existing order of things.  + + + + + + +
conservative Adhering to the existing order of things.  + + + + + + +
conservatory An institution for instruction and training in music and declamation.  + + + + + + +
consign To entrust.  + + + + + + +
consignee A person to whom goods or other property has been entrusted.  + + + + + + +
consignor One who entrusts.  + + + + + + +
consistency A state of permanence.  + + + + + + +
console To comfort.  + + + + + + +
consolidate To combine into one body or system.  + + + + + + +
consonance The state or quality of being in accord with.  + + + + + + +
consonant Being in agreement or harmony with.  + + + + + + +
consort A companion or associate.  + + + + + + +
conspicuous Clearly visible.  + + + + + + +
conspirator One who agrees with others to cooperate in accomplishing some unlawful purpose.  + + + + + + +
conspire To plot.  + + + + + + +
constable An officer whose duty is to maintain the peace.  + + + + + + +
constellation An arbitrary assemblage or group of stars.  + + + + + + +
consternation Panic.  + + + + + + +
constituency The inhabitants or voters in a district represented in a legislative body.  + + + + + + +
constituent One who has the right to vote at an election.  + + + + + + +
constrict To bind.  + + + + + + +
consul An officer appointed to reside in a foreign city, chiefly to represent his country.  + + + + + + +
consulate The place in which a consul transacts official business.  + + + + + + +
consummate To bring to completion.  + + + + + + +
consumption Gradual destruction, as by burning, eating, etc., or by using up, wearing out, etc.  + + + + + + +
consumptive Designed for gradual destruction.  + + + + + + +
contagion The communication of disease from person to person.  + + + + + + +
contagious Transmitting disease.  + + + + + + +
contaminate To pollute.  + + + + + + +
contemplate To consider thoughtfully.  + + + + + + +
contemporaneous Living, occurring, or existing at the same time.  + + + + + + +
contemporary Living or existing at the same time.  + + + + + + +
contemptible Worthy of scorn or disdain.  + + + + + + +
contemptuous Disdainful.  + + + + + + +
contender One who exerts oneself in opposition or rivalry.  + + + + + + +
contiguity Proximity.  + + + + + + +
contiguous Touching or joining at the edge or boundary.  + + + + + + +
continence Self-restraint with respect to desires, appetites, and passion.  + + + + + + +
contingency Possibility of happening.  + + + + + + +
contingent Not predictable.  + + + + + + +
continuance Permanence.  + + + + + + +
continuation Prolongation.  + + + + + + +
continuity Uninterrupted connection in space, time, operation, or development.  + + + + + + +
continuous Connected, extended, or prolonged without separation or interruption of sequence.  + + + + + + +
contort To twist into a misshapen form.  + + + + + + +
contraband Trade forbidden by law or treaty.  + + + + + + +
contradiction The assertion of the opposite of that which has been said.  + + + + + + +
contradictory Inconsistent with itself.  + + + + + + +
contraposition A placing opposite.  + + + + + + +
contravene To prevent or obstruct the operation of.  + + + + + + +
contribution The act of giving for a common purpose.  + + + + + + +
contributor One who gives or furnishes, in common with others, for a common purpose.  + + + + + + +
contrite Broken in spirit because of a sense of sin.  + + + + + + +
contrivance The act planning, devising, inventing, or adapting something to or for a special purpose.  + + + + + + +
contrive To manage or carry through by some device or scheme.  + + + + + + +
control To exercise a directing, restraining, or governing influence over.  + + + + + + +
controller One who or that which regulates or directs.  + + + + + + +
contumacious Rebellious.  + + + + + + +
contumacy Contemptuous disregard of the requirements of rightful authority.  + + + + + + +
contuse To bruise by a blow, either with or without the breaking of the skin.  + + + + + + +
contusion A bruise.  + + + + + + +
convalesce To recover after a sickness.  + + + + + + +
convalescence The state of progressive restoration to health and strength after the cessation of disease.  + + + + + + +
convalescent Recovering health after sickness.  + + + + + + +
convene To summon or cause to assemble.  + + + + + + +
convenience Fitness, as of time or place.  + + + + + + +
converge To cause to incline and approach nearer together.  + + + + + + +
convergent Tending to one point.  + + + + + + +
conversant Thoroughly informed.  + + + + + + +
conversion Change from one state or position to another, or from one form to another.  + + + + + + +
convertible Interchangeable.  + + + + + + +
convex Curving like the segment of the globe or of the surface of a circle.  + + + + + + +
conveyance That by which anything is transported.  + + + + + + +
convivial Devoted to feasting, or to good-fellowship in eating or drinking.  + + + + + + +
convolution A winding motion.  + + + + + + +
convolve To move with a circling or winding motion.  + + + + + + +
convoy A protecting force accompanying property in course of transportation.  + + + + + + +
convulse To cause spasms in.  + + + + + + +
convulsion A violent and abnormal muscular contraction of the body.  + + + + + + +
copious Plenteous.  + + + + + + +
coquette A flirt.  + + + + + + +
cornice An ornamental molding running round the walls of a room close to the ceiling.  + + + + + + +
cornucopia The horn of plenty, symbolizing peace and prosperity.  + + + + + + +
corollary A proposition following so obviously from another that it requires little demonstration.  + + + + + + +
coronation The act or ceremony of crowning a monarch.  + + + + + + +
coronet Inferior crown denoting, according to its form, various degrees of noble rank less than sovereign. + + + + + + +
corporal Belonging or relating to the body as opposed to the mind.  + + + + + + +
corporate Belonging to a corporation.  + + + + + + +
corporeal Of a material nature; physical.  + + + + + + +
corps A number or body of persons in some way associated or acting together.  + + + + + + +
corpse A dead body.  + + + + + + +
corpulent Obese.  + + + + + + +
corpuscle A minute particle of matter.  + + + + + + +
correlate To put in some relation of connection or correspondence.  + + + + + + +
correlative Mutually involving or implying one another.  + + + + + + +
corrigible Capable of reformation.  + + + + + + +
corroborate To strengthen, as proof or conviction.  + + + + + + +
corroboration Confirmation.  + + + + + + +
corrode To ruin or destroy little by little.  + + + + + + +
corrosion Gradual decay by crumbling or surface disintegration.  + + + + + + +
corrosive That which causes gradual decay by crumbling or surface disintegration.  + + + + + + +
corruptible Open to bribery.  + + + + + + +
corruption Loss of purity or integrity.  + + + + + + +
cosmetic Pertaining to the art of beautifying, especially the complexion.  + + + + + + +
cosmic Pertaining to the universe.  + + + + + + +
cosmogony A doctrine of creation or of the origin of the universe.  + + + + + + +
cosmography The science that describes the universe, including astronomy, geography, and geology.  + + + + + + +
cosmology The general science of the universe.  + + + + + + +
cosmopolitan Common to all the world.  + + + + + + +
cosmopolitanism A cosmopolitan character.  + + + + + + +
cosmos The world or universe considered as a system, perfect in order and arrangement.  + + + + + + +
counter-claim A cross-demand alleged by a defendant in his favor against the plaintiff.  + + + + + + +
counteract To act in opposition to.  + + + + + + +
counterbalance To oppose with an equal force.  + + + + + + +
countercharge To accuse in return.  + + + + + + +
counterfeit Made to resemble something else.  + + + + + + +
counterpart Something taken with another for the completion of either.  + + + + + + +
countervail To offset.  + + + + + + +
counting-house A house or office used for transacting business, bookkeeping, correspondence, etc.  + + + + + + +
countryman A rustic.  + + + + + + +
courageous Brave.  + + + + + + +
course Line of motion or direction.  + + + + + + +
courser A fleet and spirited horse.  + + + + + + +
courtesy Politeness originating in kindness and exercised habitually.  + + + + + + +
covenant An agreement entered into by two or more persons or parties.  + + + + + + +
covert Concealed, especially for an evil purpose.  + + + + + + +
covey A flock of quails or partridges.  + + + + + + +
cower To crouch down tremblingly, as through fear or shame.  + + + + + + +
coxswain One who steers a rowboat, or one who has charge of a ship's boat and its crew under an officer.  + + + + + + +
crag A rugged, rocky projection on a cliff or ledge.  + + + + + + +
cranium The skull of an animal, especially that part enclosing the brain.  + + + + + + +
crass Coarse or thick in nature or structure, as opposed to thin or fine.  + + + + + + +
craving A vehement desire.  + + + + + + +
creak A sharp, harsh, squeaking sound.  + + + + + + +
creamery A butter-making establishment.  + + + + + + +
creamy Resembling or containing cream.  + + + + + + +
credence Belief.  + + + + + + +
credible Believable.  + + + + + + +
credulous Easily deceived.  + + + + + + +
creed A formal summary of fundamental points of religious belief.  + + + + + + +
crematory A place for cremating dead bodies.  + + + + + + +
crevasse A deep crack or fissure in the ice of a glacier.  + + + + + + +
crevice A small fissure, as between two contiguous surfaces.  + + + + + + +
criterion A standard by which to determine the correctness of a judgment or conclusion.  + + + + + + +
critique A criticism or critical review.  + + + + + + +
crockery Earthenware made from baked clay.  + + + + + + +
crucible A trying and purifying test or agency.  + + + + + + +
crusade Any concerted movement, vigorously prosecuted, in behalf of an idea or principle.  + + + + + + +
crustacean Pertaining to a division of arthropods, containing lobsters, crabs, crawfish, etc.  + + + + + + +
crustaceous Having a crust-like shell.  + + + + + + +
cryptogram Anything written in characters that are secret or so arranged as to have hidden meaning.  + + + + + + +
crystallize To bring together or give fixed shape to.  + + + + + + +
cudgel A short thick stick used as a club.  + + + + + + +
culinary Of or pertaining to cooking or the kitchen.  + + + + + + +
cull To pick or sort out from the rest.  + + + + + + +
culpable Guilty.  + + + + + + +
culprit A guilty person.  + + + + + + +
culvert Any artificial covered channel for the passage of water through a bank or under a road, canal.  + + + + + + +
cupidity Avarice.  + + + + + + +
curable Capable of being remedied or corrected.  + + + + + + +
curator A person having charge as of a library or museum.  + + + + + + +
curio A piece of bric-a-brac.  + + + + + + +
cursive Writing in which the letters are joined together.  + + + + + + +
cursory Rapid and superficial.  + + + + + + +
curt Concise, compressed, and abrupt in act or expression.  + + + + + + +
curtail To cut off or cut short.  + + + + + + +
curtsy A downward movement of the body by bending the knees.  + + + + + + +
cycloid Like a circle.  + + + + + + +
cygnet A young swan.  + + + + + + +
cynical Exhibiting moral skepticism.  + + + + + + +
cynicism Contempt for the opinions of others and of what others value.  + + + + + + +
cynosure That to which general interest or attention is directed.  + + + + + + +
daring Brave.  + + + + + + +
darkling Blindly.  + + + + + + +
Darwinism The doctrine that natural selection has been the prime cause of evolution of higher forms.  + + + + + + +
dastard A base coward.  + + + + + + +
datum A premise, starting-point, or given fact.  + + + + + + +
dauntless Fearless.  + + + + + + +
day-man A day-laborer.  + + + + + + +
dead-heat A race in which two or more competitors come out even, and there is no winner.  + + + + + + +
dearth Scarcity, as of something customary, essential ,or desirable.  + + + + + + +
death's-head A human skull as a symbol of death.  + + + + + + +
debase To lower in character or virtue.  + + + + + + +
debatable Subject to contention or dispute.  + + + + + + +
debonair Having gentle or courteous bearing or manner.  + + + + + + +
debut A first appearance in society or on the stage.  + + + + + + +
decagon A figure with ten sides and ten angles.  + + + + + + +
decagram A weight of 10 grams.  + + + + + + +
decaliter A liquid and dry measure of 10 liters.  + + + + + + +
decalogue The ten commandments.  + + + + + + +
Decameron A volume consisting of ten parts or books.  + + + + + + +
decameter A length of ten meters.  + + + + + + +
decamp To leave suddenly or unexpectedly.  + + + + + + +
decapitate To behead.  + + + + + + +
decapod Ten-footed or ten-armed.  + + + + + + +
decasyllable A line of ten syllables.  + + + + + + +
deceit Falsehood.  + + + + + + +
deceitful Fraudulent.  + + + + + + +
deceive To mislead by or as by falsehood.  + + + + + + +
decency Moral fitness.  + + + + + + +
decent Characterized by propriety of conduct, speech, manners, or dress.  + + + + + + +
deciduous Falling off at maturity as petals after flowering, fruit when ripe, etc.  + + + + + + +
decimal Founded on the number 10.  + + + + + + +
decimate To destroy a measurable or large proportion of.  + + + + + + +
decipher To find out the true words or meaning of, as something hardly legible.  + + + + + + +
decisive ad. Conclusive.  + + + + + + +
declamation A speech recited or intended for recitation from memory in public.  + + + + + + +
declamatory A full and formal style of utterance.  + + + + + + +
declarative Containing a formal, positive, or explicit statement or affirmation.  + + + + + + +
declension The change of endings in nouns and + + + + + + +
decorate To embellish.  + + + + + + +
decorous Suitable for the occasion or circumstances.  + + + + + + +
decoy Anything that allures, or is intended to allures into danger or temptation.  + + + + + + +
decrepit Enfeebled, as by old age or some chronic infirmity.  + + + + + + +
dedication The voluntary consecration or relinquishment of something to an end or cause.  + + + + + + +
deduce To derive or draw as a conclusion by reasoning from given premises or principles.  + + + + + + +
deface To mar or disfigure the face or external surface of.  + + + + + + +
defalcate To cut off or take away, as a part of something.  + + + + + + +
defamation Malicious and groundless injury done to the reputation or good name of another.  + + + + + + +
defame To slander.  + + + + + + +
default The neglect or omission of a legal requirement.  + + + + + + +
defendant A person against whom a suit is brought.  + + + + + + +
defensible Capable of being maintained or justified.  + + + + + + +
defensive Carried on in resistance to aggression.  + + + + + + +
defer To delay or put off to some other time.  + + + + + + +
deference Respectful submission or yielding, as to another's opinion, wishes, or judgment.  + + + + + + +
defiant Characterized by bold or insolent opposition.  + + + + + + +
deficiency Lack or insufficiency.  + + + + + + +
deficient Not having an adequate or proper supply or amount.  + + + + + + +
definite Having an exact signification or positive meaning.  + + + + + + +
deflect To cause to turn aside or downward.  + + + + + + +
deforest To clear of forests.  + + + + + + +
deform To disfigure.  + + + + + + +
deformity A disfigurement.  + + + + + + +
defraud To deprive of something dishonestly.  + + + + + + +
defray To make payment for.  + + + + + + +
degeneracy A becoming worse.  + + + + + + +
degenerate To become worse or inferior.  + + + + + + +
degradation Diminution, as of strength or magnitude.  + + + + + + +
degrade To take away honors or position from.  + + + + + + +
dehydrate To deprive of water.  + + + + + + +
deify To regard or worship as a god.  + + + + + + +
deign To deem worthy of notice or account.  + + + + + + +
deist One who believes in God, but denies supernatural revelation.  + + + + + + +
deity A god, goddess, or divine person.  + + + + + + +
deject To dishearten.  + + + + + + +
dejection Melancholy.  + + + + + + +
delectable Delightful to the taste or to the senses.  + + + + + + +
delectation Delight.  + + + + + + +
deleterious Hurtful, morally or physically.  + + + + + + +
delicacy That which is agreeable to a fine taste.  + + + + + + +
delineate To represent by sketch or diagram.  + + + + + + +
deliquesce To dissolve gradually and become liquid by absorption of moisture from the air.  + + + + + + +
delirious Raving.  + + + + + + +
delude To mislead the mind or judgment of.  + + + + + + +
deluge To overwhelm with a flood of water.  + + + + + + +
delusion Mistaken conviction, especially when more or less enduring.  + + + + + + +
demagnetize To deprive (a magnet) of magnetism.  + + + + + + +
demagogue An unprincipled politician.  + + + + + + +
demeanor Deportment.  + + + + + + +
demented Insane.  + + + + + + +
demerit A mark for failure or bad conduct.  + + + + + + +
demise Death.  + + + + + + +
demobilize To disband, as troops.  + + + + + + +
demolish To annihilate.  + + + + + + +
demonstrable Capable of positive proof.  + + + + + + +
demonstrate To prove indubitably.  + + + + + + +
demonstrative Inclined to strong exhibition or expression of feeling or thoughts.  + + + + + + +
demonstrator One who proves in a convincing and conclusive manner.  + + + + + + +
demulcent Any application soothing to an irritable surface  + + + + + + +
demurrage the detention of a vessel beyond the specified time of sailing.  + + + + + + +
dendroid Like a tree.  + + + + + + +
dendrology The natural history of trees.  + + + + + + +
denizen Inhabitant.  + + + + + + +
denominate To give a name or epithet to.  + + + + + + +
denomination A body of Christians united by a common faith and form of worship and discipline.  + + + + + + +
denominator Part of a fraction which expresses the number of equal parts into which the unit is divided.  + + + + + + +
denote To designate by word or mark.  + + + + + + +
denouement That part of a play or story in which the mystery is cleared up.  + + + + + + +
denounce To point out or publicly accuse as deserving of punishment, censure, or odium.  + + + + + + +
dentifrice Any preparation used for cleaning the teeth.  + + + + + + +
denude To strip the covering from.  + + + + + + +
denunciation The act of declaring an action or person worthy of reprobation or punishment.  + + + + + + +
deplete To reduce or lessen, as by use, exhaustion, or waste.  + + + + + + +
deplorable Contemptible.  + + + + + + +
deplore To regard with grief or sorrow.  + + + + + + +
deponent Laying down.  + + + + + + +
depopulate To remove the inhabitants from.  + + + + + + +
deport To take or send away forcibly, as to a penal colony.  + + + + + + +
deportment Demeanor.  + + + + + + +
deposition Testimony legally taken on interrogatories and reduced to writing, for use as evidence in court. + + + + + + +
depositor One who makes a deposit, or has an amount deposited.  + + + + + + +
depository A place where anything is kept in safety.  + + + + + + +
deprave To render bad, especially morally bad.  + + + + + + +
deprecate To express disapproval or regret for, with hope for the opposite.  + + + + + + +
depreciate To lessen the worth of.  + + + + + + +
depreciation A lowering in value or an underrating in worth.  + + + + + + +
depress To press down.  + + + + + + +
depression A falling of the spirits.  + + + + + + +
depth Deepness.  + + + + + + +
derelict Neglectful of obligation.  + + + + + + +
deride To ridicule.  + + + + + + +
derisible Open to ridicule.  + + + + + + +
derision Ridicule.  + + + + + + +
derivation That process by which a word is traced from its original root or primitive form and meaning.  + + + + + + +
derivative Coming or acquired from some origin.  + + + + + + +
derive To deduce, as from a premise.  + + + + + + +
dermatology The branch of medical science which relates to the skin and its diseases.  + + + + + + +
derrick An apparatus for hoisting and swinging great weights.  + + + + + + +
descendant One who is descended lineally from another, as a child, grandchild, etc.  + + + + + + +
descendent Proceeding downward.  + + + + + + +
descent The act of moving or going downward.  + + + + + + +
descry To discern.  + + + + + + +
desert To abandon without regard to the welfare of the abandoned + + + + + + +
desiccant Any remedy which, when applied externally, dries up or absorbs moisture, as that of wounds.  + + + + + + +
designate To select or appoint, as by authority.  + + + + + + +
desist To cease from action.  + + + + + + +
desistance Cessation.  + + + + + + +
despair Utter hopelessness and despondency.  + + + + + + +
desperado One without regard for law or life.  + + + + + + +
desperate Resorted to in a last extremity, or as if prompted by utter despair.  + + + + + + +
despicable Contemptible.  + + + + + + +
despite prep. In spite of.  + + + + + + +
despond To lose spirit, courage, or hope.  + + + + + + +
despondent Disheartened.  + + + + + + +
despot An absolute and irresponsible monarch.  + + + + + + +
despotism Any severe and strict rule in which the judgment of the governed has little or no part.  + + + + + + +
destitute Poverty-stricken.  + + + + + + +
desultory Not connected with what precedes.  + + + + + + +
deter To frighten away.  + + + + + + +
deteriorate To grow worse.  + + + + + + +
determinate Definitely limited or fixed.  + + + + + + +
determination The act of deciding.  + + + + + + +
deterrent Hindering from action through fear.  + + + + + + +
detest To dislike or hate with intensity.  + + + + + + +
detract To take away in such manner as to lessen value or estimation.  + + + + + + +
detriment Something that causes damage, depreciation, or loss.  + + + + + + +
detrude To push down forcibly.  + + + + + + +
deviate To take a different course.  + + + + + + +
devilry Malicious mischief.  + + + + + + +
deviltry Wanton and malicious mischief.  + + + + + + +
devious Out of the common or regular track.  + + + + + + +
devise To invent.  + + + + + + +
devout Religious.  + + + + + + +
dexterity Readiness, precision, efficiency, and ease in any physical activity or in any mechanical work. + + + + + + +
diabolic Characteristic of the devil.  + + + + + + +
diacritical Marking a difference.  + + + + + + +
diagnose To distinguish, as a disease, by its characteristic phenomena.  + + + + + + +
diagnosis Determination of the distinctive nature of a disease.  + + + + + + +
dialect Forms of speech collectively that are peculiar to the people of a particular district.  + + + + + + +
dialectician A logician.  + + + + + + +
dialogue A formal conversation in which two or more take part.  + + + + + + +
diaphanous Transparent.  + + + + + + +
diatomic Containing only two atoms.  + + + + + + +
diatribe A bitter or malicious criticism.  + + + + + + +
dictum A positive utterance.  + + + + + + +
didactic Pertaining to teaching.  + + + + + + +
difference Dissimilarity in any respect.  + + + + + + +
differentia Any essential characteristic of a species by reason of which it differs from other species.  + + + + + + +
differential Distinctive.  + + + + + + +
differentiate To acquire a distinct and separate character.  + + + + + + +
diffidence Self-distrust.  + + + + + + +
diffident Affected or possessed with self-distrust.  + + + + + + +
diffusible Spreading rapidly through the system and acting quickly.  + + + + + + +
diffusion Dispersion.  + + + + + + +
dignitary One who holds high rank.  + + + + + + +
digraph A union of two characters representing a single sound.  + + + + + + +
digress To turn aside from the main subject and for a time dwell on some incidental matter.  + + + + + + +
dilapidated pa. Fallen into decay or partial ruin.  + + + + + + +
dilate To enlarge in all directions.  + + + + + + +
dilatory Tending to cause delay.  + + + + + + +
dilemma A situation in which a choice between opposing modes of conduct is necessary.  + + + + + + +
dilettante A superficial amateur.  + + + + + + +
diligence Careful and persevering effort to accomplish what is undertaken.  + + + + + + +
dilute To make more fluid or less concentrated by admixture with something.  + + + + + + +
diminution Reduction.  + + + + + + +
dimly Obscurely.  + + + + + + +
diphthong The sound produced by combining two vowels in to a single syllable or running together the sounds.  + + + + + + +
diplomacy Tact, shrewdness, or skill in conducting any kind of negotiations or in social matters.  + + + + + + +
diplomat A representative of one sovereign state at the capital or court of another.  + + + + + + +
diplomatic Characterized by special tact in negotiations.  + + + + + + +
diplomatist One remarkable for tact and shrewd management.  + + + + + + +
disagree To be opposite in opinion.  + + + + + + +
disallow To withhold permission or sanction.  + + + + + + +
disappear To cease to exist, either actually or for the time being.  + + + + + + +
disappoint To fail to fulfill the expectation, hope, wish, or desire of.  + + + + + + +
disapprove To regard with blame.  + + + + + + +
disarm To deprive of weapons.  + + + + + + +
disarrange To throw out of order.  + + + + + + +
disavow To disclaim responsibility for.  + + + + + + +
disavowal Denial.  + + + + + + +
disbeliever One who refuses to believe.  + + + + + + +
disburden To disencumber.  + + + + + + +
disburse To pay out or expend, as money from a fund.  + + + + + + +
discard To reject.  + + + + + + +
discernible Perceivable.  + + + + + + +
disciple One who believes the teaching of another, or who adopts and follows some doctrine.  + + + + + + +
disciplinary Having the nature of systematic training or subjection to authority.  + + + + + + +
discipline To train to obedience.  + + + + + + +
disclaim To disavow any claim to, connection with, or responsibility to.  + + + + + + +
discolor To stain.  + + + + + + +
discomfit To put to confusion.  + + + + + + +
discomfort The state of being positively uncomfortable.  + + + + + + +
disconnect To undo or dissolve the connection or association of.  + + + + + + +
disconsolate Grief-stricken.  + + + + + + +
discontinuance Interruption or intermission.  + + + + + + +
discord Absence of harmoniousness.  + + + + + + +
discountenance To look upon with disfavor.  + + + + + + +
discover To get first sight or knowledge of, as something previously unknown or unperceived.  + + + + + + +
discredit To injure the reputation of.  + + + + + + +
discreet Judicious.  + + + + + + +
discrepant Opposite.  + + + + + + +
discriminate To draw a distinction.  + + + + + + +
discursive Passing from one subject to another.  + + + + + + +
discussion Debate.  + + + + + + +
disenfranchise To deprive of any right privilege or power  + + + + + + +
disengage To become detached.  + + + + + + +
disfavor Disregard.  + + + + + + +
disfigure To impair or injure the beauty, symmetry, or appearance of.  + + + + + + +
dishabille Undress or negligent attire.  + + + + + + +
dishonest Untrustworthy.  + + + + + + +
disillusion To disenchant.  + + + + + + +
disinfect To remove or destroy the poison of infectious or contagious diseases.  + + + + + + +
disinfectant A substance used to destroy the germs of infectious diseases.  + + + + + + +
disinherit To deprive of an inheritance.  + + + + + + +
disinterested Impartial.  + + + + + + +
disjunctive Helping or serving to disconnect or separate.  + + + + + + +
dislocate To put out of proper place or order.  + + + + + + +
dismissal Displacement by authority from an office or an employment.  + + + + + + +
dismount To throw down, push off, or otherwise remove from a horse or the like.  + + + + + + +
disobedience Neglect or refusal to comply with an authoritative injunction.  + + + + + + +
disobedient Neglecting or refusing to obey.  + + + + + + +
disown To refuse to acknowledge as one's own or as connected with oneself.  + + + + + + +
disparage To regard or speak of slightingly.  + + + + + + +
disparity Inequality.  + + + + + + +
dispel To drive away by or as by scattering in different directions.  + + + + + + +
dispensation That which is bestowed on or appointed to one from a higher power.  + + + + + + +
displace To put out of the proper or accustomed place.  + + + + + + +
dispossess To deprive of actual occupancy, especially of real estate.  + + + + + + +
disputation Verbal controversy.  + + + + + + +
disqualify To debar.  + + + + + + +
disquiet To deprive of peace or tranquillity. + + + + + + +
disregard To take no notice of.  + + + + + + +
disreputable Dishonorable or disgraceful.  + + + + + + +
disrepute A bad name or character.  + + + + + + +
disrobe To unclothe.  + + + + + + +
disrupt To burst or break asunder.  + + + + + + +
dissatisfy To displease.  + + + + + + +
dissect To cut apart or to pieces.  + + + + + + +
dissection The act or operation of cutting in pieces, specifically of a plant or an animal.  + + + + + + +
dissemble To hide by pretending something different.  + + + + + + +
disseminate To sow or scatter abroad, as seed is sown.  + + + + + + +
dissension Angry or violent difference of opinion.  + + + + + + +
dissent Disagreement.  + + + + + + +
dissentient One who disagrees.  + + + + + + +
dissentious Contentious.  + + + + + + +
dissertation Thesis.  + + + + + + +
disservice An ill turn.  + + + + + + +
dissever To divide.  + + + + + + +
dissimilar Different.  + + + + + + +
dissipate To disperse or disappear.  + + + + + + +
dissipation The state of being dispersed or scattered.  + + + + + + +
dissolute Lewd.  + + + + + + +
dissolution A breaking up of a union of persons.  + + + + + + +
dissolve To liquefy or soften, as by heat or moisture.  + + + + + + +
dissonance Discord.  + + + + + + +
dissonant Harsh or disagreeable in sound.  + + + + + + +
dissuade To change the purpose or alter the plans of by persuasion, counsel, or pleading.  + + + + + + +
dissuasion The act of changing the purpose of or altering the plans of through persuasion, or pleading.  + + + + + + +
disyllable A word of two syllables.  + + + + + + +
distemper A disease or malady.  + + + + + + +
distend To stretch out or expand in every direction.  + + + + + + +
distensible Capable of being stretched out or expanded in every direction.  + + + + + + +
distention Expansion.  + + + + + + +
distill To extract or produce by vaporization and condensation.  + + + + + + +
distillation Separation of the more volatile parts of a substance from those less volatile.  + + + + + + +
distiller One occupied in the business of distilling alcoholic liquors.  + + + + + + +
distinction A note or designation of honor, officially recognizing superiority or success in studies.  + + + + + + +
distort To twist into an unnatural or irregular form.  + + + + + + +
distrain To subject a person to distress.  + + + + + + +
distrainor One who subjects a person to distress.  + + + + + + +
distraught Bewildered.  + + + + + + +
distrust Lack of confidence in the power, wisdom, or good intent of any person.  + + + + + + +
disunion Separation of relations or interests.  + + + + + + +
diurnal Daily.  + + + + + + +
divagation Digression.  + + + + + + +
divergent Tending in different directions.  + + + + + + +
diverse Capable of various forms.  + + + + + + +
diversion Pastime.  + + + + + + +
diversity Dissimilitude.  + + + + + + +
divert To turn from the accustomed course or a line of action already established.  + + + + + + +
divertible Able to be turned from the accustomed course or a line of action already established.  + + + + + + +
divest To strip, specifically of clothes, ornaments, or accouterments or disinvestment.  + + + + + + +
divination The pretended forecast of future events or discovery of what is lost or hidden.  + + + + + + +
divinity The quality or character of being godlike.  + + + + + + +
divisible Capable of being separated into parts.  + + + + + + +
divisor That by which a number or quantity is divided.  + + + + + + +
divulge To tell or make known, as something previously private or secret.  + + + + + + +
divulgence A divulging.  + + + + + + +
