Define
aseptic
(uh-sep-tik)
adj. free of pathogens or germs
adj. with little or no emotion
Doctors are always careful to use aseptic surgical equipment to prevent infection.
Define
prolix
(proh-liks)
adj. wordy or prolonged; tedious in length
The prolix manuscript took days to read.
Define
foolhardy
(fool-hahr-dee)
adj. reckless, unwisely bold; thoughtlessly rash
It was a foolhardy attempt to climb the Sears Tower that went very wrong.
Define
picaresque
(pik-uh-resk)
adj. involving clever rogues in episodes of comedy or adventure
Huck Finn is a picaresque hero.
Define
raucous
(raw-kuhs)
adj. rough sounding, harsh
adj. boisterous, rowdy, disorderly
The raucous laughter went on long into the night.
Define
providential
(prov-ih-den-shuhl)
adj. to occur as if from divine intervention or great time
His providential recovery, when it seemed that he would surely succumb, brought hope to many.
Define
antipodal
(an-tip-uh-dl)
adj. diametrically opposed to, polar opposite
adj. on the opposite side of the earth
The couple had totally antipodal personalities, but they enjoyed each other’s company.
Define
pillory
(pill-uh-ree)
v. to punish; to hold up for public scorning
n. a wooden framework with holes for head and hands, in which criminal offenders are held
Dan was _pillori_ed in class for his inability to spell “potato”.
Define
infelicitous
(in-fuh-liss-ih-tuss)
adj. unfortunate, awkward, inappropriate
In Thailand, it is considered infelicitous to touch someone’s head.
Define
dilatory
(dil-uh-tawr-ee)
adj. tending to delay, put off, or procrastinate
adj. intended to slow progress
Courtney employed dilatory tactics in the debate in order to collect her thoughts, but the judges noticed and she was docked a point.
Define
overweening
(oh-ver-wee-ning)
adj. presumptuously arrogant or conceited; overconfident, overbearing
Ian made the overweening assumption that people would rush to help him.
Define
neologism
(nee-awl-uh-djiz-uhm)
n. the creation of new words, expressions, or usages for words
“Technophile” is a neologism, just as “UFO” once was.
Define
lassitude
(lass-ih-tood)
n. a state of listless exhaustion, weakness, or weariness of the mind or body
The extreme heat led to a general lassitude that settled on the village from May to October.
Define
locution
(loh-kyoo-shuhn)
n. a particular word, phrase, or style used by a person or group
n. style of speaking, phraseology
The newcomers were fascinated by the Aussie’s locution.
Define
jocose
(joh-kohss)
adj. characterized by a joking or humorous manner
The jocose innkeeper could always be counted on for a bit of levity.
Define
rend
(rend)
v. to forcibly take
v. to tear apart
The three-year-old decided she wants to play with the teddy bear, so she _rend_ed it from her infant sister’s hands.
Define
stanch
(stawnch)
v. to cease the flow of a liquid (esp. blood)
The doctor’s attempt to stanch the flow of blood eventually succeeded, and the patient’s blood pressure stabilized.
Define
solder
(sod-er)
v. to weld, fuse, or join (esp. metals)
Harry _solder_ed the bits of scrap metal together to make a pet door.
Define
demure
(duh-myoor)
adj. modest, shy
Lindsay was demure and had a tough time opening up to new people.
