abase lower; degrade; humiliate; make humble; make (oneself) lose self-respect abbess n. woman who is head of a convent or nunnery abbey n. buildingin which monks or nuns live as a community under an abbot or abbess abbot n. man who is head of a monastery or abbey abdicate renounce; give up (position, right, or responsibility) abdomen n. part of the body below the chest and diaphragm, containing the stomach, bowels and digestive organs abduction A carrying away of a person against his will, or illegally. abed In bed; on a bed. aberration deviation from the normal; mental disorder abet assist usually in doing something wrong; encourage abeyance suspended action abhorrence n. hatred and disgust abhorrent adj. ~ disgusting; hateful abidance An abiding. abjure renounce upon oath able-bodied adj. healthy, fit and strong ablution washing abnegate vt. to give up (rights or a claim, for example); renounce. abnormal adj. different, esp in an undesirable way, from what is normal, ordinary or expected abominable detestable; extremely unpleasant abominate loathe; hate abomination n. feeling of disgust and extreme hatred aboriginal being the first of its kind in a region; primitive; native; indigenous; N. aborigine aborigine n. aboriginal inhabitant aboveboard be in a straightforward manner abrade v. wear away by rubbing; scrape off abrasion n. scraping or wearing away; rubbing off ; abridge condense or shorten abridgment a shortened version of a written work abrogate abolish abrupt adj. sudden and unexpected abscess n. swollen part of the body in which a thick yellowish liquid has collected abscission cutting off; separation abscond depart secretly and hide absence n. ~ being away absolution n. formal declaration by a priest that a person's sins have been forgiven absolve pardon (an offense) absorb v. take (sth) in; suck up absorption n. ~ absorbing or being absorbed abstain refrain; withhold from participation; intentionally not use one's vote; abstemious sparing in eating and drinking; temperate abstinence restraint from pleasant things, esp. eating or drinking; CF. abstention: act of abstaining from vote abstruse obscure; profound; difficult to understand absurd adj. unreasonable; not sensible abundant adj. more than enough; plentiful abusive coarsely insulting; physically harmful abut border upon; adjoin abyss enormous chasm; vast bottomless pit academic related to a school; not practical or directly useful academician n. member of an academy academy n. school for special training accede agree accelerate move faster accept v. take (sth offered) willingly access n. ~ means of approaching or entering (a place); way in accessible easy to approach; obtainable accession n. ~ reaching a rank or position accessory additional object; useful but not essential thing acclaim applaud; praise; greet with great approval; announce with great approval; Ex. The new drung has been acclaimed as the most important discoveries for years; N: strong expression of approval and praise accommodate oblige or help someone; adjust or bring into harmony; adapt; make enough space for; ADJ. accommodative; CF. accomodating: helpful and obliging accompaniment n. thing that naturally or often goes with another thing accompanist n. person who plays a musical accompaniment accompany v. walk or travel with (sb) as a companion or helper; escort accomplice partner in crime accomplish v. succeed in doing (sth); complete successfully; achieve accordion n. portable musical instrument with a bellows, metal reeds and a keyboard . accost approach and speak first to a person account n. statement of money paid or owed for goods or services accredit v. ~ sth to sb/~ sb with sth attribute to sb; credit sb with (a saying, etc) accumulate v. gradually get or gather together an increasing number or quantity of get (sth) in this way accuracy n. precision or exactness, esp resulting from careful effort accurate adj. free from error accursed adj. hateful; detestable; annoying accusation n. accusing or being accused accusatory adj. of or indicating an accusation accuse v. ~ sb say that sb has done wrong, is guilty (of sth) or has broken the law accustom v. ~ oneself/sb/sth to sth make oneself, etc used to sth acerbity bitterness of speech and temper; ADJ. acerbic: bitter; acrid (in taste, manner, or tone) acetate n. compound derived from acetic acid ache n. continuous dull pain achromatic designating color perceived to have zero saturation and therefore no hue, such as neutral grays, white, or black acid n. substance that contains hydrogen, which can be replaced by a metal to form a salt acidify v. (cause sth to) become acid acknowledge recognize; admit acknowledgment Recognition. acme peak; pinnacle; highest point acoustic adj. of sound or the sense of hearing acquaint v. ~ sb/oneself with sth make sb/oneself familiar with or aware of sth acquiesce assent; agree passively; comply without protest acquiescence submission; compliance acquire v. gain (sth) by one's own ability, efforts or behaviour acquisition n. action of acquiring acquit v. ~ sb (of sth) declare sb to be not guilty (of a crime, etc); free or clear sb (of blame, responsibility, etc) acquittal deliverance from a charge; V. acquit: free from a charge or accusation; discharge from a duty; conduct (oneself) in a specified manner acquittance Release or discharge from indebtedness, obligation, or responsibility. acreage n. area of land measured in acres acrid bitter (to the taste or smell); sharp; bitterly pungent acrimonious stinging; caustic; bitter in words or manner; N. acrimony: bitter ill-natured animosity in speech or behavior acrimony n. bitterness of manner or words actionable adj. giving sufficient cause for a lawsuit actuality n. actual existence; reality ; actuary someone who advises insurance companies actuate motivate; activate; cause to act acumen mental keenness; sharpness of judgment; ability to judge quickly and well; Ex. business acumen acute (of the senses) sharp; quickly perceptive; keen; penetrating; brief and severe; Ex. acute sense of smell/analysis/pain adamant hard; inflexible addendum addition; appendix to book; something that is added (as at the end of a speech or book) addle make or become confused; muddle; drive crazy; become rotten (egg) adduce v. put (sth) forward as an example or as proof adhere stick fast; be a devotd follower; N. adhesion: adhering; devotion; loyality adherence n. ~ (to sth) adherent supporter; follower adhesion n. ~ being or becoming attached (to sth) adieu Good-by; farewell. adjacency The state of being adjacent. adjacent adjoining; neighboring; close by adjudge v. (also adjudicate) declare officially or decide by law adjunct something attached to but holding an inferior position adjuration solemn urging; V. adjure: entreat earnestly; enjoin solemnly adjutant staff officer assisting the commander; assistant administrator n. person responsible for managing (esp business) affairs admissible adj. that can be allowed admittance n. allowing sb or being allowed to enter (esp a private place); right of entry admonish warn or speak to with gentle disapproval; reprove admonition warning ado n. trouble; fuss; unnecessary activity adoration n. great love or worship adroit skillful (in using mind or hand) adulterant An adulterating substance. adulterate make impure or of poorer quality by adding inferior or tainted(contaminated) substances adumbrate v. indicate (sth) faintly or in outline Advent arrival adverse going against; opposing; unfavorable; hostile adversity great hardship or affliction; misfortune; calamitous event advert refer advisory adj. having the power to advise; giving advice advocacy support; active pleading on behalf of someone or something advocate speak in favor of; support (an idea or plan); urge; plead for aerial n. one or more wires or rods for sending or receiving radio waves . aeronaut One who navigates the air, a balloonist. aeronautics n. scientific study or practice of flying and navigating 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 easily approachable; easy to talk to; warmly friendly affect v. have an influence on (sb/sth); produce an effect on affectation n. unnatural behaviour, manner of speaking, etc, intended to impress others affiliate to bring or receive into close connection as a member or branch affirmative adj. expressing agreement; indicating `yes' affix v. ~ sth (fml ) stick, fasten or attach sth affluence abundance; wealth affront insult; offense; intentional act of disrespect; V: insult or hurt the feelings of intentionally afire & adj. On fire, literally or figuratively. afoot adj. being prepared or progressing aforesaid Said in a preceding part or before. afresh adv. again, esp from the very beginning afterthought n. thing that is thought of or added later agglomerate v. become collected into a mass aggrandize make greater; increase in power, wealth, rank, or honor; N. aggrandizement aggravate v. make worse or more serious aggravation n. making more serious; irritation ; aggregate sum; total; ADJ. V: gather into a mass or whole; accumulate; add up to; Ex. aggregate 100 dollars aggress To make the first attack. aggression n. unprovoked attacking or hostility by one country against another aggrieve to give pain or trouble to:DISTRESS aghast filled with great surprise or fear; horrified agile adj. able to move quickly and easily; active; nimble agitate stir up; disturb agrarian pertaining to land or its cultivation; Ex. agrarian reform aide-de-camp n. (abbr ADC) naval or military officer who acts as assistant to a senior officer ailment n. illness, esp a slight one airy of air; high in the air; lofty; immaterial; unreal akin adj. ~ similar; related alabaster n. soft stone, like marble in appearance, often carved to make ornaments , alacrity cheerful promptness without reluctance albeit conj although albino n. person or animal born with no colouring pigment in the skin and hair (which are white) and the eyes (which are pink) album n. book in which a collection of photographs, autographs, postage stamps, etc can be kept , alchemy medieval chemistry alcohol n. colourless liquid that can cause drunkenness, contained in drinks such as beer, wine, brandy and whisky alcoholism n. continual heavy drinking of alcohol alcove nook; recess alder n. tree of the birch family, usu growing in marshy places , alderman n. (Brit) (esp formerly) member of a county or borough council, next in rank below the mayor alias an assumed name esp. by a criminal (usually to mislead people); ADV. alias alien n. person who is not a naturalized citizen of the country in which he is living alienable Capable of being aliened or alienated, as lands. alienate make unfriendly or hostile; estrange; separate; change the ownership of alienation n. ~ alienating or being alienated; estrangement aliment That which nourishes. alkali n. any of a class of substances (eg caustic soda and ammonia) that neutralize acids and form caustic or corrosive solutions in water allay calm; pacify allege state without proof allegory story, play, or picture in which characters are used as symbols; fable alleviate relieve (pain) alley n. narrow passage, esp between or behind houses or other buildings, usu for pedestrians only alliance n. action or state of being joined or associated allot v. ~ sth (to sb/sth) give (time, money, duties, etc) as a share of what is available; apportion sth allotment n. action of allotting allude refer indirectly; N. allusion: indirect reference allusion n. ~ indirect reference alluvion Flood. ally v. ~ (sb/oneself) with/to sb/sth join or become joined with sb/sth by treaty, marriage, etc almanac n. annual book or calendar of months and days, giving information about the sun, moon, tides, anniversaries, etc , aloof apart; not open in one's relationship with other people; reserved; ADV. altar n. table on which bread and wine are consecrated in the Communion service . alter v. become different; change in character, position, size, shape, etc alteration n. changing; making a change altercate To contend angrily or zealously in words. alternate adj. happening or following one after the other alternative adj. available in place of sth else; other altitude n. height above sea-level alto n. (music ) (singer with a) voice of the highest adult male pitch altruism n. principle of considering the welfare and happiness of others before one's own; unselfishness ; altruist n. unselfish person amalgam combination of different things; mixture of metals (containing mercury) used for filling holes in teeth amalgamate (of societies or groups) combine; unite in one body amateur n. person who practises a sport or artistic skill without receiving money for it amatory adj. relating to or inspired by sexual love ambidextrous capable of using either hand with equal ease ambiguous unclear or doubtful in meaning; having more than one possible interpretation ambitious adj. ~ ~ (for sth) full of ambition, esp for success or money ambulance n. vehicle equipped to carry sick or injured people to hospital, etc ambulate To walk about ambush act of lying in wait to attack by surprise; sudden attack made from a concealed position; Ex. lie in ambush; V. ameliorate improve amenable obedient; compliant; readily managed; responsive; willing to be led; answerable or accountable legally; responsible; able to be tested by; Ex. amenable to sensible suggestions; Ex. He is very amenable; Ex. amenable to the usual tests Americanism n. word or phrase used in American English but not in standard English in Britain amicable peaceful; politely friendly; not quarrelsome; Ex. amicable settlement amity friendship; peaceful relationship as between nations amorous moved by sexual love; loving; of sexual love; Ex. amorous advances amorphous formless; lacking shape or definition amour n. (esp secret) love affair ampere n. unit for measuring electric current . ampersand n. sign meaning `and' `&' , `and' amphibious adj. living or operating both on land and in water amphitheater oval building with tiers of seats; CF. arena amplitude n. breadth; largeness; abundance ; amputate cut off part of body; prune (a limb) amusement thing that makes time pass pleasantly anachronism an error involving time in a story; something or someone misplaced in time; ADJ. anachronistic anagram n. word or phrase made by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase analogous comparable; similar analogy similarity; parallelism; comparing two similar things analyst n. person skilled in making analyses analyze To examine minutely or critically. anarchy absence of governing body; state of disorder anathema solemn curse; someone or something regarded as a curse; V. anathematize anatomy n. scientific study of the structure of animal bodies ancestry family descent; ADJ. ancestral anecdote short story of an amusing or interesting event anemia condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles; ADJ. anemic anemic lacking force, vitality, or spirit anemometer n. instrument for measuring the force of the wind anesthetic substance that removes sensation with or without loss of consciousness; N. anesthesia anew adv. in a new or different way; again Anglophobe n. person who hates or fears England or English things Anglo-Saxon n. person of English descent angular sharp-cornered; having an angle; not rounded (body); bony; lean; gaunt; stiff in manner anhydrous free from water and especially water of crystallization animadversion critical remark; V. animadvert: comment critically with disapproval animadvert v. ~ (fml ) make (esp critical) remarks about sb/sth animalcule n. microscopically small animal animate adj. living; having life animosity active enmity annalist n. person who writes annals annals records arranged in yearly parts; history annex attach; add to a large thing; take possession of; incorporate (territory) into a larger existing political unit (by force); N: building added to a large one annihilate destroy annotate comment; make explanatory notes annual adj. happening every year annuity yearly allowance annunciation n. the Annunciation (festival held on 25 March to commemorate) the announcement to Mary that she was to be the mother of Christ , ; 325 anode n. positive electrode by which an electric current enters a device anonymous adj. with a name that is not known or not made public antagonism hostility; active opposition; V. antagonize: cause to become an enemy; N. antagonist: person who is opposed to another; opponent; adversary; principal character in oppostion to the protagonist antarctic adj. of the regions around the South Pole . ante n. stake in poker2, etc that a player must make before receiving new cards antecede precede antecedent n. thing or circumstance that is or comes before another antechamber n. = ante-room antedate v. put an earlier date on than the one at the time of writing antediluvian antiquated; extremely ancient antenatal adj. existing or occurring before birth; pre-natal anterior adj. coming before in position or time; nearer the front ; anteroom A room situated before and opening into another, usually larger. anthology book of literary selections by various authors; CF. omnibus anthracite n. very hard form of coal that burns with little smoke or flame anthropology n. study of mankind, esp of its origins, development, customs and beliefs , antic n. absurd or exaggerated movement or behaviour intended to amuse people Antichrist Any opponent or enemy of Christ, whether a person or a power. anticlimax letdown in thought or emotion; something unexciting, ordinary, or disappointing coming after something important or exciting anticyclone n. area in which atmospheric pressure is high, producing fine and settled weather, with an outward flow of air antidote remedy to counteract a poison or disease; Ex. antidote to the economic troubles antiphon A response or alteration of responses, generally musical. antiphony An anthem or other composition sung responsively. antipode the exact or direct opposit antiquary n. person who studies, collects or sells antiques , antiquate To make old or out of date. antique made in an earlier period and usu. valuable; N: object that was made in an earlier period and that is rare or valuable antiseptic substance that prevents infection in a wound; ADJ. 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 n. substance that acts against a poisonous substance and prevents it from having a harmful effect antonym n. word that is opposite in meaning to another anxious adj. ~ feeling anxiety; worried; uneasy apathy lack of caring; indifference; lack of concern or interest in important matters; Ex. He was sunk in apathy after his failure; ADJ. apathetic aperture opening; hole; adjustable opening in a camera that limits the amount of light apex tip; summit; climax; highest point aphorism pithy maxim or saying; ADJ. aphoristic apiary a place where bees are kept apogee highest point; the point farthest from the earth; OP. perigee apology n. ~ (for sth) statement to say one is sorry for having done wrong or hurt sb's feelings apostasy n. abandoning one's religious beliefs, principles, political party, etc apostate one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs; N. apostasy apostle n. any of the twelve men sent out by Christ to spread his teaching apothecary druggist; pharmacist apotheosis elevation to godhood; an ideal example of something appall dismay; shock deeply apparent evident; easily seen or understood; appearing as such; Ex. apparent improvement apparition ghost; phantom appease pacify or soothe; Ex. appease a crying baby; N. appeasement appellate Capable of being appealed to. appellation name; title append attach appertain v. ~ to sb/sth belong or relate to sb/sth as a right; be appropriate to sb/sth ; apposite appropriate; fitting apposition n. addition of one word or phrase to another word or phrase as an explanation appraise estimate value of; N. appraisal appreciable adj. that can be seen or felt; considerable apprehend arrest (a criminal); dread; perceive; N. apprehension apprehensible Capable of being conceived. approbation approval appropriate acquire; take possession of for one's own use without permission; set aside for a particular purpose; allocate; CF. misappropriate aqueduct n. structure for carrying water across country, esp one built like a bridge over a valley or low ground , aqueous adj. of or like water; produced by water arbiter person with power to decide a matter in dispute; judge who is in a position ot make influential judgments; Ex. supreme arbiter of fashion in beachware arbitrary unreasonable or capricious; random; tyrannical; Ex. arbitrary ruler arbitrate act as judge (at the request of both sides) arbor a shelter of vines or branches or of latticework covered with climbing shrubs or vines arboreal of or living in trees arborescent Having the nature of a tree. arboretum place where different trees and shrubs are studied and exhibited arboriculture The cultivation of trees or shrubs. arcade a covered passageway usually lined with shops archaeology study of artifacts and relics of early mankind archaic antiquated; no longer used; belonging to the past; N. archaism n. archaic word or expression archangel n. angel of the highest rank archbishop n. bishop of the highest rank, responsible for a large church district archdeacon n. priest next below the rank of bishop archetype prototype; primitive pattern archipelago group of closely located islands ardent adj. full of ardour; enthusiastic ardor heat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent arid (of land) dry; barren; unproductive aristocracy hereditary nobility; privileged class; government by nobility; N. aristocrat aristocrat n. member of the aristocracy; nobleman or noblewoman ; armada fleet of warships armful n. quantity that can be carried by one or both arms armory a place where arms and military equipment are stored aroma n. distinctive smell; fragrance arraign charge in court; indict arrange v. put in order; make tidy, neat or attractive arrangement n. putting in order; arranging arrant adj. to the highest degree; utter arrear Something overdue and unpaid. arrival n. act of arriving arrogant adj. behaving in a proud and superior manner; showing too much pride in oneself and too little consideration for others arrogate v. ~ sth to oneself claim or take sth to which one has no right artful exhibiting art or skill; deceitful; cunning; CF. artifice Arthurian Pertaining to King Arthur, the real or legendary hero of British poetic story. artifice deception; trickery artless without guile; open and honest ascendant n. in the ascendant rising in power and influence ascension n. act of ascending ascent n. act of ascending ascetic practicing self-denial; avoiding physical pleasures and comforts; austere; Ex. ascetic life of Buddhist monks; N. asceticism ascribe refer; attribute; assign asexual adj. without sex or sex organs ashen ash-colored; deadly pale askance with a sideways or indirect look (with disapproval or distruct); Ex. look askance at asperity sharpness; roughness; severity (of temper or weather); Ex. asperities of a Russian winter aspirant seeker after position or status aspiration n. ~ ~ (to do sth) strong desire or ambition aspire seek to attain (position or status); long for; Ex. aspire to become president; Ex. aspire to/after the leadership assassin n. killer, esp one who kills an important or famous person for money or for political reasons , assassinate v. kill for money or for political reasons assassination n. murder of this kind assay analyze (to discover what materials are present); evaluate (soil or ore) assent agree; accept; N. assessment assess v. ~ sth decide or fix the amount of sth assessor n. person who assesses taxes or the value of property, etc , assiduous diligent assignee One who is appointed to act for another in the management of certain property and interests. assimilate absorb; take (food) into the body and digest it; understand (knowledge) completely and be able to use properly; cause to become homogeneous (the people of a country or race in the wasy of behaving or thinking) assonance n. similarity between the vowel sounds only or the consonant sounds only of two words or syllables, as in sharper and garter or killed and cold , sharper garter killed cold assuage mak less severe; ease or lessen (pain); satisfy (hunger); soothe (anger) astringent binding; causing contraction (stopping bleeding); harsh or severe; stringent; Ex. astringent criticism astute wise; shrewd; keen; seeing quickly something that is to one's advantage atheism n. belief that there is no God athirst Wanting water. athwart adv, prep obliquely across (sth); from one side to the other side (of) atomizer An apparatus for reducing a liquid to a fine spray, as for disinfection, inhalation, etc. atone make amends for; pay for; Ex. atone for atonement n. act of atoning atrocious adj. very wicked, cruel or shocking atrocity brutal deed; ADJ. atrocious attache n. person attached to an ambassador's staff with a particular responsibility attest testify; bear witness auburn adj. reddish-brown audacious daring; bold; N. audacity audible adj. that can be heard clearly audition n. trial hearing of a person who wants to perform as an actor, a singer, a musician, etc auditory adj. of or concerned with hearing augment increase; add to augur to foretell especially from omens Augustinian Pertaining to St. Augustine, his doctrines, or the religious orders called after him. aura n. distinctive atmosphere that seems to surround and be caused by a person or thing aural adj. of or concerning the ear or hearing auricle One of the two chambers of the heart which receives the blood from the veins. auricular adj. of or like the ear auriferous Containing gold. aurora n. (also the northern lights) bands of coloured light, mainly red and green, seen in the sky at night near the North Pole and caused by electrical radiation auspice protection or support, patronage austere forbiddingly stern; ascetic; without comfort or enjoyment; severely simple and unornamented; Ex. a monk's austere life; Ex. austere grandeur of the cathedral; N. austerity autarchy Unrestricted power. authentic adj. known to be true or genuine autobiography n. story of a person's life written by that person autocracy n. government by one person with unlimited power; despotism ; autocrat n. ruler of an autocracy automaton mechanism that imitates actions of humans; machine that works by itself autonomous self-governing; N. autonomy autonomy n. self-government; independence autopsy examination of a dead body; postmortem; V. auxiliary offering or providing help; additional or subsidiary; N: helper; assistant avalanche great mass of falling snow and ice avarice greediness for wealth aver state confidently; declare as true averse reluctant; disinclined; not liking or opposed; Ex. averse to cats/doing the house work aversion firm dislike avert prevent; avoid; turn away (eyes or thought); Ex. An accident was averted by his quick thinking; Ex. She averted her eyes from the terrible sight. aviary enclosure for birds; large cage avidity n. eagerness avocation secondary or minor occupation avow declare openly; N. avowal awaken v. stop sleeping; waken awry distorted; crooked; bent; Ex. Our plans have gone awry. aye interj yes azalea n. flowering shrub of the rhododendron family azure sky blue Baconian Of or pertaining to Lord Bacon or his system of philosophy. bacterium A microbe. badger pester; annoy continually with demands; persuade by asking again and again; Ex. The children badgered me into taking them into the cinema; N: a kind of mountain animal baffle frustrate; perplex bailiff n. law officer who helps a sheriff in issuing writs and making arrests baize n. thick woollen cloth used for covering billiard-tables, card-tables, doors, etc , bale n. large bundle of paper, straw, goods, etc pressed together and tied with rope or wire ready to be moved, sold, etc baleful evil; malignant in intent or effect; deadly; having a malign influence; portending evil; ominous; threatening; Ex. baleful look ballad n. simple song or poem, esp one that tells a story balsam n. flowering plant grown in gardens banal hackneyed; commonplace; trite; lacking originality; clich\'ed barcarole n. piece of music, esp for the piano, with a steady lilting rhythm , baritone n. male voice between tenor and bass barograph An instrument that registers graphically and continuously the atmospheric pressure. barometer n. instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure, used esp for forecasting the weather bask luxuriate; take pleasure in warmth bass n. any of several freshwater or sea fish of the perch family used as food baste v. sew together with long temporary stitches baton n. = truncheon battalion army unit made up of four or more companies batten n. long board, esp one used to keep other boards in place, or to which other boards are nailed batter v. ~ at/on sth hit hard and often bauble trinket; cheap jewel; trifle bawl v. ~ (out) shout or cry loudly beatify v. (of the Pope) honour (a dead person) by stating officially that he or she is in heaven beatitude blessedness; state of great happiness beau n. (US) boy-friend; lover ; becalm To make quiet. beck n. mountain stream; brook ; bedaub To smear over, as with something oily or sticky. bedeck to clothe with finery:DECK bedlam n. scene of noisy confusion; uproar befog v. confuse (sb/sth); make unclear or obscure befriend v. act as a friend to be kind to (esp sb needing help) beget father; become the father of; produce; give rise to begrudge envy; give or allow unwillingly; grudge; Ex. We shouldn't begrudge him his success. belay v. fix (a rope) round a peg, rock, etc in order to secure it belie contradict; give a false impression; disguise; Ex. The poor sales belied our high hopes; Ex. Her smile belies her true feeling of displeasure. believe v. feel sure of the truth of accept the statement of (sb) as true belittle disparage; depreciate belle n. beautiful woman or the most beautiful woman in a group, etc bellicose warlike belligerent quarrelsome bemoan lament; moan for; express sorrow or disapproval of benediction blessing benefactor gift giver; patron; person who does good or who gives money for a good purpose benefice n. position that provides a clergyman with his income beneficent kindly; doing good beneficial helpful; useful; advantageous beneficiary person entitled to benefits or proceeds of an insurance policy or will benefit advantage; anything that brings helpl, advantage, or profit; money provided by the government to the people; fund-raising public entertainment; Ex. unemployment benefit; V: receive benefits; be beneficial to; give benefits benevolence n. desire to do good; kindness and generosity ; benevolent generous; charitable; having a wish to do good benign kindly; favorable; not malignant (disease); Ex. benign tumor benignant Benevolent in feeling, character, or aspect. benison blessing bequeath leave to someone by means of a will; hand down in his will; N. bequest bereave v. ~ sb (fml ) deprive sb (esp of a relative) by death berth n. sleeping-place on a ship, train, etc beseech beg; plead with beset harass or trouble from all directions; hem in besmear v. ~ sth/sb (fml ) make sth/sb dirty; smear sth/sb (with greasy or sticky stuff) bestial beastlike; brutal; inhuman; very cruel bestrew To sprinkle or cover with things strewn. bestride v. (fml ) sit or stand with one leg on each side of (sth) bethink To remind oneself. betide v. woe betide sb betimes In good season or time. betroth become engaged to marry betrothal n. engagement to be married bevel n. sloping edge or surface, eg at the side of a picture frame or a sheet of plate glass . bewilder v. puzzle (sb); confuse bibliography n. list of books or articles about a particular subject or by a particular author bibliomania preoccupation with the acquisition and possession of books bibliophile n. person who loves or collects books bibulous adj. excessively fond of or addicted to alcoholic drink bide v. = abide biennial every two years bier n. frame on which a coffin or a dead body is carried or placed before burial bigamy n. marrying a person when still legally married to someone else bight n. long inward curve in a coast bilateral adj. having two sides; affecting or involving two parties, countries, etc bilingual adj. able to speak two languages equally well biography n. story of a person's life written by sb else biology n. scientific study of the life and structure of plants and animals biped n. animal with two feet birthright n. privilege or property which a person may claim because of birth or status blaspheme v. ~ swear or curse using the name of God; speak in an irreverent way about (God or sacred things) blatant extremely (offensively) obvious; loudly offensive; Ex. blatant lie; N. blatancy blaze n. bright flame or fire blazon n. heraldic shield; coat of arms ; bleak cold or cheerless; frigid; unlikely to be favorable; depressing blemish mar; spoil the beauty or perfection of; N: flaw or defect (that spoils perfection); Ex. blemishes in the crystal; CF. unblemished blithe adj. happy and carefree; casual blithesome Cheerful. blockade n. surrounding or closing of a place by warships or soldiers to prevent people or goods getting in or out boatswain n. senior seaman on a ship who supervises the crew and is responsible for the ship's equipment bodice n. upper part of a woman's dress, down to the waist bodily adj. of the human body; physical boisterous violent; rough; noisy bole n. trunk of a tree bolero n. 1 (music for a) type of Spanish dance boll n. seed-case of the cotton plant or flax bolster support; reinforce bomb n. container filled with explosive or incendiary material, made to explode when dropped or thrown, or by a timing device bombard v. ~ sb/sth attack (a place) with bombs or shells (esp from big guns) bombardier n. non-commissioned officer in an artillery regiment below a sergeant bombast grandiloquent, pompous speech boorish rude; insensitive bore v. make with a revolving tool or by digging borough n. town or district with a corporation and certain rights of self-government granted by royal charter bosom n. person's chest, esp a woman's breasts botanical adj. of or relating to botany botanize To study plant-life. botany n. scientific study of plants and their structure bountiful generous; graciously generous; showing bounty bowdlerize expurgate; CF. Thomas Bowdler bowler n. person who bowls in cricket boycott v. (usu of a group of people) refuse to have social or commercial relations with (a person, company, country, etc) brae n. steep slope; hillside ; braggart boaster; bragger brandish wave around (a weapon); flourish bravado swagger; assumed air of defiance; false show of bravery bravo interj, n shout of approval, esp to an actor or a performer bray n. cry of a donkey braze To make of or ornament with brass. brazier n. open metal framework for holding a charcoal or coal fire breach breaking of contract or duty; fissure or gap; opening; V. breaker n. large wave that breaks into foam as it moves towards the shore breech n. back part of a gun barrel where the bullet or shell is placed brethren n. brothers brevity conciseness; shortness of duration bric-a-brac n. ornaments, trinkets and small items of furniture of little value bridle harness fitted about a horse's head (used to restrain); curb; check; V: put a bridle on; control or restrain; show anger brigade n. army unit, usu of three battalions, forming part of a division brigadier n. officer in the British Army between the ranks of colonel and major general, commanding a brigade; staff officer having similar status , ; . brigand n. member of a band of robbers, esp one attacking travellers in forests and mountains , brimstone n. sulphur brine n. very salty water used esp for pickling bristle short stiff hair; V: (hair or fur) stand up stiffly Briticism A word, idiom, or phrase characteristic of Great Britain or the British. brittle hard but easily broken; difficult; unstable; Ex. brittle situation broach introduce as a subject; moot; open up broadcast v. send out (programmes) by radio or television brogan A coarse, heavy shoe. brogue n. strong outdoor shoe with thick soles and a pattern in the leather brokerage n. broker's fee or commission bromine n. chemical element, a non-metallic liquid, compounds of which are used in medicine and photography . bronchitis n. inflammationof the mucous membrane inside the bronchial tubes bronchus Either of the two subdivisions of the trachea conveying air into the lungs. brooch ornamental clasp; pin brotherhood n. relationship of brothers browbeat bully; intimidate brusque blunt; abrupt; curt; not wanting to waste time being nice buffoon stupid person; clown buffoonery clowning bulbous adj. growing from a bulb bullock n. bull that has been castrated bulrush n. type of tall rushwith a thick velvety head bulwark strong wall built for defense; earthwork or other strong defense; person who defends bumper n. bar fixed to the front and back of a motor vehicle to lessen the effect of a collision . bumptious adj. (of a person, his manner, etc) self-important and conceited bungle mismanage; blunder; botch; blow; spoil by clumsy behavior buoyancy cheerfulness that bubbles to the surface ; the property of something weightless and insubstantial buoyant able to float; cheerful and optimistic; N. buoyancy; Ex. buoyancy of wood/water/American market bureau n. (Brit) writing desk with drawers bureaucracy overregulated administrative system marked by red tape; ADJ. bureaucratic burgess In colonial times, a member of the lower house of the legislature of Maryland or Virginia. burgher n. (esp respectable) citizen of a particular town burnish make shiny by rubbing; polish bursar n. person who manages the finances of a school or college bustle v. move busily and energetically (in the specified direction) butt n. large cask or barrel for storing wine or beer butte A conspicuous hill, low mountain, or natural turret, generally isolated. buttress support; prop up; N. stationary structure to support wall; Ex. flying buttress cabal small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests cabbalah cabinet n. piece of furniture with drawers or shelves for storing or displaying things cacophony n. loud unpleasant mixture of discordant sounds cadaverous like a corpse; pale cadence rhythmic rise and fall (of words or sounds); beat; regular beat of sound; rhythm cadenza