docile Easy to manage.  + + + + + + +
docket The registry of judgments of a court.  + + + + + + +
doe The female of the deer.  + + + + + + +
dogma A statement of religious faith or duty formulated by a body claiming authority.  + + + + + + +
dogmatic Making statements without argument or evidence.  + + + + + + +
dogmatize To make positive assertions without supporting them by argument or evidence.  + + + + + + +
doleful Melancholy.  + + + + + + +
dolesome Melancholy.  + + + + + + +
dolor Lamentation.  + + + + + + +
dolorous Expressing or causing sorrow or pain.  + + + + + + +
domain A sphere or field of action or interest.  + + + + + + +
domesticity Life in or fondness for one's home and family.  + + + + + + +
domicile The place where one lives.  + + + + + + +
dominance Ascendancy.  + + + + + + +
dominant Conspicuously prominent.  + + + + + + +
dominate To influence controllingly.  + + + + + + +
domination Control by the exercise of power or constituted authority.  + + + + + + +
domineer To rule with insolence or unnecessary annoyance.  + + + + + + +
donate To bestow as a gift, especially for a worthy cause.  + + + + + + +
donator One who makes a donation or present.  + + + + + + +
donee A person to whom a donation is made.  + + + + + + +
donor One who makes a donation or present.  + + + + + + +
dormant Being in a state of or resembling sleep.  + + + + + + +
doublet One of a pair of like things.  + + + + + + +
doubly In twofold degree or extent.  + + + + + + +
dowry The property which a wife brings to her husband in marriage.  + + + + + + +
drachma A modern and an ancient Greek coin.  + + + + + + +
dragnet A net to be drawn along the bottom of the water.  + + + + + + +
dragoon In the British army, a cavalryman.  + + + + + + +
drainage The means of draining collectively, as a system of conduits, trenches, pipes, etc.  + + + + + + +
dramatist One who writes plays.  + + + + + + +
dramatize To relate or represent in a dramatic or theatrical manner.  + + + + + + +
drastic Acting vigorously.  + + + + + + +
drought Dry weather, especially when so long continued as to cause vegetation to wither.  + + + + + + +
drowsy Heavy with sleepiness.  + + + + + + +
drudgery Hard and constant work in any menial or dull occupation.  + + + + + + +
dubious Doubtful.  + + + + + + +
duckling A young duck.  + + + + + + +
ductile Capable of being drawn out, as into wire or a thread.  + + + + + + +
duet A composition for two voices or instruments.  + + + + + + +
dun To make a demand or repeated demands on for payment.  + + + + + + +
duplex Having two parts.  + + + + + + +
duplicity Double-dealing.  + + + + + + +
durance Confinement.  + + + + + + +
duration The period of time during which anything lasts.  + + + + + + +
duteous Showing submission to natural superiors.  + + + + + + +
dutiable Subject to a duty, especially a customs duty.  + + + + + + +
dutiful Obedient.  + + + + + + +
dwindle To diminish or become less.  + + + + + + +
dyne The force which, applied to a mass of one gram for 1 second, would give it a velocity of 1 cm/s.  + + + + + + +
earnest Ardent in spirit and speech.  + + + + + + +
earthenware Anything made of clay and baked in a kiln or dried in the sun.  + + + + + + +
eatable Edible.  + + + + + + +
ebullient Showing enthusiasm or exhilaration of feeling.  + + + + + + +
eccentric Peculiar.  + + + + + + +
eccentricity Idiosyncrasy.  + + + + + + +
eclipse The obstruction of a heavenly body by its entering into the shadow of another body.  + + + + + + +
economize To spend sparingly.  + + + + + + +
ecstasy Rapturous excitement or exaltation.  + + + + + + +
ecstatic Enraptured.  + + + + + + +
edible Suitable to be eaten.  + + + + + + +
edict That which is uttered or proclaimed by authority as a rule of action.  + + + + + + +
edify To build up, or strengthen, especially in morals or religion.  + + + + + + +
editorial An article in a periodical written by the editor and published as an official argument.  + + + + + + +
educe To draw out.  + + + + + + +
efface To obliterate.  + + + + + + +
effect A consequence.  + + + + + + +
effective Fit for a destined purpose.  + + + + + + +
effectual Efficient.  + + + + + + +
effeminacy Womanishness.  + + + + + + +
effeminate Having womanish traits or qualities.  + + + + + + +
effervesce To bubble up.  + + + + + + +
effervescent Giving off bubbles of gas.  + + + + + + +
effete Exhausted, as having performed its functions.  + + + + + + +
efficacious Effective.  + + + + + + +
efficacy The power to produce an intended effect as shown in the production of it.  + + + + + + +
efficiency The state of possessing adequate skill or knowledge for the performance of a duty.  + + + + + + +
efficient Having and exercising the power to produce effects or results.  + + + + + + +
efflorescence The state of being flowery, or a flowery appearance.  + + + + + + +
efflorescent Opening in flower.  + + + + + + +
effluvium A noxious or ill-smelling exhalation from decaying or putrefying matter.  + + + + + + +
effrontery Unblushing impudence.  + + + + + + +
effulgence Splendor.  + + + + + + +
effuse To pour forth.  + + + + + + +
effusion an outpouring.  + + + + + + +
egoism The theory that places man's chief good in the completeness of self.  + + + + + + +
egoist One who advocates or practices egoism.  + + + + + + +
egotism Self-conceit.  + + + + + + +
egotist One given to self-mention or who is constantly telling of his own views and experiences.  + + + + + + +
egregious Extreme.  + + + + + + +
egress Any place of exit.  + + + + + + +
eject To expel.  + + + + + + +
elapse To quietly terminate: said of time.  + + + + + + +
elasticity That property of matter by which a body tends to return to a former shape after being changed.  + + + + + + +
electrolysis The process of decomposing a chemical compound by the passage of an electric current.  + + + + + + +
electrotype A metallic copy of any surface, as a coin.  + + + + + + +
elegy A lyric poem lamenting the dead.  + + + + + + +
element A component or essential part.  + + + + + + +
elicit To educe or extract gradually or without violence.  + + + + + + +
eligible Qualified for selection.  + + + + + + +
eliminate To separate and cast aside.  + + + + + + +
Elizabethan Relating to Elizabeth, queen of England, or to her era.  + + + + + + +
elocution The art of correct intonation, inflection, and gesture in public speaking or reading.  + + + + + + +
eloquent Having the ability to express emotion or feeling in lofty and impassioned speech.  + + + + + + +
elucidate To bring out more clearly the facts concerning.  + + + + + + +
elude To evade the search or pursuit of by dexterity or artifice.  + + + + + + +
elusion Evasion.  + + + + + + +
emaciate To waste away in flesh.  + + + + + + +
emanate To flow forth or proceed, as from some source.  + + + + + + +
emancipate To release from bondage.  + + + + + + +
embargo Authoritative stoppage of foreign commerce or of any special trade.  + + + + + + +
embark To make a beginning in some occupation or scheme.  + + + + + + +
embarrass To render flustered or agitated.  + + + + + + +
embellish To make beautiful or elegant by adding attractive or ornamental features.  + + + + + + +
embezzle To misappropriate secretly.  + + + + + + +
emblazon To set forth publicly or in glowing terms.  + + + + + + +
emblem A symbol.  + + + + + + +
embody To express, formulate, or exemplify in a concrete, compact or visible form.  + + + + + + +
embolden To give courage to.  + + + + + + +
embolism An obstruction or plugging up of an artery or other blood-vessel.  + + + + + + +
embroil To involve in dissension or strife.  + + + + + + +
emerge To come into view or into existence.  + + + + + + +
emergence A coming into view.  + + + + + + +
emergent Coming into view.  + + + + + + +
emeritus Retired from active service but retained to an honorary position.  + + + + + + +
emigrant One who moves from one place to settle in another.  + + + + + + +
emigrate To go from one country, state, or region for the purpose of settling or residing in another.  + + + + + + +
eminence An elevated position with respect to rank, place, character, condition, etc.  + + + + + + +
eminent High in station, merit, or esteem.  + + + + + + +
emit To send or give out.  + + + + + + +
emphasis Any special impressiveness added to an utterance or act, or stress laid upon some word.  + + + + + + +
emphasize To articulate or enunciate with special impressiveness upon a word, or a group of words.  + + + + + + +
emphatic Spoken with any special impressiveness laid upon an act, word, or set of words.  + + + + + + +
employee One who works for wages or a salary.  + + + + + + +
employer One who uses or engages the services of other persons for pay.  + + + + + + +
emporium A bazaar or shop.  + + + + + + +
empower To delegate authority to.  + + + + + + +
emulate To imitate with intent to equal or surpass.  + + + + + + +
enact To make into law, as by legislative act.  + + + + + + +
enamor To inspire with ardent love.  + + + + + + +
encamp To pitch tents for a resting-place.  + + + + + + +
encomium A formal or discriminating expression of praise.  + + + + + + +
encompass To encircle.  + + + + + + +
encore The call for a repetition, as of some part of a play or performance.  + + + + + + +
encourage To inspire with courage, hope, or strength of mind.  + + + + + + +
encroach To invade partially or insidiously and appropriate the possessions of another.  + + + + + + +
encumber To impede with obstacles.  + + + + + + +
encyclical Intended for general circulation.  + + + + + + +
encyclopedia A work containing information on subjects, or exhaustive of one subject.  + + + + + + +
endanger To expose to peril.  + + + + + + +
endear To cause to be loved.  + + + + + + +
endemic Peculiar to some specified country or people.  + + + + + + +
endue To endow with some quality, gift, or grace, usually spiritual.  + + + + + + +
endurable Tolerable.  + + + + + + +
endurance The ability to suffer pain, distress, hardship, or stress of any kind without succumbing.  + + + + + + +
energetic Working vigorously.  + + + + + + +
enervate To render ineffective or inoperative.  + + + + + + +
enfeeble To debilitate.  + + + + + + +
enfranchise To endow with a privilege, especially with the right to vote.  + + + + + + +
engender To produce.  + + + + + + +
engrave To cut or carve in or upon some surface.  + + + + + + +
engross To occupy completely.  + + + + + + +
enhance To intensify.  + + + + + + +
enigma A riddle.  + + + + + + +
enjoin To command.  + + + + + + +
enkindle To set on fire.  + + + + + + +
enlighten To cause to see clearly.  + + + + + + +
enlist To enter voluntarily the military service by formal enrollment.  + + + + + + +
enmity Hatred.  + + + + + + +
ennoble To dignify.  + + + + + + +
enormity Immensity.  + + + + + + +
enormous Gigantic.  + + + + + + +
enrage To infuriate.  + + + + + + +
enrapture To delight extravagantly or intensely.  + + + + + + +
enshrine To keep sacred.  + + + + + + +
ensnare To entrap.  + + + + + + +
entail To involve; necessitate.  + + + + + + +
entangle To involve in difficulties, confusion, or complications.  + + + + + + +
enthrall To bring or hold under any overmastering influence.  + + + + + + +
enthrone To invest with sovereign power.  + + + + + + +
enthuse To yield to or display intense and rapturous feeling.  + + + + + + +
enthusiastic Full of zeal and fervor.  + + + + + + +
entirety A complete thing.  + + + + + + +
entomology The branch of zoology that treats of insects.  + + + + + + +
entrails pl. The internal parts of an animal.  + + + + + + +
entreaty An earnest request.  + + + + + + +
entree The act of entering.  + + + + + + +
entrench To fortify or protect, as with a trench or ditch and wall.  + + + + + + +
entwine To interweave.  + + + + + + +
enumerate To name one by one.  + + + + + + +
epic A poem celebrating in formal verse the mythical achievements of great personages, heroes, etc.  + + + + + + +
epicure One who cultivates a delicate taste for eating and drinking.  + + + + + + +
Epicurean Indulging, ministering, or pertaining to daintiness of appetite.  + + + + + + +
epicycle A circle that rolls upon the external or internal circumference of another circle.  + + + + + + +
epicycloid A curve traced by a point on the circumference of a circle which rolls upon another circle.  + + + + + + +
epidemic Wide-spread occurrence of a disease in a certain region.  + + + + + + +
epidermis The outer skin.  + + + + + + +
epigram A pithy phrasing of a shrewd observation.  + + + + + + +
epilogue The close of a narrative or dramatic poem.  + + + + + + +
epiphany Any appearance or bodily manifestation of a deity.  + + + + + + +
episode An incident or story in a literary work, separable from yet growing out of it.  + + + + + + +
epitaph An inscription on a tomb or monument in honor or in memory of the dead.  + + + + + + +
epithet Word used adjectivally to describe some quality or attribute of is objects, as in "Father Aeneas". + + + + + + +
epitome A simplified representation.  + + + + + + +
epizootic Prevailing among animals.  + + + + + + +
epoch A interval of time, memorable for extraordinary events.  + + + + + + +
epode A species of lyric poems.  + + + + + + +
equalize To render uniform.  + + + + + + +
equanimity Evenness of mind or temper.  + + + + + + +
equestrian Pertaining to horses or horsemanship.  + + + + + + +
equilibrium A state of balance.  + + + + + + +
equitable Characterized by fairness.  + + + + + + +
equity Fairness or impartiality.  + + + + + + +
equivalent Equal in value, force, meaning, or the like.  + + + + + + +
equivocal Ambiguous.  + + + + + + +
equivocate To use words of double meaning.  + + + + + + +
eradicate To destroy thoroughly.  + + + + + + +
errant Roving or wandering, as in search of adventure or opportunity for gallant deeds.  + + + + + + +
erratic Irregular.  + + + + + + +
erroneous Incorrect.  + + + + + + +
erudite Very-learned.  + + + + + + +
erudition Extensive knowledge of literature, history, language, etc.  + + + + + + +
eschew To keep clear of.  + + + + + + +
espy To keep close watch.  + + + + + + +
esquire A title of dignity, office, or courtesy.  + + + + + + +
essence That which makes a thing to be what it is.  + + + + + + +
esthetic Pertaining to beauty, taste, or the fine arts.  + + + + + + +
estimable Worthy of respect.  + + + + + + +
estrange To alienate.  + + + + + + +
estuary A wide lower part of a tidal river.  + + + + + + +
et cetera Latin. And so forth.  + + + + + + +
eugenic Relating to the development and improvement of race.  + + + + + + +
eulogize To speak or write a laudation of a person's life or character.  + + + + + + +
eulogy A spoken or written laudation of a person's life or character.  + + + + + + +
euphemism A figure of speech by which a phrase less offensive is substituted.  + + + + + + +
euphonious Characterized by agreeableness of sound.  + + + + + + +
euphony Agreeableness of sound.  + + + + + + +
eureka Greek. I have found it.  + + + + + + +
evade To avoid by artifice.  + + + + + + +
evanesce To vanish gradually.  + + + + + + +
evanescent Fleeting.  + + + + + + +
evangelical Seeking the conversion of sinners.  + + + + + + +
evangelist A preacher who goes from place to place holding services.  + + + + + + +
evasion Escape.  + + + + + + +
eventual Ultimate.  + + + + + + +
evert To turn inside out.  + + + + + + +
evict To dispossess pursuant to judicial decree.  + + + + + + +
evidential Indicative.  + + + + + + +
evince To make manifest or evident.  + + + + + + +
evoke To call or summon forth.  + + + + + + +
evolution Development or growth.  + + + + + + +
evolve To unfold or expand.  + + + + + + +
exacerbate To make more sharp, severe, or virulent.  + + + + + + +
exaggerate To overstate.  + + + + + + +
exasperate To excite great anger in.  + + + + + + +
excavate To remove by digging or scooping out.  + + + + + + +
exceed To go beyond, as in measure, quality, value, action, power, skill, etc.  + + + + + + +
excel To be superior or distinguished.  + + + + + + +
excellence Possession of eminently or unusually good qualities.  + + + + + + +
excellency A title of honor bestowed upon various high officials.  + + + + + + +
excellent Possessing distinguished merit.  + + + + + + +
excerpt An extract or selection from written or printed matter.  + + + + + + +
excess That which passes the ordinary, proper, or required limit, measure, or experience.  + + + + + + +
excitable Nervously high-strung.  + + + + + + +
excitation Intensified emotion or action.  + + + + + + +
exclamation An abrupt or emphatic expression of thought or of feeling.  + + + + + + +
exclude To shut out purposely or forcibly.  + + + + + + +
exclusion Non-admission.  + + + + + + +
excrescence Any unnatural addition, outgrowth, or development.  + + + + + + +
excretion The getting rid of waste matter.  + + + + + + +
excruciate To inflict severe pain or agony upon.  + + + + + + +
excursion A journey.  + + + + + + +
excusable Justifiable.  + + + + + + +
execrable Abominable.  + + + + + + +
execration An accursed thing.  + + + + + + +
executor A person nominated by the will of another to execute the will.  + + + + + + +
exegesis Biblical exposition or interpretation.  + + + + + + +
exemplar A model, pattern, or original to be copied or imitated.  + + + + + + +
exemplary Fitted to serve as a model or example worthy of imitation.  + + + + + + +
exemplify To show by example.  + + + + + + +
exempt Free, clear, or released, as from some liability, or restriction affecting others.  + + + + + + +
exert To make an effort.  + + + + + + +
exhale To breathe forth.  + + + + + + +
exhaust To empty by draining off the contents.  + + + + + + +
exhaustible Causing or tending to cause exhaustion.  + + + + + + +
exhaustion Deprivation of strength or energy.  + + + + + + +
exhaustive Thorough and complete in execution.  + + + + + + +
exhilarate To fill with high or cheerful spirits.  + + + + + + +
exhume To dig out of the earth (what has been buried).  + + + + + + +
exigency A critical period or condition.  + + + + + + +
exigent Urgent.  + + + + + + +
existence Possession or continuance of being.  + + + + + + +
exit A way or passage out.  + + + + + + +
exodus A going forth or departure from a place or country, especially of many people.  + + + + + + +
exonerate To relieve or vindicate from accusation, imputation, or blame.  + + + + + + +
exorbitance Extravagance or enormity.  + + + + + + +
exorbitant Going beyond usual and proper limits.  + + + + + + +
exorcise To cast or drive out by religious or magical means.  + + + + + + +
exotic Foreign.  + + + + + + +
expand To increase in range or scope.  + + + + + + +
expanse A continuous area or stretch.  + + + + + + +
expansion Increase of amount, size, scope, or the like.  + + + + + + +
expatriate To drive from one's own country.  + + + + + + +
expect To look forward to as certain or probable.  + + + + + + +
expectancy The act or state of looking forward to as certain or probable.  + + + + + + +
expectorate To cough up and spit forth.  + + + + + + +
expediency Fitness to meet the requirements of a particular case.  + + + + + + +
expedient Contributing to personal advantage.  + + + + + + +
expedite To hasten the movement or progress of.  + + + + + + +
expeditious Speedy.  + + + + + + +
expend To spend.  + + + + + + +
expense The laying out or expending or money or other resources, as time or strength.  + + + + + + +
expiate To make satisfaction or amends for.  + + + + + + +
explicate To clear from involvement.  + + + + + + +
explicit Definite.  + + + + + + +
explode To cause to burst in pieces by force from within.  + + + + + + +
explosion A sudden and violent outbreak.  + + + + + + +
explosive Pertaining to a sudden and violent outbreak.  + + + + + + +
exposition Formal presentation.  + + + + + + +
expository Pertaining to a formal presentation.  + + + + + + +
expostulate To discuss.  + + + + + + +
exposure An open situation or position in relation to the sun, elements, or points of the compass.  + + + + + + +
expressive Full of meaning.  + + + + + + +
expulsion Forcible ejection.  + + + + + + +
extant Still existing and known.  + + + + + + +
extemporaneous Done or made without much or any preparation.  + + + + + + +
extempore Without studied or special preparation.  + + + + + + +
extensible Capable of being thrust out.  + + + + + + +
extension A reaching or stretching out, as in space, time or scope.  + + + + + + +
extensive Extended widely in space, time, or scope.  + + + + + + +
extensor A muscle that causes extension.  + + + + + + +
extenuate To diminish the gravity or importance of.  + + + + + + +
exterior That which is outside.  + + + + + + +
external Anything relating or belonging to the outside.  + + + + + + +
extinct Being no longer in existence.  + + + + + + +
extinguish To render extinct.  + + + + + + +
extol To praise in the highest terms.  + + + + + + +
extort To obtain by violence, threats, compulsion, or the subjection of another to some necessity.  + + + + + + +
extortion The practice of obtaining by violence or compulsion.  + + + + + + +
extradite To surrender the custody of.  + + + + + + +
extradition The surrender by a government of a person accused of crime to the justice of another government.  + + + + + + +
extrajudicial Happening out of court.  + + + + + + +
extraneous Having no essential relation to a subject.  + + + + + + +
extraordinary Unusual.  + + + + + + +
extravagance Undue expenditure of money.  + + + + + + +
extravagant Needlessly free or lavish in expenditure.  + + + + + + +
extremist One who supports extreme measures or holds extreme views.  + + + + + + +
extremity The utmost point, side, or border, or that farthest removed from a mean position.  + + + + + + +
extricate Disentangle.  + + + + + + +
extrude To drive out or away.  + + + + + + +
exuberance Rich supply.  + + + + + + +
exuberant Marked by great plentifulness.  + + + + + + +
fabricate To invent fancifully or falsely.  + + + + + + +
fabulous Incredible.  + + + + + + +
facet One of the small triangular plane surfaces of a diamond or other gem.  + + + + + + +
facetious Amusing.  + + + + + + +
facial Pertaining to the face.  + + + + + + +
facile Not difficult to do.  + + + + + + +
facilitate To make more easy.  + + + + + + +
facility Ease.  + + + + + + +
facsimile An exact copy or reproduction.  + + + + + + +
faction A number of persons combined for a common purpose.  + + + + + + +
factious Turbulent.  + + + + + + +
fallacious Illogical.  + + + + + + +
fallacy Any unsound or delusive mode of reasoning, or anything based on such reasoning.  + + + + + + +
fallible Capable of erring.  + + + + + + +
fallow Land broken up and left to become mellow or to rest.  + + + + + + +
famish To suffer extremity of hunger or thirst.  + + + + + + +
fanatic A religious zealot.  + + + + + + +
fancier One having a taste for or interest in special objects.  + + + + + + +
fanciless Unimaginative.  + + + + + + +
fastidious Hard to please.  + + + + + + +
fathom A measure of length, 6 feet.  + + + + + + +
fatuous Idiotic  + + + + + + +
faulty Imperfect.  + + + + + + +
faun One of a class of deities of the woods and herds represented as half human, with goats feet.  + + + + + + +
fawn A young deer.  + + + + + + +
fealty Loyalty.  + + + + + + +
feasible That may be done, performed, or effected; practicable.  + + + + + + +
federate To league together.  + + + + + + +
feint Any sham, pretense, or deceptive movement.  + + + + + + +
felicitate To wish joy or happiness to, especially in view of a coming event.  + + + + + + +
felicity A state of well-founded happiness.  + + + + + + +
felon A criminal or depraved person.  + + + + + + +
felonious Showing criminal or evil purpose.  + + + + + + +
felony One of the highest class of offenses, and punishable with death or imprisonment.  + + + + + + +
feminine Characteristic of woman or womankind.  + + + + + + +
fernery A place in which ferns are grown.  + + + + + + +
ferocious Of a wild, fierce, and savage nature.  + + + + + + +
ferocity Savageness.  + + + + + + +
fervent Ardent in feeling.  + + + + + + +
fervid Intense.  + + + + + + +
fervor Ardor or intensity of feeling.  + + + + + + +
festal Joyous.  + + + + + + +
festive Merry.  + + + + + + +
fete A festival or feast.  + + + + + + +
fetus The young in the womb or in the egg.  + + + + + + +
feudal Pertaining to the relation of lord and vassal.  + + + + + + +
feudalism The feudal system.  + + + + + + +
fez A brimless felt cap in the shape of a truncated cone, usually red with a black tassel.  + + + + + + +
fiasco A complete or humiliating failure.  + + + + + + +
fickle Unduly changeable in feeling, judgment, or purpose.  + + + + + + +
fictitious Created or formed by the imagination.  + + + + + + +
fidelity Loyalty.  + + + + + + +
fiducial Indicative of faith or trust.  + + + + + + +
fief A landed estate held under feudal tenure.  + + + + + + +
filibuster One who attempts to obstruct legislation.  + + + + + + +
finale Concluding performance.  + + + + + + +
finality The state or quality of being final or complete.  + + + + + + +
finally At last.  + + + + + + +
financial Monetary.  + + + + + + +
financier One skilled in or occupied with financial affairs or operations.  + + + + + + +
finery That which is used to decorate the person or dress.  + + + + + + +
finesse Subtle contrivance used to gain a point.  + + + + + + +
finite Limited.  + + + + + + +
fiscal Pertaining to the treasury or public finances of a government.  + + + + + + +
fishmonger One who sells fish.  + + + + + + +
fissure A crack or crack-like depression.  + + + + + + +
fitful Spasmodic.  + + + + + + +
fixture One who or that which is expected to remain permanently in its position.  + + + + + + +
flag-officer The captain of a flag-ship.  + + + + + + +
flagrant Openly scandalous.  + + + + + + +
flamboyant Characterized by extravagance and in general by want of good taste.  + + + + + + +
flatulence Accumulation of gas in the stomach and bowels.  + + + + + + +
flection The act of bending.  + + + + + + +
fledgling A young bird.  + + + + + + +
flexible Pliable.  + + + + + + +
flimsy Thin and weak.  + + + + + + +
flippant Having a light, pert, trifling disposition.  + + + + + + +
floe A collection of tabular masses of floating polar ice.  + + + + + + +
flora The aggregate of plants growing without cultivation in a district.  + + + + + + +
floral Pertaining to flowers.  + + + + + + +
florid Flushed with red.  + + + + + + +
florist A dealer in flowers.  + + + + + + +
fluctuate To pass backward and forward irregularly from one state or degree to another.  + + + + + + +
fluctuation Frequent irregular change back and forth from one state or degree to another.  + + + + + + +
flue A smoke-duct in a chimney.  + + + + + + +
fluent Having a ready or easy flow of words or ideas.  + + + + + + +
fluential Pertaining to streams.  + + + + + + +
flux A state of constant movement, change, or renewal.  + + + + + + +
foggy Obscure.  + + + + + + +
foible A personal weakness or failing.  + + + + + + +
foist To palm off.  + + + + + + +
foliage Any growth of leaves.  + + + + + + +
folio A sheet of paper folded once, or of a size adapted to folding once.  + + + + + + +
folk-lore The traditions, beliefs, and customs of the common people.  + + + + + + +
fondle To handle tenderly and lovingly.  + + + + + + +
foolery Folly.  + + + + + + +
foot-note A note of explanation or comment at the foot of a page or column.  + + + + + + +
foppery Dandyism.  + + + + + + +
foppish Characteristic of one who is unduly devoted to dress and the niceties of manners.  + + + + + + +
forbearance Patient endurance or toleration of offenses.  + + + + + + +
forby Besides.  + + + + + + +
forcible Violent.  + + + + + + +
forecourt A court opening directly from the street.  + + + + + + +
forejudge To judge of before hearing evidence.  + + + + + + +
forepeak The extreme forward part of a ship's hold, under the lowest deck.  + + + + + + +
foreshore That part of a shore uncovered at low tide.  + + + + + + +
forebode To be an omen or warning sign of, especially of evil.  + + + + + + +
forecast To predict.  + + + + + + +
forecastle That part of the upper deck of a ship forward of the after fore-shrouds.  + + + + + + +
foreclose To bar by judicial proceedings the equitable right of a mortgagor to redeem property.  + + + + + + +
forefather An ancestor.  + + + + + + +
forego To deny oneself the pleasure or profit of.  + + + + + + +
foreground That part of a landscape or picture situated or represented as nearest the spectator.  + + + + + + +
forehead The upper part of the face, between the eyes and the hair.  + + + + + + +
foreign Belonging to, situated in, or derived from another country.  + + + + + + +
foreigner A citizen of a foreign country.  + + + + + + +
foreknowledge Prescience.  + + + + + + +
foreman The head man.  + + + + + + +
foreordain To predetermine.  + + + + + + +
foreordination Predestination.  + + + + + + +
forerun To go before as introducing or ushering in.  + + + + + + +
foresail A square sail.  + + + + + + +
foresee To discern beforehand.  + + + + + + +
foresight Provision against harm or need.  + + + + + + +
foretell To predict.  + + + + + + +
forethought Premeditation.  + + + + + + +
forfeit To lose possession of through failure to fulfill some obligation.  + + + + + + +
forfend To ward off.  + + + + + + +
forgery Counterfeiting.  + + + + + + +
forgo To deny oneself.  + + + + + + +
formation Relative disposition of parts.  + + + + + + +
formidable Difficult to accomplish.  + + + + + + +
formula Fixed rule or set form.  + + + + + + +
forswear To renounce upon oath.  + + + + + + +
forte A strong point.  + + + + + + +
forth Into notice or view.  + + + + + + +
forthright With directness.  + + + + + + +
fortify To provide with defensive works.  + + + + + + +
fortitude Patient courage.  + + + + + + +
foursome Consisting of four.  + + + + + + +
fracture A break.  + + + + + + +
fragile Easily broken.  + + + + + + +
frailty Liability to be broken or destroyed.  + + + + + + +
fragile Capable of being broken.  + + + + + + +
frankincense A gum or resin which on burning yields aromatic fumes.  + + + + + + +
frantic Frenzied.  + + + + + + +
fraternal Brotherly.  + + + + + + +
fraudulence Deceitfulness.  + + + + + + +
fraudulent Counterfeit.  + + + + + + +
fray To fret at the edge so as to loosen or break the threads.  + + + + + + +
freemason A member of an ancient secret fraternity originally confined to skilled artisans.  + + + + + + +
freethinker One who rejects authority or inspiration in religion.  + + + + + + +
free trade Commerce unrestricted by tariff or customs.  + + + + + + +
frequency The comparative number of any kind of occurrences within a given time or space.  + + + + + + +
fresco The art of painting on a surface of plaster, particularly on walls and ceilings.  + + + + + + +
freshness The state, quality, or degree of being fresh.  + + + + + + +
fretful Disposed to peevishness.  + + + + + + +
frightful Apt to induce terror or alarm.  + + + + + + +
frigid Lacking warmth.  + + + + + + +
frigidarium A room kept at a low temperature for preserving fruits, meat, etc.  + + + + + + +
frivolity A trifling act, thought, saying, or practice.  + + + + + + +
frivolous Trivial.  + + + + + + +
frizz To give a crinkled, fluffy appearance to.  + + + + + + +
frizzle To cause to crinkle or curl, as the hair.  + + + + + + +
frolicsome Prankish.  + + + + + + +
frontier The part of a nation's territory that abuts upon another country.  + + + + + + +
frowzy Slovenly in appearance.  + + + + + + +
frugal Economical.  + + + + + + +
fruition Fulfillment.  + + + + + + +
fugacious Fleeting.  + + + + + + +
fulcrum The support on or against which a lever rests, or the point about which it turns.  + + + + + + +
fulminate To cause to explode.  + + + + + + +
fulsome Offensive from excess of praise or commendation.  + + + + + + +
fumigate To subject to the action of smoke or fumes, especially for disinfection.  + + + + + + +
functionary An official.  + + + + + + +