Define
insensible
(in-sen-suh-buhl)
adj. unconscious, unresponsive
The boxer lay insensible on the floor of the ring.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. free of pathogens or germs
adj. with little or no emotion
aseptic
(uh-sep-tik)
synonyms: barren, clean; withdrawn, introverted
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. wordy or prolonged; tedious in length
prolix
(proh-liks)
synonyms: lengthy, rambling
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. reckless, unwisely bold; thoughtlessly rash
foolhardy
(fool-hahr-dee)
synonyms: daredevil, venturous, risky
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. involving clever rogues in episodes of comedy or adventure
picaresque
(pik-uh-resk)
synonyms: roguish, satirical
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. rough sounding, harsh
adj. boisterous, rowdy, disorderly
raucous
(raw-kuhs)
synonyms: noisy, chaotic
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. to occur as if from divine intervention
providential
(prov-ih-den-shuhl)
synonyms: accidental, convenient, fortunate
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. diametrically opposed to, polar opposite
adj. on the opposite side of the earth
antipodal
(an-tip-uh-dl)
synonyms: opposed, contrary, counter
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to punish; to hold up for public scorning
n. a wooden framework with holes for head and hands, in which criminal offenders are held
pillory
(pill-uh-ree)
synonyms: ridicule, abuse
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. unfortunate, awkward, inappropriate
infelicitous
(in-fuh-liss-ih-tuss)
synonyms: improper, ill suited
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. tending to delay, put off, or procrastinate
adj. intended to slow progress
dilatory
(dil-uh-tawr-ee)
synonyms: dallying, sluggish, tardy
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. presumptuously arrogant or conceited, overconfident, overbearing
overweening
(oh-ver-wee-ning)
synonyms: brash, conceited, pompous
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. the creation of new words, expressions, or usages for words
neologism
(nee-awl-uh-djiz-uhm)
synonyms: synthetic word, new phrase
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a state of listless exhaustion, weakness, or weariness of the mind or body
lassitude
(lass-ih-tood)
synonyms: lethargy, weariness, inaction
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a particular word, phrase, or style used by a person or group
n. style of speaking, phraseology
locution
(loh-kyoo-shuhn)
synonyms: phrasing, expression, lingo
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. characterized by a joking or humorous manner
jocose
(joh-kohss)
synonyms: facetious, humorous, funny
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to forcibly take
v. to tear apart
rend
(rend)
synonyms: break, divide, rip
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to cease the flow of a liquid (esp. blood)
stanch
(stawnch)
synonyms: to cease the flow of a liquid
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to weld, fuse, or join (esp. metals)
solder
(sod-er)
synonyms: fasten, braze
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. modest, shy
demure
(duh-myoor)
synonyms: reserved, bashful, coy
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. unconscious, unresponsive
insensible
(in-sen-suh-buhl)
synonyms: cold, numb, inanimate
Define
rail
(reyl)
v. to complain bitterly
The citizens _rail_ed against the injustice of the federal land grab in tersely-worded editorials and letters to the editor.
Define
noisome
(noy-suhm)
adj. offensive or harmful
The noisome odor of the garbage nauseated Audrey.
Define
mellifluous
(muh-lif-loo-uhs)
adj. sweetly flowing (esp. of words or sounds)
Lucy’s mellifluous voice was noted by her interviewer.
Define
inveterate
(in-vet-er-it)
adj. established, habitual, deep-rooted
It was Tony’s inveterate preference to drink orange juice every morning.
Define
coterie
(koh-tuh-ree)
n. a small or exclusive group of people with common interests
The coterie of musicians began to meet on Tuesday nights and eventually established a weekly concert series.
Define
impugn
(im-pyoon)
v. to challenge or attack one’s beliefs or motives as false
The candidate went too far when he began to impugn the character of his opponent’s husband.
Define
voluble
(vol-yuh-buhl)
adj. able to speak easily and in quantity, glib, talkative
The voluble speaker talked late into the night.
Define
misogynist
(mih-sodj-uh-nist)
n. one who hates women
The song contained several lyrics that were so offensive to women that the singer was immediately labeled a misogynist.
Define
pedagogy
(ped-uh-goh-djee)
n. the art or profession of training, teaching, or instructing
Training in pedagogy can’t prepare you for manic third graders.
Define
ambient
(am-bee-uhnt)
adj. relating to the immediate surroundings; surrounding environment
The low ambient lighting made for a romantic dinner setting.
Define
inquest
(in-kwest)
n. a judicial inquiry of some matter held before a jury
n. an investigation, inquiry
The police opened an inquest into the cause of death.
Define
preen
(preen)
v. to primp, to dress up
v. to clean fur or feathers of an animal
The bird _preen_ed its feathers with its beak for a few moments before taking flight.