n. elaborate passage played by the soloist, usu near the end of a movement in a concerto caitiff Cowardly. cajole persuade by praise or false promise; coax; wheedle calculable adj. that can be calculated calculus n. branch of mathematics, divided into two parts (differential calculus and integral calculus), that deals with problems involving rates of variation callosity n. area of hardened skin; callus callow youthful; immature; inexperienced calorie n. unit for measuring a quantity of heat calumny malicious misrepresentation; slander calvary The place where Christ was crucified. Calvinism n. religious teaching of the French Protestant John Calvin and of his followers , 1509-1564, cameo shell or jewel carved in relief; star's special appearance in a minor role in a film campaign n. series of military operations with a particular aim, usu in one area Canaanite A member of one of the three tribes that dwelt in the land of Canaan, or western Palestine. canary n. small yellow songbird, usu kept in a cage as a pet candid adj. not hiding one's thoughts; frank and honest candor frankness; open honesty; ADJ. candid canine related to dogs; doglike cant insincere speech or expression of piety; jargon of thieves; special words used by a particular group of people cantata story set to music to be sung by a chorus (shorter than an oratorio) canto division of a long poem cantonment n. place where soldiers live capacious spacious capillary having a very fine bore; resembling a hair; fine and slender; Ex. capillary attraction; N: very fine hairlike tube; CF. capillarity capitulate surrender; give up all resistance caprice whim; sudden change of mind without any real cause caption title; chapter heading; text under illustration captious faultfinding; too critical captivate v. fascinate (sb); charm; enchant carcass n. dead body of an animal, esp one prepared for cutting up as meat cardiac adj. of or relating to the heart or heart disease cardinal chief; most important; N: priest; cardinal number: number that shows quantity rather thatn order caret n. symbol used to show where sth is to be inserted in written or printed material caricature distortion; burlesque carnage destruction of life; slaughter; killing of large numbers of people or animals carnal fleshly; sensual; concerning the desires of the body carnivorous meat-eating; N. carnivore; CF. herbivore carouse v. drink and be merry with others (at a noisy meal, party, etc) carrion rotting flesh of a dead body; CF. vulture cartilage n. tough white flexible tissue attached to the bones of animals; gristle cartridge n. tube or case containing explosive (for blasting), or explosive with a bullet or shot (for firing from a gun) caste one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; social stratification; prestige castigate n. scold, criticize or punish (sb) severely casual happening by chance; irregular; occasional; informal; showing or feeling little interest; Ex. casual reader/labor/remark casualty serious or fatal accident; person killed or wounded in an accident or battle cataclysm deluge; upheaval; earthquake; violent and sudden event or change cataract great waterfall; eye abnormality (causing a gradual loss of eyesight) catastrophe calamity ; disaster cathode n. negative electrode, by which an electric current leaves a device such as a battery Catholicism n. = Roman Catholicism (Roman) catholicity n. universalityor breadth caucus private meeting of a group of people in a political party to select officers or determine policy; CF. the Caucus club of Boston causal implying a cause-and-effect relationship; N. causality caustic burning; corrosive; able to burn by chemical action; sarcastically biting; (of remarks) intended to hurt; bitter; harmful; OP. harmless cauterize burn (a wound or snakebite, etc.) with hot iron or caustic substance to stop bleeding and prevent infection cede yield (title or territory) to (esp. after losing a war); surrender formally; N. cession censor (in ancient Rome) overseer of morals (also taking the census); person who eliminates inappropriate matter; V. censorious severely critical census n. official counting of a country's population or of other classes of things, eg traffic, for statistical purposes centenary n. 100th anniversary of sth 100 centiliter A hundredth of a liter. centimeter A length of one hundredth of a meter. centurion Roman army officer (commanding a company of about 100 soldiers) cereal n. any of various types of grass producing edible grains, eg wheat, rye, oats, barley . ceremonial adj. of, used for or involving a ceremony; formal ceremonious marked by formality; extremely formal and polite; CF. ceremony: conventional social courtesy cessation stoppage cession yielding to another; ceding chagrin annoyance and disappointment; vexation (caused by humiliation or injured pride) chameleon lizard that changes color in different situations chancery n. Lord Chancellor's division of the High Court of Justice chaos n. complete disorder or confusion characteristic adj. ~ forming part of the character(1a) of a person or thing; typical characterize To describe by distinctive marks or peculiarities. charlatan quack; pretender to knowledge (esp. in medicine) chasm abyss; very deep crack chasten discipline; punish in order to correct; CF. castigate chastise punish as by beating; criticize severely chastity n. being chaste (1 chateau n. castle or large country house in France chattel n. sb's goods and chattels check stop motion; curb or restrain chiffon n. thin, almost transparent fabric made of silk, nylon, etc chivalry n. (in the Middle Ages) ideal qualities expected of a knight, such as courage, honour, courtesy and concern for the weak and helpless cholera n. infectious and often fatal disease causing severe diarrhoea and vomiting, common in hot countries choleric hot-tempered; bad-tempered; irritable; easily angered; CF. cholera choral adj. of, composed for or sung by a choir Christ n. the founder of the Christian religion christen v. receive into the Christian Church by sprinkling water on his head and giving him a name Christendom n. all Christian people throughout the world chromatic adj. of colour chronology n. science of fixing the dates of historical events chronometer n. instrument that keeps very accurate time, used esp for navigating at sea cipher nonentity; worthless person or thing; zero; secret code; V. circulate v. (cause sth to) go round continuously circumference n. line that marks out a circle or other curved figure1(2b) circumlocution indirect or roundabout expression (by using an uncecessarily large number of words esp. when trying to avoid answering a difficult question directly) circumnavigate v. sail round (esp the world) circumscribe limit; confine; draw a line around circumspect prudent; cautious; acting after careful thought citadel fortress cite quote; commend; Ex. cited for bravery in an official record claimant n. person who makes a claim clairvoyance n. supposedpower of seeing in the mind either future events or things that exist or are happening out of sight clamorous adj. making loud demands or protests clan n. group of families, esp in Scotland, descended from a common ancestor clandestine secret clangor loud resounding noise; sound of repeated clanging clarify v. (cause sth to) become clear or easier to understand clarion shrill, trumpetlike sound; kind of trumpet used in former times classify v. (a)arrange (sth) systematically in classes or groups clearance n. clearing, removing or tidying sth clemency disposition to be lenient in deciding punishments; mildness as of the weather; ADJ. clement clement adj. (esp of weather) mild close-hauled adj. (of a sailing-ship) with the sails set for sailing as nearly as possible in the direction from which the wind is blowing clothier One who makes or sells cloth or clothing. clumsy adj. awkward and ungraceful in movement or shape coagulant something that produces coagulation coagulate congeal; thicken; clot; N. coagulant coalition partnership; league; union of separate political parties coddle treat gently; indulge excessively; pamper; mollycoddle; baby; cook in water just below boiling point; Ex. coddled eggs codicil supplement to the body of a will; later addition to a will coerce v. ~ sb (fml ) make sb do sth by using force or threats; compel sb to do sth coercion use of force to get someone to object; compelling; V. coerce coercive adj. using force or threats cogent convincing cognate having a common origin; related linguistically; allied by blood; similar or akin in nature; Ex. cognate languages; N. cognizant adj. ~ of sth having knowledge of sth; aware of sth ; cohere stick together cohesion tendency to keep together cohesive adj. tending to stick together coincide v. ~ (of events) occur at the same time or occupy the same period of time as sth else coincidence the chance occurrence, at the same time, of two or more seemingly connected events; V. coincide: happen at the same time; be in agreement; CF. coincident; CF. coincidental coincident adj. happening at the same time by chance collaborate work together; cooperate treasonably with the enemy collapse v. fall down or in suddenly colleague n. person with whom one works, esp in a profession or business collective adj. of, by or relating to a group or society as a whole; joint; shared collector n. person who collects (collect 4) things collegian A college student. collide v. ~ (of moving objects or people) strike violently against sth or each other collier n. coal-miner collision n. ~ ~ (between A and B) (instance of) one object or person striking against another; (instance of) colliding; crash colloquial pertaining to conversational or common speech; informal; N. colloquialism: colloquial expression colloquialism n. colloquial word or phrase colloquy informal discussion; conversation collusion conspiring in a fraudulent scheme to cheat or deceive others; V. collude colossus gigantic statue; person or thing of great size or importance comely attractive; agreeable; having a pleasing appearance comestible something fit to be eaten comical adj. amusing commemorate honor the memory of; serve as a memorial to; Ex. commemorate the 100th anniversary/those who died in the war commentary n. ~ spoken description of an event asit happens commingle mingle together commissariat The department of an army charged with the provision of its food and water and daily needs. commission n. ~ action, task or piece of work given to sb to do commitment n. ~ committing or being committed (commit committal n. action of committing (commit 2), esp to prison commodity n. thing bought in a shop and put to use, esp in the home commotion n. noisy confusion or excitement commute v. travel regularly by bus, train or car between one's place of work and one's home (usu at a distance) comparable adj. ~ able or suitable to be compared comparative adj. involving comparison or comparing comparison n. comparing compensate v. ~ for sth give (sb) sth good to balance or lessen the bad effect of damage, loss, injury, etc; recompense competence n. ~ ~ (in doing sth/to do sth) being competent; ability competent adj. ~ ~ (to do sth) (of people) having the necessary ability, authority, skill, knowledge, etc competitive adj. of or involving competition competitor n. person who competes complacence Satisfaction with one's acts or surroundings. complacent adj. ~ (usu derog ) calmly satisfied with oneself, one's work, etc complaisance n. willingness to do what pleases others complaisant trying to please; obliging; willing to please others complement complete; consummate; make perfect; N. complex adj. made up of (usu several) closely connected parts compliant readily acting in accordance with a rule, order, or the wishes or others; yielding; comforming to requirements complicate v. make more difficult to do, understand or deal with complication n. state of being complex, intricate or difficult; involved condition complicity participation; involvement (in a questionable act or a crime) compliment n. ~ expression of praise, admiration, approval, etc component element; ingredient comport bear one's self; behave; Ex. comport oneself; N. comportment composure mental calmness comprehensible adj. ~ that can be understood fully comprehension n. understanding comprehensive broad; including a lot or everything; thorough; inclusive compress force into less space; squeeze; contract; put into fewer words; N: thick mass of cloth pressed to part of the body to stop bleeding or swelling, reduce fever, etc. compressible Capable of being pressed into smaller compass. compression n. compressing or being compressed comprise include; consist of compulsion compelling; strong desire that is difficult to control; irresistible impulse compulsory obligatory; that must be done compunction remorse; strong uneasiness caused by guilt compute reckon; calculate concede admit; acknowledge as being true (often reluctantly); yield; grant; Ex. concede a goal conceit vanity or self-love; too high opinion of one's own value; extravagant metaphor (in poetry) conceive v. become pregnant concerto n. musical composition for one or more solo instruments and an orchestra concession an act of yielding; conceding; something conceded; point, right, etc. given unwillingly; privilege of maintaining a business in a certain place; Ex. oil concessions in the North sea; CF. concessionaire conciliate v. make less angry or more friendly (esp by being pleasant or making some concessions) conclusive decisive; ending all debate concord harmony; accord concordance n. alphabeticalindex of the words used by an author or in a book concur agree; coincide; happen at the same time concurrence n. agreement concurrent happening at the same time; in agreement concussion n. injury to the brain caused by a blow, violent shaking, etc, resulting in temporary unconsciousness condensation n. condensing or being condensed condense v. ~ (into/to sth) (cause sth to) become thicker or more concentrated condescend (derog.) bestow courtesies with a superior air; descend to the level of one considered inferior condolence n. sympathy conduce v. ~ to/towards sth help to bring sth about conducive helpful; contributive; V. conduce; Ex. conduce to/towards conduit aqueduct; passageway for fluids confectionery n. sweets, chocolates, cakes, etc confederacy n. alliance or league, esp of states confederate adj. joined together by an agreement or a treaty confer v. ~ (with sb) (on/about sth) have discussions (esp in order to exchange opinions or get advice) conferee A person with whom another confers. confessor n. priest who hears confessions confidant n. trusted person to whom one speaks about one's private affairs or secrets confide tell in confidence (to a person one trusts); be confident about confidence self-assurance; calm unworried feeling based on a strong belief in one's abilities; strong belief in the ability of a person or plan; trust or faith in a person or thing; something confided; secret; Ex. confidence in your ability; Ex. I'm telling yo confident adj. ~ feeling or showing trust in oneself or one's ability confinement n. being confined; imprisonment confiscate seize; take possession of (private property) by official order (usu. as a punishment); commandeer conflagration great fire confluence flowing together; the place where two rivers flow together; crowd; gathering together confluent adj. flowing or coming together; uniting ; conformable Harmonious. conformance The act or state or conforming. conformation n. way in which sth is formed; structure ; conformity harmony; agreement with established rules or customs; similarity; Ex. behave in conformity with; V. conform: be similar; act in agreement; comply; Ex. conform to the rule; CF. conformance confront v. ~ sb with sb/sth make sb face or consider sb/sth unpleasant, difficult, etc congeal freeze; coagulate congenial pleasant; friendly; in agreement with one's tastes and nature; Ex. congenial weather congest become or cause to become obstructed congregate v. come together in a crowd conjecture surmise; guess; V. conjoin v. (cause people or things to) join together; unite ; conjugal pertaining to marriage conjugate v. give the different forms of (a verb), as they vary according to number, tense, etc conjugation n. conjugating conjunction n. word that joins words, phrases or sentences, eg and, but, or , and but or connive v. ~ at sth disregard or seem to allow (a wrong action) connoisseur person competent to act as a judge of art, etc. (whose judgments are respected); a lover of an art connote v. suggest (sth) in addition to the main meaning connubial pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state conquer v. take possession of (sth) by force consanguineous adj. Descended from the same parent or ancestor. conscience n. person's awareness of right and wrong with regard to his own thoughts and actions conscientious scrupulous; through and careful; Ex. conscientious worker conscious adj. knowing what is going on around one because one is able to use bodily senses and mental powers; awake conscript draftee; person forced into military service; V. consecrate dedicate; sanctify; declare as sacred; Ex. consecrate one's life to helping the poor consecutive adj. coming one after the other without interruption; following continuously consensus general agreement; opinion reached by a group conservatism n. tendency to resist great or sudden change conservative adj. opposed to great or sudden change conservatory n. room with glass walls and roof used to protect plants from cold, built against an outside wall of a house, and with a door into the house . consign send to a person or place for sale; deliver officially; entrust; put into the care of another; set apart (for a special purpose); N. consignment; CF. consignor, consignee consignee n. person to whom sth is consigned consistency absence of contradictions; uniformity; degree of thickness or firmness; Ex. consistency of thick cream; CF. viscous console lessen sadness or disappointment; give comfort; allay the sorrow of; N. consolation consolidate v. become more solid, secure, or strong consonance harmony; agreement consonant harmonious; in agreement; N. consort associate with; keep company; N: husband or wife (or a ruler) conspicuous adj. ~ easily seen; noticeable; remarkable conspirator n. person who conspires conspire take part in a conspiracy; (of events) work together; combine; Ex. Events conspired to produce great difficulties. constable n. = police constable (police) constellation n. named group of stars consternation great shock; dismay constituency voters represented by an elected official; district so represented; group of supporters (or constituents) constituent supporter; voter; member of a constituency; component constrict v. make tight, smaller or narrower consul n. official appointed by a state to live in a foreign city in order to help people from his own country who are travelling or living there, and protect their interests consulate n. offices of a consul consummate complete; V. consumption n. using up of food, energy, resources, etc consumptive adj. suffering or tending to suffer from consumption(2) contagion infection (by contact); ADJ. contagious; CF. infectious: that can be passed by infection in the air contagious adj. (of a disease) spreading by contact contaminate pollute contemplate v. look at or consider (sth) thoughtfully contemporaneous adj. ~ (fml ) existing or happening at the same time contemporary adj. ~ of the time or period being referred to; belonging to the same time contemptible adj. deserving contempt; despicable contemptuous adj. ~ feeling or showing contempt contender n. person who tries to win sth in competition with others contiguity n. being contiguous contiguous adjacent to; touching upon continence self-restraint; sexual chastity; sexual abstinence; voluntary control over bladder and bowel functions; ADJ. continent contingency n. event that may or may not occur; event that happens by chance contingent dependent on something uncertain or in the future; conditional; happening by chance; accidental; N: a group of soldiers, ships to a larger force; CF. contingency: future event that may or may not occur; possibility; Ex. prepare for every contingency continuance n. continuing existence; remaining; staying continuation n. carrying sth on beyond a certain point without stopping; prolongation continuity n. state of being continuous continuous adj. going on without stopping or being interrupted contort v. ~ (with sth) (cause sth to) twist out of its natural shape contraband illegal trade; smuggling; smuggled goods; ADJ. contradiction n. contradicting contradictory adj. contradicting contraposition A placing opposite. contravene contradict; oppose; violate (a rule, law, or custom); N. contravention contribution n. ~ action of contributing contrite penitent; repentant; N. contrition contrivance something contrived; machine or apparatus; clever deceitful plan; scheme contrive invent or fabricate in a clever way (by improvisation); manage; Ex. contrive to attract his attention control n. ~ power or authority to direct, order or limit controller n. person who controls or directs sth, esp a department or division of a large organization contumacious stubborn and disobedient; resisting authority (esp. disobedient to an order made by a court) contumacy n. obstinate resistance or disobedience contusion bruise convalesce v. regain one's health and strength after an illness convalescence n. gradual recovery of health and strength . convalescent n, adj (person who is) recovering from illness convene come together; assemble; call to meet; Ex. convene the council convenience n. quality of being convenient or suitable; freedom from trouble or difficulty converge approach; tend to meet; come together convergent tending to move toward one point or to approach each other:CONVERGING conversant familiar with; having knowledge of conversion n. ~ (into/to sth) converting or being converted convertible adj. ~ that can be converted convex curving outward conveyance vehicle; transfer; act of conveying; Ex. public conveyance convivial pleasantly merry; festive; joyous; gay; characterized by joviality; jovial convolution n. coil; twist convolve To move with a circling or winding motion. convoy n. group of vehicles or ships travelling together convulse v. cause to make sudden violent uncontrollable movements convulsion violent uncontrollable shaking movement (caused by illness); V. convulse; ADJ. convulsive copious plentiful coquette flirt; flirtatious woman; woman who tries to attract the admiration of men without sincere feelings; V. cornice projecting molding on building (usually above columns or pillars); cornucopia horn (or horn-shaped container) overflowing with fruit and grain; symbol of abundance; horn of plenty corollary natural consequence (which naturally follows from something else) coronation n. ceremony of crowning a king, a queen or some other sovereign ruler coronet n. small crown worn by a peer or peeress corporal adj. of the human body corporate adj. of or shared by all the members of a group; collective corporeal bodily (rather than spiritual); of a bodily form; material; tangible corps n. military force made up of two or more divisions corpse n. dead body corpulent very fat; N. corpulence corpuscle red or white cell in the blood correlate either of the correlated things; V. correlative adj. having or showing a relation to sth else corrigible Capable of reformation. corroborate confirm; support; strengthen corrode destroy or wear away gradually by chemical action (over a long period) corrosion n. corroding or being corroded; corroded area or part corrosive eating away by chemicals or disease; (of language) fierce corruption n. corrupting or being corrupted cosmetic n. substance for putting on the body, esp the face, to make it beautiful cosmic pertaining to the universe; vast cosmogony n. theory of the origin and development of the universe cosmography The science that describes the universe, including astronomy, geography, and geology. cosmology n. scientific study of the universe and its origin and development cosmopolitan adj. containing people from all over the world cosmopolitanism A cosmopolitan character. cosmos the cosmos n the universe, ie all space, seen as a well-ordered system counteract v. act against and reduce the force or effect of counterbalance n. ~ weight or force that balances another counterfeit n, adj made or done so that it is very similar to another thing, in order to deceive; fake counterpart thing that completes another; things very much alike; thing that has the same purpose in a different system countervail counterbalance countryman n. person living in or born in the same country(1a) as sb else courageous adj. brave; fearless course n. forward movement in time courser A fleet and spirited horse. courtesy n. courteous behaviour; good manners covenant binding agreement between two groups or people; compact; V: enter into a covenant; promise covert secret; hidden; implied; OP. overt covey n. small flock of partridges cower shrink quivering as from fear; cringe coxswain n. man in charge of a ship's rowing-boat and its crew crag n. high, steep or rugged mass of rock cranium n. (anatomy ) bony part of the head enclosing the brain; skull ; crass very unrefined; grossly insensible; crude and undiscriminating; Ex. crass behavior creak v. make a harsh sound like that of an unoiled door-hinge, or badly-fitting floor-boards when trodden on creamery n. place where milk, cream, butter, etc are sold credence belief credible adj. that can be believed; believable credulous adj. too ready to believe things creed system of religious or ethical belief crematory A place for cremating dead bodies. crevasse n. deep open crack in the ice of a glacier crevice crack; fissure criterion n. standard by which sth is judged critique n. critical analysis crockery n. cups, plates, dishes, etc made of baked clay , crucible n. pot in which metals are melted crusade n. any one of the military expeditions by the European Christian countries to recover the Holy Land from the Muslims in the Middle Ages crustacean n. any of various types of animal that have a hard outer shell and live mostly in water; shellfish ; crustaceous Having a crust-like shell. cryptogram n. message written in code crystallize To bring together or give fixed shape to. cudgel n. short thick stick or club culinary relating to cooking or kitchen cull pick out from others (to kill the weakest members); reject; select; collect (information); N. culpable deserving blame; blameworthy culprit one guilty of a crime culvert artificial channel for water; drain crossing under a road cupidity greed (for wealth); CF. cupid; CF. Cupid curable adj. that can be cured curator superintendent; manager (in charge of a museum or a library) curio n. small object that is quite rare or unusual cursive (of writing) flowing; running; having the successive letters joined cursory casual; hastily done with little attention to detail curt adj. (of a speaker, his manner, what he says) rudely brief; abrupt curtail shorten; reduce curtsy A downward movement of the body by bending the knees. cycloid Like a circle. cygnet n. young swan cynical skeptical or distrustful of human motives; N. cynicism; CF. cynic: person who believes all people are motivated by selfishness cynicism n. cynical attitude cynosure object of general attention; person or thing that is a center of attention; CF. Ursa Minor darkle to grow dark; darken Darwinism The doctrine that natural selection has been the prime cause of evolution of higher forms. dastard a person who acts treacherously or underhandedly datum A premise, starting-point, or given fact. dauntless bold; fearless dearth scarcity debase degrade; reduce in quality or value; degenerate; lower in esteem; disgrace; N. debasement debatable adj. not certain; open to question; arguable debonair (of men) friendly, charming, and fashionably dressed; aiming to please; CF. of good disposition debut d\'ebut; first public appearance; formal presentation of a young woman to society 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 n. the Decalogue the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God decameter A length of ten meters. decamp v. ~ go away suddenly and often secretly (taking sth with one) decapitate behead decapod Ten-footed or ten-armed. decasyllabic [ decasyllable: ] adjectiv deceit n. deliberately leading sb to believe or accept sth that is false, usu so as to get sth for oneself; deceiving deceitful adj. often deceiving people; dishonest deceive v. ~ sb/oneself make sb believe sth that is not true (so as to make him do sth); deliberately mislead sb decency n. quality of being or appearing as respectable people would wish decent adj. proper; acceptable deciduous falling off at a specific season or stage of growth as of leaves; Ex. deciduous tree/teeth decimal adj. based on or reckoned in tens or tenths decimate kill (usually one out of ten or every tenth man); destroy or kill a large part of decipher decode; CF. indecipherable decisive adj. having a particular, important or conclusive effect declamation n. declaiming declamatory adj. formal and rhetorical; with great feeling declarative Containing a formal, positive, or explicit statement or affirmation. declension n. varying the endings of nouns and pronouns according to their function in a sentence decorate v. ~ sth make sth (more) beautiful by adding ornaments to it decorous proper (in behavior, conduct, or appearance) decoy lure or bait; V. decrepit weak and in bad condition from old age or hard use; Ex. decrepit old chair/man dedication n. ~ devotion to a cause or an aim deduce v. ~ sth arrive at (facts, a theory, etc) by reasoning; infer sth deface mar; disfigure defalcate embezzle defamation n. defaming or being defamed defame harm someone's reputation; malign; speak evil of; slander; N. defamation; ADJ. defamatory default failure to act; failure to perform a task or be present; V. defendant n. person accused or sued in a legal case defensible adj. that can be defended defensive adj. used for or intended for defending defer give in respectfully; submit; delay till later; exempt temporarily; N. deferment; CF. show respect, comply with, courteous deference courteous regard for another's wish; courteous yielding to another's wish or opinion (showing respect); ADJ. deferential; OP. effrontery defiant adj. showing defiance; openly opposing or resisting sb/sth deficiency n. ~ state of lacking sth essential deficient adj. ~ in sth lacking in sth definite adj. clear; not doubtful deflect turn aside; turn away from a straight course deform v. spoil the shape or appearance of deformity n. being deformed defraud v. ~ sb get sth from sb by deception; cheat sb defray provide for the payment of; undertake the payment of; pay degeneracy A becoming worse. degenerate become worse in quality; deteriorate; ADJ: having become worse; Ex. a degenerate species; N: depraved or corrupt person degradation humiliation; debasement; degeneration; V. degrade: debase; disgrace; degenerate; reduce (something) in worth; demote (someone); reduce in rank degrade v. cause to be less moral and less deserving of respect dehydrate remove water from; dry out deify turn into a god; make a god of; idolize; Ex. Kings were deified; CF. deity deign condescend; stoop deism n. belief in the existence of God that is based more on natural laws of the world than on divine revelation deity n. god or goddess deject to make gloomy dejection n. sad or dejected state; depression delectable adj. (esp of food) delightful; pleasant delectation n. enjoyment; entertainment deleterious harmful delicacy n. softness or tenderness when touched delineate portray; depict; sketch; describe; N. delineation deliquesce To dissolve gradually and become liquid by absorption of moisture from the air. delirious adj. suffering from delirium delude deceive deluge flood; rush; V. delusion false belief; hallucination; deluding; Ex. delusions of grandeur; Ex. under the delusion that demagnetize To deprive (a magnet) of magnetism. demagogue person who appeals to people's prejudice; false leader of people; CF. demagoguery demeanor behavior; bearing demented insane demerit fault; bad quality demise death demobilize relieve from military service demolish v. pull or knock down (a building, etc) demonstrable adj. that can be shown or proved demonstrate v. ~ sth (to sb) show sth clearly by giving proof or evidence demonstrative adj. (of people) showing the feelings readily demonstrator n. person who teaches or explains by demonstrating (demonstrate 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 (animal, person, or plant) inhabitant or resident of a particular place; regular visitor denominate To give a name or epithet to. denomination religious group; unit in a system; name or designation; CF. denominator: common trait or characteristic denominator n. number below the line in a fraction, showing how many parts the whole is divided into, eg 4 in 4 denote v. be the name, sign or symbol of (sth); refer to denouement final outcome; final development of the plot of a play or other literary work; the end of a story when everything is explained denounce condemn; criticize; N. denunciation dentifrice n. powder or paste used for cleaning the teeth denude to strip of all covering or surface layers denunciation n. denouncing deplete reduce; exhaust deplorable adj. that is, or should be, condemned deplore regret; express sorrow and severe disapproval for something bad; Ex. deplore their violent behavior; ADJ. deplorable: very bad; deserving severe disapproval; Ex. deplorable living condition deponent n. person who makes a written statement for use in a lawcourt depopulate v. reduce the number of people living in deport send out of the country; behave; N. deportation, deportment deportment n. (Brit) way of standing and walking; bearing deposition testimony under oath; deposing; dethroning depository n. place where things, eg furniture, are stored; storehouse ; deprave v. make (sb) morally bad; corrupt deprecate express disapproval of; deplore; protest against; belittle; ADJ. deprecatory depreciate lessen in value; belittle; represent as of little value depress v. make sad and without enthusiasm depression n. being depressed; low spirits depth n. distance from the top down derelict negligent; (of someone) neglectful of duty; (of something) deserted by an owner; abandoned; N: abandoned property; homeless or vagrant person deride ridicule; treat with contempt; make fun of; OP. respect derision ridicule; ADJ. derisive; CF. derisory derivation deriving; origin or source of something; Ex. the derivation of the word derivative unoriginal; obtained from another source; Ex. derivative prose style; N. derive v. ~ sth from sth obtain sth from sth; get sth from sth dermatology n. medical study of the skin and its diseases, etc derrick n. large crane for moving or lifting heavy weights, esp on a ship descendant n. person descended from another descent n. coming or going down descry catch sight of (something distant) desert v. go away from (a place) without intending ever to return desiccant n. substance that absorbs moisture, and is often used to keep food in good condition designate adj. appointed to a job (but not yet having officially started it) desist v. ~ (fml ) stop sth/doing sth; cease despair n. state of having lost all hope desperado reckless, desperate outlaw desperate having lost all hope; despairing; reckless and violent because of loss of hope or despair; undertaken as a last resort despicable adj. ~ (to do sth) deserving to be despised; contemptible despite prep without being affected by despond To lose spirit, courage, or hope. despondent without hope and courage; depressed; gloomy; N. despondency: loss of hope with gloom; dejection despot tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; CF. despotism despotism tyranny destitute extremely poor; lacking means of subsistence; utterly lacking; devoid; Ex. destitute of any experience desultory aimless; haphazard; digressing at random deter v. ~ sb (from doing sth) make sb decide not to do sth deteriorate v. ~ become worse in quality or condition determinate having a fixed order of procedure; precisely defined; invariable; fixed; conclusive; final determination resolve; firmness of purpose; measurement or calculation; decision deterrent something that discourages or deters detest v. dislike very much; hate detract v. ~ from sth make sth seem less valuable or important detriment harm; damage deviate turn away from (a principle, norm); move away from an accepted standard; swerve; depart; diverge; N. deviation; Ex. deviation of the path of light by a prism devilry Malicious mischief. devious roundabout; erratic; deviating from the straight course; not straightforward; not completely honest; Ex. devious route devise think up; invent; plan; bequeath; N: bequest devout pious; deeply religious; sincere; earnest; Ex. my devout hope dexterity n. skill, esp in using one's hands diacritical Marking a difference. diagnose v. ~ sth find out the nature of (esp an illness) by observing its symptoms diagnosis n. diagnosing dialect n. form of a language used in a part of a country or by a class of people dialectician n. person who is skilled in dialectic dialogue n. (writing in the form of a) conversation or talk diaphanous sheer; transparent diatomic Containing only two atoms. diatribe bitter scolding or denunciation; invective; abuse dictum authoritative and weighty statement (made by a judge in court); saying; maxim; CF. obiter dictum: incidental, nonbinding remark (something said in passing) didactic (of speech or writing) intended to teach a moral lesson; teaching; instructional; N. didacticism difference n. ~ ~ (in/of sth) state or way in which two people or things are not the same, or in which sb/sth has changed differentia Any essential characteristic of a species by reason of which it differs from other species. differential adj. of, showing or depending on a difference differentiate v. ~ between A and B; ~ A (from B) see or show (two things) to be different; show sth to be different (from sth else) diffidence shyness; lack of self-confidence; timidity; ADJ. diffident diffident adj. ~ not having or showing much belief in one's own abilities; lacking self-confidence diffusion n. diffusing or being diffused dignitary person of high