fundamental Basal.  + + + + + + +
fungible That may be measured, counted, or weighed.  + + + + + + +
fungous Spongy.  + + + + + + +
fungus A plant destitute of chlorophyll, as a mushroom.  + + + + + + +
furbish To restore brightness or beauty to.  + + + + + + +
furlong A measure, one-eighth of a mile.  + + + + + + +
furlough A temporary absence of a soldier or sailor by permission of the commanding officer.  + + + + + + +
furrier A dealer in or maker of fur goods.  + + + + + + +
further More distant or advanced.  + + + + + + +
furtherance Advancement.  + + + + + + +
furtive Stealthy or sly, like the actions of a thief.  + + + + + + +
fuse To unite or blend as by melting together.  + + + + + + +
fusible Capable of being melted by heat.  + + + + + + +
futile Of no avail or effect.  + + + + + + +
futurist A person of expectant temperament.  + + + + + + +
gauge An instrument for measuring.  + + + + + + +
gaiety Festivity.  + + + + + + +
gaily Merrily.  + + + + + + +
gait Carriage of the body in going.  + + + + + + +
gallant Possessing a brave or chivalrous spirit.  + + + + + + +
galore Abundant.  + + + + + + +
galvanic Pertaining or relating to electricity produced by chemical action.  + + + + + + +
galvanism Current electricity, especially that arising from chemical action.  + + + + + + +
galvanize To imbue with life or animation.  + + + + + + +
gamble To risk money or other possession on an event, chance, or contingency.  + + + + + + +
gambol Playful leaping or frisking.  + + + + + + +
gamester A gambler.  + + + + + + +
gamut The whole range or sequence.  + + + + + + +
garnish In cookery, to surround with additions for embellishment.  + + + + + + +
garrison The military force stationed in a fort, town, or other place for its defense.  + + + + + + +
garrote To execute by strangling.  + + + + + + +
garrulous Given to constant trivial talking.  + + + + + + +
gaseous Light and unsubstantial.  + + + + + + +
gastric Of, pertaining to, or near the stomach.  + + + + + + +
gastritis Inflammation of the stomach.  + + + + + + +
gastronomy The art of preparing and serving appetizing food.  + + + + + + +
gendarme In continental Europe, particularly in France, a uniformed and armed police officer.  + + + + + + +
genealogy A list, in the order of succession, of ancestors and their descendants.  + + + + + + +
genealogist A tracer of pedigrees.  + + + + + + +
generality The principal portion.  + + + + + + +
generalize To draw general inferences.  + + + + + + +
generally Ordinarily.  + + + + + + +
generate To produce or cause to be.  + + + + + + +
generic Noting a genus or kind; opposed to specific.  + + + + + + +
generosity A disposition to give liberally or to bestow favors heartily.  + + + + + + +
genesis Creation.  + + + + + + +
geniality Warmth and kindliness of disposition.  + + + + + + +
genital Of or pertaining to the animal reproductive organs.  + + + + + + +
genitive Indicating source, origin, possession, or the like.  + + + + + + +
genteel Well-bred or refined.  + + + + + + +
gentile Belonging to a people not Jewish.  + + + + + + +
geology The department of natural science that treats of the constitution and structure of the earth.  + + + + + + +
germane Relevant.  + + + + + + +
germinate To begin to develop into an embryo or higher form.  + + + + + + +
gestation Pregnancy.  + + + + + + +
gesticulate To make gestures or motions, as in speaking, or in place of speech.  + + + + + + +
gesture A movement or action of the hands or face, expressive of some idea or emotion.  + + + + + + +
ghastly Hideous.  + + + + + + +
gibe To utter taunts or reproaches.  + + + + + + +
giddy Affected with a whirling or swimming sensation in the head.  + + + + + + +
gigantic Tremendous.  + + + + + + +
giver One who gives, in any sense.  + + + + + + +
glacial Icy, or icily cold.  + + + + + + +
glacier A field or stream of ice.  + + + + + + +
gladden To make joyous.  + + + + + + +
glazier One who cuts and fits panes of glass, as for windows.  + + + + + + +
glimmer A faint, wavering, unsteady light.  + + + + + + +
glimpse A momentary look.  + + + + + + +
globose Spherical.  + + + + + + +
globular Spherical.  + + + + + + +
glorious Of excellence and splendor.  + + + + + + +
glutinous Sticky.  + + + + + + +
gluttonous Given to excess in eating.  + + + + + + +
gnash To grind or strike the teeth together, as from rage.  + + + + + + +
Gordian knot Any difficulty the only issue out of which is by bold or unusual manners.  + + + + + + +
gourmand A connoisseur in the delicacies of the table.  + + + + + + +
gosling A young goose.  + + + + + + +
gossamer Flimsy.  + + + + + + +
gourd A melon, pumpkin, squash, or some similar fruit having a hard rind.  + + + + + + +
graceless Ungracious.  + + + + + + +
gradation A step, degree, rank, or relative position in an order or series.  + + + + + + +
gradient Moving or advancing by steps.  + + + + + + +
granary A storehouse for grain after it is thrashed or husked.  + + + + + + +
grandeur The quality of being grand or admirably great.  + + + + + + +
grandiloquent Speaking in or characterized by a pompous or bombastic style.  + + + + + + +
grandiose Having an imposing style or effect.  + + + + + + +
grantee The person to whom property is transferred by deed.  + + + + + + +
grantor The maker of a deed.  + + + + + + +
granular Composed of small grains or particles.  + + + + + + +
granulate To form into grains or small particles.  + + + + + + +
granule A small grain or particle.  + + + + + + +
grapple To take hold of.  + + + + + + +
gratification Satisfaction.  + + + + + + +
gratify To please, as by satisfying a physical or mental desire or need.  + + + + + + +
gratuitous Voluntarily.  + + + + + + +
gratuity That which is given without demand or claim. Tip.  + + + + + + +
gravity Seriousness.  + + + + + + +
gregarious Not habitually solitary or living alone.  + + + + + + +
grenadier A member of a regiment composed of men of great stature.  + + + + + + +
grief Sorrow.  + + + + + + +
grievance That which oppresses, injures, or causes grief and at the same time a sense of wrong.  + + + + + + +
grievous Creating affliction.  + + + + + + +
grimace A distortion of the features, occasioned by some feeling of pain, disgust, etc.  + + + + + + +
grindstone A flat circular stone, used for sharpening tools.  + + + + + + +
grisly Fear-inspiring.  + + + + + + +
grotesque Incongruously composed or ill-proportioned.  + + + + + + +
grotto A small cavern.  + + + + + + +
ground A pavement or floor or any supporting surface on which one may walk.  + + + + + + +
guess Surmise.  + + + + + + +
guile Duplicity.  + + + + + + +
guileless Frank.  + + + + + + +
guinea An English monetary unit.  + + + + + + +
guise The external appearance as produced by garb or costume.  + + + + + + +
gullible Credulous.  + + + + + + +
gumption Common sense.  + + + + + + +
gusto Keen enjoyment.  + + + + + + +
guy Stay-rope.  + + + + + + +
guzzle To swallow greedily or hastily; gulp.  + + + + + + +
gynecocracy Female supremacy.  + + + + + + +
gynecology The science that treats of the functions and diseases peculiar to women.  + + + + + + +
gyrate To revolve.  + + + + + + +
gyroscope An instrument for illustrating the laws of rotation.  + + + + + + +
habitable Fit to be dwelt in.  + + + + + + +
habitant Dweller.  + + + + + + +
habitual According to usual practice.  + + + + + + +
habitude Customary relation or association.  + + + + + + +
hackney To make stale or trite by repetition.  + + + + + + +
haggard Worn and gaunt in appearance.  + + + + + + +
halcyon Calm.  + + + + + + +
hale Of sound and vigorous health.  + + + + + + +
handwriting Penmanship.  + + + + + + +
hanger-on A parasite.  + + + + + + +
happy-go-lucky Improvident.  + + + + + + +
harangue A tirade.  + + + + + + +
harass To trouble with importunities, cares, or annoyances.  + + + + + + +
harbinger One who or that which foreruns and announces the coming of any person or thing.  + + + + + + +
hard-hearted Lacking pity or sympathy.  + + + + + + +
hardihood Foolish daring.  + + + + + + +
harmonious Concordant in sound.  + + + + + + +
havoc Devastation.  + + + + + + +
hawthorn A thorny shrub much used in England for hedges.  + + + + + + +
hazard Risk.  + + + + + + +
head first Precipitately, as in diving.  + + + + + + +
head foremost Precipitately, as in diving.  + + + + + + +
heartrending Very depressing.  + + + + + + +
heathenish Irreligious.  + + + + + + +
heedless Thoughtless.  + + + + + + +
heifer A young cow.  + + + + + + +
heinous Odiously sinful.  + + + + + + +
hemorrhage Discharge of blood from a ruptured or wounded blood-vessel.  + + + + + + +
hemorrhoids pl. Tumors composed of enlarged and thickened blood-vessels, at the lower end of the rectum.  + + + + + + +
henchman A servile assistant and subordinate.  + + + + + + +
henpeck To worry or harass by ill temper and petty annoyances.  + + + + + + +
heptagon A figure having seven sides and seven angles.  + + + + + + +
heptarchy A group of seven governments.  + + + + + + +
herbaceous Having the character of a herb.  + + + + + + +
herbarium A collection of dried plants scientifically arranged for study.  + + + + + + +
herbivorous Feeding on herbs or other vegetable matter, as animals.  + + + + + + +
hereditary Passing naturally from parent to child.  + + + + + + +
heredity Transmission of physical or mental qualities, diseases, etc., from parent to offspring.  + + + + + + +
heresy An opinion or doctrine subversive of settled beliefs or accepted principles.  + + + + + + +
heretic One who holds opinions contrary to the recognized standards or tenets of any philosophy.  + + + + + + +
heritage Birthright.  + + + + + + +
hernia Protrusion of any internal organ in whole or in part from its normal position.  + + + + + + +
hesitancy A pausing to consider.  + + + + + + +
hesitant Vacillating.  + + + + + + +
hesitation Vacillation.  + + + + + + +
heterodox At variance with any commonly accepted doctrine or opinion.  + + + + + + +
heterogeneity Unlikeness of constituent parts.  + + + + + + +
heterogeneous Consisting of dissimilar elements or ingredients of different kinds.  + + + + + + +
heteromorphic Deviating from the normal form or standard type.  + + + + + + +
hexangular Having six angles.  + + + + + + +
hexapod Having six feet.  + + + + + + +
hexagon A figure with six angles.  + + + + + + +
hiatus A break or vacancy where something necessary to supply the connection is wanting.  + + + + + + +
hibernal Pertaining to winter.  + + + + + + +
Hibernian Pertaining to Ireland, or its people.  + + + + + + +
hideous Appalling.  + + + + + + +
hilarious Boisterously merry.  + + + + + + +
hillock A small hill or mound.  + + + + + + +
hinder To obstruct.  + + + + + + +
hindmost Farthest from the front.  + + + + + + +
hindrance An obstacle.  + + + + + + +
hirsute Having a hairy covering.  + + + + + + +
hoard To gather and store away for the sake of accumulation.  + + + + + + +
hoarse Having the voice harsh or rough, as from a cold or fatigue.  + + + + + + +
homage Reverential regard or worship.  + + + + + + +
homogeneity Congruity of the members or elements or parts.  + + + + + + +
homogeneous Made up of similar parts or elements.  + + + + + + +
homologous Identical in nature, make-up, or relation.  + + + + + + +
homonym A word agreeing in sound with but different in meaning from another.  + + + + + + +
homophone A word agreeing in sound with but different in meaning from another.  + + + + + + +
honorarium A token fee or payment to a professional man for services.  + + + + + + +
hoodwink To deceive.  + + + + + + +
horde A gathered multitude of human beings.  + + + + + + +
hosiery A stocking.  + + + + + + +
hospitable Disposed to treat strangers or guests with generous kindness.  + + + + + + +
hospitality The practice of receiving and entertaining strangers and guests with kindness.  + + + + + + +
hostility Enmity.  + + + + + + +
huckster One who retails small wares.  + + + + + + +
humane Compassionate.  + + + + + + +
humanitarian A philanthropist.  + + + + + + +
humanize To make gentle or refined.  + + + + + + +
humbug Anything intended or calculated to deceive or mislead.  + + + + + + +
humiliate To put to shame.  + + + + + + +
hussar A light-horse trooper armed with saber and carbine.  + + + + + + +
hustle To move with haste and promptness.  + + + + + + +
hybrid Cross-bred.  + + + + + + +
hydra The seven- or nine-headed water-serpent slain by Hercules.  + + + + + + +
hydraulic Involving the moving of water, of the force exerted by water in motion.  + + + + + + +
hydrodynamics The branch of mechanics that treats of the dynamics of fluids.  + + + + + + +
hydroelectric Pertaining to electricity developed water or steam.  + + + + + + +
hydromechanics The mechanics of fluids.  + + + + + + +
hydrometer An instrument for determining the density of solids and liquids by flotation.  + + + + + + +
hydrostatics The branch of science that treats of the pressure and equilibrium of fluids.  + + + + + + +
hydrous Watery.  + + + + + + +
hygiene The branch of medical science that relates to improving health.  + + + + + + +
hypercritical Faultfinding.  + + + + + + +
hypnosis An artificial trance-sleep.  + + + + + + +
hypnotic Tending to produce sleep.  + + + + + + +
hypnotism An artificially induced somnambulistic state in which the mind readily acts on suggestion.  + + + + + + +
hypnotize To produce a somnambulistic state in which the mind readily acts on suggestions.  + + + + + + +
hypocrisy Extreme insincerity.  + + + + + + +
hypocrite One who makes false professions of his views or beliefs.  + + + + + + +
hypodermic Pertaining to the area under the skin.  + + + + + + +
hypotenuse The side of a right-angled triangle opposite the right angle.  + + + + + + +
hypothesis A proposition taken for granted as a premise from which to reach a conclusion.  + + + + + + +
hysteria A nervous affection occurring typically in paroxysms of laughing and crying.  + + + + + + +
ichthyic Fish-like.  + + + + + + +
ichthyology The branch of zoology that treats of fishes.  + + + + + + +
ichthyosaurs A fossil reptile.  + + + + + + +
icily Frigidly.  + + + + + + +
iciness The state of being icy.  + + + + + + +
icon An image or likeness.  + + + + + + +
iconoclast An image-breaker.  + + + + + + +
idealize To make to conform to some mental or imaginary standard.  + + + + + + +
idiom A use of words peculiar to a particular language.  + + + + + + +
idiosyncrasy A mental quality or habit peculiar to an individual.  + + + + + + +
idolize To regard with inordinate love or admiration.  + + + + + + +
ignoble Low in character or purpose.  + + + + + + +
ignominious Shameful.  + + + + + + +
Iliad A Greek epic poem describing scenes from the siege of Troy.  + + + + + + +
illegal Not according to law.  + + + + + + +
illegible Undecipherable.  + + + + + + +
illegitimate Unlawfully begotten.  + + + + + + +
illiberal Stingy.  + + + + + + +
illicit Unlawful.  + + + + + + +
illimitable Boundless.  + + + + + + +
illiterate Having little or no book-learning.  + + + + + + +
ill-natured Surly.  + + + + + + +
illogical Contrary to the rules of sound thought.  + + + + + + +
illuminant That which may be used to produce light.  + + + + + + +
illuminate To supply with light.  + + + + + + +
illumine To make bright or clear.  + + + + + + +
illusion An unreal image presented to the senses.  + + + + + + +
illusive Deceptive.  + + + + + + +
illusory Deceiving or tending to deceive, as by false appearance.  + + + + + + +
imaginable That can be imagined or conceived in the mind.  + + + + + + +
imaginary Fancied.  + + + + + + +
imbibe To drink or take in.  + + + + + + +
imbroglio A misunderstanding attended by ill feeling, perplexity, or strife.  + + + + + + +
imbrue To wet or moisten.  + + + + + + +
imitation That which is made as a likeness or copy.  + + + + + + +
imitator One who makes in imitation.  + + + + + + +
immaculate Without spot or blemish.  + + + + + + +
immaterial Of no essential consequence.  + + + + + + +
immature Not full-grown.  + + + + + + +
immeasurable Indefinitely extensive.  + + + + + + +
immense Very great in degree, extent, size, or quantity.  + + + + + + +
immerse To plunge or dip entirely under water or other fluid.  + + + + + + +
immersion The act of plunging or dipping entirely under water or another fluid.  + + + + + + +
immigrant A foreigner who enters a country to settle there.  + + + + + + +
immigrate To come into a country or region from a former habitat.  + + + + + + +
imminence Impending evil or danger.  + + + + + + +
imminent Dangerous and close at hand.  + + + + + + +
immiscible Separating, as oil and water.  + + + + + + +
immoral Habitually engaged in licentious or lewd practices.  + + + + + + +
immortalize To cause to last or to be known or remembered throughout a great or indefinite length of time.  + + + + + + +
immovable Steadfast.  + + + + + + +
immune Exempt, as from disease.  + + + + + + +
immutable Unchangeable.  + + + + + + +
impair To cause to become less or worse.  + + + + + + +
impalpable Imperceptible to the touch.  + + + + + + +
impartial Unbiased.  + + + + + + +
impassable That can not be passed through or over.  + + + + + + +
impassible Not moved or affected by feeling.  + + + + + + +
impassive Unmoved by or not exhibiting feeling.  + + + + + + +
impatience Unwillingness to brook delays or wait the natural course of things.  + + + + + + +
impeccable Blameless.  + + + + + + +
impecunious Having no money.  + + + + + + +
impede To be an obstacle or to place obstacles in the way of.  + + + + + + +
impel To drive or urge forward.  + + + + + + +
impend To be imminent.  + + + + + + +
imperative Obligatory.  + + + + + + +
imperceptible Indiscernible.  + + + + + + +
imperfectible That can not be perfected.  + + + + + + +
imperil To endanger.  + + + + + + +
imperious Insisting on obedience.  + + + + + + +
impermissible Not permissible.  + + + + + + +
impersonal Not relating to a particular person or thing.  + + + + + + +
impersonate To appear or act in the character of.  + + + + + + +
impersuadable Unyielding.  + + + + + + +
impertinence Rudeness.  + + + + + + +
imperturbable Calm.  + + + + + + +
impervious Impenetrable.  + + + + + + +
impetuosity Rashness.  + + + + + + +
impetuous Impulsive.  + + + + + + +
impetus Any impulse or incentive.  + + + + + + +
impiety Irreverence toward God.  + + + + + + +
impious Characterized by irreverence or irreligion.  + + + + + + +
implausible Not plausible.  + + + + + + +
impliable Capable of being inferred.  + + + + + + +
implicate To show or prove to be involved in or concerned  + + + + + + +
implicit Implied.  + + + + + + +
imply To signify.  + + + + + + +
impolitic Inexpedient.  + + + + + + +
importation The act or practice of bringing from one country into another.  + + + + + + +
importunate Urgent in character, request, or demand.  + + + + + + +
importune To harass with persistent demands or entreaties.  + + + + + + +
impotent Destitute of or lacking in power, physical, moral, or intellectual.  + + + + + + +
impoverish To make indigent or poor.  + + + + + + +
impracticable Not feasible.  + + + + + + +
impregnable That can not be taken by assault.  + + + + + + +
impregnate To make pregnant.  + + + + + + +
impromptu Anything done or said on the impulse of the moment.  + + + + + + +
improper Not appropriate, suitable, or becoming.  + + + + + + +
impropriety The state or quality of being unfit, unseemly, or inappropriate.  + + + + + + +
improvident Lacking foresight or thrift.  + + + + + + +
improvise To do anything extemporaneously or offhand.  + + + + + + +
imprudent Heedless.  + + + + + + +
impudence Insolent disrespect.  + + + + + + +
impugn To assail with arguments, insinuations, or accusations.  + + + + + + +
impulsion Impetus.  + + + + + + +
impulsive Unpremeditated.  + + + + + + +
impunity Freedom from punishment.  + + + + + + +
impure Tainted.  + + + + + + +
impute To attribute.  + + + + + + +
inaccessible Difficult of approach.  + + + + + + +
inaccurate Not exactly according to the facts.  + + + + + + +
inactive Inert.  + + + + + + +
inadequate Insufficient.  + + + + + + +
inadmissible Not to be approved, considered, or allowed, as testimony.  + + + + + + +
inadvertent Accidental.  + + + + + + +
inadvisable Unadvisable.  + + + + + + +
inane Silly.  + + + + + + +
inanimate Destitute of animal life.  + + + + + + +
inapprehensible Not to be understood.  + + + + + + +
inapt Awkward or slow.  + + + + + + +
inarticulate Speechless.  + + + + + + +
inaudible That can not be heard.  + + + + + + +
inborn Implanted by nature.  + + + + + + +
inbred Innate.  + + + + + + +
incandescence The state of being white or glowing with heat.  + + + + + + +
incandescent White or glowing with heat.  + + + + + + +
incapacitate To deprive of power, capacity, competency, or qualification.  + + + + + + +
incapacity Want of power to apprehend, understand, and manage.  + + + + + + +
incarcerate To imprison.  + + + + + + +
incendiary Chemical or person who starts a fire-literally or figuratively.  + + + + + + +
incentive That which moves the mind or inflames the passions.  + + + + + + +
inception The beginning.  + + + + + + +
inceptive Beginning.  + + + + + + +
incessant Unceasing.  + + + + + + +
inchmeal Piecemeal.  + + + + + + +
inchoate Incipient.  + + + + + + +
inchoative That which begins, or expresses beginning.  + + + + + + +
incidence Casual occurrence.  + + + + + + +
incident A happening in general, especially one of little importance.  + + + + + + +
incidentally Without intention.  + + + + + + +
incinerate To reduce to ashes.  + + + + + + +
incipience Beginning.  + + + + + + +
incipient Initial.  + + + + + + +
incisor A front or cutting tooth.  + + + + + + +
incite To rouse to a particular action.  + + + + + + +
incitement That which moves to action, or serves as an incentive or stimulus.  + + + + + + +
incoercible Incapable of being forced, constrained, or compelled.  + + + + + + +
incoherence Want of connection, or agreement, as of parts or ideas in thought, speech, etc.  + + + + + + +
incoherent Not logically coordinated, as to parts, elements, or details.  + + + + + + +
incombustible That can not be burned.  + + + + + + +
incomparable Matchless.  + + + + + + +
incompatible Discordant.  + + + + + + +
incompetence General lack of capacity or fitness.  + + + + + + +
incompetent Not having the abilities desired or necessary for any purpose.  + + + + + + +
incomplete Lacking some element, part, or adjunct necessary or required.  + + + + + + +
incomprehensible Not understandable.  + + + + + + +
incompressible Resisting all attempts to reduce volume by pressure.  + + + + + + +
inconceivable Incomprehensible.  + + + + + + +
incongruous Unsuitable for the time, place, or occasion.  + + + + + + +
inconsequential Valueless.  + + + + + + +
inconsiderable Small in quantity or importance.  + + + + + + +
inconsistent Contradictory.  + + + + + + +
inconstant Changeable.  + + + + + + +
incontrovertible Indisputable.  + + + + + + +
inconvenient Interfering with comfort or progress.  + + + + + + +
indefensible Untenable.  + + + + + + +
indefinitely In a vague or uncertain way.  + + + + + + +
indelible That can not be blotted out, effaced, destroyed, or removed.  + + + + + + +
indescribable That can not be described.  + + + + + + +
indestructible That can not be destroyed.  + + + + + + +
indicant That which points out.  + + + + + + +
indicator One who or that which points out.  + + + + + + +
indict To find and declare chargeable with crime.  + + + + + + +
indigence Poverty.  + + + + + + +
indigenous Native.  + + + + + + +
indigent Poor.  + + + + + + +
indigestible Not digestible, or difficult to digest.  + + + + + + +
indigestion Difficulty or failure in the alimentary canal in changing food into absorptive nutriment.  + + + + + + +
indignant Having such anger and scorn as is aroused by meanness or wickedness.  + + + + + + +
indignity Unmerited contemptuous conduct or treatment.  + + + + + + +
indiscernible Not perceptible.  + + + + + + +
indiscreet Lacking wise judgment.  + + + + + + +
indiscriminate Promiscuous.  + + + + + + +
indispensable Necessary or requisite for the purpose.  + + + + + + +
indistinct Vague.  + + + + + + +
indivertible That can not be turned aside.  + + + + + + +
indivisible Not separable into parts.  + + + + + + +
indolence Laziness.  + + + + + + +
indolent Habitually inactive or idle.  + + + + + + +
indomitable Unconquerable.  + + + + + + +
induct To bring in.  + + + + + + +
indulgence The yielding to inclination, passion, desire, or propensity in oneself or another.  + + + + + + +
indulgent Yielding to the desires or humor of oneself or those under one's care.  + + + + + + +
inebriate To intoxicate.  + + + + + + +
inedible Not good for food.  + + + + + + +
ineffable Unutterable.  + + + + + + +
inefficient Not accomplishing an intended purpose.  + + + + + + +
inefficiency That which does not accomplish an intended purpose.  + + + + + + +
ineligible Not suitable to be selected or chosen.  + + + + + + +
inept Not fit or suitable.  + + + + + + +
inert Inanimate.  + + + + + + +
inestimable Above price.  + + + + + + +
inevitable Unavoidable.  + + + + + + +
inexcusable Not to be justified.  + + + + + + +
inexhaustible So large or furnishing so great a supply as not to be emptied, wasted, or spent.  + + + + + + +
inexorable Unrelenting.  + + + + + + +
inexpedient Unadvisable.  + + + + + + +
inexpensive Low-priced.  + + + + + + +
inexperience Lack of or deficiency in experience.  + + + + + + +
inexplicable Such as can not be made plain.  + + + + + + +
inexpressible Unutterable.  + + + + + + +
inextensible Of unchangeable length or area.  + + + + + + +
infallible Exempt from error of judgment, as in opinion or statement.  + + + + + + +
infamous Publicly branded or notorious, as for vice, or crime.  + + + + + + +
infamy Total loss or destitution of honor or reputation.  + + + + + + +
inference The derivation of a judgment from any given material of knowledge on the ground of law.  + + + + + + +
infernal Akin to or befitting hell or its occupants.  + + + + + + +
infest To be present in such numbers as to be a source of annoyance, trouble, or danger.  + + + + + + +
infidel One who denies the existence of God.  + + + + + + +
infidelity Disloyalty.  + + + + + + +
infinite Measureless.  + + + + + + +
infinity Boundless or immeasurable extension or duration.  + + + + + + +
infirm Lacking in bodily or mental strength.  + + + + + + +
infirmary A place for the reception or treatment of the sick.  + + + + + + +
infirmity A physical, mental, or moral weakness or flaw.  + + + + + + +
inflammable Easily set on fire or excited.  + + + + + + +
inflammation A morbid process in some part of the body characterized by heat, swelling, and pain.  + + + + + + +
inflexible That can not be altered or varied.  + + + + + + +
influence Ability to sway the will of another.  + + + + + + +
influential Having the power to sway the will of another.  + + + + + + +
influx Infusion.  + + + + + + +
infrequence Rareness.  + + + + + + +
infrequent Uncommon.  + + + + + + +
infringe To trespass upon.  + + + + + + +
infuse To instill, introduce, or inculcate, as principles or qualities.  + + + + + + +
infusion The act of imbuing, or pouring in.  + + + + + + +
ingenious Evincing skill, originality, or cleverness, as in contrivance or arrangement.  + + + + + + +
ingenuity Cleverness in contriving, combining, or originating.  + + + + + + +
ingenuous Candid, frank, or open in character or quality.  + + + + + + +
inglorious Shameful.  + + + + + + +
ingraft To set or implant deeply and firmly.  + + + + + + +
ingratiate To win confidence or good graces for oneself.  + + + + + + +
ingratitude Insensibility to kindness.  + + + + + + +
ingredient Component.  + + + + + + +
inherence The state of being permanently existing in something.  + + + + + + +
inherent Intrinsic.  + + + + + + +
inhibit To hold back or in.  + + + + + + +
inhospitable Not disposed to entertain strangers gratuitously.  + + + + + + +
inhuman Savage.  + + + + + + +
inhume To place in the earth, as a dead body.  + + + + + + +
inimical Adverse.  + + + + + + +
iniquity Gross wrong or injustice.  + + + + + + +
initiate To perform the first act or rite.  + + + + + + +
inject To introduce, as a fluid, by injection.  + + + + + + +
injunction Mandate.  + + + + + + +
inkling A hint.  + + + + + + +
inland Remote from the sea.  + + + + + + +
inlet A small body of water leading into a larger.  + + + + + + +
inmost Deepest within.  + + + + + + +
innocuous Harmless.  + + + + + + +
innovate To introduce or strive to introduce new things.  + + + + + + +
innuendo Insinuation.  + + + + + + +
innumerable Countless.  + + + + + + +
inoffensive Causing nothing displeasing or disturbing.  + + + + + + +
inopportune Unsuitable or inconvenient, especially as to time.  + + + + + + +
inquire To ask information about.  + + + + + + +
inquisition A court or tribunal for examination and punishment of heretics.  + + + + + + +
inquisitive Given to questioning, especially out of curiosity.  + + + + + + +
inquisitor One who makes an investigation.  + + + + + + +
inroad Forcible encroachment or trespass.  + + + + + + +
insatiable That desires or craves immoderately or unappeasably.  + + + + + + +
inscribe To enter in a book, or on a list, roll, or document, by writing.  + + + + + + +
inscrutable Impenetrably mysterious or profound.  + + + + + + +
insecure Not assured of safety.  + + + + + + +
insensible Imperceptible.  + + + + + + +
insentient Lacking the power of feeling or perceiving.  + + + + + + +
inseparable That can not be separated.  + + + + + + +
insidious Working ill by slow and stealthy means.  + + + + + + +
insight Intellectual discernment.  + + + + + + +
insignificance Lack of import or of importance.  + + + + + + +
insignificant Without importance, force, or influence.  + + + + + + +
insinuate To imply.  + + + + + + +
insipid Tasteless.  + + + + + + +
insistence Urgency.  + + + + + + +
insistent Urgent.  + + + + + + +
insolence Pride or haughtiness exhibited in contemptuous and overbearing treatment of others.  + + + + + + +
insolent Impudent.  + + + + + + +
insomnia Sleeplessness.  + + + + + + +
inspector An official appointed to examine or oversee any matter of public interest or importance.  + + + + + + +
instance A single occurrence or happening of a given kind.  + + + + + + +
instant A very brief portion of time.  + + + + + + +
instantaneous Done without perceptible lapse of time.  + + + + + + +
instigate To provoke.  + + + + + + +
instigator One who incites to evil.  + + + + + + +
instill To infuse.  + + + + + + +
instructive Conveying knowledge.  + + + + + + +
insufficiency Inadequacy.  + + + + + + +
insufficient Inadequate for some need, purpose, or use.  + + + + + + +
insular Pertaining to an island.  + + + + + + +
insulate To place in a detached state or situation.  + + + + + + +
insuperable Invincible.  + + + + + + +
insuppressible Incapable of being concealed.  + + + + + + +
insurgence Uprising.  + + + + + + +
insurgent One who takes part in forcible opposition to the constituted authorities of a place.  + + + + + + +
insurrection The state of being in active resistance to authority.  + + + + + + +
intangible Not perceptible to the touch.  + + + + + + +
integrity Uprightness of character and soundness of moral principle.  + + + + + + +
intellect The faculty of perception or thought.  + + + + + + +
intellectual Characterized by intelligence.  + + + + + + +
intelligence Capacity to know or understand.  + + + + + + +
intelligible Comprehensible.  + + + + + + +
intemperance Immoderate action or indulgence, as of the appetites.  + + + + + + +
intension The act of stringing or stretching, or state of being strained.  + + + + + + +
intensive Adding emphasis or force.  + + + + + + +
intention That upon which the mind is set.  + + + + + + +
interact To act reciprocally.  + + + + + + +
intercede To mediate between persons.  + + + + + + +
intercept To interrupt the course of.  + + + + + + +