Define
parry
(pear-ee)
v. to block, evade, or ward off
The politician _parri_ed the reporter’s questions with a few of her own.
Define
guy
(gahy)
n. rope or cord attached to something as a brace
I was nervous that the guy for the pulley would snap.
Define
sallow
(sal-oh)
adj. of a sickly yellowish hue or complexion
There was a large number of sallow-looking patients in the doctor’s office.
Define
plangent
(plan-djuhnt)
adj. pounding, thundering, resounding
The plangent honking of geese flying overhead jolted me awake.
Define
peripatetic
(per-uh-puh-tet-ik)
adj. itinerant, nomadic
A peripatetic existence can take its toll on your relationships with the ones you love.
Define
rue
(roo)
v. to regret; to feel or experience remorse
I _rue_d the day I ever let her go.
Define
macerate
(mass-uh-reyt)
v. to soften by steeping in a liquid, or decompose
v. to emaciate; to starve
Now, we will macerate the rest of the melon in hot water so we can use it to flavor the cream.
Define
callow
(kal-oh)
adj. lacking maturity or experience
A callow young man was tormenting the elderly in the park.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to complain bitterly
rail
(reyl)
synonyms: berate, abuse, complain
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. offensive or harmful
noisome
(noy-suhm)
synonyms: repulsive, dangerous
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. sweetly flowing (esp. of words or sounds)
mellifluous
(muh-lif-loo-uhs)
synonyms: euphonic, harmonic, mellow, pleasing
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. established, habitual, deep-rooted
inveterate
(in-vet-er-it)
synonyms: chronic, habitual, ingrained
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a small or exclusive group of people with common interests
coterie
(koh-tuh-ree)
synonyms: clique, crowd, collective
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to challenge or attack ones beliefs or motives as false
impugn
(im-pyoon)
synonyms: criticize, challenge
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. able to speak easily and in quantity, glib, talkative
voluble
(vol-yuh-buhl)
synonyms: articulate, chatty, conversational
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. one who hates women
misogynist
(mih-sodj-uh-nist)
synonyms: sexist, chauvinist
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. the art or profession of training, teaching, or instructing
pedagogy
(ped-uh-goh-djee)
synonyms: education, apprenticeship, discipline
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. relating to the immediate surroundings; surrounding environment
ambient
(am-bee-uhnt)
synonyms: environment, atmosphere
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a judicial inquiry of some matter held before a jury.
n. an investigation, inquiry
inquest
(in-kwest)
synonyms: a judicial inquiry, an official review before a panel
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to primp, to dress up
v. to clean fur or feathers of an animal
preen
(preen)
synonyms: beautify, groom, brush, doll up
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to block, evade, or ward off
parry
(pear-ee)
synonyms: block, dodge, circumvent
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. rope or cord attached to something as a brace
guy
(gahy)
synonyms: cable, wire, rope
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. of a sickly yellowish hue or complexion
sallow
(sal-oh)
synonyms: pale, unhealthy-looking, jaundiced
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. pounding, thundering, resounding
plangent
(plan-djuhnt)
synonyms: booming, loud, roaring
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. itinerant, nomadic
peripatetic
(per-uh-puh-tet-ik)
synonyms: migrant, vagrant, wandering
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to regret; to feel or experience remorse
rue
(roo)
synonyms: feel remorse, grieve for
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to soften by steeping in a liquid, or decompose
v. to emaciate; to starve
macerate
(mass-uh-reyt)
synonyms: soak, dissolve
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. lacking maturity or experience
callow
(kal-oh)
synonyms: immature, foolish
Define
wistful
(wist-fuhl)
adj. yearning, longing, or melancholy
The child stared _wistful_ly out the window for days, waiting for her dog to return.
Define
corroborate
(kuh-rob-uh-rehyt)
v. to confirm or validate
The mailman _corroborate_d the alleged thief’s story, confirming that he had merely been passing by when the robbery occurred.
Define
couch
(couch)
v. to express in indirect terms; to frame in a certain way
Her criticism was _couch_ed in flattering terms so that her coworker wouldn’t take offense.