rank or position digraph n. two letters that represent a single sound digress v. ~ turn or wander (from the main topic) in speech or writing dilate expand; dilate on/upon: speak or write at length on (a subject) dilatory delaying; tending to delay dilemma situation that requires a choice between equally unfavorable options; problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives dilettante aimless follower of an art or a field of knowledge (not taking it seriously); amateur; dabbler; CF. delight diligence steadiness of effort; persistent hard work dilute make (a liquid) less concentrated; reduce in strength; Ex. dilute the influence of the president diminution lessening; reduction in size; V. diminish diphthong n. union of two vowel sounds or vowel letters, eg the sounds / aI; aI/ in pipe / paIp; paIp/, the letters ou in doubt , pipe / paIp; paIp/ / aI; aI/; doubtou diplomacy n. management of relations between countries by each country's representatives abroad; skill in this diplomat n. person in the diplomatic service, eg an ambassador diplomatic adj. of diplomacy diplomatist n. = diplomat disagree v. ~ (with sb/sth) (about/on sth) have a different opinion (from sb); not agree disallow v. refuse to accept as valid disappear v. no longer be visible; vanish disappoint v. fail to be or do sth as good, interesting etc as was hoped for or desired or expected by disapprove v. ~ consider (sb/sth) to be bad, immoral, foolish, etc disarm v. take weapons away from disarrange v. make (sth) disorderly or untidy disavow v. say one does not know of, is not responsible for, or does not approve of (sth) disburden To disencumber. disburse pay out (as from a fund); N. disbursement; CF. purse discard v. throw (sth) out or away disciple n. follower of a religious, political, artistic, etc leader or teacher , disciplinary adj. concerning discipline discipline n. training, esp of the mind and character, aimed at producing self-control, obedience, etc disclaim disown; renounce claim to; deny; CF. disclaimer discolor To stain. discomfit frustrate; put to rout; defeat; disconcert; embarrass; perturb discomfort n. lack of comfort; slight pain disconnect v. ~ A detach sth (from sth); undo a connection disconsolate hopelessly sad (at the loss of something) discontinuance Interruption or intermission. discord conflict; lack of harmony; dissonance (when musical notes are played) discountenance v. disapprove of (sb); discourage ; discover v. find or learn about discredit defame; disgrace; destroy confidence in; disbelieve; N. CF. discreditable: causing discredit; shameful discreet adj. careful or showing good judgement in what one says or does; not too obvious discrepant Opposite. discriminate distinguish; make distinctions on the basis of preference discursive (of a person or writing) digressing; rambling (without any clear plan) discussion n. discussing sth disenfranchise disfranchise; deprive of a civil right; OP. enfranchise disengage uncouple; separate; disconnect; stop fighting; OP. engage disfavor Disregard. disfigure mar the appearance of; spoil dishabille in a state of undress dishonest adj. not honest disillusion v. destroy the pleasant but mistaken beliefs or ideals of disinfect v. clean by destroying germs that cause disease disinfectant n. substance that disinfects disinherit v. prevent from inheriting one's property (by making a new will naming another person as heir) disjunctive adj. (of a conjunction) showing opposition or contrast between two ideas (eg either... or) , either... or dislocate v. put out of its proper position in a joint dismissal n. action of dismissing dismount v. ~ get off (a motor cycle, bicycle, horse, etc) disobedience n. failure or refusal to obey disobedient adj. not obedient disown v. refuse to be connected with (sb/sth), esp because one is shocked by some action disparage belittle dispel scatter; drive away; cause to vanish dispensation n. action of dispensing or distributing displace v. move from the usual or correct place dispossess v. ~ sb take away property, land, a house, etc from sb disputation n. (instance of) disputing; controversy ; disqualify v. ~ sb (from sth/doing sth) prevent sb from doing sth, usu because he has broken a rule or is not able enough disquiet n. anxiety disregard v. pay no attention to treat (sth) as of no importance; ignore disreputable adj. having a bad reputation disrepute n. state of having a bad reputation disrobe v. (fml or joc ) undress disrupt v. cause disorder in dissatisfy To displease. dissect v. cut up in order to study its structure dissection analysis; cutting apart in order to examine dissemble disguise; hide the real nature of; pretend disseminate distribute; spread; scatter (like seeds) dissension disagreement of opinions causing strife within a group dissent disagree dissentient One who disagrees. dissentious Contentious. dissertation formal essay; treatise disservice n. ~ harmful or unhelpful action dissever To divide. dissimilar adj. ~ not the same; unlike dissipate squander; waste foolishly; scatter dissipation n. dissipating or being dissipated dissolute adj. immoral; dissipated dissolution disintegration; reduction to a liquid form; looseness in morals; sensual indulgence; debauchery; ADJ. dissolute: lacking in moral restraint; leading an immoral life dissolve v. (of a liquid) make (a solid) become liquid dissonance discord dissonant adj. not harmonious; discordant ; dissuade persuade not to do; discourage; N. dissuasion dissuasion advice against distemper n. (old method of painting with) colouring matter mixed with water and brushed on walls, etc distend expand; swell out distensible Capable of being stretched out or expanded in every direction. distill refine (a liquid by evaporating and subsequent condensation); concentrate; separate the most important parts from; Ex. distill fresh water from sea water; CF. brew distillation n. distilling distiller n. person or company that distils distinction honor; excellence; difference; contrast; discrimination; Ex. graduated with distinction; Ex. a writer of real distinction distort twist out of shape; give a false account of; misrepresent; N. distortion distrain v. ~ (law ) seize a person's property or belongings to force him to pay what he owes (esp rent) distraught upset; distracted by anxiety; very anxious and troubled almost to the point of madness; Ex. distraught with grief/worry distrust n. lack of trust; suspicion disunion n. separating or being separated disyllable n. disyllabic word or metrical foot diurnal daily; occurring during the daytime divergent adj. divergent paths, opinions diverse differing in some characteristics (from each other); various; N. diversity: | variety; dissimilitude; lack of resemblance diversion act of turning aside; pastime; V. divert: turn aside from a course; distract; amuse diversity n. state of being varied; variety divert v. ~ sb/sth (to sth) turn sb/sth from one course to another divest strip (as of clothes); deprive (as of rights); dispossess; N. divestiture(divestment) divination n. foretelling the future by supernatural means divinity n. quality of being divine1 divisible adj. ~(mathematics ) that can be divided, usu with no remainder divisor n. number by which another number is divided divulge reveal docile obedient; easily managed; submissive docket program as for trial; book where such entries are made; list of things to be done; agenda; label fixed to a package listing contents or directions; V: describe in a docket doe n. female deer, reindeer, rabbit or hare dogma n. belief or set of beliefs put forward by some authority, esp a Church, to be accepted as a matter of faith dogmatic opinionated; holding stubbornly to one's opinion; arbitrary; doctrinal dogmatize To make positive assertions without supporting them by argument or evidence. doleful adj. sad; mournful dolesome Melancholy. dolor Lamentation. dolorous sorrowful; N. dolor domain n. lands owned or ruled by a nobleman, government, etc domesticity n. home or family life domicile home; V. ADJ. domiciled: having one's domicile; Ex. He is domiciled in Britain. dominance Ascendancy. dominant exercising the most influence; high and easily seen; stronger than the other part of a system; not recessive dominate control; rule; enjoy a commanding position in; overlook from a height; ³»·Á´Ùº¸´Ù domination supremacy or preeminence over another domineer rule over tyrannically donate v. ~ sth give (money, goods, etc), esp to a charity; contribute sth donator One who makes a donation or present. donee A person to whom a donation is made. donor n. person who gives or donates sth dormant sleeping; temporarily inactive; lethargic; latent doublet n. short close-fitting jacket worn by men, with or without sleeves doubly adv. to twice the extent or amount dowry money or property brought by a bride to her husband at marriage drachma n. unit of money in Greece dragnet A net to be drawn along the bottom of the water. dragoon n. heavily-armed cavalryman drainage n. draining or being drained dramatist n. writer of plays dramatize To relate or represent in a dramatic or theatrical manner. drastic strong; violent and severe; Ex. drastic changes/measures drought n. continuous dry weather, esp when there is not enough water for people's needs drowsy adj. half asleep; feeling sleepy drudgery hard unpleasant work; menial work dubious questionable; (of something) causing doubt; (of someone) filled with doubt; N. dubiety duckling n. young duck ductile malleable; pliable; (of metals) easily pulled into shape; flexible; (of someone) easily influenced or controlled duet n. piece of music for two players or singers dun adj. n dull greyish-brown colour duplex adj. having two parts duplicity double-dealing; hypocrisy; being dishonest and deceitful; ADJ. duplicitous durance restraint; imprisonment duration length of time something lasts duteous adj. = dutiful dutiable adj. on which customs or other duties must be paid dutiful adj. showing respect and obedience; fulfilling all one's obligations dwindle shrink; reduce gradually dyne The force which, applied to a mass of one gram for 1 second, would give it a velocity of 1 cm/s. earnest adj. serious; determined; not light-hearted earthenware n. pottery made of baked clay eatable adj. fit to be eaten; good to eat ebullient showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm; boiling; N. ebullience; N. ebullition: state of boiling eccentric irregular; odd; unconventional; whimsical; bizarre; not concentric eccentricity oddity; idiosyncrasy eclipse darken; extinguish; outshine; surpass; cause an eclipse economize To spend sparingly. ecstasy rapture; very strong feeling of joy and happiness; any overpowering emotion; ADJ. ecstatic: causing or experiencing ecstasy ecstatic adj. causing or showing ecstasy edible adj. fit to be eaten edict decree (especially one issued by a sovereign); official command edify instruct; correct morally editorial adj. of an editor educe draw forth; elicit efface rub out; remove the surface of effect n. ~ change produced by an action or cause; result or outcome effective effectual; producing a strong response; striking; in operation; in effect; Ex. effective speech/photograph effectual able to produce a desired effect; valid effeminacy Womanishness. effeminate having womanly traits effervesce v. release bubbles of gas; fizz effete having lost one's original power; barren; worn out; exhausted efficacious adj. (not of people) producing the desired result; effective efficacy power to produce desired effect; ADJ. efficacious: effectual efficiency n. state or quality of being efficient efficient adj. able to work well; capable efflorescence n. action or time of bursting into flower effluvium noxious(harmful) smell effrontery rudeness without any sense of shame; shameless boldness; presumptousness; nerve; cheek effulgence the quality of being bright and sending out rays of light effuse To pour forth. effusion pouring forth; unrestrained outpouring of feeling; V. effuse: pour out; ADJ. effusive: pouring forth; gushing egoism excessive interest in one's self; belief that one should be interested in one's self rather than in others; selfishness; ADJ. egoistic, egoistical egoist n. person who believes in or shows egoism egotism tendency to speak or write of oneself excessively; conceit; self-importance egotist n. person who practises or shows egotism; selfish person ; egregious notorious; conspicuously bad or shocking egress exit; opening for going out; act of going out; OP. ingress eject v. ~ sb/sth (fml ) force sb/sth out; expel sb/sth ; elapse v. (of time) pass elasticity n. quality of being elastic electrolysis n. separation of a substance into its chemical parts by an electric current electrotype A metallic copy of any surface, as a coin. elegy poem or song expressing lamentation (for the dead); ADJ. elegiacal, elegiac element n. ~ necessary or characteristic part of sth elicit draw out fact or information (by discussion or from someone) eligible adj. ~ suitable or fit to be chosen; having the right or proper qualifications eliminate v. ~ sb/sth remove (esp sb/sth that is not wanted or needed) Elizabethan adj. of the time of Queen Elizabeth I of England 15581603 elocution n. art or style of speaking clearly and effectively, esp in public eloquent adj. having or showing eloquence elucidate explain; make clear; clarify; enlighten; CF. lucid elude v. escape (sb/sth), esp by a trick or cleverness; avoid elusion Evasion. emaciate to cause to lose f unaffectlesh so as to become very thin emanate issue forth; come out emancipate set free; liberate embargo ban on commerce or other activity embark commence; go on board a boat; begin a journey embarrass v. cause (sb) to feel self-conscious, awkward or ashamed embellish adorn; ornament; enhance as a story (by adding fictitious details) embezzle v. use in a wrong way to benefit oneself emblazon ornament richly (a shield or flag); N. emblazonment emblem n. object that represents sth; symbol embody give a bodily form to; incorporate; include embolden to instill with boldness or courage embolism n. blockage of an artery or a vein caused by a clot of blood, an air-bubble, etc embroil throw into confusion; involve in strife, dispute, or quarrel; entangle; CF. imbroglio emerge v. ~ come out or up (from water, etc) emergence n. action of emerging emergent adj. in the process of emerging emeritus adj. (of a university teacher, esp a professor) retired, but keeping his title as an honour emigrant n. person who emigrates emigrate v. ~ (to...) leave one's own country to go and live in another eminence n. state of being famous or distinguished eminent rising above others; high; lofty; distinguished; Ex. eminent position emit v. give or send (sth) out; discharge emphasis n. force or stress given to a word or words when spoken, to make the meaning clear or to show importance emphasize To articulate or enunciate with special impressiveness upon a word, or a group of words. emphatic adj. having, showing or using emphasis employee n. person who works for sb or for a company in return for wages emporium n. (joc or fml ) centre of trade; market ; empower v. give lawful power or authority (to sb) to act emulate imitate; rival; try to equal or excel (through imitation) enact make (a bill) into law enamor To inspire with ardent love. encamp v. settle in camp encomium n. (fml ) very high praise in speech or writing encompass surround; include; Ex. His activities encompass publishing and computers. encore interj Again! Repeat!! encourage v. ~ sb give support, confidence or hope to sb encroach v. ~ (fml ) go beyond what is right or natural or desirable; intrude encumber burden; N. encumbrance encyclical n. letter written by the Pope for wide circulation encyclopedia n. book or set of books giving information about every branch of knowledge, or about one particular subject, with articles in alphabetical order endanger v. cause danger to (sb/sth); put in danger endear make beloved; Ex. endear her to everyone; ADJ. dear: loved; cherished; high-priced endemic prevailing among a specific group of people or in a specific area or country; peculiar to a particular region or people; CF. pandemic endue provide with some quality; endow endurable adj. that can be endured; bearable endurance n. state or power of enduring energetic full of or done with energy enervate weaken; take away energy from enfeeble v. make weak or feeble enfranchise admit to the rights of citizenship (especially the right to vote); CF. franchise engender cause; produce; give rise to engrave v. ~ B on A/~ A cut or carve (words, designs, etc) on (a hard surface) engross occupy fully; absorb enhance increase; make greater (as in value, reputation, or usefulness); improve enigma puzzle; mystery; ADJ. enigmatic: obscure; puzzling enjoin command; order; forbid enkindle v. cause (flames, passion, etc) to flare up enlighten v. ~ sb give more knowledge or information to sb; free sb from false beliefs or ignorance enlist (cause to) join the armed forces; obtain (help, sympathy, or support) enmity ill will; hatred; hostility ennoble v. make (sb) a member of the nobility enormity hugeness (in a bad sense); excessive wickedness; Ex. enormity of the crime; ADJ. enormous enormous adj. very large; immense enrage v. make very angry enrapture please intensely; fill with rapture and delight enshrine v. ~ sth (in sth) place or keep sth (in, or as if in, a shrine or holy place) ensnare v. ~ sb/sth (in sth) (often fig ) catch sb/sth in, or as if in, a trap or snare entail make necessary; require; necessitate; involve; limit the inheritance of (property) to a specified succession of heirs; Ex. entail A on/upon B entangle v. ~ sb/sth/oneself cause sb/sth/oneself to become twisted, tangled or caught (in sth) enthrall capture; enslave; captivate; hold the complete attention of (as if magic); hold spellbound enthrone v. place (a king, queen or bishop) on a throne, esp with ceremony; exalt enthuse v. ~ show great admiration or interest for enthusiastic adj. ~ full of enthusiasm entirety n. state of being entire; completeness entomology study of insects entrails n. internal organs of a person or animal, esp the intestines entreaty n. earnest request or requesting entree n. ~ (into sth) right or privilege of admission or entry entrench v. surround or protect with a trench or trenches entwine v. ~ sth make sth by twisting one thing around another enumerate list; mention one by one epic long heroic poem, novel, or similar work of art (celebrating the feats of a hero); ADJ: (of stories or events) resembling an epic; grand epicure connoisseur of food and drink; gourmet; ADJ. epicurean; CF. Epicurus epicurean believing that pleasure is good and suffering is bad and should be avoided; N. 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 n, adj spreading quickly among many people in the same place for a time epidermis n. outer layer of the skin epigram witty thought or saying, usually short epilogue short speech at conclusion of dramatic work epiphany n. Christian festival held on 6 January, in memory of the coming of the Magi to the baby Jesus at Bethlehem , 16 episode n. event occurring as part of a long series of events as in a novel, one's life, etc epitaph inscription in memory of a dead person (as on a tombstone) epithet word or phrase characteristically used to describe a person or thing; descriptive phrase to characterize a person (often contemptous) epitome perfect example or embodiment; brief summary; Ex. epitome of good manners; V. epitomize: make an epitome of; be an epitome of; embody epizootic Prevailing among animals. epoch period of time epode A species of lyric poems. equalize To render uniform. equanimity calmness of temperament; composure equestrian rider on horseback; ADJ. equilibrium balance of opposing forces; balance of the mind; equanimity equitable fair; impartial; OP. inequitable equity fairness; justice; OP. inequity equivalent adj. ~ equal in value, amount, meaning, importance, etc equivocal (of words or statements) ambiguous; intentionally misleading; (of behavior) questionable; OP. unequivocal equivocate use equivocal language to deceive people; lie; mislead; attempt to conceal the truth; N. equivocation eradicate v. destroy completely; put an end to (sth) errant wandering (esp. in search of adventure); straying from proper moral standards; Ex. knight-errant erratic odd; irregular in movement or behavior; unpredictable erroneous mistaken; wrong; incorrect erudite (of a person or book) learned; full of learning; scholarly; N. erudition erudition n. learning eschew avoid habitually; Ex. eschew alcoholic drinks espy v. (dated or joc ) catch sight of (sb/sth) esquire n. (abbr Esq) polite title added after a man's surname (instead of Mr before it), esp in addressing letters , Mr essence n. that which makes a thing what it is; most important or indispensable quality of sth estimable (of a person) worthy of esteem; admirable; deserving esteem; possible to estimate estrange to arouse especially mutual enmity or indifference in where there had formerly been love, affection, or friendliness:ALIENATE estuary n. wide river mouth into which the tide flows eugenic pertaining to the improvement of race; N. eugenics: study of hereditary improvement of the human race eulogize to speak or write in high praise of:EXTOL eulogy expression of praise, often on the occasion of someone's death; V. eulogize euphemism mild expression in place of an unpleasant one; ADJ. euphemistic euphonious adj. of a pleasing sound euphony sweet sound; ADJ. euphonious eureka interj I have found it! (a cry of triumph at making a discovery ) evade v. get or keep out of the way of evanesce To vanish gradually. evanescent fleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V. evanesce evangelical adj. of or according to the teachings of the Christian Gospel, or the Christian religion evangelist n. any one of the four writers of the Gospels in the Bible evasion n. keeping out of the way of sb; avoidance eventual happening at last as a result; Ex. eventual victory evert To turn inside out. evict to force out:EXPEL evidential adj. of, based on, or providing evidence evince show clearly evoke call forth (memory or feeling); Ex. That old film evoked memories of my childhood; N. evocation evolution n. (theory of the) gradual development of the characteristics of plants and animals over many generations, esp the development of more complicated forms from earlier, simpler forms evolve v. (cause to) develop naturally and (usu) gradually exacerbate worsen; aggravate; embitter exaggerate v. make seem larger, better, worse, etc than it really is; stretch (a description) beyond the truth exasperate vex; annoy or make angry (by testing the patience) excavate v. make (a hole or channel) by digging; remove (soil, etc) by digging exceed v. be greater or more numerous than (esp a quantity) excel v. ~ in/at sth be exceptionally good at sth excellence n. ~ quality of being excellent; great merit excellency n. title given to ambassadors, governors, their husbands or wives, and some other officers and officials excellent adj. very good; of very high quality excerpt selected passage (written or musical) taken from a longer work; V. excess n. an ~ of sth more than the reasonable, expected or moderate degree or amount of sth excitable adj. easily excited excitation Intensified emotion or action. exclamation n. sound(s) or word(s), expressing sudden surprise, pain, etc exclude v. ~ sb/sth prevent sb from entering somewhere, taking part in sth, etc; keep sb out exclusion n. ~ (from sth) action of excluding; being excluded excrescence n. abnormal (ugly and useless) growth on an animal body or a plant excretion n. action of excreting excruciate to subject to intense mental distress excursion n. short journey, esp one made by a group of people together for pleasure execrable very bad; detestable execration An accursed thing. executor person designated to execute the terms of a will; exegesis explanation, especially of biblical(of the bible) passages exemplar A model, pattern, or original to be copied or imitated. exemplary serving as a model; outstanding; Ex. exemplary punishment/behavior; N. exemplar: typical example; model exemplify show by example; furnish an example; serve as an example of; Ex. His pictures exemplify that sort of painting. exempt not subject to a duty or obligation; free from a duty; V. exert v. ~ sth bring (a quality, skill, pressure, etc) into use; apply sth exhale breathe out; OP. inhale exhaust n. waste fumes, gases, steam, etc expelled from an engine or a machine exhaustion n. total loss of strength; extreme tiredness exhaustive adj. very thorough; complete exhilarate v. make feel very happy or lively exhume dig out of the ground; remove from a grave exigency urgent situation; ADJ. exigent exigent adj. requiring immediate action; urgent existence n. state or fact of existing exit n. action of leaving; departure, esp that of an actor from the stage exodus departure (of a large number of people) exonerate acquit; exculpate; free from blame or guilt exorbitance n. (fml ). exorbitantly exorbitant (of costs or demands) excessive; exceeding reasonable bounds exorcise drive out evil spirits exotic not native; from another part of the world; strange; intriguingly unusual; Ex. exotic flower/dress expand v. ~ (into sth) (cause sth to) become greater in size, number or importance expanse n. ~ wide and open area (of land, sea, etc) expansion n. action of expanding; state of being expanded expatriate exile; someone who has withdrawn from his native land; V: exile; banish; leave one's country expect v. ~ sth (from sb/sth) think or believe that sth will happen or that sb/sth will come expectancy n. state of expecting or hoping expectorate v. send out (phlegm from the throat, blood from the lungs) by coughing; spit expediency that which is advisable or practical expedient suitable (for a particular purpose although not necessarily morally correct); practical; politic(prudent); N: something expedient expedite hasten; make go faster expeditious done with speed; quick; N. expedition expend v. ~ sth (fml ) spend, use (money, etc) in doing sth expense n. spending of money etc; cost expiate make amends for (a sin) explicate explain in detail; interpret; clarify; CF. explicable explicit totally clear; definite; outspoken explode v. burst with a loud noise; blow up explosion n. (loud noise caused by) sudden and violent bursting; exploding explosive adj. likely or easily able to explode exposition n. explaining or making clear by giving details expository explanatory; serving to explain; N. exposition: explaining; exhibition expostulate v. ~ (on/about sth) (fml ) make a protest (to sb); reason or argue (with sb), esp to persuade him not to do sth exposure risk, particularly of being exposed to disease or to the elements; unmasking; act of laying something open; Ex. exposure of governmental corruption expressive adj. showing one's feelings or thoughts expulsion n. ~ action of expelling or being expelled extant (of something written or painted) still in existence extemporaneous not planned; impromptu; extempore extempore adj. adv without previous thought or preparation; impromptu extensible Capable of being thrust out. extension n. process or action of extending (extend 1,2,3); state of being extended extensive adj. large in area; extending far extensor A muscle that causes extension. extenuate weaken; mitigate; lessen the seriousness of (bad behavior) exterior adj. on or coming from the outside; outer external adj. outside; situated on the outside of sth (esp the body) extinct adj. no longer in existence extinguish v. cause (sth) to stop burning; put out extol praise very highly; glorify extort wring from; get money by threats, etc.; obtain by force or threats; CF. extortionate: exorbitant extortion n. action of extorting extradite v. give up or send back to the country where the crime was (said to be) committed extradition surrender of prisoner by one state to another; Ex. extradition treaty; V. extradite extrajudicial Happening out of court. extraneous not essential; irrelevant; superfluous; external; coming from the outside; Ex. extraneous details/noise/to the subject extraordinary adj. beyond what is ordinary; very unusual; remarkable extravagance n. being extravagant extravagant adj. using or spending too much; (of actions) showing this tendency extremist n. person who holds extreme(3) views (esp in politics) extremity n. (fml ) furthest point, end or limit of sth extricate free from an entanglement or difficulty; disentangle extrude force or push out; thrust out; shape (plastic or metal) by forcing through a die exuberance overflowing abundance; joyful enthusiasm; flamboyance; lavishness; ADJ. exuberant: high-spirited and lively; growing abundantly and strongly exuberant adj. overflowing with happiness and excitement; very lively and cheerful fabricate build; lie; make up (a story) in order to deceive; Ex. fabricate the whole story; CF. fabric: underlying structure; Ex. fabric of society fabulous adj. incredibly great facet small plane surface (of a gem(precious stone)); a side facetious joking (often inappropriately); unserious; humorous facial adj. of or for the face facile easily accomplished; ready or fluent; superficial; not deep; Ex. facile solution to a complex problem; Ex. facile speaker; N. facility: ability to do something easily and well; ease in doing resulting from skill or aptitude; something that facil facilitate help bring about; make less difficult facility n. ability to learn or do things easily facsimile copy faction party; clique (within a large group); dissension factious inclined to form factions; causing dissension fallacious false; based on a fallacy; misleading; N. fallacy: false idea or notion; false reasoning; Ex. popular fallacy; Ex. fallacy of the argument fallacy n. false or mistaken belief fallible liable to err fallow (of land) plowed but not sowed (to improve the quality); uncultivated famish To suffer extremity of hunger or thirst. fanatic n. person who is too enthusiastic about sth, esp religion or politics fancier breeder or dealer of animals; one who has a special interest, as for raising specific plant or animal fastidious difficult to please; squeamish; fussy; finicky fathom comprehend; investigate; determine the depth of; N. unit of measurement for the depth of water fatuous smugly and unconsciously foolish; inane; silly; N. fatuity, fatuousness faulty adj. having a fault or faults; imperfect faun n. god of the fields and woods, with goat's horns and legs but a human torso , fawn n. deer less than one year old fealty n. (oath of) loyalty owed by a feudal tenant, etc to his lord feasible practical; able to be carried out; practicable federate v. unite into a federation feint trick; shift; sham blow; feigned attack to draw away defensive action; V. felicitate v. ~ sb (fml ) congratulate sb felicity happiness; appropriateness (of a remark, choice, etc.); quality of being felicitous felon person convicted of a grave crime; CF. felony: serious crime felonious adj. of or involving felony; criminal ; felony n. serious crime, eg murder, armed robbery or arson feminine adj. of or like women; having the qualities or appearance considered characteristic of women fernery A place in which ferns are grown. ferocious fierce; violent; N. ferocity ferocity n. fierceness; violence fervent ardent; zealous; hot fervid ardent; zealous; hot fervor glowing ardor; intensity of feeling; quality of being fervent or fervid; zeal; intense heat festal adj. of a festival; gay and joyful ; festive joyous; celebratory; relating to a feast or festival fete n. outdoor entertainment or sale, usu to raise money for a special purpose fetus = foetus feudal adj. of or according to the system as during the Middle Ages in Europe, under which people receive land and protection from the landowner and work and fight for him in return feudalism n. the feudal system fez n. red felt hat with a flat top and a tassle but no brim, worn by men in certain Muslim countries . fiasco total failure; CF. bottle fickle changeable (in affections or friendship); faithless fictitious imaginary; non-existent; purposely invented to deceive; untrue; Ex. fictitious name/boyfriend; CF. fictional fidelity loyalty; accuracy fiducial Indicative of faith or trust. fief a piece of land held under the feudal system filibuster block legislation or prevent action in a lawmaking body by making very slow long speeches; N; freebooter finale conclusion; concluding part finality n. quality or fact of being final financial adj. concerning money and finance financier n. person engaged in financing businesses, etc on a large scale finery beautiful clothes for a special occasion finesse delicate skill; V: handle with finesse finite limited fiscal adj. of or related to government money or public money, usu taxes fishmonger n. person whose job it is to sell fish in a shop fissure crevice; crack fitful spasmodic; intermittent; irregular fixture n. thing, such as a bath, water tank or toilet, that is fixed in a building and is not removed when the owner moves house flagrant conspicuously wicked, bad, or offensive; blatant; outrageous flamboyant ornate; highly elaborate; richly colored; ostentatious; showy; CF. flame flatulence n. gas in the stomach or digestive tract fledgling inexperienced flexible adj. that can bend easily without breaking flimsy adj. (of cloth or material) light and thin flippant lacking proper seriousness; Ex. flippant remarks about death; N. flippancy floe flat mass of floating ice flora plants of a region or era floral adj. made of flowers florid ruddy; (of a complexion) reddish; flowery; very ornate; CF. rose florist n. person who has a shop that sells flowers fluctuate waver; shift; rise and fall as if in waves; change or vary irregularly fluctuation n. ~ (of/in sth) flue n. channel, pipe, etc through which smoke, fumes or hot air pass from a boiler or oven, usu to a chimney fluent adj. able to speak or write a language or perform an action smoothly, accurately and with ease flux flowing; series of changes; fluctuation; Ex. in a state of flux foggy adj. not clear because of fog; very misty foible small weakness of character; slight fault; CF. feeble foist insert improperly; impose upon another by coercion; palm off; pass off as genuine or worthy; CF. fist foliage masses of leaves; CF. defoliate folio n. large sheet of paper folded once, making two leaves or four pages of a book fondle v. touch or stroke gently and lovingly; caress foolery n. foolish behaviour foppery Dandyism. foppish vain about dress and appearance; N. fop: man who takes too much interest in his clothes and appearance forbearance patience; forgiveness; V. forbear: refrain from (in a generous and forgiving way); be patient; Ex. forbear to send him to prison forby Besides. forcible adj. done by or involving the use of physical force forebode v. be a sign or a warning of (esp trouble) forecast v. tell in advance (what is expected to happen); predict with the help of information forecastle n. part of the front of certain ships where the crew live and sleep foreclose v. ~ (of a bank, etc that has lent money for a mortgage) take possession of the property of (sb), usu because repayments have not been made forecourt n. large open area or courtyard in front of a building, esp the front of a filling station where petrol is sold forefather n. person from whom one is descended; ancestor, esp a male forego To deny oneself the pleasure or profit of. foreground n. the foregroundfront part of a view, scene, picture, etc; part nearest the observer forehead n. part of the face above the eyebrows and below the hair . foreign adj. of, in or from a country or an area other than one's own foreigner n. person from a country other than one's own forejudge To judge of before hearing evidence. foreman n. experienced worker who supervises and directs other workers foreordain in theology ; foreordain or determine beforehand forepeak The extreme forward part of a ship's hold, under the lowest deck. forerun To go before as introducing or ushering in. foresail n. main sail on the front mast of a ship foresee v. see or know that sth is going to happen in the future; predict foreshore n. part of the shore between the limits of high and low tides, or between the sea and land that is cultivated or built on foresight ability to foresee future happenings; prudence in providing for the future foretell v. (fml) tell (what will happen in the future); predict forethought n. careful thought or planning for the future forfeit something surrendered as punishment for a crime or breach of contract; V: lose as a forfeit; N. forfeiture forfend To ward off. forgery n. forging (forge forgo v. give up or do without (esp sth pleasant) formation n. organizing and developing formidable menacing; arousing fear; threatening; difficult to defeat; Ex. formidable foe/question formula n. (chemistry ) set of symbols showing the elements that a substance is made of forswear renounce under oath; abandon; make a solemn promise to give up; CF. abjure forte strong point or special talent in a person's character forth adv. part out from home, etc forthright straightforward; direct; frank fortify v. ~ sth (against sth) strengthen (a place) against attack, by building walls, etc fortitude bravery; courage; strength of mind foursome n. four people joining together to play a game, esp golf fracture n. instance of breaking (esp a bone) fragile adj. easily damaged or broken; delicate frailty n. physical weakness frankincense n. type of sweet-smelling gum from a tree, burnt as incense , frantic wild; distraught as from fear or worry; Ex. frantic with fear fraternal adj. of a brother or brothers; brotherly or friendly fraudulence Deceitfulness. fraudulent cheating; deceitful; Ex. fraudulent means; N. fraud: deception; swindle fray brawl; fight; V: wear away or unravel by rubbing; have loose threads developing; cause to become worn out (a person's temper or nerves); CF. rub free adj. (of a person) not a slave or prisoner; allowed to move where one wants; having physical freedom Freemason n. member of an international secret society with the aims of offering mutual help and developing friendly relations among its members freethinker One who rejects authority or inspiration in religion. frequency n. rate of occurrence or repetition of sth, usu measured over a particular period of time fresco