intercession Entreaty in behalf of others.  + + + + + + +
intercessor A mediator.  + + + + + + +
interdict Authoritative act of prohibition.  + + + + + + +
interim Time between acts or periods.  + + + + + + +
interlocutor One who takes part in a conversation or oral discussion.  + + + + + + +
interlude An action or event considered as coming between others of greater length.  + + + + + + +
intermediate Being in a middle place or degree or between extremes.  + + + + + + +
interminable Having no limit or end.  + + + + + + +
intermission A recess.  + + + + + + +
intermit To cause to cease temporarily.  + + + + + + +
intermittent A temporary discontinuance.  + + + + + + +
interpolation Verbal interference.  + + + + + + +
interpose To come between other things or persons.  + + + + + + +
interposition A coming between.  + + + + + + +
interpreter A person who makes intelligible the speech of a foreigner by oral translation.  + + + + + + +
interrogate To examine formally by questioning.  + + + + + + +
interrogative Having the nature or form of a question.  + + + + + + +
interrogatory A question or inquiry.  + + + + + + +
interrupt To stop while in progress.  + + + + + + +
intersect To cut through or into so as to divide.  + + + + + + +
intervale A low tract of land between hills, especially along a river.  + + + + + + +
intervene To interfere for some end.  + + + + + + +
intestacy The condition resulting from one's dying not having made a valid will.  + + + + + + +
intestate Not having made a valid will.  + + + + + + +
intestine That part of the digestive tube below or behind the stomach, extending to the anus.  + + + + + + +
intimacy Close or confidential friendship.  + + + + + + +
intimidate To cause to become frightened.  + + + + + + +
intolerable Insufferable.  + + + + + + +
intolerance Inability or unwillingness to bear or endure.  + + + + + + +
intolerant Bigoted.  + + + + + + +
intoxicant Anything that unduly exhilarates or excites.  + + + + + + +
intoxicate To make drunk.  + + + + + + +
intracellular Occurring or situated within a cell.  + + + + + + +
intramural Situated within the walls of a city.  + + + + + + +
intrepid Fearless and bold.  + + + + + + +
intricacy Perplexity.  + + + + + + +
intricate Difficult to follow or understand.  + + + + + + +
intrigue A plot or scheme, usually complicated and intended to accomplish something by secret ways.  + + + + + + +
intrinsic Inherent.  + + + + + + +
introductory Preliminary.  + + + + + + +
introgression Entrance.  + + + + + + +
intromit To insert.  + + + + + + +
introspect To look into.  + + + + + + +
introspection The act of observing and analyzing one's own thoughts and feelings.  + + + + + + +
introversion The act of turning or directing inward, physically or mentally.  + + + + + + +
introvert To turn within.  + + + + + + +
intrude To come in without leave or license.  + + + + + + +
intrusion The act of entering without warrant or invitation; encroachment.  + + + + + + +
intuition Instinctive knowledge or feeling.  + + + + + + +
inundate To fill with an overflowing abundance.  + + + + + + +
inundation Flood.  + + + + + + +
inure To harden or toughen by use, exercise, or exposure.  + + + + + + +
invalid Having no force, weight, or cogency.  + + + + + + +
invalid One who is disabled by illness or injury.  + + + + + + +
invalidate To render of no force or effect.  + + + + + + +
invaluable Exceedingly precious.  + + + + + + +
invariable Unchangeable.  + + + + + + +
invasion Encroachment, as by an act of intrusion or trespass.  + + + + + + +
invective An utterance intended to cast censure, or reproach.  + + + + + + +
inveigh To utter vehement censure or invective.  + + + + + + +
inventive Quick at contrivance.  + + + + + + +
inverse Contrary in tendency or direction.  + + + + + + +
inversion Change of order so that the first shall become last and the last first.  + + + + + + +
invert To turn inside out, upside down, or in opposite direction.  + + + + + + +
investigator One who investigates.  + + + + + + +
investor One who invests money.  + + + + + + +
inveterate Habitual.  + + + + + + +
invidious Showing or feeling envy.  + + + + + + +
invigorate To animate.  + + + + + + +
invincible Not to be conquered, subdued, or overcome.  + + + + + + +
inviolable Incapable of being injured or disturbed.  + + + + + + +
invoke To call on for assistance or protection.  + + + + + + +
involuntary Unwilling.  + + + + + + +
involution Complication.  + + + + + + +
involve To draw into entanglement, literally or figuratively.  + + + + + + +
invulnerable That can not be wounded or hurt.  + + + + + + +
inwardly With no outward manifestation.  + + + + + + +
iota A small or insignificant mark or part.  + + + + + + +
irascible Prone to anger.  + + + + + + +
irate Moved to anger.  + + + + + + +
ire Wrath.  + + + + + + +
iridescence A many-colored appearance.  + + + + + + +
iridescent Exhibiting changing rainbow-colors due to the interference of the light.  + + + + + + +
irk To afflict with pain, vexation, or fatigue.  + + + + + + +
irksome Wearisome.  + + + + + + +
irony Censure or ridicule under cover of praise or compliment.  + + + + + + +
irradiance Luster.  + + + + + + +
irradiate To render clear and intelligible.  + + + + + + +
irrational Not possessed of reasoning powers or understanding.  + + + + + + +
irreducible That can not be lessened.  + + + + + + +
irrefragable That can not be refuted or disproved.  + + + + + + +
irrefrangible That can not be broken or violated.  + + + + + + +
irrelevant Inapplicable.  + + + + + + +
irreligious Indifferent or opposed to religion.  + + + + + + +
irreparable That can not be rectified or made amends for.  + + + + + + +
irrepressible That can not be restrained or kept down.  + + + + + + +
irresistible That can not be successfully withstood or opposed.  + + + + + + +
irresponsible Careless of or unable to meet responsibilities.  + + + + + + +
irreverence The quality showing or expressing a deficiency of veneration, especially for sacred things.  + + + + + + +
irreverent Showing or expressing a deficiency of veneration, especially for sacred things.  + + + + + + +
irreverential Showing or expressing a deficiency of veneration, especially for sacred things.  + + + + + + +
irreversible Irrevocable.  + + + + + + +
irrigant Serving to water lands by artificial means.  + + + + + + +
irrigate To water, as land, by ditches or other artificial means.  + + + + + + +
irritable Showing impatience or ill temper on little provocation.  + + + + + + +
irritancy The quality of producing vexation.  + + + + + + +
irritant A mechanical, chemical, or pathological agent of inflammation, pain, or tension.  + + + + + + +
irritate To excite ill temper or impatience in.  + + + + + + +
irruption Sudden invasion.  + + + + + + +
isle An island.  + + + + + + +
islet A little island.  + + + + + + +
isobar A line joining points at which the barometric pressure is the same at a specified moment.  + + + + + + +
isochronous Relating to or denoting equal intervals of time.  + + + + + + +
isolate To separate from others of its kind.  + + + + + + +
isothermal Having or marking equality of temperature.  + + + + + + +
itinerant Wandering.  + + + + + + +
itinerary A detailed account or diary of a journey.  + + + + + + +
itinerate To wander from place to place.  + + + + + + +
jargon Confused, unintelligible speech or highly technical speech.  + + + + + + +
jaundice A morbid condition, due to obstructed excretion of bile or characterized by yellowing of the skin. + + + + + + +
jeopardize To imperil.  + + + + + + +
Jingo One of a party in Great Britain in favor of spirited and demonstrative foreign policy.  + + + + + + +
jocose Done or made in jest.  + + + + + + +
jocular Inclined to joke.  + + + + + + +
joggle A sudden irregular shake or a push causing such a shake.  + + + + + + +
journalize To keep a diary.  + + + + + + +
jovial Merry.  + + + + + + +
jubilation Exultation.  + + + + + + +
judgment The faculty by the exercise of which a deliberate conclusion is reached.  + + + + + + +
judicature Distribution and administration of justice by trial and judgment.  + + + + + + +
judicial Pertaining to the administration of justice.  + + + + + + +
judiciary That department of government which administers the law relating to civil and criminal justice.  + + + + + + +
judicious Prudent.  + + + + + + +
juggle To play tricks of sleight of hand.  + + + + + + +
jugglery The art or practice of sleight of hand.  + + + + + + +
jugular Pertaining to the throat.  + + + + + + +
juicy Succulent.  + + + + + + +
junction The condition of being joined.  + + + + + + +
juncture An articulation, joint, or seam.  + + + + + + +
junta A council or assembly that deliberates in secret upon the affairs of government.  + + + + + + +
juridical Assumed by law to exist.  + + + + + + +
jurisdiction Lawful power or right to exercise official authority.  + + + + + + +
jurisprudence The science of rights in accordance with positive law.  + + + + + + +
juror One who serves on a jury or is sworn in for jury duty in a court of justice.  + + + + + + +
joust To engage in a tilt with lances on horseback.  + + + + + + +
justification Vindication.  + + + + + + +
juvenile Characteristic of youth.  + + + + + + +
juxtapose To place close together.  + + + + + + +
keepsake Anything kept or given to be kept for the sake of the giver.  + + + + + + +
kerchief A square of linen, silk, or other material, used as a covering for the head or neck.  + + + + + + +
kernel A grain or seed.  + + + + + + +
kiln An oven or furnace for baking, burning, or drying industrial products.  + + + + + + +
kiloliter One thousand liters.  + + + + + + +
kilometer A length of 1,000 meters.  + + + + + + +
kilowatt One thousand watts.  + + + + + + +
kimono A loose robe, fastening with a sash, the principal outer garment in Japan.  + + + + + + +
kind-hearted Having a kind and sympathetic nature.  + + + + + + +
kingling A petty king.  + + + + + + +
kingship Royal state.  + + + + + + +
kinsfolk pl. Relatives.  + + + + + + +
knavery Deceitfulness in dealing.  + + + + + + +
knead To mix and work into a homogeneous mass, especially with the hands.  + + + + + + +
knickknack A small article, more for ornament that use.  + + + + + + +
knight errant One of the wandering knights who in the middle ages went forth in search of adventure.  + + + + + + +
knighthood Chivalry.  + + + + + + +
laborious Toilsome.  + + + + + + +
labyrinth A maze.  + + + + + + +
lacerate To tear rudely or raggedly.  + + + + + + +
lackadaisical Listless.  + + + + + + +
lactation The secretion of milk.  + + + + + + +
lacteal Milky.  + + + + + + +
lactic Pertaining to milk.  + + + + + + +
laddie A lad.  + + + + + + +
ladle A cup-shaped vessel with a long handle, intended for dipping up and pouring liquids.  + + + + + + +
laggard Falling behind.  + + + + + + +
landholder Landowner.  + + + + + + +
landlord A man who owns and lets a tenement or tenements.  + + + + + + +
landmark A familiar object in the landscape serving as a guide to an area otherwise easily lost track of.  + + + + + + +
landscape A rural view, especially one of picturesque effect, as seen from a distance or an elevation.  + + + + + + +
languid Relaxed.  + + + + + + +
languor Lassitude of body or depression.  + + + + + + +
lapse A slight deviation from what is right, proper, or just.  + + + + + + +
lascivious Lustful.  + + + + + + +
lassie A little lass.  + + + + + + +
latent Dormant.  + + + + + + +
latency The state of being dormant.  + + + + + + +
later At a subsequent time.  + + + + + + +
lateral Directed toward the side.  + + + + + + +
latish Rather late.  + + + + + + +
lattice Openwork of metal or wood, formed by crossing or interlacing strips or bars.  + + + + + + +
laud To praise in words or song.  + + + + + + +
laudable Praiseworthy.  + + + + + + +
laudation High praise.  + + + + + + +
laudatory Pertaining to, expressing, or containing praise.  + + + + + + +
laundress Washerwoman.  + + + + + + +
laureate Crowned with laurel, as a mark of distinction.  + + + + + + +
lave To wash or bathe.  + + + + + + +
lawgiver A legislator.  + + + + + + +
lawmaker A legislator.  + + + + + + +
lax Not stringent or energetic.  + + + + + + +
laxative Having power to open or loosen the bowels.  + + + + + + +
lea A field.  + + + + + + +
leaflet A little leaf or a booklet.  + + + + + + +
leaven To make light by fermentation, as dough.  + + + + + + +
leeward That side or direction toward which the wind blows.  + + + + + + +
left-handed Using the left hand or arm more dexterously than the right.  + + + + + + +
legacy A bequest.  + + + + + + +
legalize To give the authority of law to.  + + + + + + +
legging A covering for the leg.  + + + + + + +
legible That may be read with ease.  + + + + + + +
legionary A member of an ancient Roman legion or of the modern French Legion of Honor.  + + + + + + +
legislate To make or enact a law or laws.  + + + + + + +
legislative That makes or enacts laws.  + + + + + + +
legislator A lawgiver.  + + + + + + +
legitimacy Accordance with law.  + + + + + + +
legitimate Having the sanction of law or established custom.  + + + + + + +
leisure Spare time.  + + + + + + +
leniency Forbearance.  + + + + + + +
lenient Not harsh.  + + + + + + +
leonine Like a lion.  + + + + + + +
lethargy Prolonged sluggishness of body or mind.  + + + + + + +
levee An embankment beside a river or stream or an arm of the sea, to prevent overflow.  + + + + + + +
lever That which exerts, or through which one may exert great power.  + + + + + + +
leviathan Any large animal, as a whale.  + + + + + + +
levity Frivolity.  + + + + + + +
levy To impose and collect by force or threat of force.  + + + + + + +
lewd Characterized by lust or lasciviousness.  + + + + + + +
lexicographer One who makes dictionaries.  + + + + + + +
lexicography The making of dictionaries.  + + + + + + +
lexicon A dictionary.  + + + + + + +
liable Justly or legally responsible.  + + + + + + +
libel Defamation.  + + + + + + +
liberalism Opposition to conservatism.  + + + + + + +
liberate To set free or release from bondage.  + + + + + + +
licentious Wanton.  + + + + + + +
licit Lawful.  + + + + + + +
liege Sovereign.  + + + + + + +
lien A legal claim or hold on property, as security for a debt or charge.  + + + + + + +
lieu Stead.  + + + + + + +
lifelike Realistic.  + + + + + + +
lifelong Lasting or continuous through life.  + + + + + + +
lifetime The time that life continues.  + + + + + + +
ligament That which binds objects together.  + + + + + + +
ligature Anything that constricts, or serves for binding or tying.  + + + + + + +
light-hearted Free from care.  + + + + + + +
ligneous Having the texture of appearance of wood.  + + + + + + +
likelihood A probability.  + + + + + + +
likely Plausible.  + + + + + + +
liking Fondness.  + + + + + + +
limitation A restriction.  + + + + + + +
linear Of the nature of a line.  + + + + + + +
liner A vessel belonging to a steamship-line.  + + + + + + +
lingo Language.  + + + + + + +
lingua The tongue.  + + + + + + +
lingual Pertaining to the use of the tongue in utterance.  + + + + + + +
linguist One who is acquainted with several languages.  + + + + + + +
linguistics The science of languages, or of the origin, history, and significance of words.  + + + + + + +
liniment A liquid preparation for rubbing on the skin in cases of bruises, inflammation, etc.  + + + + + + +
liquefacient Possessing a liquefying nature or power.  + + + + + + +
liquefy To convert into a liquid or into liquid form.  + + + + + + +
liqueur An alcoholic cordial sweetened and flavored with aromatic substances.  + + + + + + +
liquidate To deliver the amount or value of.  + + + + + + +
liquor Any alcoholic or intoxicating liquid.  + + + + + + +
listless Inattentive.  + + + + + + +
literacy The state or condition of knowing how to read and write.  + + + + + + +
literal Following the exact words.  + + + + + + +
literature The written or printed productions of the human mind collectively.  + + + + + + +
lithe Supple.  + + + + + + +
lithesome Nimble.  + + + + + + +
lithograph A print made by printing from stone.  + + + + + + +
lithotype In engraving, an etched stone surface for printing.  + + + + + + +
litigant A party to a lawsuit.  + + + + + + +
litigate To cause to become the subject-matter of a suit at law.  + + + + + + +
litigious Quarrelsome.  + + + + + + +
littoral Of, pertaining to, or living on a shore.  + + + + + + +
liturgy A ritual.  + + + + + + +
livelihood Means of subsistence.  + + + + + + +
livid Black-and-blue, as contused flesh.  + + + + + + +
loam A non-coherent mixture of sand and clay.  + + + + + + +
loath Averse.  + + + + + + +
loathe To abominate.  + + + + + + +
locative Indicating place, or the place where or wherein an action occurs.  + + + + + + +
loch A lake.  + + + + + + +
locomotion The act or power of moving from one place to another.  + + + + + + +
lode A somewhat continuous unstratified metal- bearing vein.  + + + + + + +
lodgment The act of furnishing with temporary quarters.  + + + + + + +
logic The science of correct thinking.  + + + + + + +
logical Capable of or characterized by clear reasoning.  + + + + + + +
logician An expert reasoner.  + + + + + + +
loiterer One who consumes time idly.  + + + + + + +
loneliness Solitude.  + + + + + + +
longevity Unusually prolonged life.  + + + + + + +
loot To plunder.  + + + + + + +
loquacious Talkative.  + + + + + + +
lordling A little lord.  + + + + + + +
lough A lake or loch.  + + + + + + +
louse A small insect parasitic on and sucking the blood of mammals.  + + + + + + +
lovable Amiable.  + + + + + + +
low-spirited Despondent.  + + + + + + +
lowly Rudely.  + + + + + + +
lucid Mentally sound.  + + + + + + +
lucrative Highly profitable.  + + + + + + +
ludicrous Laughable.  + + + + + + +
luminary One of the heavenly bodies as a source of light.  + + + + + + +
luminescent Showing increase of light.  + + + + + + +
luminescence Showing increase.  + + + + + + +
luminosity The quality of giving or radiating light.  + + + + + + +
luminous Giving or radiating light.  + + + + + + +
lunacy Mental unsoundness.  + + + + + + +
lunar Pertaining to the moon.  + + + + + + +
lunatic An insane person.  + + + + + + +
lune The moon.  + + + + + + +
lurid Ghastly and sensational.  + + + + + + +
luscious Rich, sweet, and delicious.  + + + + + + +
lustrous Shining.  + + + + + + +
luxuriance Excessive or superfluous growth or quantity.  + + + + + + +
luxuriant Abundant or superabundant in growth.  + + + + + + +
luxuriate To live sumptuously.  + + + + + + +
lying Untruthfulness.  + + + + + + +
lyre One of the most ancient of stringed instruments of the harp class.  + + + + + + +
lyric Fitted for expression in song.  + + + + + + +
macadamize To cover or pave, as a path or roadway, with small broken stone.  + + + + + + +
machinery The parts of a machine or engine, taken collectively.  + + + + + + +
machinist One who makes or repairs machines, or uses metal-working tools.  + + + + + + +
macrocosm The whole of any sphere or department of nature or knowledge to which man is related.  + + + + + + +
madden To inflame with passion.  + + + + + + +
Madonna A painted or sculptured representation of the Virgin, usually with the infant Jesus.  + + + + + + +
magician A sorcerer.  + + + + + + +
magisterial Having an air of authority.  + + + + + + +
magistracy The office or dignity of a magistrate.  + + + + + + +
magnanimous Generous in treating or judging others.  + + + + + + +
magnate A person of rank or importance.  + + + + + + +
magnet A body possessing that peculiar form of polarity found in nature in the lodestone.  + + + + + + +
magnetize To make a magnet of, permanently, or temporarily.  + + + + + + +
magnificence The exhibition of greatness of action, character, intellect, wealth, or power.  + + + + + + +
magnificent Grand or majestic in appearance, quality, or action.  + + + + + + +
magnitude Importance.  + + + + + + +
maharaja A great Hindu prince.  + + + + + + +
maidenhood Virginity.  + + + + + + +
maintain To hold or preserve in any particular state or condition.  + + + + + + +
maintenance That which supports or sustains.  + + + + + + +
maize Indian corn: usually in the United States called simply corn.  + + + + + + +
makeup The arrangements or combination of the parts of which anything is composed.  + + + + + + +
malady Any physical disease or disorder, especially a chronic or deep-seated one.  + + + + + + +
malaria A fever characterized by alternating chills, fever, and sweating.  + + + + + + +
malcontent One who is dissatisfied with the existing state of affairs.  + + + + + + +
malediction The calling down of a curse or curses.  + + + + + + +
malefactor One who injures another.  + + + + + + +
maleficent Mischievous.  + + + + + + +
malevolence Ill will.  + + + + + + +
malevolent Wishing evil to others.  + + + + + + +
malign To speak evil of, especially to do so falsely and severely.  + + + + + + +
malignant Evil in nature or tending to do great harm or mischief.  + + + + + + +
malleable Pliant.  + + + + + + +
mallet A wooden hammer.  + + + + + + +
maltreat To treat ill, unkindly, roughly, or abusively.  + + + + + + +
man-trap A place or structure dangerous to human life.  + + + + + + +
mandate A command.  + + + + + + +
mandatory Expressive of positive command, as distinguished from merely directory.  + + + + + + +
mane The long hair growing upon and about the neck of certain animals, as the horse and the lion.  + + + + + + +
man-eater An animal that devours human beings.  + + + + + + +
maneuver To make adroit or artful moves: manage affairs by strategy.  + + + + + + +
mania Insanity.  + + + + + + +
maniac a person raving with madness.  + + + + + + +
manifesto A public declaration, making announcement, explanation or defense of intentions, or motives.  + + + + + + +
manlike Like a man.  + + + + + + +
manliness The qualities characteristic of a true man, as bravery, resolution, etc.  + + + + + + +
mannerism Constant or excessive adherence to one manner, style, or peculiarity, as of action or conduct.  + + + + + + +
manor The landed estate of a lord or nobleman.  + + + + + + +
mantel The facing, sometimes richly ornamented, about a fireplace, including the usual shelf above it.  + + + + + + +
mantle A cloak.  + + + + + + +
manufacturer A person engaged in manufacturing as a business.  + + + + + + +
manumission Emancipation.  + + + + + + +
manumit To set free from bondage.  + + + + + + +
marine Of or pertaining to the sea or matters connected with the sea.  + + + + + + +
maritime Situated on or near the sea.  + + + + + + +
maroon To put ashore and abandon (a person) on a desolate coast or island.  + + + + + + +
martial Pertaining to war or military operations.  + + + + + + +
Martian Pertaining to Mars, either the Roman god of war or the planet.  + + + + + + +
martyrdom Submission to death or persecution for the sake of faith or principle.  + + + + + + +
marvel To be astonished and perplexed because of (something).  + + + + + + +
masonry The art or work of constructing, as buildings, walls, etc., with regularly arranged stones.  + + + + + + +
masquerade A social party composed of persons masked and costumed so as to be disguised.  + + + + + + +
massacre The unnecessary and indiscriminate killing of human beings.  + + + + + + +
massive Of considerable bulk and weight.  + + + + + + +
masterpiece A superior production.  + + + + + + +
mastery The attainment of superior skill.  + + + + + + +
material That of which anything is composed or may be constructed.  + + + + + + +
materialize To take perceptible or substantial form.  + + + + + + +
maternal Pertaining or peculiar to a mother or to motherhood.  + + + + + + +
matinee An entertainment (especially theatrical) held in the daytime.  + + + + + + +
matricide The killing, especially the murdering, of one's mother.  + + + + + + +
matrimony The union of a man and a woman in marriage.  + + + + + + +
matrix That which contains and gives shape or form to anything.  + + + + + + +
matter of fact Something that has actual and undeniable existence or reality.  + + + + + + +
maudlin Foolishly and tearfully affectionate.  + + + + + + +
mausoleum A tomb of more than ordinary size or architectural pretensions.  + + + + + + +
mawkish Sickening or insipid.  + + + + + + +
maxim A principle accepted as true and acted on as a rule or guide.  + + + + + + +
maze A labyrinth.  + + + + + + +
mead A meadow.  + + + + + + +
meager scanty.  + + + + + + +
mealy-mouthed Afraid to express facts or opinions plainly.  + + + + + + +
meander To wind and turn while proceeding in a course.  + + + + + + +
mechanics The branch of physics that treats the phenomena caused by the action of forces.  + + + + + + +
medallion A large medal.  + + + + + + +
meddlesome Interfering.  + + + + + + +
medial Of or pertaining to the middle.  + + + + + + +
mediate To effect by negotiating as an agent between parties.  + + + + + + +
medicine A substance possessing or reputed to possess curative or remedial properties.  + + + + + + +
medieval Belonging or relating to or descriptive of the middle ages.  + + + + + + +
mediocre Ordinary.  + + + + + + +
meditation The turning or revolving of a subject in the mind.  + + + + + + +
medley A composition of different songs or parts of songs arranged to run as a continuous whole.  + + + + + + +
meliorate To make better or improve, as in quality or social or physical condition.  + + + + + + +
mellifluous Sweetly or smoothly flowing.  + + + + + + +
melodious Characterized by a sweet succession of sounds.  + + + + + + +
melodrama A drama with a romantic story or plot and sensational situation and incidents.  + + + + + + +
memento A souvenir.  + + + + + + +
memorable Noteworthy.  + + + + + + +
menace A threat.  + + + + + + +
menagerie A collection of wild animals, especially when kept for exhibition.  + + + + + + +
mendacious Untrue.  + + + + + + +
mendicant A beggar.  + + + + + + +
mentality Intellectuality.  + + + + + + +
mentor A wise and faithful teacher, guide, and friend.  + + + + + + +
mercantile Conducted or acting on business principles; commercial.  + + + + + + +
mercenary Greedy  + + + + + + +
merciful Disposed to pity and forgive.  + + + + + + +
merciless Cruel.  + + + + + + +
meretricious Alluring by false or gaudy show.  + + + + + + +
mesmerize To hypnotize.  + + + + + + +
messieurs pl. Gentlemen.  + + + + + + +
metal An element that forms a base by combining with oxygen, is usually hard, heavy, and lustrous.  + + + + + + +
metallurgy The art or science of extracting a metal from ores, as by smelting.  + + + + + + +
metamorphosis A passing from one form or shape into another.  + + + + + + +
metaphor A figure of speech in which one object is likened to another, by speaking as if the other.  + + + + + + +
metaphysical Philosophical.  + + + + + + +
metaphysician One skilled in metaphysics.  + + + + + + +
metaphysics The principles of philosophy as applied to explain the methods of any particular science.  + + + + + + +
mete To apportion.  + + + + + + +
metempsychosis Transition of the soul of a human being at death into another body, whether human or beast.  + + + + + + +
meticulous Over-cautious.  + + + + + + +
metonymy A figure of speech that consists in the naming of a thing by one of its attributes.  + + + + + + +
metric Relating to measurement.  + + + + + + +
metronome An instrument for indicating and marking exact time in music.  + + + + + + +
metropolis A chief city, either the capital or the largest or most important city of a state.  + + + + + + +
metropolitan Pertaining to a chief city.  + + + + + + +
mettle Courage.  + + + + + + +
mettlesome Having courage or spirit.  + + + + + + +
microcosm The world or universe on a small scale.  + + + + + + +
micrometer An instrument for measuring very small angles or dimensions.  + + + + + + +
microphone An apparatus for magnifying faint sounds.  + + + + + + +
microscope An instrument for assisting the eye in the vision of minute objects or features of objects.  + + + + + + +
microscopic Adapted to or characterized by minute observation.  + + + + + + +
microscopy The art of examing objects with the microscope.  + + + + + + +
midsummer The middle of the summer.  + + + + + + +
midwife A woman who makes a business of assisting at childbirth.  + + + + + + +
mien The external appearance or manner of a person.  + + + + + + +
migrant Wandering.  + + + + + + +
migrate To remove or pass from one country, region, or habitat to another.  + + + + + + +
migratory Wandering.  + + + + + + +
mileage A distance in miles.  + + + + + + +
militant Of a warlike or combative disposition or tendency.  + + + + + + +
militarism A policy of maintaining great standing armies.  + + + + + + +
militate To have weight or influence (in determining a question).  + + + + + + +
militia Those citizens, collectively, who are enrolled and drilled in temporary military organizations.  + + + + + + +
Milky Way The galaxy.  + + + + + + +
millet A grass cultivated for forage and cereal.  + + + + + + +
mimic To imitate the speech or actions of.  + + + + + + +
miniature Much smaller than reality or that the normal size.  + + + + + + +
minimize To reduce to the smallest possible amount or degree.  + + + + + + +
minion A servile favorite.  + + + + + + +
ministration Any religious ceremonial.  + + + + + + +
ministry A service.  + + + + + + +
minority The smaller in number of two portions into which a number or a group is divided.  + + + + + + +
minute Exceedingly small in extent or quantity.  + + + + + + +
minutia A small or unimportant particular or detail.  + + + + + + +
mirage An optical effect looking like a sheet of water in the desert.  + + + + + + +
misadventure An unlucky accident.  + + + + + + +
misanthropic Hating mankind.  + + + + + + +
misanthropy Hatred of mankind.  + + + + + + +
misapprehend To misunderstand.  + + + + + + +
misbehave To behave ill.  + + + + + + +
misbehavior Ill or improper behavior.  + + + + + + +
mischievous Fond of tricks.  + + + + + + +
miscount To make a mistake in counting.  + + + + + + +
miscreant A villain.  + + + + + + +
misdeed A wrong or improper act.  + + + + + + +
misdemeanor Evil conduct, small crime.  + + + + + + +
miser A person given to saving and hoarding unduly.  + + + + + + +
mishap Misfortune.  + + + + + + +
misinterpret To misunderstand.  + + + + + + +
mislay To misplace.  + + + + + + +
mismanage To manage badly, improperly, or unskillfully.  + + + + + + +
misnomer A name wrongly or mistakenly applied.  + + + + + + +
misogamy Hatred of marriage.  + + + + + + +
misogyny Hatred of women.  + + + + + + +
misplace To put into a wrong place.  + + + + + + +
misrepresent To give a wrong impression.  + + + + + + +
misrule To misgovern.  + + + + + + +
missal The book containing the service for the celebration of mass.  + + + + + + +
missile Any object, especially a weapon, thrown or intended to be thrown.  + + + + + + +
missive A message in writing.  + + + + + + +
mistrust To regard with suspicion or jealousy.  + + + + + + +
misty Lacking clearness  + + + + + + +
misunderstand To Take in a wrong sense.  + + + + + + +
misuse To maltreat.  + + + + + + +
mite A very small amount, portion, or particle.  + + + + + + +
miter The junction of two bodies at an equally divided angle.  + + + + + + +
mitigate To make milder or more endurable.  + + + + + + +
mnemonics A system of principles and formulas designed to assist the recollection in certain instances.  + + + + + + +
moat A ditch on the outside of a fortress wall.  + + + + + + +
mobocracy Lawless control of public affairs by the mob or populace.  + + + + + + +
moccasin A foot-covering made of soft leather or buckskin.  + + + + + + +
mockery Ridicule.  + + + + + + +
moderation Temperance.  + + + + + + +
moderator The presiding officer of a meeting.  + + + + + + +
modernity The state or character of being modern.  + + + + + + +
modernize To make characteristic of the present or of recent times.  + + + + + + +
modification A change.  + + + + + + +
modify To make somewhat different.  + + + + + + +