Define
innervate
(ih-nur-veyt)
v. to give nervous energy to; to supply with nerves
The team was _innervate_d by the coach’s pep talk and approached the second half with renewed energy.
Define
impecunious
(im-puh-kyoo-nee-us)
adj. poor; without any money
A graduate student generally leads an impecunious existence.
Define
grovel
(gruhv-uhl)
v. to behave in a servile manner to receive forgiveness or a favor
v. to kneel with one’s head down
The servants _grovel_ed at the king’s throne.
Define
epicurean
(ep-ih-kyoo-ree-uhn)
adj. characterized by luxury (esp. in terms of food and drink) or by a propensity for indulging in luxury
The cruise was marketed as an epicurean adventure through the cuisines of four Caribbean nations.
Define
hirsute
(hur-soot)
adj. hairy, shaggy
A hirsute sheepdog won the Dog Showing Contest.
Define
countenance
(koun-tuh-nunce)
n. appearance of a person’s face
v. to permit, to allow
Many people thought she was friendly because of her kindly countenance.
Define
scurvy
(skur-vee)
adj. not admirable, despicable
The scurvy pirate secured his escape by throwing gun powder into the eyes of his pursuers.
Define
covert
(koe-vert)
adj. hidden; secret
The government’s covert operations were laid bare by the shocking article.
Define
craven
(kray-vun)
adj. cowardly
The craven man ran away at the first sign of danger.
Define
eugenics
(yoo-djen-iks)
n. the study of heredity improvements by genetic control
Nazi Germany is known to have carried out many eugenics experiments that provoked outrage once they came to light.
Define
credence
(creed-enss)
n. belief that something is true
n. plausibility
She gave credence to the rumors when she failed to deny them.
Define
execrate
(ek-si-kreyt)
v. to declare to be hateful or abhorrent; denounce
v. to loathe
v. to curse
The rival teams appeared on the news to execrate one another.
Define
sempiternal
(sem-pih-tur-nl)
adj. eternal, infinite
Nothing in life is sempiternal, alas.
Define
credulous
(kredj-uh-luss)
adj. easily convinced that something is true
His lies were so ridiculous that only the most credulous child would have believed them.
Define
plumb
(pluhm)
v. to measure the depth
v. to examine critically
I think she is the only architect working today who has the courage to truly plumb the possibilities of recycled construction materials.
Define
culpable
(kull-puh-bull)
adj. deserving of blame or punishment
He confessed that he was culpable for the crime and faced the consequences.
Define
debase
(dih-base)
v. to corrupt or lower the value of
Many argue that modern society has been _debase_d by materialism.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. yearning, longing, or melancholy
wistful
(wist-fuhl)
synonyms: forlorn, reflective
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to confirm or validate
corroborate
(kuh-rob-uh-rehyt)
synonyms: affirm, validate, give further supporting evidence
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to express in indirect terms; to frame in a certain way
couch
(couch)
synonyms: formulate, phrase, surround
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to give nervous energy to; to supply with nerves
innervate
(ih-nur-veyt)
synonyms: invigorate, evoke, stimulate
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. poor; without any money
impecunious
(im-puh-kyoo-nee-us)
synonyms: destitute, impoverished
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to behave in a servile manner
v. to indulge in unworthy pursuits
grovel
(gruhv-uhl)
synonyms: beg, serve
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. characterized by luxury (esp. in terms of food and drink) or by a propensity for indulging in luxury
epicurean
(ep-ih-kyoo-ree-uhn)
synonyms: gluttonous, libertine
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. hairy, shaggy
hirsute
(hur-soot)
synonyms: furry, wooly
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. appearance of a person’s face
v. to permit, to allow
countenance
(koun-tuh-nunce)
synonyms: aspect, demeanor, expression, face
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. not admirable, despicable
scurvy
(skur-vee)
synonyms: abominable, low-down
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. hidden; secret
n. a covered place for hiding
covert
(koe-vert)
synonyms: cloaked, secret, sly
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. cowardly
craven
(kray-vun)
synonyms: weak, timid, fearful
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. the study of heredity improvements by genetic control
eugenics
(yoo-djen-iks)
synonyms: genetic enhancement, genetic manipulation
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. belief that something is true
n. plausibility
credence
(creed-enss)
synonyms: credulity, confidence, possibility
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to declare to be hateful or abhorrent; denounce
v. to loathe
v. to curse
execrate
(ek-si-kreyt)
synonyms: accurse, condemn; hate, detest
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. eternal, infinite
sempiternal
(sem-pih-tur-nl)
synonyms: ageless, constant
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. easily convinced that something is true
credulous
(kredj-uh-luss)
synonyms: gullible, too trusting
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to measure the depth
v. to examine critically
plumb
(pluhm)
synonyms: probe, gauge; assess, study
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. deserving of blame or punishment
culpable
(kull-puh-bull)
synonyms: guilty, liable
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. to corrupt or lower the value of
debase
(dih-base)
synonyms: degrade, cheapen
Define
decadent
(deck-ih-dunt)
adj. in a state of decline
adj. self-indulgent
Louis XIV was known for his decadent displays of wealth and power.