painting on wet plaster (usually fresh) fretful adj. irritable or complaining, esp because unhappy or worried frightful adj. very unpleasant; dreadful frigid intensely cold; cold in manner; Ex. frigid zone frivolity n. frivolous behaviour frivolous lacking in seriousness; flippant; self-indulgently carefree; unworthy of serious attention; relatively unimportant; trivial frizz v. form into small tight curls frizzle v. ~ (up) twist (hair) into small tight curls frolicsome prankish; gay; playful; merry; frisky frontier n. ~ (between sth and sth); ~ (with sth) border between two countries frugal adj. careful and thrifty, esp with money and food fruition bearing of fruit; fulfillment; realization; Ex. come to/be brought to fruition fugacious Fleeting. fulcrum support on which a lever rests or pivots fulminate thunder; explode; issue a severe denunciation fulsome disgustingly excessive; offensively flattering; Ex. fulsome praise/expressions of admire fumigate v. destroy infectious germs, insects, etc in with the fumes ofcertain chemicals functionary official (who performs a particular function) fundamental basic; primary; essential fungible That may be measured, counted, or weighed. fungous adj. of, like or caused by fungus fungus n. any of varioustypes of plant without leaves, flowers or green colouring-matter, growing on other plants or decaying matter furbish v. ~ sth polish, clean or renovate (esp sth that has not been used for a long time) furlong n. distance of furlough n. absence from duty, esp that granted to civil servants, soldiers, etc working abroad furrier n. person who prepares or sells fur or fur clothing furtherance n. advancement of sb's interests, a cause, etc furtive stealthy; quiet and secret (trying to escape notice); sneaky; Ex. furtive glance fuse n. piece of easily burnt material along which a spark moves to ignite a firework, bomb, etc so that it explodes fusible adj. that can be melted or joined together futile useless; hopeless; ineffectual futurist n, adj of futurism gaiety n. merriment; cheerfulness; being gay gaily Merrily. gait manner of walking or running; speed gallant adj. brave galore adv. (following ns ) in plenty galvanic of the production of electricity by the action of an acid on a metal; having the effect of an electric shock; Ex. galvanic cell; galvanic effect; CF. Luigi Galvani galvanism Current electricity, especially that arising from chemical action. galvanize stimulate or shock by an electric current; stimulate by shock; shock into action; stir up; coat with rust-resistant zinc by using electricity gamble v. play games of chance, etc for money gambol romp; skip about; leap about playfully; frolic; N. gamester A gambler. gamut entire range garnish decorate; add a garnish to; decorate (food or drink) with small items such as lemon slices; N. garrison n. troops stationed in a town or fort garrote To execute by strangling. garrulous loquacious; wordy; talkative; N. garrulity gaseous adj. like, containing or being gas gastric adj. of the stomach gastritis n. inflammation of the stomach gastronomy art and science of preparing and serving good food; CF. gastronome gauge n. standard measure, esp of width or thickness gendarme n. member of a military force employed on police duties, esp in France and French-speaking countries genealogist n. student of or expert in genealogy genealogy record of descent; lineage; ancestry; study of ancestry generality vague statement; general statement which is not detailed; quality of being general; greater part; most; Ex. generality of people generalize To draw general inferences. generally adv. by most people; widely generate cause; produce; create generic characteristic of an entire class or species; of a genus generosity n. quality of being generous genesis beginning; origin genital adj. of animal reproduction or reproductive organs genitive n. special form of a noun, a pronoun or an adjective used (in certain inflected languages) to indicate or describe esp possession , genteel well-bred; elegant; striving to convey an appearance of refinement; Ex. genteel poverty gentile n, adj not Jewish geology n. scientific study of the earth's crust, rocks, strata, etc and of the history of its development germane pertinent; bearing upon(having connection with) the case at hand; appropriate germinate cause to sprout; sprout gestation n. carrying or being carried in the womb between conception and birth gesticulate v. move the hands or arms instead of speaking or to emphasize one's words gesture n. expressive movement of a part of the body, esp the hand or head ghastly horrible; terrifying; resembling ghosts; CF. aghast gibe mock; make jeering remarks; N: jeering remarks giddy light-hearted; not serious; frivolous; dizzy; causing dizziness; Ex. giddy youth; Ex. giddy climb/height gigantic adj. of very great size or extent; immense giver n. one who gives glacial like a glacier; of an ice age; extremely cold; Ex. glacial epoch; CF. iceberg glacier n. mass of ice, formed by snow on mountains, moving slowly down a valley gladden v. make glad or happy glazier n. person who fits glass into the frames of windows, etc glimmer shine erratically; twinkle; N: dim or unsteady light; faint indication; Ex. glimmer of hope glimpse n. ~ (at sth) short look globose Spherical. globular adj. shaped like a globe or ball; spherical ; glorious adj. having, worthy of or bringing great fame or glory glutinous sticky; viscous; gluey gluttonous adj. very greedy for food gnash v. grind (one's teeth) together as a sign of great emotion gosling n. young goose gossamer sheer; very light; like cobwebs; N: soft and sheer fabric; cobweb gourd n. type of climbing or trailing plant gourmand epicure; person who takes excessive pleasure in food and drink graceless adj. without grace or elegance gradation series of gradual stages; degree in such a progression gradient n. degree of slope, as on a road, railway, etc granary storehouse for grain grandeur impressiveness; stateliness; majesty grandiloquent (of a person or speech) using high sounding or important-sounding language; pompous; bombastic grandiose affectedly grand; pretentious; high-flown; ridiculously exaggerated; impressive; great in size or scope; grand; Ex. grandiose ideas grantee The person to whom property is transferred by deed. granular adj. like, containing or consisting of small hard pieces granulate form into grains or granules; N. granule: grain or particle granule n. small hard piece; small grain grapple wrestle; come to grips with; take hold of and struggle with; Ex. grapple with the burglar gratification n. gratifying or being gratified; state of being pleased or satisfied gratify please; satisfy; Ex. gratify a desire gratuitous given freely; unwarranted; uncalled for; done without good reason; Ex. gratuitous comment gratuity n. money given to sb who has done one a service; tip ; gravity seriousness; ADJ. grave gregarious sociable; (of an animal) tending to form a group grenadier n. soldier who threw grenades; (now) soldier in the Grenadiers (or Grenadier Guards), a British infantry regiment ; grief n. ~ deep or violent sorrow grievance cause of complaint; complaint grievous adj. causing grief or suffering grimace facial distortion to show feeling such as pain, disgust, etc; V. grindstone n. stone shaped like a wheel, turned on an axle, against which one holds knives or other tools to sharpen them grisly ghastly; horrifying; Ex. grisly remains of the bodies grotesque fantastic; comically hideous; strange and unnatural (causing fear or amusement) grotto small cavern guess v. ~ (at sth) give an answer, form an opinion or make a statement about (sth) without calculating or measuring and without definite knowledge guile deceit; duplicity; wiliness; cunning; Ex. persuade her by guile guileless without deceit guinea n. (gold coin worth the) sum of guise outward appearance; costume; Ex. in a new guise gullible easily deceived gumption n. common sense and initiative; qualities likely to bring success gusto eager enjoyment; zest; enthusiasm guy cable or chain attached to something that needs to be braced or steadied; CF. guide guzzle v. ~ ~ sth (down/up) (infml ) eat or drink sth greedily gynecocracy Female supremacy. gynecology The science that treats of the functions and diseases peculiar to women. gyrate v. move around in circles or spirals; revolve ; gyroscope apparatus used to maintain balance, ascertain direction, etc. habitable adj. suitable for living in habitant Dweller. habitual adj. regular; usual habitude Customary relation or association. hackney To make stale or trite by repetition. haggard wasted away; gaunt; Ex. haggard faces of the rescued miners halcyon calm; peaceful; Ex. halcyon days hale healthy hanger-on n. (usu derog ) person who tries to become or appear friendly with others, esp in the hope of personal gain happy-go-lucky adj. accepting events cheerfully as they happen; carefree harangue long, passionate, and vehement speech; V. harass annoy by repeated attacks harbinger forerunner (which foreshadows what is to come) hard-hearted adj. lacking in feeling or sympathy; unkind ; hardihood the trait of being willing to undertake things that involve risk or danger harmonious adj. free from disagreement or ill feeling havoc widespread damage; disorder; chaos hawthorn n. thorny shrub or tree with white, red or pink blossom and small dark red berries hazard venture; put in danger; risk; Ex. hazard a guess; N: possible source of danger head n. part of the body containing the eyes, nose, mouth and brain heartrending causing intense sorrow or distress heathenish adj. of or like heathens; barbarous ; heedless not noticing; disregarding heifer n. young cow, esp one that has not yet had a calf heinous atrocious; wicked; hatefully bad; Ex. heinous crime hemorrhage Discharge of blood from a ruptured or wounded blood-vessel. hemorrhoid henchman n. faithful follower or political supporter who always obeys the orders of his leader henpeck To worry or harass by ill temper and petty annoyances. heptagon n. geometric figure with seven sides and angles heptarchy A group of seven governments. herbaceous adj. of or like herbs herbarium A collection of dried plants scientifically arranged for study. herbivorous grain-eating; CF. herbivore hereditary adj. passed on from parent to child, or from one generation to following generations heredity n. passing on of physical or mental characteristics from parents to children heresy opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary to accepted religion; ADJ. heretical; CF. heretic heretic n. person who is guilty of heresy or who supports a heresy heritage n. things such as works of art, cultural achievements and folklore that have been passed on from earlier generations hernia n. rupture, esp one caused by a part of the bowel being pushed through a weak point of the muscle wall of the abdomen hesitancy n. state or quality of being hesitant hesitant adj. tending to be slow inspeaking or acting because of uncertainty or unwillingness hesitation n. state of hesitating heterodox (of beliefs) against accepted opinion; unorthodox; unconventional heterogeneity Unlikeness of constituent parts. heterogeneous dissimilar; mixed; not homogeneous; consisting of dissimilar elements or plants heteromorphic Deviating from the normal form or standard type. hexagon n. geometric figure with six sides and angles hexapod Having six feet. hiatus gap; pause; gap or interruption in space or time; break hibernal wintry; wintery; of or like winter Hibernian Pertaining to Ireland, or its people. hideous repulsive to the sight; ugly; repugnant; Ex. hideous face/scream hilarious adj. extremelyamusing; very funny hillock n. small hill; mound ; hinder v. ~ sb/sth prevent the progress of sb/sth; obstruct or delay sb/sth ; hindmost furthest behind; farthest to the rear hindrance block; obstacle; V. hinder hirsute hairy; having a lot of hair hoard stockpile; accumulate for future use; N: supply stored for future use hoarse adj. (of the voice) sounding rough and harsh homage honor; tribute; great respect; Ex. pay/do homage to homogeneity n. quality of being alike homogeneous of the same kind; uniform in composition throughout homologous Identical in nature, make-up, or relation. homonym n. word spelt and pronounced like another word but with a different meaning homophone n. word pronounced like another word but with a different meaning or spelling , some, sum ; knew, new honorarium n. voluntary payment made for professional services for which a fee is not normally paid or required by law hoodwink deceive; delude horde crowd; swarm hosiery n. stockings, socks and knitted or woven underwear hospitable adj. ~ (of a person) pleased to welcome and entertain guests; giving hospitality hospitality n. friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests or strangers, esp in one's own home hostility unfriendliness; hatred; enmity; ADJ. hostile huckster n. person who sells goods in the street; hawker humane marked by kindness or consideration; kind and compassionate; humanitarian humanitarian one devoted to the promotion of human welfare; CF. humanism humanize To make gentle or refined. humbug n. dishonest behaviour or talk that is intended to deceive people and win their support or sympathy humiliate v. make feel ashamed or disgraced; lower the dignity or self-respect of hussar n. soldier of a cavalry regiment, carrying light weapons hustle v. push roughly and hurriedly; jostle; shove hybrid mongrel; mixed breed; V. hybridize hydraulic adj. of water moving through pipes hydrodynamics study of fluids in motion hydroelectric adj. using water-power to produce electricity hydromechanical [ hydromechanics: ] another name for: hydrodynamics hydrometer n. scientificinstrument that measures the density of liquids hydrostatics The branch of science that treats of the pressure and equilibrium of fluids. hydrous Watery. hygiene science and practice of the promotion and preservation of health; ADJ. hygienic: showing careful attention to cleanness (to prevent disease); Ex. hygienic condition hypercritical excessively exacting; too critical (without noticing good qualities) hypnosis induced sleeping state; ADJ. hypnotic; V. hypnotize hypnotic adj. of or producing hypnosis or a similar condition hypnotism n. production or practice of hypnosis hypnotize To produce a somnambulistic state in which the mind readily acts on suggestions. hypocrisy n. practice of misrepresenting one's real character, opinions, etc, esp by pretending to be more virtuous than one really is; insincerity ; hypocrite n. person who pretends to have opinions which he does not have or to be what he is not hypodermic adj. (of drugs, etc) injected beneath the skin hypotenuse n. side opposite the right angle of a right-angled triangle hypothesis n. idea or suggestion that is based on known facts and is used as a basis for reasoning or further investigation hysteria excessive or uncontrollable excitement; N. hysteric: person suffering from hysteria; CF. hysterics: attack of hysteria ichthyology study of fish; CF. ichthyo-: fish icon n. painting, carving, etc of a holy person, itself regarded as sacred iconoclast n. person who attacks popular beliefs or established customs idealize To make to conform to some mental or imaginary standard. idiom expression whose meaning as a whole differs from the meanings of its individual words; distinctive style (of expression); Ex. idiom of the modern popular music; ADJ. idiomatic idiosyncrasy individual trait usually odd in nature; behavioral peculiarity; eccentricity; attitude, behavior, or opinion peculiar to a person; anything highly individual or eccentric; ADJ. idiosyncratic idolize To regard with inordinate love or admiration. ignoble unworthy; not noble; dishonorable; Ex. ignoble deed ignominious adj. shameful or humiliating; causing disgrace Iliad A Greek epic poem describing scenes from the siege of Troy. illegal adj. against the law; not legal ; illegible adj. difficult or impossible to read; not legible illegitimate adj. born of parents not married to each other; not legitimate by birth illiberal adj. nottolerant; narrow-minded illicit illegal illimitable infinite; limitless illiterate adj. not able to read or write ill-natured adj. bad-tempered; unkind illogical adj. without reason or logic; not sensible illuminant That which may be used to produce light. illuminate brighten; clear up or make understandable; enlighten; enable to understand; Ex. illuminating remarks illumine To make bright or clear. illusion misleading vision or visual image; false idea or belief; CF. delusion illusive deceiving; based on illusion; causing illusion; deceptive illusory illusive; deceptive; not real imaginable adj. that can be imagined imaginary adj. existing only in the mind or imagination; not real imbibe drink in imbroglio complicated situation (as in a play); painful or complex misunderstanding (as in a play); entanglement; confused mass (as of papers); V. embroil imbrue drench, stain, especially with blood imitation n. thing produced as a copy of the real thing immaculate spotless; flawless; absolutely clean immaterial adj. ~ not important; irrelevant immature adj. not sensible in behaviour or in controlling one's feelings; less mature than one would expect immeasurable adj. that cannot be measured, esp because of largeness in size or extent immense adj. extremely large immerse v. ~ sth put sth under the surface of a liquid immersion n. immersing; being immersed ; immigrant n. person who has come to live permanently in a foreign country immigrate v. ~ enter a foreign country in order to live there permanently imminence the state of being imminent and liable to happen soon imminent impending; near at hand immiscible Separating, as oil and water. immoral adj. not following accepted standards of morality; not moral immortalize To cause to last or to be known or remembered throughout a great or indefinite length of time. immovable adj. that cannot be moved; impossible to move; fixed immune resistant to; free or exempt from; N. immunity immutable unchangeable impair injure; hurt; damage impalpable imperceptible(not easily understood); intangible; OP. palpable: tangible; easily perceptible impartial not biased; fair; N. impartiality impassable not able to be traveled or crossed impassible Not moved or affected by feeling. impassive without feeling; expressionless; imperturbable; stoical; Ex. impassive face impatience Unwillingness to brook delays or wait the natural course of things. impeccable faultless impecunious without money impede hide; retard or obstruct the progress of; block impel drive or force onward; drive to take action; urge to action impend to be about to occur imperative absolutely necessary; that must be done; critically important; expressing command; Ex. It is imperative that; N: something that must be done imperceptible unnoticeable; impossible to perceive; undetectable imperil put in danger imperious domineering; too commanding; haughty; CF. imperial/emperor impermissible adj. not allowed or permitted impersonal not being a person; not showing personal feelings; Ex. impersonal force/manner/organization impersonate v. pretend to be in order to entertain others impertinence Rudeness. imperturbable unshakably calm; placid impervious impenetrable; incapable of being damaged or distressed; incapable of being affected (in one's opinions); Ex. impervious to water/criticism impetuosity Rashness. impetuous violent; hasty; rash; impulsive; without careful thought; Ex. impetuous decision impetus moving force; momentum; force of a moving body; incentive; stimulus; impulse impiety irreverence; lack of respect for God or piety impious irreverent implausible unlikely (to be true); unbelievable; Ex. implausible alibi implicate incriminate; involve incriminatingly; show to be involved (in a crime); Ex. implicate someone in the crime implicit understood but not stated; implied; unquestioning and complete; Ex. implicit trust imply suggest a meaning not expressed; signify impolitic not wise; not expedient; not politic importation The act or practice of bringing from one country into another. importunate urging; always demanding; troublesomely urgent or persistent importune beg persistently; make repeated requests (in an annoying way) impotent weak; ineffective; lacking in physical strength or power impoverish make poor; deprive of natural strength or something important; Ex. impoverished soil impracticable adj. impossible to put into practice; not practicable impregnable invulnerable; impossible to capture or enter by force; Ex. impregnable fort/argument; CF. take impregnate make pregnant; fill thoroughly; saturate impromptu without previous preparation; off the cuff(end of a sleeve); on the spur of the moment improper adj. wrong or incorrect impropriety improperness; unsuitableness improvident thriftless; not providing for the future improvise compose on the spur of the moment imprudent lacking caution; not prudent; injudicious impudence impertinence; insolence impugn dispute or contradict (often in an insulting way); attack as false or questionable; challenge; gainsay; CF. fight impulsion n. ~ (fml ) strong urge (to do sth) impulsive adj. marked by sudden action that is undertaken without careful thought impunity freedom from punishment or harm; CF. punish impure adj. morally wrong, esp in one's sexual behaviour impute attribute; ascribe; charge; N. imputation inaccessible adj. ~ very difficult or impossible to reach, approach, or be contacted (by sb); not accessible inaccurate adj. having errors; not correct or accurate inactive adj. not active; idle inadequate adj. not sufficient or enough; not good enough for a particular purpose inadmissible adj. that cannotbe allowed or admitted, esp in a court of law inadvertent adj. done without thinking or not deliberately inadvisable adj. unwise; not sensible inane silly; senseless; Ex. inane remarks; N. inanity inanimate lifeless; not animate inapt adj. not relevant, appropriate or useful inarticulate speechless; producing indistinct speech; not articulate; not expressing oneself clearly inaudible adj. not loud enough to be heard; not audible inborn adj. existing in a person or animal from birth; natural; innate inbred adj. natural; innate incandescence The state of being white or glowing with heat. incandescent strikingly bright; shining with intense heat; emitting visible light when heated; Ex. incandescent light bulb; CF. candle incapacitate disable; N. incapacity: lack of capacity incapacity n. ~ ~ (for sth/doing sth) lack of ability and necessary strength (to do sth); weakness or inability incarcerate imprison incendiary arsonist; ADJ: causing fire; of arson; Ex. incendiary bomb incentive spur; motive; something which encourages one to greater activity inception start; beginning inceptive Beginning. incessant uninterrupted; unceasing inchmeal Piecemeal. inchoate (of desire, wish, plan) recently begun; not explicit; at the beginning of development; rudimentary; elementary; Ex. inchoate mass inchoative That which begins, or expresses beginning. incidence rate of occurrence; particular occurrence; Ex. high incidence of infant mortality incident event; event that causes a crisis incidentally adv. by the way incinerate burn to ashes incipience beginning to exist or to be apparent incipient beginning; in an early stage incisor n. one of the eight sharp cutting teeth at the front of the mouth incite arouse to action; goad; motivate; induce to exist; Ex. incite a riot/the crowd to rebellion incoercible Incapable of being forced, constrained, or compelled. incoherence Want of connection, or agreement, as of parts or ideas in thought, speech, etc. incoherent unintelligible; muddled; unable to express one's thoughts in an orderly manner; illogical; lacking cohesion; not coherent incombustible adj. that cannot be burnt incomparable adj. too good, great, etc to have an equal; beyond comparison incompatible inharmonious; N. incompatibility incompetence n. lack of skill or ability to do a task successfully incompetent adj. nothaving or showing the necessary skills to do sth successfully incomplete adj. not having all its parts; not complete incomprehensible adj. that cannot be understood; not comprehensible incompressible adj. that cannot be compressed; unyielding inconceivable adj. very difficult to believe incongruous adj. strange because not in harmony with the surrounding features; out of place inconsequential insignificant; unimportant inconsiderable adj. small in size or value; not worth considering inconsistent adj. ~ not in harmony (with sth); containing parts that do not agree with one another inconstant adj. (of people) having feelings and intentions that change often; not faithful incontrovertible indisputable; impossible to dispute; not open to question; unquestionable inconvenient adj. causing trouble, difficulty or discomfort; awkward indefensible adj. that cannot be defended, justified or excused indelible not able to be erased indescribable adj. too bad or good to be described indestructible adj. that cannot be destroyed indicant That which points out. indicator n. person or thing that points out or gives information indict charge; N. indictment indigence poverty indigenous native; Ex. plant indigenous to the New World indigent poor; destitute indigestible adj. difficultor impossible to digest indigestion n. difficulty in digesting food indignant adj. ~ (at/over/about sth) angry and scornful, esp at injustice or because of undeserved blame, etc indignity treatment or situation that causes shame or loss of dignity, respect; offensive or insulting treatment; humiliating or degrading treatment; Ex. I suffered the indignity of having to say that in front of them. indiscernible adj. that cannot be discerned indiscreet adj. too open in what one says or does; lacking tact or caution indiscriminate choosing at random; confused; not based on careful distinctions indispensable Necessary or requisite for the purpose. indistinct adj. not distinct; vague indivisible adj. that cannot be divided indolence laziness indolent lazy indomitable unconquerable; unyielding induct place formally in office; install; admit as a member; initiate; N. induction: inducting; process of deriving general principles from particular facts indulgence n. state of being allowed whatever one wants indulgent humoring; yielding; lenient; showing indulgence inebriate make drunk; intoxicate; N. intoxicated person inedible adj. not suitable to be eaten ineffable unutterable; not to be uttered; taboo; that cannot be expressed in speech; indescribable; unspeakable; inexpressible; Ex. ineffable name/joy inefficiency That which does not accomplish an intended purpose. inefficient adj. not producing adequate results; wasteful ineligible adj. ~ not having the appropriate or necessary qualifications (for sth) inept unsuited; inappropriate; lacking skill; incompetent; CF. inapt: (of statements or ideas) inappropriate inert inactive; lacking power to move; unable to move or act; Ex. chemically inert; N. inertia: state of being inert; force which keeps a thing in the position or state inestimable impossible to estimate; (apprec) invaluable; of immeasurable worth inevitable unavoidable inexcusable adj. too bad to be excused inexhaustible adj. that will always continue; that cannot be used up inexorable relentless; unyielding; implacable; not capable of being changed by entreaty or efforts; Ex. inexorable price rises inexpedient adj. not serving a useful purpose; unwise; not expedient inexpensive adj. low priced; not expensive ; inexperience n. ~ lack of experience inexplicable adj. that cannot be explained inexpressible adj. too great to be expressed in words infallible unerring; never making mistakes infamous notoriously bad; notorious; well known for being bad; Ex. infamous behavior; N: infamy: infamous act; evil fame or reputation infamy n. infamousbehaviour; wickedness ; inference n. process of inferring infernal pertaining to hell; devilish; N. inferno: place of fiery heat or destruction infest inhabit in numbers large enough to be harmful; Ex. Mice infested the house; Ex. shark-infested waters infidel unbeliever (with respect to a particular religion) infidelity n. (act of) disloyalty or unfaithfulness, esp adultery infinite adj. without limits; endless infinity n. state of being endless or boundless; infinite nature infirm adj. physically weak infirmary n. hospital infirmity weakness inflammable adj. that can be set on fire inflammation n. condition in which a part of the body is red, swollen and sore or itchy, esp because of infection inflexible adj. that cannot be bent or turned influence n. ~ power to produce an effect; action of natural forces influential adj. ~ having influence; persuasive influx flowing into infrequence Rareness. infrequent adj. not frequent; rare infringe violate (a law); encroach (the right of another person) infuse v. ~ sth into sb/sth; ~ sb/sth with sth put into sb/sth; fill sb/sth with (a quality) ; infusion n. ~ of sth infusing a quality or being infused into sb/sth ingenious marked by inventive skill; clever; resourceful; N. ingenuity ingenuity n. cleverness and originality in solving problems ingenuous naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated; candid inglorious adj. shameful; ignominious ingratiate become popular with; bring (oneself) in favor of another; Ex. ingratiate himself with the boss ingratitude n. lack of gratitude ingredient n. any of the foods that are combined to make a particular dish inherence The state of being permanently existing in something. inherent firmly established by nature or habit; intrinsic inhibit restrain; prohibit; retard or prevent; N. inhibition inhospitable adj. (of people) not giving a friendly or polite welcome to guests inhuman adj. lacking normal human qualities of kindness, pity, etc; extremely cruel or brutal inhume To place in the earth, as a dead body. inimical (of someone) unfriendly; hostile; (of something) harmful; detrimental; CF. enemy iniquity n. (rhet ) wickedness and unjustness initiate begin; originate; receive into a group; introduce to a new field or activity; Ex. initiate someone into the mysteries of a secret religion; N: one who has been initiated inject v. ~ sth ~ sb/sth (with sth) force (a drug or other liquid) into sb/sth with a syringe or similar implement injunction n. official order, esp a written order from a lawcourt, demanding that sth shall or shall not be done inkling hint; slight indication inland adj. situated in the interior of a country, not by the sea or by a frontier inlet n. strip of water extending into the land from the sea or a lake, or between islands , inmost adj. most inward; furthest from the surface innocuous harmless innovate v. make changes; introduce new things innuendo indirect or subtle (derogatory) hint; insinuation; Ex. sexual innuendo innumerable adj. too many to be counted inoffensive adj. not giving offence; not objectionable inopportune untimely; inappropriate or ill-timed; poorly chosen inquire v. ~ sth (of sb) ask to be told sth (by sb) inquisition n. the Inquisitionorganization appointed by the Roman Catholic Church to suppress heresy (esp from the 15th to the 17th century) , 1517 inquisitive eager for knowledge; unduly curious inquisitor questioner (especially harsh); investigator; person making an inquisition inroad hostile invasion; advance that lessens the quantity or difficulty of something; Ex. The long illness made serious inroads on his savings; CF. raid insatiable not easily satisfied; unquenchable; Ex. insatiable appetite inscribe v. ~ A ~ B (with A) write (words, one's name, etc) on or in sth, esp as a formal or permanent record inscrutable difficult to understand; impenetrable; not readily understood; mysterious insecure adj. not secure or safe; not providing good support; that cannot be relied on insensible unconscious; unresponsive; insensitive; unaware; imperceptible; Ex. insensible of his danger/to pain; Ex. insensible change; CF. not the opposite of sensible insentient Lacking the power of feeling or perceiving. inseparable adj. ~ that cannot be separated insidious treacherous; stealthy; sly; working or spreading harmfully in a stealthy manner; Ex. insidious spreading of dry rot insight n. ~ (approv ) ability to see into the true nature (of sth); deep understanding insignificance Lack of import or of importance. insignificant adj. having little or no value, use, meaning or importance insinuate hint; imply; suggest indirectly; creep in; introduce or insert (oneself) by artful means; Ex. insinuate himself into the boss's favor; CF. ingratiate insipid lacking in flavor; lacking interest; dull; Ex. insipid food/character insistence n. ~ (about/on sth); ~ (that...) insistent adj. ~ ~ (that...) tending to insist; not allowing refusal or opposition insolence impudent disrespect; haughtiness; ADJ. insolent; CF. haughty + rude insolent adj. ~ extremely rude, esp in expressing contempt insomnia wakefulness; inability to sleep inspector n. official who inspects eg schools, factories, mines instance n. ~ particular occurrence of sth that happens generally or several times; example; case instant adj. coming or happening at once instantaneous adj. happening or done immediately instigate start; urge; provoke; incite; Ex. instigate a search/quarrel instill to impart gradually instructive adj. giving much useful information insufficiency a lack of competence ; (pathology) inability of a bodily part or organ to function normally insufficient adj. ~ not sufficient insular adj. of an island insulate v. ~ (from/against sth) (with sth) protect (sth) by covering it with a material that prevents sth (esp heat, electricity or sound) from passing through insuperable insurmountable; unbeatable; Ex. insuperable difficulties insuppressible Incapable of being concealed. insurgence Uprising. insurgent rebellious; N. insurrection rebellion; uprising intangible not able to be perceived by touch; vague integrity honesty; uprightness; wholeness; state of being whole and undivided; completeness intellect higher mental powers; person of great intellectual ability intellectual adj. of the intellect intelligence n. power of learning, understanding and reasoning; mental ability intelligible adj. that can be understood intemperance Immoderate action or indulgence, as of the appetites. intension The act of stringing or stretching, or state of being strained. intensive adj. concentrating all one's effort on a specific area intention n. ~ (of doing sth/that...) that which one proposes or plans to do interact v. ~ act or have an effect on each other intercede v. ~ (with sb) (for/on behalf of sb) plead (with sb) to be merciful (to sb) intercept v. stop or catch before he or it can reach a destination intercession n. interceding interdict prohibit; forbid; N. interim meantime; Ex. in the interim; ADJ. taking place during an interim; Ex. interim paper interlocutor n. person taking part in a conversation or discussion interlude n. short period of time separating the parts of a play, film, etc; interval intermediate adj. ~ situated or coming between two people, things, etc in time, space, degree, etc interminable endless intermission n. period of time during which sth stops before continuing; interval; pause intermit To cause to cease temporarily. intermittent periodic; on and off; stopping and starting at intervals interpolation n. interpolating or being interpolated interpose v. ~ sb/sth (between A and B) place sb/sth between others interposition n. interposing or being interposed interpreter n. person who gives a simultaneous translation of words spoken in another language interrogate question closely; cross-examine; cross-question interrogative adj. asking or seeming to ask a question; inquiring interrogatory adj. interrogative(1) interrupt v. break the continuity of temporarily intersect v. divide by going across it intervale A low tract of land between hills, especially along a river. intervene come between; interfere; Ex. intervened to prevent a fight; N. intervention intestacy n. condition of being intestate intestate adj. not having made a will before death occurs intestine n. long tube in the body which helps to digest food and carries it from the stomach to the anus intimacy n. state of being intimate; close friendship or relationship ; intimidate frighten; N. intimidation intolerable adj. too bad to be borne or endured intolerance Inability or unwillingness to bear or endure. intolerant not willing to accept ways of thinking different from one's own; CF. tolerant; CF. tolerate intoxicant n. intoxicating substance, esp alcoholic drink intoxicate make drunk; stimulate or excite; Ex. intoxicated by all the money he might win intracellular Occurring or situated within a cell. intramural adj. intended for full-time students living within a college intrepid fearless intricacy n. quality of being inticate intricate adj. made up of many small parts put together in a complex way, and therefore difficult to follow or understand intrigue make secret plans; plot; arouse the curiosity of; N: secret scheme; plot; secret love affair intrinsic essential; inherent; built-in introductory adj. acting as an introduction introgression Entrance. intromit To insert. introspection n. introspecting introversion n. state of being introverted introvert one who is introspective or inclined to think more about oneself; ADJ. introverted intrude put or force in without being asked; trespass; enter as an uninvited person; Ex. intrude one's own opinion into the report; CF. thrust in intrusion n. ~ intruding intuition immediate insight; power of knowing without reasoning; ADJ. intuitive; V. intuit: know by intuition inundate flood; overflow; submerge; cover completely; Ex. inundated with work inundation n. (instance of) flooding inure to accustom to accept something undesirable invalid one incapacitated(disabled) by a chronic illness; ADJ: incapacitated by illness; not valid; null; V: allow to leave (a military force) because of ill-health invalidate weaken; destroy; make invalid; nullify invaluable adj. ~ of value too high to be measured; extremely valuable invariable adj. never changing; always the same; constant invasion n. invading or being invaded invective abuse inveigh denounce; utter censure or invective; Ex. inveigh against the evils of drink inventive adj. of or for invention inverse opposite inversion n. inverting or being inverted; instance of