modish Fashionable.  + + + + + + +
modulate To vary in tone, inflection, pitch or other quality of sound.  + + + + + + +
mollify To soothe.  + + + + + + +
molt To cast off, as hair, feathers, etc.  + + + + + + +
momentary Lasting but a short time.  + + + + + + +
momentous Very significant.  + + + + + + +
momentum An impetus.  + + + + + + +
monarchy Government by a single, sovereign ruler.  + + + + + + +
monastery A dwelling-place occupied in common by persons under religious vows of seclusion.  + + + + + + +
monetary Financial.  + + + + + + +
mongrel The progeny resulting from the crossing of different breeds or varieties.  + + + + + + +
monition Friendly counsel given by way of warning and implying caution or reproof.  + + + + + + +
monitory Admonition or warning.  + + + + + + +
monocracy Government by a single person.  + + + + + + +
monogamy The habit of pairing, or having but one mate.  + + + + + + +
monogram A character consisting of two or more letters interwoven into one, usually initials of a name.  + + + + + + +
monograph A treatise discussing a single subject or branch of a subject.  + + + + + + +
monolith Any structure or sculpture in stone formed of a single piece.  + + + + + + +
monologue A story or drama told or performed by one person.  + + + + + + +
monomania The unreasonable pursuit of one idea.  + + + + + + +
monopoly The control of a thing, as a commodity, to enable a person to raise its price.  + + + + + + +
monosyllable A word of one syllable.  + + + + + + +
monotone The sameness or monotony of utterance.  + + + + + + +
monotonous Unchanging and tedious.  + + + + + + +
monotony A lack of variety.  + + + + + + +
monsieur A French title of respect, equivalent to Mr. and sir.  + + + + + + +
monstrosity Anything unnaturally huge or distorted.  + + + + + + +
moonbeam A ray of moonlight.  + + + + + + +
morale A state of mind with reference to confidence, courage, zeal, and the like.  + + + + + + +
moralist A writer on ethics.  + + + + + + +
morality Virtue.  + + + + + + +
moralize To render virtuous.  + + + + + + +
moratorium An emergency legislation authorizing a government suspend some action temporarily.  + + + + + + +
morbid Caused by or denoting a diseased or unsound condition of body or mind.  + + + + + + +
mordacious Biting or giving to biting.  + + + + + + +
mordant Biting.  + + + + + + +
moribund On the point of dying.  + + + + + + +
morose Gloomy.  + + + + + + +
morphology the science of organic forms.  + + + + + + +
motley Composed of heterogeneous or inharmonious elements.  + + + + + + +
motto An expressive word or pithy sentence enunciating some guiding rule of life, or faith.  + + + + + + +
mountaineer One who travels among or climbs mountains for pleasure or exercise.  + + + + + + +
mountainous Full of or abounding in mountains.  + + + + + + +
mouthful As much as can be or is usually put into the or exercise.  + + + + + + +
muddle To confuse or becloud, especially with or as with drink.  + + + + + + +
muffle To deaden the sound of, as by wraps.  + + + + + + +
mulatto The offspring of a white person and a black person.  + + + + + + +
muleteer A mule-driver.  + + + + + + +
multiform Having many shapes, or appearances.  + + + + + + +
multiplicity the condition of being manifold or very various.  + + + + + + +
mundane Worldly, as opposed to spiritual or celestial.  + + + + + + +
municipal Of or pertaining to a town or city, or to its corporate or local government.  + + + + + + +
municipality A district enjoying municipal government.  + + + + + + +
munificence A giving characterized by generous motives and extraordinary liberality.  + + + + + + +
munificent Extraordinarily generous.  + + + + + + +
muster An assemblage or review of troops for parade or inspection, or for numbering off.  + + + + + + +
mutation The act or process of change.  + + + + + + +
mutilate To disfigure.  + + + + + + +
mutiny Rebellion against lawful or constituted authority.  + + + + + + +
myriad A vast indefinite number.  + + + + + + +
mystic One who professes direct divine illumination, or relies upon meditation to acquire truth.  + + + + + + +
mystification The act of artfully perplexing.  + + + + + + +
myth A fictitious narrative presented as historical, but without any basis of fact.  + + + + + + +
mythology The whole body of legends cherished by a race concerning gods and heroes.  + + + + + + +
nameless Having no fame or reputation.  + + + + + + +
naphtha A light, colorless, volatile, inflammable oil used as a solvent, as in manufacture of paints.  + + + + + + +
Narcissus The son of the Athenian river-god Cephisus, fabled to have fallen in love with his reflection. + + + + + + +
narrate To tell a story.  + + + + + + +
narration The act of recounting the particulars of an event in the order of time or occurrence.  + + + + + + +
narrative An orderly continuous account of the successive particulars of an event.  + + + + + + +
narrator One who narrates anything.  + + + + + + +
narrow-minded Characterized by illiberal views or sentiments.  + + + + + + +
nasal Pertaining to the nose.  + + + + + + +
natal Pertaining to one's birth.  + + + + + + +
nationality A connection with a particular nation.  + + + + + + +
naturally According to the usual order of things.  + + + + + + +
nausea An affection of the stomach producing dizziness and usually an impulse to vomit  + + + + + + +
nauseate To cause to loathe.  + + + + + + +
nauseous Loathsome.  + + + + + + +
nautical Pertaining to ships, seamen, or navigation.  + + + + + + +
naval Pertaining to ships.  + + + + + + +
navel The depression on the abdomen where the umbilical cord of the fetus was attached.  + + + + + + +
navigable Capable of commercial navigation.  + + + + + + +
navigate To traverse by ship.  + + + + + + +
nebula A gaseous body of unorganized stellar substance.  + + + + + + +
necessary Indispensably requisite or absolutely needed to accomplish a desired result.  + + + + + + +
necessitate To render indispensable.  + + + + + + +
necessity That which is indispensably requisite to an end desired.  + + + + + + +
necrology A list of persons who have died in a certain place or time.  + + + + + + +
necromancer One who practices the art of foretelling the future by means of communication with the dead.  + + + + + + +
necropolis A city of the dead.  + + + + + + +
necrosis the death of part of the body.  + + + + + + +
nectar Any especially sweet and delicious drink.  + + + + + + +
nectarine A variety of the peach.  + + + + + + +
needlework Embroidery.  + + + + + + +
needy Being in need, want, or poverty.  + + + + + + +
nefarious Wicked in the extreme.  + + + + + + +
negate To deny.  + + + + + + +
negation The act of denying or of asserting the falsity of a proposition.  + + + + + + +
neglectful Exhibiting or indicating omission.  + + + + + + +
negligee A loose gown worn by women.  + + + + + + +
negligence Omission of that which ought to be done.  + + + + + + +
negligent Apt to omit what ought to be done.  + + + + + + +
negligible Transferable by assignment, endorsement, or delivery.  + + + + + + +
negotiable To bargain with others for an agreement, as for a treaty or transfer of property.  + + + + + + +
Nemesis A goddess; divinity of chastisement and vengeance.  + + + + + + +
neocracy Government administered by new or untried persons.  + + + + + + +
neo-Darwinsim Darwinism as modified and extended by more recent students.  + + + + + + +
neo-Latin Modernized Latin.  + + + + + + +
neopaganism A new or revived paganism.  + + + + + + +
Neolithic Pertaining to the later stone age.  + + + + + + +
neology The coining or using of new words or new meanings of words.  + + + + + + +
neophyte Having the character of a beginner.  + + + + + + +
nestle To adjust cozily in snug quarters.  + + + + + + +
nestling Recently hatched.  + + + + + + +
nettle To excite sensations of uneasiness or displeasure in.  + + + + + + +
network Anything that presents a system of cross- lines.  + + + + + + +
neural Pertaining to the nerves or nervous system.  + + + + + + +
neurology The science of the nervous system.  + + + + + + +
neuter Neither masculine nor feminine.  + + + + + + +
neutral Belonging to or under control of neither of two contestants.  + + + + + + +
nevertheless conj. Notwithstanding.  + + + + + + +
Newtonian Of or pertaining to Sir Isaac Newton, the English philosopher.  + + + + + + +
niggardly Stingy. (no longer acceptable to use)  + + + + + + +
nihilist An advocate of the doctrine that nothing either exists or can be known.  + + + + + + +
nil Nothing  + + + + + + +
nimble Light and quick in motion or action.  + + + + + + +
nit The egg of a louse or some other insect.  + + + + + + +
nocturnal Of or pertaining to the night.  + + + + + + +
noiseless Silent.  + + + + + + +
noisome Very offensive, particularly to the sense of smell.  + + + + + + +
noisy Clamorous.  + + + + + + +
nomad Having no fixed abode.  + + + + + + +
nomic Usual or customary.  + + + + + + +
nominal Trivial.  + + + + + + +
nominate To designate as a candidate for any office.  + + + + + + +
nomination The act or ceremony of naming a man or woman for office.  + + + + + + +
nominee One who receives a nomination.  + + + + + + +
non-existent That which does not exist.  + + + + + + +
non-resident Not residing within a given jurisdiction.  + + + + + + +
nonchalance A state of mind indicating lack of interest.  + + + + + + +
non-combatant One attached to the army or navy, but having duties other than that of fighting.  + + + + + + +
nondescript Indescribable.  + + + + + + +
nonentity A person or thing of little or no account.  + + + + + + +
nonpareil One who or that which is of unequaled excellence.  + + + + + + +
norm A model.  + + + + + + +
normalcy The state of being normal.  + + + + + + +
Norman Of or peculiar to Normandy, in northern France.  + + + + + + +
nostrum Any scheme or recipe of a charlatan character.  + + + + + + +
noticeable Perceptible.  + + + + + + +
notorious Unfavorably known to the general public.  + + + + + + +
novellette A short novel.  + + + + + + +
novice A beginner in any business or occupation.  + + + + + + +
nowadays In the present time or age.  + + + + + + +
nowhere In no place or state.  + + + + + + +
noxious Hurtful.  + + + + + + +
nuance A slight degree of difference in anything perceptible to the sense of the mind.  + + + + + + +
nucleus A central point or part about which matter is aggregated.  + + + + + + +
nude Naked.  + + + + + + +
nugatory Having no power or force.  + + + + + + +
nuisance That which annoys, vexes, or irritates.  + + + + + + +
numeration The act or art of reading or naming numbers.  + + + + + + +
numerical Of or pertaining to number.  + + + + + + +
nunnery A convent for nuns.  + + + + + + +
nuptial Of or pertaining to marriage, especially to the marriage ceremony.  + + + + + + +
nurture The process of fostering or promoting growth.  + + + + + + +
nutriment That which nourishes.  + + + + + + +
nutritive Having nutritious properties.  + + + + + + +
oaken Made of or from oak.  + + + + + + +
oakum Hemp-fiber obtained by untwisting and picking out loosely the yarns of old hemp rope.  + + + + + + +
obdurate Impassive to feelings of humanity or pity.  + + + + + + +
obelisk A square shaft with pyramidal top, usually monumental or commemorative.  + + + + + + +
obese Exceedingly fat.  + + + + + + +
obesity Excessive fatness.  + + + + + + +
obituary A published notice of a death.  + + + + + + +
objective Grasping and representing facts as they are.  + + + + + + +
objector One who objects, as to a proposition, measure, or ruling.  + + + + + + +
obligate To hold to the fulfillment of duty.  + + + + + + +
obligatory Binding in law or conscience.  + + + + + + +
oblique Slanting; said of lines.  + + + + + + +
obliterate To cause to disappear.  + + + + + + +
oblivion The state of having passed out of the memory or of being utterly forgotten.  + + + + + + +
oblong Longer than broad: applied most commonly to rectangular objects considerably elongated  + + + + + + +
obnoxious Detestable.  + + + + + + +
obsequies Funeral rites.  + + + + + + +
obsequious Showing a servile readiness to fall in with the wishes or will of another.  + + + + + + +
observance A traditional form or customary act.  + + + + + + +
observant Quick to notice.  + + + + + + +
observatory A building designed for systematic astronomical observations.  + + + + + + +
obsolescence The condition or process of gradually falling into disuse.  + + + + + + +
obsolescent Passing out of use, as a word.  + + + + + + +
obsolete No longer practiced or accepted.  + + + + + + +
obstetrician A practitioner of midwifery.  + + + + + + +
obstetrics The branch of medical science concerned with the treatment and care of women during pregnancy.  + + + + + + +
obstinacy Stubborn adherence to opinion, arising from conceit or the desire to have one's own way.  + + + + + + +
obstreperous Boisterous.  + + + + + + +
obstruct To fill with impediments so as to prevent passage, either wholly or in part.  + + + + + + +
obstruction Hindrance.  + + + + + + +
obtrude To be pushed or to push oneself into undue prominence.  + + + + + + +
obtrusive Tending to be pushed or to push oneself into undue prominence.  + + + + + + +
obvert To turn the front or principal side of (a thing) toward any person or object.  + + + + + + +
obviate To clear away or provide for, as an objection or difficulty.  + + + + + + +
occasion An important event or celebration.  + + + + + + +
Occident The countries lying west of Asia and the Turkish dominions.  + + + + + + +
occlude To absorb, as a gas by a metal.  + + + + + + +
occult Existing but not immediately perceptible.  + + + + + + +
occupant A tenant in possession of property, as distinguished from the actual owner.  + + + + + + +
occurrence A happening.  + + + + + + +
octagon A figure with eight sides and eight angles.  + + + + + + +
octave A note at this interval above or below any other, considered in relation to that other.  + + + + + + +
octavo A book, or collection of paper in which the sheets are so folded as to make eight leaves.  + + + + + + +
octogenarian A person of between eighty and ninety years.  + + + + + + +
ocular Of or pertaining to the eye.  + + + + + + +
oculist One versed or skilled in treating diseases of the eye.  + + + + + + +
oddity An eccentricity.  + + + + + + +
ode The form of lyric poetry anciently intended to be sung.  + + + + + + +
odious Hateful.  + + + + + + +
odium A feeling of extreme repugnance, or of dislike and disgust.  + + + + + + +
odoriferous Having or diffusing an odor or scent, especially an agreeable one.  + + + + + + +
odorous Having an odor, especially a fragrant one.  + + + + + + +
off Farther or more distant.  + + + + + + +
offhand Without preparation.  + + + + + + +
officiate To act as an officer or leader.  + + + + + + +
officious Intermeddling with what is not one's concern.  + + + + + + +
offshoot Something that branches off from the parent stock.  + + + + + + +
ogre A demon or monster that was supposed to devour human beings.  + + + + + + +
ointment A fatty preparation with a butter-like consistency in which a medicinal substance exists. + + + + + + +
olfactory of or pertaining to the sense of smell.  + + + + + + +
olive-branch A branch of the olive-tree, as an emblem of peace.  + + + + + + +
ominous Portentous.  + + + + + + +
omission Exclusion.  + + + + + + +
omnipotence Unlimited and universal power.  + + + + + + +
Omnipotent Possessed of unlimited and universal power.  + + + + + + +
omniscience Unlimited or infinite knowledge.  + + + + + + +
omniscient Characterized by unlimited or infinite knowledge.  + + + + + + +
omnivorous Eating or living upon food of all kinds indiscriminately.  + + + + + + +
onerous Burdensome or oppressive.  + + + + + + +
onrush Onset.  + + + + + + +
onset An assault, especially of troops, upon an enemy or fortification.  + + + + + + +
onslaught A violent onset.  + + + + + + +
onus A burden or responsibility.  + + + + + + +
opalescence The property of combined refraction and reflection of light, resulting in smoky tints.  + + + + + + +
opaque Impervious to light.  + + + + + + +
operate To put in action and supervise the working of.  + + + + + + +
operative Active.  + + + + + + +
operator One who works with or controls some machine or scientific apparatus.  + + + + + + +
operetta A humorous play in dialogue and music, of more than one act.  + + + + + + +
opinion A conclusion or judgment held with confidence, but falling short of positive knowledge.  + + + + + + +
opponent One who supports the opposite side in a debate, discussion, struggle, or sport.  + + + + + + +
opportune Especially fit as occurring, said, or done at the right moment.  + + + + + + +
opportunist One who takes advantage of circumstances to gain his ends.  + + + + + + +
opportunity Favorable or advantageous chance or opening.  + + + + + + +
opposite Radically different or contrary in action or movement.  + + + + + + +
opprobrium The state of being scornfully reproached or accused of evil.  + + + + + + +
optic Pertaining to the eye or vision.  + + + + + + +
optician One who makes or deals in optical instruments or eye-glasses.  + + + + + + +
optics The science that treats of light and vision, and all that is connected with sight.  + + + + + + +
optimism The view that everything in nature and the history of mankind is ordered for the best.  + + + + + + +
option The right, power, or liberty of choosing.  + + + + + + +
optometry Measurement of the powers of vision.  + + + + + + +
opulence Affluence.  + + + + + + +
opulent Wealthy.  + + + + + + +
oral Uttered through the mouth.  + + + + + + +
orate To deliver an elaborate or formal public speech.  + + + + + + +
oration An elaborate or formal public speech.  + + + + + + +
orator One who delivers an elaborate or formal speech.  + + + + + + +
oratorio A composition for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra, generally taken from the Scriptures.  + + + + + + +
oratory The art of public speaking.  + + + + + + +
ordeal Anything that severely tests courage, strength, patience, conscience, etc.  + + + + + + +
ordinal That form of the numeral that shows the order of anything in a series, as first, second, third.  + + + + + + +
ordination A consecration to the ministry.  + + + + + + +
ordnance A general name for all kinds of weapons and their appliances used in war.  + + + + + + +
orgies Wild or wanton revelry.  + + + + + + +
origin The beginning of that which becomes or is made to be.  + + + + + + +
original Not copied nor produced by imitation.  + + + + + + +
originate To cause or constitute the beginning or first stage of the existence of.  + + + + + + +
ornate Ornamented to a marked degree.  + + + + + + +
orthodox Holding the commonly accepted faith.  + + + + + + +
orthodoxy Acceptance of the common faith.  + + + + + + +
orthogonal Having or determined by right angles.  + + + + + + +
orthopedic Relating to the correcting or preventing of deformity  + + + + + + +
orthopedist One who practices the correcting or preventing of deformity  + + + + + + +
oscillate To swing back and forth.  + + + + + + +
osculate To kiss.  + + + + + + +
ossify to convert into bone.  + + + + + + +
ostentation A display dictated by vanity and intended to invite applause or flattery.  + + + + + + +
ostracism Exclusion from intercourse or favor, as in society or politics.  + + + + + + +
ostracize To exclude from public or private favor.  + + + + + + +
ought To be under moral obligation to be or do.  + + + + + + +
oust To eject.  + + + + + + +
out-and-out Genuinely.  + + + + + + +
outbreak A sudden and violent breaking forth, as of something that has been pent up or restrained.  + + + + + + +
outburst A violent issue, especially of passion in an individual.  + + + + + + +
outcast One rejected and despised, especially socially.  + + + + + + +
outcry A vehement or loud cry or clamor.  + + + + + + +
outdo To surpass.  + + + + + + +
outlandish Of barbarous, uncouth, and unfamiliar aspect or action.  + + + + + + +
outlast To last longer than.  + + + + + + +
outlaw A habitual lawbreaker.  + + + + + + +
outlive To continue to exist after.  + + + + + + +
out-of-the-way Remotely situated.  + + + + + + +
outpost A detachment of troops stationed at a distance from the main body to guard against surprise.  + + + + + + +
outrage A gross infringement of morality or decency.  + + + + + + +
outrageous Shocking in conduct.  + + + + + + +
outreach To reach or go beyond.  + + + + + + +
outride To ride faster than.  + + + + + + +
outrigger A part built or arranged to project beyond a natural outline for support.  + + + + + + +
outright Entirely.  + + + + + + +
outskirt A border region.  + + + + + + +
outstretch To extend.  + + + + + + +
outstrip To go beyond.  + + + + + + +
outweigh To surpass in importance or excellence.  + + + + + + +
overdo To overtax the strength of.  + + + + + + +
overdose An excessive dose, usually so large a dose of a medicine that its effect is toxic.  + + + + + + +
overeat To eat to excess.  + + + + + + +
overhang A portion of a structure which projects or hangs over.  + + + + + + +
overleap To leap beyond.  + + + + + + +
overlord One who holds supremacy over another.  + + + + + + +
overpass To pass across or over, as a river.  + + + + + + +
overpay To pay or reward in excess.  + + + + + + +
overpower To gain supremacy or victory over by superior power.  + + + + + + +
overproduction Excessive production.  + + + + + + +
overreach To stretch out too far.  + + + + + + +
overrun To infest or ravage.  + + + + + + +
oversee To superintend.  + + + + + + +
overseer A supervisor.  + + + + + + +
overshadow To cast into the shade or render insignificant by comparison.  + + + + + + +
overstride To step beyond.  + + + + + + +
overthrow To vanquish an established ruler or government.  + + + + + + +
overtone A harmonic.  + + + + + + +
overture An instrumental prelude to an opera, oratorio, or ballet.  + + + + + + +
overweight Preponderance.  + + + + + + +
pacify To bring into a peaceful state.  + + + + + + +
packet A bundle, as of letters.  + + + + + + +
pact A covenant.  + + + + + + +
pagan A worshiper of false gods.  + + + + + + +
pageant A dramatic representation, especially a spectacular one.  + + + + + + +
palate The roof of the mouth.  + + + + + + +
palatial Magnificent.  + + + + + + +
paleontology The branch of biology that treats of ancient life and fossil organisms.  + + + + + + +
palette A thin tablet, with a hole for the thumb, upon which artists lay their colors for painting.  + + + + + + +
palinode A retraction.  + + + + + + +
pall To make dull by satiety.  + + + + + + +
palliate To cause to appear less guilty.  + + + + + + +
pallid Of a pale or wan appearance.  + + + + + + +
palpable perceptible by feeling or touch.  + + + + + + +
palsy Paralysis.  + + + + + + +
paly Lacking color or brilliancy.  + + + + + + +
pamphlet A brief treatise or essay, usually on a subject of current interest.  + + + + + + +
pamphleteer To compose or issue pamphlets, especially controversial ones.  + + + + + + +
panacea A remedy or medicine proposed for or professing to cure all diseases.  + + + + + + +
Pan-American Including or pertaining to the whole of America, both North and South.  + + + + + + +
pandemic Affecting a whole people or all classes, as a disease.  + + + + + + +
pandemonium A fiendish or riotous uproar.  + + + + + + +
panegyric A formal and elaborate eulogy, written or spoken, of a person or of an act.  + + + + + + +
panel A rectangular piece set in or as in a frame.  + + + + + + +
panic A sudden, unreasonable, overpowering fear.  + + + + + + +
panoply A full set of armor.  + + + + + + +
panorama A series of large pictures representing a continuous scene.  + + + + + + +
pantheism The worship of nature for itself or its beauty.  + + + + + + +
Pantheon A circular temple at Rome with a fine Corinthian portico and a great domed roof.  + + + + + + +
pantomime Sign-language.  + + + + + + +
pantoscope A very wide-angled photographic lens.  + + + + + + +
papacy The official head of the Roman Catholic Church.  + + + + + + +
papyrus The writing-paper of the ancient Egyptians, and later of the Romans.  + + + + + + +
parable A brief narrative founded on real scenes or events usually with a moral.  + + + + + + +
paradox A statement or doctrine seemingly in contradiction to the received belief.  + + + + + + +
paragon A model of excellence.  + + + + + + +
parallel To cause to correspond or lie in the same direction and equidistant in all parts.  + + + + + + +
parallelism Essential likeness.  + + + + + + +
paralysis Loss of the power of contractility in the voluntary or involuntary muscles.  + + + + + + +
paralyze To deprive of the power to act.  + + + + + + +
paramount Supreme in authority.  + + + + + + +
paramour One who is unlawfully and immorally a lover or a mistress.  + + + + + + +
paraphernalia Miscellaneous articles of equipment or adornment.  + + + + + + +
paraphrase Translate freely.  + + + + + + +
pare To cut, shave, or remove (the outside) from anything.  + + + + + + +
parentage The relation of parent to child, of the producer to the produced, or of cause to effect.  + + + + + + +
Pariah A member of a degraded class; a social outcast.  + + + + + + +
parish The ecclesiastical district in charge of a pastor.  + + + + + + +
Parisian Of or pertaining to the city of Paris.  + + + + + + +
parity Equality, as of condition or rank.  + + + + + + +
parlance Mode of speech.  + + + + + + +
parley To converse in.  + + + + + + +
parliament A legislative body.  + + + + + + +
parlor A room for reception of callers or entertainment of guests.  + + + + + + +
parody To render ludicrous by imitating the language of.  + + + + + + +
paronymous Derived from the same root or primitive word.  + + + + + + +
paroxysm A sudden outburst of any kind of activity.  + + + + + + +
parricide The murder of a parent.  + + + + + + +
parse To describe, as a sentence, by separating it into its elements and describing each word.  + + + + + + +
parsimonious Unduly sparing in the use or expenditure of money.  + + + + + + +
partible Separable.  + + + + + + +
participant One having a share or part.  + + + + + + +
participate To receive or have a part or share of.  + + + + + + +
partition That which separates anything into distinct parts.  + + + + + + +
partisan Characterized by or exhibiting undue or unreasoning devotion to a party.  + + + + + + +
passible Capable of feeling of suffering.  + + + + + + +
passive Unresponsive.  + + + + + + +
pastoral Having the spirit or sentiment of rural life.  + + + + + + +
paternal Fatherly.  + + + + + + +
paternity Fatherhood.  + + + + + + +
pathos The quality in any form of representation that rouses emotion or sympathy.  + + + + + + +
patriarch The chief of a tribe or race who rules by paternal right.  + + + + + + +
patrician Of senatorial or noble rank.  + + + + + + +
patrimony An inheritance from an ancestor, especially from one's father.  + + + + + + +
patriotism Love and devotion to one's country.  + + + + + + +
patronize To exercise an arrogant condescension toward.  + + + + + + +
patronymic Formed after one's father's name.  + + + + + + +
patter To mumble something over and over.  + + + + + + +
paucity Fewness.  + + + + + + +
pauper One without means of support.  + + + + + + +
pauperism Dependence on charity.  + + + + + + +
pavilion An open structure for temporary shelter.  + + + + + + +
payee A person to whom money has been or is to be paid.  + + + + + + +
peaceable Tranquil.  + + + + + + +
peaceful Tranquil.  + + + + + + +
peccable Capable of sinning.  + + + + + + +
peccadillo A small breach of propriety or principle.  + + + + + + +
peccant Guilty.  + + + + + + +
pectoral Pertaining to the breast or thorax.  + + + + + + +
pecuniary Consisting of money.  + + + + + + +
pedagogics The science and art of teaching.  + + + + + + +
pedagogue A schoolmaster.  + + + + + + +
pedagogy The science and art of teaching  + + + + + + +
pedal A lever for the foot usually applied only to musical instruments, cycles, and other machines.  + + + + + + +
pedant A scholar who makes needless and inopportune display of his learning.  + + + + + + +
peddle To go about with a small stock of goods to sell.  + + + + + + +
pedestal A base or support as for a column, statue, or vase.  + + + + + + +
pedestrian One who journeys on foot.  + + + + + + +
pediatrics The department of medical science that relates to the treatment of diseases of childhood.  + + + + + + +
pedigree One's line of ancestors.  + + + + + + +
peddler One who travels from house to house with an assortment of goods for retail.  + + + + + + +
peerage The nobility.  + + + + + + +
peerless Of unequaled excellence or worth.  + + + + + + +
peevish Petulant. (irritable)  + + + + + + +
pellucid Translucent.  + + + + + + +
penalty The consequences that follow the transgression of natural or divine law.  + + + + + + +
penance Punishment to which one voluntarily submits or subjects himself as an expression of penitence.  + + + + + + +
penchant A bias in favor of something.  + + + + + + +
pendant Anything that hangs from something else, either for ornament or for use.  + + + + + + +
pendulous Hanging, especially so as to swing by an attached end or part.  + + + + + + +
pendulum A weight hung on a rod, serving by its oscillation to regulate the rate of a clock.  + + + + + + +
penetrable That may be pierced by physical, moral, or intellectual force.  + + + + + + +
penetrate To enter or force a way into the interior parts of.  + + + + + + +
penetration Discernment.  + + + + + + +
peninsular Pertaining to a piece of land almost surrounded by water.  + + + + + + +
penitence Sorrow for sin with desire to amend and to atone.  + + + + + + +
penitential Pertaining to sorrow for sin with desire to amend and to atone.  + + + + + + +
pennant A small flag.  + + + + + + +
pension A periodical allowance to an individual on account of past service done by him/her.  + + + + + + +
pentagram A figure having five points or lobes.  + + + + + + +
pentavalent Quinqeuvalent.  + + + + + + +
pentad The number five.  + + + + + + +
pentagon A figure, especially, with five angles and five sides.  + + + + + + +
pentahedron A solid bounded by five plane faces.  + + + + + + +
pentameter In prosody, a line of verse containing five units or feet.  + + + + + + +
pentathlon The contest of five associated exercises in the great games and the same contestants.  + + + + + + +
penultimate A syllable or member of a series that is last but one.  + + + + + + +
penurious Excessively sparing in the use of money.  + + + + + + +
penury Indigence.  + + + + + + +
perambulate To walk about.  + + + + + + +
perceive To have knowledge of, or receive impressions concerning, through the medium of the body senses. + + + + + + +
perceptible Cognizable.  + + + + + + +
perception Knowledge through the senses of the existence and properties of matter or the external world.  + + + + + + +
percipience The act of perceiving.  + + + + + + +
percipient One who or that which perceives.  + + + + + + +
percolate To filter.  + + + + + + +
percolator A filter.  + + + + + + +
percussion The sharp striking of one body against another.  + + + + + + +
peremptory Precluding question or appeal.  + + + + + + +
perennial Continuing though the year or through many years.  + + + + + + +
perfectible Capable of being made perfect.  + + + + + + +
perfidy Treachery.  + + + + + + +
perforate To make a hole or holes through.  + + + + + + +
perform To accomplish.  + + + + + + +
perfumery The preparation of perfumes.  + + + + + + +
perfunctory Half-hearted.  + + + + + + +
perhaps Possibly.  + + + + + + +
perigee The point in the orbit of the moon when it is nearest the earth.  + + + + + + +
periodicity The habit or characteristic of recurrence at regular intervals.  + + + + + + +
peripatetic Walking about.  + + + + + + +
perjure To swear falsely to.  + + + + + + +
perjury A solemn assertion of a falsity.  + + + + + + +