Define
decorous
(dek-core-us)
adj. conforming to what is acceptable to society
adj. marked by propriety and etiquette
One must always behave in a decorous manner at formal events.
Define
decry
(dih-cry)
v. to strongly disapprove of
The preacher _decri_ed society’s indifference towards the poor.
Define
artless
(art-liss)
adj. simple and natural
adj. unable to mask true feelings
adj. without artistic merit; crudely made
She had an artless grace about her that endeared her to strangers.
Define
ascetic
(uh-set-ik)
adj. relating to self-denial
n. a person who practices self-denial
The ascetic monks rejected modern comforts such as electricity.
Define
ascendant
(uh-sen-dent)
adj. rising
adj. most powerful
n. a position of being dominant or in control
In this game, newcomers are ascendant because of their youth.
Define
ascribe
(uh-scribe)
v. to attribute or assign to a cause
Her success was _ascribe_d to the hours she had spent studying.
Define
assiduous
(uh-sidj-oo-us)
adj. making careful and persistent effort
John was an assiduous student who always tried his best.
Define
assuage
(uh-swaydj)
v. to relieve
Her anger was _assuage_d by her friend’s soothing words.
Define
astute
(uh-stewt)
adj. having practical intelligence and good judgment
An astute teacher always checks for plagiarism.
Define
suppliant
(suhp-lee-uhnt)
adj. asking humbly, beseeching
n. a person who requests or begs
The boy was peering into the pet store window with the look of a suppliant on his face.
Define
atrophy
(at-ruh-fee)
n. deterioration (esp. due to inactivity)
v. to deteriorate, to waste away (esp. due to inactivity)
The paralyzed patient began to show signs of atrophy in his leg muscles.
Define
anosmia
(an-oz-mee-uh)
n. loss of the sense of smell
Melissa has been afflicted with anosmia since birth; she likes to say that sometimes it is a curse, and sometimes a blessing.
Define
austere
(aw-steer)
adj. severe, strict, or very plain
The austere room was anything but inviting.
Define
autonomous
(aw-tawn-ih-muss)
adj. independent
The revolutionaries are fighting to make their country autonomous.
Define
rapacious
(ruh-pey-shuhs)
adj. voracious, greedy, plundering
The Vikings were rapacious warriors.
Define
avarice
(av-uh-riss)
n. insatiable greed
The rich man’s avarice led him to buy up most of the neighborhood.
Define
unflappable
(uhn-flap-uh-buhl)
adj. not easily upset or excited (e.g., in a crisis)
The unflappable hero maintained his level-headed mentality during the disaster.
Define
aver
(uh-vurr)
v. to declare as true
When interviewed, Susan’s friends all _aver_red that she was a trustworthy person.