this invert turn upside down or inside out; reverse the position or condition of investor n. person who invests money inveterate deep-rooted; habitual; CF. grow old invidious designed to create ill will or envy; tending to rouse ill will or envy; Ex. invidious comparison invigorate v. make feel more lively and healthy invincible unconquerable inviolable secure from corruption, attack, or violation(or profanation); unassailable; Ex. inviolable oath/rights; N. inviolability invoke call and bring into use (a right or law); call on/upon (a higher power or god) for help; ask for; beg for; conjure (a spirit); Ex. invoke the veto power; Ex. invoke one's advisor/God involuntary adj. done without intention; done unconsciously involution Complication. involve v. make necessary as a condition or result; entail invulnerable incapable of injury; impossible to damage or injure inwardly adv. in mind or spirit iota very small quantity irascible irritable; easily angered irate angry; CF. ire: anger; wrath ire n. anger iridescence a lustrous rainbowlike play of color caused by differential refraction of light waves (as from an oil slick, soap bubble, or fish scales) that tends to change as the angle of view changes iridescent exhibiting rainbowlike colors; Ex. iridescent oil slick; N. iridescence irk v. be tiresome to (sb); annoy irksome annoying; tedious; V. irk: annoy irony hidden sarcasm or satire; use of words that seem to mean the opposite of what they actually mean; use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning irradiance Luster. irradiate v. ~ sth (with sth) send rays of light upon sth; subject sth to sunlight, ultraviolet rays or radioactivity ; irrational adj. not guided by reason; illogical or absurd irreducible adj. that cannot be reduced or made smaller irrefragable not to be disproved; indisputable irrelevant not applicable; unrelated irreligious adj. feeling no interest in, or feeling hostile to, religion; irreverent irreparable not able to be corrected or repaired; impossible to repair irrepressible unable to be restrained or held back; impossible to hold back irresistible adj. too strong tobe resisted irresponsible adj. not showing a proper sense of responsibility irreverence lack of proper respect or reverence; ADJ. irreverent irreverent adj. feeling or showing no respect for sacred things irreversible adj. that cannot be reversed or revoked; unalterable irrigate v. supply with water (by means of streams, reservoirs, channels, pipes, etc) irritable adj. easily annoyed or made angry; touchy ; irritant adj. causing irritation; irritating irritate v. make angry, annoyed or impatient irrupt to enter forcibly or suddenly isle n. (esp in poetry and proper names ) island islet n. small island isobar n. line on a map, esp a weather chart, joining places with the same atmospheric pressure at a particular time isochronous Relating to or denoting equal intervals of time. isolate v. ~sb/sth put or keep sb/sth entirely apart from other people or things; separate sb/sth ; isothermal Having or marking equality of temperature. itinerant wandering; traveling from place to place (to perform work); Ex. itinerant preacher itinerary plan of a trip; record of a trip itinerate to travel from place to place, to peregrinate jargon language used by special group; technical terminology; gibberish; nonsensical or incoherent talk jaundice medical condition in which the skin, the white part of the eyes, etc. turn yellow; V: affect with jaundice; affect with prejudice, envy, or hostility; bias jeopardize endanger; imperil; put at risk; N. jeopardy: danger jingo One of a party in Great Britain in favor of spirited and demonstrative foreign policy. jocose given to(having a tendency of) joking jocular said or done in jest or playfully; marked by joking joggle v. move or shake slightly, usu up and down , journalize To keep a diary. joust v. fight on horseback with lances jovial good-natured; merry; cheerful jubilation rejoicing; great joy judgment The faculty by the exercise of which a deliberate conclusion is reached. judicature n. administration of justice judicial adj. of or by a court of law; of a judge or of judgement judiciary judicial branch of government judicious sound on judgment; wise juggle v. ~ throw (a number of objects, usu balls) up into the air, catch them and throw them into the air again and again, keeping one or more in the air at the same time jugglery The art or practice of sleight of hand. jugular adj. of the neck or throat juicy adj. containing a lot of juice and being enjoyable to eat; succulent junction n. place where roads or railway lines meet juncture crisis; point in time; joining point; joint; act of joining junta group of persons joined in political intrigue; cabal; group of military officers ruling a country after seizing power (by force) juridical of the law and its administration; CF. judicial: of courts of law; CF. judiciary jurisdiction right and power to apply the law; authority jurisprudence science of law juror n. member of a jury justification n. ~ acceptable reason (for doing sth) juvenile n. young person who is not yet adult juxtapose place side by side; CF. next keepsake n. gift, usu small and often not very costly, that is kept in memory of the giver or previous owner kerchief n. square piece of cloth worn on the head or round the neck, esp by women , kernel central or vital part; core; whole seed (as of corn) kiln n. oven for baking pottery or bricks, drying hops or wood, burning lime, etc kiloliter One thousand liters. kilometer A length of 1,000 meters. kilowatt n. unit of electrical power; 1000 watts , 1000 kimono n. long loose Japanese robe with wide sleeves, worn with a sash kingship n. condition of being, or official position of, a king kinsfolk n. = kin knavery n. dishonesty; trickery ; knead mix; work dough; mix and work into a uniform mass (with the hands); Ex. knead dough knickknack A small article, more for ornament that use. knight n. man to whom the sovereign has given a rank of honour, lower than that of baronet, having the title `Sir' used before the first name, with or without the surname , Sir knighthood n. title and rank of a knight laborious demanding much work or care; tedious labyrinth maze lacerate v. injure by tearing lackadaisical lacking interest or effort; lacking purpose or zest; lazy; halfhearted; languid lactation n. production of milk in the breasts of women or the udders of female animals lacteal Milky. lactic adj. of or from milk laddie n. boy; young man ; ladle n. long-handled cup-shaped spoon for serving or transferring liquids laggard slow; sluggish; N: one who lags; straggler landholder n. owner or tenant of land landlord n. person who lets land, a house, a room, etc to a tenant landmark n. object, etc easily seen and recognized from a distance landscape n. scenery of an area of land languid lacking energy or vitality; weary; sluggish; listless languor lack of physical or mental energy; lassitude; depression lapse n. small error, esp one caused by forgetfulness or inattention lascivious lustful lassie A little lass. latency n. latency period stage of personal development from the age of about five to the start of puberty latent present but not yet noticeable or active; dormant; hidden; N. latency; CF. potential lateral of or coming from the side latish adj. adv fairly late lattice n. framework of crossed laths or bars with spaces between, used as a screen, fence, support for climbing plants, etc laud praise; N. ADJ. laudable: praiseworthy; ADJ. laudatory: expressing praise laudable adj. deserving praise; praiseworthy laudation High praise. laudatory adj. expressing or giving praise laundress n. woman who earns money by laundering laureate n. = Poet Laureate (poet) lave wash lawgiver A legislator. lawmaker n. person who makes laws; legislator ; lax careless; negligent; not paying enough attention; Ex. lax service laxative n, adj causing or helping the bowels to empty lea n. area of open grassland; meadow ; leaflet n. printed sheet of paper, usu folded and free of charge, containing information leaven add leaven to; cause to rise or grow lighter; enliven; N: agent, such as yeast, that causes dough to rise (by fermentation); element that lightens or enlivens leeward adj. adv on or to the side sheltered from the wind left-handed Using the left hand or arm more dexterously than the right. legacy gift made by a will; something handed down from an ancestor legalize To give the authority of law to. legible adj. clear enough to be read easily legionary n, adj of a legion(1) legislate v. ~ make laws legislative adj. law-making legislator n. member of a legislature legitimacy n. (fml ) legitimate adj. in accordance with the law or rules; lawful leisure n. time free from work or other duties; spare time leniency mildness; permissiveness; ADJ. lenient: not severe in judgment or punishment lenient adj. not severe (esp in punishing people); merciful leonine like a lion lethargy n. extreme lack of energy or vitality; inactivity; apathy levee earthen or stone embankment to prevent flooding; CF. raise lever n. bar or other device turning on a fixed point which lifts or opens sth with one end when pressure is applied to the other end leviathan n. sea-monster levity lack of seriousness or steadiness; frivolity; lightness of manner levy impose (a fine); collect (a payment); impose or collect (a tax); Ex. levy a tax on tobacco lewd lustful lexicographer compiler of a dictionary; CF. lexicography: work of compiling a dictionary lexicography n. theory and practice of compiling dictionaries lexicon dictionary liable adj. ~ responsible by law libel defamatory written statement; act of writing something that smears a person's character; V. ADJ. libelous liberalism n. liberal opinions and principles liberate v. ~ sb/sth set (sb/sth) free licentious amoral; lewd and lascivious; unrestrained licit sanctioned by custom or morality especially sexual morality ; authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law liege n. (in feudal times) sovereign or lord, entitled to loyal service , lien legal claim or right on a property lieu n. in lieu (of sth) instead lifelike adj. exactly like a real person or thing lifelong adj. extending throughout one's life lifetime n. duration of sb's life or sth's existence ligament n. tough flexible tissue in a person's or an animal's body that connects bones and holds organs in position ligature n. thread, bandage, etc used for tying, esp in surgical operations , ligneous like wood likelihood n. probability likely adj. ~ (to do sth/that...) that is expected; probable limitation n. limiting; being limited linear adj. of or in lines liner n. large passenger or cargo ship travelling on a regular route lingo n. (infml joc or derog , ) foreign language lingua The tongue. lingual consisting of or related to language ; pertaining to or resembling or lying near the tongue linguist n. person who knows several foreign languages well linguistics n. scientific study of language or of particular languages liniment n. liquid, esp one made with oil, for rubbing on the body to relieve aches or bruises liquefy v. (cause sth to) become liquid liqueur n. strong alcoholic spirit, drunk in small quantities esp after a meal liquidate settle accounts; pay off (a debt); clear up; eliminate; kill or abolish liquor n. (Brit) any alcoholic drink listless lacking in spirit or energy; languid literacy n. ability to read and write literal adj. corresponding exactly to the original literature n. writings that are valued as works of art, esp fiction, drama and poetry (as contrasted with technical books and journalism) lithe flexible; supple; CF. limber lithesome Nimble. lithograph n. picture, etc printed by lithography litigant n. person involved in a lawsuit litigate v. engage in a lawsuit; go to law ; litigious adj. of lawsuits littoral n, adj (part of a country that is) along the coast liturgy n. fixed form of public worship used in churches livelihood n. means of living; income livid lead-colored; black and blue (as from a bruise); ashen; enraged; extremely angry loam n. rich soil containing clay, sand and decayed vegetable matter loath reluctant; unwilling; disinclined; Ex. Romeo and Juliet were both loath for him to go. loathe detest; ADJ. loathsome: arousing loathing; offensive; Ex. loathsome smell locative Indicating place, or the place where or wherein an action occurs. loch n. (often in names ) lake locomotion n. moving, or the ability to move, from place to place lode metal-bearing vein(long deposit of an ore) lodgment The act of furnishing with temporary quarters. logic n. science of reasoning logical adj. in accordance with the rules of logic; correctly reasoned loneliness Solitude. longevity long life; long duration loot n. goods taken from an enemy in war, or stolen by thieves , loquacious talkative; N. loquacity lordling A little lord. lough n. lake or long inlet of the sea louse n. small insect living on the bodies of animals and human beings, esp in dirty conditions lovable adj. easy to love; worthy of love lowly adj. (dated ) of humble rank or condition low-spirited Despondent. lucid easily understood; clear; intelligible; N. lucidity lucrative profitable; producing wealth ludicrous laughable; ridiculous; trifling luminary celebrity (in a specific field); dignitary; object that gives light (as a celestial body) luminescence Showing increase. luminosity n. quality of being luminous luminous shining (esp. in the dark); issuing light; Ex. luminous paint/road signs lunacy n. unsoundness of mind; insanity; madness ; lunar pertaining to the moon lunatic insane; Ex. lunatic asylum lune The moon. lurid wild; sensational; graphic; gruesome; horrible; Ex. lurid details of the murder luscious pleasing to taste or smell; delicious lustrous shining; brilliant; Ex. lustrous hair luxuriance n. luxuriant growth luxuriant abundant; growing healthily and in large amounts; excessively ornate; rich and splendid; fertile; Ex. luxuriant forests/prose; CF. luxurious, luxuriate luxuriate take pleasure in great comfort lyre n. ancient musical instrument with strings fixed in a U-shaped frame, played by plucking with the fingers , U lyric adj. expressing direct personal feelings macadamize To cover or pave, as a path or roadway, with small broken stone. machinery n. moving parts (of a machine) machinist n. person who operates a machine, esp a sewing-machine macrocosm n. the macrocosm the universe madden v. make mad(4); irritate; annoy Madonna n. the Madonna the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ magician n. person who is skilled in magic( magisterial authoritative; imperious; commanding; of a magistrate; Ex. magisterial study of Roman law; Ex. magisterial manner magistracy n. position of a magistrate magnanimous adj. having or showing great generosity magnate person of prominence or influence; powerful or influential person (in business or industry); Ex. oil magnate magnet n. piece of iron, often ina horseshoe shape, which can attract iron, either naturallyor because of an electric current passed through it, and which points roughly north and south when freely suspended magnetize To make a magnet of, permanently, or temporarily. magnificence The exhibition of greatness of action, character, intellect, wealth, or power. magnificent adj. splendid; remarkable; impressive magnitude greatness (in size or extent); extent maharaja n. Indian prince maidenhood n. state of being a maiden; virginity ; maintain v. ~ sth cause sth to continue; keep sth in existence at the same level, standard, etc maintenance n. maintaining or being maintained maize n. tall cereal plant bearing yellow grain on large ears makeup The arrangements or combination of the parts of which anything is composed. malady illness malaria n. fever produced when germs are introduced into the blood by a bite from certain mosquitoes malcontent person dissatisfied with existing state of affairs; discontented person; ADJ: discontented malediction curse malefactor evildoer; criminal maleficent adj. causing or doing evil malevolence n. desire to do evil or cause harm to others; ill-will ; malevolent wishing evil; exhibiting ill will; N. malevolence malign speak evil of; bad-mouth(criticize spitefully); defame; ADJ: harmful; Ex. malign influence malignant tending to cause death; highly injurious; aggressively malevolent; Ex. malignant tumor malleable (of a metal) capable of being shaped by pounding(beating); pliable; (of someone) impressionable(easily influenced); easily controlled; tractable mallet n. hammer with a wooden head, eg for striking the handle of a chisel . maltreat v. treat (a person or an animal) with violence or cruelty; mistreat ; mandate order; charge; authoritative command; power to govern another country; power to given to a government; region under administration; V: give a mandate to; place under a mandate; Ex. mandated territory mandatory obligatory; compulsory; of a mandate mane n. long hair on the neck of a horse, lion, etc man-eater n. lion, tiger, etc that attacks men maneuver = manoeuvre mania n. mental disorder marked by extreme excitement or violence maniac n. mad person manifesto public declaration of principles; statement of policy mannerism distinctive behavioral trait; affected style in art (according to a set of styles) manor n. unit of land under the feudal system, part of which was used by the lord of the manor (lord), the rest being farmed by tenants , mantel n. = mantelpiece mantle loose sleeveless outer garment; cloak; something that covers or envelops; the layer of the earth between the crust and the core manufacturer n. person or firm that manufactures things manumission Emancipation. manumit emancipate; free from slavery or bondage marine adj. of, near, found in or produced by the sea maritime bordering on(adjacent to) the sea; nautical; of the ships or the sea; Ex. Maritime Provinces maroon leave helpless on a deserted island or coast; ADJ. red brown martial warlike; of war; Ex. martial art/law martian n, adj of the planet Mars martyrdom n. martyr'ssuffering or death marvel n. wonderful or miraculousthing; thing causing astonishment masonry n. that part of a building that is made of stone and mortar; stonework masquerade wear a mask or disguise; pretend; N: costume party or ball at which masks are worn; pretense; disguise massacre n. cruel killing of a large number massive adj. large, heavy and solid masterpiece n. task done with great skill, esp an artist's greatest work mastery n. (~ complete) knowledge; great skill material n. substance or things from which sth else is or can be made; thing with which sth is done materialize To take perceptible or substantial form. maternal motherly; N. maternity: motherhood matinee n. afternoon performance at a cinema or theatre matricide n. killing one's own mother matrimony state of being married matrix point of origin; array of numbers or algebraic symbols; mold or die; Ex. the matrix of Western civilization matter n. affair, topic or situation being considered maudlin effusively sentimental mausoleum monumental tomb; large stately tomb; CF. Mausolos mawkish mushy(sentimental) and gushy; icky-sticky sentimental; excessively and objectionably sentimental maxim proverb; truth pithily stated maze n. network of paths or hedges designed as a puzzle in which one must find one's way mead n. alcoholic drink made from fermented honey and water meager scanty; inadequate meander wind or turn in its course; follow a winding or turning course; move aimlessly and idly medallion n. large medal meddlesome interfering; V. meddle: interfere medial adj. situated in the middle mediate settle a dispute through the services of an outsider; act as an intermediary; produce by mediating; Ex. mediate a cease-fire medicine n. prevention and cure of disease, esp by drugs, diet, etc, but sometimes including surgery also medieval adj. of the Middle Ages, about AD 1100-1400 , 1100-1400 mediocre ordinary; commonplace; neither good nor bad meditation reflection; thought; V. meditate medley mixture meliorate To make better or improve, as in quality or social or physical condition. mellifluous (of words or a voice) sweetly or smoothly flowing; melodious; having a pleasant tune melodious adj. of or producingpleasant music; tuneful melodrama n. drama full of sensational events and exaggerated characters, often with a happy ending memento token; reminder of the past; keepsake; Ex. memento of your visit memorable adj. deserving to be remembered; easily remembered menace threat; V: threaten menagerie collection of wild animals on exhibition; zoo mendacious lying; habitually dishonest; N. mendacity mendicant beggar; ADJ: living as a beggar mentality n. characteristic attitude of mind; way of thinking mentor counselor; teacher mercantile concerning trade or merchants mercenary motivated solely by money or gain; N. merciful => mercy merciless adj. ~ showing no mercy; pitiless meretricious flashy; tawdry; attractive on the surface but of no real value; Ex. metericious argument/jewel; CF. prostitute mesmerize hypnotize; N. mesmerism; CF. Franz Mesmer metal n. any of a class of mineral substances such as tin, iron, gold, copper, etc, which are usu opaque and good conductors of heat and electricity, or any alloy of these metallurgy The art or science of extracting a metal from ores, as by smelting. metamorphosis change of form; Ex. metamorphosis of caterpillar to butterfly; V. metamorphose: change by metamorphosis metaphor implied comparison; CF. simile metaphysical pertaining to speculative philosophy; of metaphysics; N. metaphysics: branch of philosophy that examines the nature of reality metaphysician One skilled in metaphysics. mete measure; distribute; administer; Ex. mete out justice/punishment metempsychosis Transition of the soul of a human being at death into another body, whether human or beast. meticulous excessively careful (with great attention to detail); painstaking; scrupulous metonymy A figure of speech that consists in the naming of a thing by one of its attributes. metric adj. of or based on themetre1 metronome n. device, usu with an inverted pendulum that can move back and forward at various speeds, which is used by a musician to mark time metropolis large city metropolitan adj. of or in a large or capital city mettle courage (to continue bravely in spite of difficulties); spirit; ADJ. mettlesome mettlesome adj. (usu of horses, etc) high-spirited; courageous , microcosm small representative world; world in miniature; Ex. microcosm of English society micrometer n. device for measuring very small objects, angles or distances microphone n. instrument that changes sound waves into electrical current microscope n. instrumentwith lenses for making very small objects appear larger microscopic adjs. too small to be seen without the help of a microscope microscopy The art of examing objects with the microscope. midsummer n. the middle of summer, around midwife n. person, esp a woman, trained to assist women in childbirth mien n. person's appearance or bearing, esp as an indication of mood, etc migrant changing its habitat; wandering; Ex. migrant birds/workers; N: one that migrates migrate v. ~ (to...) move from one place to go to live or work in another migratory wandering; V. migrate: move from one region and settle in another; move periodically from one region to another mileage n. distance travelled, measured in miles militant combative; bellicose; N. militarism n. believing in or depending on military strength and methods, esp as a government policy militate work against; Ex. militate against the chances of promotion; CF. serve as a soldier militia army composed of ordinary citizens rather than professional soldiers milky adj. of or like milk millet n. type of cereal plant growing 3 to 4 feet high and producing a large crop of small seeds mimic v. copy the appearance or manner of (sb/sth) in a mocking or amusing way miniature small model; small painting; ADJ: small minimize To reduce to the smallest possible amount or degree. minion servile dependent; obsequious follower ministration n. helping or serving, eg at a religious ceremony ministry n. (buildings containing a) government department minority n. (usu sing ) smaller number or part (esp of people voting or of votes cast) minute extremely small; CF. minutes: official record of the proceedings at a meeting minutia a minute or minor detail mirage unreal reflection; optical illusion misadventure mischance; ill luck; Ex. death by misadventure misanthropic adj. hating or distrusting mankind or human society misanthropy n. hatred or distrust of mankind misapprehend v. understand (words or a person) wrongly mischievous adj. filled with, fond of or engaged in mischief miscount v. count wrongly miscreant wretch; wrongdoer; villain; Ex. kindness to the miscreant; CF. believe misdeed n. (fml ) wicked act; crime misdemeanor minor crime; misdeed; wrongdoing miser n. person who loves wealth for its own sake and spends as little as possible mishap unfortunate accident misinterpret v. interpret wrongly; make a wrong inference from(sth) mislay v. (often euph ) put (sth) where it cannot easily be found; lose (sth), usu for a short time only misnomer wrong or improper name; incorrect designation misogamy hatred of marriage misogyny Hatred of women. misplace v. put (sth) in the wrong place misrepresent to give a false or misleading representation of usually with an intent to deceive or be unfair misrule n. bad government; disorder or confusion missal n. book containing the prayers, etc for Mass throughout the year in the Roman Catholic Church missile object to be thrown or projected missive letter; written statement; CF. sent mistrust v. feel no confidence in misty adj. full of or covered with mist misunderstand v. interpret (instructions, messages, etc) incorrectly; form a wrong opinion of (sb/sth) misuse v. use in the wrong way or for the wrong purpose mite very small object or insect-like creature; small coin miter The junction of two bodies at an equally divided angle. mitigate appease; moderate; make or become less in force or intensity moat n. deep wide ditch filled with water, dug round a castle, etc as a defence mobocracy Lawless control of public affairs by the mob or populace. moccasin n. flat-soled shoe made from soft leather, as originally worn by N American Indians mockery n. action of mocking sb/sth; scorn or ridicule moderation n. quality of being moderate; freedom from excess; restraint moderator n. person who arbitrates in a dispute; mediator ; modernize To make characteristic of the present or of recent times. modification n. modifying or being modified modify v. change (sth) slightly, esp to make it less extreme or to improve it modish fashionable; conforming to the current fashion modulate tone down in intensity; change the intensity or tone of; regulate; change from one musical key to another; Ex. modulate from E to G mollify soothe an angry person molt the act or process of sheding hair, feathers, shell, horns, or an outer layer periodically; specifically :ECDYSIS momentary adj. lasting for a very short time momentous very important; N. moment; CF. momentary momentum quantity of motion of a moving body; impetus; moving force monarchy government under a single ruler monastery n. building in which monks live as a community monetary pertaining to money mongrel plant or animal (esp. a dog) of mixed breed; ADJ. monition Friendly counsel given by way of warning and implying caution or reproof. monitory Admonition or warning. monocracy Government by a single person. monogamy n. practice or custom of being married to only one person at a time monogram design composed of one or more initials of a name; V. monograph scholarly article monolith n. large single upright block of stone, usu shaped into a pillar or monument monologue n. long speech by one person in a conversation, which prevents other people from talking; soliloquy ; monomania n. state of mind in which a person is obsessed with one idea or subject monopoly n. sole right to supply or trade in some commodity or service monosyllable n. word with only one syllable, eg it, and, no it and no monotone n. way of speaking in which the pitch of the voice remains level and unchanging monotonous adj. not changing and therefore uninteresting; boring or tedious monotony sameness leading to boredom; monotonousness; ADJ. monotonous; CF. monotone monsieur n. (French) (title used before the name of a man to refer to him, or used alone as a formal and polite term of address) Mr; sir monstrosity n. thing that is large and very ugly moonbeam n. ray of moonlight morale n. state of confidence, enthusiasm, determination, etc of a person or group at a particular time moralist n. person who expresses or teaches moral principles, esp one who tells people how they should behave morality n. principles of good behaviour moralize To render virtuous. moratorium legal delay of payment or action; Ex. declare moratorium on the building of new houses morbid given to unwholesome or unhealthy thought; moody; characteristic of disease; Ex. morbid curiosity; N. morbidity; CF. disease mordant biting; sarcastic; stinging; (apprec.) incisive; cutting; Ex. mordant pen/wit moribund dying; at the point of death; CF. death morose ill-humored; sullen; sullenly melancholy morphology n. scientific study of the form and structure of animals and plants motley multi-colored (as of a garment worn by a jester); mixed; heterogeneous; CF. jester: one who jests (as a paid fool at medieval courts) motto brief statement used to express a principle mountaineer n. person who is skilled at climbing mountains mountainous adj. having many mountains mouthful n. as much as can easily be put into the mouth at one time muddle confuse; mix up confusedly; N: state of confusion muffle v. ~ sb/sth (in sth) wrap or cover sb/sth for warmth or protection mulatto n. person who has one black parent and one white muleteer n. person who leads mules multiform having many forms multiplicity state of being numerous or multiple; large number; Ex. multiplicity of details; ADJ. multiple: of more than one element mundane worldly as opposed to spiritual; everyday; of the ordinary; Ex. mundane existence; CF. world municipal adj. of a town or city with its own local government municipality n. town, city or district with its own local government; governing body of such a town, etc ; munificence n. great generosity munificent very generous in giving; Ex. munificent benefactor; N. munificience muster gather; assemble (troops); Ex. muster up one's strength for the ordeal; N. mutation n. change; alteration mutilate maim; injure lastingly; deprive of a limb or an essential part mutiny n. rebellion against lawful authority, esp by soldiers or sailors myriad very large number; ADJ. CF. ten thousand mystic of hidden meaning and spiritual power; Ex. mystic ceremonies; N. CF. mysticism mystification n. mystifying or being mystified myth n. story that originated in ancient times, esp one dealing with ideas or beliefs about the early history of a race, or giving explanations of natural events, such as the seasons mythology n. study or science of myths nameless adj. having no name or no known name; anonymous naphtha n. type of inflammable oil obtained from coal tar and petrol narcissus n. any of severaltypes of spring flowering bulbs, including the daffodil narrate v. tell (a story); give a written or spoken account of narration n. activity of telling a story, etc narrative related to telling a story; N: narrated account; story; V. narrate: tell (a story); CF. narration narrow-minded adj. not readyto listen to or tolerate the views of others nasal adj. of, for or in the nose natal connected with birth; CF. prenatal; CF. postnatal nationality n. membership of a particular nation naturally adv. by nature nausea feeling of sickness and desire to vomit; disgust; CF. seasickness nauseate cause to become sick; fill with disgust; fill nausea nauseous causing nausea; feeling nausea nautical pertaining to ships or navigation naval adj. of a navy; of warships navel n. small hollow in themiddle of the belly where the umbilical cord was attachedat birth . navigable (of a body of water) wide and deep enough to allow ships to pass through; (of a ship or aircraft) able to be steered navigate v. find the position and plot the course of a ship, an aircraft, a car, etc, using maps and instruments nebula diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas; galaxy necessary adj. essential for a purpose; that cannot be done without or avoided necessitate v. make (sth) necessary necessity n. ~ circumstances that force one to do sth; state of being necessary; need necrology obituary notice; list of the dead necropolis n. cemetery, esp a large ancient one necrosis the death of part of the body. nectar drink of the gods; sweet liquid collected by bees nectarine n. type of peach with a thin smooth skin and firm flesh needlework n. sewing or embroidery needy adj. without the things that are needed for life, ie food and shelter; very poor nefarious very wicked negate cancel out; nullify; cause to have no effect; deny; N. negation negation n. action of denying neglectful adj. ~ in the habit of neglecting things or people negligee A loose gown worn by women. negligence neglect; failure to take reasonable care; ADJ. negligent: neglectful; lax; not taking enough care negligent adj. not giving proper attention or care to sth; careless negligible so small, trifling, or unimportant as to be easily disregarded negotiable adj. that can be settled by discussion nemesis someone seeking revenge; source of downfall or ruin; CF. Nemesis Neo-Latin Modernized Latin. neolithic adj. of the later part of the Stone Age neophyte recent convert; new member of a religious group; beginner; CF. plant nestle v. settle comfortably and warmly in a soft place nettle irritate; annoy; vex; ADJ. nettlesome network n. complex system of roads, etc crossingeach other neural adj. of the nerves neurology n. scientific study of nerves and their diseases neuter adj. (of a word) neither masculine nor feminine in gender neutral adj. not supporting or helping either side in a dispute, contest,war, etc; impartial nevertheless adv, conj in spite of this; however; still Newton n. one of the deepest craters on the moon, over 7300 metres deep and about 112 kilometres in diameter, situated in the SE quadrant niggardly meanly stingy; parsimonious; N. niggard: stingy person nil n. nothing, esp as the score in games nimble quick in movement; agile; quick in understanding; Ex. nimble climber/mind nit n. louse or other parasitic insect nocturnal done or active at night; Ex. nocturnal animals/raids; CF. nocturne noisome foul smelling; very unpleasant; unwholesome noisy adj. making or accompanied by a lot of noise nomad n. member of a tribe that wanders from place to place looking for pasture for its animals and having no fixed home nominal in name only; of a name; trifling; (of a sum of money) very small; CF. nominate: propose as a candidate; appoint nominate v. ~ sb formally propose that sb should be chosen for a position, office, task, etc nomination n. nominating or being nominated nominee n. person who is nominated for an office, a position, etc nonchalance indifference; lack of concern; composure; ADJ. nonchalant: unconcerned; cool; indifferent; Ex. nonchalant attitude to his debts nondescript undistinctive; ordinary; ordinary-looking; Ex. nondescript fellow in a crowd nonentity person of no importance; nonexistence nonpareil n. adj (person or thing) without an equal or rival norm n. standard or pattern that is typical (of a group, etc) normalcy The state of being normal. Norman adj. of the style introduced into England in the 11th century by invaders from Normandy in France (Normans) 11 nostrum questionable medicine; quack medicine; CF. our (remedy) noticeable adj. easily seen or noticed notorious adj. ~ (derog ) well-known for some bad quality, deed, etc novice beginner nowadays adv. at the present time nowhere adv. not anywhere noxious harmful; CF. obnoxious nuance shade of slight difference in meaning or color; subtle distinction nucleus n. central part, around which other parts are grouped or collected nude adj. naked nugatory worthless; futile nuisance n. thing, person or behaviour that is troublesome or annoying numeration n. method or process of numbering numerical adj. of, expressed in or representing numbers nunnery n. house where an order of nuns lives; convent ; nuptial related to marriage or the wedding ceremony; N. nuptials: wedding ceremony nurture nourish; feed; educate; rear; care for while it is growing or developing; foster; cultivate; N: something that nourishes; rearing nutriment n. nourishing food nutritive adj. serving as food oakum Hemp-fiber obtained by untwisting and picking out loosely the yarns of old hemp rope. obdurate stubborn; refusing to change one's belief obelisk tall column tapering(becoming gradually narrower toward the end) and ending in a pyramid obese excessively fat; N. obesity obesity n. being obese obituary death notice (esp. in a newspaper); ADJ. objective not influenced by emotions; fair; N: goal; aim obligate v. compel (sb) legally or morally (to do sth) obligatory binding; required; compulsory; V. oblige: constrain; make grateful; do a favor; accommodate oblique indirect; slanting (deviating from the perpendicular or from a straight line); Ex. oblique reference obliterate destroy completely; wipe out; Ex. obliterate the village oblivion obscurity; condition of being completely forgotten; forgetfulness oblong n, adj with four straight sides and angles of 90, longer than it is wide obnoxious offensive; disagreeable; Ex. obnoxious smell obsequious slavishly attentive; servile; full of servile compliance; sycophantic observance n. ~ keeping or observing (observe observant adj. quick at noticing things observatory n. building from which the stars, the weather, etc can be observed by scientists obsolescence n. being obsolescent obsolescent adj. becoming out of date; going out of use obsolete outmoded; no longer used obstetrician physician specializing in delivery(assisting in giving birth) of babies; N. obstetrics; CF. midwife obstetrics n. branch of medicine and surgery concerned with childbirth obstinacy n. being obstinate; stubbornness obstreperous boisterous; noisy and uncontrollable obstruct v. ~ sth (with sth) be or get in the way of (sb/sth); block (a road, passage, etc) , obstruction n. action