permanence A continuance in the same state, or without any change that destroys the essential form or nature. + + + + + + +
permanent Durable.  + + + + + + +
permeate To pervade.  + + + + + + +
permissible That may be allowed.  + + + + + + +
permutation Reciprocal change, different ordering of same items.  + + + + + + +
pernicious Tending to kill or hurt.  + + + + + + +
perpendicular Straight up and down.  + + + + + + +
perpetrator The doer of a wrong or a criminal act.  + + + + + + +
perpetuate To preserve from extinction or oblivion.  + + + + + + +
perquisite Any profit from service beyond the amount fixed as salary or wages.  + + + + + + +
persecution Harsh or malignant oppression.  + + + + + + +
perseverance A persistence in purpose and effort.  + + + + + + +
persevere To continue striving in spite of discouragements.  + + + + + + +
persiflage Banter.  + + + + + + +
persist To continue steadfast against opposition.  + + + + + + +
persistence A fixed adherence to a resolve, course of conduct, or the like.  + + + + + + +
personage A man or woman as an individual, especially one of rank or high station.  + + + + + + +
personal Not general or public.  + + + + + + +
personality The attributes, taken collectively, that make up the character and nature of an individual.  + + + + + + +
personnel The force of persons collectively employed in some service.  + + + + + + +
perspective The relative importance of facts or matters from any special point of view.  + + + + + + +
perspicacious Astute.  + + + + + + +
perspicacity Acuteness or discernment.  + + + + + + +
perspicuous Lucid.  + + + + + + +
perspiration Sweat.  + + + + + + +
perspire To excrete through the pores of the skin.  + + + + + + +
persuade To win the mind of by argument, eloquence, evidence, or reflection.  + + + + + + +
persuadable capable of influencing to action by entreaty, statement, or anything that moves the feelings.  + + + + + + +
pertinacious Persistent or unyielding.  + + + + + + +
pertinacity Unyielding adherence.  + + + + + + +
pertinent Relevant.  + + + + + + +
perturb To disturb greatly.  + + + + + + +
perturbation Mental excitement or confusion.  + + + + + + +
perusal The act of reading carefully or thoughtfully.  + + + + + + +
pervade To pass or spread through every part.  + + + + + + +
pervasion The state of spreading through every part.  + + + + + + +
pervasive Thoroughly penetrating or permeating.  + + + + + + +
perverse Unreasonable.  + + + + + + +
perversion Diversion from the true meaning or proper purpose.  + + + + + + +
perversity Wickedness.  + + + + + + +
pervert One who has forsaken a doctrine regarded as true for one esteemed false.  + + + + + + +
pervious Admitting the entrance or passage of another substance.  + + + + + + +
pestilence A raging epidemic.  + + + + + + +
pestilent Having a malign influence or effect.  + + + + + + +
pestilential having the nature of or breeding pestilence.  + + + + + + +
peter To fail or lose power, efficiency, or value.  + + + + + + +
petrify To convert into a substance of stony hardness and character.  + + + + + + +
petulance The character or condition of being impatient, capricious or petulant.  + + + + + + +
petulant Displaying impatience.  + + + + + + +
pharmacopoeia A book containing the formulas and methods of preparation of medicines for the use of druggists. + + + + + + +
pharmacy The art or business of compounding and dispensing medicines.  + + + + + + +
phenomenal Extraordinary or marvelous.  + + + + + + +
phenomenon Any unusual occurrence.  + + + + + + +
philander To play at courtship with a woman.  + + + + + + +
philanthropic Benevolent.  + + + + + + +
philanthropist One who endeavors to help his fellow men.  + + + + + + +
philanthropy Active humanitarianism.  + + + + + + +
philately The study and collection of stamps. + + + + + + +
philharmonic Fond of music.  + + + + + + +
philogynist One who is fond of women.  + + + + + + +
philologist An expert in linguistics.  + + + + + + +
philology The study of language in connection with history and literature.  + + + + + + +
philosophize To seek ultimate causes and principles.  + + + + + + +
philosophy The general principles, laws, or causes that furnish the rational explanation of anything.  + + + + + + +
phlegmatic Not easily roused to feeling or action.  + + + + + + +
phonetic Representing articulate sounds or speech.  + + + + + + +
phonic Pertaining to the nature of sound.  + + + + + + +
phonogram A graphic character symbolizing an articulate sound.  + + + + + + +
phonology The science of human vocal sounds.  + + + + + + +
phosphorescence The property of emitting light.  + + + + + + +
photoelectric Pertaining to the combined action of light and electricity.  + + + + + + +
photometer Any instrument for measuring the intensity of light or comparing the intensity of two lights.  + + + + + + +
photometry The art of measuring the intensity of light.  + + + + + + +
physicist A specialist in the science that treats of the phenomena associated with matter and energy.  + + + + + + +
physics The science that treats of the phenomena associated with matter and energy.  + + + + + + +
physiocracy The doctrine that land and its products are the only true wealth.  + + + + + + +
physiognomy The external appearance merely.  + + + + + + +
physiography Description of nature.  + + + + + + +
physiology The science of organic functions.  + + + + + + +
physique The physical structure or organization of a person.  + + + + + + +
picayune Of small value.  + + + + + + +
piccolo A small flute.  + + + + + + +
piece A loose or separated part, as distinguished from the whole or the mass.  + + + + + + +
piecemeal Gradually.  + + + + + + +
pillage Open robbery, as in war.  + + + + + + +
pillory A wooden framework in which an offender is fastened to boards and is exposed to public scorn. + + + + + + +
pincers An instrument having two lever-handles and two jaws working on a pivot.  + + + + + + +
pinchers An instrument having two jaws working on a pivot.  + + + + + + +
pinnacle A high or topmost point, as a mountain-peak.  + + + + + + +
pioneer One among the first to explore a country.  + + + + + + +
pious Religious.  + + + + + + +
pique To excite a slight degree of anger in.  + + + + + + +
piteous Compassionate.  + + + + + + +
pitiable Contemptible.  + + + + + + +
pitiful Wretched.  + + + + + + +
pitiless Hard-hearted.  + + + + + + +
pittance Any small portion or meager allowance.  + + + + + + +
placate To bring from a state of angry or hostile feeling to one of patience or friendliness.  + + + + + + +
placid Serene.  + + + + + + +
plagiarism The stealing of passages from the writings of another and publishing them as one's own.  + + + + + + +
planisphere A polar projection of the heavens on a chart.  + + + + + + +
plasticity The property of some substances through which the form of the mass can readily be changed.  + + + + + + +
platitude A written or spoken statement that is flat, dull, or commonplace.  + + + + + + +
plaudit An expression of applause.  + + + + + + +
plausible Seeming likely to be true, though open to doubt.  + + + + + + +
playful Frolicsome.  + + + + + + +
playwright A maker of plays for the stage.  + + + + + + +
plea An argument to obtain some desired action.  + + + + + + +
pleasant Agreeable.  + + + + + + +
pleasurable Affording gratification.  + + + + + + +
plebeian Common.  + + + + + + +
pledgee The person to whom anything is pledged.  + + + + + + +
pledgeor One who gives a pledge.  + + + + + + +
plenary Entire.  + + + + + + +
plenipotentiary A person fully empowered to transact any business.  + + + + + + +
plenitude Abundance.  + + + + + + +
plenteous Abundant.  + + + + + + +
plumb A weight suspended by a line to test the verticality of something.  + + + + + + +
plummet A piece of lead for making soundings, adjusting walls to the vertical.  + + + + + + +
pluperfect Expressing past time or action prior to some other past time or action.  + + + + + + +
plural Containing or consisting of more than one.  + + + + + + +
plurality A majority.  + + + + + + +
plutocracy A wealthy class in a political community who control the government by means of their money.  + + + + + + +
pneumatic Pertaining to or consisting of air or gas.  + + + + + + +
poesy Poetry.  + + + + + + +
poetaster An inferior poet.  + + + + + + +
poetic Pertaining to poetry.  + + + + + + +
poetics The rules and principles of poetry.  + + + + + + +
poignancy Severity or acuteness, especially of pain or grief.  + + + + + + +
poignant Severely painful or acute to the spirit.  + + + + + + +
poise Equilibrium.  + + + + + + +
polar Pertaining to the poles of a sphere, especially of the earth.  + + + + + + +
polemics The art of controversy or disputation.  + + + + + + +
pollen The fine dust-like grains or powder formed within the anther of a flowering plant.  + + + + + + +
pollute To contaminate.  + + + + + + +
polyarchy Government by several or many persons of what- ever class.  + + + + + + +
polycracy The rule of many.  + + + + + + +
polygamy the fact or condition of having more than one wife or husband at once.  + + + + + + +
polyglot Speaking several tongues.  + + + + + + +
polygon A figure having many angles.  + + + + + + +
polyhedron A solid bounded by plane faces, especially by more than four.  + + + + + + +
polysyllable Having several syllables, especially more than three syllables.  + + + + + + +
polytechnic Pertaining to, embracing, or practicing many arts.  + + + + + + +
polytheism The doctrine or belief that there are more gods than one.  + + + + + + +
pommel To beat with something thick or bulky.  + + + + + + +
pomposity The quality of being marked by an assumed stateliness and impressiveness of manner.  + + + + + + +
pompous Marked by an assumed stateliness and impressiveness of manner.  + + + + + + +
ponder To meditate or reflect upon.  + + + + + + +
ponderous Unusually weighty or forcible.  + + + + + + +
pontiff The Pope.  + + + + + + +
populace The common people.  + + + + + + +
populous Containing many inhabitants, especially in proportion to the territory.  + + + + + + +
portend To indicate as being about to happen, especially by previous signs.  + + + + + + +
portent Anything that indicates what is to happen.  + + + + + + +
portfolio A portable case for holding writing-materials, drawings, etc.  + + + + + + +
posit To present in an orderly manner.  + + + + + + +
position The manner in which a thing is placed.  + + + + + + +
positive Free from doubt or hesitation.  + + + + + + +
posse A force of men.  + + + + + + +
possess To own.  + + + + + + +
possession The having, holding, or detention of property in one's power or command.  + + + + + + +
possessive Pertaining to the having, holding, or detention of property in one's power or command.  + + + + + + +
possessor One who owns, enjoys, or controls anything, as property.  + + + + + + +
possible Being not beyond the reach of power natural, moral, or supernatural.  + + + + + + +
postdate To make the date of any writing later than the real date.  + + + + + + +
posterior The hinder part.  + + + + + + +
postgraduate Pertaining to studies that are pursued after receiving a degree.  + + + + + + +
postscript Something added to a letter after the writer's signature.  + + + + + + +
potency Power.  + + + + + + +
potent Physically powerful.  + + + + + + +
potentate One possessed of great power or sway.  + + + + + + +
potential Anything that may be possible.  + + + + + + +
potion A dose of liquid medicine.  + + + + + + +
powerless Impotent.  + + + + + + +
practicable Feasible.  + + + + + + +
prate To talk about vainly or foolishly.  + + + + + + +
prattle To utter in simple or childish talk.  + + + + + + +
preamble A statement introductory to and explanatory of what follows.  + + + + + + +
precarious Perilous.  + + + + + + +
precaution A provision made in advance for some possible emergency or danger.  + + + + + + +
precede To happen first.  + + + + + + +
precedence Priority in place, time, or rank.  + + + + + + +
precedent An instance that may serve as a guide or basis for a rule.  + + + + + + +
precedential Of the nature of an instance that may serve as a guide or basis for a rule.  + + + + + + +
precession The act of going forward.  + + + + + + +
precipice A high and very steep or approximately vertical cliff.  + + + + + + +
precipitant Moving onward quickly and heedlessly.  + + + + + + +
precipitate To force forward prematurely.  + + + + + + +
precise Exact.  + + + + + + +
precision Accuracy of limitation, definition, or adjustment.  + + + + + + +
preclude To prevent.  + + + + + + +
precocious Having the mental faculties prematurely developed.  + + + + + + +
precursor A forerunner or herald.  + + + + + + +
predatory Prone to pillaging.  + + + + + + +
predecessor An incumbent of a given office previous to another.  + + + + + + +
predicament A difficult, trying situation or plight.  + + + + + + +
predicate To state as belonging to something.  + + + + + + +
predict To foretell.  + + + + + + +
prediction A prophecy.  + + + + + + +
predominance Ascendancy or preponderance.  + + + + + + +
predominant Superior in power, influence, effectiveness, number, or degree.  + + + + + + +
predominate To be chief in importance, quantity, or degree.  + + + + + + +
preeminence Special eminence.  + + + + + + +
preempt To secure the right of preference in the purchase of public land.  + + + + + + +
preemption The right or act of purchasing before others.  + + + + + + +
preengage To preoccupy.  + + + + + + +
preestablish To settle or arrange beforehand.  + + + + + + +
preexist To exist at a period or in a state earlier than something else.  + + + + + + +
preexistence Existence antecedent to something.  + + + + + + +
preface A brief explanation or address to the reader, at the beginning of a book.  + + + + + + +
prefatory Pertaining to a brief explanation to the reader at the beginning of a book.  + + + + + + +
prefer To hold in higher estimation.  + + + + + + +
preferable More desirable than others.  + + + + + + +
preference An object of favor or choice.  + + + + + + +
preferential Possessing, giving, or constituting preference or priority.  + + + + + + +
preferment Preference.  + + + + + + +
prefix To attach at the beginning.  + + + + + + +
prehensible Capable of being grasped.  + + + + + + +
prehensile Adapted for grasping or holding.  + + + + + + +
prehension The act of laying hold of or grasping.  + + + + + + +
prejudice A judgment or opinion formed without due examination of the facts.  + + + + + + +
prelacy A system of church government.  + + + + + + +
prelate One of a higher order of clergy having direct authority over other clergy.  + + + + + + +
prelude An introductory or opening performance.  + + + + + + +
premature Coming too soon.  + + + + + + +
premier First in rank or position.  + + + + + + +
premise A judgment as a conclusion.  + + + + + + +
premonition Foreboding.  + + + + + + +
preoccupation The state of having the mind, attention, or inclination preoccupied.  + + + + + + +
preoccupy To fill the mind of a person to the exclusion of other subjects.  + + + + + + +
preordain To foreordain.  + + + + + + +
preparation An act or proceeding designed to bring about some event.  + + + + + + +
preparatory Having to do with what is preliminary.  + + + + + + +
preponderant Prevalent.  + + + + + + +
preponderate To exceed in influence or power.  + + + + + + +
prepossession A preconceived liking.  + + + + + + +
preposterous Utterly ridiculous or absurd.  + + + + + + +
prerogative Having superior rank or precedence.  + + + + + + +
presage To foretell.  + + + + + + +
prescience Knowledge of events before they take place.  + + + + + + +
prescient Foreknowing.  + + + + + + +
prescript Prescribed as a rule or model.  + + + + + + +
prescriptible Derived from authoritative direction.  + + + + + + +
prescription An authoritative direction.  + + + + + + +
presentient Perceiving or feeling beforehand.  + + + + + + +
presentiment Foreboding.  + + + + + + +
presentment Semblance.  + + + + + + +
preservation Conservation.  + + + + + + +
presumption That which may be logically assumed to be true until disproved.  + + + + + + +
presumptuous Assuming too much.  + + + + + + +
pretension A bold or presumptuous assertion.  + + + + + + +
pretentious Marked by pretense, conceit, or display.  + + + + + + +
preternatural Extraordinary.  + + + + + + +
pretext A fictitious reason or motive.  + + + + + + +
prevalence Frequency.  + + + + + + +
prevalent Of wide extent or frequent occurrence.  + + + + + + +
prevaricate To use ambiguous or evasive language for the purpose of deceiving or diverting attention.  + + + + + + +
prevention Thwarting.  + + + + + + +
prickle To puncture slightly with fine, sharp points.  + + + + + + +
priggish Conceited.  + + + + + + +
prim Stiffly proper.  + + + + + + +
prima First.  + + + + + + +
primer An elementary reading-book for children.  + + + + + + +
primeval Belonging to the first ages.  + + + + + + +
primitive Pertaining to the beginning or early times.  + + + + + + +
principal Most important.  + + + + + + +
principality The territory of a reigning prince.  + + + + + + +
principle A general truth or proposition.  + + + + + + +
priory A monastic house.  + + + + + + +
pristine Primitive.  + + + + + + +
privateer A vessel owned and officered by private persons, but carrying on maritime war.  + + + + + + +
privilege A right or immunity not enjoyed by all, or that may be enjoyed only under special conditions.  + + + + + + +
privity Knowledge shared with another or others regarding a private matter.  + + + + + + +
privy Participating with another or others in the knowledge of a secret transaction.  + + + + + + +
probate Relating to making proof, as of a will.  + + + + + + +
probation Any proceeding designed to ascertain or test character, qualification, or the like.  + + + + + + +
probe To search through and through.  + + + + + + +
probity Virtue or integrity tested and confirmed.  + + + + + + +
procedure A manner or method of acting.  + + + + + + +
proceed To renew motion or action, as after rest or interruption.  + + + + + + +
proclamation Any announcement made in a public manner.  + + + + + + +
procrastinate To put off till tomorrow or till a future time.  + + + + + + +
procrastination Delay.  + + + + + + +
proctor An agent acting for another.  + + + + + + +
prodigal One wasteful or extravagant, especially in the use of money or property.  + + + + + + +
prodigious Immense.  + + + + + + +
prodigy A person or thing of very remarkable gifts or qualities.  + + + + + + +
productive Yielding in abundance.  + + + + + + +
profession Any calling or occupation involving special mental or other special disciplines.  + + + + + + +
professor A public teacher of the highest grade in a university or college.  + + + + + + +
proffer To offer to another for acceptance.  + + + + + + +
proficiency An advanced state of acquirement, as in some knowledge, art, or science.  + + + + + + +
proficient Possessing ample and ready knowledge or of skill in any art, science, or industry.  + + + + + + +
profile An outline or contour.  + + + + + + +
profiteer One who profits.  + + + + + + +
profligacy Shameless viciousness.  + + + + + + +
profligate Abandoned to vice.  + + + + + + +
profuse Produced or displayed in overabundance.  + + + + + + +
progeny Offspring.  + + + + + + +
progression A moving forward or proceeding in course.  + + + + + + +
prohibition A decree or an order forbidding something.  + + + + + + +
prohibitionist One who favors the prohibition by law of the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages.  + + + + + + +
prohibitory Involving or equivalent to prohibition, especially of the sale of alcoholic beverages.  + + + + + + +
projection A prominence.  + + + + + + +
proletarian A person of the lowest or poorest class.  + + + + + + +
prolific Producing offspring or fruit.  + + + + + + +
prolix Verbose.  + + + + + + +
prologue A prefatory statement or explanation to a poem, discourse, or performance.  + + + + + + +
prolong To extend in time or duration.  + + + + + + +
promenade To walk for amusement or exercise.  + + + + + + +
prominence The quality of being noticeable or distinguished.  + + + + + + +
prominent Conspicuous in position, character, or importance.  + + + + + + +
promiscuous Brought together without order, distinction, or design (for sex).  + + + + + + +
promissory Expressing an engagement to pay.  + + + + + + +
promontory A high point of land extending outward from the coastline into the sea.  + + + + + + +
promoter A furtherer, forwarder, or encourager.  + + + + + + +
promulgate To proclaim.  + + + + + + +
propaganda Any institution or systematic scheme for propagating a doctrine or system.  + + + + + + +
propagate To spread abroad or from person to person.  + + + + + + +
propel To drive or urge forward.  + + + + + + +
propellant Propelling.  + + + + + + +
propeller One who or that which propels.  + + + + + + +
prophecy Any prediction or foretelling.  + + + + + + +
prophesy To predict or foretell, especially under divine inspiration and guidance.  + + + + + + +
propitious Kindly disposed.  + + + + + + +
proportionate Being in proportion.  + + + + + + +
propriety Accordance with recognized usage, custom, or principles.  + + + + + + +
propulsion A driving onward or forward.  + + + + + + +
prosaic Unimaginative.  + + + + + + +
proscenium That part of the stage between the curtain and the orchestra.  + + + + + + +
proscribe To reject, as a teaching or a practice, with condemnation or denunciation.  + + + + + + +
proscription Any act of condemnation and rejection from favor and privilege.  + + + + + + +
proselyte One who has been won over from one religious belief to another.  + + + + + + +
prosody The science of poetical forms.  + + + + + + +
prospector One who makes exploration, search, or examination, especially for minerals.  + + + + + + +
prospectus A paper or pamphlet containing information of a proposed undertaking.  + + + + + + +
prostrate Lying prone, or with the head to the ground.  + + + + + + +
protagonist A leader in any enterprise or contest.  + + + + + + +
protection Preservation from harm, danger, annoyance, or any other evil.  + + + + + + +
protective Sheltering.  + + + + + + +
protector A defender.  + + + + + + +
protege One specially cared for and favored by another usually older person.  + + + + + + +
Protestant A Christian who denies the authority of the Pope and holds the right of special judgment.  + + + + + + +
protomartyr The earliest victim in any cause.  + + + + + + +
protocol A declaration or memorandum of agreement less solemn and formal than a treaty.  + + + + + + +
protoplasm The substance that forms the principal portion of an animal or vegetable cell.  + + + + + + +
prototype A work, original in character, afterward imitated in form or spirit.  + + + + + + +
protract To prolong.  + + + + + + +
protrude To push out or thrust forth.  + + + + + + +
protrusion The act of protruding.  + + + + + + +
protuberance Something that swells out from a surrounding surface.  + + + + + + +
protuberant Bulging.  + + + + + + +
protuberate To swell or bulge beyond the surrounding surface.  + + + + + + +
proverb A brief, pithy saying, condensing in witty or striking form the wisdom of experience.  + + + + + + +
provident Anticipating and making ready for future wants or emergencies.  + + + + + + +
providential Effected by divine guidance.  + + + + + + +
provincial Uncultured in thought and manner.  + + + + + + +
proviso A clause in a contract, will, etc., by which its operation is rendered conditional.  + + + + + + +
provocation An action or mode of conduct that excites resentment.  + + + + + + +
prowess Strength, skill, and intrepidity in battle.  + + + + + + +
proximately Immediately.  + + + + + + +
proxy A person who is empowered by another to represent him or her in a given matter.  + + + + + + +
prudence Caution.  + + + + + + +
prudential Proceeding or marked by caution.  + + + + + + +
prudery An undue display of modesty or delicacy.  + + + + + + +
prurient Inclined to lascivious thoughts and desires.  + + + + + + +
pseudapostle A pretended or false apostle.  + + + + + + +
pseudonym A fictitious name, especially when assumed by a writer.  + + + + + + +
pseudonymity The state or character of using a fictitious name.  + + + + + + +
psychiatry The branch of medicine that relates to mental disease.  + + + + + + +
psychic Pertaining to the mind or soul.  + + + + + + +
psychopathic Morally irresponsible.  + + + + + + +
psychotherapy The treatment of mental disease.  + + + + + + +
pudgy Small and fat.  + + + + + + +
puerile Childish.  + + + + + + +
pugnacious Quarrelsome.  + + + + + + +
puissant Possessing strength.  + + + + + + +
pulmonary Pertaining to the lungs.  + + + + + + +
punctilious Strictly observant of the rules or forms prescribed by law or custom.  + + + + + + +
punctual Observant and exact in points of time.  + + + + + + +
pungent Affecting the sense of smell.  + + + + + + +
pungency The quality of affecting the sense of smell.  + + + + + + +
punitive Pertaining to punishment.  + + + + + + +
pupilage The state or period of being a student.  + + + + + + +
purgatory An intermediate state where souls are made fit for paradise or heaven by expiatory suffering.  + + + + + + +
purl To cause to whirl, as in an eddy.  + + + + + + +
purloin To steal.  + + + + + + +
purport Intent.  + + + + + + +
purveyor one who supplies  + + + + + + +
pusillanimous Without spirit or bravery.  + + + + + + +
putrescent Undergoing decomposition of animal or vegetable matter accompanied by fetid odors.  + + + + + + +
pyre A heap of combustibles arranged for burning a dead body.  + + + + + + +
pyromania An insane propensity to set things on fire.  + + + + + + +
pyrotechnic Pertaining to fireworks or their manufacture.  + + + + + + +
pyx A vessel or casket, usually of precious metal, in which the host is preserved.  + + + + + + +
quackery Charlatanry  + + + + + + +
quadrate To divide into quarters.  + + + + + + +
quadruple To multiply by four.  + + + + + + +
qualification A requisite for an employment, position, right, or privilege.  + + + + + + +
qualify To endow or furnish with requisite ability, character, knowledge, skill, or possessions.  + + + + + + +
qualm A fit of nausea.  + + + + + + +
quandary A puzzling predicament.  + + + + + + +
quantity Magnitude.  + + + + + + +
quarantine The enforced isolation of any person or place infected with contagious disease.  + + + + + + +
quarrelsome Irascible.  + + + + + + +
quarter One of four equal parts into which anything is or may be divided.  + + + + + + +
quarterly Occurring or made at intervals of three months.  + + + + + + +
quartet A composition for four voices or four instruments.  + + + + + + +
quarto An eight-page newspaper of any size.  + + + + + + +
quay A wharf or artificial landing-place on the shore of a harbor or projecting into it.  + + + + + + +
querulous Habitually complaining.  + + + + + + +
query To make inquiry.  + + + + + + +
queue A file of persons waiting in order of their arrival, as for admittance.  + + + + + + +
quibble An utterly trivial distinction or objection.  + + + + + + +
quiescence Quiet.  + + + + + + +
quiescent Being in a state of repose or inaction.  + + + + + + +
quiet Making no noise.  + + + + + + +
quietus A silencing, suppressing, or ending.  + + + + + + +
quintessence The most essential part of anything.  + + + + + + +
quintet Musical composition arranged for five voices or instruments.  + + + + + + +
quite Fully.  + + + + + + +
Quixotic Chivalrous or romantic to a ridiculous or extravagant degree.  + + + + + + +
rabid Affected with rabies or hydrophobia.  + + + + + + +
racy Exciting or exhilarating to the mind.  + + + + + + +
radiance Brilliant or sparkling luster.  + + + + + + +
radiate To extend in all directions, as from a source or focus.  + + + + + + +
radical One who holds extreme views or advocates extreme measures.  + + + + + + +
radix That from or on which something is developed.  + + + + + + +
raillery Good-humored satire.  + + + + + + +
ramify To divide or subdivide into branches or subdivisions.  + + + + + + +
ramose Branch-like.  + + + + + + +
rampant Growing, climbing, or running without check or restraint.  + + + + + + +
rampart A bulwark or construction to oppose assault or hostile entry.  + + + + + + +
rancor Malice.  + + + + + + +
rankle To produce irritation or festering.  + + + + + + +
rapacious Disposed to seize by violence or by unlawful or greedy methods.  + + + + + + +
rapid Having great speed.  + + + + + + +
rapine The act of seizing and carrying off property by superior force, as in war.  + + + + + + +
rapt Enraptured.  + + + + + + +
raptorial Seizing and devouring living prey.  + + + + + + +
ration To provide with a fixed allowance or portion, especially of food.  + + + + + + +
rationalism The formation of opinions by relying upon reason alone, independently of authority.  + + + + + + +
raucous Harsh.  + + + + + + +
ravage To lay waste by pillage, rapine, devouring, or other destructive methods.  + + + + + + +
ravenous Furiously voracious or hungry.  + + + + + + +
ravine A deep gorge or hollow, especially one worn by a stream or flow of water.  + + + + + + +
reaction Tendency towards a former, or opposite state of things, as after reform, revolution, or inflation. + + + + + + +
reactionary Pertaining to, of the nature of, causing, or favoring reaction.  + + + + + + +
readily Without objection or reluctance.  + + + + + + +
readjust To put in order after disarrangement.  + + + + + + +
ready In a state of preparedness for any given purpose or occasion.  + + + + + + +
realism The principle and practice of depicting persons and scenes as they are believed really to exist.  + + + + + + +
rearrange To arrange again or in a different order.  + + + + + + +
reassure To give new confidence.  + + + + + + +
rebellious Insubordinate.  + + + + + + +
rebuff A peremptory or unexpected rejection of advances or approaches.  + + + + + + +
rebuild To build again or anew.  + + + + + + +
rebut To oppose by argument or a sufficient answer.  + + + + + + +
recant To withdraw formally one's belief (in something previously believed or maintained).  + + + + + + +
recapitulate To repeat again the principal points of.  + + + + + + +
recapture To capture again.  + + + + + + +
recede To move back or away.  + + + + + + +
receivable Capable of being or fit to be received - often money.  + + + + + + +
receptive Having the capacity, quality, or ability of receiving, as truths or impressions.  + + + + + + +
recessive Having a tendency to go back.  + + + + + + +
recidivist A confirmed criminal.  + + + + + + +
reciprocal Mutually interchangeable or convertible.  + + + + + + +
reciprocate To give and take mutually.  + + + + + + +
reciprocity Equal mutual rights and benefits granted and enjoyed.  + + + + + + +
recitation The act of reciting or repeating, especially in public and from memory.  + + + + + + +
reck To have a care or thought for.  + + + + + + +
reckless Foolishly headless of danger.  + + + + + + +
reclaim To demand or to obtain the return or restoration of.  + + + + + + +
recline To cause to assume a leaning or recumbent attitude or position.  + + + + + + +
recluse One who lives in retirement or seclusion.  + + + + + + +
reclusory A hermitage.  + + + + + + +
recognizance An acknowledgment entered into before a court with condition to do some particular act.  + + + + + + +
recognize To recall the identity of (a person or thing).  + + + + + + +
recoil To start back as in dismay, loathing, or dread.  + + + + + + +
recollect To recall the knowledge of.  + + + + + + +
reconcilable Capable of being adjusted or harmonized.  + + + + + + +
reconnoiter To make a preliminary examination of for military, surveying, or geological purposes.  + + + + + + +
reconsider To review with care, especially with a view to a reversal of previous action.  + + + + + + +
reconstruct To rebuild.  + + + + + + +