Define
emasculate
(uh-mass-kyuh-leyt)
v. to castrate or make effeminate
v. to weaken
Wearing the frilly pink shirt made him feel _emasculate_d.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. in a state of decline
adj. self-indulgent
decadent
(deck-ih-dunt)
synonyms: decaying; hedonistic, spoiled
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. conforming to what is acceptable to society
adj. marked by propriety and etiquette
decorous
(dek-core-us)
synonyms: acceptable, befitting; civil, courtly
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. to strongly disapprove of
decry
(dih-cry)
synonyms: denounce, deplore
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. simple and natural
adj. unable to mask true feelings
adj. without artistic merit; crudely made
artless
(art-liss)
synonyms: genuine, pure; naive, straightforward; awkward, amateurish
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. relating to self-denial; and
n. a person who practices self-denial
ascetic
(uh-set-ik)
synonyms: abstinent, restrained
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. rising
adj. most powerful
n. a position of being dominant or in control
ascendant
(uh-sen-dent)
synonyms: ruling, superior, dominant
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to attribute or assign to a cause
ascribe
(uh-scribe)
synonyms: assign, appoint, accredit
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. making careful and persistent effort
assiduous
(uh-sidj-oo-us)
synonyms: hardworking, attentive
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to relieve
assuage
(uh-swaydj)
synonyms: soothe, alleviate
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. having practical intelligence and good judgment
astute
(uh-stewt)
synonyms: adroit, perspicacious, sagacious
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. asking humbly, beseeching
n. a person who requests or begs
suppliant
(suhp-lee-uhnt)
synonyms: begging; beggar, seeker
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. deterioration (esp. due to inactivity)
v. to deteriorate, to waste away (esp. due to inactivity)
atrophy
(at-ruh-fee)
synonyms: disintegration; to disintegrate
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. loss of the sense of smell
anosmia
(an-oz-mee-uh)
synonyms: without smell
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. severe, strict, or very plain
austere
(aw-steer)
synonyms: bare, stark, simple
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. independent
autonomous
(aw-tawn-ih-muss)
synonyms: self-determining, independent
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. voracious, greedy, plundering
rapacious
(ruh-pey-shuhs)
synonyms: marauding, ravenous, avaricious
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. insatiable greed
avarice
(av-uh-riss)
synonyms: selfishness, ambition
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. not easily upset or excited (e.g., in a crisis)
unflappable
(uhn-flap-uh-buhl)
synonyms: calm, collected
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to declare as true
aver
(uh-vurr)
synonyms: affirm, assert
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to castrate or make effeminate
v. to weaken
emasculate
(uh-mass-kyuh-leyt)
synonyms: desexualize, neuter; devitalize
Define
dormant
(door-munt)
adj. inactive for a period of time
The dormant volcano erupted unexpectedly, injuring many.
Define
recumbent
(rih-kuhm-buhnt)
adj. leaning, lying down
He sat recumbent on the picnic blanket.
Define
dote
(dote)
v. to show excessive affection
Her parents were strict but her grandparents always _dote_d on her and showered her with gifts.
Define
frangible
(fran-djuh-buhl)
adj. fragile; easily broken
The frangible statue was accidently pushed over and shattered.
Define
dupe
(dewp)
n. a person who is easily tricked
v. to deceive
The lying politician made those who had voted for him seem like _dupe_s.
Define
magnanimous
(mag-nan-uh-muhss)
adj. noble in spirit, generous in forgiving others
Susan’s magnanimous personality made her many life-long friends.
Define
ebb
(eb)
v. to decrease or recede
n. a decline
n. the outward flow of the tide
Her affection for him began to ebb a few days after the hasty wedding.
Define
wizen
(wiz-uhn)
adj. shriveled, wrinkled, or withered, as of with old age
A _wizen_ed old man was walking through the park.
Define
countermand
(koun-ter-mand)
v. to annul, cancel, make a contrary order
The general _countermand_ed his previous order to retreat, telling the men to march straight into battle.
Define
ebullient
(ih-buhl-yunt)
adj. very excited; joyously enthusiastic
Linda was ebullient when she made it into the semifinals.