of obstructing; being obstructed obtrude push (oneself or one's ideas) forward or intrude; impose (oneself or one's ideas) on others; butt in; stick out or extrude; thrust out; Ex. obtrude A on B; ADJ. obtrusive; N. obtrusion; CF. unobtrusive obtrusive adj. very noticeable or obvious; inclined to obtrude obviate make unnecessary; get rid of; Ex. obviate the need occasion n. particular time Occident the West occlude shut; close; obstruct; Ex. A blood clot occluded an artery. occult mysterious; secret; supernatural; beyond human comprehension; CF. mysterious to human ?; OP. bare occupant n. person who occupies a house, room or position, or who possesses and occupies land occurrence n. event; incident; happening octagon n. flat figure with eight sides and eight angles octave n. note that is six whole tones above or below a given note octavo n. (abbrs oct) (size of a) book or page produced by folding a piece of paper of standard size three times to give eight sheets octogenarian n. person between 80 and 89 years of age 8089 ocular adj. of, for, by, the eyes oculist physician who specializes in treatment of the eyes oddity n. quality of being odd(1); strangeness ode n. poem expressing noble feeling, often written to a person or thing, or celebrating some special event odious arousing strong dislike; hateful(causing hatred); vile odium detestation; quality of being odious; hatefulness; disrepute (resulting from hateful conduct) odoriferous giving off an odor odorous having an odor off adj. = off-side offhand casual; done without prior thought or preparation officiate v. ~ perform the duties of an office(4) or position officious meddlesome; excessively pushy in offering one's services; overly eager in offering unwanted services or advices; Ex. officious bellboy offshoot n. stem or branch growing from a main stem ogre n. (in legends and fairy stories) cruel and frightening giant who eats people ointment n. smooth greasy paste rubbed on the skin to heal injuries or roughness, or as a cosmetic olfactory concerning the sense of smell ominous threatening; of an evil omen omission n. action of omitting or leaving out sb/sth omnipotence Unlimited and universal power. omnipotent all-powerful; having unlimited power omniscience Unlimited or infinite knowledge. omniscient all-knowing omnivorous eating both plant and animal food; devouring everything onerous burdensome onrush n. strong forward rush or flow onset n. vigorous beginning onslaught vicious assault; fierce attack; Ex. unexpected onslaught of the enemy onus burden; responsibility opalescence The property of combined refraction and reflection of light, resulting in smoky tints. opaque dark; not transparent; N. opacity operate v. (fml ) work; be in action operative adj. operating; effective; in use operator n. person who operates equipment, a machine, etc operetta n. short light musical comedy opinion n. ~ belief or judgement (about sb/sth) not necessarily based on fact or knowledge opponent n. ~ (at/in sth) person who is against another person in a fight, a struggle, a game or an argument opportune timely; well-chosen opportunity n. ~ ~ (to do sth) favourabletime, occasion or set of circumstances opposite adj. ~ having a position on the other side (of sb/sth); facing opprobrium infamy; disgrace arising from shameful conduct; vilification(slander); scorn; contempt; Ex. opprobrium hurled against him; ADJ. opprobrious: expressing contempt; shameful or infamous optic adj. of or concerned with the eye or the sense of sight optician maker and seller of eyeglasses optimism n. tendency to expect the best in all things; confidence in success; belief that good will triumph over evil in the end option n. power or freedom of choosing; choice optometry Measurement of the powers of vision. opulence extreme wealth; luxuriousness; abundance; ADJ. opulent: possessing great wealth; abundant opulent adj. having or showing signs of great wealth oral adj. not written; spoken orate To deliver an elaborate or formal public speech. oration n. formal speech made on a public occasion, esp as part of a ceremony orator public speaker oratorio dramatic poem set to music; long musical work with singing but without acting; CF. cantata oratory n. small chapel for private prayer or worship ordeal severe trial or affliction; difficult experience; trial(test of patience or endurance); affliction ordinal adj. showing order or position in a series . > ordinal n (also ,ordinal `number) ordination ceremony conferring holy orders; ceremony of ordaining a priest ordnance n. military supplies and materials origin n. starting-point; source original adj. existing from the beginning; first or earliest originate v. ~ in sth; ~ from/with sb have sth/sb as a cause or beginning ornate excessively or elaborately decorated orthodox traditional; (of someone) conservative in belief; adhering to an established doctrine orthodoxy n. state of being orthodox or holding orthodox beliefs orthogonal Having or determined by right angles. orthopedic Relating to the correcting or preventing of deformity oscillate vibrate pendulumlike; waver osculate To kiss. ossify change or harden into bone; become hard and unchanging in one's ideas ostentation n. exaggerated display (of wealth, knowledge, skill, etc) intended to impress people or make them envious ostracism n. action of ostracizing; state of being ostracized ostracize banish from a group; exclude from public favor; ban; Ex. His friends ostracized him. N. ostracism ought To be under moral obligation to be or do. oust expel; drive out; force out; N. ouster: ousting out-and-out adj. thorough; complete outbreak n. sudden appearance or start outburst n. bursting out; explosion outcast one that has been excluded from a society; ADJ. outcry n. ~ (about/against sth) strong public protest outdo v. do more or better than (sb) outlandish bizzare; peculiar; unconventional outlaw fugitive from the law (excluded from legal protection); V: declare (someone) to be an outlaw; deprive of the protection of the law; declare illegal; Ex. Drinking has been outlawed. outlive v. live longer than out-of-the-way Remotely situated. outpost n. observation point some distance away from the main army outrage act of extreme violence or viciousness; resentful anger; V: commit an outrage on; produce anger in; ADJ. outrageous: offensive outrageous adj. very offensive or immoral; shocking outreach To reach or go beyond. outride To ride faster than. outrigger n. structure projectingover the side of a boat or ship, eg for the rowlocks in a racing boat or to give stability to a canoe outright adv. openly and honestly, with nothing held back outskirt A border region. outstretch To extend. outstrip outrun; surpass; outdo outweigh v. be greater in weight, value or importance than overdo v. do, perform or express (sth) too fully or for too long; exaggerate overdose n. too great an amount taken at one time overeat v. eat more than one needs or more than is healthy overhang v. hang over or stand out over (sth) like a shelf overleap To leap beyond. overlord n. nobleman on whose land people of lower rank worked overpass n. (Brit also flyover ) bridge that carries a road over a motorway ; overpower v. be too strong or powerful for defeat (sb) by greater strength or numbers overreach v. ~ oneself fail by trying to achieve more than is possible overrun v. spread over and occupy (a place) in great numbers oversee watch over and direct; supervise; N. oversight: unintentional failure to notice or do something; supervision overseer n. person whose job is to take charge of work and see that it is properly done overshadow v. cause to be shaded or to have little light overstride To step beyond. overthrow topple; N. overtone n. something suggested or implied in addition to what is actually stated; hint overture musical introduction to a long musical piece; first offer or proposal (to begin talks in the hope of reaching an agreement); Ex. overtures for peace overweight adj. heavier than is usual or allowed pacify soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace to packet n. (US usu package) small paper or cardboard container in which goods are packed for selling pact n. agreement (between people, groups,countries, etc); treaty pagan n. person who is not a believer in any of the world's chief religions, esp one who is neither a Christian, a Jew nor a Moslem pageant n. public entertainmentconsisting of a procession of people in costume, or an outdoor performance of scenes from history palate roof of the mouth; sense of the taste palatial of or suitable for a palace; magnificent paleontology study of prehistoric life or fossils; CF. paleo-: ancient or prehistoric; Ex. paleography: study of ancient written documents palette board on which painter mixes pigments(coloring matters) palinode A retraction. pall become boring; grow tiresome palliate ease pain (without curing); make less severe or offensive (a crime or illness) pallid pale; wan; Ex. pallid complexion palpable tangible; (of something bad) easily perceptible; obvious; Ex. palpable blunder palsy n. paralysis, esp with trembling of the limbs paly Lacking color or brilliancy. pamphlet n. small book with a paper cover, usu containing information on a subject of public interest or expressing a political opinion pamphleteer n. person who writes pamphlets panacea cure-all; remedy for all diseases Pan-American Including or pertaining to the whole of America, both North and South. pandemic widespread; affecting the majority of people; N: pandemic disease; CF. all people Pandemonium wild tumult(commotion); wild noisy disorder; CF. Paradise Lost panegyric formal praise; encomium; Ex. I don't deserve such panegyrics. panel n. separate, usu rectangular, part of the surface of a door, wall, ceiling, etc, usu raised above or sunk below the surrounding area panic n. sudden irrational feeling of great fear panoply n. complete or splendid display of sth panorama n. view of a wide area pantheism n. belief that God is everything and everything is God pantheon n. temple dedicated to all the gods pantomime acting without dialogue; V. papacy n. the Papacy position or authority of the Pope papyrus ancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant parable short simple story teaching a moral paradox something apparently contradictory in nature (that may nonetheless be true); statement that looks false but is actually correct paragon model of perfection; Ex. paragon of virtue parallel similar; analogous; corresponding; N: parallel line; person or thing that is parallel (to another); similarity; Ex. know of no parallel to the case; Ex. without parallel; V: be similar to; make parallel; Ex. Your experience parallels mine; CF. unp parallelism state of being parallel; similarity; analogy paralysis n. loss of feeling in or control of a part of the body, caused by a disease of or an injury to the nerves paralyze To deprive of the power to act. paramount foremost in importance; supreme; CF. para-: beyond; above; Ex. paranormal paramour illicit lover paraphernalia equipment; odds and ends used in a particular activity; personal belongings; Ex. photographic paraphernalia; CF. married woman's property exclusive of her dowry paraphrase restate a passage in one's own words while retaining thought of author; N: restatement of a text in other words pare cut away the outer covering or skin of (with a knife); trim; Ex. pare apples/expenses parentage n. descent from parents; origin; ancestry pariah social outcast; Ex. Mariah the pariah Paris the capital of France, in the north on the River Seine: parish area in the care of a single priest and served by one main church parity equality; close resemblance; CF. disparate parlance language; manner of speaking; idiom; Ex. in legal/common parlance parley conference (between opponents); CF. speak parliament n. assembly that makes the laws of a country parlor A room for reception of callers or entertainment of guests. parody humorous imitation; spoof; takeoff; travesty; V. paronymous Derived from the same root or primitive word. paroxysm fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage; sudden outburst parricide n. killing one's father or a close relative parse v. describe the grammatical form and function of (a word), giving its part of speech, case1(8), etc parsimonious adj. very careful in spending money or using resources; mean partible Separable. participant n. ~ person or group of people who participate in sth participate v. ~ take part or become involved (in an activity) partisan one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party (with dislike of any others); N: strong supporter of a party; guerrilla partition divide into parts passible Capable of feeling of suffering. passive not active; acted upon; receiving an action without acting in return; accepting without resistance pastoral rural; of rural life; idyllic; of a pastor paternal adj. of a father; fatherly paternity n. state of beinga father; fatherhood pathos tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings; Ex. pathos that runs through the novel patriarch father and ruler of a family or tribe patrician noble; aristocratic; N: person of high rank; aristocrat; CF. member of the governing classes in ancient Rome; CF. plebian patrimony property inherited from a father patriotism n. love of one's country and readiness to defend it patronize support; act superior toward; treat in a condescending manner; be a customer of; N. patron: one that supports; regular customer; N. patronage; CF. boycott patronymic n, adj derived from the name of one's father or some other male ancestor patter n. rapid and often glib speech used by a comedian, conjuror or salesman paucity scarcity; dearth pauper very poor person pavilion n. building next to a sports ground, esp a cricket field, used by players and spectators payee n. person to whom sth is paid peaceable adj. not quarrelsome; wishing to live in peace with others peaceful adj. not involving war or violence peccadillo slight offense or fault; CF. sin peccant Guilty. pectoral adj. of the chest or breast pecuniary pertaining to money pedagogics The science and art of teaching. pedagogue teacher; CF. child leader pedagogy teaching; art of education pedal n. lever that drives a machine when pressed down by the foot or feet pedant scholar who overemphasizes book learning, trivial details of learning, or technicalities peddle travel about selling (wares); CF. foot peddler n. = pedlar pedestal support or base as for a pillar or statue pedestrian ordinary; dull; unimaginative(lacking in imagination); going on foot; Ex. pedestrian prose; N. pediatrics The department of medical science that relates to the treatment of diseases of childhood. pedigree ancestry; lineage peerage n. the whole body of peers peerless having no equal; incomparable peevish bad-tempered; irritable; V. peeve: make angry pellucid transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in meaning; easy to understand penalty n. ~ punishment for breaking a law, rule or contract penance self-imposed punishment for sin; Ex. do penance for one's sins; CF. penitent penchant strong inclination; strong liking (esp. for something that is disapproved of by other people); Ex. penchant for fast cars pendant n. ornament that hangs from a chain worn round the neck pendulous hanging; suspended pendulum n. weight hung on a cord from a fixed point so that it can swing freely penetrable adj. that can be penetrated penetrate enter into; pierce; permeate; see through; grasp the inner significance of; understand penetration n. penetrating penitence n. ~ sorrow or regret for having done sth wrong penitential adj. of or relatingto penitence or penance pennant n. long narrow flag tapering to a point, used on a ship for signalling or as identification . pension n. sum of money paid regularly by the State to people above a certain age and to widowed or disabled people, or by an employer to a retired employee pentad The number five. pentagon n. geometric figure with five sides and angles pentagram A figure having five points or lobes. pentahedron A solid bounded by five plane faces. pentameter n. line of verse with five metrical feet pentathlon n. athletic contest in which each competitor takes part in five events pentavalent Quinqeuvalent. penultimate adj. next to and before the last one; last but one penurious adj. very poor penury extreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious: very poor; stingy perambulate v. walk about, through or over (a place) perceive v. become aware of (sb/sth); notice; observe perceptible adj. ~ (fml ) that can be observed with the senses perception n. ability to see, hear or understand percipience The act of perceiving. percipient adj. noticing or understanding things quickly or clearly; perceptive percolate v. ~ (through sth)/~ (through) (of water) pass slowly through (coffee); filter through percolator n. pot for making and serving coffee, in which boiling water is repeatedly forced up a central tube and filtered down through ground coffee percussion striking one object against another sharply; Ex. percussion instrument; N: striking together of two bodies; sound caused by percussion peremptory demanding and leaving no choice; imperative; Ex. peremptory decree/knock perennial something long-lasting; perennial plant; ADJ: lasting through the year or many years; lasting for a long time; enduring perfectible adj. that can be perfected perfidy n. ~ (fml ) acting in a treacherous or disloyal way perforate pierce; put a hole through perform To accomplish. perfumery n. place where perfumes are made or sold perfunctory done routinely and with little care; superficial; not thorough; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; Ex. perfunctory kiss perhaps adv. it may be (that); possibly perigee point of moon's orbit when it is nearest the earth; CF. apogee periodicity The habit or characteristic of recurrence at regular intervals. peripatetic walking about from place to place (to work); moving; Ex. peripatetic school of philosophy perjure v. ~ oneself tell a lie (esp in a court of law) after one has sworn an oath to tell the truth perjury false testimony while under oath; V. perjure oneself: testify falsely under oath permanence n. state of continuing or remaining for a long time permanent adj. lasting or expected to last for a long time or for ever permeate v. ~ sth (fml ) enter sth and spread to every part permissible adj. that is or may be allowed permutation n. (esp mathematics ) variation in the order of a set of things pernicious very harmful; deadly; very destructive; Ex. pernicious effect/anemia perpendicular adj. ~ at an angle of 90 (to another line or surface) perpetuate make perpetual; make something last for a long time; preserve from extinction; N. perpetuity perquisite n. (fml ) (infml perk) money or goods given or regarded as a right in addition to one's pay persecution n. persecuting or being persecuted perseverance n. continued steady effort to achieve an aim; steadfastness persevere continue steadily in spite of difficulties persiflage n. light good-humoured teasing; banter ; persist continue in existence; last; continue in a course of action in spite of opposition; Ex. persist in/with something; ADJ. persistent persistence n. being persistent personage n. person, esp an important or distinguished one personal adj. of or belonging to a particular person rather than a group or an organization personality n. characteristics and qualities of a person seen as a whole personnel n. people employed in one of the armed forces, a firm or a public office; staff perspective n. art of drawing solid objects on a flat surface so as to give the right impression of their height, width, depth and position in relation to each other perspicacious (of someone) having insight; penetrating; astute perspicacity quick judging and understanding perspicuous (of something) plainly expressed; easy to understand; Ex. perspicuous comments perspiration n. moisture given off by the body; sweat perspire v. give off moisture through the skin; sweat persuadable capable of influencing to action by entreaty, statement, or anything that moves the feelings. persuade v. ~ sb cause sb to do sth by arguing or reasoning with him pertinacious holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent pertinent suitable; to the point; relevant perturb disturb greatly perturbation n. state of being perturbed; anxiety ; pervade v. spread to and be perceived in every part of pervasion n. pervading or being pervaded pervasive spread throughout; V. pervade: (of smells, ideas, feelings) spread throughout; charge; permeate perverse purposely continuing to do something wrong; stubbornly wrongheaded; perverted; directed away from what is right; wicked and unacceptable; Ex. perverse satisfaction; Ex. Hannibal Lecter in a perverse mood; N. perversity perversion corruption; turning from right to wrong perversity stubborn maintenance of a wrong cause pervert corrupt; turn from right to wrong; misuse; Ex. perverted sexual desire/scientific knowledge; N: person whose sexual behavior is not natural pervious penetrable pestilence n. (any of various types of) deadly infectious disease that spreads quickly through large numbers of people, esp bubonic plague pestilent adj. of or like a pestilence pestilential causing plague; baneful peter v. peter out decrease or fade gradually before coming to an end petrify turn to stone; cause to become stonelike; stun or paralyze petulance the quality or state of being petulant:PEEVISHNESS petulant touchy; peevish; ill-tempered pharmacopoeia n. book containing a list of medicinal drugs and directions for their use, esp one officially published for use in a particular country pharmacy n. preparation and giving out of medicines and drugs phenomenal adj. very remarkable; extraordinary phenomenon n. fact or occurrence, esp in nature or society, that can be perceived by the senses philander v. ~ (usu derog ) (of a man) amuse oneself by flirting with women philanthropic adj. of or inspired by philanthropy philanthropist lover of mankind; doer of good; N. philanthropy philanthropy n. concern for the welfare of mankind; benevolence ; philately n. collecting and studying postage stamps philharmonic adj. devoted to or loving music philology study of language or words philosophize To seek ultimate causes and principles. philosophy n. search for knowledge and understanding of the nature and meaning of the universe and of human life phlegmatic calm and unexcitable; not easily disturbed; CF. phlegm: sticky mucus produced in the respiratory tract phonetic adj. of or concerning the sounds of human speech phonic adj. of or concerning sound phonogram A graphic character symbolizing an articulate sound. phonology n. study of the system of speech sounds, esp in a particular language phosphorescence n. giving out of light without heat or with so little heat that it cannot be felt photoelectric adj. of or using the electrical effects produced by light 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 n. expert in or student of physics physiognomy face (as showing the character and the mind); art of judging human character from facial features physiography Description of nature. physiology n. scientific study of the normal functions of living things physique n. general appearance and size of a person's body, esp of the muscles picayune Of small value. piccolo n. small musical instrument like the flute but producing notes an octave higher than those of the flute . piece n. any of the parts of which sth is made piecemeal one part at a time; gradually; in stages; Ex. read a novel piecemeal pillage plunder pillory punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject or expose to criticism and ridicule; N. pincher pinnacle peak; highest point; acme; Ex. pinnacle of fame pioneer n. person who is among the first to go into an area or country to settle or work there pious devout; religious; N. piety pique irritation; resentment from wounded pride (eg. loss in a contest); V: provoke; arouse; annoy; cause to feel resentment; Ex. pique her curiosity piteous adj. arousing or deservingpity pitiable adj. deserving or arousing pity pitiful adj. arousing pity pitiless adj. showing no pity or mercy; cruel pittance small amount (of money); small allowance or wage placate pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease placid peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake plagiarism n. action of plagiarizing planisphere A polar projection of the heavens on a chart. plasticity ability to be molded; ADJ. plastic: capable of being shaped or molded; Ex. plastic material such as clay platitude trite remark; commonplace statement; ADJ. platitudinous plaudit praise; enthusiastic approval; round(succession or series) of applause; ADJ. plauditory; CF. applaud plausible conceivably true; having a show of truth but open to doubt; specious playful adj. fond of playing; full of fun playwright n. person who writes plays; dramatist plea n. ~ (for sth) earnest request; appeal pleasant adj. ~ (to sth) giving pleasure to the mind, feelings or senses; enjoyable pleasurable adj. givingpleasure; enjoyable plebeian common; vulgar; pertaining to the common people; N: common people in ancient Rome; CF. patrician pledgee The person to whom anything is pledged. plenary (of power) complete; full; fully attended by all qualified members; Ex. plenary power plenipotentiary n. person with full powers to act on behalf of his government (esp in a foreign country) plenitude abundance; plenty; great amount; completeness; fullness; CF. plenary, plenty plenteous adj. plentiful plumb exactly vertical; N: weight on the end of a line; V: examine very carefully or critically in order to understand; measure depth (by sounding); Ex. plumb the depth of plummet fall sharply; fall straight down; Ex. Stock prices plummeted. pluperfect adj. (grammar) (of the form of the verb phrase) expressing an action completed before a particular pointin the past plural n. form of a noun or verb which refers to more than one person or thing plurality n. state of being plural plutocracy society ruled by the wealthy pneumatic adj. filled with air poesy Poetry. poetaster An inferior poet. poetic adj. like or suggesting poetry, esp in being graceful and aesthetically leasing poetics The rules and principles of poetry. poignancy quality of being deeply moving; keenness of emotion; ADJ. poignant: touching; deeply moving; (of sorrow, grief, etc.) painful; keenly distressing to the mind; Ex. poignant memory/anxiety; CF. prick poignant adj. affecting one's feelings deeply, making one sad, full of pity, etc poise good judgment with composure; balance; V: place in a carefully balanced position polar of a pole; characterized by opposite extremes; Ex. polar opposites pollen n. fine powder formed in flowers, which fertilizes other flowers when carried to them by the wind, insects, etc pollute v. ~ sth make sth dirty or impure, esp by adding harmful or unpleasant substances polygamy n. custom of having more than one wife at the same time polyglot speaking several languages; multilingual; Ex. polyglot person/society; N. polygon n. figure with many (usu five or more) straight sides polyhedron n. solid figure with many (usu seven or more) faces polysyllable n. word of several syllables polytechnic n. college for advanced full-time and part-time education, esp in scientific and technical subjects polytheism n. belief in or worship of more than one god pommel n. rounded part of a saddle which sticks up at the front pomposity self-important behavior; acting like a stuffed shirt(pompous person); ADJ. pompous: self-important pompous adj. feeling, or showing that one feels, that one is much more important than other people ponder v. ~ think about (sth) carefully and for a long time, esp in trying to reach a decision; consider ponderous having great weight; weighty; unwieldy; lacking lightness; dull; Ex. ponderous body/style of writing pontiff n. bishop; chief priest; high priest ; populace n. (fml ) the general public; ordinary people populous adj. having a large population; densely populated portend foretell; presage; be a sign or warning of; N. portent: sign; omen; forewarning portent n. ~ (fml ) sign or warning of a future (often unpleasant) event; omen portfolio n. flat case (often made of leather) for carrying loose papers, documents, drawings, etc , posit v. suggest or assume (sth) as a fact; postulate ; position n. place where sb/sth is positive adj. with no possibility of doubt; clear and definite posse n. group of people who can be summoned by an officer of the law, eg a sheriff, to find a criminal, maintain order, etc possess v. have (sth) as one's belongings; own possession n. state of possessing; ownership possessive adj. ~ (with sth/sb) showing a desire to own things and an unwillingness to share what one owns possible adj. that can be done postdate To make the date of any writing later than the real date. posterior adj. ~ (to sth) later (than sth) in time or in a series postgraduate adj. (of studies, etc) done after taking a first degree postscript n. ~ (abbr PS) extra message added at the end of a letter after the signature potency Power. potent powerful; convincing; persuasive; greatly influential potentate monarch; sovereign potential expressing possibility; latent; N: capacity for growth potion dose (of liquids); liquid dose powerless adj. without power or strength practicable feasible prate talk idly; speak foolishly; boast idly prattle talk idly; babble; N. CF. prate preamble introductory statement precarious unsafe; lacking in stability; uncertain; risky; Ex. precarious living precaution n. ~ thing done in advance to avoid danger, prevent problems, etc precede v. come or go before in time, order, rank, etc precedence n. ~ right to come before sb/sth in time, order, rank, etc precedent preceding (in time, rank, etc.) precession n. gradual change in the angle at which the earth revolves daily, causing the equinoxes to occur slightly earlier in each successive year , precipice cliff; dangerous position; Ex. on the edge of the precipice precipitant something that causes a substance in a chemical solution to separate out in solid form; OP. solvent precipitate hurl downward; throw headlong; hasten; cause to happen sooner; condense and fall as rain or snow; cause (a solid substance) to be separated from a solution; ADJ. hasty; rash; premature; sudden precise exact precision n. exactness and clarity; quality of being precise(1) preclude make impossible; prevent; exclude; eliminate precocious advanced in development; N. precocity precursor forerunner; predecessor predatory adj. (living by) killing other animals for food predecessor former occupant of a post predicament difficult situation; tricky or dangerous situation; dilemma predicate n. part of a statement that says sth about the subject, eg `is short' in `Life is short' , Life is short is short predict v. say in advance that will happen; forecast prediction n. predicting predominance n. ~ state of being greater in strength, numbers, etc predominant adj. having more power or influence than others predominate v. ~ have control, power or influence(over sb/sth) preeminence Special eminence. preempt prevent in advance; head off(forestall); forestall by acting first; appropriate for oneself before others; supplant; take the place of; displace; Ex. preempt any attempts; ADJ. preemptive preemption the judicial principle asserting the supremacy of federal over state legislation on the same subject ; the right of a government to seize or appropriate something (as property) preexist To exist at a period or in a state earlier than something else. preexistence Existence antecedent to something. preface n. introductory statement atthe beginning of a book, esp one that explains the author'saims prefatory introductory; of a preface prefer v. ~ sth (to sth) choose sth rather than sth else; like sth better preferable adj. ~ (to sth/doing sth) to be preferred (to sth); more desirable or suitable preference n. ~ (for sth) liking for sth (more than sth else) preferential adj. of, giving, receiving or showing preference( preferment n. promotion to a higher position or rank prefix n. word or syllable (eg co-, ex-, non-, pre-, re-) placed in front of a word to add to or change the meaning of that word, eg un- in unhappy , co- ex- non- pre- re-, unhappy un- prehensile capable of grasping or holding (esp. by wrapping around); Ex. prehensile tails prehension The act of laying hold of or grasping. prejudice n. opinion, or like or dislike of sb/sth, that is not founded on experience or reason prelacy n. office, rank or see of a prelate prelate church dignitary; priest of high position in the church (esp. bishop) prelude introduction; introductory performance or event; forerunner premature adj. happening before the proper or expected time premier adj. first in importance, position, etc premise assumption; postulate; proposition upon which an argument is based premonition forewarning; presentiment; foreboding preoccupation n. state of being preoccupied; absent-mindedness ; preoccupy v. engage (sb or his mind, thoughts, etc) so that he cannot think of other things; obsess preordain To foreordain. preparation n. preparing or being prepared preparatory adj. preparing for sth; introductory preponderant adj. greater in influence, importance, quantity, etc preponderate v. ~ (fml ) be greater in influence, importance, quantity, etc (than sth else) prepossession A preconceived liking. preposterous absurd; completely unreasonable; ridiculous prerogative privilege; unquestionable right; CF. ask before presage foretell; be a warning or sign of; N: presentiment; foreboding; omen prescience ability to foretell the future; knowledge of actions before they occur; ADJ. prescient prescient adj. knowing about things before they take place; able to see into the future ; prescript n. law, rule or command prescription n. doctor's written instruction for the composition and use of a medicine presentient Perceiving or feeling beforehand. presentiment premonition; foreboding; feeling something will happen; anticipatory fear presentment Semblance. presumption n. ~ (of sth) presuming sth to be true or the case presumptuous going beyond what is right; excessively forward; arrogant; taking liberties pretension pretentiousness; claim (without foundation); Ex. I make no pretensions to skill as an artist. pretentious ostentatious; showy; pompous; making unjustified claims; overambitious; Ex. pretentious films that claim to be art preternatural beyond what is normal in nature; supernatural; Ex. preternatural strength/forces pretext excuse prevalence n. being prevalent prevalent widespread; generally accepted prevaricate lie; hide the truth (by equivocating) prevention n. preventing prickle n. small pointed growth on the stem or leaf of a plant; thorn priggery [ prig: ] another word for: steal prim proper to the point of affectation; very precise and formal; exceedingly proper primer n. textbook for people just starting to study a subject primeval adj. of the earliest period of the history of the world primitive adj. of or at an early stage of social development principal adj. first in rank or importance; chief; main principality n. country ruled by a prince principle n. basic general truth that underlies sth priory n. monastery governed by a prior or convent governed by a prioress pristine unspoiled; remaining in a pure state; characteristic of earlier times; primitive; Ex. an old book in pristine condition privateer n. (captainof or sailor on a) ship used for attacking and robbing other ships; pirate (ship) privilege n. special right or advantage available only to a particular person, class or rank, or to the holder of a certain position privity Knowledge shared with another or others regarding a private matter. privy secret; hidden; not public; made a participant in something secret; Ex. privy chamber government; Ex. be privy to a discussion; CF. private probate n. official process of proving that a will is correct probation n. (system of) keeping an official check on the behaviour of (esp young) people found guilty of crime as an alternative to sending them to prison probe explore with a probe or tools; investigate; N: slender instrument used to explore a wound or body cavity; device designed to investigate an unknown region; thorough investigation; Ex. space probe probity uprightness; honesty; incorruptibility procedure n. order or way of doing things, esp in business, law, politics, etc proceed v. ~ (to sth) go to a further or the next stage; go on proclamation n. action of proclaiming procrastinate postpone; delay or put off procrastination n. procrastinating proctor n. (at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge) either of two officials with responsibility for discipline prodigal wasteful; reckless with money; profuse; Ex. a mind prodigal of ideas; N. prodigality prodigious enormous; marvelous; extraordinary; Ex. prodigious amount/memory prodigy highly gifted child; person with exceptional talents; marvel; wonder productive adj. producing or able to produce goods or crops, esp in large quantities profession n. paid occupation, esp one that requires advanced education and training, eg architecture, law or medicine professor n. (US also full professor) (title of a) university teacher of the highest grade who holds a chair(3) in a subject proffer v. ~ sth(fml ) offer sth proficiency n. ~ eing proficient (in sth) proficient adj. ~ doing or able to do sth in a skilled or an expert way because of training and practice profile n. side view, esp of the human face profiteer v. maketoo large a profit, esp by exploiting people in difficult times (eg in a war or famine) profligacy n. being profligate profligate wasteful (of money); dissipated; wildly immoral; dissolute; N: profligate person; N. profligacy profuse adj. in large amounts; abundant progeny children; offspring; descendants progression n. ~ (to sth) (process of) moving forward or developing,esp in stages or gradually; progressing prohibition n. forbidding or being forbidden prohibitionist n. person who supports the prohibition of sth by law, esp the sale of alcoholic drinks prohibitory adj. intended to prohibit sth projection n. projecting or being projected proletarian member of the working class; blue collar guy; N. proletariat: working class (who have to work for wages) prolific producing