recourse Resort to or application for help in exigency or trouble.  + + + + + + +
recover To regain.  + + + + + + +
recreant A cowardly or faithless person.  + + + + + + +
recreate To refresh after labor.  + + + + + + +
recrudescence The state of becoming raw or sore again.  + + + + + + +
recrudescent Becoming raw or sore again.  + + + + + + +
recruit To enlist men for military or naval service.  + + + + + + +
rectify To correct.  + + + + + + +
rectitude The quality of being upright in principles and conduct.  + + + + + + +
recuperate To recover.  + + + + + + +
recur To happen again or repeatedly, especially at regular intervals.  + + + + + + +
recure To cure again.  + + + + + + +
recurrent Returning from time to time, especially at regular or stated intervals.  + + + + + + +
redemption The recovery of what is mortgaged or pledged, by paying the debt.  + + + + + + +
redolent Smelling sweet and agreeable.  + + + + + + +
redolence Smelling sweet and agreeable.  + + + + + + +
redoubtable Formidable.  + + + + + + +
redound Rebound.  + + + + + + +
redress To set right, as a wrong by compensation or the punishment of the wrong-doer.  + + + + + + +
reducible That may be reduced.  + + + + + + +
redundance Excess.  + + + + + + +
redundant Constituting an excess.  + + + + + + +
reestablish To restore.  + + + + + + +
refer To direct or send for information or other purpose.  + + + + + + +
referrer One who refers.  + + + + + + +
referable Ascribable.  + + + + + + +
referee An umpire.  + + + + + + +
refinery A place where some crude material, as sugar or petroleum, is purified.  + + + + + + +
reflectible Capable of being turned back.  + + + + + + +
reflection The throwing off or back of light, heat, sound, or any form of energy that travels in waves.  + + + + + + +
reflector A mirror, as of metal, for reflecting light, heat, or sound in a particular direction.  + + + + + + +
reflexible Capable of being reflected.  + + + + + + +
reform Change for the better.  + + + + + + +
reformer One who carries out a reform.  + + + + + + +
refract To bend or turn from a direct course.  + + + + + + +
refractory Not amenable to control.  + + + + + + +
refragable Capable of being refuted.  + + + + + + +
refringency Power to refract.  + + + + + + +
refringent Having the power to refract.  + + + + + + +
refusal Denial of what is asked.  + + + + + + +
refute To prove to be wrong.  + + + + + + +
regale To give unusual pleasure.  + + + + + + +
regalia pl. The emblems of royalty.  + + + + + + +
regality Royalty.  + + + + + + +
regenerate To reproduce.  + + + + + + +
regent One who is lawfully deputized to administer the government for the time being in the name of the ruler. + + + + + + +
regicide The killing of a king or sovereign.  + + + + + + +
regime Particular conduct or administration of affairs.  + + + + + + +
regimen A systematized order or course of living with reference to food, clothing and personal habits.  + + + + + + +
regiment A body of soldiers.  + + + + + + +
regnant Exercising royal authority in one's own right.  + + + + + + +
regress To return to a former place or condition.  + + + + + + +
regretful Feeling, expressive of, or full of regret.  + + + + + + +
rehabilitate To restore to a former status, capacity, right rank, or privilege.  + + + + + + +
reign To hold and exercise sovereign power.  + + + + + + +
reimburse To pay back as an equivalent of what has been expended.  + + + + + + +
rein A step attached to the bit for controlling a horse or other draft-animal.  + + + + + + +
reinstate To restore to a former state, station, or authority.  + + + + + + +
reiterate To say or do again and again.  + + + + + + +
rejoin To reunite after separation.  + + + + + + +
rejuvenate To restore to youth.  + + + + + + +
rejuvenescence A renewal of youth.  + + + + + + +
relapse To suffer a return of a disease after partial recovery.  + + + + + + +
relegate To send off or consign, as to an obscure position or remote destination.  + + + + + + +
relent To yield.  + + + + + + +
relevant Bearing upon the matter in hand.  + + + + + + +
reliance Dependence.  + + + + + + +
reliant Having confidence.  + + + + + + +
relinquish To give up using or having.  + + + + + + +
reliquary A casket, coffer, or repository in which relics are kept.  + + + + + + +
relish To like the taste or savor of.  + + + + + + +
reluctance Unwillingness.  + + + + + + +
reluctant Unwilling.  + + + + + + +
remembrance Recollection.  + + + + + + +
reminiscence The calling to mind of incidents within the range of personal knowledge or experience.  + + + + + + +
reminiscent Pertaining to the recollection of matters of personal interest.  + + + + + + +
remiss Negligent.  + + + + + + +
remission Temporary diminution of a disease.  + + + + + + +
remodel Reconstruct.  + + + + + + +
remonstrance Reproof.  + + + + + + +
remonstrant Having the character of a reproof.  + + + + + + +
remonstrate To present a verbal or written protest to those who have power to right or prevent a wrong.  + + + + + + +
remunerate To pay or pay for.  + + + + + + +
remuneration Compensation.  + + + + + + +
Renaissance The revival of letters, and then of art, which marks the transition from medieval to modern time. + + + + + + +
rendezvous A prearranged place of meeting.  + + + + + + +
rendition Interpretation.  + + + + + + +
renovate To restore after deterioration, as a building.  + + + + + + +
renunciation An explicit disclaimer of a right or privilege.  + + + + + + +
reorganize To change to a more satisfactory form of organization.  + + + + + + +
reparable Capable of repair.  + + + + + + +
reparation The act of making amends, as for an injury, loss, or wrong.  + + + + + + +
repartee A ready, witty, or apt reply.  + + + + + + +
repeal To render of no further effect.  + + + + + + +
repel To force or keep back in a manner, physically or mentally.  + + + + + + +
repellent Having power to force back in a manner, physically or mentally.  + + + + + + +
repentance Sorrow for something done or left undone, with desire to make things right by undoing the wrong.  + + + + + + +
repertory A place where things are stored or gathered together.  + + + + + + +
repetition The act of repeating.  + + + + + + +
repine To indulge in fretfulness and faultfinding.  + + + + + + +
replenish To fill again, as something that has been emptied.  + + + + + + +
replete Full to the uttermost.  + + + + + + +
replica A duplicate executed by the artist himself, and regarded, equally with the first, as an original.  + + + + + + +
repository A place in which goods are stored.  + + + + + + +
reprehend To find fault with.  + + + + + + +
reprehensible Censurable.  + + + + + + +
reprehension Expression of blame.  + + + + + + +
repress To keep under restraint or control.  + + + + + + +
repressible Able to be kept under restraint or control.  + + + + + + +
reprieve To grant a respite from punishment to.  + + + + + + +
reprimand To chide or rebuke for a fault.  + + + + + + +
reprisal Any infliction or act by way of retaliation on an enemy.  + + + + + + +
reprobate One abandoned to depravity and sin.  + + + + + + +
reproduce To make a copy of.  + + + + + + +
reproduction The process by which an animal or plant gives rise to another of its kind.  + + + + + + +
reproof An expression of disapproval or blame personally addressed to one censured.  + + + + + + +
repudiate To refuse to have anything to do with.  + + + + + + +
repugnance Thorough dislike.  + + + + + + +
repugnant Offensive to taste and feeling.  + + + + + + +
repulse The act of beating or driving back, as an attacking or advancing enemy.  + + + + + + +
repulsive Grossly offensive.  + + + + + + +
repute To hold in general opinion.  + + + + + + +
requiem A solemn mass sung for the repose of the souls of the dead.  + + + + + + +
requisite Necessary.  + + + + + + +
requital Adequate return for good or ill.  + + + + + + +
requite To repay either good or evil to, as to a person.  + + + + + + +
rescind To make void, as an act, by the enacting authority or a superior authority.  + + + + + + +
reseat To place in position of office again.  + + + + + + +
resemblance Similarity in quality or form.  + + + + + + +
resent To be indignant at, as an injury or insult.  + + + + + + +
reservoir A receptacle where a quantity of some material, especially of a liquid or gas, may be kept.  + + + + + + +
residue A remainder or surplus after a part has been separated or otherwise treated.  + + + + + + +
resilience The power of springing back to a former position  + + + + + + +
resilient Having the quality of springing back to a former position.  + + + + + + +
resistance The exertion of opposite effort or effect.  + + + + + + +
resistant Offering or tending to produce resistance.  + + + + + + +
resistive Having or exercising the power of resistance.  + + + + + + +
resistless Powerless.  + + + + + + +
resonance The quality of being able to reinforce sound by sympathetic vibrations.  + + + + + + +
resonance Able to reinforce sound by sympathetic vibrations.  + + + + + + +
resonate To have or produce resonance.  + + + + + + +
resource That which is restored to, relied upon, or made available for aid or support.  + + + + + + +
respite Interval of rest.  + + + + + + +
resplendent Very bright.  + + + + + + +
respondent Answering.  + + + + + + +
restitution Restoration of anything to the one to whom it properly belongs.  + + + + + + +
resumption The act of taking back, or taking again.  + + + + + + +
resurgent Surging back or again.  + + + + + + +
resurrection A return from death to life  + + + + + + +
resuscitate To restore from apparent death.  + + + + + + +
retaliate To repay evil with a similar evil.  + + + + + + +
retch To make an effort to vomit.  + + + + + + +
retention The keeping of a thing within one's power or possession.  + + + + + + +
reticence The quality of habitually keeping silent or being reserved in utterance.  + + + + + + +
reticent Habitually keeping silent or being reserved in utterance.  + + + + + + +
retinue The body of persons who attend a person of importance in travel or public appearance.  + + + + + + +
retort A retaliatory speech.  + + + + + + +
retouch To modify the details of.  + + + + + + +
retrace To follow backward or toward the place of beginning, as a track or marking.  + + + + + + +
retract To recall or take back (something that one has said).  + + + + + + +
retrench To cut down or reduce in extent or quantity.  + + + + + + +
retrieve To recover something by searching.  + + + + + + +
retroactive Operative on, affecting, or having reference to past events, transactions, responsibilities.  + + + + + + +
retrograde To cause to deteriorate or to move backward.  + + + + + + +
retrogression A going or moving backward or in a reverse direction.  + + + + + + +
retrospect A view or contemplation of something past.  + + + + + + +
retrospective Looking back on the past.  + + + + + + +
reunite To unite or join again, as after separation.  + + + + + + +
revelation A disclosing, discovering, or making known of what was before secret, private, or unknown.  + + + + + + +
revere To regard with worshipful veneration.  + + + + + + +
reverent Humble.  + + + + + + +
reversion A return to or toward some former state or condition.  + + + + + + +
revert To return, or turn or look back, as toward a former position or the like.  + + + + + + +
revile To heap approach or abuse upon.  + + + + + + +
revisal Revision.  + + + + + + +
revise To examine for the correction of errors, or for the purpose of making changes.  + + + + + + +
revocation Repeal.  + + + + + + +
revoke To rescind.  + + + + + + +
rhapsody Rapt or rapturous utterance.  + + + + + + +
rhetoric The art of discourse.  + + + + + + +
rhetorician A showy writer or speaker.  + + + + + + +
ribald Indulging in or manifesting coarse indecency or obscenity.  + + + + + + +
riddance The act or ridding or delivering from something undesirable.  + + + + + + +
ridicule Looks or acts expressing amused contempt.  + + + + + + +
ridiculous Laughable and contemptible.  + + + + + + +
rife Abundant.  + + + + + + +
righteousness Rectitude.  + + + + + + +
rightful Conformed to a just claim according to established laws or usage.  + + + + + + +
rigmarole Nonsense.  + + + + + + +
rigor Inflexibility.  + + + + + + +
rigorous Uncompromising.  + + + + + + +
ripplet A small ripple, as of water.  + + + + + + +
risible capable of exciting laughter.  + + + + + + +
rivulet A small stream or brook.  + + + + + + +
robust Characterized by great strength or power of endurance.  + + + + + + +
rondo A musical composition during which the first part or subject is repeated several times.  + + + + + + +
rookery A place where crows congregate to breed.  + + + + + + +
rotary Turning around its axis, like a wheel, or so constructed as to turn thus.  + + + + + + +
rotate To cause to turn on or as on its axis, as a wheel.  + + + + + + +
rote Repetition of words or sounds as a means of learning them, with slight attention.  + + + + + + +
rotund Round from fullness or plumpness.  + + + + + + +
rudimentary Being in an initial, early, or incomplete stage of development.  + + + + + + +
rue To regret extremely.  + + + + + + +
ruffian A lawless or recklessly brutal fellow.  + + + + + + +
ruminant Chewing the cud.  + + + + + + +
ruminate To chew over again, as food previously swallowed and regurgitated.  + + + + + + +
rupture To separate the parts of by violence.  + + + + + + +
rustic Characteristic of dwelling in the country.  + + + + + + +
ruth Sorrow for another's misery.  + + + + + + +
sacrifice To make an offering of to deity, especially by presenting on an altar.  + + + + + + +
sacrificial Offering or offered as an atonement for sin.  + + + + + + +
sacrilege The act of violating or profaning anything sacred.  + + + + + + +
sacrilegious Impious.  + + + + + + +
safeguard To protect.  + + + + + + +
sagacious Able to discern and distinguish with wise perception.  + + + + + + +
salacious Having strong sexual desires.  + + + + + + +
salience The condition of standing out distinctly.  + + + + + + +
salient Standing out prominently.  + + + + + + +
saline Constituting or consisting of salt.  + + + + + + +
salutary Beneficial.  + + + + + + +
salutation Any form of greeting, hailing, or welcome, whether by word or act.  + + + + + + +
salutatory The opening oration at the commencement in American colleges.  + + + + + + +
salvage Any act of saving property.  + + + + + + +
salvo A salute given by firing all the guns, as at the funeral of an officer.  + + + + + + +
sanctimonious Making an ostentatious display or hypocritical pretense of holiness or piety.  + + + + + + +
sanction To approve authoritatively.  + + + + + + +
sanctity Holiness.  + + + + + + +
sanguinary Bloody.  + + + + + + +
sanguine Having the color of blood.  + + + + + + +
sanguineous Consisting of blood.  + + + + + + +
sapid Affecting the sense of taste.  + + + + + + +
sapience Deep wisdom or knowledge.  + + + + + + +
sapient Possessing wisdom.  + + + + + + +
sapiential Possessing wisdom.  + + + + + + +
saponaceous Having the nature or quality of soap.  + + + + + + +
sarcasm Cutting and reproachful language.  + + + + + + +
sarcophagus A stone coffin or a chest-like tomb.  + + + + + + +
sardonic Scornfully or bitterly sarcastic.  + + + + + + +
satiate To satisfy fully the appetite or desire of.  + + + + + + +
satire The employment of sarcasm, irony, or keenness of wit in ridiculing vices.  + + + + + + +
satiric Resembling poetry, in which vice, incapacity ,or corruption is held up to ridicule.  + + + + + + +
satirize To treat with sarcasm or derisive wit.  + + + + + + +
satyr A very lascivious person.  + + + + + + +
savage A wild and uncivilized human being.  + + + + + + +
savor To perceive by taste or smell.  + + + + + + +
scabbard The sheath of a sword or similar bladed weapon.  + + + + + + +
scarcity Insufficiency of supply for needs or ordinary demands.  + + + + + + +
scholarly Characteristic of an erudite person.  + + + + + + +
scholastic Pertaining to education or schools.  + + + + + + +
scintilla The faintest ray.  + + + + + + +
scintillate To emit or send forth sparks or little flashes of light.  + + + + + + +
scope A range of action or view.  + + + + + + +
scoundrel A man without principle.  + + + + + + +
scribble Hasty, careless writing.  + + + + + + +
scribe One who writes or is skilled in writing.  + + + + + + +
script Writing or handwriting of the ordinary cursive form.  + + + + + + +
Scriptural Pertaining to, contained in, or warranted by the Holy Scriptures.  + + + + + + +
scruple Doubt or uncertainty regarding a question of moral right or duty.  + + + + + + +
scrupulous Cautious in action for fear of doing wrong.  + + + + + + +
scurrilous Grossly indecent or vulgar.  + + + + + + +
scuttle To sink (a ship) by making holes in the bottom.  + + + + + + +
scythe A long curved blade for mowing, reaping, etc.  + + + + + + +
seance A meeting of spirituals for consulting spirits.  + + + + + + +
sear To burn on the surface.  + + + + + + +
sebaceous Pertaining to or appearing like fat.  + + + + + + +
secant Cutting, especially into two parts.  + + + + + + +
secede To withdraw from union or association, especially from a political or religious body.  + + + + + + +
secession Voluntary withdrawal from fellowship, especially from political or religious bodies.  + + + + + + +
seclude To place, keep, or withdraw from the companionship of others.  + + + + + + +
seclusion Solitude.  + + + + + + +
secondary Less important or effective than that which is primary.  + + + + + + +
secondly In the second place in order or succession.  + + + + + + +
second-rate Second in quality, size, rank, importance, etc.  + + + + + + +
secrecy Concealment.  + + + + + + +
secretary One who attends to correspondence, keeps records. or does other writing for others.  + + + + + + +
secretive Having a tendency to conceal.  + + + + + + +
sedate Even-tempered.  + + + + + + +
sedentary Involving or requiring much sitting.  + + + + + + +
sediment Matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid.  + + + + + + +
sedition Conduct directed against public order and the tranquillity of the state.  + + + + + + +
seditious Promotive of conduct directed against public order and the tranquillity of the state.  + + + + + + +
seduce To entice to surrender chastity.  + + + + + + +
sedulous Persevering in effort or endeavor.  + + + + + + +
seer A prophet.  + + + + + + +
seethe To be violently excited or agitated.  + + + + + + +
seignior A title of honor or respectful address, equivalent to sir.  + + + + + + +
seismograph An instrument for recording the phenomena of earthquakes.  + + + + + + +
seize To catch or take hold of suddenly and forcibly.  + + + + + + +
selective Having the power of choice.  + + + + + + +
self-respect Rational self-esteem.  + + + + + + +
semblance Outward appearance.  + + + + + + +
semicivilized Half-civilized.  + + + + + + +
semiconscious Partially conscious.  + + + + + + +
semiannual Recurring at intervals of six months.  + + + + + + +
semicircle A half-circle.  + + + + + + +
seminar Any assemblage of pupils for real research in some specific study under a teacher.  + + + + + + +
seminary A special school, as of theology or pedagogics.  + + + + + + +
senile Peculiar to or proceeding from the weakness or infirmity of old age.  + + + + + + +
sensation A condition of mind resulting from spiritual or inherent feeling.  + + + + + + +
sense The signification conveyed by some word, phrase, or action.  + + + + + + +
sensibility Power to perceive or feel.  + + + + + + +
sensitive Easily affected by outside operations or influences.  + + + + + + +
sensorium The sensory apparatus.  + + + + + + +
sensual Pertaining to the body or the physical senses.  + + + + + + +
sensuous Having a warm appreciation of the beautiful or of the refinements of luxury.  + + + + + + +
sentence A related group of words containing a subject and a predicate and expressing a complete thought. + + + + + + +
sentience Capacity for sensation or sense-perception.  + + + + + + +
sentient Possessing the power of sense or sense-perception.  + + + + + + +
sentinel Any guard or watch stationed for protection.  + + + + + + +
separable Capable of being disjoined or divided.  + + + + + + +
separate To take apart.  + + + + + + +
separatist A seceder.  + + + + + + +
septennial Recurring every seven years.  + + + + + + +
sepulcher A burial-place.  + + + + + + +
sequacious Ready to be led.  + + + + + + +
sequel That which follows in consequence of what has previously happened.  + + + + + + +
sequence The order in which a number or persons, things, or events follow one another in space or time.  + + + + + + +
sequent Following in the order of time.  + + + + + + +
sequester To cause to withdraw or retire, as from society or public life.  + + + + + + +
sequestrate To confiscate.  + + + + + + +
sergeant A non-commissioned military officer ranking next above a corporal.  + + + + + + +
sergeant-at-arms An executive officer in legislative bodies who enforces the orders of the presiding officer.  + + + + + + +
sergeant-major The highest non-commissioned officer in a regiment.  + + + + + + +
service Any work done for the benefit of another.  + + + + + + +
serviceable Durable.  + + + + + + +
servitude Slavery.  + + + + + + +
severance Separation.  + + + + + + +
severely Extremely.  + + + + + + +
sextet A band of six singers or players.  + + + + + + +
sextuple Multiplied by six.  + + + + + + +
sheer Absolute.  + + + + + + +
shiftless Wanting in resource, energy, or executive ability.  + + + + + + +
shrewd Characterized by skill at understanding and profiting by circumstances.  + + + + + + +
shriek A sharp, shrill outcry or scream, caused by agony or terror.  + + + + + + +
shrinkage A contraction of any material into less bulk or dimension.  + + + + + + +
shrivel To draw or be drawn into wrinkles.  + + + + + + +
shuffle A mixing or changing the order of things.  + + + + + + +
sibilance A hissing sound.  + + + + + + +
sibilant Made with a hissing sound.  + + + + + + +
sibilate To give a hissing sound to, as in pronouncing the letter s.  + + + + + + +
sidelong Inclining or tending to one side.  + + + + + + +
sidereal Pertaining to stars or constellations.  + + + + + + +
siege A beleaguerment.  + + + + + + +
significance Importance.  + + + + + + +
significant Important, especially as pointing something out.  + + + + + + +
signification The meaning conveyed by language, actions, or signs.  + + + + + + +
similar Bearing resemblance to one another or to something else.  + + + + + + +
simile A comparison which directs the mind to the representative object itself.  + + + + + + +
similitude Similarity.  + + + + + + +
simplify To make less complex or difficult.  + + + + + + +
simulate Imitate.  + + + + + + +
simultaneous Occurring, done, or existing at the same time.  + + + + + + +
sinecure Any position having emoluments with few or no duties.  + + + + + + +
singe To burn slightly or superficially.  + + + + + + +
sinister Evil.  + + + + + + +
sinuosity The quality of curving in and out.  + + + + + + +
sinuous Curving in and out.  + + + + + + +
sinus An opening or cavity.  + + + + + + +
siren A sea-nymph, described by Homer as dwelling between the island of Circe and Scylla.  + + + + + + +
sirocco hot winds from Africa.  + + + + + + +
sisterhood A body of sisters united by some bond of sympathy or by a religious vow.  + + + + + + +
skeptic One who doubts any statements.  + + + + + + +
skepticism The entertainment of doubt concerning something.  + + + + + + +
skiff Usually, a small light boat propelled by oars.  + + + + + + +
skirmish Desultory fighting between advanced detachments of two armies.  + + + + + + +
sleight A trick or feat so deftly done that the manner of performance escapes observation.  + + + + + + +
slight Of a small importance or significance.  + + + + + + +
slothful Lazy.  + + + + + + +
sluggard A person habitually lazy or idle.  + + + + + + +
sociable Inclined to seek company.  + + + + + + +
socialism A theory of civil polity that aims to secure the reconstruction of society.  + + + + + + +
socialist One who advocates reconstruction of society by collective ownership of land and capital.  + + + + + + +
sociology The philosophical study of society.  + + + + + + +
Sol The sun.  + + + + + + +
solace Comfort in grief, trouble, or calamity.  + + + + + + +
solar Pertaining to the sun.  + + + + + + +
solder A fusible alloy used for joining metallic surfaces or margins.  + + + + + + +
soldier A person engaged in military service.  + + + + + + +
solecism Any violation of established rules or customs.  + + + + + + +
solicitor One who represents a client in court of justice; an attorney.  + + + + + + +
solicitude Uneasiness of mind occasioned by desire, anxiety, or fear.  + + + + + + +
soliloquy A monologue.  + + + + + + +
solstice The time of year when the sun is at its greatest declination.  + + + + + + +
soluble Capable of being dissolved, as in a fluid.  + + + + + + +
solvent Having sufficient funds to pay all debts.  + + + + + + +
somber Gloomy.  + + + + + + +
somniferous Tending to produce sleep.  + + + + + + +
somnolence Oppressive drowsiness.  + + + + + + +
somnolent Sleepy.  + + + + + + +
sonata An instrumental composition.  + + + + + + +
sonnet A poem of fourteen decasyllabic or octosyllabiclines expressing two successive phrases.  + + + + + + +
sonorous Resonant.  + + + + + + +
soothsayer One who claims to have supernatural insight or foresight.  + + + + + + +
sophism A false argument understood to be such by the reasoner himself and intentionally used to deceive + + + + + + +
sophistical Fallacious.  + + + + + + +
sophisticate To deprive of simplicity of mind or manner.  + + + + + + +
sophistry Reasoning sound in appearance only, especially when designedly deceptive.  + + + + + + +
soprano A woman's or boy's voice of high range.  + + + + + + +
sorcery Witchcraft.  + + + + + + +
sordid Of degraded character or nature.  + + + + + + +
souvenir A token of remembrance.  + + + + + + +
sparse Thinly diffused.  + + + + + + +
Spartan Exceptionally brave; rigorously severe.  + + + + + + +
spasmodic Convulsive.  + + + + + + +
specialize To assume an individual or specific character, or adopt a singular or special course.  + + + + + + +
specialty An employment limited to one particular line of work.  + + + + + + +
specie A coin or coins of gold, silver, copper, or other metal.  + + + + + + +
species A classificatory group of animals or plants subordinate to a genus.  + + + + + + +
specimen One of a class of persons or things regarded as representative of the class.  + + + + + + +
specious Plausible.  + + + + + + +
spectator One who beholds or looks on.  + + + + + + +
specter Apparition.  + + + + + + +
spectrum An image formed by rays of light or other radiant energy.  + + + + + + +
speculate To pursue inquiries and form conjectures.  + + + + + + +
speculator One who makes an investment that involves a risk of loss, but also a chance of profit.  + + + + + + +
sphericity The state or condition of being a sphere.  + + + + + + +
spheroid A body having nearly the form of a sphere.  + + + + + + +
spherometer An instrument for measuring curvature or radii of spherical surfaces.  + + + + + + +
spinous Having spines.  + + + + + + +
spinster A woman who has never been married.  + + + + + + +
spontaneous Arising from inherent qualities or tendencies without external efficient cause.  + + + + + + +
sprightly Vivacious.  + + + + + + +
spurious Not genuine.  + + + + + + +
squabble To quarrel.  + + + + + + +
squalid Having a dirty, mean, poverty-stricken appearance.  + + + + + + +
squatter One who settles on land without permission or right.  + + + + + + +
stagnant Not flowing: said of water, as in a pool.  + + + + + + +
stagnate To become dull or inert.  + + + + + + +
stagnation The condition of not flowing or not changing.  + + + + + + +
stagy Having a theatrical manner.  + + + + + + +
staid Of a steady and sober character.  + + + + + + +
stallion An uncastrated male horse, commonly one kept for breeding.  + + + + + + +
stanchion A vertical bar, or a pair of bars, used to confine cattle in a stall.  + + + + + + +
stanza A group of rimed lines, usually forming one of a series of similar divisions in a poem.  + + + + + + +
statecraft The art of conducting state affairs.  + + + + + + +
static Pertaining to or designating bodies at rest or forces in equilibrium.  + + + + + + +
statics The branch of mechanics that treats of the relations that subsist among forces in order.  + + + + + + +
stationary Not moving.  + + + + + + +
statistician One who is skilled in collecting and tabulating numerical facts.  + + + + + + +
statuesque Having the grace, pose, or quietude of a statue.  + + + + + + +
statuette A figurine.  + + + + + + +
stature The natural height of an animal body.  + + + + + + +
statute Any authoritatively declared rule, ordinance, decree, or law.  + + + + + + +
stealth A concealed manner of acting.  + + + + + + +
stellar Pertaining to the stars.  + + + + + + +
steppe One of the extensive plains in Russia and Siberia.  + + + + + + +
sterling Genuine.  + + + + + + +
stifle To smother.  + + + + + + +
stigma A mark of infamy or token of disgrace attaching to a person as the result of evil-doing.  + + + + + + +
stiletto A small dagger.  + + + + + + +
stimulant Anything that rouses to activity or to quickened action.  + + + + + + +
stimulate To rouse to activity or to quickened action.  + + + + + + +
stimulus Incentive.  + + + + + + +
stingy Cheap, unwilling to spend money.  + + + + + + +
stipend A definite amount paid at stated periods in compensation for services or as an allowance.  + + + + + + +
Stoicism The principles or the practice of the Stoics-being very even tempered in success and failure.  + + + + + + +
stolid Expressing no power of feeling or perceiving.  + + + + + + +
strait A narrow passage of water connecting two larger bodies of water.  + + + + + + +
stratagem Any clever trick or device for obtaining an advantage.  + + + + + + +
stratum A natural or artificial layer, bed, or thickness of any substance or material.  + + + + + + +
streamlet Rivulet.  + + + + + + +
stringency Strictness.  + + + + + + +
stringent Rigid.  + + + + + + +
stripling A mere youth.  + + + + + + +
studious Having or showing devotion to the acquisition of knowledge.  + + + + + + +
stultify To give an appearance of foolishness to.  + + + + + + +
stupendous Of prodigious size, bulk, or degree.  + + + + + + +
stupor Profound lethargy.  + + + + + + +
suasion The act of persuading.  + + + + + + +
suave Smooth and pleasant in manner.  + + + + + + +
subacid Somewhat sharp or biting.  + + + + + + +
subaquatic Being, formed, or operating under water.  + + + + + + +
subconscious Being or occurring in the mind, but without attendant consciousness or conscious perception.  + + + + + + +
subjacent Situated directly underneath.  + + + + + + +
subjection The act of bringing into a state of submission.  + + + + + + +
subjugate To conquer.  + + + + + + +
subliminal Being beneath the threshold of consciousness.  + + + + + + +
sublingual Situated beneath the tongue.  + + + + + + +
submarine Existing, done, or operating beneath the surface of the sea.  + + + + + + +
submerge To place or plunge under water.  + + + + + + +
submergence The act of submerging.  + + + + + + +
submersible Capable of being put underwater.  + + + + + + +
submersion The act of submerging.  + + + + + + +
submission A yielding to the power or authority of another.  + + + + + + +
submittal The act of submitting.  + + + + + + +
subordinate Belonging to an inferior order in a classification.  + + + + + + +
subsequent Following in time.  + + + + + + +
subservience The quality, character, or condition of being servilely following another's behests.  + + + + + + +
subservient Servilely following another's behests.  + + + + + + +
subside To relapse into a state of repose and tranquillity.  + + + + + + +
subsist To be maintained or sustained.  + + + + + + +