Define
apogee
(ap-uh-djee)
n. the highest point, zenith
The apogee of the roller coaster terrified even the most seasoned riders.
Define
ecclesiastical
(ih-klee-zee-ass-tih-kuhl)
adj. relating to the church
Mary decided to take up her ecclesiastical concerns with the local priest.
Define
eclectic
(ih-klek-tik)
adj. composed of parts from many different sources
The girl’s fashion sense was an eclectic mix of conservative Victorian and colorful modern styles.
Define
edify
(ed-ih-fahy)
v. to educate, instruct, or benefit, especially morally or spiritually; uplift
John attempted to edify the impolite young man.
Define
efficacious
(eff-ih-kay-shuss)
adj. producing or able to produce a desired result
The woman insisted that her herbal medicines would be the most efficacious remedy for the young patient.
Define
puerile
(pyoo-er-ill)
adj. childish, immature
The comedian had a puerile sense of humor, invoking the bathroom in practically every joke.
Define
effrontery
(ih-frun-tuh-ree)
n. unjustified arrogance or boldness
Although my sister had not invited me to her party, she had the effrontery to ask me for help setting up.
Define
effusive
(ih-few-siv)
adj. related to excessive or unchecked emotion; expressing feelings of gratitude
Susan’s effusive praise of Ramon’s new car made him think that perhaps she didn’t really like it.
Define
tortuous
(tawr-choo-uhs)
adj. winding, excessively complicated
The philosopher made a tortuous argument that not many of his students followed.
Define
debauchery
(dih-baw-chuh-ree)
n. extreme sensual indulgence
The debauchery in the movie was enough to make me blush.
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. inactive for a period of time
dormant
(door-munt)
synonyms: inactive, sleeping, inoperative
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. leaning, lying down
recumbent
(rih-kuhm-buhnt)
synonyms: sprawling, reclining
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to show excessive affection
dote
(dote)
synonyms: favor, cherish
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. fragile; easily broken
frangible
(fran-djuh-buhl)
synonyms: brittle, flimsy
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. a person who is easily tricked
v. to deceive
dupe
(dewp)
synonyms: chump, sucker, victim
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. noble in spirit, generous in forgiving others
magnanimous
(mag-nan-uh-muhss)
synonyms: big-hearted, forgiving
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to decrease or recede
n. a decline
n. the outward flow of the tide
ebb
(eb)
synonyms: subside; regression, decline
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to shrivel, wrinkle, or wither, as of old age
wizen
(wiz-uhn)
synonyms: sag, crinkle, dry up
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to annul or cancel; to give a contrary order
countermand
(koun-ter-mand)
synonyms: override, recall, revoke
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. very excited; joyously enthusiastic
ebullient
(ih-buhl-yunt)
synonyms: bouncy, chipper, effervescent
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. the highest point, zenith
apogee
(ap-uh-djee)
synonyms: pinnacle, apex
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. relating to the church
ecclesiastical
(ih-klee-zee-ass-tih-kuhl)
synonyms: clerical, parochial
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. composed of parts from many different sources
eclectic
(ih-klek-tik)
synonyms: heterogeneous, multifarious
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
v. to educate, instruct, or benefit, especially morally or spiritually; uplift
edify
(ed-ih-fahy)
synonyms: enlighten, teach
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. producing or able to produce a desired result
efficacious
(eff-ih-kay-shuss)
synonyms: efficient, capable
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. childish, immature
puerile
(pyoo-er-ill)
synonyms: babyish, callow, infantile
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. unjustified arrogance or boldness
effrontery
(ih-frun-tuh-ree)
synonyms: audacity, impudence
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. related to excessive or unchecked emotion; expressing feelings of gratitude
effusive
(ih-few-siv)
synonyms: overdone, extravagant
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
adj. winding, excessively complicated
tortuous
(tawr-choo-uhs)
synonyms: ambiguous, convoluted, indirect
Which of your vocabulary words means the following?
n. extreme sensual indulgence
debauchery
(dih-baw-chuh-ree)
synonyms: depravity, lechery, lewdness