offspring or fruit in abundance; fertile; fecund; abundantly fruitful; producing abundant works; Ex. prolific writer prolix adj. (of a speech, writer, etc) using too many words and so boring to listen to or read prologue introduction (to a poem or play) prolong lengthen; extend; draw out promenade n. (also Brit infml prom) public place for walking, esp a paved area along the waterfront at the seaside prominence n. state of being prominent prominent protruding(sticking out); conspicuous; notable; eminent promiscuous mixed indiscriminately; indiscriminate; not choosing carefully; indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners; irregular, particularly sexually; Ex. promiscuous life/girl; N. promiscuity promissory adj. conveying a promise promontory headland promoter n. person who organizes or finances (esp a business company or a sporting event) promulgate announce; proclaim a doctrine or law; make known by official publication propaganda n. publicity that is intended to spread ideas or information which will persuade or convince people propagate increase in number by producing young; multiply; spread; Ex. Most plants propagate by seed; Ex. newspaper propagating their ideas propel v. move, driveor push (sth) forward propellant n. propelling agent, eg an explosive that propels a bullet from a weapon, a fuel that provides thrust for a rocket, or compressed gas that forces out the contents of an aerosol container propeller n. two or more spiral blades fixed to a revolving shaft for propelling a ship or an aircraft prophecy n. saying what will happen in the future propitious favorable; auspicious; advantageous; fortunate; Ex. propitious day/sign proportionate adj. ~ (fml ) in proportion (to sth); corresponding to sth propriety fitness; quality of being proper; correct conduct; conformity to prevailing customs and usages; CF. proprietor, proprietary propulsion n. driving forward or being driven forward prosaic lacking in imagination; dull and unimaginative; matter-of-fact(concerned with facts, not imagination or feelings); factual; CF. prose proscenium part of stage in front of curtain; front arch of a stage proscribe prohibit; ostracize; banish; outlaw proscription n. (instance of) proscribing or beingproscribed proselyte n. person who has been converted from one set of religious, political, etc beliefs to another prosody art of versification; study of the metrical structure of verse prospectus n. printed document, leaflet, etc giving details of and advertising sth, eg a private school or a new business prostrate stretch out full on ground; make prostrate; enervate; Ex. prostrating illness; ADJ: lying face down; having lost all strength protagonist leader or noticeable supporter of an idea; chief character in a play or story protection n. ~ (against sth) protecting or being protected protector n. person who protects protestant n, adj of any of the Christian bodies that separated from theChurch of Rome in the 16th century, or of their branchesformed later 16 protocol diplomatic etiquette; ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats; first copy of a treaty before its ratification; Ex. Protocol demands that the queen meet him at the airport. protomartyr The earliest victim in any cause. protoplasm n. colourless jelly-like substancethat forms the basis of all animal and plant cells and tissues prototype original work used as a model by others protract prolong; lengthen in time; draw out protrude stick out; jut; project; Ex. protruding teeth protrusion n. protruding protuberance protrusion; swelling; bulge protuberant adj. bulging, curving or swelling outwards from a surface; prominent proverb adage; someone or something well known for notoriety; ADJ. proverbial: of a proverb; widely known; ADV. proverbially provident providing for future needs; displaying foresight; thrifty; preparing for emergencies; OP. improvident providential adj. occurring just at the right time when needed provincial pertaining to a province; limited in outlook; narrow; unsophisticated proviso stipulation; condition in an agreement; provision provocation n. making sb angry by deliberately doing sth annoying or offensive; provoking or being provoked prowess extraordinary ability; military bravery; Ex. prowess in battle proxy authorized agent; authority to act for another prudence n. (quality of) being prudent; forethought or wisdom prudential Proceeding or marked by caution. prudery n. behaviour or attitude of a prude prurient having or causing lustful desires and thoughts; arousing immoderate sexual desire pseudonym pen name; fictitious name assumed by an author; ADJ. pseudonymous pseudonymity The state or character of using a fictitious name. psychiatry n. study and treatment of mental illness psychic of psyche; mental; of or possessing extraordinary mental powers psychopathic pertaining to mental dearrangement; N. psychopath: person with an antisocial personality disorder psychotherapy n. treatment of mental disorders by psychological methods pudgy adj. (infml ) short and fat; podgy puerile childish; immature; CF. puer: boy pugnacious adj. inclined or eager to fight; aggressive puissant powerful; strong; potent; N. puissance: power pulmonary pertaining to the lungs punctilious minutely attentive (perhaps too much so) to fine points; stressing niceties of conduct or form; N. punctilio, punctiliousness: careful attention payed to every small exact detail punctual adj. happening or doing sth at the agreed or proper time pungency n. quality or state of being pungent pungent stinging; acrid; sharp in taste or smell; (of speech or writing) caustic; N. pungency punitive punishing; Ex. punitive measures pupilage The state or period of being a student. purgatory place of spiritual expiation; temporary state or place in which the souls must expiate their sins purl n. stitch in knitting that produces ridges on the upper side purloin v. steal (sth) purport intention; purpose; meaning; V: claim; profess; Ex. order which purports to be signed by the general purveyor furnisher of foodstuffs; caterer; V. purvey: supply (eg. food); furnish; CF. provide pusillanimous cowardly; lacking courage; fainthearted putrescent becoming putrid; putrefying pyre n. large pile of wood, etc for burning a dead body as part of a funeral ceremony pyromania n. illness that causes an uncontrollable desire to start fires pyrotechnic Pertaining to fireworks or their manufacture. pyx n. container in which bread that has been consecrated for Holy Communion is kept quackery n. methods or practices of a quack quadrate To divide into quarters. quadruple adj. consisting of four parts, individuals or groups qualification n. qualifying or becoming qualified qualify reach a necessary standard; limit the meaning of something stated qualm n. feeling of doubt, esp about whether what one is doing is right; misgiving quandary dilemma; state of uncertainty; Ex. She is in a quandary about whether to go. quantity n. that which makes it possible to measure things through having number, size, weight, etc quarantine isolation of a person, place, or ship to prevent spread of infection; V: isolate in quarantine quarrelsome adj. likely to start a quarrel; quick-tempered ; quarter n. each of four equal or corresponding parts of sth quarterly adj. adv produced or occurring once every three months quartet n. four players or singers quarto n. (abbrs 4to, qto) size of page made by folding a standard sheet of paper twice to form eight pages quay dock; wharf; pier; landing place (for boats) querulous given to complaining; complaining; fretful; whining query inquiry; question; V. queue line (of waiting people or vehicles) quibble minor objection or complaint; V: raise minor objections; carp; cavil quiescence Quiet. quiescent dormant; temporarily inactive; at rest; N. quiescence quiet adj. with little or no sound; not noisy or loud quietus n. (fml ) release from life; extinction quintessence purest and highest embodiment; perfect example; apotheosis; most essential element; Ex. quintessence of wit; ADJ. quintessential; CF. fifth essence quintet n. five players or singers quite adv. (used esp with adjs or advs that refer to a gradable quality ) to some extent; not very; fairly quixotic idealistic but impractical; CF. Don Quixote rabid of or suffering rabies; like a fanatic; extremely zealous; furious; CF. rabies: hydrophobia racy adj. (of speech, writing, etc) lively or spirited; vivid radiance n. quality of being radiant(1 radiate v. send out rays of (light or heat) radical adj. of or from the root or base; fundamental radix That from or on which something is developed. raillery n. good-humoured mockery or ridicule ramify branch out; divide into branches or subdivisions ramose Branch-like. rampant growing or spreading uncontrollably; growing in profusion; unrestrained; Ex. rampant lawlessness/weed rampart defensive mound of earth rancor long-lasting hatred; bitterness; Ex. negotiation without rancor; ADJ. rancorous rankle irritate; fester; annoy rapacious voracious; ravenous; taking everything one can; excessively grasping; plundering; subsisting on live prey; Ex. rapacious birds rapid adj. moving or acting with great speed; fast rapine n. act of seizing property by force; plundering raptorial Seizing and devouring living prey. ration fixed portion; V: distribute as rations rationalism n. practiceof testing all religious belief and knowledge by reason and logic raucous (of voice) harsh and unpleasant; (of people) disorderly and boisterous; Ex. raucous shouts ravage devastate; plunder; despoil; Ex. crops ravaged by storms ravenous extremely hungry; voracious ravine narrow valley with steep sides; gorge; CF. gully, canyon reaction n. ~ response to a situation, an act, an influence, etc reactionary strongly opposed to social or political change; opposing progress; politically ultraconservative; N. OP. radical readily adv. without hesitation; willingly ready adj. ~ (for sth/to do sth) in a fit state for immediate use or action; fully prepared or completed realism n. attitudes and behaviour based on the acceptance of facts and the rejection of sentiment and illusion reassure v. ~ sb remove sb's fears or doubts; make sb confident again rebellious adj. showing a desire to rebel; not easily controlled rebuff reject bluntly; snub; beat back; Ex. She rebuffed his invitation; N. rebuild v. build or put (sth) together again rebut v. prove (a charge, piece of evidence, etc) to be false; refute ; recant disclaim or disavow; retract a previous statement; openly confess error; Ex. recant one's faith/a statement recapitulate summarize recapture v. capture again recede v. ~ (seem to) move back from a previous position or away from an observer receivable adj. (commerce ) (of bills, accounts, etc) for which money has not yet been received receptive quick or willing to receive (ideas, suggestions, etc.); Ex. receptive to the proposal recessive adj. (of characteristics inherited from a parent, such as the colour of the eyes or of the hair) not appearing in a child but remaining hidden because of the presence of stronger characteristics , recidivist n. person who commitscrimes repeatedly and seems unable to be cured of criminal tendencies; persistent offender ; reciprocal mutual; given and received in return; exchangeable; interacting; Ex. reciprocal trade agreement reciprocate do or give something in return; repay in kind; give or take mutually; interchange; move reciprocity n. principleor practice of mutual exchange, esp of making concessions or granting privileges, etc in return for concessions or privileges received recitation n. public delivery of passages of prose or poetry learnt by heart reck To have a care or thought for. reckless adj. ~ (of people or their actions) not thinking of the consequences or of danger; rash or impulsive reclaim v. ~ sth recover possession of sth recline lie down recluse hermit; loner; ADJ. reclusive 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 v. ~ ~ (at sth) draw oneself back in fear, disgust, etc recollect v. succeed in calling back to the mind; remember reconnoiter To make a preliminary examination of for military, surveying, or geological purposes. reconsider v. consider again, esp to change an earlier opinion,decision, etc reconstruct v. construct or build again, eg after damage , recourse resorting to help when in trouble; Ex. without recourse to recover v. ~ sth find again (sth stolen, lost, etc); regain possession of sth recreant disloyal; cowardly; N: disloyal and cowardly person recreate To refresh after labor. recrudescence n. new outburst; recurrence recrudescent Becoming raw or sore again. recruit n. ~ (from sth) person who has just joined the armed forces or police and is not yet trained rectify set right; correct; CF. rect-: right rectitude moral correctness; moral uprightness; moral virtue; correctness of judgment recuperate recover; return to health; regain; Ex. recuperate losses recur v. happen again; happen repeatedly recurrent occurring again and again redemption n. redeeming or being redeemed redolence Smelling sweet and agreeable. redolent odorous; fragrant; suggestive (of an odor); Ex. redolent of onions/mystery redoubtable formidable; causing fear redound v. redound on sb/sth (fml ) come back on sb/sth; rebound or recoil on sb/sth redress remedy; compensation; Ex. seek redress for the damage to your car; V: put right; remedy or rectify (a wrong); make amends for redundant superfluous; more than is necessary; verbose; excessively wordy; repetitious refer v. (-rr-) ~ to sb/sth mention or speak of sb/sth; allude to sb/sth referee n. (in football, boxing, etc) official who controls matches, prevents rules being broken, etc . refinery n. factory, etc where sth is refined reflection The throwing off or back of light, heat, sound, or any form of energy that travels in waves. reflector n. thing that reflects heat, light or sound reform v. become or make better by removing or putting right faults, errors, etc reformer n. person who brings about or advocates reform refract v. bend where it enters eg water or glass at an oblique angle from a medium of different density refractory unmanageable; disobedient and stubborn; Ex. refractory horse refusal n. refusing or being refused refute disprove; prove to be false; N. refutation regale entertain regality Royalty. regenerate v. give fresh strength or life to (sb/sth); restore regent a person who governs in place of a ruler who is ill, absent, or still a child; ADJ. Ex. the Prince regent regicide murder of a king or queen regime method of system or government regimen prescribed course of diet or exercise; prescribed diet and habits; Ex. daily regimen of a dancer regiment military unit; V: subject to strict order; Ex. regimented society regnant Exercising royal authority in one's own right. regress v. ~ (fml ) return to an earlier or less advanced form or state regretful adj. feeling or expressing regret rehabilitate restore to proper condition (health or useful life); restore the former rank of reign n. rule of a king or queen reimburse repay; pay back rein n. long narrow strap fastened to the bit of a bridle and used to guide and control a horse reinstate restore to a previous condition or position reiterate repeat rejoin v. join again; be reunited with rejuvenate make young again rejuvenescence A renewal of youth. relapse return to a former state (esp. after improvement); N. relegate put into a lower or worse place; banish to an inferior position; delegate; assign; Ex. relegate the old furniture to the children's room; Ex. relegated to the second division relent become less severe; give in(surrender); ADJ. relentless: unyielding; continuously severe relevant having importance; pertinent; referring to the case in hand; N. relevance, relevancy reliance n. ~ on sb/sth confidence or trust in sb/sth; dependence on sb/sth reliant adj. ~ on sb/sth having reliance on sb/sth; dependent on sb/sth ; relinquish give up something (with reluctance); yield; release; Ex. relinquish power/the claim to the land/his hold on my arm reliquary n. containerfor a relic or relics of a holy person relish enjoy; savor; N: enjoyment; zest reluctance Unwillingness. reluctant adj. ~ unwilling and therefore slow to co-operate, agree, etc remembrance n. remembering or being remembered; memory reminiscence recollection; V. reminisce: recollect the past reminiscent suggestive of something (in the past); of reminiscence remiss negligent; careless about a duty remission temporary moderation (of disease symptoms); remitting of a debt or punishment; cancelation of a debt; pardon; Ex. The disease went into remission; Ex. Christians pray for the remission of sins. remodel to alter the structure of:REMAKE remonstrance n. remonstrating; protest ; remonstrant Having the character of a reproof. remonstrate protest; objection; V. remonstrate: say in protest remunerate v. ~ sb (fml ) pay or reward sb for work or services remuneration n. payment; reward ; renaissance n. the Renaissance revival of art and literature in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, based on classical forms 14 15 16 rendezvous meeting place; meeting at a set time or place; V. rendition rendering; translation; artistic interpretation of a song, etc renovate restore to good condition; renew renunciation n. (formal declaration of) giving sth/sb up; renouncing reorganize To change to a more satisfactory form of organization. reparable capable of being repaired reparation compensation (for loss or wrong); amends; Ex. make reparation for the damage; CF. repair repartee quick clever reply repeal revoke; annul repel drive away; disgust; Ex. repel the attack/moisture; Ex. repelled by the dirty room; CF. repulsion repellent driving away; disgusting; offensive; repulsive; unattractive; N. repentance n. ~ regret or sorrow for wrongdoing repertory n. performance of various plays for short periods by one company repetition n. repeating or being repeated repine fret; complain; be annoyed; Ex. repine over the undone work replenish fill up again replete fully filled; filled to the brim or to the point of being stuffed; abundantly supplied; Ex. report replete with errors replica copy repository storehouse reprehend v. criticize or rebuke (sb or sb's behaviour) reprehensible deserving blame; blameworthy; V. reprehend: blame reprehension Expression of blame. repress hold back (the natural expression of); restrain; crush; oppress; Ex. repressed child; Ex. repress a laugh/rebellion reprieve postponement or cancelation of a punishment; temporary stay; V: postpone or cancel the punishment of reprimand reprove severely; rebuke; N. reprisal retaliation reprobate morally disapproved person; person hardened in sin, devoid of a sense of decency; CF. disapproved by God ? reproduce v. make a copy of reproduction n. reproducing or being reproduced reproof n. (remark, etc expressing) blame or disapproval repudiate disown; disavow; deny repugnance disgust; strong dislike; loathing; ADJ. repugnant: arousing disgust; repulsive repugnant adj. ~ (fml ) causing a feeling of strong opposition or dislike; abhorrent repulse reject with rudeness or coldness (an offer or friendship); drive back (an enemy attack); CF. repulse $\neq$ cause repulsion repulsive adj. causing a feeling of loathing or aversion; disgusting repute v. (idm ) be reputed as/to be sb/sth be generally said or considered to be sb/sth requiem mass for the dead; dirge requisite necessary requirement; something required; ADJ: required; necessary requital n. repayment requite make return for; repay; reciprocate; revenge; N. requittal rescind repeal; annul; cancel (a law, decision, or agreement) resemblance n. ~ ~ (between A and B) (instance of) likeness or similarity resent v. feel bitter, indignant or angry about reservoir n. natural or artificial lake used as a source or store of water for a town, etc , residue remainder; balance resilience n. quality of being springy resilient elastic; having the power of springing back; able to recover quickly (as from misfortune) resistance n. ~ (action of) using force to oppose sth/sb resistant adj. ~ offering resistance resistive Having or exercising the power of resistance. resistless Powerless. resonance n. quality of being resonant resonate v. produce or show resonance resource n. supply of raw materials, etc which bring a country, person, etc wealth respite time for rest; interval of relief; delay in punishment; reprieve resplendent brilliant; splendid in appearance; dazzling; glorious respondent n. defendant, esp in a divorce case restitution returning something (lost or stolen) to the rightful owner; reparation; indemnification; compensation for loss, damage, or injury resumption taking up again; recommencement; V. resume: begin or take up again; take or occupy again; Ex. Kindly resume your seats. resurgent adj. rising or reviving after destruction, defeat, disappearance, etc resurrection n. the Resurrection the rising of Jesus from the tomb resuscitate revive; bring back to life or consciousness; Ex. resuscitate the drowned child retaliate repay in kind (usually for bad treatment); V. retaliate retch v. make the sounds and movements of vomiting, esp involuntarily, but without bringing anything up from the stomach retention n. possession or use of sth reticence reserve; uncommunicativeness; inclination to be silent reticent inclined to silence; uncommunicative; reserved; Ex. He was reticent about the reasons; N. reticence retinue following; attendants retort quick sharp reply; V. retouch v. improve or alter by removing flaws or making minor changes retract withdraw; take back; draw back; Ex. retract a statement/an offer/claws; N. retraction; CF. retractile retrench cut down; cut down expenses; economize retrieve recover; put right; find and bring in; regain; Ex. retrieve the situation retroactive taking effect before its enactment (as a law) or imposition (as a tax); (of a law) having effect on the past as well as the future retrograde go backwards; recede; degenerate; deteriorate; ADJ. retrogression n. return to a less advanced state; decline ; retrospect n. in retrospect looking back on a past event or situation retrospective looking back on the past; N. retrospection; V. retrospect reunite v. ~ (with sb/sth) (cause sb/sth to) come together again revelation n. making known sth that was secret or hidden; revealing revere v. ~ sb/sth (for sth) (fml ) feel deep respect or (esp religious) veneration for sb/sth reverent respectful; worshipful; V. revere: regard with reverence; N. reverence: profound respect reversion n. reverting revert relapse; backslide; turn back to; return to the former owner; N. reversion revile attack with abusive language; vilify(slander) revisal Revision. revise v. re-examine (sth), esp in order to correct or improve it revocation n. (instance of) revoking or being revoked revoke cancel; retract; CF. irrevocable rhapsody excessively enthusiastic expression of feeling; musical composition of irregular form (as if made up as one plays it) rhetoric art of effective communication; art of using language effectively and persuasively; style of speaking or writing; grandiloquent language; Ex. political rhetoric; ADJ. rhetorical; CF. rhetorical question: question to which no answer is expected as rhetorician A showy writer or speaker. ribald marked by vulgar lewd humor; wanton; profane; N. ribaldry: ribald language or joke riddance n. good riddance (to sb/sth) (said to express relief, etc at being free of an unwanted or unpleasant person or thing ) ridicule n. making sb/sth appear foolish or absurd; scorn ridiculous adj. deserving to be laughed at; absurd rife (of something bad) widespread; abundant; current rightful legally correct; Ex. rightful owner rigmarole n. (unnecessarily) complicated procedure rigor severity; Ex. rigors of the Russian winter rigorous adj. severe; strict risible adj. fit to be laughed at; ridiculous rivulet small stream; CF. rill < rivulet < river robust strong; vigorous rondo n. piece of music in which the main theme returns a number of times ()() rookery n. colony of rooks rotary adj. (of motion) moving round a central point; circular rotate v. move in circles round a central point rote repetition; memorization through repetition without understanding; Ex. learn poetry by rote rotund (of a person) fat and round rudimentary elementary; not developed; crude; N. rudiment: fundamental element or principle; Ex. rudiments of the language rue regret; lament; mourn; Ex. He will rue the day; N. ADJ. rueful ruffian violent scoundrel; bully ruminant animal that ruminates; ADJ. ruminate chew over and over (mentally or, like cows, physically); mull over(ponder) rupture n. (instance of) breaking apart or bursting rustic pertaining to country people; unsophisticated; simple; crude; uncouth; (of furniture) rough with the bark left on; N. rural person; rustic person ruth Sorrow for another's misery. sacrifice n. ~ offering of sth valuable, often a slaughtered animal, to a god sacrificial adj. of or like a sacrifice sacrilege n. treating a sacred thing or place with disrespect sacrilegious desecrating; profane; N. sacrilege: desecration, misuse, or theft of something sacred safeguard n. ~ thing that serves as a protection from harm, risk or danger sagacious wise; perceptive; shrewd; having insight; N. sagacity salacious lascivious; lustful; Ex. salacious monk salience The condition of standing out distinctly. salient prominent; projecting beyond a line; conspicuous; Ex. salient features saline salty salutary tending to improve; beneficial; wholesome; Ex. The punishment had a salutary effect on the boy; CF. health salutation n. greeting or respect salutatory The opening oration at the commencement in American colleges. salvage rescue (goods or property) from loss; N: saving; property saved salvo n. firing of several guns at the same time, esp as a salute sanctimonious displaying ostentatious or hypocritical devoutness; N. sanctimony: hypocritical piety sanction approve; ratify; N: permission; penalty intended to enforce compliance sanctity n. holiness; sacredness sanguinary bloody; with much bloodshed sanguine optimistic; cheerful; hopeful; of the color of blood; red sanguineous Consisting of blood. sapid Affecting the sense of taste. sapience Deep wisdom or knowledge. sapient adj. wise saponaceous Having the nature or quality of soap. sarcasm cutting ironic remark; scornful remarks; stinging rebuke; ADJ. sarcastic sarcophagus n. stone coffin, esp one with carvings, etc, used in ancient times sardonic scornfully mocking; disdainful; sarcastic; cynical; Ex. sardonic smile satiate satisfy fully (physical needs such as hunger); sate; N. satiety: condition of being satiated satire form of literature in which irony, sarcasm, and ridicule are employed to attack human vice and folly satiric Resembling poetry, in which vice, incapacity ,or corruption is held up to ridicule. satirize To treat with sarcasm or derisive wit. satyr half-human, half-bestial being in the court of Dionysus (resembling a goat), portrayed as wanton(unrestrained) and cunning; lecher; CF. faun; CF. goat: lecherous man savage adj. wild and fierce savor enjoy; have a distinctive flavor, smell, or quality; N: taste or smell; distinctive quality scabbard case for a sword blade; sheath scarcity n. shortage scholarly full of learning; erudite; like a scholar; Ex. scholarly journal scholastic adj. of schools and education scintilla trace; minute amount; shred; least bit; Ex. There is not a scintilla of truth; CF. spark scintillate sparkle; flash; be animated; be full of life; Ex. scintillating conversation scope n. ~ opportunity to do or achieve sth scoundrel n. person who has no moral principles and no conscience; villain ; scribble v. write very fast or carelessly scribe n. person who made copies of writings before printing was invented script n. text of a play, film, broadcast, talk, etc scriptural adj. of or based on the Bible scruple hesitate for ethical reasons; fret about; Ex. She did not scruple to read his diary; N: uneasy feeling arising from conscience; conscience scrupulous conscientious; extremely thorough; Ex. scrupulous worker scurrilous abusive; obscene; indecent; Ex. scurrilous remark scuttle sink (a ship) by cutting holes in the hull; scrap; discard; N: small hatch in a ship's deck or hull scythe n. tool with a slightly curved blade on a long pole, sometimes with two handles, used for cutting long grass, corn, etc seance n. meeting, esp of spiritualists, at which people try to talk with the spirits of the dead sear burn the surface of; char or burn; brand; parch; cause (a plant) to wither sebaceous adj. producing an oily or greasy substance secant Cutting, especially into two parts. secede v. ~ (fml ) withdraw (from membership of an organization, state, etc) secession withdrawal; V. secede: withdraw formally from membership seclude v. ~ sb/oneself (fml ) keep sb/oneself apart (from others) seclusion isolation; solitude; V. seclude: set apart from others; isolate secondary adj. ~ coming after sth that is first or primary; of less importance, value, etc than what is primary second-rate adj. of poor quality; not very good secrecy n. keeping secrets; ability or tendency to keep secrets; state of being secret secretary n. employee in an office, usu working for another person, dealing with letters, typing, filing, etc and making appointments and arrangements secretive adj. liking to keep things secret or to hide one's thoughts, feelings, etc sedate composed (with no excitement); grave; V: administer a sedative to; CF. sedative sedentary requiring sitting; done while sitting; not moving from one place to another; settled; Ex. sedentary job/population sediment n. matter that settles to the bottom of a liquid sedition conduct or language inciting rebellion; rebellion; resistance to authority; insubordination; ADJ. seditious seditious adj. of, causing or spreading sedition seduce lead away from proper conduct; entice; ADJ. seductive sedulous diligent; assiduous; paying attention; N. sedulity seer A prophet. seethe be violently disturbed; boil; (of a liquid) move about wildly as if boiling; Ex. The nation was seething with discontent. seignior A title of honor or respectful address, equivalent to sir. seismograph n. instrument for detecting earthquakes and recording how strong they are and how long they last seize v. take hold of (sth), suddenly and violently; grab selective careful in choosing; having an effect only on certain things; not general; Ex. eclectic weed killer self-respect n. feeling that one is behaving and thinking in ways that will not make one ashamed of oneself semblance outward appearance; guise; Ex. We called in the troops to bring a/some semblance of order to the city. semiannual Recurring at intervals of six months. semicircle n. half of a circle or of its circumference; thing arranged like this semicivilized Half-civilized. semiconscious Partially conscious. seminar n. small group of students at a university, etc meeting to discuss or study a particular topic with a teacher seminary school for training future ministers; secondary school, especially for young women senile adj. suffering from bodily or mental weakness because of old age sensation n. feeling in one's body resulting from sth that happens or is done to it sense n. any of the five powers of the body by which a person, an animal, etc receives knowledge of things in the world around, ie sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch sensibility n. ability to receive and appreciate delicate impressions; sensitivity sensitive adj. easily hurt or damaged sensorium The sensory apparatus. sensual devoted to the pleasures of the sense; carnal; voluptuous; Ex. sensual woman/curves/lips sensuous giving pleasure to the senses; pertaining to the physical senses; operating through the senses; sensuous feeling of soft velvet on the skin sentence n. largest unit of grammar, usu containing a subject, a verb, an object, etc and expressing a statement, question or command sentience Capacity for sensation or sense-perception. sentient capable of sensation and conscious; aware; sensitive; Ex. sentient creature; N. sentience sentinel sentry; lookout separable adj. ~ that can be separated separate adj. ~ forming a unit by itself; existing apart separatist A seceder. septennial Recurring every seven years. sequacious Ready to be led. sequel n. ~ thing that happens after or as a result of an earlier event sequence n. set of events, numbers, actions, etc with each following the one before continuously or in a particular order sequent Following in the order of time. sequester isolate; segregate; seclude; retire from public life sequestrate v. take temporary possession of (a debtor's property, funds, etc) until a debt has been paid or other claims met sergeant n. non-commissioned army officer ranking above a corporal and below a warrant officer . service n. ~ performing duties, eg in the armed forces, or working for a government, company, etc serviceable adj. in usable condition servitude slavery; compulsory labor imposed as a punishment severance n. cutting or being cut; discontinuation sextet n. group of six singers or players sextuple Multiplied by six. sheer pure; thin and transparent; very steep shiftless adj. lazy and unambitious; lacking the ability to find ways of getting things done shrewd clever; astute shriek v. ~ with sth; ~ (out) utter a shrill scream shrinkage n. process of shrinking; amount by which sth shrinks shrivel make or become shrunken and wrinkled (often by drying) shuffle mix together; jumble; move (something) from one place to another; slide (the feet) along the ground while walking; Ex. shuffle papers from one pile to another; N. sibilance A hissing sound. sibilant adj. like or produced with a hissing sound sibilate To give a hissing sound to, as in pronouncing the letter s. sidelong adj. , adv to or from the side; sideways sidereal relating to stars; Ex. sidereal day siege n. surrounding of a town, fortress, etc by armed forces in order to capture it or force it to surrender significance n. meaning significant expressing a meaning; important; Ex. significant smile; N. significance: importance; meaning; V. signify: denote; mean; signal; make known; matter; be significant signification n. meaning of a word, etc similar adj. ~ resembling sb/sth but not the same; alike simile comparison of one thing with another, using the word like or as similitude n. being similar; similarity ; simplify v. make (sth) easy to do or understand; make simple(1) simulate feign; imitate simultaneous adj. ~ happening or done at the same time (as sth) sinecure well-paid position with little responsibility; CF. sine cure: without care; CF. San Serif singe v. blacken (sth) by burning; scorch sinister evil; ominous sinuosity n. quality of being sinuous sinuous twisting; winding; bending in and out; not morally honest sinus n. cavity in a bone, esp any of the air-filled spaces in the skull that are connected to the nostrils , siren apparatus for making sounds; womanlike creature sirocco n. hot moist wind reaching Italy from Africa sisterhood n. relationship of sisters (1 skeptic sceptic; doubter; person who suspends judgment until he has examined the evidence supporting a point of view; ADJ. skeptical; N. skepticism; scepticism skepticism The entertainment of doubt concerning something. skiff small light sailboat or rowboat skirmish minor fight; minor battle in war; V. sleight dexterity; CF. sleight of hand: legerdemain; quickness of the hands in doing tricks slight insult to one's dignity; snub; V: treat as if of small importance; insult; snub; ADJ. small in size; of small importance slothful adj. lazy; idle ; sluggard lazy person sociable adj. fond of the company of other people; friendly socialism n. political and economic theory advocating that a country's land, transport, natural resources and chief industries should be owned and controlled by the whole community or by the State, and that wealth should be equally distributed socialist supporter of socialism sociology n. scientific study of the nature and development of society andsocial behaviour sol The sun. solace comfort in sorrow or trouble; consolation; V: comfort or console in time of sorrow or trouble solar adj. of, concerningor related to the sun solder repair or make whole by using a metal alloy; N: metal alloy (usually tin and lead) used in the molten state to join metallic parts soldier n. member of an army, esp one who is not an officer solecism nonstandard grammatical construction; construction that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically; violation of social etiquette solicitor lawyer in the lower court of law solicitude n. ~ (fml ) being solicitous; concern or anxiety soliloquy talking to oneself (esp. in a play); CF. monologue: soliloquy; long speech by one person (often monopolizing a conversation) solstice point or time at which the sun is farthest from the equator soluble able to be dissolved in a liquid; able to be worked out or solved solvent substance that dissolves another; ADJ: capable of dissolving another substance somber dark; gloomy; melancholy; depressing; CF. shadow somniferous Tending to produce sleep. somnolence n. sleepiness; drowsiness ; somnolent half asleep; drowsy; N. somnolence sonata n. piece of music composed for one instrument (eg the piano), or two (eg piano and violin), usu with three or four movements sonnet 14-line poetic verse form with a fixed rhyme pattern sonorous resonant; producing a full deep sound; producing sound soothsayer one who foretells the future sophism n. (use of) such arguments sophistic of or relating to sophists or sophistry sophisticate n. sophisticated person sophistry seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning; sophism soprano n. singing voice of the highest range for a woman or boy sorcery n. art, use or practice of magic, esp with evil spirits; witchcraft ; sordid filthy; foul; base; vile; Ex. sordid bed/story souvenir n. thing taken, bought or received as a gift, and kept to remind one of a person, a place or an event sparse not thick; thinly scattered; scanty Spartan without attention to comfort; lacking luxury and comfort; sternly disciplined; Ex. spartan living condition/life spasmodic fitful; periodic; of or like a spasm; N. spasm: sudden involuntary muscular contraction; sudden burst of energy or emotion specialize To pursue a special activity, occupation, or field of study specialty An