subsistence Sustenance.  + + + + + + +
substantive Solid.  + + + + + + +
subtend To extend opposite to.  + + + + + + +
subterfuge Evasion.  + + + + + + +
subterranean Situated or occurring below the surface of the earth.  + + + + + + +
subtle Discriminating.  + + + + + + +
subtrahend That which is to be subtracted.  + + + + + + +
subversion An overthrow, as from the foundation.  + + + + + + +
subvert To bring to ruin.  + + + + + + +
succeed To accomplish what is attempted or intended.  + + + + + + +
success A favorable or prosperous course or termination of anything attempted.  + + + + + + +
successful Having reached a high degree of worldly prosperity.  + + + + + + +
successor One who or that which takes the place of a predecessor or preceding thing.  + + + + + + +
succinct Concise.  + + + + + + +
succulent Juicy.  + + + + + + +
succumb To cease to resist.  + + + + + + +
sufferance Toleration.  + + + + + + +
sufficiency An ample or adequate supply.  + + + + + + +
suffrage The right or privilege of voting.  + + + + + + +
suffuse To cover or fill the surface of.  + + + + + + +
suggestible That can be suggested.  + + + + + + +
suggestive Stimulating to thought or reflection.  + + + + + + +
summary An abstract.  + + + + + + +
sumptuous Rich and costly.  + + + + + + +
superabundance An excessive amount.  + + + + + + +
superadd To add in addition to what has been added.  + + + + + + +
superannuate To become deteriorated or incapacitated by long service.  + + + + + + +
superb Sumptuously elegant.  + + + + + + +
supercilious Exhibiting haughty and careless contempt.  + + + + + + +
superficial Knowing and understanding only the ordinary and the obvious.  + + + + + + +
superfluity That part of anything that is in excess of what is needed.  + + + + + + +
superfluous Being more than is needed.  + + + + + + +
superheat To heat to excess.  + + + + + + +
superintend To have the charge and direction of, especially of some work or movement.  + + + + + + +
superintendence Direction and management.  + + + + + + +
superintendent One who has the charge and direction of, especially of some work or movement.  + + + + + + +
superlative That which is of the highest possible excellence or eminence.  + + + + + + +
supernatural Caused miraculously or by the immediate exercise of divine power.  + + + + + + +
supernumerary Superfluous.  + + + + + + +
supersede To displace.  + + + + + + +
supine Lying on the back.  + + + + + + +
supplant To take the place of.  + + + + + + +
supple Easily bent.  + + + + + + +
supplementary Being an addition to.  + + + + + + +
supplicant One who asks humbly and earnestly.  + + + + + + +
supplicate To beg.  + + + + + + +
supposition Conjecture.  + + + + + + +
suppress To prevent from being disclosed or punished.  + + + + + + +
suppressible Capable of being suppressed.  + + + + + + +
suppression A forcible putting or keeping down.  + + + + + + +
supramundane Supernatural.  + + + + + + +
surcharge An additional amount charged.  + + + + + + +
surety Security for payment or performance.  + + + + + + +
surfeit To feed to fullness or to satiety.  + + + + + + +
surmise To conjecture.  + + + + + + +
surmount To overcome by force of will.  + + + + + + +
surreptitious Clandestine.  + + + + + + +
surrogate One who or that which is substituted for or appointed to act in place of another.  + + + + + + +
surround To encircle.  + + + + + + +
surveyor A land-measurer.  + + + + + + +
susceptibility A specific capability of feeling or emotion.  + + + + + + +
susceptible Easily under a specified power or influence.  + + + + + + +
suspense Uncertainty.  + + + + + + +
suspension A hanging from a support.  + + + + + + +
suspicious Inclined to doubt or mistrust.  + + + + + + +
sustenance Food.  + + + + + + +
swarthy Having a dark hue, especially a dark or sunburned complexion.  + + + + + + +
Sybarite A luxurious person.  + + + + + + +
sycophant A servile flatterer, especially of those in authority or influence.  + + + + + + +
syllabic Consisting of that which is uttered in a single vocal impulse.  + + + + + + +
syllabication Division of words into that which is uttered in a single vocal impulse.  + + + + + + +
syllable That which is uttered in a single vocal impulse.  + + + + + + +
syllabus Outline of a subject, course, lecture, or treatise.  + + + + + + +
sylph A slender, graceful young woman or girl.  + + + + + + +
symmetrical Well-balanced.  + + + + + + +
symmetry Relative proportion and harmony.  + + + + + + +
sympathetic Having a fellow-feeling for or like feelings with another or others.  + + + + + + +
sympathize To share the sentiments or mental states of another.  + + + + + + +
symphonic Characterized by a harmonious or agreeable mingling of sounds.  + + + + + + +
symphonious Marked by a harmonious or agreeable mingling of sounds.  + + + + + + +
symphony A harmonious or agreeable mingling of sounds.  + + + + + + +
synchronism Simultaneousness.  + + + + + + +
syndicate An association of individuals united for the prosecution of some enterprise.  + + + + + + +
syneresis The coalescence of two vowels or syllables, as e'er for ever.  + + + + + + +
synod An ecclesiastical council.  + + + + + + +
synonym A word having the same or almost the same meaning as some other.  + + + + + + +
synopsis A syllabus or summary.  + + + + + + +
systematic Methodical.  + + + + + + +
tableau An arrangement of inanimate figures representing a scene from real life.  + + + + + + +
tacit Understood.  + + + + + + +
taciturn Disinclined to conversation.  + + + + + + +
tack A small sharp-pointed nail.  + + + + + + +
tact Fine or ready mental discernment shown in saying or doing the proper thing.  + + + + + + +
tactician One who directs affairs with skill and shrewdness.  + + + + + + +
tactics Any maneuvering or adroit management for effecting an object.  + + + + + + +
tangency The state of touching.  + + + + + + +
tangent Touching.  + + + + + + +
tangible Perceptible by touch.  + + + + + + +
tannery A place where leather is tanned.  + + + + + + +
tantalize To tease.  + + + + + + +
tantamount Having equal or equivalent value, effect, or import.  + + + + + + +
tapestry A fabric to which a pattern is applied with a needle, designed for ornamental hangings.  + + + + + + +
tarnish To lessen or destroy the luster of in any way.  + + + + + + +
taut Stretched tight.  + + + + + + +
taxation A levy, by government, of a fixed contribution.  + + + + + + +
taxidermy The art or process of preserving dead animals or parts of them.  + + + + + + +
technic Technical.  + + + + + + +
technicality Something peculiar to a particular art, trade, or the like.  + + + + + + +
technique Manner of performance.  + + + + + + +
technography The scientific description or study of human arts and industries in their historic development. + + + + + + +
technology The knowledge relating to industries and manufactures.  + + + + + + +
teem To be full to overflowing.  + + + + + + +
telepathy Thought-transference.  + + + + + + +
telephony The art or process of communicating by telephone.  + + + + + + +
telescope To drive together so that one slides into the another like the sections of a spy-glass.  + + + + + + +
telltale That gives warning or information.  + + + + + + +
temerity Recklessness.  + + + + + + +
temporal Pertaining to or concerned with the affairs of the present life.  + + + + + + +
temporary Lasting for a short time only.  + + + + + + +
temporize To pursue a policy of delay.  + + + + + + +
tempt To offer to (somebody) an inducement to do wrong.  + + + + + + +
tempter An allurer or enticer to evil.  + + + + + + +
tenacious Unyielding.  + + + + + + +
tenant An occupant.  + + + + + + +
tendency Direction or inclination, as toward some objector end.  + + + + + + +
tenet Any opinion, principle, dogma, or doctrine that a person believes or maintains as true.  + + + + + + +
tenor A settled course or manner of progress.  + + + + + + +
tense Strained to stiffness.  + + + + + + +
tentative Done as an experiment.  + + + + + + +
tenure The term during which a thing is held.  + + + + + + +
tercentenary Pertaining to a period of 300 years.  + + + + + + +
termagant Violently abusive and quarrelsome.  + + + + + + +
terminal Pertaining to or creative of a boundary, limit.  + + + + + + +
terminate To put an end or stop to.  + + + + + + +
termination The act of ending or concluding.  + + + + + + +
terminus The final point or goal.  + + + + + + +
terrify To fill with extreme fear.  + + + + + + +
territorial Pertaining to the domain over which a sovereign state exercises jurisdiction.  + + + + + + +
terse Pithy.  + + + + + + +
testament A will.  + + + + + + +
testator The maker of a will.  + + + + + + +
testimonial A formal token of regard, often presented in public.  + + + + + + +
thearchy Government by a supreme deity.  + + + + + + +
theism Belief in God.  + + + + + + +
theocracy A government administered by ecclesiastics.  + + + + + + +
theocrasy The mixed worship of polytheism.  + + + + + + +
theologian A professor of divinity.  + + + + + + +
theological Based on or growing out of divine revelation.  + + + + + + +
theology The branch of theological science that treats of God.  + + + + + + +
theoretical Directed toward knowledge for its own sake without respect to applications.  + + + + + + +
theorist One given to speculating.  + + + + + + +
theorize To speculate.  + + + + + + +
thereabout Near that number, quantity, degree, place, or time, approximately.  + + + + + + +
therefor For that or this.  + + + + + + +
thermal Of or pertaining to heat.  + + + + + + +
thermoelectric Denoting electricity produced by heat.  + + + + + + +
thermoelectricity Electricity generated by differences of temperature,  + + + + + + +
thesis An essay or treatise on a particular subject.  + + + + + + +
thoroughbred Bred from the best or purest blood or stock.  + + + + + + +
thoroughfare A public street or road.  + + + + + + +
thrall One controlled by an appetite or a passion.  + + + + + + +
tilth Cultivation.  + + + + + + +
timbre The quality of a tone, as distinguished from intensity and pitch.  + + + + + + +
timorous Lacking courage.  + + + + + + +
tincture A solution, usually alcoholic, of some principle used in medicine.  + + + + + + +
tinge A faint trace of color.  + + + + + + +
tipsy Befuddled with drinks.  + + + + + + +
tirade Harangue.  + + + + + + +
tireless Untiring.  + + + + + + +
tiresome Wearisome.  + + + + + + +
Titanic Of vast size or strength.  + + + + + + +
toilsome Laborious.  + + + + + + +
tolerable Moderately good.  + + + + + + +
tolerance Forbearance in judging of the acts or opinions of others.  + + + + + + +
tolerant Indulgent.  + + + + + + +
tolerate To passively permit or put up with.  + + + + + + +
toleration A spirit of charitable leniency.  + + + + + + +
topography The art of representing on a map the physical features of any locality or region with accuracy.  + + + + + + +
torpor Apathy.  + + + + + + +
torrid Excessively hot.  + + + + + + +
tortious Wrongful.  + + + + + + +
tortuous Abounding in irregular bends or turns.  + + + + + + +
torturous Marked by extreme suffering.  + + + + + + +
tractable Easily led or controlled.  + + + + + + +
trait A distinguishing feature or quality.  + + + + + + +
trajectory The path described by a projectile moving under given forces.  + + + + + + +
trammel An impediment.  + + + + + + +
tranquil Calm.  + + + + + + +
tranquilize To soothe.  + + + + + + +
tranquility Calmness.  + + + + + + +
transalpine Situated on the other side of the Alps.  + + + + + + +
transact To do business.  + + + + + + +
transatlantic Situated beyond or on the other side of the Atlantic.  + + + + + + +
transcend To surpass.  + + + + + + +
transcendent Surpassing.  + + + + + + +
transcontinental Extending or passing across a continent.  + + + + + + +
transcribe To write over again (something already written)  + + + + + + +
transcript A copy made directly from an original.  + + + + + + +
transfer To convey, remove, or cause to pass from one person or place to another.  + + + + + + +
transferable Capable of being conveyed from one person or place to another.  + + + + + + +
transferee The person to whom a transfer is made.  + + + + + + +
transference The act of conveying from one person or place to another.  + + + + + + +
transferrer One who or that which conveys from one person or place to another.  + + + + + + +
transfigure To give an exalted meaning or glorified appearance to.  + + + + + + +
transfuse To pour or cause to pass, as a fluid, from one vessel to another.  + + + + + + +
transfusible Capable of being poured from one vessel to another.  + + + + + + +
transfusion The act of pouring from one vessel to another.  + + + + + + +
transgress To break a law.  + + + + + + +
transience Something that is of short duration.  + + + + + + +
transient One who or that which is only of temporary existence.  + + + + + + +
transition Passage from one place, condition, or action to another.  + + + + + + +
transitory Existing for a short time only.  + + + + + + +
translate To give the sense or equivalent of in another language or dialect.  + + + + + + +
translator An interpreter.  + + + + + + +
translucence The property or state of allowing the passage of light.  + + + + + + +
translucent Allowing the passage of light.  + + + + + + +
transmissible That may e sent through or across.  + + + + + + +
transmission The act of sending through or across.  + + + + + + +
transmit To send trough or across.  + + + + + + +
transmute To change in nature, substance, or form.  + + + + + + +
transparent Easy to see through or understand.  + + + + + + +
transpire To come to pass.  + + + + + + +
transplant To remove and plant in another place.  + + + + + + +
transposition The act of reversing the order or changing the place of.  + + + + + + +
transverse Lying or being across or in a crosswise direction.  + + + + + + +
travail Hard or agonizing labor.  + + + + + + +
travesty A grotesque imitation.  + + + + + + +
treacherous Perfidious.  + + + + + + +
treachery Violation of allegiance, confidence, or plighted faith.  + + + + + + +
treasonable Of the nature of betrayal, treachery, or breech of allegiance.  + + + + + + +
treatise An elaborate literary composition presenting a subject in all its parts.  + + + + + + +
treble Multiplied by three.  + + + + + + +
trebly Triply.  + + + + + + +
tremendous Awe-inspiring.  + + + + + + +
tremor An involuntary trembling or shivering.  + + + + + + +
tremulous Characterized by quivering or unsteadiness.  + + + + + + +
trenchant Cutting deeply and quickly.  + + + + + + +
trepidation Nervous uncertainty of feeling.  + + + + + + +
trestle An open braced framework for supporting the horizontal stringers of a railway-bridge.  + + + + + + +
triad A group of three persons of things.  + + + + + + +
tribune Any champion of the rights and liberties of the people: often used as the name for a newspaper.  + + + + + + +
trickery Artifice.  + + + + + + +
tricolor Of three colors.  + + + + + + +
tricycle A three-wheeled vehicle.  + + + + + + +
trident The three-pronged fork that was the emblem of Neptune.  + + + + + + +
triennial Taking place every third year.  + + + + + + +
trimness Neatness.  + + + + + + +
trinity A threefold personality existing in the one divine being or substance.  + + + + + + +
trio Three things grouped or associated together.  + + + + + + +
triple Threefold.  + + + + + + +
triplicate Composed of or pertaining to three related things or parts.  + + + + + + +
triplicity The state of being triple or threefold.  + + + + + + +
tripod A three-legged stand, usually hinged near the top, for supporting some instrument.  + + + + + + +
trisect To divide into three parts, especially into three equal parts.  + + + + + + +
trite Made commonplace by frequent repetition.  + + + + + + +
triumvir One of three men united coordinately in public office or authority.  + + + + + + +
trivial Of little importance or value.  + + + + + + +
troublesome Burdensome.  + + + + + + +
truculence Ferocity.  + + + + + + +
truculent Having the character or the spirit of a savage.  + + + + + + +
truism A statement so plainly true as hardly to require statement or proof.  + + + + + + +
truthful Veracious.  + + + + + + +
turgid Swollen.  + + + + + + +
turpitude Depravity.  + + + + + + +
tutelage The act of training or the state of being under instruction.  + + + + + + +
tutelar Protective.  + + + + + + +
tutorship The office of a guardian.  + + + + + + +
twinge A darting momentary local pain.  + + + + + + +
typical Characteristic.  + + + + + + +
typify To serve as a characteristic example of.  + + + + + + +
typographical Pertaining to typography or printing.  + + + + + + +
typography The arrangement of composed type, or the appearance of printed matter.  + + + + + + +
tyrannical Despotic.  + + + + + + +
tyranny Absolute power arbitrarily or unjustly administrated.  + + + + + + +
tyro One slightly skilled in or acquainted with any trade or profession.  + + + + + + +
ubiquitous Being present everywhere.  + + + + + + +
ulterior Not so pertinent as something else to the matter spoken of.  + + + + + + +
ultimate Beyond which there is nothing else.  + + + + + + +
ultimatum A final statement or proposal, as concerning terms or conditions.  + + + + + + +
ultramundane Pertaining to supernatural things or to another life.  + + + + + + +
ultramontane Beyond the mountains, especially beyond the Alps (that is, on their Italian side).  + + + + + + +
umbrage A sense of injury.  + + + + + + +
unaccountable Inexplicable.  + + + + + + +
unaffected Sincere.  + + + + + + +
unanimous Sharing the same views or sentiments.  + + + + + + +
unanimity The state or quality of being of one mind.  + + + + + + +
unavoidable Inevitable.  + + + + + + +
unbearable Unendurable.  + + + + + + +
unbecoming Unsuited to the wearer, place, or surroundings.  + + + + + + +
unbelief Doubt.  + + + + + + +
unbiased Impartial, as judgment.  + + + + + + +
unbridled Being without restraint.  + + + + + + +
uncommon Rare.  + + + + + + +
unconscionable Ridiculously or unjustly excessive.  + + + + + + +
unconscious Not cognizant of objects, actions, etc.  + + + + + + +
unction The art of anointing as with oil.  + + + + + + +
unctuous Oily.  + + + + + + +
undeceive To free from deception, as by apprising of the real state of affairs.  + + + + + + +
undercharge To make an inadequate charge for.  + + + + + + +
underexposed Insufficiently exposed for proper or full development, as negatives in photography.  + + + + + + +
undergarment A garment to be worn under the ordinary outer garments.  + + + + + + +
underman To equip with less than the full complement of men.  + + + + + + +
undersell To sell at a lower price than.  + + + + + + +
undersized Of less than the customary size.  + + + + + + +
underhanded Clandestinely carried on.  + + + + + + +
underlie To be the ground or support of.  + + + + + + +
underling A subordinate.  + + + + + + +
undermine To subvert in an underhand way.  + + + + + + +
underrate To undervalue.  + + + + + + +
understate To fail to put strongly enough, as a case.  + + + + + + +
undervalue To underestimate.  + + + + + + +
underworld Hades.  + + + + + + +
underwrite To issue or be party to the issue of a policy of insurance.  + + + + + + +
undue More than sufficient.  + + + + + + +
undulate To move like a wave or in waves.  + + + + + + +
undulous Resembling waves.  + + + + + + +
unfavorable Adverse.  + + + + + + +
ungainly Clumsy.  + + + + + + +
unguent Any ointment or lubricant for local application.  + + + + + + +
unicellular Consisting of a single cell.  + + + + + + +
univalence Monovalency.  + + + + + + +
unify To cause to be one.  + + + + + + +
unique Being the only one of its kind.  + + + + + + +
unison A condition of perfect agreement and accord.  + + + + + + +
unisonant Being in a condition of perfect agreement and accord.  + + + + + + +
Unitarian Pertaining to a religious body that rejects the doctrine of the Trinity.  + + + + + + +
unlawful Illegal.  + + + + + + +
unlimited Unconstrained.  + + + + + + +
unnatural Artificial.  + + + + + + +
unnecessary Not essential under the circumstances.  + + + + + + +
unsettle To put into confusion.  + + + + + + +
unsophisticated Showing inexperience.  + + + + + + +
unspeakable Abominable.  + + + + + + +
untimely Unseasonable.  + + + + + + +
untoward Causing annoyance or hindrance.  + + + + + + +
unutterable Inexpressible.  + + + + + + +
unwieldy Moved or managed with difficulty, as from great size or awkward shape.  + + + + + + +
unwise Foolish.  + + + + + + +
unyoke To separate.  + + + + + + +
up-keep Maintenance.  + + + + + + +
upbraid To reproach as deserving blame.  + + + + + + +
upcast A throwing upward.  + + + + + + +
upheaval Overthrow or violent disturbance of established order or condition.  + + + + + + +
upheave To raise or lift with effort.  + + + + + + +
uppermost First in order of precedence.  + + + + + + +
uproarious Noisy.  + + + + + + +
uproot To eradicate.  + + + + + + +
upturn To throw into confusion.  + + + + + + +
urban Of, or pertaining to, or like a city.  + + + + + + +
urbanity Refined or elegant courtesy.  + + + + + + +
urchin A roguish, mischievous boy.  + + + + + + +
urgency The pressure of necessity.  + + + + + + +
usage Treatment.  + + + + + + +
usurious Taking unlawful or exorbitant interest on money loaned.  + + + + + + +
usurp To take possession of by force.  + + + + + + +
usury The demanding for the use of money as a loan, a rate of interest beyond what is allowed by law.  + + + + + + +
utilitarianism The ethical doctrine that actions are right because they are useful or of beneficial tendency. + + + + + + +
utility Fitness for some desirable practical purpose.  + + + + + + +
utmost The greatest possible extent.  + + + + + + +
vacate To leave.  + + + + + + +
vaccinate To inoculate with vaccine virus or virus of cowpox.  + + + + + + +
vacillate To waver.  + + + + + + +
vacuous Empty.  + + + + + + +
vacuum A space entirely devoid of matter.  + + + + + + +
vagabond A wanderer.  + + + + + + +
vagrant An idle wanderer.  + + + + + + +
vainglory Excessive, pretentious, and demonstrative vanity.  + + + + + + +
vale Level or low land between hills.  + + + + + + +
valediction A bidding farewell.  + + + + + + +
valedictorian Student who delivers an address at graduating exercises of an educational institution.  + + + + + + +
valedictory A parting address.  + + + + + + +
valid Founded on truth.  + + + + + + +
valorous Courageous.  + + + + + + +
vapid Having lost sparkling quality and flavor.  + + + + + + +
vaporizer An atomizer.  + + + + + + +
variable Having a tendency to change.  + + + + + + +
variance Change.  + + + + + + +
variant A thing that differs from another in form only, being the same in essence or substance.  + + + + + + +
variation Modification.  + + + + + + +
variegate To mark with different shades or colors.  + + + + + + +
vassal A slave or bondman.  + + + + + + +
vaudeville A variety show.  + + + + + + +
vegetal Of or pertaining to plants.  + + + + + + +
vegetarian One who believes in the theory that man's food should be exclusively vegetable.  + + + + + + +
vegetate To live in a monotonous, passive way without exercise of the mental faculties.  + + + + + + +
vegetation Plant-life in the aggregate.  + + + + + + +
vegetative Pertaining to the process of plant-life.  + + + + + + +
vehement Very eager or urgent.  + + + + + + +
velocity Rapid motion.  + + + + + + +
velvety Marked by lightness and softness.  + + + + + + +
venal Mercenary, corrupt.  + + + + + + +
vendible Marketable.  + + + + + + +
vendition The act of selling.  + + + + + + +
vendor A seller.  + + + + + + +
veneer Outside show or elegance.  + + + + + + +
venerable Meriting or commanding high esteem.  + + + + + + +
venerate To cherish reverentially.  + + + + + + +
venereal Pertaining to or proceeding from sexual intercourse.  + + + + + + +
venial That may be pardoned or forgiven, a forgivable sin.  + + + + + + +
venison The flesh of deer.  + + + + + + +
venom The poisonous fluid that certain animals secrete.  + + + + + + +
venous Of, pertaining to, or contained or carried in a vein or veins.  + + + + + + +
veracious Habitually disposed to speak the truth.  + + + + + + +
veracity Truthfulness.  + + + + + + +
verbatim Word for word.  + + + + + + +
verbiage Use of many words without necessity.  + + + + + + +
verbose Wordy.  + + + + + + +
verdant Green with vegetation.  + + + + + + +
verification The act of proving to be true, exact, or accurate.  + + + + + + +
verify To prove to be true, exact, or accurate.  + + + + + + +
verily In truth.  + + + + + + +
verity Truth.  + + + + + + +
vermin A noxious or troublesome animal.  + + + + + + +
vernacular The language of one's country.  + + + + + + +
vernal Belonging to or suggestive of the spring.  + + + + + + +
versatile Having an aptitude for applying oneself to new and varied tasks or to various subjects.  + + + + + + +
version A description or report of something as modified by one's character or opinion.  + + + + + + +
vertex Apex.  + + + + + + +
vertical Lying or directed perpendicularly to the horizon.  + + + + + + +
vertigo Dizziness.  + + + + + + +
vestige A visible trace, mark, or impression, of something absent, lost, or gone.  + + + + + + +
vestment Clothing or covering.  + + + + + + +
veto The constitutional right in a chief executive of refusing to approve an enactment.  + + + + + + +
vicarious Suffered or done in place of or for the sake of another.  + + + + + + +
viceroy A ruler acting with royal authority in place of the sovereign in a colony or province.  + + + + + + +
vicissitude A change, especially a complete change, of condition or circumstances, as of fortune.  + + + + + + +
vie To contend.  + + + + + + +
vigilance Alert and intent mental watchfulness in guarding against danger.  + + + + + + +
vigilant Being on the alert to discover and ward off danger or insure safety.  + + + + + + +
vignette A picture having a background or that is shaded off gradually.  + + + + + + +
vincible Conquerable.  + + + + + + +
vindicate To prove true, right, or real.  + + + + + + +
vindicatory Punitive.  + + + + + + +
vindicative Revengeful.  + + + + + + +
vinery A greenhouse for grapes.  + + + + + + +
viol A stringed instrument of the violin class.  + + + + + + +
viola A musical instrument somewhat larger than a violin.  + + + + + + +
violator One who transgresses.  + + + + + + +
violation Infringement.  + + + + + + +
violoncello A stringed instrument held between the player's knees.  + + + + + + +
virago A bold, impudent, turbulent woman.  + + + + + + +
virile Masculine.  + + + + + + +
virtu Rare, curious, or beautiful quality.  + + + + + + +
virtual Being in essence or effect, but not in form or appearance.  + + + + + + +
virtuoso A master in the technique of some particular fine art.  + + + + + + +
virulence Extreme poisonousness.  + + + + + + +
virulent Exceedingly noxious or deleterious.  + + + + + + +
visage The face, countenance, or look of a person.  + + + + + + +
viscount In England, a title of nobility, ranking fourth in the order of British peerage.  + + + + + + +
vista A view or prospect.  + + + + + + +
visual Perceptible by sight.  + + + + + + +
visualize To give pictorial vividness to a mental representation.  + + + + + + +
vitality The state or quality of being necessary to existence or continuance.  + + + + + + +
vitalize To endow with life or energy.  + + + + + + +
vitiate To contaminate.  + + + + + + +
vituperable Deserving of censure.  + + + + + + +
vivacity Liveliness.  + + + + + + +
vivify To endue with life.  + + + + + + +
vivisection The dissection of a living animal.  + + + + + + +
vocable a word, especially one regarded in relation merely to its qualities of sound.  + + + + + + +
vocative Of or pertaining to the act of calling.  + + + + + + +
vociferance The quality of making a clamor.  + + + + + + +
vociferate To utter with a loud and vehement voice.  + + + + + + +
vociferous Making a loud outcry.  + + + + + + +
vogue The prevalent way or fashion.  + + + + + + +
volant Flying or able to fly.  + + + + + + +
volatile Changeable.  + + + + + + +
volition An act or exercise of will.  + + + + + + +
volitive Exercising the will.  + + + + + + +
voluble Having great fluency in speaking.  + + + + + + +
voluptuous having fullness of beautiful form, as a woman, with or without sensuous or sensual quality.  + + + + + + +
voracious Eating with greediness or in very large quantities.  + + + + + + +
vortex A mass of rotating or whirling fluid, especially when sucked spirally toward the center. + + + + + + +
votary Consecrated by a vow or promise.  + + + + + + +
votive Dedicated by a vow.  + + + + + + +
vulgarity Lack of refinement in conduct or speech.  + + + + + + +
vulnerable Capable of receiving injuries.  + + + + + + +
waif A homeless, neglected wanderer.  + + + + + + +
waistcoat A vest.  + + + + + + +
waive To relinquish, especially temporarily, as a right or claim.  + + + + + + +
wampum Beads strung on threads, formerly used among the American Indians as currency.  + + + + + + +
wane To diminish in size and brilliancy.  + + + + + + +
wantonness Recklessness.  + + + + + + +
warlike Belligerent.  + + + + + + +
wavelet A ripple.  + + + + + + +
weak-kneed Without resolute purpose or energy.  + + + + + + +
weal Well-being.  + + + + + + +
wean To transfer (the young) from dependence on mother's milk to another form of nourishment.  + + + + + + +
wearisome Fatiguing.  + + + + + + +
wee Very small.  + + + + + + +
well-bred Of good ancestry.  + + + + + + +
well-doer A performer of moral and social duties.  + + + + + + +
well-to-do In prosperous circumstances.  + + + + + + +
whereabouts The place in or near which a person or thing is.  + + + + + + +
whereupon After which.  + + + + + + +
wherever In or at whatever place.  + + + + + + +
wherewith The necessary means or resources.  + + + + + + +
whet To make more keen or eager.  + + + + + + +
whimsical Capricious.  + + + + + + +
whine To utter with complaining tone.  + + + + + + +
wholly Completely.  + + + + + + +
wield To use, control, or manage, as a weapon, or instrument, especially with full command.  + + + + + + +
wile An act or a means of cunning deception.  + + + + + + +
winsome Attractive.  + + + + + + +
wintry Lacking warmth of manner.  + + + + + + +
wiry Thin, but tough and sinewy.  + + + + + + +
witchcraft Sorcery.  + + + + + + +
witless Foolish, indiscreet, or silly.  + + + + + + +
witling A person who has little understanding.  + + + + + + +
witticism A witty, brilliant, or original saying or sentiment.  + + + + + + +
wittingly With knowledge and by design.  + + + + + + +
wizen To become or cause to become withered or dry.  + + + + + + +
wizen-faced Having a shriveled face.  + + + + + + +
working-man One who earns his bread by manual labor.  + + + + + + +
workmanlike Like or befitting a skilled workman.  + + + + + + +
workmanship The art or skill of a workman.  + + + + + + +
wrangle To maintain by noisy argument or dispute.  + + + + + + +
wreak To inflict, as a revenge or punishment.  + + + + + + +
wrest To pull or force away by or as by violent twisting or wringing.  + + + + + + +
wretchedness Extreme misery or unhappiness.  + + + + + + +
writhe To twist the body, face, or limbs or as in pain or distress.  + + + + + + +
writing The act or art of tracing or inscribing on a surface letters or ideographs.  + + + + + + +
wry Deviating from that which is proper or right.  + + + + + + +
yearling A young animal past its first year and not yet two years old.  + + + + + + +
zealot One who espouses a cause or pursues an object in an immoderately partisan manner.  + + + + + + +
zeitgeist The intellectual and moral tendencies that characterize any age or epoch.  + + + + + + +
zenith The culminating-point of prosperity, influence, or greatness.  + + + + + + +
zephyr Any soft, gentle wind.  + + + + + + +
zodiac An imaginary belt encircling the heavens within which are the larger planets. + + + + + + +

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