employment limited to one particular line of work. specie n. money in the form of coins (contrasted with paper) specimen n. thing or part of a thing taken as an example of its group or class specious seemingly reasonable but incorrect; misleading (often intentionally) spectator n. person who watches specter Apparition. spectrum colored band produced when a beam of light passes through a prism; broad and continuous range; Ex. whole spectrum of modern thoughts speculate v. ~ form opinions without having definite or complete knowledge or evidence; guess spheroid n. solid object that is almost, but not perfectly, spherical spherometer An instrument for measuring curvature or radii of spherical surfaces. spinous Having spines. spinster n. (law or fml ) unmarried woman spontaneous adj. done,happening, said, etc because of a voluntary impulse from within, not caused or suggested by sth/sb outside sprightly adj. lively and full of energy spurious false; counterfeit; forged; illogical; Ex. spurious arguments squabble minor quarrel; bickering; V: engage in a minor quarrel; Ex. squabbling children squalid adj. very dirty and unpleasant (esp because of neglect or poverty) stagnant (of water) not flowing (often bad-smelling); motionless; stale; not developing; inactive; dull; Ex. stagnant industrial output stagnate v. be or become stagnant stagnation The condition of not flowing or not changing. stagy adj. (usu derog ) (too) theatrical in style, manner or behaviour; exaggerated for effect staid serious and sedate; sober; Ex. staid during the funeral ceremony stallion n. fully grown male horse thathas not been castrated, esp one used for breeding stanchion n. upright bar or post forming a support stanza division of a poem (composed of two or more lines) statecraft n. skill in managing State affairs; statesmanship ; static having no motion; unchanging; lacking development; N. stasis: stable state staticky stationary adj. not moving statistician n. person who studies or works with statistics statuesque adj. like a statue in size, dignity or stillness , statuette n. small statue stature n. natural height of the body statute law enacted by the legislature stealth action of moving secretly or unseen; slyness; sneakiness; secretiveness; ADJ. stealthy stellar pertaining to the stars; of a star performer; outstanding; Ex. stellar attraction of the entire performance steppe n. flat grassy plain with few trees, esp in SE Europe and Siberia sterling adj. (of coins or precious metal) of standard value and purity; genuine stifle suppress; extinguish; inhibit; smother or suffocate stigma token of disgrace; brand; V. stigmatize: mark with a stigma; characterize as disgraceful stiletto n. small dagger or tool with a narrow pointed blade stimulant n. drug that increases physical or mental activity and alertness stimulate v. ~ sb/sth make sb/sth more active or alert; arouse sb/sth stimulus n. (to sth/to do sth) thing that produces a reaction in living things stingy adj. spending, using or giving unwillingly; mean stipend pay for services stoicism n. behaving stoically stolid dull; impassive; showing little emotion when strong feelings are expected strait n. narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water stratagem deceptive scheme; clever trick stratum layer of earth's surface; layer of society; PL. strata streamlet Rivulet. stringency Strictness. stringent (of rules) binding; rigid; marked by scarcity of money; Ex. stringent economic conditions stripling n. male person between boyhood and manhood; youth or lad studious given to diligent study stultify make stupid in mind; cause to appear or become stupid or inconsistent; suppress; frustrate or hinder; Ex. stultifying effect of uninteresting work; Ex. stultify free expression stupendous adj. amazingly large, impressive, good, etc stupor state of being stupefied; state of apathy; daze; lack of awareness suasion The act of persuading. suave adj. (usu of a man) having self-confidence and smooth sophisticated manners subacid Somewhat sharp or biting. subaquatic Being, formed, or operating under water. subconscious adj. of or concerning the thoughts, instincts, fears, etc in the mind, of which one is not fully aware but which influence one's actions subjacent Situated directly underneath. subjection n. subjecting or being subjected subjugate conquer; bring under control subliminal below the threshold of conscious perception; Ex. subliminal advertisement sublingual Situated beneath the tongue. submarine n. naval vessel that can operate underwater as well as onthe surface submerge place under water; dip; go under water; cover completely (as with water); Ex. submerged in work submerse [ submerge: ] to plunge, sink, or dive or cause to plunge, sink, or dive below the surface of water, etc. submersible n, adj that can be submerged submission n. ~ acceptance of another`s power; submitting subordinate occupying a lower rank; inferior; submissive; N. V: put in a lower rank or class subsequent following in time or order; later subservience The quality, character, or condition of being servilely following another's behests. subservient behaving like a slave; servile; obsequious; subordinate; N. subservience subside sink to a lower level; settle down; sink to the bottom (as a sediment); descend; grow quiet; become less; moderate; abate subsist v. ~ (fml ) (continue to) stay alive, esp with little food or money; exist subsistence existence; means of subsisting; means of support; livelihood; V. subsist: exist; maintain life (at a meager level) substantive substantial; essential; pertaining to the substance; substantial; considerable; Ex. substantive issues subtend v. (of a chord subterfuge stratagem(deceptive scheme); pretense; evasion; Ex. resort to a harmless subterfuge subterranean adj. underthe earth's surface; underground subtle adj. (esp approv ) not easy to detect or describe; fine; delicate subtrahend That which is to be subtracted. subversion An overthrow, as from the foundation. subvert v. destroy the authority of succeed v. ~ do what one is trying to do; achieve thedesired end success n. achievement of a desired end, or of fame, wealth or social position; succeeding successful adj. having success successor n. ~ person or thing that comes after and takes the place of (sb/sth) succinct adj. expressedbriefly and clearly; concise succulent juicy; full of juice or sap; full of richness; N: succulent plant such as a cactus succumb yield (to something overwhelming); give in; die; Ex. succumb to the illness sufferance n. on `sufferance tolerated but not actually wanted sufficiency n. ~ of sth sufficient quantity of sth suffrage n. right to vote in political elections suffuse spread through or over (with a color or liquid); charge; Ex. A blush suffused her cheeks. suggestible adj. easily influenced suggestive adj. ~ putting particular ideas or associations into sb's mind summary n. brief statement of themain points of sth sumptuous grand suggesting great expense; lavish; rich; Ex. sumptuous feast superabundant very abundant; more than enough superadd To add in addition to what has been added. superannuate v. send into retirement with a pension superb adj. excellent; splendid supercilious haughty; arrogant; condescending; patronizing; CF. eyebrow, cilium superficial of the surface; not deep; shallow; not thorough; trivial; Ex. superficial analysis/knowledge superfluity n. ~ (fml ) superfluous amount superfluous excessive; overabundant; unnecessary; N. superfluity superheat To heat to excess. superintend v. manage and control (workers, their work, etc); supervise superintendence n. superintending superintendent n. person who superintends superlative adj. of the highest degree or quality supernatural adj. that cannot be explained by natural or physical laws; of the world of spirits, magic, etc supernumerary person or thing excess of what is necessary; extra; ADJ: additional to the usual or necessary number supersede replace; cause to be set aside; make obsolete; N. supersession supine lying on back; passive; inactive; Ex. The defeated pugilist lay supine; Ex. supine acceptance of the decision supplant take the place of unfairly; usurp; replace supple flexible; limber; pliant supplementary ~ additional; extra supplicant one who supplicates; ADJ. supplicate petition humbly; pray to grant a favor supposition assumption; hypothesis; surmise; V. suppose suppress put an end to forcibly; subdue; stifle; overwhelm; inhibit the expression of; check; prevent from being published or made public; Ex. suppress a smile; Ex. suppress the magazine/truth suppression n. suppressing or being suppressed surcharge n. ~ payment that is demanded in addition to the usual charge surety n. guarantee that sb will pay his debts, perform a duty, etc surfeit satiate; feed or supply to excess; stuff; indulge to excess in anything; N: surfeiting; excessive amount; Ex. surfeit of food surmise guess; N. surmount overcome surreptitious done secretly; secret; furtive; sneaky; hidden surrogate substitute; person or thing used in place of another; Ex. surrogate mother; ADJ. surround To encircle. surveyor n. person who surveys and values buildings, etc susceptibility n. ~ state of being susceptible susceptible impressionable; easily influenced; sensitive; having little resistance as to a disease; likely to suffer; receptive to; capable of accepting; Ex. susceptible to persuasion/colds; Ex. The agreement is not susceptible of alteration; N. susceptibility suspense state of being undecided; anxiety or apprehension resulting from uncertainty suspension n. suspending or being suspended suspicious adj. ~ having or showing suspicion sustenance sustaining; means of livelihood, support, food, nourishment; something that maintains life; food swarthy (of a skin or complexion) dark; dusky; Ex. swarthy Italian ? sybarite lover of luxury; person devoted to pleasure and luxury; CF. Sybaris: an ancient Greek city in Italy sycophant servile flatterer; bootlicker; yes man; ADJ. sycophantic syllabic adj. of or in syllables syllabication Division of words into that which is uttered in a single vocal impulse. syllable n. any of the units into which a word may be divided, usu consisting of a vowel-sound with a consonant before or after syllabus n. list of subjects, topics, texts, etc included in a course of study sylph n. one of a type of female nature spirits believed to inhabit the air symmetrical Well-balanced. symmetry arrangement of parts so that balance is obtained; congruity; ADJ. symmetrical sympathetic adj. ~ feeling, showing or resulting fromsympathy sympathize To share the sentiments or mental states of another. symphonic adj. of or like a symphony symphonious Marked by a harmonious or agreeable mingling of sounds. symphony n. long complex musical composition, usu in three or four parts for a large orchestra synchronism Simultaneousness. syndicate n. group of people or business companies combined to undertake a joint project syneresis The coalescence of two vowels or syllables, as e'er for ever. synod n. official assembly of church members to discuss and decide on matters of religious teaching, church policy and administration, etc , synonym n. word or phrase with the same meaning as another in the same language, though perhaps with a different style, grammar or technical use synopsis n. summary or outline of a book, play, etc systematic adj. done or acting according to a system or plan; methodical tableau n. representation of a picture or scene by a silent and motionless group of people, esp on stage tacit understood (without actually being expressed); not put into words; Ex. tacit agreement taciturn habitually silent; talking little tack n. small nail with a broad head tact skill or sensitivity in dealing with people without causing offence tactician n. expert in tactics tangency The state of touching. tangent n. straight line that touches the outside of a curve but does not cross it . tangible able to be touched; real; concrete; palpable; possible to realize or understand; Ex. tangible proof tannery n. place where skins are tanned to make leather tantalize tease; excite by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach; torture with disappointment; CF. Tantalus: Greek mythological figure tantamount equivalent in effect or value; Ex. This invasion is tantamount to a declaration of war; CF. amount tapestry n. cloth into which threads of coloured wool are woven or embroidered by hand to make pictures or designs, used for covering walls and furniture tarnish make or become dull or discolored; N. taut tight; strained; tense; ready; OP. slack taxation n. raising money by taxes; taxes to be paid taxidermy n. art of preparing and stuffing the skins of dead animals, birds and fish so that they look like living ones technic Technical. technicality n. technical term or point technique n. method of doing or performing sth, esp in the arts or sciences technology n. scientificstudy and use of mechanical arts and applied sciences, eg engineering teem v. ~ with sth have sth in great numbers telepathy n. communication of thoughts or ideas from one mind to another withoutthe normal use of the senses telephony n. process of transmitting sound by telephone telescope n. optical instrument shaped like a tube, with lenses to make distant objects appear larger and nearer telltale That gives warning or information. temerity boldness; nerve; rashness; Ex. temerity to ask for a pay increase after only three day's work temporal of time; not lasting forever; limited by time; temporary; secular; worldly temporary adj. lasting or meant to last for a limited time only; notpermanent temporize gain time as by postponing an action; avoid committing oneself tempt v. ~ sb persuade or try to persuade sb to do sth, esp sth wrong or unwise tempter n. person who tempts tenacious holding fast (as to a belief); persistent tenant one that pays rent to use property owned by another tendency n. ~ (to do sth) way a person or thing tends to be or behave tenet doctrine; dogma tenor n. the ~ of sth general routine or course of sth tense adj. stretched tightly; taut ; tentative not fully worked out or developed; provisional; experimental; uncertain; hesitant; not definite or positive; Ex. tentative agreement/reply tenure holding of an office or real estate; time during which such an office is held tercentenary n. 300th anniversary 300 termagant n. bad-tempered bullying woman terminal part that forms the end; railroad or bus station; ADJ. forming an end; ending in death; fatal; Ex. terminal cancer terminate v. come to an end or bring (sth) to an end termination end; V. terminate terminus last stop of railroad; end terrify v. fill (sb) with terror; make very frightened territorial adj. of a country'sterritory terse concise; abrupt; pithy testament n. (usu sing ) ~ (to sth) thing that provides clear proof of sth testator maker of a will; CF. testatrix testimonial n. written statement testifying to a person's character, abilities or qualifications theism n. belief in the existence of a God or gods, esp a God revealed to man as the creator and ruler of the universe theocracy government run by religious leaders theologian n. expert in or student of theology theological adj. theology n. formal study of the nature of God and of the foundations of religious belief theoretical based on theory; not practical or applied; hypothetical theorist n. person who forms theories theorize To speculate. thereabouts adv. somewhere near there therefor For that or this. thermal pertaining to heat; producing heat; warm; Ex. thermal bath; N: rising current of warm air thermoelectric adj. producing electricity by difference of temperature thermoelectricity Electricity generated by differences of temperature, thesis opinion put forward and supported by reasoned arguments thoroughbred n, adj of pure or pedigree stock thoroughfare n. public road or street that is open at both ends, esp for traffic thrall slave; bondage; slavery; Ex. Her beauty held him in thrall; CF. enthrall tilth n. depth of soil affected by cultivation timbre quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument (which distinguishes it from others of the same pitch) timorous fearful; timid; demonstrating fear tincture n. ~ medical substance dissolved in alcohol tinge give a slight degree of a color or quality to; N: slight degree of a color or quality; Ex. tinged with grey/jealousy tipsy adj. (infml ) slightly drunk tirade long angry denunciatory speech; diatribe; harangue; extended scolding; denunciation tireless adj. not tiring easily; energetic tiresome adj. troublesome, tedious or annoying titanic gigantic; N. titan toilsome Laborious. tolerable adj. that can be tolerated; endurable tolerance n. willingness or ability to tolerate sb/sth tolerant adj. ~ having or showing tolerance tolerate v. allow without interfering toleration n. action or practice of tolerating (tolerate1 topography physical features of a region (such as the shape and height); CF. topo-: place torpor lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy; ADJ. torpid: lethargic; lazy; inactive; (of an animal) dormant; hibernating torrid (of weather) hot or scorching; passionate; Ex. torrid love affairs tortious Wrongful. tortuous winding; full of curves; Ex. tortuous mountain road torturous Marked by extreme suffering. tractable docile; easily managed; (of something) easily changed or molded; N. tractability trait n. element in sb's personality; distinguishing characteristic trajectory path taken by a projectile; Ex. trajectory of a bullet trammel v. (fml or rhet ) take away the freedom of action of (sb); hamper; impede tranquil adj. calm, quiet and undisturbed tranquility Calmness. tranquilize To soothe. transact v. ~ sth (fml ) conduct or carry out (business), esp between two people transalpine Situated on the other side of the Alps. transatlantic adj. on or from the other side of the Atlantic transcend v. be or go beyond the range of (human experience, belief, powers of description, etc) transcendent exceeding ordinary limits; superior; surpassing; V. transcend: go beyond; exceed; surpass; N. transcendancy transcontinental adj. crossing a continent transcribe copy; write a copy of; N. transcription transcript n. written or recorded copy of what has been said or written transfer v. ~ sth/sb (from...) (to...) move sth/sb from one place to another transferee The person to whom a transfer is made. transference n. transferring or being transferred transfigure v. change the appearance of (sb/sth), esp so as to make him/it nobler or more beautiful transfuse To pour or cause to pass, as a fluid, from one vessel to another. transfusion n. act or process of putting one person's blood into another person's body transgress v. go beyond (the limit of what is morally or legally acceptable) transience transiency ns transient staying for a short time; momentary; temporary; N: one that is transient transition going from one state of action to another transitory transient; impermanent; fleeting; N. transitoriness translate v. ~ (from sth) (into sth) express (sth spoken or esp written) in another language or in simpler words translucence translucency ns translucent partly transparent transmissible That may e sent through or across. transmission n. action or process of transmitting or being transmitted transmit To send trough or across. transmute transform; change; convert to something different transparent permitting light to pass through freely; easily detected; obvious; clear; Ex. transparent lie transpire (of a fact) become known; be revealed; happen; give off (watery waste matter) through pores transplant v. ~ sth (to...); ~ sth (in/into sth) remove (a growing plant) with its roots and replant it elsewhere transposition n. transposing or being transposed transverse adj. lying or acting in a crosswise direction travail strenuous work; toil; painful labor; labor of childbirth travesty copy or example of something that completely misrepresents the true nature of the real thing; comical parody or imitation; treatment aimed at making something appear ridiculous; Ex. travesty of justice; OP. paragon treacherous adj. behaving withor showing treachery treachery n. betrayinga person or cause, esp secretly treasonable adj. a treasonable offence, ie one that can be punished as treason treatise article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly treble adj. n three times as much or as many trebly Triply. tremendous adj. very great; immense tremor trembling; slight quiver (as of the earth or from nervous agitation) tremulous trembling; wavering trenchant cutting; incisive; keen trepidation fear; nervous apprehension trestle n. structure of wood, metal, etc withlegs, used in pairs to support planks, a table-top, a bench,etc , triad n. group or set of three related people or things tribune official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians to protect their rights; protector of the people trickery n. deception; cheating ; tricolor Of three colors. tricycle n. vehicle like a bicycle but with one wheel at the front and two at the back trident three-pronged spear triennial adj. lasting for or happening every three years Trinity n. group of three things or people; trio ; trio n. group of three people or things triple adj. having three parts or involving three people, groups, etc triplicate n. in triplicate consisting of three identical copies, of which one is the original triplicity The state of being triple or threefold. tripod n. support with three legs for a camera, telescope, etc trisect v. divide into three equal parts trite hackneyed; commonplace triumvir One of three men united coordinately in public office or authority. trivial adj. that has little importance troublesome adj. giving trouble; causing annoyance, pain, etc truculence aggressiveness; ferocity; ADJ. truculent: aggressive; pugnacious; fierce truculent adj. defiantand aggressive truism self-evident truth truthful adj. honest in what he says; never lying turgid swollen; distended (as from liquid) turpitude depravity; baseness; Ex. moral turpitude tutelage guardianship; training; function of a tutor; instruction tutelar Protective. tutorship The office of a guardian. twinge n. short sudden spasm of pain typical adj. ~ having the distinctive qualities of a particular type of person or thing; representative typify v. (usu not in the continuous tenses ) be arepresentative example of (sb/sth) typographical Pertaining to typography or printing. typography n. art or practice of printing tyrannical adj. of or like a tyrant; obtaining obedience by force or threats tyranny oppression; cruel government; ADJ. tyrannical: of a tyrant or tyranny; despotic; V. tyrannize: treat tyrannically; oppress tyro beginner; novice ubiquitous being everywhere; omnipresent; N. ubiquity ulterior intentionally hidden; beyond what is evident; situated beyond; unstated and often questionable; Ex. ulterior motive ultimate final; not susceptible to further analysis; fundamental; Ex. The sun is the ultimate source of energy. ultimatum last demand; last warning; last statement of conditions that must be met; Ex. They have ignored our ultimatum. ultramontane Beyond the mountains, especially beyond the Alps (that is, on their Italian side). umbrage resentment; anger; sense of injury or insult; Ex. take umbrage at his rudeness unaccountable unexplicable; impossible to account for; unreasonable or mysterious unaffected adj. ~ not changed or affected (by sth) unanimity complete agreement; ADJ. unanimous unanimous adj. ~ (in sth) all agreeing on a decision or an opinion unavoidable adj. that cannotbe avoided unbearable adj. that cannot be tolerated or endured unbecoming adj. not suited to the wearer unbelief n. lack of belief or state of not believing, esp in God, religion, etc unbiased Impartial, as judgment. uncommon adj. not common; unusual unconscionable unscrupulous; not guided by conscience; excessive; beyond reason; Ex. unconscionable demand unconscious adj. not conscious; insensible unction the act of anointing with oil; Ex. extreme unction unctuous oily; bland; insincerely suave undeceive v. free (sb) from an illusion or a deception undercharge v. ~ (for sth) charge (sb) too low a price (for sth) underexpose v. expose for too short a time or in too poor a light undergarment n. article of underclothing underhanded Clandestinely carried on. underlie v. lie or exist beneath (sth) underling n. person in a subordinate and inferior position undermine weaken gradually; sap; dig a mine beneath underrate v. have toolow an opinion of undersell v. sell (goods) at a lower price than (one's competitors) undersized adj. of less than the usual size understate state with less truth than seems warranted by the facts; Ex. He understated the seriousness of the crime; N. understatement; OP. overstate undervalue v. ~ sb/sth put too low a value on sb/sth underworld n. the underworld place under the earth inhabited by the departed spirits of the dead underwrite v. sign and accept liability under (an insurance policy, esp for ships), thus guaranteeing payment in the event of loss or damage , undue adj. more than is right or proper; excessive undulate v. have a wave-like movement or appearance unfavorable Adverse. ungainly (of someone) awkward in movement; clumsy; (of something) unwieldy; Ex. ungainly dancer/instrument unguent ointment unicellular adj. (of an organism) consisting of a single cell unify v. form (sth) into a single unit or make uniform unique without an equal; single in kind unison unity of pitch (in musical performance); complete accord; Ex. The choir sang in unison. unitarian n, adj of the Christian religious sect which rejects the doctrine of the Trinity and believes that God is one person unlawful adj. against the law; illegal unlimited adj. not limited; very great in number or quantity unnatural adj. not natural or normal; differing from what is the usual or expected unnecessary adj. not necessary or desirable; superfluous unsettle v. disturb the normal calm state of (sth/sb); upset unsophisticated adj. simple and natural unspeakable adj. that cannot be expressed in words; indescribable untimely adj. happening at an unsuitable time untoward unexpected and adverse; unfortunate or unlucky; Ex. untoward encounter unutterable adj. too great, intense, etc to be expressed in words unwieldy awkward (to carry or move); cumbersome; unmanageable unwise adj. not wise; foolish unyoke To separate. upbraid reprimand; severely scold upcast A throwing upward. upheaval n. sudden violent upwardmovement upheave To raise or lift with effort. uppermost adj. highest in place or position or importance uproarious marked by commotion or uproar; very noisy (esp. with laughter); hilarious; causing loud laughter; extremely funny uproot v. pull out of the ground together with its roots upturn n. ~ upward trend in business, fortune, etc; improvement urban adj. of, situated in or living in a city or town urbanity Refined or elegant courtesy. urchin mischievous child (usually a boy); CF. urchin: hedgehog; CF. porcupine: pig with spikes ?; CF. sea urchin urgency The pressure of necessity. usage act or manner of using; accepted practice; way in which words are actually used usurious Taking unlawful or exorbitant interest on money loaned. usurp seize another's power or rank (without legal authority); supplant; appropriate; N. usurpation; CF. take for one's own use usury lending money at illegal high rates of interest utilitarianism The ethical doctrine that actions are right because they are useful or of beneficial tendency. utility n. quality of being useful utmost adj. greatest; furthest; most extreme vacate v. cease to occupy (a place or position) vaccinate v. ~ sb/sth protect sb/sth (against a disease) by injecting vaccine vacillate waver (in opinion); fluctuate; sway to and fro; N. vacillation vacuous empty; lacking in ideas; inane; stupid; Ex. vacuous expression; N. vacuity vacuum n. space that is completely empty of all matter orgas(es) vagabond wanderer (without a permanent home); tramp vagrant homeless wanderer vainglory n. extreme vanity or pride in oneself; boastfulness ; vale n. valley valediction saying farewell; expression of leave-taking valedictorian n. student giving a valedictory valedictory pertaining to farewell; N: farewell address (esp. at graduation exercises) valid logically convincing; sound; legally acceptable; effective; Ex. valid reasoning/passport valorous Courageous. vapid lacking liveliness; dull and unimaginative; insipid and flavorless; Ex. vapid lecture vaporizer An atomizer. variable adj. varying; changeable variance n. at variance (with sb/sth) (fml ) disagreeing or having a difference of opinion (with sb); in conflict (with sth) variant n. thing that differs from other things or from a standard variation n. ~ (degree of) varying or being variant variegate change the appearance of (by marking with different colors) vassal in feudalism, one who held land of a superior lord; subordinate or dependent vaudeville n. = variety 4 vegetal Of or pertaining to plants. vegetarian n. person who,for humane, religious or health reasons, eats no meat vegetate live in a monotonous way (without interests or activity); CF. vegetation: plants of an area; CF. vegetarian; CF. vegan vegetation n. plants in general; those found in a particular environment vegetative Pertaining to the process of plant-life. vehement forceful; intensely emotional; with marked vigor; strong; N. vehemence velocity speed velvety adj. soft like velvet venal capable of being bribed; corrupt; CF. vernal vendible Marketable. vendor seller veneer thin surface layer (of good quality wood, glued to a base of inferior material); cover; surface show; fa\c{c}ade; V. venerable deserving high respect; commanding respect; CF. command: deserve and get venerate revere; treat with great respect venereal Pertaining to or proceeding from sexual intercourse. venial (of a fault or sin) forgivable; trivial venison meat of a deer; CF. cow: beef; CF. pig: pork, ham, bacon; CF. calf: veal; CF. sheep: mutton; CF. lamb: lamb venom poison (of an animal); hatred; Ex. remarks full of venom; ADJ. venomous venous adj. of or contained in the veins veracious (of a person) truthful veracity truthfulness; adherence to the truth verbatim word for word; in the same words; repeating the actual words exactly verbiage pompous array of words; too many unnecessary words; wordiness verbose wordy; N. verbosity verdant green; covered with green plants or grass; lush in vegetation; Ex. verdant meadows verification n. verifying or being verified verify v. make sure that (sth) is true or accurate; check verily In truth. verity quality of being true; lasting truth or principle; Ex. the verity of his testimony; Ex. one of the eternal verities vermin n. certain wild animals and birds which are harmful to crops and farmyard animals and birds vernacular living language (as compared to the official language); language spoken in a country or region; natural style; Ex. lapse into the vernacular vernal pertaining to spring versatile having many talents; capable of working in many fields; having many uses or functions; N. versatility version n. account of an event, etc from the point of view of one person vertex summit; highest point; PL. vertices vertical adj. at a right angle to another line or plane, or to the earth's surface vertigo severe dizziness; giddiness vestige trace; remains; Ex. vestiges of some ancient religion vestment n. ceremonial garment, esp one worn by a priest in church ; , veto vested power to reject a bill; exercise of this right; V: prevent or forbid by exercising the power of veto vicarious experienced as if one were taking part in the experience of another; done by a deputy for other people; acting as a substitute; Ex. vicarious thrill at the movies; Ex. the vicarious sufferings of Christ viceroy n. person governing a colony, province, etc as the deputy of a sovereign vicissitude change (esp. from good to bad); change of fortune; CF. the last emperor of China vie contend; compete vigilance watchfulness vigilant watchful; on the alert; watchfully awake; alert to spot danger; N. vigilance vignette small drawing placed at the beginning or end of a chapter; picture; short literary sketch; short written description of a character or scene vincible Conquerable. vindicate clear from blame; free from blame or accusation (with supporting proof); exonerate; substantiate; justify or support; avenge; Ex. vindicate one's client; Ex. vindicate one's claim; CF. vindicator vindicative Revengeful. vindicatory Punitive. vinery A greenhouse for grapes. viol A stringed instrument of the violin class. viola n. stringed musical instrument played with a bow, of larger size than a violin . violation n. violatingor being violated violoncello A stringed instrument held between the player's knees. virago n. (fml ) violent and bad-tempered woman who scolds and shouts virile manly; having masculine spirit or strength; full of strength virtu Rare, curious, or beautiful quality. virtual in essence; existing in essence though not in actual form; for practical purposes; Ex. virtual ruler/space virtuoso highly skilled artist (esp. in music); Ex. piano virtuoso virulence Extreme poisonousness. virulent (of a disease or poison) extremely harmful or poisonous; (of a feeling) hostile; bitter; N. virulence; CF. virus; CF. venom visage face; appearance viscount n. noblemanranking higher than a baron but lower than an earl vista n. view as seen between long rows of trees, buildings, etc visual adj. concerned with or used in seeing visualize To give pictorial vividness to a mental representation. vitality n. persistent energy; liveliness or vigour vitalize To endow with life or energy. vitiate spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally vivacity Liveliness. vivify To endue with life. vivisection act of dissecting living animals vocable a word, especially one regarded in relation merely to its qualities of sound. vocative n. special form of a noun, a pronoun or an adjective used (in some inflected languages) when addressing or invoking a person or thing vociferate v. say (sth) loudly or noisily; shout ; vociferous clamorous; noisy; V. vociferate: cry out loudly (when complaining) vogue popular fashion; Ex. Jeans became the vogue. volant Flying or able to fly. volatile changeable; of a quickly changing nature (as of temper); mercurial; tending to violence; evaporating rapidly; Ex. volatile character/situation in the street volition act of using one's will; act of making a conscious choice; Ex. She selected this dress of her own volition. volitive Exercising the will. voluble fluent; talkative; glib; N. volubility voluptuous sensual; of or giving sensual pleasure; indulging in sensual pleasures; Ex. voluptuous lines; Ex. voluptuous life of the Romans; N. voluptuary: voluptuous person voracious ravenous; eating large quantities of food; exceedingly eager; insatiable; Ex. voracious animal/reader vortex whirlwind; whirlpool; center of turbulence; predicament into which one is inexorably plunged votary n. ~ (fml ) person who dedicates himself to sth, esp religious workand service votive adj. presented to fulfil a promise made to God vulgarity n. rude or obscene act or expression vulnerable susceptible to wounds or attack; N. vulnerability waif homeless child or animal; Ex. waifs and strays waistcoat n. close-fitting sleeveless garment, buttoned down the front, usu worn under a jacket or coat and often forming part of a man's suit waive give up temporarily; yield; N. waiver: waiving a right or claim; document that waives a right or claim wampum n. ornaments made of shells threaded on a string like beads, used formerly by N American Indians as money , wane decrease in size or strength (after being full); grow gradually to an end; Ex. The moon waxes and wanes every month; N. warlike adj. fond of or skilled in fighting; aggressive wavelet A ripple. weak-kneed adj. (of a person) lacking determination or courage weal n. raised mark on the skin made by hitting it with a stick, whip, etc wean accustom a baby not to nurse; accustom (the young of a mammal) to take nourishment other than by suckling; give up a cherished activity; cause to gradually leave (an interest or habit); Ex. wean oneself from cigarettes wearisome adj. causing one to feel tired or bored wee adj. little well-bred of good upbringing; well-mannered and refined well-to-do adj. prosperous; wealthy ; whereabouts interrog adv in or near what place; where whereupon conj after which; and then wherever conj in any place, regardless of where wherewith The necessary means or resources. whet sharpen; stimulate; Ex. whet someone's appetite whimsical capricious; fanciful; amusingly strange whine complain (in a sad voice); make a high sad sound (as in pain or supplication) wholly adv. completely; entirely wield v. hold in one's handand use (a weapon, tool, etc) wile An act or a means of cunning deception. winsome charming (in a childlike way); agreeable; gracious; engaging wintry adj. of or like winter; cold, snowy, etc wiry adj. (of a person) lean but strong witchcraft n. use of magic powers, esp evil ones; sorcery ; witless lacking intelligence or wit; foolish; idiotic witling A person who has little understanding. witticism witty saying; wisecrack(clever joking remark) witting deliberate; intentional wizen to become dry, shrunken, and wrinkled often as a result of aging or of failing vitality workmanlike Like or befitting a skilled workman. workmanship The art or skill of a workman. wrangle quarrel noisily; obtain through arguing; herd cattle; N. wreak inflict; Ex. wreak one's vengeance on wrest obtain by pulling violently; pull away; take by violence; Ex. wrest victory from their grasp writhe twist in coils; contort in pain wry (esp. of an expression of the face) twisted; with a humorous twist (expressing displeasure) yearling n. animal, esp a horse, between one and two years old zealot one who is zealous; fanatic; person who shows excessive zeal zeitgeist n. spirit of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas, beliefs, etc of the time zenith point directly overhead in the sky; summit; acme; highest point zephyr gentle breeze; west wind zodiac n. the zodiac imaginary band of the sky containing the positions of the sun, the moon and the main planets, divided into 12 equal parts (the signs of the zodiac), named after 12 groups of stars , 12 , 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 .